Joey Cook played it straight on “American Idol” Wednesday night.
On previous episodes, she has made her name by presenting familiar hits with a distinctive twist — country songs played on the accordion, for example, or hip-hop favorites played with big band arrangements.
This week, in advancing safely to this season’s top seven, Cook sang a version of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” that stuck very faithfully to the original arrangement — versus sung like a ballad, choruses like an anthem.
The theme for the night was Billboard Top 100 hits, and Cook told host Ryan Seacrest that pop hits are “not my forte.” In attempting to sing a faithful rendition of Cyrus’ megahit, she said: “I’m ready to show what I’m doing, the kind of music I’m doing, is ready for the radio right now.”
With her ever-changing hair dyed purple, and wearing a floor-length dress, she sang the entire song from atop a small platform with dry-ice smoke swirling at her feet.
The judges liked the performance, particularly her delivery of the verses, but agreed that she seemed to be holding back a little bit on the more dynamic choruses.
Jennifer Lopez noted that Cook was the “epitome” of the diverse vocal styles that have been showcased on “Idol” this season. “You did a good job on the song,” Lopez told her. “Even when you stay faithful to the arrangement, the quality of your voice is just so different than anything else we’re hearing.”
Cook, a 24-year-old Northern Virginia native, lived in Newport News last year and developed a following on the Peninsula’s busy open mic circuit. Her fans and friends still gather to watch “Idol” each week at locations such as Cozzy’s Comedy Club in Newport News (where she waited tables) and County Grill in York County.
The season’s other Virginia performer, Richmond’s Rayvon Owen, survived an instant vote by the viewers for the second straight week. He finished in the bottom two of last week’s vote, but he stayed alive with a smooth vocal performance on Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” Qaasim Middleton was sent home as Owen advanced.
Once again, the fate of the seven remaining contestants will be determined by viewer vote. The results will be revealed on next week’s episode, which will air live on Fox at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Seacrest announced that only the top five from this season will go out on the “American Idol” tour this summer, making the next two week’s shows critical.
Holtzclaw can be reached by phone at 757-928-6479. Follow his entertainment blog at dailypress.com/popcorn.
All about Joey
Check out the Daily Press’ complete coverage of Joey Cook on “American Idol” by going to dailypress.com/joeycook.
