idol 7: the 4 perform

Rock & Roll night.

David C. sang Hungry Like a Wolf. I thought it was solid but not anything that made me go, "Wow! I want to hear more like this." Randy and Simon agreed with me. Paula was Paula.

Syesha tackled Tina Turner's Proud Mary. I thought it was just all right. Randy and Paula liked it, but Simon didn't care for it. And I think Syesha has taken some cues from Paula. Super bubbly.

Jason chose to sing I Shot the Sheriff. He was more animated than I've ever seen him — and I'm not sure it was an improvement. Trying too hard perhaps. I've never hesitated to say how much I like this kid, but I did not like this performance. Randy didn't like it. I don't think Paula did either but she babbled about his likability or something. Simon hated it!

David A. sang Stand by Me. Nice job. Not a wow but nice. Definitely the best so far of the night. Randy sort of over-praised him, I think. Paula said her usual stuff. Simon gave tempered praise — plus another jab at Jason's performance.

Overall, the first half hour has been somewhat of a disappointment. Here is hoping the second round of songs prove more of an enjoyment.

David C. came back with Baba O'Riley. A lot better than first round although I think he's done better over the weeks. Randy liked it, Paula rattled around, and Simon welcomed back David Cook.

A Change is Gonna Come is the song Syesha chose for round two. Good choice. She performs it with both restraint and a few big notes. I loved it. And might I say, without sounding too much like Paula, that she looked gorgeous. Randy thought it was overdone. Paula gushed and did a standing O (and brought Syesha to tears). Simon agreed with Paula (which totally destroyed Syesha).

Jason's second song was Mr. Tambourine Man. I had my fingers crossed for a much better round, and I got it. Sort of. On the stool with guitar, Jason was back the way I like him. His voice. His style. And then he forgot some of the lyrics. Bad news. And Simon told him to pack his bags.

David A brought the show to a close with one of my favorites by Elvis, Love Me Tender. But David's version of it was so totally changed in melody that I didn't find much to like. The words were there but not the lovely tune. Judges all loved it. Simon even said David "crushed" the competition tonight.

Hmmm. I have been surprised before, but I think that Jason will go home tomorrow.

What do you think?

-rlh-

Comments

[Angie]

Sayesha surprised me again. Up until 2 weeks ago, I kept wondering why she was not gone already.

Jason will be gone.

David C did not wow me tonight but I do like him and see him selling records.

David A is my favorite.

[Katy McKenna]

Jason reminds me SO much of my hubby when we first met 35 years ago. Guitar-playing song leader at church. Long hair. Sweet spirit. It's REALLY hard for me to say I think he's out, but I do think so. He's do darned lovable!

I heard Ryan say at the opening of the show that 3 of the 4 remaining have landed in first place at least once. So now I'm wondering which three???

[Susan]

I agree that Jason should go home. I don't know if he will. He is so popular because of his personality. I didn't think he did well the past two weeks. But those young girls vote a lot so I wouldn't be surprised if Sayesha goes. I do think one of the two Davids will win. I believe they will face off.

[Rebecca]

Out of the Final Four, Jason is my favorite and I'm not going to be surprised tonight if he goes home ... but who knows?

Here's my contribution to this conversation:

First, I missed last night's show. Okay, truthfully, I just HAD to watch NCIS because I heard that one of the regulars is being killed off in the series finale - so I kept clicking between the two shows for the entire hour. I did see bits and pieces of Idol but not the whole 100%. (Hey, I can't help it - I'm a big Mark Harmon fan and I remember when Ducky was on the Man From Uncle ....)

Afterwards, I wondered about what I had missed and what people were saying so I googled "Idol Predictions" and surfed around. (I was forced to do this -- Robin hadn't published her post yet.)

This was very, very interesting.

I found lots of bloggers that don't like David A very much - they think he has talent, but they wouldn't buy his music, and some find him off-putting in his demeanor onstage. Very different attitude from the three judges.

Lots of bloggers also don't personally care for Syesha's personality on stage over the months, which makes me wonder about what Robin's referring to as Syesha's Paulaesque behavior last night. Maybe Syesha's been reading this stuff, too ....

So, in my own limited bit of online research, I'm finding hope for Jason even if he did forget some lyrics last night. Once again, out of the Final Four, it is only Jason's music that I would consider playing in my car, etc.

Then again, I also read some Jason fans believing that Jason has a Plan, and that he's ready to exit the show - they are of the opinion that Jason isn't wanting to be the New American Idol, he's ready to start recording an album on his own. This sounds smart to me....

[Cindy Swanson]

I've been rooting for Jason, even though I've never thought he should be the American Idol...but he IS adorable, and he's also a Christian. But I do think he's going home this week. He has had the misfortune of choosing songs that were really wrong or that the judges just didn't like. And last night was really awful.

I do think he has a future in music, though...