Glambert Mentors the Top 9

It's Elvis week at American Idol and Adam Lambert has been tapped as mentor. Sitting with his Mom in the audience tonight, on tape he says he wanted more "personality and energy" from the contestants. Katie is rocking out the outfit! Glee is in the house!

Before launching in with my thoughts I read an interesting article this week about performance order. In years past, it has been widely recognized that singing first doesn't usually work out for contestants in that they are the most likely to go home that week. This year, new data analysis has been done by my friends over at What Not To Sing Dot Com, and they have written an excellent editorial which asks the question, Is Fourth the New First? This season we've seen three of the four singers who've sung fourth during the finals end up with the lowest vote total that week:Lacey Brown, Didi Benami and Micheal Lynche.

It's too soon to make conclusions about the 4th spot, but you definitely don't want to sing first. Turns out you are more likely to go home that week if you sing first (and 7th remains the safest spot). On the contrary, in all nine seasons only one contestant has been sent home the week he or she sang at position ten or higher (Leah LaBelle in season 3).

Given that strong data, I was quite surprised to see Crystal sing first. Happily she was her usual great self....electric guitar a boost from Adam's suggestion, on a song called "Saved" that I am not familiar with. Despite going first, I don't think she has any chance of going home or even being in the Bottom 3. Adam called her "authentic"....surprise! And Randy was a little more expressive calling her the "Second Coming" of Bonnie Raitt!

Crystal was followed by Andrew, who gave a rousing performance that I really liked of "Hound Dog"...had soul and expression that obviously made its way to the audience as they sprang to their feet at the conclusion. Even so, Randy hated it and Simon called it lazy. Boo!

Tim sang and strummed "Can't Help Falling in Love" and since he sang a love song, you know he ain't leaving this week....it sounded pitchy to me but judges loved it and the girls will, too, so he's safe.

Lee came on at this point.....whoops, 4th! E-GADS! But he totally rocked the house with "A Little Less Conversation" and had swagger! Confidence! Smiles! Growl! Loved it. Kara wanted it to be more playful, to which Simon replied, "What do you want, kittens?" LOL best line of the night.

Aaron attempted "Blue Suede Shoes" and my affection for this lad is unfortunately waning. I thought it was all over the place, vocally, and it didn't convince me to jump on the Aaron bandwagon....I was recalling that he was the Disney Idol winner at the theme park, right? This is what you would expect to hear there (and Simon agreed). Trouble brewing for Aaron....

Performing 6th was Siobahn who totally blew "Suspicious Minds." The problem for me started when she had a smile throughout the entire song about suspicion....didn't work! Fabulous figure but her vocals were annoying and the judges actually didn't like it either....wow....no danger for her this week ( I think) but wondering if S. can go the distance after all...

Big Mike took the inspirational road with "In the Ghetto", a song actually recommended to him by Crystal. (anyone remember when Taylor Hicks sang this in Season 5?) Wasn't my cup o' tea but the judges liked it, and with the drama surrounding last week, he's probably safe.

Katie looks all grown up and delivers what I think are quite good Kat McPhee-ish vocals on "What Do you Want from Me"....I was surprised. Finally Casey closes the show in the pimp spot on guitar with a rousing foot stomp in rendition of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". Definitely in his comfort zone, nothing different but solid. Then Simon pronounces it forgettable which is a surprise since presumably he went last because he was the best/a favorite of the night.

I give 3 stars to Lee and Lee alone.....I give 2 stars to Crystal, Andrew, Katie and Casey, and 1 star to Tim, Aaron, Siobahn and Mike....but figure Andrew and possibly Katie are also vulnerable tonight! Will have to see!