American Idol 2014 Recap: Top 8 Redux to the 80s
American Idol XIII 2014 Top 8 redux recap and live blog for the April 9, 2014 performance show.
It's the Top 8 all over again after Sam Woolf was saved from elimination last week by the judges.
Theme: "80s"
The finalists sing 80s songs!
Plus American Idol Season 7 winner David Cook is the mentor.
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American Idol 2014 - Recap - Top 8 Redux
(Updating throughout the show. Please be patient as I am multi-tasking. Chat in the comments below just like old times!)
Keith Urban has the mullet hair and JLo has the messy hair for Totally 80s Week!
He has rocked his away across the globe with an anthemic sound... David Cook!
Duets:
Alex Preston & Sam Woolf sing "The Girl Is Mine" by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. This is my dream Finale! I hope it happens!
Caleb Johnson & Jena Irene sing "It's Only Love" by Tina Turner and Bryan Adams. OK, the "frontrunners" together at last! The Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet of this season.
Malaya Watson and CJ Harris sing "I Knew Your Were Waiting" by George Michael and Aretha Franklin. Disaster. Obviously CJ's tone deafness is infectious.
Jessica Meuse and Dexter Roberts sings "Islands In The Stream". They look like a cute couple! I like this pairing.
AMERICAN IDOL XIII: Top 8: Clockwise L-R: Caleb Johnson, Sam Woolf, Jessica Meuse, Dexter Roberts, Alex Preston, C. J. Harris, Jena Irene and Malaya Watson on AMERICAN IDOL XIII CR: Michael Becker / FOX. Copyright 2014 / FOX Broadcasting.
Solos:
| Contestant | Song | Voting Number |
|---|---|---|
| Jena Irene | "I Love Rock N' Roll" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-08 |
|
Review: David Cook asks: "What is she doing with this song?" LOL!
Jena starts the song by playing the piano (her signature move) -- then she sings normally. Already I know Jena is in trouble. Could we get a shocker on Thursday? This has a potential to be. Keith Urban: I kinda dug it. It was cool starting with the piano. Jennifer Lopez: It languished a bit in the middle. You put your stamp on it. It was little bit low. Harry Connick Jr: I wasn't a fan of the arrangement. It felt very choreographed. |
||
| Dexter Roberts | "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-01 |
|
Review: David Cook: "I know this song, I like this song. I'm not hearing the words to this song." Yup, Dexter minces his words.
Dexter performs behind the judges -- that's a nice twist to the staging. This is another potential shock elimination. Maybe the safer shock elimination on Thursday. Keith Urban: When you got so many things to remember... in that situation... feel free to kick your mic stand and do something unexpected. Jennifer Lopez: You always come out here and sing kinda perfect. Harry Connick Jr: You can almost do no wrong with me this week. I thought you bought yourself the opportunity to just rock out. | ||
| Malaya Watson | "Through The Fire" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-02 |
|
Review: David Cook: "You don't want the audience so shocked that they are playing catch up for the rest of the song."
This was surprisingly laid back in the beginning. She hit the notes, that good. She's no Sisaundra Lewis though. Not even close. This also has the potential for a straight up elimination since Malaya has been in the Bottom 3. Keith Urban: Just chill out and coast through it. Jennifer Lopez: You're like our little baby. We all know how talented you are. You just need to relax up there. Harry Connick Jr: It sounded like the entire performance was geared toward (the money note). |
||
| Jessica Meuse | "Call Me" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-10 |
|
Review: David Cook: "I don't get any enjoyment at all." True true. Cook is such a great mentor!
She lost me with the half-hearted head bang in the beginning. Looks like she's going through the motions only. She could be the shock elimination on Thursday. That lazy walk was such an uninspired performance. Keith Urban: I'm still waiting for the rest of the release. Jennifer Lopez: It's a sexy song, if you can't tap into that part of you, then it's not the song for you. Harry Connick Jr: You need to sing that shuffle girlfriend. | ||
| Sam Woolf | "Time After Time" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-12 |
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Review: David Cook: "That was money."
SAVE SAM WOOLF! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! He's our American Idol! Go Sam! This was amazing! Keith Urban: I love that you did that with acoustic guitar. Jennifer Lopez: I thought you did a great job tonight. Harry Connick Jr: I think you are getting better every week. It's OK to look at these young girls. | ||
| Alex Preston | "Every Breath You Take" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-09 |
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Review: David Cook: "It felt super fast. I want to see that you give a damn."
Alex is really a true artist. The best singer, musician on the show. I'm thankful he's here this season! I thought he changed too much of the song though. Keith Urban: When you started singing you grabbed my attention like that. Jennifer Lopez: I love your voice and I love what you do. I miss the melody of that song. To change it that much for me lost the soul of that song. Harry Connick Jr: It sounded like a new tune. At some point the coffee house treatment will catch up to you. | ||
| CJ Harris | "Free Fallin" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-05 |
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Review: David Cook: "This rendition got me excited with this song again."
OMG, David Cook TEACHING CJ how to sing on the beat. Crazy. Too bad it didn't work. CJ cannot sing. And the audience clapped which made everything worse. Keith Urban: You have a survivor tone to your voice. Jennifer Lopez: There's never been a contestant that I root for note for note like you. Harry Connick Jr: There's a connection that you have virtually when you get up there. |
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| Caleb Johnson | "Faithfully" (Watch Video) | 1-855-4-IDOL-13 |
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Review: David and Caleb wore the same shirt! OMG. They are rock brothers!
I really cannot take Mini-Meatloaf seriously, but American Idol fans love him. He is theirs forever ever. Obviously Idol fans are 80s children and Caleb is giving them what they want... body and soul. He can be a throwback act after Idol! Keith Urban: It was killer. It was a lighter moment. Jennifer Lopez: It sounded amazing. You murder it and you did. Harry Connick Jr: I have been waiting for that since the first day I met you, I'm proud of you. | ||
So who's going home? Who's your favorite? Take the poll!
See you guys tomorrow with the results, which I hope are SHOCKING. :)
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