It all seems rather convenient. Due to the International AIDS Conference taking over the John Bassett Theatre, Canadian Idol returns to its former digs – The Masonic Temple a.k.a. the Concert Hall a.k.a. the Rock Pile. But in between this year and last, Bell Globemedia acquired the rights the MTV in Canada and broadcasts it out of The Masonic Temple. MTV used to produce a concert series known as Unplugged – performances by recording artists featuring stripped down, acoustic versions of their songs and others. And it was wildly popular, thanks in part to stellar sessions by Eric Clapton and Nirvana. (MuchMusic later took the concept and improved on it by creating Intimate and Interactive, but I digress) So now that they are back in this “intimate” setting, and since it’s now the home to MTV, why not have the remaining six singers sing “Unplugged”?
Last week, people apparently didn’t see what was different about Rob James, and it wasn’t exactly some kind of wonderful for the former recording artist as he was sent home. Six singers remain. And Canadian Idol starts… now.
Opening Credits
We are NOT in the Bassett Theatre in Toronto, ON, but rather the Masonic Temple, former home to Canadian Idol, Open Mike with Mike Bullard and crazy parties when I was at U of T. And tonight, we go Unplugged with the Idols and this week’s mentor, Chantal Kreviazuk (for you Americans, she’s also the wife of Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace and sang “Leaving on a Jet Plane” on the Armageddon soundtrack). But even though the location is different, your host is still Ben Mulroney. And we still have the same judges (Jake Gold, Sass Jordan, Farley Flex and Zack Werner) but they’re sitting on a big comfy couch.
Question/mic check time
Zack – The whole Unplugged thing can be a signature moment.
Flex – You hope (the singers) that they have a heightened understanding of how to interpret the song to the audience.
Sass – I think the main thing to remember is to attack the song with the same type of passion and fervor that you would with a full band.
Jake – The best show I ever saw here (at the Concert Hall) was Midnight Oil.
Since we’ve got six competitors left, wouldn’t you like to see the Top Six? And now, here’s a look at Chantal Kreviazuk – oh and surprise, surprise, she’s got a new album out.
Craig Sharpe is batting leadoff, has dyed his hair black, and he’s singing Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”, for which there is a swank big band cover by Paul Anka. Yes, Paul Anka.
Jake – I thought tonight you sang really well, but I didn’t feel the intent.
Sass – It’s so great to hear your voice that clearly and that cleanly after this much time.
Flex – I think it expose some of those things in terms of the mood and what you made us think while you were singing it. But I agree with Jake – you sang it really well.
Zack – To me, what you’re most signature about is that you have to be huge. You’re a real pop star.
I have mixed feelings about this one. Craig’s vocals were, as is usually the case, spot on, and he sang with a lot of quiet intensity, but I’m not really sure that the arrangement of the song was that great for an acoustic set. I’m really glad that he toned down the drama from last week, and overall, I think he set a pretty good mark for the others to reach for (and possibly exceed). 6.5/10
We’re going one singer per segment, and Ashley is up after the
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We’re back, and is that Murtz behind Ben? Anyways, Ashley Coulter is back to the short red hair (but dark red now), and she’s singing “Crying” by Roy Orbison.
Sass – Now Ashley, that my dear, is what I would call a remarkable vocal performance.
Flex – You’re certainly evolved at the fastest rate, and that arrangement was perfect for the tools you have.
Zack – To me, I think it’s an absurd choice of song. Unless you’re going to make some retro-bluesy Roy Orbison tribute album, it doesn’t make sense. Do something cool.
Jake – Here’s the thing – you have shown every week that you can take on all types of styles. You sang a beautiful torch song, and you did it wonderfully.
I didn’t think Ashley’s voice was as good as Craig’s, but she definitely has more passion than he did. However I do think that this was a pretty safe song for an acoustic set. Obviously, you’re not only dealing with song selection this week, but there’s also a level of risk/reward when you take a song and strip it down. And this was nearly zero risk, with maybe medium reward.
7/10
Ben thinks that Zack had the most random comment of the night, but to be honest – he makes some sense. Maybe you’ll sing a cover of an old song – it worked for Clay, Taylor and Katherine – but ultimately, your success or failure will depend on contemporary music.
Cheddar Chad is up after the
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Chad Doucette is up and he’s doing “Santa Monica” by Theory of a Deadman.
Flex – You went unplugged, you were unleashed.
Zack – I have a feeling that it was a lot better on TV, ‘cuz I would’ve pushed it a million times further.
Jake – That was without a doubt, the best performance you’ve ever done on this show.
Sass – That was insanely great.
Unlike Ashley, Chad took a song with mid-high risk/high reward. And I gotta say, Chad pulls it off pretty well. He tones down all the weird intonations that he often does, letting his voice shine through. The only problem is that here, you can see that his voice isn’t as strong as Craig or Ashley’s. But still, with the theme this week, I think Craig is the first to really understand what songs you should choose and what you should do with them.
7.5/10
Apparently, all that hair coloring isn’t a coincidence, as Ben throws things to Elena Juatco (definitely a prettier face to look at than Jon Dore) and a thinly veiled product placement for a Hair Care Line. So don’t hate the Idols because they’re beautiful.
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We’re back, and it’s time for Steffi “back to short hair” D. She’s singing “Lovefool” by The Cardigans. Chantal is maybe the first person to tell Steffi to get rid of the musical theatre. THANK YOU.
Zack – I don’t think you have to reign back what you do – you can push it. You’re the bomb.
Jake – I just enjoy watching you. Who knows what you’ll do next week. (She’s his Zayra, I guess?)
Sass – You do what you do, and that’s what you do, and you do it great.
Flex – I was a little nervous in the beginning, but when you hit the chorus, you saved the day.
And despite Chantal’s words, all I can say is: Lather. Rinse. Repeat. LOVED the arrangement though – it’s like they superimposed the lyrics over “Oye Como Va” and then stripped it down. But ignoring your mentor’s advice? I gotta dock points. 5/10
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It’s time for Eva Avila, and she’ll be singing “How Come You Don’t Call Me?” by Alicia Keys. Chantal, apparently, didn’t even bother changing anything.
Jake – First of all, you could have done that a capella and it would’ve been just as amazing.
Sass – There is nothing greater than seeing someone slip, slide and smoke ’em like you just did.
Flex – Another signature performance from you. That was memorable.
Zack – As Farley said, it was signature. This was Eva.
Like Ashley, this was seriously low on risk (because Alicia Keys’ music lends itself to acoustic versions), but I think the reward was higher because you had a real chance to show how well you could do a contemporary song. And indeed, Eva uses this to cut loose with her voice, and shows us why she should be the next Canadian Idol. Awesome. 9/10
Tyler sings us out after the
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Tyler Lewis sang acoustic last week, but will he sound repetitive this week? Maybe – he’s singing Tonic’s “If You Can Only See”, something I’ve actually heard acoustic (one of those “morning radio” performances). And this week, he’s stolen Rex Goudie’s hair again.
Sass – That was a perfect example with the same passion and intensity as if you had a band behind you.
Flex – You are the winner of the Really Brilliant song selection award. I can’t wait to hear your record.
Zack – I didn’t expect to see you sing the same song three weeks in a row. But the fact is eight billion Default Theory of a Nickel Pickle Back fans can’t be wrong.
Jake – It’s all about your performance, and whether you meant it. And you meant it.
Like Eva, Tyler chose a low risk/high reward song, as Tonic’s singles lend themselves very well to an acoustic environment. And like Eva, Tyler chose something that was right in his wheelhouse – as Zack said, this is pretty much where he sings his best stuff. I can’t deny that.
And as Zack also said, all those Hot AC-radio friendly rock fans can’t be wrong. Hey, it worked for American Idol winners Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry, right?
8/10
We have time left for the Name Brand Cereal recap and the voting window is open! Well it’s closed now, but you know what I mean.
