Brenda bombs out

Just two shows to go now and I think that at this stage anyone could still win. It’s worth saying at this point that this has been an immensely enjoyable series and all the acts, including those that have been eliminated have the right to feel really proud of themselves.

On to this week’s vital show then:

Andy – Everything I Do

This was an odd choice of a song and although Andy gave a competent performance, it didn’t have the tingle factor that we need to look for at this stage of tournament.

Ending the song by bringing his kids on stage was way too cheesy and overall I thought this was a disappointment.

Rating:

Journey South – You’re In My Heart

I was mildly distracted by the violinist in the background but I though this was a decent treatment of the Rod Stewart song. They took it and made it their own.

Rating:

Brenda – Respect

Is it possible that Brenda is getting better? She owned the stage as she took on this classic number and gave it added raunch.

She really went for it and it came off brilliantly.

Rating:

Shayne – If Tomorrow Never Comes

Trying to out Ronan Ronan is probably a risky strategy and it was a risk that paid off. Although I felt Shayne was singing within himself, he made a very good job of it which is all the more impressive when you consider that it was a late song change.

Rating:

Andy – Lately

This opened in a really pedestrian fashion and I worried for Andy’s chances of staying in tonight. When he opened up and went for it at the end though he sounded superb.

It was like the Andy that had been missing in the last few weeks was back.

Rating:

Journey South – Let It Be

I felt the boys had really raised their game tonight and gave a decent version of The Beatles classic.

I hated the suits though.

Rating:

Brenda – Without You

After Brenda’s barnstorming first song, this began a bit wobbly and to be honest remained a little off throughout.

This surprised me but there were definite tuning issues.

Rating:

Shayne – Unchained Melody

If Shayne has shown anything during the series it has been versatility. I thought this was a terrible choice of song and yet by the end he’d shook off the clichéd hackneyedness of the material he had to work with and gave probably his best performance of the series.

Rating:

Dek’s Verdict

I felt that Shayne and Journey South had managed to raise their game tonight and for that reason both acts deserved to be in the final in my opinion.

Brenda’s first song was terrific so although Andy was approaching his best form and despite the fact that he’s been my favourite since episode one of the auditions, I‘d have to say that he was the act that probably deserved to fall at the final hurdle.

The result

Brenda has been superb throughout the competition and it‘s a real shame that she won’t get to sing in the final. Somehow I feel that the competition had diminished slightly with her passing.

As for next week’s final, it could be really open but if this show is to produce a successful recording artiste then I feel Shayne has the best chance.

I'll really miss Brenda next week though. I think they should let her sing anyway.