AMERICAN IDOL – Top 8 Girls Perform

The 80’s theme continued last night when the Top 8 ladies of American Idol took the stage. The guys had a great night on Tuesday so the ladies have really bring their game tonight. (Note: Yeah, I’m watching this on Thursday morning, so forgive me if I keep saying tonight…it was technically last night, I know.)

Asia’h Epperson is up first tonight with her take on Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”. Asia’s is one of my very favorite people in this competition. She has such a great personality that I want her to stick around. But as much as I hate to say it, I don’t think she has the vocal talent to stay. I think she’s a better singer than some of the other girls so she might make it into the Top 12, but I don’t think there is any way she can win this competition. Her performance last night was ok. Still straining a big. Not special. Randy thought is was hot. Paula thought she nailed it. Simon wasn’t as enthusiastic, and said at best it was a second rate Whitney. But he said it was good enough for Top 12.

I’m completely with the judges on Kady Malloy. In her interviews she has so much personality but to date when she takes the stage she’s dead in her eyes. Tonight she’s taking on “Who Wants to Live Forever” by Queen. Quite the ambitious song, and one that doesn’t really showcase her personality at all. Kady holds her own, especially in her upper register with the big notes, but in the smaller sections she fell flat. I wasn’t moved by her performance. Overall I think it was too much for her.She was too shaky. I have a feeling the judges are going to disagree with me. Let’s see. Randy was ok about it. Actually he made the same comment I did about the stronger verse weaker notes. Paula thought it was her best performance to date, but I don’t think it she was loving it. Simon also agreed it was better than last week, but commented on her massive lack of personality. Kady, if you are around next week why not try to watch ALL these tapes back and actually listen to the judges.

Amanda Overmyer is up next. I feel like the 80’s is her wheelhouse and I’m expecting a great performance from my least favorite contestant among the women. And may I just say that Amanda looks beautiful in her pre-performance interview. What a difference some eye makeup remover can do. “I Hate Myself for Loving You” is a great song choice for Amanda and she did a fantastic job with it. But I guess I’m not enthused by Amanda because she sounds exactly the same on every song. She’d be great fronting a band at a bar but I don’t think she’s right for this competition. I fully expect others to disagree with me, but I’m just being honest. Randy and Paula were all kinds of crazy for her performance. Paula was on her feet. Simon thought it was fantastic absolutely nailed the song. Guess they liked her.

Carly Smithson takes the stage next and much like Amanda, I’m expecting big things from Mrs. Smithson tonight. She’s a bit older than some of the contestants and I feel should have a better hold on what the 80’s were all about. Tonight she took on “I Drove All Night” and ladies and gentleman I loved it!! I know I have been hard on Carly thus far, but wow…just wow. I loved that performance. Seriously amazing!! Ok I think I’m a Carly fan now. Yay!! Randy and Paula sung her praises, and surprisingly Simon said she picked the wrong song, but made it a point to say that Carly is a million times better than that song. (And how about Carly’s mom who is visiting from Ireland…stunning. She could have easily been Carly’s sister.)

Kristy Lee Cook is taking on Journey’s “Faithfully” tonight. I love Journey and this is one of my very favorite songs so Kristy best not suck. Unfortunately for me, Kristy and the rest of American she did suck. Sorry, but I really didn’t like this performance. She was unsure of herself from beginning to end. It was too heavy of a song for Kristy. She couldn’t hit the high notes and nearly broke on every one of them. And I’ve come to like her more over the past few weeks, but I really wasn’t a fan of tonight’s performance. Journey’s own Randy Jackson actually liked the country version of it. Paula also agreed that it could be a country hit. Simon liked the country twang but thinks that Kristy is forgettable.

Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” is another one of my personal faves. And yes, I even have ex-Idol contestant Scott Salvo’s version on my iPod. (As I hide my head in shame). But let’s see what happens when Ramiele Maluby takes on the hit. Broken record GMMR here to say yet again that I always forget how pretty Ramiele’s voice is. Vocally I thought she did a great job. Performance-wise I thought it was a bit lacking. She would certainly get my vote tonight. I enjoyed it. Randy mispronounced her name…how sad. He liked the performance but suggested she get back her confidence because she can back it up. Paula rambled. Simon thought it was cute but a bit predictable.

Brooke White is taking on an acoustic version of “Love is A Battlefield”. I never head the song performed like this ad I really dug it. It was a real reinvention of the song. I prefer the strength that came with Pat Benatar’s version, but I don’t think Brooke has the chops to pull off the Benatar version. I don’t think the performance was anything special, but I liked it. Randy and Paula were both very complimentary (do they ever disagree). Simon psyched us out a little and I thought he was going to bash it, but instead her praised Brooke for making the song her own. He was quite happy.

Does tonight’s last performer, Syesha Mercado, have what it takes to usurp Carly as my favorite performer of the night? I’ve been a pretty vocal Syesha fan to date so I’m hoping she steps it up tonight. She’s taking on Whitney tonight and that is always a risk. “Saving All My Love For You” is not an easy song, so she has that working against her. But I have to tell you I thought she did an amazing job. I can’t say she did anything original with it, but her vocals were stunning. The judges, who have been blabbering on and on tonight were reticent in their comments but they all gave her praise. I think they were joking around by trying to keep it to one word adjectives, but I think their lack of enthusiasm and praise could translate poorly to the audience at home.

So that’s all they sung. The ladies are done. I’d encourage you to vote, but since I’m writing this recap on Thursday morning it’s a wee bit late. But I’d love to know who you are pulling for to stay (or go home) tonight.

My Favorites: Carly Smithson, Syesha Mercado, Brooke White
Good enough to stay: Kristy Lee Cook, Ramiele Maluby, Asia’h Epperson
Not Getting my Vote: Amanda Overmyer, Kady Malloy