Canadian Idol 5, August 27: The Top Four Salute The Standards

With the formal theme of The Standards, a 16-piece orchestra has been added to our usual group of musical accompanists. Also, Orin’s bass has changed into an acoustic model. Actually, after the opening, Orin takes on the role of bandleader this week and someone new and unnamed takes over on bass.

In the audience this week is guest coach Paul Anka, plus Jesse Lumsden and Mike Morreale of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Not surprisingly, they are supporting Brian Melo.

I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned how the judges are brought out before the show. Senior producer Sue Brophy introduces each one in turn, and each has his or her own theme music! Sass Jordan is usually first, to the tune of “Rock And Roll Queen.” However, tonight she tries to slip into her seat without Sue noticing. As if! Farley Flex gets Sade’s “Smooth Operator” and Jake Gold’s theme is ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.” Zack always comes out last, to the tune of Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice.” Then series host Ben Mulroney is brought out to the strains of “Let Me Entertain You.” Finally, Ben brings out the Idols while “Simply The Best” plays!

Tonight, each performer will sing two songs. Additionally, there’s film of the coaching session with Paul Anka to get through. So let’s get on with the show!

Series host Ben Mulroney welcomes us and reminds us of the theme. He informs us the results show tomorrow is on at a different time yet again, 8 PM ET/PT. They sure make it hard on us by moving the show all over the map!

Ben introduces the judges and asks them probing questions. He asks Jake Gold what we viewers should be expecting tonight. He says, “They have two chances to show Canada how great they can be.”

Ben then turns to Sass Jordan and asks her what the Idols can learn from working with Paul Anka. She suggests that since he’s sung most of the songs on the list, he’s in a perfect position to advise the Idols how to best deliver them.

I think Ben was supposed to go to Zack next, but what he says is, “I’m sorry, he’s hanging out with his favourite person in the world.” What you don’t see is Zack looking at himself in the mirror, trying to fix his crumpled collar. With all the makeup and wardrobe people swarming about, it’s hard to believe that tonight of all nights, how could Zack be let out looking this messy. At any rate, Zack responds to Ben’s comments by kissing the mirror!

Ben asks Farley Flex about the Idols singing two songs. Farley says, “Usually you have one chance to make a first impression. Tonight, they have two chances to make a lasting impression.” Farley looks very sharp with his pink tie, pink hat and pink pinstriped suit.

Ben asks Zack to tell us what is special about the standards. Zack says it’s the quality of the songwriting from that era.

A highlight reel for Paul Anka follows. Ben tells us Paul has released 126 albums! His next one, entitled “Classic Songs My Way” is due out soon.

The performer opening the show this week is Carly Rae Jepsen. Her number is “My Heart Belongs To Daddy,” credited to Ella Fitzgerald. Paul likes how she has personalized the song and thinks she’s feeling the lyric. She has on a red dress and sexy red shoes.

Jake: Jake knows this week is right up Carly’s alley. He says, “You didn’t disappoint and you’re on to the semi-finals, as far as I can see.”

Farley: Farley likes her use of the stage and her look, especially the shoes. He calls her effort “a really nice performance.”

Sass: Sass loves the shoes! She says, “I think that’s the best performance you’ve done on the show so far.”

Zack: Zack says half-heartedly that he likes it, but he wanted her to “sizzle more.” He calls the performance “okay.”

Brian: I agree with Zack, am disappointed in this number. Besides my usual issues with her enunciation, this performance has neither zip nor camp to it, and you have to go one way or the other. So often she sings like she’s a young girl, yet this time she goes for mature? I don’t get it.

Ben does a promo for the auction to help the Idols build a Ronald MacDonald retreat in B. C. One item up for bids is an “um-bar-ella-ella-ella” autographed by Rihanna, and another is front row seats that the season finale of this show!

The next performer up to the plate is Jaydee Bixby. His first number is Elvis’ “Fever.” I remember the Peggy Lee version more. Paul tells him this is a serious number, and he needs to stop smiling all the time. A sixteen-year-old kid meets an icon and he has to stop smiling? How the heck is THAT accomplished?

Jaydee is looking pretty sharp dressed all in black, but the image of “classy” takes a bit of a hit when he shifts into his traditional bowlegged country stance. Vocally, the full Elvis effects are evident tonight. He moves very slightly about the stage, but every now and then an Elvis twitch erupts, or a sneer. The effect, as Sharon Osbourne would say, is “as camp as Christmas.” Yet, it works!

Farley: Farley thinks Jaydee didn’t look to comfortable on stage and says, “It looked like you were riding a horse of a different colour.”

Sass: Sass likes the leg-twitch move, but can’t stop laughing over it.

Zack: Zack feels Jaydee was way out of the pocket in that performance, “not even close.” He says, “If I was you I’d get off of this show, I’d go to Nashville, and stop listening to my nonsense, and cash in.”

Jake: Jake agrees Jaydee wasn’t in the groove but likes it that after being told the same thing several times before, Jaydee finally stopped smiling in a song where smiling isn’t appropriate. However, he is “not convinced” about the singing.

Brian: I have to agree that vocally this wasn’t Jaydee’s best work, and I wonder if his focus was too much on the little performance nuances instead of the vocal ones. Still, he is especially cute up there and by the end, he has the audience eating out of his hand.