American Idol 2, April 29: Two-for-Tuesday with Neil Sedaka

Kimberley Locke, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Gladys Knight version)

She's grooving and showing that she is comfortable on the stage. Definitely getting into it. A very good performance and, indeed, this is one reason I said in my review of the new AI2 love songs CD that I wish they'd waited to put out the CD - because some of the singers have gotten much better since the tracks were recorded.

Randy: Good. About all I can say. (Audience boos.)

Neil: You are ear-delicious. Blues licks are terrific. You're wonderful!

Paula: Groove-oriented, cool. You look sexy tonight.

Simon: Very disappointing, I agree with Randy. I can hear that in any church across America. It wasn't your best.

Clay Aiken, "Build Me Up Buttercup"

Like Ruben, Clay moves away from the ballad with this very up-tempo song. He moves around the stage nicely and shows once again that he can sing anything. Very good!

Randy: You tried to change your thing up. Great job.

Neil: You sing like Andre Agassi plays tennis. I would kill to write and produce your first CD!

Simon: You made the effort, you entertained. But what is the song about? I've always wondered.

OK, after the first round of performances, I'm having a hell of a time ranking 'em. I've bounced around several times. I think I'm going to go with:

1. Clay
2. Ruben
3. Kimberley
4. Trenyce
5. Joshua

Now it's time for the second round, in which they will all sing Neil Sedaka songs.

Ruben, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"

Ruben is back to the ballad again, the Ruben we all know and love. However, I just am not into the whole silky smooth ballad thing right now. I may have been listening to the AI2 love songs CD too much today. Neil, however, looks like he's in heaven as Ruben is singing.

Randy: You sang that like a true professional veteran. In my eyes, you've already won.

Neil: Thank you for doing me proud. Terrific.

Paula: Stellar performance. You did it again.

Simon: The funny thing is when you're smiling you're really happy. When you stand there you look so serious (the same thing I just mentioned earlier in the article!). Absolutely sensational.

Trenyce, "Love Will Keep Us Together"

Wow! This is an impressive performance by Trenyce. She holds her notes well and powers through the song.

Randy: Y'all are really coming up with some stuff tonight. Y'all are really trying to win. Fantastic.

Neil: I wrote it in 1976, you made it today.

Paula: Classic melody. Brilliant night for you. I'm so proud of you.

Simon: It was… fabulous.

After commercial, we find Ryan talking to Hayley from Mr. Personality, in the audience. He asks her if it's difficult to make out with guys in the masks. She says it's wonderful and he should try it. Twice he blows the name of the show, calling it "Miss Personality."