American Idol 2010: Top Three- Performances, Recap, Judges Comments and My Vote

866-436-57 and ## below

Ryan Seacrest introduced the judges: Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi, Simon Cowel. Two weeks from now they will be at the Nokia Theatre. Casey James, Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze are the top three.

Casey James - #5701, #04, or #07

Tonight Casey James was doing "Okay, it's alright by me" by Eric Hutchinson. He said, "This is a lot like some of the stuff that I write and I think it is representative of what I do." Casey had a light blue sport coat on, a muted multi color shirt and jeans. The beat was ok, but it wasn't spectacular and I didn't recognize the song. My vote: 3

Randy said, "Casey, what's going down. Simon Cowell is a funny guy. The funny thing about that lyric is that the song was just kind of alright now for me. It didn't quite work for me man." Ellen said, "This is like the moment, do or die, right tighty, lefty loosey. You should have blown us away." Kara said, "You should be fighting, and if you take it a first listen to a song when people haven't heard it before - well that is tough, and it is hard to establish your own." Simon said, "This is arguably the most important night of your life. I hope that was the salad and that the main course is going to be better. Unfortunately, that song will have no lasting effect. I think that was a dud song choice but you sounded good."

Crystal Bowersox - #5702, #05, or #08

Crystal performed, "Come to my Window" by Melissa Ethridge. Crystal said,"It's a song about passion and love. I am here to have fun and get votes". She started off on the harmonica and then played her guitar and at first I thought she might have a star moment, but parts of her performance seemed a little screechy and she had an odd arrangement. Unfortuantely, I don't think the arrangment did anything for her. My vote: 2

Randy said, "Listen, it is that time in the competition - looking for a winner. I did not love the arrangement, me personally, but it is amazing song. What I did like, was your vocal. The arrangement was fighting against you but you overcame it. Good song choice." Ellen said, "This is a good song choice, I thought Melissa would be very proud of you." Kara said, "I agree with the guys, you did a little fighting; acoustically - it would have been stronger. It was still a good vocal, and I just think you are capable of a moment and I hope you have a moment tonight." Simon said,"I don't think this was a stunning version but what I like about you and what you did tonight, has been consistent since the first day we met you, you haven't compromised yourself as an artist. I have a lot of respect for you. You decided to do what you do, and I think you probably made the right choice."

Lee DeWyze - #5703, #06, #09

Lee is going to do Lynyrd Skynard tonight. Ryan said to Lee, "We've heard you have become a different guy since you went home." Lee said, "I kind of went home with expectations, and it was more than I ever could hope for. It's crazy and it is awesome. Simple Man" is one of those songs that I have always loved. I always want to pick something that I can understand; I think it is easier to perform." Lee started out playing acoustic without the band, and built up the dynamics and when the band came in, it was perfect. The rhythm was simple, and the confidence Lee exuded was pleasing to the eye, not cocky, but he looked like he was happy to be there, performing for a crowd that loves him. The blow up's on the big TV screen behind him made him look big - almost like a star we might see on the Grammy's. My vote: #1

Randy said "Great song choice. I could see you doing this. You sounded amazing, and somebody is here feeling like you can win this. Throw it down." Ellen Said, "That's what we're talking about, you took this thing seriously. At first, you were a little lamb and now you are a jaguar or impala or something sleek." Kara said, "What you did tonight is what every contestant needs to do. You showed us everything you got. You had dynamics and the song had meaning." Simon said, "Why did you play that song?" Lee said, "Because it makes me happy. I thought about doing others more current but I wouldn't have connected with other songs like I did this one." Simon said, "I think the contestant song choices have been okay, but that song was on the money. To pick up on what Kara said, I think you just won round one, you just crushed the other two."

Now it's time for the judge's choices for the American Idol Contestants

Casey James song was chosen by Randy and Kara. They chose the song 'Daughters' by John Mayer. The American Idol producers showed Casey James at home, with the girls, while he read a note that said that Randy and Kara had picked "Daughters" by John Mayer for him to do on the American Idol show tonight.

Randy said, "We think that the idea of this song is a great direction for Casey." Kara said, "This is do or die." When Ryan Seacrest asked her, "What does Casey have to do to stay in this competition?" Kara said, "Every star needs to know your audience and this song is talking to women and girls, and that is your audience." Casey performed the song with his guitar, but unfortunately, nothing special caught my attention, and the arrangement was too slow for Casey.

Randy said, "The first song that you chose didn't do much for you, but this song fit you like a glove." Ellen said, "There are going to be a lot of mothers, daughters and who knows, maybe even sons voting for you." Kara said, "This showed the more artistic side of you. I think you did a good job on this". Simon Cowell said, "It was a much better song choice than the first one." Simon said something about the arrangement; the climax was quite limp including guitar solo. Kara replied, "That song is not made for a climax like that." Simon then said,"To be fair, you sounded good on it, but it didn't have that wow factor." Randy said, "It is a more laid back approach."

Crystal is up next, Ellen chose the song, "Baby I"m Amazed"

We saw Crystal at home in Ohio, and she had a pretty big crowd. She got a text, and asked for a drum roll from the crowd as she announced the song Ellen had chosen for her. She was going to do 'Baby I'm Amazed' by Paul McCartney. Crystal said, "Cool - she picked a good one." Ellen said, "I love the song, and I think she is amazing, and I think she can tear it apart." Crystal did do a great job with this song, blowing her hair up off her face when she was done because she gave it her all walking out into the catwalk to be closer to the audience.. She sang in her high range softly with no squeaks, and she belted her powerful middle range. The song was a good arrangement and this time she had no instrument. I was impressed with this performance by Momasox.

Randy said, "America we got somebody else in it to win it." Ellen said, "I couldn't ask for more. That is what I was hoping for and you did it." Kara said, "We heard songs - we didn't know you could sing, and it was a huge risk but you did a great job." Simon said, "When I heard the song choice I thought, I don't get it. What I think after I just heard you performing is that you went out of your comfort zone and you did it. " My vote: #2

(Did you catch the Subway commercial about MomaSox?)

Don't forget to go to I-Tunes to download the songs on American Idol.

Simon chose, 'Hallejulah' for Lee.Dewyze

Ryan Seacrest asked Simon, "Why did you pick this song for Lee?" Simon replied," We have heard this song before, but I don't think Lee is going to do it like anyone else. This is his night and I wanted him to do something that shows his potential as a great artist." Lee brought tears to some of the audience and they stood and applauded. He had tears in his own eyes and he clearly gave it his all. He had back up singers and he looked like he had an out of body experience, his eyes were glossy and his grin weak. The crowd went wild and so did I. Fantastiscal. Reminscent of David Archuelletta's soulfulness.

Randy said, "I've been waiting all season to see who was going to throw down a real gauntlet. I gotta give it to my boy, he set you up. That was unbelievable dude." Lee said," I just want to say thank you to Simon. When he first said I was singing it, I was like Oh Man." Ellen said, "That was stunning, nothing more to be said." Kara said, "Lee this is what this show is all about . You are the heart of this season and you just owned the entire night." Simon said, "Lee look I am very, very proud of you. Because when we sat down last week- before this show you were working in a store and looking for a break. This show has given you a break. You proved you are a fantastic singer, and a great person and I really hope for you, you make it to next week." Lee said to Ryan, when he asked him how he felt performing that, "It was a moment for me, and to have you guys react like that, it was like "Woo - awesome!"

Source:
Fox Television, American Idol 5/18/2010
Edited - Lee's numbers and dial in numbers were initially incorrect, but have been fixed, thanks to reader's for pointing these out to me and my sincere apologies.