American Idol: Season Seven Top 9

It's Dolly Parton night on American Idol, and she is so frakkin' adorable. Can everyone adapt to a country theme? And how much will Simon hate the songs? Let's see!

Brooke White sings "Jolene" and Dolly loves the honesty in her voice. She plays the guitar with a percussionist, fiddler and a back up singer. I really like the pared down arrangement, and though she misses a low note or two, she sounds nice. That's really the word for her, isn't it? Nice. Randy says it's ok, Paula says she has an emotional connection. Simon says there was no emotion, and the violinist was weird.

How will David Cook rock up Dolly's "Little Sparrow?" Not sure yet, but she loves it. It's his own arrangement this week, and he accompanies himself on the guitar. It's nice because it shows off a softer side of of voice, and as always, he's confident and nails it. Randy loves that he's a rocker who's showing his range. Paula likes his haircut and thinks he shows off how well-rounded he is. Simon says if David can make a song about sparrows sound good, he's good. What is with Simon and the bird songs? It's not about a sparrow, and Blackbird isn't about a blackbird.

Ramiele Malubay is "so cute, so sweet, and so scared," according to Dolly. She sings "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" and at first it seems like a great choice: upbeat but no so fast you can't show off some singing, lots of personality. But it's kind of dull, and she seems so uncomfortable onstage. Randy gives it a six and a half, Paula loves it, and Simon calls it cruiseshippy.

Jason Castro gets his dreds felt up by Dolly Parton, as he's rehearsing "Travellin' Through." This is the first time in forever I've heard any strength in Jason's voice, it almost makes me believe for a second that he's more than a pretty face. Still, he loses it in places, and I'm just not convinced that he can really sing. And truly -- he needs that guitar. Like Brooke, he can't be trusted to just move around the stage. Randy thought it got better as the song went on. Paula thinks it was one of his best performances. Simon says this music doesn't suit him, which is nuts. Simon just doesn't like country music -- this genre is right up Jason's alley.

Carly Smithson takes "Here You Come Again," and does it just with an acoustic guitar. I love that Carly can sing equally well in her chest and head voices, and can switch between them with ease -- it tends to be a real problem for girls on this show, season to season. She nails it. She's this year's Melinda: professional, consistent, wonderful. Randy thinks it will probably be one of the best of the night. Paula gushes over it. Simon says it wasn't great, and she needs to have a word with who's dressing her.

Wow. He's a real asshole tonight. And unlike other nights, he's just wrong, in my opinion.

David Archuleta gets chills over "Smokey Mountain Memories" and almost makes Dolly cry her fake lashes off. It's a beautiful song, and gives David a good opportunity to show off both his voice and his emotional performance skills. He also goes for some higher notes in this one, and closes big. Not that he was going home, but this one is keeping him around. Randy says never mind, that was the best performance of the night. Paula loves his tone and aura. She's making up for Simon this week. Speaking of, Simon says he's on the money.

Oh God. Kristy Lee Cook. And it's country. She's going to be safe again. And she looks gorgeous. And actually sounds decent, doing "Coat of Many Colors." Damnit, she shouldn't have been her this week to get this free pass. Randy says country is her wheelhouse, Paula thinks it's her best performance. Simon disagrees and says last week was her best, whereas this week's was pleasant and forgettable.

Syesha Mercado sings "I Will Always Love You," and mixes Dolly's simple version with Whitney's diva-style. She's not "Shyesha" says Dolly. What did I say? Cute as a button. Syesha sings this one on top of the piano. So much drama! I think she sounds kind of lethargic. She needs to tone down the emotion and turn up the emotion, which she finally does when she gets to the Whitney-er parts. Overall though, I don't think she sounds as amazing as she thinks she does (even though she holds one note excessivly just to show off). Randy thinks it was pretty good. Paula thinks she has a velvetty tone to her voice. Simon says he wishes Syesha hadn't gotten this song. It was a good version, not a fantastic version.

Dolly wants Michael Johns to succeed so she can write songs for him. He sings a bluesy "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" with the guitar and piano backing him. This is a great song choice for him. He gets to sound cool and show off his range. Huge ending, with the falsetto -- he sounds great. Seriously, how can anyone like Jason Castro when you've got Michael Johns? Randy says it's blazing hot. Paula calls him a blues souls star. Simon says ding! Tivo has done what Ryan Seacrest never can: cut off Simon. I can only assume he hated it, because it was brilliant.

I say Ramiele, Syesha and Kristy Lee are in the bottom, and this week Syesha goes home.