Fame or Famine

(sigh) Once again, I’m kind of disappointed. Why can’t they have the choirs showcasing really good polyphonic music? Why do we keep having unison singing? And why is everyone just completely being so nice?

The “tense Xmas music” is kind of weird…like a Santa Horror flick. I really, really despise that they try and build up that tension. It’s not that I don’t think things should be tense – I just think the way they are doing it is heavy-handed.

And finding out that Blake’s choir is in the bottom two? It is scary, in a way, the way this is more based on popularity (and, yes, charitable need) rather than talent.

and Patti’s choir begins…with a soloist. How surprising. I find it interesting that she uses the choir in the same way that horns are used in R&B, as “seasoning” or punctuation for the phrases. Um…they sing “Jeeeez…take it…” and I don’t know about their church, but in mine, you’d go to hell for calling the Big Guy’s son by such a diminutive. Iris felt it was the worst performance by that choir, and I’d have to agree – of course, the judges are all sugar and niceness. I’m beginning to like Blake simply because he’s not quite as saccharine as the rest – “I’ve got no problem with throwing up on Team Latchey!”

In the commercial there’s a bit of the sponsoring movie, “First Sunday” – and there was some good choir music! That’s what I’d like to hear through this competition!

What to say about Nick’s choir? Well, here’s what Iris and I said:

Iri: WHEE!!!!
Graydancer YES!!!!!!
Iri: THAT’S REAL CHOIR MUSIC!!! Wow. I’m SO ecstatic right now.

Then it’s back to the stupid scary music…and then I am vindicated! Bolton has gone down! I should be sad…but Shelton’s group did deserve it more, IMO.

Speaking of which, wow, two actual choir pieces in one night! I’m amazed! Interesting, this is also in the gospel style…and I gotta wonder if Blake’s trying to out-Patti Ms. Labelle. Iris didn’t care for one of the two soloists, but I thought they had a nice contrast of rough/smooth singing, and best of all, they really seemed to be more a support to the choir, rather than the other way around. I kept hoping for the layering of the chorus to expand and become more and more layered, but even with the way it went, they did have a more interesting performance than Patti’s – for the first time, I think it might come down to the City Chorus vs. the Country Chorus.

Of course, having Patti get to sing last…well, that’s not exactly fair, but I can’t really say anything against a worthy cause getting the attention it needs. However, if Shelton had had the final performance – I don’t think anyone would have a doubt.

And as I watch Patti…I’m starting to think that he still doesn’t have to worry. Once again, we’re focusing on the front people, and after seeing two choirs really actually perform as choirs, I’m kind of hoping that people vote for those.

Once again they’re all nice and complimentary…and as usual, Blake has a wit that is just really, really well done. I’m amazed at the off-the-cuff witticisms he comes up with.

As we go into the second round, Iris is impressed with the start…and I’m not even bothered by the soloists, because there are enough of them that it feels like a choir. “wow…” she asks, “Where did this come from? Rock on!” I have to agree – I’m starting to think that Nick might just win the whole shebang.

Unless, of course, Shelton comes out with “Joy to the World”, one of the most popular and easy-to-amp-up songs ever….and as I heard him merge the Three-Dog-Night version with the traditional, I thought he had it…except that the energy seemed too low. The other leaders recognized the complexities in the music, and acknowledging them helped make me feel this is, actually, about the music more than anything else.

As they take on each other “head to head”, it seems less about the choirs, to me, than the performers. Patti’s years of experience combined with great talent put her way over Nick, but his choir, Iris notes, was “more choral”, and (a little snarkily) she adds “And they were on key…Patti’s song, I didn’t find it aesthetically pleasing, if you will.” I’m kind of amused by the way the family-friendly hostess stumbles over “…his hit album, Pure B….S?” Blake Shelton, of course…and then he sings a very, very raunchy song about a blonde dancing on his car hood while he’s drunk. Oh, wait, the choir – yeah, they had nice layers, and they were tight and right on key.

However, in the end, I think Patti was still the best solo performer…but her choir was the weakest. Nick’s was the strongest…but only just barely. If Blake’s had had a little more energy, they would have easily beaten out the others. As for my online compatriot, her boyfriend weighs in: “Will says “I know jack about music, and those guys are just bad” re: Bolton’s choir.” As for Iris? “Ok, so my rankings tonight: 1 – by a fucking lot – Nick Lachey, 2 – Blake Shelton, and 3 – by a decent margin – Patti LaBelle.”

The same verdict, different margins.

Tomorrow, the finale…

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