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It’s Anne Murray night, babies! Did you love it?
Anne gave some great tips to Mitch MacDonald, including some suggestions for how to to breathe more efficiently. He sang "Cotton Ginny" and it was okay. I still think that, while I do like Mitch’s voice, he should be the one to go home this week. I think he’s got a career ahead of him but I think he needs a little more development.
Jake said that he looked comfortable but that, at the top, he thought Mitch sounded a little flat. Sass said he did a really great job. Farley said that he would like to see a little more edge and angst even though he always looks comfortable. Zack said that he expects more at the Top 4 level even though he didn’t really have many complaints about the performance.
More after the jump!
Anne talked to Earl Stevenson as he practiced and encouraged him to really get into the song. She also told him that she hopes to see him around in 40 years! He sang "Killing Me Softly" and I liked it a lot. I love the quality of his voice.
Sass said that he did a really good job. Farley said that he respected his song choice and that it was wicked. Zack said that he didn’t get the emotional context of his performance. Jake said that he is the kind of artist who draws people in and doesn’t play to everybody.
Drew Wright played the guitar as he rehearsed and Anne said that he should concentrate on his vocals rather than his guitar-playing, though she did say that he is very musical. He sang "Hey Daddy" and, while he sang it well, I found my attention drifting away during the performance. It may not be his fault, though, since the song was not one of my favorites.
Farley said that it was his vest vocal performance to date and that he seemed comfortable. Zack said that Drew has turned a huge corner these past couple weeks. Jake said that it was the best singing he’s done by a mile. Sass said that he’s "like a really good singer."
Theo Tams said that he was really excited to work with Anne Murray, who said he was a good listener. He choice to sing "You Don’t Know Me" and it was soulful and emotion-filled. I thought it was great.
Zack said that it was radically flavorless. Jake said that Theo reminded him of a "matinee Idol" and that he put his heart and soul into that song. Sass said that his phrasing is outstandingly great. Farley said that it was a good song.
Mitch MacDonald returned for his second performance where he sang "McQueen DeBarge" and I didn’t like it.
Jake said that he was sharp off the top (rather than flat) and that there is not enough dynamics in the way he sings. Sass said that she enjoyed the contrast between the music and his voice. Farley said that he has got to push and have more angst. Zack said that he has no clue how to win Canadian Idol.
Earl Stevenson’s second performance was "The Joker" and I think it was a good choice for his voice.
Sass liked the ending of the song. Farley said that he didn’t enjoy the beginning of the song since he thought he could have done more with it. Zack said that he really needs to stop and let people know that he’s loving this. Jake said that for a moment, he actually felt like Earl didn’t want to be there.
Drew Wright chose to sing one of my favorite John Mayer songs and I’m not sure he’s got the emotional power to drive a song like "Gravity." I was not happy at all.
Farley said it came off like a lighter shade of the blues but that he did a good job compared with what he normally does. Zack said that the world can change with one song but not with that one (brother). Jake said that he likes him without the beard and that he’s dressing better but that there was a moment where he sounded like Jim Cuddy. Sass thought he pulled it off great.
Theo Tams sang "Chariot" and I thought it was a little shaky, to be honest. It was a good song choice but I felt like he tried too much. I didn’t love it.
Zack said that song was one of his two best performances and it was the song of the night. Jake said it was a great way to finish off the night. Sass said it was a great job. Farley said it was a really good performance.
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I thought overall it was a bad night. I think AM gave some great advice and the dudes generally applied her advice. Nonetheless, it was a lacklustre night. I think Earl was out of sorts last night actually. He seemed sort of sad. I think in general most of the final four had a hard time with the more emotional powerful songs and they came across bland instead of intense.
I loved Drew’s performances last night… Earl might be in trouble, but I hope Canada finally gets it right tonight and Mitch goes home. I still can’t believe he’s the only one to never be in the bottom… the past 2 weeks Canada has gotten it wrong. But there will only be one winner: Theo or Drew… Bryan Adams next week!
I really thought there was a lack of magic overall last night. I’m hoping for Mitch to leave tonight.
When Earl sang the line, “I’m a midnight toker” I thought, you know, I can totally believe that! I like Earl, he’s so original and unashamedly himself.
The best moment of the entire night to me was when Ben turned to Sass at the beginning and asked, “how does it work when four guys are doing Anne Murray? Uh, SONGS!” Poor Ben, ooops!
I wasn’t impressed with Mitch (I rarely am), and Earl did seem to be somewhere else last night. Theo was good, but he seemed a little weaker this week than he has been. I liked Drew’s performances (especially the first one). I just don’t get why the judges are so hard on him.
I think part of the problem is that these guys are so much better than what we usually see on the Idol shows. The judges are really having to stretch to think up some criticisms. (Think about it… Any of these guys could beat Ryan Malcolm if he was in this year’s competition. Even Mookie and Amberly could have. It’s not often that you get a top six who are all better than previous winners.)