We're live!
And, thank goodness, we're back to the semifinal format that works best: not picking the top three from various groups, but whittling them down gradually. Two girls and two boys to be cut each of the next three weeks.
Ellen is now on the opposite end of table from Simon, and claims that's because Simon can't keep his hands off her. This is followed by alleged tape of just that. Cute.
On to the performances!
Paige Miles: "All Right Now" (Free)
I didn't think I knew this song, but then the chorus sounded familiar. So maybe she's just mangling it beyond all recognition? I'm biased against raspy voices, but I think that was dreadful.
(As an aside, it's nice that Simon and Ellen both mentioned having seen the rehearsals. I get tired of conspiracy theories in which this is supposed to be some sort of big secret or scandal. [See also: Paula Abdul critiquing a performance that hadn't happened yet two years ago, after a last-second format change.])
Ashley Rodriguez: "Happy" (Leona Lewis)
That microphone needs a windscreen, stat. It sounds like there's an explosion every time she starts a word with a /p/ sound.
Anyway. S'okay. Not memorable, not terrible.
Janell Wheeler: "What About Love" (Heart)
First song I know well tonight! (Kids these days...)
I think this song was too big for her. Pitchy in bits, and she never had complete control of it. I want to like her, and I like her vocal quality, but this didn't quite work.
Lilly Scott: "Fixing a Hole" (Beatles) [on guitar]
Y'know, I don't think I know this one either, but I like what she's doing with it. Once she got going, this was pretty good. Best of the night so far.
Katelyn Epperly: "Oh Darlin'" (Beatles)
Well, obviously I know this one.
More by-the-book than the last one, but she sang it well. I'd still give Lilly the edge, but not by much.
(Kara? This show is rated G! We don't use that sort of language! Though I can understand the censors leaving it in, because it would have seemed like she was saying something worse than "bitch" if it were bleeped out.)
Haeley Vaughn: "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (Beatles) [on guitar]
Not bad! I like the Across the Universe version better, but that one's probably too subdued for Idol. Not perfect, but fun.
Lacey Brown: "Landslide" (Fleetwood Mac)
She's got some trouble with enunciating, doesn't she. And kinda pitchy. Not my favorite performance.
Michelle Delamor: "Fallin'" (Alicia Keys)
Solid performance! She's good.
I agree with Ellen: that this song came across as playing it safe -- which it did -- indicates how much potential she's got. Question is how she can kick it up a notch.
Didi Benami: "The Way I Am" (Ingrid Michaelson)
Nice! This may actually be my favorite so far.
Siobhan Magnus: "Wicked Game" (Chris Issak)
Possibly not the best choice for a first song, but I did really like it.
Crystal Bowersox: "Hand in My Pocket" (Alanis Morissette) [on guitar and harmonica]
Not bad! I do see Simon's point; it's not a game-changer. But I think it was different enough for this show to keep her around. It'll be interesting to see what she does next. (Plus I loved her "but we're not allowed to do originals!" reaction. Few contestants would even think of that.)
Katie Stevens: "Feeling Good" (Michael Bublé)
Okay, I can see why they saved her for the pimp spot. Excellent performance.
...hmm. She's getting the Diana DiGarmo "you should be sounding like a teenager" reaction from the judges. I'm not so sure. I mean, it wouldn't hurt, but the negativity of the reactions seemed out of proportion to the actual singing.