11 Finalists Compete - Recap

Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Pia Toscano, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are left in the competition and tonight they are singing Motown. The judges all come down and take their seats and Ryan comes out and shows a clip of Berry Gordy, the creator of Motown records. They are going to have the contestants to have to try to master the sound and perform it well. Ryan talks to Randy and asks why Motown has lasted so long and Randy says that it was inspirational. Jennifer says that she is sure that the contestants have picked good songs. Steven says that Motown affected him by wanting to make out with girls. Ryan teases and says that is not the only thing he was doing because Liv is in the audience. Ryan says that she is going to need earmuffs for part of the show.

First up to show that they have what it takes is Casey Abrams and he is going to be singing “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye. He comes out on stage and does a good job. Steven says that he is a perfect performer with perfect pitch. Jennifer says that that he knows who he is and that there is no one out there with his sound. Randy says that he liked it and that he is doing a great job.

Thia Megia is up now and she is going to be singing “Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas. She comes out the stage and it is good, but it is clear that she is holding back. Jennifer says that it was great to see her let loose and she says that it was good and wants her to dig down even deeper because she’s got it in her. Randy says that changing it up made her different. However, she needs to push. Steven says that he is good with it. Thia says that she felt good loosening up.

Up next is Jacob Lusk and he is going to be singing “Your All I Need” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. He comes out on stage and blows it out of the water. At the end of the song, Steven goes on stage and gives Jacob a hug and tells that he did an amazing job. Randy says that Berry Gordy is sitting somewhere saying Oh My God. He says that he was amazing. Steven says that he was blown away and that he used his voice in the right way. Jennifer loved it as well. Ryan has fun with the fact that Steven hugged him and that Jacob hugged his grandma that he allows a bunch of girls to hug and kiss Jacob.

Lauren Alaina is up next and she is going to be singing “You Keep Me Hanging On” by Supremes. She comes out and is in perfect pitch. Steven tells that she doesn’t listen to anyone because she did an amazing job and week by week she gets better. Jennifer says that she looks amazing and says that she had so much attitude in it and it was a really good job. Randy says that Lauren is kicking her swagger up and it was great.

Stefano Langone is next and he is going sing “Hello” by Lionel Richie. He comes out on stage and has a issue of not being able to open his eyes. He falls short of perfection this week and Jennifer says that he can sing, but he needs to connect. Randy says that he bit off a big chunk today. There was really no “real” emotion or connection. Steven tells that he needs to pull back a little and connect.

Next up is Haley Reinhart. She is going to sing “Your Really Got a Hold On Me” by Smoky Robinson and the Miracles. She comes out on stage and gives the audience a remembrance of her voice back in auditions and does a good job. Randy says that it started a little rough, but the “Haley” that they fell in love with came through and it was great to hear that. Steven says that was beautiful and it was really good. Jennifer says that she has the most soulful voice on the girl’s side.

Scotty McCreery is up next and he has picked “Once in My Life” by Stevie Wonder. He wants to come out with it sounding Country still and he does just that. It is pitchy in some areas, but wins over everyone with his amazingly low voice at the end. Steven says that was beautiful. Jennifer says that she wasn’t sure how he was going to do with it and it wasn’t his best performance, but she loved the ending of it. Randy agrees and says that he wins over the girls when he goes low.

Pia Toscano is up now and she is singing “All in Love is Fair” by Stevie Wonder
Jennifer says that once again they kill them with her killer vocals with the ballads. However, she is now supposed to incorporate the other dynamic of a performer. Randy agrees that she has the talent and says that she needs a different tempo. Steven says that she is the closest star and kicking butt is what she has to do.

Paul McDonald is up and he is going to sing “Tracks of My Tears” by Smoky Robinson and the Miracles. He has his guitar this week and sings the song. Randy says that he liked it and says that he has a unique voice. He took it to a good place. Steven says that it is beautiful and it was great. Jennifer says that he is a complete package and he is going to soar.

Naima Adedapo is up and she is going to be singing “Dancing In The Street” by Martha and the Vandellas. She gets on the stage. She puts her own flavor to it and does a bizarre dance part in it. However, Steven loved it and it was great that they see the whole package. Jennifer says that she is an exciting performer. Randy says that tonight was great and everything worked out.

Last up is James Durbin and he is going to sing “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder. He enters the stage and he showcases his high vocals. Jennifer says Oh My God and has to wait for everyone to settle down on their screaming. She says that it is an incredible thing to watch. Randy says it started rough for him and when he hit his stride, it was amazing. Steven says that he is great and he held it in his range and he nailed it. The performers have performed and it is up to America who is going to go through and who is not.

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