The Voice - Live Performance Review - 12/16/2013

Left to right: Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Carson Daly, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.

Last week, it was revealed that Jacquie Lee, Will Champlin, and Tessanne Chin would be competing tonight for the win, and coaches Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine could not be happier. On a sad note, this will be the first season Blake Shelton will not have a finalist competing for the win. It also marks the first time someone received the 'Judge's Save' and made it to the finals. In fact, Will was saved twice, once by Christina when eliminated by Adam, and then re-saved by Adam when eliminated by Christina! In the remaining contestants, we have two female power singers, and one guy who can really be both powerful and a little quirky.

Left to right: Jacquie Lee, Will Champlin, and Tessanne Chin.

Tonight, each finalist will sing three songs, two solos, and one with their coach. One of the solos is the song that made the chairs turn in the blind audition, as well as a brand new song. In fact, if the leaks are right, Jacquie will be singing a song co-written by her coach, and sung by her for the soundtrack of 'The Hunger Games - Catching Fire'. The show begins with a montage, showing the Top 3 on their journey, from blind auditions to Finals. And they jump right in with songs, as coaches Blake Shelton, Cee-Lo Green, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera sing "Pour Some Sugar On Me" with the help of the band Def Leppard, who had a #1 hit with the song 25 years ago.

Well, that certainly lit the fire for the night. After a commercial break, it is time for Tessanne Chin to sing the song "Try" by Pink, and all three chairs turned around, and all four judges fought to get her on their team. Before the performance, Adam remarks how he knew when he heard her she would be here in the finals, competing for the win. She is in great voice, showing both power and control. She moves with such ease and grace on the stage, showing real charisma. Adam is so proud, and tells her that he has learned so much from being her coach. Cee-Lo tells her he is a fan, and that everyone watching is as well. There is a question session, and it can't pass quickly enough. And it is time for another look back as Will Champlin sings "Not Over You" by Gavin DeGraw.

Will does seem to really thrive with this song, and he shows such great range with it. He was excellent in the audition, causing three chairs to turn. He has such a great quality in his vocals, which build so nicely as the song goes on. Adam talks about how inspiring it has been to work with Will, and how much respect he has for him. Through it all, his work ethic has kept him strong. Christina also appreciates how, like him, she can get in her own head too much, and he has managed to stay strong and good despite how tough it can be. After another break, it is time for Jacquie Lee to sing the song that introduced her to the audience, "Back To Black". The Amy Winehouse was a perfect fit for her, and made two chairs turn, including Coach Christina. She does a nice job with the song, but I must admit I am not a big fan of her voice, which as times has a harsh and shrill edge. And it does with this song, too. Christina is thrilled to be her coach, and loves to be able to support this 16-year-old. She makes Christina happy to be a part of her journey. After another break, it is time for the artists to duet with their Coach. First up, we have Tessanne and Adam to sing "Let It Be", the iconic song by The Beatles.

First up I have to say, Tessanne's dress is stunning. Looking at her actually distracted me from looking at Adam, which isn't and easy thing to do. It is an odd duet, for Tessanne's voices is so much fuller and richer than Adam's, but somehow, she makes it work. Again, she shows an ability to show a softness in her vocals, a vulnerability. When they break it down for a Reggae section, it is a great moment. After a break, we learn that Jacquie will be joined by Christina to sing "We Remain", co-written by Christina for the soundtrack of ''The Hunger Games - Catching Fire'. The song is not an easy sing, as it is as rangy as one would expect from a Christina song. Christina was quite kind, and took the very high end, allowing the full body of Jacquie's voice to take center stage. And they looked lovely in their red dresses. After a break, it is time for the final duet of the night, as Will teams up with Adam to sing Elton John's "Tiny Dancer".

Who knew the song would be great for Adam's voice? Adam keeps his vocals simple, and allows Will to take wing with his vocals. He looks so happy singing up there, smiling and moving to the beat he hears in the music. This is really much nicer than I thought it would be, for I find Will's voice to be very different than Adam's, but in both his duets tonight, Adam had made them work. After another break, and an odd moment with Blake and cakes, Carson brings the Top 3 back on stage, and they sing "I'll Be There", a huge hit for the Jackson 5 forty-two years ago. It is a sweet moment, but it really shows me that, no matter how the results play out, Tessanne has the voice that stands out to me. But the tenderness of the connection between Jacquie, Will, and Tessanne is unmistakable. There is another break, and it is time to begin the final song for each artist. The first up is Tessanne, who takes on another powerhouse when she sings "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston.

It is not easy to take on an icon like Houston, but if there is someone up to the task, it is Tessanne. Sorry, I wrote nothing while she was singing, for that took my breath way. There was brilliance and power, and such a richness, I am without words. Adam is also speechless, so blown away by her ability to take on every task, and take them to places unexpected. For him, she is the winner of 'The Voice'. I fear I have a tough time arguing with him on that one. Another break, and it is time to for Will Champlin to sing "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams. Adam works closely with him in rehearsals, and I think it paid off. His emotional connection to the song is so strong and true, it is like he is bleeding the song. And as he is wont to do, Will takes the song down roads and alleys to make it truly his own. At the end of the song, he kisses his wife and his daughter, a truly wonderful moment. He is a wonderful performer, as he has proven time and time again. Adam is so proud of him, and thinks he can declare a victory, no matter the outcome, for making it to the end despite the crap he has been through on the show. Blake always enjoys his performances, and thought it was great he kept this one simple, with no extra glitter. And now it is time for the last competitive performance of the season, as Jacquie Lee sings "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from 'Dreamgirls'. The song was originally sung by Jennifer Holliday in the Broadway production of 'Dreamgirls', which earned her the Tony Award. Later, Jennifer Hudson picked up the Academy Award for her performance in the film version. This is the live version from the 1982 Tony Awards, featuring the incredible Jennifer Holliday.

This is another huge song, one dripping with emotional hurt and and heart-wrenching pain. It is big and powerful, and comes from down deep. Most of the way through the song, I just feel this was a bad song choice. I don't feel the emotional connection to the lyric, and I am saddened by that. I know I might very well be in the minority here, but that was lacking. The song comes from the soul too much to be as karaoke as that. Christina is so proud, and feared that she is coming for her career. Blake is amazed at the journey she has made on the show, and how perfect the coach/artist pairing was for her.

For me, there is only one conclusion, and that is Tessanne Chin took this season of 'The Voice'. She has consistently shown me the range and strength of a world-class vocalist, week after week. Her connection to the material has been so right on, and I can't think of a bad turn she has made this season. She will get my votes. To vote for your favorite, you can call, purchase the song on iTunes, and go to 'The Voice' website. To call, each phone number has 10 votes. For Tessanne Chin, call 1-855-864-2301; for Will Champin call 1-855-864-2302; and for Jacquie Lee call 1-855-864-2303. To vote on iTunes, just purchase the song offered - but keep in mind, only one purchase per account will count as a vote. To vote online, just go to 'The Voice' Online, and I think you have 10 votes per email address. Voting closes at 11AM Eastern Standard Time Tuesday morning, and the results of that vote will be made public on Tuesday night, 9-11PM, on your local NBC station. The guest list for that show is looking big, with Lady Gaga and R. Kelly, Celine Dion and Ne-Yo, OneRepublic, and Paramore scheduled to appear.

Sunday Morning with Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles

Clockwise: Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles; Jennifer Holiday; and Levi Kreis.

I think I found some great music that will surely inspire some this Sunday morning. And it all comes courtesy of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, who makes great music for all who care to listen. For over thirty years, the Chorus has been been a strong voice in the performing arts community, performing locally, touring nationally, and internationally. First I will bring up the clip of the group paying tribute to the late, great Marvin Gaye tribute, as they sing his amazing song about oppression and abuse, "What's Going On". The chorus starts the song with an intro of "War", the Edwin Starr hit written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1969.

The chorus has never shied away from bringing in talented people to share their stage. I simply could not resist posting the performance of the gifted Jennifer Holiday sharing the stage with the chorus to sing "Family", the amazing song from the Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls'. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, Jennifer delivers the song as only she can, and offers her support to the community. Of course, she brings the audience with her on the journey, which ends with a standing ovation for this 2009 performance.

From one Tony Award-winning actor to another, out and proud performer Levi Kreis sings "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". The song, written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel, has become a classic spiritual, sung by some of the great names in Gospel music. As far as I can tell from this video, which was recorded about a year ago, you can certainly add Levi's name to the list of performers who sing the song to perfection. turn up the volume, and put the video to full screen, and enjoy this.

For more about the Gey Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, visit their official website. There you can support the chorus with a donation, or you can purchase their music at CD Baby. You can also find their music on iTunes and Amazon.

The Holliday Dance

One of the great things to come out of this week's American Idol finale was the performance of the great Jennifer Holliday, who sounded as spectacular as ever. So when I was going to put together the post for the first night of the holiday weekend, of course she came to mind. Since I worked in the Village in the mid 1980s, I can certainly remember dancing in some of the clubs to the amazing "And I'm Telling You," which made it on the R&B and the Dance chart 1982, 2001, and 2007. It was a single off the Dreamgirls Original Broadway Recording, with many remixes of the song. It is a gift that keeps on giving.



In 1984, Jennifer proved to be more than an ordinary Broadway belter. With the release of the album Say You Love Me, the single "Hard Time For Lovers" went to #17 on the R&B chart, and #26 on the Dance chart.



With the strength of her voice, it is no surprise that was not her only hit. In 1985 and 1996, Holliday had the #1 on the Dance chart with "No Frills Love," certainly a memorable song. It was on the Say You Love Me album, as well a greatest hits collection, The Best of Jennifer Holliday.



Now, if there was a song that was written to eventually appear on RuPaul's Drag Race as a lip-sync-for-your-life song, it would be the hit off the album Breaking Through, "A Woman's Got The Power." Released in 2000, the song went to #7 on the Billboard Dance chart.



You can find the 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection - The Best Of Jennifer Holliday on iTunes and Amazon. Crank up the volume and have a great "Holliday" weekend!

Sunday Morning with Jennifer Holliday

Although she is most famous for a role she took on Broadway in 1982, Jennifer Holliday has repeatedly shown she has a voice that can handle just about anything, and that means Gospel, too. Best known for playing Effie in Dreamgirls, and stole the show when she performed And I'm Telling You, and also collected a Tony Award for her performance, as well as a Grammy for the recording. You can see that performance here. First I thought we would visit a 1987 performance on A Gospel Session, singing a song written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. His Eye Is On The Sparrow is a great gospel classic, and sung beautifully by Holliday.



In the 1990s, Holliday had health issues take the forefront, and during that period lost weight. She kept the weight off, as you can see in this fan video of a 2010 performance in Brooklyn , NY. Jennifer sings a song made famous by another "Holiday", Billie. God Bless The Child was written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog, Jr. in 1939, first recorded on May 9, 1941. Here Jennifer sings it with the beauty and soul it was meant to have.



Finally, Holliday sings a Christian hymn with lyrics written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807), published in 1779. This was recorded last December 2011, showing that she still has it in her fifties, and delivers with Amazing Grace.



You can purchase Goodness & Mercy, a Gospel album Holliday released last year, on iTunes and Amazon.

Tony Awards Tonight with Itay Hod & Levi Kreis

Left: CBS reporter Itay Hod; Right: Tony nominee Levi Kreis

The Antoinette Perry Awards, better known as the Tonys, are on CBS tonight at 8, following '60 Minutes'. I will most certainly be watching, hoping Levi Kreis wins a Tony for his spectacular performance 'Million Dollar Quartet'. But there are other reasons to watch the Tony Awards. For one thing, out and gorgeous news reporter Itay Hod will be reporting for the show for CBS. Also, you never know when history will be made. In 1982, for example, there was a performance so strong, so perfect, it had people turning up the volume on their television, amazed at display of emotion of one Jennifer Holliday, singing "And I'm Telling You" from 'Dreamgirls'. Yep, she laid it down. And established the song as one of the 'must sing' tunes for any aspiring diva.



The following year, a different kind of history was made. When the amazing 'Torch Song Trilogy' was named winner of the Tony for Best Play, Producer John Glines come up to accept the award. It marked the first time a gay man thanked his lover on national television. I knew John back then, and he was a wonderful man, and I am certainly grateful to him for taking this first step.



Over a decade later, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tony Awards in 1996, an amazing opening was planned. I mean, can you beat an opening with Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters and Nathan Lane? And the historic gallery of former Tony Winners beginning with Liza and Bernadette, that is amazing. Here is the beginning of the 1996 Tony Awards broadcast.



Later in the show, a show that started as a workshop was to have a performance, having been nominated for Best Musical. 'Rent' won the Tony, and won many hearts with the amazing showing below, a glowing and brilliant showing of diversity, both of race and sexuality, broadcast for the nation to see.



From 1996 to 2007, there was another new musical that was impossible not to see. 'Spring Awakening' took the world by storm that year, and rightfully so. It is a beautifully written musical, both touching and heart-wrenching. To showcase the musical, the cast did a mash-up of the songs from the show. Interesting, since two of the stars of the show, Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff have just been on our televisions delivering mash-ups in the cast on 'GLEE'.



Who knows, maybe there will be more history made tonight.