Meghan Linsey, India Carney, Sawyer Fredericks, Koryn Hawthorne and Joshua Davis fought for a place in next week’s finale during the second-to-last live performance show of Season Eight. (Photo property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
And, then there were five!
Following Team Christina’s Kimberly Nichole’s shocking elimination, the remaining five artists (Sawyer Fredericks, Koryn Hawthorne, India Carney, Joshua Davis and Meghan Linsey) had to deliver the performances of their lives in order to convince America that they were worthy of a trip to the finale!
Which artists delivered their personal best? Read on to find out!
Before anyone could take the stage, Knockout Round advisor Nate Ruess took the stage to perform “Nothing Without Love.” The former fun. frontman delivered a strong vocal and had the best advisor performance of the season.
Joshua Davis kicked off Round One (which was Coaches’ Picks) and tackled Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” The problem that I have with that pick was that the song was immortalized on Reality TV by one of the most remarkable singers that ever appeared on American Idol: Allison Iraheta. Did Joshua deliver a dramatic performance like his predecessor? Honestly, he did not. I could not connect with his delivery and the vocals were very subpar. C-
Like Joshua, 17-year-old Koryn Hawthrone performed another song that was immortalized on Idol. That song: U2’s “One.” Four notes in and I was already craving both the Elliott Yamin-Mary J. Blige version and the Adam Lambert cover. The vocals were all over the place and she did not capture the essence of Bono and the Edge’s lyrics. D+
Team Blake’s Meghan Linsey tackled Sam Smith’s “I Am Not the Only One.” I loved her approach with the track and she tremendously reminded me so much of Ms. Jennifer Nettles as she tackled each verse. Meghan’s impeccable vocal delivery might carry her to next week’s finale nice work! A-
I still can’t believe that India Carney is the last artist left standing on Team Christina. (Shame on you, America!) I loved her interpretation of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity.” She gave me chills and like Xtina stated, this song is a singer’s song and India perfectly mastered it. The only thing that I did not like about this song was the piano was way too loud and at times–overshadowed India’s vocals. A
Sawyer closed out Round One with “For What Its Worth.” I am very glad that Pharrell decided to pick up the tempo on Sawyer’s song selection. Sawyer rocked this vocal and I am glad that he finally broke out of the cookie cutter mold that the “Get Lucky” singer has put him in for weeks! A-
While the Pitch Perfect 2 ladies took selfies with the coaches, Joshua dedicated his performance of “When I Paint My Masterpiece” to his home in Michigan. It was an okay performance, but it did not excite me and I think this song cost him the competition. C-
Koryn headed back home to Abbeville, Louisiana for a warm welcome! She received a congratulatory video message from Kelly Clarkson and a hometown parade. Her trip back home definitely lit a fire under her belly as she slayed “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep.” This was probably her best vocal performance of the entire competition and if she does not go into the finale next week, there is no justice! A
Meghan Linsey returned home to Nashville to reunite with her family and friends! She also got huge surprise visits from some of country music’s greatest icons: her mentor Naomi Judd and Big and Rich! Meghan took the energy from the Wild Horse and incorporated it into her cover of George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey.” This was another solid Meghan vocal and I think that she has definitely secured one of the spots for the final. A-
India’s last song of the evening was Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song.” From what I noticed over the years is that artists are either praised for their interpretations (Melanie Amaro) or raked across the coals unfairly by a majority of the show’s panelists (Haley Reinhart). The NYC-based singer and UCLA student not only made me cry, but also was the only person that gave me chills this entire evening! I hope that the Jackson Family were watching this performance this evening, because India killed it! A+
Sawyer closed out the night with his rendition of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years.” What I like about Sawyer as an artist and a person is that he seems extremely humble, something that is missing in the entertainment industry. His cover of the Twilight track gave me goosies and earned a lot of votes. B+
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to FOX & FremantleMedia North America.
