Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Five straight top 10 hits on iTunes.

A pair of number ones.

Coming off her best performance yet.

You could say Cassadee Pope has developed a little momentum heading into tonight’s performance finale on The Voice.

So the big question tonight isn’t whether she’ll falter, because that’s tough to envision.

It’s more a matter of whether Nicholas David and Terry McDermott can turn in the type of performance that steers momentum their way.

And whether Voice voters are finally ready to crown a female winner after denying Juliet Simms a title she should have won in Season 2.

Boo, tonight’s show will include duets. I’ve far prefer they let the focus be where it deserves to be, on the Top 3.

Nicholas David: He’s going to do a medley of a Jerry Lee Lewis song (“Great Balls of Fire”) and a Jimmy Hendrix song (“Fire”). And we start off with a flaming piano. And go-go dancers. This has Cee Lo written all over it. And Nicholas is sounding really good. Not sure I understand the merging of these two songs, other than the common theme of fire. I can buy Nicholas as Jerry Lee, not as Jimmy Hendrix. But there was a fun little knee wiggle. And Nicholas is rocking out about as well as we could expect him to rock out. Gotta say, that was a rousing way to begin the show. One thing I don’t like, we’re 10 minutes into the show, and that’s the last time we’ll hear Nicholas sing solo. Well, maybe not. Apparently we’re also going to hear repeats tonight. Grade: B+

Cassadee Pope: Now we get to hear Cassadee sing “Over You” a second time. Come on, Voice. This isn’t American Idol. Why the repeat songs? Nevertheless, we get to hear the splendid soft side of Cassadee’s voice again, not to mention an incredible flourish at the end of that song. Cassadee needs to win this thing. Grade: B

Terry McDermott and Blake Shelton: They’re going to rock out to “Dude Looks a Lady.” Another fun performance, which we needed afterr a Sandy Hook-themed song from Cassadee. But neither of these guys is up to delivering the chorus Steven Tyler style. And without the wail, this song isn’t nearly so special. But Blake and Terry came up with an interesting way to finish the song, didn’t they? Grade: B-

Nicholas David: Now he’ll perform “Lean On Me” for a second time. Neat piano opening. And the choir is back to help out. And just like the first time he performed the song, Nicholas can’t keep that right leg from bopping up and down. Nicholas strayed off the beaten path a couple times during that performance, and I’m not sure they all worked. But the guy’s gotta take risk to pull this thing out. Grade: B

Terry McDermott: He’s going to sing “Broken Wings,” which he says is his son’s favorite song. Blake wants to find a way to de-’80s it, which would be a good idea since Terry seldom tackles anything current. Rough opening. Terry sounds both off key and sharp. Good thing he gets to reprise his best moment on the song later on, because this would not be a good final impression. This is easily the weakest vocal. Very little of that worked for me. And unfortunately, Blake, it wasn’t epic at all. Grade: C-

Cassadee Pope and Blake Shelton: Cassadee’s dad isn’t present in this segment, but she blogged that she has reconnected with him through The Voice. They’ll sing the Sheryl Crow song, “Steve McQueen.” Not loving this song choice. Heck, Sheryl has a boat-load of songs better than this one. Though I liked the megaphone bit. Neat touch. All in all, an OK performance, but not one I’m jumping up and down over. Grade: B-

Terry McDermott: He’s going to repeat his performance of “I Want to Know What Love Is.” I actually was not a big fan of this the first time he performed it. And after a very very nice opening, he goes a bit off course on that first chorus. Wonder if Terry is suffering from a bit of nerves tonight. Or from knowing he’s got to knock everything out of the park to knock off Nic and Cassadee. Grade: C

Nicholas David and Cee Lo Green: They’ll team up for “Play That Funky Music.” Now I expect this to be a musical delight. Nicholas dons his dark shades again. Oh, gee, look, we have sexy girls playing around in rings dangling from the ceiling. Must have been Cee Lo’s idea. Too many distractions, Cee Lo. Not to mention whatever it is you’re wearing. Wow, hope that girl doesn’t fall on Nicholas. Now a little Cee Lo shows up on stage. Oh, boy. Wish I could tell you how Nicholas sang, but I was too distracted. Grade: B

Cassadee Pope: The favorite gets the pimp spot. Let’s see what she does with it. She’ll tackle Faith Hill’s “Cry.” Yep, another country song. Not a great opening. One of those cases when the background music is too loud. This isn’t as good a fit for Cassadee as “Stupid Boy.” But her voice is soaring near the end of the song. And you have to like the tender ending. Not Cassadee’s best. But hopefully good enough to bring home the title for Cassadee. Grade: B

To sum it up, I’d grade the night as follows:
Nicholas
Cassadee
Terry

But one night does not a season of a singing show make. For Season 3:
Cassadee (by a wide margin)
Nicholas
Terry