American Idol Top 9

Dolly Parton coaches as they sing her songs. I wont know but about 2 or 3 of these since I am not a huge fan of country and I only know her more mainstream recordings.

Brooke White – Jolene – Oh good, her hair is back to it’s natural curls. Great song for her. She’s playing the guitar with a fiddler and percussionist and one background singer. Simple, heartfelt. She is sparkling on stage tonight. Great great arrangement and performance. Perfect song choice for her style. Love it. Huh…judges heard something different I guess!

David Cooke – Little Sparrow – Ok good, he credited the previous arrangements he’s used to the artists who created them. However, this one is all his he says. Now, since I don’t know the original at all, I cannot compare. All I can say is that he is again showing us his style beautifully. This was a little softer than his previous stuff which is great to hear. He showed more vocal range and some tenderness. Love it.

Ramiele Maluby – (I missed the song title and I don’t know it!) – Bouncy little tune. She’s doing well enough, but not in any way changing my opinion of her as a bottom rung performer in this remaining group. Stronger performance than the last couple of weeks for me. She needs to show this cutesy, upbeat side. But, Simon is right, I was thinking cruise ship all the way.

Jason Castro – Travellin Through – Jason is a bubble guy for me. He has the potential to be unique and good enough to be a top 5 guy, but I started getting bored with him the last few weeks. This is a little different for him. It’s still a folksy, story telling type of song, but it’s much faster paced. He sounds great to me (but then apparently my hearing is off!) I liked it as I liked to hear a different sound from him. He is a great story teller as he sings. Earned some points tonight. Wow, and for once, I completely disagree with Simon.

Carly Smithson – Here We Come Again – I’ve been waiting for a song like this from her. A quiet song with a simple arrangement that lets her just show off her voice. I got chills. What a beautiful performance. Great note she hit at the end. Simon is being a harder ass than usual tonight – I think it is because he does not like Dolly very well. Yikes, he even dissed her outfit!! Ouch. Though…ok, on the fashion thing…I do agree a bit.

David Archuletta – Smoky Mountain Memories – In the opening clips he makes Dolly cry singing this to her. And I see why. Wow. He is back folks. Sang straight from the heart, hit notes you would not believe. More chills. Many more. This kid could sing you the phone book and make you cry.

Kristi Lee Kickerheroffplease – Coat of many colors – Oh crap. This is going to be her genre isn’t it? Crap. I don’t care. She still bores me to tears!!! If I must listen to country, then I would prefer it be Carrie Underwood. At least her voice has some depth and range. This girls seems to sing the same note the whole time. Argh. I can only hope that following David A will hurt her (please oh please??)

Syesha Mercado – I Will Always Love You – I completely knew she would pick that one. The first part nearly put me to sleep. That was toning it down TOO much. Of course, when she gets to the Whitney part she shines more, but still..this is Whitney’s song and I really don’t think *anyone* on this show should ever sing it. It was decent, but I am not impressed. Oh, she looked lovely though – yellow looks great on her. Simon nailed it, she paled in comparison (as anyone would).

Michael Johns – (no clue what the song is – Its all Wrong?) – Oh heavens. More chills….many many many many chills. Day-UM. Sexy. Emotion. Vocals. I am going to sound like Randy, but, that was HAWT!!! Bluesy, elegant. Ok, I need to stop. He wins the night IMHO and there were quite a few good performances.

Who goes? Well, I always want Kristi Lee to go, but I think it will be Ramiele.