Top 3: Who Will Make the Final?

Well, after a good vacation we're back to blog for tonight's show, The Top Three. Podcasts will return tomorrow. Onto the business at hand. Blake, Melinda and Jordin, an interesting mix for this season, amazing that Sanjaya held out as long as he did. A selection of three tonight. One from the judges, one from the producers, and one from the contestants.
Jordin up first, "Wishing on a Star," solid start, love the dress. Great start to the night. Judges: Randy, that was a very good vocal, Paula, Simon picked a good song for you, Simon, sang it brilliantly, didn't like the jazz arrangement. Blake coming up and it's gonna be a long hour...
Blake, "Roxanne," I've never been a big fan of the echo effect on the mic for any of the performances this year. Blake is doing a good job but he sounds too much like the original to me. Judges: Randy, liked the whole thing, pretty good vocal, Paula, you did me pround, Simon, not going to call that earthshattering, always forced to do an impersonation.
Melinda next. "I Believe in You and Me," nice to see Mel slowing it down, but again comparisons to Whitney. It was good to hear her voice on the song. She did a great job. Judges: Randy, that was hot, Paula, you were fantastic, Simon, very very difficult, your best performance of the last four weeks, Round 1 goes to Melinda.
Round 2 is coming up. Two of the three performances were solid, but did not defer that much from the original versions of the songs. This disappointed me a little.
Producers choices up next...Jordin, "Hard for the Money,"..solid opening, great song choice for her vocal range. Paula and Randy liked it, Simon thought it was a tad hokey.
Blake, "This Love," solid start, and a good song for Blake, he as a voice similar to Adam from Maroon 5, he did a good job with it. Judges: Randy, very nicely done, Paula, its a good night for you, Simon, I preferred that one to the first one, sounded comfortable, not copycat. Producers choice for Mel coming up...
Melinda, "Tina Turner", an odd choice for Melinda. Not so sure I liked that song. She did a good job with the song though and the judges agreed. Jordin and Blake on the way...Jordin, "I Who Have Nothing," Jordin is showing herself as very poised tonight. She is ready for the Finals. Judges: Randy, best performance of the night, Paula, good choice, Simon, hated the fact that a 17 year old was singing a 60 year old song. Blake, "When I Get You Alone," nice song choice for Blake to close out the night. Very smooth vocals tonight. Judges: Randy, it was cool, Paula, three great performances, Simon, I actually really liked that. Melinda closes the show....
Mel, with that performance she has a place in the finals according to Simon....recap in a few