American Idol 8 Top 5 Recap and Prediction
We’re down to five contestants as our idols take on tonight’s theme, “Rat Pack”. At first, I’m not familiar with the term but after a quick visit to Wikipedia, I found out that Rat Pack was a group of popular entertainers that started in the 50’s featuring the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, etc.
Expect some “oldies but goodies” songs that you usually hear on a Sunday morning as Jamie Foxx mentors the kids.
The band is in “swing mode” and the guys are dressed in suits while the only girl left, Allison, is dressed in a cocktail dress.
(Links below will lead you to their video performance)
1. Kris Allen – The Way You Look Tonight
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Kris got a boost from Jamie who said he’s gonna do a record with him if Idol doesn’t work out for him. He is not strong vocally but he’s smart and knows what works for him.
Kris sounded like a wedding singer serenading the girls at the audience. I like what he did midway as he picked up the pace then slowed it down again near the end. I would love a studio version of this one.
Randy thinks it’s his best performance to date. Kara says he set the technical standard so high for this evening. Simon was not that impressed saying it was a little bit “wet” like taking a trained Spaniel for a walk. He feels that Kris couldn’t win the competition.
2. Allison Iraheta – Someone to Watch Over Me
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The only girl left who just turned 17 looked girly tonight. I don’t know if the rocker voice sounds good with the song but I can grow into it. You just can’t help but notice how great this kid could sing.
Randy says she looks like Brittany Murphy and sings like Pink with 9,000 more octaves. Kara says it was a gut-wrenching, deep, emotional rendition and thinks that she should be in the finals. Paula says her performance was alluring and tender. Simon has a horrible feeling that Allison could be in trouble tonight. Man, Simon’s tough to please tonight.
3. Matt Giraud – My Funny Valentine
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Matt is stoked tonight and thinks he would do well tonight because he loves jazz.
Yikes, he’s off key right from the start and he really couldn’t get it going. Man that sucks.
Randy says it was a little bit pitchy and gives it a 6/10. Kara says he wasn’t emotionally connected with the song although Paula felt the connection. Simon disagrees with Randy and thought it was the only believable and authentic song tonight and that he’s brilliant. Really? Better than Kris and Allison?
4. Danny Gokey – Come Rain or Come Shine
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The song suited Danny’s restrained voice tonight. He did attack it near the end but still, it sounded good. The audience loves him!
Randy says he’s the only one tonight who can have an album of that type of songs. Forget about the connections because Danny could sing. Kara finally found the “rat pack” swagger that is missing from him. Paula says it was stellar! Simon is still bashing the first two performances and says it was the best vocal for Danny.
5. Adam Lambert – Feeling Good
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I’m not familiar with the song but Adam says he’s gonna rock it out and Jamie says it’s gonna knock everybody’s head off. Based on their rehearsal, Jamie’s really impressed.
Adam really knows how to make an entrance as he uses the stairs in the middle of the stage and his outfit is really classy. I’m not impressed with the arrangement but boy, what showmanship and that last high note was terrific.
Randy says it was a little theatrical and Broadway but still a great performance. Kara is confused and doesn’t know how she should feel but she likes him. Words cannot describe what Paula’s feeling and compares him to what Michael Phelps did at the Olympics. Simon feels that Adam wants to win and says it was the best entrance of the YEAR!.
Prediction:
What a tough night to predict. Everybody did well for me except Matt. Simon, however, is not into Kris and Allison tonight. So I’m gonna base my bottom 3 prediction on his comment.
So my bottom 3 would be Matt Giraud, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta.
The one who’s probably gonna go home tomorrow night is Matt. I hope Allison would stay because next week’s going to be Rock and Roll night.
Jamie Foxx did an absolutely great job mentoring the kids by the way.
As usual, audio clips are courtesy of Rickey and the video clips are from MJ.
You might also be interested in:
- American Idol 9 Top 6 Recap and Prediction
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- American Idol 10 Top 11 Recap and Prediction
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