‘American Idol’ top 5 performance recap: who stepped up, who tanked?
Loading ...
Hollie Cavanagh lifted her game during the top 5 performance show. CREDIT: Michael Becker/ FOX
Before tonight, I thought Phillip Phillips had a practical lock on the finals.
But after tonight, I’m not so sure. His vocal limitations, which he had hidden so well to date with growls, came through big time during “Time of the Season.”
Good news for Hollie Cavanagh fans. She is lifting her game just as the competition gets truly heated and should survive. And while Joshua Ledet was solid, Jennifer Lopez took hyperbole to great heights by saying he was the best singer of the past half century.
Who may go home? Despite Phillip’s way off night, he may not have fallen far enough to get eliminated. I think he did so poorly, his fan base will vote extra to save him. Hollie hit a home run so her fans will load up on votes. I think Joshua pleased his fans, too, and should live on to the top four.
So that leaves the Skylar Laine and Jessica Sanchez. Skylar had a good night, not great. So that could keep her fans from voting with enough fervor. Jessica is in a similar boat. Her second song was so sleepy, it might lull her followers to sleep. I predict Skylar goes home by a hair over Jessica. It’s going to be close.
Stevie Van Zandt was a fun guest mentor, joshing a lot with his buddy Jimmy Iovine.
Loading ...First up: the 1960s theme
Hollie (”River Deep, Mountain High” Ike & Tina Turner) – As Van Zandt noted, she opted for a song with an extremely high degree of difficulty. While this wasn’t close to Tina Turner quality (and she missed a few notes here and there), it was a confident show of her vocals and steadily improving stage presence. She hits her big final note, too. Grade: A-minus
Phillip (”The Letter” The Box Tops) – He virtually obliterated the melody and turned it into a bluesy Phil Phillipsy feel. While I absolutely adore the original, he changed this one so much, I kept comparing them. But once I let that go, I realized this was vintage Phil and enjoyed it, especially on a second listen. Grade: B-plus
Skylar (”Fortunate Son” CCR) – I remember this being an angry song and her take felt too upbeat for the lyrics. Her stage presence is without peer among the remaining five. He is just having fun as she turns this into rabble rouser. I liked it but didn’t love it. Grade: B-plus
Phillip and Joshua (”You’ve Lost Your Lovin’ Feelin’ – Righteous Brothers) – Phillip was out of his element so he took it as a goof. They both smiled through what is theoretically a sad song. The harmonies were better than you’d expect given how different the two vocal styles are. Joshua really dialed it back to adjust to Phillip. Grade: B-minus
Jessica (”Proud Mary” CCR) – I love that Steven Van Zandt tried to talk her out of this song because he has heard it so much in bars and is kind of sick of it. He even had the opening changed up for her. Her way-too-tight outfit distracted me but I give her points (like Hollie) for picking an insanely difficult song. And she admitted she’s not great moving around on stage but tried it anyway in high heels. Again, props to that. I actually liked it more than many of the live bloggers. Grade: A-minus
Joshua (”Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” Temptations) – Steven Van Zandt loves him to pieces. He dominates this “Big Chill” classic in his vintage gospelized style, which means dialing it up a bit more than the original. Sometimes, he grates that way but this version worked fine. Grade: A-minus
Second thematics: songs by Brits
Hollie (”Bleeding Love” Leona Lewis) – This ubiquitous radio hit from 2007-08 worried me because I wondered if an 18 year old like her could tap into the pain in this song. But lo and behold, she does. She never over-emotes, dialing it back but carrying just enough of the weight to make it work and work well. This is my favorite performance of the night. Grade: A
Phillip (”Time of the Season” The Zombies) – It opened okay. He handled the verses fine. But when he hit the chorus and chose to actually just sing the melodies and not growl the higher notes, and I felt pain – his pain. He struggled to give that upper register any power. It just came off as anemic. This was his weakest performance of the season and he can’t afford for that to happen again if he wants to make the finals. Grade: C
Jessica, Skylar, Hollie (”Higher” Jackie Wilson) – This gave us a chance to contrast the three female vocalists and the teens all have strong voices, just very different styles. Jessica has the huskiest voice. Hollie had the most angelic voice. Skylar brought the most grit. The judges deemed the arrangement strange but I don’t know what was so strange about it. Grade: A-minus
Skylar (”You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” Dusty Springfield) – A perfectly viable version of this classic. She didn’t do anything. I merely liked it okay, though. Maybe the textures in her voice for this type of song didn’t quite touch me the way the original did. Grade: B-plus
Jessica (”You are So Beautiful” Joe Cocker) – Now why didn’t Phil sing this? He would have killed! But he would have been criticized as he was last year for aping someone so similar to him. So Jessica went against type. Technically, she hit this one perfectly. The problem: the arrangement was elevator-music worthy and she never really connected with the song. I felt like she wasn’t singing this to anyone in particular. It was pretty but pretty empty. Grade: B
Joshua (”To Love Somebody” Bee Gees) – I tend to prefer him when he isn’t caterwauling. So the first half of this is spot on. Once he goes into high octane mode, it becomes a matter of taste. You either buy into it or don’t. I sometimes do. I sometimes don’t. This was just okay for me this time to go full Joshua. The haters will hate him even more, though, because the judges were way over the top in their praise. Grade: B-plus/A-minus
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
236 comments Add your comment
Horace
May 2nd, 2012
10:12 pm
This is gonna be another one of those Lee DeWyze/Bowersox years. Yawn. Are the idiot judges returning next year?
Vast Wastrel
May 2nd, 2012
10:22 pm
It is pretty evident Phillip wants to go home and America should indulge him.
AIFan
May 2nd, 2012
10:32 pm
Jessica
Joshua
Hollie
-gap-
Skylar
-chasm-
Phillip
B2 – Not Phillip! lol
GoJoshua
May 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
I was as impressed by Joshua, Jessica and Hollie (surprisingly) tonight as much as I’ve ever been impressed with any Idol singers. Joshua was solid in his first outing and then absolutely knocked it out of the park with his closer. I hung on every syllable.I kinda thought Jessica was having an off night until her final song, which really was superlative. Hollie is indeed the most improved of all, but she had farther to go. Her second song truly shined, and, like Steven, I had never heard it either. That’s as good as Idol gets. Kind of a shame it’s their worst rated season.
Hollie Cavanagh Bounces Back on American Idol – People Magazine | News Report Now | Daily News Magazine
May 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Eileen
May 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
Philip may not have some range–so what. He makes me smile when he sings. He has a uniqueness that cannot be denied. He lights up on stage–a real natural, and does not have to try so hard.
Hollie Cavanagh Bounces Back on American Idol – People Magazine | Page3gossips
May 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
PickPickler
May 2nd, 2012
10:53 pm
Hollie was incredible; love how she’s coming out of her shell, improving, and so beautiful (though she really doesn’t know it or think it).
Joshua as a top 2 idol ever? No way. Don’t care what the judges say, he screeches in every performance and it’s highly annoying.
Philip is going home, Jessica will be in the bottom two. Skylar, Joshua, Hollie, all safe.
peacebaby
May 2nd, 2012
11:05 pm
The judges are always saying the songs need to be believable. I really like Skylar, but Fortunate Son was not a good choice and not at all believable in my opinion. As someone who lived through the anti-war Vietnam years, this version didn’t suit me.
Cat
May 2nd, 2012
11:11 pm
Way to go Chipper! Braves Win!
GoJoshua
May 2nd, 2012
11:19 pm
That was epic.
Mercedes S.
May 2nd, 2012
11:19 pm
As I’m writing this, I’m being serenaded by hubby, on guitar and harmonica, playing “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” and he’s more Dusty than tonight’s Idol was
Hollie Cavanagh Bounces Back on American Idol – People Magazine | Just Top News – Daily News Magazine
May 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Carrie
May 2nd, 2012
11:34 pm
As always, I am baffled by the judges comments. Evidently the sound in the studio is much different than what we hear at our respective homes. Little can be said except Phillip was just “God-Awful” in his 3 performances. I was truly disappointed in Skylar’s performance of “Fortunate Son”….she emoted the opposite of it’s meaning.
Joshua has a lot of talent, but I am not drawn to his voice or style. Jessica performed very well on both her songs, but can anyone stand to listen to “Proud Mary” for the millionth time and enjoy it. Hollie just blew me away on both her songs and I felt she edged out Jessica for the best performances of the night. Hollie’s improvement is astonishing and her confidence is growing weekly. Predicting accurately the bottom 3 is very difficult and I will not even attempt to guess, but it will be “criminal” if Phillip doesn’t visit it for his first time.
cmitchell
May 2nd, 2012
11:36 pm
LLLLLLEEEEEDDDDDDEEEETTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!
Bob
May 2nd, 2012
11:39 pm
Phillip and Hollie are the best. Phillip breathes his music, and is far and away the best overall artist of any of them. This is not a contest about the technically best voice. This about who rocks and commands the stage by the dynamism of their artistry in a way that can garner a lasting following. Phillip alone has that.
They are all very talented.
I’m watching a kiddie talent show when Jessica gets up. Her prancy crap is irritating, and I can’t stand the way she twiddles with songs, trying to squeeze in a squeally scream or two.
Though I’m not crazy about her style of music, Hollie is easily the next best after Phillip. She is 100 times more believable in her songs and performances than Jessica.
Skylar is talented, but seems to force twangs in where they don’t belong.
Josh is talented, but the screaming gets old, and without it, he seem mostly dull. But, again, he is very talented, and I’m just distinguishing between 4 talented people. Jessica has talent, but she’s nowhere near the others.
Bob is a doofus
May 2nd, 2012
11:53 pm
Bob – Phil could lead a Dave Matthews cover band with great success. Otherwise, he sux. Jessica has more talent in one skinny toe. She is a girl, but she has a woman’s voice. Hollie, Joshua, and Skylar each have unique sound and great voices. Phil didn’t deserve to make top 20, much less survive this week. Hoping he’s gone, and that you get your ears cleaned out.
the_insider
May 2nd, 2012
11:55 pm
who are these people posting comments here? do they even understand what music is all about? it all sounded like a carpenter talking about brain surgery. LOL!
GeorgeR
May 3rd, 2012
12:08 am
Hopefully Phillip will survive introducing the attractive girlfriend of the handsome guy never helps though it didnt end up hurting Chris Allen as Simon thought it would.They are all so talented I can live with watever the outcome is.. Dial Idol has Phillip in last place so WEST Coast its up to you.
‘American Idol’ Judges ‘Love Somebody’: Joshua Ledet – MTV.com | Page3gossips
May 3rd, 2012
12:12 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
BlinkyBeep
May 3rd, 2012
12:19 am
Would anybody REALLY go see ANY of these last characters HEADLINING a concert? This show stinks to high heaven.
cmitchell
May 3rd, 2012
12:27 am
i would buy a joshua ticket in a hot minute. yep
RxDawg
May 3rd, 2012
12:29 am
Really great night. A couple of things…
Hollie doesn’t deserve to go home, but she might.
Skylar ditto.
Phillip should be gone, but there’s no way. It will be interesting to see if he’s even in the bottom.
They were all really good though. Especially Hollie. She really uped her game. I’m curious to see what deidre tout of Hollie this week?
Adrian
May 3rd, 2012
12:32 am
It’s official…the marketing of Obama has been caught stacking up votes for Joshua. Hopefully this will convince those in denial that Obama’s team is stooping as low as you can just to make this presidential race another black vs white race.
With this becoming official, it will be very hard for Joshua to lose…what has this country come down to?
freckleface
May 3rd, 2012
12:36 am
I think all the Idol singers this year are very talented, but my all time favorite is Joshua Ledet. I watch the show just to hear him sing. Go Joshua! I am rooting for you.
RxDawg
May 3rd, 2012
12:42 am
I’m surprised why skylar doesn’t get much love. I’m really anti twang, and not much of a country fan. But skylar has sold me. I dunno, maybe it’s that she’s the most believable of the performances. She gives it her all every single time. And she’s a great singer.
Get A Life
May 3rd, 2012
12:44 am
Seems like EVERYTHING has racial overtones anymore. Quit with the race crap, and judge people by what’s INSIDE. The race card is tattered and dog-earred, and long past over-due for the trash can. I don’t care WHAT color you are. If you suck, then you get voted out. Simple as that. Race is ruining all the “reality” shows these days. It’s like little kids whining because they don’t get their way. Suck it up, grow up, and maybe someone will vote for you.
C-Ray
May 3rd, 2012
12:49 am
When did the BeeGees become “Brits”?
Rudy
May 3rd, 2012
1:05 am
I could not see myself buying a ticket for Phillip every song he sings sounds exactly alike to me. There is nothing there to get you pumped up about. On the other hand Skyler has energy. She may not be a technically sound but she brings more energy to the stage. I would buy an album or a ticket. She would put on a show … Phillip would put you to sleep.
Jenny
May 3rd, 2012
1:10 am
My quick observations…
Jessica took a song I hate, and made me like it. Wow. I might even buy it. (Maybe it’s just Joe C’s version I don’t like. Always hated the cracking falsetto “tiiuuu miii” at the end. Loved how Jess held it strong.)
However, her Proud Mary was a disaster. The first and only time I’ll say she was horrid.
I think Hollie won the night. I’m sure she’ll go, since the world hates her, but that’ll be a huge shame. She was stellar. “Bleeding Love” especially was gorgeous.
Josh’s Bee Gees comes in next, followed by Skylar’s Dusty Springfield.
Josh was excellent (though he loses mega-points for NOT KNOWING THE SONG??? Seriously?)
And I actually kind of enjoyed the Dusty song. (I did know it once I heard it.). When she doesn’t sing thru her nose, she’s much better. She did lapse at the end though… poor thing, I guess she really can’t help it.
No other standouts. Josh was OK with “Beg”, and Skylar was AWFUL with CCR. (Get those judges a hearing aid, stat.)
And Phil’s weak voice was really obvious tonight, especially on Time Of The Season. He’s Taylor in the making… weak voice, rabid fans.
My husband (who usually likes Phil) commented that if he doesn’t go home tonight after clearly being so much weaker than the others, then the show really has some issues. (I said “ya THINK??”
)
kelly cook
May 3rd, 2012
1:17 am
I think Hollie is the best . I seriously think the judges try to influence voters by there comments and they do. I truelly hope america wont be and will chose who they really like . If everyone would just close they’re eyes and listen to all 5 I believe Hollie would be our next american idol.
Jenny
May 3rd, 2012
1:21 am
Kelly cook, agree completely. If people would only just close their eyes and LISTEN…
Jenny
May 3rd, 2012
1:30 am
Oh, and RxDawg, I too am curious to see what D thinks about Hollie…
Though me liking Phillip last week is proof that miracles can happen!
JTesla
May 3rd, 2012
1:36 am
For me tonight was the first night where I was truely impressed with Joshua. That was a “WOW” moment, and it followed on Jessica really shining. Jessica, Joshua, and Hollie showed the world that they belong in the top three. It’s too bad that Phillip farting out his tunes on stage will still probably be safe and the same with Skylar who did alright. Not win the whole thing alright, but better than Phillip alright.
C-Ray, Isle of Man, where they were born to English parents, is close enough to be a “Brit”.
Jenny, I refuse to close my eyes because that is silly. Sorry, people keep saying that and it is nutty.
‘American Idol’ recap: This race is too close to call – San Jose Mercury News | Amazing News
May 3rd, 2012
2:39 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Seth T
May 3rd, 2012
2:44 am
Phillip was presented very poorly tonight by the duet pushed-upon them late in the game – that was right in Joshua’s wheelhouse and a long ways from PP’s.
Then they reveal the girlfriend, which is already showing some negative spin on the PP Twitter fan posts, and he made one kinda poor song choice himself, that spins out of his range and went sour on the high notes. Plus a couple other things that maybe were suppossed to look cute, but looked silly and stupid with the Joshua duet.
The producers and Judges are strongly, lavishly promoting Joshua now. While some still think that Phillip is the easy wgwg winner, I think the show is done with him, and he is the least likely to be neutered by what they want him to do, or go do a Ford video if he is not feeling well.
On several other polls around the net, Jessica & Hollie won the night – but that don’t mean they will get the votes to be safe.
‘American Idol’ recap: This race is too close to call – San Jose Mercury News | Page3gossips
May 3rd, 2012
3:06 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Domanion
May 3rd, 2012
3:08 am
This is to the writer of this article: What are you, 80? You sound like my parents, years ago, complaining about that God-awful rock and roll caterwauling. Joshua Ledet blew the roof off the house! I agree with the judges. A good thing is a good thing. It was probably one of the few honest reactions they had all night. I only wish they’d calm down a little because of all the hyper-sensitive people who become resentful when someone gets too much praise. And God forbid, Americans so resent being told who the best is. So much so that they’ll pick someone who can’t carry a tune to make a point. If you don’t like Joshua’s style, then you don’t. It’s not really a choice, it’s who you are. I can respect that. But that’s what rock and roll and soul sound like. If you don’t like Joshua’s performance, you don’t like those things.
Domanion
May 3rd, 2012
3:16 am
I need to understand why everyone likes Hollie so much. I’m not a Hollie hater. She’s a fantastic singer; all the remaining contestants but one are fantastic. And she IS improving every week. I think she could have a great career ahead of her. But why is she many peoples’ favorite? Do they really like her SINGING best? Sometimes American Idol becomes a contest of who likes who the best and forget who sings the best. Hollie needs more experience. While her technical singing is great, her performances are wooden and passionless. While Skyler’s voice doesn’t reflect Celine Dion-perfection, I look forward to watching her perform more than the others, and I’m not a country music lover. I guess I’m just tired of the perfect pop divas who are more concerned about appearance than performance; too afraid to wrinkle a dress to have a good time.
Speaking of TV
May 3rd, 2012
6:10 am
Mercedes S [11:19 PM post]…if he’s doing all that, you need to drop to your knees and…thank him!
‘American Idol’ recap: It’s the Time of the Season for Wantin’ It, Ryan – Entertainment Weekly | Amazing News
May 3rd, 2012
6:47 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
‘American Idol’ recap: It’s the Time of the Season for Wantin’ It, Ryan – Entertainment Weekly | Page3gossips
May 3rd, 2012
6:57 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Cat
May 3rd, 2012
7:00 am
Hollie was clearly the best last night! Both songs were better than any song sung by the others.
1. Hollie
2. Joshua( would have been better without some of the screaming)
3. Skylar second song better than first
4. Jessica second song better than first song. Proud Mary too karaoke
5 . Phil … He might be in the bottom but he still won’t go home
BirdDawg
May 3rd, 2012
7:02 am
Phillip’s rendition of “time of the season” was a note for note cover of Dave Mathews’ cover. That’s the fifth or sixth time he’s copied a Mathews tune, only to have the judges tell him how original he is. It’s almost like watching an Elvis impersonator who takes their self seriously. He even steals Dave’s dance moves.
Dusty Springfield | NewsTrendr
May 3rd, 2012
7:11 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Cat
May 3rd, 2012
7:19 am
No Stephen , Joshua is not one of the best 2 idols of all time! What about Kelly, Carrie , Jennifer Hudson, Daughtry , and Katherine? The judges are way over the top!
Turner
May 3rd, 2012
7:26 am
Colton’s gone and I don’t care.
Colton’s gone and I don’t care.
Colton’s gone and I don’t care.
The best has gone away.
Deirdre
May 3rd, 2012
7:56 am
Morning!
I’m pretty sure Phil will go home tonight. I’m pretty sure that’s what he wants.
I thought Joshua and Jessica were great last night. Joshua’s first song was so true to the style that I thought I might be back in the 60’s again. His second song was also well done.
While everyone else is singing basically whatever suits them best, Jessica sang Proud Mary and You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me. She’s brave and she does almost everything well..
Deirdre
May 3rd, 2012
8:00 am
Hollie was very good on both her songs. I would bet that the voice coaches have been working with her to keep her from sliding sharp the way she frequently does. I thought every note was pitch perfect.
Skylar is a really talented performer who shines on stage. She and Joshua probably understand “selling the song” better than any of the others. Her tone is unpleasant to my ears.
Phil is ready to go home.
Breezy
May 3rd, 2012
8:15 am
Phillip’s song choice may have put him in the bottom 3, however, I would be shocked if he goes home. Hollie is peaking at the right time. Joshua was extremely entertaining. @Domanion – interesting observation and funny.