American Idol: Season 15 - Top 8 Perform, 6 Move On

Hello American Idol Friends and we're back for another round of performances in this final season.  No time to waste, lets get into my real-time commentary and picks!

Duets

1. La'Porsha & Trent - "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth - 2 powerhouse vocals on a very popular 2015 tune.  Granted, it's mostly a rap so they just kept singing the refrain over and over again.  But they did sound great.  
2. Avalon & Sonika - "Rise Up" by Andra Day - Never heard the song before, but they sang pretty well.  Both of them have really great voices, but I agree with J Lo on bringing the feeling to the music.  The song is an inspirational tune, but their performance kind of lacked inspiration! 
3. MacKenzie and Dalton - "I Want it That Way" by The Backstreet Boys - Remember that episode when Nick Carter and George Stephanopoulos took the stage and performed a boy band tune?  Of course the girls screamed at the end of the song, but it was pretty bland and by the numbers.  Totally on point when Harry said the song makes no sense.  I'll always remember it as a 3 minute and 30 second Burger King advertisement.    
4. Tristan and Lee - "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith - High school talent show?  The less I say the better I think. 

Top 8 Performance Recap

1. La'Porsha Renae - "Come Together" by The Beatles - We'll skip right past the attire and judge the performance!  You have to give her props for showing her range of genres she's interested in and can perform the "I don't know what" out of (Props to Randy Jackson in the final season.  Had to do it).  She has a command of her voice, the stage and the audience.   I'm still waiting for someone to be able to match her in the competition. 
2. MacKenzie Bourg - "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker - He sang it pretty straight.  Nice touch with the strings, phrasing choices and, of course, crooning to the ladies.   Nice performance.    (don't judge me, I fast forwarded right through Nick Fradiani.  I'm still shocked on the run he went on to win.) 
3. Trent Harmon - "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King - Is it me or does his new style make him look a little like Scotty McCreery? J-Lo knows what I'm talking about! Regardless of his look, he nailed the performance!
4. Tristan McIntosh - "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride - Tristan is taking us on a country music karaoke greatest hits tour.  That's not to say she didn't sing it great.  Well, she did crack a little at the end.  I don't know. I like Tristan, but I just don't think she's going to last with the rest of the strong voices and performers in the competition.  She has the potential to be a powerhouse country singer one day, but she IS only 15.  
5. Dalton Rapattoni - "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles - I should've known to keep him safe last week.  I did have Avalon as my wildcard pick for the bottom 3!  But his performance just wasn't good last week.  This week?  Well, you can't go wrong picking a Beatles tune.  Maybe a little overkill on the fog though!  I like his stylistic choices with the tunes.  I just don't think his voice is very strong.  I think the band drowned him out a bit this week.  Judges and audience loved it and I'm sure the voters will love it too.  I'd rather him stick around than some others for now. 
6. (Bottom 3) - Avalon Young - "P.Y.T." by Michael Jackson  - 2nd time in the bottom 3.  Anyone else having flashbacks to Justin Guarini doing this song in season 1?   I really don't think she gave her all to that performance.  It was okay, but it could've had a lot more energy.  Maybe it's all about connecting with the home audience like the judges are suggesting.  Harry spoke to the urgency of the band.  I think that's exactly my issue with the performance.  
7. (Bottom 3) - Lee Jean - "Let It Be" by The Beatles - Poor Lee Jean.  Nice kid, but I think  it's time to go.  If you have to compare this to Avalon, Lee goes home.   Let it be, Lee.  Let it be. 
8. (Bottom 3) - Sonika Vaid - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston - By the numbers once again.  Simon would call it karaoke.  Yes, her voice is good but she just doesn't bring that extra "Sonika" flavor to it.  But, of course the audience and judges gave her an ovation.  J Lo at least hesitated a bit.  

Eliminations Recap/Picks

My Top 8 Bottom 3 Picks (elimination picks in blue): Dalton, Lee, Sonika

Eliminated: Avalon, Lee

After the 3 performances, I figured they'd save Sonika.  I guess she deserved the save, but I think Avalon has more upside of the bottom 3 we saw.  I'm not even sure how many go home next week but let's try to figure it out.  There's not really a process of elimination to do here.  The list is getting much shorter very quickly! 

Bottom 3:  Dalton, Tristan, Sonika

Elimination Picks: Tristan McIntosh   (If 2 eliminated, then Sonika Vaid as well) 

I have been enjoying this season, but this whole double elimination shortened season thing is a bit strange!  We are flying towards the series finale at light speed.  I won't even have time to process that this is my final season of recapping this show!  Anyway, we still have a few more weeks to worry about that.  Hope you enjoyed my ramblings and I'll see you next week!