Top 6: Carole KingJacob Lusk
Song Choice: Oh No Not my Baby
My Thoughts: This song definitely had a catchy beat. I was just not impressed I apparently expect more out of Jacob.
Rating: 2.5/3- Stars
Lauren Alaina
Song Choice: Where you Lead
My Thoughts: Lauren’s performance was just okay tonight.
Rating: 2/3- Stars
Duet #1
Haley & Casey
Song Choice: I Feel the Earth Move
My Thoughts: This was absolutely ear-wrenching. The solos were good but the harmonies were truly something to be desired.
Song Choice: You’ve got a Friend
My Thoughts: This performance was incredibly good. You just get on stage and do your thing; you make it look so
effort
less. He definitely made the song his own. I just don’t know if a country singer should win.
Rating: 2.5/3- Stars
James Durbin
Song Choice: Will you Still Love me Tomorrow
My Thoughts: This performance was phenomenal. In my mind it was flawless… great job. Definitely American Idol material.
Rating: 3/3- Stars
Duet #2
Soctty & Lauren
Song Choice: Up on the Roof
My Thoughts: Their solos were okay and the harmony was just ehhhh.
Casey Abrams
Song Choice: Hi-De-Ho
My Thoughts: This performance was absolutely amazing like the judges said Casey is such an amazing musician and he truly puts himself into each of his performances. His vocal style is so you unique however I’m not entirely sure it’s American Idol material.
Rating: 3/3- Stars
Haley Reinhart
Song Choice: Beautiful
My Thoughts: At the half way point in this entire competition Haley has finally started becoming an artist. It’s definitely the type of performance I’ve been waiting to see from her I especially liked how it exuded personality. However, wtf kind of head band thingy was in her hair… really?
Rating: 3/3- Stars
Jacob & James
Song Choice: I’m into Something Good
My Thoughts: This has got to be the most awkward pairing but these two definitely aced the duets tonight.
Results….
They opened the show with another god awful medley. Crystal Bowersox performed … what I don’t even remember and Bruno Mars sang The Lazy song. This was all followed by Casey Abrams elimination it’s about time this happened. But he definitely closed the show with a high energy performance of I Put A Spell on You. Great Job.
Top 5: Songs From Then & Now
James Durbin
1st Song Choice: Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars
James owned this performance. He is such a natural performer.
Rating: 3/3- Stars
2nd Song Choice: Without You by Badfinger
My Thoughts: I loved the real emotion in your performance. I totally felt every word you sang, amazing.
Rating: 3/3- Stars
Jacob Lusk
1st Song Choice: No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
My Thoughts: This is such an awkward choice do something like this. Plus you’re not anywhere near Chris Brown vocally and you make an awful Jordin Sparks. You butchered this song… this was a little too different.
Rating: Epic Fail!!!
2nd Song Choice: Love Hurts by The Everly Brothers
My Thoughts: Better than the first performance.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
Lauren Alaina
1st Song Choice: Flat on the Floor by Carrie Underwood
My Thoughts: You’re definitely no Carrie but you make a great Lauren. Like the increased level of confidence, Lauren has great potential as a performer.
Rating: 2.5/3- Stars
2nd Song Choice: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers
My Thoughts: This was a great vocal I’m not sure I liked the arrangement.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
Scotty McCreery
1st Song Choice: Gone by Montgomery Gentry
My Thoughts: Great job. Great personality. Scotty just keeps growing as an artist each week. Loved the energy.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
2nd Song Choice: Always on My Mind by Elvis
My Thoughts: Good vocal lacking a level of emotion that I felt in the other performances throughout but found near end.
Rating: 2.5/3- Stars
Haley Reinhart
1st Song Choice: You and I by Lady Gaga
My Thoughts: I loved how you harnessed your inner artist tonight. You did phenomenal.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
2nd Song Choice: House of the Rising Sun by the Animals
My Thoughts: Absolutely amazing way to close the show, you truly slayed it. I loved the ominous feel of the vocal.
Rating 3/3- Stars
Results….
All I have to say is that thank you America for eliminating Sister Mary Jacob.
Top 4: Inspirational & Leiber and Stoller Song Book
James Durbin
Inspirational Song Choice: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
My Thoughts: Wasn’t my favorite James performance but he’s going to be a star. He puts on a great show each time he’s on stage. However, he needs to shave that goat beard chin thing.- LOL
Rating: 2/3- Stars
L/S Song Book Choice: Love Potion No. 9
My Thoughts: This was an amazing way to close the show. James you’re such a pro at putting on a show.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
Haley Reinhart
Inspirational Song Choice: The Earth Song by Michael Jackson
My Thoughts: I thought that this performance was a lot of dramatic screaming. On the verge of screaming with style-LOL. But great song choice.
Rating: WTF??? No Stars for You!!!
L/S Song Book Choice: I Who Have Nothing
My Thoughts: I can’t help but agree with judges that Haley had a moment tonight. She definitely deserves to move into the Top 3.
Rating: 3/3- Stars
Scotty McCreery
Inspirational Song Choice: Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning?) by Alan Jackson
My Thoughts: Very relevant with the news of the past few weeks. Great choice I could tell that it meant something to you.
Rating: 2.75/3
L/S Song Book Choice: Young Blood
My Thoughts: Great show good vocal.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
Lauren Alaina
Inspirational Song Choice: Anyway by Martina McBride
My Thoughts: This performance was just so honest and real. I agree with Steven that Lauren truly has the whole package.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
L/S Song Book Choice: Trouble by Elvis
My Thoughts: Lauren great job tonight. You had confidence in yourself and performed with such drive and determination. Keep it up.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars
Before the results I find it necessary for someone to find Steven Tyler a Thesaurus because if I hear him say beautiful one more time I just might throw something at the television. Plus my dad thinks its cool to use Tylerisms, what is this world coming too????
Results….
Apparently everyone is shocked, but I’m not. But first that was an absolutely amazing performance by Jordin Sparks, wow. So obviously we said good bye to James Durbin at this elimination…. Dare I say it right now we could possibly be looking at an all female finale. What do you all think? Leave some comments if you like :-)
So I’ve been a little disgruntled with Idol since the public voted Pia Toscano off however, she clearly will be successful even if she is not this year’s winner. I also feel that Paul’s departure was the right decision I just hate the fact that he was one of a couple unique performers in the competition and now he’s gone. I do recognize that everyone’s talented but have a new take on the music scene. Since just recently going to X-Factor auditions in Newark I have developed an affinity for singers who aren’t your run of the mill cookie-cutter pop stars for example Adele and Lykke LI. I really don’t know where that came from and it’s definitely not because my audition song was Someone Like You by Adele. But X-Factor is for another entry on the Blog…
This week’s episode of Idol started off with a fairly decent group number done by the members of the Top 13 who have been voted off already. However there were some things about it that definitely did not fit and that was Paul McDonald singing So What along with the rest of the ladies… wrong song choice for mixed voices…. Idol FAIL. Oh yeah and Naima you didn’t need to throw your jacket at the camera or jump around the stage we already know who you are. In terms of groups numbers this was just blah…
Before each contestants performance this evening their fellow contestants took some time to say a few words about each other. For Scotty they all showed us how to hold a microphone the Scotty McCreery way. I know it’s almost like a signature for him I guess but it’s still awkward to look at. I do agree with Lauren Alaina he holds it like a flute. This week out of all the choices within the last decade Scotty chose Swingin by LeAnn Rimes. What would poses anyone to sing this is beyond me and yet Scotty definitely delivers an adequate performance. However, I do agree with Randy that was definitely a safe choice. This is definitely a time to take bigger risks like the judges will continuously express through the rest of the evening. For a great performance this week Scotty you get 2.75- Stars from me.
Following Scotty is James Durbin performing Uprising by Muse. His fellow remaining contestants discuss the scarves and the high notes. I agree with Casey who said it best, what’s up with the scarves James Durbin Stop it.-LOL. James’ performance was definitely theatrically like Jennifer praised for being however I did like it all that much. It was all show and very little substance but it definitely was a great song choice for him. So James that’s 3- Stars for your performance even though it wasn’t quite my favorite. Another contestant who picked a great song this week is 
Haley Reinhart who chose to take on Adele’s Rolling in the Deep. Obviously her fellow contestants discuss her attitude, her growl and low and behold that weird hand thing she does to accentuate what she’s singing. The song started off great and like Jennifer said there were moments where she brought Haley to the song however they were few and far between. I personally did not like her phrasing and the deviations from the melody she did to insert her signature growl. Rand Jackson is definitely right in saying that this is the perfect direction for Haley to go as an artist. For almost making me a Haley fan you get 2.5- Stars from me this week.
Next up was the DIVA Jacob Lusk performing Luther Vandross’ Dance with My Father. I feel bad for him for the technical glitch at the beginning of his song someone definitely lost their job for that-LOL. But Jacob I know this song hits you in a very emotional place but I felt like there was almost no real melody. You were always above or below the actual notes and I know you’re better than that. I agree with Randy do not hold back anymore, just go for it. Make a statement and prove you’re in it to win because right now for me you’re just a great voice. For being amazingly talented I give you 2- Stars this week.
Since Pia’s departure my remaining favorite is none other than 
Casey Abrams. Casey came out on to the Idol stage and made a statement. He made Steven swear and he even kissed Jennifer on the cheek. He was a true performer tonight. We got to see genuine artist/musician Casey on that stage. I want to see more performances like this. Maroon 5’s Harder to Breathe was definitely a great song for him to choose. 3- Stars for your performance this week Casey. I do also like how it almost looked like Casey was hitting the audience each time they reached out their hands.- PRICELESS. And I know Case had a beard joke about Ryan but was it appropriate we may never know-LOL.
The sixth performer of the night was Stefano Langone the self acclaimed ladies man as he is known by his fellow contestants. It was too funny how Casey said he had a hot quality. And I can’t believe Jacob said he would flirt with a piece of paper if it may have estrogen in it… AWKWARD. This was an awful song choice this week, Closer by Ne-Yo. However, Stefano definitely did the best he could and he definitely did not disappoint the females this week. I also like how his facial expressions have improved however this performance was all fluff and sexy faces with no real substance. Stefano will definitely need to have more depth if he wants to remain in the competition. I give him 2.5- Stars for fluff and no essence. 
Last but not least is Lauren Alaina who I agree with Jimmy when he said she has the potential to win it all if she just had the confidence to back her amazing talent. Performing Born to Fly by Sara Evans Laruen delivered a phenomenal performance compared to some of her earlier ones in the competition. Still not a big wow moment for me but she is definitely a contender for the Idol crown. For the potential wow moment I give her 2.75- Stars this week.
So with seven contestants remaining someone obviously has to go home so my bottom three based on this week’s performances would be…
Haley Reinhart……
Stefano Langone…….
Jacob Lusk………
So with that said I so want to say goodbye to Sister Mary Jacob a nick name coined by the amazing Michael Buckley however, I see elimination in either Haley or Stefano’s future….. My thoughts on this week’s results show, X-Factor auditions and CMT’s Next Superstar will all be up like I promised so keep a look out for them.
Tonight the 11 remaining Idol Finalists gave it their all as they took on the classics of Elton John but one question remains was their all good enough. Each took risks and each brought their A-Game tonight I can only hope America votes for their favorites. We wouldn’t want to see people like Casey or Stefano back in the bottom three again. There is also quite a possibility to see a bottom three of all ladies once again this time with Haley, Naima, and Thia. Make sure you’ve voted to see your favorites move into the Top 9.
Scotty McCreery started off the evening with Country Comfort. He was truly able to find his comfort zone tonight within this week’s Theme. I wonder if he will be able to in the following weeks. I feel that this was a great song choice for him. I personally never heard this song before so I looked it up. Country Comfort was released on Elton’s Tumbleweed Connection album which was released in 1970. Tumbleweed Connection was Sir Elton John’s third album to be released. I do have to agree with Randy in regards to Scotty’s performance this track could really be on his album. This wasn’t the absolute best performance of the night but overall it gets 2.75/3- Stars from me.
Following Scotty was Naima Adedapo and her interpretation of I’m Still Standing. I’m Still Standing can be found on John’s seventh album entitled To Low for Zero. It was released in 1983 and was the first album where Bernie Taupin wrote all of the lyrics. Tonight Naima chose to take a risk by performing this track with a reggae style feel. It definitely brought the song some new character, however I think this risk was taken too late. I know that reggae style music is Naima’s comfort zone and I’m sure she excels within it I just wish she had brought that to the table earlier to set her apart from the rest of the competition. Right now I feel it looks like Naima doesn’t know who she is as an artist when I believe she does. Like Jennifer Lopez said some songs are not meant to be flipped. But for your valiant attempt at being original you get a 1.75/3- Stars from me tonight.
Paul McDonald was up next with Rocket Man. Featured on his fifth album Honky Château, Rocket Man peaked in the UK Music Charts at No. 2 in 1972. It’s always refreshing to hear Paul play his guitar and sing. I love how his unique tone and phrasing is not necessarily on pitch at all times he’s just Paul. I do agree with Jennifer when she says I feel your holding back. I feel the same way like Paul has something he hasn’t brought to the table yet. Paul’s refreshing performance gets him 2/3- Stars this week. Pia Toscano followed Paul tonight with what you guessed it, another ballad.-LOL. Tonight she chose Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me which just happens to be one of my favorite Elton John songs. This song can be found on the album Caribou which was released in 1974. There’s no doubt that Pia delivers a flawless vocal each week, however tonight I felt like there was something missing. It was almost as if she was detached from the song. I didn’t feel her performance the way I have in previous weeks. For me it was just okay and therefore I’ve given it 2/3- Stars. Pia better bring it next week I am waiting to be wowed again.
Tonight Stefano Langone had chosen Tiny Dancer off of the Madman Across the Water album which was released in 1971. I was hoping to hear him sing the song Pia chose however Tiny Dancer suited him well. However, his attempt to connect with the audience was something to be desired. He did open his eyes this week but each time it looked forced and he definitely gave some strange looks at the camera. I’d personally rather see him perform with his eyes closed. Stefano’s performance was followed by Lauren Alaina. Tonight Lauren had chosen Candle in the Wind which was originally written in honor of Marilyn Monroe. The music was written by Elton John and the lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was first released in 1974 on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. Then in 1997 Sir Elton John did a remake to this track as a tribute to Princess Diana. His remake met much more success than the original. I would definitely have to agree with Randy when he said that this was the greatest Lauren Alaina performance. It was filled with so much emotion that in my opinion she hasn’t brought to any of her other performances. For an absolutely amazing performance I give it 2.75/3- Stars.
Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting is another track of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. It was also James Durbin’s pick this week. As usual James gave a great show. He is such a natural on stage he definitely will be an entertainer after his Idol experience is over. His incredible performance gets 2.5/3- Stars from me. Tonight Thia Megia chose Daniel. Daniel was released in 1973 on Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player album. This has to be one of Thia’s best performances she sang the song from a different place this week and you could tell. She conveyed more emotion than she has ever before. This definitely shows that she has the confidence and potential to be a real contender in this competition, I just hope it wasn’t done too late. For this amazing performance I give her 2.75/3- Stars.
I was so relieved tonight when Casey Abrams took the stage and actually just sang. He was less crazy and more an artist this evening. This performance displayed another side of him as a performer and he truly cleans up well.-Just Sayin. Definitely my favorite Casey performance thus far I give him 2.75/3- Stars for his version of Your Song. Your Song was released in 1970 on Elton John’s self-titled album.
Tonight, thou I hate to admit it Jacob Lusk was for me the best performance of the night. He didn’t over sing which made the song so beautiful. It’s my favorite Jacob performance since God Bless the Child. The song was just enough Jacob and for the first time in a long time I agree with the Judges about one of Jacob’s performances. Like Steven Tyler said you slayed me there for I give you 3/3- Stars this week. Great job Jacob, keep it up!!!
Last performance of the night was done by Haley Reinhart. Having chosen Bennie & the Jets this was also a song featured on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album like so many of tonight’s song choices were.-LOL. Haley without a doubt gave an outstanding performance tonight. Still not too fond of the growl but it was the right way to close the show, overall I give Haley 2.5/3- Stars. So based on popularity based on how I feel that the contestants have been received by the public I would say this week’s Bottom 3 or should I say Bottom 4 based solely on popularity would have to be Thia Megia, Stefano Langone, Naima Adedapo and James Durbin. However, taking in consideration all of the performance of last night I am leaning towards a possible elimination consisting of Naima and Thia. Personally I would hate to see Thia go because I feel she has more to offer I just feel like it is her time to leave the same can be said about Naima. The only way your favorites will move onto next week is by voiting so followers if your favorites don’t make it to the Top 9 ask yourself the following, Did I Vote???
Song Choice: Turn on the Radio by Reba McEntire
Theme: Contestant Choice
Song Choice: Any Man of Mine by Shania Twain
Theme: Your Personal Idol
Lauren Alaina Suddeth
SFYL Song Choice: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers
Hometown: Rossville, GA
Audition City: Nashville
Age: 16
