Idol Chatter & Voice Views

If Candice Glover hadn’t already secured the Season 12 American Idol title, that final performance tonight should have done the trick.

Reprise songs are tricky business on Idol. The contestants pick songs that were well received the first time they were performed.

Generating the same excitement the second time around, when we’re now expecting something special, isn’t easy.

Candice Glover performs Wednesday night on American Idol. (FOX Photo)

In that regard, both contestants got it right Wednesday night.

Kree reached way back to the first night in Vegas for her pick, “Up to the Mountain.” It was long enough ago that lots of folks might not have remembered how special the first rendition was. I’m sure Kree has picked up lots of new fans since then who might not have even heard her first performance of the song.

And she delivered it marvelously, probably raising fans’ hope that she just might be able to pull out this Idol title after all, even if she did enter the night as the underdog.

Ah, but Candice had yet to take the stage for round three. And she had a pick of several Idol moments she could have tried to recapture.

She chose to sing “I Who Have Nothing.” Overdone on shows like this? Oh, yeah. But Candice did it so well the first time around that I still ranked it among my picks for top 10 performances from Season 12.

Kree Harrison performs Wednesday night on American Idol. (FOX Photo)

But it turns out Candice wasn’t going to try to recreate her earlier performance. This time, she decided to do it differently. She’d sing the entire first verse a cappella.

And it was brilliant. Simply brilliant.

By the time the music swelled, it was clear once again who had the best voice on Idol Season 12.

By the time the song ended, Candice had delivered the performance of the night on a night when Kree badly needed to be the star.

Earlier this week, I noted that of 15 performances since the finals began, I gave Candice the edge over Kree 12 times.

Last night, I scored the rounds 2-1 in favor of Candice.

All that should be left is her coronation tomorrow night as the Season 12 American Idol.

Editor’s Note: For tonight’s song by song grades, go here.