We finally kick off the real part of the American Idol Season 8. Last night was Michael Jackson night and contestants had to pick a Micheal Jackson song or a Jackson 5 song. Jasmine Murray sang “I’ll be there”. Once again she surprised the judges with her singing ability. I am really starting to wonder what they have been listening to over the last weeks of the show. Jasmine Murray is a great singer!

Listen to it (no Video - Copyright):

What the judges said!

“Check it out baby! You know what, listen. I had the pleasure of recording this song as a remake the very talented singer named Maria Carey, and it’s funny how you cut and mix the two versions together little bit. I was thinking when you came of sing that song, I was like yo I don’t know how this can be, but you know what man, you did a pretty good job on it. I was actually impressed, because it’s a tough song to sing after like Mariah and Michael. You know all that, but it was an that bad. It was pretty good.”

“You kind of surprise me too. I’m always on the edge, it’s like is she going to do it? Is she going to do it? And she had some of these notes and I’m like woh! I keep thinking though maybe have key down would’ve been more comfortable for you. Then it would’ve been just effortless, but you know what you did it. You sold it. You have a great stage presence by the way.”

“You’re a lovely young lady, you have tremendous composure on that stage. It’s like you’ve been doing it your whole life. You had some bright moments, but there were some moments going in the chorus that I’m not sure. Maybe you might not hear yourself in the monitor maybe or you’re overwhelmed by the audience, but you’re under. You were under a times, and you had brilliant moments at times. So you know, what way to go!”

“You know there’s not much more I can really add Jasmine. You know you made a good attempt. There was some nice control at the end, big notes are always going to trouble you. Little bit robotic at times. I think you just gotta lighten up a little bit. We’ve said this before, but you’ve gotta start acting your age a little bit. At the moment it’s a little bit little girl trying to be a grownup. That’s all I can really say.”

I really liked that song choice for Jasmine. ‘I’ll be there’ really does suit her well. Simon once again told her to act her age. That she is like a little girl who is trying to be a grownup. It is not obvious yet that she is a very mature person, and she is not your typical teenager? It was obvious from group week when she was stuck in the nightmare group and she remained composed and handled the situation perfectly.

Last nights show was very exciting and it really showed just how much talent there is for Season 8 American Idol. All contestants in the Top 13 were good and nobody really had a ‘bad’ performance.

Here is what the other contestants and the Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song they sang:

Lil Rounds - The Way You Make Me Feel
Scott MacIntyre - Keep The Faith
Danny Gokey - PYT (Pretty Young Thing)
Micheal Sarver - You Are Not Alone
Jasmine Murray - I’ll Be There
Kris Allen - Remember The Time
Allison Iraheta - Give Into Me
Anoop Desai - Beat It
Jorge Nunez - Never Gonna Say Goodbye
Megan Corkrey - Rockin’ Robin
Adam Lambert - Black or White
Matt Giraud - Human Nature
Alexis Grace - Dirty Diana

Before Jasmine Murray sang there was a nice video segment with Jasmine’s family in Mississippi. It was very nice. She looks like she comes from a very close family. Great job last night Jasmine. Your family should be very pround.

Tonight we will find out who got voted off. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. The first round is always tough. Late in the show Ryan Seacrest said there there was going to be a surprise change of the rules involving the judges. We will find out tonight what that surprise is. There have been a lot of surprises on American Idol already this year. I am almost a little afraid to find out what it is.