Double the pleasure

So tonight it is time for the double performances. An audience member held up a sign that said "I love the Ryan side part (meaning is hair)" Me too! JLo / STy Fashion Showdown: I'm giving it to Ryan because JLo's hair is wackadoo.

Guys, I think my DVR cut off the show. I'm holding my breath. Let's see if I get to complete the blog.

Sheryl Crow co-mentors with Jimmy. Nice.

James sings a 30 Seconds for Mars song. And Sheryl Crow sings along with him. Yikes the movement through the audience has made him go flat. Not my favorite. I liked the direction, but the sound was not all that. Agree though that there was nothing lazy about that performance. B

Jacob sings No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. Sheryl praises his range. Jimmy praises Jacob for being able to sing a duet by himself. Oh, the dance moves are not good. He went flat and sounded terrible. Let me give this context. These top 5 are really amazing. So when I say he was terrible, he was not really that bad, just out of this group. JLo says if this is the direction he wants to be in, then he should stick to it. Randy says he is corny and should not head in this direction. I agree. Steven says he needs to find his niche. Agree again. I think this is the end of the road for Jacob. C

Lauren sings Flat on the Floor by Carrie Underwood. One of my favorites and I just heard her sing it live for the first time this past weekend. Sheryl tells her to stay put and sing. Great advice. This is a very hard song to sing. Jlo rocks out with her. I think she had a rocking great time. Randy loved it. Great direction for her to take. Steven says she is it. Jlo says she did what she needed to do. It was not perfect, but I think she is playing hard. B+

Scotty sings Gone by Montgomery Gentry. Love that Sheryl knows it and sings along. Finally a hard country song for him to sing, a rock one. Just saw Josh Turner perform this weekend and it just reiterated my issues with Scotty. This was my favorite Scotty performance and I think the kid has a lot of charisma but I don't think I loved it because he is an awesome singer and so for me that is still a problem. Country can be corny, but when Scotty sings it, it kind of always has a bit of corniness right? Steven liked it, JLo loved it, Randy randy'd it. B+

Haley does an unreleased Lady Gaga song, You and I, suggested by Jimmy and Gaga gives her her blessing to perform it. Sheryl feels it will be a moment. Such a campy Elton Johnesque song, right? Come on people, this girl's voice is amazing. And she is finally showing us where she can fit in "niche" wise. Her performance style still slightly awkward. JLo felt she should have done a song people know. JLo says I'm sorry baby. DISAGREE. Randy says too risky. DISAGREE. Haley is upset. Steven gave her props for putting her style in the song but says she needs a perfect song. I'm sorry but I thought that was way better than Jacob, better than James and better than Scotty voice wise. They are screwing her over. A-

Now to next round with oldies.

James sings Without You by Harry Neilson and has a breakdown in the studio while listening to it. So he adds his vulnerability to the performance.

WOW my DVR cut off for no reason. Ok this should be interesting.

Back to James - Thank god for You tube. James sings a song I have never heard sung by a man personally. He cries during the performance. Not technically perfect but emotionally strong. He sang with his heart. Randy thought it was emotionally perfect. The competition is now James's to lose. Steven said it is "crazytown" that his emotions took over (he meant that in a good way). JLo loves his heart and soul. He is an artist she says as she cries. James admits he gives every single performance his all and that I believe and that is why this is his competition to lose right now. A-

Jacob sings Love Hurts by Everly Brothers -- I think this is truer to who Jacob is, but for me it then feels old and I don't know what album he will make. I'm glad he got to shine again, but he does lose control of his voice and for me, tis is the end of the road. Sorry I don't know what the judges said! My youtube friends cut that off! B

Lauren Alaina sings Unchained Melody. Nice to see her soft side after the first round. I know she still suffers from some underconfidence, but you can see she challenges herself. That is a big song to take on when you are worried about hitting it. Small struggles but her talent is strong. Jennifer thinks it is beautiful, Randy likes it, Steven says he could listen to her all night. B+

Scotty sings Always on My Mind. And he is definitely NOT leaving the show. Scotty got me with this one. He showed off the best parts of his voice, was touching, emotional and so damn smart picking this song. His delivery was more straightforward, not as corny believe it or not. I liked it a lot. I don't know the judges remarks because I couldn't find a clip of them, but I'm sure they loved it. Randy probably said, Scotty is in it to win it! A-

Haley sings House of the Rising Sun and I just watched it 75 times. Standing ovation from 3 judges who just wrote her off 25 minutes ago. Randy crowns her with best performance of the night, she blossomed. Steven says she sold everybody. JLo says she showed her anger at them and then sang her butt off. Her best vocal and her best performance. OUTSTANDING Haley. I now crown my first A+ of the season. That was it. A+

James B / A-
Jacob C / B
Lauren B+ / B+
Scotty B+ / A-
Haley A- / A+

I am so sorry I couldn't recap all the judges comments and am super sad to not have seen what Sheryl had to say about the second half. Will find a way to watch full episode this weekend! But I will tell you that despite the judges first critique, Haley won the night (I liked both performances), James was a close second (first one I didn't love), Scotty scotty'd me tonight (first great song choice and second finally singing well and winning me over) but came in third, Lauren was great, but needs a moment. And Jacob, we have come to the end of the road my friend. I say farewell to my lip gloss wearing friend.

Really loved the mix of old and new. Can't wait to hear Lady A sing a new song tomorrow night and am still a little afraid of seeing JLo perform live.

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...and believe in the power of youtube, it can save you from a melt down. Now back to Haley, for the 76th time.

Go ahead, you can watch it again too. http://youtu.be/oSAF2JsOEcI