It’s the Third Annual Judges’ Song Contest. Three songs were submitted to each Idolist, one from each judge. The Idolist makes their choice and, after the performance, tries to guess whose song they picked. The judges score a point each time an Idolist picks their recommended song.
Let’s do some grades.
Will (Johnny Cash Folsom Prison Blues) Will put an upbeat rockabilly spin on it. I’m not sure what the traditionalists will think, but it’s way better than trying to imitate The Man in Black, and the performance pleased the live audience. I agree with Luke that Will is improving each week. I’d be fine if he wins. A
Song picked by Lionel and guessed correctly by Will.
Kaibrienne (Olivia Rodrigo traitor) I appreciate her deep connection with this song. And great advice by vocal coach Adriana McPhee to keep her eyes open and allow the audience to connect with her singing it. Kaibrienne looked great (as always). I just wish she sang it better. C+
Picked by Katy and not guessed correctly by Kaibrienne.
McKenna (Lissie Everywhere I Go) Great song choice for her[1]. She’s mesmerizing. Kaibrienne needs to learn from McKenna how to deliver on the emotion in a song. A-
Picked by Katy and not guessed correctly by McKenna.
Jack (Willie Nelson Always On My Mind) FANTASTIC!!!! I LOVED the conversational way he opened the song. I LOVED the insistent way he sang the chorus. It was very heartfelt and personal. A
Picked by Katy and not guessed correctly by Jack.
Abi (Evanescence Bring Me to Life) NO!!!! NO!!!! HOW DARE SHE TROD ON THE MOST HOLY OF HOLIEST GROUNDS????
Uh. Wow. D#@N. This is really good. Amazingly good. How is this possible? Why am I crying? I was in from the first note. This slayed. And I LOVED the look. My Girl Amy Lee would have been proud on all counts. A+
Picked by Luke and not guessed correctly by Abi.
Julia (Judy Garland/Eva Cassidy Somewhere Over the Rainbow) Technically excellent and yet . . . soulless? She has a beautiful voice, but she doesn’t move me. B
Picked by Luke and not guessed correctly by Julia.
Triston (Morgan Wallen Sand In My Boots) It wasn’t long before I started checking NBA scores and texting my daughters. His weakest performance of the season. D
Picked by Lionel and not guessed correctly by Triston.
Emmy (Loretta Lynn Coal Miner’s Daughter) The Glory Spot? Really? Wait. OMG. What’s happening? Where has this been? That was one of my favorite performances of the season. A++
Emmy also had a few nice moments in her duet with Jack on Lionel’s Hello.
Picked by Katy and guessed correctly by Emmy.
Top Six (“Tom – Dim the Lights! And here we go!”)
- Julia
- Emmy
- Will
- Jack
- Triston
- Abi
(Saved by Katy – the winner of the Judge’s Song Contest)
- McKenna
Not Top Six, uh Seven
- Kaibrienne
No problems with the result, and Katy made the right choice, as McKenna should not have been in that position.
A thought about the so-called “Katy’s Ladies” Wide Awake Quartet of Abi, McKenna, Julie, and Kaibrienne – I liked Abi’s voice the most?
See you next time.
[1] When I saw her options, I hoped she would choose that one. Hit Me with Your Best Shot would have been terrible for her, Lionel.
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