Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The hometown celebrations are over.

Now it’s time to get back down to business for the Top 3 on American Idol.

The Top 3 on American Idol, Alex Preston, Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson. (FOX Photo)

This week, getting down to business means singing a song selected by the Idol judges, singing a song selected by mentor Randy Jackson (all together now, a loud groan) and recreating a previous performance that was a favorite of those hometown fans.

We know that Caleb Johnson’s fan request song will be “Dazed and Confused.” I haven’t seen a report of what fans have picked for Alex Preston and Jena Irene.

At stake, of course, is a spot in next week’s Idol finale.

Here’s how I’m ranking the Idols heading into Wednesday’s Top 3 show. Last week’s rankings are in parenthesis.

And if you follow the link attached to each singer’s name, it will take you to a photo gallery of the artist’s homecoming celebration from last weekend.

1. Jena Irene: If you missed her performance of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” you missed one of the all-time best performances on Idol. A teenager sitting at her piano covering Elvis? It shouldn’t work, right? Jena made it work. Heck, even I got goosies. Fact is, the gal from Farmington Hills, Mich., had provided most of the most memorable moments on Idol. Plus, in my mind, she has the greatest chance of achieving post-show success.

2. Caleb Johnson: Before Jena closed last week’s show with the Elvis cover, I was wondering if Caleb would reclaim that top spot in this blog. He had a very good Top 4 week, turning in a pair of high energy rockers — “Travelin’ Band” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” — before delivering perhaps his best vocal yet from Season 13, a cover of “Maybe I’m Amazed” with a very Caleb-like ending. Better yet: He avoided any post-show interview stick-foot-in-mouth incidents.

3. Alex Preston: I don’t find myself agreeing with Jennifer Lopez critiques on a regular basis, but she was on the mark with her comments to Alex last week. Jena and Caleb took the stage looking for moments. Alex turned in three non-moments. In the process, the gap widened between those I consider deserving of the finals and the one who deserves to be left behind. Alex can move an audience — witness his covers of “Say Something” and “Every Breath You Take.” But he didn’t come close last week.