American Idol 9 - Live show 1 - The girls

1. Paige Miles - All Right Now.
Not off to a great start. Her voice is okay, but something about it didn't work.
Simon liked her, not the song. Kara and Randy liked both. Ellen thought she pulled it off.

2. Ashley Rodriguez - Happy.
Ouch. Wrong key, too warbly. Leona Lewis she is not.
Kara said it was brave, but didn't always work. Randy agreed the comparison wasn't good. Ellen agreed it wasn't a risky choice. Simon thought it was clumsy.

3. Janell Wheeler - What About Love?
Great song choice, but not for her voice. She lacked stage presence and showed the limitations of her voice.
Randy didn't like the song choice, Ellen did, Simon gave it 65% saying there were moments, Kara thought the song was too big.

4. Lilly Scott - Fixing a Hole.
Started way too deep for her voice, got a little bit shrill but she at least stood out. Not my cup of tea though.
Ellen said that's exactly what people should be doing. Simon said the best so far, but no star power. Kara called it believable. Randy loved the unaffected honesty.

5. Katelyn Epperly - Oh Darling.
Looked like early Madonna, very odd mix with a jazzy oldie. Quite a nice voice, but boring song. Best so far for me.
Simon called it messy, but liked her. Kara disliked the look, Randy liked that she stuck to the melody, Ellen felt it was pushed, but said she had an amazing voice.

6. Haeley Vaughn - I Wanna Hold Your Hand.
She tried to put her own spin on it, but it was just screechy and off-melody.
Kara said there were issues, but it was fun. Randy said the high notes weren't pleasing, but liked the approach. Ellen liked her shining presence. Simon thought it was verging on terrible. A mess.

7. Lacey Brown - Landslide.
A bit boring, but quite nicely sung. Far from flawless though.
Randy thought it was pitchy and wrong song choice. Ellen said she's better than that. Simon thought it was depressing and indulgent. Kara thought it was the wrong choice.

8. Michelle Delamor - Falling.
Very good. Liked the look too. Easily the best so far.
Ellen said fantastic- but safe. Simon said it was good, but lacked an Oh My God moment. Kara said there were problems, but good. Randy wanted more risks.

9. Didi Benami - The Way I Am.
Don't know the song, but thought this version was nicely done, and was a standout from the rest so far.
Simon said it was indulgent, and missing a spark, but a good voice. Kara liked the song and noticed the risky changes. Randy missed the oomph, it was just sleepy. Ellen thought it was a low-key first impression.

10. Siobhan Magnus - Wicked Game.
I loved it. Surely best of the night overall?
Kara liked it, though found it nasal. Randy wanted a bigger song. Ellen loved it. Simon liked it, but (like Randy) preferred her audition.

11. Crystal Bowersox - Hand In My Pocket.
Didn't like the folksy arrangement, and the harmonica solo wasn't wise. There's a good voice in there though.
Randy called her one of his favourites, saying it was honest. Ellen called her fresh. Simon's heard it all before outside thousands of subways, but likes her. Kara said she was good, but should- and can- be great.

12. Katie Stevens - Feeling Good.
Big voice, but immature stage presence. Quite good though.
Ellen said great voice, but very conservative when she should be 17, fresh and modern. Simon agreed, calling it annoying. Kara thought she couldn't hear herself, but has ridiculous props. Which is good. Randy reiterated the age thing.

Best for me were Siobhan, Michelle and Didi.
My bottom two are Ashley and Haeley.

Results show:
Janell first out. A shame, there was potential there... but fair play, she wouldn't have lasted much longer.
Ashley next. No surprise there. Even worse second time.