American Idol 9 Top 4 – Performance – Recap

Darn, no spoilers today? Wish I had my Tuesdays back to attend the tapings.

I hate flying blind. Oh well… can’t wait for the duets

These are horrible pairs

Jamie Foxx is a douchebag

Well,tonight should be fun / sarcasm

So we will hear a Crystal/Lee duet twicce… Once now, and once in the Finale

here we goooooooo!

“…only one will see it happen…”(camera spans to crystal) OIC!

HATE it when Randy goes BOO BOO when Simon is introduced.

Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel (RENT, Glee) are in the audience!

Casey is singing (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams.

awww last season!

“a career without boundaries” – because there are “No Boundaries”

Casey is singing (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams.

Is that a spoiler or a threat?

Am I the only one that really really hates it when Big Fat Mike waves with both hands…ugggh. I like him less and less each week…not that I can really like him any less than I already do…what a dumba$$

Yeah, Jamie’s a singer….auto tune…a joke.

Met Taye Diggs once…a pompus ass.

i can’t stand this guy
ETA: and his EGO

Yay, Season 8 throwback!!
Umm, the star of the Soloist?? Idol, rewriting history….
Best part of that movie 1) the ending, 2) RDJr

Does anybody have a link for the live stream?

Is that a spoiler or a threat?

It’s a spoiler.

EVERY SINGLE ONE WILL GET THE CONTESTANT SHIRT.

This is lame Jamie. Casey can layer.

Lee is getting the Adam performance slots, isn’t he?

Ok he is going to be like last years repeat.zzzz

Lee sounds horrible.

ouch lee

EEEEk BAD NOTES, Lee, so sorry for you.

not this song.ugh

15 years later and I still don’t know what the hell this song is about. lol

ouch, that note

Oh pitchy, pitchy. This is a hard song.

So OUT OF TUNE. This is painful.

God I hate Kiss From a Rose…maybe the most overplayed song of all time…Love Lee, hope you win, BUT this is not very good at all.

not this song.ugh
seriously America, do you want this guy to be your idol? he and his horrid singing? ok

Let Taye and Idina sing a duet, please!

Not Lee’s best week.

seriously this was terrible IMO

Yay lee! That was pretty much in tune!

I hate agreeing with Randy, though. He did nothing with the song except singing it with his tone. Plus, I could have sworn I have heard a rock version of this song before.

WAY out of tune and he really didn’t do much to change the song up to make it original. And he still has little stage presence

All I can say is….ouch! I was really hoping to like or actually love this performance but I’m sorry I didn’t.

I thought Sligh did a better rendition with his audition.

Kara finally calls Lee on the out of tune! Well well.

Here goes the Lee overpimping again!!! Jamie should have given him the contestant tshirt..YIKES.

Gokey was soo much better. That was my favorite song from Danny and I’m not even a Danny fan.

Kara and Ellen…what the hell were you listening to?

Yes, Simon and Randy you are correct!!!!!!

This could be our American Idol.

Holy shit.

And in Response to Judee: I want the Lee who did “The Boxer” and Sinatra as my idol. The question is whether that Lee comes back in the next performance or not…

Absolutely fantastic, Lee.

That was just the worse song for him to pick. I guess Crystal will have to save him with the duet.

Lee …shut up!!!! you are saying nothing. Get off the stage.

that was awful…. finally judges called him

That was a Season 3 vocal, but he has the looks of a Season 6, 7 and 8.

even though they didn’t like it, they STILL have to pimp him by saying he’s great? um, no he’s not

and now they are slamming him tonight. and I’m sure they will be praising Crystal again. so what’s the plan? strange. that def wasn’t his worst performance.

Did Lee not spend any of his allowance this week on wardrobe. He looks like he just pulled something out of his own closet. I agree with Randy for once.

hmmm…is no one getting the back-to-back middle of the show like Kris did last year?

IS HE SINGING THE SONG FROM FREE WILLY?!?!?!?!?! PLEASE!!

This could be our American Idol.

Holy shit.

I know, I’m scared too.

Was there a MJ song on the list? Ryan just said that Mike was doing his song…

Feed went down – anyone have a working live feed?

“I enjoyed it.” Good for you Lee, glad somebody did.

Lee DeWyze was fantastic.

Pitchy pitchy pitchy… oh lo, Lee is covered in tar! Haha. I commend Randy for not saying pitchy and Kara for saying “out of tune”… did they take HC Jr’s admonition to heart??

Lee wasn’t that bad. I liked that he did that song straight, and it was a good choice for him in terms of style. It’s just too bad he’s not good enough of a vocalist to pull that off live without going hopelessly all over the place with the pitch problems.

that was painful… he was off key throughout… ‘sigh’….

Mikey is singing MJ. So…. does that mean we are going to be treated to hearing “Ben”?

I thought Lee was pretty good

Yay,fianlly this week SONGS I KNOW!!!!!!!!

Sorry to mention him here,I try not to,but Adam’s kiss from a ros was absolutely *perfect *and stunning last year…

does anyone have a live feed that is working? mine says requested video not found or some such thing

crap my live feed died. well maybe it’s better.

KFAR is extremely hard to sing in tune — definitely showed up some of Lee’s pitch issues. Also, no variation from the original. Disappointing after Lee’s wonderful “That’s Life” from Sinatra week.

Casey changed it up this week. He’s looking pretty good in his robins egg blue shirt and tie )

Is it just me or does Lee look and sound constipated when singing? Just me? ok.

I’d love the live feed since we’re tape delayed on West Coast!

With Lee singing a song so many before him have done better, he really showed how weak he is.

I don’t understand how anyone would think that was fantastic. It was off key from the first note pretty much to the last. And it wasn’t original at all.

I think that the only feed available died

I’ve been trying to find another one but no luck yet.

I’d give Jamie Foxx a “Sellout” t-shirt, can they make one big enough to fit over his head??
There’s not an artist shirt big enough for Big Mike.
If he makes his hometown visit for top 3, which would happen this week – I’m so going. St. Pete is an hour away. Woohoo!!!

Ok first I didn’t think Lee was too bad. Not great but fine. But have the judges been reading MJ blog and have read how some of us feel they are over pimping Lee. Because Except for Ellen they were brutal. I don’t think he is going anywhere though. He went first but he has got the duet and will go last if it is like last year and Adam and Allison. Adam went first and their duet was the last thing. Lee will be fine but really for a Top 4 performance not really impressive.

lol, so many brilliant songs? I aint fraid of no ghosts.

You have got to be kidding. Lee was beyond awful. Stop his noise now. That was embarrassing.

I think Randy did say pitchy about Lee.

At least Mike is singing in Tune!!!

Very hard song to sing. And every time I thought, Oh, good, he’s in tune now, He’d hit some note that so wasn’t. Since the song’s melody wanders so much anyway, Lee’s extra out-of-tune moments made it just too much wandering for me.

I liked that JF said — Gotta get it from the inside out. That’s been my problem with this whole top 4. They haven’t been projecting that well. Lee seemed to make a pretty good effort to focus and put it across though, at least. He did well with that last week, too, so I guess he’s getting somewhere. Could live without the very wavery pitch, though.

Mike doesn’t have the voice for this song.

what is this – a gospel choir?

WTF? Mike gets a backup gospel choir? Is that fair??

I wonder if Mike knows a Tampa/St. Pete school saved Keiko, the whale in Free Willy?? He’s coming off shouty to me….

Oh em gee. Two weeks ago I said Big Mike sounds like Seal sometimes, and should sing that song. Lee? Not so much. That was awful. Like, I think Casey was better than this last week.

Also? I still have an irrational hatred of Jamie Foxx. Go away, Jamie Foxx. Hee.

Michael’s not singing the words
He sounds like he is talking them out in a preachy way
There’s no melodic flow
Sigh I am so sad about this season af AI

Oh Mike I like you I really do but man this is not your best. The song is all over the place. Mike is much better then this IMHO.

What is Mike singing? I’m on W. Coast..just trying to read the tea leaves.

I liked moments of Lee’s song but agree it wasn’t probably a good choice. Mike’s was okay but didn’t think it showed anything special.

I really wanted Casey & Lee to do a duet. Shoot.

I have a bunch of Deaf friends, and I used to sign them the show – now I know how they feel! I want my LIVE FEED!

yuck mike was not good

What a shame it would be if Lee got in over Mike. He was soo much better.

My feed just died! Does anyone have a link for a working feed?

How did I get back in church. no….

Here’s another live feed:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hightyme-7-television

yes randy…so many songs to choose from

Yuk Mike…but he was in tune. Just dont like him

I’d give Jamie Foxx a “Sellout” t-shirt, can they make one big enough to fit over his head??

LOLOLOL.

I think Randy did say pitchy about Lee.

Did he? I tune out 90% of his comments I think…

I don’t recognize Mike’s song. It wasn’t a great choice for his strengths, though.

What did Mike sing?

didn’t feel that… alright in spots, but i didn’t connect…

Mike – meh. Nothing special.

Lee killed the live feed…

Like, I think Casey was better than this last week.

Jesus Christ, that’s terrible. Somebody compare it to Paige’s Against All Odds?

EFFF u Randy, Mike is not just an “R&B dude.” Thats lazy.

“There are so many songs to choose from…”

UM DID YOU SEE THAT 34 SONG LIST OF PURE CHEESE?

Yay Ellen! Shut up Kara.

Randy STFU! I’m not even a mike fan – I thought he sounded good.

Ugh, this is SO disappointing for the final four. Lee was not at all impressive, and Mike was lackluster.

This is bus throwing people lol, but no one will care, just like Syesha

love Ellen for calling him out on the desire should be to win, not just be in Top 3

Who has the pimp spot?

ROFLMAO “What’s it about, a willy?”

I have to say Ellen is a waste of a judge. She loses her ground each week.

Kara needs to shut up when Simon talks. We don’t care.

Ugh, I’m so sick of fat albert…I mean Mike…he so should go home this week…unless Casey bombs, Mike is definitely the weakest link. Everything he does sounds the same…super fail on America if he advances to top 3…gigantic fail if Lee or Crystal get booted this week.

There were not thousands of songs Simon. There were 50. FIFTY!!!

Crystal gets Pimp Spot

Hmmm…I like Mike, but I hated the song choice. I was bored.

Lee was terrible. I really don’t get all the love for that guy.

Underwhelmed so far.

Simon has no clue about Free Willy. Hee

At least Big Mike’s performance was better overall than Lee’s. I don’t think it was his best though.

Oscar winner…..Falling Slowly?

is casey getting the pimp spot? have the 2 duets in the middle?

Oscar Winner- They are so gonna do Falling Slowly. Which is OK. Unless Randy trashes it again.

This feed works

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hightyme-7-television

I missed Mike — how did he do? It couldn’t have been great if Simon’s giving him the “100% effort” comment

dnw falling slowly

Lee should never have picked that song….the beginning of it was off key, but by the time he found the right pitch people were already turned off….also, he has a strong voice not a falsetto voice for that song….having said that he has been pretty strong this season, so I’m hoping he stays …Mike wasn’t much better, he spoke the song more than singing it.

Falling slowly???

I love that song-watch them
ruin it

I do not want to see the back of Jamie Foxx’s sweaty scalp again. Gross!

It’s probably going to go… Lee/Crystal, then Casey, then Crystal and the Casey/Mike

Crystal gets pimp spot, but looks like Casey/Mike get to end the show.

Nice job, Mike.

Stupid, planned-out, failed attempt at humor Kara and Simon.

Falling Slowly isn’t the only song to win an Oscar. Didn’t the Annie Lennox song from Into the West win? Or what about the current Oscar winning song — from Cazy Heart?

I love Lee, but I HATE the song Kiss from a Rose. It soured the performance for me.

On the other hand, I love the song Will You Be There, but nobody can sing it like Michael Jackson did. Big Mike should never have gone there!

Lee was nothing better than a karaoke attempt and embarrassing to have gone out over the air. This guy SUCKS live. SUCKS.

Apologies to Seal for what was done to his song.

alxsavage – thanks for the feed!!

Why is everyone so sure it’s “Falling Slowly”? Was that the only Oscar winner on the list?

the only way “Kiss from a Rose” makes sense for Lee is if he picked it as a defensive move, to keep Mike from singing it. Is Lee that smart? Not if consensus is he backfired.

Ok so are they trying to screw Lee over. He went first and is also going 3rd. Either they are so sure he will get through or they want him gone now…maybe it has something to do with the package that MTV got from the past record label. Interesting. Especially since last year they did the order differently and I think more fair.

Lee and the Falsetto should never be in the same room again
I heard glasses in the studio cracking.

Mike couldn’t get a moment out of that if he had a sledge hammer. Yawn. I look forward to AI the whole year and this is all I get? Give me a t-shirt that says: “DEPRESSED VIEWER.”

where is casey

So not happy they are doing this song – this is Kris’s song…

And watch Randy love this when he hated it last year

Those dreads need washing.

How can they possibly be boring before even singing?

Crystal is so much better than Lee

Ha, Lexus. I love Kiss From A Rose and hate the Free Willy song. Trade ya!

So far, Mike >>> Lee, which aint sayin much. Shoulda went with the neo soul rather than gospel, Mike.

ouch, out of tune

stop lee, just stop… he is so off….

I predict that the judges will not mention Kris’s brilliant version of this from last season.

Not liking this yet, although it’s getting a little better. But their voices don’t match great.

This is nice. Lee still has pitch issues though. What’s wrong with him tonight?

every time Lee sings, I hear “yo Adrienne” running through my head. He sings with such a crooked mouth. lol.

The duet is not bad but the should have retired this song after Kris. Is it me or is Lee trying to sound like Kris the phasing is similar. Anyway good duet but Kris was better.

God I miss Adam & Allison’s Slow Ride!

Randy is smokin the good stuff!

duet is so boring

they’re rocking it out too much – the original was much more of a delicate sound to me

Randy hate from me right now…

Those dreads need washing.

She has some of the nicest dreads ive ever seen.

rolls eyes at randy and ellen… what a joke…

that song started rough but got better.

Liked this version. It had a more muscular sound than the original. Glad they didn’t stick to the original version.

Lol how the cameraman kept the tight shots on Lee. Song was just ok.

This was terrible!

the pimping is so wrong. So false

i give up – these judges are f.o.s.

Lee was worse than Kris

Crystal was way better than Kris

What???? Simon??? I saw this duet last weekend at Joe’s Cafe!

OMG why did they do that? And no mention of Kris. Whatever. They were cute.

Gushing over THAT? Man.

They looked awkward but sounded great. Crystal is much better than Lee. Much.

OH MY GOD Casey’s doing “Mrs. Robinson”!!!

That deserved the pimping.

What are they hearing? Are they nuts? Fantastic from Simon? U kidding me? Kris was waaaaayyyyy better and I’m not a huge Kris fan. That was average, no better. Talk about pimping mediocre singing.

What??? I can’t believe the raves from the judges. That version was so unmelodic–they drained all the beauty out of it. I liked how they faced each other and alternated half-lines, but it was not pleasant to listen to. And I’m a Crystal fan.

What a disappointing night.

I totally hate Randy and Kara right now – last year this was considered pitchy and obscure when Kris did it – now Kara calls it one of the best moments of the season – ugghh…

Cool! This is the original version from The Frames, which I like more than the version from Once. Of course any Kris fan would disagree

Lee was horrible – Crystal drowned him out – major pimping as usual.

Casey’s doing Mrs. Robinson? He deserves to win!!! Clever choice.

EFFF u Randy, Mike is not just an “R&B dude.” Thats lazy.

But he’s a big Black guy dawg, and all big Black guys must stay in the R&B box! Yeah, I was annoyed by Randy on that one too.

Ah…mega Crystal & Lee pimpage, so predictable (eyeroll). Oh, how I long for a Lee shock boot this week.

it was good! fantastic? no.
I’m glad this beautiful song is now on the list. thanks Kris!! and thankd for last year brilliant version and such an hearfelt one

I thought it was really good… but Kris’s was BRILLIANT, so I don’t really know how that compares. And it sucks that they’re sticking to the script.

Wow, Crystal sounded gorgeous.

I actually think they’ve all done well with the song choices so far, but not the execution.

Lee – was painfully out of tune, and didn’t really do much to build the song

Mike – started a little tentatively for me, and didn’t build it much either. However, he sounded nice.

Crystal / Lee (duet) – I actually had wanted someone to choose Falling Slowly because it was clearly one of the best songs on the list. It sounded okay, but I’m really looking forward to the studio version!

oh boy — overpimping. And I was right — don’t mention Kris at all…

I didn’t like the beginning of this. They picked it up in the middle and overall I thought it was good. Not great — I still don’t know if their voices blended great. And were they supposed to sing different verses, or did one of them mess it up? I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they were supposed to sing different verses

WTF? Again no acknowledgment of Kris nor his performance of Falling Slowly.. I hate these people!!!!

That duet was ALL Crystal. Lee was pointless up there. Oh man is it more clear than ever these are the 2 for the finale? AI Producers: you have to stop having your way. Really. We get it. WE know what you want. It’s not what we wanted.

Oh, how I long for a Lee shock boot this week.

Yes please!

Bryan Adams was the predictable choice for Casey. Looking forward to hearing a little Mrs. R.

Randy: that could be a hit right now!

Um… so it kinda was a pretty famous song already, it won the Oscar? What an idiot.

I liked it, and it was good, but I already love the song and I prefer Glen Hansard and Marketa (forgot her last name)’s version to this. I’ve seen the Swell Season, and I think Glen and Marketa’s voices contrast more yet mesh better somehow than Lee and Crystal’s. Gotta say, I’m disappointed cuz I won’t be downloading this. I already have the original from the Once soundtrack that I like better.

It may not be popular, but I liked it. There was really only very brief moments when the two were out of sync pitch-wise. Have to say, enjoyed this better than most of the performances this season.

The duet was excellent! Didn’t think the back and forth lines worked with the song, but that was still the best duet I’ve seen on Idol.

Lee and Crystal were really good….he needed that…Loved it!!

i don’t care who wins right now – this show is just ridiculous… the judges tonight are really just f.o.s… tuning out, and turning the channel.

They deserve the pimping… they both are miles above Mike and Casey and if one of them doesn’t when, we will just have the newest edition to the Idol winner’s a Failure club

I thought it was really good… but Kris’s was BRILLIANT, so I don’t really know how that compares. And it sucks that they’re sticking to the script.

No, Kris’s was very strained, Crystal kicked his ass. Her voice is in a league above Kris.

i give up – these judges are f.o.s.

For real.

Crystal saved that duet big time. I think Kris’s version was more emotionally honest.

Jamie Foxx pulled a Lord Andrew with Casey. So far, Casey was the best. Still not saying much, buuuuttt…. At least the mandolin was interesting, and he really started to get into it as the song went on, after he got over his nerves in the beginning.

I think Lee arraigned that duet, because he stomped all over the subtle dynamic of the song.

Sorry to mention him here,I try not to,but Adam’s kiss from a ros was absolutely *perfect *and stunning last year…

I don’t think Adam sang “Kiss From a Rose”

Totally different style than Kris’ last year, but still great. Very nice harmonies! Cannot believe they did not mention Kris.

Wow. I haven’t watched since Top 9, I was so bored with this season. Tonight was not a good night to start (watching again).

Seriously, I know the bar is really, really low this season but the judges have officially lost their minds (and ears). That was such a hot mess. Falling Slowly is such a great song and it’s almost impossible to completely gut the power of it, but Lee and Crystal came close. They started terribly – maybe righted the ship a little in the middle – only to have it fall apart again. Painful.

Love those locks, Casey. Just speed up the song a bit.

Disappointed with Lee’s first song but loved the duet. Mike’s was b-o-r-i-n-g!

I don’t think Adam sang “Kiss From a Rose”

I sure don’t remember it either.

The duet was okay. But, heck, I could get together with any of the male singers I know and work up that version to at least that level in half an hour. … Just about any pair of competent singer/guitarists could.

I guess the judges are so hungry to hear something that just the fact that they’re hearing harmonies has sent them over the edge? Or they’re just lying, I guess. Simon has to be lying, remembering all his talk about how the solo Crystal on some *amazing* songs sounded like someone off the subway to him. And now this, which I believe I may actually have sung outside a subway at some point, come to think of it, sounds brilliant. Uh, no, Simon.

I think Kris’s version was more emotionally honest.

This is why them pimping the duet bothered me so much. Kris tapped into the emotion of the song whereas that duet kind of steamrolled through the thing.

I absolutely loved the duet!

Why does everyone think they should have mentioned Kris? Just because he did a nice version last year? There’s been a lot of nice version of Kiss From the rose too.

I absolutely loved the duet!

Why does everyone think they should have mentioned Kris? Just because he did a nice version last year? There’s been a lot of nice versions of Kiss From the Rose too.

Casey is singing in the pit of death

Casey’s best of the night so far, but that’s not saying much.

Uh. No. That was sort of…not much of anything.

Ok Casey should win just for that great song choice…

LOVED Crystal and LEE…loved loved loved it!

Doesn’t sound like I missed much getting home late lol.

No mention of Kris. Time to kick Kara in the nads.

I think we know who Casey will think was the best mentor. LOL. I liked it.

I really loved that arrangement… it sounded super indie and cool, which I never would have thought from him.

And then Randy has to ruin it.

“This is how a regular guitar looks on Big Mike” LMFAO

Randy he did TOO “change it up,” he slowed it way down!

I loved Casey! Yes yes yes! Finally something that was purely good!!

But I must say the last couple lines I heard sounded really nice.

Gah – come back feed! What are they saying?

Oh Casey why or why….yes it was unique but you are not Jason and only Jason can get away with a ukulele in a song. At least you tried something different.

Casey’s afraid to hold out notes at risk of being called a goat.

Ugh, drop it shitbird judges.

Okay I am going to be nauseous with Kara making herself THE Mrs. Robinson.

And here’s the bus from Simon – and he was the best performance of the night…

nice job Casey..you might just stay in this. Maybe Mike will go home finally…

Meh, didn’t care for Casey, but I honestly don’t just like his voice. And I hate ukuleles. >.<

For God’s sake, Randy!–Don’t feed Kara’s ego. She’s already so full of herself it’s literally sickening.

This is why I couldn’t stand Casey for months – having to hear the Kara cougar crap, bleh :p

It doesn’t help that she’s wearing her powersuit…

Casey’s performance was ok, but tentative, and goaty. He wants to get off the show anyway, clearly. He would hate to win.

Me likes LeeSox! Yeah, I know it’s not fashionable to like something this season, but I prefer to see the glass half full.

I think Lee arraigned that duet, because he stomped all over the subtle dynamic of the song.

It’s another version of the song arranged by Glen Hansard himself, performed by his band, The Frames http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPXkSQIba1Y

I like Casey’s performance. He sounded much better than Lee and Mike and sounded very connected to the lyrics, not on automatic. And Simon? To dump on that classic Simon & Garfunkel song as a lightweight, given the rest of the songs on the list? You’re kidding, right?

Okay I am going to be nauseous with Kara making herself THE Mrs. Robinson.

To be fair, she didn’t do that, Randy did. Whatever.

I wish Simon would get a clue. Didn’t he look at the HORRIBLE song list? He acts like they could choose any song they wanted.

Casey looks fed up and pissed and you can see he is just dying to say something to these 4 idiots. Jokes about penises and cougars is the best they can offer???

Casey tried to be really different this week from the way he dressed to the song choice and performance. It was a little sleepy, but I enjoyed it. I hope we see you next week.

Randy, of course you weren’t jumping out of your seat for Casey’s performance, his name isn’t Lee DeWyze! Hmmph.

So annoyed with the judges right now and their silliness. Casey deserves more respect than they are giving him.

This is BS. May have to vote hard for Casey.

You know this is what we are left with This is not top 4 talent. IMHO. The 3 guys didn’t bomb but didn’t bring it either or blow me away or even have me go Wow. Where is Siobhan at least I would have been entertained and if she was on she would have brought the house down. I know she would have at least picked some great obscure song. Crystal I am sure will be good. But there is no surprise. Even the Fallen Slowly which was good was not Top 4 spectacular.

Caddyshack? Okay, I did NOT see this one coming. Heh.

Adam sang Born to be Wild. And skipped. LOL

I thought Casey did a better job than Lee

Casey was the best of the night so far. I think he’s got so much beneath those blue eyes. Can’t wait for him to be free of this show, but he so deserves top 3.

Casey looks fed up and pissed and you can see he is just dying to say something to these 4 idiots.

I picked up the same vibe, too.

Where is Siobhan

Please don’t open up that wound, it’s still too fresh.

Think I might have to do some power voting for Casey. He was much better than Lee and Mike.

I’m voting my ass off for Casey tonight. And my ass is substantial.

Casey almost died this day 6 years ago. There is so much to Casey, and he has gotten zero respect on this show.

Part of it the list but I think they all could have made better choices

I think I’ve finally figured out my problem with this season. I know literally dozens of people who are at least as good as and in many cases way better than these people. So why am I watching these people do all this perfectly okay but nevertheless extremely ordinary stuff on my television?

Have never felt that way about the final four before. there’s always been at least someone that I thought was truly extraordinary. I actually like all four of these, but if any of them has anything truly extraordinary, I’m still missing it.

I have to agree with Simon. That song kind of lay there. It’s not a showstopper kind of tune.

The next duet should be interesting…uh..I mean weird.

I picked up that vibe too that Casey just wants to lay into them. I don’t blame him one bit!! Casey was the best tonight. His performance was fantastic. The judges are obviously throwing him under the bus. Of course, they had to go and make it all about Kara. Where are the muzzles when you need them??? >:{

rayni:
05/11/2010 at 8:44 pm

I’m voting my ass off for Casey tonight. And my ass is substantial.

lmao

Sadly Casey is the best of the night..and that is saying very little

LMAO @ “my ass is substantial”. Nice, rayni.

I thought that was a nice, but lightweight, version of Mrs Robinson. At least Casey tried to change it up — which is something Lee didn’t do on his solo

Casey was fantastic! What the hell are the judges smoking? He totally left Lee and Mike in his dust.

The judges and TPTB might not reognize Kris, but other people have his back..

Billboarddotcom

#Same here RT @lyndseyparker Still prefer this version of “Falling Slowly” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMg7FL5sQE #season8nostalgia 11 minutes ago via web

Does it seem like Jamie is auditioning for a certain job?

Seriously! Jamie FOxx is douchebag. So bad they asked him back this year…uggh

Jason can get away with a ukulele in a song.

A mandolin isn’t a ukulele!

I would never ever buy this song, Crystal.

Just give Crystal the winner title now, and lets get on to season 10

What a great fuck you to all the critiques.

omg all I can think of is Bill Murray.

…so OVER AI this year!…It sounds like AMERICAN FOLK IDOL,etc.etc…sick of guitars,etc,etc..And CASEY-finally hit me! He reminds me of TINY TIM -just with good looks and pretty hair!!!!…UGH…oh no-good or not, here comes Crystal with ANOTHER guitar song–I’m going to comment suicide(joking, of course)…lets all hoe-down-YEE HAW!!!

Casey was way more in tune than Lee, but Lee “performed” a little better. I didn’t much like Big Mike’s song tonight.

Oh man, Crystal kills it. I just love her voice.

OMG her boyfriend is adorable. Too cute.

I might just vote for Casey to spite the judges…

I like how she changed it up. She’s the only one who deserves The Artist shirt tonight. That was better than the original.

I love crystal, but i think she peaked weeks ago. Despite the fact that she is the better singer, lee will win. *sigh*

She’s good, but that’s screaming to me. She also has the same phrasing on every song. She’s so cute though,.

I’m Alright with Crystal’s song choice tonight. Nice job

I think Crystal had the best energy tonight – which I guess makes her the best of the night for me

Casey looks fed up and pissed and you can see he is just dying to say something to these 4 idiots. Jo

Yup, I got a major biting his tongue so as not to say something he’d regret vibe. I mean, seriously. Even Ellen was annoying with the crack about the big boy guitar. It’s called a mandolin, hellllloooo….[/Wat from A Knight's Tale.] I mean, yes, Casey’s not mind blowingly talented, but he’s certainly not outclassed by the likes of Lee.

Oh, big props to this percussionist! He’s fab. And Crystal was pretty damn good herself. How many times is Randy going to say “It’s not my favorite performance…” this season?

Crystal just proved she is NOT a rocker. She got a little shouty.

I GIVE UP! This show sucks!

dhunken:yes it was unique but you are not Jason and only Jason can get away with a ukulele in a song. At least you tried something different.

It’s not a ukulele, it’s a mandolin. World of difference.

I would never ever buy this song, Crystal.

I would. And I will : )

Will– you are right in that Kara didn’t initiate the Cougar Town zeitgeist but she fed into it like a baby and his bottle!

Ok she sounds good but this song WHY….I feel like I am in a bar. Drink Please!!!!!!!! Wow a night when even Crystal is underwhelming. Like I said she sounds good but you can hear this in any bar across America. Tonight I think this showed that Crystal can make mistakes. Over pimping Judges. Is it e or did anyone else think that this was not anything to write home about.

Are we really going to end the show with that song, guys?

Casey did not play a ukulele!

Not loving anybody’s song choice. But, no, Simon, they didn’t have *thousands* of wonderful songs to choose from. They had a few dozen mostly kind of meh songs to choose from.

And I think Casey made a strategic error in picking a song that really, in the context of what’s happened in this season, too easily got lost in jokes about Kara’s lust issues. …. I do think he sang it pretty well — but, really, I think you’d have to sing Mrs. Robinson quite a bit better than just “well” to really make anything very interesting out of it.

No good solo song choices, to me.

I love that she went there with it. I want to hear the studio version.

I give Crystal props for changing the song up. I liked the arrangement. But the band overwhelmed her a little bit and she started to shout instead of sing. She’s really not a rocker, she’s more of a folkie.

I liked it ok, but I would’ve liked it better if she didn’t get shouty

Love Crystal, but I wasn’t feelin’ the song choice. I thought she was a little shouty too. Not my favorite Crystal performance, but I’m voting for her anyway.

awww.. love Crystal performance and right! she made the song better

Like I said she sounds good but you can hear this in any bar across America.

I need to find this mythical bar filled with Crystal Bowersox’s. It sounds amazing lol.

I thought Crystal was really screaming this song sometimes. And I’m not a fan of that boyfriend calling. Why? Ans please, can we just fire all of these judges? Hate their comments tonight. And for the most part of this season.

I just can’t get excited about any of them . . it’s all just too guitary strummy for my musical tastes, there’s no diversity between them all which makes it boring for me .. I used to like Crystal but she’s started to shout a lot

I know we shouldn’t look back on other seasons but I missed the energy and chemistry of Adam and Allyson’s “Slow Ride” tonight

Is it me, or was the Top 12 Guys episode even more entertaining and more worth listening to than this Top 4?

weelassie:
05/11/2010 at 8:49 pm

Casey did not play a ukulele!

I know I was trying to be snarky or funny After the Ellen comment of little boy guitar….guess I failed like most of the performances tonight. IMHO

I love how Simon has apparently never watched any popular movie in his life, if his comments tonight are anything to go by!

This show needs Crystal or Lee to win, they need a STAR to come out of this show. Stars like Chris D., Kelly, Carrie and Jennifer. And out of the 4 left, they are really the only ones who have a shot of being statr

Crystal started well, built to a great middle, then sort of overshouted near the end.

Never thought I’d use Crystal and Overshouted in the same sentence

omg all I can think of is Bill Murray

And all I can think about is a Baby Ruth floating about a pool.

It wasn’t a choice I would have expected from Crystal, but she’s getting my votes tonight.

On Crystals latest song choices, the back-up singers sing better than her. She was better with softer songs in the beginning when she wasn’t shouty. She doesn’t have a big range which if fine but she needs to go back to what she did at the beginning.

Lee: Off key
Mike: Predictable
Casey: Boring
Crystal: Shouty

Ready for this season to be over now.

Wow so someone else feels like Crystal screams out her songs. Sorry I think they all suck prety bad. Crystal is the least sucky of the bunch which doesn’t say
much.

She’s good, but that’s screaming to me.

I much prefer laid-back, mellow Crystal, that’s why the last two weeks were my favorite performances from her, whatever the judges say.

the problem with Casey is that he’s not getting enough involved (not enough passion) when he sings

claudette:
Casey almost died this day 6 years ago. There is so much to Casey, and he has gotten zero respect on this show

I know. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it. They said he’d never play the guitar again, and here he is.

I love, love, love that he chose that song. It isn’t a seduction song, Jamie Foxx. Check the lyrics, yo. I’m voting my fingers off for Casey tonight. Boy’s got the goods, sang well, and totally redid the song in a very cool way.

groan. I hate this song.

I hate this song. And isn’t this the song that nearly got Matt kicked off the show last year?

Yay Crystal!!!! You’re in it to win it!!!! Woot!!

Okay, huge Kris fan here, but I was fine with Crystal and Lee’s version of FS because it was different! Pretty cool.

I agree that Casey is pretty tired of and put off by the innuendo around Kara. He doesn’t play into it anymore, but I bet he regets taking his shirt off in the audition round!

I thought Crystal was really screaming this song. And I’m not a fan of that boyfriend calling. Why?

Yeah, i felt that way at the beginning, and parts towards the end. Her voice just seemed a bit sharp. Not pitch wise, but like a razor.

I know we shouldn’t look back on other seasons but I missed the energy and chemistry of Adam and Allyson’s “Slow Ride” tonight

THIS

ok – all 4 of them used their guitars on the duets – why is every sinle member of the Top 4 a guitar player

Casey is really hot. Gonna power vote for him.

I wish Casey and Mike were singing this looking at each other like Lee and Crystal..! LOL

zzzzzzzz

I tend to nod off when these guys sing. “Unborn children in her eyes” is the worst line in history!

Nice guitar playing. Otherwise, get the hook.

WOW

They don’t sound bad.

…oh NO!…GUITARS-AGAIN!….Just friggin sick of them every song…lol……

I think watching the Idol producers tear their hair out watching tonight’s performances would have been more entertaining than actually watching tonight’s performances. I’m glad I haven’t invested much time in this season (only watching tonight because I’m home sick).

Absolutely none of these guys\gal came out like they wanted to win. Crystal was the best but still just OK. As much as I complained about the lack of talent at the beginning of this year’s competition, I never imagined Top 4 night would be this weak.

Yeah for no dueling duets this year.

Ok – Mike/Casey>>>>Crystal/Lee

like for real – and I don’t usually like anything from Mike

That “last forever” was painful, but they did nice overall – Casey was great on the guitar. I kinda wish it had only been instrumentals…

I really hate that song. Uggggh

I think Crystal and Casey were the best tonight. Mike was okay and I think Lee was the worst.

See – Casey can do SO more!!!!

OMGee… that was really excellent Casey/Mikey duet

Ellen! Ha!

Another fail by Big Mike…fatty needs to sing a song without the falsetto garbage…god I hope he goes home this week…he sucks big time

Wow, that was REALLY good. What’s gonna happen tomorrow?

I honestly think Crystal and Casey were the best tonight… we’ll see…

Ooh, Fantasia– is she doing her new single?

Casey was so sexy doing that duet. Soooo sexy. He really needs to be the front man for a band. He was comfortable and sexy. And he was sexy too. Lord lord.

You know, after finally listening to ‘pre-Idol’ Casey (singing with Crossover), that boy has really grown on me. Don’t hear the goat on sustained notes in “Road to Coming Home.” Really liked ‘Jealous Guy’ – even his occasional ‘pitch’ problems added character to the song. And I’m liking Casey in this duet! Oh Ellen! LMAO!

Oh, what a difference a year makes…

That didn’t suck! Wow! And Casey… holy crap boy that was some amazing guitar playing.

Someone throw in a couple of votes for Casey for me.

why is Ellen being gay sooooo funny???? idiots

Casey and Mike now that was pretty good.

Wow Casey and Mike were amazing.

Bleh … didn’t like that duet.

I’m voting for Adam.

Solos:
1. Crystal
2. Casey
3. Mike
4. Lee

Duets:
1. Mike and Casey
2. (just by a smidge) Lee and Crystal

Mike and Casey need to go on the road!!!! Whoa!!!

I think that they will only need a 4ft square stage for this top 4 on the tour . BORING!!!

and I won’t even comment on Ellen and that comment..bad taste.

Rankings for tonight:
1. Casey/Mike
2. Casey
3. Crystal
4. Mike
5. Crystal/Lee
6. Lee

On tonight alone, Lee should go home but I think it will be one of Mike or Casey. And I say this as someone who’s been a huge Lee fan.

gangreen29:
05/11/2010 at 8:51 pm

Like I said she sounds good but you can hear this in any bar across America.

I need to find this mythical bar filled with Crystal Bowersox’s. It sounds amazing lol.

First I never said there was a bar filled with Crystal Bowersox’s I said the song you can hear in any bar and performed just as good. You can go to The orangeburg pub on Rt 303 in Rockland County NY and you will hear bands and performers that will even do this song and sound just as good. Now Crystal when she is at her best is very good and I don’t think is a dime a dozen this performance was and no amount of sarcasm or snark will change my mind.

OMG, Casey and Mike were FANTASTIC in that duet!! Loved it!!

I love how Simon has apparently never watched any popular movie in his life, if his comments tonight are anything to go by!

Meh, being friends with someone from the UK really pointed out how just unknown most of American movies and tv shows are outside the country. So no surprise that Simon doesn’t know them.

ok, so which GUITAR is going home tomorrow?

My top 4 rankings for just tonight would be:
#1 – Crystal
#2 – Casey
#3 – Lee

#4 – Mike

Oh, what a difference a year makes…

I know! Thank god no one was as bad as Danny or the Kris/danny duet last year.

why is Ellen being gay sooooo funny???? idiots

I guess you mean Ellen is an idiot, because she’s the one who made the joke! I thought it was funny.

rayni your posts have been funny!!!

As I say, I hate this song, but Casey & Mike did a nice job on that duet. The duets were definitely better than the solo performances — but then again the solo performances were all pretty boring, so that doesn’t say a lot. Both duets were solid but not fantastic.

Another underwhelming set of performances. I’d say Casey is going home but I said that last week. Unless the voters rebel against the stupid overpimping, Crystal and Lee will be safe. So it will be casey or Mike leaving.

Oh and since the contestants insist on singing pretty much every song Kris did last year, I suggest someone try No Boundaries next week.

Who I am voting for

Lee

Mama Sox

Comments:

Free Willy Mrs Robinson!!!!

Big Mike: Zzzzzzz.

Casey: Zzzzzzz. I wasn’t seduced Zzzzzz. Mrs Robinson was! ROFL!

Lee: He was great! I just love his singing voice! Give him an artist shirt!

Mama sox/Lee duet: WOOOOOOOOOOO! Mama Sox/Lee duet = love. And she has a musical crush on him awwww! That duet was fantastic! I knew they would be!

Mama Sox: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! ARTIST BABY ARTIST! Give her that dang shirt! ROFL!

Mama Sox’s boyfriend: ROFL! He is cute and love the pants!

Big Mike/Casey duet: Meh it was alright. The swaybots loved them.

Ellen: Yes in fact I do love a woman!

ROFLMAOPMP! Oh Ellen!!! ROFLMAOPMP!

Loved Ellen’s I have loved a woman joke…LOL!!!!

Fantasia’s on tomorrow? I did not know that.

I’m voting for Adam.

I wish!

Wow Daughtry and Fantasia tomorrow That should be really good.

The duets were the best tonight. I would say they were both about the same.

Okay, Casey and Big Mike won me over with the simultaneous foot stop! Ha, I’m obvioiusly way too easily amused, but that was awesome. It vaugely reminded me of one of my favorite movie scenes from Desperado. But it would have been better if Casey had done a Banderas with his guitar on the judges’s heads. Annnnnd Ellen’s redeemed herself. Ha ha ha.

I hope Crystal gets credit for changing up the song like all the male contestants in the past did.

Mike could’ve done more and that’s a long song to trim to about 90 seconds but at least he was in tune.

I don’t know what MJ hears but Casey’s solo was only OK. The guy was “goat” from the first note. The song was sleepy.

Crystal’s solo was fantastic. Thanks for bringing it tonight!

Based on live singing ability, Mike should make the final three but I suspect he won’t. Lee sucks live—particularly tonight—but he’s most likely of the guys to end up winning. This season is such a mess.

Jamie wasn’t such a great mentor this year a bit of a fail for me. Liked the shirt thing though.

Lee and his off-pitch singing deserves to go home after tonight but the powertexting cougars will probably save him. He is just not that good. I don’t care if he has a good recording voice.

Oh and since the contestants insist on singing pretty much every song Kris did last year, I suggest someone try No Boundaries next week.

LOL. Honestly, the judges have been so bad tonight\all season (from what I’ve seen), that I think they deserve to be subjected to No Boundaries again, and again, and again…

Open your danged eyes, Casey.

Pretty nice job with that duet, though, guys.

Interesting the way this whole group seems almost more comfortable melting into these duets than they do singing on their own. Says something about them, I think. They’re a bit retiring for solo artists, I think.

My ample backside will join forces with the substantial backside from earlier and Casey will get a butt ton of votes

…thank goodness for GLEE!…A show about SINGING!…if someone pulls a GUITAR out on Glee tonight- I swear I am gonna shoot the tv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…oh NO!…GUITARS-AGAIN!….Just friggin sick of them every song…lol……

I’m sick of them too … and next week when they have to sing 2 songs each we’ll probably get 6 strummy songs

I think that they will only need a 4ft square stage for this top 4 on the tour . BORING!!!

I was just thinking the same .. it will save on choreography I suppose but they are going to need an extra tour bus just for all the guitars

Parker is giving the deserved credits

lyndseyparker Here’s a good version of “Kiss From A Rose” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XrHrSRpkHc
about 1 hour ago via web

lyndseyparker Still prefer this version of “Falling Slowly” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMg7FL5sQE

I MISS SEASON 8

Casey James – Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkle from The Graduate – Jamie tells Casey to “seduce him”. Casey says it was an intense moment. Casey gets an artist shirt. He’s playing the mandolin. He totally re-arranged it and it’s AWESOME!!! Wow. Casey pulled it out when he needed it. That was terrific.

ITA, mj. Don’t know what was up with the judges.

BEST LINE OF THE NIGHT(in fact-sums up the whole season) goes to JUDEE-
“Judee:
05/11/2010 at 8:58 pm

ok, so which GUITAR is going home tomorrow?”

…I’m STILL laughing…love it

this is embarrassing… and to think that one of these four are going to be featured in the opening credits with kelly clarkson, ruben studdard, fantasia barrino, carrie underwood, taylor hicks, jordin sparks, david cook, and kris allen. guess this season’s winner will definitely be the weak link in the chain of idol.

gangreen29:
05/11/2010 at 8:58 pm

Oh, what a difference a year makes…

I know! Thank god no one was as bad as Danny or the Kris/danny duet last year.

Last year we got Danny’s screaming at us, this year we got Crystal shouting at us. Gahhh, will this season EVER end?

So I have NO clue what to do with my points. Put 5 on each so that I’m sure of getting at least 5???

My instinct is to put 20 on Lee.

weelassie:
05/11/2010 at 9:02 pm
My ample backside will join forces with the substantial backside from earlier and Casey will get a butt ton of votes

Woot! We got a winnah then!!!

Been voting for Casey….very easy to get through.

The bus pulled up for Casey, IMO

Yes, they do all play guitar. How dare they!! Lol.

I can’t stand Lee!! He is another Taylor Hicks. So, if he wins nobody will pay to watch his stiff butt. Also, he sounds the same on every dang song!!! Idol has pimped and pushed him right along. So, unfortunately he will probably win unless the real singers can get the votes. My favorite is Chrystal and Big Mike. They work the stage and can sing the phone book. Never boring and real entertainers. Casey is fine! But, that doesn’t sell records or does it?

I’m thinking Big Mike leaves since Casey did well? I’m assuming Lee is safe cuz of his inexplicably huge fanbase.

LOL, Aside: I’m watching Glee and Lea Michele’s intentionally off-pitch version of The Climb still somehow sounds better than Miley… okay haha, maybe not, but I just really can’t stand Miley’s voice. Darn, I was hoping Lea would cover that song for real…

God forbid they do something entertaing. . . Tonight wasn’t bad vocally, but it was like watching paint dry for the most part. The duets were a little better, but not by much. If I was on the show at this point I would be belting out Ghostbusters with a big brass band and chorus line behind me.

So Lee had a bad night. I don’t think it disqualifies him from taking it all. As talented as Crystal is, she’s had an off night or two herself. It happens.

That said, Casey brought it tonight. Mike’s probably leaving tomorrow.

i rather surprisingly rather like Casey/mike duet.
Going to re-watch all the performances
———–
there ‘s an avalanche (it’s #thetruth) of tweets for Kris praising his ‘falling slowly’

Haha I have no clue who to put points on either but I suck at the whole pool thing anyway!

Big Mike is gone tomorrow for sure.
I DID Not like Casey at all though. Sorry. Lee was just mediocre.
The best of the night was Crystal IMO. I loved her duet with Lee too.

Lee was the worst of the night, but he won’t go home. I don’t get his appeal — he’s not all that attractive, he’s boring and he can’t sing live. Yes, he sounds fine in the studio, but so what? so do a lot of other people I’d never spend $$$ on or go see perform live. I want to root for someone I would want to see in concert as WELL as buy their album. (And I doubt I’d even want to buy Lee’s album)

I liked Casey. He was great.

Lee had an off night be he ain’t going nowhere.

Crystal cracked my shit up. Did anyone listen the words of that song? She totally gave the finger to the whole Idol franchise. LOL

Big Mike was aight.

I think Casey’s gonna go though. boo.

HAH!! I’m getting busy signals for Casey for the FIRST TIME!!

If I was on the show at this point I would be belting out Ghostbusters with a big brass band and chorus line behind me.

yeah I think Casey and Mike should have done Jedward’s version of Ghostbusters .. complete with choreography and cardboard car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTkyWeoSEM8&feature=related

does anyone know who got the boot on dancing with the stars?

I’m voting for LUANN from Housewives of New York(song-Money Can’t Buy You Class) to be AI winner over this bunch-AND thats saying alot with that vote…lol…

Puck on Glee is doing Lady is a Tramp better

Casey, Crystal and the Lee/Crystal Duet were best for me.

Eh, I’ll put all 20 points on Mike, not that he deserves it. This isn’t really a singing competition after all.

I’m voting for Casey tonight. Loved his take on Mrs. Robinson. Liked the Mike/Casey duet also. Haven’t voted for Casey before, but felt he deserved it tonight.

BTW, I’d rather hear 4 guitar players who can sing decently, than mediocre singers like Katie or Aaron.

Mmm…I really thought Casey was going home, but he might stay, I guess he’s the closest thing there is to an underdog right now.

And Big Mike has already been voted off once, so…

Loved Ellen’s I have loved a woman joke…LOL!!!!

Hubby saw that coming from a mile. I didn’t. LOL funny.

So I have NO clue what to do with my points. Put 5 on each so that I’m sure of getting at least 5???

Thats my plan!!

GOAT CHEESE SANDWICH FOR THE WIN!!!

my favorite tweet about Kris in reference to his version of Falling Slowly and that his name is taboo on Idol:

It’s just a matter of time until someone shops @KrisAllen’s head on Lord Voldemort’s #hewhomustnotbenamed #thetruth

Thought the Casey/Mike duet an awesome way to close the night.
Who woulda thunk it? They sounded GREAT together.
They LOOKED good — I’m a sucker for men in formal wear.
Casey had the good sense to bite his tongue when his solo was critiqued, and then come back with his guitar skills and quietly confident, sexy performance. THAT showed ‘em. No need to get all defensive.
IMO let’s keep Casey, Mike, and Crystal.

So Mikey was the only one awarded a Contestant T tonight. LOL!

My order:

Crystal
Casey

Lee/Mike. Time for Mike to go home. Sorry guy.

I almost fell asleep watching back the videos on Rickys page! My god stop drinking the Kool-aid the show sucks I tell myself..why am I watching it? Bla. This years Idol turds cant be polished. I keep waiting, but all I hear are turds being pimped & polished the Idol way.

Nicey and Louis were voted off.

I’m with Simon on this one.

Do you know who Simon thinks will win AI S9? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3npWUiNNzaY

No, seriously, it doesn’t matter but I like Lee better than the rest. He just seems so sweet and sincere. He is humble and he is the darkhorse that kinda snuck up on everyone. I’m voting lots for him.

I missed Mike and Lee’s solos, so will have to wait till I watch later to comment on those.

I loved what Casey did with ‘Mrs. Robinson’. I at first thought way too cliche and buying into the ‘story line’ of Casey as cougar bait. But he did a great job with it, made interesting changes, and sang it beautifully. I agree with you MJ, they’re trying to bus him. I don’t think it’s going to work.

I also thought Crystal’s choice was odd at first, but completely forgot ‘Caddy Shack’ once she started singing. Really liked what she did with it and liked her vibe.

Both duets were outstanding. I still like Kris Allen’s ‘Falling Slowly’ the best, but Lee and Crystal did great on this. Lots of emotion and played well off each other. Lee and Mike also sounded great together and I liked how they worked it out … tender and powerful. I’ll be buying both of these.

I think Jamie Foxx makes a great mentor … and I wouldn’t mind him taking Simon’s place next year if he’s in the running.

This is going to be a tough week. The boy fans will be working overtime and I fear that the two most in danger are Crystal and Mike and through no fault of their own. I’m still rooting 100% for Crystal.

IDK who’s going home at all

Relative to this season,tonight was goodish
Jamie Foxx wasn’t as douchey as he could have been but the tshirts were stupid
Kara wasn’t THAT annoying
randy sometimes made sense
Ellen we know ur gay
Simon,Im gonna miss u and ur accent!!!

I like the look at the begining with this is American idol lol
Lee-really good(mostly becuz I like the song)-FLOVE this song
Mike-decent
Crystal & lee-good
Crystal-Decent
Casey-Decent
Mike+Casey-really good

YAY BON JOVI!!!!!

My picks for the night:

Casey
Casey/Mike duet
Crystal
Crystal/Lee duet
Lee

I was surprised at how much I liked the Casey/Mike duet! That song is overplayed, but they didn’t have much to choose from to suit both of them. Casey’s guitar skills gave it an extra something too!

The Crystal/Lee duet was a disappointment. It’s a great song, but that arrangement sucked every bit of longing and desire out of the song and beat it with a shovel.

I’m with Simon on this one.

Did you know that Simon thinks you’ll win AI S9? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3npWUiNNzaY

please, can he win?! 1. it will shut up those “adam should have won” kids 2. he lives up to the title (unlike these four)

I loved Kris’ “Falling Slowly” but gah gah thaat duet! I can’t wait to download it!

Re:guitar kvetching: Yes, because the boring is the GUITARS’ fault. Ha ha ha. Not.

Exhibit A: How Bout This Awesomesauce? I’m dying to go see that show. With guitars! Sigh. And these people are only impersonating greatness. I think what the next mentor needs is one of those electric cattle prods…zzzzt…wake up! Zzzzzt! More personality!

Did you know that Simon thinks you’ll win AI S9? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3npWUiNNzaY

And that was NOT a joke, he was SERIOUS!!! If that doesn’t prove how checked out of this season he is, nothing will. Unfrigginbelievable.

I loved Kris’ “Falling Slowly” but gah gah thaat duet! I can’t wait to download it!

as much as lee is my favorite of this season, i’d much rather hear crystal and kris duet. actually, take that back… just leave it to kris. his version never ceases to give me chills during that glory note!

http://www.kris-pics.net/v/videos/idol/americanidol/Falling_20Slowly.flv.html

please, can he win?! 1. it will shut up those “adam should have won” kids 2. he lives up to the title (unlike these four)

LOL! ROFL! Seems like Simon can’t get over it either.

Anyways thought duets were better on the whole this year although I luved Adam and Allison singing Slow Ride.

I dunno, I didn’t think that the Kris version of Falling Softly was THAT wonderful. It’s a gorgeous song. I wish C. had done it alone because Lee is just a draggy mess.

Funniest and most astute observation from this evening; when my husband saw/heard Casey’s performance, he said, “reminds me of Tiny Tim singing “Tip Toe through The Tulips!”

Banished, funny your post! I said CASEY reminded me of TINY TIM earlier post! Guess I am not the only one-glad I am not only one seeing THAT!

Couldn’t even one of the judges have commented that Falling Softly was done by last year’s Idol winner. At least they used to mention Taylor’s name on the show. Usually only to insult him but they did acknowledge his existence. Kris you are officially a non person.

Tonight Casey reminded me of Jason Castro on his solo. That’s not a good thing.

Loved the duets tonight both were really good. I’m a Kris fan and thought oh no! not Kris’ song but it turned out great. Would it kill the judges to mention Kris once this season? geez. Lee was a trainwreck but I will be voting heavily for him tonight. I did not think anyone really brought their A game though.

I’m guessing Crystal/Mike for bottom two. I feel a possible Daughtry moment coming on since she did not stand out tonight and I think she might have lost casual voters the past couple of weeks. But it will probably be Big Mike.

And sorry, versions of FS go
original
Kris Allen
Crystal/Lee

I thought they drove all the originality out of the song and turned it into just another rock ballad.

30 minutes into voting and Dial Idol has Crystal and Lee at a distant 1st and 2nd place. Mike is third with Casey 4th, though the trajectory has the two possibly trading places or being too close to call.

Just listened to Lee and that was a trainwreck. He can’t hold a note and that song requires amazing control.

Crystal cracked my shit up. Did anyone listen the words of that song? She totally gave the finger to the whole Idol franchise. LOL

I noticed that and thought the same thing!

Tonight Casey reminded me of Jason Castro on his solo. That’s not a good thing.

Jason came in fourth and got a non 19 major label deal. Casey would be quite happy with that, I suspect.

My rankings in a few…

Bland Nation tour, coming to a town near you.

It’ll def be Casey and Mike for the bottom 2. I wish Casey would go home but it’ll probably be Mike. His fan base seems to be much smaller. That video of Simon picking the winner of S9 is downright scary.

I just wonder if they’ll get stuff like Kris did last year after he sang there song.And if they’ll cover there verison afterwards like they did after they saw Kris sing the Falling Slowly/mashup.I didn’t hate there verison but thought Kris sang it with alot more emotion. I liked Crystal better then Lee. And I actually liked Big Mike and Casey better. I just listen and didn’t look at the tv,so I didn’t look at Big Mike and it really help. Liked Crystal the best then,Casey,then Lee and Big Mike.Not voting this year because I just don’t care enough to vote.

jpfan:
05/11/2010 at 9:35 pm
Couldn’t even one of the judges have commented that Falling Softly was done by last year’s Idol winner. At least they used to mention Taylor’s name on the show. Usually only to insult him but they did acknowledge his existence. Kris you are officially a non person.

Tonight Casey reminded me of Jason Castro on his solo. That’s not a good thing.

I thought the same thing that casey reminded me of Jason.

Did that video of Simon actually air?? That’s the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen him do, and that’s saying a lot. What a bad joke he is. GO AWAY. I’m never watching that awful new show of his, he is such a waste of space.

I thought that tonight was the best night of Season 9 so far. I thought that both Crystal/Lee and Casey/Mike duet performances were good. I thought that Crystal and Lee sounded nice together, and I enjoyed Mike/Casey duet as well. I thought that Casey’s guitar playing was really nice.

I liked Crystal/Lee’s performance of “Falling Slowly” better than I liked Kris’s.

I think that Crystal and Lee will be top 2 because I think they have the biggest fanbases and that it will be a toss up between Casey and Mike as to which one of them goes home.

Never mind. LOL.

No doubt Casey and Mike will be, as planned, B2, but I have offically declared, I. Don’t. Like. Lee. The effer. His vocals sucks. He is a ringer that even SUCKS being an effing ringer (the loser) and he just has to do better than his last not-in-tune sucktastic performance, and it’s an ZOMG improvement.

Hates him we do, precioussssss.

I don’t typically root against Idols. I mean, it’s not me. I’m usually too involved with my positive things, like Kradison FTMFW, or Kradam goodness. But feck me, if I haven’t actually and finally gone negative and for Lee. I can’t foresee of a time or date I will root for the pitchy, ringer, over-pimped, mutherfracker of a constestant. This season may yet make me vote, because I don’t wan’t that pitcheless jackass to win.

To whomever said Casey should not have played the ukulele, as
Jason played it. If I’m not mistaken, Chris was playing the
Mandolin.

1 – Crystal
2 – Casey
3 – Lee
4 – Mike

Geaux Lee!

That video of Simon picking the winner of S9 is downright scary.

It was kind of insulting. I think I’m offended. LOL

I can’t foresee of a time or date I will root for the pitchy, ringer, over-pimped, mutherfracker of a constestant. This season may yet make me vote, because I don’t wan’t that pitcheless jackass to win.

Well damn, Truthiness. Tell us how you really feel!

ok, so which GUITAR is going home tomorrow?

Oh good! So this means the mandolin is staying!!

I enjoyed all the guitars tonight, btw. This has always, always been my favorite style of music.

My husband said that Kris would have been better than Lee with Crystal in FS. And I’m the one that’s the big fan! Hee! It was off a little in the beginning, but Crystal was awesome on it!!! Lee didn’t ruin it, so that’s good.

Well, I was so excited to hear Lee and Crystal sing Falling Slowly but wow what a disappointment. I hated the rapid fire trading phrases treatment, and even Crystal hit a bad note. SO disappointed. It doesn’t help that Kris’ version played on my iPod earlier.

nvm

I can’t stand Lee!! He is another Taylor Hicks.

Taylor Hicks is a great performer, so I don’t see the comparison.

Can you believe that these are the top 4 of American Idol S9? No AI tour for me this time. I keep thinking Angela Martin, even Todrick or Jermaine and Alex, what a different top 10 they would have made. S9 is undoubtedly the most uninspiring season evah!! No liveliness nor spunk in this final group. Can’t wait for this season to be over……!!!!!

So Mikey was the only one awarded a Contestant T tonight. LOL!

Yeppers! All the others were given ARTIST’S t-shirts.
I love when a plan comes together!

Lee: I swear I’ve seen this guy holding a cardboard sign at the corner (In other words, he does not look great. He looks all sweaty and gross). It actually started off okay, then when he tried to get the higher note, it went to hell. I was expecting a trainwreck. This was not nearly the trainwreck I expected from the comments. Not the right song and very karaoke, but not a major trainwreck. But still, it’s kinda scary that this guy is the favorite to win.

Michael: Free Willy. I just realized I can make a penis joke out of that. Having said that, I was bored. I actually missed Aaron and thought he could’ve done a better and more hated job on that performance. Then again, I love Aaron. <3 Aaron. Miss you, kiddo.

Crystal/Lee Duet: Kris's version has so far been much better. Wow, Lee is taking a crap again. Around the chorus, it gets MUCH better. VERY NICE. Love the arrangement. I have absolutely no issue having both this and Kris's versions on my iPod. Loved it. I don't think I have issue with this finale any more. Now, if Lee could find the pitch more often, then we're golden on this finale IMO.

Casey: He is so eliminated. America got like 3 eliminations right this season, which is kinda terrible. Casey is soooo eliminated. Shame, I really liked that. Good job, Casey. Hopefully America gets it right this time.

Crystal: SHE'S BACK, MOTHER *AMERICAN IDOL SIGN* ERS! That was awesome. Hell yes. She's effing back.

Casey/Michael: Holy crap @ the blending of their voices. This actually is pretty good, IMO. This is surprisingly great. Love this too. Mike was totally eye-humping Casey's fingers on the guitar at the beginning. Though they totally biffed one of the harmony notes, that was just strange.

Ranking:
Crystal
Crystal/Lee
Casey
Casey/Michael
Lee
Michael

I hope it's Michael going home. Crystal was carrying Lee throughout the beginning of the duet, but once the chorus came I think they both hit it off, so I think he’s safe.

I don’t get why Idol is trying so hard to get a winner in the singer songwriter genre. You know Ryan Tedder is writing songs for their album no matter who wins.

Jaime Foxx lives up to his reputation. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Let me apologize to Seal for what Lee did to “Kiss From a Rose.” It’s disturbing Lee is likely to win Idol considering how awful he is with pitch when singing live on a live singing competition. Train wreck.

I love the song Mike picked but it’s 5 or 6 minutes on the album so he really didn’t have time to take it where it should go so I was disappointed he didn’t do more with the time allotted. He was on pitch which made him far ahead of Lee in my book.

Casey was goat from the first note. He slowed the song down? What was he thinking? It just wasn’t very good.

Crystal “blew it out the box” as Randy might say. That was awesome. Thank you, Crystal, for showing up tonight.

Best solo: Crystal
Worst solo: Lee

Should be bottom 2 based on tonight: Lee, Casey
LIkely bottom 2: Mike, Casey
Should go home? Casey.
Likely going home? Mike.

Crystal & Lee should’ve left “Falling Slowly” alone. Kris had a “moment” with it last year. Their harmony sounded dissonent to me, and I fault Lee’s voice. Even Crystal, seeming very professional, couldn’t salvage this for me.

Mike & Casey’s duet bored me. Again Casey wheeled out the goat vibrato and he harmonized badly with Mike. Mike was just OK on this song.

Best duet: Neither. Both were more Kris/Danny than Allison/Adam.

why is Ellen being gay sooooo funny???? idiots

It’s really OK when you make comments about yourself.

I don’t want to ever hear anyone call Kris boring after this crop of the most boring contestants ever.

Kris’s Falling Slowly was 1000x better, they could have mentioned him.

I don’t want to ever hear anyone call Kris boring after this crop of the most boring contestants ever.

Kris is boring

Sorry I never got Jason Castro’s appeal although I did read a great review of him in concert. Maybe live, he’s terrific. And major label deal or not, I think Jason is struggling to make it. It’s tough to make it as a singer/songwriter without really great songs. So I don’t get why Idol is trying so hard to get a winner in that genre. You know Ryan Tedder is writing songs for their album no matter who wins.

I think that expectations of new artists signed by other labels are a little different, and I guess my point was that Casey could do worse than have that happen to him.

Dear American Idol,
Can we please have a Crystal/Kris duet of FS? Please?

Anyway..
Big Mike and Casey bottom 2. Casey going home because he had a good night and I actually enjoyed the performance. Heh.

Crystal was amazing.
I really liked Casey’s performance.
Lee..well, he wasn’t that great.
Big Mike was Big Mike. Good, but did nothing for me.
I enjoyed both duets.
I miss Aaron and Siobhan.

Sorry Lee-lovers, can we just send him home now for singing “Kiss From A Rose”.

Why is everyone listening to the judges??? It’s obvious they are bussing Casey for some evil intention of their own! I thought his version of Mrs Robinson was sweet and heartfelt!!! I agree with Mj – it was awesome! Screw Simon and his pimping!!!

I am off – voting for Casey non-stop now! Join me Casey fans!!

Kris to me is not boring at all.The guys this is are alot more boring that’s for sure.Kris when he sings puts alot of emotion into the songs.The only two I half way like are Crystal and Lee,and even those to don’t make me want to pick up the phone and vote tonight.Last year I had the phone out and got a couple of votes in for Kris even before Ryan announced that we could start voting,this year haven’t even tryed that.

Screw Simon and his pimping!!!

Awww give Simon a break. He doesn’t even know what season this is! LOL

“No doubt Casey and Mike will be, as planned, B2, but I have offically declared, I. Don’t. Like. Lee. The effer. His vocals sucks. He is a ringer that even SUCKS being an effing ringer (the loser) and he just has to do better than his last not-in-tune sucktastic performance, and it’s an ZOMG improvement.Hates him we do, precioussssss..”

LOL, Truthiness, that cracked me up. Tears. Hee.

I will not understand how this guy made it this far….

Okay, Glee is over. I’m going to rewatch and give my review. I can say that my least fave of the four left is Lee. He’s always underwhelming me, and I can’t figure out why it took the judges so long to figure it out. Perhaps they are gunning for a shock boot and planning to sign him anyway.

I would rank the performances tonight:
Crystal (by a comfortable margin, even on a crappy song. Remade it)
Crystal/Lee (mainly because i love that song, though the style of duet was weird trading off mid sentence and their voices rarely melded well)
Casey/Mike duet (don’t like that song, but they sounded like a true duet)
Casey
Mike (close call with Casey)
Lee

on the one hand, I hope there is a surprise tomorrow just to keep things interesting. But if Crystal goes home this will be one super boring final 3. This wouldn’t be the first season i didn’t bother to watch the finale.

just heard that there is another issue in Times Square..hopefully this was a random repeat on the news and not true and happening now.

Lee sounded good on the song I heard from his pre-Idol album. But on the show he looks constipated and is consistently off key . I honestly don’t get why the judges think he’s so great.

Kris’s Falling Slowly was 1000x better, they could have mentioned him.

Simon probably thought it WAS Kris singing, he thinks this is Season 8.

When big Mike said his goal was Top 3, I was yelling, you should thank the judges for the save!

I feel like I’m keep being reminded of Kris Allen. I know i shouldn’t but a lot of the songs that were sung this season were songs that were covered by Kris:

Apologize, What’s Going On, Ain’t No Sunshine, Come Together, The Way You Look Tonight, and now Falling Slowly. Also to be mentioned is the many covers of Man in The Mirror during Hollywood, Let it Be, and Hey Jude when he sang that on the tour.

will:
05/11/2010 at 10:10 pm

Kris’s Falling Slowly was 1000x better, they could have mentioned him.

Simon probably thought it WAS Kris singing, he thinks this is Season 8.

Honestly I could not listen to Kris’s “Falling Slowly” and I tried several times, it was like he was singing the A,B,C’s he was trying so hard to clearly enunciate.

I miss Aaron and Siobhan.

Me too . Still sad.

I feel like I’m keep being reminded of Kris Allen. I know i shouldn’t but a lot of the songs that were sung this season were songs that were covered by Kris:

Apologize, What’s Going On, Ain’t No Sunshine, Come Together, The Way You Look Tonight, and now Falling Slowly. Also to be mentioned is the many covers of Man in The Mirror during Hollywood, Let it Be, and Hey Jude when he sang that on the tour.

Lol – especially since the judges will never say his name.

I feel like I’m keep being reminded of Kris Allen. I know i shouldn’t but a lot of the songs that were sung this season were songs that were covered by Kris:

Apologize, What’s Going On, Ain’t No Sunshine, Come Together, The Way You Look Tonight, and now Falling Slowly. Also to be mentioned is the many covers of Man in The Mirror during Hollywood, Let it Be, and Hey Jude when he sang that on the tour.

and when was he mentioned? once. ryan seacrest: “100% of the proceeds will benefit Haiti. And here singing ‘Let It Be’… Kris Allen”

elephant in the room.

alaadam:
05/11/2010 at 9:24 pm
I’m with Simon on this one.

“Do you know who Simon thinks will win AI S9? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3npWUiNNzaY”

I’m sorry but that was hilarious. He is so ready to leave and really don’t give a crap about any of these contestants. I can safely say he won’t be saying any of these people are going to be global stars.

“I feel like I’m keep being reminded of Kris Allen. I know i shouldn’t but a lot of the songs that were san this season were songs that were covered by Kris:

Apologize, What’s Going On, Ain’t No Sunshine, Come Together, The Way You Look Tonight, and now Falling Slowly. Also to be mentioned is the many covers of Man in The Mirror during Hollywood, Let it Be, and Hey Jude when he sang that on the tour.”

Thank-you Jon for the list, I was going to make it myself.

This goes to show you, Kris was a master of song choice (everyone is duplicating him), as well as song arrangement.

Now I’m waiting for someone to copy Heartless and none of the judges acknowledg Kris. Wouldn’t surprise me in this effed up year.

That must be some kind of record, right?
Sally sunshine viewpoint: Huge compliment to #hewhoshouldnotbenamed song choices,
Negative Nelly viewpoint: but sure screams lack of originality/laziness by some and reticence to pave their own pathway

First post (thanks mj!)

I’m beyond who is going to win and looking more towards their futures in the music industry. They make really poor song choices and I wonder if they’re so hung up on their original music, that they’ve forgotten that they’ll be doing “covers” on the tour. Do they even comprehend how quickly an idol album is put together and released, let along the hours and traveling to promote it? I see four people who need to pull their heads out of their you know whats and see that their time on idol is the easy part of the ride.

I want to like them.. but they are making it really difficult.

I miss the Tim.

First off… I hate Randy Jackson. I hope they fire his ass when they re-do Idol. I said so in that stupid survey, too.

Top solos: I’ll give Crystal a very slight edge. She’s playing the game by choosing an upbeat song, and also perhaps a fuck you to the TPTB with those lyrics, as Tinawina pointed out.

Casey- I loved it on re-watching. I loved the mandolin. I didn’t like the Kara banter, but I liked the song choice. Heh.

Mike- I just didn’t think it was anything special. Serviceable performance. No attempt to make it his own.

Lee- I don’t think he’s ever sang a song in this competition that wasn’t pitchy to me. So yeah. Ho hum. He has no idea who he is as an artist. He’s kinda like Gokey to me.

Duets:

Casey/Mike- who would have thought they would sound so good together. Casey plays excellent guitar. He’s the best guitar player of them all. He also didn’t deserve Randy’s diss. Did I say I hated Randy? I did notice the affection Mike gave Casey after that slight, and that it was returned. Sweet.

Lee/Crystal:

I can’t believe Lee is Crystal’s music crush. They sounded terrible to me. Lee can’t harmonize. It’s hard to harmonize when you can’t stay in key. And they sapped the meaning of the song with that arrangement. Where is the tender emotion that makes the song powerful?

Rankings for then night:

Casey/Crystal (it’s not her fault Lee can’t harmonize, but she could have insisted on a more tender arrangement. Perhaps she’s listening to the judges).

Mike- he may be boring sometimes, but he does sing in tune.

Lee- bad song choice, did nothing with it, failed to harmonize on his duet.

Who’s going home? Probably Casey or Mike.

Who I want gone? Lee… in an overdue “shock” vote.

Ranking the solos since that what we’ll get in concert:

#1 – Crystal – best but she isn’t really progressing on the show
#2 – Mike – the song was cut too short so cut off from its natural progression, but Mike did well on it
#3 – Casey – pretty weak treatment. just a’right
#4 – Lee – flat out bad. no power, lots of off notes, and the arrangement was threadbare

Ah…if only the votes reflected the truth of the evening. I think the Lee fans are likely desperation voting. The duets were better but really, I don’t think Lee or Casey are very capable singers. Luckily, Casey was primarily relegated to guitar playing, which he is great at. So I enjoyed the Mike-Casey duet the most. Overall, pretty darned sad show. The producers made a bad call in giving them such a poor choice of songs. Pumping up Lee as something he’s not lies right with the judges, and possibly also the producer’s feet. Oh well.

I LOVED Falling Slowly last year when Kris did it, and I loved it again tonight from Lee and Crystal. I thought that their voices sounded beautiful together and I liked that it was different than the version I knew from Kris, since I didn’t know the song otherwise. I thought they connected well (as opposed to Kris and Danny last year) and I actually got chills.

Other than the Lee and Crystal duet, the whole night was pretty meh. Will You Be There is one of my favorite songs in the world, and not very many people can pull it off, especially when it’s cut down to two minutes. The only version that I can think of other than Michael Jackson’s is when Jennifer Hudson sang it at his memorial, and it was awesome. I can’t stand Big Mike so it’s hard for me to be objective about it but I really wasn’t feeling it.

Lee, you know I love you man and I’ll be the first to defend you, but you should’ve sung Iris. Let’s just leave it at that.

I really didn’t think Casey was that fantastic. I could still hear the goatiness. I still like him better than Big Mike though, so I won’t be upset if he sticks around.

Crystal was pretty good. It was kind of a silly song but she sounded good. It was nothing that I was jumping up and down about.

Mike and Casey’s duet… I don’t know. I actually like that song (I seem to be one of the few people who will admit to loving Bryan Adams) but I wasn’t feeling it.

Simon probably thought it WAS Kris singing, he thinks this is Season 8.

Oh noes, Simon’s time flashing! And Paula was his constant! :O

and when was he mentioned? once. ryan seacrest: “100% of the proceeds will benefit Haiti. And here singing ‘Let It Be’… Kris Allen”

elephant in the room.

How many times were Carrie, or Daughtry, or Kellie Pickler, or David Archuleta, or Fantasia, or Ruben, or Taylor, or Jordin, or Katharine, or Justin, or Camile Velasko mentioned this season? So what?

I miss Timmeh too. He was fun.

I feel like I’m keep being reminded of Kris Allen. I know i shouldn’t but a lot of the songs that were sung this season were songs that were covered by Kris:

Apologize, What’s Going On, Ain’t No Sunshine, Come Together, The Way You Look Tonight, and now Falling Slowly. Also to be mentioned is the many covers of Man in The Mirror during Hollywood, Let it Be, and Hey Jude when he sang that on the tour.

Since the first week of the semifinals when Katie sang Feeling Good and Tim sang Apologize (each infinitely worse than the top 2 of Season 8), this season has been going downhill.

I know I shouldn’t directly compare this season with last season, but these ‘contestants’ make it so easy by covering songs that last years’ ‘artists’ peformed so well.

Tonight: Boring and Predictable/ This season: Boring and Predictable!

Casey was great on both solo and duet. Lee sucked royally on his solo and duet. Crystal is always good and Mike is a competent singer.

I was just thinking season 9 is coming to a close soon, when will Adam have to return his handlers. Could you imagine going from the most exciting Idol ever to the some of the dullest in the history of the show.

Need.to.re-watch.Casey.videos.Mrs Robinson.Stop.

and when was he mentioned? once. ryan seacrest: “100% of the proceeds will benefit Haiti. And here singing ‘Let It Be’… Kris Allen”

I don’t know how Ryan originally introduced Kris before Kris spoke, but before he sang, Ryan said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is very touching. Let It Be. Please welcome, once again, Kris Allen.” (It’s at the start of the video on YouTube.) I don’t know what else he could have said. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.

I just voted for Casey a lot. I guess I voted for him because I thought he was good and he deserved a respectful critique and not the joking.

I was just thinking season 9 is coming to a close soon, when will Adam have to return his handlers. Could you imagine going from the most exciting Idol ever to the some of the dullest in the history of the show.

What do you mean returning his handlers?

Lee was not good. The Judgery let him off easy. I liked the concept of the Falling Slowly duet — it was different than both the original and Kris’ version last year — but the execution, not so much. Lee was once again off key and several times his counterpoint just sounded bad. Not to mention that at several points he was screaming over Crystal in what is supposed to be a blending of male and female voices.

I couldn’t believe that Crystal was doing a song from Caddyshack, but she did a great job with it. Simon, she hasn’t been gone.

Mike was off tonight. I don’t like him very much, but he’s usually pretty dependable vocally. Casey sounded fine but it wasn’t enough of a comeback for him to be secure. I’m hoping it’s Big Mike that goes home, but I worry it might be Casey. Although strategically, it might be better for Crystal for Big Mike to make the top 3.

Lee continues to surprise with his ability to change the timbre and tone of his voice. This time he introduced a falsetto which was unexpected and thrilling.

Crystal was shouting her song again and did her usual schtick. Nothing new for her.

No point talking about the B2.

To doeeye: YES! This is an all-time record of the number of songs repeated in a season that was already sung in another season. And all by a single contestant!!

KRIS:
Man in the Mirror (Mike)
Apologize (Tim)
What’s Going On (I forgot!)
Ain’t No Sunshine (Aaron)
Come Together (Crystal)
Let It Be (Katie)
Hey Jude (Lee)
The Way You Look Tonight (Mike)
Falling Slowly (Lee and Crystal)

~~now we just need Casey to strip down Heartless next week (and add Gangsta’s Paradise) if he makes it to Top 3! If not Casey, maybe Lee will do it. Or Big Mike. Or Crystal.

ADAM:
Feeling Good
A Change Is Gonna Come
There was one more but I can’t remember it now…

I feel like I’m missing some songs but it amazes me that out of all the songs in the world, season 9 picked 9 songs performed by Kris Allen. Too bad no one tried to sing LLWD during IGB week so the judges can say they liked that person’s version better than the original artist. =/

Lee just went ahead of Crystal on dialidol in busy signals. (on the first line). She’s still ahead of him on line 2.

I don’t get it…I just don’t get it. :::sigh:::

karrahbrooke: Will You Be There is one of my favorite songs in the world, and not very many people can pull it off, especially when it’s cut down to two minutes. The only version that I can think of other than Michael Jackson’s is when Jennifer Hudson sang it at his memorial, and it was awesome. I can’t stand Big Mike so it’s hard for me to be objective about it but I really wasn’t feeling it.

I also love the song and remember Jennifer’s awesome performance. So, it was hard not to compare Mike to those two powerhouses. But, I thought Mike did the best he could with it in the tiny amount of time allotted. Curious as to why you (and some others) “can’t stand” Mike. I thought he sounded great on the duet.

How many times were Carrie, or Daughtry, or Kellie Pickler, or David Archuleta, or Fantasia, or Ruben, or Taylor, or Jordin, or Katharine, or Justin, or Camile Velasko mentioned this season? So what?

Kris was just on the show last year and sang a lot of the songs that the S9 contestants have sung. He had “moments” with some of those songs. I wouldn’t expect the judges to bring up any of the Idols you mentioned, because they aren’t as recent or aren’t connected to the songs covered by S9.

ETA: Jasper—Jermaine Sellers sang “What’s Going On” this year.

For those who were questioning the poster comparing Adam Lambert’s version of “Kiss From a Rose” here it is, it is from Upright Caberet just before S8 Idol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XrHrSRpkHc

Gangreen29 – YOU ARE CLEARLY MISSING THE POINT. Given the fact that the contestants this season each sang a song that Kris had previously sung last year on the show or on the tour, the fact that he was never even mentioned once is very telling.

Especially considering Andrew Garcia was wearing a plaid shirt, playing an acoustic guitar and stripped down Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” into a cool acoustic arrangement and was compared to ADAM of all people is another very telling observation.

~~~

Ah! Thanks, adamland. That’s the song I forgot to add under Adam’s list.

I think all of “he who’s name should not be spoken aloud on the show” fans should consider it a compliment that a lot of Season 9 Idols thought enough of him to cover/butcher some of the same songs he did last season. It says a lot about what they feel about the previous season winner. I think “he who’s name was spoken several times on the show”, only had two Idols cover a song he did last year, neither one was anything to brag on.

How many times were Carrie, or Daughtry, or Kellie Pickler, or David Archuleta, or Fantasia, or Ruben, or Taylor, or Jordin, or Katharine, or Justin, or Camile Velasko mentioned this season? So what?

None of those people are the reigning American Idol. That’s what.

In all honesty I remember that Kris sang FS last year because his fans think that was one of his best performances, but I do not really remember the actual performance, but I loved Crystal and Lee singing it. I loved the other duet too, but was pretty meh on all the solos.

I think the voting is going to be pretty much like last year.
The audience will rally around the frontrunner who did badly (Lee/Danny), the internet AI fans will rally around the other cute white boy (Casey/Kris) because he was “bused” and the one who doesn’t fit the new “AI contestant mold” will get the boot (Mike/Allison).

IMO, Casey was the same goaty, weak voiced self with good guitar (or here mandolin) skill. The difference is that he sang for all the middle aged women out there so he’ll probably get the “connection” card. He also got the pimp spot with Mike which should be the least knolly thing TPTB could have done.

bshifty:

05/11/2010 at 10:36 pm
Lee continues to surprise with his ability to change the timbre and tone of his voice. This time he introduced a falsetto which was unexpected and thrilling.

Crystal was shouting her song again and did her usual schtick. Nothing new for her.

No point talking about the B2.

Yay bshifty! I think we are the only two thinking this way tonight!!!

Lets face it, the Kris covers are easy to do – or so it would seem.

None of those people are the reigning American Idol. I think that’s so what.

So what? So what if he won last year? This is this year. Plenty of songs are repeats and they rarely mention that a previous idol sang it. Maybe none of the judges remember it? The persecution complex is wearing thin.

These guys have handlers assigned to them by Idol that go with them until it’s time for the next season’s new crop to have them. The one Adam got was with Archuleta the season before.

bridgette12:
05/11/2010 at 10:38 pm

I think all of “he who’s name should not be spoken aloud on the show” fans should consider it a compliment that a lot of Season 9 Idols thought enough of him to cover/butcher some of the same songs he did last season. It says a lot about what they feel about the previous season winner. I think “he who’s name was spoken several times on the show”, only had two Idols cover a song he did last year, neither one was anything to brag on.

‘

OR…They didn’t think enough of Kris’s performances to feel that covering songs he covered would be a big deal. There’s always two ways to look at it. Since Crystal hasn’t watched the show before, I doubt that Falling Slowly and Come Together were inspired by Kris.

Kris didn’t choose that song off the list, right? Most people hadn’t heard it at that time. He showed a knowledge of music. I wish anyone of these kids had tried to get something else cleared.

Anyhoo, I’ll be happy with a Lee/Mike elimination. Lee for the reason stated above. Mike because he doesn’t grow and he has already been booted (I don’t like the save).

JudyOhio:
Lee just went ahead of Crystal on dialidol in busy signals. (on the first line). She’s still ahead of him on line 2.

I don’t get it…I just don’t get it. :::sigh:::

I don’t get it either. But Kris was always hovering around the bottom at Dial Idol last year, and was dead last a few times if I remembert. It’s all about text voting now, so DI hasn’t been too accurate this year.

How many times were Carrie, or Daughtry, or Kellie Pickler, or David Archuleta, or Fantasia, or Ruben, or Taylor, or Jordin, or Katharine, or Justin, or Camile Velasko mentioned this season? So what?

Huh? Camile Valasko? Who is she?

These guys have handlers assigned to them by Idol that go with them until it’s time for the next season’s new crop to have them. The one Adam got was with Archuleta the season before.

Like publicists, or body guards? This is interesting, I never knew that. Does everyone signed by 19R get handlers?

Plenty of songs are repeats

Aren’t almost all of the songs repeats? It’s a major problem with this show for anyone who’s watched more than one season. It often feels so recycled and cheap-skate.

adamland, I didn’t know that video existed. Don’t know how I missed it cause I thought I’d “heard it all”. Has it been posted the whole time that we have been aware of Adam?

Oh yeah. I just finished a power-voting session for Casey. This is the first night that I have voted this season. I don’t mind the little “quiver” to Casey’s voice. Some call it “goaty”, I guess. But I like it.

just voted for Casey a lot. I guess I voted for him because I thought he was good and he deserved a respectful critique and not the joking.

ross- So did i!! And i am still voting for Casey! I think the judges have been very disrespectful to him for the past recent weeks and i don’t know why! It’s not like he sounds like a terrible singer or he is off pitch…(No pun intended). I hate bussing contestants when there is no rhyme or reason. But of course, the other reason i’m voting for him is because i REALLY FLOVED his Mrs Robinson. I wouldn’t have been so passionate if Casey had blown his solo. But he didn’t.

KRIS:
Man in the Mirror (Mike)
Apologize (Tim)
What’s Going On (I forgot!)
Ain’t No Sunshine (Aaron)
Come Together (Crystal)
Let It Be (Katie)
Hey Jude (Lee)
The Way You Look Tonight (Mike)
Falling Slowly (Lee and Crystal)

To be fair, I wouldn’t include songs that were sung off of the show, as that’s too nebulous and insular, so I’d excuse Lee for Hey Jude. That said, eight songs is certainly quite the number. Kris probably is becoming easily the winner with the most songs repeated by later contestants. (I wonder which contestant would actually have the most songs repeated by later contestants, though. That’d be an interesting trivia piece).

(Oh, and for completion’s sake, Jermaine sang “What’s Going On”)

On the whole… pretty good night. Best performance probably goes to Lee/Crystal. A much more compelling duet than Mike/Casey for me. Still don’t get Mike (it was even more overblown than usual for me!), and Lee took about four solid weeks backwards on “Kiss From A Rose”. Crystal was good, as was Casey, but neither so stand-out as to really redeem the night.

The media has been comparing Lee to David Cook and Kris Allen all season. But tonight just showed how unlike them he is. He had difficulty staying in tune and showed a weakness in his range. His phrasing was awkward & choppy. Compare his performance from tonight to the smoothness and ease of David Cook – First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, a song which was picked for Cook by Simon.

I do think that Lee will be safe, but I keep waiting for him to show more improvement than what he has.

Here’s my ratings for tonight.

Crystal
Casey
Lee
Mike

Casey/Mike’s duet was better than Lee/Crystal.

Huh? Camile Valasko? Who is she?

Oh, Camile Velasco. Look up her performance of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. It’ll make you feel something inside.

(Not going to say what kind of feeling, but, you know, go ahead and take a look)

I, however, wouldn’t be mad if the judges never name checked Camile. Or performed some kind of ritual to erase all evidence she was on the show.

Has anyone thought that perhaps there is so much overlap in songs because they keep recycling song lists and themes. Just because some idol sang a specific so g doesn’t mean they own it. Constantine sang “kiss fro
a rose” – no one seems to remember that.

I actually watched a performance show for only the second time this season, was curious about the duets. Crystal is really really good, isn’t she? I didn’t like Lee’s solo, but I thought their duet was fine. Lee actually reminded me of Kris a bit in that duet, some of their mannerisms are the same to me. Mike looked really nervous I thought, I liked him better when he sang “In the Ghetto”. I liked Casey, alright..nothing that really moved me though. I hate Bryan Adams, but I really liked Mike and Casey’s duet, they seemed very respectful of each other and to genuinely have some warmth towards each other. I liked their harmonies. Still think that Lee will win. Idol has a type and I think the “oh shucks, shy guy improvement arc” will win out.

.

So what if he won last year? This is this year. Plenty of songs are repeats and they rarely mention that a previous idol sang it. Maybe none of the judges remember it? The persecution complex is wearing thin.

They have namechecked Adam and David Cook plenty on the show this season. It just does seem weird that no one has mentioned Kris. But considering Simon doesn’t even know what season it is, maybe not that weird.

~~now we just need Casey to strip down Heartless next week (and add Gangsta’s Paradise) if he makes it to Top 3! If not Casey, maybe Lee will do it. Or Big Mike. Or Crystal.

Annd the judges still wouldn’t mention Kris’ name.

Lets face it, the Kris covers are easy to do – or so it would seem.

Umm, no, since all the other performances fell well behind Kris’. Mike had a good vocal last week with The Way You Look Tonight, but didn’t come anywhere near Kris’ emotion.

It took this years top 2 to come close to Kris on Falling Slowly.

Aren’t almost all of the songs repeats? It’s a major problem with this show for anyone who’s watched more than one season. It often feels so recycled and cheap-skate.

This season will probably end up with the highest rate of repeats in Idol history (understandable considering its the 9th season and the producers are too cheap to clear a bunch of new songs).

The difference is these kids are repeating many of the most memorable songs from last year. I don’t remember anyone from Season 8 singing Billie Jean, Imagine, or Hallelujah…they were saavy enough competitors to avoid those inevitable comparisons. But hey, at least no one has done Mad World or Heartless yet this year.

gangreen29:
05/11/2010 at 10:45 pm
These guys have handlers assigned to them by Idol that go with them until it’s time for the next season’s new crop to have them. The one Adam got was with Archuleta the season before.

“Like publicists, or body guards? This is interesting, I never knew that. Does everyone signed by 19R get handlers?”

The handlers are PR people, who take the Idols by the hand and get them from point A to point B, keep them on schedule and handle the press. She or he is always there, you see a Idol, you see a handler shadowing them. There are also bodyguards, especially needed during the tour. The last two seasons Cook and Adam needed them the most, some fans got a little rowdy and some stalkerish.

Here are my thoughts on tonight.
Lee – Probably not the best song choice (like MJ said, it’s a really hard song to sing). Started out tentatively and a little pitchy but once he got into it, he sounded good. Thought he finished the song really strong.
Michael – Thought he could have had a moment with this song with the choir behind him but it just didn’t quite work. He sang it well but I was still left feeling underwhelmed.
Casey – It was just an ok performance….I definitely did not hear what MJ heard, but YMMV.
Crystal – It was solid but not great and I found her to be a little shouty near the end of the song.
Crystal/Lee – Loved this performance and thought they sounded great together. I loved Kris’ performance last year and I agree with MJ, this was not better or worse than Kris’, just different.
Casey/Michael – Thought Mike sounded good but did not like Casey. When Casey started the song, he sounded off (like he couldn’t remember the words) and really nervous. The only part of the song I really liked was the last line of the song, where their hamonies were spot on.
I actually like Casey (and hope he makes the final 3 with Crystal and Lee) but I thought that tonight was not his best night.

Lee continues to surprise with his ability to change the timbre and tone of his voice. This time he introduced a falsetto which was unexpected and thrilling.

Thrilling?

I am holding my mouth because you are entitled to your opinion but..

thrilling????!

Eeeeek!

Has anyone thought that perhaps there is so much overlap in songs because they keep recycling song lists and themes.

True, but the contestants can ask to sing a song that’s not on the song list. That’s what Kris did last year, which is one of the reasons (besides the fact that he sang it so great) that Falling Slowly felt so fresh when he sang it.

As I said upthread, I really haven’t watched all of this season, but are these contestants ever veering from the song list? I feel like there has been so little originality in their song choices.

Even the Falling Slowly composer covered Kris’ FS/WOWY mashup. LOL! I’m appreciating Kris more and more. This season just sucks.

I don’t care about repeats if you can do it well. Everyone is covering songs of actual recording artists. The Idols don’t own these songs.

How many times has Kiss from a Rose been done?

Aren’t almost all of the songs repeats? It’s a major problem with this show for anyone who’s watched more than one season. It often feels so recycled and cheap-skate.

I actually had no idea there were so many, until Jasper made the list, but I recall a few others that were also repeated this year from Season7, the only one I’m familiar with. I wonder why it’s necessary, and I can see that it’s an aggravation. Now I read that it’s rather common. The artist I followed in Season 7 never chose anything that had been done in previous seasons, he wouldn’t even repeat himself….so I know it’s possible.

Anyone think it’s part of the lack of experience and confidence that was displayed so abundantly this year? Or just the terrible song choices, that no one could think of a way to re-arrange? Tactically, it’s hard enough being compared to the original – why add the extra handicap of being compared to the contestant who did the song before you? It’s double jeopardy. IMO. Of course.

I don’t care about repeats if you can do it well. Everyone is covering songs of actual recording artists. The Idols don’t own these songs.

You know, from a viewing perspective, I don’t either. Even though the trivia is kind of fun, if a performance is good, it’s good. From a tactical perspective, though, it’s just really, really dumb. It turns some people against you before you sing a note.

(That said, I didn’t mind Falling Slowly as a pick at all. But that’s because this list otherwise was just terrible beyond belief)

How many times has Kiss from a Rose been done?

I think Constantine did “Kiss from a Rose” and Corey Clark as well. I think Gokey too but in Hollywood week. There are vids of all three on you tube.

the only version of Kiss from a Rose on idol that is memorable and always will be IMHO is jack black from season 6 idol gives back

loved crystal
loved crystal n lees duet

(really how did lee get this far that solo was horrid)

not a great nite considering it top 4

I am holding my mouth because you are entitled to your opinion but..

thrilling????!

Eeeeek!

Your loss.

There’s actually way less repeat songs this year than the last.
Before this week it was 39% against 57% last year.
Tonight, there were three for seven. Falling Slowly and HYERLAW were done last year and Kiss from a rose was done by Constantine in week 1 of the semifinals.

Curious as to why you (and some others) “can’t stand” Mike. I thought he sounded great on the duet.

I think he sounds fine. I’m turned off by his personality.

To those of you who are appalled with pitchy Lee winning this season, may I make a suggestion: Vote. This is not a call to arms, just a suggestion.

You have all had favs in the past and I’m guessing want AI to keep a good name for your favs sake. You have the power, Vote!

What happened to the Fashion Handlers on THIS season? The contestants used to get so much more better styling and grooming as the season went on. Who put Lee together tonight? A man in a hurry to escape exploding firecrackers?

Adam has called Lane his day-to-day manager before in interviews. He’s managed by Fuller and Iain Pirie, though I believe. His publicist is listed as Roger Widynwoski and he appears at all the big events for Adam. I don’t know who Kris’s equivalent is, maybe Gina Orr? Or is she with Jive? A Kris fan would know better.

Kris’s version of Lane is named Lizzie – she’s the one who posts all those YouTube videos. He’s managed by Simon Fuller and Sterling McIlwaine (Sterling also manges Daughtry). I think Gina Orr is his publicist.

Isn’t Kris’s person someone named Liz (or something)Like that. I wasn’t upset that they sang the song because I thought it was pretty good.I was more upset that last year Falling Slowly wasn’t on the list so Kris had to get it cleared. So if Kris didn’t get it cleared then that wouldn’t be on the list this year,and The judges act like they never even heard the Verison song on Idol ever. Shot like I said before Kris got presents for singing the singer and they covered it at one of there shows. That has to mean they really enjoyed Kris’s verison.And even Simon loved the verison and had to mention how great Kris sang it on result night. And Simon didn’t have to say anything but he did.I just wish once one of those judges would give Kris his do. I read someone comments someone else can’t remember where it was, but the person was saying one of the contestents could cover Kris’s verison of The Truth and one of the judges would say I liked that verison better then Pat’s verison and not even mention Kris. That’s sad.

MJ, I agree with you Casey sounded very good tonight. I think I liked this song tonight better then Jealous Guy and Don’t. He sounded good, dressed better, looked better, and he actually felt the song along with the Audience. Those judges do not have any ears left, they are so far up their own butts they don’t even give a crap to not show their bias any more.

THis show is DEAD FOR ME

I love Lee, but I think that Danny Gokey sang that song BEAUTIFULLY last year. I still love Lee.

I don’t understand why the contestants this year don’t try to get songs not on the list cleared? The whole reason Falling Slowly was likely even on the list is because Kris asked for it to be cleared last year since he said in his Idolatry after the season that it wasn’t on the list. I just want these kids to show some imagination in their song choices. I think Siobhan and Tim were the most imaginative and they were also recycling a lot of stuff former contestants have done.

Though if someone does a stripped-down version of Heartless, or something as imaginative as She Works Hard for the Money, and they still don’t name check Kris, I will scream even more than I did tonight when Lee and Crystal did Falling Slowly.

Drinking game: Every time Lee says “You know”.

But of course, the other reason i’m voting for him is because i REALLY FLOVED his Mrs Robinson. I wouldn’t have been so passionate if Casey had blown his solo. But he didn’t.

I agree. I didn’t mean to suggest I voted for Casey just because the judges were assholes to him. I thought he was fantastic tonight. I’ve always thought he’s a good singer, but he’s been so detached, and tonight he sang from the heart, and that isn’t really that kind of song. He brought a lot to it, re-interpreted it in a subtle way.

As for Kris not being mentioned, there’s no persecution complex (I can’t find the quote or I’d quote it). Last year’s runner up got two nights on air and numerous mentions of the title of his current single. It’s not a persecution complex if people notice last year’s winner hasn’t gotten that kind of attention from the show. It’s just a fact. Naturally people are going to remark on it.

I thought Casey sounded really good tonite as well although he looked defeated after his solo performance. I think Casey knows they are busing him and it’s sad to watch.

The problem with covering certain songs is that they are compared with other seasons.

Last year many people started to vote for Kris after his emotionally version of Falling Slowly.

I also thought that Danny added more emotion to his version of Kiss from a Rose last year. When Danny sang it last year he put alot of emotion into that sang.

Ilovekrisallen- I’m just not sure what else the judges or whoever need to say or do. Simon said he liked it last year. It’s not like they name drop past contestants every show. S9 is about s9 – even if they do suck big time.

Eta: sorryim not trying to argue – I’m just confused why it is so necessary.

I don’t understand why the contestants this year don’t try to get songs not on the list cleared?

The songs are repeated all the time because they are already cleared. I think the contestants should try to get other songs cleared but there’s probably an administrative resistance to it because it takes effort and there may be a problem with the time necessary to get it done. (I read that David Archuleta tried to get six songs cleared and when he was told that no new songs would be cleared and he had to do a song already cleared, he elected to sing Imagine in the final.) Maybe Falling Slowly was an easy song to get cleared last year?

Well I voted for Casey 2 hours because I liked that song the best tonight. He really did seem to pull it altogether tonight. I pray those judges go home and re-watch it on TV for they must be hearing something totally different then I did.

I don’t understand why the contestants this year don’t try to get songs not on the list cleared?

Who knows if they don’t try?
I learned after Siobhan went home that even songs that are on the list may not have been cleared (Don’t Dream it’s over) and that she tried to clear other songs too, so I think they try but AI ask so much from the artists that they refuse.

As for Kris not being mentioned, there’s no persecution complex (I can’t find the quote or I’d quote it). Last year’s runner up got two nights on air and numerous mentions of the title of his current single. It’s not a persecution complex if people notice last year’s winner hasn’t gotten that kind of attention from the show. It’s just a fact. Naturally people are going to remark on it.

Last years runner-up and Season 7s winner have also been name checked in the judge’s critiques at points. One example that was just stupid was Andrew Garcia’s “Straight Up.” As overblown as that performance was, since it was in Hollywood week, when Kara critiqued that performance she name-checked last season’s runner-up, when it was actually something much more reminiscent of last season’s winner. Another example was when Aaron Kelly did “Ain’t No Sunshine” when Simon acted like the fabulous performance he was referring to was a long time ago, when I doubt he was referencing Christina Christian’s version considering Kris knocked it out of the park with that song twice last season. And last season, Kara called Falling Slowly an obscure choice, yet tonight she was calling it the best moment of the seaons (which, IMO, no – it wasn’t).

Thanks to those who brought the stats regarding repeats of songs previously performed on idol. There is one contestant who got all the way to Top 3 before performing any song used by a previous idol. And then he had no choice as a judge and the producers picked and assigned 2 songs to him that were performed before. (See David Cook.) So it seems really bizarre to me that so many of Kris’s songs that he did in Season 8 would be performed in Season 9. To me it shows lack of musical knowledge and the failure to do their research. That’s one more reason to be unimpressed with this year’s bunch.

The whole reason Falling Slowly was likely even on the list is because Kris asked for it to be cleared last year since he said in his Idolatry after the season that it wasn’t on the list. I just want these kids to show some imagination in their song choices. I think Siobhan and Tim were the most imaginative and they were also recycling a lot of stuff former contestants have done.

I agree with this statement. Many of this years contestants aren’t choosing songs that are ‘unknown’ or not ‘flipping’ around songs like both Kris and Adam did last year, and Cook did the year before them.

Maybe that is why many people aren’t getting behind this season. The ‘artistry’ is lacking…sure they sing great, but they should try not to be so karaoke and try to ‘flip’ songs to make them sound new, or choose songs that people seldom have heard of.

Who ever can do that in a couple of weeks might win this instead of drudging along.

I don’t understand why the contestants this year don’t try to get songs not on the list cleared?

How do you know they didn’t try? If what Siobhan said is true, it doesn’t sound like the Suits were bending over backward to clear off-list songs for the contestants. What I want to know is, who picked this week’s horrible list? It was a total kareoke trap. They need to train better monkeys. Considering that, they all managed to pick songs that weren’t totally cheesetastic… uninspiring, perhaps but what can you do with a list full of 80′s cheese? I suppose some would say Brian Adams is but I’m probably one of the few people on the planet who doesn’t actually hate that song.

Lets face it, the Kris covers are easy to do – or so it would seem.

But, none of them can do it the way Kris has done it. Which basically means they all suck. JMO.

My order:

Crystal
Casey
Mike
Lee (his pitch sucked on the first verse)

The better duet was Falling Slowly, which I thought was incredible, but Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman was very, very good. I arrange songs for an a capella group–what Crystal and Lee did to Falling Slowly was really imaginative. And they sounded great together. The other duet was a straight cover. Casey was shakey on the first verse–not bad but tentative. His guitar playing was great; and Mike and Casey were good together. Funny–to hear Casey on the higher harmony since he seems to have a slightly lower range than Mike. Good tho.

One example that was just stupid was Andrew Garcia’s “Straight Up.” As overblown as that performance was, since it was in Hollywood week, when Kara critiqued that performance she name-checked last season’s runner-up, when it was actually something much more reminiscent of last season’s winner.

I don’t know, when Garcia did that I thought of “last season’s runner up” and his flipping of Cher’s Believe (also the same tempo type song as Paula’s) at the exact same time during the competition in Hollywood week. Maybe it’s just me. I know that Kris changed up his songs alot, but so did Adam. They both excelled in that area.

I don’t get it either. But Kris was always hovering around the bottom at Dial Idol last year, and was dead last a few times if I remembert. It’s all about text voting now, so DI hasn’t been too accurate this year.

I am taking heart in the fact that Casey was at the bottom of DI last week and still came out ahead of Mike. I hope Crystal has a lot of text voters too!!

Sigh, I’m sure they all do…

My order

Casey
Crystal
Mike
Lee – he did not sound good too me at all

Sadly, I think it will be Casey that heads home and he did a really good job this week.

What got Andrew through and made him exciting in the beginning was that he FLIPPED that song made it different an unique. Then he started doing just did like everyone else did and got voted off.

I know Adam had Feeling Good that had been done before, not sure if any of his others songs were repeats from previous seasons. Kris’s Come Together had been done by Carly Smithson the year before, but I don’t think he had any other repeats either

Adam covered PLay that funky music (Taylor H) and A change is gonna come (Gedeon, Syesha). Kris did How Sweet it is (a lot of people) Ain’t No Sunshine (Christina Christian), She Works Hard For The Money (Jordin); The Way You Look Tonight (Jasmin Trias, David Radford), Renegade (Daughtry), Wha’ts going on (Anwar Robinson) and even Apologize was considered an Archie song even if he didn’t perform during the competition.

ETA: I forgot that Bo covered Satisfaction too.

Ceddies:
05/11/2010 at 10:46 pm

adamland, I didn’t know that video existed. Don’t know how I missed it cause I thought I’d heard it all”. Has it been posted the whole time that we have been aware of Adam?

It’s been out there since before the end of last season.

I’ll be sad tomorrow night. No one stands out as “deserving” to go. No one, to me, stands out as deserving to win either. LOL. They should just call it a draw really.

I loved, loved Casey and Mike’s duet. Second was Lee and Crystal’s duet. Casey let go and showed he’s got a wider range. He and Mike sounded great together. Lee is better as a rocker I guess, and Crystal sounds better to me in duets.

I wasn’t wowed by any solos, but Casey sang his the best imo.

Even though Casey sang really well tonight I couldn’t help but to think that the SUITS made him sing that song because of Kara and all that drama. They tried their best to make him a joke but not once time did Casey speak back at the Judges. He stayed above the fray and I totally respect him for that.

I don’t know, when Garcia did that I thought of “last season’s runner up” and his flipping of Cher’s Believe (also the same tempo type song as Paula’s) at the exact same time during the competition in Hollywood week. Maybe it’s just me.

Well for me, the first things to come to mind were SWHFTM and Heartless. Maybe it’s because he did it with an accoustic guitar, similar to Heartless. Maybe it’s because we will never know what exactly Kris did in Hollywood since they never showed us anything except flashes of him and his guitar in a montage that was likely his Everything by Michael Buble which Kara has gone on record as being awesome.

I think if Andrew or someone else had flipped a song without an accoustic guitar I would absolutely associate with Adam. But the accounstic guitar put the association to Kris for me.

The difference was that Kris, Adam and Cook changed songs around and made them new and completely different with their own style.

These contestants need to do the same

ETA: Forgot about Ain’t No Sunshine which Simon’s crush Christiana I think? in an early season did.

True. Amongst many other overlaps, but they weren’t as obvious or sentimental.

And it’s not only in the overlapping material. It’s in consistently choosing engaging material that highlights the best of them as performers. Some have done it better than others, and in different ways, but on the whole it’s been down a notch from last year at the least.

I think if Andrew or someone else had flipped a song without an accoustic guitar I would absolutely associate with Adam. But the accounstic guitar put the association to Kris for me.

Castro flipped a few songs with the acoustic guitar.

Even the Falling Slowly composer covered Kris’ FS/WOWY mashup. LOL! I’m appreciating Kris more and more. This season just sucks.

HaHa!!!! “You never know a good thing ’till it’s gone”

True, but the contestants can ask to sing a song that’s not on the song list. That’s what Kris did last year, which is one of the reasons (besides the fact that he sang it so great) that Falling Slowly felt so fresh when he sang it.

Casey could of been a hero tonight if he went off list and sang one of the songs from the movie Crazy Heart. If Jeff Bridges can sound good singing them, Casey would of hit it out of the park, and had some buzz.

I did like Lee and Cyrstal choice of Falling Slowly because it shows what type of music they will make and I like that type of song.

The difference was that Kris, Adam and Cook changed songs around and made them new and completely different with their own style.

These contestants need to do the same

Like Crystal did tonight?

I thought all of the performances were just ok tonight. One thing that I thought really sucked, tho, was the way they treated Casey. Making all those stupid jokes at his expense during his judging could really hurt his credibility. He’s handled all that Kara crap with dignity, but he’s gotta be pissed that they spent the whole time on that Kara nonsense again. I felt really sorry for the guy!!

Lee was just ok but not bad,
Mike, as always, sings really well. I wasn’t a fan of the song choice but he’s a really good singer.
Loved, loved the duet with Crystal and Lee. I won’t compare it to Kris’s because it’s just a different arrangement.

Ok, that’s where we are on the west coast so far.

I loved, loved, loved Lee and Crystal’s duet… patiently waiting for MJ’s itunes link.

Even though Casey sang really well tonight I couldn’t help but to think that the SUITS made him sing that song because of Kara and all that drama. They tried their best to make him a joke but not once time did Casey speak back at the Judges. He stayed above the fray and I totally respect him for that.

Have you ever looked back at the critique he got for his first semifinal performance? The judges are just jerks about it. They think it’s so fun to embarrass Kara, but they’re completely not doing their stupid, mindlessly easy job. It’s so disrespectful to Casey not to give him substantive feedback.

(I thought the mandolin–and his superior playing of it–was amazing. His vocal was good. His sitting on that platform in the audience–terrible. His green jacket–awesome.)

Honestly, I am puzzled by the “Falling Slowly” love. The arrangement sucked the meaning out of the song. Plus, the harmonies weren’t there. They grated. But, as with anything, YMMV.

Good news for the folks who want to buy tickets to the AI tour this year – I’m guessing there will be lots of seats available…

I’m really really really having trouble getting any enthusiasm for this years bunch. Sure some nice singing – but even if the ticket was free I’m not sure I’d sit through so many ho hum singers to get to the one or two that are OK….

Way better singing any day at any local folk festival.

To be honest if Glee wasn’t on I’d probably forget about the show entirely.

Suzanne:
05/11/2010 at 11:30 pm

Even though Casey sang really well tonight I couldn’t help but to think that the SUITS made him sing that song because of Kara and all that drama. They tried their best to make him a joke but not once time did Casey speak back at the Judges. He stayed above the fray and I totally respect him for that.

Have you ever looked back at the critique he got for his first semifinal performance? The judges are just jerks about it. They think it’s so fun to embarrass Kara, but they’re completely no doing their stupid, mindlessly easy job. It’s so disrespectful to Casey not to give him substantive feedback.

(I thought the mandolin–and his superior playing of it–was amazing. His vocal was good. His sitting on that platform in the audience–terrible. His green jacket–awesome.)

Yeah he changed that song up enough to make it his own but yet they couldn’t point that out now could they after they harped on others as not being different. I hope all the judges get hit by a bus! I’m mad

Pretty decent night, although I think I am just gonna stop listening to any of the judges cause I just don’t get what they want from Casey, especially. That song was awesome. I wanted to buy it before the last syllable passed his lips. He seduced me, for certain.

Crystal did the impossible, took a shit song and turned it if not into gold, at least a nice grade silver. Falling Slowly, I know some say, no they didn’t, but they did, and I am so glad. Highlight of the season, the arrangement was great, her vocals spot on, and they were believable together.

Michael and Lee did themselves no favors with their choices, well Mike did choose something that if he had pulled it off could have been a moment, but he just doesn’t have those gospel chops to pull that off. Lee’s choice showed this achilles heel once again, his spotty relationship with pitch, and that constipated look, ack dude!

Michael and Casey’s duet was love. Just pure love, favorite part was Casey’s guitar work. I know this isn’t guitar idol, but the dude is awesome with that guitar, the best idol has seen.

I have no idea who should go, I think Mike, just because of his talk of making the top three as that was his goal, he might have fallen a bit short, and his performance imho was not as good as Casey, of course Lee sucked worse, but he is the new chosen one, so he could fart and make top three, so there it is.

The Lee/Crystal duet — Goosebumps! When they kicked into the chorus? Wow. Been a dearth of the bumps these season.

True, Lee and Crystal doing Falling Slowly originally made me cringe because Kris did it really well. I still really LOVED that duet.

Lee looked a little uncomfortable doing it. Hehe. Then he started talking about it. I thought it was kinda endearing, lol.

Of course, Crystal was awesome. I’m not bothering too much to compare it to Kris’s, because both were totally different interpretations.

The difference was that Kris, Adam and Cook changed songs around and made them new and completely different with their own style.

These contestants need to do the same

IMHO they are, Casey, Crystal and Big Mike’s version were different fom the orginal and there are number of exemples of the same thing.

FWIW, Adam and Cook changed up a lot of songs by picking less known covers from the song, Muse for Feeling Good, Dilana for Ring Of Fire, Gary Jules for Mad World, Chris Cornell for Billy Jean, a ton of bands for Eleanor Rigby, etc.

Honestly, I am puzzled by the “Falling Slowly” love. The arrangement sucked the meaning out of the song. Plus, the harmonies weren’t there. They grated. But, as with anything, YMMV.

I can understand what you are saying. The original singers sang that sang with more emotion also, but I still thought it was one of the best tonight.

I sure hope the west coast pulls some votes for Casey because Dial Idol has him in last place again and I sure do not want any of the JUDGES to have a mental out.

Haha, check this out. Voldemort

tinydance:Many of this years contestants aren’t choosing songs that are ‘unknown’ or not ‘flipping’ around songs like both Kris and Adam did last year, and Cook did the year before them.

I don’t agree with this, really. I think Casey hasn’t been given near enough credit for what he’s done on the show.

Casey did an obscure Elvis song (Lawdy Miss Clawdy) and totally flipped it on it’s head. Did they mention this? No, they called it a lazy coice. Listen to the original and you’ll see.

Casey did an obscure Rolling Stones song (It’s All Over Now).

Casey did Hold On I’m coming, which had never been done on Idol before, and put his own spin on it in an awesome rock/blues way.

He chose Don’t during Shania week, one of her lesser known songs.

He did Jealous Guy during Lennon/McCartney week, made it acoustic and bluesy and totally his own.

Not that he’s gotten a whole lot of credit for it since Kara always mentions “jam band”, and they keep telling him to switch it up.

And then he comes out tonight with the mandolin and a great twist on an old classic with Mrs. Robinson.

Sure. He didn’t flip Don’t Stop or Power Of Love, but the rest? He made all of them his own. He’s not afraid to go full on stripped down acoustic, or rip on the electric. He’s got balls, to sit there with little more than the mandolin after the beating he took last week.

YMMV, of course.

Honestly, I am puzzled by the “Falling Slowly” love. The arrangement sucked the meaning out of the song. Plus, the harmonies weren’t there.

Just looked at mj’s video. You’re right. They cut back on the harmony of the original, which is too bad. They could have done more of it. But I don’t think it sucked the meaning out of the song. Imagine a music video of two lonely, kicked-around-by-love people on opposite ends of the bar noticing each other. Then they each sing the song arranged like this duet. I think it works as a call to each other as much as it does a plea from one man.

Haha, check this out. Voldemort

was just about to post this.

AMEN, Thristy!!!!!!!!!!!

BestAI:

Taylor Hicks is a great performer, so I don’t see the comparison.

I agree and I don’t see it either.

I sure hope the west coast pulls some votes for Casey because Dial Idol has him in last place again and I sure do not want any of the JUDGES to have a mental out.

I hope they vote for him, too, but no one is safe if you look at the margin of error. I think DI isn’t all that. They always have big Mike last in raw votes.

IM

HO they are, Casey, Crystal and Big Mike’s version were different fom the orginal and there are number of exemples of the same thing.

FWIW, Adam and Cook changed up a lot of songs by picking less known covers from the song, Muse for Feeling Good, Dilana for Ring Of Fire, Gary Jules for Mad World, Chris Cornell for Billy Jean, a ton of bands for Eleanor Rigby, etc.

Yep I agree. Some of Kris’s songs were truly original. (Okay so were DC’s who I love and Adam’s?). Anywho, Crystal and Casey have changed up songs this year. Tonight is an example for each. Mike? yeah he has, but to me they’ve been cheese.

Well…

Lee was fine.

Michael was good, but something about the arrangement seemed choppy to me. I wanted him to be Top 3 before Casey sang.

Casey was very good tonight imo. His arrangement worked better than Michael’s.

Crystal was excellent.

As for duets…

While Lee and Crystal were good, to me, it showed just how much stronger Crystal is than Lee. It also made me sad for Kris Allen, because a duet by Crystal and him would have killed! And, Kris got such a bum duet opportunity (partner) last year.

Casey and Mike also sounded great together. Casey proved to be the more interesting vocalist of the two for me. (I wasn’t trying to compare, but it stood out like a sore thumb to me during both!) And the guitar playing was very impressive.

Duets FTW tonight. Who knew?!

I threw a few text votes at Casey as the casual viewer that I am this year. Of course, that probably dooms him for sure!

ETA: Not that it matters, but…

Yep I agree. Some of Kris’s songs were truly original. (Okay so were DC’s…

IIRC, all of Cook’s were original after the bs manufactured brohaha over Cornell’s Billie Jean. Lest we forget Little Sparrow, Always Be My Baby, All I Really Need Is You, The World I Know, etc… Just to clarify…

Seriously, I am not trying to be petty, but what is up with Crystal’s teeth??? They are so distracting. Does she brush? Jeez.

alaadam:

Awww give Simon a break. He doesn’t even know what season this is! LOL

ROFL! He also doesn’t know what movies they were talking about ROFL!

I hope they vote for him, too, but no one is safe if you look at the margin of error. I think DI isn’t all that. They always have big Mike last in raw votes.

Also, once again, Casey was on the bottom of DI last week, but wasn’t even in the bottom two.

The solos did kind of sucked tonight but I really enjoyed Casey’s song choice. It will be a miracle if he makes the top 3. It doesn’t look so good right now. I actually like Mike/Casey’s duet better than Lee/Crystal. They both did ok though. Crosses fingers and toes for Casey to make the top 3 but Mike will probably get that spot since he announced it to the world that it was his goal to make top 3. Plus the judges were hating on Casey. Why didn’t they talk about his performance. It was good damn it!!!!!!!

Haha, check this out. Voldemort

He totally re-arranged the tune and it’s AWESOME!!! Wow. Casey pulled it out