American Idol, Round Three - the Girls Performances Recap, Judges' Comments, and My Vote

This week we are now down to 8 girls and 8 guys for a total of 16 American Idol Contestants. Last week another 4 got voted off.

The show opened with Ellen DeGeneres on Simon's lap nudging in his ear with her face. Randy Jackson and front man for Zebra , Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Ryan Seacrest were all giggling as Ellen joked she didn't know that the show had started and got off Simon's lap. I wonder if Simon will miss her when he moves to Fox's feature of his UK show, X-Factor. I think he might. He seems to be very agreeable this year, with Kara, with Randy and even with his supposed rival, Ellen.

Katie Stevens - #5701

Controlled and careful, Katie sang 'Breakaway' by Kelly Clarkson, sharply. I wondered if she could hear. "When the song is too big for you," is how Randy started out. "Sounded like karaoke- Kelly Clarkson has such a big voice, you didn't do it justice." Ellen said, "I'm glad you picked a younger song, and you have a great voice. You're young - I didn't feel you were taking a risk or taking a chance. You weren't feeling those words; I didn't see your personality." Kara said, "You have a great radio voice; I don't think you know who you are yet. You're stumbling but we can't deny that your sound is almost years older. I don't want to fault you for it, the singing needed to be perfect tonight and it wasn't." Simon said, "You've gotten a lot of advice, and you've taken it, but you haven't yet worked out the kind of artist you are. The second half of the song didn't go as it should have, it went gloomy and it sucked the life out of the song. But I will give you 10 out of 10 for trying." My vote: 7

Siobhan Magnus - #5702

Last week Siobhan had a killer note. This week she sang a 1964 hit, the House of the Rising Song, by the Animals. Siobhan said, "I dedicate this to my dad; I grew up listening to him singing this on the piano. He is the best singer I've ever heard, and he says, I'm the best." She started it ac paella, and then drifted slowly into the stronger chorus. I thought she would have belted it more but she kept it soft and a bit dark. Randy said, "I'm already a fan and that was different, it started somber. You take a risk, and we try and help you; I don't think you listen to us, but that was fun." Ellen said, "I'm from that house, and I loved it. I was captivated and I loved what you did, you are spectacular." Kara said, "I love the ac paella, it was brilliant. You are so unique and different; I'm surprised from week to week about you. You are doing great and I really liked it." Simon said, "I wasn't such a fan, I thought from the interview to the performance, to what you are wearing, you didn't do anything with the song that was different. I was under- impressed." She didn't have that moment, like she had last week. My vote: 4

Lacey Brown - #5703

Lacey Brown performed Brandi Carlisle's ' The Story'. Lacey's voice reminded me of Dolly Parton's tonight; she could sell an album and had very good control of her voice on some hard notes. It was a good song for her. Randy said, "It was cool, a little boring, but it was your best performance in a long time. " Ellen said, "It was a perfect song choice, with a distinctive voice." Kara said, "This is why you got here, reaching the register, brilliant choice and you are back on your path." Simon said, "I didn't love the song, but you sang it really, really well. You did a good job with the camera work." My vote: 5

Katelyn Epperly - #5704

Katelyn played the keys and stood singing, Carol King," I feel the Earth Move", and she nailed most the of the notes, better than many of the others so far tonight but the keys kind of got in the way of her personality. She picked up the pace a bit for the night and for the most parts, she hit the notes sweetly. Randy said, "Positive- Carol King hair, I didn't feel the connection to the song, it felt put on but nothing really special." Ellen said, "Is that a guitar referring to her last "sleepy performance' with the piano; I'm not sure that is going to make people pick up and dial." Kara said, "I didn't feel like you were competing tonight." Simon said, "Start with a positive - I like your hair. Downside - kind of like a request night at a restaurant, sang it well, performed it well, you chose to pick a simple song, and didn't do anything special with it." My vote: 6

Didi Benami - #5705

Didi played her guitar and sang, "Rhianna" by Fleetwood Mac and Didi changed it up just enough to be a winner. Randy told her, "It was definitely a whole lot better than last week. I'm not sure there was a wow moment, but that was the person we fell in love with." Ellen told her, "Yes indeedy, Didi. You got back up after being torn apart last week -I liked what you did with this. Everybody has opinions, great job coming back." Kara said, "One of my favorite moments of the show this season. I thought you were out of your mind picking that song, but you can surprise us with how much you can make that your own. It really was one of my favorite moments." Simon, "I have to agree with Kara. Head and shoulders above everyone so far tonight; you've proved that you are talented. I thought it was a brilliant song choice, and you came back after you got mulled last week, great job." My vote: 3

Paige Miles - #5706

Classic Charlie Chaplin, 'Smile', Paige Miles sang the song, softly, but it was missing soul, and little connection with the song or audience. She struggled with the notes and was screaming in the higher octaves - nerves got her towards the end as we could sense her voice beginning to shake. Not a very good American Idol performance. Randy said, "Ah....that is one of my favorite songs of all time, and it didn't work - way too big. It was a banquet song, and fell flat." Ellen said, "That song should be uplifting but it was sad and heavy. This is the time to shine and I don't think that was the right song." Kara said, "They've said it, what more can I say, it was all wrong." Simon told her, "The arrangement was all wrong. You had so much potential but the problem is you've got no idea who you are. You've made some bad decisions. This might be the end of the road." I was thinking the same thing she is going to have a tough time performing that one on Thursday. My vote: 8

Crystal Bowsersox - #5707

Crystal played her guitar and rocked the house with Tracy Chapman's, "Give me one more reason". It's a personal favorite of mine, and tonight, Crystal made me believe she could be the next American Idol. Many of you have been telling me that for weeks, but I didn't see it until tonight. She reminded me of the transformation we saw with another gem named Jewel, as she grew in fame almost overnight. Randy said, "Listen man, this is what the show is about for me. Love that, the soul, you - I'm a fan. That was hot." Ellen said, "I'm sick and tired of saying this but you are amazing, and the best performance of the night." Kara said, "This is what we are trying to tell the others - see it's easy for you because you know who you are. And now I know where you are going with your record and that is when I get really excited." Simon said," You are one million-billion percent in the top 10 next week. You have changed; you've got confidence, you are starting to believe it, and I can see that now. You are the one everyone has to beat." My vote: 1

Lilly Scott - #5708

Performing, Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces", Lily played a mandolin, and she sang the song in a modern way, kind of like Amy Winehouse might do if she had her head on straighter. Randy said," Love the mandolin, love the original sound, I think it was hot and you were in the zone." Ellen said, "Loved it, love you." Kara said," I don't know how you did it but you made Patsy Cline feel current, great." Simon said, "You were very brave. That didn't have the wow factor. It was cute, quirky but it could have been risky. My vote: 2

Wondering what some of the other former idols are doing now? Check out "Former Idols in the news" and stay tuned for tomorrow's Round three, the guys and their performances.

Sources:

Fox Television, American Idol, March 9, 2010

Former Idols in the news American Idol.com