Barry's bunch

Blogging off tape. I guess we find out tonight who deserves to be in the top ten. Tomorrow will tell who's got the fan base. Usual pre-show silliness; contestents stroll across the stage, songs from the 1950s. Hmm, interesting, Ryan asks Simon if it's too early to say who the top three will be, in response to Simon predicting on some shows his pick--Simon says no, Ryan asks how he thinks that makes the non-picks feel, he says not very good.

So it's Barry Manilow, again. Odd, you'd think this show could get a bigger current star than him as it keeps growing. Oh well; they show him working with the kids out in Vegas, talks about how much he loved working with them.

Mandisa first, says she didn't know much about him but has a new-found respect; funny, he gushes over her more than she over him. Also she doesn't agree with his advice, decides to do her own thing, and Barry says she was right. Odd; she's smart, tape-records her session with him. She's singing I Don't Hurt Anymore, in black dress. Hmmm, nice breathy beginning. She's trying something different tonight; showing her range. Bit Marilyn Monroey actually,
but with a real voice. Wow, big notes in the middle. And a huge ending, can totally see her tongue... nice, she can really sing. Crowd goes nuts, keeps applauding. Randy says he's speechless, a classy, unbelievable performance--hmm, words are more awestruck than his body language. And Paula is pretty calm. Simon says she's blossoming, calls it a very sexy performance; not acting blown away though although he says he absolutely loved it. Looks a bit like Oprah.

Next up Bucky, singing Buddy Holly's Oh Boy. Not very melodic in practice, Manilow says it feels long, not much happening. Oh-oh. Bucky talks about how great it is that Barry's so excited to be working with them. He's in a jean jacket top and jeans. Does his own thing with the song, but not sure it's that great of a song to work with. It's definitely boring, not that much there, but Bucky seems to be having a good time. Randy says good song choice, talks around his performance; not the best vocal, but liked the choice. Paula echoes great choice, good solid performance. Simon calls it a pointless karaoke performance, a so what performance. Ryan asks Simon at the end if Bucky can grow and be there at the end, Simon says it can't get any worse for you, it's a below-average performance. Odd, Ryan keeps asking panel how Bucky can get better. Why so much attention, and negative at that....

Paris, yaaay. Singing Fever. Manilow says it's a very mature song; wow, just based on practice you can tell it's going to be good. Manilow says it's shocking she has that kind of depth and power in her voice... Manilow says she has an enormous career ahead of her. In orange dress. Wow, a lot of attitude and control, walks very purposefully. Hard to take your eyes off her; vocally it's nothing so special, but hard to tell, it's building to something. There's like tension here. Audience loves it, including Constantine. Wow, a very big reception. Randy says it started out
okay, by the middle it made him remember how she started first audition, at the end you blew it away. Paula loves her look; vocals were impeccable. Simon says this is what you do best, keeps it short. Hmm, suspicious. I liked it; again, it's been a while since she's blown me away, keep waiting for that to come back, but in the meantime she's definitely right at the top. I think she needs to do something she knows she's great at, like Billie Holiday.

Next, Chris, doing Walk the Line. He likes the lyrics... equates it to his current situation, staying true to his wife while on the road. Says he really liked working with Barry, very genuine; Barry says Chris's version knocked him out. Out of all of them, he says Chris has a great handle on who he is and his strength. Looking forward to this. Black shirt, jeans. Hmm, a very interesting version, rocked up. My gosh, he's so ready to tour and make records, looks so sincere; and a powerful look. It doesn't quite build to anything; whoops, and now it takes off... he totally rocks out at the end. I think actually it loses something here, liked the quietly powerful part better. Crowd goes nuts; as does Paula; wow, audience is just totally going crazy. Randy says maybe not the best vocals, but you put your own spin on it; you're ready baby. Paula says you're one of the ones I can't wait to see what you do; you should already be touring. Simon says not the best vocal, because you made it your own; and you're the first artist who's refused to compromise. I think it's more like he's fine with who he is, and doesn't have an abundance of talent to mess around and experiment. He's lived a lot already, wants to get to being a pro.

Hmmm, Katharine's doing Ella Fitzgerald. Lucky she's not following Paris. In purple gown, hmm, looking a bit like Paula--and definitely looking fat. I totally don't like her, she rips a bit on Simon for not knowing her last name on TV. Come Rain or Come Shine. Wish Paris had sang this song. Katharine definitely doesn't have the likeability factor. Nice beginning though, although a bit overly-breathy. She has a brassy voice; reminds me of Katherine Zeta Jones. Doesn't have the commanding presence of a Paris or Chris either; tries hard though. You get the feeling she could thrown a hissy fit at some point; and oddly enough, song just isn't that enjoyable, it's a lot of big notes, but no sense of flow, almost piercing at times. Big ending though. Eh, it was okay. Randy says not his favorite vocal performance, but it was strong, and you worked it out. Randy trails off; Paula says tough song choice, only you could pull it off (uh, ok...) and you'll be one of the contenders all the way through. Simon says he thinks tonight you turn into a star; again, so odd, they keep puffing her up, says he luvved it. She's so nuts, makes some almost crass comments before the break.

Next, Taylor--who is getting closer to that Steve Martin crazy line, wearing some shiny silverish outfit like something outof the Jerk. Singing Not Fade Away; they show him singing Mandy as he walks in to meet Barry. Manilow calls him a whiskey tenor, likes his tone. Oh boy, crazy dancing right off the start. Lotsof energy, it's just fun wathing him sing, he's such a showman. Gotta be careful not to become too self-indulgent. Not a very melodic song, he's just performing it. He's very self-confident, definitely helps. Close to Dana Carvey doing Church Lady when he dances out in the audience. Eh, it was okay. Randy says you're having so much fun; not sure it was a challenging song vocally, but I love you. Paula says someone should turn your performances into an exercise video, you're one of a kind. Simon is like sorry, but... crowd drowns him out in boos. Says it was a complete mess, some hideous party performance. Tells Paula she's talking rubbish, it's a singing competition not a dancing competition. A lot of back talk and shrieking among the panelists.

Next, Lisa, looking very Vanessa Huxtableish, green top, tan shorts and big poofy hair. Ryan asks how she felt about being in the bottom last time, she says all she can do is do her best, not sure what else to do. Singing Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Barry's surprised at how well she knows the song, impressed by her musical abilities. It's a very Broadway rendition, nice to listen to. Wow, she totally shows off her big voice in the middle. A bit disjointed for some reason, start and stopish. Not sure this'll win her any more fans, she's probably topped out in any case; there are some very nice moments, but overall although I like it not thinking it's amazing. Randy says it was a good performance, just allright for him. Paula likes how she got back to her youthfulness, good energy, big career ahead of you. Simon says it was okay, felt like he was trapped in some sortof high school musical. Lisa at the end says happy birthday to her big brother Billy, who's 21--the way she says it is so genuine, reminds you she really is just a kid and a great one at that.

Kevin up; Barry says he's the sweetest of all of them, picked the perfect song, When I Fall in Love. He says it's fitting for him, as a 16-year-ol he says he's yet to experience it, looking forward to it. Barry wanted it to be more vulnerable, innocent, instead of belting. His hometown paper, Newsday, ran a good profile of him. Just sitting at the edge of the steps, polo shirt and dark slacks. Reminds me a bit of someone a few years ago singing that song from American Tail, Somewhere Out There... you can see what he's trying to do, therefore it doesn't entirely work. Not left hanging on his every word, not entirely believable; not quite cringe-inducing like that other performance was, but definitely just okay. And in the audience--Jasmine Tries. Randy says it's one of his favorite songs, pretty good, sees something of himself in him. Paula likes his moxie, people adore him. Simon says, I like you. You're like a man, you take it; not the best version ever, but you know your audience and I think they'll love that version.

Elliott next, in button-up shirt with tie and jeans. Says beforehand he didn't like Barry that much, but after meeting him was a true Barry fanalow, didn't realize how great he was. Singing Teach Me Tonight. Barry says he needs to become a better storyteller, but sings great--just needs to remember not to sing it straight, caress it a bit. Elliott is calling him a genius by the end. His vocals are a bit off at the start, but definitely less stiff than he's been. Not that oh-so-sweet voice we've heard before, though. Worried about him, not sure who his fan base is. Seems to be trying a bit too hard, instead of just sitting back and singing... it's really just okay, with some very nice moments that remind you of how great he can be. Randy says it was maybe the hardest song to sing tonight, you worked it out despite the rough spots. Paula says she has goosebumps, she was moved; you're so needed in this competition. Simon says the singing was fantastic. And that's it. Definitely a good, hard-working contestant, and a likeable guy.

Kellie! She says she called her grandpa, who said do Patsy Cline. So she does, Walking After Midnight. Barry says he didn't know the song, being a Brooklyn boy, but it was good. Says she's very young, needed to be reminded about what this song's about. She really gets into it after they talk about it, fun to watch. In yellow top and jeans, walks out very sassy. Her voice definitely is a little small for this stage of the competition. Looking much less Dolly Parton. Good tone though, great song choice. None of that sense of desperation that they talked about in rehearsal. Feel like she's yet to just let go and lay it all out on the line. Shows off some range here, she has a better voice than I remembered. It's also a bit brassy, but more real somehow, especially at the end. Randy has this look on his face, like wow/whoah. Great song choice, good performance. Her mike dies out on her. Paula says you were a tigress tonight, a true, authentic performance. Simon says you totally nailed it, was just great, welcome back. Not much to contribute to Ryan's attempt at small talk, she's edefinitely growing up and finding herself.

Finally, Ace. Good placement for him, he needs to be remembered. Doing In the Still of the Night. Hmmm.... Barry wasn't sure jazzy version would work. Kindof talks around it all, says he wound up liking it. Ryan gets some little girl outof the audience to introduce Ace. In dark blue shirt and jeans. Very much working the song; I think he's back, it's interesting to listen to, lets him play to the audience. Elliott could learn from him. Looks straight into the camera; he's quite good, I'm actually enjoying this. Some pitch problems, but ends on a very nice falsetto, per Barry's advice. Randy is totally happy, says you're back, you made it your own. Paula says that's probably your sexiest performance to date. Simon says not the best vocal tonight, like five others better--but one of your stronger performances. Some crazy Asiatic girl in the audience is wearing a red beanie with ACE written on it.

It's funny, I usually like most of them more on the recap at the end than during their actual performance, good editing. Crazy Taylor is doing some weird robot thing in the background as Ryan talks us out. Barry's singing tomorrow, hope it's Mandy.

Paris, 3
Chris, 4
Kelly, 10
Ace, 11
Mandisa, 1
Lisa, 7
Elliott, 9
Taylor, 6
Katharine, 5
Kevin, 8
Bucky, 2

Photo of Barry and the kids from FOX via Yahoo.