The X-Factor - Week Three

Philip kicked off the show tonight and carried out his promise to do Rock 'n' Roll with a lively rendition of Johnny B Good, which is a song which you don't need to be a good singer to perform well. His enunciation was bad and he danced like a spasticated plank. When you do a performance like that then are followed by the likes of Brenda singing Midnight Train to Georgia whilst looking fabulously young and glamorous then you know that you don't deserve to be in the show.

Shayne was up next with Summer of '69, he needed to do a more upbeat song but I am not sure that this was the right one for him. His voice was not deep enough for it, it just didn't suit him. Chico followed with a poor performance of Living La Vida Loca, vocally he was weak, but he danced well and confirmed his position as chief Cheesemeister by leaping of the stage and dancing with a little girl. Simon described his performance as like "The Armenian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973" which was quite apt. The Conway Sisters then did an interesting version of Total Eclipse of the Heart, the lead singer has a good voice, but it is not a good song for four voices.

Chenai did a very weak version of Mariah Carey's Hero, her lisp was very much evident and she hit a few dud notes. Andy then showed us all how it was done with Unforgettable, his voice was faultless, and it was like listening to a recording as there was none of the dodgy missed notes that we had with Chenai. Journey South then covered Angels of Harlem to a mixed response, which I feel was fair. I am not sure what their target market it and, as talented as they are, can't get over the idea of them as gigging pub singers.

Nicholas then did Let's Stay Together and it was commented that he was not living up to his potential, which I think is fair. I would like to see him do a more contemporary R'n'B song in the style of Lemar or someone, rather then big soul ballads that are older than he is. Maria was the final act with an excellent performance of Take A Little Piece of My Heart, which is probably more suited to Brenda, but she did it very well. Simon said he would like her to do something contemporary next week, and I think this can be said for a lot of the acts, they are playing safe with known classics that appeal to all age ranges, without allowing their acts to show their versatility.

The worst acts for me were Chenai, Phillip and Chico, so it was no surprise when it was revealed that Chico and Philip were in the bottom two. In both instances their second performances were better and Simon Cowell was left with the deciding vote. Wisely he chose to send Philip home.