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jrbirdman - You're comments are right on! In fact - I felt like Kelly's group was cheated out of making the second round simply by being more of a "choir" than a bunch of solo's with a killer back-up! REGARDLESS - you have to admit- this was a fun format for a show! It's cool to see all ages & races coming together in such a truely uplifting way! I know it's cliche - but I do believe they they are all winners!!!

Shepdizzle 12/21/2007 1:24am

I second Winona's comment about the arrangers of these songs. I hope they get their due. Also I agree that Maria should never host a show like this again unless she gets some coaching herself.

muzikmann 12/20/2007 1:49pm

The Underwoods are close friends of mine, so I may sound biased. I really think Team Lachey established themselves as the team to beat last night. Even over the past 3 nights, they've continued to grow in their performance. Harmonies are tighter, soloists are more confident, They are even more energetic. Then came "Bumblebee"...8-part acapella harmony done on-pitch, in-key, and in-time. I was incredibly proud.

muzikmann 12/20/2007 1:46pm

Yes, the hostess should never be a hostess again. Yes, Team LaBelle is nothing more than a backup group. What part of "choir" do they not understand? The other choirs have had soloists but not to the extent LaBelle's has. LaBelle has also shown no musical style diversity--their songs have all been gospel style singing. Regardless of the tear jerk stories and the diva Ms. Labelle, they have lost my vote since I haven't really heard their choir. Lachay's group has show true choir singing, especially with the Bumble Bee song, acappella no less. Do you all know how hard that was? I hope folks vote for the "choir" singing and not the celebrity. I also hope that tonight the true geniuses behind all the choirs will be recognized--the "real" musical directors and music arrangers.

Winona 12/20/2007 1:44pm

Yes, the hostess should never be a hostess again. Yes, Team LaBelle is nothing more than a backup group. What part of "choir" do they not understand? The other choirs have had soloists but not to the extent LaBelle's has. LaBelle has also shown no musical style diversity--their songs have all been gospel style singing. Regardless of the tear jerk stories and the diva Ms. Labelle, they have lost my vote since I haven't really heard their choir. Lachay's group has show true choir singing, especially with the Bumble Bee song, acappella no less. Do you all know how hard that was? I hope folks vote for the "choir" singing and not the celebrity. I also hope that tonight the true geniuses behind all the choirs will be recognized--the "real" musical directors and music arrangers.

Winona 12/20/2007 1:35pm

I agree, when Nicks said they had a surprise I was hoping that he had decided to do the Bohemian Rhapsody. Now that would be one I would love to hear them do. Labells is no longer in the lead as far as I am concerned.

sunshine2007 12/20/2007 12:44pm

I agree, when Nicks said they had a surprise I was hoping that he had decided to do the Bohemin Rhapsody. Now that would be one I would love to hear them do. Labells is no longer in the lead as far as I am concerned.

sunshine2007 12/20/2007 12:44pm

I agree, when Nicks said they had a surprise I was hoping that he had decided to do the Bohemi Rhapsody. Now that would be one I would love to hear them do. Labells is no longer in the lead as far as I am concerned.

sunshine2007 12/20/2007 12:44pm

I agree, when Nicks said they had a surprise I was hoping that he had decided to do the Bohemian Rhapsody. Now that would be one I would love to hear them do. Labells is no longer in the lead as far as I am concerned.

sunshine2007 12/20/2007 12:43pm

You bring up a good point: how many times did the groups sound like background singers who were waiting for the solo artist to arrive on stage. Hence my issue with a four-night holiday filler. I would have loved to have seen the following:
-a four WEEK show instead of four nights. People need to see what other choirs know: it's HARD to build a functional team which is SELF-DIRECTED, and this is true of these five groups because neither Kelly, Blake, Michael, Patti or Nick are choral directors (camera shots on them while the choirs are singing are evident of that). Thus, the choirs are taking their cues from choreography and the band. I'm not knocking the talents of these five people, but it's hard to judge the development of the choir without a professional. Which leads to...
-TWO PROFESSIONAL CHOIR DIRECTORS who've led choral groups in VARIOUS GENRES of music, and can give constructive feedback to the stars and their choirs. Michael Bolton leaned into that arena (safely because his choir was eliminated 12/19/07) by telling a choir that the song started slowly, but then picked up.
-Bring in a guest judge. For example, Whoopi Goldberg because of her role as a choir director in "Sister Act II". Who taught her how a director should be? Did she find herself actually directing the choir at the end (as opposed to pretending to direct)?
-Pick up the slack in this show. Too much commentary by Maria M; too much commercial time. It's about the business of singing.

If I had to put a choir at the top based on last night's performance, it would be Team Lachey. There is only one word to describe them: TIGHT! It was the true definition of choral arrangement and performance. It wasn't about vocal theatrics (which will be Patti's downfall if not seriously controlled); it wasn't about choreography (too easy to lose physical and vocal concentration). The next group would be Team LaBelle. "Jesus, Take The Wheel" was vocally rich. The soloist was amazing: emotive, strong yet pleading. The choir's voices were hands that raised up the prayer. This should be released as a single. In fact, I would like to see a CD of ALL the choirs singing a variety of songs including one huge group selection (the Mormon Tabernacle Choir isn't too big).

mukazzi 12/20/2007 10:19am