Top 4, not sure what that category was....

After being dark for two weeks in India, the blog is back.

James - Don't Stop Believin'
Solid song selection to get the crowd on their feet. Shout out to Randy is never a bad idea. This kid wants to win at this point. He's a fan favorite. I liked it this week, but not like I have loved some of the stuff he's done before.

Love Potion #9
I am undecided about this. He mixed it up and rocked it but the end....I was not a fan.

Haley - The Earth Song
No one will be shocked to read that I am not a fan. Grandma, Mom, and my two guest watchers last evening...also not fans. I can't believe she is taking on Michael Jackson. This was not a good idea on her part. Illinois, please take her back. I am done with Miss Haley.

I Who Have Nothing
This out of order thing is messing with my brain. She was ahead of the orchestra so if you want to sing at your own pace, then don't have all the instruments....Why is she always shouting at me. And the Lady Gaga fake breath was not dramatic...we all saw it coming.

Scotty - Where Were You When the World Stops Turning
Awesome. Loved it. As Grandma says, "he's going places".
Scotty also got rave reviews from the peanut gallery.

Young Blood
I didn't know this song. He had a full Scotty performance and it was nice that he mixed it up from the serious song.

Lauren - Anyway
Love the song choice. Not so sure about the dress. She's so much more confident this week. Good work, Lauren. She went for it.

Trouble
This week's wardrobe selections are a bit much. She definitely wants to win and has come back swinging from last week's bottom two. She's a showman.

Top 7, 21st century

So the opening number.....hmmmm..... Paul = P!nk does not = good idea. I didn't like it, except for we could see Pia on stage.

01 - Scotty - Swingin'
Interesting song choice. He cracks me up with he performs. Love that he went deep on the second verse, and then, maybe he'll take a seat for a bit. Dude, this kid is ready for it all! J-Lo, I am disagreeing with you out loud.

02 - James - Uprising
Very dramatic, very modern, very 21st century. In one word - WOW!

03 - Haley - Rollin' In The Deep
I like the song choice. I didn't hate it. She didn't look angry, she just wasn't super smiley (which annoys me).

04 - Jacob - Dance With My Father
Excellent song selection. This would be incredibly difficult to perform. This was my favorite performance of his - not over the top, just solid. I am not in agreement with the judges.

(not a shocker - Mark Ballas in the audience)

05 - Casey - Harder To Breathe
Super awesome selection. Fun fact: I have been known to sing a little Maroon 5 with my Band Hero game. He got a bit weird at the end.

06 - Stefano - Closer
Love the song. Laughing out loud at the pre-performance comments. I was not a fan of the dancing...this is a singing competition, and I felt like he missed opportunities to sing. He has more stage confidence. I liked it.

07 - Lauren - Born To Fly
Awesome selection. Super cute outfit (minus the overkill on the spray tan). D!!! background vocals. She's bringing it. She was solid. She could be around for the top 3 hometown visits.

Bottom 3 - Casey, Stefano, Haley

I am BEYOND EXCITED to see David Cook on the results show. BEYOND!!!

Also, the blog will be taking a two week hiatus. Even though the results will be known, I will blog when I return.

Top 8, Songs from the Movies

Ok, I apologize for the delay in this blog. I watched on DVR in New York last week, and my cousin Erin got to hear my comments live. Now, for everyone else....

01 - Paul - Old Time Rock and Roll
Awful suit, good song choice, decent performance, nothing special

02 - Lauren - The Climb
This should have been her song to record from the beginning...why, you ask....because she sings instead of whines....yes, I said it....She looked great (only bad wardrobe was the week Gwen Stefani "helped" her). Loved it.

03 - Stefano - End of the Road
Dude, you are making me nervous with this song selection. And did you forget this is performance night, not results night, with that "wardrobe" choice. He sang with serious intent this week. It was solid....I ended up liking it a lot.

04 - Scotty - I Cross My Heart
Background singers ruined it for me. Scotty had an excellent performance.

05 - Casey - Nature Boy
I agreed with Jimmy. Phil Collins would have been a better choice. I could have done without the grunting and growling. I don't like the musical interlude. I didn't love it.

06 - Haley - Call Me
Not a fan of hers, but I am a fan of the song selection. The short dress was making me very nervous for live TV. I didn't love it.

07 - Jacob - Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Solid and a whole lot of power ballad.

08 - James - Heavy Metal
This dude can rock out.

My top three - Lauren, Scotty, James
My bottom three - Haley, Paul, Casey

Top 9, Rock and roll???

....oh the Hall of Fame....I get it....I think....

01 - Jacob - Man in the Mirror
Safe song choice for him. 4 background singers - annoying. Not anything new and different but it was solid. I am not sure we are ready for another Gospel idol.

02 - Haley - Take A Little Piece of My Heart
NOT digging her "look". I feel like she is yelling at me and growling. I am ready for her to go.

03 - Casey - Have You Ever Seen the Rain
Excellent song selection. I wasn't a huge Casey fan, but I liked this performance and vocal.

04 - Lauren - Natural Woman
Kelly did it Season 1, we'll see if this compares. You can tell Gwen Stefani helped with wardrobe....it wasn't good, or flattering, and she always looks cute. Solid vocal, no Kelly.

05 - James - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
The lighting is annoying. I like the risk of the ballad. I love the fact there are no background vocals here. Loved it. He's in my Top 4.

06 - Scotty - That's All Right, Mama
Vocal was awesome, but I couldn't watch because it was a little corny. Then again, it was Elvis. (I guess the judges like "corn".)

07 - Pia - River Deep, Mountain High
This girl is amazing. Love the look, love the song choice, love the vocal, love the uptempo.

08 - Stefano - When A Man Loves A Woman
Thought it was one of his best performances. He made it his own. Loved it.

09 - Paul - Flosom Prison Blues
He's a performer, but he isn't this year's winner.

Here is how I would rank (best to not best):
Scotty, Stefano, Pia, James, Lauren, Casey, Paul, Jacob, Haley

Top 11, Elton John

And we are off....

01 - Scotty - Country Comfort
Not my favorite song selection for him, and I can't believe this is an Elton John song. I love the look, and I love this kid. His last note was awesome.

02 - Naima - I'm Still Standing
Not digging reggae Elton John. That's all I can say.

03 - Paul - Rocket Man
Excellent song selection. That darn suit again??? I was expecting way better...it was too safe.

04 - Pia - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
So cute again with the dress. This might be my favorite of hers. Wow, this girl brought the house down. She was more "into it" tonight. Top notch!

05 - Stefano - Tiny Dancer
Not the best selection for me for him (hee hee)
He performed better this week. Sometimes, it was hard to hear him. The style makeover worked well for him.

(Has anyone else noticed Ryan's hair looks less spiky this evening?)

06 - Lauren - Candle In The Wind
She looks great. I don't like what they did to the melody, but her vocal was solid.
I wish her mother would dress more appropriately. I keep thinking they are showing Lauren's younger sister.

07 - James - Saturday Night's Alright
I like this song. The performance was a bit manic for me. He's still in my Top 5, and he's fun to watch overall.

08 - Thia - Daniel
I must admit, I tune her out and multi-task while she is singing. It was nice and safe. She's not in it to win it.

09 - Casey - Your Song
Great song. He looks less like a grizzly bear this week. He sounded great. I liked this low key performance.

10 - Jacob - Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word
It was good. He is the dramatic singer this year. I am just not a fan.

11 - Haley - Benny and the Jets
Her dress is cute. I am having a 27 Dresses flashback with this song. I didn't hate it, but it's probably time for her to get cut.

Here's how I would personally rank the performances:
Pia
Scotty
Casey
James
Stefano
Lauren
Paul
Jacob
Thia
Haley
Naima

Top 11, Motown

I must make a pre-blog comment....I was really pumped for Motown night. As the show wore on though, I was a little distracted. Congrats to my friends Chris an Jill who had their first baby today (shout out to Baby Savannah!). I found myself not listening and checking facebook for pics and texting people. :)

Not to worry, I still have plenty of comments. And Grandma Betty watched the whole show today, and I have her pick of the week. "You know, I never really liked this type of music." Oh, Grandma, you just are waiting for Rat Pack week.

01 - Casey - Heard It Through The Grapevine
Solid 8/10 selection. Average outfit. I thought the vocal was decent, better than last week. The beginning was a little much for me. He's a little awkward when he walks around.

02 - Thia - Heat Wave
Solid selection again. She looks fantastic. Love the dress, love the shoes, love the jewelry. I like her much better this week. She is on an upswing.

03 - Jacob - You're All I Need
Like the selection. His look is very consistent. Strong vocal. I like him more subdued.

04 - Lauren - You Keep Me Hanging On
Strong song choice (9/10). LOVE her dress. Solid vocal, I dug it. This might be my favorite performance for her to date.

05 - Stefano - Hello
I love this song, but this is definitely more current Motown than some of the other songs. He rocked the Lionel Richie 80's look. I felt parts of his vocal were a little nasal. It was not my favorite performance of his, but he is still one of my favorites this season.

06 - Haley - You've Really Got A Hold On Me
Her song selection was just average. I was not a fan of her look this evening. Her vocal was better this week, but I think it's time for her to go home. Her performance was just ok for me. She isn't tour-worthy in my opinion.

07 - Scotty - For Once In My Life
Interesting song selection. Typical outfit, not anything too risky. Strong vocal. Sometimes his looks are a bit goofy when he sings. This kid cracks me up. And he has Grandma's early vote this season.

08 - Pia - All In Love Is Fair
Another interesting song selection. Her dress is gorgeous. I thought the vocal was a little bumpy at first, but then she brought the house down. She tends to stand in one spot, and she needs to mix it up. (I actually said "Thank you, J-Lo" out loud when she gave Pia feedback.)

09 - Paul - Tracks Of My Tears
Awesome Motown selection. What exactly happened to his hair? Decent vocal and solid performance, but he's not a favorite of mine. I think it is because I hear Rod Stewart when he sings, and I am not a big fan of his either.

10 - Naima - Dancing In The Streets
Average selection. I love her pants. Decent vocal, but I hated the dancing.

11 - James - Livin In The City
Love the song selection. Rocked the outfit. Vocal was inconsistent. Rocked the performance though.

Until next week....have a super week everyone!

Top 12, The Year They Were Born

(aka How old does Jenny feel?)

This is always an interesting week, so we'll have to see how this goes.

01 - Naima - What's Love Got To Do With It
Not sure about this selection. She's in the middle of the pack...it was average.

02 - Paul - I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Good selection. HIs voice is a little weak. The performance was a bit manic, but overall, nice work.

03 - Thia - Colors of the Wind
Is this really when she was born and was a I really a senior in college then? Ugh. Modern Pocahantas wardrobe was a good choice. Much better than last week, but it was just alright for me.

04 - James - I'll Be There For You
Excellent selection in general and for him. He killed it. He rocked it out with his style as well.

05 - Haley - I'm Your Baby Tonight
She sounds very karaoke. Not impressed still with her. Her lipstick was a mess.

06 - Stefano - If You Don't Know Me By Now
Good selection, somewhat safe (after the judges, what do I know?). I liked it. He nailed it and looked sharp as well.

07 - Pia - Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Her home video is hysterical. Not sure about her jumpsuit, but the jewelry makes up for it (sort of). The remix was odd, but her vocals were awesome.

08 - Scotty - Can I Trust You With My Heart
What amazes me about him is how completely laidback and comfortable he is performing on stage at 17. I didn't know the song, but it did work for him. Much better wardrobe for him this week as well.

09 - Karen - Love Will Lead You Back
Who "helps" her with her wardrobe. I was a huge Taylor Dayne fan, so I was happy. Her performance was boring and just ok for me.

10 - Casey - Smells Like Teen Spirit
When he was growly singing he sounded to me like Adam Sandler when Adam sings in movies. I liked the first half of his song better. This was a quirky week for him. I am not sold after this week.

11 - Lauren - I'm The Only One
Her mom dresses younger than she does. That's weird to me. This song my be a little old for her, but her vocal was much stronger this week.

12 - Jacob - Alone
Excellent song to select. The performance did not work for me.

So here is how I would group them
Top - Stefano, Pia, James, Scotty
Middle - Lauren, Paul, Jacob, Casey
Bottom - Karen, Haley, Thia, Naima

Have a great St. Patrick's Day!