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–

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+

Amanda Barise, 26, Manhatten, N.Y.:,:

Baylee Littrell, 21, Atlanta, Ga.,

Breanna Nix, 25, Denton, Texas:

Canaan James Hill, 17, Dallas, Tx.,

Che Chesterman, 28, Essex, England,

Desmond Roberts, 25, Corona, Calif.,

Drew Ryn, 27, Chino Valley, Ariz.,

Filo, 23, Dublin, Calif.,

Gabby Samone, 22, Baltimore, Md.,

Isaiah Misailegalu, 17, Las Vegas, Nev.,

Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridan, Miss,

John Foster, 18, Addis, La.,

Josh King, 24, Charlotte, N.C.,

Kolbi Jordan, 26, Tulsa, Okla.,

Mattie Pruitt, 15, Engleville, Tenn.,

Olivier Bergeron, 22, Kedgwick, New Brunswick, Canada,

Slater Nalley, 17, Atlanta, Ga.,

Thunderstorm Artis, 29, Nashville, Tenn.,

Victor Solomon, 26, Peoria, Ill.,

Zaylie Windsor, 18, Safford, Ariz.,