And I'll be damned if they don't do a fine job!

I'm not a country music fan, per se, but there are certain artists who capture my affections in that world...usually the quirky ones like Lyle Lovett, KD Lang, and yes, Dolly Parton. So while I didn't think she was a particularly inspiring or even minimally helpful "mentor" to the contestants, I enjoyed hearing her music.

And since prep for BlogHer Business has had me lagging on the reality talent show recaps the last week or so, I wanted to jump right on this.

Let's begin.

1. Brooke White sang Jolene

I continue to be mystified that Brooke is quite as popular as she is. She's nice, she's fine, she doesn't light my world on fire. This particular performance had some nice vocal stuff, but it also featured occasional and regular pitchiness. She also had some nice emotional commitment to the song, but then occasional and regular inappropriate smiling that didn't fit the song at all. So brooke is a two steps forward, one step back kind of performer for me. I will say right here, though, that I thought Simon dissing the band members was totally uncalled for! "Keep them in the shade" !!?? Nice.

Bottom line: Brooke should be safe, because even I agree there were three more mediocre performances than this one.

2. David C. sang Little Sparrow

Well, what do you know, I like David C. on acoustic guitar way more than on electric. After an extended discussion of where David gets his arrangements (unnecessary for any of you who read blogs, since this has been exhaustively and exhaustingly covered online) David stakes a claim that the coming arrangement is his, all his. And it was very nice indeed, showing off some emotional range, as well as some vocal range...that was some really nice falsetto he was displaying. David has the nice combo of a rock-style voice that sounds easy and effortless. I'm also glad he ditched the back to front combover hairdo.

Bottom line: David C. is safe once again, and solidifying his position as a real front-runner.

3. Ramiele sang something so boring I didn't even write the song title down. Woops!

Seriously, if she doesn't land in the Bottom 3 (and preferably out the door) after this performance, then she is officially this year's Sanjaya. I cannot to stand another week of bouncy step-touch step-touch child-performing-at-her-parents'-party performing. Not to mention she was pitchy, part of it were too low, and frankly parts of the melody seemed a littl ebeyond her. She sounded like she was just taking stabs at where some of those notes were supposed to be.

Bottom line: Please can we boot her now? Please?

4. Jason sang Travelin' Through

Not one of my favorite songs, simply because it's a bit repetitive melodically. Jason had a nice vocal here, but it continues to be very quiet, very laid back, very refusing-to-stand-out-in-a-crowd. I believed him too, as randy averred. But I didn't think this performance was going to wake people up who ahve gotten bored by him.

Bottom line: If he hadn't been in the Bottom 3 last week, I would think he was at risk this week either, but clearly some segment of the voting public has grown bored with Jason, so I'm sure he's still at risk.

5. Carly sang Here You Come Again

Sure, she sounded pretty, but could she have picked a more cheesy arrangement? More of the broken wing, poor me demeanor. The interesting thing about this song is the almost dark lyrics accompanied by the bouncy happy sounding melody. Sure, I can see slowing a song like that down, and playing up the morose parts of it...but this went too far. I also agree with Simon that pants tucked into boots is not actually a great look for Carly, and she needs to change it up there too.

Bottom line: I don't think this was a Bottom 3 worthy performance, but I think she's at risk anyway, because her voice may not bail her out of the dismal arrangement choice.

6. David A. sang Smoky Mountain Memories

David A. really does have a lovely, pure high range, so I really enjoyed the ending portion of this song, one with which I was unfamiliar. I do think David is Mr. One Note at this point. Sweet, bordering on treacly. He gets pretty awkward when he tries to go outside that range. But he sounds very nice doing so.

Bottom line: Must I say it? Safe.

7. Kristy Lee sang Coat of Many Colors

Kristy Lee is like Kellie Pickler without the personality. Average country warble. Pretty blond looks. Destined for a life singing at County Fairs once the American Idol fame wears off. That being said, despite occasional pitchiness, even I wouldn't vote this the worst performance of the night.

Bottom line: She could even be safe depending on whether people a) finally catch a clue about Ramiele and b) continue their occasional disenchantment with either Carly or Jason

8. Syesha sang I Will Always Love You

Why oh why didn't she stick with the Dolly Parton approach to the song, and stay away altogether from the predictable and unmatchable Whitney Houston approach? Syesha is not a good song chooser, and this is another example. She also looked really old-fashioned and frumpy, I thought. The beginning held promise. (Although she seemed out of breath and was breathing indiscriminately in the middle of words even.) She had some nice emotional intensity. It could have been good. But then it descended into divadom, and game over. And chica, if you're going to masturbate all over the stage by holding a note for hours...better be on pitch!! That note was painfully sharp until the last nanosecond. And she just wouldn't let go of it.

Bottom line: Bottom 3 again

9. Michael Johns sang So Wrong, But So Right

I actually really liked this. This was the performance where I felt he really opened up and let go, particularly vocally. He has a very pleasing rasp to his voice, yet his command of the falsetto was spot on. I thought he was sexy. And in a man way, not a boy way.

Bottom line: I hope he's safe.

Bottom line on the Bottom 3:

If it were me, the Bottom 3 would be:

Ramiele, Syesha and Kristy Lee with Ramiele going home.

I think Kristy Lee may be safe again, to Carly or Jason's chagrin.

And i think it may actually be Syesha that goes home.

But what did you think?