Here's a rundown of last night Idols action:
From the press release:
The Top 9 Idols were dressed to the nines last nights show themed Divas & Crooners, which allowed them to select some of the smoothest, swingiest, and most romantic songs of the modern era.
Yolanda
Yolanda Nabo was up first in a flirty black, tan and beige cocktail dress, singing the Destiny’s Child ballad “Say My Name”.
“I’m a fan of yours,” Dave admitted. “You may be just a little short on confidence, but it’s growing every week.” Mara also advised that “You have a beautiful voice, but you can’t be shy in this industry.”
Gareth said he didn’t like her performance last week, but he did this week. “It was a really positive choice of song,” Randall agreed, “I think you did a really good job.”
To vote for Yolanda, dial 086 22 777 01, or SMS “Yolanda” to 34680.
Bjorn
Björn Blignaut, resplendent in a black suit and crisp white shirt, sang the Van Morrison ballad, “Have I Told You Lately”, which was a chart hit for Rod Stewart.
Reacting to Mara’s complaints last week about feeling ignored, old smoothie Björn took the opportunity to present the only female judge with a red rose. “I think it’s fair to say it’s not often that a contestant is more stylish than Mr. Moss and Mr. Abrahams put together,” Dave praised. But he only thought Bjorn did “an OK job”.
Björn made Mara “feel like a young girl again”, though. “You’re a star!” she praised. “I told you bribery would work!” Gareth laughed. “That was smooth, sophisticated… just top class,” he praised. Randall complimented Björn on his “sartorial elegance” and added that his singing was “as finely tailored.”
Björn’s voting number is 086 22 777 14, or SMS “Björn” to 34680.
Andriëtte Norman
In her elegant midnight blue cocktail dress and high heels, Andriëtte Norman put a whole new spin on Michael Bolton’s “Said I Loved You… But I Lied”.
Dave thought she didn’t pull it off like he knows she can. “You’re a beautiful singer,” Mara said, but advised Andriëtte to concentrate more on her singing and her performance. “But you’re still my favourite singer,” she added.
“Like Brian Habana can run, Andriëtte can sing,” Gareth summed it up. “The colour of your dress is more than appropriate, because that was ‘blue-eyed soul’,” Randall praised.
To vote for Andriëtte, 086 22 777 06, or SMS “Andriëtte” to 34680.
Carla Louw
Last week the judges said they wanted to see a different side of Carla Louw’s stage persona and tonight, in a sexy black halterneck dress, that’s exactly what she delivered with a Sixties hit by The Shirelles, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”.
“Unless an artist has a gimmick, they remain just any other singer. I don’t think you’re just any other singer, you’re something special,” Dave praised her.
“You certainly did show me another side,” Mara admitted. “What a relief!” Gareth sighed, “I’d given up on you and now you’re back. I love you.” Even Randall agreed that it was “a very nice arrangement and a consummate performance.”
Carla’s voting number is 086 22 777 13, or SMS “Carla” to 34680.
Daniel Büys
In a classic black suit jazzed up with funky “takkies”, Daniel Büys changed the pace a bit with jazz whizzkid Jamie Cullum’s upbeat “Old Devil Moon”. “
Risky choice,” said Dave, “I’m not sure you connected well with that song.” Mara agreed: “The song was here and you were over there,” she criticized.
“You have to be pretty confident to take on a song like that one, and for that you do deserve some credit,” Gareth allowed. “The song, the arrangement… way beyond your ambit,” was Randall’s summary judgement.
Vote for Dan on 086 22 777 09, or SMS “Daniel” to 34680
Munro du Toit
Munro du Toit dressed up in a white suit jacket with a black and white striped shirt and white shoes to bring his own unique “Munro touch” to the Neil Diamond hit “Sweet Caroline”.
“Had it been anybody else I would have lambasted them,” said Dave, “but you get away with murder, dude.” Mara loved it: “That was good, you ‘gooi’d’!”
Gareth used the opportunity to make his World Cup “Olé” noise. “It was entertaining like visiting a karaoke bar after a couple of tequilas is entertaining,” was Randall’s backhanded compliment. “He’s just jealous because I also have a white jacket on,” Munro shot right back.
Munro’s voting number is 086 22 777 12, or SMS “Munro” to 34680.
Jody Williams
Looking all grown-up in a beautiful black evening gown, Jody Williams sang “Over And Over”, by Puff Johnson.
“An interesting song choice,” Dave commented. “A lot of people are going to connect with that song.” Mara’s advice to her was not to pick a song where her voice disappears.
Gareth thought it was the most boring song he’d ever heard. “For someone who’s been so good all the way, that was your most average performance,” he criticised. “This week you left us drifting, to be honest,” Randall agreed.
To vote for Jody, dial 086 22 777 11, or SMS “Jody” to 34680.
Caroline Borole
In her slinky, champagne-coloured slip dress Caroline Borole referenced the biggest diva of all, Mariah Carey, with “Anytime You Need A Friend”.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Dave admitted. “It started off slow and going nowhere and then you took it to new level… which also went nowhere.” Mara agreed. “You seem to be losing it,” she warned, “you don’t interpret your songs in the right way.”
Gareth didn’t want to disagree with Dave and Mara, “but I really like you,” he said regretfully. “It's a towering arrangement and massive song,” Randall commented, “which means you have to be even bigger. Unfortunately you weren’t.”
Caroline’s voting number is 086 22 777 08, or SMS “Caroline” to 34680.
Tender Mavundla
Finally it was Tender Mavundla’s turn to show of her skintight, off-the-shoulder black gown and belt out the Mary Mary gospel hit, “Shackles (Praise You)”.
“It’s safe to say that you really epitomize a diva, and probably the best diva we ever had,” said Dave. “You’ve got such personality and you look like star. You sound like a star,” Mara praised.
“I love that about you,” Gareth agreed. “You epitomize a lot of good things about South Africa.” “I thought Mary J Blige was in Cape Town tonight,” Randall quipped.
Vote for Tender at 086 22 777 03, or SMS “Tender” to 34680.