‘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
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:01 pm
“Worthlessness, vitriol, tearing apart” these are all YOUR words not mine. Yesterday someone was joking about the vitriolic Jessica fans but have y’all listened to yourselves? I have read opinions of Phil and Jessica and Joshua that would curl my hair if it wasn’t already curly.
Yet, I have almost always added “imo” to everything I say about Hollie because, believe me, I have learned from experience how sensitive her fans are to a little bit of criticism.
After every show, we all give our opinions of the singers. I have called Hollie pretty, with a lovely voice and praised her last week for a job very well done. I didn’t think she did a good job this week. So sue me. Maybe I’m wrong. But how could I be wrong if that’s how I feel????
I have never, not once, accused anyone here of not speaking the truth about their feelings, even when I disagreed. I have talked about sympathy votes saving Hollie but never once accused any of you specifically for drinking THAT kool-aid.
So dear blogsters, I will go on stating my opinion emphatically because I stand by my opinions without making fun of people for theirs. If you don’t like them, just don’t read them.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:08 pm
I usually come here for light hearted and informative banter. At the end of the day I’ve usually enjoyed a few laughs and hopefully have given a few. Today? Well, we’ve endured a crash course in grammar and now we have drama rivaling a “Real Housewives….” episode.
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:08 pm
According to Rolling Stone Magazine, Aerosmith will perform on the season finale’.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:09 pm
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:08 pm
It will be beautiful, just beautiful.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:11 pm
Do we get irritated…sure…we wouldn’t be a blog family if we didn’t. When I get irritated by someone’s comments, I try to move on to a different subject.
But if someone lobs a bomb directly at me, I’m going to call them on it, as I assume you all would if some lobbed one at you.
Sorry if I upset the mood.
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:11 pm
Where are they now? Season Four’s top Five
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/158331-catching-up-with-season-fours-american-idols/
Joe Noli
May 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
People stop picking a singer by what you see,and really listen to their Voice, Jessica screams way to much,and so does Joshua.The Judges should not be allowed to save anyone,because it is not fair to the other contestants,when the American people vote that should be all that counts.
skeeter
May 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
I don’t get, ” it’s not about how well one sings”. Do you listen to music or do you need a visual? All the people I see walking around tuned into their little world listening to music are not looking at a video of the singer.
If you don’t like a particular genre, that’s fine, but to say a person can’t sing or you hate him/her because you don’t get it, I call that juvenile.
As I’m typing this, I’m listening to Prince. I like his MUSIC but not his style and of course he is screaming (lol). His “screaming” has kept him relevant for over thirty years; I guess some of us like “screaming” music.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
“Savol drew comparisons to season two winner Ruben Studdard…”
Okay, I’m sorry, but this comment begs the question “WTF”?????
Seth T
May 10th, 2012
1:14 pm
Seen a comment on another site somewhere, that painted this picture:
” In terms of numbers, speed of growth in fan base, if this was a car race, Phillip Phillips Jr. would have already lapped the field.”
At this point, I don’t think it’s so much about technical singing ability, sliding off-pitch here and there or “killing a song”. It’s more about type of music style, maturity, sense of humor, and someone the average guy or girl could see at their party. Or maybe go see to pawn their stereo till payday.
Sure would be nice though, to see Hollie survive the beating tonight and make the top 3, just to see how the Judges would squirm while trying to act like their advise had helped pull her through.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:15 pm
“Savol drew comparisons to season two winner Ruben Studdard…”
Were they referring to their appetites or pant waist size?
G
May 10th, 2012
1:18 pm
As far as Joshua, we need to get something straight. Most of his criticisms on the blog is more about style over substance. He sings with a lot of emotion. Screaming is what Stephen Tyler and Axl Rose do during their songs. Josh’s emotion is accepted by soul/r&b and gospel, and misunderstood in Idol mainstream. If Joshua gave less than himself (restraint) on “It’s a Man’s World”, you would end up with an embarrassing moment. Joshua is a talented singer that sings with much emotion (not screams or screeches). Try taming a lion in the jungle, and you may get bitten.
Joshua is so good, he doesn’t need to win. It’s really trivial at this point. Hollie NEEDS the win more than any remaining contestant. What a lot of you don’t realize is that there are at least 3 radio stations in Atlanta that would give Josh airplay in a heartbeat. THAT ladies and gentlemen is the bottom line. Joshua is more than ready.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:21 pm
Dial Idol, in all their accuracy, has Jessica in first place with Hollie, Phil, and Joshua all ranked in the 2-4 range. In fact, their scores have Hollie is in 2nd, Phil in 3rd and Joshua in 4th but the margin of error puts each of the bottom 3 at risk of leaving.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:23 pm
G, just my opinion here but Joshua is obviously not misunderstood by the Idol mainstream or he would have been out weeks ago. The Idol mainstream appears to like him quite a lot.
Not everyone, of course….
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:23 pm
Dialidol called Skylar safe last week
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:23 pm
So what would you say about Jessica and the Idol mainstream? She finished in 7th place, technically, but the lame save put her back in the game.
Joe Noli
May 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
I voted for the Best of the Best From Day One. Hollie Cavanagh Even if she don’t make the Idol she is still the best Singer of all, J.Lo Can dance but did Randy or Steven tell her she can sing? Put a digital delay behind a dog howling and it will sound good too.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:25 pm
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:23 pm
That’s why I said “in all their accuracy”. Just trying to add to the conversation.
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:25 pm
Holy #$%, It’s working!!
oooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
oooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Joshua goooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeee
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:27 pm
Shoooot. Just burst all my hopes.
GregT
May 10th, 2012
1:27 pm
Thanks for the kind remarks…..and the spelling correction and the suggestion that I should keep my remarks more condensed!
I do enjoy reading this blog and the regulars who have made it what it is today including Rodney, of course. Looking forward to tonight. May it be every bit as controversial as I hope it will be. It makes for good reading here anyway!
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:28 pm
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:25 pm
Whatcha say we start calling Joshua “E.T.”
bulldawg
May 10th, 2012
1:29 pm
LLLLEEEEEDDDDDEEEETTTTT! can not WAIT to see what he does each week. can he get any better? has he deserved each standing O he has received? no. but win or lose, the judges, guest coaches and i know a rare talent when we see it.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:29 pm
The producers of AI do seem to like drama so I’m hoping they will have a camera fixed on the judges faces in the event J or J are sent packing tonight. It would be……beautiful, just beautiful.
Glenn
May 10th, 2012
1:31 pm
Dancer, there’s not one performer left on AI that’s considered a “hip hop” singer, and that includes Joshua. He’s Gospel/R&B; certainly NOT hip hop.
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
1:32 pm
Thought this comment by Jodi Bradbury from the Christian Science Monitor was kinda funny:
Randy was thrown into fits of misty-eyed nostalgia recalling his younger days, when he was a member of Journey. (If one were to total the time Randy spends reflecting on his time in the band, they would find that it exceeds his actual time in the band, which lasted one whole year.)
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:33 pm
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
I have an opinion about why Jessica placed last but most people don’t want to hear it.
Glenn
May 10th, 2012
1:34 pm
Alex, last week dialidol.com had Skylar as the safest person and Phillip the one who was supposed to get voted off, yet he wasn’t in the bottom two and we know where she ended up. It doesn’t take into consideration online votes or texts.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:34 pm
That’s why I said “in all their accuracy”. Just trying to add to the conversation.
Just reinforcing “in all their accuracy” cuz I think it’s funny that Skylar was the only person they called safe and she’s the one who wasn’t…..not funny for Skylar, obviously.
JTesla
May 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
Coming in late I know…
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
“So what would you say about Jessica and the Idol mainstream? She finished in 7th place, technically, but the lame save put her back in the game.”
The save is part of the game, and if Idol mainstream was really against her she would have been eliminated 6th, or 5th, or perhaps tonight at 4th? The longer she stays the more it appears that her elimination was a fluke.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:39 pm
JTesla
May 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
I don’t view it as a fluke. It surely galvanizes a voting base, but the indifference (or non-commitment) of the voters is part of the game.
The save only came to pass about 4 years ago or so. It’s a joke, but it sure does add to the drama the producers so love.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:40 pm
Speaking of voting, has anyone read or heard which voting method produces the most votes – calling, texting ,or online?
blkshepherd
May 10th, 2012
1:40 pm
Deirdre
Speaking of you and I being cut from the same cloth sometimes..I will BARK to that! I am so with you on your 1:11 post. as the idol knights and dames on Broadway say on here..your post was SPOT ON!
I definately like where you said “But if someone lobs a bomb directly at me I’m going to call them on it..” Now you Really have taken on the BlackShepherds fur coat LOL.
I will not directly attack any post(so long as race does not enter the fray).
Generally I like to keep my Muzzle on and if I dont agree with a post instead of insulting, I simply skip over to the next post because as we all agree. This is a BLOG, No one is completely Right or Wrong. Its all Opinions which are just like rear ends..we all got one.
What I do admire about you Deirdre is your a warrior..and backing down is not apart of your charcater. I believe we are twins joined at the hip in that aspect as to backing down. I dont think so.
That song Hollie performed “I cant Make you love me if you dont” I have to admit she left me a little limp..thats a beautiful song which requires No Belting..(Hollies a belter) There was a young man name Marcellous? from one of the past seasons that sang that same song. He did a very good job..but that song was not for Hollie. She contributed nothing to the song. her hair looked good though. (now I am starting to sound like a drunk Paula, any one remember her?)
Jessica..hmm..may have over sang and I am telling you(Which that and I will always Love you Is so PLAYED OUT! If I hear one more rendition of either song I will always love you and I am telling You, I am going to scream LOUDER than Kelly Clarkson(belter) Adam Lambert, Fantasia, and Joshua put together which should shatter all the windows and glass at the theater.
Powerful vocalist she is but she needs to grow and at 16 she has a lot of growth to do.
Phil, poor Phil does not want to be there..nor do he want to be an idol..Phil is just Phil..(those facial expressions are becoming a distraction..but thats just Phil..I like him..but an American Idol..he is not. I guess that leaves the most hated(accourding to you BlogKnights)
Joshua..as I said before He will be fine..with or without the votes on here or the idol crown.
G
May 10th, 2012
1:45 pm
D, Joshua will probably be gone tonight. I really……really hope that I’m wrong. Based on last night’s performance, Hollie should be toast. If Ryan starts the night off by saying “we’re in for a surprise/shocker” results, then Hollie is surely safe. Jess and Josh will be in jeopardy.
If PP is eliminated tonight, I’m buying a lottery ticket [I don't like to gamble]. I’m going to strip butnaked and howl at the moon! Then, I will retire my voting for the year. In essence, PP ain’t going nowhere.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:46 pm
B-shep, you make me smile as always.
Yes, Constantine Maroullis did a lovely job with I Can’t Make You Love Me. That was one of my favorite performances from him.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:46 pm
G
May 10th, 2012
1:45 pm
And just where will your exhibition take place?
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:47 pm
@G I don’t think Joshua is going home tonight but, with the way things are going this year, who knows.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:51 pm
A lot of comments about how particular contestants will be just fine. It’s MY OPINION (notice how I’m stating it so no one will jump my @$#T) that the Top 7 or so contestants will be “just fine” if there is truly a market for their music.
Would Elise find more success if she finished 4th rather than 6th? Nah.
Would Skylar do worse if she finished 6th rather than 5th? Doubt.
If ANY of the Top 4 can truly connect with the public then their final AI position won’t have any impact on the level of their success.
JTesla
May 10th, 2012
1:52 pm
Well we know who the one person is who be going home, so that leaves any of the other three that could go home. Any of those three could get the boot. I’ll say it again, because I like to poke things with a stick, that based just on last night’s performances as a whole Hollie should go home.
JTesla
May 10th, 2012
1:53 pm
Meant to say in my first line “who will NOT be going home” and of course that is Phillip.
Glenn
May 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
My last comment and then I’m going away; as far as I’m concerned, it seems like Jessica and Hollie are auditioning for Broadway, the movies, or a TV role, like Glee because they become theatric or robotic and don’t connect with a live audience well. The aren’t musical “entertainers” like Joshua and Phillip, and it may be because of their age, or it may just be because of their inexperience. Maybe with a little direction they can make some decent records for some niche groups, but I believe it will be a long while before either will be successful solo artists on the big stage, if at all. Joshua and Phillip have proven they can relate to their fan base and perform in such a way that they are truly “invested” with them. They are musical “artists” and not just “singers,” which is what separates them from most of the other contestants who have graced the stage on AI.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
JTesla
May 10th, 2012
1:52 pm
And that prompts the big question – do most voters vote based on a single night’s performance or do they consider the whole body of work on AI?
I didn’t think Skylar did that bad last week but she got the boot. The voters are veeeeeeery fickle.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:51 pm
Agree! Once each of these contestants gets the exposure that Idol gives them, it’s up to them and the whims of the public to make the most of it.
G
May 10th, 2012
1:55 pm
@Alex. LOL! Probably on the news at 11. LOL!
PP or Jessica going home would really be a surprise. If social networking sites was an indication of the fan base, Jessica is poised to win. Her fans on FB are extremely “spirited”. Also, I believe her FB numbers eclipse PP and Joshua.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:56 pm
JT, so you still have that stick, I see. You haven’t used it much this year.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:57 pm
G
May 10th, 2012
1:55 pm
That begs the question I posted earlier to be asked again – which voting method yields the most votes – online, text or call?
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:59 pm
Alex
May 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
Just my opinion, and I realize you didn’t ask for it but since when has that stopped me? I think people start out voting by each performance until they pick a favorite. I think many people are not voting strictly for that favorite no matter what.
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:59 pm
Are NOW voting for that favorite
G
May 10th, 2012
2:01 pm
Most of my votes are based on a night by night performance, with about 25% based on the full body of work. There have been occasions when I didn’t vote for Josh at all. Those votes went elsewhere. However, Jessica has been good enough for me to vote for her every single week.
Alex
May 10th, 2012
2:02 pm
Deirdre
May 10th, 2012
1:59 pm
I pretty much agree – the “favorite” factor drives most votes.