Hi Nooper Troopers! As usual, I have listed  the first batch of reviews and articles regarding Anoop’s performance of “Ooh Baby Baby” on Motown Night. He definitely ‘crooned and swooned’ America tonight! Here are the articles:

ExpressNightOut.com

Can we all take a moment to imagine how transcendentally cool (and nerve-wracking) it would be to sing “Ooo Baby Baby” for Smokey Robinson? And listening to Smokey talk about the song’s almost accidental genesis — it was spawned from a vocal riff onstage, he says — is fascinating.

Anoop’s version brings back that Smokey enthusiasm. “It’s a sensual, sentimental song. And I always feel it. And I felt it so much when Anoop sang it,” he says. “He blew me away just singing it.”

And what a performance he gives us live. His vocals are masterfully controlled, his timing is spot-on, and there’s an emotional connection to the song that pours forth as he sings. This is Anoop’s best performance yet. He absolutely nails it.

One knit to pick: All of Anoop’s performances that I can remember have been straight-ahead renditions, much like this one. I’d really like to see him make a song his own rather than hew so strictly to the original performer’s vision. He’s got the voice, the presence and the fan base. He should take a chance.

“That has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written and probably one of the hardest songs to sing, because it goes from being in your chest to your head,” Kara says. “Overall, I can tell you that was very hard to do, and I think you did a pretty good job. … You can sing.”

“You have a newfound confidence, but I want to see more confidence,” Paula says. “Your phrasing, your delivery and your falsetto, for the most part, is not only spot-on, it’s sweet.”

“It was a great vocal,” Simon says. “I think you looked as if you were half asleep, though, throughout the song. … It was a little bit like somebody singing it within a musical.”

“What I would do next week, turn it back up, baby, give me that energy,” Randy says. “It was nice to hear you croon and swoon.”

NeonLimelight.com

Anoop went for another slow burner to prove he can really sing, and proved he did–again. He owned last week and this week was no different. He effortlessly floated from his falsetto to full voice as he cruised the stage. The judges were a bit too critical pointing out the very few pitchy moments. Pah! I thought it was flawless. The judges also want to see his personality back. That, I can agree with. I loved his upbeat performances but it didn’t show his great voice. I love the slowed down performances, but they don’t show his personality. Next week (and he will be there next week or the riot starts at 5pm EST Friday. March 27) he promises to bring the vocals and the personality. Awes!

LA Times by Phil Stacey

Anoop Desai [and Kris Allen] continued to turn in solid acts, continuing the male dominance of this season.

BaltimoreSun.com

Anoop Desai is going with “Ooh Baby Baby.” Smokey told him the story of how the song was created during their rehearsal, which Anoop says was amazing. When he first starts, I feel like maybe he’s a little too high for his range’s comfort. During the middle part, he sounds great, but during the end chorus, it sounds a little uncomfortable again. But he sells the heck out of it. Kara says it’s a tough song because it goes from your chest to your head in terms of how you sing it and that he had some great moments, and some not so great, but overall, she was impressed. Paula compliments his phrasing, delivery and falsetto. Simon says it was a great vocal but that he looked half-asleep instead of the serious look he was going for. Randy says next week he needs to turn it back up and bring the good vocals too, and put it all together.

Seattle Times by Bob Payne

Anoop Desai sang Smokey Robinson’s “Oooo Baby Baby.”

Not sure I like having a second slow song in a row from Anoop, but … it was fine. I kept waiting for it to kick in a little bit at some point, and it never did.

A second straight week of crooning can get old — I hope he gets more rockin’ next week.

Newsday.com

Whoah, Anoop sounds great in rehearsal, Smokey says he wouldn’t change a thing, that was great. Anoop liked getting to sing the song to the writer.

Anoop starts out sitting on the edge of the stage, in jeans and some jacket with knit sleeves. He’s really working the song, stretching it out; I don’t know, I usually like him but it feels a bit wimpish for me. Nice, pure tone though; just wavering on that line between emotional and affected. Also not a lot of energy in the song; definitely not my favorite from Anoop.

E! Online

Well, isn’t Anoop-Dogg Mr. Come-Hither, these days? The fan favorite’s take on the Miracles‘ “Ooo Baby Baby” was a little low on outward energy, but he apparently was saving all his oomph to hit those sweet falsetto notes and keep the wide-ranging love song under control. Sure enough, Simon complained that Anoop seemed half asleep during the performance, but he agreed that it was a great vocal.

USA Today: Idol Chatter

Here is also an article by Examiner.com on Anoop’s fashion style for tonight’s performance

I am still singing “Ooh Baby Baby” because of Anoop Desai. His rendition was very smooth and relaxed - maybe too relaxed. As for his outfit…it looks like a letterman’s jacket from a high school production of Grease layered with too many pieces. It seems like he likes the whole layered look, but considering his height, he should go less bulky and more streamlined and tailored.