Season 7 ~ Episode 34 – April 29, 2008

By: Mary Cavaliere

Tonight was another one of my favorite nights this season because I am a huge Neil Diamond fan.  I’ve seen him twice in concert and I think I’ve seen the Jazz Singer at least a half dozen times.  In spite of what the judges said, I don’t think Neil Diamond was disappointed at all and neither was I.   Each finalist sang two songs tonight.  I’ve given them DIAMOND ratings on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

SYESHA MERCADO:  Hello Again ~ Syesha definitely made this song her own and I loved what she did with it.  I give her 4 diamonds for her first performance.  I also loved the new hair!  Thank The Lord For The Night Time ~ I thought Syesha rocked this number.  I enjoyed every note of it and I give her 5 diamonds for her second performance.  A total of 9 Diamonds for Ms. Mercado!

JASON CASTRO:  Forever In Blue Jeans ~ I thought this song was a good choice for Jason’s vocal abilities and I enjoyed it.  I give him 4 diamonds for his first performance.  September Morn ~ This performance was mediocre at best.  Most of the song was in Jason’s lower register which is not his strongest range so I only give him 2 diamonds for his second performance.  A total of 6 Diamonds for Mr. Castro!

BROOKE WHITE:  I’m A Believer ~ I don’t think this was as bad as Simon made it out to be.  I don’t think it was phenomenal either.  It was upbeat and had a bit of a country flare to it.  To me Brooke seemed a little nervous through out most of it.   I give her 3 diamonds for her first performance.  I Am I Said ~ This performance was definitely better than her first.  She sounded like Dolly Parton.  I give her 4 diamonds for her second performance.  A total of       7 Diamonds for Ms. White!

DAVID COOK:  I’m Alive ~ David rocked it again.  He made this song his own and gave it a whole new refreshing sound.   I give him 5 diamonds for his first performance.  All I Really Need Is You ~ I have never heard this Neil Diamond song but I could imagine it being on a CD recorded today.  If you closed your eyes you would think it was Daughtry singing (and that’s a compliment for sure).  It was an absolutely beautiful piece.  I give David another 5 diamonds for his second performance.  A total of 10 Diamonds for Mr. Cook!

DAVID ARCHULETA:  Sweet Caroline ~ When I did the elimination interview last week Carly Smithson said this song would have been her choice for Neil Diamond week.  But could she have done with it what David did?  What I love about David the most is that every single song he sings sounds like an original recording.  He makes each and every song his own and every note is perfection.  He’s never flat or off-key.  Neil Diamond said he is a prodigy and I agree completely.  I give David 10 diamonds for his first performance.  Coming To America ~ This is one of my all-time favorite Neil Diamond songs.  For all of the above, I give David another 5 diamonds for his second performance.    A total of 10 Diamonds for Mr. Archuleta!

Well if you look at the total number of DIAMONDS above it should be Jason or Brooke to leave but something tells me it isn’t going to happen the way we think it should.  I want to give Idol only 2 diamonds for tonight’s chaotic episode.  What was all that judging mess about?  First Ryan tells us we’re going to get the judges comments after both songs are sung, and then they change it mid-way through the show.  Paula wasn’t the only one confused!

You can read more of Mary’s television blogs at www.myspace.com/italiangirl57



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