by Todd Betzold

 

Two guys and three girls left on American Idol and the singers are coming out swinging tonight as they are fighting their way to the finals...will a girl finally win?

The themes this week are songs from the ‘60s and Brit Pop. Jimmy Iovine brings in Steven Van Zandt, the guitarist from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, to guest mentor the Top 5 this week.

 

Hollie Cavanagh - "River Deep, Mountain High" by Ike & Tina Turner
I really enjoyed this from Hollie...she let loose and seemed to have fun with this song. She's trying to come out of her shell more and this helped her, I feel. She has a powerful voice, but lacks a stage presence...I felt she had that with this song. Steven said it's the first time she has stepped out and used her blues...thank you lord. Jennifer said she could really feel her attacking the song...it was a different kind of Hollie out there tonight. Randy said she wore it out in the second verse...very nice.

 

Phillip Phillips - "The Letter" by The Box Tops
I am saying it again and hopefully I don't have to say it after his next song, but as the weeks go by I am getting more and more bored with Phillip. Yes, he can sing...yes, he is cute...yes, he does his own thing, but in order to win this competition he needs to do something over-the-top and he has yet to do that for me. Nice song, but the norm for Phillip. Randy said you changed the song and made it your own and you made it new to me...I loved it. Jennifer said the song did lack a little melody for me, but you are a dynamic performer...the way you make it your own is really compelling. Steven said he missed the melody, but the good news is he gets away with it. On a sidebar, his girlfriend is in the audience tonight watching him...that could lose him some votes!

 

Skylar Laine - "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
She came in ready to sing a different song, but Jimmy and Steven Van Zandt convinced her to sing this song...song choice is huge right now...will it work? I think it works...this girl is awesome and has such a great voice. I want her in the finals...she is fun to watch and puts on a great show on that stage. Jennifer said she gives us so much energy...you attack every song and each week we are seeing how willing you are to be fearless out there. Steven said you love music and music loves you...I love it. Randy said she is born to be on a stage...another great performance by you.

 

Time for a duet and singing together for the first time are Joshua Ledet and Phillips taking on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Righteous Brothers. This was interesting...they are two totally different singers and this song definitely fit Joshua. Steven said that was so good...I needed to hear that...the duet was perfect...match made in heaven.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner
I love, love, love this song...it's hard to match Tina. Jessica has an amazing voice and has some major fun with this song and sings the crap out of it. She had fun on stage and I actually liked it this time...I'm usually not a fan when she goes away from the ballads, but this one I liked. Jennifer said you were a little bit of Tina, a little bit of Beyonce...I love seeing you move. Steven said I'm hearing the blues come out of you. Randy said this performance was barely ok for me...you got a big ol' voice and you can sing anything and it didn't sell well with me.

 

Joshua Ledet - "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations
He can sing, we all know this, but I just get sick of the screaming throughout the songs...it's too over-the-top for me...it isn't Sunday and we aren't in church. Steven said you have to be one of the best two Idols of all the time...you are so on fire right now. Jennifer said you are like a throwback from another era...I enjoy it every time you get up there. Randy said he could bring R&B back to where it used to be.

 

Time for their second song of the night...they will be celebrating all things British.

 

Hollie Cavanagh - "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
She has such a powerful voice, but I feel she lacked the emotion needed in this song. It was a good vocal, but I wanted more for this sing in particular. She improved towards the end, but the beginning was something lacked until the end. Steven said he loved it...you nailed it...it was very beautiful. Jennifer said it had a beautiful and intimate quality...I feel you even surprised yourself at the end. Randy said you've been the dark horse all season, but you are 2-for-2 tonight...you are peaking at the perfect time.

 

Phillip Phillips - "Time Of The Season" by The Zombies
So, I don't think I will ever get to hear Phillip do something out of the ordinary or over-the-top...he does what he does and he does it well. A good performance, but a slow performance and I am still bored. Randy said he can really sing the melody and when you choose not to do that, it shows you make it your own...it was a nice performance. Jennifer said it was very mellow...you did a good job with it. Steven said I'm glad you chose that song and you sang the melody...you sang it well.

 

Time for the girls to sing their trio, "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson. With three very amazing singers left in the competition, can we finally break the streak (four seasons in a row) of male winners this season? Steven said it was great...you sang the hell out of it. Jennifer said seeing the three of you up there side-by-side is great...this one suited you better. Randy said you all have that big range...it sounded great.

Skylar Laine - "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield
The thing with Skylar is you will always get a heartfelt, emotion-filled performance no matter what song she is singing. I loved this and I love her...so amazing. Randy said it was flawless and amazing and you are peaking at the right time...great job. Jennifer said you can tell she wants to win it...everything up there is a natural moment for you. Steven said just more proof that it works when you work it...congratulations.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker
So, we are at the Top 5 and these (or most of them) are coming out showing us why they should make it to the finals. This was a beautiful performance and vocal...it was her own rendition of the song and she hit the notes and sang beautiful and looked beautiful...I loved it...bring on the finals (I'm voting for a Jessica and Skylar final). Steven said you showed America just how beautiful your voice is...you are number one. Jennifer said how could we let this girl go home...you did some beautiful things at the end...great job. Randy said this girl is on top of the leader board...the wisdom and talent you have as a singer is so pro.

 

Joshua Ledet - "To Love Somebody" by Bee Gees
Okay, like I am bored with Phillip, I am annoyed with Joshua...to me, screaming the lyrics to a song is not singing. I am not a fan, but of course the judges give him a standing ovation. I am sick of their standing ovations for him...clearly they want him to win, but I am not that impressed...stop screaming! Randy said the fact you can take something you've never heard and sing it that way, it's amazing...you're one of the best singers on this show ever. Jennifer said there are so few people who can sing like that...it's been years since we've seen someone like you. Steven said you're such a great artist...that would have been a hit record right there.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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