Smallscreen Features
'American Idol' Recap: David Cook gives Neil Diamond Goosebumps
By April MacIntyre
Apr 30, 2008, 6:10 GMT

American Idol celebrated the songs of the great Neil Diamond tonight. 

Without further ado, let's discuss:

Jason Castro first song is "Forever In Blue Jeans"

Jason has a nice voice, yet he seems the same in every performance. He doesn’t inspire, he doesn’t give Goosebumps, nor has he ever turned in a performance like Chikezie’s “She’s a Woman” or several of Michael Johns that blew the roof off the theater. 

He’s an interesting looking guy who has a limited range unique voice, end of story.

Now, something very interesting happened between the two sets of songs for the five contestants. 

The judges were asked to give a quick synopsis of opinion regarding the first round, which Paula completely went off track.  She told Jason she didn’t care for his second song, which of course he hadn’t performed yet.  Watch:

Seeing Ryan panic and look right on stage prompts man of action Simon Cowell to take the addled reins out of Paula’s hands.  Simon rips into the singers, calling Jason forgettable, David Cook "just above average," Brooke "a nightmare," David Archuleta "amateurish" and Syesha "old-fashioned."

2nd song for Jason is "September Morn"

So here is Jason, giving his second performance knowing he was already hamstrung by Paula’s incorrect observations. 

Well, it seems Paula has ESP because the second time around for Castro was a disaster.

Randy’s face tells the truth, it was bad.  He doesn’t understand what Jason's doing at this point of the competition, and Paula says here he is still in his comfort zone. "Oh Jason, come on," a frustrated Simon says, wondering what happened to the Jason they put through.

The problem is voters have kept him in the competition at the expense of real talent like Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. 

David Cook first song is "I'm Alive"

Passionate and pretty solid, he sings it with conviction, and you feel for him knowing how grim the news is for his brother who is rooting him on in this competition.  I cannot imagine what he is thinking and going through while his family is under this kind of duress.

Second song is  "All I Really Need Is You"

The acoustic guitar is spot on, his vocals are strong and really hit the mark.  Cook knows how to back off then add edge to a song, he’s masterful.

Randy’s face again shows his appreciation for David’s talent, he is Aces. Paula's proud of David's song choice, she's says the most coherent statement of the night (for her) that she is already looking at the American Idol. Simon calls the second song "brilliant" and contemporary, was just okay with the first.

Brooke White first song is "I'm a Believer"

She was awful; I am not even going to mince words here. The song was ruined.  Simon calls it a nightmare, he was right.

Second song was “I Am I Said”

This is one of the most definitive Neil Diamond songs ever; when he sings it your arm hairs stand up. 

She butchers it. Kills it dead. Arizona? Are you kidding me? What two shores are you lost between Brooke? Awful, and ties with Jason Castro for the worst sets so far. 

Randy’s face is saying “meh” yet he says it was a nice job. Paula thinks that Brooke reclaimed her vulnerable side and. Simon reiterates he hated the first song, but he thinks this one was better.  

Please watch Neil in his prime sing this song; you may understand my disappointment over Brooke’s choice and performance:

David Archuleta first song is "Sweet Caroline"

Here is what bothers me about him.  He has an amazing instrument, but he doesn’t have the soul or seasoning to convey or sell the song he is singing, usually with his eyes shut and his face contorted. 

Yes, he is a prodigy.   He does a respectable job with the song.  Would I pay to see this kid?  Not in a million years.   I felt that way about Clay Aiken too.  Great voice, but completely disinterested in him as a performer. For me, there’s something disingenuous about the both of them. 

Second song is "America"

Rousing.  A fine performance that becomes anthemic and tedious for me at the end. But he knows who is out there voting for him, and it isn’t Lou Dobbs or like-minded people worrying about “them” coming to America, or the pierced and tattoo crowd.

Randy loves it, Paula's remarks made no sense, she is off her game tonight. Simon smiles and says it was a smart song choice for David's demographic. Then he had to explain what “ticking all the boxes” means to Randy and Paula.

Syesha Mercado first song is "Hello Again"

She’s a great vocalist too, and she turns it out properly arranged song. She's barefoot again and works the stage and manages to deliver a nice performance.

Second  song: "Thank the Lord for the Night Time"

Again, she does a great turn onstage, and gives it juice with the energy she injects into her performance.  She will have a brilliant theater and Broadway career; she is genuine.

Randy knows this, he wants that for her. He praises her “zone”. Paula tries to conjugate a verb.  Simon thinks Syesha will be in trouble because her second song wasn't memorable enough. I hope that isn’t the case; she doesn’t deserve it before Castro or White.

See you after the bloodletting.