Are you ready to be inspired? American Idol did songs of inspiration tonight for Idol Gives Back week, but I didn’t feel too charitable about their performances.

Hi, this is Randy Salas, and I’m the guest blogger providing tonight’s recap. Let’s get going…

Michael Johns does “Dream On” (Aerosmith). Great song choice. It really fits his range perfectly. It started out more subdued than I would have liked, but way to kick it up a notch, Michael. He can be topped, but this was a fab start to the show. He still hasn’t shown what he can do, though – truly.

Syesha Mercado does “I Believe” (Fantasia). I know Remote Island owner Neal Justin loves her, but I am not a fan. This song choice is another eye-roll for me. The diva thing just isn’t working, because she doesn’t have the voice she think she does. That’s proved with the weak intro, were she sings without support and off-pitch. Even when she powers up, she sings without control. Sorry, but the best part was when the backup singers covered her up. Honestly, it wasn’t horrible, but … eh.

Jason Castro does “Over the Rainbow” (Judy Garland), but Hawaiian style. How long before someone makes the Rainbow Connection with this version? (See Kermit the Frog.) Hey, I’m not wild about the arrangement, but he’s certainly committed to it, with some nice emotion. A little more intensity would have been good, but this was a great comeback for him after a few off weeks. If you can get Simon Cowell to rave about a ukulele, you’re doing mighty fine, my friend.

Kristy Lee Cook does “Anyway” (Martina McBride). The country girl tries to stay out of the bottom vote-getters, but I don’t think it’s working. Kristy Lee doing Martina McBride is like Syesha trying to do Whitney Houston or Fantasia. Like Syesha, she can definitely sing, but there’s always that one sour note that puts her off. Again, the best part came when the backup singers overpowered the arrangement. Double eh — despite what the judges say.

David Cook does “Innocent” (Our Lady Peace). Come on, dude, it might be rock, but you still have to enunciate. I love the guy, but this was just OK. The song wasn’t spectacular — and what an odd arrangement. He’s not leaving the show, but it was definitely an off week.

Carly Smithson does “The Show Must Go On” (Queen). I’m a big fan of this song, one of the last that Freddie Mercury recorded before his untimely death — which gives extra weight to the performance. Going in, it’s a great choice for the Irish singer. But what does it say when even a female singer can’t match the range of Freddie in his dying days? The off-key vocals don’t help either. Great background singers, as usual. Carly simply isn’t reaching her potential.

David Archuleta does “Angels” (Robbie Williams) — not “Wind Beneath My Wings,” as I feared. Whew. I like the grand piano shtick, but the low-key vocals aren’t working. He keeps missing the bottom notes. But did anyone really think he wouldn’t bounce back during the big part? It was a good performance, but I’m surprised at how shaky his soft, low range is.

Brooke White does “You’ve Got a Friend” (James Taylor). Taylor had the big hit, but Carole King wrote it — and that puts it squarely in Brooke’s alley. So, yeah, she’s becoming predictable, too — who isn’t at this stage? — but I have high hopes for her. I know little Davie just did the piano, but she would have been better at the keyboards, too. Instead, we’re focusing on her vocals, and they’re OK but nothing special. And what’s with the Air Supply arrangement? Aw, not the big home run I wanted. I don’t think she’s in danger, but the girl needs to crank it up.

Final prediction: Syesha, Carly and Kristy Lee are in the Bottom 3. Kristy Lee finally goes when the results are announced Thursday. Meanwhile, Idol Gives Back airs for two hours Wednesday night. Are you ready for Fergie to perform “Barracuda” with Heart? We’ll find out.Â

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 6:54 pm and is filed under American Idol. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.