'American Idol' Recap - Top 4 Perform

We’re in the home stretch and there is no room for error. One wrong song choice, one too many bum notes and you’re out. Will Jax continue to be Idol queen? Will Rayvon sink to the bottom? We’ll see.

As I always do, I’ll rate each song on a scale of 0-5 along with a short blurb and then pick my favorite and least favorite performances of the night.

--Judge’s Hometown Songs Round--

Clark Beckham (“Living For The City” by Stevie Wonder) – * * * ½
Without a doubt, Clark is the best singer left in the competition, not that “Living For The City” really showed that off. It was pitched just a touch high and Wonder’s acrobatic melody left Clark feeling a touch overwhelmed, as if he was always playing a little bit of catch-up. I love when Clark turned to the piano, but this was just the wrong song choice.

Jax (“Empire State Of Mind (Part II)” by Alicia Keys) – * * * * ½
I don’t know but this version of “Empire State of Mind” but it suits Jax to a T. It’s a pretty ode to the Big Apple and a great way to show off her piano skills and her raspy timbre. In other words, it didn’t feel like a competition performance, this could have been part of Jax’s tour. I almost would have given this five-stars had it not been for Jax’s vocal issues tonight. She clearly was losing her voice (yes, Jax’s tone is always a bit raspy but you could hear the thinness in her higher register), which resulted in a few bum notes, some straining and some out-of-breath moments. It’s clearly not her fault, it’s happened to every singer, but it’s a shame.

Nick Fradiani (“Bright Lights” by Matchbox 20) – * * * *
Boy, I haven’t thought of this song since early high school! What a trip down memory lane. Anywho, I wrote a few weeks ago that I finally figured out my issue with Nick: he’s a talented singer and musician, but it just belongs in a band. The good part of this was that, with a band onstage tonight, he felt more comfortable than he’s been in a long time. The bad news is that he’s still a touch too bland and charisma-less. I could really imagine going to see Nick play on the Guilford green (insider Guilford Connecticut reference, FTW!) or The Meadows and bringing a picnic and jamming out. I’d go in a heartbeat. But for a competition like this, where a camera is pointed in close-up at him all the time, he comes up just a bit short.

Rayvon Owen (“Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum) – * * * * ½
What a freakin’ gorgeous song and Rayvon did a nice job of bringing it closer to his soul wheelhouse. While the judges weren’t sure of his acting abilities, I thought it was Rayvon’s most connected and emotional performance in a long time. It wasn’t his cleanest vocal – there were a few sloppy runs not quite up to Rayvon’s high standards – but they came from a true, emotional place so I don’t give one hoot.

--“Gravy Song” Round--

Clark Beckham (“Your Man” by Josh Turner) – * * * *
I couldn’t figure out why this song sounded so familiar until I realized it was Scotty McCreary’s famed audition song all those years ago…albeit about 8 octaves lower. I must admit, I sort of agree with Scott here about Clark’s “fast track to the Holiday Inn” (as blunt as that might be) as I’m not sure “Your Man” captured Clark’s essence. Or would a laidback, somewhat-sleepy track like this make the viewers pick up their phones and vote. I’m not sure it does.

Jax (“Human” by Christina Perri) – * * * * *
When she sang “Empire,” I wrote that Jax missed the five-star mark due to her cold/vocal exhaustion. But, oddly enough, it was that strain, that squeakiness, hell, even that pitchiness, that made me fall for “Human.” It made her performance so divinely, well, human and imperfect and utterly gorgeous. Harry is right, technicality and training is all fine and dandy but music is about telling a story and making the audience feel something. More than anyone else tonight by a wide margin, Jax made me feel something.

Rayvon Owen (“Believe” by Justin Bieber) – * * * * *
I never thought I would ever like a Justin Bieber song this much. I never thought I would like a Justin Bieber song, period. Forget “Need You Know,” this was clearly Rayvon’s best performance to date. It was sung beautifully and, finally, Rayvon just let it go. It was emotional and sweet and dynamic. Like Jax, even a few off-notes just added to the vulnerability. This too made me feel something. I thought Rayvon was a lock for going home next week, but now I’m not so sure.

Nick Fradiani (“What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts) – * * * *
I’m not sure what else to say about Nick. He is good. Clearly. But that’s about it. Just good and dependable. I keep waiting for him to have A Moment or let his guard down or surprise us and I think time ran out.

Show VIP: Jax, once again. Two great performances, vocal strain or no strain.

Who Went Home: Tyanna. For the first few weeks of the live shows, Tyanna was one of my favorites. She was the next generation of throw-back soul artists – think Janelle Monae – with a killer personality and an amazing set of pipes. She most definitely can have a great career as a recording artist. In Idol terms, though, Tyanna lost her way something through this season. She lost her edge with some mediocre and meandering song choices and, at 16, needed some more vocal training before hitting the real big league. But I wish her well, she’s something special.

Who Should Go Home Next Week: I gotta go with Nick. Rayvon just outsang him this week and it’s such a tough race.