Are y’all watching this show?!?! If you’re not, I cannot explain how much you’re missing out. It’s a free weekly gospel concert series that you get to enjoy while sitting in your pajamas. What’s better?!
Okay, so as always, I was updating on Twitter. The Twitter server kept crashing cuz it said it had too many tweets, which I’m convinced was due SOLELY to the gospel folks watching Sunday Best and commenting together. If you’re not following me yet, you’re missing out. Click here: http://www.twitter.com/gospelpundit.
NOW, the show:
Fred Hammond opened up with a new haircut (we love it) and an incredible performance of “No Weapon,” a throwback classic. He flipped it into a medley by adding “This Is The Day,” reminding EVERYONE that he is gospel royalty. Why do folks still sleep on Fred? Has he EVER let us down, musically?!
Anyway, next came the performances. They said they were honoring the “Godfathers” of Gospel Music– Thomas A. Dorsey, James Cleveland and Bobby Jones. Didn’t know we had given them those designations, especially since Thomas A. Dorsey created what we consider gospel music (we call him the “Father”) and the entire industry calls Rev. Timothy Wright the “Godfather of Gospel,” but he wasn’t even recognized… whatever. I’m glad whenever we honor gospel greats, so that’s kewl. I DIGRESS!
The performances:
Latice Crawford – “Soon I Will Be Done…”: MA’AM! You look flawless and your performance was incredible. The judges mentioned a “disconnect,” which I noticed a bit too– right when the beat came in, she didn’t seem like she FELT like delivering it… But she demolished that song from note one at the VERY TOP of the stairs, all the way until her Whitney Houston-lookin’ self got to the end of the song. Fantastic performance.
Y’Anna Crawley – “No Ways Tired”: It may have been my favorite performance from her to date. I know everybody is still buckin’ and shoutin’ over “Grandma’s Hands” from a few weeks back, but the MINISTRY that was there last night… we haven’t really seen her in that way yet, so I’m all about last night’s performance. And when she got to talkin’ about how she’s raising her kids on her own… she meant that thing. Awesome job!
Jessica Reedy – “God Has Smiled On Me”: I’ve said it from day one and I’ll say it until the end of this competition– JESSICA REEDY IS MY FAVE. She always looks incredible, she has this sweet, humble demeanor (which she tastefully flips to a “commanding confidence” on stage)… she’s better than she even realizes, I think, which is awesome. I say it all the time about her– it’s the MUSICAL CHOICES she makes… she’s tasteful, daring, unique, not easy to imitate… AND THE RANGE. She was hitting notes in her lower register that some dudes can’t even hit. And with precision… and with tone and color… and with… ALL THAT. Jessica Reedy, you are… well, you just ARE!
Zebulon Ellis - “Precious Lord”: I didn’t feel like hearing nobody’s “Precious Lord.” In fact, I walked away for a minute. But I’ll be doggoned if Zebulon Ellis didn’t make me RUN back into the room with dropped jaw and wide eyes… that man sang that song. Still, the performance was not as stellar as those of his female counterparts. He sings well, but he doesn’t PERFORM as well as they did. And ultimately, I think that’s what made the distinction.
In the end, Zebulon was sent home, which I think is the right decision. He gave it his all and has gained a BUNCH of people who are gonna support him. Great work, brother!
Now, it’s down Jessica Reedy, Latice Crawford and Y’Anna Crawley. 
At this point, any one of these three ladies could win and I’d say “ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.” I am, of course, hoping for one in particular, but I’ma be buying albums from each of ya. EACH OF YA, I say!
Some general notes:
1. With fewer contestants on the show each week, we’re getting to hear longer songs from them, which is GREAT. The fact that they don’t have to start at the bridge and end with the chorus means that we get a better picture of how they perform a full song, which is kinda important.
2. Ummm… Donald Lawrence is a musical mastermind who is bringing out the absolute best in each of these singers. O, to be a fly on the wall of those vocal coaching sessions– he’s got the midas touch.
3. My wife pointed out (and I concur) that the show’s STYLIST is on their J-O-B. Everybody looks like a gazillion bucks. Get it!
4. I didn’t PERSONALLY need Wynonna Judd’s performance, but the beauty of God’s plan is that SHE needed it… and that’s enough to shut all of our mouths (a little). After she gave her tearful performance of “How Great Thou Art,” she said that her grandmother had died the night before. That performance was pure worship for her, and I have nothing to say about that. AND, I’ll add: she’s a singing somebody anyway. For proof, listen to her duets on Kelly Price’s Christmas album or Patti LaBelle’s recent gospel album. She holds her own with both singers, which is no small feat.
All in all, an EXCELLENT show.
Thoughts???
It must be me....I was 'vexed' by last night's show. I woke up this morning trying to figure out WHY? I think it was because it felt 'so TV'.... Yeah, that' s it, everything felt staged. For the fact that it is a T.V. show, doesn't make much sense that it feels that way, except last night I really FELT that..... I thought that Zeb had the most CONFIDENCE in his performance and it had the most musical integrity, but I'll agree is performance was definitely outranked by THE TRINITY. I don't get the Mary's either: how can someone be DISCONNECTED and still be FABULOUS, how can someone have 'struggles here and there' and STILL BE A PRO? It's like make up your mind already... It just sounds like a set up.. and one question? Who 'wardrobed' Fred Hammond? Ok, next, why did it look like the Fab Four were lip syncing during the Bobby Jones hour? Yeah, the Wardrobe team gets MAD LOVE for getting it done!!! Lastly, Wynonna, my condolences on your grandmother's passing......BUTTTT...umm, I just didn't get that whole thing (the looking up into the ceiling) whew...ok. I'll have to hear those performances, EJ cause I don't think she's a singing somebody...How do you have a big name closing the show that doesn't 'give it up' any better (if not worse) than the 16 SB contestants that were eliminated?
@luvgoodsangin: HAAAAAAAAAAAA! Why would you call it the Bobby Jones hour? LOL Please check out the Wynonna performances-- she really does bring it. I wish she hadn't closed the show, though. I'm still waiting for that Donald Lawrence performance that they teased us with on some promo a few weeks ago.
I thought last night was great opened up with my boy Fred who himself is a musical genius ... If y'all only knew.. I think it was time for zeb to go home he was great but those ladies came with their A- game last night! And what can I say about ms reedy.... Whoo she keep messing around in a few weeks I can say she's Sundays best ... She just has this jazzy neo-soul vibe that I LOVE!
Sometimes I think we're so easily impressed by acrobatics that we don't honor simplicity, texture, and tone. Wynonna gave sincerity last night that was clearly cathartic, albeit it was not her best performance. She has also sold more than 10 million records. Who in gospel has accomplished such a feat?
From the jump, my favorite has been Latice. With that being said, the other women did out do her yesterday. Although I'm still riding with Latice, I must say, Jessica Reedy was the best by far!!! She killed that song. Although it was not a "churchy" arrangement, you still felt the anointing. Now Y'anna can sing her butt off, but after a while the "belting" gets a little old. The same with Latice, she's been doing more "belting" and "runs" lately, and her riffs were not as clean as they have been in the past. Although Jessica doesnt have high range, she still has great range cause she can go so low, and her style is off the chain. I'm so glad for Jessica because she is showing gospel singers that you dont have to scream and sing the highest notes to be anointed. I'm still rooting for you Latice, but Jessica definitely was the star of last night. On a side bar, it's obvious that we are all looking for something different than the norm. For example, Y'anna can just flat out SANG, and would tear up any church, but she has the typical voice and look that we are used to associating with gospel. The other 2 contestants have a different sound, and look, and that makes them stick out more. Yall leave Wynonna alone. I can see if she did a Teena Marie on us, lol, but Wynonna is cool!
I'm with you Jason, touch not my Wynonna!
@EJ it was just so 'promo' with Bobby Jones sitting in the audience but not performing and then all the harlem renaissance white and the lip synching to I JUST CAN'T STOP PRAISING HIS NAME, JESUS''''' wooooooo-hoooooo. i will check it out cause...ummmm. I love all music. I would have taken Bonnie Raitt singing that or Shania Twain. @Jason---i hear ya, but that's not me. I love good singing, great tone, excellent musicianship and sincerity. I didn't get that. I got a DISCONNECT from Sis. W. How many records did her LAST album sell?
So much to say, but I will keep it short. They are all so different to me and great in their own way. I thought the song they sung all together was a bit awkard. Zebulon has grown on me. I liked him from day one, but I didn't realize his talent until he became the wildcard and I wish all of them had more time to sing more songs. Well, I'm glad BET is not just giving us Mary Mary, BeBe and Kirk Franklin erformances. With that being said, I liked Miss Judd's performance (don't get it twisted) and big ups to her back ground singers - I was also touched by her words after her performance! Loved the Fred Hammond performance of course - peeped the haircut. It was cool when Erica asked Jessica if they could do a duet. If I have to pick someone, it would be Y'anna - from day 1.
@EJ---I can't believe you let Kirk's 'felt like I should be holding a drink' comment coupled with Erica chiming in with 'yeah, a cigarette" WHATTTTTTTTTTTT
@EJ *slide
Oh that's what Erica said - lol! I heard Kirk, but didn't hear Erica - they are wrong for that -OMG.
@luvgoodsangin: i soooooooooo meant to!!! i completely forgot. i laughed so hard at that nonsense! LOL
I absolutely loved last night episode. I think anyone could win at this point but my pick is Y'anna. I really hope she wins. and the comment.... I thought they were just joking. Its silly though.
I didn't enjoy Latice Crawford on last night's episode as much as I usually do. The judges were right, it was a clear disconnect. It just wasn't the right song choice for her IMO. I'd go as far as to say that she was the weakest link of last night's four contestants for me. She looked gorgeous though!!!!! I agree w/ EJ, I don't care who wins out of the 3 ladies. They're all magnificent. I'm sure they will all get record deals and I'll be purchasing each album. As a sidenote: Am I the only one that's slightly annoyed by Kirk Franklin's persona? Last night's joke was unnecessary to me....as was alot of his antics have been throughout this season. How many times will we hear him rag on his short height? He's a personality that I definitely enjoy faaaar less than his good music. Even live on stage with his weird dancing and movements....just no.
@churchy yeah, I think they were also, I just felt like Keisha...ummm just no...lawful, but not expedient??? haaaaaaaaaaa
Totally agree with the Kirk comment, his joke was would have been ok, but it was just at the wrong time. The performance was so anointed, and then he came with that joke and ruined the whole flow of things. On the other hand, at least he's not doing his Michael Jackson dance moves on stage........why Kirk, why???
@luda---well said.... I mean, what does that do to Jessica? The 'integrity' of the show? hmmmm why Kirk why? Why did you go with him Erica? haaaaaaaaaaaaa
The show last night was off the chain. Y'Anna and Jessica had my full attention when they sang. I felt the anointing when Y'Anna sang. I like Jessica because she is very different and talented. Her range is ridiculous. GO GIRL!!! Z should have went home. I didn't feel or like his performance until he hit that high note, then it die again. With him I just felt like I was back at my Grandma's old Baptist African Episcopal, Pentecostal, Church of Christ Church (and yea it had all those names in the title) turning towards each wall singing and praying. It brought some memories that will always want to forget because her church was so boring that the elders and deacons would be sleep in pulpit. No offense anyone. If Y'Anna came to my church and sang, they would be laid out. My church shouts off prayer.
@Alaina -lol!
Kirk's comment aint gonna do nothing to the 'integrity' of the show. His comment may not have been appropriate at the time but this is a singing competition. The show will be judged on the contestants' singing proweess. Kirk comment aint gonna sway no Jessica fan towards another competitor though. Plus, the fact that he asked Jessica to sing after her performance showed that he thought she was baddd. In regards to his personality, everyone is different and I am not annoyed by him. I think he's a great host and he's funny. I dont care for his dancing in the same way I dont care for 21:03, Tye tribbett and others dancing on stage.
At the end of the day, i'm looking for someone who i would want to buy and listen to their ENTIRE cd and not just 1 or 2 songs from it. I've heard enough riffs, runs, and vocal cartwheels in my lifetime. Yea all that is nice and ENTERTAINING, but after you finish givin your voice a workout, did i get ministered to or did my emotions get worked up over your vocals? All the contestants are the BOMB, dont get me wrong. I applaud them all for a job well done!!! Zeb did a wonderful job, but compared to the ladies last nite he did come up short. It's hard to bring it (as Tina made reference to ) when you are givin a song that really shouldnt require much but just to SING. And Precious Lord is one of those songs where acrobatics arent necessary. I think I'm goin with Lady Y'Anna; anointed, wonderful voice and versatile.
@churchy---I meant that his comment might make Jessica feel 'some kind of way' about how she performed, that's all. When I used the word 'integrity', I didn't break it down enough. In terms of non-Christians who are tuning into the show, I just thought it might have been the wrong signal?
@ray: i hear you. @luvgoodsangin: i feel you about the comment making jessica feel some kinda way. i personally thought it was HILARIOUS, though!
@EJ gotcha
What did you all think of Zebulon's final comment--that his ultimate desire is that someone hearing him would hear Christ "ONLY"? It almost sounded like an admonition of sorts.
@Jason---yeah, that was a little awkward, i don't know if it was the edit but there was an obvious pause there?
Everyone's comments are GREAT! the show was great. I knew by Erica's comment to Zeb about bringing the "wow" factor that he was going home and I think Zeb knew too which is why he made the comment he did (RE: Jason's post). It was pretty apparent and it has been for he latter part of the show. I TOTALLY agree with the comment from ray. I like all 3. Jessica did her thang and LAtice let me down a bit but yet I sill like her bes. Y'anna is fantastic but when I think of her I am reminded of Shari Addison from last season. Great voice, lots of riffs and yelling. When I hink of Latice I sense a quality sort of like Crysal Aikin. Jessica, while she has shown great improvement still seems a bit inexperienced and young. I loved her performance though.
lol lawd alright church can we have a sense of humor please geez I did feel like I was at the jazz bar on a sunday night geez it was a joke....but latice something must have been goin on cause she wasn't the same I could do without y'anna cause im tired of that voice in gospel can we get sumthin diff.....
@mdixon3 isn't the jazz bar feel something different?
The opening song "Call Him Up," was not a hit...it really sounded like a Bobby Jones song. I liked when they went into Can't Stop Praising His Name. They really weren't into it. Zebulon and Y'Anna looked as if they were trying but i didn't get it from that song, and yes, I was watching expecting a touch. The first performance of the night was Latice Crawford when she sang the Vanessa Bell Armstrong weeks ago she bought me as a fan. I have since been let down. When she took the stage to sing a James Cleveland song, I didn't know what to expect. When I think of James Cleveland, I think of the Mother Board and Deacons doing a song that the younger generation knows nothing about. The title of the song was "Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles Of This World." I was let completely down. It was clearly her worst performance ever, and I thought that she was going home. A few phone calls from my Aunt Adrienne, and sister Nicole during the commercial break confirmed that she should be going on home, but to our surprise she stayed. Don't get me wrong, she can sing but she is not the best, however, her anointing makes up for what she lacks in singing ability. The second performance was by the phenomal Y'Anna Crawley singing a song that is all too familiar and was remade by MaryMary "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired." Two weeks ago I was completely sold out to her when she sang "Grandma's Hand." I was sitting in my living room with two friends and before I knew my hand was in the air, then I burst into laughter when I saw my friend, Comedienne Small Fry aka Small Fire in the audience yelling. All I could imagine was my grandma's hand issuing warnings, giving candy, and picking me up when I fell. She had me wanting to go to Heaven and look for Mama's hand! When she sang last night it was no different. This time I had to get out of my seat and stand directly in front of the tv and tell her to sing. I felt it all in the soles of my feet. I dedicated my status to her because she truly has a gift, and on top of the talent, the anointing is there, and in my opinion she is Sunday Best. After Y'anna, came Jessica Ready. Without a shadow of a doubt she has a great voice. Range is sick, but her style of song is not what this competition needs. I need her show us that she can do Praise and Worship, and other varieties of gospel, instead of "jazzing" songs up. She truly can sing but the lack of anointing just leaves me staring at the tv. Maybe she should have went to American Idol. I feel nothing when she sings, great voice though. She doesn't feel it and it is evident. I agree with Kirk Franklin when he said she makes you feel like you have just taken a drink, then when someone chimed in "and a cigarette." I just felt like I was at a grown and sexy event that was not about Christ. She has showed no versatility every week she comes out with this Jazzy touch to every song. Can she touch the people and make them reflect on his goodness, can she come into a church and usher the people into the presence? In my opinion, no. Of course Tina and Erica of MaryMary loves her, because their last cd The Sound is a club banger. They play them at the parties, not bashing them, because I love God In Me, and Superfriend, but if you don't listen intently to the words you don't know what they are singing about. Zebulon Ellis should have never came back if they were going to eliminate him again, but they brought him back to make him go back...HOW RUDE! He delivered last night, not my favorite, but last night he did prove that they should have kept him around and sent Latice home. I feel that they judged on the entire competition whether than last night's performance. His rendition of "Precious Lord" was great! Every note was precise and you can tell that he felt it. I felt it to. In the end I want to hear somebody that will make me enjoy them all around, a singer, a psalmist, a performer, an entertainer, etc., and I feel we have found that in Y'Anna. I know some people are going to hate me for this, but this is how I feel, feel free to voice your opinions.
@Luv2lissen Interesting commentary on Jessica Reedy. I can't really say I disagree. I LOVE her vocal ability but I'd like to see more spirit too.
@luv2listen: Your comment was as long as EJ's, lol! EJ you better watch out, I think someone is trying to take your job, lol. I totally disagree with the idea that there is no anointing when Jessica sings. That's what I found so cool about Jessica Reedy, she was real "jazzy", but I truly felt the presence of God (in my living room). I think we sometimes say someone one is more anointed just because of a style of song, style of singing, or because someone may be more "demonstrative" than another.
@luv2lissen: welcome to the site and THANK YOU for comments! very thorough and well-thought. @luda: i know! i'm 'bout to lose my gig here! lol i agree with luda on the jessica reedy issue-- i think she's incredibly anointed for her calling, which is ministry through song. it may not bless everyone in the same way, but every week, i watch with goosebumps (the official barometer for "anointing"... lol).
I'm rewatching the Su20Ap ep. I missed when Yanna said she had 2 son. 2 sons! Come on now. Did she too...never mind. Im just surprised at 2 kids. I feel for single parents--ladies & men-- but I dont like ppl making the same mistakes repeatedly. & Im still loving Jess's alto/bottom/deep voice. Jess did very well. She eased in "Smiled On Me". Very very very lovely. Very nice.
BREAKING NEWS: There are faaaar more reasons people become single parents than what society has you believe. 2 kids is not really alot of children. I don't think Y'Anna has shared her story and unless she has...we should refrain from judging that situation.
I have to comment on Lady's comment. You're tripping over two kids...wow! She is a single parent yes, but she has not shared her story, and when she does it still leaves no room for discussion. What we go through helps on the journey to becoming who God wants us to be. Come on Lady, we are talking about a singing competition, this is not a gossip column. EJ- Thanks for welcoming me! Luda-didn't mean to be so long, I just love music and this competition
@Luv2Lissen WELL SAID @Keisha---Love the 'BREAKING NEWS' bit @LADY---i don't like pulling up her past (that we don't even know) to judge her on her present or future...not cool.
@keisha : Which is exactly Y i didnt go there. Did u read my post? @luv : Again that is y I stopped. This place is for us to post our thoughts & opinions. & that is what I thought when I watched. Call is gossip if u want but many think it. & it turns out Yanna is 32. @luvgoodsangin : U dont know what youre talking about.