"American Idol 10": Jacob Lusk Gets a Hug from Steven Tyler

I was hoping Motown week would be a good one for the bluesy voices on "American Idol" season 10, and it was. Thankfully there were no real train wrecks at all. In fact tonight was witness to the best performance of this season, if not the best ever. Jacob Lusk got greeted on stage with a hug from Steven Tyler after his amazing performance of "You're All I Need to Get By," a Marvin Gaye Motown hit.

Restraint and control were the mantras of the night from the "Idol" coaching staff and producers. There are a lot of powerful voices this season on "American Idol," but most have not learned how to use them yet.

By the time Jacob Lusk took the stage, third tonight, we'd seen a restrained Casey Abrams (still very good), and a boring Thia Megia. Things were off to a so-so start. Then Jacob's bio started and you could almost feel the energy in the audience. I was worried that Jacob would again over sing his song. He was told to control himself and let something special happen. It did. It was halfway through that I knew I was hearing something special on "American Idol" tonight. Jacob Lusk hit it out of the park. I actually forgot it was a Marvin Gaye tune, and I love Marvin Gaye. This is what the judge's mean when they say "make it your own." It was just Jacob Lusk and his song. It happens once every "Idol" season.

When it was over, Steven Tyler was already out of his chair on the judges' stand and on his way to the stage to hug Jacob Lusk and give him a peck on the cheek and called him "baby Luther." He thanked Jacob for the performance. I guess that's what's above a standing ovation. I truly believe Simon Cowell would have stood for this one. There are just that few of moments in time. Simon would have waited to hug him until after the first platinum record though. My guess is that's not far off in Lusk's future.

In all, tonight was a good night on "American Idol." Stevie Wonder did not take a beating. Quite the opposite, James Durbin closed the show with a rocking version of "Livin' for the City" that did it justice. He started a little weaker than usual, but Durbin really looked comfortable on stage. When he got into the flow of the song he finally cut loose. Even the screams fit in well. James Durbin has definitely learned to connect with the audience, something the women of "Idol" season 10 better learn quick.

Paul McDonald had another weirdly good night. Performing "Tracks of My Tears" had me worried. I feared a "Glambert" bashing headed for Paul McDonald. Luckily Paul is a smart performer and took the song nowhere near Adam Lambert or Smokie Robinson's version. He did only what he could do, he took the song to a Paul McDonald version. It worked, once you got used to it. I loved the fact that he wore his guitar this week. The instrument kept his feet in one spot, even if they still stomped in place. The "Elaine" dance from "Seinfeld" that usually accompanies McDonald's performance is too distracting for TV. I bet he's really fun to watch live though. Paul is without a doubt connected to the audience and comfortable on stage.

Pia Toscano had another vocally great night, she likely always will. It's obvious that Pia is a musical perfectionist with her voice, but man is she boring to watch. It's the same way I feel about Celine Dion, prior to her flying around the stage in Vegas. If I have to watch you stand and wave your arms slowly and methodically in front of a mic stand to a ballad every week I'll need to set an alarm clock to wake me at the end. If I leave the room or look away, wow, what a voice. I see Pia Toscano as a great recording artist at this point. I could not watch her in concert.

The other side of Pia Toscano is the hot mess of Naima Adedapo. I had such high hopes for Naima in the beginning of "American Idol" season 10. Those have now all left the building. Naima continues to work dance into her minute and a half on the "Idol" stage. It's not a dance contest. While I want to see you move and connect with the audience, I don't want to watch a stage show.

Thia Megia also had another rough week. She forgot her words, or at least appeared to be completely lost during her performance of "Heatwave" by Martha and the Vandellas. Stefano Langone did not fair much better when he over sang "Hello" by Lionel Richie. Scotty McCreery sounded a little strange to a country version of Motown's "For Once In My Life." Okay, so Stevie Wonder took a minor hit tonight.

I think the three that may be in danger of not making the "Idol" top ten for season 10 are Haley Reinhart, Naima Adedapo and Stefano Langone. Paul McDonald is likely a lower end vote getting candidate as well, though I bet he gets the "cougar vote" Ryan Seacrest alluded to tonight. Who do you think will be in the "American Idol" bottom three tomorrow night?