Have I said that I like having a mixed Top 24 instead of separate gender competition? Works for me and it ensures that the best SINGERS will move forward no matter what sex they happen to be. This group learned a little from last night’s crew but once again song choice is the big sticking point when trying to show off what your musical capabilities are. Or aren’t.
Now, while you peruse these comment, I’ll go off and watch the results. Wonder how many will get “das boot?” Hummmm…
PS – I’m learning a LOT about Canadian culture and geography. Who says TV is a vast wasteland? 
On to the reviews:
Jesse Cottam - Age: 26
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
The Nervous Pop Rocker
Rebel Yell — Billy Idol
A tad on the karaoke side but he definitely has a better voice than Mr. Idol. I didn’t dig the song selection and felt he could do better. Thankfully, Jake and Zach agreed with me and I love it when that happens. If he sticks around he need to showcase his vocals better, unless Canada likes that kind of stuff.
Could be on the bubble but ya never know…
Mark Day - Age: 20
Hometown: Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Newfoundland
Never met a song he couldn’t tackle.
Alone – Heart
Hummm…a guy singing a gal song…that doesn’t usually go over well…unless you’re Clay Aiken (and that’s NOT a slam!)…and like Clay he is an unlikely pop singer…who actually did well with the song choice but the arrangement was a little weak. He’s got some nice tone quality but he may not be able to stand up against some of the stronger guys in this competition, but he should last another week at least.
Bubble? Safe? Can’t tell for sure.
Jessica Sheppard - Age: 22
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Wants to shock us all.
Get Here — Oleta Adams
Dear, please don’t sway so much or at least do it on the beat. Got a little seasick watching this one but her solid, warm vocals made up for it. There’s also a sincerity in her singing that really touched me and that gets my attention that there is more to her than just this performance. I want to hear more and I have a feeling others will as well. BTW, she kinda reminds me of Kelly Clarkson (complete with cheering Mom).
Should be safe.
Shaun Francisco - Age: 25
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Second time around.
Yellow – Coldplay
He admits that song selection is a big concern for him and then chooses one that I don’t feel showcased him at all. Vocally, he was weak on top and unsupported on the bottom but he does have a decent tone. However, he has that David Cook vibe going for him and that could just give him a pass to next week where I hope he will select something that really blows the roof off the place.
Cute enough to be safe.
Lindsay Robins - Age: 21
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
A rocker chick who loves to sing high…uh oh…
River Deep, Mountain High – Tina Turner, et al
Pet peeve time — I HATE rocker gals who feel the need to scream every note at the top of their register just because they can. I appreciate it more when they take the song down a hair and then drive those power notes with breath support. Screaming is just not acceptable. Ever. Having said that, I still felt her performance was a bit of a train wreck and all I kept comparing it to was the Celine Dion version, which is more controlled and not over sung. I don’t have a lot of hope for her survival.
Better be on the bubble after that one.
Omar Lunan - Age: 29
Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario
Working Dad wants to make good.
Every Breath You Take – The Police
Not sure this was a good song choice but I like some of his vocal tone colors and respect his performing sincerity. Didn’t show what he’s made of and if he gets another chance he needs to find a song that fits his vocal AND performing style. I didn’t get Sass’ spiritual bent to the whole thing or Jake’s delight in the arrangement. Sorry.
On the bubble but may pull it out.
Marie-Pierre Bellerose - Age: 25
Hometown: Quebec City, Quebec
Model turned singer.
You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse
Because she is such a strange bird, no one can sing Amy Winehouse but Ms. Whinehouse herself. Another case of not the best song choice of the night. This gal has a better voice than this song allows and I just didn’t dig the entire presentation. If she makes it another week, she needs to step up her song choice to allow herself to shine. That was just not good enough. Looks like the judges did not agree with me. Oh well.
Another bubble dweller…maybe…
Sebastian Pigott - Age: 27
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Brotherly Love, Part Deux
Dark Horse – George Harrison
I like both his voice and his stage style better than his brother. He has a smoother sound and a more personable presentation that draws you in to what he’s singing. Not crazy about the song choice but I don’t think it hurt him overall.
Too cute NOT to be safe.
Theo Tams - Age: 22
Hometown: Lethbridge, Alberta
He’s NOT an opera singer but he’s had to play one in school.
Apologize – One Republic
He definitely has a trained voice, that’s for sure, and he knows how to use it — but it was a bit too much for this song. If he’d have concentrated on the lyrics more he might have tried to shade his vocals to highlight them rather than sing straight out . The performance also bordered on being a tad too dramatic. He has one of the better voices but need to learn how to use it in the pop realm. Still, it was a solid performance overall.
Should be very safe and is definitely one to watch.
Amberly Thiessen - Age: 19
Hometown: Seven Persons, Alberta
A Mennonite? Who knew?
What Am I To You – Norah Jones
She is as cute as a button and has a very light and high soprano that with a uniquely soft tone quality. Fit the song perfectly but I hope she can continue to pick pop songs that will highlight those vocal assets. I like her and want to hear more.
Must be safe or Canada is tone deaf.
Adam Castelli - Age: 26
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
“You talk too much…”
The Mess Around – The Animals
Well…that was a bit of mess, now wasn’t it? I also thought he was going to stamp his foot until it fell off. I hare musicians who do that. For me, he was just “awwwaiiight” even though the judges liked him a lot. Retro or not, it wasn’t my cup of tea but others may like it.
Will probably be safe.
Katelyn Dawn - Age: 19
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
“Don’t forget the words this time…”
Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen, et al
I was trying not to let the bad arrangement of this song distract me from her voice, which I think it pretty when she not trying to push it into a scream. Maybe being the last one of the night took the wind out of her sails or it was a bad song choice/arrangement but I wanted to like her and just couldn’t. If she makes it to next week she’ll need a killer tune to stay in step with some of the others.
Might be bubble material.
