Idol rocks out

It's Bon Jovi night on American Idol, which should be interesting since nobody in the group really has any edge to them (except Simon and Ryan). Shot of Antonella and Gina in the audience, two people who would've been great this week.

Then Ryan tells us they raised almost $70 million last week. Wow. 3,000 concerts in over 50 countries lead the list of superlatives about Jon Bon Jovi et al. He says he's looking for a sincerity and delivery from them. Hmm, wonder how come they're not doing Motown week here.

Phil Stacey doing Blaze of Glory, from rehearsals I think he's gonna do well--got the look, and the voice. JBJ says he knocked it out of the ballpark, obviously knows the song. Dramatically walks out of the audience, in gray leather and jeans; he's very good actually--good mix of fierceness and confidence. Totally believable; in total command, plays with the audience and the judges. Shades of Chris Daughtry, but with a thinner voice. Some Navy buddies in the audience; hmmm, he may have pushed himself into the top three. Randy drops in he actually recorded that song with JBJ; 2nd best performance ever on this show; Paula says the best opening all season long; Simon says it was okay, to lots of boos; no authenticity, like a bad actor playing a rock singer. And adds he doesn't think he's gonna last till next week--hmmm, very odd, does he see Phil as a threat he wants to squash?

Jordin Sparks, doing Living on a Prayer. She's gonna rock; this is a good week for them all, upbeat songs to belt out. Tells JBJ her mom's gonna freak out, and that she's listened to them growing up. JBJ says a tough song choice, they had to put in some work; is blown away by her. Hmm, very rocky start--all thin, doesn't flow; all in black with big hair. No edge, maybe it's just so different from JBJ's voice. Also a bit safe, no real crazy feel to it--audience isn't into it at all. Hmmm, not good; first time I've felt like Jordin wasn't awesome. Good thing with the 2-week thing she's got a big cushion from last week. Randy says tough for you, right; definitely not the rock girl, she agrees that the verses were a bit rough; Paula says it's hard but you went for it even though it was a bit out of your range; Simon says--as she says give it to me--the look was horrible, and the singing was verging on shrieking, totally lost control. But agreed with Paula big disadvantage doing guy's rock songs.

LaKisha Jones, another person who may struggle. In odd black outfit with a red sash emphasizing her waist; says she's never listened to his music. This Ain't a Love Song--wow, seems like she's found a good song for her, soulful. JBJ says he'd bet money she's not going home this week singing this song. Wow, she's good--just slow and controlled, it's like the old LaKisha is back. Just the right amount of attitude, belts it out, totally believable and nice to listen to. Why didn't Jordin find this one?! She gets a roar halfway through; this is great, actually. Stops near the end to let the crowd's shrieks builds; nails it. Wow, the best I've seen from her this year, one of the best performances of anyone. Randy says you're back, a little rough/pitchy at first but sold everyone by the end; Paula says good job; Simon says I could kiss you after that, Ryan brings her over and he does, right on the lips; you're so good he says, you rose to the challenge, absolutely nailed it.

Blake Lewis next; he's done something crazy to his hair, it's all brown and looks horrid. He's gonna have trouble, with that pretty boy aura of his. You Give Love a Bad Name; he's got some sort of plan for it, JBJ says it's an adventurous rendition. Blake says he's taking a risk; JBJ is a bit nervous, 16 measure of not singing on a show that's suppose to highlight singers worries him.... Whoah, does sound effects of a record dropping to start; throwing in all sorts of things; I guess if he's going to go out, it'll be his way. Pretty entertaining actually. Total beat box halfway through, the whole nine yards, a back and forth with the drummer; the lighting is even a part of it. I gotta tell you, it's one of the most interesting things I've seen on this show; can't take your eyes off it. The audience is just going nuts, the most original version of a song ever on AI says Randy; Paula says it was amazing; Simon says half will love it, the other half will love it, absolutely the right thing, very brave taking a massive risk and this'll keep you around.

Chris Richardson next, before the break it was like he was trying to rock out like Blake. Uh, good luck. In black with jeans; poor answer to a viewer question, says just have fun a billion times. Wanted Dead or Alive--sounds absolutely horrid in rehearsals, JBJ says he may have been nervous, didn't know all the words; JBJ seems quite intelligent based on his comments. Hmm, Chris isn't bad--tone of his voice fits the song, there's an edge of desperation to it; good song choice. Looks totally insane, but sounds good. Voice is too thin to be great on this song, but really, he's not bad--not totally believable but not his usual wretched performance either. Flags toward the end, really runs out of steam plus the lyrics are just so repetitive that he peters out. Randy says not bad, Paula says it's turning out to be a great night, Simon says you did as much as you could do with that song, not your style, may not be good enough to stay another week.

Melinda Doolittle who tells JBJ she doesn't know how to rock; doing Have a Nice Day. Okay.... He likes her soul, tells her to just be like in church; she's like okay, I like church. She's funny; out in brown and jeans; wow, is actually a bit believable, better than Jordin did. Some grit in her voice; and her usual total confidence. Some attitude too; it's not great, but still very good. A bit shrieky and nasally for my taste. Randy says not your best, but very good, liked the Tina Turner in there; Paula says great workout; Simon echoes the young Tina Turner, you were vocally in a different league than anyone else.

Oh my gosh--they close with President Bush and Laura saying thank you on tape--he pronounces Africa oddly, but it's quite an appropriate message, Laura even makes a joke about his dancing. Wow; what can't Idol do?!

It's sad, but we're almost at the end of this season before we have a show that I think had almost all good performances. One thing though, I'm now cool with Melinda winning; she won me over tonight. I'm also fine if Blake makes the top three, along with either LaKisha or Jordin.

Blake Lewis
LaKisha Jones
Phil Stacey
Melinda Doolittle
Chris Richardson
Jordin Sparks