Idol Chatter & Voice Views

And tonight, we’re off to New York on American Idol.

That would be Jennifer Lopez’s stomping ground, though a man residing in the home where she used to live doesn’t seem to have any idea who Jennifer Lopez is.

Hmm, surprised that wasn’t edited out.

It’s also the city where Adam Lambert took Keith’s spot at the judge’s table following the death of Nicole Kidman’s father.

Ryan tells us that Adam is the first Idol contestant to sit in a judge’s chair.

Now, it’s time to meet some contestants:

Sal Valentinetti, 19, entertainer, Bethpage, N.Y.: Right off the bat, Idol introduces us to another character. “I’ve never seen a more intimidating crowd in my life,” he says of his fellow contestants. “I’m singing old guy music. I’m wearing an old guy suit.” As for the suit, well he explains he’s wearing it “not just because I sing in a suit, but because this is the biggest job interview of my life.” Once into the audition room, he launches into a rendition of “Fly Me To the Moon.” It’s a solid, assured performance. Jennifer says she likes it. Adam Lambert says he thinks lots of people who watch Idol will love Sal. And Sal heads to Hollywood on a 2-1 vote, with guess who casting the “no.” That’s right, Harry.

J. None, 24, amusement park performer, Orlando, Fla: OK, so the night’s second singer shows up with a teddy bear, Mr. Crispy. He’s had him since age 3 when he had to undergo treatment for asthma; he says having the bear with him kept him calm. In the audition room, the bear looks on as J. performs “My Prerogative.” J. sounded a little nervous, but Adam complimented him on “a good groove.” Harry is too busy playing with the teddy bear to say much. But he does say J. None has “a great personality.”

Jax, 18, musician, East Brunswick, N.J.: Her father is a New York City firefighter, retired because he was injured at the 9/11 recovery site. Jax feels “like my singing was therapy for him, for sure. All I want to do is make my parents proud.” She sits behind a piano to perform a slowed-down version of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” She has an interesting tone to her voice, too. Jax says she grew up watching the show. Heck, she even voted for Adam Lambert (very smart girl). Harry was impressed. He says the judges haven’t heard anyone “who sounds remotely like you” and calls her “very talented.” Jennifer likes the fact that she seems shy and confident at the same time. Adam says he thinks Jax has “the it thing.”

Johnny Arco, 28, alternative rock musician, Bushwick, N.Y.: Here’s a guy who’s going to play Radiohead on a violin. And who once got arrested for playing his violin in the subway. Adam calls the performance “interesting.” That’s a kind way of putting it. He doesn’t advance.

Najah Lewis, 20, subway performer, Brooklyn, N.Y.: She describes herself as “the glamorous subway performer” and says she makes good money and books lots of gigs performing there. She’s also a longtime fan of the show who’s always dreamed of winning American Idol. She comes from a musical family and says she’s been playing guitar for about five years. She’s auditioning with “Payphone,” and she sounds very, very good. Adam liked the fact that she did “inventive and interesting” things with her version of the song. Harry says she was “captivating.” And she moves forward with three yes votes.

Also advancing:
Tion Phipps, 20, self-employed, Madisonville, Ky.: He delivers a nice version of “When I Was Your Man.”
James Killian Dunn, 21, lifeguard, Brookfield, Ct.: I wasn’t nearly as impressed with his audition as the judges were.

Shi Scott, 19, model, Belcamp, Md.: This young lady says she doesn’t have a lot of expereince singing in front of people. “Going from zero to 100 in front of celebrities is gonna be rough. I’ve been singing to myself most of my life.” She’ll sing “Valerie.” She has an interesting sound, for sure. Harry says she’s talented, but it came off like an Amy Winehouse impression. Adam doesn’t think she’s ready, but Shi advances thanks to yes votes from Jennifer and Harry. “I had to fight for this, but I’m going to make it worth their while,” she says.

Eric Lopez, 19, student, Wading River, N.Y.: He’s decided to audition with Queen’s “The Show Must Go On,” even with Adam on the panel. OK, this is a weird audition. Adam calls it “disjointed.” Somehow, Eric advances to Hollywood after one of the worst auditions we’ve heard through four episodes.

Here comes another montage, this one featuring three blonds
Maddie Walker, 16, student, Ankeny, Iowa: She auditions with “Suitcase”
Courtney Zahn, 21, student, Beachwood, N.J.: She auditions with “Classic”
Jackie Nese, 17, student, Springfield, N.J.: She auditions with “Born This Way”

All three advance.

Qaasim Middleton, 18, student, Brooklyn, N.Y.: This guy says his family is very musical. His father plays multiple instruments and was in the cast of “Stomp.” His mother was the first black woman to win Miss Mississippi. He attends college for jazz and contemporary music. He’ll audition with Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.” And just like the song says, his performance is a little all over the place. He even beat boxes a bit. And makes all sorts of noises. Jennifer “loved it,” saying “you have the whole vibe going on.” And Qaasim sails to Hollywood with three yes votes.

Adam Ezegelian, 20, toy designer, Wantagh, N.Y.: This guy is a student studying toy design. “I think the reason I’m drawn to toys is that I never actually grew up. I’m just a kid in some curly headed body.” But he also calls singing his passion and says he’s been singing most of his life, though he got away from it because of his studies. “This personality has become too big for my regular life, and I feel like I need to expand my audience,” he adds. Hmm, he’s auditioning with “Born to be Wild.” It’s a surprisingly entertaining version of the song during which Adam displays his power and his range. Even more impressive, is his snippet of “I’m Yours.” Jennifer says he has a really pretty voice and does interesting things with it. And Adam, the auditioner, is off to Hollywood with three yes votes.

Katherine Winston, 18, musician, Lenox, Ma.: We learn very little about Katherine. Except that she has a wonderful tone and advances. As she sings a rather sad tune, we see lots of singers who got sad news from the Idol judges. They weren’t as fortunate as Katherine.

Travis Finlay, 20, sales associate, Baldwin, N.Y.: This guy was supposed to go to Berklee, but wound up not having the money to do so. He sings “I Want You to Stay.” Hey, and this guy has a great voice. One of the best we’ve heard tonight. And an auditioner without a gimmick. That’s nice, too. Jennifer calls him “a star. You shine. There’s something about you.” Adam says he thinks Travis “could do very well on this show.” Harry has high praise for him, too.

Next up, a couple …
Yanni G, 23, cover band singer, Newington, Ct.: She’s going to audition with “The Cup Song.” She sounds really nice.
Nick Fradiani, 28, musiciann, Guilford, Ct.: He’s Yanni’s boyfriend and he’s auditioning with “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. He sounds very good, too. He advances; she does not.

Hollywood Anderson, 22, busker, New York, N.Y.: Here’s another subway performer. “I get busy on the subway. I love it,” he says. “It gave me my confidence. It gave me my swag. I’ve made people cry on train platforms. It’s gotten really weird for me. I’ve had people break out into random dance.” He’s singing an original, “My Best Friend,” about a girl he fell in love with. And it’s very, very good. And all three judges have high praise for Hollywood. Harry calls it the best audition the judges have heard in New York, and perhaps the best yet. Hollywood sails to Hollywood.