Last night’s episode of Sunday Best, titled “Stairway to Heaven,” was said to feature songs about Heaven. By the end of the finalist’s performances, I realized that the only real “Heaven” connection is that, at some point, the song had to mention it in the lyrics. Not the strongest theme, in my opinion, but we got some nice tunes out of it.
We also got some much longer performances this week– virtually full songs– due to the fewer number of finalists. We were down to 5 and, by the end, we landed at 3.
Before the finalists gave it their best shot, the show opened with DeWayne Woods singing his hit single, “Let Go,” along with special guest Dave Hollister. I didn’t exactly get the connection to Heaven on this one, but it was good to see DeWayne on the show. Though “Let Go” is from DeWayne’s first major solo project (released in 2006… totally underrated… click here to listen and buy to it
After that performance, we heard from the finalists. It went a little something like this…
Andrea Helms – “The Heavens Are Telling”
I have no doubt that Andrea loves God– it is MORE than evident in her performance– but I’m just not as into her vocal performances yet. Her sincerity is what shines each week. She has been consistently serious about this thing as ministry, and I do believe that’s what the judges are feeling in that studio each week. I don’t know if that means she should win the competition, but it’s definitely admirable and refreshing.
Sue Roseberry – “Heaven”
It is not easy to remake a Karen Clark Sheard tune, especially introducing your own ad libs. Mama Sue did a good job, but the song got away from her in a few places. I think the judges didn’t want to really knock her for it, but this week’s performance was definitely not where she has been before. Still, I appreciate her gift and her style– it’s always nice to see someone who can confidently step onto stage and give you their all.
Michael Pugh - “Special Gift”
This was, hands down, my favorite performance from Michael Pugh all season. His tone was killer, his range dynamic, and his approach (and execution) was virtually without flaw. This tune was right in his wheelhouse– allowed him to start by shining with a polished tone, then finish with his signature growls and exhortations (which I feel were a bit more well-controlled last night than usual). Great great great job.
Monica Smith – “Heaven Help Us All”
Great song selection on this one. Monica’s greatest struggle to date has been her own confidence. She hasn’t owned the stage yet, though she definitely could have! The result was an enjoyable performance (despite a bit of an odd ending), but no “wow” factor. If only she knew how great her tone and style was… she might have moved across the stage differently, looked up at the audience a bit more, engaged us and declared that she was ready. I hope we get to hear more from her.
Amber Bullock – “A City Called Heaven”
Amber’s performance was CLEARLY the performance that stole the show. This was a great jazzy arrangement fit for her jazzy voice and styling. It was impeccable– not a note out of place or trick that she didn’t pull off well. This was on another level. I agree with Pastor Donnie– she “styled” the tune. Great work.
After the finalists, six-man a cappella group Committed performed “Soon I Will Be Done.” These guys are gifted and, despite the natural inclination to compare them to Take 6, I feel like there’s a different audience in the wings for them. Though they won NBC’s The Sing-Off, I enjoy seeing them on sacred stages as well as secular ones. The sound mix was a bit uneven to me, which can be disastrous for an a capella group, but I loved the arrangement. Their debut album hits stores on August 30th
In the end, Mama Sue and Monica Smith were sent home, leaving the top three finalists– Amber Bullock, Michael Pugh and Andrea Helms. If I had to call it, I’d say that Amber and Michael should be in the final two, and that Amber’s gonna take the title, though I wouldn’t count out the heart-thumping reach of Andrea’s performances.
By now, you should be able to tell me who you WANT to win this thing– who’s your pick???
Thanks EJ....Mama Sue was sent home???????....
I'm just catching up on the show since I'm home with a head cold. I enjoyed the last few shows. Michael did me in with Stevie (and the outfit but that's a whole nutha topic) and at the end of "Special Gift". Loved Mama Sue's take on Jesus is love. And, I actually understand Andrea's appeal. In a gospel arena full of vocal acrobatics where embellishments tend to overshadow the technical, Andrea is always spot on...well, until The Heavens Are Telling. She had a couple off notes in that one. But, she really knows how to use her voice. A true singer should understand her appeal and what makes her good. I think Mama Sue dropped the ball on "Heaven" and that's why Andrea took the top 3. If Mama Sue had sang "I'm Going Up Yonder", she'd be in the top 3...bet that. "Heaven" was a bit much for her. I do wish Mama Sue had chosen a different song and made the top 3.
Now, for my Amber. I think this competition has been more than an opportunity for her...I see a difference in her. She seemed so vulnerable and unsure while she was in her mentoring session with Kim...almost as is if she'd lost her confidence. She knew she didn't have the competition in the bag. Kim's encouragement...and I'm sure some prayer...got her to that balance she needed to present her gift, talent, and anointing all at once. I LOVED HER!!!! OMGoodnes!!!! I agree with you, EJ. She was perfect...just perfect! I'm soooo excited for her. And with that, I still think Michael will give her a run for her money, lol. I think, on technicality, she deserves to win. But, she hasn't brought the church to it's knee's yet as Michael has more than once. She MUST do that next week if she wants to win. MUST MUST MUST...
Great review! My personal favorite is Michael Pugh though. I love Amber too, it would just be nice if a guy could win. #fingerscrossed
Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I think Sue was set up. EVERYBODY got a song that suited their voice and personality except her. I understand the decision to send her home based off the performance given. I just wish she was given something like "sweeping through the city," "walk around heaven," or "special gift" to even the playing field.
Honestly I think Monica was the strongest singer out of everyone, she lacked wow. But not range and ability I think if she was given ANY song she could have worked it out, but her confidence was less and it made her 'star quality' seem like it was missing but it wasnt i see a jennifer hudson in her, if i was a vocal teacher i would give her any song to sing and i have confidence she could pull it off. everyone else was good.
I thought Andrea and Micheal were outstanding - my favorites that night. I'm still not sure what has everyone excited about Amber. I think her style is truly unique and signature, but she has yet to knock me out of my seat. Just my opinion.
Without question, Michael Pugh and Amber Bullock are the top 2!! I've watched every episode this season and I have yet to see what is so appealing about Andrea Helms. She can sing and has a very strong voice, however why is almost every note she sings filled with vibrato?? As a result, to me, it lacks a smoothness that others have. "The Heavens Are Telling" is her best performance, yet I didn't think it was so fantastic. As a side note, Pastor Helms was all teary eyed when his wife was singing, yet was stone cold when Michael Pugh was exhorting! I understand he wants it to be clear where his loyalty lies, but when God shows up and there is an exhortation to praise God, it is no longer about man, it's about pleasing God! OMG!! That Monica Smith is a BEAST!!! If she could've tapped in to that confidence that she had when sang "At Last" on last week, she would have replaced Andrea Helms! If I was a label executive, I would sign her up right away!! And I would have her be mentored and pushed until that confidence is second nature! God bless Mama Sue!! There is a niche market for her! Again, if I was a label executive, I would sign her immediately! She would do very well in the market where quartet groups fall. If I had to pick the winner, it would be Michael Pugh!
Amber- Nice voice, but is she singing like she's at church? Seems like she would do better in the Jazz club scene. Michael- great voice, too much drama for me, you don't have to dance around and "growl" all the time to sing about God. Andrea- tastful, vocals impeccable, and seems to be real. So, Amber- not enough emotion, Michael- way too much, Andrea- just right. And Jay- others cry, some shout, some sit quietly and pray, some observe and are praying in their spirit. In church, sometimes those that give the loudest lip service do so because their hearts are far from the Lord. So, we can't see the heart, only God can. Let's leave that to him.
Andrea Helms is by far the best and most anointed of them all. Her voice is as soothing to the soul as CeCe Winans and she's on the level of Vicki Yohe and you know that this woman has a relationship with the Lord because he sure did show up in her performance. I hope she wins it all. We've had the "Amber Bulloch's" before. I hope she wins and whomever is producing the winner's cd doesn't do to her what they've done to Crystal Aiken, Le'Andria Johnson and Y'Anna Crawley. The song Le'Andria sung when she won the contest isn't even on her upcoming cd. If BET doesn't know how to produce music for the winners of the competition then maybe they should hand that over to another record label. You don't hear anything from Crystal or Y'Anna. Why because their first cd's basically sucked except for one or two likeable tunes.. .
Well last week she was given a song to sing that didn't necessarily fit into the same genre of songs everyone else received either. We had a Momma Sue last year in the Elder and enough is enough.
She reminded me of Jill Scott and of course Mary Mary ate that up because they don't necessarily sing "gospel" music either. I thought I was alone and not being "WOWED" by her performance. This is supposed to be a "GOSPEL" competition, anything else and the viewer may want to watch American Idol.
Very interesting review and even more interesting comments. The people that haven't jumped on the Andrea bandwagon....I am there with you. I have a personal thing about fast vibratos and I know that that's just me. I am and have never been wowed by her performances. I do enjoy her ministry because it's honest and there haven't been many contestants bringing ministry this season. I don't know why. I LOVE Amber and I truly enjoyed her performance. She did stay in one particular place in her voice, but I'll take it. Michael is good, but I honestly can take or leave him.
#teamamber all the way!!!.....Andrea did really good to me as well, refreshing yes!
I don't think folks realize how hard it is to do what both Andrea and Amber are doing vocally. Andrea keeps such a purity to her tone...and her breathy effects are always even and appropriately placed. She's also great at telling the story with her vocals. Maybe I'm sensitive to it because I grew up on Sandy Patty and Amy Grant type singers (no joke, lol). And Amber is just...I don't even know how to make it make sense, lol. What she does is NOT usual and has NEVER been done on...shoot...ANY TV competition, lol. In my opinion, God is in her ability. Was I sent into a shouting frenzy? No. But, I'm real enough to know I'm not gonna shout off of every song. Which takes me back to my first comment about her...she needs to take it to church next week to win, lol...
TEAM AMBER ALL THE WAY!!!! Are you kidding me????? Andrea is still there. She sounds like she's cold when she sings. How in the world is she even still there when some of the clearly better singers were sent home. .I'm just going to say it: Whenever someone of a lighter "shade" is on the show the judges seem to fluff and judge them much "better" then they sing. Come on now Sunday Best. I enjoy singers of all styles, but come on.....
I agree, to some degree. Yes, I think the song chosen for Mama Sue was wrong, but in a competition such as this, you are challenged to be able to sing any song. That's probably why Mama Sue went home- her consistency didn't measure up.
I agree!!!! I don't think Andrea is that good of a singer. She should've been gone.
I must agree, if Mama Sue had picked a better song she would be in the top 3. I think Amber is Sunday Best this season, we shall see.
I don't think they (judges) like alot of growling and...well...i don't know what to call it. I think there is a time and a place for everything...I mean every note. Michael sings like that but we saw a different side of him also.....sooo, who do you think should have been in the top 3?
I do not believe Andrea should win, but her performance on 8/14 was fantastic. She had me praising in my living room. Micheal, Andrea, and Amber were great.
I understand what both of you are saying, but when everybody else, and I do mean everybody else, received a song that fit their voice and style except for her, I smell foul play. And as far as consistency goes, you can't tell me if she had sung another song, she wouldn't be in the top 3 (if not the finals). I'm more than positive the person who wins, was predestined to win. I just hate when great singers are victims of bad song selections! Lol!
Give Andrea her props. She gave a great performance.....Amber reminds me of Jazmine Sullivan....and Michael was phenominal
Thank you Jay Bailey. I strongly agree with you.Her husband had an ungodly look on his face.Andrea Helms's vibrato is the worse.
Andrea does not have what it takes for the title of Sunday Best, she is an okay singer her voice and style is basic.more like for the opera.The songs she sing are songs with very powerful lyrics.
The contestants do not have a say in the songs that they sing. The songs are selected by a number of different people, contestants excluded, so Mama Sue did not pick the wrong song, it was chosen for her.
I really feel within my heart that Amber Bullock really did a great job on Sunday Best but I feel she really did not do as good as Andrea I feel Andrea should have been the winner based on her singing and her overall ability to minster THOUGH HER MUSIC,It even shoulded on Amber face when thry said she was the winner she did noy believe it herself.So I know it's alot of people really not pleased with that out come.I find it hard to believe the counts were correct but maybe they were. I want Andrea to know she is a winner in my sight and no matter what God has sooooo much more to offer so continue your walk with God and in due time you will be the greatest A KING'S CHILD
Y ou are so right Miss,I feel the same way you do. We will put it in God's Hand.