‘American Idol’ top 4 performance recap: who can you tell will go home?
Did perpetual underdog Hollie Cavanagh pick the wrong songs and cost herself a shot to get past the other three? CR: Michael Becker / FOX.
Loading ...Jessica Sanchez is like a gymnast always pursuing the most difficult possible routine. A few weeks back, she covered Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You,” one of the toughest, showiest songs in history to pull off. The consensus: excellent!
Last week, she attempted Tina Turner’s “‘Proud Mary.” Consensus: more miss, than hit. Tonight, she not only covered an Etta James song with plaudits, but then tackled the ultimate in “Look at me! I’m a singer!” song: “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” This teen’s got gumption! From a technical standpoint, she was spot on.
But does she bring the angst and grit of either Holliday or Jennifer Hudson? Not quite. Maybe it’s youth. Or her personality. Still, plenty of fans think she just punched her ticket to the finals.
In fact, the debate has been going on for weeks: is Jessica authentic or a robot?
Loading ...Hollie Cavanagh is facing a similar critique. Is she connecting with what she’s singing? Is she mature enough to embody some of the mature topics within the lyrics of songs she picks? She seems rather young at times but warmer and more likable than Jessica.
She did a rather faithful version of Journey’s “Faithfully” but picked the wrong song for herself with Bonnie Raitt’s heart-breaking “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” She was able to properly channel heartache last week with “Bleeding Love” but couldn’t quite do it this time around.
Phillip Phillips is not even 5% of the singer Jessica is. But he can emote. And his Damien Rice “Volcano” cover may have saved him after his “why am I still here?” performances last week. Maybe his kidney didn’t act up so much this week.
Joshua Ledet, whose style is nothing if not divisive among the readers here, can grab a song and embody it in a way that neither lady in the competition can. While he almost held back too much on “You Raise Me Up,” he gave plenty of power to “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” (The judges gave him a standing ovation only for the second one.)
The judges were brutal (relatively speaking) on Hollie this week. Will her sympathy votes keep her around this time? I’m not so sure with only four left. She and Joshua will be in the bottom two and she will go home.
My quick recap of the 10 performances
Round one: “California Dreamin’ ” – songs by California artists or have some connection to the state
- Phillip (”Have You Ever Seen the Rain” Creedance Clearwater Revival) – This week, he was smart to choose a song that didn’t need a lot of range, especially on the high end, like “Time of the Season.” The lead singer John Fogerty has a gritty voice too, so this complemented Phillip. He did seem far more chipper about it than Fogerty, which didn’t work for me too well. Still, he felt more comfortable than he did last week with the Zombies. Bonus points though for sexy sax player Mindi Abair! Grade: B-plus.
- Hollie (”Faithfully” Journey) - She looks great, enhanced by wind machine. But she does a virtual note for note copy of the original. Lyrically, this song doesn’t seem to have much to do with her at all (a wizened rock star on the road with a family). Ultimately, it was not distinguishable performance good or bad. Grade: B
- Joshua (”You Raise Me Up” Josh Grobin) – I tend to enjoy Joshua when he’s understated but I’m not sure he brought enough energy to truly raise me up on this one. At least he didn’t go into total scream mode at any point. Interestingly, he didn’t get a standing ovation. Grade: B-plus
- Jessica (”Steal Away” Etta James) – It’s tough to sing the blues when you’re not a truly bluesy person. Again, she sings another technical marvel that is missing the soulful credence of the late great James. Grade: B-plus/A-minus
Duets/group sing
- Joshua/Phillip (”This Love” Maroon 5) – After last week’s uncomfortable “You’ve Lost This Lovin’ Feelin’,” the pair regrouped and put together a delightful version of this nearly decade-old Maroon 5 hit. Note the ebony/ivory pianos.Grade: A-minus
- Jessica/Hollie (”Eternal Flame” The Bangles) – As Randy Jackson said, this arrangement felt odd. Jessica kept hitting the lower register in the harmonies and was swallowed by Hollie, especially near the end. The swings may have meant these two are just teens. Maybe they’ll play jacks next time? Grade: B
- Group sing (”Waiting For a Girl Like You” Foreigner) – Harmonies were off. The singers didn’t really capture Lou Gramm’s longing. As is typical in group sings, the coherence was off. Grade: B-minus
Round 2: songs I wish I had written
- Phillip (”Volcano” Damien Rice) – What a revelation! Phillip is singularly compelling on a bracingly painful song. Grade: A
- Hollie (”I Can’t Make You Love You” Bonnie Raitt) – She tried, oh, she tried. It fails to click but the judges were much tougher on her than she deserved. Grade: B-plus
- Joshua (”It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” James Brown) – The judges were a wee bit hyperbolic tonight again, eh? Best performance of any music show ever, Randy Jackson? Really? Sure, it’s vintage Joshua, with all the runs, the energy, the gospel touches. From that standpoint, it was excellent. Grade: A-minus
- Jessica (”And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” Jennifer Holliday) – As I noted earlier, she hit every note with precision, her vocal and breath control incredible. It’s almost as good as the original. Almost. Grade: A-minus/A
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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420 comments Add your comment
Idolator
May 9th, 2012
10:24 pm
If the final is not Jessica vs. Joshua, I will feel robbed. Phillip’s second number was perfect–his best moment of the competition, but his talent is such a specific kind of a thing and let’s face it, pretty derivative of Dave Matthews. He’s a pop artist. The other three, IMO, are really singers. Hollie is good with the occasional great performance. But Joshua and Jessica? That’s a showdown. I really hope to see it.
Newbie
May 9th, 2012
10:31 pm
For me, the final 2 should be Joshua and Jessica, without a doubt. Phil just is not a good enough singer to hold my interest for a whole album. Can’t image wanting to listen to the same performance of difference songs. Jessica is still my fav as I can listen to her for hours whether watching her or not. Joshua is a phenomenal singer but not a star. No personality off stage, but he did deliver tonight. Hollie was much better, for me, than Phil, but it will be she that goes home tomorrow. Just night quite ready yet.
YEP
May 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
Joshua wont be in the bottom.
Newbie
May 9th, 2012
10:35 pm
Bottom 2 should be Phil and Hollie with Hollie leaving.
Jake
May 9th, 2012
10:36 pm
Please lets all vote for Hollie, I love her. I’m so tired of Joshua and the judges always giving him the standing ovations. I want Hollie to be in the Top 3 and not Joshua.
Alex
May 9th, 2012
10:38 pm
I’m for anybody not named Joshua or Jessica. Phil better strap the guitar back on.
Maxine
May 9th, 2012
10:38 pm
I don’t really care to listen to Joshua. A singer should be able to make the audience feel the music and take them to another place. Each time that I have heard him, he always seems to feel the need to do all kinds of acrobats with his voice as if to show his vocal range. A lot of screaming and straining.
Newbie
May 9th, 2012
10:40 pm
Jake, she is very lovable but just not ready for prime time. She does not have the control yet that Joshua or Jessica have nor does she have the emotional range. I agree that too much love is heaped on Joshua when he sometimes does not deserve it but he is a truly great singer. Phil is just a crooner and cannot actually sing. He is a stylist and only shines when he is singing his own style, while even Hollie can sing different genres. Unfortunately, the tweenies will keep Phil going. If it is not Joshua and Jessica in the finals, I won’t have any reason to watch the show to the end. Just saying…..
YEP
May 9th, 2012
10:42 pm
Not voting for Hollie or Phillip.
Deirdre
May 9th, 2012
10:46 pm
For me, music is more than a perfect voice or instrument. It’s emotional. It works best for me when I feel something in my gut, or my heart or other places…….
Joshua, Phil and Jessica have all made me feel something. Hollie hasn’t. Yes, she has a lovely voice but I don’t feel anything even when she is singing a personal favorite. She tries but, for me she fails.
Tonight, Phil’s second song was so rich, had so much depth that his voice didn’t matter. His tone wasn’t important. His ability to convey the magnetism of the song rose above all the other considerations. He definitely g\belongs in the top 3.
Joshua has continually provided the most uplifting performances. Call it churchy or over-wrought but, for the style of music he sings, it is very well done and reminds me of days gone by. Yes, he’s old fashioned but, for me, that doesn’t make it bad…it makes it wonderful.
Jessica just has such a wonderful instrument. Her ballads are heartfelt and emotional, delicate and lovely. I don’t like her uptempo work as much but she is tremendously talented and also deserves a top 3 spot.
Just my opinion, folks and why I feel the way I do about these singers.
Mercedes S.
May 9th, 2012
10:49 pm
Newbie. a “crooner” is someone who can actually sing… ever heard of Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra?
Jubie
May 9th, 2012
10:50 pm
Hollie, unfortunately will be in the bottom, along with Joshua.
Richard Alpert
May 9th, 2012
10:51 pm
Jessica and Hollie sound like every other female singer out there. NOBODY will buy anything Joshua puts out. Phillip may not be the strongest contestent at this point but he’s really the only one that is unique enough to sell. I really think Phillip wins this. It’s setting up to be Phillip vs Jessica and he’ll have the edge.
Cat
May 9th, 2012
10:53 pm
To me Hollie connects with the song unlike Jessica. Jessica is too young to be believable and is too forced. Final 2 should be Phil and Hollie. But wait a minute I forgot Joshua is the best singer in 64 years ( I think Alex reference that)
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
10:55 pm
That darn Bonnie Raitt song will send Hollie home. This was the perfect time to pull out Hallelujah. that song is a ticket to the next round and she would have been incredible. That is her wheelhouse.
Voting for the J's
May 9th, 2012
10:55 pm
I missed the first part of the show, what Etta James song did Jessica sing first, was it I Rather Go Blind, because I know her youtube video is excellent.
Glenn
May 9th, 2012
10:56 pm
It is SO obvious the judges are pushing for a Joshua and Jessica finale that it’s nauseating. They sing they same way every time, and they get standing ovations from the judges almost every time. However, they fail to realize that the people who will be buying a majority of the songs these singers will be putting out on Idol should be more mainstream, and right now, the only singer that’s left whose a mainstream type singer is Phillip Phillips.
Joshua will be pigeon holed into a gospel/R&B window, and the 2 girls keep picking songs that are not recognizable to the public, they pick songs that are way out of date, or they over sing them.
Phillip is the only singer left in the competition who is singing “current” types of music, whether some people like it or not. It is marketable to a lot more of the masses than any of the other three, and that’s the name of the game in their industry.
This is why Phillip is still getting votes.
Jubie
May 9th, 2012
10:57 pm
Cat, you are right. It should be Hollie in the final with Phillip, but thanks to the judges, it won’t be.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:00 pm
Joshua did not one, but two songs recently done on The Voice, and though I agree that the talent on Idol is better, he was outsung by his Voice counterpart on both occasions. Mann’s Raise Me Up was better and Simms’ Man’s World was far better. I want him gone. I’m tired of it now. I’m just over him and the never-ending lovefest from the three idiots.
YEP
May 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
VOTE!!!!
Chrissy
May 9th, 2012
11:05 pm
Top 3 should be Joshua, Jessica and Hollie.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:05 pm
I’m missing Jenny tonight. Her and I are on the same wavelength.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:09 pm
Her was my prediction from an earlier post at 4:03 today:
Joshua two standing O’s and gush, gush, gush, Jessica one standing O and tell her it doesn’t matter what she sings, they will like Phillip no matter what and claim “Phillip Phillips is back!!!”, and they’ll tell Hollie they hated her song choices and at this point in the competition she needs to take bigger risks.
I was SOOOO close to being 100% right. Only one Joshua standing O and they did like one of Hollie’s songs, otherwise i nailed it.
Cat
May 9th, 2012
11:09 pm
Bknsty14 I agree with you Sick of the Joshua love fest
You
May 9th, 2012
11:09 pm
Jessica is the best singer ever!!!
She can sing and a total package…
My bottom 2 will be:
Hollie and Philip
and Philip should go home.
He’s a boring singer.
Yah relaxing but boring. so its a BOOOOOOO!!!
Nana
May 9th, 2012
11:14 pm
I for one, have given my Skylar votes to Hollie. The underdog, as Randy called Hollie tonight, can come out strong and win. I have seen times when this has happened.
I totally disagree with the three amigoes when they told Hollie that she was just to young to understand the song (Can’t Make You Love Me) and she couldn’t connect with it. WHY???? just because she is 18 doesn’t mean she can’t feel and connect to the lyrics. Their comments were plain ludicrous. And when JLo told Hollie she didn’t understand love, I wanted to bash her. Apparently, JLo doesn’t understand love and she has no right to make comments like that to anyone. Her track record speaks for itself.
Jessica Sanchez Blows Away the Idol Competition – People Magazine | eMovieTalk
May 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Vast Wastrel
May 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
I watched the performances only via DVR in twenty minutes counting FF time. Then I tacked on another 5 minutes after my daughter told me to go back and see some of the “judges” hype regarding Joshua. Can’t believe they get away with selling commercials to pad this out to 2 hours with only 4 performers. Overall the performances were ok but not really inspiring for a top 4. Certainly none meeting the P.T. Barnum worthy comment from Randy on Joshua’s cover of James Brown: “Best performance in the history of any singing show”. I truly was LOL on that one and given that moment and how he was dressed all he needed was a red nose to complete his outfit to appear in a P.T. Barnum circus.
Voting for the J's
May 9th, 2012
11:18 pm
The best two remaining are Jessica and Joshua however I believe only one of them will make it to the finals against Phillip who is not the best singer. I wish Skylar was still on the show, I would watch her in the Finals against either of the J’s. However, if Phillip and Hollie are in the Finals, I will pass.
Team Joshua!!!
May 9th, 2012
11:19 pm
Loves all the Joshua Hate.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:21 pm
Does anyone in Hollywood understand love. They fall in and out of love as often as people change their underwear. JHO has been married and divorced 3 times? 4? Those people are so out of touch with reality it’s unbelievable. I was in love when I was 18, so why can’t Hollie understand it at the same age? Makes no sense. I saw no connection with Jessica’s you are so beautiful, but they made it all about the singing. Hollie sang this song well, but it was all about connection. I don’t get it which one is it? They are ego maniacs who love the sound of their own voices. None of them have done anything relevant in years. GRRRRR!!!!!!!!! They really got to me tonight.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:24 pm
And why was PP not tagged with the playing it safe comment on his second song? I liked it but it was what he does all the time. Go away phil phillips.
Cat
May 9th, 2012
11:28 pm
What! Hollie too young to sing about love but Jessica can! What are these judges drinking? Jessica can come out dressed like Snookie and that’s ok. I voted for Hollie until my fingers fell off.
I DONT LIKE JOSHUA READ THIS
May 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
hollie is so sweet. i love her.. she never gets mad or angry.. and the judges hate on her so much its unreal.
Nana
May 9th, 2012
11:34 pm
bknsty14: I agree with your assessment with Hollywood. IMO, some of Hollywood has no morals and wouldn’t know true love and what it means. Hollie may be young, but I would wage that she knows more about love than JLo.
Cat
May 9th, 2012
11:34 pm
What would these judges do if Hollie won? Now that would be worth watching. They would probably walk off the stage and declare America got it wrong and then say that there was a voting malfunction and declare Josh and Jessica co-winners.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:35 pm
Hollie really does seem like a sweet and very genuine person and that makes her just that much more likeable to me. She has such a tender yet powerful voice and I really enjoy listening to her sing. My favorite Idol since Carrie. I’ve given her a lot of votes tonight. Just hope it’s enough.
I DONT LIKE JOSHUA READ THIS
May 9th, 2012
11:37 pm
yeah.. i voted for holly just to try to make joshua in the bottom.. the teenies are going to keep phillip in.. you can bet that.
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:38 pm
If she won they would say they were behind her the whole time and knew she could do it and that they were right all along. I selfishly want to see her move on so I can continue to watch her, though at the same time I don’t want her to win because I don’t want them to ruin her. She’ll be fine either way.
Emily
May 9th, 2012
11:42 pm
Go Jessica… I love the way Jessica sings.I think she is a very good singer and has a very good voice..hopefully people will vote for Jessica…
Emily
May 9th, 2012
11:44 pm
Jessica win…..
bknsty14
May 9th, 2012
11:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C1R5clICfo
And I’m going to post this again because it was better than Joshua’s version. Where do these judges get off turning to the crowd and telling them to stand up and cheer. The sheer bias of that move is ignorant and disrespectful to the other contestants. They are judges, not fans. Act accordingly and be professional. Simon kept them in check and they need that presence back.
Anyway, check out this video.
Newbie
May 9th, 2012
11:45 pm
@Mercedes S., the three you mentioned are singers in anyone’s book but Bing especially was a crooner. It was the critics of the time who coined the term “crooner” in relation to Bing because he was so mellow often singing different songs with the same arrangement, timing and delivery. Bing was the first to really make vocal love to his audience before anyone had ever heard Nat or Frank, but again, he crooned rather than gave anyone a new take on a song. He just made a song his which was a feat in itself.
I used the term “crooner” here in relation to Phil because he skates on a one-delivery platform and because most of the participants in this forum are probably not old enough to have heard Bing, Frank or Nat debut a song. Those guys could perform and one never tired of hearing them sing anything over and over again. Phil, however, does not remotely possess the same ability they had. Judging from this and other forums, I am not alone as I’ve read that many have tired of Phil after just one song.
Phil can’t sing but he can deliver a song if it is not too demanding and stays within a very limited range. Remember that we will all be LISTENING to these people way more than we will be watching them.
Monto Gawe
May 9th, 2012
11:48 pm
I want a REAL SHOWDOWN! So, Jessica versus Joshua, BRING IT ON!
Maybeline50
May 9th, 2012
11:49 pm
Interesting. I thought that joshua’s Man’s World was better than Sims and i really, really liked hers. I still ahve it recorded and looked back at it to be sure ans Sorry, josh was better. I hate the standing O’s by the judges as much as most people on this blog but I try not to let that sway how i feel about his performance. He has not control over how they react.
james
May 9th, 2012
11:53 pm
for me, jessica is the best and will the winner over joshua. howlie will be out tomorro. it would be jessica, joshua an dphilip
its retro baby
May 9th, 2012
11:57 pm
Josh or Jessica!!! I’m in shock that some feel Phil or Hollie should be the final 2!!! Wow!!!
idol opinionator
May 10th, 2012
12:02 am
Well, I too voted my fingers off for Holly. Holly’s singing is so much smoother and pleasing. The growl voice of Jessica hurts my ears. When Holly and Jessica did the duet tonight it was Holly that gave the song any good sound. I do think that Holly is the underdog and slower to make it happen but she has definitely stepped up to the plate, handled all the judges and their hate toward her. And do not get me started on Joshua. He has had some great songs but they too sound the same, all churched up all the time and the wavering voice has become old to me. They all are showing what type of artist they would be. I will not buy Jessica’s because her voice is irritating to me but hopefully someone will take on Holly and help give her the experience that all of the top 4 need. They are not professionals so they definitely need more mentoring and assistance. PP I will definitely buy. I love a crooner! Please please send joshua or jessica home. Actually I want to buy a cd by Elisa! But it appears that Idol has become all about the youth and anyone over 25 hasnt a chance in hell.
ACE
May 10th, 2012
12:06 am
People will say don’t bring race into it but let’s be honest. AI doesn’t want another WHITE male to win ti. That is why they are so heavily pushing Joshua and Jessica. They see these other shows, the voice and x factor with blacks and females winning. They don’t want people to think that only a WHITE guy can win it. WHITE males have been winner six out of the last seven years after not winning any the first four years.
Jenny
May 10th, 2012
12:18 am
Just got done watching. Cat and Jubie, I agree that a Joshua/Hollie final would be great (though my personal preference would be Jessica/Hollie.) And bknsty, YEP, Hallelujah would’ve been perfect, and would’ve served her better than the Bonnie Raitt song. (My husband and I both thought it was very good, but he also thought maybe Jimmy I. got in her head a little bit, telling her not to oversing. She should have and could have just BELTED the darn thing.)