You can't blame the "America Idol" contestants if they had to Google "Stevie Nicks" before their sessions with this week's mentor. After all, they weren't even born when the Fleetwood Mac star was at the height of her mystical rock goddess powers.

But Nicks did manage to connect with the young whipper-snappers, who, on Wednesday, belted out tunes by their own musical idols and also performed in trios. She even harmonized with Elise Testone on "Dreams," and paid Phillip Phillips a gigantic compliment by telling him that, had he been around back in 1975, Mick Fleetwood would have asked him to join the band.

But what's done is done. For now, Phil will go his own way, while "Idol"'s lesser lights don't stop thinking about tomorrow's elimination round. Here are the latest widely varying critiques from our local Readers Judges Panel, who, thankfully, chose not to break out in a rendition of "Tusk":

CHRISTINA WISE, Boulder Creek -- With the "Idol" Nine awaiting their fate, Wednesday's show was more tense than Rick Santorum in a nudist colony.

Top Down:

Colton Dixon: He said he didn't find music, but music found him. Well, tonight Colton found his song, and I found my appreciation for him and his passion. Well done, dude.

Skylar Laine: This girl is made of Gunpowder, lead, spirit, talent, and kick-ass energy. Couldn't love her any more if I tried.


Heejun Han: Where the heck did this guy come from? For the first time, he got both a standing ovation from the official judges, and applause from this one. And for the first time, I think he's deserving of being in the Top 10.

Hollie Cavanagh: The voice of an angel. She is destined for greatness, with "Idol" and beyond. I love everything about her, and vehemently disagree with Steven Tyler. "Just OK?" Uh, no. Velveeta is "just okay." Hollie is a fondue of gruyere and sharp cheddar, and I dig it.

Jessica Sanchez: Such an amazing voice, with tremendous range and talent. But my favorite part of Jessica? Her total humility and grace. For just 16, she is far beyond her years, and she can only get better and stronger from here.

Phillip Phillips: He is a master at picking songs that perfectly showcase his grit and gravel. Phillip has the face of the boy-next-door and the voice of the boy from the other side of the tracks. Delicious.

Joshua Ledet: He sang himself into tears, and he sang the judges into a standing ovation. This is love, and Joshua can sing to me any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Bottoms Up:

DeAndre Brackensick: Is bad AM music coming back? Think of a food that you can't stand: Anchovies. Sweetbreads. Pickled jellyfish tentacles. See that face you're making? I found myself making that face while DeAndre sang. I just can't get behind the falsetto.

The One to Beat:

Elise Testone: This girl was ON FIRE with her version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." God help me, I think I'd pay to see her in concert.

VAISHNAVI KASHYAP, Sunnyvale -- Yay. Our Top 9 are taking on songs by their own idols. Maybe I'll actually know some of them this time.

Colton: Yea baby! "Everything" is one of my favorites and Colton definitely did justice to it. Not that he doesn't ace his song every week. Randy you're so right, he's totally a finale contender.

Skylar: She must have burned 500 calories jumping and running around the whole stage. But she was good. Not great. Just plain ol' good.

Heejun: Wow, standing ovation. Good job buddy! I like your spiffy new attitude too. But I'm not sure it'll be enough to escape the Bottom 3.

Hollie: Go Tommy Hilfiger! Her dress was really cute. And her singing was amazing. I don't usually listen to Carrie Underwood, but I might just start. She rocks it every week.

DeAndre: Oh gosh. I'm speechless. Not sure if he was awesomely amazing or horrendously bad. I'm leaning more to the "OK-ish" side.

Jessica: I know why I'm speechless now. Because that was AWESOME. The only way she'd be in the Bottom 3 was if ...Wait. There's NO way she'll ever be in the Bottom 3.

Phillip: He actually wore something other than a gray shirt! That's a first. But it was his usual growly, splendid performance.

Joshua: I liked it. Actually I liked it a lot. Staying another week for sure.

Elise Testone: STANDING OVATION. That was sooo good! Being in the Bottom 3 for three straight weeks must have definitely hit her hard.

BEN WENTLING, Concord -- While it was a very impressive night, could the judges possibly suck up any more? Yes there were some outstanding performances, but not as many as they seem to think.

We had four standouts: Skylar - who's her own little power plant with so much energy and a such a huge voice I can't help but smile watching her. DeAndre also did a great job. While I'm not a fan of his song choice he nailed it and showed what he can do. As for Phillip, all I can say is "wow." The man can sing and he knows how to rock. Randy was right when he said he's an artist. And then we ended with Elise, who picked a very difficult song and absolutely nailed it. She's got a tremendous vocal range and reminds me of Janis Joplin. I hope she sticks around.

Hollie and Jessica were good but not great tonight. Jessica seems to be relying too much on vocal theatrics and Holly was just so-so after picking such a difficult song.

Two who surprised me were Colton who started slow but finished strong. This is the first week I've actually liked him. And I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually thought Heejun did a good job, although he didn't earn the standing "O" the judges gave him.

Tonight's loser was Joshua. He was mediocre at best, picked a bad song for his style, and he just didn't hit the notes.

This is shaping up to be a very close competition and I am all in, but could somebody please put an end to the annoying, obviously staged arm-waving that seems to go on any time a ballad is sung?

TONY LEONG, Oakland -- The night's top performers for me were:

Joshua ("Without You"): Wow! What a great performance. He put a lot of feeling and emotion into this song. I loved how effortlessly he sang this song and made it big.

Heejun ("A Song For You"): All you doubters, skeptics and naysayers...Heejun is back in the house! I love the smoky quality of his voice and how he sang it so effortlessly given the song's wide range of octaves. He is definitely improving each week.

Hollie ("Jesus Take the Wheel"): Wow, what a powerful and beautiful voice. It was one of her best performances. She has great voice control and really puts passion into the songs she sings.

Elise ("Whole Lotta Love"): She sounded like Janis Joplin reincarnate singing a Led Zeppelin number. I didn't think she could pull it off but hit it out of the park.

Strong runners-up were:

Jessica ("Sweet Dreams"): Excellent. Great versatility, control and range in her voice. She puts the "P" in passion in her singing.

Skylar ("Gunpowder and Lead"): Great rendition. She was in her element singing this "country" song. A very energetic and passionate performance.

Phillip ("Still Rainin'"): I love the Joe Cocker quality in his voice. Great song choice. He can sing country and the blues with equal fire and soul.

Those in trouble: Colton and DeAndre. If and only IF the pattern of the past two weeks' process of elimination repeats itself, then Heejun is in jeopardy. Three weeks ago, Shannon and Erika were in jeopardy. Shannon was eliminated and then the following week Erika and Heejun were in jeopardy. Erika was eliminated last week. So if the pattern holds, Heejun will go.

DIANE WILSON, Saratoga -- With a few exceptions, tonight was a snore. This is a VERY serious group of contestants. However instead of "Losing My Religion" per REM the contestants seem to be affirming their religion on the "Idol" stage. I don't think there is much partying going on at the "Idol" mansion.

Before getting to the contestants some points to ponder. The judges gave five Standing Os out of nine performances and four of the five were for the men. Are the producers coaching them? No other explanation.

There were many moments I prayed for a performance that would wake me up. Why the judges were so excited was beyond me. Maybe their doctors told them to get more exercise by getting off their butts.

Elise was one of the exceptions. She showed the gutsy rocker chick she is by belting out a more than respectable rendition of a Led Zeppelin favorite.

Phillip was born a little too late for Fleetwood Mac glory. Sorry Stevie! Ooh girl. I'm liking Phillip more every week with his gee-tar and growly voice. He has a unique talent and persona.

"Without You" is a risky song for Joshua to sing. However he started out nicely and built to the choruses with a polished smoothness. Then he closed with a blast with some Joshpel (Joshua/Gospel). OMG another Standing O.

Middle of the pack and not going home:

Colton was emotional, but I really didn't feel it.

Hollie looks more her age tonight with the straight hair and short dress. Though it's hard to compete with Carrie and Jesus, she did a respectable job conveying her emotion and connection to the song.

This season's resident ballad singer, Jessica, did a great job with "Sweet Dreams." It was smart of her to hold back on some parts and show more character in her voice.

I was hoping to get a something a bit different from Skylar this week than perky, stomping country charm. Unfortunately this Miranda Lambert tune doesn't seem to be the ticket. Hate the outfit. If this is the best Hilfiger can dress her, then he should be fired from the show. Another parachute around her hips.

Sorry folks, but just not feeling the love for Heejun and DeAndre. I think their time on the stools is long overdue.

Hee'NEW'jun receives a Standing O. Is this judge's guilt over last week's well-deserved criticisms? His performance was good, but not THAT good. I don't know if DeAndre was flattered or insulted to have his hair compared to Stevie Nicks. How false can the falsetto go without going into a full on squealing session? However, another Standing O. I guess given on passion alone. I thought Jennifer was having her own kind of O.

EILEEN SIMON, Walnut Creek -- WOW! Let's hear it for Heejun. The Fun Guy did some serious singing.

DeAndre gave us falsetto with feeling and Joshua really worked that song.

Hollie finally made it to today with a current look and a current song. Welcome.

Jessica sings like an angel and Elise is perfection.

Colton and Phillip should both stay. Whatever it is, they've got it.

So that leaves Skylar. It's not that she's bad, she's just not as good. And she wears a weird skirt even when she's wearing pants. If you're gonna sing country, then dress country. Hilfiger please, the girl needs help.