Idol Recap
The inspirational night wasn’t all that inspiring. David Cook stumbled, but not enough to put him in the bottom three. David A. has some rough moments but Simon loved the song so he had a bit of a comeback.
The best performance of the night was from our favorite hippy dippy music dude in dreadlocks, Jason Castro. His “Over the Rainbow,” borrowed from Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, was a perfect choice. It was something different on a night when everyone else was treading water — or worse.
David Cook presented an incoherent version of Our Lady Peace's ''Innocent.'' It was all over the place, and none of those places were any good. Thanks to his previous strong performances, however, he should avoid being in the bottom three.
Syesha just keeps hitting her head on the wall with her song choices. Will she never learn? This might be her last chance. After doing Whitney last week, she decides to pale in comparison by doing Fantasia’s season three anthem, “I Believe.” She did a nice job but as pointed out by the judges, the emotion was not there. We will see that emotion when she is booted off tonight.
Syesha is in the crosshairs because Kristy Lee Cook was smart enough to do a song that suits her, Martina McBride’s “Anyway.” She obviously can’t match the emotion McBride brings to the song, but she did her best vocal of the contest and should be back next week.
Carly Smithson had an off night with her rendition of “The Show Must Go On.” It was a wee bit shrill at times for the Irish lass, and there did seem to be an underlying vibe of anger, which doesn’t fit a song that is supposed to be inspirational. I think she might be in the bottom three but I think she’ll get by.
David Archuleta's version of ''Angels,'' was rough in the beginning. David’s real weakness is his low notes. Once he was in a more comfortable note range, however, adorable David was back.
Michael Johns did a solid, but not spectacular, cover of “Dream On.” His performance was a prime example of my treading water analogy.
Finishing off the evening was folk-tinged Brooke White, who lately has been crying after every song she sings — even before Simon rips into his assessment. Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” is one of my favorite songs, and although Brooke’s rendition was too much of a King carbon copy, it was well sung.
The Bottom Three
Syesha, Carly, Brooke — going home, Syesha
My Idol Top Seven:
1) David Cook; 2) Michael Johns; 3) Brooke White; 4) Jason Castro; 5) David Archuleta; 6) Carly Smithson; 7) Kristy Lee Cook