I'm still not used to the judges and Ryan walking in at the beginning, but I guess it will become standard. After reminding us about losing Alexis, Ryan asks about how uncomfortable it was to the judges. The judges thought it was tough, because Alexis was picking bad song choices. Paula is hoping for artistic integrity. Simon hopes for originality.
After welcoming America to the top 10 we start the night off with a video explaining Motown. Berry Gorry helped explain how Motown was the music of the people. The contestants have an opportunity to go to Detroit. (We learn later on that Michael couldn't go because he was sick.) The contestants get to meet Barry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. They then get to wander the Motown studios. Smokey Robinson will be the mentor this week.
Matt Giraud Let's Get It On Matt was floored being around Smokey, but he hoped that he did the song justice. Smokey loved it and he thought Marvin Gaye would have loved it as well. After a little bit of jitter in the beginning, his strength comes in his falsetto. I'm still not a fan of the bobble that Matt's head makes. He also attempts a weird shuffle. Vocally it was there, though. Randy was happy because he set the tone for the night. He loved the vocal runs and falsetto. Kara thinks the girls would get it on. She liked how he started on the piano and got up. She is hoping for more though. Paula loved the comfort both on and off the piano. She also thinks that the vocal riffs are spot on. Simon thought the song choice was good, the dancing was bad, and he loved how the voice fit the song.
Kris Allen How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you) Kris was also very nervous, but Smokey seemed excited. He starts off slow, but picks up quickly. For some reason, his microphone was causing a little feedback. I was afraid that the performance would be very James Taylor, but it ended up quite original. Kara loved that he was original. She appreciates the artistry. Paula loves the comfort level, his personality, and the vocals. Simon thought it was good to do his version, he just wishes that he believes in himself. Randy likes the consistency and he wants him to continue down that path.
Scott Macintyre You Can't Hurry Love Who dresses Scott? Scott hopes not to make it too feminine. Smokey likes the modern take he had. He starts off slow, but like Kris, quickly speeds. His voice continues to waver funny when he sings, probably because he has to move his hands while singing causing shakes. Paula thought that he was both creative and still good on the piano. Simon thought it wasn't the best version. He thought the piano was wrong, the backup singers were bad, and the performance was cheap. He's picking the wrong songs. Randy agrees; he calls it hotel-styled. He needs to take risks. Kara appreciates that he picked a song with tempo, but she didn't like how he took liberties on the melody. While interviewing Scott, Paula pulls out crayons and coloring books and throws it at Simon. Scott also jokes about his pants being pink.
Megan Joy For Once in My Life Smokey calls Megan a cabaret/jazz hybrid. He likes it because she's quite original. She starts off a little pitchy and doesn't really recover. It sounded better in the preview. Her low key is flat. She then squeaks at a lot of the high notes. If she did the performance with just the piano, it would have been better. Randy thought it was a train wreck. The tempo didn't fit her vibrato. It was too rushed and hectic. Kara agrees and suggests "My Guy." The voice was bad, and the song dominated her. Paula calls her stunningly beautiful, but agrees with the other two. She thought at first it was too low, but then it was too high. Simon called it horrible and he wants Megan to fire her advisor.
Anoop Desai Ooh Baby, Baby Smokey found the song really sentimental and Anoop blew him away. I'm over the backup singers and I find Anoop's College wardrobe. Any performance after Megan seems 100 times better; Anoop is smooth with his falsetto and airy execution. Kara thinks that the song chosen was hard to sing. She thought there were a few points in the falsetto that were bad, but the performance overall was good. She likes the potential, but hopes he could be more creative. Paula wants more confidence, but liked how sweet he sings. Simon thought the vocals were great, but he looked sleepy when he performed. He thought it was musical-esque. Randy wants the combination of vocals and tempo.
Michael Sarver Ain't Too Proud to Beg Michael wants to "church up" his performance. Smokey wants more aggression. He doesn't want Michael to sweet talk the song. His performance seems decent, he uses a little too much gruff, and then shakes other girls hands. For the song's story line, he probably shouldn't. The vocal is a little weak for the song. He ends a little awkwardly. Paula thought the performance was Vegas/lounge. She wanted him to dominate the song. Simon couldn't wait for it to end, since he was screaming and shouting. He thinks Michael has no chance of winning. It was below par. Randy thought the song was too big for him. Michael's not R&B and he made it a little cheesy. Kara wants more artistry.
Lil Rounds Heatwave Smokey loves Lil's voice and they got some time to talk. Lil got choked up seeing the progression of history. Smokey appreciates the legacy. (As an aside, Aretha wasn't Motown.) She seems like a little weak tonight, it was a little flat whenever she would walk places. I do appreciate her interaction with the backup singers. Randy thought the song was weak in the beginning, but the end was good. It wasn't the right song for her because the notes were rushed. Kara calls her pretty. She didn't nail the performance, because she picked a song with vocal riffs. She also screamed at points and she wants effortlessness. Paula disagrees, because she likes the fresh vocal power. Simon thought it was a tribute to Motown, but he wouldn't have picked the song. Simon was looking for a moment.
Adam Lambert Tracks of My Tears Smokey was surprised by the performance; he loved how tender, sweet, and soft Adam performed. He attempts an unplugged version and it's really pretty. His high notes are sweet and nothing is overpowering or shrieky. Smokey gives him a standing ovation. Kara stands and applauds him. She thought it was one of the best performances of the night and appreciated the artistry. Paula loves how he's instinctive and how surprising it is. She finds him exciting. Simon thought it was the best performance of the night. He had the combination of everything that the judges were complaining about. Randy loved how he showed tender moments with his arsenal of vocal range.
Danny Gokey Get Ready Danny wanted to pick a fun song to get people. He left the spaces for the background singers, but Smokey tells him to put it back in. It turns out that he doesn't listen to Smokey. That's just mean. Vocally it's decent, but the high amount of colors got me a little dizzy. He gets quite squeaky at the high notes. Paula loved the performance and thought it was first class. Simon thought it was clumsy and amateur. Randy loved the voice but it wasn't the best performance. Kara liked the personality, but it was good, not great.
Allison Iraheta Papa Was a Rolling Stone Allison wants to show funk. Allison messed up the lyrics a little bit, but Smokey has confidence in her. The arrangement is funky and Allison powers through the song. I'm not sure if she murmured words, but it was oddly fitting in the middle. She ends the performance with a really strong high note. Randy thought she was blazing hot. Kara wants America to vote for her, she has natural chops. Paula has a moustache on her face, but her opinions are positive. Simon calls her a survivor and it was one of her best performances.
Who is going home? If it isn't Michael or Megan, I'll be floored. I personally want to see Scott gone soon, but I can wait three weeks while Michael, Megan, and Kris get eliminated.