Top 6 Country Week with Shania Twain

Bottom three WITHOUT even hearing a note Siobhan (sadly) Casey and Aaron oh wait, too soon?

Although this is my least favorite theme week on IDOL, it is my favorite because I get to share the DJRR blog with "mah boo" Ellen. She's a little bit country and I "ain't"! The one thing Ellen likes more than county music is American Idol - to me a perfect combo !

Top 6 – Shania songs

Who else to help me review the country fried IDOL week than the one person that has tripled my “downhome” tunes on my IPOD. What used to be represented only by “Elvira”, a disco version “9 to 5”, and “I will always love you” – The Whitney version, now has company with the ENTIRE Carrie Underwood songbook, Taylor Swift and even tho’ I can spell it – I know that Lady Antabellum is a group and not a diva…just saying.

It took us a while to determine if we were getting a “country week” or a tribute to Shania, it turned out to be the later.…Note: still trying to decide if Shania is hawt or over processed for the American Idol crowd.

Lee – “You’re the one”

DOWNLOAD: DJRR - Yes, he made the song his own but I felt he was screaming it to the point of raspiness. It was good but Lee’s aw shuck shyness and lack of self confidence at THIS stage is getting boring.

Ellen - Lee is one of my favorites but I wasn't sure what he'd do for country week. I loved (loved, loved) the song choice. It was a little screechy and I don't think he totally bought this whole theme, but he made it really contemporary. I'd buy that song.


Big Mike – “It only hurts”

DJRR – I was very nervous for BIG Mike but knew he could breeze through a country week. I didn’t know the song, not only did BM make it his own, I totally forgot it was a country song..he gave it soul.

Ellen - I was really nervous for him for the first half of the performance, but once he got to the melody, he nailed it. I'm not familiar with this Shania song, but I might need to go find it. Kind of eerie how applicable it is to her life now, isn't it?
(DJRR Update: stop reading my thoughts, too scary..lol and we can’t sleep on the fact that Big Mike made Shania cry singing her own song)


Casey – “Don’t”

DJRR – I still haven’t jumped on the Casey train BUT I will say he turned it into a bluesy/rock song as well as giving me a David Cook flashback. Since I like David Cook this may be a great performance.

Ellen - Who knew Casey could sing? I loved that he stepped it up a notch this week. This was really good - maybe even better than the Shania version - and probably my favorite performance of the night.


Crystal – “No one needs to know”

DJRR – Huh? See this is why I don’t listen to country music. Country killed IDOL star. I was shocked that they didn’t give Crystal a power spot, and now I know why. I won’t be putting this on the IPOD. It was just OKAY. I thought this would have been an easier week for the front runner.

Ellen - If you would have handed me Shania's entire playbook, I would never in a million years have picked this song. It seemed hokey for her and that stupid storyline about trying to get her boyfriend to propose didn't win her many fans, I don't think. She'll probably be fine this week, but she's not a sure bet for the Final 2 anymore.


Aaron – “You got a way”

DJRR – The kid went country. Did he say you got a way or away? I will say this was the ONLY country “performance” this week.lol. The kid is good when I’m not watching but he was good to listen to.

Ellen - Speaking of hokey...I really didn't like it. In fact, I spent most of the performance waiting for it to be over. But, go figure...the judges had great things to say. I might need to go watch that again.


SIOBHAN – “Any man of mine”

Ellen - Shania Twain is one of those singers you don't realize is brilliant until someone else tries to do their song and really just doesn't get it right. If you'd never heard the song before, you might have liked Siobhan's version, but in my opinion it was a little too sing-songy and didn't have enough "fun." Not a fan.

DJRR – I never heard this song before and like it..lol. I would have to give Siobhan the spotlight of the night. I love rocker Siobhan, it’s what brought her to our attention.


IDOL Fans, please join me in thanking our guest blogger Ellen – I love it when she stops by and sets me straight. This is her favorite music genre and it shows.
Like I said before “She A LOT country…..and I ain’t”

......DJRR

Inspiration week with Alicia Keyes

Top 9 Elvis week with Adam Lambert

Top 9

This week was a tribute to Elvis. I can see having modern day Elvis – Glambert mentor. Of course Adam looking like Elvis' love child doesn’t hurt.

Crystal – She gave us a curbside church sermon. Excellent performance - but really, did we expect anything less?

Andrew – Buh bye. Terrible, did we expect anything more?

Tim – Eeeh..It wasn’t terrible

*Download/Spotlight(Don’t tell “nobody”) – Lee added a spark to a song I have listened to on the IPOD for 4 years. “A little less conversation” the theme from Las Vegas. This performance may..MAY make me like Lee. I know this song like the back of my hand and Lee made it new – GREAT job.

Aaron – Ehhh…I didn’t hate it but not a fan. Minus points for the Elvis poses.

Siobhan – This was the meeting worth waiting for BUT I was a little let down. I expected more flash from the She –Adam. That is what she was trying to tell us – expect the unexpected. She held back but did her “thang”

Mike – Why the black man gotta sing the one song about the ghetto? Just sayin? That said..it was good. He beat Andrew but 2 are heading home this week (fingers crossed)

Katie – Loved it! Little miss sassy will make top 3. Great performance. I may have to track this original version.

Casey – Okay, not on the Casey train.

The results added some much needed spice this week

Top 9 : McCartney/Lennon Song Book

Top 9
Aaron-(Long and winding road) Not terrible but not his best either…Next

Katie-(Let it be) She had me at the first note – loved it

Andrew-(Can’t buy me love) Not bad

Big Mike-(Elenor Rigby) Liked it better during the playback..I may have to listen to it again.

Spotlight/Download: Crystal-(Come together) Whaa – How did she re work one of the most recognized songs in rock history? The show is over..give CB the Idol. Crystal’s version was just as good as Aerosmith’s and Michael Jackson’s cover versions.

Tim-(All my lovin) A good Tim performance, Okay/boring…Next

Casey-(Jealous Guy) I didn’t like it that much.

Siobhan-(Across the universe) Not bad but not “MY” Siobhan

Spotlight-Part2 Lee-(Hey Jude) That was actually pretty good – My second favorite of the night

Adam first Idol to mentor...and didn't even win

here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/04/adam-lambert-will-guest-mentor-next-week-.html

Final 3...aka Tim "ain't" evah leaving!!