Shaking Up The Standards - Canadian Idol 4, Episode 29
The final three perform
After dreamy-eyed Chad Doucette was eliminated last week, it has been tough for me to look forward to this week’s episode of Canadian Idol. Nevertheless, guest performance coach Tony Bennett gives me something to look forward to. This week’s theme is “The Standard”, and our idols will perform two classic songs in hopes of gaining our votes that will push them through to the final round.
First, Ben banters with Jake about the advantage of working with musical veterans like Tony Bennett. There is no doubt that each singer will leave each coaching session with a some important lifelong lessons. Sass considers the Standards as incomparable to other music genres like rock, but identifies emotion as the crucial thread that runs through all music and all art. Farley, looking snazzy in his yellow suit and matching fedora calls the Standards “universally popular songs”. Will our idols choose the right ones? When it’s down to only three, Zack is focussed on the competition and repeats to all what he said to past contestant Jacob Hoggard: “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”.
After Ben snaps along to the swing-Canadian Idol orchestra, the idols trot on stage for a quick hello. Before they perform, we have a quick flashback to Tony Bennett’s younger years and listen to Tony’s feelings about the standards. Now 80 years old, he has aged gracefully and even when he’s not singing, his voice soothes and still ignites warmth within. Perhaps the most charming aspect of this musical veteran is his constant humility that never wavers in the spotlight.
When Craig Sharpe first meets Mr. Bennett, he is assured the nervousness is the sign of a thoroughbred and that he’ll go far. When Craig performs “The Way You Look Tonight”, he unfortunately begins off key, anxiously shifts his eyes around the audience, and shakily snaps his fingers. At least he looks on point in his white suit. Jake also noticed Craig’s nervousness and criticizes him for not involving himself in the song. In a more positive note, Sass thinks that he “kicked into it” halfway through, and ends by reminding everyone that he’s only 16. Farley understands that because of his young age, he might not be able to relate to Standards as well. Zack has less patience and voices his desire physically shake Craig into being a star. (note: shaking babies results in brain damage, not stardom)
Next up is Eva Avila, who might have possible been shaken as a baby. She’s recovered nicely and is honoured to meet Tony Bennett, who also thinks she’s doing quite well. With possessed eyes, she nods in agreement to his suggestions. When she sings a refreshing interpretation of “God Bless The Child”, she her stand out, not only with her unique style, but also with her angry squint into the camera that at times, is so intense, that she almost looks petrified. At least she looks elegant in a classy black gown that drapes over her sleek body, as Sass reminds us, “she’s only 19”. Farley must remind himself that too. After his standing ovation for her, he announces that because of her age, he can’t ask her for a second dance (whatever THAT means). Uh, moving along . . . Zack recalls his conversation with Idol producer Simon Fuller, who commends Canada for having Kalan Porter as an idol winner, but this time, Zack adds for all to here that “Kalan Porter ain’t no Eva Avila”. Before moving onto Eva’s enchanting poise, Jake applauds the orchestra for their phenomenal talent.
Tony Bennett immediately notices that Tyler is phenomenal in more than one way, particular, his good looks. In their session together, Tony snaps along to Tyler’s singing and smiles throughout his entire song. In the live performance, Tyler sings “Just A Gigolo, I Ain’t Nobody”, his hair straightened and slicked back so that we can all see his refined bone structure (in another words, he’s damn handsome). He offers the audience a tempting half smile, some smooth snapping, swaying hips and a load sexy fun that Standards are all about. Farley thinks that Tyler will break the record for receiving the most votes for one body movement (probably referring to Tyler’s subtle thrust incorporated into his song). Zack didn’t care much for singing, but thinks that Tyler may have won as “Canada’s Next Top Model” (he beats Andrea in my books). To counter Zack’s negativity, Jake emphasizes how the Standards are about having fun and being entertaining, which Tyler accomplished with success. For Sass, it was the most outgoing performance he’s had, which made it enjoyable for her. Ben is just thrilled to have found his “hair twin”.
Will the second set of performances be identical to the first? On Craig’s second attempt, he takes into consideration the advice given from Tony Bennett’s experience and tries to keep the performance at an intimate level. Unfortunately, his performance of “Danny Boy” is a little too solemn. It drones on and I feel like I’ve suddenly been warped into an elevator slowly descending from a first class penthouse to a bottom rate cellar. Fortunately, however, Zack positively reminisces Craig’s singing to the old times when TVs were still black and white. Jake also thinks he did great, and especially connected with the emotions in the end. Sass finds that it was a “beautiful, heartfelt, lovely performance” and in concordance with the rest of the judges, Farley nods at Craig’s songchoice.
For her second song of the evening, Eva chooses “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”. This time around, she wears a stunning satiny purple dress that shows off her slightly bouncing shoulders. Although she looks great and makes an attempt at moving to the music, she still needs to work on her often mix-matched expressions. Furthermore, she needs to refrain from jazz scat as she fails miserably in only a few stream of bum-dee-boos. In a sharp pinstripe blazer, Jake also notices that she looks great, but recognizes that this performance wasn’t as strong as the last one. Sass, who has run out of things to say by now, keeps it short and calls Eva’s performance “priceless”. Farley, who might be taking some of Sass’ blond pills, decides to say nothing at all and raises his hands up to the audience, who blindly applauds back. When Zack throws his arms up in the air, it’s out of annoyance. Other than myself, I suppose he’s the only other one who noticed that she should not do scat ever again. After a few interrupted protests from the audience, Ben steps in to divert the attention back to Eva’s pageant-perfect beauty.
For the last performance of the evening, Tyler Lewis comes back on stage with a strong demanding presence. When he sings “It Had To Be You” he lets his shoulder bounce oh-so-slightly, just enough to the rhythm of the music. Does he sing on tune? I don’t really notice as in lieu of his normally bass filled voice, I’m just mesmerized by his hotness. And how charming is it that he gives the orchestra a big shout out? Obviously, he’s wooed everyone as Sass (who doesn’t need much persuasion anyways) swoons and giggles, and provides her predicatable song quote as a comment: “It has to be you, Tyler”. Farley tells Tyler that he “took it by the horns and did it Vegas style” and Zack stresses how Idol demands a versatility that Tyler captured in his performance, showing everyone that he could’ve been a regular for Ed Sullivan. To top it off, Jake ends by saying that Tyler not only rocks, but he SWINGS. With all the positive comments and wild applause, there is no hiding the pure joy from his face. And what a smile.
While the singers performed songs that have stood the test of time, one of them will fail to last another week. Tomorrow’s elimination will reveal the final two contenders for this year’s Canadian Idol, but that’s not the only reason to tune in. In a one hour special, Tony Bennett will make a special live performance! Are you more excited to see someone go home or to hear Mr. Bennett himself sing? Email your thoughts: brianne@realityshack.com.
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