Wow! What a shocker � it�s Big Band Week but that�s not all� It�s a double elimination! (We knew that anyway � but I have to say I�m disappointed, I was hoping for a wild card contestant and it�s a bit if an anticlimax). Never mind� contestants will be whittled down to eight this week, after they have sung with a live orchestra. They are also performing for guest star Tony Bennett!
Ray is up first singing �Aint That A Kick In The Head� by Dean Martin. In his meeting with Tony, Ray was told that he sounded pretty good, he did! On stage he performed well. You could tell he loves this music and was weaned on it. He looked the part in �Rat Pack� suit and hanging dicky and he revved up the crowd no end. He was in his element. The judges agreed. Louis said it was �a brilliant start�. Sharon loved his dancing and thought he had excelled himself. Simon agreed, �You love this music, it was a great performance.� Ray was ecstatic with the comments and said he had been waiting for this week, �Whatever comes I will give it one hundred and ten percent.�
Next up is Dionne from Sharon�s under 25�s group. Controversially Tony Bennett disagreed with Simon�s previous comments that she should be a back up singer. Singing �For Once In My Life� it seemed to be a subdued start but as the bridge kicked in, she threw in some huge power notes and a little ska too! Good for you Dee!
Louis was impressed, �You are a soul singer and now you have proved you are a jazz singer too!� Simon pulled her down, �You have the performance style of a boxer, you won�t win - but you�re a good singer. Sharon you wouldn�t back her in the real world�. Sharon kicked right off! �Well we knew what would come out of Simon�s mouth. Week after week you have had it in for this girl. You are good missus and the public like you!� She then went on to offer Simon out for a fight. Dionne took it in her stride as she stated she was very disappointed with Simon�s comments and she would like to prove him wrong! Eloquently put Dionne � give im� some!
Nikitta had a bad run last week as Louis and Sharon didn�t get the song or the outfit. She wanted to come out fighting and Tony Bennett said himself, �She�ll surprise you!� Singing �Sway� it was a little nervy but she really put the effort in to move and perform. As she entered the chorus she really gave it some and began to look at home. With sexy dancers in toe and a shake shimmy routine thrown in for good measure, she brought it home. Entertaining, but you get the feeling she still has more. Louis said, �you didn�t look comfortable, you could be going home�. Sharon said, �it�s obvious that this is out of your comfort zone. I have bras older than you. I know it was tough, but your performance was good�. Simon replied, �By the second half of the song you really got it together. Your dancer was too short too!� (Is Simon going a bit la la or is it just me?) It still wasn�t that complementary, even from Simon who is Nikitta�s Mentor.
As Ben waited to perform, Simon said he would love to get a winner this year � the only contestant in the way is Ben! Playing the piano and singing �Smile� this rocker proved he�s not a one trick pony. Every expression, every note, he meant every word and the audience new it. They loved it and so did the judges. He just has to be careful not to shout. Simon said, �In any situation that was outstanding! It was believable and without question the best performance so far by a mile � Loved it.� Louis was in awe �You are a definite for the final.� Sharon agreed with me that he could have been a little softer with some notes but thought it was fantastic. Worried that he might lose it on this song, Ben said he was prepared for the worst, but there was no need.
The Macdonald Brothers were nervous before they started, �It�s not the sort of song we normally do�, but Tony Bennett said he would sign them up! Simon was not as generous stating, �They are like their mentor Louis � Forgettable�. As they began to sing it was quiet and nervy� Singing �You�re Just Too Good To Be True� they tried, had great harmonies and had improved from last week, but for such an upbeat song it was very static. Simon was ambivalent. �The song was fantastic, the band was amazing and you were OK. In the real world though it was like a couple of guys at Pontins on karaoke. I have a horrible feeling that the song will take you through though.� Sharon said, �You are so nice, I can�t have a go at you. It was your best performance so far.� Louis sided with the public, �The public likes them and it�s the public who count to me!�
Reminiscent of American Idol, Simon chose �Summertime� for Leonna this week. It�ll be a surprise if she can sing this as well as Fantasia Burrino! I think that�s the impact that Simon was looking for, as this song won American Idol for Fantasia. It was a great performance vocally and Leonna brought the house down� but I just thought of Fantasia as even the arrangement was similar to hers. If nothing else though this shy girl is blooming and her voice is amazing. Sharon said, �You don�t know how good you are!� Simon was so impressed with Sharon�s comments he gave her a big snog! Louis said it was the performance of the night and Simon shocked all by saying , �You are the best contestant I have ever had over all of these shows, this, Idol, all of them.� I�m sure Kelly Clarkson would be happy about that � NOT! Much as I agree with some of the comments � I can�t agree with Simon. I think Leonna is yet to find the soul that Fantasia has or the confidence of Kelly. We will have to see.
Kerry�s up next� �I�m a fighter and I�m determined. I will fight until the end.� Singing �The Way You Wear Your Hat� Kerry was definitely up for it, but Leonna was a tough act to follow. She has such a smooth voice � it was perfect for big band. She used movement, expression and even rallied the orchestra. Simon said, �It was definitely the style of music that suits you. It was competent but predictable. I have heard this type of performance before and I am usually in as hotel with a gherkin and a bowl of peanuts�. Louis said it was her best performance and Sharon agreed, �Simon is right you could be in a hotel, but in the Hilton in Las Vegas darling. Elvis has played there you know!�
Ashley appears to be working on his attitude. �Tony Bennett is cool and calm without being cocky, that�s what I am working on.� Singing �Moon Dance� he was surprisingly nervous and although he hit the notes � he forgot the words at one point, which is a big no-no. He brought it right back though with a cracking �power note� ending. As the band wrapped he looked disappointed. Louis said, �You always put on a great performance but I think Robert and Ben are better singers�. Sharon was forgiving, �you blew a couple of lines, so what?� Simon agreed with Sharon and added �the last 30 seconds made up for everything.� Ashley was humbled and thanked the judges he also pointed out how hard it feels to get up there and sing a style you aren�t used too. It was a good effort.
The judges were quick to point out that Robert needs to be calm for this performance after he was manic last week. I really hope he just sings the song too, as we are yet to hear his best! Before his performance Robert said, �I can�t believe this � it�s unbelievable. A few months ago I was working in the hospital!� Every bit the dapper Dan, Robert took to the stage, suited and booted. He sang �Mr Bojangles� like an old fashioned jazz man. Fantastic! The audience went wild. Simon said it was difficult as this is one of his favourite songs� �On paper it should have been a disaster but it wasn�t. I loved it!� Louis said he�s a star and Sharon said, �Robert you are fantastic, I love you.�
For Eton Road the pressure is on as Simon points out what a difficult song they have. Singing �Mack The Knife� it was great to see all of them take the lead one by one. It really showed off the fact that they can all sing! Although there were a few pitch issues here and there, the crowd loved it. My special mention goes to David who we haven�t heard a great deal from, as Anthony gets a lot of the press. David shone like a star and was fantastic, as was Dan�s swinging solo. Nice to hear you lads! (Louis should really exploit ALL the voices in this group.) Anthony is individual so it�s understandable that he gets a lot of attention, but his voice is a little unpredictable. Give the others a chance Louis. They can really sing! Sharon said, �I love you so much. Whatever is thrown your way, you make it your own.� Simon disagreed, �That was a total mess!� Sharon and Louis hit back, �At least they remembered the words. Shut up!� Go on guys. I love it when you fight!
So after a nerve wracking wait for the contestants� the votes are in. Two must go. The act with the lowest amount of votes leaves immediately and then the lowest two acts following that sing off to survive! I cannot believe what I�m hearing, the Macdonald Brothers aren�t even in the final three. They�re through! I hope they know how lucky they are.
The act straight out of the competition is� Dionne!
Dionne thanked vocal coach Mark Hudson, her family and Sharon for all their help and support. We�ll miss ya Dee � you can sing girl. You were robbed. In the sing off are Kerry and Ashley! Obviously the public didn�t agree with the judges � Don�t forget your words Ash!
As with every week both acts put in a valiant and improved second performance. Both judges stuck with their respective acts so it was all up to Louis! After giving Ashley a telling off for forgetting his lines and being unprofessional, Louis still can�t argue with Ashley�s talent and votes to keep him. So it�s a fond farewell to Kerry.
This woman is phenomenal and an inspiration. Unlike many who talk about her disability, I don�t think that has anything to do with anything. People overcome disabilities everyday and do things that many wouldn�t dream of. The public loved her because she sang her heart out, she was caring, gave endearing performances and most importantly she deserved to be there. Well done Kerry � You should be proud you have done so well.
Meanwhile Ashley lives to fight another day. Eat up some humble pie while you learn your words for next week Ash. Good Luck.
Entertainment News