Idol Watching, Top Ten

The guest mentor this week is Usher.

First: Siobhan, "Through The Fire". She has a good voice. I wish she didn't feel the need to be just a little outrageous with her wardrobe, and shouty with the high notes. It just doesn't appeal to me. I probably would not buy her CD.
Judges: Randy: a little off-pitch. Ellen: agree. Kara: agree (nervous?). Simon: sounded like she was singing while running out of breath, not a good performance.

Second: Casey, "Hold On, I'm Coming". He is so cool. I like his voice, his sound, and he's a cutie. I don't think he'll win, but I hope he goes far. I definately would buy his CD!
Judges: Randy: hot night! Ellen: consistently good, a little generic. Kara: he has more range than he's showing. Simon: strongest week so far, really impressed.

Third: Mike, "Ready For Love". His voice brings tears to my eyes. No matter what he sings, he does it beautifully. I would SO buy his CD too.
Judges: Randy: sensitive, in the zone. Ellen: beautiful. Kara: incredible, got to true emotion of song. Simon: first time he can take him seriously as an artist, terrific!

Fourth: Didi, "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted". I just don't think she's all that good. A few flat notes? Maybe it's a bad choice; based on this I would not buy her CD.
Judges: Randy: kind of flat. Ellen: dramatic, not good. Kara: lost her way, not as good as auditions. Simon: like swimming in jelly, over the top & off melody.

Fifth: Tim, "Sweet Love". He has a nice voice, but something about him just doesn't "click" for me. I think this was good, but it seemed to me "off" in places. I would not buy his CD.
Judges: Randy: boring - flat, no connection. Ellen: mostly in key, sang like sneaking into a bedroom. Kara: broadway, vegas; took soul out of the song. Simon: completely inappropriate song, but no one cares and he'll be here next week.

Sixth: Andrew "Forever". He has a nice voice, and sings well. He's not my favorite, I would probably not buy his CD (though that could change with time depending on how he improves).
Judges: Randy: best performance in a long time. Ellen: amazing strong, good smile. Kara: giant leap in the right direction. Simon: miles better than past few weeks; but he comes across as boring.
(the bit with Andrew's Mama was silly!)

Seventh: Katie, "Chain of Fools". She has a voice much more powerful than she should at her age; but just a few "flat" spots. Maybe the song was too big? She's good enough to stay on still I'm sure. Again, not one I would buy.
Judges: Randy: one of the best of the night (but a little disconnected). Ellen: sang well, but song was too old. Kara: one of best performances. Simon: does not agree she has the potential, thought she came across cold. Doesn't agree with others about genre she should be singing.

Eighth: Lee, "Treat Her Like A Lady". Oh yeah, NOW I see why they picked him. This I really enjoyed. For this I would buy a CD. Lovely sexy quality to his voice.
Judges: Randy: best he's been in weeks, the bomb! Ellen: best of the night, his best. Kara: amazing. Simon: this is the night your life changed.

Ninth: Crystal, "Midnight Train to Georgia". I love this girl. I just flat out love her. She's been my #1 pick all along, and tonight that does not change. Loved that she went with piano, and even better without it. I most surely will buy her CD!
Judges: Randy: great, Gladys would love it! Ellen: in it to win it. Kara: fantastic. Simon: should not have had backup; don't lose your identy! do what's comfortable.

Tenth: Aaron: "Ain't No Sunshine". Wow, for a kid, he has a really good voice. I liked this .. another CD I would for sure buy.
Judges: Randy: started rough, just alright. Ellen: good choice, good job. Kara: liked it, not "in love" - could have gone higher. Simon: cupcake compared to some of the others tonight, not as good as last week, but ok.

My summary: I still like Crystal best, with both Mike close behind. I also like Casey, and Lee. I predict Didi going home.