Fame or Famine

Clash of Choirs

I’m starting to think that the true joy of these reality shows is that they give me an opportunity to hang out with friends online and off – last night I had my middle daughter Kat, home from her first semester in college,  sitting next to me as we watched, and Camille (a glass artist from Lansing, MI) and my friend Iris online in a Google group chat.

The Clash started tonight with what turns out to be the modus operandi of a lot of things: a pop song arranged for a show choir. I’m a little disappointed, as a whole, with that concept – there is so much beautifully arranged music, doing a re-hash of old songs seems a little insulting and a missed opportunity. That being said…it was a fun tune. Though I found the pointing of fingers up in the air as they sang “I…LIVE…in AMERICA!”  a little, well, fascist, to be honest. Just a little twinge.

I also felt that tingle that comes when a massed group of voices comes together just for song. Even through the TV, it’s a literally physical reaction of tingling. It’s probably part of why I love performing; that energy exchange between audience and performer is like nothing else. Last night’s show was LIVE, too, baby, so you know that part of it came from the heightened awareness of the performers as well.

I can’t say much about Nick Lachey’s choir, because I missed their performance while chauffeuring another daughter to a babysitting job. However, she made a point that I think sets this particular show apart from others like it: she’s voting for Nick’s choir, not because of the singing that is done, but because she is passionate about the charity he’s planning on donating his winnings to. It’s a NIC unit at a local hospital, and since my daughter was a preemie herself, she identifies with those people in need. This is something different than just liking a celebrity – this is backing a cause. And I think this is a great way to set things up for the holiday season.

As for the songs themselves, after Nick…Ms. Rowland had her choir do a George Michael favorite of mine:  “Freedom” I nervously admitted to liking that tune, and much to my surprise, Camille did, too.
My daughter was aghast. Her comment on the performance summed it up:  “Good singers, but I thought the guys were weak…they did look like they were having a good time up there.”

I’m surprised they have the other judges commenting on the performances…and even more at how boring and nice they were. “Oh, you were (insert superlative here!).” We’re in the “Let’s be polite to everybody…” Wonder when they will Simon Cowellize things?

Michael Bolton looked tired – maybe of all the jokes at his expense? Camille was quick to bring up the Office Space character. Still, he seems a nice guy – in an audition, when someone forgets the lyrics, his dry “That’s alright, sometimes I forget them too…” was cute. And in describing another singer:  “You don’t hear a note…you hear how he feels.” Seeing the rehearsals made me miss being in a choir.

NO! They chouldn’t come up with a better choir song? Weakest performance of the night, was the consensus. “He just did a pop song with backup singers” was Iris’ comment, and Kat also mentioned the lighting made people all just disappear, except the soloist.

My man, Blake Shelton! gotta love the underdog…love how shameless he is. Admitting to not reading music, pumping an actual choir director for info,  asking another performer (male) “Would you have a problem with not wearing the pink scarf?”

Me: did he just say “dad gum it”?
Camille: I don’t speak oklahomen
Iris.:he doesn’t read music. That’s interesting.
Kat: I like him…

Wow. GE stepping up to the plate for the wounded soldiers was great…though you have to consider that GE is also a defense contractor that is profiting immensely from this War. And you can flame me all you like for that comment  – I couldn’t be happier than to see the soldiers there dancing and singing, because it means they are not getting killed. So I’m glad they donated a quarter million to help the wounded . Maybe they’ll also just supply free body armor to every soldier, as well? That might be cheaper in the long run…

I loved Blake’s song, even though it was pop, it was a choir song…but where are the women soloists? “Oh, women can’t sing…” my daughter deadpanned. “They need to know their place.” Gotta love my little feminist…

What’s with Patti’s hat? Camille called it the “Diva Mouse” look. But the Lady herself was hilarious:  “You made me feel a chill in my frikkin face…” I do get a thrill out of seeing the way these stars cringe at the way their hits are mutilated by the auditions. Patti’s technique to make a decision between two singers was also really neat: listen to them, unseen, and then go with the one who simply has more “heart.”

Background to the bio segment was Eye  of the Tiger’?!? Where did that come from? I prayed that it would not end up being the song her choir sang…and it wasn’t. “He’s got the whole world” was their choice, and if this was anything but Patti’s choir, I’d be rolling my eyes. Some of the lyrics got a little mangled by the soloists, and Kat quipped “He’s got…pizza? Lisa? in his hands…?” But really? They were infectious, beautiful, overwhelming, and in the end,  lesson learned: You don’t want to go against Patti when choirs are on the line.

Kat: “I can’t decide between Philadelphia and Oklahoma City.
Iris: 1-Patti, 2-Nick, 3-Blake, 4- Kelly
Gray: Michael’s going home tonight.
Camille: didn’t get to give a final, so hopefully she’ll comment.

We’ll see what happens tonight…

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