KRISTY LEE COOK - RESCUE ME

KADY ALEXIS MALLOY - GROOVY KIND OF LOVE

ALAINA WHITAKER - MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY

BROOKE WHITE - HAPPY TOGETHER

CARLY SMITHSON - SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE

AMANDA OVERMYER - BABY PLEASE DON'T GO

I'm very dissapointed tonight. I expected great things from Kady and Kristy Lee and they didn't deliver on this all-important first night. And yes, both are vulnerable. I liked Alaina the best, then Carly. I agree with keefir on Alexandrea,Syesha,Asia'h and Ramiele too. Going home? Tough call, just like with the guys. I'm going with Amy and Joanne because I'd really like to see Kady and Kristy-Lee get another chance. Brooke could also be vulnerable.With no real fanbases in play yet, anything goes.

SYESHA MERCADO - TOBACCO ROAD

ASIAH EPPERSON - PIECE OF MY HEART

ALEXANDREA LUSHINGTON - SPINNING WHEEL

JOANNE BORGELLA - I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR YOU

RAMIELE MALUBAY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME

AMY DAVIS - WHERE THE BOYS ARE

I'm with ya Keefir on the top performances.  Once again, the sisters in this competition are bringing it with the exception of Joanne.  I'm really curious as to why the African American males have not been strong in the last three seasons, there's only one in this year's Top 12 males - I really would like to see Chikeze make the tour because it's been since Season 4 that an African American male has been on an AI tour.  Okay, just had to make that point - it's been bugging me that AI hasn't been representing this demographic.

So far my female favorite is Asia'h - she's very likeable and has good energy; she also seems like one of those happy people (I tend to be drawn to happy people), oh, and duh - she can sing too!   Ramiele is adorable and can blow.  I also dig the rocker, Amanda and was quite pleased with Carrie Underwood, Jr. - Alaina.  Syesha and Alexandrea both were good and have likeable personalities with a little attitude.  Syesha reminds me a lot of Nadia Turner from Season 4, and I loved her!

Kady Malloy needs to wipe off that bratty/pouty face during the judges review and at the end of the show, it's gonna hurt her, especially when she didn't bring it.  I'm sure she'll make it to next week, but she better pull it together.  I always remember how critical they were of Katharine's every twitch, and the general public tends to pick on the pretty girls even more.  Kristy Lee Cook wasn't all that good either, but will probably survive.  IMO, the Happy Blondes - Alaina and Brooke beat out the prettier blondes this go round. 

Okay, now I need to ponder my eliminations . . .

Nerves and cold have taken over some of them.

I have to say a couple of performances blew me away tonight. Asia'H Epperson and Alexandrea Lushington performed very very well. BRAVO!! BIG KUDOS to Ramiele, Syesha and Alaina. And, Carly, Kady, Kristy, Amanda, and Brooke will move to the next round as well. Each one has her own sound and style to appreciate and consider.

This is tough, but Amy Davis and Joanne Borgella might go home.  I just didn't enjoy Joanne's voice, and Amy got lost in her song.

Yes, the happy blondes beat out the pretty blondes, this time. Except for Joanne, the sisters, with Ramiele, blew and rocked. I have to agree with you, CoJo.

_____________________________________________________________________

Bill, I got some more ramblings to do. Talking about the blondes, and this is talking subjectively, Kristy Lee Cook stands out, for me, over all, right from the start. Who wouldn't think so in their human-carnal minds is crazy. She's not the ordinary kind of girl around your neighborhood. She's trained in martial arts and horseback riding. She's very beautiful and she looks great in jeans, but that curvy figure just distracts anyone from focusing in her music most of the time and I'm not saying that she's not sexy, for she is, but that's not the point.

It crushed me tonight to not see her in the best singing attitude (as she is suffering from bronchitis), but her mp3 sounds good, actually. It really pleases me very much to see her do well when she could, as she has done it before. Her song choice was not that bad at all. Definitely, she got goods and I know we shall see that time when she delivers with a big bang. Yes, I'm rooting for her because I believe she's got it.

Beautiful face, 5'8" tall, gorgeous body, angelic voice, lovely personality, skilled in dancing, strong disposition, plays softball, swims, fights (with fists of fury), kicks, and rides (horses). A down to earth all-country girl. Wow!!. I was hooked immediately.

I can't say Kady is my second choice because, truthfully and technically, Kady's voice has greater quality and power; good range as well. Her vocal control amazes me and her tone moves me probably more (or just as good) than anyone in the group. But she's young and she could be guilty of any little untoward behavior from her. So she needs to rise up to the occasion and give us, the not-so-satisfied-fans, what we are really looking for from her, because, besides her being the other pretty blonde (and she looked elegant and very womanly in her maroon-brown dress), I know she's pretty talented, vocally, and that, my friend, is the point.

It would really break my heart to have to choose between Kady and Kristy, if ever. Maddie, did it set the tone? I hope. Joe, I know you love this. Where are you, Greg? RESCUE ME!!!!!!!

I have posted the mp3's of the 12 girls for quick review. I divided them into two to not crowd one page with a lot of songs. I didn't do this to the boys performances and that's unfair, I know. Sorry, I'm a girl, that's the advantage.

Kat, you're very much remembered. You're the inspiration behind this.

SN:  zzyzx

I, too, agree with previously stated good performances and I also thought Kady and Kristy were disappointing. They both deserve another chance. I have been struggluing with the elimination issue, but my picks for elimination are Amy and Brooke as well. Just my gut feeling, but what do I know? I'm still waiting for Melinda to win season 6.

The only reason why we're disappointed of Kristy and Kady is because we have put so high of a bar for them and we expected much higher or better performance from these two than the others. I would just say that they lacked the energy with their performance, but definitely, they can sing and they deserve to be back.

As far as the highest-quality vocal timbre--I'd have to go with Alaina Whitaker and Kady Malloy. At least Alaina has a sense of humility (which will help her)--and it appears Katy Malloy doesn't based on her use of "The Malloy Pout" that registered about fifty times on the overuse meter. But then, several of them (including the guys) have a bit of an attitude in them that may or may not hurt them. It all depends on how the public puts it in context. With Kat, she could have stood there in a nun costume (with no baby bump) and still been accused of being a spoiled Hollywood rich kid. It's ridiculous what people will conjur based on outward appearance. And it's even more ridiculous when those who openly show attitude get excused based on whatever variables people take in from the contestant's profiles or other unknowns.

I'm just glad to see some more straight-ahead singing--even if some of it seems a little understated at times. Simon knocking the guys and the girls for being too "cabaret" (I think Americans are still searching for what in the hell that means) or just too old-fashioned is a shame to let become the final word. Apparently Simon doesn't mind the overuse of the melisma or generalized histrionic singing. I'm finding it refreshing to see a return to simpler singers who just get to the basics of the notes. I get the feeling the public wants that, too, and will show it through the voting.

Anyway, I'm probably falling into the trap of taking Simon too literally when he's a walking contradiction and manipulator. I'm thinking because he hops back and forth between Britain and the USA--he gets confused on what makes up the hottest musical trends. The U.K. is still quite different in musical trends from the USA--despite us both still sharing the same hits songs.

For more on the girls: I'm fairly sure that we're going to see girls such as Syesha Mercado and Asia'h Epperson and Carly Smithson end up being surprising front-runners eventually. The ones hyped during their auditions end up self-destructing eventually from over-confidence. You can be sure people like Kady Malloy and Kristy Lee Cook know about the hype in the press. Nonetheless, I wouldn't mind it if Malloy and Cook make it to the top. They're both still compelling--with Cook being more Oregonian-like down-to-earth...

Mattsie - for the record CoJo is CoBaby and Joe combined, so careful when you agree with CoJo it's two people, lol.  I'm just simply Co or CoBaby, Colleen - whatever you want to call me.  I've officially named this the "CoJo Pool" because it's Co and Joe running it.  But no big deal, just wanted to clarify because I'm anal like that.  

And, I second Keefir's thanks for the MP-3s, it's good to relisten to them.  I truly appreciate and thanks for all your great commentary - it adds a lot to the fun, and I like to her your take.  Later!  - Commissioner Co

Oooppss, I did it again. Sorry, Keefir, if I became too subjective to make an objective conclusion. Just take it subjectively, indeed, so it will work. I grant you that beauty or sexiness is in the eye of the beholder. 

Anyway, you're welcome.....about the mp3's. I did it for that purpose - listen without the visual - so as not to be distracted. I do get easily distracted too. So, the mp3 is really a great idea. I'm glad that you liked it.

Ok, in Groucho's words- "let's not get too bent out of shape"- and stay focused at our

KC - KM (Kristy Cook - Kady Malloy)

KC - KM (Kelly Clarkson - Katharine McPhee) initials semblance. This is NUTS!!!

Excuse me, Groucho, I'm not replacing Katharine. Kat is already tucked in somewhere warm and cozy. I'm just trying to get a good entertainment sense out of this medium we got ourselves burried in. But you know, it feels warm and cozy where I am, at least, as well. I have a feeling there will be more songs I would fall in love with in this new KC-KM tandem or competition, which I hope they last awhile and/or outlast everyone else. 

Ok, thanks, Co! I'll take note of that. And you're quite welcome on the mp3's. I have thought about those that couldn't watch but wanted to join the pool. With these mp3's they might decide to join even only from hearing the songs- without the visual - quite possible to some, I guess. Then, we could have more members!

Carly and Asia'h are definitely my favorites and another girl but I can never remember her name... lol  They are unique and they are themselves and they can sing and perform! I like Kady as well, but I was expecting more from her. If she wants to stay in the competition she's going to have to be just her or else she might not make it very far. She's a great singer, but great singing is nothing without personality to go with it.

OMG, JJ . . . I love Asia'h, she's just so hip, cute, cool and very endearing.  She really puts out a loving and happy vibe and seems like a strong young woman, especially after losing her father.  I think her knowing that her Daddy is with her in spirit is making her stronger and you just can't help but like the girl.  My favorite girls are Asia'h and Ramiele - the cry babies , I love them, already! 

Ramiele was a mess, she seems like such a sweetie. 

 That's the other girl I like!!! Ramiele, I have such a hard time remembering her name though!

And I agree with you Co about Asia'h! She's soooo sweet, I really do hope she goes far.

the more i hear Kady's performance she reminds me of a singer that has a familiar sound to it and ugh, i can't think of that performer's name, i hate when that happens. Kady's still tops on my list, i still feel she'll come around and should get better in the weeks to come, she has one powerful voice....

my girls i'm watching closely in this order and i just have to say that Asia'h is really bringing it, she is really amazing so far:

Kady Malloy

Asia'h Epperson

Syesha Mercado

Alaina Whitaker

Ramiele Mulabay

and btw, thank you mattsie for these mp3's, greatly appreciated

About the Girls:

Maddie, Thanks. I want to reiterate your sentiments about Kady Malloy. Last night I went all over the internet hunting for anything on Kristy and Kady, and  I'm staying put on these two. I do admire Alaina, Asiah and Ramiele very much, then Syesha and Alexandrea are really entertaining. But, Carly is the Vocalist, hands down. I know she could sing the songs I love very very well. She is like Celine Dion with a touch of Cher, and that's powerful. Brooke and Amanda are kind of out of place right now for me, although they are the best odds to stick with the evens.

The question is: Who could come up vocally against a male contender? And who could withstand the rigors and fangs of the ever unpredictable music industry? And who's better to be rewarded? Well, who's going to sell?

Answer: Who's going to sell? Not always the winner. We know that. But wouldn't it be nice if we got the next idol winner correctly? One who is loved by many, so entertaining, and whose CD's we will buy, and whose singles are # 1's on the charts. That would be awesome. So, it's a tough call right now really. However, I do have my favs, and I can't be accused of getting everyone's hopes high on a girl, when a boy is the expected winner. Can I?

Note: I voted for Katharine to win in season 5 because I know and I was convinced that she was the best and most talented in her group. But she didn't win and I was disappointed naturally. What can I say? Then I rooted for Melinda last year to win because, again, I know she was the best in her group. But, she didn't win either. Two years in a row, I lost and I was livid.

This year, I don't care if I lose, but I'd be happy if my fav makes it to the top 10 at least. I now have joined the commercial side of Pop Culture --just for the fun of it. I look at AI differently. I still love music and I enjoy watching AI because it's the only reality tv show that mainly jives with my musical inclinations. It's their show, they can do anything with it. I just watch and enjoy the singing. I would never know why the best singer would turn up the runner-up or the 3rd finisher, but I have to take it.