Garnet Greene

If you didn’t follow my reviews last season on http://www.Firefox.org – here’s my approach to reviewing Idol: I listen to the song and give you my gut reaction before I hear the judges take. That way I’m not prejudiced by their answers. Sometimes I find I wholly disagree with them and so it’s good to put my thoughts out there first. I also review and post these thoughts quickly without benefit of an editor, so a few mistakes are bound to slip through.

Tonight we get to hear our Top 12 ladies. I’m pretty excited to hear them have a chance to shine.

Before they sing there’s a little silliness about Simon flirting with Ellen. Even though that’s fabricated, I think it’s right to separate them. Simon represents the past, and Ellen, the future, of the show.

Paige Myles

Song: It’s Alright Now

Intial Thoughts: I didn’t like this. The song was OK, but her performance didn’t have any emotional heft, no connection with the audience or material. Her voice sounded rather thin and her outfit was an unfortunate choice.

Judges Reaction: Simon thinks she has the best voice? He didn’t like her song choice. Kara disagreed; she thought the song was brilliant. Randy didn’t like the song, thought it was a great job. Ellen thought she was great.

Ashley Rodriguez

Song: Happy

Intial Thoughts: She sounded nervous to me, like her throat was closed; I didn’t connect with it at all.

Judges Reaction: Kara: “There were moments that weren’t great.” Randy, “you did a good job,” but didn’t really set herself apart. Ellen said she was predictable and safe. Simon, “thought it was clumsy,” felt she was “going backward.”

Janell Wheeler

Song: What About Love  Heart? Really? Ugh. I just don’t want anyone but Heart to sing Heart. Let’s see what Janell can do…

Intial Thoughts: Double Ugh; very pitchy, flat and weak all-around. Yikes.

Judges Reaction: Randy felt it was a bad song choice. Ellen liked it, heard a few sour notes. Simon heard moments he liked. Kara likes her, didn’t like the song – to big for her. Likes her voice.

Lilly Scott

Song: Fixing a Hole

Intial Thoughts: Great, beautifully interpreted original version of a Beatles song. Her voice is pure and bright.

Judges Reaction: Ellen “loved it” and felt she was truly original. Simon: “the best so far,” not feeling the “starpower.” Kara really liked her and could feel that she was comfortable on the stage. Randy likes her indie honesty.

Katelyn Epperly

Song: Oh, Darling

Intial Thoughts: She delivered a great vocal, I didn’t hear any flaws, but it wasn’t a performance that had any surprises. She normally has a pretty cool personal style, but I don’t like what the stylists did to her.

Judges Reaction: Simon didn’t love her performance, but he likes her. Kara can see she’s experienced. Kara didn’t like the red lipstick and style (here, here). Randy, liked her straight forward, not affected vibe. Ellen “thinks she has a great voice,” but thought the performance was a bit “pushed.”

Haeley Vaughn

Song: I Wanna Hold Your Hand  I’m a wee bit scared of this song choice, but I also like the fact she picked something sweet given her age.

Intial Thoughts: I think this girl has the most amazing range and potential, but she needs a producer to keep her on track – in the groove. She’s very close to being annoying. A really great performance that seems dangerously close to going sour at any moment. Sort of like watching an Olympic athlete go to the limit: will she get the gold or crash? At least she’s exciting.

Judges Reaction: Randy and Kara heard a few bum notes, but they love her boldness. Ellen says she “shines.” Simon “verging on terrible,” “a complete mess.”

Lacey Brown

Song: Landslide – “Oh shit” is my reaction. You either knock this song out of the park or we hate you – no pressure.

Intial Thoughts: She did a pretty good job with that. Her voice is unusual, a little bit Stevie, a little bit Betty Boop. I really didn’t like the male back-up singer in the arrangement; he was very distracting. I think if they’d had another week to rehearse it could have been great.

Judges Reaction: Randy: Didn’t think it was the right song, and thought it was pitchy and terrible. Ellen thinks “she’s better than that” performance. Simon: “thought it was quite depressing,” and “indulgent.” Kara: “it felt forced,” the wrong song, but hopes she stays around another week.

Michelle Delamor

Song: Fallin’.  Tricky song choice, Alicia Keys OWNS this song, and the vocals are tough…

Intial Thoughts: Wow. No doubts about her abilities; big voice, controlled range, and an emotional performance, but not an original one.

Judges Reaction: Ellen, “that was fantastic,” can see her doing even better, even though it was “amazing.” Simon: “Did very well,” but it wasn’t different, thought she looks “fantastic.” Kara heard a few off moments, and wants her to become more unique and a better technician. Randy: wants to see her take more risks.

Didi Benami

Song: The Way I Am

Intial Thoughts: “You –eww-eww-eww,” I like Didi, but I not so into this very affected singing style. We only need a few Nora Jones types. I hope we won’t have a whole season full of warblers.

Judges Reaction: Simon: Didn’t like the warbling type either. Thought it was “quite dull,” but does like her. Kara, liked her making changes, and taking risks, felt it was a bit “pitchy.” Randy, didn’t see the star quality – felt it was sleepy. Ellen felt it was “a little low-key” and not the right choice for The Top 24.

Siobhan Magnus

Song: Wicked Game  Hmmm. I wonder what she’s going to do with this?

Intial Thoughts: This is what Simon means when he says “indulgent.” She wanted to sing this song for some reason, but not so we would enjoy it or because it suited her voice. She started way to low and the key was bad throughout. For me it was almost painful.

Judges Reaction: Kara “kind of liked her” on this song. “Pretty good.” Randy: “Tough song.” Thought she chose a song that wasn’t big enough. Ellen “really liked it.” Simon, “we don’t know what you’re going to do,” but he wasn’t really clear on whether or not that was a good thing.

Crystal Bowersox

Song: Hand in My Pocket – Seems like a great choice for her.

Intial Thoughts: I really like her, though I don’t know if she belongs on AI. She’s so darn real – what you see is what you get. A breath of fresh, honest, air – I would gladly watch her perform any day. I like the sound of the harmonica, but I don’t think she’s doing herself any favors playing it. It doesn’t look good on TV!

Judges Reaction: They love her originality too. Ellen would vote for her because she wants to see more of her. Kara, Randy and Simon all want her to stay and push to be more original and own the stage.

Katie Stevens

Song: Feeling Good –Why? Why? Why? Sorry but between Nina Simone and Adam Lambert – this song is done. Stick a fork in it…

Intial Thoughts: She did OK with it, but her stage presence was really awkward. If you don’t know how to shimmy – or you don’t have the goods, please don’t try, you’ll only embarrass yourself. She’s young though and certainly has the voice – hopefully she’ll refine her performance style over time.

Judges Reaction: Ellen felt the song was old for her, and off. Simon, agreed with Ellen, and found it “annoying.” Kara felt she was pitchy, but hopes America gives her another chance. Randy felt she was going sharp a lot, and the song was to old for her.

After it’s all over I feel a bit let down by most of the performers. Only Lilly Scott was truly original and did a positive memorable performance. Haeley Vaugh’s performance was also memorable, but I wouldn’t exactly call it positive, but I want to see more of her – I want her to have a chance to mature. Many others picked terrible songs, or safe songs. I think my biggest disappointments were Ashley Rodriguez and Didi Benami. Ashley didn’t bring her “A” game, and Didi poorly copied the current crop of jazzy warblers – I expected and hoped for more from them.

I think that the ladies in danger of going home are: Paige Myles, Ashley Rodriguez, Janell Wheeler, and Lacy Brown.

I hope the boys bring it tomorrow. I’m particularly looking forward to Andrew Garcia. He’s the standout boy for me so far. I genuinely like to hear him sing and play.