American Idol: Carly Simon Supports Brooke

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NEW YORK (AP) _ Carly Simon has more than a passing interest in this season's "American Idol" and leaves no mystery about who's her favorite remaining finalist _ Brooke White.

Simon was tipped to turn on the television at her home in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., the night White won over the judges by performing her hit song "You're So Vain" during 1970s theme week.

"I thought, `Oh my God, this girl is so talented and she sings the song so much better than I ever did or ever could,'" said Simon, interviewed during a rehearsal break with her band at a Manhattan studio. "I was so flattered that she chose the song and ... more than impressed. I think she should win."

Simon was preparing for a showcase performance of songs from her new bossa-nova flavored album, "This Kind of Love," her first album of original new songs in eight years, which was released Tuesday.

The 62-year-old singer confesses that when she watches "Idol" her motherly instincts take over and she just wants to protect the young singers from what she sees as the show's cruelest part _ and it's not the comments by judge Simon Cowell whom she likes.

"One thing I don't like about the show is that it turns truly sadistic when the person is voted off and they have to sing while they're crying," Simon said. "I just want to go up .... and carry them off and say, `It's OK, sweetheart, come with me.' ... I don't know how the panel can stand that cruelty. ... Doesn't that seem like being thrown to the lions?"

With her legendary stage fright, Simon admits she couldn't have gone far on "Idol" if she had to perform live before a TV audience in the tens of millions. And she doubts that the other noted singer-songwriters of her generation _ Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and ex-husband James Taylor _ could have gone far because they all had distinctive but untrained voices.

Comments

[auramac]

Well, Carly is right on the mark. She, too would've been voted off the show, considering the mentality, taste, and maturity of the "voters." The level of abuse and animosity on display here is equally as shocking to me as is the musical ignorance. I feel sick to my stomach that Brooke is leaving- but I'm looking forward to her first album. I'll skip the Idol tour, though.

[Charity]

sick to your stomach? oh, please. you HAVE to get out more. it was well-past brooke's time to leave.

[SweetAngie]

Since Brooke is the ONLY person to sing her songs . . . golly-gee that makes sense (!)

Otherwise, Carly Simon - how your taste in musical talent has diminished with age. Brooke is nothing more than a beautiful lounge singer . . . shocking she is even in the top 10!

[kellygrrrl]

If Brooke White can write songs anywhere near as great as Carly Simon, then I'll support her, too

[Dan1967]

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[Guitarsandmore]

I agree with Carly Simon and believe American Idol is a stupid show which should have been organized very differently. Bring back the original amateur hour!

[observing]

Wow, Carly Simon is a really poor judge of talent.

[M.S. Bellows, Jr. - Huffpost Blogger]

Isn't that kind of a "who moved my cheese?" comment? If I didn't like a singer but learned that someone like Carly Simon had such high praise for her, I hope I'd reexamine my own opinions for error.

[Charity]

bellows? you're hysterically funny. and i don't think you know it.

[JerryTheAngel]

Carly Smithson can sing circles around Brooke. It's not even close. This isn't a talent contest, it's a popularity contest.

[kellygrrrl]

uhm, but so is the Pop Music industry

it's about marketability, to be honest.

Jason Castro is def not the best singer, but the guy will sell.

[auramac]

Unlike most fans (and judges) of the show, Carly Simon knows musical, and I agree with her totally. Interesting how all the mentors have commented on how they were looking forward to hearing Brooke sing now that she had apparently connected with the song and was able to put it across. To truly appreciate her, you have to download one of her studio recordings from iTunes. It seems she can be a great recording artist, whereas Syeesha id a really good performer who can't sing.

[LeeLoosMultiPass]

Who knew Carly Simon was tone deaf? Brooke is an abomination and to have her still up there singing off key and running her mouth is ridiculous. Both she and Jason should have been gone long ago.

Carly, one word: narcissist. Brooke is a narcissist. Ergo, she should do quite well in show business.

[M.S. Bellows, Jr. - Huffpost Blogger]

Jeez, I can understand someone disliking any musician's performance for one reason or another, but why the ad hominem attack? Brooke's gotta be the most humble person I've ever seen on Idol -- the furthest thing from a narcissist I can imagine.

[speakyourmind]

Always have liked Carly Simon since the '70s. What a naturally beautiful woman.

[CammyV]

This isn't surprising, Brooke is of the same genre. She should only sound as good. She's an adequate folk singer with good hair.

[rabiabidabi]

I like Carly Simon