written by lee jeske...American Idol's Top 12 girls sang for your votes for the first time last night. The new crop of contestants took on songs from the '60s...
Kristy Lee Cook started off the night with "Rescue Me." Randy Jackson thought she had pitch problems. Simon Cowell said the performance was "robotic."
Former model Joanna Borgella did "Say a Little Prayer." Randy said, "The start was a little weird but you got it off at the end." Paula advised her to pull it together. Simon said "I didn't like it at all. There was no confidence and it was sub-standard."
Alaina Whitaker sang "More Today Than Yesterday," the same song Chikeze Eze was trashed for on Tuesday night. Randy thought it started rough but finished well. Paula agreed with the big finish. Simon said, "I think you are very good. Hated the song but it was the first time tonight we didn't see any nerves."
Amanda Overmeyer, the rock and roll nurse from Indiana, got praise from Paula and Randy for her version of "Baby Please Don't Go." Simon said, "I really like you. You standout. It's not the best performance, did you forget the words halfway through. I hope you stay around."
Amy Davis did "Where the Boys Are." Randy picked out a classic pitch problem. Paula thought it was lackluster. Simon said, "You look great but you didn't sound great."
Brooke White, the nanny who doesn't see R-rated movies, took on "Happy Together." Randy said it "started a little rough. You worked it out by the end." Paula said she did a great job. Simon was unimpressed. He said, "You picked the right song. It was very you, but I am struggling with the relevance. Not my cup of tea."
Alexandrea Lushington belted out "Spinning Wheel." Randy said, "You blew the doors off that one. Hot song, you got it." Paula said she saw an improvement in confidence. Simon said, "I didn't get it. I didn't think the vocals were great."
Kady Malloy, who has been praised for sounding like Britney Spears, got panned for her rendition of "A Groovy Kind of Love." Randy thought it was okay. Paula said she wanted to see more life. Simon said, "Amazingly I agree with Paula. That was like Night of the Living Dead. When you do Britney, brilliant; when you do you, the lights go off."
Asia'h Epperson, who nailed her audition with "How Do I Live" shortly after her father died in a car accident, made another big impression with "Piece of My Heart." Randy said, "I loved that you brought a little of you to it." Paula said, "You had fun up there. You had some good moments." Simon added, "It was my favorite of the night. You let go. You are fun, you're likable."
Ramiele Malubay, the little gal with the big voice, did "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." Randy said, "Very classy, that was hot." Paula said, "You are a force to be reckoned with." Simon said, "Tonight you out sung every single person."
Syesha Mercado did "Tobacco Road." Randy flagged pitch problems. Paula gave mild praise. Simon said, "Wasn't your best performance but you are probably one of the most talented girls in this competition. It was terrific."
Carly Smithson, also known as M-C-A recording artist Carly Hennessy, got mixed reviews for "The Shadow of Your Smile." Randy said, "That's what the show is all about. The best vocal of the Top 24." Paula said, " You're reliable." Simon said, "I didn't get it. There is so much hype about you. I thought the song was too old fashioned. Everything about it was a let down."
