Bon Jovi Coaches Idols In The Final Face-Off

Tuesday September 11, 2007 @ 06:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

Richie Sambora, Brian Melo and Jon Bon Jovi

It all came down to two on Monday night when Canadian Idol's remaining finalists squared off to see who could sing their way into the top spot on Tuesday's season-ending show.

Brian Melo, the 25-year-old rocker from Hamilton, Ont., and Jaydee Bixby, the 17-year-old country crooner from Drumheller, Alta., performed three songs each. One was chosen by the contestants from Bon Jovi's songbook and performed after a coaching session with Jon Bon Jovi and his guitarist sidekick, Richie Sambora. The second number was "All I Ever Wanted," which will be released as the debut single of Tuesday's winner. Finally, each young man performed a song of their own choosing.

Bixby chose Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home." During his videotaped coaching session in New Jersey, Bon Jovi praised Bixby's ability to sing "in tune and with confidence," but added that he needed to find his own voice. Sambora mostly just grinned and nodded energetically. The judges agreed that Bixby's mechanics were good, but were unimpressed with his delivery.

Melo tackled the Bon Jovi ballad "This Ain't A Love Song" and earned general praise from Bon Jovi, who admired his ability to sing "soft and sweet," while still maintaining his hard edge. There was more enthusiastic nodding from Sambora. The judges were all in agreement that Melo's emotion made the delivery more believable than Bixby's.

"Brian Melo — one," said Jake Gold. "Jaydee Bixby — no score."

Next up was "All I Ever Wanted," a generic pop ballad reminiscent of Idol singles from years past.

Bixby reeled in his country twang for a more straight-forward delivery, but the judges remained underwhelmed.

"Everybody relates differently to pressure, but right now you are cracking like a bad egg," Zack Werner told a visibly nervous Bixby.

Melo delivered the tune with a slightly harder rock edge, which earned unanimous praise.

"Pick up your heart off the floor and walk backstage," judge Farley Flex told Melo. "Because that was unbelievable."

For his last number, Bixby chose Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual," and succeeded in giving his first energetic performance of the night. He even walked into the audience to shake hands during the song. The judges all admitted to enjoying the rendition, with Sass Jordan calling it "really cool" and Flex telling Bixby he did a really good job. Gold thought Bixby's swagger was "a bit amateur," and Werner offered a back-handed compliment.

"For those people who think Branson, Missouri is a centre of entertainment, you are an absolute superstar. I've got to say, for the cash, if I had a choice of managing one of you, I'd choose you, brother."

Melo closed the show with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." All of the judges were blown away, with Werner even rendered speechless — almost.

"There's a time when art transcends what this show's about and there's no need to judge it," he said.

"That was touching," said Flex. "You're just a really good person and that's what comes out."

The winner will be chosen on Tuesday night's show, which will feature performances by Bon Jovi and Avril Lavigne.

—Moya Dillon 

Ci5 Final Result Part5 Bon Jovi

Comments

[Ch'tite K.]

C'est vrai, il faut dire qu'il a du charme, un de ces charmes indescriptibles et je pense que c'est au-delà du physique... (bon ok ça compte aussi lol) !Il s'émane de lui une gentillesse, une douceur, une sincérité, il a le coeur sur la main... le physique est un GROS plus car c'est vrai qu'il est attractivement beau et le sourire ne gâche rien !Moi tout me va ! lolEn plus il est photogénique à un point !!! Il est beau dans toutes situations : en sueur, en faisant des grimaces, en faisant du sport, en chantant... pffff vite une ambulance lolAller je tâche de trouver des photos de Jon où il fait des grimaces et créé un article spécial et je vous promets que vous le trouverez beau !

[Nadinejovi]

J'ai l'impression qu'avec les cheveux longs, courts, bruns, bouclés ou blonds, on adore ce gars.  Je ne sais pas ce qu'il peut avoir que les autres non pas, mais nous avons toujours été fasciné par lui.Je confirme Ch'tit K. "C'est grave docteur!!!!!!!!!!!" incurable je pense....

[Ch'tite K.]

Admirez la nouvelle coupe de cheveux de Jon ! Et oui la fameuse chevelure de notre rockeur préféré qui fait tant parler d'elle lol...Il revient à la période "Destination Anywhere" et déjà des débats sont ouverts entre ceux qui aiment et ceux qui détestent sa nouvelle tête... Pour le moment niveau sondage il semblerait que la majorité des fans le préfère avec les cheveux légèrement plus longs... Quant à la couleur plus foncée elle semble assez appréciée.Et oui même la coiffure de notre chouchou importe pour nous les fans... lol. C'est grave docteur ?