American Idol 2014 Judges, Winners, and Recap: Top 8 Go Back to Their Audition Songs [WATCH]
Last night's (April 2) episode of American Idol: Season 13 was quite meaningful for the Top 8 remaining contestants, as they revisited their Day 1 by performing their original audition songs and had an awesome chance to team up with each other for duets.
Jessica Meuse confidently kicked off the night with her original, "Blue Eyed Lie." Keith Urban appropriately compared her vocals to (Jefferson Airplane's) Grace Slick's but advised her to move more on stage, while Harry Connick Jr. made a comparison to Cher and Nancy Sinatra.
C.J. Harris performed "Soul Shine" by the Allman Brothers. Connick Jr. warned him of pitch problems before a producer auto-tunes the "soul" out of his vocals. Lopez felt Harris sounded more "soulful and heartful," while Urban agreed that the contestant has improved since his audition.
Sam Woolf sang a slowed-down arrangement of Ed Sheeran's "Lego House." Harry Connick Jr. told him to connect with the crowd more, while J.Lo said: "we've seen a glimpse of the magic of Sam Woolf."
Malaya Watson revisited her audition, emotionally singing "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin. Jennifer Lopez commented that the contestant is going to be a "huge star," while Connick Jr. said she was doing "everything right but still needs to work on the runs." Keith Urban was impressed with Watson's performance: "You were in such good control."
Dexter Roberts sang fellow Idol Casey James's "Drive." Instead of going for his usual country songs, the Alabaman vocalist certainly tried something different this time. "I guess you showed us," said Lopez. Harry Connick Jr. was "touched," and Urban advised him to start "communicating the lyrics."
Jena Irene performed the Adele hit, "Rolling in the Deep." In her own slowed-down rendition, the contestant was able to show off the range and drama in her vocals. "I loved every second of it," Urban applauded her, while J.Lo told her to destroy the competition.
Caleb Johnson did not get to perform his original song, however sang his version of Franklin's "Chain of Fools." "You are a blues Warrior," said Keith Urban. Jennifer Lopez agreed: "You are a soul conqueror. Caleb, you are a rock and roll Viking." Connick Jr. added that Johnson knows his way around a blues scale, however he wants something softer.
Alex Preston sang his original ballad, "Fairytales." Urban noticed that the other contestants were singing along, while Lopez almost forgot to comment. Harry Connick Jr. liked Preston's "vibrato."
The audience was also treated with a series of impressive duets -- Preston and Irene performed Pink and Nate Reuss' duet of "Just Give Me A Reason," Johnson and Meuse channeled their inner Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks with "Stop Dragging My Heart Around," and Woolf and Watson sang "Lucky" by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz.
Ryan Seacrest revealed that Jessica Meuse led the Wednesday evening's super-votes for voters over the age of 21, while Sam Woolf led the younger category. In the second half, both Dexter Roberts and Jena Irene dominated the top two slots in voting. So who will be voted off tonight?