Here we are again. Sorry for the delay. I was actually writing an article on Canadian Idol for the Toronto Sun, so I watched the episode late last night.
I have to say that while I don’t think the group was even in the same league as Group One, I still don’t think they were that bad.
Let’s hit it. Our performers include:
Vince Benenati, 25, Toronto, ON, – Automotive Service Technician
Alinka Chambers, 25, Barrie, ON – Children’s Theatre Instructor
Casey Leblanc, 17, Nackawic, NB – High School Student
Dave Moffatt, 21, Victoria, B.C. – Singer/Songwriter
David Mongar, 22, Duncan, B.C. – Credit Administrator
Josh Palmer, 22, Saskatoon, SK – Musician/Songwriter
Julie Tellier, 25, St-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC – Customer Service Rep
Emily Vinette, 17, Ottawa, ON – High School Student
Dave Moffatt is the first performer and he totally destroyed “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder. I have to tell you that I don’t mean destroyed in a good sense. Clearly Moffatt was going to face the most pressure in this competition (given his prior participation in The Moffatts) and I just think he had a bad night. While I am certainly not an advocate of him receiving one of the Top 32 positions, I certainly appreciate his candid honesty about how he sang. I thought that Zack Werner’s reaction to the song of “Bye Dave” was harsh, because I expect Moffatt to certainly be a contender to make it to the Top Ten (although not for the right reasons).
Next up is Alinka Chambers. I totally disagreed with the judges on her “Black Velvet” performance. I thought that she was really good. Chambers is a children’s theatre instructor, and while I have some minor concerns about her ego maybe getting the best of her, I certainly feel that her song was not of tune as Sass Jordan suggested. Perhaps it just comes across differently on TV. She certainly has a stage presence, which is more than I can say for many of the members of the second group of eight.
There are some questions that always intrigue me about Canadian Idol and American Idol as well. I would like to know how the order of singers is determined and also learn about the process behind the songs that they choose. Are they only allowed certain songs? Are the producers ever concerned about repetition? The reason that I bring this up is because David Mongar performed after Alinka and “sang” (although “performed” might be a better verb) Billy Joel’s “Only The Good Die Young.” On the last season of Idol, there is no question that Jacob Hoggard’s take on the same song way my favourite performance of the season and so at least to me, Mongar was in tough to match it. I don’t think he did, but I certainly agree with the judges about his likeability factor.
Every year on this show, there are certain themes that come out as the season progresses and I think the story on Canadian Idol 3, is definitely how the younger singers are making such a big impact. Daryl Brunt made the Top 10 last week, and he is only 16. My sister thought that Casey Leblanc had the best performance and she is only 17. She performed Otis Redding’s “Bring It On Home To Me” and was absolutely amazing. As someone who has butchered this song in karaoke before, it certainly requires a degree of maturity and a Bachelor of Arts in blues. Leblanc may not have gone to university yet, but she certainly has at least one degree. She rocked and was one of the best of the night.
I think that the only thing Josh Palmer and I share is a mutual friend in Theresa Sokyrka and apparently she gave the 22-year-old Saskatooner some advice about the competition.
He sang “Love Having You Around” and luckily Kevin Wong knows who it was by.
The judges loved this performance and I hated it. Perhaps it is just me and I have talked to people who dug it, but for some reason, I just thought that his rock vibe didn’t suit the song and that he was trying to do too much. Given that judge Jake Gold basically told Canadians to vote for him, I think that he is a shoe-in for the next phase of the competition, but I don’t think he should be. Although, if he does make the Top 10, at least we will get to see him perform another song and I am hoping that he just sings it straight without adding anything.
Josh Palmer has got this psychotic look about him, as he sings a rock version of Stevie Wonder’s “Love Having You Around”. And, he’s got some freaky arm movements. Anyways, I now know what would happen if The Tea Party sang Stevie Wonder – it would suck.
Kevin Wong liked Julie Tellier’s performance and I did as well. Julie wasn’t one of my favourites heading into the Top 32 stage of the competition, but I thought she really did justice to Joss Stone’s “Dirty Man.” It was a fresh performance and I thought it was an excellent song choice. Once again though, the judges were overly harsh. I really believe that they were trying to compensate for being too nice last week.
Toronto-born Vince Benenati was up next. He was another one that really didn’t do anything for me in the audition stages of the program, but many people have e-mailed to tell me that they enjoy his smoky range. Plus, he goes to Centennial College and that means that I have to root for him out of inate duty.
I thought it was iffy on “What A Wonderful World.” Surprisingly, I thought that the Sass’ assessment was right on. I also thought that he was shaky with the bottom notes, but killed the ones that were at the top of his vocal register. Hopefully he gets another change to sing something with a higher tone, but methinks he has to keep his fingers crossed for the wild card.
Finally, it is Emily Vinette’s turn. Now this was an interesting performance. I really think that she was the best of the night, but I think that she chose a song that she knew and was tailor-made for her. The performance also seemed contrived to me, but I actually applaud her for that. All too often, contestants take unnecessary risks during the Top 32 shows (which I think are the most important of the entire season because once you get to the Top 10, viewers develop loyalties and you can continue to get pushed through). I think that everyone knows about my love for reality television, and that I am constantly looking for any facet of strategy, and I think that Emily made a great decision. Her “Don’t Cry Out Loud” was awesome.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Ben Mulroney. He was the source of unrestrained laughter for me tonight. I don’t know if he is playing the role of the psychologist that talks to Survivor contestants after they are voted off, but he kept swooning over every performance and I was thoroughly entertained. My favourite one was when he asked Emily for her autograph at the end of the performance.
Anyway, so there’s the show. I think the best performers were Alinka, Emily, Julie and Casey. Not a good night for the guys. If I had to make a prediction for who goes through, I will go with Moffatt and Josh based on the commitment level of their fans.
I think it will be a surprising results show, and I will be there live tonight. I’ll get you the details because Murtz is your hook-up. Holla if you hear me.
Also, make sure to check out Kevin Wong’s recap of the show.
