Garnet Greene

A night that starts with Ellen canoodling with Simon whilst sitting on his lap could become very strange. I was wondering what was going through Simon’s mind. First off as we all know, Ellen is a lesbian, but she was cuddled up to Simon. Now Simon might still enjoy this, as she’s an attractive woman, but she was wearing a shirt and tie – that reminded me of the “old school ties” of British boarding schools. So did it remind Simon of school? Girls in school uniforms? Boys in school uniforms? Good, bad, or he doesn’t care because he’s in the bloom of new love? Or maybe it says more about the weird way my mind works. Later there was also some singing:

The Best:

Crystal Bowersox

Song: Give Me One Reason

 First Impression: A great competent performance as always, but I just don’t think she’s ever current or relevant. Maybe when we get to theme weeks we’ll see something new.

Judges: Randy’s “a fan.” Ellen, “the best performance of the night.” Simon thinks she’ll definitely be in the Top 12. Simon thinks she’s the one to beat.

Lilly Scott

Song: I Fall To Pieces

First Impression: A perfect song choice for her. She is such a natural it’s amazing to see. I think she’s the one to beat – not Crystal.

Judges: Randy, “it was hot tonight,” “well done.” Ellen, “loved it,” “loved you.” Simon, didn’t feel it had the “wow factor.”

Didi Benami

Song: Rhiannon

First Impression: Wow. Spectacular. Just perfect. She made this song her own, and brought something truly new to it – I understood it differently than the thousand times I’ve heard it before – I will download this performance.

Judges: Randy, didn’t love it but thought it was better. Ellen, liked what she did with the song, and liked her resilience. Kara, “one of my favorite moments of the show so far this season.” Simon, “head and shoulders above anything we’ve heard tonight.” Felt her whole performance was a “wow moment.”

Lacey Brown 

Song: The Story 

First Impression: Quiet, emotional and sweet. She really is a charmer, vocally and her charisma shines forth so strongly. Maybe if it doesn’t work out on AI she should go into acting or selling jewelry on television! I hope it works out for her though, because I’d be happy to hear her recordings. 

Judges: He thought it was a little sleepy, but her best to date. Ellen agreed. Kara enjoyed her vocal gymnastics, she’s “back on her path.” Simon, didn’t love the song, but she sang it really well and it sounded like a song on the radio. He wants her to do something more memorable. 

The Worst: 

Katie Stevens 

Song: Breakaway 

First Impression: She’s just good, not great, and she was pretty flat, in some places. If you can’t control your lower register – don’t go there. Nothing’s worse then sounding like a frog in distress. 

Judges: Randy thought the song was too big for her; it didn’t “work for him.” Ellen like that she chose a young song, but she didn’t feel it. Kara felt she just hasn’t figured out who she is as a performer. Simon thinks she’s been confused by all the advice and he agrees with Kara that she hasn’t found he style. He gave her “ten out of ten” for trying hard. 

Paige Myles 

Song: Smile 

First Impression: I think Paige may be gone after this performance. The whole things seemed off key, really painful, in the wrong key? Bizarre. Maybe she is sick? The arrangement was odd. She seemed like a contestant who had already been eliminated and was almost crying her way through the final performance on Idol. 

Judges: Randy loved the song, but it didn’t work. “It went completely flat.” Ellen felt it was sad and flat. Kara felt it was “all wrong.” Simon – a “horrible arrangement” and performance. 

The Rest: 

Siobhan Magnus 

Song: House of The Rising Sun  

First Impression: To my ear a nearly perfect rendition of this song. The problem is, what’s the relevance? Are the kids calling in familiar with this “so old no one knows how old it is” tune that’s generally agreed to be about prostitution in New Orleans? I’m guessing they’re not. It was beautiful but possibly a tactical mistake. 

Judges: Randy loves her unpredictability and uncoachability. Ellen says she’s, “spectacular.” Kara loved the a cappella beginning though she’s still confused about who Siobhan is. Simon felt the whole thing fell a little flat and didn’t have a memorable star moment. 

Katelyn Epperly 

Song: I Feel The Earth Move 

First Impression: Utterly derivative and dull. Just cause you have big hair, does not make you Carole King. Zzzzzzzz….. There was just no point to this. Simon’s gonna get her. 

Judges: Randy: “felt very put on;” Ellen: “not the song to choose to wow people with;” Kara: “going through the motions;” Simon, “it may have been a mistake for you tonight.” 

Thoughts After The Show 

I declare this the best show of the season so far as there were four rock-solid, star-caliber performances. It’s no surprise to my readers that Lilly Scott was one of those. 

I’m starting to get really excited about the upcoming theme weeks! What will Crystal Bowersox do with Disco week? 

I’m afraid though, that as the girls get whittled down, that we will start to see that Didi Benami, Lacey Brown and Lilly Scott are all chasing the same “quirky angels” vibe and it could get annoying. 

I think Kara made a really brilliant comment tonight summing up this year’s talent falling into two camps: people who know who they are as performers, and people who don’t. It’s so clear that Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott know exactly what the want to sing, and how they want to perform. 

I expect that this will be the last mile for Paige Myles and the end of the road for country sweetie Katie Stevens, although it’s possible Katelyn Epperly will get the boot too.