Tonight, the results of a week of coaching by former Cold Chisel singer songwriter and Australian music legend Ian Moss will be seen as our top 9 take to the stage with their instruments for the first time this season.

Of course they're with out Lana Krost who was dismissed by the Aussie voters last week. Tonight it's acoustic. It's unplugged. It's Australian Idol.

First up is:

Mark Da Costa is accompanying himself on guitar in a very different version of Coldplay's Yellow
Cal 1902 55 55 61
SMS MARK to 19 10 10

This is certainly a different spin on a very familiar song. The slide guitar has given a hint of New Orleans to it. Mark thought it was a really nice bluesy arrangement and liked the versatility for a change. Dicko wonders if anyone has ever honky tonked Coldplay before but he liked it and says that he's shown a broader range of colours in his pallette. Marcia liked the originality in it. Kyle says he's found a softer side and thought it was very nice to see something different from him.

Natalie Gauci is going to try and pull of a male song with Michael Jackson's Man In the Mirror while she plays the piano
Call 1902 55 55 62
SMS NATALIE to 19 10 10

This is quite nice. The building throughout the song is really good. Quite an emotive performance although the last note wasn't too flash. The outfit was weird. Dicko said that she struck such a commanding figure sitting there at the piano. Marcia says that they met her playing the piano and she has blossomed even further. Kyle thinks it's the first time they've seen the girl that they know. Mark agrees with Marcia that she listens and builds.

Carl Risely is going to give the guitar players a run for their money tonight with his trumpet and the Harry Connick Jr version of
It's Alright With Me
Call 1902 55 55 63
SMS CARL to 19 10 10

This is very Carl. It's really very brilliant and offers John Forman a chance to show off with a short piano solo which Carl introduces. Fantastically entertaining! Marcia is so happy that fate has allowed him the chance to show off his trumpet playing. Kyle says he would have sat there and watched a whole concert of that and thinks that all the women would agree that a man that looks like him should get the horn out as often as possible. Mark says he's been consistent and the horn playing was fantastic. Dicko is so glad he didn't wait for big band night to show himself off. Dicko thinks he's a real contender.

Jacob Butler isn't performing with an instrument with his stripped back version of Keane's Somewhere Only We Know
Call 1902 55 55 64
SMS JACOB to 19 10 10

There seem to be some dodgy notes in the middle of this song by the backing vocals. It's a little depressing and boring compared to the last few performances. Kyle says it was dead boring and thought it was like Channel Nine Christmas Carols. Marcia says it was the most relaxed and solid performance he's done since he's been here. Dicko completely disagrees with Kyle and thought it was simple and pure and he was mesmorised. Mark is at a bit of a loss because he knew where he was wanting to go but he didn't think he quite got there and thought it was more 60-70% when they expect 100%.

Matt Corby is probably going to blow us away again with The Blower's Daughter
Call 1902 55 55 65
SMS MATT to 19 10 10

Scrap the voting and give this boy some paper to sign. What an incredible talent his young Corby is. Loved the cello. Simply gorgeous! Mark thinks he's one of a handful of most brilliant people they've ever had on the show and can't believe he's year 11 because he's just sensational. Dicko said that there were some concerns over obscure songs this week but he backed himself and it paid off. Marcia is really proud to sit there and tells him he truly has a gift. Kyle says it was so beautiful he'd like to be gay lovers.

Daniel Mifsud is working some acoustic magic on the Kiss classic I Was Made for Lovin' You
Call 1902 55 55 66
SMS DANIEL to 19 10 10

There have already been some fantastic reworking of some great songs and this is definitely another. Not my favourite song of the night but a great twist on an old song. Dicko says that with his voice it's all about song choice. He thought it was so measured but would have hoped for som Kiss makeup. Marcia loved that he took a risk with it. Kyle thought it was a great performance and it held him all the way through. Mark thought he absolutely nailed it and that if anyone heard it anywhere in the world it would be in the world and gives him a touchdown.

Ben McKenzie has been looking forward to this night the most and is singing a song from one of my favourite artists, Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek
Call 1902 55 55 67
SMS BEN to 19 10 10

The original version of this song was always going to be a hard one to beat as it's so original. I've been playing a DJ Tiesto remix of the song a lot lately and unfortunately Ben's version has fallen a little flat for me. Marcia didn't know it but loved it. Kyle says he's a freak and he loved it and thought it was sensational. Mark loved it as well and thought he did and incredible job to pull off a very difficult melodic song while playing the piano. Dicko wants him to get even better and thought he was spooked a little tonight.

Tarisai Vushe is bringing the cello and piano into her performance of Romeo and Juliet's I'm Kissing You
Call 1902 55 55 68
SMS TARISAI to 19 10 10

Tarisai has a big voice and I've missed that this week. It was certainly a different side but I thought it was a little soft. Kyle says she is his favourite and likes the different personalities she brings each week. Mark thought she showed an exquisite lesson in vocal control but wants her to promise to chose songs that she has experienced them in her life because he wants to be convinced that she profoundly means them. Dicko thought it was cheesy and horrible and very cruise ship. Marcia thinks she looks like a million and one dollars but the child backstage is not the person who just performed on stage.

Marty Simpson is going to accompany himself on guitar while he sings Snow Patrol's Open Your Eyes
Call 1902 55 55 69
SMS MARTY to 19 10 10

This might be the best performance that Marty has actually given on the Australian Idol stage this year. I'm still struggling to be impressed by him though. Mark thanks him for improving. Dicko says he's been over promise and under deliver but was happy with tonight. Marcia says she's happy that he got to play his guitar but he needs to watch his timing. Kyle says he needs a little bit more effort and he's going to be an absolute blow out.

That was a thoroughly enjoyable show tonight. My bottom three though? Jacob Butler, Marty Simpson and Tarisai Vushe. Going home? Jacob.

Tomorrow night, the results and a performance by Kelly Clarkson

Australian Idol Voting Numbers