Back in 2001, AMG reviewed an excellent album by a young Irish vocalist signed to MCA named Carly Hennessy. Although she had originally recorded an album’s worth of material with producer Steve Dorff, all but one of these tracks were set aside and Hennessy began working with former New Radicals duo Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois. The resulting album, Ultimate High, though admittedly a studio creation, was nonetheless a surprisingly enjoyable effort that benefited from Alexander and Brisebois’ knack for writing songs influenced by ’70s blue-eyed soul and soft-rock which brought to mind a mix of Todd Rundgren and Fleetwood Mac. It didn’t hurt, either, that Hennessy — with her soulful Sarah McLachlan-meets-Carole King voice — could really sing. Unfortunately, the album didn’t sell and Hennessy was ultimately dropped from the label. Subsequently, it was also widely reported that MCA purportedly spent over two million dollars on Hennessy and her album, a rumor that fueled the image of a music industry whose values and business practices were misguided, gluttonous, and out of touch with what the public wanted. The debacle was featured in an article in The Wall Street Journal.

Last night, on the third episode of American Idol season seven, Hennessy reappeared. The now-married Carly Smithson runs a tattoo shop with her facially-tattooed husband and, as it was revealed, had auditioned for AI season five and made it into the Hollywood rounds only to be disqualified after he visa was denied. Needless to say, Simon, Paula, and Randy were happy to see Carly again and put her through to Hollywood. Rumors had been swirling on the internet for weeks about Carly and other possible “ringers” on AI this season and now they look to have had some weight. In all fairness, although there was no mention of Smithson’s past life as would-be pop starlet, there isn’t any reason she shouldn’t legitimately be able to compete on the show. The real question is how the AI producers will spin their ultimate take on Smithson’s past which will surely show up in one of those dewy behind-the-scenes mini-docs they put together on each of the singers.

Ultimate High’s highlights:

• “You’ll Never Meet God (If You Break My Heart)”
• “I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind”
• “Get You Off”
• “Young Love”
• “Rip in Heaven”