It’s Top 10 night on Canadian Idol and the Idols are singing hits by David Bowie.

Ben opens the show and we hear from the judges. “I think there’s no sense in crying over spilled contestants. It is what it is. You have to put on some make up and do some David Bowie,” says Zack. “Canada made some really astute choices. We got some really dynamic performances ahead of us,” says Farley.

With a brand new set jam packed with huge screens and more lights than ever, Drew Wright kicks off the show. This week, the pre-performance clips are the Idols visiting their hometowns. From Collingwood, ON, Wright sings “Five Years” while playing the drums. “You looked amazing on T.V. Aside from that, when you went into the higher register, you really killed it,” says Sass. “It was a creative thing to do, you took it to another level. You’re not very animated when you perform and sitting down on the job so-to-speak didn’t really help that,” says Farley.

Arriving on the stage riding a white motorcycle, Adam Castelli, from Hamilton, ON, performs “Rebel Rebel.” “I spent half that song being nervous that thing was going to fall on your toe. That is the perfect song out of Bowie for you to sing,” says Sass. “I feel like I’m on ‘What Will They Think of Next?” says Farley. “Certainly the best thing you’ve done on the show so far,” says Zack. “I thought that was the perfect song. That’s who you are. That was everything we hoped from you and next time, when you ride a bike, wear a helmet,” says Jake.

Up next is Mark Day, from Portugal Cove, Nfld, with “Dancing In The Streets.” He finishes the performance with a kiss to the crowd and an awkward wiggle. “You certainly shook your cod cheeks there, boy. That was campy, vampy and right up my alley,” says Zack. “I thought you sang it pretty decent. I found it really hard to watch. It wasn’t one of David Bowie’s finest moments,” says Jake. Ben further asks Jake why it was hard to watch. “I don’t think the guy’s much of a dancer. I think the whole thing comes off as really camp. It ends up making a mockery of it,” says Jake.

With “The Man Who Sold The World” is Mookie Morris from Toronto, ON. “You chose a really fantastic song but not much of a vocal range to it,” says Zack. “I didn’t think the vocal was that good. I thought off the top it was a little harsh. I just don’t think it was a great song for you,” says Jake. “Just looking at you is enough,” says Sass. “This was a little more mellow for you. The vocal wasn’t pitch perfect but it showed a different side of you and I think that’s a good thing,” says Farley.

Amberly Thiessen, from Seven Persons, AB, sings “Space Oddity.” “You chose to do Natalie Merchant’s version of that song and I think it’s an okay version but it just doesn’t have the intensity to what that song is all about,” says Jake. “I think you did it the way you would do it. I find it relatively uninspiring for me,” says Sass. “If you had sang it with more intensity, it would’ve made up for what was lacking in energy,” says Farley. “I radically disagree with them. I think your voice sounded great, you look like a million bucks. You totally sold it as an Amberly thing and I bought it,” says Zack.

Sebastien Pigott, from Toronto, ON, sings “Let’s Spend The Night Together.” “That’s what we call a clam fest. A bit of a mess up. You still have the amazing intensity that you always have,” says Sass. “You did mess up the song, but you don’t get off track with your intensity and purpose,” says Farley. “You pooched the first three chords on guitar and then you pooped the bed with the vocal there on out. You can fool people some of the time but you can’t fool me, that was awful,” says Zack.

With “Rock & Roll Suicide” is Lloydminster, AB’s Earl Stevenson. “I’m thinking I’m really glad that you’re having me on your show,” says Farley. “It was mad cool. I’m totally down with it,” says Zack. “At times, I thought I was watching Tom Waits do David Bowie. It was really fun to watch and you sang it the way Earl would sing it,” says Jake. “You’re riveting to watch,” says Sass.

The sole Quebecer in the competition, Katherine St-Laurent sings “Cat People (Putting Out Fire).” “I couldn’t hear every note perfectly because the band was super loud but the things that you did and the stuff you really killed, you could make a huge rock record,” says Zack. “I did hear the notes off the top and they were perfect. You sang so well and in my mind, from vocals alone, best performance of the night,” says Jake. “You have just amazing stage presence and you remind me of a young Deborah Harry but you sing even better,” says Sass.

Theo Tams, from Lethbridge, AB, sings “Silly Boy Blue” while playing the piano. “I thought I knew every David Bowie song but I didn’t know that song. Thank you for introducing me to it. After watching the 8 performances, outside of a couple, you’re in a completely different league than everybody else,” says Jake. “It’s very hard to talk to you without gushing,” says Sass. “Without question, the most well-rounded contestant we’ve had on this show,” says Farley. “I thought the singing was good, if predictable. While it’s really strong and solid, it’s not very exciting to me,” says Zack.

Singing last is Mitch MacDonald, from Port Hood, NS. He sings “Moon Age Daydream.” “I love the version but I sure love you,” says Sass. “I thought you pushed really hard and that was really good. It wasn’t pitch perfect but overall, you have a nice presence,” says Farley. “You did something slightly obscure but by doing that, it felt like a Mitch song and just by that perspective, you’re the most improved player,” says Zack. “Perfect song for your range. I didn’t think you could rock like that but it was a really strong performance,” says Jake.

The first cut from the top 10 will go down tomorrow night at 8:00 P.M. EST on CTV.






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