The Theme: Songs by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The Coach: Gene Simmons.
I’m not a KISS fan, but I’ve always respected Gene’s evil genius. He’s a pro’s pro who understands all aspects of the business – and by the business, I mean the industry – from hit song-making to performance to an eye for talent to promotion and to making that money.
Sunday night, he was an insightful and supportive coach who brought out more from the Idolists than I can recall any other coach did[1].
Let’s do this.
Triston Harper (Elvis Heartbreak Hotel) He’s a talented young boy who looked like a boy trying to sing like a grown-up. Competent but neither entertaining nor believable. B-
Julia Gagnon (WhitneyRun to You) She violated my nationwide ban against singing Whitney. When will they learn? She has a BIG voice but can’t find a style or songs that work effectively for her. C
Roman Collins (Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell You’re All I Need to Get By) THAT IS HOW IT’S DONE!!!!! I NEED A RECORDING OF THAT!!! He owned that song. Amazing live performance, too. A+
Kaibrienne (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts I Hate Myself for Loving You) GREAT advice from Gene to connect with the physicality of the song. And a great song choice for her voice. Kaibrienne looked and sounded the part of the tough rocker chick. She needs to be in this lane more often. A
Jayna Elise (Whitney I Have Nothing) She violated my nationwide ban against singing Whitney, but there is no way I can justifiably prosecute her for that incredible performance. Wow. Perfect vocal. Perfect look. Perfect stage performance. Win or lose (she won’t win), she needs to be in a recording studio now with the best R&B songwriters in the business. And I still want to hear her do a Toni Braxton song. A+
Mia Matthews (Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emily Harris Those Memories of You) Mia is adorable but there were too many shaky moments in her vocals. C
Kayko (Radiohead High and Dry) He is a talented artist who consistently proves that you don’t need big songs and notes to deliver a compelling and impactful performance. He’s one of the best artists in the competition. A
Emmy Russell (Bonnie Raitt I Can’t Make You Love Me) I don’t have anything nice to say, and she seems too nice to be mean to. I’ll leave it at that. C
Jordan Anthony (Whitney I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)) WHITNEY AGAIN??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE IDOLISTS?? And why is HE singing Whitney? I like that he tried to put his own spin on it, but it didn’t work. If he wanted to feel the heat with somebody, he sure didn’t bring any. F
McKenna Faith (Chicago Hard to Say I’m Sorry) Apparently, she was under the weather and struggling vocally. But she powered through like a professional. It was a good song choice, and I regret not hearing what she would have done with it if she had been healthy. B (A for effort, look, and stage presence + C for vocal)
Jack Blocker (Bob Dylan Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright) I’m on the fence. I could have used less vocal affectations, as Gene suggested. And maybe Dylan’s vocal style is too unique to cover without sounding like a cover. It was competent but not believable. B
Naya (Aretha Say a Little Prayer) Ooof. This was a screechy, oversung mess. Clearly, I was listening to something other than what the judges heard. F
Will Mosel (Bob Seger Night Moves) Perfect song choice. Again, great coaching from Gene on shifting the song’s mood when he got to “Summertime.” I’m fine if he wins. A
Abi (Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road) Abi gets The Glory Spot, and it is just her and a piano. The Evil Genius Producers (EGPs) knew what they were doing. I had full-body goosebumps and shed a few tears. She didn’t cover Elton. She did Abi. It was an utterly sublime, immaculate, and mesmerizing performance and one of the greatest I’ve ever seen on Idol. A++
In the Top Twelve (“Tom dim the lights!”)
- Roman – A+
- Mia – C
- Tristan – B-
- Julia – C
- Jack – B
- Jayna – A+
- McKenna – B (in spite of illness)
- Kaibrienne – A
- Emmy – C
- Abi – A++
- Will – A
- Kayko – A
Saying Goodbye and I agree
- Jordan (F) and Nya (F).
Look at me handing out all these A grades. This remaining group of Idolists (with a couple of exceptions) is talented. But I am girding my loins for the next round of cuts. I feel pain is in my immediate future.
See you later.
[1] Barry Manilow and Adam Lambert were also great coaches.
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