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Parton Me: 'American Idol' Top Nine Performs
Wednesday (April 1) night is Dolly Parton Night on American Idol, with Dolly serving as guest mentor, which will force surly judge Simon Cowell to balance his hatred of country music with his love of kissing up to celebrity visitors. As for me? I suspect the entire show will feel like an hour-long April Fool's joke (though hopefully less lame than the one Ryan Seacrest uses to start the show)...
Singer: BROOKE WHITE
Song: "Jolene"
My Take: Even Dolly can't deny the honesty of America's Nanny. Strumming the guitar, Brooke doesn't stray very far from the original melody and arrangement of what is -- if I were forced to list such things -- probably my favorite Parton song. I'm not sure she exactly gets the song's tone of melodic regret and pleading -- ain't nobody capable of stealin' Brooke White's man, no suh -- but it's simple and not-unpleasant. One of these weeks, Brooke's going to have to put just a little bit more out there vocally.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Randy thinks she could make an album like this, but despite pitch and pacing problems, it was only aight for him. Brooke thanks him sincerely. Paula thinks Brooke has an emotional connection with every song she picks. Brooke sends her a very sweet "Thank you" note and the two women proceed to rave about each other's hair. Simon goes back to the evergreen "busking" analogy, saying he didn't see any connection. Brooke sends him a muffin basket to show there are no hard feelings.
Singer: PRESUMPTIVE AMERICAN IDOL WINNER DAVID [COOK]
Song: "Little Sparrow"
My Take: The producers of American Idol should be embarrassed by how they're letting random websites spell out the terms of a half-hearted controversy about David "The Leader" Cook's borrowing of different arrangements. This is a competition for cover artists and 99 percent of the performances on the show are borrowed from somebody or another. Yes, the artists behind the arrangements should be credited, probably, just so that they can get some benefit, but regardless of what Chris Cornell thinks, he couldn't have gotten any more credit last week than he did. Nobody else is being forced to bend over backward like he is, so David's making a special point of emphasizing that this week's version is all him. Well, mostly it's Dolly, actually. David thinks a bit more of his falsetto than I do, resorting too much to pushing high notes that, by the last one, betray him completely. Still, he makes the song sound contemporary and masculine, which is admirable.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: You know what Randy loves? He loves David's range. You know what Paula loves? David's haircut. They both rave about his "false," which means they need to listen to the last one on replay. We know that Simon has problems with songs about birds, but even he's enthusiastic.
Singer: RAMIELE MALUBAY
Song: "Do I Every Cross Your Mind"
My Take: Oh, Little Ramiele. You've got so much spunk, but why can't you choose a song that fits your voice properly? By the half-way point this jaunty track gets close, but for the first 30 seconds or so, she's mumbling notes that are much too low for her to enunciate. And that's a third of the song. Do we forget about that just because she sounds fine by the end? I don't. I defy anybody to tell me what this song is about or what its tone is based on Ramiele's performance.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Check it out! Randy isn't jumping up and down, but he isn't mad at her either, giving her a 6.5/10. Paula's proud and thinks it was a great minute-and-thirty-seconds. Simon speculates we won't remember this in 10 years.
Singer: JASON CASTRO
Song: "Travelin' Thru"
My Take: Way to go, Jason! I wouldn't necessarily have thought the theme song from a movie about a transgender parent's pre-surgery odyssey could be transformed into something perfect for the next Muppet movie, but there it is. Did the band start out too fast or did Jason on his guitar? There's what seems to be a dramatic tempo swap early on, but maybe that's part of the song? I'm grading Clifford the Muppet on a curve this week because he's been so very, very bad the past two weeks. This week, he's less bad, though the funny faces are still there in spades.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Randy figures that by the end of the song Jason worked it out. It was one of Jason's strongest performances for Paula. Simon jeopardizes his season pass to Dollywood by criticizing both the song and performance.
Singer: CARLY SMITHSON
Song: "Here You Come Again"
My Take: I'm a little concerned as Carly starts out, because this is a song I know in a more upbeat version and she's taking it as a big-voice ballad, perfect for shouting. It's actually a nice arrangement because it lets her sing out, but it's low on the bellowing that has sometimes plagued her, though it may ultimately be a bit too muted. I'd have preferred if the song had started slow and then sped up, which might have made it a bit more memorable. Carly's been going with billowing costumes in recent weeks, prompting those pesky pregnancy rumors, but she looks better tonight.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Randy's loving Carly again, speculating that it'll be one of the night's best. Paula dubs it "glorious" and raves. Simon goes "good-not-great" and warns her to start looking more like a star. Carly looks genuinely perplexed how to handle that critique.
Singer:[PRESUMPTIVE AMERICAN IDOL WINNER DAVID] ARCHULETA
Song: "Appalachian Memories"
My Take: This is a great and entirely predictable song choice for David. It's a song that can only be performed with the weary, misty eyes of a 17-year-old and that seems to require the sort of been-around-the-block nostalgia best delivered Utah-born stage kid. When I watch him, the artificiality is irksome, but when I only listen, it's clearly his best vocal turn since "Imagine," even if it's the exact same sort of vocal turn as "Imagine." Does that make sense? David does one thing very well and after a couple weeks away, he's doing that one thing again. David Cook may have briefly shaken up the leaderboard last week, but I'd bet Archuleta returns to the top with voters after this one.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Randy very quickly has to take back calling Carly the night's best. Paula loves David's glorious aura. "Absolutely on-the-money," Simon says.
Singer: KRISTY LEE COOK
Song: "Coat of Many Colors"
My Take: Last week Kristy told the country that by not supporting her, they may be supporting terrorists. The producers probably signed off on that accusation because otherwise Dolly Parton Week would have gone off without a single genuine country singer. Indeed, her tone is fairly natural on what is not one of my favorite Dolly songs. But while she looks beautiful and sounds in her element, Kristy lacks that thing that people love about Brooke and David Archuleta, where even if they don't really have an emotional connection to the song people believe they do.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Randy agrees that this is Kristy Lee Week. Paula calls it her best performance. Simon says it's "pleasant, but forgettable." Kristy blows Simon a kiss.
Singer: SYESHA MERCADO
Song: "I Will Always Love You"
My Take: Syesha takes over for Archuleta in the category of Most Inevitable Song Choice. It's a weird combination of the Dolly and Whitney versions, starting more Dolly and moving into Whitney territory by the end, where she gets to do all of the runs and power notes that Whitney forced upon the song. It don't think those diva notes are as pure as they should be and after the understated start they feel even more out-of-place in Syesha's cover. It would have been smarter for Syesha to have cheated expectations entirely and just done the Dolly version. It isn't quite the showcase, but it's still a beautiful song and nobody can walk away going, "Well it was good, but it wasn't..."
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: Randy thinks she did "pretty good" with what he calls "the biggest tiger of the night." Paula thinks Syesha is growing and growing and growing. Simon's got this one right, saying Syesha would have been better off getting a different and less pre-determined song.
Singer: MICHAEL JOHNS
Song: "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right"
My Take: Which is more surprising: Michael's genuine humility at meeting Dolly or his willingness to keep much of the country edge of this song? The show has tried to make him into an Aussie rocker, but Michael sounds like a fine Southern blues singer tonight and looks comfortable in the role, closing the show well.
Hoss, Little Joe and Simon Say: We're running out of time, so Randy gets out "blazing hot," Paula stutters for a while and Simon gets in "best you've sounded in the competition." Will Ryan's rushed phone number presentation cost Michael? I wonder.
TONIGHT'S BEST: I'd put Michael at the top this week, with the dueling Davids a bit behind and Carly a bit behind that.
IN DANGER: Will Kristy suffer a "We brought you back and this is how you repay us?" let-down this week? Performance-wise, I'd put her in the Bottom Three with Ramiele (she's there every week at this point) and Jason, though after he made an unexpected trip to the Bottom Three last week, though, I can't see the Muppet returning. Figure Ramiele, Kristy and Carly in the Bottom Three.
Agree? Disagree? What'd you think of Dolly Week?
And check out all of our Idol coverage in Zap2it's Guide to American Idol.
I thought Ramielle, Jason, and Syesha were the 'bottom 3' performers tonight. My opinion, time for Ramielle to go
3man | Apr 1, 2008 6:59:12 PM | #Michael was DEFINITELY the best tonite in a night of average performances.
Syesha made a baaaad choice. Either you smash that song or you don't and she didn't.
I thought David Cook mumbled a lot of his words and I agree with Daniel, the falsetto isn't foolin anyone. His performance was still more memorable than most others though.
David A was probably the 2nd best tonite. He can definitely sing but his facial expressions and hand gestures need some refining.
I actually liked Kristy's performance today. It wasn't spectacular but it should be enough to get her through another week.
Brooke is still my fave girl this year but she hasnt shown any range in her voice thus far (unless I missed something in the previous weeks)
You could tell Jason tried much harder tonite. By far the weakest male though.
Carly is pretty forgettable for me...IMO
Goodbye Ramielle. Don't think she sang in tune at all.
Hyvent | Apr 1, 2008 7:13:58 PM | #For me, bottom 3 will be Ramiele, KLC & Syesha. Ramiele should be gone two weeks ago. Who is voting for her??? But they probably end up sending Syesha home.
CCYu | Apr 1, 2008 7:27:47 PM | #I'm giving David C a lot of credit for actually going different from his norm. so bravo there. (Performance wasn't great, but the effort was there).
You know, I thought Jason's song sounded like something Fraggles would sing...guess I wasn't the only one.
Boy I wish Brooke missed more notes when she sung. She continues to show she knows nothing of human emotion and has yet to connect with a single song. I predicted last week she'd bring her inability to emote to what's likely Dolly's most angstful song, and there it was.
Kristy was good, but not super. She won her self an album deal in Nashville regardless of the outcome of the show, so good for her.
Syesha showed that she's just there. She's neither a nor b, neither Dolly nor Whitney.
Ramielle once again got lost in the song, but she seems to have a huge fan base she's likely sticking around.
Video Beagle | Apr 1, 2008 7:48:40 PM | #Can someone please tell Brooke to zip-it when the judges are talking? She need not respond verbally to EVERY comment. VERY A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G!!!!! She's the only one that chatters to the judges. UGH!
Shut-up, Brooke! | Apr 1, 2008 7:57:20 PM | #I guess I'm the only person who doesn't get the love for Michael. I often think he sounds like he singing just under the notes and, this week, I couldn't figure out what he was trying to do. The blues? Maybe an imitation of the blues, but definitely not the real deal.
I still prefer David C. and think he has the best shot for a career. David A. is a good singer, but I'd be more impressed if he worked the stage more. He only seems comfortable when he stands still center stage and closes his eyes.
I've sometimes liked Carly, but she kept grinning awkwardly during the song when grinning didn't match the lyrics. She didn't really seem to make an emotional connection with the song, instead concentrating once again on belting out the tune at the end.
Sigh...maybe I have too high expectations but now that we're in season 7 can't we have contestants who can sing and demonstrate showmanship?
David | Apr 1, 2008 7:59:40 PM | #Completely agree about talking back with the judges. It's actually a great strategy by Brooke to keep them from being able to criticize her. I bet if they were complimenting her she would stay silent. I do think she is a pretty good singer though.
For the sake of conversation here's how I'd group them based ONLY on tonight
Top 3:
David A.
Michael
Kristy
Middle 3:
Carly
Brooke
David C.
Bottom 3:
Syesha
Jason
Ramielle (going home)
First, you know the song is "Smokey Mountain Memories" and not "Appalachain Memories", right? Perhaps you were kidding, and I didn't get the joke.
For my ears, only David C, Carly, and Michael actually stood out. David A is soo incredibly boring; everything has to be soooo serious and heartfelt. Snore.
I love "Jolene", but Simon's right in that Brooke didn't seem to actually understand the words she was singing. It's a sad, emotional, pathetic pitch to the other woman, but she sang and smiled as if she were singing a nursery rhyme. Brooke, darlin', I'm a fan, but please understand that the world isn't actually comprised of lollipops and fairies.
Ramiele genuinely has a great voice - not that you'd appreciate it from her dismal song choices. Girl has no idea what her style is or what she'd trying to say with her music (a very, very common problem with this year's contestants). She really needs to head home week after next.
Kristy? Yuck. The more I see her, the more I dislike her. And while I'm not as oversensitive as a many I've read on the blogosphere about contestant "sassing", I did find her sarcasm to Simon not cute, not flirty, but just aggressively nasty. Please, please, please, send her home.
Isembard | Apr 1, 2008 8:12:28 PM | #I agree with Isembard - Michael, David C and Carly were the standouts.
With Michael and Carly, I felt like they finally delivered the goods. I thought they were both great performances. I might actually buy them on itunes.
David A had some troubles with the notes, but I he still has a great voice.
Syeshia should not have chosen that song - predictable, and while she did sound great, it wasn't as good as Whiteny, and that was what I was thinking when I was listening to it. The big note at the end may have saved her from the bottom three this week.
Weakest performance, IMO, was Ramiele.
Overall, I enjoyed tonights perforamances much better than last week.
mdep | Apr 1, 2008 8:33:16 PM | #Ramielle won't go home for a few weeks, first off, because she's got a huge base of supporters among Asian-Americans who watch he show. They are quite underrepresented on TV in general so they're really rallying around her. Also, she is popular for being "cute" and "short" and "spunky." Syesha is going home because she just isn't likeable. She seems fake, like she "wants to be a star and that's that." Wanting something too much compromises your position. For that reason, also, I think Carly will be in danger this week or next.
Linz | Apr 1, 2008 8:53:56 PM | #I don't have a favorite Dolly Parton song, and if I head over to iTunes to make any purchases, it won't be of these AI contestants, but some of Parton's. Good stuff!
David Cook - surprisingly good with this material! I've liked him all along, smirk and all.
Ramielle - sounded out of breath the whole time.
Brooke White - absolutely zero clue what it was she was supposed to be singing about.
Jason Castro -- histrionic eyebrows and sqwinchy eyes for conveying emotion are super-annoying.
Carly Smithson - Clay Aiken covers this song at this tempo. He does not go all diva at the end, though. Whatevs. She OK. ::yawn::
KLC - The only one to dress right for the theme tonight (contrast Ramiele's overly structured early-90s throw-back ensemble). I kept thinking how robotic this song would've sounded if Brooke White had sung it instead. She did fine "in her wheel-house."
David Archuleta - he didn't muff it. Seemed like he was really trying. What I loved best was the taped bit with Dolly. She's always so endearingly vulnerable about the fact that she's completely in drag whenever she appears on camera / in public.
Syesha Mercado - agree with DF and Simon's take. Too shout-y for my tastes, though.
Michael Johns - whoa! he knocked it out! Best of the night; smoldering.
The only thing I was thinking during Syesha's performance was "I wonder what Chikezie would have done tonight?" Completely predictable and boring. She needs to go.
Your eyelids are huge...you must go | Apr 1, 2008 10:10:27 PM | #I think Ramiele, Syesha, and Kristy will be in the bottom 3 - with Kristy going home. I think people would have expected Kristy to do well, but she was just so-so.
Danny | Apr 1, 2008 10:15:27 PM | #Everyone in my house loved Syesha tonight. Who cares is "Whitney" did it before, it was still good.
Bryan | Apr 1, 2008 10:32:13 PM | #Yep, I have to agree with a consensus of opinion on here. Michael Johns was the hit of the night. He really made the song his own. Not my favorite of the top nine at this point but have to give him his due.
David Cook is a star. Poor song choice for the night but still a great performer at this point of the competition.
Not a fan of the little Archuleta kid. Nice kid, nice voice, great future singing at bar mitzvahs and weddings.
Carly was fine. Simon was right about her clothes and her style.
My choice for removal...either Syesha or Ramielle. Kristy will go soon. This was her 'wheelhouse' and she was ok. Want to see better from Brooke who is my favorite of the women.
Seems like a lot of the voices sounded tired and quite a few were taking breaths in odd places which showed that they lack basic breath support. Diction was pretty poor as well. oh yeah, Jason has got to go as well. Won't be this week but he will be going soon.
Stephen | Apr 1, 2008 11:37:55 PM | #Yep, I have to agree with a consensus of opinion on here. Michael Johns was the hit of the night. He really made the song his own. Not my favorite of the top nine at this point but have to give him his due.
David Cook is a star. Poor song choice for the night but still a great performer at this point of the competition.
Not a fan of the little Archuleta kid. Nice kid, nice voice, great future singing at bar mitzvahs and weddings.
Carly was fine. Simon was right about her clothes and her style.
My choice for removal...either Syesha or Ramielle. Kristy will go soon. This was her 'wheelhouse' and she was ok. Want to see better from Brooke who is my favorite of the women.
Seems like a lot of the voices sounded tired and quite a few were taking breaths in odd places which showed that they lack basic breath support. Diction was pretty poor as well. oh yeah, Jason has got to go as well. Won't be this week but he will be going soon.
Stephen | Apr 1, 2008 11:38:00 PM | #I think Ramielle will be safe :-D
Andy | Apr 2, 2008 12:21:05 AM | #Hands down Michael Johns held his own and delivered. David Cook looking more and more like a star and performing like one...he's got in the bag. Of course there is alot of hooplah about David Archuleta but that is because of the earlier auditions and his extensive background resume in music- but he lacks originality even though his voice is pure...we want raw, edgy, excitement. Carly great singer yeah...but what drives me crazy is that she comes across as the female with the big voice but if there is anything we learned from last season is that Jordin Sparks is the standard ...so why are we praising singers that are not of that caliber. A contestant needs to knock it out of the park with a soaring vocal or a killer performance. Obviously, there is alot to be said about popularity being a big deciding factor on who stays or goes because if it was just based on real talent than Ramiele should been gone a long time ago...PEOPLE, REMEMBER (and i mean this with respect to both the fans and Ramiele)but you can not chose someone because you think it's cool or politically or socialll progressive to help advance someone of your own ethnic origin, we're all human remember and we all belong in the same brotherhood...so give it up to the right brother or sister who you know was born on this earth to get into that studio and pour his/her heart to make US a great album to listen to-that is the person who DESERVES to win. Now and finally, Kristy Lee Cook is an improvemnent but not a recording artist. Syhesha we all can see she is struggling in the audience relation department...that's insecurity i think she has a lot of defenses up because she had a tough time growing up but lets not underestimate that she is probably the best female vocalist in that group of girls. As far as Brook White I agree she placates to the judges a lot during comments and which in effect is casting a negative light on her persona...i'm not liking her as much anymore and her song selection is weak by the week. She can sing but she is not a singer.
Michael | Apr 2, 2008 12:32:26 AM | #Actually, no joke Isembard, the song was originally written as and titled “Appalachian Memories” and appeared on Parton’s 1983 album Burlap & Satin. Years later Parton began to sing the song live with the re-christened title and lyrics as “Smoky Mountain Memories” presumably because it’s more specifically the Smoky Mountains where she grew up. Both titles are considered correct for that particular song.
Pippo | Apr 2, 2008 12:44:40 AM | #Pippo, thanks for the info. I gladly stand corrected (and better informed)!
Isembard | Apr 2, 2008 3:40:35 AM | #hmmm... I actually wanted to see danny in the audience... oh well... i think ramiele will be safe coz he has a huge fan-base and i do mean huge! but she needs to be in the bottom 3 to get a WAKE UP CALL! she needs it badly! so i think sayesha [is it the correct spelling? oh well] is gone....and ramiele will have another brake down, since there good friends.. i think the're room mates! w8 i've noticed that this season they have a lot of weird names that are hard to spell!
hotness | Apr 2, 2008 3:53:27 AM | #Man, oh man......did I want to bend Dolly over that piano and take her to paradise. But I digress...
The bottom 3 tonight SHOULD be all females, specifically Ramiele, Syesha, and Kristy Lee. Of those three, Kristy Lee was actually the better singer, and I think it's probably Ramiele's week to leave. Now IF a guy should make the bottom 3, I would count on it being Jason Castro (he who looks like a semi-retarded, pothead muppet).
For the best performances, it was David Archuleta followed closely by Michael Johns and David Cook. And they were very close because all were excellent. I'm more than ready for Brooke White to go home, she's overstayed her welcome. I didn't care for how slow Carly took an already light-to-slow tempo'd song of Dolly's and then made it just drag, and it's a shame because it's a good song. I think Carly's hair and make-up person is doing a good job, but the wardrobe person (in agreement with Simon) should be fired.
Mr Right | Apr 2, 2008 4:12:54 AM | #I agree with Linz. Ramielle is not going anywhere - unfortunately. Her "fan" base is too strong. Hopefully though the pouty one will at least make the bottom three, because she leaves a bad karaoke taste in the mouth. Should be bottom three: Kristy Lee, Syesha, and Ramiele. Will be bottom three? Probably Jason, Carly, and Syesha (bye bye for being soooo obvious), although I still have my fingers crossed that Ramiele or KL will replace one or two of them on the hard stools
vncntdl | Apr 2, 2008 4:59:37 AM | #Okay, I realize that Archie is an AI producer's dream come true. Cute, endearing, with impressive vocal control. But, man, is he a one-trick pony. Anyone who thinks he gave the best performance of the night (twelve year old girls are exempt) has serious taste issues. He might as well be singing the telephone directory for all that it mattered (and slowly -- the only tempo he can do).
| Apr 2, 2008 5:09:22 AM | #Michael Johns was amazing last night, and I totally agree with Simon;s statement about Carly's wardrobe - I said that 3 wks ago when she wore the terrible red top with the stupid flower.
'Shut-up, Brooke!' your so wrong, Carly NEVER shuts her mouth when the judges talk and she is so fake. do you not remember last week talkign about her spanx and this week talking about how she is in a good mood, that was until simon told her she looked terrible - LOL
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