I can say I am 100% confident that a girl will win American Idol this year. And if I can be so bold, two ladies will occupy the top 2 spots. All kidding aside, there are some camps who believe that some of the less talented boys got through Vegas week to make sure that there would be a girl winner this year.
I only got to watch the first round of the top-5 performance night before I had to run to work, then a sick kid, more work, and here I am on Saturday just now watching it. How I managed to stay away from the spoilers of who went home is beyond me.
Tonight are songs from the year the contestant was born; second round is songs from divas. And the performances were dedicated to Boston in light of the bombings there (and here we are, on Saturday, and they have been caught, one dead, one captured). Jimmy would give back-stage critiques after the judges had their say.
Candice Glover
Song 1: “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul from 1989
I thought she was nuts when I heard the song choice but I absolutely adored it. The people who have been most successful on Idol are the ones who, while on the show, we’re able to take songs and make it sound like an entirely different song. Candice has the ability to do that. People who just turn songs into covers with no changes are singers, not artists. Candice is an artist. I loved that Keith indirectly insulted Paula by saying he did not realize this was a good song. Jimmy did not like her song choice.
Song 2: “When You Believe” by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston
I got goosebumps! Enough said. Mariah was very emotional about the performance.
Candice Glover
Janelle Arthur
Song 1: From 1989 Vince Gill “When I Call Your Name”
I don’t know the original at all. I was bored. She may be a singer and a performer, but not an artist. This was always my problem. I would not ever let my walls down. I could sing, but I never had the ability to emote. But Janelle does better with her guitar. All the judges liked it except Keith. Keith’s opinion matters here because he is the country artist. Jimmy agreed.
Song 2–Dolly Parton “Dumb Blonde”
Again I have never heard this song. This was better than her first song. It did not require much pulling from her emotional base. It was upbeat and fun. Keith did not like the song choice.
Janelle Arthur
Kree Harrison
Song 1 from 1990 “She Talks To Angels” by Black Crowes
I really like Kree because she can crossover into genres. I did not think this was her best performance though. I felt like she was very tired. I still think she will be in the top 3. Nicki and Mariah had an exchange where Nicki told Mariah to “simmer down sir.” Jimmy did not think it was strong enough.
Song 2: Celine Dion “Have You Ever Been In Love”
Her lower range is tough. When she ventures past her speaking voice range, she does well. Her last note wavered in and out of pitch. But I liked that she pushed her voice to its full vocal range.
Kree Harrison
Angie Miller
Song 1 From 1994 “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders
At the beginning of the song she was singing the words but not feeling them either regardless of her dedication to Boston. I think because she made the song faster it did not allow for the heartfelt emotion that should have been felt with every word. Maybe if she did the first verse slower, and then picked up the tempo it would have been better. And can we please have a performance by her that does not include the dry-ice effect on stage? It is getting old. Whether it is Angie or Amber who makes it into the top 3 will be interesting. Amber is the better singer, but she is not connecting with the audience for some reason. Angie was a bit pitchy when she made the key change in this song, but no one is voting the girl from Boston home so she will be safe. No one made any criticisms either. Even Jimmy liked it.
Song 2: “Halo” by Beyonce
I think this was much better than her first song. Exceptional! Fantastic song choice. She really pushed herself in that song. Her risk paid off.
Angie Miller
Amber Holcomb
Song 1 From 1994 MARCH 17??? My birthday but definitely not birth year! Mariah Carey “Without You”
Amber, I love you, but this was absolutely the wrong song choice. At some points it seemed like the notes were just under where they should be. I did not feel the emotion of the song either, the desperation that is required on this–I would rather be dead than live without you. Part of that is her age and the lack of experience of feeling a love that deep. Teenagers think they have loved so deeply that they could just die when it is gone, but they lack the emotional maturity to really understand that. Perhaps you should have thought about God and how you would feel not having His love as I know you have deep church roots. Nicki felt what I was feeling. It was a gutsy choice to try with Mariah. Jimmy agrees with Nicki.
Song 2: Barbra Streisand “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life”
SHE KILLED THIS SONG! I think she is going to be in the bottom 2 because of her first song was not great.
Amber Holcomb
I think Janelle is going home not because she is not good, but she is no longer in the same league as the rest of these ladies.
RESULTS SHOW
What? Clay Aiken is on? As usual, I fast-forward through the group number. With few exceptions, I don’t like them. He sounds as great as he always has. I do understand now what Jimmy was saying about Kree now that the previous performance was shown. Latoya London is in the house.
Clay Aiken
Fantasia–I love her haircut (for me!) That was fantastic!
Fantasia performs
Whoa, Amber is safe!!!!!! Janelle is in the bottom. But will they use the save? It was 2 for using the save and 2 against so she does not get a second chance.
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