American Idol Top 12

I thought I might not write about Idol this year, but here I am. It was Lennon and McCartney night, and who can resist fractured Beatles?

Syesha "Gotta get you into my Life" She is a serious girl with jazz possibilities. She grooved the song well, but it didn't sit in her voice right.

Chikezie "She's a Woman" He started in a kind of bluegrass style and added rhythm. It was very upbeat and intense--a well put together number.

Raniele "In my Life" Slow. Just kind of lays there. I wrote this down and then Randy said the same thing. All found this boring.

Jason "If I Fell" He sings with guitar. This is new to Idol this year. He is very cute and gets away with murder. It was breathy and out of tune with a lot of badly produced falsetto. He is described as "sincere." For me he was sincerely bad.

Carly "Come Together" Tattoo. She sings high in her voice which I liked a lot. It was hot and well put together. I would class her as very good.

David Cook (There are three finalists named David. Don't they screen for these things?) "Eleanor Rigby" He has an interesting voice with the most professional technique and delivery. And I'm not prejudiced because he's a bartender in Tulsa, my home town. He is sort of funny looking, but he brought it on. He was my favorite.

Brooke "Let it be" Brooke accompanies herself on keyboards and did so again here. The judges like her, but I thought she didn't rise above OK. She needs better breath control to be able to carry her phrases.

David Hernandez "I saw her standing there" He has good style but a mediocre voice--sort of early Ricky Nelson.

Amanda "You can't do that" I didn't know this song at all. She consistently does very professional heavy rock work. She has found her groove. I love her.

Michael "Across the Universe" He got better as he went along. Folks, this means you have not warmed up enough. Sing more before you come out. I felt there was something lurking in there, but I wasn't hearing it.

Kristy "8 days a week" This was done country. She was completely sabotaged by the arrangement which was entirely devoid of any rhythmic sense. There is a rock country style that would work for her, but this completely missed.

David Archeleta "We can work it out" He forgot the words, and Paula advised him that you must never let it show in your face. I liked this. I didn't like him.

I like Carly, Amanda and David Cook.

It is a lot easier to sell an up tempo number than a ballad. This was proved over and over again tonight. Choose the keys with more care, and then work the tune into your voice. I for one am bored to tears with the whispering on the low notes followed by yelling up high. This whole evening made me appreciate the Beatles as singers.