by Jenn |
This week’s mentor was Harry Connick Jr. Connick is an actor both on the stage and on the big screen. He’s also a great pianist and singer. His first recording was when he was 10 and he broke-through at 22 years old. He won his first Grammy from the soundtrack of When Harry Met Sally.
The theme for this week came from the music of ‘Old Blue Eyes,’ Frank Sinatra. Connick helped them to interpret Sinatra’s songs into their own style. He actually wrote the arrangements and orchestrations for the contestant so that he could get a little more involved with the Idol-wannabe’s then the usual mentors. He brought along some of his musicians and he, himself, played the piano behind the performing contestants!
The daughter of Sinatra were in the audience and they brought Simon a gift of their father’s monogrammed handkerchief. Simon was surprised.
Aaron Kelly – Fly Me To The Moon
- Randy – “Dude, you did a really good job.”
- Ellen - “I thought the piano was a little pitchy.” “I cannot believe I didn’t hear any country in that at all.” “You really pulled it off.”
- Kara - “Compared to last week though, it wasn’t as strong.” “You still need to break out as a performer.”
- Simon - “It didn’t have the conviction for me.” “The vocals toward the end were a bit corny.”
Casey James - Blue Skies
- Randy - “Your worse performance, dude.” “You were out of your element.”
- Ellen - “I thought it was a bad idea to have the piano on stage.” “That felt very stiff to me.” “It didn’t feel effortless.”
- Kara - “It took you a long to time to warm up and to feel more relaxed.” “At least you held some notes.” “You kind of sounded like a lamb.”
- Simon - “This is uncomfortable.” “You came over a bit embarrassed and awkward.”
Crystal Bowersox - Summer Wind
- Randy - “It was a little sleepy.”
- Ellen - “You have so many different sides to you.”
- Kara - “I kind of liked it.” “I liked your phrasing.”
- Simon - “It felt a little bit indulgent.” “Too jazzy.” “I expect better.”
Michael Lynche – The Way You Look Tonight
- Randy - “Mike is in it to win it! This is what I’m saying!”
- Ellen - “You seem to have the most comfort on stage.” “Very smooth, a lot of charisma.”
- Kara - “You took us up, you took us down, you took us on a journey, you did everything right. But, above all, you didn’t lose yourself.”
- Simon - “I felt that you listened and everyone worked together.” “Fantastic, well done.”
Lee Dewyze - That’s Life
- Randy - “You stayed your rocker self.”
- Ellen - “First I was distracted by Harry’s organ…” “If this was the last night of performances, you would have just won this whole thing.”
- Kara - “You can win this thing.”
- Simon - “You gave it 110%.” “It was, by far, the best performance of the night.”