Top 5 Minus 1 - Neil Diamond Performs!

Well, I spent most of the show in the kitchen, making my first meal of the day because my heat pump was blowing 80 degree air most of the day, while it crept up close to 100 outside, and it was just too hot to eat. It's been doing this intermittently every morning after not running at night when it's cool enough to have the windows open, and it's been doing this for the past few years. I managed to find a guy to troubleshoot it, and he said I need a new compressor, which is costly but much less than a new unit. And after he left, it kicked in blowing cold air. When it gets hot enough that it cycles off and on frequently all night long, it would probably run fine for the whole summer, as it has for the past two years, but it's just no fun knowing it's eventually going to fail again and wake me up blowing warm air, so I guess it's time. Thank goodness for credit. Okay, enough personal venting...

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The phone call from the woman who was Simon's first kiss at the age of nine was very cool. What surprised me is that he had the nerve to ask her how she looked these days, clearly indicating a firm interest in seeing her and maybe hooking up with her in a serious way, right on public television in front of the whole world and his current girlfriend of many years.

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Okay, so bottom line is that Brooke goes home. She knew, and took it more emotionally than most, making her finale one of the more difficult to endure. Surely Syesha or Jason is next, and my take on the last few shows says it should be Jason, but next week might change that, or his clear fan base will continue to bail him out.

'nuf 4 now...

See you next week!

Am I a Believer?

I'm not a Neil Diamond fan, but I thought this could be a good week given how many songs he's recorded.

RANDOM THOUGHTS: I had no idea Neil Diamond wrote so many songs. It's a nice week to have two performances each. Why, oh why do they tinker like this. I didn't like how the judges didn't comment after each performance, and then they really blew it by having the judges give a quick recap in the middle of the show. Paula rambles so much when she's giving comments anyway that making her recall all 5 of the performances was just a setup. She's going to get a lot of flak for this one, but doesn't deserve harsh treatment. I felt rushed while I was watching. I'm not sure that's the effect the producers were going for.

Jason Castro: This was another mediocre night for him, although I did enjoy his first performance. It was a bit copycat, but I felt it was nicely done. He doesn't look comfortable without his guitar, though. He ends up sauntering along the stage looking a bit awkward.

David Cook: I thought he did really well tonight. His first song was good, not great, and his second was definitely a good one. Like Simon said, it sounded like it was recorded this year. He just keeps bringing it.

Brooke White: I hated the first song. I'm sure my children will love it since she sang a "Shrek song." Karaoke night with the ladies was an accurate description. Her second one was great, though. I think she does sound much better behind the piano. I'm not sure how long she can last, though. She also seems set on arguing with Simon in her saccharine kind of way. Too annoying at this point.

David Archuleta: I'm so shocked he picked arguably the two most well-known Neil Diamond songs. He did a nice job as always imitating the original. He adds a few embellishments, but the arrangements are predictable. With that said, he did quite well, demonstrating he is a great singer. I recognize his talent but have been quite bored with him for a while.

Syesha Mercado: The first one was bland and boring, but the second song was much better. Randy tried to hide the fact that he called her a broadway singer, but it's true. It was a good performance from a good actress. I don't think she can win the whole thing, but she could outlast the other female vocalist.

Tops for me: David Cook
Bottom couple: Brooke White, and based on last night, Jason Castro
Good-bye to: Brooke White

Top 5 - Neil Diamond Mentors!

"A very tight show to cram into an hour." Does that suggest two songs per contestant?

Yes! And no judging until the after the second song. Very good.

Jason - 'Forever in Blue Jeans' - Starts too weak in the lower register, but even the upper register has him sounding pretty weak. I don't think he does any kind of justice to the song, but boy, does he have fans!

David C. - 'I'm Alive' - Not a song I know, but he certainly makes it come alive. Very good.

Brooke - 'I'm A Believer' - Good song choice. She comes off as a bit overpowered by the song, but gives it a good effort and kicks it up at the end.

David A. - 'Sweet Caroline' - A pitchy start, but he finds his groove and does a fine job and adds some personal touches.

Syesha - 'Hello Again' - One of my favorite songs. At first I didn't think she really had the song, but she did very well by it, and gave me chills. I can't argue with that.

The rushed judging afterwards has the interesting side effect of projecting Paula back to the future...LOL. The shorter versions from the judges were actually a welcome change, and, as usual, Randy comes closest to my thoughts.

Jason - 'September Morn' - A perfect song for his voice and skillz. Beautifully done. I don't think it has quite the fireworks that Simon's looking for, though. Somehow he's lacking energy tonight. He almost seems like he's on drugs. That's how disconnected he seems to me.

David C. - 'All I Really Need Is You' - I don't know the song, but he truly owns it. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was listening to his finished recording of his own song. Excellent. Simon calls it "brilliant." I'm beginning to think more like Paula, who says she feels like she's looking at the next American Idol. David A. is quite good, but just doesn't have the depth, breadth and originality of this guy. David A. is solid and reliable, but just too predictable at this point. David C. is full of pleasant surprises every week. I've officially changed my loyalty.

Brooke - 'I Am, I Said' - A very big song, and writing the lyrics on her hand doesn't bode well, but I like it once the band joins in with her piano. That was more solid than most of her recent performances. Randy agrees, noting the vocal difficulty that she handled in stride. Even Simon gives it props.

David A. - 'America' - A very big song. The beginning is a bit weak, but again he finds his groove and lays it out. He proves he's big enough for the song, alright. You can't help but love him. All three judges loved it.

Syesha - 'Thank The Lord For The Nighttime' - A show tune type of song, which she handles very nicely.


Tops and Props: Still David C. and David A. at the top, and it's still very close, and could go either way at the end, but I gotta say I'm now an equally big fan of David. C. And yes, Syesha gets my props again.

Bottoms: Jason and Brooke, in that order, for me, but anything can happen with the fans.

Leaving: Jason or Brooke.