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? 

American Idol 13

Okay, I admit. I'm an Idoler. A seasoned American Idoler.

I reeled over the Chris Daughtry elimination. Gasped with the Taylor Hicks win. Celebrated the David Cook moment.

With the outstanding talent this year, I'm up for the challenge to pick the best.

Randy, Jennifer and Steven did a great job weeding through shrill notes, sour faces, off-key auditions, and foul gestures to present the public with 13 viable contestants.

For me, it's easier to say today who I feel is going home, than project a season winner.

After the March 9 show, I believe Thia may go home. This is a difficult as she's a local Bay Area girl with a tremendous voice and I like supporting a hometown contestant. While her youth should be her biggest advantage - sparkle, energy and vibrancy - it's her biggest disadvantage.

The kid in Thia appears lost. Go play, have fun and be a teenager. Come back a young spirit and cast the old soul. Hum the words to your song and you'll get by. Smile.

Although a favorite, Paul's cut-string marionette moves distract from the experience. Remember AI, it's all in the package. Perhaps, tie a bow or ribbon on Paul to keep him in one place. As I try to recover from vertigo, Paul drops to sixth place on my list.

Haley? Not sure I like yodel but it was done well.

My top five choices are Casey, James, Stefano, Jacob and Scotty. For today....and yours?