On tonight’s episode of Canadian Idol, the last four standing take on Anne Murray songs. Yes, you read that right. Four twenty-something dudes performing Anne Murray songs? If this isn’t the perfect recipe for a disaster, I don’t know what is.

Opening the show, and after a quick breathing lesson by Murray, Mitch MacDonald performs “Cotton Jenny.” “Off the top, I felt you were a little flat. You got to’ figure out how you’re going to find your note,” says Jake. “Breathing has so much to do with the rhythm of the song. I think you totally heeded her advice, great job,” says Sass. “I would still like to see a little more edge and a little more angst,” says Farley. “It reminded me of Perry Como sleeping on a couch in a sweater,” says Zack.

Earl Stevenson is up next with “Killing Me Softly.” But first, Murray rules the rehearsal with her songbird fist, telling Earl he needs to connect more with his audience. “Beautiful eyes, baby,” says Sass. “Wicked,” says Farley. “For me personally, I couldn’t tell where you were coming from. I still think while your movement was more direct to the audience, it still seemed like you were out for a meaningless meander in the backyard,” says Zack. “I thought the singing was good, the performance was great,” says Jake.

And amping up the preposterity of tonight’s show is Drew Wright with “There’s A Hippo in the Bathtub.” Murray tells him he’s trying to do too much and bending notes. “I thought vocally that was your best performance yet. Really good song choice,” says Farley. “I’ve never heard the Teletubbies tune sound so good before,” says Zack. “By far, best singing you’ve ever done on this show by a mile,” says Jake.

With the last of Murray’s songs, Theo Tams sings “You Don’t Know Me.” Theo’s performance is so cheesy, it’s cheddar. “Two things. One, I’d like to replace with everything I’ve said on this show with everything that Anne Murray has said. She is bang on and killing it. That, however, was utterly flavourless,” says Zack. “Your phrasing is outstandingly great,” says Sass. “You become part of the song and I appreciate that,” says Farley.

Now it’s round two, where the guys will sing a song of their choice. Mitch MacDonald is back with “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith. No doubt, Smith is rolling in his grave. “I think it’s a dynamic issue. For me, there’s not enough dynamics in the way you sing. You gotta’ be more dynamic in your delivery,” says Jake. “What really appealed to me was the contrast of the dark material of the song and this gentle charm that comes out of you,” says Sass. “For me, it’s edge. That’s a dark song, but you gotta’ have some more angst. Push harder,” says Farley. “Abundantly apparent is that you have no clue on how to win Canadian Idol,” says Zack.

Singing Steve Miller’s “Joker” is Earl Stevenson. Appropriately titled, his performance is a total joke. “That was a cool ending. Nice,” says Sass. “I didn’t enjoy the beginning as much as I enjoyed the middle and end. I think you could’ve done a little more with it though,” says Farley. “I like the creative vibe, but it seemed to me a bit like a throwaway and to me, you aren’t,” says Sass. “For a moment there, I actually felt that you didn’t want to be here,” says Jake.

Drew Wright’s back with his version of “Gravity” by John Mayer. “It came off to me a lighter shade of the blues. It was a reasonably good performance,” says Farley. “I thought after last week one of the four of you could demonstrate what makes you a Canadian Idol. It seems like everyone’s got the yips, the world can change with one song but not with that one,” says Zack. “I thought playing a blues number, well, you know, we’ve seen it before. There was a moment there where you sounded like Jim Cuddy and that’s a really good thing,” says Jake.

Closing the show is Theo Tams with “Chariot” by Gavin Degraw. Theo goes for several sappy Star Search moments that include standing on the piano, throwing his hat into the crowd and jumping off the piano in a overdramatic finish. “No question, the performance of the night,” says Zack. “Great way to finish off the night. You’re so consistent. You’re the one who really laid it down tonight,” says Jake. “Yo, yo, Theo! You got on your horse of choice and rode straight to victory,” says Sass.

Tomorrow one of the guys will be heading home on the results show at 8 p.m. EST on CTV. Anne Murray will also perform.






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