Last week we heard a bit more from our favorite a cappella groups on “The Sing-Off.” We got to know them a bit more through their rocking hits and their guilty pleasures. One of the groups retired back to their home town while five others carried on to the next round. Last night, we had another chance to see two performances from each group – a medley using songs by a specific artist, and a judge’s request round. A medley is a piece of music where you find multiple songs strung together (unlike a mash-up where multiple songs are usually sung on top of each other). The judge’s request rounds proved to be very interesting, as the judges attempted to select songs that showcased the groups’ real talents. By the end of the night, two more groups were sent home, leaving the final three up to our votes! Let’s look back at the results.
On The Rocks – For the medley, the boys from Oregon sang songs by Elton John. Just to recap, we’ve seen these guys mimic female vocalist Lady Gaga, and now flamboyant pianist Elton John… just sayin’! The beginning of the medley, as Ben Folds pointed out, felt complicated. The percussion felt like it was trying to be exactly like the original and it ended up throwing things off. Continuing into the middle portion, I felt like it was rushed. The end of the song was great with a huge crescendo into the final 16 bars. But after the first half of the show, the fellas were sent home, though not before an entertaining plea by Josh that cited allusions to each of the three judges and our MC, Nick Lachey (“Boys to Men,” “Pussycats,” “been folding,” and “Una Noche”). Great show guys!
Committed – The boys from ‘Bama brought a medley by Usher to the stage. This was a great medley for them – a fantastic blend of great harmonies and R&B feel. I’m happy that they kept the percussion simple. A lot of groups will try to overdo the percussion on club/dance numbers, but it was simple and did its job to keep the groove going. The group has really come out of their shell in a big way, going from what Ben called “birth-control music” to what I call “baby-makin’ music.”
In the second half of the show, the judges wanted to see the boys perform Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” The group pulled a fantastic performance that harnessed everything great about the song. The melody was passed on down the line from vocalist to vocalist without missing a beat in the background vocals. Passing off all the harmonies while keeping a solid melody flowing, like they did, was incredible to witness. These guys are seriously committed (sorry, can’t help myself) about winning this thing.
Street Corner Symphony – The Beatles was the choice of SCS, which I thought was a good choice because I always thought Richie looks a lot like John Lennon. I thought it was an interesting selection to start with a slow song, go upbeat, and then end with “Hey, Jude.” I feel like the vocals really weren’t that solid on this performance – some of the higher vocals sounded a bit flat at times. And the “Hey, Jude” breakdown should have rocked the audience, but it didn’t. SCS has definitely had better performances.
The Judges selected “Down on the Corner,” the classic by CCR to be Street Corner Symphony’s second performance of the night. I thought this was a perfect choice for them. The guys broke down the song in the middle, which I’m not sure if that was necessary, but the judges didn’t seem to mind. I thought the ending was great and really showed their ‘gettin-rowdy’ style. And I have to ask what Shawn meant by Arena-pella? Not sure what he’s talking about. Anyway, good show, fellas.
The Backbeats – The only co-ed group left (and the only one with girls in it), explored songs by Lady Gaga. This one was hard to judge for me because, to say it nicely, I’m not the biggest fan of Lady Gaga. I did like the group’s slow remix of “Paparazzi.” It was a really cool take on the song. The mashup of the three melody songs in the last couple of bars was a nice touch as well. By the way, Nicole, they weren’t emulating synth sounds at all. I don’t know why she keeps saying stuff like that. The song’s background vocals didn’t remind me at all of the original songs (except for the basic chord progressions of course), and that’s really what was so cool about the arrangement. </rant>
“Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac, was the Judge’s choice for The Backbeats. This song was chosen because the judges believed that the group shines when singing intimate and emotional songs. I agree that they sing emotional songs very well. I just hope that if they win the competition, their CD isn’t all melancholy songs. Anyway, slower songs like these are much easier to sing but are much harder to sing well. Their backup vocals blended very well. The chords were great. The percussion was light and just enough to keep the beat going. And the bell-chords at the beginning of the song were very exciting and awesome. The soloist sounded great and her face really helped convey the feeling of the song. It was a great performance by the group and they should all be really proud.
Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town – Bringing it back old school, the guys busted out an Otis Redding medley. This song really showed off the strength of this group – soulful harmonies and an old school energy that comes from a lifetime of experience. I’m really glad that Paul stepped up for the middle song. As much as I love JLaw, it’s great to see that he’s not the only one in the group with a great solo voice. Their pitch isn’t always on, but that’s really not what it’s all about sometimes. This is how real a cappella started, so it’s great to see them continuing on in the competition.
The Godfathers were asked by the judges to take on “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals. This was JLaw & TotT’s chance to really shine with a song that is right up their ally. The group really grooved with the song. They took it and infused a gospel feel to it. I love that they took the song slow and easy like the original. Of course Jerry put his own flare onto the solo while the boys backed him up with some beautiful full harmonies.
So the first group to go home last night was Oregon’s On the Rocks. For the second half, the judges certainly made it very hard on themselves, as every group was on their game. But someone had to go home, and the judges chose …No one! That’s right, I lied. No one had to go home - all four of the groups are going on to the finals, and it’s up to us to choose the winner!
So who do you think should win the whole kit and caboodle? Are you a fan of the soul and spirit of the old men in Talk of the Town? Do the girls (and/or guys) in The Backbeats really get you goin’? Maybe it’s the good ol’ southern charm of Street Corner Symphony that you like, or the sincerity of Committed and their R&B vocals. Either way, it’s your choice! Below is all the information you need to vote for your favorite - the group you think should be the next “Sing-Off” champion!
Committed: 1-877-6-SING-01 (1-877-674-6401) or Text “1” to 97979
Street Corner Symphony: 1-877-6-SING-02 (1-877-674-6402) or Text “2” to 97979
The Backbeats: 1-877-6-SING-03 (1-877-674-6403) or Text “3” to 97979
Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town: 1-877-6-SING-04 (1-877-674-6404) or Text “4” to 97979
Voting is open from now until Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 9am EST. You can vote 10 times per method. That means you can vote 10 times by calling and 10 times by texting (voice/data rates may apply). Those 20 votes can be dispersed over all of the groups, or given to your one single favorite. The finale, Monday, December 20, 2010, will be a great show, so don’t miss it! Tune in at 8pm EST or check your local listings for details! Leave your comments below and, like last year, if you ask nicely, I might tell you how I’m splitting up my votes!
http://www.casa.org/content/sing-season-2-episode-3-recap
http://www.casa.org/content/sing-season-2-episode-2-recap
http://www.casa.org/content/sing-season-2-episode-1-recap
About the author:
Jeeves Murphy: "I've only heard the a cappella version of that song before." If Jeeves had a nickel for every time he's said that, he'd be a rich man. Jeeves has been singing ever since he can remember (even before he was "Jeeves"). He's performed in classical and renaissance a cappella groups, as well as contemporary groups and barbershop quartets. He helped found multiple groups while he was in college, including the first of its kind at UMBC (The Mama's Boys) where he graduated with a degree in English Literature. Jeeves currently works in Columbia, MD as an ITS Engineer. In his spare time, he is an all around musician - playing piano, bass guitar, cajon, and of course singing Tenor (high-tenor), arranging, and vocal percussion. He's the Maryland State Ambassador for CASA and writes semi-regularly for the site (or at least when the mood strikes). Jeeves' articles focus mainly on performance and CD reviews.
Click on the wrench in the upper left-hand corner to see what else you can do.
Comments
The judges were wise
Posted by charlieevett on 12/16/2010I think if backed into a corner they might have voted The Backbeats off, but that would have left the final show without any women vocalists and a bit long in the tooth. Plus, they are the group that has grown the most during the show, and Joanna is probably the one, after Lawson, with the most Star Quality to her voice.
Keeping all 4 groups on was a great idea. Maybe that means cutting one of the guest acts during the finale. Who cares! These groups are worthy to stand on their own.
Personally, I disagree that Backbeats' Landslide had enough percussion. I think a touch more would have helped keep propelling it along. I also think it might have sounded better a half-step higher, as it was just a hair low in Joanna's register. That said it was beautiful. I also think the Lada Gaga medley didn't really work. In a way, it was an injustice that On The Rocks got beat by it --after all, they came in doing Bad Romance and it's easy to argue that their version was much stronger. As it worked out, Elton John and Lady Gaga weren't great choices for the younger groups.
landslide of altos
Posted by Warren B. on 12/16/2010Keep in mind, though, that the judges specifically asked to hear Joanna in her lower range, where she'd supposedly find more emotion, or whatever warm-fuzzy thing it was they wanted. It was a hair low, but not bad sounding, I didn't think. At first it reminded me of when I saw Avril Lavigne singing her song "Complicated" live on Carson Daly's show a few years ago, and she bottomed out on the "whatcha waitin' for" note that sounds so clean and compressed in the studio version. Joanna's wasn't that bad, but it was an awful risk.
On the other hand, I loved the Elton John medley. Perhaps OTR's finest moment in the series, which is ironic as they were eliminated 45 minutes later.
Warren Bloom // Brooklyn, N.Y. Invisible Men -- NYC rock vocal band. 5th Judge -- A music teacher's dissection of singing on TV. Hyannis Sound -- Cape Cod's finest a cappella.