Tonight the top 11 finalists made a selection from the legendary Motown catalog:
I Heard It Through The Grape Vine was a huge hit twice for Motown. Gladys Knight and The Pips took it to #2 in 1967 and then Marvin Gaye took it to #1 for 7 weeks in 1968. It's a fantastic song that Casey Abrams simply screamed his way through adding nothing likeable or refreshing.
Heat Wave was also a smash hit two times. Martha and the Vandellas took it to #4 in 1963 and Linda Ronstadt hit #5 with it in 1975. Thia Megia has a sweet, pure and melodic voice that made this song sound fun and fresh. She's young and dynamic and each week we see more of her potential realized.
You're All I Need To Get By was a hit in the Billboard HOT 100 four times! The classic version is by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell that hit #7 in 1968. Thank goodness Jacob Lusk had some good back-up singers on stage with him to make his version listenable.
You Keep Me Hanging On is one of those rare songs that actually hit #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 by two different artists. First by Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1966 and then again by Kim Wilde in 1987. The judges have been raving about Lauren Alaina since they first saw her, and tonight she actually provided something worthy of praise.
Hello was a #1 hit for Lionel Richie for 2 weeks in 1984. Stefano Langone used this simple ballad to showcase his fantastic voice and to connect perfectly with the audience.
You Really Got A Hold On Me peaked at #8 in 1963 for the Miracles. Haley Reinhart completely butchered this lively tune with her choppy vocals and a clunky arrangement.
For Once In My Life hit #2 in 1968 for Stevie Wonder. Scotty McCreery did a wonderful job transforming this song into a meaningful classic country story song. The substance of the lyrics truly came through combined with his rugged deep voice.
All In Love Is Fair is a track from Stevie Wonder's 1973 Grammy winning Album of the Year, Innervisions. Pia Toscano completely owned this song and wrapped her outstanding vocals all over it. Fantastic!
Tracks of My Tears was a hit on the Billboard HOT 100 three times including the original 1965 version by the Miracles. Paul McDonald took his guitar in had and re-worked this into an easy going folk-rock ballad.
Dancing In The Streets is yet another Motown classic to hit the Billboard chart three times from acts as diverse as Martha and the Vendellas, van Halen, Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Naima Adedapo added her own unique diversity to her funtabulous performance with an African inspired, bongo infused dance break mixed in with her great vocals.
Living For The City was a #8 smash for Stevie Wonder in 1973. James Durbin showed off his energetic stage presence as he completely worked every member of the audience with his amazing vocals. Outstanding.
It was a great night of musical entertainment. Fans are picking their favorites and casting their votes so you voice to keep your choice safe. My prediction for the bottom three goes completely against the mis-guided gushing from the judges: Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart and Jacob Lusk will get the lowest number of votes with Haley finally getting sent home.
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