American Idol Top 11 Billboard NO 1’s

Simon and Kara seem to be getting closer every week.  Kara even admitted that Simon enjoys giving Kara a hard time.

1. Lee Dewyze – Miley indicates lacking stage presence needs work I agree.  Great song choice Lee.  Much more personality than last week and that I’ve seen from you so far.  Feels like you are connecting a little better.  Love what your version of the song.  Jazzing it up with the horns made it hot.  Great performance.
• Randy – Knocked it out of the box.
• Ellen – Comparing him to a pen I think.  Fantastic.
• Kara – Raised the bar for yourself never sounded better or seemed more comfortable.
• Simon – Really surprised you choose that song.  Seemed corny, you were missing last weeks point and it was not a moment.
• I disagree with Simon 100% you brought back a classic.
2. Paige Miles – With Phil Collins song “Against All Odds” – Sounding pitchy at the open to me.  Watch that tone girl.  Very rough don’t know if it’s your voice still healing but it is not sounding good at all.  I don’t know but are you singing in the key that’s right for me.  Hitting the big notes is great but you have to hit all the notes in between.  I’m sorry but this is coming across as a train wreck I just do not like what you have done tonight it was a terrible performance.
• Randy – Honestly terrible.
• Ellen – Positive you didn’t fall down.  Look stunning.  Passing to Kara and Simon.
• Kara – You stopped competing and listening worse we’ve heard from you and all over this season.
• Simon – Had here critique herself.
3. Tim Urban Taking on Queen “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – I look forward to it.  You need to knock it out tonight.  So far great.  Pitch is good.  Interesting switch up on the key.  Have fun just don’t break anything.  Way to hit the audience and connect.  You are in your element tonight.  I’m enjoying immensely seems it a bit forced so you just need to relax a tad more I think.  All in all one of your better performances but expect to be dinged.
• Randy – Vocals were so boring, bad karaoke.
• Ellen – Felt like it was an audition for High School Musical it was corny
• Kara – Ellen hit the nail on the head.  Didn’t change it up enough.  Acted like you already made it.
• Simon – Sliding around was a good distraction from the song.  Completely and utterly pointless and silly song choice.  Your not taking a part in this.
4. Aaron Kelly – Problems with your voice.   I’m pulling for you kid.  Wonderful choice.  I think it will gentle on your voice.  Absolutely rocking it out.  Country all the way and I love it.  It’s as good as watching the original artist.  You need to come out of your shell a bit.  However I can see where you may not be feeling the best.  One of the best two of the night.
• Randy – Not a perfect performance.  Thank you came out and started singing.
• Ellen – Perfect voice.  You are so good.
• Kara – Best song choice of the night.  You know how to pick the right songs.
• Simon – Very brave for what you’ve got. Making yourself old fashioned.  0% chance you are going home.
5. Crystal Bowersox – Me and Bobby McGee – Miley is absolutely right you can do it take the risk.  I think it’s a perfect song choice for you.  Opening felt a touch rushed but before the first chorus you had it where it should be.  Great vocal.  If you are having pitch problems I’m not seeing it.  However it feels like I’ve seen this performance countless times before.  I think you could have made it more your own.  I feel you played it safe and stuck too close to the original.  Someone of your caliber should be making it more your own.
• Randy – That’s what is called being a star.
• Ellen – Nothing wrong with the performance only thing we are missing a connection and personality.
• Kara – Felt more, loose the guitar. 
• Simon – Wouldn’t change anything. 
• I feel you are being giving more praise than you deserve by the judges.  You do have a great voice and can do a considerable amount but I feel disappointed for you can do so much more.
6. Michael Lynche I love the song choice for you that is the best song you could have chosen.  This is it.  I’m tired of saying I’m looking for more.  Let’s see.  That’s it big guy. Wonderful that is where you need to be.  That is the sweat spot.  Chills and I don’t get ‘em often.  Best performance from you that I’ve seen.  Tonight you just entered the competition in my eyes.  Keep fighting and keep going you are moving in the right direction.
• Randy – Not perfect song choice, not best vocal but loved what you did.
• Ellen – Safe choice like driving the speed limit.
• Kara – Technically it was really good felt it was a bit boring, over indulgent.
• Simon – Almost too much, keep it simple remove the band.  You made it very lounge.
7. Andrew Garcia – I agree loose the guitar I’m sure you can do it as long as you don’t forget your lyrics.  Unique intro to the song.  Finally you are showing personality.  Vocals sound good.  After the unique intro all I can say is it seemed a bit routine and familiar.  I’m not wowed, it’s a good performance, I know you can do better.  Make it your own next week, don’t be afraid to make changes that enhance who you are.
• Randy – Was not good.  Wrong song choice not the kind of vocalist you are.
• Ellen – Not enough to get a bunch of people onboard not a good song choice.
• Kara – Your really confused you were being moved like a puppet.  You have to go back to that moment and figure out what you did.
• Simon – Problem was the arrangement was horrific you sucked the soul out of the song.  Made yourself really corny.
8. Katie Stevens – Big Girls Don’t Cry – Big Song I know you can do it.  Excellent pitch good song choice and I love your voice.  I don’t know if you’ve made it your own enough.  I love your performance. and it would seem your confidence is getting better.  All in all a good but not great performance.
• Randy – Not best performance and a little pitchy.  You listened and I like that.
• Ellen – Think it was your best performance so far.
• Kara – This is it for you pop with R&B leanings this is where you belong.  Mad pitch issues.
• Simon – Think you meeting Miley was great for you.  Do I believe you are believable.  Good performance.
9. Casey James – Power of Love – Good pitch I already like you but this seems to be a text book performance of this song.  You have the talent and skills to make this your own.  It just feels like your breezing through.  Work for it.  Nothing should be easy and safe.  You didn’t wow me tonight like I know you can.
• Randy – Was not a fan of the song choice you did it well and it was believable.
• Ellen – Best vocal of the night.
• Kara – You are on another level.
• Simon – That song was old fashioned 25 years ago.  Did not make it current.  No effort, no originality.
• I agree with Simon.
10. Didi Benami – Come I’m tired of seeing no changes show me something new.  I love the quality in your voice.  It’s a believable performance.  You are knocking it out.  Close to the original not much change up but I am enjoying you performing this you are really getting into it and connecting with the song. Great job and vocals.  Next week show me more you. 
• Randy – Loved the idea of it.  Pitch all over the place.
• Ellen – Don’t get the song choices tonight not the right one for you.
• Kara – Felt you were playing a character it felt like it wasn’t you.  Left me confused.
• Simon – Certain irony, like the bad part of a musical.  Didn’t sound like you.
11. Siobhan Magnus – Have confidence for you are one of the top runners in this competition.  Wow what a voice.  Great song and you performed it well.  I’m not being wowed.  You have your own sound that I love and I feel like we’re missing that tonight.  Did not like the screeching at the end.

    Randy – Thought it was great.

    Ellen – More please.

    Kara – Not best performance.  Loved the end note.

    Simon – Real split, some will like it, some won’t.  Reverse the screaming do it at the beginning.

All in all there were some good performances, however I didn’t see any risks or anyone trying to changeup the songs to their own personality.  Simon I think Crystal failed in making it relevant and pushing herself as well.