Tonight on Fox’s American Idol Season 12, the Top 8 performed “music from the Motor City.” Fittingly, the guest mentor was Motown legend Smokey Robinson.
The Top 8 not only gave solo performances, but also performed duets and trios tonight.
The night kicked off on a high note with Candice Glover performing Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
Smokey Robinson proved to be a clear fan of Glover as he told her that he was brought to tears when she sang “I Who Have Nothing.”
Glover never ceases to impress. She infused a perfect bluesy feel to the song, while still managing to show her limitless vocal range. She beautifully revealed the smooth silky aspects to her voice, while also showing her sultry rasp.
Keith proclaimed: “ You’ve raised the bar exponentially, you have this great control.”
He ultimately declared this performance as her best.
Nicki Minaj said, “ You stayed in it completely. You did a great job of not overdoing it.”
Minaj further discussed how she believed it was really great for people to get to see Glover’s rock/bluesy side.
Randy Jackson affirmed, “You’ve got one of the best voices this year in this competition.”
Mariah Carey remarked, “In a lot of ways you epitomize what this competition is about. It was you giving soulful/R&B. It showed both the grit and the pretty aspects of your voice.”
Janelle Arthur gave an exceptional performance of “You Keep Me Hangin On” by The Supremes.
She totally changed up the song and made it her own by playing an acoustic guitar and adding an authentic country vocal.
Mariah Carey emphasized how she thought that the performance was Janelle at her finest.
Keith Urban commented, “That was beautiful. I loved your fearlessness and the arrangement of the song brought out the angst in the lyric.”
Nicki Minaj explained, “ You always shine when you have your guitar in front of you.”
Randy Jackson stated: “ I thought it was incredible. I absolutely loved it. Watch out for Janelle, she’s in it to win it.”
Burnell Taylor gave the most effortlessly original performance of the night by singing Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour.”
His interpretation of the song was mesmerizing as he really “Burnell-ified” the song.
Nicki Minaj said, “ You reminded us why we fell in love with that voice tonight. You were very, very good. Your voice is so rich and soulful. I love how you add all these nuances. It’s very artsy the way you sing.”
Randy Jackson explained, “I love your choices. You can do these little twists and little inflections. It is so smart the decisions you make.”
Once again Jackson repeats, “This man is in it to win it.”
Mariah Carey said “You did a really good job,” while further praising Taylor for adding a modern flavor to such a classic song.
Keith Urban expressed how it is so hard to critique Taylor because he is just so original.
He simply states: “I loved it all.”
Amber Holcomb received a standing ovation by all the judges as she gave an outstanding performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Lately.”
She gave such a powerfully strong and soulful performance. It was so classy, graceful and timeless.
Randy Jackson exclaimed: “This was the best vocal of the night.” While Mariah Carey described the performance as a “tour de force” and “impeccable.”
Nicki Minaj remarked, “When God created those vocal chords, he was showing off.”
Who was your favorite performance of the night?
Photo Credit: Michael Becker / FOX
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