It's Idol time again. This week's theme is Soul/R&B with Usher as a mentor. I think this theme would have gone better with ANY season other than this one. But, I am still looking forward to it. This will be my live blog post once the episode starts.
Awkward opening with Simon kissing Ellen and Randy kissing Kara. I think Usher is going to be a good mentor, he says he might hurt some feelings.
Siobhan Magnus - “Through The Fire" - She started off a little slow, but once the chorus kicked in, I think she did alright. Randy says it was a little all over the place. Ellen says it was not her best performance. Kara says this was her off night. Simon says it was all over the place. (Download)
After the commercial they show Siobhan backstage in the green room. I feel so bad for her. Mike came up and gave her a hug.
Casey James - “Hold On I’m Coming” - He brought a lot to the stage for this song. I'm liking him more each week. Randy says it was a hot night for him. Ellen says it felt a little generic. Kara says he can do more than he is doing. Simon says it was his strongest week so far. (Download)
Mike Lynche - “Ready for Love” - Great voice, but I don't like how he was sitting behind the judges. The song was kind of boring for me, I think he should have done an upbeat R&B song and just had fun with it. Randy says he is in the zone. Ellen says it was beautiful. Kara says he did an incredible job. Simon says this is the first time he takes Mike seriously as an artist. Usher says he connected. (Download)
Didi Benami - "What Becomes of a the Broken Hearted" - She did okay, but seemed flat a lot. I like this song, but I'm not sure she did it justice. Randy says it wasn't great. Ellen says she thought it was too dramatic. Kara says it was overdone. Simon says it was over the top and old fashioned. Didi says the song means a lot to her, and makes her cry every time she hears it. Ryan keeps asking her why she is crying, and she won't answer him. (Download)
Tim Urban - “Sweet Love” - He did great, one of his better performances, despite the death stare into the camera for most of the song. Randy says it didn't have and "swag" on it. Ellen says he is adorable, but added "oh boy, why?". Kara says he took the soul out of the song. Simon says it doesn't make any difference what the judges say. "Nobody cares, but you're going to smile, people will vote for you, and you will be here next week". (Download)
Andrew Garcia - "Forever" - He took a decent dance song and made it into a lullaby. Boring. Randy says Andrew is back. Ellen says it was a strong performance. Kara says it was a giant leap in a right direction. Simon says it was miles better than the last couple of weeks, but thinks he is a boring person. (Download)
Katie Stevens - “Chain of Fools” - One of the better performances of the night, but not amazing. She needs to do better if she wants my vote. Randy says it was one of the best vocal performances of the night. Ellen says the vocals were great, but she needs to be more current. Kara says it was one of her best vocal performances. Simon says it was pretty good, but very robotic. (Download)
Lee Dewyze - “Treat Her Like A Lady” - Best of the night, I can see him going far in this competition if he keeps delivering this kind of performance. Randy says best he has heard him in weeks. Ellen says best performance of the night. Kara says it was amazing. Simon says "this is the night your life may have changed forever". (Download)
Crystal Bowersox - “Midnight Train to Georgia” - Crystal does her song without a guitar, and plays the piano instead. I think I like her with the guitar better. She seemed to shine once she stood up and just sang. Randy says it was another great performance. Ellen says she is in it to win it. Kara says she can't wait to see what she does next week. Simon says the vocals were incredible. Crystal says she will never do anything that is uncomfortable to her. (Download)
Aaron Kelly - “Ain't No Sunshine” - Ain't no Kris Allen, that's for sure, hell even Christian Christian did it better. I was never an Aaron fan and this performance didn't change that. Randy says it was just alright. Ellen says it was a good job. Kara says she liked it. Simon says it was a cupcake compared to Lee's main course. (Download)
