Much like the show, the Canadian Idol CD features some impressive highs and disappointing lows.

“Canadian Idol Greatest Moments” features a studio recorded song from each of the final 11 competitors. For the most part, the album represents these Idols very well to the rest of the world, and upon listening, will give people the impression that Canada has an outstanding group of young talent.

Toya Alexis’ rendition of “Try It On My Own” is remarkable, and it is a shame she didn’t make it further than she did. If a complete album by Alexis sounded half as good as this track then she would be deserving of the Canadian Idol crown.

Mikey Bustos has another high spot on the album with “Sometimes When We Touch,” but at times, it sounds like he is holding back, as he had more emotion in his voice on the series. With that said, if he hadn’t performed this song on the show and this was the first time hearing his take on it, he would deserve kudos from the judges. It’s a home run, but the ball could have flown further. Bustos is another competitor who got ousted too early and a full album would surely be well received.

A gutsy move was taken by Billy Klippert who sings “Superstar,” the song brought back to life by American Idol winner Ruben Studdard just a few weeks earlier. Klippert however sounds nothing like the soulful Studdard, and somehow made it sound completely different, and much more rock. Klippert sings the track with more passion than Studdard did and Klippert is worthy of getting as far as he has gotten.

The disappointment comes with a cover of James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face” by Richie Wilcox. He ruined the song and it’s questionable as to how the recording made it onto the album. He sounds like a constipated Kermit the Frog. If Sass Jordan were to critique this track, it is conceivable that she would stick to a “you look great” comment.

Audrey De Montigny’s version of “Reflection” lacks the quality that most of the other songs do. Her French accent often overshadows her wonderful voice, making the song unpleasant on the ears.

Judge Farley Flex once told Jenny Gear that half the people “get her” while the other half don?t. “Tower of Song” is a perfect example. If you like her, she did a good job. If not, she did not. Another judge, Jake Gold, said you can’t judge Jenny Gar. You can’t critique her either.

Major props go to the CD’s producer, Orin Isaacs, who worked with all 11 Idols in just two days, a practice almost unheard of in the recording business, and especially notable since few of the Idols had ever recorded in a studio before.

4*
VIK./BMG


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