Truthfully, I wasn't expecting much from Bon Jovi when it came to mentoring the contestants. Wow did he ever exceed my expectations!! The way I see it...he was one of the top or perhaps the top mentor we have seen this year. Way to go Jon!! Ok, here's my recap!!
PHIL sings "Blaze of Glory." I felt and have said many times this week that I thought that this would be a good week for Phil. Bon Jovi has several songs that I felt fit quite well with what we have seen emerging from Phil the last couple weeks. Honestly, I thought he, like Jon Bon Jovi, exceeded my expectations....from his emotions to the fist to fist with Randy to the power in his voice at the right times. The kid did great. I love it when the show starts off so strong, and I love the new Phil!!
JORDIN sings "Living on a Prayer." Well she looked hot...... but that is never the first thing you want people to comment on after you perform on AI. Unfortunately I didn't see a lot of other good things to comment on in the song. She struggled in a huge way with the low parts of the song, she seemed to be on the verge of shouting during the power parts of the song, and she was "ok" during the chorus.
LAKISHA sings "This Ain't a Love Song." I am not sure anyone did a better job at picking the perfect song this week! Then she went out and backed it up with a terrific performance. It is quite refreshing to see the old LaKisha back, as I've really missed her!! I don't recall a single part of the song where she seemed to over-sing, to force too much power out. She had the power, but it was a natural power, a beautiful power. That's what you want! Those are the performances that have the fans reaching for the phone ready to dial the minute Ryan says "Now!" Well done, LaKisha!! And the kiss from Simon!!! How cool was that!
BLAKE sings "You Give Love a Bad Name." I can't think of any contestant ever taking a bigger chance than Blake did tonight! Can any of you other Idol enthusiasts think of one? This is one of Bon Jovi's all time biggest hits--messing with that could be the kiss of death. It may have been a kiss of death, but I don't think Blake will receive that kiss. I thought he was incredible. Finally the innovative Blake has returned... the one I called the winner back when there were 24. This kid is a performer plain and simple. From his arrangement, to his moves, to his beatboxing, to the black hair that I thought fit well with the song, he was the master tonight. Melinda and Jordin had sailed past him the last several weeks, and Phil was hot on his tail. Well, tonight he once again distanced himself from Phil and passed Jordin. I put him neck and neck with Melinda.
CHRIS sings "Wanted Dead or Alive." LaKisha appeared to learn from her past mistakes, but evidently Chris did not. Sorry Chris, you have been a bottom dweller of late and this is not the time to honor Bon Jovi by doing their signature song, especially on the heels of Chris Daughtry's performance last year. He may have "had fun" on this one, but not many of the viewers did. He is in serious trouble. If I were him, I would buy some suntan lotion, 'cause he's heading back to Virginia Beach.
MELINDA sings "Have a Nice Day." Is there nothing this girl can't sing? I was a little worried about her this week. Why do I ever worry about her? From her interaction with the guitarist to her sassy look, to her head banging, to her singing, she rocked. Melinda rocked, I wasn't too sure that you could put those 2 words in the same sentence. I can definitely see what Randy was saying about the Tina Turner edge she brought to the song. She has no intentions of not winning this competition. Way to go Melinda!!
