idoltainia
Jordin Sparks
Song 1: Wishing On a Star
My thoughts: outfit is fine. Hair is good. It's definitely a song that fits her voice. Vocally she's fine, but I'm not feeling that she's as into it as I have on some of her previous performances. Solid, but not her best. This song is a low blue.
Judges say: Randy says very good vocal, little Beyonce, run at end was hot. Paula says Simon picked a good song for her, beautiful job, great way to start the show. Simon says sang it brilliantly, didn't really like the jazz arrangement, not one of her better performances.
Song 2: She Works Hard for the Money
My thoughts: Outfit is okay, although not the most flattering thing I've seen her wear. She's not working the stage as much as I would like to see her do with something that's so upbeat. Vocally, it's okay, but this really isn't a singer's song, so it's kind of hard to show off here - which is part of why she needs to be working the stage more. This is only high purple for me.
Judges say: Randy says very nicely done, doesn't matter what song she does she works it out, hot. Paula says she worked hard for the money, fantastic. Simon says very good performance, arrangement was a little old-fashioned, thought the money note was very good.
Song 3: I Who Have Nothing
My thoughts: I loved her singing this son ghte first time, and I'm sure this one will be just as good. Outfit is fine. And she's brilliant. Power notes are beautiful, she's so controlled. Love it. Strongly blue.
Judges say: Randy says another great performance, her best of the night, very hot, nice control. Paula says worked with her voice, sounded really great, good choice. Simon says sang it very well, hated the fact that a 17 year old was singing a 60 year old song, didn't love it as much as he could have, very old-fashioned, wishes she would have chosen something else.
Blake Lewis
Song 1: Roxanne
My thoughts: Since I've repeatedly said that Blake is sort of a young Sting, this isn't a surprising song choice. That reverb needs to die. His outfit is hideous. He's singing with some sort of strange of accent, tonight that isn't working for me. Not working for me here, Blake. Not a good arrangement for you at all. Purple.
Judges say: Randy says great performance, liked the one hand on the mikestand, pretty good vocal, couple weird spots, all in all has to give him an A, that was hot. Paula says did her proud, fantastic, looked comfortable up there. Simon says not earth-shattering, ended up doing a Sting interpretation, not as good as the original, good but not great.
Song 2: This Love
My thoughts: Outfit is very strange. I predict beatboxing. Vocally he's fine but the background isn't meshing well with him. Aaaaannnd, there's the beatboxing. It was okay and not too much. Still not great, bit karaoke. High purple or low blue.
Judges say: Randy says when he puts out an album this is the kind he should make, good vibe for him, very nicely done. Paula says was hoping he would do it, in his element, good night for him. Simon says liked this better than the first song, seemed comfortable, not copycat, that was good.
Song 3: When I Get You Alone
My thoughts: Don't know this song at all. Outfit was fine. I predict more beatboxing. I'm liking him in this song better than the first two. Blue.
Judges say: Randy says it was cool, liked the Maroon 5 better, alright. Paula says three great songs, three great performances. Simon says really liked that, didn't play it safe, took a risk, looks like he's having fun.
Melinda Doolittle
Song 1: I Believe in You and Me
My thoughts: Outfit is fine, if a little dull and uninteresting. I don't like the bottom of it either - up close it kinda looks like a potato sack. Lee says it looks like a couch. Vocally, she's solid as always, although I don't think this is her best performance. I like it better when she gets into the power section, although I think her high note was off. Kind of a mid to low range blue.
Judges say: Randy says wanted to throw some difficulty at her, that was hot, blew it out the box, rose to the occasion, liked the falsetto, very well done. Paula says fantastic, amazing, one of her best performances this season. Simon says very difficult song, her best performance in the last four weeks, round 1 goes to Melinda.
Song 2: Nutbush City Limits
My thoughts: Her hair is really strange. That top is not flattering because of the way it cuts at the waist. I don't really know this song, but I think it fits her pretty well. Liking this much better than the first one. Very solid - this is the Melinda we know and love. Love her picking up the mike stand - good flavor for Mindydoo. Strongly blue.
Judges say: Randy says another great performance, needs this in her repertoire, liked that. Paula says looked like she had a blast, loves her. Simon says loves this side of her, another brilliant performance.
Song 3: I'm a Woman
My thoughts: Interesting choice for her - very challenging. Outfit is very flattering. Vocally solid, and she has a good stage presence. Love it. Strongly blue.
Judges say: Randy says great range, hot again, showing vocal ability, she can sing the phone book. Paula says stepping out into the spotlight, awesome, fantastic. Simon says loves the strip-tease at the top, she has consistently delivered week after week.
My picks:
Best: Melinda
Worst: Blake
Gone: Blake
Honestly I'd be happy with any of them in the final. I like them all about equally at this point.
over to you, dindin