"God Bless the Child" on Idol?

Well, Jacob made it through last night!

He was advised prior to performing this week by his "coaches" to hold back a bit this week, and he did, but the judges advised him afterwards to essentially be himself and don't hold back, which I suspect is good advice.

Randy also called his performance of GBTC the best ever on Idol! High praise whether true or not.

It seems pretty much everybody who made it through is quite talented and can really sing this year, inclduing a few who did not make it through already.

I'm very psyched for Idol this year at this point.

I think the new judges are coming off quite well also.

JL has mostly been an asset. Randy seems to be stepping up his game to help fill the shoes of Simon as the senior judge on the panel.

And Steven Tyler adds a new element that was missing prior. He seems to genuinely appreciate the talent and good performances when he hears it. He also comes across very well as a insightful and compassionate judge with just enough "rock star" flavor to perhaps attract some new viewers. He is presenting himself quite excellently in this role IMHO!

We'll see....

Mapman... I agree that the talent this year is far superior to prior years. I'm putting my money on the guy that plays the double bass being around longer than Jacob.

I think the show is better than when Simon was there. Now the focus isnt so much on insults (that I admit I anjoyed) but more "move along" and make way for the talent. So it lost some of its side show schtick but I think its a more mature show for it.
Now if I can just will that crazy eyed kid with the tail tie I will be happy. Oh and that red haired man girl who looks like Simply Red on Meth all will be perfect!

Few observations:

First: Agree getting rid of Simon was a blessing. Show was always too much about the jury to my liking and the balanced has shifted to focus on the contestants.

Second: Tyler strikes me as a genuinly nice guy, and J-Lo is surprisingly unpretensious.

Third: They are overdoing it on the short skirts. No need to sex up the show.

Fourth: Anyone notice the preponderance of good looking female contestants in the top 24, and all the overweight ones getting the boot?

Fifth: That said, with the exception of the young girl from Georgia I don't think the girls have a shot, so I guess the producers figured we might as well keep the cute ones....

Sixth: Ironically, none of the male front runners has the looks, unless the latin lover boy(s) show some strong development.

Seventh: The vocal agility of Jakob reminded me of Al Jarreau. I say his dominant style/inspiration is a gospel (not jazz) though.

Eight: Would love to hear Jakob do "a change is gonna come". That song was written for him. Unfortunately the "crazy eyed kid with the tail tie" already butchered it once this season (can't wait to see him go).

Ninth: Casey bass boy has the all the qualities that distinguish truly brilliant musicians (the epitomy of which that I have seen perform live is Prince) from the pack of merely talented; absolutely perfect sense of timing/rhytm AND melody. Complete natural flow of music from within, without ANY interference from the brain. Somewhat like Nadal probably never THINKS about his next shot; it is purely intuitive and always the right shot.

Enough amateur phsychology for today - more to follow.

Edorr: You should be placed in a room with this so called talented singer while strapped down. And see how long you can survive? If this is your idea of quality singing? As on member said" over cooking the lyrics"with every silly pyrotechnic vocal display imaginable. Do yourself a favor and listen to Nat,Sinatra along with Ella and Vaughn and singers of that generation. And ask yourself where are their pyrotechnic vocal displays? There are none, just good singing.You want gospel? Then listen to Jackson and leave the worshiping in church.