American Idol Recap: Dolly Just Loved 'em to Pieces!
If AI mentor, Dolly Parton just loved this crew to pieces, you can imagine how she felt about one contestant in particular - Michael Johns. "He could make some good records," she said, "and I could write some good songs for him."
Michael sang her, "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" and let me show you just how right it was! WATCH THIS! "A blazing hot performance," Randy cheered! No more jeans and worn out T. Dressed to kill, Michael spiked the barometer tonight with a sexy vocal and look that says STAR.
Singing his very own arrangement of Dolly's, "Little Sparrow," David Cook proved his originality and range. Simon noted, "If you can make a song about sparrows good, which actually you did, congratulations."
Dolly mentioned that Cook has the heart to know what to do with a song like that. She's also gathered he's a performer who has no problems reaching. "And when he reaches for it he catches it."
"Here You Come Again" was a soft (but strong where it needed to be) performance by Carly Smithson. Dolly thought it was the perfect song for her. She looked as beautiful as can be. Simon, however, had an issue with her wardrobe. "Have a word with whoever is dressing you." He added, "without sounding rude... you have to look like a star."
What a beautifully emotional performance from David Archuleta! Simon called it "on the money." He sang "Smokey Mountain Memories" using his emotion that Dolly said was feeling "exactly what I had written in the song." Archuleta said the song reminded him of home and his family.
Jason Castro's voice reminds one fanatic of a Colorado postcard. The girl wrote Jason a handfull of fanmail. One piece read: you're voice is as relaxing as the scene on the front of this postcard.
Dolly called Jason funky looking and kind of cool. She also liked how he chose "Travelin Through" because she thought it deviated from what he's been doing. Paula agreed, "it's one of your strongest performances.. your voice was so strong and rich."
"This is where I lose my pass to Dollywood," Simon jokes (in all seriousness). Didn't like that at all. Don't think the music suits you. If this had been the first time I had seen you or heard you, I wouldn't get it." Randy thought it started rough but it picked up in the middle and he started believing in Jason.
"I Will Always Love You" by Syesha Mercado was what Dolly called a good combination of both Parton and Whitney Houston. Syesha started out so simple and I thought, why if she has the big voice to support a power range that's Whitney-like? But she brought it eventually and knocked it out.
Paula told Syesha she's growing and that her velvet tone is it for her. Simon thought otherwise, "the first part was good... the second part paled in comparison to Whitney." And Randy commended her for taking on the "biggest tiger of the night." Anyone else notice Ryan rushed to commercial after Simon finished his bashing? I don't know, but something seemed unfair.
Speaking of inequity and observances, let's move on to Kristy Lee Cook. Who out there got the sense that Ryan knew a little too much about Kristy's toes? I know she played the barefoot bumpkin on this country night, but I get a notion there's some big time flirting going on between those two.
Now on to... oh yea, her performance. Is that why she's here? With "Coat of Many Colors," Dolly told Kristy Lee her mother will be proud. But the contestant said at this point she'd rather impress Dolly than here mom. She didn't impress Simon with this one. He called it pleasant, but forgettable. And remember, he's the one who wanted her to be the "country girl" of this season. Randy said country music is definitely her "wheelhouse."
Dolly likes the honesty in Brooke White and described her as sweet and warm. Brooke sang "Jolene" and Randy said she had pitch problems. But he also said the music suits her voice and she could make an album. When Paula mentioned that Brooke makes an emotional connection with each song," Simon snapped back, "What was lacking in that song was any emotion." Then he takes a jab at the two performers on stage with her, "I thought all of you looked very odd together as a group." In Brooke's defense Randy pointed out, "She's not a group."
Ramiele Malubay finally let go a bit! Even though she was a little scared to sing a Dolly song for Dolly... she had some fun tonight with "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"! Parton liked her spunk and personality. Simon thought she sang it well, but was forgettable "like what you'd hear on a cruise ship." Randy gave her a 6.5 out of 10. Paula was proud of Ramiele who she said, connected with her audience.
In the end, that's what it's about... connecting and making fans so they will dial your number every week.
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Loved this to pieces. What will Dolly sing tomorrow?
Omg, Dolly Parton was so wonderful on Idol tonight! You truly forget how great Dolly is until you see her and then you fall in love all over again. What an amazing lady.
That picture of Dolly looks like a Muppet. Who's that stoner muppet? That's her!
She's a sweetheart
For a Dolly Week on American Idol, I was surprised that many did so well. After watching the videos again on http://idol-mania.com/american-idol-fan the ones that I thought did the best, where Michael Johns and Carly Smithson.
Even KLC who should have done well on a country theme night performed pretty good.
Ramiele and Syesha were the worst this week IMO.
I agree something's up with Kristy and Ryan.
I just wont to say that I thought all the contestants last night were really good. I really liked Michel Johns performance last night. Am so looking forward to the next one. To me he is truly the one to WIN it all.
Ramie is leaving tonight.
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It better be Kristy Lee that goes. She should have been gone long long ago. I am done with her. She really has the least amount of talent, even though Ramiele didn't sound as good as she really is last night. She needs to pick better songs. Kristy really doesn't have that great range. Most people can sound decent singing country music.
I completely agree with Simon. I really like Carly and she has an amazing voice and she really picks great songs but come on. When you sing a soft beautiful song you should look the part. Put on a dress Carly and maybe once in awhile (when it's called for)cover up that TAT!!
I don't see the Ryan and Kristy thing at all. I'll have to look closer during the show tonight. Hopefully I won't have to look any further next week because maybe, just maybe, she won't be there!
Kristy and Ryan???? She is really pretty but isn't she much taller than Ryan? Even without shoes last night she was taller than him...wasn't she? Maybe this little rumor will squash the gay talk that always surrounds Ryan. Simon always makes remarks and insinuates that.
I LOVE RYAN... HE IS THE BOMB!
Maybe that is why she did not wear shoes. So she would not tower over Ryan. They do make a nice looking couple.
Again I have to say Michael Johns was on top. David Cook and Carly coming in tie for second. I have to say I agree with Simon Carly needs to dress better and OMG you are right she should cover up the TAT once in a while.
Check it out Dude My husband thinks Jason Casto reminds him of a young John Travolta. Does anyone else see it?
DAVIS YOU ARE A ROCK STARS.... REALLY LIKE THE WAY YOU SANG BILLIE JEAN WOW SO HOT I WOULDN'T EVER THOUGH IT COULD OF BEEN SANG LIKE THAT WAY TO GO DAVID...YOU WILL GO AS FAR AS JOHN COUGAR..... DANIELLE FROM VERDUN MONTREAL QUE CANADA
YES HE REMINDE ME ALSO OF JOHN TRAVOLTA.... HOT & SEXY HE GOING TO BREAK ALOT OF WOMANS HEART...LOL
DAVID YOU WILL BE A SUPER ROCK STAR JUST LIKE JOHN MEL.COUGAR YOU ARE SO HOT SPECIALY THE WAY YOU SANG BILLIE JEAN...WOW NEVER THOUGH IT COULD OF BEEN SO GOOD THAT WAY... WAY TO GO DAVID KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK....DANIELLE
Michael johns can be on top as long as that's on top of me anytime.
i agree something's up with Kristy and Ryan.