AI 7.4 - Dolly Parton
Apr 03 '08
The Bottom Line A fourth American Idol contestant has been sent home.
Here is my own take - such as it is - on Idol hopefuls as they sing songs by a country/pop music legend. Dolly has a bunch of songs that have hit the charts in one way or another. I actually know very few of them though, so it will be interesting to see if they all sound Dollyish to me tonight, or if they sound like themselves. Here's hoping for the latter.
Anyway - off to the races.
Brook White
Jolene
8
I think this song works well for her. I don't know that I'm wild about the song, but it showcases what Brook does well. She had strong vocals. She played her own rhythm guitar and meshed well with the reduced band that joined with her on the stage. And she always comes across with poise and confidence. I liked it.
David Cook
Little Sparrow
9
I'm not familiar with this song, but I very much like it. It reminds me of an obscure version of Wayfaring Stranger that was recorded by a band called Crumbacher in the '80s. He had to stretch for the high notes a few times, coming in just shy of actually hitting some of his high notes. But I don't really think it detracted much from the overall performance. I also like that he isn't just doing the rock bit week after week. He definitely still has a rocker vibe here - nobody will be mistaking him for a country wannabe - but it's not a heavy-handed, straight ahead rock thing. It gives him more options without alienating his fanbase. Nice work if you can get it.
Ramiele Malubay
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind
6
Not bad for karaoke. A few nasty pitch problems, but that's not a problem when you're singing in a smoky bar to a bunch of people who are almost as drunk as you are. I'm not sure this is the performance I would want to do on Idol, but Ramiele does have her fans so who knows what will happen.
Jason Castro
Travellin' Through
7
I have to admit it. I'm starting to lose the Castro glow. He's a decent singer. He can even jam a bit on the six-string. But I don't know that I would ever buy his album. I think he would do really great as a worship leader at a local church. I think eventually his voice will mature and give him more options, but I've reached the point where I'm totally convinced he has no hope of winning and won't mind whenever he ends up going home.
Carly Smithson
Here You Come Again
9.5
Here's a song I know pretty well. And I like they way she changed it - the slow acoustic feel suits the song well. I almost wish she had done a little more with it, but I also think that the simplicity works well - and wow... the big note at the end seals the deal. Best of the night so far.
David Archuleta
Smokey Mountain Memories
9.5
Another song I don't know at all. But in this case I think maybe it helps because I don't have any expectations. I continue to be blown away by Archie's amazing clarity and powerful vocals. I'm presuming at this point that he is going to try to dethrone Josh Grobin as the "popra" king - not exactly what I think of when I'm thinking American Idol. He's decidedly not a pop singer - it's more like adult contemporary or what theatre folks would call "legit". But he's got amazing chops and when he chooses a song that suits him, he sings as well or better than anyone else in this competition.
Kristy Lee Cook
Coat of Many Colors
7
Kristy almost deserves to own this week since the whole theme is right in her genre. And she does OK. Just OK. I don't hate her as much this week as I have recently - that's saying something. But I thought it was a weird song to sing. I also think she looks like she belongs at a luau instead of in the Tennessee hills, but whatever. She may have snuck through one more week with her solid if somewhat uninspiring performance.
Syesha Mercado
I Will Always Love You
7
*Heavy Sigh* - She is singing a Dolly song, but wouldn't you know it... it's also a Whitney song. Why do these girls always think they can manage a Whitney song? I guess it's OK. Not great, but OK. She just doesn't have the huge voice that a song like this demands. Add to that the weird dress which is a pretty color but way too mature look on her, and the hair which almost looks like it belongs at some boring '60s cocktail party... I was pretty underwhelmed by the overall package.
Michael Johns
It's All Wrong But It's All Right
8.5
This was probably Michael's best performance of the season so far. I came into this performance feeling like I was pretty much done with Michael. He hadn't shown me anything I wanted to see in several weeks. But he won me over with powerful vocals, sensitivity, and a heretofore undisplayed falsetto. This was a very nice performance and I think he has easily earned himself another week (or more) of safe seats on the couch tonight.
Top of the Heap: Tonight's big winners are no big surprise. Carly, Archie, and David Cook pwn the competition. Based on overall talent and consistency from week to week (not counting a couple of minor bobbles) I think this will probably be the final three of the whole season.
Bottom of the Barrel: It's a toss-up for me this week. I think Ramiele gave the weakest overall performance, but I found Jason, Kristy and Syesha all about equally bland. Since Ramiele has a proven fanbase, as do Jason and Kristy, it may well be Syesha's turn to go home despite having a very pretty voice and quite a bit of talent. Any way you slice it though, if it's anyone but Ramiele or Kristy who goes home, it's a travesty of music.
RESULTS
Do I know how to call it or what? Ramiele and Kristy are the first two contestants in the bottom three tonight. Unfortunately they are joined by Brook White who, while she won't win this season's competition, is really a very capable performer.
The good news is that Brook never has to go sit on the world's most uncomfortable stool, Ryan ends up sending her back to the couch first. That leaves just Kristy and Ramiele up for elimination which makes me very happy, but Ramiele is pouting like a two-year-old who wants a lollypop.
And finally, it's time to say goodbye to Ramiele Malubay. I think it's a pity that she stayed this long with better singers going home before she did, but I still wish her all the best. She seems like a very nice girl and will probably make a great waitress at her local Denny's. (I know - that wasn't nice. She should just keep her singing to family parties and karaoke from now on. She is not a professional quality singer.)
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Member: Amy Padgett
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