I was excited to be back at Idol after missing the last results show. I was off covering the American Idol concert in town and I interviewed the entire Top 10. Look for those later this week.
While it sucked to lose my perfect attendance record this season, it definitely made me miss Idol that much more and I was happy on Monday night.
Last week was definitely tiring on me as I was covering the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Toronto all week.
Anyway, on with the show. The warm-up began at 6:46 PM Eastern. Before the show started, I definitely had concerns about what the upcoming themes would be. I am not a fan of the Standards, and I was really looking forward to British Invasion week (which was cancelled when Mika had to bail). I just felt like the show has gone through so many great themes already and I hoped that the remaining shows would live up to the high standard (pun intended) that has been set.
Before the show started, there was a great moment between Sue Brophy and Ben Mulroney, where Ben told the audience that he threw a big party and forgot to invite Sue. To apologize, he had one of the back-up singers sing “I’m sorry,” and presented Sue with a bouquet of roses. It was very funny and definitely a break from the usual mundane monotony that is the warm-up. It’s funny. I hadn’t heard the warm-up in a week and it was still just as stale.
I got a tip that Kelly Clarkson would be watching the show from the audience so I was focused on the crowd from the moment that I arrived.
The show started and Ben Mulroney opened by saying that the “original Idol” Kelly Clarkson helped the Idols prepare this week. He also said that we were just three weeks away from naming the new Canadian Idol.
It was then time for the judges comments on the “My Own Idol” theme. For those who don’t know, this week’s show allowed the contestants to pick one song from a singer or band that they had a great deal of respect for.
Jake said that the “My Own Idol” theme would tell everybody about the records that the kids were going to make and advised them not to be imitative. Farley said to take “effective risks.” Sass said that Kelly Clarkson has had massive acclaims from critics and fans alike which is “unusual.” Zack said that it was the playoffs and that somebody had to stand up and say that they wanted to become the next Canadian Idol.
The Idols were then introduced. There was a huge ovation for Brian Melo.
Commercial. This is when Kelly was ushered into the audience.
The show resumed with a quick Kelly Clarkson video where she plugged her new album. Then it was time to get down to business.
Matt Rapley
Age: 18
Regina, SK
– Sang “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder.
– In his opening video, Kelly Clarkson told Matt that he had a “beautiful voice” and that he should get into it more, get the people clapping and not worry about hitting each key perfectly but to focus on his performance.
– It was definitely great advice.
– Almost as soon as Matt started to perform, Kelly got up from his seat and started clapping.
– Looked angry while he was singing.
– Liked when the back-up singers took their microphones and moved up next to Matt in the middle of the song.
– Simple, but effective use of the stage.
– Matt seemed like a man possessed.
– Almost as if he was singing to win.
– They have a longer time to sing this week and this will be a good indication of who actually can sing.
– He seems way more into it.
– Most of the crowd in front of me was standing.
– Did they actually want to stand or did it just because Kelly did?
– I hate when people stand during performances.
– Very inconsiderate of the people behind you.
– I also hate when 8-year olds hold signs during performance.
– I also hate when parents of 8-year olds allow their kids to hold signs during the actual performance.
– This is why society has degenerated.
– Sorry back to Matt.
– Strong performance.
– I liked it.
– His strongest thus far.
– Phenomenal song choice.
– It was good because Rapley finally found the right mixture between using his gospel background with a rock edge.
– Jake: Love that you did the Chili Peppers version. More contemporary. You looked so fierce.
– Farley: Stepped up with all that you have..
– Sass: What matters is that you have heart and you have soul.
– Zack: That’s what you gotta do!
Commercial. During commercial, the piano was rolled out. The mic stand was also placed at the top of the stage. This signaled to me that Dwight would step away from the piano and definitely sing without it at some point.
Show resumed with a commercial for Kraft. The Idols talked about making it to the halfway point. It was actually a pretty interesting vignette.
Dwight d’Eon
Age: 28
West Pubnico, NS
– Sang “Bed Of Roses” by Bon Jovi With Piano
– In his opening video, Kelly said that his voice was “dramatic… in a good way.”
– Kelly also said that his biggest strength was his experience and that you would think that he wrote the songs he was singing.
– I predict this will be his best.
– Amazing!
– This is his first standout performance in a few weeks.
– I also liked the stubble he was sporting.
– Definitely made him look like more of a rock star.
– Voice started to fade in the middle of the song.
– After Dwight stepped away from the piano and was rocking with the mic, the band’s guitar player stepped out and Dwight started playing air guitar with him.
– It was clear he missed his guitar.
– There was a lot of emotion in the performance.
– I usually don’t comment on the emotion of a song but it was definitely prevalent in this case.
– Different vibe presented by Dwight.
– Farley: My favorite performance that you have ever done.
– Sass: Far and away, the best thing you have ever done.
– Zack: As good as you can sing, I don’t think you sing well enough to win this competition .
– Jake: Performance was really strong.
Commercial.
Jaydee Bixby
Age: 16
Drumheller, AB
– Sang “I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Elvis Presley
– In his opening video, Kelly said that his voice was “perhaps the loudest thing I have ever heard.”
– I am immediately captured by the performance.
– Singing like a champion.
– Resembled Elvis, but still distinct enough to establish himself.
– I am a big Jaydee fan :)
– He was BELTING it out!
– The entire crowd was singing along!
– Went into crowd and presents towel from around his neck to a woman.
– The atmosphere in the theatre is ELECTRIC.
– I have never seen the crowd like this.
– Jaydee had them eating out of the palm of his hand.
– THE BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE I HAVE EVER SEEN ON CANADIAN IDOL!!!
– Sass: You did a kickass job.
– Zack: If I were you, I would hope they voted me off just so that I could start my career.
– Jake: You ain’t Elvis, that’s for sure (referring to Jaydee’s lack of rhythm. But you do sound a lot like him.
– Farley: I on the other hand, thought that was a fantastic performance.
Commercial.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Age: 21
Mission, BC
– Sang “Chuck E.’s In Love” by Rickie Lee James.
– In her opening video, Clarkson told her that she had a “cute and distinct voice” and advised her to surround herself with good people.
– Kelly also said that she thought Jepsen was the most comfortable.
– Starts off song by walking down stairs.
– Weird song choice.
– Sass seems to like.
– Moving all over the stage.
– Voice seemed to crack at one point.
– I love Carly and she is still my pick to win, but I didn’t like this performance if I am being completely objective.
– It’s good, but I expect more from her.
– I feel like the guys in front of her really elevated their games tonight.
– Zack: This girl is memorable.
– Jake: I was nervous when I saw you were going to sing that song. I was impressed with that version.
– Farley: You have this way about you. You are a professional. You understand how to entertain.
– Sass: You are a ray of sunshine.
Commercial.
Brian Melo
Age: 24
Hamilton, ON
– Sang “Karma Police” by Radiohead.
– In his opening video, Kelly Clarkson said that she loved that he picked Radiohead.
– Also says that he has a “beautiful rasp.”
– Kelly also mused that she “loved Brian and loves that he picks the songs that he loves.”
– This is another great song choice from Brian.
– It will be good.
– Great smile to crowd during break in song.
– Killing it!
– Ties with Jaydee for the best of the night.
– Doesn’t even seem like we are watching Canadian Idol.
– Great arrangement.
– Awesome performance.
– Jake: I just hope the people at home understand what they just saw. Most magic moment ever on the show.
– Farley: Made all of us proud.
– Sass: For a moment, I thought you wrote the song.
– Zack: Mr. & Mrs. Melo, your son may very well be the next Canadian Idol.
Recap.
Show end.
Wow. Unbelievably good show. Very tough to predict. I think that the guys were all spectacularly good. It was an off-night for Carly. Does that mean that I think she is going home?
No.
Yes folks.
I picked Matt again.
Talk to you after the Kelly Clarkson performance!!!
