Here's a good review from Bean99 on MJ's blog (I disagree on I Drove All Night, but it's a great review, so we'll take it)

Carly: Her voice is incredible and I’d argue the best of the bunch. I loved the first 2 songs and was surprised to find that I didn’t like the arrangement of “Drive all Night” which I liked when she did Idol. She looked great.
1st half group song: I thought Michael and Carly sounded really good doing it.
After hearing them in person I think several of the idols should get a contract including Carly, Michael (I know he’s not signing), Chikeze (gospel?), and probably Jason because of his fans.

Shelly/Cheryl/Melanie-Thought You Guys Might Want to Post This On the Front Page

Here is a great blog from Jason Yeager (Top 24 Contestant) who attended the Dallas show last night-He spent time with Carly, Michael and David Cook and he said some great things about Carly-Read Below :


Jason Yeager blogged about last night. He also has a new profile pic of the Horsemen, minus Luke Menard.

Idol Reunion in Dallas

I have such a blessed life. Last night I went to see all my old friends again in Dallas. MJ was gracious enough to get me a ticket and backstage pass to the show. (Thank you again MJ) I haven’t seen these guys since the finale and even then, the chaos that ensued after the show was so great, I barely got a chance to talk to any of them. After I got inside I saw Stacy, MJ’s wife, and we said hello. She gave me a pass and took me to see Michael. Dave came out as well and we all chatted for a bit. Dave even gave me a sneak peak at some demos he’s working on for the new album! I was so glad to see my boys again. Missed Luke being there, it wasn’t quite the same. Carly came out and gave me a big hug, I was so happy to see “Tater”. Everyone was still the same as before. Michael had a grin on his face and said “We’ve got something special for you tonight Yeager..” And Dave started laughing and then Carly.

So I go take my seat and people start whispering and pointing. I still can’t get used to that. Both Chikezie and Carly gave a shout out to me during the show! But then the highlight was during the finale group number. Michael kept looking at me saying “just keep watching” and then at the very end of the song everyone did my little move I did on my last night! OMG I about peed my pants watching everyone bow their heads and pound their arms out to the side. That was the most hilarious thing and even though they were obviously making fun, it was so sweet of them to do that for me cuz they love me. And I just was so thankful at that moment to know each and everyone of them. We had the best time after the show joking about it all. I hung out with them as they did meet and greet with the fans. I felt like I should go but Carly insisted I stay. I didn’t want to take away from them and the fans. But Carly kept saying “come on!…come outside, its insane out there, its so much fun!” I didn’t think people would even care or remember me but the second her and I walked out the doors the fans went nuts! And she gave me a sharpie and there I was walking down a line of people wrapped halfway around the building with screaming fans. People were calling my name and asking about my son Nathan and about what I’m doing….I was speechless. It felt so good! People were like do you do pictures? Do you have time? I was like “of course!” I kept looking over at Carly and she was just signing and looking over at me and smiling…wow! She kept making me do “The move” for the fans so they could take pictures…ugh….lol. But I had a blast and then we went back inside and I walked with everyone to the bus as they loaded up and Carly gave me a slice of cold pizza that was so yummy! Carly, you really did make my night, and MJ, you are still the same great friend you’ve always been, and Dave, I am so proud of you for staying true to who you are and staying grounded through all of this. This was one of the most memorable nights of my life guys!!! I love you all…thank you so much for making me feel so special last night! What a blessed life I have….

Thanks, Amy! I deleted the other post of this as I didn't think we needed it twice. :)

No problem-I just wanted to make sure it stood out so you guys would notice it. It was so good that I hoped you'd post it on the front page of this website. Will you be able to do that?

From KathrynTX at mjsbigblog:

Carly - I was surprised how much I liked her set live! I didn’t really know the first song (Bring Me to Life) but she sounded good. I liked the Heart song best, she ROCKED IT and sounded great. She sounded fabulous on the Celine song too but it was not my fave. I saw her after the show and got an autograph too. She is LOVELY, she looked great on stage and after the show too. Love her accent too! My sister made road trip CDs for the guys’ and girls’ buses (same CD, she just made 2 of them). She handed the girls’ CD to Carly and Carly started to sign it and hand it back. We said NO NO that’s for YOU! She gasped and made a cute surprised face and said “OH OH thank you” and held it up close to her chest. She was so cute. I don’t know that I’d buy her album, but she’s a rocker who can SANG. I’d give it a listen anyway! I hope she does well.

Me talking now: I can't get over how many people don't know "Bring Me To Life!" I mean, I get that not everyone listens to Evanescence crazy-obsessive like I do but it was a HUGE radio hit! WTH?!??

I am surprised too because it was played on the radio all the time. I think it was also on the soundtrack for the movie "Daredevil" with Ben Aflack. That's the first time I heard Evanescence and I really liked the songs on the movie. Their music is a little different from what I usually like, but I bought their cd when I heard Carly was singing BMTL on the tour, and I love the cd (and BMTL) now.

Here are a few more from the AI website :

Realitytv87
Carly's voice sounds so powerful live. Her performance skills have also really improved from the show.

Luckythechi
Carly- Never was a big fan of her, but she was great last night as well. She looks like she lost weight too, she looks beautiful too!

Smile67
Carly was what you would expect. Fabulous! She has such a powerful, beautiful voice that can get away from her sometimes, but I really enjoyed her set. She had great interaction with the crowd. Her last song, drove all night was the best for her.

yay!

i think carly is picking up new fans with every show :D

These pictures were posted on the IDF forums by Soundscene. I love the first one-she looks so fierce in it with her hair blowing in the wind :

Here's a review from Aggie02 posted on MJ's Blog-Dallas show :

Carly: I love me some Carly. She was my favorite girl. Loved the Bring Me to Life and her entrance with the fan blowing. The Heart song suited her well. Didn’t know the last song. She has some pipes and she can rock also!

holy crap those are amazing shots! more for my collection. yay.

Thanks for bringing those over, Amy! They are amazing! :o

You're welcome. The are so close up that the photographer must have been on the front row. I thought they were really good and you guys would enjoy them.

Is she wearing a Heart t-shirt???

yep.



see?

Here's a review from Soundscene (Archie fan that loves Carly) on the IDF forums

Carly
I love Carly. She's so powerful. It's really strange to think about the artists that make it, and those who don't. Carly has the ability to make it. She's every bit as interesting on stage as most of the female artists topping the charts. And her voice is by far the best female vocal of this past season. She has stage presence, charisma, and you just want to love her. There's a moment, right before she sang her second song, where she sat on the floor, serene. And she looked really beautiful. I think if I had seen Carly perform like this on the show, she would have been my second favorite. But the show is so constrained, and the performers can't show all that they are without help from TPTB. But all that is lost and gone, and I can only hope that Carly finds success beyond this point.

these are gorgeous and i added them to our gallery.

Here's a review from Briana who attended the Dallas concert:

[B]AWESOME CONCERT!!!!
The night was all about Jason as he was in his hometown. He wore a Texas flag on his back he was soooo cute! I was all about him!

All the idols were great. Chickezie started off the concert the right way. He was full of energy and got the crowd dancing and singing. Ramiele was really good. Her voice is getting stronger since the show. I liked her song choices, they fit her personality. MJ was awesome as always! He can work the crowd! He has a tremendous voice and he's hott! Kristy was really good. She was definately in her comfort zone, she's all about country! She was cool. Carly was AMAZING! Bring Me To Life was my favorite performance fo the night! She definately is one of strongest vocalists of the bunch! She looked so gorgeous too. She's a hottie and I'm obsessed with the TATS! Brooke was really good too, and the crowd loved her. I dont see a tremendous improvement in her voice but she's still great to listen to. Jason of course came out next and was fabulous!
Syesha also was amazing. She has a killer voice and her songs were great. Her last song "Listen" gave me chills!
David A was next and the crowd went absolutely insane!!!! He is awesome. Such a great artist. Powerful singer.
David Cook...my american idol! The best. Such a genuine person. besides having great vocals, he's so down to earth and enjoys every minute of his life..it shows as he performs and talks to the crowd.

The concert was so muich fun! The groups numbers were awesome! MAVID forever!!! xo[/B]

Is it just me or does Carly keep looking more youthful!!! :D

When you compare her recent pics to some from several months ago, she really is even more beautiful now. And I NEVER thought that would be possible. I don't know how she does it, but she does.
She's just incredible. If I could, I'd print 'n frame all three of those pictures.
:heart:

I know she has lost some weight, so maybe she's been working out. That might be why she looks so much younger and prettier now.

WHOA!
THOSE ARE SWEET PICTURES!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

wow. amazing pictures. she's so flawless. <_<

I think Carly always looks perfect regardless of her weight, teeth, whatever. :heart:

:o I love those pics!!! She is just so gorgeus :heart: Thanks for posting them!!

Here's a late review from KCCAFanForever on Cookie's IDF forum :

CARLY!! Danielle was really happy to here Evenesance come on. I had told her I heard Carly would sing them. It's unbelievable how amazing she was with Bring Me to Life. She gave me chills at the beginning. Absolutely amazing. I think she owns that song now. I basically loved her entire set!