- Theme: Dolly Parton night. Songs performed: Brooke White -- "Jolene";David Cook -- "Little Sparrow"; Ramiele Malubay -- "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"; Jason Castro -- "Travelin' Thru"; Carly Smithson -- "Here You Come Again"; David Archuleta -- "Appalachian Memories"; Kristy Lee Cook -- "Coat of Many Colors"; Syesha Mercado -- "I Will Always Love You"; Michael Johns -- "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right."—IMDb editor
- American Idol Top Nine Performance Show - April 1, 2008
Theme: Dolly Parton Songs
Contestant #1: Brooke White
Song: "Jolene"
Brooke is rocking another good hairstyle but her performance of this most desperate of Dolly songs is lacking emotional desperation plus, she's hitting some bad notes.
Randy: Thinks that this kind of music could suit her voice but that it wasn't a stellar performance since there were pitch problems and she rushed the music in places. Paula: Says she's consistent, has an emotional connection and then starts babbling about who she is and that she's Brooke White.... Simon: Completely disagrees and says the song was lacking in any emotion, thought the grouping of the fiddle player and other performers was weird, and that he wasn't crazy about it overall.
Contestant #2: David Cook
Song: "Little Sparrow"
Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar David's version is pleasant with soul and gospel undertones in his strong falsetto, and there's also a hint of darkness around the edges. (He also sounds a little like the dude from Mr. Mister. But maybe that's just a "Broken Wing"-"Little Sparrow" thing).
Randy: Calls it another hot, consistent performance. Paula: Compliments David's haircut, says she's never heard a guy sing that song, and deems it fantastic. Simon: "If you can make a song about sparrows good, which actually you did, than congratulations."
Contestant #3: Ramiele Malubay
Song: "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"
She's bouncy, breathy, pitchy and just okay.
Randy: Was not jumping up and down, nor was he mad at Ramiele. He gives her a 6 ½ out of 10 Paula: Is proud of her and is glad to see she's having fun and connecting with the audience. Simon: Goes to the cruise ship place and assures us that a decade hence we will have wiped this cute performance from our memory banks.
Contestant #4: Jason Castro
Song: "Travelin' Through"
Accompanying himself on acoustic, Jason breezes through this one pleasantly and ends on a nice, yearning note.
Randy: Thought it started a little bit rough but that Jason worked it out. Paula: Believed it to be one of his strongest, most confident performances yet. Simon: Didn't like it at all saying the music didn't suit him and if this had been the first time he'd seen or heard Jason, he wouldn't get it.
Contestant #5: Carly Smithson
Song: "Here You Come Again"
Carly takes one of Dolly's catchiest midtempo numbers and slows it way down and ups the dramatic ante. It's pleasant, which is fast becoming the watchword of the night.
Randy: Believes that this will probably be one of the better performances of the night. Paula: Dubs it glorious, calls Carly an amazing talent and says she looked great. Simon: Judges it good not great and takes issue with her wardrobe saying "you've got to start looking more like a star and I'm not seeing that progression at the moment."
Contestant #6: David Archuleta
Song: "Smoky Mountain Memory"
It's an earnest ballad. Shocking. He sings it very well.
Randy: Declares that David is back tonight and that this, in fact, not Carly was the best performance of the night. Paula: Praises his amazing tone and beautiful aura and like Carly, thinks he's glorious. Simon: Referencing last week's remarks about song choice the Brit says, "This week absolutely on the money."
Contestant #7: Kristy Lee Cook
Song: "Coat of Many Colors"
There are a few dicey moments but overall, it's, you guessed it, pleasant.
Randy: Says country music is Kristy's wheelhouse. Paula: Thinks she looks stunning and calls this her best performance yet. Simon: Actually believes that last week's performance was her best and that this one was "pleasant, but forgettable."
Contestant #8: Syesha Mercado
Song: "I Will Always Love You"
Sitting atop the piano, Syesha keeps it low-key Dolly-style for the beginning and goes into full-braying Whitney mode for the last chorus. All of which sounds good, but not as good as Dolly or Whitney.
Randy: Thinks it was pretty good. Paula: Natters on about the gorgeous color of her dress and then addresses her velvety vocal tones and the fact that Syesha is "just growing and growing and growing," like some velvety, soulful tumor apparently. Simon: Calls it a good, but not fantastic version.
Contestant #9: Michael Johns
Song: "It's All Wrong, But It's Alright"
Sexy, soulful, bluesy, the best performance of the night.
Randy: Is singed by this "blazing hot performance." Paula: Rightly points out what a great songwriter Dolly is and calls Michael a rock star. Simon: "I think this is the best I have heard you sing throughout the whole competition."
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