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American Idol tackles Mariah Carey

curlio

2008-04-15 22:44:33

The Top Seven on American Idol tackled the songs of Mariah Carey tonight. First up though, Ryan Seacrest reminded us of the importance of voting so that we don't lose another Michael Johns.

We were naturally treated to a clip of "How Awesome is Mariah Carey." Mariah brought her dog JJ to meet the Idols. Ryan also talked to Randy Jackson about the contradiction of "don't do songs by divas like Mariah" and having a "Mariah Carey Night."

First up was David Archuleta, who said he didn't feel worthy to be in Mariah's presence. Mariah said that his singing of "When You Believe" was very moving. It was good but boring. Randy worried about the guys doing a girls' song, but if you can sing you can sing anything. Paula Abdul thought it would make Mariah proud. Simon Cowell knew he would pick that song, but it was very good.

Carly Smithson talks to Ryan about how emotional she was when Michael left last week. Carly said that Michael is a big goofball and it's been boring without him. Mariah told Carly that she loves what she is doing. Carly picked "Without You" which wasn't as good as any version I've heard before but wasn't horrible. She's just a middle of the road thing tonight. Randy likes that she challenged herself but told her to believe in her low notes more. Paula liked that she showed vocal restraint. Simon didn't think she pulled it off it was just okay for him.

Syesha Mercado was up next. Mariah thought that Syesha made an excellent choice with "Vanishing." Syesha said that Mariah took the time to show her how to make the song her own. I thought her performance was, as usual with Syesha, lacking emotion and connection. She sings good but I just don't get her. Randy said it was once again the toughest song of the night. He thought she did a good job considering. Paula thought she was smart by picking a song that not many people know. Simon said it was technically good, but he isn't sure if he would have picked a song that not many people know.

Ryan talked to Brooke White about missing out on her sister's wedding on Saturday. Brooke's sister was very good about the whole thing. Brooke picked "Hero" to do, giving me one point for my picks. Mariah likes that Brooke is a genuine person. The performance once again features Brooke behind the piano. This is what she is good at, but it will get her booted off as a "one-trick pony" eventually. She's got the whole Sarah McLaughlin vibe going on with her. I did like the performance though. Randy liked it until the bridge because it vocally wasn'tgreat. Paula thinks it was brave to do an unplugged version. Simon doesn't think she had much choice in what she did. He felt the vital ingredient, the ability to sing that song, was missing. They all get into a whole hamburger discussion thanks to Simon's analogy.

Kristy Lee Cook picked "Forever" to sing. Mariah said that she liked Kristy doing it because she sang it so well. Unfortunately Kristy didn't do as good at singing it during the show as she must have done for Mariah. Kristy gets a few of the goosebumpy notes right, but more of them wrong. Randy didn't think it was amazing because there were some pitchy notes, but she stepped up at the end. Paula was blown away and loves the arrangement. Simon says she didn't give him chills. He thought she managed with what she could.

David Cook picked "Always Be My Baby" to perform. He knew he was stepping out of the box with it. Mariah was proud as a songwriter that it could stand the test of time. I would like to note that Cookie did NOT do the whole emo rocker thing. He has a good voice and I love what he did with that song. Randy thinks that Cookie is ready to make an album. He added that he hadn't stood up yet this season and this was the most brilliant yet. Paula said the song could be in a movie soundtrack. Simon it was like coming out of karaoke heck into a breath of fresh air because that was original, daring and stood out. He said this is a sign of a great potential artist - someone who takes risks. Ryan pointed out that Cookie was crying. Cookie just nodded, and didn't point out his brother in the audience, though the camera did cut to the person I presume is his brother. I'm happy for Cookie that he had an awesome performance for the night that his brother managed to make it to the show.

Mariah thought that Jason Castro picking "I Don't Wanna Cry" was interesting and different. She says with Jason it's about expressing and connecting. His performance was great. He did stay close to his hippie music, but I can hear this becoming a hit. I love what he does. Randy didn't love it and felt like he was a beach party. Paula would love to be at that party and listen all night long. Paula likes that he's getting more confident. Simon agrees with Paula and said it wasn't the best vocal, but it was a cool version. He adds that the guys won the night.

My Rankings:
Cookie is firmly in the top spot with a 10.
Jason comes in a close second with 9.
Archie is number three with an 8 (which I suppose means I agree with Simon that the guys win).
Brooke is the highest of the girls with a 7.
Carly is a mediocre 5 (and the top of my bottom 3).
Kristy barely avoids the bottom with a 4.5.
Syesha tumbles to the bottom of the pile with a 4.

I think we'll have an all-girl bottom three, and I really don't care which one leaves. I'd like Brooke to last another week or two, but I know she won't win the show.

American Idol kicks off a girl

David Cook's brother making trip to American Idol

Article only open for registered members

Who had the worst performance?
Members				Guests
	(18%)	David Archuleta	(1%)
	(18%)	Carly Smithson	(23%)
	(27%)	Syesha Mercado	(16%)
	(18%)	Brooke White	(21%)
	(0%)	Kristy Lee Cook	(16%)
	(18%)	David Cook	(18%)
	(0%)	Jason Castro	(5%)

Juvie3 ( Guest )

2008-04-15 23:08:57


	David Archuleta...sang well but I was bored to death Carly Smithson...I had high hopes this would be her defining moment on the show...but was severely let down Syesha Mercado...the technician that can't capture my heart Brooke White...she rushed...lost confidence...and lost my interest even before the bridge Kristy Lee Cook...I thought she was really good tonight...I mean I'm not very picky when it comes to pitch...but I thought she sounded really good...that song sounds really great as a country western... David Cook...it took 2 hearings for me to actually get his version...I guessed I liked Mariah's so much I wasn't quite open to hearing it sung differently...but it was ok Jason Castro...I got it the first time around but on the rewind, I understood what Randy was trying to say...but it was still pretty good. But my vote is going to Kristy tonight...

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

cheebe

2008-04-15 23:25:19


	Top 7. Best to worst. 1. Syesha Mercado - Technicality wins, for now. 2. David Archuleta - He was kinda stretching it, but he has long arms. 3. Kristy Lee Cook - She gave Mariah chills, and gave Simon the clap. 4. Brooke White - With a voice like that, and singing her own songs, she could be a star. But still, she's really not a great singer. 5. Carly Smithson - ... Her weakness occoring at the very point of trying to achieve normality... 6. Jason Castro - My experience was like Randy's, only I was in the ocean, drowing. And Jason wouldn't help me. 7. David Cook - Huh? That was risky? That was a straight-up mess. And purpously mis-pronouncing 'ee' vowels as 'ay', and 'oo' as 'ow', as well as several other oddities doesn't really add to his street-cred as far as I can tell.

GUEST ( Guest )

2008-04-15 23:32:54


	Here's the order for tonight: 1) David Cook 2) Jason Castro 3) Kristy Lee Cook 4) David Archuletta 5) Brooke 6) Syesha 7) Carly Carly goes home.

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

GUEST ( Guest )

2008-04-15 23:53:49


	I wanted Brooke to have a good night. She started off well, but the ending wasn't too good. I still have faith in her and voted for her. As far as the rest of the girls, I won't miss any of them. This was definitely the guys night. My ranking is: David C Jason David A

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

winona1717

2008-04-15 23:57:39


	I agree with Simon, the guys were the best tonight. And it was an emotional night for David Cook because his brother was there. I hope it is one of the girls that goes home tomorrow. (Hopefully Syesha)

GUEST ( Guest )

2008-04-16 02:24:35


	Syesha, was good tonight. David A. sung the Whitney part of song and they said that he did a good job. He sounds the same every week. He messed up that song very badly. So, we see who they want to win. Give her a break. I hope she goes home so they can stop abusing her.

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

GUEST ( Guest )

2008-04-16 04:05:40


	I wonder what band is gonna pop up out of the blue and claim David Cooke stole their arrangement :)

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

GUEST ( Guest )

2008-04-16 10:14:12


	I don't get it. Is Jason getting the Sanjaya vote this year? I listen every week and think he does OK at best. OK, not brilliant or daring, but just enough to get by, maybe. Yet every week, there he is in Curlio's top 2 or 3. Is it just me? I am not a Jason-hater (I did love "Hallelujiah"), but he has not shown me he has what it takes to win this thing. Am I the only one? As far as this week goes: David and David both came in with chilling performances and both get a 10. Carly gets an 8 for her performance. Brooke is right behind with a 7.5. Kristy (aka You Can't Get Rid Of Me) did a decent job and comes in with a 6. Jason and Syesha were my bottom two and since neither one of them stood out from the other, they both get 5. Those last three will be my bottom three. Jason will go back to the couch and I do not care which one after that goes. Because in the next three weeks I bet all three of them go.

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

winona1717

2008-04-16 10:23:14


	Guest said: I am not a Jason-hater (I did love "Hallelujiah"), but he has not shown me he has what it takes to win this thing. I don't think Jason should win either, but he deserves to be in the top 4.

shellybean

2008-04-16 10:50:01

Beanstalk- er
	I think the thing about Jason that is appealing is his laid back personality. Yes he sounds the same week after week, but so does Syesha, Archie, and Cookie. I don't think Jason will win either, but he brings something different to the table while still having the ability to sing.

If you can't be a good example, then be a horrible warning!

Will ( Site Recruiter )

2008-04-16 11:00:26

We are Stardust!
	Well Cheebe picked (He and I are the only two to have these two on the bottom so far) 6. Jason Castro - My experience was like Randy's, only I was in the ocean, drownng. And Jason wouldn't help me. 7. David Cook - Huh? That was risky? That was a straight-up mess. And purposely mis-pronouncing 'ee' vowels as 'ay', and 'oo' as 'ow', as well as several other oddities doesn't really add to his street-cred as far as I can tell. Which I would have had, but I might have put David A at number 5, boring, boring, boring (you can not convince me you'd pay good money to see him sing)! Jason and David C. could sing the phone book and the judges would applaud. They both remind me of a kid in college who could put any name and situation in to a little Irish folk tune instantly, he was remarkable, especially the first few times he did it. After that it lost it's uniqueness and we grew tired and begged for relief at some point. It was a little schitk(sp?) or routine he had copied from someone else, and mainly used it to break ice with girls who seem to bigger suckers for that than I am short shorts and a shirt tied in knot on the belly. I have a feeling these boys will probably build up a fan base and win this thing, but we will grow weary of this like we have Barry Manilow's stylings. I thought they were unduly hard on Carly, Brooke, and Kristy, they are so ego blind it is pitiful, when you start playing the bread and no meat but and little tomato game with peoples abilities, you are loading up the great freight train of Karma for a little visit somewhere down the road. At least that has always been the case for me. Love my Peeps, Will

toad	2008-04-16 11:17:16


	archie's second best performance. gotta give him a hand. not my guy but okay the kid can sing. carly working the sunshine smile and happy happy - not buying it. singing - not buying it either. she had a real chance at a great song and she slid around like a slip and slide. loved the necklace. this girl yesha practiced the heck out of this song and still missed many a note. still, better than half bad. theatre and good anyway. still i want brooke to do better. i really like her. the piano distraction (in such contrast to archie's piano/sing combo) continues (as originally pointed out by our curlio). simon's comment this week was spot on. too bad. cookie was interesting and creative. it could have/should have taken it further and i would had called it my favorite. i wish they would decide what they are going to do with his hair. castro was fantastic. that dreamy sweetness and purity. you can tell he is putting in more of an effort. i dug it. hate to say it...must give this week to archie followed by cookie followed by castro followed by carly, etc.

hugefan

2008-04-16 13:46:07


	I have to disagree with you again this week Curlio. Granted the guys were better than the girls (again) but Carly and Brooke were definitely the worst last night. I didn't think David Cook was that great either. I really don't care for David Archuleta, but he has a timbre to his voice that is just amazing. Carly was off key, and Brooke wasn't sure if to do the country version or the Mariah version, and she ended up marrying the two. Top three for me in no particular order: David Archuleta, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado. Bottom three: Brooke, Carly and David Cook. Of course David Cook isn't going anywhere, so it is between Carly and Brooke, with Carly going home.

Will ( Site Recruiter )

2008-04-16 13:51:17

We are Stardust!
	toad said: castro was fantastic. that dreamy sweetness and purity. you can tell he is putting in more of an effort. i dug it. OMG, and I thought I was a weepy eyed romantic, gee!!! Talking about projection! Willy

GUEST ( Guest )

2008-04-16 16:00:17


	David Cook is the best performer on this show and i think will go on to do the most. I'm still sad to see michael go but david is representing my home state and he is just amazing