Reality Roll Call

by Deb Porter-Jones

This is the second to the last performance show for this season and the competition is really heating up. Tonight’s show has the last three contestants competing by singing three songs each: One song chosen by one of the judges, Randy, Paula or Simon, one song chosen by the producers, and the last song to be chosen by the contestants themselves.

For David Archuleta, Paula Abdul chooses a song by Billy Joel: “And So It Goes”, a slow, pretty song full of melancholy stringed instruments. David did surprisingly well with this song. It required extreme control over his breathing and David did really well with it. Paula and Randy loved it. Simon thought it was, “very good, a bit predictable; not outstanding, but really good”. In my opinion, it wasn’t fabulous, but he did a good job. I give him a B.

Next up is Syesha Mercado who sings an Alicia Keyes’ “If I Ain’t Got You”, which was chosen by Randy. Syesha did a good job with this song, although there were no surprises. She sang the song almost exactly like the original. Syesha is not exactly known for her originality; she’s a good singer, but she tends not to be innovative with the songs that she sings. Randy, of course, loved her performance, Paula loved it but Simon thought she sang it much like the original, which was disappointing. I give her a B.

David Cook is given “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack, which was chosen by Simon. David, predictably, did remarkably well with this song. While it is a classic song, David actually didn’t change it up much like he usually does. But he did a really good job with it. Randy thought it wasn’t “rocker” enough for him based on his persona as a real rocker. Paula loved I,t and of course Simon loved it. I give him a B.

David Archuleta is up next singing a song he chose, “With You” by Chris Brown. I’m sorry; this kid has an old soul and this song just didn’t seem comfortable for him at all. I just don’t buy that David A. has in his vocabulary the words “little mama” and “my boo”. Randy agreed. Paula thought his performance of the song was perfect and Simon thought it was “like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger”. I agree. I give him a B.

Syesha chooses “Fever”, by Peggy Lee, a really old stage-y type of song. While Syesha looked beautiful and did a great job singing this song – her acting background was evident in this number – it was a strange choice of song for such a young, hot girl. But, as Paula would say, this is who she is. She’s an actress who just happens to be able to sing, in my opinion. She did a great job. Randy thought she sang it amazingly well. Paula was surprised that Syesha chose this song but she’s “not sure it shows me who Syesha who is an artist.” Simon thought she would regret choosing this song and it was “quite a lame cabaret performance.” I think she did pretty well. I give her an A.

David Cook chooses “Dare You To Move”, by Switchfoot. He also plays guitar and actually David does a great job with the song. His style and originality reminds one easily of Daughtry. Randy thought it was “a little pitchy”, Paula “wanted more” and Simon thought it was “pretty much what he would’ve expected, and the three of them had an okay middle round.” I give him a B.

David Archuleta sings “Longer”, by Dan Fogelberg. This song has got to be older than David himself. He did an okay job with the song, accompanied by heavy stringed instruments. It was actually a rather boring song for David and kind of predictable given that he normally gravitates towards ballads. Randy thought it was an “interesting song choice, but he could sing the phone book”, Paula thought it was “very lovely” and Simon thought he sang the song very well, but he thought “the song and the lyrics were absolutely horrible, so gooey”, but he’s done enough to get into the finals next week. I give him a B.

Syesha’s producer’s choice is “Hit Me Up”, by Gia Farrell, a song from the animated movie “Happy Feet”. While she looked absolutely gorgeous, it was a truly forgettable performance. It’s a shame the producers didn’t choose a song that was more memorable, not so fast; something that would make you cry just listening to her sing it. Her performance was pretty good, but nothing fabulous. Randy thought it was just okay, Paula thought she “did the song very well but it’s not the type of song that defines Syesha as an artist.” Simon thought it was forgettable but it lacked the “defining moment” that he would’ve liked her to send the show with. I give her a B.

David Cook’s producer’s choice is “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith. Of course, this is the perfect song for David. Accompanied by heavy strings, he sang this song like it was his own. He did a phenomenal job with this song, of course. I thought it was the perfect song for him. Randy thought it was “okay”, Paula said “see ya in the finals, that’s what I predict”, and Simon thought “David Cook wins the night.” I give him an A.