Now that The Voice and its monkey business have closed up shop for the season, we can get down to the real competition at hand courtesy of American Idol. Because let me tell you something: This is were the real voices are in reality television at this very moment. And were there ever some performances put out for us to see. So much so I’m tossing a bevy of performances out there for you rather than talk about them. They were that good. And not all over them, just a few noteworthy ones.
Hollie Cavanagh “Faithfully”
If there’s one contestant we’ve seen consistently grow this season, it’s Hollie. Not only did she do a nice rendition of this tune, it’s a fresh change of pace to see the judges pile on praise without adding sniping criticism:
Phillip and Joshua “This Love”
Best duet of the season, hands down. Nothing else needs be said:
Phillip Phillips “Volcano”
Wow. P² exuded this one from his very core. Not only did he dig deep, but he trumped everyone with this performance differently than even he thought he was capable of:
Joshua Ledet “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World”
Pretty incredible performance of James Brown’s classic, complete with Joshua’s own little spin on it:
Jessica Sanchez “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
The problem with many of the tunes Jessica commits is that they’re just not believable when she sings them. And again, here’s another performance proving that. She puts way too much into it and it left me sour and disliking it. The vocals are there, no doubt … but the performance comes across disingenuously:
With this chapter of Idol giving us some pretty spiffy offerings, it’s tough to figure out who gets the cut during elimination. But I’m hedging my bets Jessica gets the short straw this week.
Quote:
“The Top 4 … it makes you want it more … and you can’t slip up …” — Phillip Phillips
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on May 10, 2012 @ 08:20 EST5EDT
Interesting. And you didn’t even mention the judges’ criticism of the female duet and Hollie’s second song.
I think Hollie is headed home this week, primarily because her better song was her first song and Jessica’s better song was the final song of the night. I’m not saying Hollie should go home. I just think she will go home.
In my opinion, Jessica was totally believable in “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”, even if the emotion displayed changed the story of the lyrics. Instead of a woman demanding that her man love her, Jessica sounded exactly like what she is – a teenager demanding to have her own way. Instead of the focus being on “I’m going to make you love me.” she hit “And I’m Telling You” as the theme of the song.
As I watched the stories of their journeys, I wondered what Jessica’s performances on Idol would have been like if they had sent her home after Hollywood week and told her to try again next year. I think we are still seeing the 7 year old who amazed family, friends, and community when compared against her peers. Until Idol, I’m not sure she had ever met anyone who sang better than she did. Tough load to carry at her age.
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
… and that’s a big part of my deal, Nyela.
I’m having a real problem with these big, ostentatious songs coming out of a 16 year-old. I understand it’s my problem, but it’s staring me right in the eye every time and I’m having a difficult time wrapping my head around it. Interesting in that I can usually put on my third-party glasses and manage a work around.
Add to that she’s had some major, major stumbles in genre and group song arrangements and I think she simply needs more time for seasoning. I know it’s American Idol (singular) but she gets whomped by Hollie every single instance when it comes to a duet or trio. Hollie continues to sound better than her in these instances. And to me that’s a chink in her armor that needs repair before she can mature and go forward.
It’s not just a personal preference … it’s a valid concern.
I guess if you say it enough times(Jessica going home) you think it will happen right? I don’t know who will go home, I have predicted Hollie for weeks now and she is till here. I don’t want her to go I think of the 2 girls she is the better but with the amount of times she has been in the bottom 2 her odds are running out.
I think you are right about Jessica needed to be seasoned a bit more. I have said several times now that in a duet or group she just can’t do it. She has never sang with someone else ergo she does not know how. It takes practice some people never get it. She may be one of those people, who knows only time will tell.
I think Phillip surprised a lot of people last night even me I thought he was amazing. Maybe he is starting to feel better, I know he looked better last night than he has the last few weeks more color in his face. I hope he sticks around.
I think the judges have made it blatantly clear who they think should win and if Hollie goes home to night some of that will be on there back.
Seriously how did they not give Phillip a standing ovation last night? come on get real please.
Blech. I hated Joshua. So Beyond the Beyond. Screaming Mimis, he and Jessica.
Ugh.
Michael, you were wrong!!!
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
Yes, I was ginas.
It will come … it will come.
Oh I so hope you are right!!!
….and I so wish I had been wrong tonight