My 2 cents:

1)Kate didn't do nearly as badly as described
by the judges. There is sort of a hypocracy
there, where the judges want an original
take on a song, yet critique it as not as
good as the original rendition. It wasn't a perfect performance, but I liked it; and think she has the pipes and talent to sing
aggressive, as well as, mellow balads.

2)Paula's judging lately is over-reacting to all of her past criticism for being too nice. Perhaps it's the rehab.

3)The friction between Simon and Seacrest is
really getting ugly and tiresome.

4)Chris and Kate are my favorites to win.

5)The Pickler, who has been playing the role of the perfect "dumb blonde", is probably
going home next. I think she will still make
a great country singer, and cute actress(too bad the show, DOC, has been cancelled).

We thought Kate did a superb job with that song; her personality, poise, charm, and good pipes really came through. I thought the judges all smoked crack before the show.

Especially with Paula after Elliot's performance which I thought was mediocre, but Paula was crying?

I like Taylor a lot, but his song choice was bland.

I just don't think Paris is ready for prime time yet.

Chris' performance was average.

Poor kellie looks like it's her turn this week.

Get ready Amrican Idol 5 Auditions start in just Six Months ( October)

.... right with you on that ... I thought Kat wasn't at her BEST, but did a good job ... and looked GREAT ...
Paula was definetly over the edge ... crying ?!? CRYING !!!??? ... com'on ...
QUOTE:
Poor kellie looks like it's her turn this week.[/QUOTE]

.... you may be right on that as well ... I hope not ... I like her ... but she didn't sound, or LOOK, her best last night ...
...I thought Chris did a real good job ...
t.

Gary, I agree...Kate was outstanding and, I believe, better than Whitney.

I'm still impressed by Elliot's selection of material. I believe he's the "class act" of the bunch. Was "A Song for You" written by Leon Russell? It's a great song...one of Ray Charles' best of his later days.

The grey headed guy really bit off more than he could handle with "Just Once". A combination of shortening and modulations really got him. It's one of my favorites...difficult to do well.

I hope it will come down to Elliot and Kate and that both will have long careers. They both deserve it.

Russ

yes, written by Leon Russell ... and I really love Ray's rendition ...

t.

Damn, Tony, there goes that "mental epilepsy",
again....you know, "great minds....."

Russ

Captain Russ, I'm with you on 99% of your opinions (how wrong can a jazz player be?) but I think it's a bit of a stretch to say McPhee is better than Whitney Houston. Maybe I'll listen again and reconsider when McPhee has sold over 100 million albums. But that's all subjective. Anyhoo, Ray's version is ok (I love Ray's old stuff) but Donny Hathaway's has to be the definitive version (again, subjective). What was more suprising to me was the fact that his daughter, Laylah Hathaway, was singing background for an IDOL!!!! contestant. She has got to be one of most talented jazz stylist out there today. Lister to her "The Song Lives On" with Joe Sample. You will have to wonder how she ended up with this kind of gig.

Peace and kind regards,

chas

sorry Russ cant agree with you at all even though I know Kat will be the next Idol .....Whitney is a dynamo powerhouse singerthat will never be duplicated & comes along only once in a lifetime shes an artist who unfortunatly took the wrong trail in life.....its really a sin.
Kat will never shine her shoes.

Thanks, Chaz...I knew there was a back-up singer who had a famous parent. Does Paris have a family member in the business? That's what my office manager believes.

As far as any disagreements about whether Kate is better than Whitney...there is no "right" answer. I like her better, and I might be factoring in the "live performance" element. It's difficult to compare a live performance with a great studio production.

Whatever floats your boat....


Best regards to all,


russ