Tonight the Idols took on the songs that made Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and so many other singing superstars in the 60's, 70's, and beyond. This week's musical selections will be from the Motown catalogue. How will this group of Idol wannabes do with songs that were already classics before they were born? We'll just have to see...read on and find out what I saw and heard.
After an extended period of banter between Ryan and the judges, it was time for the first Idol to hit the stage and put their special spin on a hit from yesteryear.
Batting lead off tonight was one of the early favorites this season, Casey Abrams, who chose Marvin Gaye's "Heard it Through the Grapevine". A week after taking a chance by singing the first Nirvana song on the Idol stage, Casey hit the stage in a Motown-inspired pinstripe suit and red shirt and backing vocalists on on stage with him. As he made his way around the judges table and into the audience to make time with some of his fans, we spotted a trio of violin players who added another dimension to Casey's strong vocals. With the crowd buzzing from a great performance, the judges dropped their words of wisdom on Casey. Across the board they loved him and credited him with always making the song a "Casey" song.
With one great performance in the can, it was time to see what 16-year-old, Thia Megia, can do with "Heatwave" by Martha and the Vandellas. This song selection is a huge departure for the ballad specialist, but how would that selection translate when she took the mic in hand? Looking very young (appropriately so) in a pink and black dress and with a smile on her face, Thia started strong. It appeared that she lost her place at one point in the song, but it was a much improved performance over the past several weeks. Everyone knows she can sing, but now she's beginning to look like someone who can entertain as much as hit the notes. The judges gave her props and you could tell she enjoyed this week's comments.
Jacob was next and chose another Marvin Gaye song, "You're All I Need To Get By"...which was actually a duet between Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell. But with the way Jacob brings it, I have confidence that he'll make up for the lack of duet partner. In typical Jacob fashion, Jacob called on his Gospel-inspired vocals and gave the song even more soul than the original...which is pretty difficult to do since Marvin and Tammy were such a killer combo. When Jacob let loose with the final note of the song, he was joined on stage by judge Steven Tyler and a standing ovation from the studio audience AND the judges! Randy called it his second great moment. It was truly the performance of the young season and should propel him into the Idol Top 10 and the Idol tour this summer. The love fest continued with hugs for Jacob's grandma followed by the entire front row of girls who were thrilled to put their arms around a legend in the making.
With the unenviable job of following Jacob was southern girl, Lauren, who went with Diana Ross and the Supreme's "You Keep Me Hangin' On". Bathed in an overhead spotlight and a floor length zebra print dress, Lauren began the song slowly, but soon got her thing going and made a walk around the judges and threw in a bit of attitude inspired by the lyrics of the song. It wasn't the strongest performance of the night, but the judges still gave her positive feedback.
J-Lo's boy-toy, Stefano, decided to slow things down a bit and went with Lionel Richie's 1984 hit, "Hello"...a song that was covered in a very unique and unforgettable manner by Season 7 Idol, David Cook. How would Stefano do in Season 10? From the start it was obvious this wasn't going to make anyone forget David Cook or Lionel Richie...especially when Stefano closed his eyes and started singing for himself and cut his phrasing...oops! I guess I'm nit-picking a bit, but that's just me. J-Lo started the judging comments by praising Stefano's singing ability, but pointed out that he isn't connecting with the crowd. Randy piled on agreeing with J-Lo and then Steven chipped in...but before he could say much, J-Lo professed her love for him. I believe J-Lo is turning into the new Paula--remember several seasons ago when Paula fell for a certain Idol named Constantine?
In an effort to stay out of the B3, Hailey selected the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles hit, "You Really Got a Hold On Me". When the song started, Hailey was on the Idol stairs and awkwardly made her want down them in what appeared to be five-inch heels. Once she hit the main stage (get it?!), she infused her unique smokey, bluesy, yodely sound and made something good happen. I don't know if she is going to win the votes necessary to keep her safe tomorrow night, but she did receive a nice compliment from Steven when he said she "didn't look a day over fabulous". The other judges were equal in their praise and I'm sure Hailey will sleep well tonight.
Country boy, Scotty, was next and for the first time this season was going to sing a genre other than Country. For his song choice he went with Stevie Wonder's "For Once in my Life". From the first note of the song, it sounded like we were listening to a young Glen Campbell--the "Wichita Linesman/Galveston" version before he went all "Rhinestone Cowboy". OMG! The first words out of Steven's mouth were about Glen Campbell--I'm wondering if these guys are reading my blog while they are supposed to be listening to the Idols sing their hearts out for your votes. The judges gave him OK reviews for his singing, but big props for being a lady killer.
Pia selected the second Stevie Wonder song in a row when she chose "All in Love is Fair". I was hoping the lovely songstress would have gone a bit more up tempo, but when you sing as well as Pia, I guess you do what you want to do on the Idol stage, because at this point everyone else is singing for second place. It would be nice, though, to see her take the mic out of the stand, move around the stage a bit, and connect more with the audience. Jennifer went through the same check list with Pia that she did with Stefano--voice, look, sound, etc. and then she stole my blog ideas and told her she needs to move more and engage the audience. Steven, again reading from my blog, said she is the closest Idol to the crown and if she needs to stomp around to get the other judges believing the same, he is confident she will do so.
For the first time, Paul broke out the guitar and sang "Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. The biggest question on every one's mind, no doubt, is how is Paul going to incorporate his patented moves while strumming his 6-string? Well, never fear Idol fans, Paul moved just fine, he just did it all within a few feet of his mic stand. It was a typically fine performance by the Quirky one; I don't know if he is going to knock Casey, Jacob, or Pia off the block, but his unique sound brings something special to the competition. Again the judges picked up on my comments and gave him good feedback on his sound and his performance. J-Lo even called him the "complete package" and said all he lacks is a producer.
Naima chose Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" which Naima correctly pointed out essentially became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. To add a bit of uniqueness, Naima said she was going to include some African dance moves during her performance. So dressed in a huge bell-bottomed pants that would be loose on an elephant, Naima belted out her song with passion and emotion fitting the song's message...she even got a plug in for her home town of Milwaukee. And then she started her African dancing and was accompanied by a couple of African drum players. It was definitely Naima's best performance on the season...Steven said it was "e-to-the-z-ooh twiddly dee"; then he called her the total package. J-Lo said she had her first goosebumps of the night.
Rounding out what has to this point been a great evening of performances, the resident rocker, James, took to the stage to interpret Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City". As James made his way around the stage and down one of the sides, he entertained with a few Motown-inspired moves and then it was back to the main stage and what has become a given--a big James finish in the vein of Adam Lambert. The crowd absolutely LOVED the performance and wouldn't stop hootin' and hollerin' long enough to allow J-Lo to speak. When she finally got the chance, she said James made her "speechless". Randy was a little harder on him and noted that it took the high notes to get James going. Steven said sometimes it takes "a little crazy" to make it happen...oh snap!
With the sounds of the Motor City still coursing through our collective veins, it's time to predict tomorrow's B3...which isn't going to be easy considering everyone was money tonight. But it's my job to predict, so here goes. The B3 will be made up of Lauren, Stefano, and Hailey (unfortunately for her). And the Idol going home will be...Hailey.
Watch tomorrow to see how your Idols did when all of the votes were tallied. Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to...
Charlie
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