Country meets Rock & Roll on “Idol”

The “American Idol XIII” Top Six tackled two songs: one country and one rock and roll! (Photo property of Michael Becker)

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

This theme might be something out of Donny & Marie’s wheelhouse!

The Final Six tackled two songs this week! At stake a trip to the finale and a recording contract!

Who rocked to the top? Who might be eliminated tomorrow night? Read on to find out…

Jena Irene kicked off the night with a powerful cover of Heart’s “Barracuda.” She sounded like a mix of Jessie J and Fergie. I think it was probably one of her stronger performances. However, I do agree with the judges that she could open it up more…let’s see if she takes their feedback into the next round. B+

Up next to take the stage was Sam Woolf. When I first heard that he would tackle Imagine Dragons’ “It’s Time,” I thought that it was a train wreck waiting to happen. While trains did not crash, it was not as pitch perfect. He needs to open up more and for taking seven weeks to involve the audience in a number…. there are no words that could express my outrage. C-

There are certain contestants that grew on me…but outstayed their welcome! One of them is C.J. Harris! His cover of The Guess Who’s “American Woman” was cringeworthy and abysmal. I wished that Howard Stern would appear on the Idol stage and buzz him. I hope he goes home tomorrow! F

Alex Preston has been gaining momentum for the past four weeks. I was worried that this week would slow him down. I was so happy with Ale when he performed Neon Trees’ “Animal.” He gave a pleasant vocal and he was enjoying himself (finally!!!!) on stage. I hope he records songs like this on his album I would definitely buy it! A-

The show’s resident rocker tackled one of rock’s most influential bands (The Black Crowes) and brought the house down!!!!!!! Caleb was the first person that brought me to my feet, I loved his interactions with the stage singers and it was an EPIC moment. A+

Jessica Meuse closed the first round with one of the night’s most intriguing selections: Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody To Love.” It was very tough act for Jessica to follow Caleb, but I thought that Jessica was in her zone and her raw vocals gave me chills! I think Grace Slick would have been proud of her performance. A

Sam Woolf kicked off Round Two with Shania Twain’s “You’re the Still the One.” I did not feel any emotional connection with this song. Randy, PLEASE teach Sam and some of the rest of the contestants how to connect with the song. If not, we are going to have bland performances! This was his worst performance on the Idol stage! F

Caleb Johnson had an Idol moment: being the first guy to perform a Carrie Underwood song on the show. He tackled one of my favorite songs-“Undo It.” I remember performing this song at a karaoke bar for my birthday and damn…it was a hard song to sing! Not for Caleb, it was pure vocal nirvana! I think he must watched Steven Tyler’s duet with Carrie during the 2011 CMA Awards for research! A

Alex Preston tackled a Willie Nelson classic (“Always On My Mind”) for his country pick. Unlike other contestants from past seasons, he actually played an instrument while performing this song. While there was a minor hiccup on the vocals near the end of the performance, I thought that Alex delivered a heartfelt presentation and should move forward next week. B+

Jena Irene was the second artist to cover Carrie Underwood tonight. I like Jena but I do not think that “So Small” did not fit into her wheelhouse. It was screechy and I thought that she screamed her way through one of Carrie’s early hits. I wished that Jena chose Miranda Lambert’s “Over You” or Jennifer Nettles’s “That Girl” because that would have given her a moment. D+

If you have Idol on DVR, skip C.J. Harris’s second song! Jessica Meuse’s “Jolene” is 1,000 times better than that abysmal performance. I am so glad Jessica merged rock into this Dolly classic. It gave me chills and it was a powerful way to end the night! A-

Tomorrow night, one more singer will be eliminated from the competition!