It’s my friggen birthday and I went to Canadian Idol to not only give you Inside Pulse on everything that went down, but also to preserve my perfect performance show attendance record.
Lots to say before we get started this week.
On Sunday, I had the exclusive chance to go backstage and behind-the-scenes at the Canadian Idol dress rehearsal for Monday’s show. I interviewed the Top 6 as well as some other people that are involved in the show’s success. This article also marks the official launch of ‘Idol Week’ at Inside Pulse. Check out the Idol Week Introduction to find out how it is going to work.
Back to this week’s performance show. I was especially interested in the show this week because I got to see how it looked before it aired by going to the rehearsals. I knew what all the contestants were singing, and as a result, I was interested to see if the Idols had changed anything since I left.
It was a very stressful day for me because I was pulling double-duty on my birthday by not only covering Idol, but also covering the Rogers Cup tennis tournament during the day.
The warm-up began at 6:52 PM with Sue Brophy.
The show began with Ben emphasizing the fact that viewers had to vote for their favorites. He then asked the judges for their thoughts.
Zack said that “Canada clearly got it wrong last week.” Farley said that Greg’s departure provided “an opportunity for everybody else.” Sass said that it was hard for the idols to see their friends leave every week and Jake provided a description of what pop/rock is.
The Top 6 then came out. Jaydee had a different look again to match the theme of the week. Brian also looked different and sported a new hat.
Ben then threw to a Maroon 5 video package. It was weird. I felt like so much had happened in the show and no one had even performed yet!
It was finally time for the real show to begin.
Tara Oram
Age: 23
Hare Bay, NL
– Sang “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
– The theme of the opening videos this week involved the Idols asking Maroon 5 for advice via satellite.
– Tara asked Adam Levine how to balance a high-energy performance with a good vocal and he advised her to never let the physicality overshadow the singing.
– The horns on the song sounded awesome.
– Given that I was at the rehearsal, it will definitely be tougher for me to critical this week.
– I like the song choice.
– Upbeat tune for Tara is always good.
– Main criticism is that she should have come out into the audience since the song pretty much demands audience involvement and everyone was dying to get on their feet.
– That was really the only thing I didn’t like about it.
– The Idols had 2 minutes to perform their songs this week and this was definitely beneficial.
– Sass was grinning throughout the whole performance.
– Loved the ending.
– Tara did a good job with the arrangement.
Jake: That’s a really tough song to do. Fell a little short on the notes. Performance-wise, strong.
Farley: Came off almost too pop for me.
Sass: I think you have a really great way on stage.
Zack: I cannot imagine a place where somebody came out and did something as awful as that.
Commercial.
Jaydee Bixby
Age: 16
Drumheller, AB
– Sang “Amazed” by Lonestar.
– Missed the opening video.
– The vocal sounds good.
– Performance is certainly lacking, given what Jaydee has done in the past.
– I don’t think the song is conducive to a good performance.
– Given that he’s following Tara’s exciting song, the blandness of the ballad really stood out.
– I am a Jaydee fan, but this was his worst performance on the show so far.
– Farley: I can hear the 16-year old hearts throbbing.
– Sass: You look better than you sounded.
– Zack: If I walked into some place and you were doing that, I would be out of there in a heartbeat.
– Jake: I just don’t find it believable.
Commercial.
Matt Rapley
Age: 18
Regina, SK
– Sang “Everything” by Michael Buble With Piano
– In his opening video, Rapley asked Maroon 5 how they stay focused.
– Levine said to just concentrate on the moment.
– When I saw Matt perform this in rehearsal, I wasn’t a big fan (especially given how much Dwight and Brian rocked out).
– Sounds a lot better tonight.
– I actually think he picked the right song.
– Love when he got up and moved away from the piano and began to kick.
– Not a Matt fan, but he is one of the best tonight!
– Huge ovation from the crowd, will it translate into him having enough votes to stay?
– Zack: Stevie Wonder excepted, people don’t smile through everything like that unless they are in a pageant.
– Jake: There was a lot of entertainment in that song.
– Farley: Part of your agenda was to entertain.
Commercial.
Ronald McDonald House vignette is played immediately after the break.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Age: 21
Mission, BC
– Sang “Come To My Window” by Melissa Etheridge.
– In her question to Maroon 5, Carly Rae asks how they make their final artistic decisions.
– The band says not to be pig-headed and everything would work out.
– Arrangement definitely sounds different than the original.
– I thought Carly’s wardrobe choice was interesting.
– Seemed like she dressed down a little to offer a more understated performance.
– She did the same thing in rehearsal.
– Great performance as usual.
– She is my winner.
– Ending kind of came out of left field
– Zack: Wasn’t as bad as some other people tonight.
– Jake: What you did was really smart. You took a song that everyone knows and you did it ‘The Carly Rae Way.’
– Farley: Out of everyone that’s left, you have the most sense of self.
– Sass: I think that’s the best version of that song that I have ever heard.
Commercial.
Brian Melo
Age: 24
Hamilton, ON
– Sang “The Dolphin’s Cry” by Live.
– Missed the opening video.
– He was the best in rehearsal and I expect him to be the best tonight.
– Another brilliant song choice.
– Best of the night.
– Strong vocal.
– Think his interaction with the band seemed a little forced.
– He steps out and rocks out with the guitar player on a certain cue that did not look natural.
– It’s good, but the middle of the song isn’t nearly as good as the beginning.
– Jake: You have had a serious upward rise. You got it all man.
– Farley: You bring the drama. You bring the feel. You’re Melo-dramatic.
– Sass: It was inspiring.
– Zack: It was the only real performance of the night. You kicked it!
Commercial.
Dwight D’Eon
Age: 28
West Pubnico, NS
– Sang “Smooth” by Santana with Rob Thomas.
– Missed the opening video.
– Comes out with the electric guitar!!!
– Sounds great, but his voice sounds different.
– Wearing a completely crazy outfit!
– Great lead into the guitar solo, but I think the judges will tell him that it is a singing competition and not a guitar-playing one.
– For some reason, I am getting a very strong Montana-vibe from tonight.
– Like he overdid it (like Montana stripped down Alanis’ “Ironic”).
– I just hope he gets another chance like Montana’s didn’t.
– Farley: Overall, definitely a plus.
– Sass: That was a bit of a production… singing as usual… .
– Zack: I thought it was cool. If you’re still here next week, the East Coast finally got one right.
– Jake: I’d like to see more of that from you.
Recap.
End show.
I am rushing off to the American Idol press conference where I will hopefully meet Sanjaya. Pictures for this article to come.
Prediction?
Matt or Dwight are going home.
