FLINT, Mich. (May 9, 2007) — LaKisha Jones won raves from former Bee Gee Barry Gibb but generally failed to impress the judges Tuesday night as the four remaining contestants on “American Idol” each sang two of Gibb’s songs.
Jones, a native of Flint, sang “Stayin’ Alive” and “Run to Me.” Her performance of “Run to Me” got more positive reviews from “Idol” judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell than her first song.
“I think you and Blake (Lewis) are vulnerable tonight,” Cowell said.
Gibb said Jones’ version of “Stayin’ Alive,” with reworked lyrics, was a clear challenge: a woman singing a song that originally was sung by a man in falsetto.
“I like the slower version,” Gibb said. “I like what she’s done with this.”
The judges didn’t.
“That was weird for me, because, like, these songs have great melodies,” Jackson said. “They don’t really need to be changed that much.”
Abdul said the tempo brought the mood down a bit.
And Cowell returned to form with his almost weekly criticism of Jones. “The performance was verging on scary in parts,” he said.
Last week, Jones’ performance won enthusiastic comments from the judges on News Corp.’s Fox network talent competition. Host Ryan Seacrest led her from the stage to the judges’ table, where Cowell stood and gave her a quick kiss on the lips as the audience howled.
On Tuesday, Cowell had these words: “LaKisha, no kiss tonight, baby.”
Jones’ second song was “Run to Me.” She said she picked it because she thought it was a beautiful ballad.
Gibb continued his kind words for the 27-year-old singer. “Your range is amazing,” he said.
“It was better than the first song,” Cowell said. “It still wasn’t great.”
Jones, Lewis, Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle were to find out Wednesday night who gets cut from the show.
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