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

American Idol Season 12 Top 10 Results: Then there were 9

American Idol: Nicki Minaj almost walk
out after Curtis Finch Jr's last place announcement.

American Idol Season 12 Top 10 Results

Highlights:

Candice Glover and Kree Harrison are safe.

Kree receives a key to the town of her birth. 

Sing off between Charlie Askew and Aubrey Cleland for a slot on the Idol tour. 

Charlie sings an original composition "Sky Blue Diamond". 

Aubrey sings 'Out Here On My Own'

Phillip Phillips comes home to Idol and performs his new single. He receives a quadruple platinum for his single 'Home'.

Lazaro and Angie on center stage.

Angie Miller completes the top 3.

For the first time, American Idol reveals results by ranking.

American Idol Top 10 results highlights:
Angie, Kree and Candice celebrate their top 3 placing.
Fourth placer, Lazaro.
Top 9 contestants: Burnell, Angie, Lazaro, Devin,
Candice, Janelle, Paul, Amber and Kree.
Devin and Curtis in the bottom 2.
Curtis sings for the judges' save.

4th place: Lazaro Arbos.

5th place: Amber Holdcomb

6th place: Janelle Arthur

7th place: Burnell Taylor

8th place: Paul Jolley

9th place: Devin Velez

10th place: Curtis Finch Jr.

If you go home, I go home." says Nicki to Curtis in reaction to the shocking outcome. 

Curtis sings for dear life. However, the judges were not unanimous in their decision to save the troubled singer. 

Only Nicki Minaj was the only one among the four judges who wanted to save the gospel singer. So Curtis is out. 

Curtis is such a charismatic singer but I think he over sang himself out of the competition. 

American Idol Season 12: Top 10 Revealed

American Idol reveals it's Top 10 finalists.

Boys:

American Idol Season 12 Top 5 Boys:
Burnell Taylor, Curtis Finch Jr, Devin Velez, Paul Jolley and Lazaro Arbos

Burnell Taylor, 19 - New Orleans, Louisiana

Curtis Finch Jr, 24 - St. Louis, Missouri

Devin Velez, 18 - Chicago Illinois

Lazaro Arbos, 21 - Naples, Florida

Paul Jolley, 22 - Palmersville, Tennessee

Girls:

American Idol Season 12 Top 5 Girls:
Candice Glover, Kree Harrison, Angela Miller, Amber Holcomb and Janelle Arthur

Amber Holcomb, 18 - Houston, Texas

Angela Miller, 18 - Beverly Massachusetts

Candice Glover, 23 - St. Helena Island, South Carolina

Janelle Arthur, 23 - Oliver Springs, Tennessee

Kree Harrison, 22 - Nashville, Tennessee

No wildcard round was announced. Happy with the results? 

American Idol Season 12 Semifinals: Boys Performances

The Top 10 Boys show their metal this round and this is the biggest hurdle of them all to reach the center stage of the American Idol Finals. Who will make it? 

Elijah Liu
Song Choice: Stay, Rihanna

What song is this? I hear it and it sounds like his own. He showing a different side of him which has a much serious intimate story-teller. He doesn't have the big voice as the other contestant have but he is definitely current. 

Cortez Shaw
Song Choice: Lock out of Heaven, Bruno Mars

Cortez sing good but I heard it before. It is a sub par imitation of the original. He did not do anything new to the song or arrangement. There were stray notes in parts, especially at the end.

Charlie Askew
Song Choice: Mama, Genesis

Charlie is a showman. When you see him perform, you just stop and stare. He exude excitement and intrigue.  I can't wait what he do next. Yes, Charlie let it out. Don't listen to Nicki or the other judges. Be you man!  

Nick Boddington
Song Choice: Iris, Goo Goo Dolls

I love that song too Nick but you made it a lullaby.  I almost fell asleep. 

Burnell Taylor
Song Choice: I'm Here, 'Color Purple' Movie Soundtrack

I love the way he sings. He has the gift of telling stories through songs. He captures your full attention with his unique voice. I don't mind if he this from the auditions. It's a repeat worth hearing again.

Paul Jolley
Song Choice: Just a Fool, Blake Shelton and Christina Aguillera

Definitely Paul improved his showing on this one. He is more confident here than his previous performances.  Maybe too much overzealous in some parts but definitely he showed promise.

Lazaro Arbos
Song Choice: Feeling Good, Nina Simone

I don't think Lazaro did good. I am a bit unsure. It doesn't translate on TV what transpired in the studio. The judges don't seem to dare to say something bad about Lazaro's performance. Kudos to Mariah for doing so. Will his inspiring story carry him through the next round? Probably.

Curtis Finch Jr.
Song Choice: I Believe I Can Fly

Curtis is such a stylized singer. Definitely, there was some pitch problems here and there. But you might notice it as you get swept away by his infectious vocal inflections. 

Devin Velez
Song Choice: Somos Novios (It's Impossible), Perry Como

Devin is a gifted balladeer. He is also likable. He is definitely playing with his strength. 

Vincent Powell
Song Choice: End of the Road, Boyz II Men

Something has changed.  We saw some cracks in his armor. I think the song title says it all.

My Prediction

The judges say the girls are stronger than the boys. For me, it is 50/50. We have the same number of great singers and personalities among the guys and the gals.

American Idol: Top 10 Boys Performance

For sure, Burnell, Curtis and Devin will be in. Burnell is definitely a strong contender. We also have Curtis who has also a great voice and an energetic stage presence.

The maybes for me are Elijah, Charlie, Paul, and Lazaro. I like Elijah and Charlie. Both have varied style performances but have attractive stage presence. I can't seem to separate Paul and Lazaro. Paul might get in. Lazaro might also come through.

I think Vincent, Nick and Cortez are going home. Vincent is a great singer but  I can't group him with Burnell and Curtis at this point.

My PICKS: Burnell, Curtis, Devin, Elijah and Charlie

American Idol 12 Episode 2: Chicago Auditions

American Idol judge, Mariah Carey

After New York, American Idol goes to Chicago .

One of the most successful AI alumni is from Chicago. I am referring to Jennifer Hudson. She would be an ideal judge for AI. It's just my thought.

Going back to the current roster of judges, they do sure act like a dysfunctional family. Randy is the (god)father of course. And then we have the two warring sisters and then the boy in between. The interaction is quite hilarious, I should say. Yet, sometimes it gets a bit out of control. 'Keep the fun clean' is just I want to say.

I think Mariah is doing a great job in her first stint as a judge. I find her sincere and straightforward commentary towards the contestant's performance remarkable and genuine. I think that is mark of a great motivator.

Here were some of the interesting auditions in this episode:

Josh Holiday

It is a definite yes for this guy. I think he has a great sounding voice and he does have control when he sings.

Johnny Keyser

I remember this guy from last year and that he didn't make it to the top 13. I am glad he is back to take Idol another shot.

Kez Ban

Awkward! I like her singer-songwriter vibe. She does remind me of Crystal Bowersox.

Stephanie Schimel

She is like-able. I don't think she anything like Carrie Underwood. However, she made Nicki on the offensive which is hilarious.

Kiara Lanier

She has a wonderful voice and voice control. She's pretty and I like the nose ring.

Lazaro Arbos

The most inspiring audition so far. Lazaro has a remarkable story and I think he would do great in this competition. Sing all the time, Lazaro.

Were you also inspired watching this episode?