American Idol Season 12 Top 8 Results: Devin Velez is out!

American Idol Season 12 Top 8 Results Night:
Who deserves to be saved?

It's been a tough three weeks for the boys as Devin Velez is the next to get the boot out of the American Idol stage.

Devin did a heart-felt performance worthy of the save. Too bad, the judges are not unanimous to give the Latin balladeer another chance of redemption.

The judges still clinging to that one save vote like Gollum to the ring. I wonder who they will be the lucky one who gets the judges' safety net.

American Idol Season 12: Top 8 Results
Devin Velez eliminated!

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 Top 9 Results: It's Paul Jolley Day!

American Idol: Jessica Sanchez and Ne-Yo performs 'Tonight'

I agree with Jimmy Iovine. Judges, don't cuddle your favorites. Be fair and help the contestants by giving them good critiques to improve on.

A scruffy-looking James Abrams works the crowd with his version of The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There".

Wow! Last season's runner-up Jessica Sanchez and Ne-Yo performs their dance single "Tonight".

The town of Dresden, Tennessee proclaims March 16, 2013 as Paul Jolley Day! The celebration came to a halt when Ryan Seacrest announced he is in the bottom 3.

So Ryan is announcing the results in no particular order. It is either the contestants are safe or on the bottom 3.

Devin Velez is in the bottom 3.

Lazaro Arbos is safe. Is he sad or just being humble about it?

Kree Harrison, Candice Glover And Angela Miller are safely through to next week.

Janelle Arthur also moves on to the next round.

Surprise! Burnell Taylor and Amber Holcomb are left in the couch. Either one of them is in the bottom 3.

American Idol Top 9 Results Night

Burnell is safe.

So, Paul, Devin and Amber are the bottom 3.

Amber did wonderful last week. Are the votes reflecting results from another parallel world?

Ryan revealed that Paul received the lowest number of votes.

Paul sang Heart's "Alone". A song not fitting to a day named after yourself.

Randy announced that the judges was not a unanimous decision.

Paul is coming home. A Jolley day to all!

American Idol 12 Top 9 sings The Beatles

Aubrey Cleland and Charlie Askew.
Aubrey takes on 11th place and a spot
on the American Idol Tour. 

American Idol goes with the songs of The Beatles for inspiration. Most Beatles' songs has the most profound combination of words and melody. Some contestants have the tendency to over sing these songs. No frills, no gimmicks. The key to perfection is singing these songs with emotion and clarity.

In a special public voting run, Aubrey Cleland won over fellow semi-finalist, Charlie Askew and took the last spot in the American Idol tour. Congratulations and well deserve, Aubrey!

Kree Harrison ~ "With A Little Help From My Friends"

Kree is definitely has the chops to sing any kind of song. This was a perfect song for her to sing. It does make you feel good. Everybody would feel good voting for her. 

Burnell Taylor ~ "Let It Be"

Burnell's voice, especially when he sang the phrase 'Let It Be', gave me the chills and the goosebumps. He is definitely a pro and head boy of the class.

Amber Holcomb ~"She's Leaving Home"

I didn't know this is a Beatles' song. She made it her own and current. She is definitely the diva of the bunch. This is one of her best performances.

Lazaro Arbos ~ "In My Life"

The performance was not that good. It felt a bit depressing. But knowing how the American audience love his story, I think he still can rack more sympathy votes in his favor. 

Candice Glover ~ "Come Together"

She exude rock. l think she can do great in any genre. Can she do hip-hop? Because I see a bit of Queen Latifa in her. 

Paul Jolley ~ "Elenor Rigbey"

It was good song choice. one of my memorable performance in American Idol is when David Cook sang this song. l wish he inject more feeling to the song like anger or remorse. I didn't fell anything at all. I'm not liking the falsetto. It takes him long time to peak then it fizzle in the end. 

Angie Miller ~ "Yesterday"

It was great vocal overall, but I feel there is something wrong with it. The essence of the song escape me. I think it is best heard close to the original.

Devin Velez ~ "The Long and Winding Road"

Devin is really a great singer. I can sense there is more to him inside that we never seen yet. I think he need to loosen up a bit and just let go. He better do it soon or he might not survive in the coming weeks.

Janelle Arthur ~ "I Will"

Janelle is the 5th girl in the bunch. She is the prettiest and it shines through in this performance. She is also most improved. There is a strong chance that she might exceed her current rankings in the competition.

Some did very well, while some flopped down to the ground.

My American Idol Top 9 performance ranking.
#1 Amber, #2 Burnell, #3 Kree,
#4 Candice #5 Angie, #6 Janelle
#7 Devin, #8 Paul, #9 Lazaro

Are the girl's winning streak continue until tomorrow? I think so, for tomorrow, we will see another guy leave the competition.

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 Top 10 Finalists Pay Tribute to Past Idol Winners

American Idol Top 10 performances: Where is Nicki Minaj?

The American Idol pays tribute to past Idol winners tonight with the theme "Music of the American Idols" . The top 10 finalist get to choose a song from a set of songs that past idol winners covered brilliantly in their respective seasons. The top 10 contestant has their work cut out this week. Song choice is key. Not only will they perform to compete with one another tonight, the voting public will see if they are at par with past Idol winners. The pressure is there as they need to do better by surpassing what their chosen winner have done with the song.  

Curtis Finch Jr.

Our Luther Vandross wannabe reprise the song "I Believe" by Fantasia. This was Fantasia's winning song in her season. He is infectious as usual but the performance was nothing close to the original. It was not even close to the Joshua Ledet cover done last season. There was nothing exciting about the performance except the big thrilling note at the end. One thing for sure, he is not this season's Mantasia. Not in this number.

Janelle Arthur 

Janell picked the song "Gone" by Montgomery Gentry which Scotty McCreery covered in his season. It was just alright. I think she sense that too when she made that "cotton in her mouth" comment with Ryan. I was expecting she picks a song from the Carrie Underwood vault. That is what I picture her. If there would be a next time, she should sing a country ballad that can tug on everyone's heartstrings. 

Devin Velez 

Devin picks "Temporary Home" from the Carrie Underwood music vault. It sounds a bit of a sleeper for me. There is that big falsetto at the end. That's just it. Its getting too familiar for Devin, too safe. I think he needs to veer away from singing ballads for a moment and think what he will do next. I think the recipe needs some spice.

Angela Miller 

Angie picks a Kelly Clarkson cover of a Celine Dione song, "I Surrender". Mariah summed it up into one word. Stellar!  Yes, I see the performance is pageantry. She does bring a bit of a drama to the performance which makes it interesting. But I don't see the fire. She needs to invoke more emotion to what she sings. A little vulnerability and humility goes a long way.

Paul Jolley 

Paul sings Scotty's "Amazed" cover of a Lonestar original.. The thing with Paul is to achieve balance in his performance. If he doesn't over sing, he is just ordinary. when he over sings, it becomes staged. It was good, a bit held back.  Not stellar.

Candice Glover 

Candice does a Jordin Sparks' cover of "I Who have Noting" by Ben E. King. Controlled power. That's how I describe that performance. And it left me wanting more. It is the first SO (standing ovation) of the night. All stood up for her, including Mariah's non-standing O. Mariah said she wanted to stand up for her but her skirt is too tight.

Lazaro Arbos 

Lazaro takes on a Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway".  Wrong song choice, I can tell. It's so painful to watch Lazaro flop this song out. Still, he is inspirational.

Kree Harisson 

Kree picks Carrie Underwood to emulate when she did "Crying" by Roy Orbison. If America wants a country artist to win this year, Kree definitely fits the bill. She can sing anything country and make it current. Yes, she does make you feel good. 

Burnell Taylor 

Burnell's choice is Idol Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings". Burnell's Inflectons is contagious. His strong points are his distinct voice and how he use that to make the song his own. He makes you hear him out with his unique voice alone.

Amber Holcomb 

Again, I am going to use the word "pageantry". But she did nail the song brilliantly which gave her the second standing O of the night. She sang Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" so effortless. Great job!

My prediction

Candice, Amber, Kree and Burnell are my top 4.

American Idol Top 10: #1 Candice Glover,
#2 Amber Holcomb, #3 Kree Harrison, #4 Burnell Taylor,
#5 Angela Miller, #6 Paul Jolley, #7 Devin Velez,
#8 Curtis Finch Jr, #9 Janelle Arthur and #10 Lazaro Arbos

Angie takes the 5th spot.

Then I have the next five with Paul, Devin, Curtis, Janelle Lazaro. Anyone of the five is in danger of leaving this week.

Who is your favorite? Who do you think will be the first one to go?

American Idol Semifinals: Filipino - American Adriana Latonio Last Stand

American Idol: Adriana Latonio sings
Destiny's Child's Stand Up for Love

Filipino - American Adriana Latonio is the youngest contestant in the competition. She reached the American Idol semifinals with a strong showing so far. She sang "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin and drew praises from the judges. Nicki Minaj praise her for being 'a little tiny thing but commands the stage".

In her bid to take a finals ticket, she chose to sing 'Stand Up for Love" by Destiny's Child.

Adriana Latonio Performs "Stand Up For Love" 

In her performance, she showed a strong presence with a huge hurrah at the end. All four judges find the performance pageant like. Here are the judges' comments.

Keith Urban: " I am a little nervous about that song choice for you tonight because in the midst of everything we've been hearing tonight and with just the level of everyone is at, I am a little worried that wasn't the best song choice for you. Because you have that big powerful voice which we heard at the end. But I am a little worried that it took too long to get to all of that. I hope I am wrong."

Nicki Minaj: "Do you hope you're really wrong, Keith? Hello little lady. How are you? You look pretty with you ball gown. Umm...Okay! Ahh wow. Hi Alaska! Yeah babe. After Angie, Amber and Kree, I would suggest you work a little bit and come back next year. It just didn't stand out. I think the song is a bit too big for you. At the beginning, as soon as you... if you all keep on boo-ing, I am keep on talking. So, in the beginning of the song, little lady bug, you didn't even connect. There were no emotion. It was really pageantry. But you have that strong voice. It going to take a little more, you know, experience - life experience, little maturity to come back in here and own it, okay?"

Randy Jackson: "Yeah, you know, honestly it's really safe and it's really was kinda pageantry. I don't know, but maybe its the song, but you have sung big songs before. I also think that at this point in the competition, tonight we've been hearing all of this slow down tempo ballads, everything all this kinda thing, you need to come in a just slay it. That didn't happen. I was just really kinda bored really.

Mariah Carey: "I really enjoyed your last performance... I think it's just the structure of this song, how do I say this. What they say that the song is to big for you, I don't really know what it actually means. But, I would say that maybe it's laid out as a traditional kind of ballad that you expect to hear at an event that is a big event and that what this is. But I think you are a little more of a soulful moment from you that is less produced and what not arrangement-wise. Anyway, I still enjoy your voice and I hope everybody saw your previous performances. Keep it going."

Despite all the critique, Adriana stood humble and composed. She took everything in with a smile on her face. Definitely, she is not a 'tiny little bug' you can step on. Despite not making it to the top 10, she surely has a bright future ahead. Well done Adriana!