Kicking off the show was Reed Grimm who gives a jazz twist to 'Moves Like Jagger', while the 13th guy, Jermaine Jones, closes the show with a cover of 'Dance With My Father'.
- Feb 29, 2012
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" season 11 was back on Tuesday, February 28 with the male semifinalists taking the stage on the first live show. Reed Grimm was the lucky number one and he performed a jazz version of Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" while playing the drums.
"I'm glad it was you that was bold enough to start off this great Season 1-1 tonight. Great choice," Randy Jackson commented on the performance. "It brought shades to us like Casey [Abrams] from last season."
Next, Adam Brock showed his strong vocals with a rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Think". The 27-year-old father sang it to unleash "the large black woman trapped inside" him. Jennifer Lopez loved "the big finish."
Deandre Brackensick chose to perform "Reason" by Earth, Wind & Fire. J.Lo gushed, "Your voice is so perfect to me," while Randy said that the 17-year-old boy is the most commercial guy he's ever seen on the show.
Colton Dixon sang Paramore's "Decode" and started it out by sitting behind the piano. At the end of the performance, he stood on top of the piano. "Indie Alt Rocker...wow," so Randy gushed. J.Lo called him a "relevant artist," and Steven Tyler agreed to it.
For his performance, Jeremy Rosado picked Sara Bareilles' "Gravity". J.Lo said she enjoyed the performance that she forgot she was judging. Randy, meanwhile, stated, "America, meet Jeremy! America, you guys need to know about Jeremy."
Aaron Marcellus made a stellar performance with Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye". He got a standing ovation from the judges. In his comment, Steven said Aaron raised the bar and he's the whole package.
Chase Likens stayed true to his country root and sang "Storm Warning" by Hunter Hayes. Steven thought that the 21-year-old West Virginia guy looks like Brendan Fraser. Although his performance wasn't a standout, the judges only had good words for him.
Next up, Creighton Fraker performed Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors". Steven called it "stupendous", with J.Lo adding that he showed "all the dynamics in his voice."
Phillip Phillips opts for Phil Collins' song "In the Air Tonight". J.Lo said he is "one of the most special talents," while Steven commented, "You got a crazy kind of voice." Randy, meanwhile, praised him for being so unique and so different for this show.
Eben Franckewitz took a big risk by covering Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain". The judges admitted it wasn't "all perfect," but they admired his effort. Steven added that he has a true, straight, beautiful voice for a 15-year-old boy.
Heejun Han sang "Angels" by Robbie Williams. J.Lo thought the song didn't show his voice which is "smooth as silk," which was echoed by Steven. Still, Randy called him a "mad talented guy."
Joshua Ledet wowed the judges with his performance of Jennifer Hudson's "You Pulled Me Through". J.Lo gushed, "That voice is from another world," as Steven praised the 19-year-old boy, "You are the voice the world is waiting to hear."
Before the show was wrapped, the 13th guy which was teased last week was revealed. It's Jermaine Jones who was brought back by the judges and he tried to win the audience's heart by singing Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father". The judges gave him a standing ovation.
The top 12 female finalists will take turns showing off their vocals on Wednesday, February 29. The results will announced a day later on Thursday.
