On TV: Sunday Best — More Mellow, But Still Amazes
by EJ on Apr.27, 2009 at 9:02 am, under Music
Here’s my recap for you kind people– ‘ppreciate your patience. If you’d rather NOT wait, though, don’t forget that you can always follow me on Twitter for my live recap every Sunday night: http://www.twitter.com/gospelpundit.
I think last night’s show was a bit more mellow than previous shows. Everyone kinda had slower, building arrangements of songs made famous by gospel FAMILIES, which was a nice lil’ concept. Don’t get me wrong– they still brought it, but it wasn’t as flashy and high-energy as previous episodes have been.
The show opened with The Williams Brothers singing “Living Testimony.” These gentlemen have some of the sweetest voices in the game– I loved it. Wished they had done a little bit of “Cooling Water,” but I can’t have it all. Or can I? 
Up next came the contestants, one-by-one, and I was kinda shocked to see that they didn’t do a joint performance this go ’round– the show featured songs from families that were gospel groups (i.e., Clark Sisters, Pace Sisters, Williams Brothers, Winans, Mary Mary)… seemed like this was THE WEEK to do a group song together. But whateva…
Each contestant sang two songs, throughout the night, but I’ma recap both songs as I chat about each contestant. Got it?
Jessica Reedy opened the show with “The Question Is” by The Winans. It’s a classic song which she, of course, put her own little smooth and jazzified spin on it. She was clearly a bit hoarse, as was evident by a couple of cracks in her vocal performance, but (as was noted by Tina Campbell), she was SUCH a pro, turning those cracks into intricate riffs that just WORKED. Great job.
Her second song was “Still Here” by The Williams Brothers. Before she performed, we got a chance to see footage of her prep time with Donald Lawrence and the singers. THAT YOUNG WOMAN was arranging the background vocalists, changing stuff up, and did a DERN good job, you hear me?! The performance was SOOO in the pocket– she’s just got it. She’s my fave, no doubt.
Latice Crawford started with “Is My Living In Vain” and did a great job, also, putting her own spin on it. She revved up like a pro towards the end of it and definitely left me wanting a bit more. Her second song was “I’ll Take You There” and she really sang on that thing, as always, but it just didn’t quite CLICK for me.
I enjoy her, always, but I have to admit that I zoned out a little for some portions of her performances. Tina Campbell said it best– there was a disconnect that made us uncomfortable cuz SHE didn’t seem as confident.
Y’Anna Crawley (another fave of mine) started with “Heaven” by Mary Mary. I thought she did it well, though a lot of the ad libs sounded just like the stuff that the Marys did at first. Toward the second part of the song, she flipped it sho’ nuff, though, and I was like “THAT’S what Y’Anna brings!”
Her second song was the classic “Ain’t No Need To Worry” by The Winans and Anita Baker. I immediately thought “noo… y’all shoulda given this to Jessica” because her voice is so right for the Anita Baker deal. BUT LEMME TELL YA, this was a perfect song for Y’Anna and here’s why: it finally gave us the opportunity to see that she can also do the smooth, jazzy thing. We’ve always seen her CLOBBER a song, but we’ve not really had the opportunity to see her work it from a quiet place. She delivered in a BIG way for me. Great job, ma’am!!!
At the end, NONE OF ‘EM got sent home. We’ll see ‘em all next week for some “Sing Off” they’re gonna have. I feel some kinda way about that cuz I don’t think the “sing off” should be the criteria for whether someone should be a gospel artist or not. We already have too much of that in the industry (but that’s for ANOTHER post… showboatin’ and what not).
Folks, at the end of the day, EACH of these three women are phenomenal vocalists who just HAVE it. They are all artists. Any one of them will be on my iPod for a good month and, if given the right songs/producers, could have award-winning albums.
The Anointed Pace Sisters wrapped up the performances by rippin’ into “Already Done.” I was already jammin’ (“already done done… already done done done done done”), but when Lashun Pace came onto stage… 
Loved it!!!! She looks great (they all did, really) and they killed. Glad that they got some BET exposure, too… long overdue.
Soooooooooooooo??? What did y’all think???
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April 27th, 2009 on 9:22 am
I loved Y’anna singing Ain’t No Need……that was a standout for the show…I also loved the Pace Sisters, it was a refreshing close to the show…..
I don’t understand how a ‘sing-off’ is different from what has been going on…it’s a competition? At any rate, it just seems to make the show less believable…..Jessica and Latice had standout moments in their songs despite their hoarseness…..I am curious how the producers will work this out…there’s only two more shows…..how will they do it?
April 27th, 2009 on 9:33 am
also—how cool is it that Jessica got to give shout-out to THE Marvin L. Winans…….? That is wayyyyy coool
April 27th, 2009 on 9:33 am
OMG like I said before, I was on edge trying to figure out what was gonna happen at the end of the show, and I can see that we all were relieved that no one was sent home because I can honestly say that I would buy all three of these ladies’ projects!!!! Jessica is so jazzy, Latice gives off a neo-soul type vibe, and Y’anna is so churchy….and I’m a very ecclectic music listener….THIS IS ONE TOUGH COMPETITION!!!! But even the ladies were relieved, I pray that God keeps them mentally, because if I were in the situation I would’ve lost it by now!!!! But yes the Pace sisters and Williams Brothers both rocked the house!!! Awesome show!!!!
April 27th, 2009 on 10:01 am
I just want to first thank God for allowing me to be a back up singer to the Williams Brothers…..in my living room LOL!!!! Oh they did that performance! I am torn though, I love all 3 contestants. I’m routing for them all, but you know Y’anna is my #1. The Pace Sisters did that thang and a brief appearance from LaShun – I wanted more! A sing off? I don’t know about that…we will see. This show is like a good book to me – getting to the end fast. I want to get to the end, but not really.
April 27th, 2009 on 11:10 am
They should’ve just went ahead and eliminated Latice last night. There’s no need to be dragging stuff on. She’s been falling off ever since that amazing rendition of “Peace Be Still” earlier in the competition. I hated that arrangement of “Is My Living In Vain” and “I’ll Take You There” was not much better.
Next season, I think this show needs to bring in some special guest judges like Idol used to do a couple years ago. Bring in some more SEASONED people in the gospel industry. I like Mary Mary but it’s been kinda laughable hearing some of their commentary (particularly Tina) throughout their stint on this show. Some of the contestants (both present and sent home) can blow the two of them out the water. They have more bad vocal performances than they do good. Tina does more screaming than anybody. It’s just kinda ironic to then come back and hear some of their comments.
April 27th, 2009 on 5:59 pm
@Keisha: I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with you (again, LOL). I don’t agree with all of her comments, but I think Tina gives the most accurate, & helpful critiques. Tina & Erica & Bebe may not be senior citizens, but they are definitely seasoned. They are gospel artists with PLATINUM & GOLD RECORDS! They not only sing, but they write their own music. On top of that, they are not just judges that were hired for the show, but they all are executive producers for the show.
I have to say, I was disappointed with yesterday’s show. Latice is my favorite, but for the second straight week, she fell short. Jessica Reedy wowed me last week, but yesterday she was just average to me. Y’anna is my least favorite, but she was the best last night. Also, if you’ve watched every episode, she’s been the most consistent.
We hear them sing every week, and now because the songs are longer, certain things that impressed a few weeks ago, don’t impress anymore. Hopefully next week will be better. The Pace sisters were cool, felt like there was a bit of a “who can holla the loudest” competition going on towards the end of the song, lol, but it was cool.
April 27th, 2009 on 8:09 pm
I didn’t mention Bebe in that – I said Mary Mary. And sorry but platinum & gold records and worldly acclaim does not equal “seasoned” to me. And I’m sure they were likely added on as executive producers after they were initially approached for the show as it happens all the time in the business. You put up the money, you get the spot. For me, I just would have liked to have seen some people that I could take more seriously, that’s all. *shrugs*
April 28th, 2009 on 12:54 am
Jessica Ready
“Question Is” If I didn’t know the song I would have never known what she was singing. It is alright to be original but too much originality kills the meaning of tribute. Too many runs, no stage presence at all. Cracked ALOT!!!
Still Here-One of my all times favorite songs. This was actually the best I heard from her, however I want to hear her do praise and worship, or traditional gospel just to show that she can take it to church and not to an “after set.” I totally disagree with BeBe, she DOES NOT remind me of Gladys Knight…no way no how.
Latice Crawford
“Is My Living In Vain” Not impressed at all. The energy that comes with this song as performed by the Clark Sisters and Zie’l was not exemplified through this performance. She is good for what she does. Agree with Tina…we need more from you.
I’ll take you there-She started off great, this is another one of my favorite classics. Needed more adlibs than her just saying “yeah” I really wanted to hear the “I I I I I oh I I I I, I know a place yall” this was a really great rendition though.
Y’Anna Crawley
Heaven A new side of her. Exudes confidence. Demanded my attention and the audience’s as well!
Ain’t No Need-GOSH! Did she have to sing like that! Not her normal self and I loved it! She showed versatility and it had me smiling from ear to ear! The girl is great with a capital SUNDAY BEST!
April 28th, 2009 on 8:18 am
@ luv2lissen, re: Latice Crawford/”I’ll take you there” -”IIIII oh IIIII……lol -I was waiting on that too! I wasn’t waiting on the “shun mon” though (as BeBe stated).
April 28th, 2009 on 11:14 pm
The show had me on the edge of my seat! Latice is my favorite BUT I know she is going home. She has not been confident and I did notice a bit of the disconnect. Jessica’s performance was average to me and Y’Anna really hit a homerun with Ain’t No Need… It was sooooooooo good to see that she could sing without all of the riffs andstill sound GREAT! Like I said LAtice is my favorite but since I beleive she will be sent home then my choice is Y’Anna.
@Keisha- I agree with you about the Marys. I love them love their music but I don’t think I could stomach Tina through another season. I will say that I like Erica and her comments most of the time. Tina appears to be biased in her comments. She clearly likes Jessica and while I see Jessica has talent all I hear from her is jazzy gospel. Y’anna has shown us that she is the total package. She can sing whatever and make it sound good.
April 29th, 2009 on 7:11 am
Y’all really think Latice is going home?! How come???
She seems to have fallen in favor from the judges’ eyes, but how come with the fans, too? I’m just curious…
April 29th, 2009 on 1:01 pm
@ EJ and everyone…
Well, this is my analysis of the Latice situation…
Latice from the beginning was my favorite…
She came out really strong, singing songs that even before she opened her mouth and you heard the intro, I was like she is not about to sing that song… i.e. Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s Peace Be Still and Clark Sisters’ Praying Spirit… She did not falter, she sang the mess out of those songs, we could all tell that she had an amazing voice… But I don’t think her voice is what set her apart from the rest…
Latice ministered through those songs, by the end of the songs it wasn’t about singin’ no more, it was about ministering and speaking into our lives… I loved it, i needed it, I cried, I prayed, I was sent in, I didn’t experience that with anyone else, other than Clifton the first time he sang…
Somewhere along the way the “disconnect” that everyone is referring to I believe is the fact that she isn’t delivering the song int he way that she used to… She still sounds amazing and rips the songs to shreds… But I’m not feelin’ it the way I used to, I’m not sure she is either… it’s as if she just sings the songs the songs now, versus ministers the songs…
She set herself up by starting off so strong as a minister, and then falling out of that role, and sings the songs like everyone else… She is still amazing, but there was more to her, and that is what we are missing, she just might be the best up there vocally, but I don’t think it is about vocals for her…
I’ve tried to make sense of it, maybe she is tired, she is going through (If she is, better reason to press in, and take us there), or she is tired, lol… But I want that oil oozing girl back… I see a great many people being touched and moved by her ministry… And I pray, since they didn’t kick her off the show the last time, that this Sunday she will come out and do what she do and take us all there…
LET ME KNOW IF YALL ARE FEELIN’ ME OR DISAGREE…
April 29th, 2009 on 1:11 pm
@Odi: great thoughts! I’m did an interview with EACH of the three finalists, which will be posted DAILY, starting TODAY, so tune in to see what Latice has to say about what that “disconnect.”
Y’all don’t wanna miss the interviews!
April 29th, 2009 on 5:36 pm
@ Odi
I completely agree with your assessment on Latice! It seems like she is going through the motions now. Plus I don’t think the song selections she’s had the past 2 weeks were the best for her.
April 29th, 2009 on 7:28 pm
I agree with alot of you as regards to Latice and the “disconnect” however I just wanted to pass along this little bit of info that I was informed of a few weeks ago. My friend who attended one of the “shows” told me that not only were these episodes taped weeks ago (no suprise there, because most reality shows do the same, to allow for editing.) But that these episodes were shot one after each other!!! So no wonder these women are hoarse and tired. The voice is a muscle and it needs to relax sometimes.
April 29th, 2009 on 7:42 pm
@ Keisha-Well said. Platinum and Gold Records DOES NOT make you seasoned.
In that case we would be able to say that Jennifer Hudson is seasoned. She is a powerhouse, but she is a baby in the industry. MaryMary are not seasoned, they are good performers, yet I feel that they are biased especially Tina. She is a good singer, but if you put throw her in the sing off with these singers, I am willing to bet my last dollar that she would not come out victorious.
May 5th, 2009 on 12:30 pm
this has been the most exciting season. I would have loved to see Latice and Jessica the final two. I think they both have something very special. something that make you want more. they have ministered to my sole. Yanna is a very good singer BUT she sing like every other good singer.I want to hear more from Latice after Jessica win.