by Todd Betzold

 

We have our Top 10 on American Idol and everyone is excited to be going on the nationwide tour with each other, but we still have a competition here...we are on a mission to find the next American Idol.

 

Tonight's theme is the songbook of Billy Joel and Steven says if you can't sing Billy Joel you can't sing at all. Jimmy Iovine is back and this week with the help of Diddy. Also, Tommy Hilfiger is here for his first week of styling up the singers...and oh, they will be doing some styling.

 

DeAndre Brackensick - "Only The Good Die Young"
Jimmy and Diddy told him to have fun with this song and he tried, but this was a poor start to the show for me. I don't think this was a good song choice for him or his voice...he lost me again. I have predicted him to be in the bottom three last week and this might be the nail in the coffin. Jennifer thought it was a great way to start the show and loved that it had a laidback vibe to it. Randy said he wasn't jumping up and down...it didn't wow me, but it was ok.

 

Erika Van Pelt - "New York State Of Mind"
Diddy told her to get raw with this performance and then Tommy comes in and does a major makeover...from long blonde hair with red highlights to short, black hair...I absolutely love it...very sexy look for her. Then she comes out and sings an amazing song. She took it down some and didn't seem to oversing the song...controlled vocals and I loved it...I love Erika! Randy said he loves the new look and loved the vocals and she is one of the best singers in the competition. Jennifer said it was a beautiful, beautiful vocal.

 

Joshua Ledet - "She's Got A Way"
I was bored with this performance...he did ok, but a big letdown from his performance last week. He had never heard the song before and it showed...just blah. Jennifer said she just needed to feel like he was connecting to the lyrics...he was singing it, but wasn't "singing" it. Steven said he didn't know the song before and he made it his own and put some sweat into it.

 

Skylar Laine - "Shameless"
It started out rough for me, but she kicked it in in the middle and then hit a very good note. She started to get more into the song and you could feel she felt it. Jennifer said you're not shameless, you're fearless...you go into the song and attack it. Steven said every time you hit the chorus you sing it with such conviction...you breathe life into a song.

 

Elise Testone - "Vienna"
Jimmy is worried about her singing a song the audience does not know...she was in bottom three the first two weeks and she needs to have a moment on stage. I really, really enjoy Elise...her voice is different and very enjoyable. This was a song I have never heard before, but she sang the hell out of it and it is a song I can hear on the radio right now. Steven said that melody was so fantastic...you were beautiful. Jennifer said she feels people got to see her personality in her song finally. Randy said she had a moment tonight.

 

Phillip Phillips - "Movin' Out"
Jimmy and Diddy told him to sing without the guitar tonight...he comes out with the guitar in hand. Tommy told him to not wear gray because it is too bland and a super star needs to stand out on stage...he wore gray tonight. He still did an amazing job. He has a unique voice as well and I enjoy that...we need something different. Jennifer said you are who you are...you did excellent. Steven said don't ever stop being you. Randy said those that do, do...stick to your guns...it was brilliant.

 

Hollie Cavanagh - "Honesty"
I feel all the singers tonight are starting rough, but get it together as the song goes on...why is that? She hits some big notes, but I was bored at the beginning. I think this performance was lacking some for her as well....a bit boring. Steven said she was pitchy tonight and was overthinking the song. Jennifer said you gotta nail those big notes every time. Randy said you have that big voice and you gotta let go.

 

Heejun Han - "My Life"
The jokester comes out and sings a more upbeat song...did it work? Not for me...he has the accent to his voice and with this song it came through big time. It was hard to understand him at times during the song and that made it difficult to listen to for myself. He had fun up there and is entertaining, but no vocals tonight for me. Jennifer said she is glad he brought some fun to the show tonight and he didn't hit the vocals like he would've liked, but she enjoyed it. Steven said at some point he has to take it more seriously. Randy said he was just happy to see him have a good time...I was entertained.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "Everybody Has A Dream"
She hits some amazing notes, but I think she oversang it. Maybe I hold her to a higher standard, but you take the name of this song and she should have had some emotion behind the song...none of the judges agreed with me though. Steve said when God was giving out vocal cords, you were in the front of the line. Jennifer said this was a defining moment for her. Randy said it was perfection.

 

Colton Dixon - "Piano Man"
He has stayed away from the piano the last couple weeks, but what a perfect chance to get back behind the piano with this song. Now, this song is my fraternity's song and it means a lot to me...I must admit, Colton made this song his own and it was downright amazing...the best performance (by far) for the night. Jennifer said he sings with pure feeling. Randy said you gave a very touching performance on a very familiar song.

 

Find out who is eliminated tomorrow night on American Idol at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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