If ever there was an American Idol, it was Dolly Parton. It don't get much more American than that. She's been going strong for 40 years, and has written 3000 songs, sold millions of records, had millions of number one hits, etc. Strangely, this Ledgendary Figure of popular American Folklore and music has never been on the show, and people have been getting antsy, asking Dolly when it would happen. This could be a great night for some of these contestants, namely the gals, but it could be horrendous for the fellas.
Brooke White is first with “Jolene”, and Dolly believes the “she felt it”. Might be a smart choice, given Brooke's propensity for imitating older blonds well in song. Shes playing a guitar again, and I think that takes some guts at this stage in the game. Also with her are a hand drummer, a fiddler, and a backup vocalist. It sounded really rushed and she was totally coasting because shes a blond American female and thought she could this week. Simon says she was busking her way through the song, and the audience boos as if they know what that means. It means street performer, btw.
David Cook is up, and he has cleaned up, nicely even. “Little Sparrow” is his choice, and Dolly thinks if he reaches for it he can catch it. Cook’s got a guitar too, The obligatory hand waving in unison goes back and forth again in the (paid?) studio audience. Safe choice and the judges go along with it.
Ramiele was starstruck with Dolly and Dolly thought she had the spunk necessary for this song that I never caught the name of. No matter, it was not worth finding out, and this may be the end for sweet little Ramiele. It was another bland, disappointing choice from Ramiele, and she gets a 6 and a half outta 10 from Randy. That sounds about right. Paula thought she connected with the audience, but Simon found it forgettable, like a cruiseship singer. Simon must have been on a lot of cruises.
Jason Castro in the house, and he has a stalker who writes postcards. Dolly is fascintaed and tickled by Jason’s dreads, and loved that he picked “Travelin' Through” Castros clearly trying to step up the emotion and facial expresions as he sings "Sweet Jesus" and the crowd loves it. Randy and Paula love it and Simon didn’t get it. Not bad, but this is like the third or fourth week in a row that Castro has been pretty underwhelming.
Carly picked a perfect song according to Dolly Parton. "Here you come again,” and Carly is a wise young woman who has a much better sense of what she sounds good doing that most of the others. Another solid Carly joint. Randy says it s one of best of the night, and Paula is all like “Oh my God! And you look great!” Simon would like a word with Carly’s wardrobist, however.
Dolly can barely keep her false eyelashes in place when David Archuleta sings "Smoky Mountain Memories", and when you really think about it, what better compliment is there than that. Still, when he gets onstage and sings for America, it is yet another Archuleta snoozefest. Sure, it may have brought real tears to Dolly's fake 'lids and fake hand waving from real teenagers at his feet, but is this really going to cut it week after week? "David Archuleta is back!" proclaims Randy Jackson. "David Archuleta sucks!" I promptly respond.
Kristi Lee Cook, against all odds, is singing “Coat of Many Colors” and not "9-5" or "I will Always Love You". She is all sparkles, and, presumably stars and stripes as well. It is a boring, predictable performance, and I hope I do not have to deal with her very much longer. Randy says something about her "Wheelhouse" twice, and Paula thinks this was her best performance, "Pleasant but forgettable" says Simon. Lame.
"Syesha made a real good choice", is what Dolly thought about “I Will Always Love You". Will what Syesha describes as a "good combo" of Dolly and Whitney Houston fulfill my prediction that whoever sang this particular song would try to do it like Whitney and go home? Let's hope so, just for fun. Syesha is situated atop the piano and delivers a performance worthy of...going home. I stand by my premonition. "Took on the tiger" says Randy, and "did allright". One of the best pop songs ever written says Simon, but he wished someone other than Syesha had got the song. I'm glad she did, so that tiger can eat her alive.
Michael Johns' first concert was Dolly Parton, back in 1986. MJ was thrilled to sing this song in front of Dolly, and she even thinks she could write some good songs for him! That’s fantastic. Michael clearly is more familiar with her catalog than anyone else, and he just made the best choice of his career right there. That was magnificent. Randy calls it “Blazin' hot”, and Michael will definitely be here into the finals.
This weeks bottom = Ramiele, Syesha and Kristi Lee or Brooke White. I guess the guys held there own just fine tonight.
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