The judges were right. There have been some really great "Hallelujah" moments on the American Idol stage. Two of them to be precise: when Jason Castro performed it the first time, and when Jason Castro performed it the second time.

Randy and Simon, say it with me, "It was a bold move to perform that song after Jason Castro did it so perfectly." See? It's not that hard. The more you say it, the easier it gets. Practice that for the next few days, and maybe...just maybe...you'll be ready to acknowledge how good Jason really is by the time he performs on your little televised talent show. That is, if American Idol is smart enough to ask him back.

Colleges retire the jerseys of some of their best players...it's really cool to see number 23 hanging in the rafters at UNC-CH. Such should be the case with the great performances on the American Idol stage. "Hallelujah" as performed by Jason Castro should be included in that group.

But if you think Jason Castro's American Idol performance of that song can't be topped, think again. Just listen to how he does it now.

Two of my favorite performances of "Hallelujah" brought to you by the man responsible for putting the song back on the map in the first place. Jason Castro.

Flytrap Music Hall - Tulsa, OK
November 2008