LG
05-02-2013, 11:25 AM
Crooner Harry Connick Jr. took over the American Idol judges' panel on Wednesday's (01May13) episode and butted heads with Randy Jackson over their opposing critiques. The Grammy-winning artist served as a mentor to the remaining four females this week, and although he is no stranger to the Idol stage, he wasn't prepared for the overwhelming disagreement from the judges about some of the hopefuls' performances. Each finalist took the stage to sing two songs, the first a hit from 2013 and the second a standard tune - Connick Jr.'s area of expertise. Kree Harrison's version of jazz classic Stormy Weather sparked a debate between the veteran judge and the mentor - Connick Jr. urged Harrison to keep the melody simple by using Lena Horne's version over Etta James' rendition. Jackson told country singer Harrison, "Knowing you, you probably would have chosen Etta James' version, because it's more bluesy than the Lena version. Always stick to who you are. But I still think you did a good job." Host Ryan Seacrest offered Connick Jr. a minute for a rebuttal against Jackson, which prompted fellow panelist Keith Urban to pull him from the audience to the judges' table and offer him his seat.
Connick Jr. attested, "You're talking about individuality and singing it your way, but you're telling her to sing it like Etta James. You have to know the melody first... You have to learn the song first, and then be Kree. We want you to be Kree - but choose the Etta James version." While there were mixed feelings on Harrison's performance, the panel all agreed on Amber Holcomb's rendition of My Funny Valentine, which prompted all four to give the 18 year old a standing ovation. It even brought Nicki Minaj to tears - she gushed, "No matter what happens tomorrow, you have a lifetime ahead of you to make incredible moments in music, my darling. That was a great job."
Seacrest joked, "You're making Nicki and Mariah look very benign here in terms of the dynamics - would you relax?" Right after Holcomb, Candice Glover also received a standing ovation for her version of You've Changed by Billie Holiday. The praise marked the second time the judges leaped to their feet for her, after she delivered the emotional Bruno Mars hit When I Was Your Man. Judge Keith Urban lauded, "You can sing 'When I Was Your Giraffe,' it doesn't matter - that's a winning performance right there." After an elimination reprieve last Thursday (25Apr13), the 38 million votes from last week will be combined with this week's to determine which three are moving on and get the coveted hometown visits.
msn
Connick Jr. attested, "You're talking about individuality and singing it your way, but you're telling her to sing it like Etta James. You have to know the melody first... You have to learn the song first, and then be Kree. We want you to be Kree - but choose the Etta James version." While there were mixed feelings on Harrison's performance, the panel all agreed on Amber Holcomb's rendition of My Funny Valentine, which prompted all four to give the 18 year old a standing ovation. It even brought Nicki Minaj to tears - she gushed, "No matter what happens tomorrow, you have a lifetime ahead of you to make incredible moments in music, my darling. That was a great job."
Seacrest joked, "You're making Nicki and Mariah look very benign here in terms of the dynamics - would you relax?" Right after Holcomb, Candice Glover also received a standing ovation for her version of You've Changed by Billie Holiday. The praise marked the second time the judges leaped to their feet for her, after she delivered the emotional Bruno Mars hit When I Was Your Man. Judge Keith Urban lauded, "You can sing 'When I Was Your Giraffe,' it doesn't matter - that's a winning performance right there." After an elimination reprieve last Thursday (25Apr13), the 38 million votes from last week will be combined with this week's to determine which three are moving on and get the coveted hometown visits.
msn