Canadian Idol Live Blogging - August 20, 2007

PICTURES AND VIDEO COMING LATER TONIGHT!

Ben Mulroney talks about the theme tonight – the contestants will sing a song by an artist who has influenced them. Also, Ben announced that Kelly Clarkson will be doing mentoring tonight and a live performance tomorrow night.

Ben talks to the judges and they give their feedback about what they are looking for tonight. The contestants are introduced.

Ben introduces a montage of Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol winner. She says she was successful because she knew what she wanted to do, not because she is special. She discusses her albums. The crowd goes crazy as the camera zooms in on Kelly in the audience.

Let’s see if my predictions about the song choices:

Matt Rapley explained that he chose to sing “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder. Kelly said that he has a great voice but that he needs to lighten up and get more into his performance.

Matt already looks like he is more into performing that he normally is. Maybe he listened to Kelly’s advice. I worry about him singing such a recognizable song since the majority of Canadian Idol’s young viewers are probably more familiar with the version by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I would have liked to see Matt bouncing around a bit more but Matt has improved his performing skills tonight and that’s all I can say. There were some pitchy moments. The judges liked it and praised Matt for listening to Kelly’s advice by taking some risks. Sass told him that it’s not about getting all the notes right if you perform hard!

Song Prediction: Right!

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Okay, Canadian Idol has officially sunken to a new low in terms of sponsor placement. The Honey Nut Cheerios recap, the freaking Old El Paso logo on the screen and now we have the Kraft Kitchen Confidential. The contestants sit around eating Kraft food products while they talk.

Dwight d’Eon decided to sing Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses” and Kelly told him that his voice is very dramatic in a good way and that he doesn’t have to sell it. She said that she liked the song choice and that he is mature in his performance.

Dwight is accompanying himself on the piano and his performance is a lot more subdued than normal and I think he also is taking Kelly’s advice. I like it but he just has to be careful not to yell when he hits the bigger notes. It needs to be just a little softer and controlled. Oh great, we’ve hit another “guitar moment” where Dwight leaves the singing to the guitar. I don’t know what my final verdict is on this performance. Let’s see what the judges think. Farley and Sass said it was his best performance and Zack said that he agreed but that he is not good enough to win this competition. Jake thought the performance was really strong but needs to work on his microphone handling.

Song Choice Prediction: Right!

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Jaydee Bixby revealed his idol and it’s a shocker (just kidding). Of course, Jaydee picked Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Kelly said that he surprised her and has the loudest voice she’s ever heard. She said that he’s not 17 years old, he’s more like 80 (I’m guessing because of his maturity, I hope).

Jaydee makes me laugh and shake my head every week. It is so hard for me to even critique the kid. He’s a star in his own right – I just don’t know if he was born in the right decade. Nashville – come and claim your next major star! I’m laughing again. He just so darned cute and that leg is driving me crazy. The girls love him and he just delivered a very “Jaydee” performance. How else can you describe it? Sass said that he just sang for his supper in a major way and said he did a kick-ass job. Zack said that he stomped the living daylights out of the song but said that if he were him, he would want to get voted off to go pursue a country career. Jake said that he needs more rhythm. Farley thought it was a fantastic performance because he has not swayed from who he is and sang the song as though he cared about it. Ben mocked Jaydee’s dancing and asked what the move is called and Jaydee said “it’s the Ben Mulroney.” LOL.

Song Choice Prediction: Right!

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Carly Rae Jepson has chosen Rickie Lee Jones‘ “Chuck E’s in Love.” Kelly told her that she has a really cute voice and that Carly seems the most comfortable because she knows what she wants. Kelly gave her advice on how to stay grounded.

Carly started on the stairs on she basically sounds like Carly. Carly and Jaydee are really hard to describe, so forgive me. I have not understood one word she has said. She needs to work on articulating while maintaining her singing style. She seemed to really enjoy herself while she was performing which is nice. Her whining and growling got on my nerves a bit tonight. Zack said that Carly is memorable which makes her lovable. Jake said that he was really impressed with her version of the song. Farley said that she looks fantastic and cute and professional. Sass said that she is like a ray of sunshine and has got “that charm.”

Song Choice Prediction: Right!

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Brian Melo chose to sing Radiohead’s “Karma Police” and Kelly loved that he chose it. Kelly said that he has a beautiful rasp and loved him even more for picking Radiohead (she’s a big fan) and she loved that he picks songs that he truly loves.

Brian has a different hat on tonight!!! The performance is going really well. The backup singers are actually doing a good job. I cannot fail to mention the complexity of the melody of this song and he has not faltered. I have never been a huge fan of Brian’s but over the last couple weeks he has been winning me over and tonight HE ROCKED MY SOCKS!!!! That was incredible! Of course, the judges loved it and everyone was on their feet.

THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!

Song Choice Prediction: Right!