Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Top 20 on American Idol, (front row, from left) Kolbi Jordan, Filo, John Foster, Isaiah Misailegalu, Amanda Barise, Olivier Bergeron; (second row, from left) Gabby Samone, Zaylie Windsor, Victor Solomon, Baylee Littrell, Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Jamal Roberts; (back row, from left) Desmond Roberts, Breanna Nix, Che Chesterman, Canaan James Hill, Mattie Pruitt, Drew Ryn, Josh King. (ABC Photo)

By 10 p.m., the group above will be much smaller. American Idol will eliminate nearly one-third of its Top 20 tonight.

Ten singers will advance based on fan voting. Then the remaining singers will perform for one of four saves to be determined by the Idol judges.

No voting tonight. Voting resumes Sunday when the Top 14 perform.

But I’ll be blogging with song by song grades throughout tonight’s show.

See also …
Song by song grades for the Top 20
The story behind John Foster’s heartfelt tribute

IN THE TOP 14

Kolbi Jordan, 26, Tulsa, Okla., “I’m Every Woman” She made the Top 14. Well, she certainly sings with power. And it was nice for her to show some stage presence. The opening and ending were fine. As usual, there was a lot of frills and big note piled upon big note. Grade: B–

Thunderstorm Artis, 29, Nashville, Tenn., “I Love You”: Another fine performance by Thunderstorm. You have to think he’s heading to the Top 5. I think I like him better playing acoustic guitar and singing his own music, but can’t argue with the fact that he’s safe. Grade: B+

Filo, 23, Dublin, Calif., “Skyfall”: Well, I think we’re discovering that Idol fans are fans of really big vocals because I wouldn’t have put Filo or Kolbi in my Top 14. But you have to love Filo’s enthusiasm. He’s jumping up and down in joy. I loved the first 30 seconds or so of that. Them came the frills. He did end nicely. Grade: B

John Foster, 18, Addis, La., “Neon Moon”: Totally agree with this pick. He performed an emotional original last night and follows that up with a perfectly solid performance of a Brooks & Dunn song tonight. Idol loves male country singers, so watch out shouters and screamers. Grade: B+

Mattie Pruitt, 15, Engleville, Tenn., “In the Stars” Mattie advances. Great news. And she’s going to perform from the piano. Love her tone. She got up when the song swelled. And I’m not quite sure she nailed that glory note in the middle of the song, but she sounds amazing on this song. That might have been my favorite performance so far tonight. Grade: A–

Canaan James Hill, 17, Dallas, Tx., “Stand”: He’s safe. As he should be. The softer early portion of this song reminds you of what a great voice Canaan has. Then he does a victory stroll behind the judges and starts delivery his crazy great vocals, causing Luke to jump up and embrace him. Grade: A

Breanna Nix, 25, Denton, Texas. “The Show Must Go On”: Surprising song choice from Breanna. Love the she made the Top 14. Didn’t love that performance, partly because Breanna’s vocal was swallowed up by the backing music when she wasn’t belting. She did belt impressively. Grade: C+

Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridan, Miss, “Try a Little Tenderness”: Thrilled to see Jamal advance. And he’s having a good time on stage. All the while delivering a fine vocal. Well, if you’re going to go crazy at the end of a performance, that’s the way to do it. Good thing he went through, because that was a celebration, not a save-me song. Grade: A

Slater Nalley, 17, Atlanta, Ga., “This Ain’t It”: He gets a well-deserved spot in the Top 14. Not loving this performance. It’s the first time Salter sounded 17 as opposed to a much more mature performer. He still looks like a natural on stage. That crowd is chanting for Slater, which is a good sign for his Idol future. Grade: C+

Gabby Samone, 22, Baltimore, Md., “In Celebration”: Interesting song choice for Gabby. Turned out to be the perfect song choice after she made it through. She brought the judges to her feet. And she delivered one heck of a final glory notes. “This is so much fun,” she says as the crowd roars in approval. Grade: A–

AT RISK

Isaiah Misailegalu, 17, Las Vegas, Nev., “”Sleepwalker”: He’s in danger. Not sure this song choice is going to get him out of danger. Actually, that song started like a sleepwalker, but got better as the song went on. I turned out to be one of Isaiah’s best vocals on Idol, and it came at a good time. Grade: B

Drew Ryn, 27, Chino Valley, Ariz., “Million Reasons”: Drew is in danger. Huh? She’s in danger and Kolbi’s in the Top 14. What the hell? Well, if that isn’t worthy of a save, I don’t know what is. She nailed one heck of a glory note near the end of that performance. And sang with passion throughout. Grade: A–

Olivier Bergeron, 22, Kedgwick, New Brunswick, Canada, “It’s Not My Time”: He’s in danger. Dang, I thought he turned in his best Idol performance last night. Not sure this vocal is going to stand up to the standard Olivier set with his last two. He drops to his knees for the final notes. I have a feeling we just watched his last Idol performance. Grade: C+

Josh King, 24, Charlotte, N.C., “Never Gonna Give You Up”: He’s in the danger zone. He pulls out the harmonica for a quick solo during this up-beat performance. He shows nice stage presence, but this vocal isn’t as strong as he was last night. Lionel, however, says he wants more of that from Josh. Grade: C+

Che Chesterman, 28, Essex, England, “Jealous Guy”: It has to be incredibly hard to get the news that you aren’t safe, then immediately launch into a performance. The result isn’t the best vocal we’ve heard from Che, but enough to demonstrate that he’s a very talented vocalist. He did deliver a big ending. Grade: B+

Baylee Littrell, 21, Atlanta, Ga., “All of Me”: Baylee actually sounded very, very good at the opening of this song. There were a couple little reminders that he’s not as vocally gifted as some other members of the Top 24 near the end of that song. Still don’t think he’s worthy of the Top 14. But I’m hoping he releases the originals he performed earlier in the season. Grade: B–

Desmond Roberts, 25, Corona, Calif., “Titanium”: Look at that, Desmond — the dancer, the entertainer — stayed put behind the piano for an entire performance. He poured a ton of passion into that performance and sounded the best he has on the show. If Desmond goes home and Baylee advances … wew, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Grade: B+

Zaylie Windsor, 18, Safford, Ariz., “Still Into You” No, no, no. Zaylie followed the judges’ advice and went big and upbeat. I think she should be plucking heartstrings. Carrie liked the song choice though, and the judges are the ones making the decisions. So I’ll hold out hope that we haven’t heard the last from Zaylie. Grade: C

Victor Solomon, 26, Peoria, Ill., “Stayin’ Alive”: Upbeat song choice by Victor, but I’m not sure it’s going to be a great showcase for his very impressive vocals. At the midpoint of the song, it isn’t. He takes the song in a different direction at that point. And delivers a big ending note. With a jump for emphasis. Grade: B

Amanda Barise, 26, Manhatten, N.Y., “Ain’t No Way”: Performing last and needing a save, she starts strong and soulful. And she builds on that opening to deliver her best performance yet. One filled with passion and determination. I’ll be shocked it that doesn’t earn her a judges’ save. Performing last doesn’t hurt either. Grade: A–

THE JUDGES’ SAVES

I think the judges should save Drew Ryn, Amanda Barise, Victor Solomon and Desmond Roberts. But let’s see …

The judges save …

Desmond Roberts

Amanda Barise

I agree with two of those choices. Hard to believe Josh King is in the Top 14 and Victor Solomon and Drew Ryn are heading home. Che was great tonight, but wouldn’t have been one of my choices either.

The good news is that American Idol just delivered two great episodes, chock full of music and strong performances.

That has me feeling a whole lot better about Season 23 than I was a week ago at this point.