American Idol Season 12: Top 8 Sings from the Motown Songbook

American Idol Season 12 Top 8:
Sings from songbook of Motown

This week's theme is Motown. The great Smokey Robinson sits on the house as a special guest and mentor to the young aspiring American Idol hopefuls. Everybody seems to have a piece of Smokey tonight.

Candice Glover
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Marvin Gaye

As always, Candice delivers all the time. That performance was so gritty good. Maybe she can do something slow next time. Something that Amber is doing for the past weeks or so, just to remind us how high she can soar.

Kree Harrison and Janelle Arthur
"Like a Prayer", Madonna

Motown??? That song is more on Janelle's lane.  But Kree did a one up on Janelle. There was an 'is it you or me?' moment towards the end. 

Lazaro Arbos
"For Once in My Life", Stevie Wonder

Did Lazaro redeem himself from last week's slump? Nah! Lazaro is getting boring. There are parts in his performance that it looks like he's so uncomfortable on stage.  In the end, he looks so relieve for not forgetting the words of the song. Remembering the lyrics is necessary, but we do need more than that at this point.

Janelle Arthur
"You Keep Me Hanging On", The Supremes

What a recovery from the duet. The song, the arrangement and the guitar - all work perfectly for Janelle. It sounded new and current. She did good this time.

Devin Velez
"The Track of My Tears", The Miracles

Devin's star is at a rise. He has preformed wonderfully. But did he do well enough to catch up with the rest of the pack? Only the votes can say.

Candice Glover, Amber Holcomb and Angela Miller
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"

American Idol Top 8 Performance Night:
Angela Miller, Candice Glover and Amber Holcomb
channeling  "The Supremes"

Angie looks a bit like Miley Cyrus. A wonderful trio performance and the flirting was good too. Well, a bit too much flirting from at least one. Good job you three Dianas!

Burnell Taylor
"My Cherie Amor", Stevie Wonder

The man in white, Burnell is great as usual. I love his voice in this song. He made this most favored Stevie Wonder hit very present and soulful. The voice and hand inflections is superb.

Angela Miller
"Shop Around", The Miracles

Angie performance was not good. The song choice was a miss, I think. It's her worst showing so far. It was not fun at all. What was that song about? I am getting a different kind of message here.

Amber Holcomb
"Lately', Stevie Wonder

This is another great number from Amber. She definitely raise the bar every week. She sings so effortless. I hope she is not in the bottom again. That would be a travesty.

Burnell Taylor, Devin Velez and Lazaro Arbos
"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch"

American Idol Top 8 Performance Night:
Burnell Taylor, Devin Velez and Lazaro Arbos
receives some bitter medicine from Idol judge Nicki Minaj.

One thing is certain. Lazaro is not Motown material just yet. That was a hilarious number. What a breath of laughing gas. I meant it in a good way. Really! Lazaro forgetting some lyrics again.

Kree Harrison
"Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", Ben E. King

Kree is so consistent. Her talent is way up there. How do I describe it? I imagine a high plateau but I was kinda hoping it can grow more into a mountain.

My Prediction

1st: Amber
Safe: Burnell, Janelle, Kree, Candice
Bottom 3: Devin, Lazaro, Angie