AI Sings Dolly Parton!
The Top 9 on American Idol got to work with the great Dolly Parton this week, each tackling one of her songs. In most cases the songs were better than the performers, but there were some moments where both elements came together to create bits of magic.

Following is the It's Destiny! panel's take on the AI7 Top 9: Dolly Parton.

Brooke White "Jolene"
Tammy: I wasn't feeling this. She never really convinced me with this song. I wonder how long she's going to go in this competition solely because she's the sweet, earthy one? The formula seemed to work well enough on Canadian Idol for Teresa Sokyrka. But somehow I don't see top two in her future. If anything, I'm thinking bottom two might be more likely after this.
Score: 7.0
Destiny: I have to agree that this performance lacked something. Brooke is a cute and charming girl, but she needs to step up and bring some heart and interpretation to her songs (like she does when she's not singing). She seems to get more disconnected to the songs with each passing week. And for a girl who is all about performance rather than a big voice, she needs to invest as much as she can into interpretation. She sounded OK on this song, but her constant looking around and scattered smiles throughout the performance didn't suit the message of the song at all. Not her best.
Score: 7.0
Liza: There were a few times that Brooke took the song into her little happy place, and it's kind of a problem when Carrie Underwood sings this song with more edge, but the ending of the song was totally killer. Brooke always seems to find a way to make a song interesting by just changing a few notes here and there. I love that about her.
Score: 8.0

David Cook "Little Sparrow"
Tammy: Kudos to the AI stylists! David Cook, workin' the stubble and the new 'do, was smokin' tonight. But the performance just wasn't on the same level. He certainly didn't embarrass himself up there by any means, but the song sort of seemed to go nowhere. I almost wish he'd gone acoustic with this song, as sometimes the full band can overwhelm such an intimate little song.
Score: 8.0
Destiny: I agree that David would have benefited from an acoustic arrangement of this song. I thought he sounded good, but was hoping he would take a big risk and work his magic on "I Will Always Love You" instead. I guess he can't cover major hits every week, eh? That being said, he turned in a worthy performance of this song.
Score: 8.0
Liza: I'm glad they gave him the opportunity to address the cover-of-a-cover issues. Makes me think that maybe he is now the Chosen One. And I really don't have a problem with that because David Cook delivers standout performances week after week. The arrangement was good, and the vocals were outstanding. Who knew he had such range?!
Score: 9.0

Ramiele Malubay "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"
Tammy: She better be gone after this week, because clearly this girl is floundering in the competition, and has no idea what to do with herself, performance-wise. She's just kind of 'there', leaving you with a performance that is utterly forgettable. And that 'reaching out to the crowd' bit didn't really bode well for Chikezie, so I can't imagine why Ramiele thought to give that a whirl.
Score: 6.7
Destiny: I am frustrated by Ramiele's lack of focus as she performs. Her voice is one of the few that is capable of tackling up-tempo pop songs with star quality, yet she only shows what she's got about half of the time. It's too bad she is squandering this opportunity to show what she's got. This performance was good in parts, but there was too much mumbling and stumbling about the stage.
Score: 7.0
Liza: You could barely hear Ramiele in the beginning, and she just got totally drowned out. She's definitely the weak link tonight (and has been one of the weakest links most nights).
Score: 6.0

Jason Castro "Travelin' Through"
Tammy: Wow! Jason seems surprisingly...uh...'in the moment' tonight. He came out with more energy than we've seen all season, his voice sounded strong, and he seemed to even be enjoying himself! This is my favorite performance from Jason so far this season.
Score: 9.0
Destiny: I was so glad to see Jason tackle something upbeat this week. I think he is the most interesting contestant in the competition, and it was really nice to see this side of him again. He sounded great, and his charm and natural star power were in full force this week. Heading to iTunes...
Score: 9.0
Liza: Simon must have been smoking some of Jason's pot (kidding!); this was one of Jason's better performances, and the song suited him perfectly. He's not the best singer on this show, but he does his thing.
Score: 7.75

Carly Smithson "Here You Come Again"
Tammy: She's got the voice, but that's...about it. The glory note tacked on at the end just seemed excessively long and strangely placed. I still wish she'd interact with the crowd more. And I have to agree with Simon regarding Carly's fashion choices (crimes?). She's really doing herself no favors by following up her 'Is she pregnant?' ensemble with red tights topped with knee high boots. A superhero you're not, girly.
Score: 7.5
Destiny: I have had issues with Carly's outfits from day one, but I thought this week's ensemble was one of her best, certainly most flattering to her body. That being said, she got to do the best Dolly Parton song of the night. It wasn't the best version of the song I've heard by a long shot, but it was probably the best Carly has ever sounded on the show. Unfortunately, her voice still lacked any real color, and she still didn't deliver any great interpretation skills. The song itself was definitely the star of this performance.
Score: 8.3
Liza: I wasn't sure that I'd like the slowed-down version of this song, but it was lovely ... when Carly wasn't trying to steamroll those glory notes.
Score: 8.25

David Archuleta "Smoky Mountain Memories"
Tammy: I really was bored by this performance, and started to zone out until I realized how much this song sounds like 'Desperado', and started to sing along with the Eagles. Good times. As for David, uh, he sounded good, and he remembered the words, so good for him, I guess?
Score: 7.0
Destiny: David sounded really good on this, and he looked great. This song wouldn't have been my first choice for him, but he did his thing with it. I have to say, however, that I was shocked by the high praise the judges gave him.
Score: 8.8
Liza: Speaking of steamrolling the glory notes ... SHEESH. I actually really liked it up until the end when he cracked on the high note and totally oversang the song.
Score: 8.0

Kristy Lee Cook "Coat of Many Colors"
Tammy: This may well be in her 'wheelhouse', but I wasn't too impressed by this performance. You're no Carrie Underwood, my friend! The girl just seems like she's a little too impressed with herself for my liking. Plus, she's here, and Chikezie's not, so she's got that strike against her.
Score: 6.9
Destiny: She certainly is no Carrie Underwood, and that's a good thing. The difference? Kristy Lee can actually stay in tune. And her voice is pleasing to the ear. She sounded really good on this song, though I would have liked a more casual look for the performance. She still hasn't quite reached her potential on this show, but she is getting herself together more and more each week.
Score: 8.8
Liza: Kristy didn't seem to be quite on the beat at times, and I actually expected a lot more out of her this week. I was a little disappointed.
Score: 7.5

Syesha Mercado "I Will Always Love You"
Tammy: In a surprising move (note: sarcasm), Syesha chooses to shoot herself in the foot by attempting to follow up Whitney's version of the song. And.it.just.didn't.work. The version, though slightly altered, was just close enough to prove that she's 'no Whitney', and deviated enough that you'd just wish she'd sing the Whitney version. And the hair! Yikes, that lighting was not so much flattering.
Score:
Destiny: Yes, it was so easy to predict that Syesha would choose this song for herself. She fancies herself a Whitney, but a Whitney she will never be. Her voice lacks the emotion and unique quality one needs to connect to the listener's heart, and this song only served to highlight every vocal fault she has. And her arrangement of the song was just plain irritating rather than interesting.
Score: 6.5
Liza: I loved the beginning of the song, when she sang it softly and in the country style. Then she went into the Whitney version and tried to out-diva the real diva. The unnecessarily long glory note was out of place right there, and although she really held that note long and sang in tune throughout the song, that stupid glory note right there reinforced my opinion of her as a pageanty singer who tends to oversing all the time.
Score: 7.5

Michael Johns "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right"
Tammy: Wooo! Michael was on fire tonight! The bluesy vocals were spot-on tonight and really highlighted his range without being too show-offy and distracting (hear that, Carly?). One of the best performances of the season.
Score: 9.3
Destiny: This was definitely one of the top vocals of the season. Michael sounded fantastic on his take of this song. It would be nice if the other contestants could up their game like Michael has over the past two weeks. And how cute was Dolly saying she hopes he makes it big so she can write some songs for him? Yeah, every woman wants the chance to spend some time up close with this one!
Score: 9.3
Liza: This is OG Audition Michael here. The bluesy soul vibe seems to be his thing, and he really brought that back with this performance. Great vocals and interpretation. The only thing I did not like was that stupid ascot thing around his neck that ruined the rest of the outfit.
Score: 9.25

Who Should Be Eliminated:
Tammy: Ramiele
Destiny: Syesha
Liza: Ramiele

Who Will Be Eliminated:
Tammy: Ramiele
Destiny: Ramiele (or Syesha)
Liza: Syesha

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Last week we asked you, "Whom Did You Vote For On Idol?"
21% Brooke, 19% Jason, 12% Ramiele,
11% David C., 9% David A., 8% Kristy Lee,
8% Michael, 6%, Carly, 4% Syesha, 2% Chikezie

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