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Sailor once again panned on ‘Idol’

“American Idol” voters will decide: Is Phil Stacey a young Frank Sinatra, or a so-so singer in need of more “warmth”?

Video:

Phil Stacey performs on “American Idol”

The musician third class sang Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” Tuesday night on Fox’s hit reality talent show, in which the nine remaining contestants received coaching from classic crooner Tony Bennett.

“I have been looking forward to this week more than any other week on the ‘American Idol’ schedule,” Stacey confessed in the introductory video for his performance, because of Bennett’s role in the show.

But if comments from the show’s celebrity judges are a barometer, Stacey’s favorite week will be his last.

Randy Jackson expressed approval of the “big notes,” when Stacey let loose in the standard’s chorus, but said the overall delivery lacked passion. “It just didn’t really hit me,” he told the sailor.

Paula Abdul noted a semblance to a young Sinatra but, with a look of concern, instructed Stacey to “have more joy, and warm up those vocals.”

Simon Cowell rejected the comparison to Sinatra and seconded the need for warmth. “I think it held all the joy of somebody singing in a funeral parlor.” Abdul and Jackson agreed with Cowell’s assessment that the entire performance was “gloomy.”

After the judges spoke, emcee Ryan Seacrest prodded Stacey for a reaction. Stacey defended his technique, saying that during the song, he was concentrating on his wife, a comment that drew an appreciative “Awwwwww!” from the studio audience.

Voting opened after the show ended Tuesday night. To vote for Stacey, call (866) IDOLS 02 (436-5702) or send a text message to “5702.”

Results will be broadcast Wednesday at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Discuss:

Does Stacey have what it takes to be the next ‘American Idol’