UPDATE: Paige Miles is the new female Vote For the Worst pick.
Whoa. Isn’t this the night everyone is supposed to be bringing their A game? What the hell happened?
Crystal Bowersox, in typical fashion, was waayyy out in front leading this pack of girls. Didi Benami and Lacey Brown finally got their crap together to deliver performances that proved they deserved a spot in the Top 24 and maybe the 12.
Lilly Scott threw her own party tonight, but forgot to send out the invitations, Siobhan Magnus picked a weird song, then proceeded to sing it…weirdly. Katelyn Epperly and Paige Miles got a bad case (and in Paige’s case a really bad case) of the yips. And Katie Stevens, at this point, has no idea whether she’s coming or going.
This does not bode well for the rest of the season. I don’t even want to think about the copious amounts of suck the guys might bring tomorrow night…
Live blog and video after the JUMP…
Eight girls…One dream…tonight they fight for a spot in the Top 12!
OMG Elen is sitting in Simon’s lap and nuzzling his face. Simon says, “It’s probably the worse night to go, because you’re so close.”
Time is tight, let’s get going…
Katie Stevens – “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson – She’s trying to be young like the judges suggest. But, she’s pitchy and unsure of herself. She looks so uncomfortable up there. This is not cutting it. So boring. Randy says, “It paled into comparison..like karaoke. Didn’t work for me.” Ellen likes that she took the judges suggestions, but, “I didn’t feel those words…I didn’t see personality.” Kara says, “I don’t think you know who you are yet as an artist….you do have that talent…you need that experience.” Simon says, “I think this has been very confusing for you…I think your issue is, you haven’t worked out the kind of artist you are…you kind of sucked the energy out of it..I got to give you 10 out of 10 for trying.” She was 8 years old when Kelly won Idol. She says she felt the song, because she is breaking away from her small town. Poor thing is just doing what the judges are telling her now, she’s completely clueless. This could be the end of the line for Katie. 1-866-436-5701 – VIDEO
Siobhan Magnus – “House of the Rising Sun” – She’s dedicating the song to her Dad, who introduced her to music. I dunno peeps. She sang it really well, but she didn’t take it anywhere. What style was that? I felt like I was sitting at a school assembly. She doesn’t have an artistic identity, at all. Randy says, “You come out every week you surprise us…you take every risk…you don’t listen to us at all keep doing that ’cause it’s hot.” Ellen says, “You are why I love music…I was captivated, you made it current you are spectacular. Kara says, “I loved the a’capella vibe at the front…you are so unique and different…I really liked it tonight.” Simon says, “I wasn’t quite a fan of that…it was all a bit weird…because you didn’t do anything with the song…there was no moment..ploddy, boring and dark…didn’t get it.” – 1-866-436-5702 – VIDEO
Lacey Brown – “The Story” by Brandy Carlisle – Sitting on the edge of the stage, Lacey reveals what got her in the competition. This is pretty good. Good song choice that highlights her unique phrasing. She’s got a cool alt/country vibe. I feel like I’m seeing the real Lacey for the first time. But, it’s probably too late. Randy says, “A little sleepy, but your best performance in a long time…very cool.” Ellen says, “I agree with Randy, sounds like something that was written for you…distinctive..really good” Kara says, “Performances like this are why you got here…this is the kind of record you need to be doing.” Simon says, “I didn’t love the song, but you sang it really well…like listening to something on the radio…still haven’t heard the right song connection.” – 1-866-436-5703 – VIDEO
Katelyn Epperly – “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King – Katelyn has great pipes, but I’m still getting a cabaret vibe off her. She should have picked a contemporary song. She looks cool playing the piano, but her vocal is nothing special. Not as distinctive as last week. Randy says, “I just didn’t feel the right connection…it felt very put on…a little boring.” Ellen says, “I don’t know that was the song to choose to wow people with. It just wasn’t enough.” Kara says, “I didn’t feel like you were competing on that stage…I just felt like you weren’t even playing…what happened?” Katelyn says she was trying to be less corny. (didn’t succeed…she’s still corny) Simon says, “It was kind of like request night on a Friday night at a restaurant….other people look like they are trying harder.” – 1-866-436-5704 – VIDEO
The best so far? Lacey. Seriously.
Didi Benami – “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac – She’s got her guitar this week. Good thing, because it’s really helping. A lot. She’s doing an acoustic thing here, and it’s very nice. Very unique. Very Didi. She might be back in the game. The best tonight, so far. The judges better be nice. She’s really showing off her phrasing. The crowd loves it. Didi is back. Randy says, “It was a whole lot better than last week…I’m not sure there was a wow moment in there.” Ellen says, “Yes indeedee Didi…I thought that was a lovely performance…you did a good job.” Kara says, “One of my favorite moments in the show so far this season…sometimes you can surprise us by what you bring to the song.” Simon says, “I have to agree with Kara.” Thank Jeebus! “I think that was head and shoulders above everyone…I think she had a wow moment…the whole song was wow…coming back after getting mauled last week…and getting yourself together…well done.” – 1-866-436-5705 – VIDEO
Paige Miles – “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin – What the hell? She really needed to pick a modern song, preferably an R&B tune, and make it her own. She’s pitchy, limp, and absolutely out of her depth. And totally NOT relevant to current music. Oh Paige. Damn girl. You could have been a contender. Stick a fork in her. She’s done. Randy says, “That’s one of my fav songs…it just didn’t work…it just went completely flat.” Ellen says, “That song was supposed to be uplifting, but it was just sad and heavy…this is the time to shine….it’s the wrong song.” Kara says, “It was all wrong, tonight was not the night to do that.” Paige says she loves the song. Simon says, “It was just a horrible choice of song…the arrangement was awful.” He likens it to a bad bar performance, “…you had so much potential..you have no idea who you are as an artist. This could be the end of the road.” She performed it because of Michael Jackson. She says she got too emotional while she was singing the song (sure didn’t feel that from her) – 1-866-436-5706 – VIDEO
Crystal Bowersox – “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman – Crystal rocks it out with an electric guitar. I love the way she went big on the second verse. Man, she’s got some awesome pipes right there, and she knows how to use them. Sweet, hot and bluesy, she’s amazing. Randy says, “This is what this show’s about for me…I’m a fan…that was hot.” Ellen says, “I need new adjectives for you..best performance of the night.” Kara says that she’s an example of someone who knows who they are as an artist, and she’s beginning to see what kind of record she’d make. “This is what we mean when” Simon says, “You are one million billion percent going to be in the Top 12 next week. You’ve got confidence…you are the one everyone has to beat. It’s yours to lose. – 1-866-436-5707 – VIDEO
Lilly Scott – “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline – You know what? Lilly reminds me of Megan Joy. She’s got that odd quirky tone, but the difference is. Lilly has the experience, and an innate musicality and rhythm that Megan doesn’t. Lilly took on Patsy, playing the mandolin. Lilly makes it work for the most part–a couple of pitchy spots here and there–but I wasn’t blown away like I was last week and the week before. I like Lilly’s style, but I don’t think she’s connecting with viewers like she should. Randy says, “I think it was hot tonight…good job” Ellen says, “Love you, love your voice, love your originality.” Kara says, “You made Patsy Cline feel current.” Simon says, “I think you’re very brave choosing that song…that didn’t have the wow factor…cute quirky…that could have been a risky thing to do.” Wow. Rushing through the judges comments to end on time! But they do. – 1-866-436-5708 – VIDEO
