American Idol Season 8 Episode 23: The Top 10 Perform

Tonight, the top 10 are singing Motown songs, with Smokey Robinson as the mentor. There’s the usual video package showing the history of the genre and mentor and then we start with the whoring for America’s votes!

Matt is singing “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye. He starts at the piano but gets up after a few bars. That’s a mistake because he’s got soul on piano but is the dorkiest, most rhythmless white boy in the world without it. He sounds good but relies too much on his falsetto. Randy thought Matt set the tone for the night. Kara wanted him to do more but says it was solid. Simon says it was a cool performance and what Matt should be singing all the time.

Kris is also doing Marvin Gaye – “How Sweet It Is.” He’s on his guitar and doing a bluesy take on the James Taylor version. It’s awesome and I love it but mostly I’m so distracted by how Kris looks more like Hal Sparks each week. Kara says he did everything right and Paula thinks he’s come into his own. Simon thought it was a smart performance but advises him to have more confidence.