In the back of my mind, rewatching parts of tonight's American Idol performances and last week's among the women, part of me thinks we'll look back on Season 6 as the year the world discovered Melinda Doolittle.

When the 29-year-old Brentwood, Tennessee-resident auditioned with Stevie's "For Once In My Life," I thought that she sounded solid but looked a tad odd. I think I noted in a previous post that she reminded me of a cartoon character or something.

But then Hollywood week came, and we didn't see much of her.

Last week, Doolittle belted out some Aretha Franklin, a clip I have embedded in this post. But THIS WEEK, Doolittle donned her jazz club black and gave what I honestly think is the best live performance in American Idol history with her rendition of "My Funny Valentine," which ain't on YouTube just yet.

When it is, I'm-a-posting it. Believe that.

There are just some singers so polished, so soulful that they dwarf every other competitor on shows like these. Several years ago, one such singer -- Anastacia -- just killed everyone on this MTV show called "The Cut."

You watch this and think, "Holy s$%#, that was great."

It is the beauty of America's most popular show, in its sixth season, that it seems the top tier of talent has gotten even better. The five best competitors this year, boys or girls, are all black women, and I love that. However, aside from Lakisha Jones, who was excellent singing some Gladys Knight, and Sabrina Sloan, who was terrific with some Whitney, this post is all about my official favorite for Season 6.

Oh, did I mention that Melinda Doolittle is a native Oklahoman? She was apparently a 1995 graduate from Tulsa Union, according to this blog post.

Quite fortuitous that my favorite contestant for 2006 also happens to be a Sooner, well, at least she lived here for awhile, I guess. Long enough for the good stuff to rub off.

Welcome to Ryan's list of Idol favorites, none of whom have ever won I should warn.

Join the club that containeth Kimberly Locke, Jennifer Hudson, Constantine Maroulis and Katharine McPhee. It's a club whose contestants finished 3rd, 7th, 6th and 2nd, respectively.

I think Doolittle gets me off the schneid. I think she wins American Idol 6 and goes on to not only stardom but super-stardom.

Simon Cowell noted last week that many contestants get to the Top 24 and get filled with ego without enough talent, while Doolittle is the opposite. He said that she had a great voice, a great back story and that he hopes she does very well.

This week, he said her rendition of "... Valentine" was "incredible."

In six seasons of Idol, certain performances standout. LaToya's "All By Myself," Bo's "Whipping Post," Carrie's "Alone," Jennifer's "Weekend In New England." Never before have I thought a singer's performance stood out from not only the show but the entire music industry.

Seriously. As a pianist, I can't say that there are many Idol contestants I'd get jazzed to play for. I would play for Kimberly Locke, no doubt. I'd play for Jennifer Hudson, super big no doubt.

But, I would actively pursue an opportunity to play for Melinda Doolittle. In two weeks of live competition, I have never been this impressed with one singer. In all six seasons.

She's world class, and even if you think this clip of Melinda singing some Aretha is only pretty darned good, just wait until I post this week's. It reminded me of Sarah Vaughn or Lena Horne; it was phenomenal.

As for who should go? Who cares. Seriously. The wheat and the chaff have been separated. Melinda, Lakeisha, Jordin, Stephanie and Sabrina are the class of the entire show, with Blake Lewis getting a spot alongside them.

To me, right now, everybody else is vulnerable.