By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, April 1, 2015
The first night where "American Idol" used the Twitter save for the bottom two worked out. The two expected bottom dwellers Rayvon Owen and Daniel Seavey competed and Rayvon won easily. It was no contest.
Daniel, suffering from laryngitis, did a perfectly adequate job but did nothing special with "Breakaway." So the 15 year old is going home.
From day one, it was clear Daniel was too raw ,not quite ready for this competition. He is also a very very young 15 to boot. He looks and sings like he's barely past puberty. If he came on the show three years from now, he'd be miles ahead of where he is now. The fact he made it to No. 9 is a feat in and of itself.
Rayvon survived but he is just biding his time. He has no realistic shot at winning. Harry Connick Jr. called it by saying he's "all chops and no gravy." Ouch. In other words, he's all pretty voice but not much else. Still, I enjoyed his "Since U Been Gone." He fashioned the song effectively to his very limited stylings.
Kelly Clarkson was a wonderful mentor and sang not just her current single 'Heartbeat Song" but also her original audition song "At Last."
This was the best night of the year in terms of overall performance. And Kelly's amazing songbook didn't hurt.
Typically, the person in the bottom two but doesn't make it through tends to survive the next week. That would be Rayvon. I think Qaasim is most vulnerable and I'm going to predict he goes home.
My favorite? Quentin with Clark a close second.
My rankings; 1. Quentin 2. Clark 3. Joey 4. Tyanna 5. Jax 6. Rayvon 7. Nick 8. Qaasim
Nick Fradiani ("Catch My Breath") - He has done an acoustic cover of this song before. "I need to open up and get more comfortable," he said, minus the band. Kelly notes how hard the song is. It was pleasant. I'm not sure the song really gave him much of an edge. It felt like Daughtry Lite. Pleasant, innocuous. Keith said it suited his voice but felt like he needs to loosen up. "Jump around or something." JLo said she's glad he's aware of it but he needs to move around more. HCJ: "It does sound like you have caught your breath."
Grade: B
Chance of going through: Okay
Jax ("Beautiful Disaster") - She was vulnerable and pretty. It wasn't perfect pitch wise and I wanted an emotional peak that didn't happen. Very good but not her best. HCJ: "It's a beautiful song... I really loved it." Keith says he sets her to a high standard and sees some inconsistency but he also sees her "artistry."
Grade: B-plus/A-minus
Chance of going through: Very good
Group sing: "People Like Us." It happened.
Tyanna Jones ("Mr. Know It All") - She had been bullied and is able channel that pain and anger into this song. It's very effective. HCJ: "There's a mystery about you. I'd like to know a little more. It's almost like you were singing to us." Keith said he felt she didn't really connect with the song. "There's a really dark center to that song. I missed that." JLo: "You have amazing pipes."
Grade: A-minus
Chance of going through: Solid
Joey Cook ("Miss Independent") - A very jazz-oriented, sexy version of this song. She changed up a pretty tired pop song. HCJ: "A-plus for bravery and going left of center. Only thing I would wish if you had treated the jazz elements to novelty."
Grade: A-minus
Chance of going through: Excellent
Kelly Clarkson: "Heartbeat Song" - Great as always.
Quentin Alexander ("Dark Side") - One of his best performances to date. He captured the song perfectly. Rapturous. Keith loves his poise and his truth. HCJ: "You need to spend as much time on the creative as the skills stuff." He wants him to learn musicality more.
Grade: A
Chance of going through: 100%
Qaasim Middleton ('Stronger") - He wants to show his vulnerability with a guitar. His feelings are there but his technique? No way. He is always doing these little gimmicks with his voice. As a result, . he was an unqualified mess. HCJ: He loves runs but he thinks he did them poorly. Keith said he felt like he was crashing into the wall. "I liked the potential." JLo agreed that is a technical mess.
Grade: B-minus
Chance of going through: 50/50
Kelly Clarkson sings her original audition song "At Last." Transcendent! She meets HCJ for the first time. He said his daughters are psyched that he gets to meet her. So why didn't he bring them? she asks. "You're a crap dad!" she joked. Very Kelly-esque humor.
Clark Beckham ("The Trouble With Love") - Kelly says he needs to show more vulnerability. After he hits a high note during rehearsal, Kelly says, "I think I'm pregnant!" It is his style, as he says. He is comfortable and just hits some great notes toward the end. Keith said the feelings should lead. JLo: "Goosies from head to toe." HCJ: "You nailed it."
Grade: A/A-minus
Chance of going through: But of course
The bottom two are Rayvon Owen and Daniel Seavey, who is suffering from laryngitis.
Daniel Seavey ("Breakaway") - Kelly said he needs to warm up better including "bubbling." Ultimately, a perfectly serviceable version, not bad, not great. JLo: "You did an okay job." HCJ: "Keep practicing." Keith said he looks good on camera.
Grade: C
Rayvon Owen ("Since U Been Gone") - He goes total ballad on this song. And it works to me. I enjoyed his John Legendization of it. HCJ: "All chops and no gravy." JLo: "Keep digging. Keep pushing."
Grade: B-plus
Next week, "Idol" will feature the country duo that is Florida-Georgia Line as a mentor and the theme is as broad as can be: "Billboard" hits. Doesn't that mean almost ANY song?
Jordan Sparks' ex Jason Derulo will also be a mentor, and will perform his new single, "Want to Want Me," and there will be a special performance of "Trouble," with Iggy Azalea, featuring Jennifer Hudson.
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