We'll Be The Judge of That! - Canadian Idol 3 Finale

Melissa O'Neil, “Angel of The Morning,” “A Broken Wing,” and “Alive”

Brian:Twenty-nine minutes into the show, we get Melissa’s opening number. Not that I didn’t enjoy the montage or Theresa’s tune, but pul-eeze, I tuned in to see Rex and Melissa! At any rate, Melissa opened the show with a bang. Her adherence to the melody was nearly spotless and the number highlighted two of her strengths – her range and her ability to convey emotion in a song. On the flip side, I’m used to a more powerful treatment of this number and it felt like opportunities were lost. Bottom line – well done, if not perfect.

Melissa’s second number was her choice and she went for a Country-influenced number from Martina McBride. It wasn’t going to be a “most memorable moment” but it was sweet, beautiful, engaging and on tune and she did show some power at the end – so how can you not like that? I did, and I’m not a big fan of Country music, either!

The last number of Melissa’s night is the new Idol song, “Alive.” She delivers it more as a power country ballad, somewhat like Shania might have. The slow lower notes of the opening are not the best, and overall this wasn’t her best work on a melody, either. I’m guessing there’s some nerves at work here – the gal’s still a teenager. But when she kicked it way, way up she definitely pulled it off. It’s very different than Rex’s interpretation (which he’d already sung, even though you haven’t read that part yet) and I’d have to say, I liked both versions.

Yasmin: Melissa's first song, chosen for her by the judges, seemed like an odd choice for a girl of her age, but as usual, she managed to pull it off by singing with a maturity far beyond her years. How is this girl only 17? A voice that rich, an understanding of lyrics so perfectly crystallized, the ability to harness the power of stillness on stage instead of filling a performance with tacky audience-grabbing tactics and gratuitous movement... while people double her age are still learning these things, Melissa seems to have them down pat.

However, I have to say that I don't think her second song choice was a wise move on her part. I'm sure the song means a lot to her, but there just wasn't enough contrast between it and the judges' choice. She should have picked something more dynamic, something that would have allowed for more natural stage movement, energy, and crowd connection instead of another introspective ballad. The performance was technically lovely, and the last note was killer, but it didn't leave room for the star-making moment that could've clinched the title for her.

Finally, Melissa's take on the new Idol single, "Alive", was my personal preference out of the two we heard this week. I have to say, that was some corset she was wearing - I was wondering how the girl could breathe, let alone sing! While I thought the song favoured Rex in its raw style, Melissa gave a solid performance that made me think I could easily hear her voice singing the song on the radio come Thursday morning. Still, though, there was a tiny bit of something missing - I wish she'd had the make-or-break moment this week, that minute when there's that perfect fusion of song, performer, and audience that makes you stop and say, "That's it. There's the winner right there." Both Ryan and Kalan had this moment in their respective Final 2 nights in the previous two seasons; while I feel Melissa has had it before - particularly in her breakthrough performance of "Holding Out For a Hero" on ‘80s night - it wasn't there this time.

Rex Goudie, “Alive,” “Bulletproof,” and “Superman”

Brian:Rex started things off with the new Idol single, “Alive.” I totally agreed with Rex and the judges (and later, Melissa) when they told us they think this is the best Idol single yet. Rex gives us a rock interpretation that is right for him. There were a couple of off notes, but he emoted well, the song was totally believable for me. To quote the recent Tim Horton’s commercials, it was, ”Steeped!”

For his second number, Rex got to sing his own choice, Blue Rodeo’s “Bulletproof.” I was impressed – he sang it even better than his last number! This was his most unpretentious, real, adult vocal presentation of the year… this is a Rex I could have liked more, had we seen him all season.

The last number of the night was Rex singing the judges choice, “Superman,” by Five For Fighting. Again, Rex does a real good job on this whimsical number, and he was smart enough to know that this was a time to go “understated.” Where has THIS Rex been all season – the one without constant cheesy faces for the girls, missed melodies and bad dance moves? The guy with the simple, honest delivery? Wow, huh? Though Rex – it isn’t a hockey song, that’s just the name of the band Clearly, this show has been Rex’s best work all season – Rex came to COMPETE!