We'll Be The Judge of That! - Canadian Idol 4, September 11
by Foxes on Idol Judging Staff -- 09/12/2006




It's Craig vs. Eva in the final battle, with a three song competition to determine the winner. Eva obviously has the edge, but nothing says a strong performance from Craig can't win him the title. What do our judges have to say?

How did the Idols perform? By now, you’ve read the recap over on RealityNewsOnline, so you know what Jake, Sass, Farley, Zack, and Brian think. But what do our judges – Ed Hampton and Heather Mitchell - have to say?

Craig Sharpe, “Meant to Fly,” “I Surrender,” and “What Hurts the Most”

Ed: The new Idol single “Meant to Fly” is good but it ain’t no “Alive.” But then again Craig is no Rex… thank goodness. The first time you listen to the new single, the song is analyzed as much as the singer and performance. So for the song I give it a B. As for the performance I have to agree with Jake, I believe this is Craig’s best ever on the show. I heard maybe one or two off notes but Craig gave us what Craig is. His tone was great and he looked like he knew why he was there tonight. Very, very good. Eva will have her work cut out. Nothing but kudos and hugs from the judges and me. Grade A+

Kelly Clarkson and Anthony Federov both gave great performances of “I Surrender.” Craig… good but not as good. Craig seemed more uncomfortable on this familiar ballad than the unfamiliar Idol single. He seemed a bit stiff and not quite the vocal acrobatics and power I expected from Craig. When I heard this choice I thought this would be his chance to put Eva in a very precarious position. But he didn’t shine like he should have. Grade B

”Hurts” was a very odd choice of song. This is one of the blander Rascal Flatts songs and didn’t give Craig the chance to show off his range or his real vocal ability. He did a good job but we need fantastic right now. Nothing special on a night that had to be. Grade B-

Heather: This week was the most confident I have ever seen Craig. He really performed “Fly” like his life depended on it and he made it his own. This is the best Idol song ever; Canadian or American, and I can’t wait to hear it on the radio. Great job for Craig.

When I was watching Craig perform “I Surrender,” I couldn’t help but think how far this kid has come with emotionally delivering the song. For a 16 year old he has really come a long way in this department. This performance was another great one for Craig and I really enjoyed listening to him. However, now that he has shown us he is the king of the power ballad I would really like to see him do something more understated next. He just hasn’t been showing enough contrast this week. That being said, this performance was another great job.

“What Hurts the Most” was not a good choice for Craig to finish out his set. As I had mentioned, he didn’t pick a song that would contrast from the rest of his performances this week. Craig was technically sound and performed well but I really think he could have ended with something spectacular. All he gave us was something blah. Just ok for me.

Eva Avila, “Wild Horses,” “Meant to Fly,” and “Why Don’t You Call Me”

Ed: Just as Craig’s last song was an odd choice so was “Wild Horses” for Eva. The big difference here is that it did work better and I more understand why she sang it. This is more like what I think Eva would be singing. As for the performance, I felt the jitters on this. For the first time I can recall Eva slipped in and out of tune more than once. She was definitely expressive enough and I did feel it. As for the first round I have to give it to Craig. Grade B+

As soon as Eva sang the first five notes of “Meant to Fly,” I was hooked. This was awesome. I believed every note. While I thought Craig did his best ever, Eva’s version, and it was a different version, was more my taste and a much more mature performance. This made me want to rush out and buy the single tomorrow. I wholly agree with Zack that all the colors of Eva’s magnificent voice were on display the second half of the song. Brilliant! Grade A+

”Why Don’t You Call Me” was a great choice for Eva for a myriad of reasons. As far as I’m concerned the first time she sang it unplugged I thought it was the best of the season. It was also sung several weeks back so it isn’t so fresh on our minds unlike Kat McPhee’s “Rainbow.” This song is also more like who she is as a singer. As for her performance… unbelievable! Chills and Tears, Tears and Chills. This was vocally impeccable in the biggest way. Not a note out of tune and on this tune there are so many opportunities for a flat and a sharp. That high falsetto… Oh my! Oh my! I felt that all the way down here in Georgia. Eva did something that is the most difficult thing to ever do on a show like this. Something even my favorite Idol of all, Katharine McPhee, couldn’t accomplish. She took her best performance of the season and she did it even better in the final. They have to put his song on her full CD. I can’t say enough about it. It was by far the best Canadian Idol performance Eva… I mean ever. When Eva sang the line ; “Why Don’t You Call Me…” I was scrambling for a phone until I realized I didn’t have her number. This was the first time this season or any that I can remember, all four judges giving a contestant a standing O. I was clapping like crazy after that and nobody else was in the room. Is that the same thing as talking to yourself? Yeah I’m crazy alright. Crazy for Eva. Grade A+++++ It doesn’t get any better.

Heather: As always Eva looked amazing and her dress was beautiful. Although “Wild Horses” was not the best performance for Eva technically she still managed to convey the emotion of the song very well. She was sensitive and gentle and really drew you in. Good job.

I love that Eva is a fashion chameleon. First she was graceful in purple and now she has the funky jazz thing going in black. In contrast to Craig, when I watched Eva perform “Meant to Fly” it looked like she had already won the whole thing. She was so natural on stage and I loved the way she embellished the song in her own way. This girl is a star, great job.

That performance of “Why Don’t You Call Me” was OFF THE HOOK!!! What a way to finish out the show this week. She had me hooked from the opening chords; I just put my notebook down and enjoyed listening to her. This girl is a star and she should be the next Canadian Idol. She has an amazing voice, impeccable style, and a wonderful range of repertoire. I can’t wait to hear her new CD. Excellent Job!

Final Thoughts:

Ed: What a great final. Both did very well and I didn’t have to cringe even once. I still only wonder what it could have been with Steffi, Keith, Nancy, or Greg paired up with Eva. You remember those last three don’t you? They didn’t even make the top 10. I had to get that in one more time. Craig did fine but he is not even the 16 year old Melissa was or singers I just mentioned.

Eva lost the first round, but not by a lot. She came back and utterly crushed Craig the next two rounds and should be the next Canadian Idol and will likely be the most successful… by far. The judges were so beside themselves with praise I felt like they were channeling me. Eva sang and performed so well I didn’t even get to mention how unbelievable she looked. This is what stars look and sound like folks. I may have been disappointed in what happened to Melissa as far as support and CD sales this year but I am most certain this fate will not befall Eva whether she wins or not. But she will win and it shouldn’t even be close if Canada has its ears and eyes properly functioning. I think Craig would agree. What a way to end the competition; with the best performance ever on Canadian Idol.

Heather: This week was what a final Idol show should be. Both performers sang their hearts out and sang well. I couldn’t have asked for anything else. Both Craig and Eva are so gracious as well as entertaining and it has been my pleasure to watch them perform this summer. So now the long wait until Sunday to see who will be crowned, and to see whom Canada will choose. Who do I choose? In case you haven’t already guessed, Eva should take the top prize.

Conclusion: It seems that Eva has this one in a walk. But until the new Canadian Idol is announced, keep it locked on RealityNewsOnline and FoxesOnIdol for all the latest