by Todd Betzold

 

The Top 4 remain on American Idol...two guys and two girls...not only will they be dreaming of winning the title this season, the Top 4 will also be California Dreamin' when they take on that theme tonight.

The singers tonight will sing two songs each and a duet and a group performance...lots of songs to learn this week for them. The themes this week are songs from or about California and songs they wish they would've written.

 

Phillip Phillips - "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
I enjoyed this song...he did his normal thing, but this song fit his vocals very well. I loved how he sang it and mixed up the rendition a little. Phillip won me back...just a little with this song. Steven said he is something else. Jennifer said the vocal quality you used for that was perfect for that song. Randy said it started out a little rough with the pitch, but when you hit the first chorus your vibe lightened up and it was sensational from there on out.

 

Hollie Cavanagh - "Faithfully" by Journey
Here is my thing with Hollie...I think she has an extremely powerful voice...she can sing, however I can never connect with her when she sings these songs. She was just blah through most of it until she kicked it in at the very end and ends on an awesome note...I just think she should have gone home a long time ago. Randy said you are peaking at the right down on this competition...you did it proud...you are right in the zone. Jennifer said seeing how far you've come is a beautiful thing...you had a confidence about you...it was really beautiful. Steven said I've watched you blossom...your choice of song was over-the-top again.

Joshua Ledet - "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban
I was bored with this performance...this is such a powerful song and he did nothing to it for me. I was over it, but let's hear the judges praise him....ugh. Jennifer said it was another great performance...really, really great...keep it consistent until the end. Steven said you sang your toosh off again...I loved it. Randy said everything that you do, I am so excited to see what you do...you are an amazing artist with a ginormous career ahead of you.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "Steal Away" by Etta James
This girl is amazing...this was such an awesome performance. She had so much spunk and sass and I loved it. The problem she has been hearing is singing songs for her age and that definitely was not for her age. Jennifer said she is one of the best singers out there right now. Steven said he loved it...you nailed that. Randy said your vocals are ridiculous...amazing again.

 

Phillip and Joshua - "This Love" by Maroon 5
This song clearly favors Phillip tonight and I am totally not feeling it for Joshua tonight...he is boring tonight. Steven said everything about that is perfect...great mixture of vocals. Jennifer said it would be like Adam Levine and Usher coming together to sing...it was an unexpected treat. Randy said you guys had fun with it...it sounded amazing.

 

Hollie and Jessica - "Eternal Flame" by The Bangles
These are two powerful voices joining forces and they did an excellent job...they both look about four feet tall, but their voices are so powerful...plus, they were both on swings, so that brought out there youthful vibe back. Randy said that was a little strange for me...the range was weird...I didn't get the best from either of you on that. Jennifer said you both have sweetness and you both have power and that showed for you in that song.

 

After a look at a preview of the new movie, "Rock of Ages," we get a performance by the Top 4 in honor of that movie. They sing "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner...it was a good performance, but let's get to the songs that matter!

 

Phillip Phillips - "Volcano" by Damien Rice
So, Phillip won me back tonight...he did his thing and it was enjoyable. He didn't do anything over the top and different, but I felt these two song choices were so good for him. This was simple and a black stage and he was excellent. Steven said I heard the musician that time...that's the kind of song I could listen in headphones over and over again. Jennifer said very few people could have pulled that off on a competition show like this...that's not an easy thing to do...one of the most beautiful, poignant I've ever seen on this show. Randy said this is what it's all about...one of your best performances on the whole season. They all loved it, but no standing ovation...will Joshua get his normal standing ovation tonight?

 

Hollie Cavanagh - "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt
No Hollie, you can't me love you and you definitely didn't with this performance...both songs tonight bored me and no emotion in them. This song is beyond emotional and it just fell short for me. You want to win...you feel it like Bonnie did. Steven said it's not so much how you sing that song but how you sing the words...it fell short dynamically. Jennifer said you are trying to make America love you and that's the hook you needed to take...it fell short. Randy said in this competition now you need moments and this song gave you nowhere to go...wrong choice at the wrong time for me.

 

Joshua Ledet - "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown
My own moment to vent: when you cover The Voice and Idol, you tend to hear the same songs over and over again...can they get a different playbook next season please? Back to Joshua and his screaming...some say it is his soul coming out...well, he can keep the soul inside him. I just am not a fan and it is screeching to me...over it. And guess what...the judges gave him a standing ovation...they so favor him each and every week and it's getting old. You praise Phillip, but you don't stand for him? Steven said neither a man nor a woman has sang with that compassion on this show ever...I can go home right now. Jennifer said people at home may have seen everything you have to give, but we haven't...that was sickening. Randy said everyone that saw this got something from this...the greatest song for you and the greatest performance of any singing show ever.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Holliday
This could be absolutely amazing for Jessica...work it out girl. Okay, amazing is an understatement...this was fabulous. She gave me my only set of goosebumps for the night...she has such range and shows us that in this vocal performance. She blew away everyone tonight with that performance and the judges actually liked it and gave her a standing ovation. Steven said another winning performance...tell me how you really feel? Jennifer said it seems like it's going to be a real race to the finish...with a performance like that there's nothing to say...it was a real moment. Randy said this is one of the hardest songs to sing...you got up there and slayed it...you are phenomenal.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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