American Idol 14 Recap - Hollywood Round #4

We’re live blogging the last night of the American Idol 14 Hollywood Week rounds. Tonight, the remaining contestants sing solos. The American Idol 14 Top 48 will be revealed.

Click for American Idol 14 Top 24 Spoilers

We see shots of the remaining contestants rolling out of bed for the final day of Hollywood Week. There are 80 remaining contestants. Each will sing a solo, with backup from Rickey Minor and the band. It appears there was a list of songs, because there are several repeats. The results are delivered by the judges after a batch of singers perform.

You’ll see the results sprinkled throughout the live blog. But just to make it easy, I posted a master list at the bottom of the page! Hopefully, FOX will email a press release containing a complete list of the Top 48.

I’ve said it already, but I think we’ve got the makings of a great season here. I’ll reserve judgement until we get through the next couple of rounds. But, if we end up with a diverse and talent filled Top 12, we’ll have a show.

Loren Lott – Skyfall – Idol has been promoing the hell out of tonight’s episode with this performance. It is very good. “Skyfall” is the perfect pick for Loren, who is primarily an actress. She handles it without oversinging. It’s the first time I am truly impressed with her. Jennifer gives her a standing ovation. Jlo calls it the first “superstar” performance. Harry calls it an “Idol” moment, but I’m not sure he meant it as a compliment.

http://youtu.be/SqY_yAVnwZc

Daniel Seavey – “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran – He’s the youngest contestant, and it intimidates him. He accompanies himself capably on guitar. A couple of nice vocal riffs in there–he’s got a ton of potential, but he’s still undercooked. Keith calls him a giggly kid that is surprised he fell into a musical body. Daniel felt it could have gone better, but overall he’s happy.

http://youtu.be/I0FO9i-G95o

Big Ron – “Let’s Get it On” – Ricky Minor is backstage helping the contestants work out their arrangements. Big Ron and Ricky have a few tense words. “Just sing the song…listen!” says Rickey, “Don’t over-sing the thing!” It appears Ron is NOT taking advice.”Humble yourself down brother,” Ricky adds. Thing is. Ron oversings. That’s what he does. I didn’t really care for his audition, which featured a booming voice and a lack of finesse. I figured his big personality is what kept him in the competition. Ron doesn’t even have the imagination to choose a new song. We have to listen to “Let’s Get it On” again. It’s still not really impressive. OH MY GOD. He’s basically throwing Rickey under the bus as an excuse for a poor peperformanceDoes he really thing that’s going to go over well with the judges? He’s toast and he deserves to be. “I’m the energy that American Idol has been missing all these years,” Ron says afterward. BUH BUH RON.

http://youtu.be/V1bI4ed7Ylw

Shi Scott – “All I Could Do is Cry” – Shi’s got a horrible case of stage fright. Still. I can’t help but think she’ll immediately crumble on the live shows. Her gritty version of Etta James classic is fraught with breath control problems, which Harry points out. She doesn’t get good feedback, but is proud of herself anyway.

http://youtu.be/bEBGnaZ2SQk

Adam Lasher – “Free Falling” – He’s happy to be back in his natural habitat-solo performing. Keith felt he started too high, which gave him no where to take the song. Actually, I thought that performance was pretty good. Adam is a pro. But I wonder if the issues had more to do with his personality or his potential to connect with Idol fans.

Eliminated: Big Ron, Adam Lasher.
Advancing to the Top 48: Shi Scott, Daniel Seavt and Loren Lott.

“They didn’t like it. That’s fine. It’s on to the next thing,” says Adam after his elimination.

http://youtu.be/RTK1Gzp2B7w

Quentin Alexander – “Riptide” by Vance Joy – This is the other video Idol used to promote tonight’s show. Quentin strips off his fancy coat, with the help of Jlo. His stage presence and charisma is at the forefront. I will say he makes the most of the gifts that he has. His “interview” with the judges is featured here. Keith stands. “I LOVED THAT,” he says. “That’s a really good take of that song.” Quentin promises he’ll never wash his coat again. Ha. Advances to the Top 48

http://youtu.be/YcxWsjpUslg

Maddie Walker – “Don’t Ya,” Trevor Douglas – “Skinny Love” – Both advance to the Top 48 – Only quick glimpses of both singers.

Alexis Glanville – “You Light up My Light” – She’s the singer that passed out during the group round. Whoa. This is really off pitch and so old fashioned. She’s singing in the wrong key. Also, what’s with the faces she’s making? This is AWFUL. Harry stops her, “One time is OK. Two times is too much.” She freaks out after. SHE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ADVANCED IN THE FIRST PLACE. I suspect she advanced because the producers liked the second chance narrative. Alexis is eliminated.

http://youtu.be/JHKTZypIscs

Jax – “Let it Be” – Aw. Jax serenades her parents in the audience. The demonstration is a little over the top, but very sweet. Also the New Jersey native delivers another unique version of a classic. Jax Advances to the Top 24.

http://youtu.be/XUcTprhjwos

Michael Simeon – “Try” – He’s got such a sweet tone. I found his Nashville audition, when he slow danced with Jlo, underwhelming. It takes a bit of exposure to his subtle style to get him. Jennifer can feel his heart. Aw. Harry feels he gets better every time.

Nick Fradiani – “Avalon” – As this is the last chance at Idol for this seasoned singer. Nick is feeling the pressure. He’s practically OVER ready for this. The issue he might run into is, at 28, and with so much experience under his belt, he has nowhere to grow. Keith loves his phrasing. Harry appreciates his experience. “I just like you,” says Jennifer.

http://youtu.be/FlaLQRgi9Fo

Katherine Skinner – “Alone” – This chick made it all the way to the final solos? Her psychic cat died in the interim. Sad. She’s still awful and over dramatic, though. She’s SCREECHING “Alone.” Oy. Harry thinks she has extraordinary vocal ability, but it was “pedal to the metal…I don’t think it has to be,” says Harry. Jlo whispers to the others that it was the 3rd time she didn’t’ deliver. THEN WHY THE HELL DID YOU KEEP ADVANCING HER.

Eliminated: Katherine Skinner, Jess Lamb, Alex Shier, Piper Jones
Advancing to the Top 48: Michael Simeone, Emily Brooke, Nick Fradiani.

http://youtu.be/oNBNN02wv1A

Clark Beckham – “Try a Little Tenderness” – In his sit down with the judges, he shared stories about his dad teaching him to play guitar. But for this round, Clark is switching it up and will play the electric piano instead. This dude is SO SOULFUL. Clark has something special–a combination of arresting vocals and charisma. WOW.

Mark Andrew – “Skinny Love” – He’s completely sleepless and trying to keep it together. He makes a last minute decision to ditch his guitar. Mark sounded great, but he forgot some lyrics. Harry reminds him to remember the words. Keith is sympathetic, noting they really have had no sleep.

http://youtu.be/GDIFm3pDUsE

Eliminated: Briana, Naomi, Travis
Advancing To the Top 48: Alexis Gomez, Mark Andrew , Clark Beckham , Shannon Berthiaume, Katherine Winston

Harry lets Mark know that his voice saved him, despite the botched lyrics. Naomi is pissed she’s eliminated. She straight up says the judges have no idea what they’re talking about.

Joey Cook – Across The Universe – She’s so nervous about remembering the words. If you have a hard time remembering lyrics? Picking a song with nonsense words is probably a bad idea. She garbles through that part, and then sings the chorus a couple of times. We don’t see the full song, but it’s clear she messed up. Her performance was a little sleepy, but I love her raspy sound. Before the results, Joey gets a little nauseous.

http://youtu.be/s3HtGL6YL1k

Lovey James – “You Light Up My Light” – WHY would ANYONE sing that song? It’s the worst. Song. Ever. And the guy who wrote it murdered his girlfriend, Tyanna Jones – “Try”, Rayvon Owen – “Try a Little Tenderness” – Riley Bria – “Somewhere in My Car” – Harry says he’s meant to be on the stage. It’s one standout after another, right up in here!

Advancing to the Top 48: Tyanna Jones, Joey Cook, Rayvon Owen, Riley Bria, Lovey James, Hunter Larsen (seen, but not announced I think?)

http://youtu.be/IwvHrWBQTmI

Advanced to the Top 48:

Shi Scott
Daniel Seavey
Loren Lott
Quentin Alexander
Maddie Walker
Trevor Douglas
Jax
Michael Simeone
Nick Fradiani
Emily Brooke
Alexis Gomez
Mark Andrew
Clark Beckham
Shannon Berthiaume
Katherine Winston
Joey Cook
Tyanna Jones
Lovey James
Ravon Owen
Riley Bria
Hunter Larsen