Random thoughts on a night that wasn’t Lambert’s best effort…

– Please explain to me what that was Paula had around her neck. If the diamonds were real then it was probably worth more than the GNP of Iceland…

– Simon proclaimed in the interest of time only two of the judges will comment per contestant. Thanx, Simon.

– At a time this country needs it in the worst way, A-I picked a terrible year to suspend the “Idol Gives Back” program. What a waste for the most popular show on TV…

– Quentin Tarantino was the obligatory helper this week. Kinda thought he’d be a little more helpful/critical. Basically, he was neither…

– Now on to the Seven Still Standing:

Allison Iraheta – “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith – Armageddon

PA: “You posses the same special sauce as Adam-you don’t compromise your authenticity.”
SC: “You are the girls only hope left in this competition right now-you’re getting stronger, more confident-you’re believing you’ve got a chance now-we could see you all the way through to the end.”

Me: “Tell me why Lil Rounds can’t watch this girl perform and take note. I just don’t get it.”

————————-

Anoop Desai – “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams – Robin Hood

RJ: “The last couple of weeks, you have definitely found your zone. You did a really good job.”
KD: “You definitely found your place. Pop songs adding your soul to it. I think this is your best. I felt connected to your singing.”

Me: “Quentin told Anoop to ‘Rough it up’ and Anoop didn’t. Sorry, Anoop, you should have listened.

——————————

Adam Lambert – “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf – Born to be Wild

PA: “You dare to dance in the path of greatness. You’re one of the bravest contestants I ever witnessed.”
SC: “Vocally incredible. It was a little bit like watching the Rocky Horror Musical in parts. Some will like it, some will hate it. It won’t be as popular as last week’s performance.”

Me: “Although his voice has incredible range, he took it way too far with this song. Screaming in parts. He has a tendancy to go overboard. Someone needs to pull him in on the reigns as he heads down the homestretch.”

————————————-

Matt Giraud – “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman” by Bryan Adams – Don Juan

RJ: “When you hit the bridge it was off. You can’t do all that stuff with a simple melody. It was not one of your best.”
KD: “It’s the struggle between Rock vs. Soul.”

Me: “He pushed his voice too far and probably pushed himself off the show.”

——————————-

Danny Gokey – “Endless Love” by Diana Ross – Endless Love

PA: “The key should have been lowered, but it was super.”
SC: “We know you are a brilliant singer, but I’m disappointed that we had the harp on stage and a traditional version.”

Me: “Yes, it was an emotional song for Gokey and that is exactly why he should have left it alone. Gone for something else. He’s not at the end of the road, far from it, but he’s running out of gas.”

——————————-

Kris Allen – “Falling Slowly” Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – Once

RJ: “I thought is was a bit pitchy.”
KD: “It was one of your best moments ever.”

Me: “Never heard the song before and I’d have to hear Allen’s attempt a few more times to make a really logical call on it. It probably fell somewhere between Randy’s semi-bashing and Kara’s over-the-top gushing.”

———————————-

Lil Rounds – “The Rose” by Bette Midler – The Rose

PA: “I really liked it.”
SC: “I think that you are getting this completely wrong. You had some nice moments, but you are not the artist we believe we met 7 or 8 weeks ago.”

Me: “Lil did what they asked her to do – take chances and make the song her own. Only one problem here … I don’t think she can do that. It takes a really special talent to pull it off (see, Cook; see, Lambert) and Lil, although a good singer, can’t do it.”

———————

Rankings for the night’s work:

1 – Allison
2 – Adam
3 – Anoop
4 – Kris
5 – Danny
6 – Lil
7 – Matt