Garnet Greene

No time for additional comments tonight – here’s how it played out. 

The Best

Tim Urban

Song: Halelujah

First Impression: I love this song so I’m a bit prejudiced right off the bat, but I think he did a fine job with this and really put his heart in it.

Judges: Randy: “you did a good job.” Ellen leapt on stage to tell him he was, “fantastic.” Kara: “your in it!” She loved his honesty. Simon: by far his strongest performance so far.

Michael Lynch

Song: This Woman’s Work

First Impression: His vocal and intensity were very strong. He really showed off what his voice can do. However, the bizarre arrangement of this great Kate Bush song was pretty bad. If you’ve never heard the original – do seek it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TupvVpxY_U 

 It’s about a man waiting to see if his wife will live through a difficult childbirth, and realizing he’s taken his wife for granted and that he might loose her. I’ve doubted Michael in the past and I will say that he really surprised me with this vocal. There’s more to his voice then what I’d heard before tonight.

Judges: Randy: “Really? Crazy!” Ellen: “one of my favorite songs, it was so beautiful it feels like the show just began.” Kara: it made Kara cry. Simon felt he “100% nailed it” and that it was the “best performance of the live shows so far (and Michael was the last performer of the show.”

The Worst

Andrew Garcia

Song: Genie in a Bottle

First Impression: OK, but I don’t think this is going to really make a difference for him. I feel like he’s kind of flamed out…

Judges: Randy: “it didn’t quite work for me.” Ellen: “great song choice,” but it could have been better faster. Kara: felt the song had little melody – “it wasn’t great.” Simon: “a little bit desperate.”

Aaron Kelly

Song: I’m Already There

First Impression: Argh. He was pitchy and warbling. This song was too big and too old for him. He should go home for this. Awful.

Judges: Randy: “job well done.” Ellen: “you’ve sounded better.” Kara: the song is “not relevant to your life.” Simon: “not a great vocal,” but “it had emotion.”

The Rest

Todrick Hall

Song: Somebody to Love

First Impression: A big vocal, well delivered. He didn’t redefine or own the song, but it was entertaining. I didn’t think he totally connected with the song, it was a little insincere to me.

Judges: Randy: “Todrick is back! You proved that you can really sing.” Ellen: “a brave young man,” “it worked…I commend you.” Kara: not sure about the emotional center of the song. Simon, “you’ve told us who you are – a Broadway singer.” Simon was happy he at least tried to be entertaining.

Lee Dewyze

Song: Fireflies

First Impression: He brought some backbone to this sweet but edgeless song. It seems an odd choice though – its current version is so distinctive and it’s still all over the radio. Don’t know what to make of it exactly. He can certainly sing though…

Judges: Randy: confused but ultimately he felt it worked out. Ellen: a few pitchy moments, but she thought it was great. Kara: “you looked confident” she’s glad he stepped up, “you made the song a better song.” Simon feels there’s nothing to rave about.

Casey James

Song: You’ll Think of Me

First Impression: Nicely done. Memorable? I’m not so sure, but I did want him to keep singing.

Judges: Randy: “a little bit of a safe choice.” Wants him to bring his edge. Ellen: “thought it was great.” Kara: “better then last week,” but she’s still “missing that spark.” Simon: “your second best performance.”

Alex Lambert

Song:  Trouble

First Impression: Competent, I like his tone, but not original enough.

Judges: Randy: “good song choice,” “didn’t wow me.” Ellen: “getting better and better, ” “you can see how sweet and vulnerable and real you are.” Kara: “the only thing standing in the way of you winning is you right now, you have so much.” Kara things he’s needs to just let go. Simon: thinks he needs to relax and have a good time.