American Idol 11 – Top 5 Perform – Live Blog Recap

Tonight, the Top 5 of American Idol 11 take on British Pop and ’60s songs in a double theme. Each contestant will be singing two songs each, plus there will be a trio and duet. So much music! Stevie Van Zandt – from Bruce Springsteen‘s E Street Band and the Sopranos — will be the mentor! With Queen Elise gone, I am now rooting for Skylar!

You can check out the song spoilers HERE.

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Anyways, I will be live blogging the events of the night right here. Come back soon and often to check out my thoughts on the talent. Fingers crossed for Skylar and Jessica!

This…is AMERICAN IDOL!!!

Reliving the horror of Elise getting eliminated…

Video montage of Stevie Van Zandt! Thankfully, Randy Jackson isn’t doing the voiceover. Heh. He’s better known as Little Steven.

’60s PERFORMANCES

Hollie Cavanagh – “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner

This was the death song for Pia last year. Can Hollie survive doing this song? She starts in the audience, and the background singers are her posse. She makes her way to the stage. Vocally, she sounds pretty good. There is a lack of performance with this. Overall, a nice showing. I will restrain myself from comparing her to Pia.

Steven loved hearing her do some blues runs. J.Lo said it was nice seeing her surrounded by big production and could hear her attacking the song. Randy loved it! Check out her full performance HERE.

Phillip Phillips – “The Letter” by The Box Tops

Interesting song choice. Jimmy tried to get him to change it. LOL. He’s really grooving there with his guitar. He’s changed the arrangement up quite a bit. I give him credit for that. Sometimes, his words get mushed. Solid offering from PP.

The judges absolutely adore him. So much dribble from Randy. Check out his full performance HERE.

Skylar Laine – “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Oh. I love that she chose this song. She’s bringing her Country flavor in huge amounts tonight. This reminds me of her “Stay with Me” performance many weeks ago. It looks like she’s having fun up there. Rock it out, girl! She’s such a natural performer.

J.Lo loves the energy she brings. Steven just loved it. Randy said she was born to be on this stage and that it was a great performance. Check out her full performance HERE.

DUET – Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips – “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers

What a pairing, huh? Such a weird mix. PP sounds much better on this than his solo. They are both sitting on stools center stage. This is so odd. I, for one, am not feeling anything. Joshua definitely OWNS this over PP.

Steven said they need to embrace and sing to each other. LOL. J.lo said when they started letting go, it was great. Randy said they delivered it. Check out their full performance HERE.

Jessica Sanchez – “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner

Oh man. This song. So overdone. She’s really working out the hip thrusts tonight. Of course, the song’s uptempo section kicks in. Vocally, she’s working it outtttttt. She’s attempting to move around the stage, but how can she in those heels? This may actually be one of my favorite performances from her this season.

J.Lo said she brought out the Janis Joplin and Beyonce tonight. Steven said she brought the blues. Randy said it was just OK for him. Check out her full performance HERE.

Joshua Ledet – “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations

Oh good song. This is definitely Joshua’s sweet spot. He’s sounding pretty great tonight. This is much better than his duet with PP. His vocal acrobatics don’t annoy me as much as they usually do. Go, Josh!

Oh. The judges did NOT give him a standing O. Color me surprised. Steven said he was in the top two Idols of all time. Um, Kelly, Carrie, Adam, Allison, Fantasia…I can list more if you like. Check out his full performance HERE.

Randy calls Round 1 to Hollie, Skylar, and Joshua. J.Lo and Steven say the same.

BRIT POP PERFORMANCES

Hollie Cavanagh – “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis

I love this song. She’s getting a piano and string arrangement. Lovely. This might be my favorite performance from her. I love the sweeping musicality of this, and I can actually feel emotion coming from her, too. Wow. Don’t shoot me…but I loved that. GO HOLLIE!!! *don’t tell anyone*

Steven said that she nailed it. J.Lo said she delivered some beautiful runs and felt she surprised herself. Randy calls her a dark horse. Check out her full performance HERE.

Phillip Phillips – “Time of the Season” by the Zombies

PP calls this a sexy song. Very true. He’s staying closer than the melody than he usually does. Not his best performance, a bit lazy actually, but that’s the groove of the song…at least for him.

Randy pointed out that he really can sing the melody and loved his performance. J.Lo called it very mellow and he did a good job with it. Steven is glad he chose that song. Check out his full performance HERE.

TRIO – Jessica Sanchez, Skylar Laine, Hollie Cavanagh – “Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson

GIRL POWER! They all start center stage. One of my favorite songs. They sound fantastic on this. Each girl really gets to take the lead on the vocals. Good stuff.

Steven said it was  weird arrangement but that it was great. He loved it. J.Lo said it was a treat to see all three singing together. Randy said they all sounded amazing. Check out their full performance HERE.

Skylar Laine - “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield

One of my favorite songs of all time. I just love Dusty. She’s waling down a little street stage. The arrangement is pretty simple and sweet. Her vocals sound really great on this. She’s in the zone tonight. This could be a song she recorded herself. One of the best of the night. VOTE VOTE VOTE FOR HER!

Randy said she’s peaking at the right time. J.lo asks her, “You wanna win, dontcha?” And she says Skylar is winning over the hearts of America. Check out her full performance HERE.

Jessica Sanchez – “You are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker

Oh this song. She’s sitting center stage in a sea of fog and candles. The arrangement is light. Her vocals, as always, are terrific. Not sure if the emotion is quite there tonight, and I would have picked a current song. She’s young and should be doing young songs. Good job, though.

Steven said she showed how great a singer she is and that she’s gonna be No. 1. J.Lo said it reminded her of “I Will Always Love You.” Check out her full performance HERE.

Joshua Ledet – “To Love Somebody” by The Bee Gees

He had never heard this song before. Gosh, I just love this song. LOL. He’s caressing the song. So many of these kids are in the zone tonight. Midway through, he propels upwards with his acrobatic vocals. It doesn’t bother me tonight…or I’m getting used to it finally. Am I beginning to get him? *whoops*

The judges give him a standing O!!! There it is. I guess they held out giving it to him since he was closing the show. Check out his full performance HERE.

Top 2: Skylar, Joshua

“Bottom 3″: Hollie, Phillip, Jessica

Who was your favorite tonight? Best performance? Who will make up the bottom three tomorrow?

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