Citation :Canadian Idol: As Diverse As Canada
Top 3 Performance Show Recap by Jon Dos
September 4, 2007
Last week on Canadian Idol, Paul Anka mentored the Idols for the "Standards" theme. Just when I came to realize that I actually liked Dwight, he was voted off. Brian is still around and that's all that matters.
Ben welcomes us to our Top 3 show. This week, the Idols didn't have a say in what they were singing this week because this is the "Judge's Choice/People's Choice" theme. We don't have any special guests but for the first time, Sass Jordan mentored the remaining three Idols, while the other three judges chose their songs. Speaking of the judges, let's hear what they have to say.
Sass is asked about her experience with the Idols. It was an eye opener to her because she sees the Idols in the context of a television show with all the confusion and action. It was different to see them focused and quiet.
Ben points out that the Top 3 is composed to three different styles. Zack is asked if it represents Canada's tastes. Zack answers that it's been an amazing year and the "kids" are as diverse as Canada can get.
With the finale next week, Farley is asked what the Idols need to do to seal the deal. The Idols need to focus, and use all their energy and hard work, and channel it all on stage.
Lastly, Jake is asked about this year's new element of having a "People's Choice." Jake thinks it's a great idea and thinks that I will work well.
First up tonight is Jaydee Bixby. Farley has chosen "Break it to Them Gently" by Burton Cummings for Jaydee. We haven't seen Jaydee's vulnerable side and this will allow him to show off his voice.
In Jaydee's video package, he reveals that he's nervous because Sass knows his style and judged every single performance. Sass feels that he connected to the song and the best possible approach for Jaydee is to show what he did in their workshop.
Personally, this is the type of songs Jaydee should be singing. Jaydee does looks like a little boy dressed up in his older brother's clothes, and the twang is still a little bit forced. Aside from that, this is his best effort to date.
Jake: Jake doesn't know what Sass did but this is the best singing Jaydee has ever done. Because Jaydee made the song country, Jake wouldn't have ever know it was a Burton Cummings song. Jaydee did a really fine job.
Farley: Farley starts off by greeting his mother a Happy Birthday. She asked Farley to be nice to Jaydee but Farley doesn't need to pretend to be nice because Jaydee did a fantastic job. Jaydee took ownership, looks and feels good, and did his thing.
Sass: Sass is not going to lie, but if Jaydee were to record this song, it would be a hit single.
Zack: Zack agrees with Sass. This is the most honest and human performance. This is the real Jaydee as far as Zack is concerned.
Next up is Brian Melo. Jake chose "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum for Brian. Jake thinks it's a challenging song for Brian but Brian is a great singer and has met every challenge along the way. He's giving Brian something to aspire to.
In Brian's video package, Sass points out that Brian has a command on stage which comes from his sense of self. You can't teach someone how to be a performer; it's about experience. Brian is excited to prove to the judges that they won't be wrong about their song choice.
I'm not too familiar with this song but it's a strong effort from Brian. There's a long instrumental break for Mark Lalama on the organ and I wonder if they're trying to pull another Clay Aiken "Vincent" moment. I just hope they don't show that part when they recap the phone numbers.
Farley: There is no question that Brian understood the lyrics and meaning of the song, and captured the essence of the song.
Sass: "He's an absolute born performer."
Zack: There were some things that could have been sung better but who cares. The fact is, you've got it!
Jake: Brian didn't disappoint Jake. Brian did a really, really great job and gave Jake chills.
Our final performer is Carly Rae Jepsen. Zack chose "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian. Zack points out this song is about storytelling and Carly's "paramount thing" is her ability to interpret the lyrics and tell a story. This is a song that will break everyone's hearts.
In Carly's video package, she reveals that she was scared to work with Sass because she knows the Idols and will have higher expectations. Sass points out Carly's ability to tap into the fragile parts in everyone and advises her to concentrate on that feeling. Sass doesn't know how Carly does it but it is remarkable.
This is another song I'm not familiar with. It's not a perfect vocal but Carly delivers the message she was trying to get across.
Sass: Sass gives kudos to her colleagues for the song choices. This was "pretty perfect."
Zack: Zack is trying not to choke up. He reminiscing back in season one where Ryan Malcolm sang "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and season two where Kalan Porter sang "Nature Boy," where both of them moved everybody across the country. From an artistic and emotional standpoint, neither of them held a candle to what Carly just did.
Jake: This was the perfect song for Carly. Carly delivered the song the way it should be. Carly showed vulnerability and let people get inside her
Farley: At a concert, people would've paused after her performance, then collected themselves and realize what a wonderful experience they went through. With every note Carly sang, Farley's heart dropped lower and lower. This was a beautiful and heartfelt performance.
Round one goes to Jaydee! On to round two!
Jaydee's People's Choice songs were two Elvis Presley songs and a Johnny Cash song. The fans have voted for "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. Jaydee is a big Johnny Cash fan but Cash is a gentleman who nobody sounds like. This is a phenomenal song and the lyrics are neat and cool. It's a passionate love song Cash's wife wrote for him so Jaydee is just going to have fun with it.
I'm not sure what to make of it. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. It's a fun song and the audience gets into it, and I'm not getting any annoying vibes from him. I think we have a keeper!
Zack: Tonight, both songs didn't sound like imitations. Zack likes Jaydee's upper register and showed that Jaydee was more than what people made him out to be.
Jake: Jaydee sang really well, the movement was good, but Jake would've preferred Jaydee to be dressed all in black and with a guitar.
Farley: Stick to your elements. It was great.
Sass: It was a "great lot of fun."
Brian's People's Choice songs were Incubus, Live, and Big Wreck. I'm actually unfamiliar with all three song choices but Incubus served him well previously. The fans have chosen "Lightning Crashes" by Live. Brian is happy with the song choice. It's a great song with deep lyrics. Brian feels it's his job to entertain and if the fans are not happy, he didn't do his job.
Brian is two for two in terms of songs that I'm unfamiliar with. Regardless of this, Brian never fails to deliver and continues to prove why he deserves to win this thing.
Jake: Jake reveals that this was the judge's first choice. This was explosive and absolutely spectacular.
Farley: In 5 years of the show, Brian wins the prize for making the best song choices.
Sass: You know who you are and kicked butt.
Zack: Zack would like to keep the party going but think Brian sounded "super tired." The crown on Brian's head has shifted and the game is wide open after that performance.
Carly's People's Choice songs include Maroon 5, Dido, and Corinne Bailey Rae. Personally, I think it would be interesting to see Carly take on Maroon 5 and see how she'd interpret it. The fans have spoken and instead they chose "White Flag" by Dido. It's a challenge that Carly is looking forward to. She's going to make the song more edgy and will play with it. She doesn't like "copycatting."
Dido typically bores me to death but I was not bored with this. Carly turned it into a story and I liked how she changed it up.
Farley: Carly displayed so much confidence and she understands what she is doing.
Sass: "A stellar performance by a budding young star."
Zack: Zack compares Carly to Jenny Gear: Canada either gets you or they don't.
Jake: Carly sang really well. Jake liked the first half but Carly came off the rails when she started dancing around. Overall, Jake understood what she was trying to do.
Tonight was a very telling night in terms of where the Top 3 Idols careers are headed. I think tonight showed that Jaydee is better off with the direction of a professional rather than his own direction. After a couple of weeks of poor performance, he did well tonight with both songs which were chosen for him.
Brian is the only one I can see with the potential of making it big across the nation. He's the only one with a voice that fits into the contemporary music today.
Carly confirmed my thoughts that she belongs in musical theatre. She's able to capture the emotion and the attention of the audience. She's believable and knows how to get the message across.
It's anyone's guess as to who will be leaving us tomorrow. Brian deserves to make it to the final but I think cutesiness will prevail in the end and he will be saying farewell.
Which two Idols will battle it out for the title of the next Canadian Idol? Join me tomorrow with all the details plus three performances from previous Idols including Ryan Malcolm, Jacob Hoggard, and Kalan Porter.
source:
http://realitytvcalendar.com/shows/ci5/3p-9325-p1.html