American Idol: Top 8 Perform

(S07E28) This is a big week for American Idol. We have three episodes; the performance and results shows sandwiched around the two-and-a-half hour "Idol Gives Back" star-studded spectacular airing tomorrow at 7:30 ET. But first, we have a theme of "Inspirational Songs" and eight Idol contenders to get through tonight. Join us, won't you, for another spectacular non-star-studded live chat during tonight's episode, starting just before 8:00pm ET.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

As this week is "Idol Gives Back," Paula dressed up for the occasion in a lovely strapless cocktail dress. And Kristy dressed up by wearing white jeans. Tomorrow is the big show, though most, if not all, of it was taped this past weekend. In keeping with the theme of charity and hope and love and all that stuff, tonight's theme is "Inspirational Songs."

Michael Johns - "Dream On," Aerosmith
I won't say that I was feeling the neckerchief, but he continues his string of solid song choices and powerfully controlled vocals. Looks like someone wants to make a competition of it. This is one of my favorite songs and I've got to give mad props to Michael for even handling the Steven Tyler wailing at the end of his arrangement.
Judges: Randy thought it was a pretty good song choice, but there were pitch problems and he doesn't think that performance is the kind of singer Michael is. Paula disagreed, saying he sounded as good as he looked and thought he was unbelievable. Simon thought it was a good performance, but agrees a bit with Randy in that he doesn't think Michael works as a "wannabe" rock star. He works better as a bluesy/R&B artist for him.

Syesha Mercado - "I Believe," Fantasia
Syehsa, Ramiele's roommate, says that Rami's working hard and doing well. Is this the first time we've had someone tell us how the just-eliminated contestant is doing? Always risky is singing a former Idol winner's song on the Idol stage. But Syesha has a tendency to reach very ambitiously, and more often than not she reaches that mark. Tonight I really enjoyed the tenderness in her voice when it started before she went into the expected belting. Overall, I think it was a great performance at just the time she needed it. She faltered ever so slightly just before the falsetto at the end, but still it was impressive for me. I could be biased though as I thought Fantasia's performance of this was incredibly moving when she won the show.
Judges: Randy gives her credit for taking on such an ambitious song but didn't feel a connection to it the same way Fantasia did. Paula agreed that not many people can take on a song or singer like Fantasia, but still thought this was one of her most shining nights. Simon said she sang it very well, but it lacked that big wave of emotion that Fantasia delivered.

Jason Castro - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," as performed by Israel "Iz" Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole
Iz's performance of this was with ukelele accompaniment, so Jason also played the ukelele. I thought the piece lost a bit when the strings came in behind him, but this was a brilliant song choice and arrangement for the folksy Jason. The first three contestants must have been inspired by the festivities of the week as they really stepped up their game impressively for me. All three were true to their personal styles and very good in them.
Judges: Randy said that was the hottest performance of the night so far. Paula thinks he has the most definitive sound. It was a perfect song choice and he did a great job with it. Simon hadn't heard that version much before tonight but thought Jason's performance of it was fantastic.
DOUBLEPLAY - It doesn't happen at all some weeks and sometimes it happens multiple times, but for the most part, it is rare that a performance is so good that I want to go back immediately (the joys of DVR) and watch it again.

Kristy Lee Cook - "Anyway," Martina McBride
I think Ramiele would have really been able to shine with this theme. That said, I went into this thinking Kristy would do well with it, too. She's very smart with song choices generally. And tonight she chose a very straightforward song with limited vocal range, but one that reaches out to pull the heartstrings of heartland America. She knows how to reach her audience. She reached a bit farther than her voice could handle at a few points, but as expected and in continuing with the trend of the night, Kristy pulled off one of her better performances of the season.
Judges: Randy said despite a few pitch problems he loved that. Paula thought it was her best performance by far of the competition. Simon thought that she not only showed who she was as an artist, but also did "very good." He agreed with me that it was a smart song choice appealing to her audience.

David Cook - "Innocent," Our Lady Peace
In his opening video, David had a normal hair cut which blew my mind. The shorter cut works for him but the style tonight was a bit top-heavy for me. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't blown away when he started his performance. But by the middle of it, his vocals just pulled me in and I found myself loving it anyway. Not the best we've seen him, but still a good performance.
Judges: Randy wasn't sure it was one of his strongest weeks either; it fell short for him. Paula, however, thought it was just great. Simon, disagreed with her and thought it came across as pompous, citing the white jacket as a reason. Simon thought it was his weakest performance in the last few weeks.

Carly Smithson - "The Show Must Go On," Queen
Yet again, the contestants this year want to tackle Freddie Mercury. Carly has the vocal capabilities to handle the song, but it doesn't really work for me. Don't get me wrong, she can sing and sings parts of this very well, but the arrangement and the various parts where she wailed seemed as if she tried a bit harder than necessary in the arrangement. It was inconsistent for me.
Judges: It started off good, got a bit pitchy in the middle and wound up just okay for Randy. Paula said that while her voice is pretty perfect, there was no connection from Carly to the audience. It was a disconnect. Simon countered last week's comments to say she looked good, but thought her song choice unusual. He thought it was oversung and ultimately it came over as angry and out of control. He predicted she could be in trouble after that.

David Archuleta - "Angels," Robbie Williams
David did not stop smiling once during his interview with Ryan. Does he do it out of nervousness? He performed this from behind a piano and I hoped and prayed he wouldn't get up halfway through to really emote the "meaning" of the song, as I tire of cliched performances. It was weird for me tonight as David was great on the more powerful passages of the song, but it sounded off-key and weak during some of the softer lines. In the end, though, this was one of the most authentic performances we've gotten all season from David. And he stayed his ass behind the piano like he should have.
Judges: Randy thought the moment at the end with the runs and the piano pause was his hottest moment all season. Ultimately, it was crazy and he loved it. Paula said simply, "Fantastic." Simon said it was the best song choice of the night, but it wasn't David's best vocal, ending stronger than it began. Nevertheless, he has nothing to worry about in the voting.

Brooke White - "You've Got a Friend," Carole King
Brooke let someone else play the piano and went with a simple dress, a mic stand and her voice. It is a beautiful song and fits the mellow tones of Brooke's voice, but was that performance memorable or impressive enough to stand out on the night? I think Brooke is very fortunate she went last as I think had she gone first the audience would have forgotten she was even on the show by the end. At least she didn't try to dance. But she did talk as usual throughout the judges' critiques.
Judges: Randy wasn't mad at her for that performance, but it was only okay for him. The song had a special place in Paula's heart and thought it was a definitive performance of it by Brooke and a good cap on the evening. Simon likened it to a pleasant walk in the park. It wasn't original, but it was pleasant.

Remember that there are no eliminations tomorrow night. Instead we have "Idol Gives Back," starting before prime time even, at 7:30/6:30pm Central Time. Watch and call in and go to the Idol Gives Back MySpace page to donate and then come back here on Thursday for a special elimination episode at the usual time.

Best of the Night
Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, David Archuleta

The Bottom Three
Syesha Mercado (because I know you all hate her), Carly Smithson, Brooke White

Going Home
Carly Smithson (Maybe you'll get rid of Syesha this week and I'll be mad at you).