by Arthur Perkins
 
The purpose tonight is to allow fans another performance to decide who the top 5 competing again next week are going be. One change that is delightful is that the judges will not be deciding #5 vs. #6. The fan votes will determine that, which is the way it should be given the screwy decisions last week by the judges. I must say that for once I am not going to agree with an assessment made by Piers and I found Sharon and David to occasionally have something relevant to say instead of their typical incessant cheerleading. Also, Sharon makes a statement about how she is perplexed when a new performer sets a new standard for following acts and is superior to prior ones. I guess you have to have a balanced attitude toward judging, Sharon (and David), because this should and will happen multiple times every competition round. Every act cannot be excellent yet most of their judging is missing that comparative analysis that Piers is so good at! The most interesting thing about tonight is that there are 10 musicals acts, 9 of which involve singers. The reason for this is that Extreme Dance FX and Jonathan Burkin were eliminated last week when they should be in the top 10. Also, each performance tonight is dedicated to a specific individual who was important in the life or career of the performer. So here we go:
 
Paul Salos - singing "New York, New York" the Sinatra way. I was underwhelmed by this performance because his vocal talent appeared to be missing tonight. He got through once that way, but it will not happen again. Piers said that it was not a Las Vegas act. Sharon said "just fabulous". David said that Paul nailed a difficult song. I believe we have seen the last of Paul Salos, except to show up tomorrow night to get the bad news that he did not make the top 5.
 
Kaitlyn Maher - singing "I'll Be There". That is a big song for a 4 year old to sing and her top notes again were way off. Since there were more of them in this piece, it was painfully obvious to the audience that there are severe limits on her exceptional talent. Piers said that her ability to remember the words is fabulous, but he also said that it would be unfair to put her in a Las Vegas show. Sharon said you look good. David said you are coming back. Yeah, but only to find out like Paul Salos that she is not going forward.
 
Donald Brasswell - he said his song choice was risky and he was so right. It was not a good choice for him. Once again, he starts by singing inaudibly, then crescendos over multiple minutes to a grand climax. Piers says he is not as good as some other singers still in the competition and that he would not buy a ticket to hear Donald in Las Vegas or buy his album. Sharon says "fabulous"(where have we heard that before?). David says "I will buy your album."  In my judgment Brasswell is on the bubble for the 5th spot, along with several others.
 
Jessica Price - singing "In the Arms of the Angel." She does OK, but this song does not take advantage of her voice well. Piers said something is missing but I love your emotion. Sharon says "just perfect"(how does that compare to fabulous I wonder?). Jessica is on the bubble in my estimation.
 
Joseph Hall - sings an Elvis song I am not familiar with. Joseph is back to the standard he set with his first AGT performance. He did it with panache. I loved his voice, his moves, and his sex appeal. My wife said "that's a Las Vegas show, if there ever was one." Piers says "you don't sing well but are extremely entertaining and the girls go crazy for you." Sharon said that she could not hear his song over the screams of the girls reacted to his act. David said you sounded terrific and were on your game. Joseph is highly likely to have one of the top 5 spots tomorrow night.
 
Neil E. Boyd promised an "opera twist" on a popular song, which turned out to be "All By Myself." For the first 80% of this song I thought he had lost his mind, but the last 40 seconds or so demonstrated how good he is at his best. He did soar with an operatic aria interpretation of what was left of that song. It was fabulous, no matter what the judges say about it. Piers said something was missing and he identified it as not having a song that was 100% opera. Neil promised to do that next week. Sharon said "I didn't like that song for you", but she acknowledged his immense talent with "You could sing anything, even a nursery rhyme and get away with it. Neil pretty much has a lock on one of the top 5 places.
 
the Wright Kids - they stated before singing on a taped segment that were wanted to sing like the Jackson 5. They took the stage atop the blocks labeled A, B and C. The song was "Do Re Mi, 1 - 2 - 3, ABC" by the Jackson 5. They succeeded in doing a good vocal imitation but they do not have their dancing skills at all. Piers said that he was proud of their performance and them. Sharon was the one who pointed out no dancing skills but said they are very good. David makes her typical trite remark - "You've got Talent." The Wright Kids are on the bubble.
 
Queen Emily - sings "And I Am Telling You" by Jennifer Holliday. It was excellent and all the judges were on their feet applauding, which rarely happens. Piers says you are something special. Sharon says Emily has a sensational voice. David states that she hit it out of the park, she is gorgeous and she is a money player. Queen Emily is going to the top 5.
 
Nuttin but Stringz - it turns out In the judges' questions that they are playing an original song  of their own titled "Winner". It is a winner for them. Piers gives them the ultimate accolade - which act would he pay my own money to see in Las Vegas? He says that throughout the competition that has always been Nuttin but Stringz. David says they are fresh each performance and that he will see them in the top 5. Nuttin But Stringz is going there in my opinion.
 
Eli Mattson - he is singing an Elton John song "What Do I Have to Do?". Piers says OK voice but excellent on the piano. Sharon notes the emotion of the performance. David says tonight you nailed it and made that song your own. Eli has done better in the past and he is on the bubble.
 
What does that leave us? Well, I see Joseph Hall, Neal E. Boyd, Queen Emily and Nuttin but Stringz as definitely in the top 5. I see Paul Salos and Kaitlyn Maher gone as a result of being on the downslide in their recent performances. I see four acts battling for the coveted #5 position: Donald Brasswell, Jessica Price,  the Wright Kids and Eli Mattson. It could be any one of those 4. it hardly matters in the longer view, as whoever gets #5 will not be winning this competition. the competition among those top 4 identified above will be fierce and any one of them can win this. Consistent excellent performances is all it takes to bring out the votes of the home audience.
 
The results show will be on tomorrow night at 8pm to 830pm EDT. The round of 5 will compete next Wednesday 9/24.

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