'American Idol''s Top Five Sing Rat Pack Tunes

This week's mystery mentor turned out to be none other than 'Dreamgirls' star Jamie Foxx, whose "Blame It" single is topping the music charts.

Kicking off the night -- and appropriately suited up -- was Kris Allen, who went romantic with Sinatra's "Just the Way You Look Tonight." Randy Jackson raved, "At this point in the competition, I am looking to see who is in it to win it. I personally think this is your best performance to date. You took your time, you told your story and you had some R&B stylings." Kara DioGuardi enthused, "Songs from this era give you the unique opportunity to show your technical abilities. You have set the technical standards high: your diction; your phrasing, you are truly a dark horse in this competition." Paula Abdul agreed, adding, "You made this amazing transition from being the boy-next-door to a sophisticated gentleman. Your quiet confidence made you a contemporary crooner." Simon Cowell disagreed, pointing out, "It was good, but I am not as enthusiastic as these three, because I thought it was a little wet. It was like taking a well-trained Spaniel for a walk. It's going to be safe and quite nice. I didn't think it was incredible. I didn't get the feeling you could win this competition."

Performing in second position -- and the only female left in the competion -- was Allison Iraheta with the romantic ballad "Someone to Watch Over Me," sung by both Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Randy told her, "I thought this was going to be tough for you. I thought, 'Allison is mad young. This is going to trip her up.' You sang like Pink but with 9,000 more octaves. I don't care what anybody tells you. That was the bomb. You did it with your rock style and I loved it." Kara praised, "I think you needed someone to watch over you. Your being in the bottom three was a crime. You converted some new fans tonight. You are not just a rock chick. That was gut-wrenching. If that doesn't land you in the finals, I don't know what will." Paula added, "I have been waiting so long to hear how you would approach a ballad. But what you did tonight had an innocence and yet was alluring. I was very proud of you." Simon posed the question, "Do you think you can win this competition?" When Allison answered in the affirmative, he continued, "I ask the question, because I don't feel that belief in you still. It was great to hear you singing a song like that. Maybe you have been overshadowed. I have a horrible feeling you could be in trouble tonight. I didn't feel in terms of commitment that that was a 10. It was more a seven out of 10."

Matt Giraud, who studied this music genre in college and got a B, chose Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine." Randy commented, "For me that was one of the hardest songs ever to sing. For me it was a little pitchy. It was good. Some of the runs came together; some didn't. It didn't all quite come together. I would give it a six out of 10." Kara added, "The competition is stiff. You need to be the leader of the pack. I appreciate all the runs that showed what an incredible singer you are, but I didn't feel you were emotionally connected with it." Paula disagreed, saying, "I love what you did with the song and that you took advice from Jamie. We got to hear a different side of Matt. I think you did an excellent job tonight." Simon said, "I am going to have to disagree with Randy. For me, that was the only believable, authentic song I have heard tonight. I could tell you could feel the music. I heard, like, Nat King Cole-phrasing. It was brilliant."

Danny Gokey hit a smooth groove with Sinatra's "Come Rain or Come Shine." Randy complimented, "It sounds like it is all ballads tonight. I was worried about the tempo. I thought, 'The song seems safe for him,' but you are the only one I have heard so far tonight that could have an album of songs like that. Forget the stuff about the connection to the audience, this is a signing competition and you can sing!" Kara pointed out, "What I have been missing from you all season is that Rat Pack swagger. And you had swagger tonight. The end of that performance was the most creative you have ever been with a melody. It was unbelievable. I am starting to think you should do standards." Paula said, "I am keeping it short: stellar, stellar performance. The best thing about you is that I can tell you can see the finish line." Simon agreed with Kara, adding, "You proved my point about the first two people who came out tonight. You came out tonight to prove a point. Your best vocal in weeks. I don't know whether it is the fact that you are getting to the end, but what Jamie brought out in you tonight is incredible. That was outstanding."

Last, and by no means least, was Adam Lambert, who brought down the house with his rendition of "Feeling Good." Randy told him, "I say it every week. It was a little too theatrical and Broadway for me, but you are in the zone consistently: Another good performance." Kara said, "My mouth drops open every time you perform. Is he doing that? You are shocking in a good way. Way over the top, but I like you. Craziness." Paula said, "I get it. Words can not describe … you make me feel better than good. With every performance it is like watching the Olympics and you are our Michael Phelps." Simon pointed out, "I love Randy complaining about you being theatrical. It is like complaining that a cow moos. What I get from you is the feeling that you want to win. You prove a point every week. It was the best entrance we have had of the year."

"American Idol" returns Wednesday night at 9 p.m. on FOX -- and one more "Idol" hopeful will be sent home.

Published 4/29/09 by