Time for Idol to go unplugged. Tonight’s show would feature acoustic performances from the Top 6 contestants and there was a change of venue. Instead of the John Bassett theatre, the show was taking place from the Masonic Temple, which is now home to MTV Canada. It was a weird kind of nod to Canadian Idol shows of the past that usually filmed their Top 32 shows at the Temple (that was before MTV officially launched).
In any event, the unplugged show was definitely a different vibe as the MTV couches were set-up and the families of the contestants got a closer look as they sat literally just steps away from the performers.
The show began and Ben Mulroney welcomed the audience to the unplugged show. He explained that the venue changed because of the International AIDS Conference in Toronto is taking place in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre/John Bassett Theatre.
He also announced that acclaimed singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk would be the Idol mentor for this week and that she would be performing on Tuesday’s show.
Mulroney then asked the judges for their comments.
Zack: What’s important is to really show uniqueness.
Farley: (The unplugged show) has a heightened understanding of the lyrics of the song.
Sass: Acoustic… attack the song with the passion and fervour of a live band.
Jake: Best show I saw here (in Masonic Temple) was Midnight Oil in 1993.
The Idols were then introduced.
Next was a tribute video for Masonic Temple, followed by a video promoting Chantal Kreviazuk where she said that being unplugged was kind of like “being naked.”
Time for the performances.
Craig Sharpe
– Sang “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi.
– In the opening video, Chantal said that she had some concerns about believing Craig’s performances and that he is too worried about delivering the best technical performance that he can.
– Advises him to chill out.
– Performance sounds great.
– His technical talent is really coming through on the stripped down version.
– Song sounds great.
– Sass seems to really like.
– I thought the version was a little too dark.
– Hits a great note toward the latter part of the song.
– Pitch is perfect.
– Doing too much with his hand.
– Still fantastic.
– One of his best performances.
Jake: Sang really well, didn’t feel intent from you.
Sass: Maybe a lack of intensity, I forgot that you sang that good.
Farley: You sang it very very well.
Zack: You have to be huge. You’re a real pop star.
Commercial.
Ashley Coulter up next.
Ashley Coulter
– Sang “Crying” by Roy Orbison and kd lang.
– Missed the video because Ben was standing right in front of me.
– Ballad is a bad choice because I don’t think the fans will get behind it.
– Singing in front of piano, just like Craig did.
– Voice sounds much clearer.
– Song is emotional, might not translate into votes.
– Still a phenomenal performance as per usual from my favorite.
Sass: Remarkable vocal performance.
Farley: Astute choice of song, great performance.
Zack: Absurd choice of song.
Jake: Zack, weren’t they going to unplug you? We’ve seen you rock. You did it wonderfully and that’s what this is all about.
Commercial.
Chad is up next.
Chad Doucette
– Sang “Santa Monica” by Theory Of A Deadman
– In the opening video, Chantal tells him that she thinks he is a “rock guy.”
– Chantal also advised him to go back to “those truly angsty writers.”
– Kept twitching during the performance.
– Voice sounds good.
– Like Ashley, I do not know if it is a song that the voters will get behind.
– He is not really going crazy.
– Judges are bobbing head to the beat, but I think he is done.
Farley: Most unique tone, evoked the emotion of that song to perfection.
Zack: Better on TV. Cool, but to me it was small.
Jake: The best performance you have ever done on the show.
Sass: That was insanely great.
Commercial.
Steffi D up next.
Steffi D.
– Sang “Lovefool” by The Cardigans.
– In the opening video, Chantal said that there was something missing in Steffi’s performance and that something was her.
– “I am still not hearing the character in your voice.”
– Steffi starts the performance by sitting on the piano.
– This girl is a performer.
– Her performances are clearly the ones that people are waiting for.
– Amazing that I have been converted into a Steffi fan.
– Great song choice.
– Simply awesome performance.
Zack: You can push it. You’re the bomb!
Jake: I just enjoy watching you. Who knows what we’ll see next week?
Sass: That’s what you do.
Farley: Nervous in the beginning but when you hit the chorus, you saved the day.
Commercial.
Eva is next.
Eva Avila
– Sang “How Come You Don’t Call Me?” by Alicia Keyes.
– In the opening video, Chantal advised Eva to use the “youth and beauty” in her voice.
– During her performance, Farley screams “sing it baby…!”
– Farley is loving it.
– I am not the biggest fan.
– Hits a stellar note and starts to win me over a little bit.
– Might have saved herself with the big note.
– I still didn’t like the beginning.
– Standing ovation from the crowd.
Jake: You could have done that a capella.
Sass: Nothing greater than seeing somebody slip, slide and smoke ’em.
Farley: That was memorable.
Zack: This was signature as Farley said.
Commercial.
Tyler up next.
Tyler Lewis
– Sang “If You Could Only See” by Tonic.
– Chantal: “He has something inside of him, he has an artist’s soul.”
– Song is great and one of my favourites of all time.
– Voice sounds a little grainy.
– Why are his eyes always closed?
– Shouting a little.
– Not as great as I expected.
– Song will push him through.
Sass: That was insanely, fantastically fabulous!
Farley: I can’t wait to hear you record.
Zack: Didn’t expect you to sing the same song two weeks in a row.
Jake: You meant it and that’s what matters to me.
Show recap.
Show done.
Who’s gone?
Murtz’s Official Prediction:
I think the bottom two will be Ashley and Chad. With Chad taking the walk.
