‘American Idol’ Recap: It’s Hollie Cavanagh’s Time To Go
The Top 4 hit the ‘Idol’ stage with one thing in mind — getting closer to the finals. Who deserves to make the Top 3?
The Top 4 took on songs with a California Dreamin’ and Songs You Wish You Wrote themes. With such a wide-open second theme, the Idols had a plethora of songs that they could choose. But with the notoriously bad song choices the Idol hopefuls often make, did it turn into a great episode of performances or was it a bust? And why did they sing so many songs that were just on The Voice?
Phillip Phillips: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
The death spot this week has been given out to the one and only Phillip Phillips. Do the producers really want to see him go home? This performance was leaps and bounds better than anything he did last week, but it wasn’t spectacular. The girl with the saxophone was heavily featured, which may have taken away from his performance. But the judges were really happy with what they saw. I agree with Randy that it started off a little weird but got better as the song continued. Nothing amazing but he certainly didn’t harm his standing. I think the others may be better as the night continues, we shall see.
Hollie Cavanagh: “Faithfully” by Journey
Such an incredible song that was a wise decision for Hollie to take on and tackle. Its the part of the competition where song choices are almost just as important as the performance. Speaking of the performance, it wasn’t good. I didn’t believe her and the story that the lyrics are meant to tell. This might be the song that finally takes her off the show. But the judges loved it, which basically says to me that the judges are awful. Listen to the original song and how it should be performed and then listen to Hollie’s performance. It was not good. Then she talked about not understanding the song, well, Hollie you still don’t!
Joshua Ledet: “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
This could be a safe choice for Joshua. Its a great song that wasn’t done very well by Chris Mann from The Voice, but I imagine that Joshua will pull it out. It didn’t start it out very well. The problems the Idol hopefuls have is that they can’t emotionalize the songs they choose. They just sing it, which is not really what music is all about. This song by Josh Groban is a classic and Joshua Ledet did it worse than Chris Mann. Which really isn’t saying much. Jennifer Lopez said he was the best singer in the last 50 years last week, this performance proved her wrong.
Jessica Sanchez: “Steal Away” by Etta James
Jessica Sanchez is 16-years old and needs to sing a song that is closer to her age range and make things fun. We get that she can sing the high notes, but its time to entertain us. This was very cabaret and a maybe a little bit to dirty for her as well. The judges should not even talk because they never have any criticism. Randy Jackson mentioned she could sing the phonebook. I’m thinking that it would have been a better song selection. She really needs to knock her next song out of the park.
Duet #1
“This Love” by Maroon 5 – Joshua Ledet & Phillip Phillips
This was great, this is the types of songs they both should sing. This could be a revelation for them both. This performance together was better than their individual performances. Watching these two perform I could see these two being the final two. The judges loved it, and I actually agree with the judges assessments. This was effortless and fun. It’s about time!
Duet #2
“Eternal Flame” by The Bangles – Hollie Cavanagh & Jessica Sanchez
Who in the world OK’d the swings? This was the complete opposite from Joshua and Phillips performance. Randy Jackson mentioned that it was strange and I couldn’t agree any more. The best performance was that Joshua and Phillip started swinging in the background because this duet was miserable. They didn’t play off each other and seemed like they didn’t want to be there. Yikes!
Phillip Phillips: “Volcano” by Damien Rice
After the 7 hour ‘Rock of Ages’ commercial we are back to the competition. Phillip Phillips came off his fantastic duet and reverted back to his old ways. But it was way better than his first song. It was slow but he felt the lyrics which was a nice change of pace. He was in his wheelhouse but I still would like to hear him do more Maroon 5 type songs. That’s were he shined. He is safe and I liked it and the simpleness of it all. But next week, Phillip needs to blow America’s minds and really change it up to be the next American Idol.
Hollie Cavanagh: “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
The judges pretty much killed her after this performance. She will really need tons of votes to be saved. But what she has proven the last couple weeks is that she has gotten those votes. It wasn’t that bad but the judges who need to bash someone chose Hollie because they want the Top 3 to be Phillip, Joshua and Jessica. Well I am pretty sure that they will get their wish.
Joshua Ledet: “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown
This song will probably get him his 14th standing ovation. If anything he is safe especially performing after Hollie who was bashed. We got our usual screams from Josh but he kept it interesting. He made it into an actual performance. The judges will love this and just as I thought, he got his 14th standing ovation. I really hate that the judges have already crowned him the best singer in the world and the best American Idol of all time. Randy Jackson deemed this the best performance the best of any singing show but last week on The Voice – Juliet Simms sang the song much better.
Jessica Sanchez: “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday
This song is stuff of legend, but Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday own this song. Jessica Sanchez is not a Diva, she has a big voice but that is all she has as she doesn’t have the performance to back it up. She seemed like she rushed the song to get all the notes in rather than make a statement like Joshua did in the previous performance. The arrangement was all over the place and it seemed like the judges forced themselves to stand up. It wasn’t as natural as Joshua. Plus the judges really had to stretch things. She’s safe but she shouldn’t be in the finals.
So HollywoodLifers, Who will make it to the Top 3 and who will be going home?
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Russ Weakland
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