Who managed to be in the top 4 (or 5) of "American Idol"?

The first four tonight were Hardy Wool, Madison Vandenburg, Alejandro Aranda and Wade Cota.

With Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon and Laci Kaye Booth in the last two, the judges had the opportunity to choose one to save. They chose … Laci!

I am stunned. Jeremiah was not chosen for Laci. I really thought that he was getting stronger and better and Laci had peaked. Personally, I would take Jeremiah on Madison and Wade and even on Wool, Wade and Alejandro. So shoot me.

Nevertheless, it was a top six stronger than the crew of last year. There was no real performance missed tonight. A disappointed couple but I was impressed by at least three or four.

My ranking in the top 12: 1- Jeremiah "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" 2- Alejandro "Poison" 3- Wade "Across the Valley" 4- Jeremiah "Somewhere" 5- Wool "I do not have need doctor "6 – Laci" to love someone "7 – Madison" I surrender "8- Wade" With a little help from my friends "9- Alejandro" White Rabbit "10- Laci" Open Arms "11- Wool" Johnny B. Goode 12- Madison "piece of my heart"

<! –

->

Lauren Daigle, the Christian artist, gave very good training tips for the show part. The first half was in honor of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock.

Madison Vandenburg "Piece of my heart" Janis Joplin. Janis was pissed. She brought heartache to this song. She sang the song with a shy smile. It was a beautiful cover but she is only 17 years old and I did not really feel in touch with the lyrics. The judges also congratulated her. This song has already been recorded at least seven times in Carrie Underwood's "Idol" in Jax. Oddly enough, I thought Crystal Bowersox did it but she did it only during the "Idol" tour. Category B

Hardy wool "I do not need doctor Joe Cocker. A perfect bluesy song for Wool to chew. It brings out the charm and locks in with just enough grain to make it work. Lionel: "You care to create the core of who you are." And yes, Laine wore a cool jacket. Katy gave some useful tips: sing a song that will scare her, get out of her comfort zone. Grade: A-less

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon "Tilt, sweet chariot", Joan Baez. The fact that his parents came last week seemed to have released him. Of course, being a child of the church, he chose a song that he knew well and could turn into a gospel rave. He was comfortable, he was hot, he was in focus. He is as safe as possible. Grade: A

Laci Kaye Booth "Love someone" Janis Joplin. She owned this one and sounded very good. I liked the atmosphere though Katy was right: she was a little too stiff on stage and it could cost her dear in votes. Lionel also said she did not seem to work with the crowd. Grade: A-less

Alejandro Aranda. "White Rabbit" Jefferson Airplane. Early Jefferson Airplane was very excited. It's perfect for an EDM man like Alejandro. It's not my kind of music, but Alejandro combines this 60's drug-induced atmosphere with modern warmth. Grade: B-plus

Wade Cota "With a little help from my friends" Joe Cocker. Given how much he looks like Joe Cocker, he must have covered Cocker. It's a refined cover, but it's such a good ring song, it worked well and he kissed it 100%. Grade: B-plus

Gabby Barrett (third place season 16) "I Hope." A pretty decent song and she sang it with a lot of urgency. She is now part of Warner Brothers Nashville and is fiancée in fourth place Cade Foehner.

Breathtaking songs with the advice of Lauren Daigle, now a Grammy-winning Christian artist with a pop cross call. She auditioned for "Idol" season 9 and was cut just before the top 24.

Madison "I'm going" Celine Dion. I love his voice, I do not like it. She has the power but she does not hit me anymore. But she imposed herself without too much trouble. Katy is right: she felt this song more than others. Grade: A-minus / B-plus

Alejandro "Poison" an original song. This is the right time to seize the opportunity and he did it. Of course, he whispers but his tone is charming and he is so confident and in his own area during his own song. Plus, his guitar playing is amazing. Although judges often smoke, they are right: it's his best voice to date. Grade: A

Laci "Open Arms" Journey. Like Alejandro, she never had any real vocal training and Lauren was helpful. She gave him a very different interpretation than Steve Perry's and it was fine. Was it enough to keep her around? No. When she tried to tie, she simply did not have the power to pull it off. And she knew it. Bottom line: the competition for the votes is too big. Grade: B-plus

Jeremy "Somewhere" Barbra Streisand. He shows his range and his power by attacking Barbra. He followed Lauren's advice to make sure he was connected to every word in the song. It was another powerful performance and this last note! Wow! Grade: A

Wade Cota "Across the Valley" Shawn James. Lauren helped her eliminate all her bad negative energy, her worries about spoiling everything. He is not mistaken. Instead, it was another brave moment tonight. He took this song and absorbed it in his soul. It was incredible. Katy: "You finally started to believe in yourself."

Hardy Wool "Johnny B. Goode" Chuck Berry. It's a strange choice. It's fun and it forces Wool to move (a little), but aloud, it's not much. It's more a guitar song. And it is so smooth and effortless, the entire performance looks like the end of a cover-band night, not at the end of a night of super "Idol" performance. Category B

Support true journalism Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today.
See offers.

Your subscription to Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and surveys that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.