Category: american idol season 9

The top 9 performed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 28. Tonight one more will go home.

Siobhan Magnus goes to the center of the stage. Crystal Bowersox joins her. Katie Stevens joins them. Randy does not think any of them will be heading home. He is correct. They are all safe.

Lee DeWyze goes to the far side of the stage. Michael Lynche goes to the near side of the stage. Interesting because I’d have thought both of them are not in the bottom three. Casey James joins Lee. Aaron Kelly joins Mike. Tim Urban joins Lee and Casey. Andrew Garcia joins Mike and Aaron.

One group is safe. The other is the bottom three. Ellen guesses the group nearest to Seacrest. She is correct. That means that Tim Urban has finally escaped the bottom three.

Aaron Kelly returns to safety.

Of the remaining two, Andrew is safe. Michael Lynche is going to sing for his life. He’s the first boot pick with a prayer of being saved. By a unanimous decision, the judges have agreed to save him.

That means two people are going home next week.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 30, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Didi Benami was sent packing last time. Tonight the top 9 perform songs from two of the four Beatles, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Simon says certain songs shouldn’t be changed. Others they can. So basically they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

Aaron Kelly
Song: The Long and Winding Road
Randy: Great voice, beautiful tone. Sleepy song with a bad arrangement.
Ellen: Felt like a long and winding song.
Kara: Good. Not great. Feeling like the same performance every week.
Simon: Very old fashioned. Very boring. Got to become young and relevant.

Katie Stevens
Song: Let It Be
Randy: Your best performance ever.
Ellen: Perfect example of changing it just enough to make it your own without disrespecting the song.
Kara: Never looked better and never sounded better.
Simon: Leaning in the direction which I’ve hinted at very strongly. That’s why you got it right.

Andrew Garcia
Song: Can’t Buy Me Love
Randy: Really solid performance. Sounded good, interesting arrangement, a little corny at times.
Ellen: Perfect song choice. A lot of fun.
Kara: Nothing new from you this week.
Simon: Band overpowered the whole arrangement. Corny, old fashioned, irrelevant.

Michael Lynche
Song: Eleanor Rigby
Randy: The parts that did work were great. Could be on the radio.
Ellen: Can do anything.
Kara: Fire. Amazing vocals.
Simon: The sort of thing you see and hear in musicals. Not contemporary at all. Too over the top.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: Come Together
Randy: Solid performance. Don’t know if it was your best.
Ellen: Loved the way you changed the song.
Kara: Favorite performance.
Simon: Could hear that on the radio.

Tim Urban
Song: All My Lovin
Randy: A much better performance than in the last couple weeks. A good Tim performance.
Ellen: Perfect song choice for you. Your second best performance.
Kara: Took some of the criticisms.
Simon: Did really well.

Casey James
Song: Jealous Guy
Randy: Really impressed you took this kind of leap.
Ellen: Your best performance. So soulful.
Kara: Showed vulnerability, which has been lacking in other performances.
Simon: Best performance of the night. Ginormous week on week difference.

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Across the Universe
Randy: A little sleepy but liked the whole tender side.
Ellen: Should always honor who you are. Cooled it on the high notes as suggested.
Kara: Hit the notes, showed control. Very restrained, very polite.
Simon: Much, much stronger than last week. Unpredictable.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Hey Jude
Randy: You got this. Another hot one for you.
Ellen: Loved it.
Kara: Some off moments, but it’s hot.
Simon: Wouldn’t have done that with the bagpipe player.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 29, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

The top 11 performed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 24, and tonight one more will go home.

Siobhan Magnus is safe. Lee DeWyze and Casey James are also safe. Paige Miles is in the bottom three. And so is Tim Urban.

Aaron Kelly is safe. Didi Benami is safe somehow. Michael Lynche is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe. Andrew Garcia is also safe, which leaves Katie Stevens in the bottom three.

Of the bottom three, Katie is the first person to be sent back to safety.

Paige Miles has been sent home, as Tim Urban skates by another week. Simon tells her she definitely won’t be saved.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 26, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Lacey Brown was the first member of the top 12 to be eliminated in American Idol Season 9 Episode 23. Tonight the top 11 perform Billboard’s #1s. This week’s mentor is Miley Cyrus. Presumably, her advice to the contestants will be to land a highly rated TV show.

Lee DeWyze
Song: The Letter by The Box Tops
Randy: Knocked out of the box.
Ellen: My favorite pen is back.
Kara: Raised the bar. Never sounded better or looked more comfortable.
Simon: Not a recording performance. Quite corny. But sounded good.

Paige Miles
Song: Against All Odds by Phil Collins
Randy: Yo. Wow. Terrible.
Ellen: You look great.
Kara: Worst vocal ever from you and possibly of the season.
Simon: Like there were five of you singing that. Progressively worse with each one.

Tim Urban
Song: Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
Randy: Vocals were so boring. Like bad karaoke.
Ellen: Like an audition for High School Musical.
Kara: Little girls will love that, but not cougars. Acted like you already made it.
Simon: Pointless and silly.

Aaron Kelly
Song: I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
Randy: Thank god you came on the stage and started singing.
Ellen: Perfect song choice. So good.
Kara: Best song choice of the night. Know how to pick a song that accentuates your voice. Want more stage presence.
Simon: Making yourself old fashioned, but there is zero chance you will go home.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
Randy: Star and a dope singer.
Ellen: Nothing wrong with that performance. Feels like a little bit of something between you and the audience.
Kara: Felt more but want to see you let go more.
Simon: Wouldn’t change anything. As good as Pink’s version.

Michael Lynche
Song: When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton
Randy: Best thing you can do is sing the I don’t know what out of who you are.
Ellen: Safe choice but amazing tone and great voice.
Kara: Really good technically. A bit boring, loungey, overindulgent.
Simon: Almost too much. Could have taken place 30 years ago.

Andrew Garcia
Song: Heard It through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
Randy: Not good. Wrong song choice.
Ellen: Not enough to get people onboard.
Kara: Don’t know what to do up there. Didn’t feel like you up there.
Simon: Arrangement was horrific. Sucked the soul out of that song.

Katie Stevens
Song: Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie
Randy: A little sharp all over the place, but you at least listened and are trying to be younger.
Ellen: Your best performance so far.
Kara: Pop with R&B leanings is the right lane for you. Not country like Simon says. Still got mad pitch issues.
Simon: Not sure you’re believable in this area. Could find a loyal market in country. But it was a good performance.

Casey James
Song: Power of Love by Huey Lewis & The News
Randy: Not a fan of the song choice, but you did it well.
Ellen: Best vocal of the night.
Kara: Ready to make an album.
Simon: Was old fashioned 25 years ago when it came out. Like watching an 80s cover band.

Didi Benami
Song: You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt
Randy: Pitch never quite caught.
Ellen: Don’t get the song choices tonight.
Kara: Felt like playing a character.
Simon: Ironic. Like a musical (the bad part). Didn’t sound like you.

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Randy: Happy you sang that song.
Ellen: More please.
Kara: Express yourself every time you perform.
Simon: Some people will like it. A lot won’t. The screaming at the end needs to be changed up.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 25, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

The top 12 performed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 22, making tonight the first full hour of filler of the season, as one person will be sent home.

Starting this week, the judges get one save whenever they unanimously choose to save someone. Last year, they used it on Matt Giraud, who was then sent home two weeks later.

Paige Miles is the first person to join the bottom three.

Lee DeWyze is safe. Siobhan Magnus is safe. Aaron Kelly is safe. Andrew Garcia and Tim Urban both get poor reviews from Kara, who would be comfortable seeing either of them go. Andrew can sit down. Tim joins the bottom three.

Didi Benami is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe. Katie Stevens is safe. Michael Lynche is safe. Casey James and Lacey Brown will duke it out for the final spot in the bottom three. Lacey is the one in danger.

Simon says one of the three in the bottom three is worth saving. The first one sent back to safety is Tim.

That leaves Lacey and Paige in the bottom two. Randy’s not surprised to see them there. Paige is safe. Lacey Brown is out unless the judges save her. They won’t. Too early to use it.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 24, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The eliminations of Katelyn Epperly, Todrick Hall, Alex Lambert, and Lilly Scott in American Idol Season 9 Episode 21 brought us down to the top 12. Tonight’s theme is The Rolling Stones.

Michael Lynche
Song: Miss You
Randy: Reminded me how great of a performer you’ve become.
Ellen: Way to start the night. Amazing.
Kara: Hot on stage.
Simon: Kind of corny performance, particularly the dancing. Sang it well. Tiny bit desperate.

Didi Benami
Song: Playing with Fire
Randy: On fire tonight.
Ellen: Got right back in the song after losing your way.
Kara: Attacked the song with intensity. Two steps in the right direction.
Simon: Beginning to show the kind of artist you want to be. Very solid performance.

Casey James
Song: It’s All Over Now
Randy: Back to the Casey I love.
Ellen: Fantastic.
Kara: No longer just trying to be a rock star. Best performance since we met.
Simon: Like an audition performance.

Lacey Brown
Song: Ruby Tuesday
Randy: Pleasantly surprised. Kinda held it together.
Ellen: Tiny bit sleepy.
Kara: 50/50. Could have put more into it.
Simon: Song way okay. Stop overthinking this.

Andrew Garcia
Song: Give Me Shelter
Randy: Pitchy everywhere.
Ellen: Your best performance yet.
Kara: Didn’t feel the connection. Oh, great, another of Kara’s connection talks.
Simon: Gave it 100%, but something didn’t quite connect.

Katie Stevens
Song: Wild Horses
Randy: Sang really well. Very strong performance.
Ellen: Sounded amazing once you got into it.
Kara: Never technically perfect, but where you were going was the right direction.
Simon: Only week where you’ve chosen a really strong song.

Tim Urban
Song: Under My Thumb
Randy: Didn’t get that. Very bizarre.
Ellen: Felt like being at a resort drinking a pina colada.
Kara: Applaud you for doing something so incredibly different.
Simon: Also applaud you for being different. But it didn’t work.

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Paint It Black
Randy: Bringing the drama to American Idol. That was hot.
Ellen: Rise above and stand out.
Kara: Best interpretation tonight.
Simon: Stand out performance of the night.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Beast of Burden
Randy: Very singer-songwriter kinda thing. Dope.
Ellen: Sounded great, but expected a tiny bit more from you.
Kara: Growing faster than anybody.
Simon: Held back by personality. Chose a very safe song. But you have an incredibly good voice.

Paige Miles
Song: Honky Tonk Woman
Randy: Did alright.
Ellen: Such great star quality and presence.
Kara: Really hit some big notes for someone who had those issues with your voice this week. Young Paige is back.
Simon: Great considering you have laryngitis. Song’s a little generic and old fashioned.

Aaron Kelly
Song: Angie
Randy: Definitely born to sing. Like a little Justin Timberlake.
Ellen: Beautiful stand out performance.
Kara: Very powerful. Really great.
Simon: Sang the song within the limits of your vocal. One of your strongest performances.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Randy: Not your best performance, but I love you.
Ellen: Saw a little bit of personality tonight.
Kara: So comfortable. Easy to watch.
Simon: Song didn’t have what you needed. Beaten by Siobhan.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 23, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

We follow the performances of the top 8 guys and top 8 girls with the voting results to eliminate four more people and determine the top 12.

Didi Benami is in the top 12. Siobhan Magnus is as well. Between Paige Miles and Katelyn Epperly, Simon picks Paige, although she’s been lacking since getting to the live stage. He is correct. Katelyn has been eliminated.

Casey James is safe. Tim Urban is also in the top 12. Randy says that Lee DeWyze definitely deserves a spot, and although Todrick Hall came back tonight, he’s been inconsistent. Lee survives. Todrick has been eliminated. Interesting that this comes on the heels of a good performance, rather than his two prior disasters.

Crystal Bowersox is in the top 12. Michael Lynche is also in the top 12. Lacey Brown is, too. Aaron Kelly joins them.

The final spot for the boys is between Alex Lambert and Andrew Garcia. Unsurprisingly, this spot goes to Andrew, but eventually he’s gonna have to do more than coast on Straight Up. Alex has been eliminated.

For the girls, it’s between Katie Stevens and Lilly Scott. Kara says it’s an odd duo. Lilly knows herself, while Katie may be struggling to find herself but sounds contemporary. The final seat in the top 12 belongs to Katie. Lilly has a good voice, but I’m just not sure most of the audience “gets” her.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 22, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 8 girls performed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 19, and tonight the guys go next.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Fireflies by Owl City
Randy: Worked it out.
Ellen: Liked that you made it a little rock.
Kara: Look confident tonight. Made it a better song.
Simon: Nothing to rave about but really glad you’re here.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Alex Lambert
Song: Trouble by Ray Lamontagne
Randy: Liked it but wasn’t jumping up and down.
Ellen: Better and better every week.
Kara: The only thing standing in the way of you winning is you. Be you.
Simon: Never seen you relaxed or having a good time. Let yourself go. Really good distinct voice.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Tim Urban
Song: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
Randy: Walked in some pretty big shoes and did a pretty good job.
Ellen: Fantastic (and hugworthy).
Kara: Thought you were going home, but may just about be in the top of the boys now.
Simon: Very very smart. Strongest performance you’ve given by far.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Andrew Garcia
Song: Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera
Randy: Good idea that didn’t quite work. Made it feel like the whole song was three notes.
Ellen: That’s what you needed to do, but the genie came out of the bottle a little too late at the end.
Kara: Couldn’t hear you until the end.
Simon: A little bit desperate.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Casey James
Song: You’ll Think of Me by Keith Urban
Randy: Safe choice.
Ellen: So much more comfortable.
Kara: Better than last week.
Simon: Not memorable but better than last week. Sounded great.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Aaron Kelly
Song: I’m Already There by Lonestar
Randy: Really good. This dude can sing. Still some work to do.
Ellen: Love you. Confidence of someone so much older. A little too much song for you.
Kara: Not a relevant song to you.
Simon: What Kara just said is rubbish. Right song. Not a great vocal but had emotion.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Todrick Hall
Song: Somebody to Love by Queen
Randy: Todrick is back. One of the best vocals by a man the last couple weeks.
Ellen: Worked like a gospel song.
Kara: Really good singing, but there were moments where it was possibly laughable.
Simon: Broadway singer. At least made an attempt to perform.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Michael Lynche
Song: This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush
Randy: Dope. Unbelievable.
Ellen: The show just began. You are the one to beat.
Kara: Never cried after hearing something like that before.
Simon: 100% nailed it. Best performance of all the live shows so far.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 21, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.