Wednesday night will be all about pleas for charity, but Tuesday (April 8) night's American Idol is all about pleas for your votes. In other words, it was business as usual as the American Idol Top Eight sang Inspirational Songs.

Singer: MICHAEL JOHNS
Song: "Dream On"
My Take: Applause to Michael for believing that '70s rock anthems can be inspirational, too. I suspect that most of tonight's contestants will figure that if it isn't maudlin and dreary, it isn't inspirational, so good for Michael for going a different direction. The Aussie keeps tackling some of the greatest rock vocalists in history, going after Steven Tyler with the same not-quite-the-real-thing effort he brought to his covers of Freddie Mercury and Jim Morrison. His range really just isn't big enough to for the Mercurys and Perrys, especially the higher he gets (musically, not in the Jason Castro way). I'd say that Michael plays the closing falsetto decently, though I it works better if you weren't raised on the sort of new England classic rock stations that play this Aerosmith favorite as part of every 10-song block.
Beezus, Ramona and Simon Say: Randy thinks this is an important week, a chance to see who can really win this thing. Randy doesn't buy that Aerosmith is in Michael's wheelhouse, questioning the song choice. Michael wisely goes all Fievel Mousekewitz, insisting that in America dreams can come true. Kristy Lee Cook is back stage raging at his show of immigrant patriotism. Paula can't disagree more with Randy's words, slobbering that Michael sounds as good as he looks and that her Chihuahuas will respond to the high notes. Simon is reserved, calling it both a very good performance, but still not the side of Michael he most likes.

Singer: SYESHA MERCADO
Song: "I Believe"
My Take: See? This is exactly the sort of song I'm fearing for the rest of the night. This is bland treacle that only played for Fantasia because of the rough edge that she brought to everything, that rasp that cut right through the banalities. Syesha doesn't have that same voice and the closing falsetto is utterly dreadful. Seriously, as inoffensive as the rest of the performance may have been -- Syesha has fine pitch and OK range, but she lacks even an iota of nuance and diversity -- the falsetto is Chihuahua-explodingly bad.
Beezus, Ramona and Simon Say: Randy thinks that it was Fantasia's special connection to the song that her version and that Syesha didn't have the same connection. Paula dares to say that you can't compare the two of them. You can't? An American Idol contestant singing an American Idol winner's coronation song? Paula mutters something about Fantasia being Syesha's idol and that this was one of her shining knights. Simon gives her technical points, but says it was missing the wave of emotion.

Singer: JASON CASTRO
Song: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
My Take: Oh, Clifford the Muppet! If ever there were a week to whip out "The Rainbow Connection" this was it. He comes close, though, bringing out a ukulele, which he can only barely play. Musically, it's a blessed relief when the strings section chimes in. This is what Jason does best, light and frothy vocals that require absolutely nothing more than a lilting whisper. Since that's all his voice really is, this may be Jason's most Jason-esque performance to date. If Jason made you swoon before tonight, you're probably a puddle on your couch. If you're one of those people going, "Stop making those silly faces and sing a something more difficult!" then Jason probably won't have won you over.
Beezus, Ramona and Simon Say: Yo, Randy tells Jason what. Then he raves that it was blazing, molten hot. What was? That performance? I'd go as far as "nice" or "pleasant" or "groovy," but "molten hot"? Paula thinks Jason has a definitive voice, causing Randy to interject that it was like a record. Yes. It was. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's record, right down to the weirdly reordered lyrics (not nearly as good, but whatever). Simon, all smiles, calls it fantastic.

Singer: KRISTY LEE COOK
Song: "Anyway"
My Take: Did Kristy accidentally ruin most of her wardrobe by washing it with a bright red shirt? Because this is an outfit she's recycled three or four times now. To be fair, it's a splendid showcase. I think this may be the very best Kristy's country-ready voice has sounded all competition. Some of the notes sound sharp-ish to my ear, but they're sharp-ish in the way that country songs often sound to me. Kristy may have been unfairly maligned for her hideously arranged Beatles songs and she may have been unfairly propped up with "God Bless the USA," but this is the first time I think we saw the Kristy from the very first audition, the pretty girl with the solid voice. She's not spectacular, but she doesn't need to be ashamed to be around.
Beezus, Ramona and Simon Say: Randy actually loved that. Paula agrees that this was her finest night so far. Simon thinks she was "very very good indeed."

The rest of the recap is, as always, over at our It Happened Last Night blog.

Comments

The performances did not impress me at all.

I am ready to see some performances like Fantasia, Ruebin, MELINDA DOOLITTLE.

V. Jones | Apr 9, 2008 10:05:17 AM | #

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Fantasia and Ruben? Two of the worst decisions the American public has made, backed up by their lack of careers.

Dr Kennedy | Apr 10, 2008 4:59:13 PM | #

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i think jason castro is a very good looking young man with a dashing smile and gorgeous eyes. i just love to hear and watch him perform.the expression from his eyes while singing just shows how much he enjoys to sing. i wish him all the best i think jason your mn dreammy good luck

sunshine | Apr 11, 2008 4:52:40 PM | #

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i think jason castro is a very good looking young man with a dashing smile and gorgeous eyes. i just love to hear and watch him perform.the expression from his eyes while singing just shows how much he enjoys to sing. i wish him all the best i think jason your mn dreammy good luck

sunshine | Apr 11, 2008 4:52:52 PM | #

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jason castro is soooooooooooo cute. i just love him.

red | Apr 11, 2008 4:57:08 PM | #

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jason castro is soooooooooooo cute. i just love him.

red | Apr 11, 2008 4:57:09 PM | #

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