Candice Glover returns as a contestant exits the “Idol” dome

Candice Glover returns to “American Idol” to promote her new album: “Music Speaks.” (Photo property of 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America & FOX)

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Last night, the American Idol XIII Top 13 took the stage and delivered a mix of average and outstanding performances.

Who was saved by your votes?  Which artists ended up in the season’s first Bottom Three? Who was sent home?  Read on to find out….

Before we find out who was in the Bottom Three, let’s review the guest performances! Idol’s reigning queen, Candice Glover, performed a medley of her hits: “Cried” and “Same Kind of Man.” It was great to see Candice back in action, because her vocals gave me chills.  Plus, Keith looked like a proud papa as Candice performed.  He even was tearing up at the end of the performance!

In addition to Ms. Glover’s performance, the show introduced a new segment called Pacemaker.  Throughout the competition, the judges and Randy will introduce a new artist that could have a future in the business.  Keith introduced English alternative rocker Jake Bugg.  While he performed “Me & You,” I noticed that both Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot might have influenced him.

Back to business…the three artists that found themselves in the Bottom Three tonight were Malaya Watson, M.K. Nobilette and

When it was revealed that Malaya was in the Bottom Three, Jennifer was not happy with the choice. Even Malaya herself admitted that after watching her performance, she “could have done better.”

I was very surprised to find M.K. Nobilette in the Bottom Three; her performance of “Satisfaction” was 1,000 times better than both Dexter Roberts and Sam Woolf (they should have been in the Bottom Three in the first place).

Kristen O’Connor being in the Bottom Three was no surprise at all! Even though, Harry stated that he would have not pictured all three ladies sitting in the silver stools.  (I wondered whom did he think belonged there!)  After revealing that both M.K. and Malaya were saved, it was Kristen’s turn to sing for her life.  Her cover of Adele’s “Turning Tables” was good…but Harry stated that the Judges’ save would not be used.

Next week, Top 12 battle it out and take on “Home Week.”