Click for the American Idol 14 Top 24 Spoilers

For a town as full of music and culture as New Orleans is, I was expecting more. But the talent coming out of the city was definitely better than last night’s Minneapolis debacle. The best voices tonight were Jelly Joseph, Adam Lasher, Erica Washington. Honorable mentions to Nalani Quintello, whom we barely heard.

And can I just say BOO to the judges for NOT giving Sarah Quintana a golden ticket? If she were even a few years younger, they would have passed her. Good lord, they let that talent free 16 cheerleader through. But as Jlo said in an earlier episode, she enjoys the teens so much more, because they aren’t “beaten” down like the older ones.  I get that the pop world embraces the young. But on Idol there are more older males who advance, and they rarely get the “last chance” edit. Bleh. End of rant.

Tonight, it’s Harry Connick Jr.’s hometown, New Orleans! We see Harry’s old neighborhood. He talks about how his hometown shaped his entire life. “New Orleans is breeding potential superstars!” says Harry. Oh look, there’s Harry throwing beads off of a train. He’s a little bit nervous about the hometown talent. And as it turns out…he kinda should be.

Drew Plaisance – 23 – Pretty Young Thing by Michael Jackson – His second cousin babysitted Harry Connick Jr. Family connections! The cousin said Harry just wouldn’t shut up. No surprise there! Welp. Too bad he’s a joke contestant. Did they let him through only because of the Harry connection? Because this is not even amusing. – 3 nos

More terrible singers follow. So far, NOLA isn’t bringing it. “I don’t feel like there’s any New Orleans talent!” says Harry, in a setup for the next contestant.

Angelica “Jelly” Joseph – 26 – “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele – Jelly walks in, bright red hair and a flowy skirt. She respects that Harry is homegrown, because she it too. This girl definitely commands attention, with her red hair and flowy skirt. She used to sing on Bourbon street, which sounds a little scary, to be honest. “The crowds are drunk! You have to stay on your stuff,” she says.  Jelly saves the payoff for the chorus, while she finesses the verse. Girlfriend’s got verve!  I want to hear more of her. It turns out, so do the judges. “I’ve had really high expectations…I was really hoping somebody like you would come in,” said Harry. “It had a spunk to it,” says Keith about her voice. No need to hear her sing again, the judges agree. – 3 yeses.

http://youtu.be/pWR-Nl4HphU

Tiffany Stringer – 16 – “Want You Back” by Cher Lloyd – She’s on drill team! No surprise, as she’s almost obnoxiously chipper. Jlo asks for a cartwheel. “It’s so effortless!” says Keith. She sings as if she’s shouting on the cheer squad. The only thing missing are the pom poms. Jlo is impressed she didn’t run out of breath. It was too “drill team” for Harry. Not strong enough vocally, he says. Keith thought it was good vocally in the sense that she made it entertaining. Jlo loves her. Really? That was a totally high school assembly level performance. C’mon Keith. You’re disappointing me.  Harry was dead on. She didn’t sing a note. – Harry says no, Keith and Jennifer say yes.

http://youtu.be/VH78_LKonyM

Greyson Turner – 15 – “Chasing Shadows” (Original) – Boy looks straight out of a Clearasil commercial. Hes SOOO young looking. He plays with his girlfriend back at home. She’s there to cheer him on!  Greyson walks with a waddle, like a penguin, which amuses Harry completely. He asks him to do it again. This child writes original songs, and I have to say the one he sings isn’t bad. I like the tune better than his vocals, which are breathy and kind of gulpy. He does have a unique sound, however. There’s some potential there, for sure. Jlo calls him a “talented talented person.” Harry liked his voice, and thinks it will only get better. “You got a great voice!” says Keith. His girlfriend plays piano. They gig around town. Keith thinks it’s adorable. – 3 yeses

http://youtu.be/is7htyoT-To

Sarah Quintana – 28 – “St. James Infirmary Blues” – Harry plays the piano for a jazzy singer. “That’s an old time number right there!” says Harry. He loves her infectious joyous spirit, but he doesn’t think Idol is the way to go for her. He says no! Jlo says no too. Keith says yes. Wow. She had a great voice. Why didn’t they let her through? To be honest, I think it was her age. I guess she’s too “beaten down” at 28 to pass through. SO MUCH HATE. 3 Nos.

http://youtu.be/mUIDB44zlGs

Next, Harry visits the kids in the 9th ward. Segueway to the next contestant…

Quentin Alexander – 20 – “Royals” by Lorde – Quentin grew up in the tough 9th ward neighborhood, amid fighting and shooting. Growing up in a poor neighborhood made him tough. But growing up in a beautiful, artsy city made him the person that he is today.  Quentin is wearing wearing a pretty fly outfit. Like, wool shorts, a cut off jacket and a low cut flared t-shirt. Beautiful jewelry adorns his neck. An awesome brimmed hat completes the look. AND he does it ALL on a budget. Jlo calls it “half tribal, half pilgrim). Interesting vocals and a very unique presentation. I definitely want to hear more. But he’s not quite there yet. He needs to work more on his upper register and phrasing.  Harry likes him A LOT but wants him to push even FURTHER in the quirky department. Quentin was holding back. He seemed a little nervous, to be honest. Harry name checks Sly and the Family Stone and Terence Trent D’arby as artists who really committed to pushing the envelope. Keith wants more “abandon” in the performance. Yep, with a push, he could be something really special. Nevertheless, Quentin gets 3 yeses.

http://youtu.be/gr8b46pbRxA

Mikey Duran – 19 – “My Demise” (Original Song) – Mikey and Harry both attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans. Go Bluejays! Harry admits he was a terrible student, who bribed his way to graduation. Mikey thumps a beat on his guitar as he rhythmically strums. There’s something compelling about this dude. His nasally vocals are ordinary, but he can pen a tune and he has presence when he sings. “I love that song!” says Keith. “You surprised me with your voice!” says Jlo. “Make bluejays proud!” says Keith – 3 yeses.

http://youtu.be/biqe9JK6TiE

Three female singers are next!

Nalani Quintello – 19 – “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic – Nalani is a returnee, and the best of the three, singing a folky version of “Counting Stars” in a sweet, clear voice.  Tori Martin – 20 – She wants to be a “new female voice out there.” She better work on her diction, first.  Hope Windle – 24 – “Stupid Boy” by Keith Urban – Hope lacks confidence, which the judges sense, but they send her through anyway. All 3 go to Hollywood, but not without a few tears first.

http://youtu.be/xII7DNURuRk

Ricky Dale Hendricks – 17 – “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks – This young country singer is a little underbaked. His tone is nice, but he’s got pitch and control problems. I’m not feeling his phrasing. Too young. They should let him go for a year. Keith notes that his vocals are all over the place, but likes his potential. Jlo liked the way that he moved his body. Now his voice has to match his body. Harry wonders if he can get in the ring with the big dogs. He’d like to see. – 3 yeses.

http://youtu.be/ivb_UL8kVDk

Oh that old trope! Contestants can’t find their way out of the room!

Dakota Suarez – 18 – “Dog Days are Over” by Florence + The Machine – Dakota comes from a small town in Texas where there is “none of my kind.” Oh, there probably is! You just don’t know it. Hen. He’s a drag queen, who goes by the stage name, Bianca Jade. A fabulous voiced drag queen would be all kinds of awesome on Idol, but unfortunately, the voice isn’t quite there. Actually, Dakota would benefit from vocal training to develop his power and breath control. Harry wishes the voice was better and says no. Jlo says yes. Dakota begs. Keith says he doesn’t pass singers on the effort they promise, because that should be a given. He says yes anyway. Dakota will be a character in Hollywood, I suppose. – Harry says no. Jlo and Keith say yes.

http://youtu.be/wOj6YIb4tcQ

Adam Lasher – 27 – “These Shoes” (Original) – Carlos Santana is Adam’s uncle. Impressive. Carlos taught Adam how to play guitar. Calling him a “Jedi with a guitar, Adam learned so much more from Carlos than just bar chords. Adam is diabetic. He wears a device he calls his “robotic pancreas.” Sounds like a punk rock band, says Keith. Adam has definitely inherited a few guitar skillz from his uncle. He’s good, even with a broken, bandaged up thumb. He’s also a solid songwriter. The vocals are pitchy–which probably doesn’t matter that much in the rock realm outside of Idol. What counts is the story he can tell with humor, personality and his voice. “We want to see you and your robotic pancreas again,” says Keith – 3 yeses.

http://youtu.be/-hX_wUQELlA

Erica Washington – 24 – “Halo” by Beyonce. – Her life changed at 18 when she had a daughter. She cries thinking about the things she put on hold, and how she finally has an opportunity to make it. “I really want this,” she says.  She’s from Mobile AL, just like Harry’s dad. Her voice is big and clear as a bell. Beautiful pitch and phrasing. Lot’s of emotion in that short audition. I love her style, too. The short haircut and stylish, simple dress and accessories really fit her. And what a beautiful smile!  Harry says her “thick” sound is a gift. Jlo loves her style. Keith felt her loving that song as she sang it. – 3 yeses.

http://youtu.be/A8WWzWkQp8s

Harry wants them to suck the heads today. That’s crawfish he’s talking about as he brings in treats for the cast.

San Francisco next week!