Canadian Idol 6, July 14: Finals, Finally!

This episode kicks off with a really short flashback of the season to date. While the rerun tapes roll, let me tell you some background tidbits. First up, there’s a bunch of the 2008 top 24 folks here in the audience tonight. Man, those late round cuts were harsh!

A few rows behind me, guitar star Gary Morissette, smooth Omar Lunan, and sporty Katelyn Dawn sit together, and in the section to their right are saucy Oliver Pigott and sultry Jessica Sheppard. I talked with Gary, and he disclosed to me that he’s looking to move to Toronto permanently. On the other hand, Katelyn confessed that she may have to head home soon, but she might return at a later time. Good luck to all of them!

Also in the audience are the winners of the Media Idol competitions, which were held at the local audition sites. No, that grouping does not include me… some of you readers question my ears, but ALL of you would question my throat! Online voting (closed by the time you read this) will decide the winner. From the clips they show I’d have to say that Media Idol mirrors the parent show – anything could happen.

We learned that the Rush Line started at 7:30AM today, but the line was not prohibitively long when I arrived a little more than an hour before the show. Local readers, you should be exploring this option before it dries up!

The new stage set is interesting. There are three sets of stairs, though the one behind the band is surely only useful to Ben Mulroney. This stage may not be much wider than the one at Trinity, but it’s much deeper.

I like the new graphics introducing the top ten that features the Idol font, too… but I’m a sucker for a cool font.

Either the band is louder than ever or the house mix is extra friendly to them, because they were LOUD. They are located on both sides of the stage, with drums, bass, and backup singers usually on the right and the guitars and keyboards on the left. When I played back the show, the balance seemed much better.

Enough pre-ramble, let’s get on with the show.

Ben introduces the judges and asks each one of the usual questions. Ben first asks Zack Werner about the six that were cut last week. Zack says, “There’s no use crying over spilled contestants. It is what it is. What you gotta do is, put on your makeup and be ready to do some David Bowie!”

Ben wants Farley Flex opinions of the top ten. He feels Canada made some astute choices and there are some dynamic performances ahead.

Ben asks both Sass Jordan and Jake Gold about David Bowie. Sass confesses the first live concert she went to was a Bowie concert and she still considers him a musical influence. Jake says, “David Bowie to me was the first person I ever saw that had the display of androgyny. I think he blazed the trail for the Annie Lennox and Queen. I also think he was a big innovator – in 1997, he was one of the first artists to ever sell his records exclusively on the Internet.”

Ben draws our attention to the new set and the band, who respond with a few riffs of the theme song. He then cues the airing of the informational package about David Bowie. One thing about Bowie – he has reinvented himself several times through the years, especially visually. The package tells us he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

When I heard he was the first theme, I admit to being a little concerned. I’ve been aware of Bowie for a long time, but he was never one who’s records I bought. His sales results have tended to be better in England than on this side of the pond, though “Fame” is one notable exception. I also wondered if there was enough Bowie music for ten performers to share. Ben starts the answer of that question off next, with Drew Wright.

Drew Wright - Age 28 - Collingwood, ON

Tonight, each performance is preceded by video of the Idols’ recent trips home. Each and every one of them are pleasantly shocked to see the avid support that has grown in their home towns, and are obviously appreciative of the these fan efforts. Each hometown is plastered with messages of support. These clips usually include some footage of the proud parents. Here at their own expense, who doesn’t love the proud parents and their unabashed support for their offspring?

Drew is singing “Five Years.” Plus, he’s playing the drums – another Idol first! His attire and demeanor are more “Popstar” tonight, which is nice to see. As always with Drew, the vocals are solid.

Jake thinks it’s great that he wanted to show people he could play drums, but he would have preferred him to take on the role of front-man instead. He does feel Drew sang it well and exhibited great phrasing. Sass tells Drew he looks good on TV and likes both his upper range and the fact that he played drums. Farley likes the creative decision to play drums, but wishes drew were more animated, and “sitting down on the job” didn’t help. Drew promises to “bring it” for next week. Zack says he can’t wait for next week, expecting Drew will juggle while riding a unicycle. Zack ends his comments by saying, “I don’t think you sang it very good.”

Adam Castelli - Age 26 - Hamilton, ON

This week, Adam’s video package seems to repeat some old material about his motorcycle, and I’m confused as to why. Then he makes a special entrance – riding the same white motorcycle out onto the stage. This is one BIG piece of machinery! Another Canadian Idol first!

For his performance, Adam has chosen the song “Rebel, Rebel.” He’s in his now-familiar stance, but his personal energy level is higher than we’ve seen before, which is a good thing. Vocally, it’s an average performance for Adam… perhaps a little on the shouty side, which doesn’t help his pitch any. But damn – he rode a bike on stage!

Sass says she spent half the time being afraid the bike was going to fall over in the middle of his song! She feels it was a perfect song choice and that although the song is not musically complex, he did a good job of singing it. Farley likes the increased energy level and confessing he was thinking, “What will they think of next?” Zack answers that with, “Well, next he’s going to play the drums!” What, no rim shot from the band?

Zack sees this performance as good, creditable workingman’s rock. He thinks it was Adam’s best to date and hopes he will branch out from here and do some cool stuff. Jake agrees with Zack that this was Adam’s best work so far, and agrees with Sass that this is a perfect song choice for him. He adds, “Everything we’ve hoped from you, you’ve now delivered, and you picked a great time to do it. But next time, when you ride a bike, wear a helmet!” Yes, that last part was a joke – Jake’s not THAT serious!