Tonight the top 6 sing the songs of Shania Twain after being mentored by Shania. It will be interesting to see how four guys tackle these girly songs.

1. Lee DeWyze – You’re Still The One – he truly comfortable on the stage now, and looks like he is having a good time performing. I liked this one.
2. Michael Lynche – It Only Hurts When I Breathe – Mike is at his best when he does these emotional numbers, he really connects and it’s easy to believe.
3. Casey James – Don’t – I liked it but I don’t know that I was quite as wowed as the judges were.
4. Crystal Bowersox – No One Needs to Know – It wasn’t Crystal’s best performance, but she’s right, bigger isn’t always better, and even at her worst she is head and shoulders above her competition.
5. Aaron Kelly – It’s In The Way You Love Me – Our youngest contestant is redeemed. He did a great job changing up the lyrics and singing it to his Mom. I can still hear some strain in his voice though.
6. Siobhan Magnus – Any Man of Mine – Okay, this is tough, I know the judges loved it, but to me it was horribly flat and unemotional through the verses, the chorus was okay, and then we had to do the almost the right note screech. She is better than this performance, I just wish we were getting more of her best.

Bottom Half: Michael Lynche, Casey James, Siobhan Magnus

So there it is another week of singing over, it should be interesting to see how the votes fall, not that I’ll be getting any dark circles under my eyes worrying about it, Crystal will be safe and that’s all that really matters at this point.

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The show was long, and filled with great performances and sad stories, too many to recount here. The bottom three was made up of Casey James, Aaron Kelly, and Tim Urban. Then finally a miracle happened, VFTW lost their poster child for bad singing, Tim Urban is gone. I almost can’t believe it, guess that means I have to keep my promise to diet and exercise, oh well, perhaps it will help me by getting rid of belly fat that I don’t really want.

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It’s here, the first half of Idol Gives Back and the top 7 performing for our votes. Alicia Keys is the mentor, here’s to hoping she gets these kids to connect and deliver.

1. Casey James – Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow ~ Fleetwood Mac – He’s not bad, it’s just that it is what he does almost every week.
2. Lee DeWyze – The Boxer ~ Simon and Garfunkle – I have always loved this song, and I loved Lee’s performance, I can’t wait for the full length studio version tomorrow.
3. Tim Urban – Better Days ~ Goo Goo Dolls – I really thought after last week Tim was coming into his own, but this was really blah. Ellen is right, he’s the soup of the day.
4. Aaron Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly ~ R. Kelly – I think he’s strained his voice, it is showing some wear. He did end better than he started but it was not his best.
5. Siobhan Magnus – When You Believe ~ Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey – I liked this, it was a really pretty vocal. Her costumes are a bit much, but that’s Siobhan.
6. Michael Lynche – Hero ~ Chad Kroeger – I felt like it kind of fell flat, he never really got into the groove or excitement of the song.
7. Crystal Bowersox – People Get Ready ~ The Impressions – She starts a’cappella and it is just fabulous. She really pours her heart into this performance and chokes up at the end.

Bottom 3: Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, Tim Urban

I really hope it’s Tim’s week to go, he’s never going to be great and he’s a waste of air time. I loved the moment it was revealed that Ryan’s hankie is taped into place, really not convenient given the number of times he gives it away each season. Half looking forward to the results extravaganza, half dreading it. Well, until then it’s back to searching for gainful employment.

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Tonight we replay the top 9, but unlike last week tomorrow there is no second chance, the bottom 2 will go home. The night’s theme is Elvis, surely there is enough in that one to give these 9 something to choose from. Of course, tonight’s mentor, Adam Lambert, doesn’t exactly guarantee success as he can barely keep his own career moving.

1. Crystal Bowersox – Saved – It doesn’t rank as my favorite performance she’s ever done, but I’m sure it will be one of the best we hear tonight. My guess is that even with the first slot and a double elimination Crystal has nothing to worry about.
2. Andrew Garcia – Hound Dog – It’s pretty much what I’ve come to expect from Andrew, three note range, frequently off key, and just not enough energy.
3. Tim Urban – Can’t Help Falling In Love – Seriously, I don’t think he’s fabulous and still hope he goes home; but compared to some of his other performances and the performance that came before him he wasn’t half bad.
4. Lee DeWyze – A Little Less Conversation – It’s good to see Lee loosening up and engaging the audience in his performance. He really nailed tonight and he should be safe tomorrow night.
5. Aaron Kelly – Blue Suede Shoes – He looked like he was really having fun for once, I did like the second half a little more than the first.
6. Siobhan Magnus – Suspicious Minds – She has such a gorgeous tone to her voice, even when I don’t love the performance I must admit that she has a spectacular voice. This was almost like two separate performances the halves of the song were so different.
7. Michael Lynche – In The Ghetto – Mike excels at songs where he connects, he has a beautiful voice and there is an honesty to his performances that is endearing.
8. Katie Stevens – Baby What Do You Want Me To Do – That was the most fun I’ve ever seen Katie have on stage, Adam’s advice to her was really solid, she needs to sell each and every performance.
9. Casey James – Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – It wasn’t awful, but it sure didn’t grab my attention or make me want to hear it again. It just sort of was and then it wasn’t anymore.

Tomorrow’s double elimination should be interesting and I’m already wondering how many kleenex we will need for next week’s Idol Gives Back show. It should be a good couple of shows over the next week, so you won’t catch me searching or shopping for used golf balls during any of these.

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We had wild, crazy, thunderstorms tonight so my viewing of the results show was sporadic at best. Even when we had picture we didn’t always have sound. I can tell you that David Archuleta has practically doubled in size (it’s a good thing) since he was on the show, no more looking like a good breeze will snap him in two.

Ryan announce all 3 girls safe right off the bat, then he divided the guys into two groups of three. Lee, Casey and Tim were in one group, with Mike, Aaron, and Andrew in the other. Lee’s group was safe and then Aaron was sent back to safety leaving Mike and Andrew to wait through the commercial break.

In a stunning stroke of voting madness Mike is left to sing for his life, which he does fabulously reprising his performance of Maxwell’s This Woman’s Work. The judges use the save and next week two will go home after being mentored by Adam Lambert, this should be interesting.

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So this week’s theme is the Lennon/McCartney songbook. This category is always rough, the originals are so familiar that it can be dangerous for any one other than the most talented singer to change them. I think we all know by now that despite the pre-season pimping this lot is far from the best. Tonight before each contestant performs we will be treated to some of the other contestants thoughts about them.

1. Aaron Kelly – The Long and Winding Road – Everyone likes Aaron and they tease him about being Yoda. He had a few good moments but overall it was flat, boring, and predictable. He really needs to do some younger material and he needs to act younger, he’s only 16 after all.
2. Katie Stevens – Let It Be – Surprise, surprise Katie is everyone’s little sister, and she loves to dance. Wow, this is by far the best Katie vocal in just about forever. She has a pretty voice, and when she does something within her comfort range she can really shine.
3. Andrew Garcia – Can’t Buy Me Love – Everyone says he is the comedian and the contestant with the most personality, despite what the judges say. Andrew’s look this week gives me flash back to the movie Can’t Buy Me Love staring a very young, incredibly geeky Patrick Dempsey. The performance wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t anything spectacular either. He really does seem to have a very limited range vocally, which has to limit what he does.
4. Mike Lynche – Eleanor Rigby – Big Mike is a giant teddy bear and just a little goofy. This is miles away from David Cook’s version of this song which is a good thing for Mike, but I’m not sure I like it, I may need another listen. He definitely knows how to perform though and he is always willing to take a risk.
5. Crystal Bowersox – Come Together – Mamasox is original, kind, sincere, mothering, an artist, and everything else wonderful. The didgeridoo is too cool and even with a cold she is still the best overall performer in this group. She is the bright spot in each week’s line up, and she proves everything the others said when she calls the didgeridoo player out on stage.
6. Tim Urban – All My Loving – Everyone loves Tim’s smile and Tim is always smiling. This is better than many of his performances, but as Randy says we are only basing this on “Tim Performances”. He is still just either weird, boring, or both. I have to wonder if the judges aren’t being a little overly nice in an attempt to make the voters complacent and hopefully get him knocked off.
7. Casey James – Jealous Guy – Casey is the movie star of the crowd and everyone enjoys making up names for him, he also has a really big laugh. This song highlights the bleaty vibrato I dislike so much in Casey’s voice, totally the wrong choice from that perspective. I did see that he invested a lot more of himself in the performance it just didn’t work for me vocally.
8. Siobhan Magnus – Across The Universe – Siobhan is unique, amazing, one of a kind, and has an amazing voice. The whole thing was a little boring and a bit too understated, but at least she didn’t screech during this one. The outfit is a whole other matter, she just truly marches to the beat of her own drum and for that I congratulate her. I could have done without the sobby bit at the end.
9. Lee DeWyze – Hey Jude – Lee is a worry wart, always thinks he is the one going home, and is super close to Andrew. Not entirely sure what to think of this one, it had good moments, but the bagpiper was a wild bit of distraction in this one. He is loosening up on stage but I’m still waiting to see more from him. I’ll be interested to hear what they do with the studio version of this one.

I’d like to state the the backstage after clips are beyond annoying. My bottom three would have to be Tim, Aaron, and Andrew; no idea who will actually go home. Rihanna, Jason DeRulo, and David Archuleta will perform during tomorrow’s elimination show. Something to look forward to or not, me I’m just going to check out clarks shoes while I wait for my supper to be done. See you tomorrow when one more gets sent home.

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So tonight the top ten sing r&b/soul after being mentored by Usher. He says he was going to be tough and honest, if so it will be the first since Andrew Llyod Webber. Hopefully this will be a category they can succeed better than the last few.

1. Siobhan Magnus – Through the Fire ~ Chaka Khan – It seemed a little sharp all the way through, she sounded better in the rehearsal clip.
2. Casey James – Hold On I’m Coming ~ Sam and Dave – He did really well with that, I liked the tone of his voice, I’m glad he didn’t pick anything too different or odd.
3. Michael Lynche – Ready for Love ~ India Arie – That was really pretty, but his eyes were closed a lot. His voice was perfect though and he really does connect with songs.
4. Didi Benami – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted ~ Jimmy Ruffin – I wish she would quit scrunching up her face, and it didn’t classify as the world’s most exciting performance at least she wasn’t as pitchy as she has been.
5. Tim Urban – Sweet Love ~ Anita Baker – Okay it wasn’t as pitchy as some but he has that creepy camera stare going. It would have been boring, but it was to creepy and ridiculous.

Must take a break and make some dinner the troops are hungry, I’m just not invested enough in these performances at the minute to leave them hanging.

Supper is cooked and it’s time to see the rest of the crowd. Here’s to hoping they don’t give me indigestion.

6. Andrew Garcia – Forever ~ Chris Brown – Okay, that was his best performance in forever. He got some really good advice from Usher about owning the song and going out and just doing what he intended to do. It’s the first time during voting that I enjoyed listening to him.
7. Katie Stevens – Chain of Fools ~ Aretha Franklin – She was better vocally than she has been in a while, she is just too young for this song, it ages her. By the way I hate those short rompers, first Paige wore them and now Katie.
8. Lee DeWyze – Treat Her Like A Lady ~ Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose – Loved it, tonight is the first night where I felt like we really heard the real Lee.
9. Crystal Bowersox – Midnight Train to Georgia ~ Gladys Knight – I think the piano distracted her a little in the beginning, but she had some really great moments in this one. I love her no matter what she wears or plays.
10. Aaron Kelly – Ain’t No Sunshine ~ Bill Withers – I think the song was a bit too old for him and it required more emotion and soul than a 16 year old has. It was done so well by Kris Allen last season it was really too soon for it to be done again.

Bottom 3: Katie, Tim, Didi

So overall, it was better than it’s been in past weeks. I’m really impressed with Lee and I love Crystal, and I think that Aaron is cute enough to go the whole way.

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