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American Idol’s Top 20 Revealed! Did Your Favorites Make the Cut?
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Canaan was the first singer sent to safety this week, which was both unsurprising and completely appropriate, given that he takes us to church on a regular basis. And this week’s performance of Le’Andria Johnson’s “Better Days” was no exception. We were all members of Canaan’s congregation tonight, and we’re all blessed for the experience.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Proving that not every song would be straight out of a hymn book tonight, Drew took the stage with a (mostly) lovely, Florence and the Machine-y take on Coldplay’s “Yellow.” (Some of that belting was a little too ambitious.) That said, she did yell out “Thank you, Jesus!” during a lull in the lyrics, making this the first time Coldplay has ever been used as a worship jam.
- Andy’s Grade “B+”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Given the theme of tonight’s episode, I wasn’t expecting any performances to be [A] smooth or [B] sexy, yet Desmond managed to do both with Jon Batiste’s “Worship.” Despite beginning in a kneeling position, he had everyone in the audience dancing before he reached the first chorus. Between Desmond’s powerful falsetto (hitting a “Z sharp” at one point, Lionel surmised) and boundless energy, this was a treat.
- Andy’s Grade: “A-“
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- With vocals as velvety and smoky as the jacket on his back, Filo reminded everyone why he won a platinum ticket with a bombastic performance of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” And just so you know, “bombastic” is not a word I throw around lightly. This was something else.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Josh’s main objective this week was to show the judges that he’s more than just a lounge singer. Was Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” the best song to accomplish that? I’m not sure, but I do know that he sang the crap out of it. Sorry, I probably shouldn’t say “crap” on Easter. Anyway, it was excellent — sweet and soulful, accentuated with some really impressive runs. He also gets extra points for choosing his mom when Carrie asked who he was singing about. It’s hard not to like this guy.
- Andy’s Grade: “A-“
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Another no-brainer for the Top 20, Thunderstorm sang his heart out on Cory Asbury’s “Reckless Love,” sending so much love and gratitude to his Hawaiian home in every passionate growl. After a season of impressive showings, who knew that Thunderstorm’s most honest, authentic performance yet would come — as Luke put it — in the form of a Christian rock concert?
- Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- After defying gravity with a jazzy Wicked cover in Hawaii, Amanda changed the tempo a bit, showing off her sultry side with Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.” Her voice fit the gospel-inspired arrangement like a glove, delivering plenty of jaw-dropping moments and ending on a run that sent chills down my spine. As long as she keeps getting more comfortable on stage, the sky’s the limit for this queen.
- Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Everything John sings sounds like it could go on country radio tomorrow, and that went double for “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” the heartbreaking original song he wrote for his late best friend Maggie, which he performed tonight. Pitch-perfect and beautifully honest, it was just unlike anything else we heard on that stage. It was as real as the tears he shed as the song came to a close.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- This season’s youngest contestant remains very much in the game, returning to the stage on Sunday with another beyond-her-years performance, this time wowing with a stirring take on Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue.” Despite Lionel saying she has a “signature voice,” I didn’t think Mattie necessarily exhibited the same level of artistry as some of the contestants that came before her; it felt more like she was doing an impression of Lauren, albeit a darn good one.
- Andy’s Grade: “B+”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- One of the biggest surprises of the night (though I’m not sure why I’m still surprised at this point!) came from this British rocker, whose gloriously gritty performance of Rihanna and Mikky Ekko’s “Stay” was truly in a league of its own. I actually really hope RiRi herself gets a chance to hear it, because I have a feeling she’ll love it.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot
Image Credit: ABC screenshot
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- This mighty mama was the first singer sent through from the second group, and she set the bar pretty darn high with a captivating performance of Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain,” a song I’d believe Breanna wrote herself if she told me. (I’m very trusting.) In all seriousness, it really did echo everything we’ve come to love about Breanna. Soft and strong, powerful and precise, it feels like Breanna is on an exciting journey this season, finding herself a little more each week — and we’re lucky enough to be along for the ride.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Look, I wasn’t expecting to get pregnant tonight, OK? Partly because I’m a biological male with no uterus, but mostly because of the night’s theme. Yet here I am, fully with child after Victor’s relentless, rousing rendition of Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain.” If church isn’t supposed to be sexy, please explain that red suit and black gloves. It was entertaining, it was powerful, and it was uniquely Victor Solomon. That was truly a religious experience.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Last week, I said that Baylee would need to kick his performances up a notch if he wanted me to look at him as anything more than a Backstreet Baby. After tonight, I’m glad to say that he definitely stepped it up — even if he did sing a song literally written by his father, Brian Littrell. Perhaps because of his proximity to the artist, Baylee delivered a more honest, emotional performance than we’re used to seeing from him. I hope he only goes up from here.
- Andy’s Grade: “B+”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- More mature than any 17-year-old I’ve ever met, Isaiah tickled our ear drums with a delightful take on Allen Stone’s “Give You Blue,” which shifted from simple to sensational in a blink. For whatever reason, this wasn’t the experience I was expecting the artist known as “Samoan Silkk” to give us, but I’m sure glad he did. His confidence was clear and his joy was infectious.
- Andy’s Grade: “A-“
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- First of all, phew! I was starting to worry that Gabby — whom I’ve loved since her first note — wasn’t going to make the Top 20. But make it she did, and thank God, or else we never would have gotten this jaw-dropping rendition of “I Am Changing” from the musical Dreamgirls. This performance was dynamite from start to finish, or as Luke put it, it was “a better breakout moment than her last breakout moment.” This woman is a star.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Following his successful performance in Hawaii, Ché selected another Bob Marley jam tonight, delivering a stripped-down version of “Redemption Song.” He’s been listening to and connecting with this song his entire life, he explained, and it showed in a solid performance.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- “Here comes Jamal, y’all!” America’s favorite P.E. teacher was the next singer sent through to the Top 20, celebrating with a performance of Jason Nelson’s “Forever” that packed a powerful punch. Like several other contestants this season, Jamal feels like he could cut a gospel record tomorrow. Should we just form American Idol‘s first-ever supergroup and call it a day?
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- This young performer has had the judges divided all season, but the entire panel seemed to enjoy Zaylie’s haunting cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Silver Springs.” I wasn’t quite as impressed, with some of those high notes hitting my ear like a knife.
- Andy’s Grade: “B-“
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- Little Slater never thought this day would come, but Big Slater made sure it did — and he celebrated his Top 20 admittance with a killer rendition of The Allman Brothers Band’s “Soulshine,” which is now a church song as far as I’m concerned. I’m in awe of his classic rock sound, which feels like a natural extension of himself rather than a needless gimmick. Slater is another one I’ve admired since Day 1, and that admiration continues tonight.
- Andy’s Grade: “A”
Image Credit: ABC screenshot
Image Credit: ABC screenshot
Image Credit: ABC screenshot- How do you bring the house down to end a night of songs about faith? Simple. You give Kolbi the last spot in the Top 20, then you set her unparalleled vocals loose on the Idol stage. That performance of “Amazing Grace” was nothing short of triumphant, a joy to experience from start to finish. Amen, indeed.
- Andy’s Grade: “A+”
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