American Idol Top Nine Honor Your Idol

With Dianne Warwick in the audience, the flag of redemption raised for Heejun and nine fantastic performances, what can I say? The night was the best in American Idol history. No a shrill, squeak or not-my-fault-frown from any contestant.  Come to think of it, this year the attitude on stage is high octane par one.

Each contestant shined as they honored their idol in music. The idol's song. Elise surprised the pants off Stephen Tyler with her rock-n-rock.

Jessica commanded the stage and let her voice take you on a journey. Humble with much potential.

Phillip, always a favorite, poured his life into each and every note. Love his low-drop to a growl and pull me back up. A top three contender. One of my favorites, if pushed to admit.

Colton demonstrated a softer-side and left us with our emotions embraced in the "One". Showed a vulnerable side and I loved it.

Ah Joshua, you get under our skin. On a side note, the jacket didn't do it.

Everyone stepped up a player last night. The applause is probably still echoing in the hall so I'll take a stab and pick my exit vote based on the entire package.

My exit vote is: Heejun

American IdoI Top Ten - Billy Joel

AMERICAN IDOL TOP TEN 2012 

8:00pm across American and it's American Idol and away we go. 

Billy Joel and TommyHilfiger. What a duo. 

Tonight’s theme is Billy Joel. I love Joel’s music. It taps into the story telling of every day life: the heartache, the mundane, and the Uptown girl. Can they step up and do justice to the Piano Man? 

Tommy Hilfiger dons the stage to pull the contestants to star appeal. Hopefully he didn’t watch “The Voice” and all we see are females in scantily-clad outfits with Blake drooling on the sideline. 

Stephen Tyler – Tommy Hilfiger’s worse nightmare. Flowers on the mike were a curious addition. With the black stripes on varying black stripes accented with bulbous silver beads for a moment I thought Jack Skeleton was a guest judge. Tommy probably popped an antacid or two. 

Now on to the show. Randy deferred to Jennifer several times. Man up Randy and speak your mind without backup. 

01 – DeAndre – The good may die young. An omen? Beware, you may be on *death* row in the American Idol contest. Sunglasses tucked into the neckline of his undershirt. Cool for the beach. Not sure on stage. 

02 -  Erika – Love the hair! Gutsy girl ready to take a chance and it paid off. I almost feel like I’m in a New York state of mind. Believable. Excellent tonight. 

03 – Joshua - I disagree Jennifer. I connected although not his type of song. Danger zone for Joshua is too much of the same vocals. Tame it down and turn it around. Still a top five contender. 

04 – Skylar – Shameless it wasn’t Garth. 

05 – Elise – Powerful! Owned herself tonight. There’s something in her persona that reminds me of Mariah Carey. A look and yes, the feathering of the fingers with the run and perhaps the framing of the hair. Wasn’t thrilled with the flowing dress but the vocals were her best. Great job! 

Okay, so far Tommy is battling resistance on styling up the contestant. Bell bottoms or over powering dress. Neither one works. 

06 -  Phil – If that’s what it’s all about, then I’m moving out. You sold me. 99% of Americans should embrace the words of that Billy Joel song and make it their motto. Phil knows Phil. Wouldn’t change a thing. One of the top five contestants. 

07 - Jessica – Raw talent with vulnerable flaws. Tame the horse but don’t break the spirit. 

08 – Hollie – She’s so cute and definitely dressed better tonight. Score one for Tommy. Honesty is one of my favorite songs but honestly, she didn’t quite grasp it to her ability. Not bad just not great. Frankly, I was distracted by the dandelion blowing in the background. Back to weeding tomorrow. 

09 – Heejun – Entertaining, pitchy, draining my patience. Perfect exit song. You’ll go out in style. Your style. 

10 – Colton – Master musician, artist and entertainer. Knows how to pick the perfect song to please the audience and pull them in and after all isn’t that the mark of a great performer? He’s here for the long run and glad for it. 

My exit vote for tonight is: Heejun 

What’s your take?

Billy, did they do you proud? A Downtown girl who grew up on Uptown music, I say yes.

American Idol Top 13 - Let The Battle Begin

American Idol Season 11

Notepad in hand, volume churned up a notch, and a chilled glass of Frei Brothers Chardonnay in hand, I’m ready for the top 13 contestants of season eleven. With the buttery warmth of a California Russian River Valley wine, I curl on the couch and sip in anticipation. What’s this? Ryan grew an inch. Love the extra length of his stacked hair. It adds dimension and sex appeal. Nice touch. 

Let the battle begin: 

01 – Joshua.  Energized, believable, depth-of-soul performance. No doubt, easy front runner. Left-hand plays like a penguin in dance. 

02 – Elise. “Not My Baby Tonight”.  Struggles with feedback. Hmm….oh no, Randy deferred feedback to Jennifer. Not a good sign. 

03 – Jermaine. Love, love, love his voice. Stay… 

04 – Erika. Deep, rich vocals. Didn’t quite work for me. Perhaps not capable Whitney’s range. 

For a decade selecting a Whitney Houston song was the dreaded exit-curse. In respect, I understand, but still difficult songs to deliver. 

05 – Colton. Hit a homerun with team Daughtrey and Cook. Way to go! I'm going to love this season. 

06 – Shannon. No, no , the Randy defer to Jennifer again. Like Dawg, quit passing the bad news to Jennifer to deliver. Man-up. Fair is fair. Rough night, overwhelmed by the song. Too big a song for a young soul. Next time. 

07 – Deander. Local boy. Not bad but stay focused. Tends to lose stage presence. 

08 – Skylar. Top contender. Now I know just where my broken heart went. It went South.  Country girl rocks. Excellent! 

09 – Heejan. Randy to Jennifer for the third time. Randy, please watch the play backs and step up to the plate and deliver your own uncensored comments. Smooth notes but pouts on stage. Not a front runner. 

10 – Holly. Proof. Great gifts come in small packages. Goosies. 

11 -  Jeremy. Lovable. Beautiful smooth voice. Complete package? Not sure. Yet. 

12 – Jessica. Untouchable. Sign her yesterday. Incredible tribute to Whitney. Embraced in Whitney’s presence in the last three notes. Haunting. 

13 – Phillip. Quirky, unique, energized. My type of performer. 

In the danger zone:  Shannon, Deander and Elise. 

Safe on home plate:  Jessica, Holly, Skylar, Phillip and Colton. 

Now to pick up the phone and cast my equal opportunity votes for: Joshua, Colton,  Jermaine, Skylar, Jeremy, Holly, Jessica and Phillip.  A job well-done deserves a vote. A job superbly-done, deserves redial. 

The Round Up is on the vine, let the weeding begin…and how does your finger dial?