by Todd Betzold

 

Here we are...three singers remain on American Idol...they will each perform three songs in hopes of winning over America and take that final step into the finals next week. This is a huge week for the Top 3...who will step up and who will fall flat on their face?

 

The three song choices this week: the singer's choice, judges' choice and Jimmy Iovine's choice. The Top 3 also made visits to their hometowns, so we get a chance to take a look at those. First round of songs are judges' choices

 

Joshua Ledet - "I'd Rather Be Blind" by Etta James (Randy's Pick)
First of all, he's using some other this old school microphone and it just looks awkward to me. Secondly, he had me until the end. He seemed to be singing the crap out of the song and then he went into his screaming at the end...that just turns me off to him, but of course the judges gave him a standing ovation. Steven said this is another Joshua moment...it's so surreal to hear you sing these old songs. Jennifer said you are such a throwback and I love that about you...you brought down the house again. Randy said you're such a classic stylist...this fit you like such a glove...another amazing performance.

Jessica Sanchez - "My All" by Mariah Carey (Jennifer's Pick)
I think this was a great song choice for her...it showed off her range and the way she does some of the runs is so amazing. She looked like she was ready to go to prom...it was sang beautifully, but a little boring to me...no goosies for me and no standing ovation by the judges. Randy said it was absolutely beautiful and perfectly the right song for you...one of the best times a Mariah song has ever been performed on TV. Jennifer said it's a hard song, but you did it so beautifully and you did it in your own way. Steven said when you sing you make people hang on your every note...I hope you get used to encores...I think you'll be the last one standing here.

 

Phillip Phillips - "Beggin'" by Madcon (Steven's Pick)
I love this song choice...it is upbeat and so much a Phillip rendition. He worked it out during this performance and I fell back in love completely with Phillip. He has been boring the past few weeks (he improved last week), but this was really good...no standing ovation from the judges though. Jennifer said (after a ton of cheers from the audience) you catch a groove in a song that is yours and you just ride that home...it was great. Steven said he is hoping you write your own songs...you could be a new-age Springsteen. Randy said we were just at the Phil Phillips concert right there...you are so in the zone...another incredible performance by you...you are who you are and we love it.

 

After round one...Randy said Joshua has an edge, Jennifer goes with Phillip and Steven is still on the fence. For round two, it will be the singer's choice and before they sing we get a look at their hometown visits.

 

Joshua Ledet - "Imagine" by John Lennon
It was alright...he didn't go crazy with the screaming and to be honest, I was a little bored with it. Nothing special about the performance...it was just there for me...no standing ovation from the judges this time. Steven said it was beautiful...every time you sing you take it over-the-top. Jennifer said it was a pulled-back performance for you...it was a beautiful thing to watch. Randy said everything you sing should touch you and should mean something to you...another stellar performance from you.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith
This is a big move...singing a song from one of the judges...will it pay off? So, I think she sang it beautifully and can hit some great notes, however, this song is all about emotion and I feel she missed that tonight with this song. You gotta dig deep for a song like this and I don't think she did, but Steven gave her a standing ovation. Steven said you just made a great song even greater...beautiful. Jennifer said that was amazing...that note at the end, oh wow...really, really good job. Randy said you are choosing some tough hills to climb tonight...you delivered.

 

Phillip Phillips - "Disease" by Matchbox 20
This was typical Phillip Phillips...it was fun watching the bongo player up there with him and saxophone player too. It was a little concert put on by Phillip...it will be fun to see him sing songs that are his own...no standing ovation. Jennifer said I didn't feel like it was the wow performance that we need right now...it was good, but we will see what you have next. Steven said I feel the same way...it wasn't over-the-top, but it was Phillip Phillips. Randy said it was just a subdued moment from you...you could do that in your sleep...it was just okay.

 

Now time for round three...Jimmy's picks.

 

Joshua Ledet - "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige
I love, love, love this song...don't screw it up Joshua. You knew he was going to try to take us to church with this performance. I have determined this...he really has no range when he sings...he is either singing low or screaming...nothing in between, This was another over-the-top performance, but no standing ovation from the judges...the crowd loved it though. Randy said you have laid everything on this stage and people should vote for you...you just try to deliver for every performance. Jennifer said the performance is what is exciting about you...you know it's going to be out of this world. Steven said he doesn't know if there is no more drama or a lot more drama...it was beautiful.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "I'll Be There" by Jackson 5
Jimmy wanted her to show off her youthful side, but appeal to the older crowd...I think he picked a great song. This was so good...he showed off her range and her tone was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Steven said perfect song, perfect voice...you nailed it...delicious. Jennifer said that was a good choice from Jimmy...perfect tone in your voice...you killed it so hard at the end. Randy said he liked it, but didn't love it...it was never a moment-moment.

 

Phillip Phillips - "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger
This is the kind of performance I think Phillip needed to cement his place in the finals. He left the guitar backstage, sat on a stool and just sang...simple and classy and so good...a standing ovation from the judges. Randy said the perfect song at the perfect time and your best performance on the show ever...you had a giant moment. Jennifer said there are 20 million girls out there wishing you were singing it to them...it was like a lullaby. Steven said that was beautiful...you've got all that passion inside of you.

 

Who makes the finals? Find out tomorrow night on American Idol at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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