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Torrence’s Take On Sunday Best 3, Episode 6
Published by Torrence Glenn on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 9:00 pm.Sup folks!
Well last week the first half of the Sunday Best 3 Final 20 performed and now we finish up with the last 10. I guess a lesson was learned from previous seasons that it’s hard to narrow down finalists until you’ve heard them ALL!
Kurt Carr opens the show with one of the most popular Praise songs in recent years, “In The Sanctuary.” Name me a black church that didn’t sing it? Y’all know all of you at one time tried to squeal out a “Yes Lawdddd, for the rest-of-our-days…” in the key of crazy! Ha! It was also good to see one of my FAVORITE singers Nakitta Clegg-Fox up there with him. Just had to shout her out.
So with that, we learn the theme of the evening is “Praise & Worship” material. This should be good.
First up, Mesie Augustine with “How Great Is Our God.” I have a little metaphor I like to use when describing praise and worship music. I kind of compare it to a game of spades. (If you’re too deep to play cards or don’t know how to play the game, I’m sorry for ya…hehehe) But back to my point, “How Great Is Our God” is probably equivalent to the “Big Joker” of praise and worship. Sing that and it trumps EVERYTHING. It’s hard not to win with that one. Mesie though, I think let her nerves get the best of her. There were a lot of notes she missed and I think she could hear it herself. Sometimes you “just know.”
Next up, Orlando Wright with “The Presence Of The Lord Is Here.” This dude can just sing. There’s no denying that AT ALL. But near the beginning of the song I don’t think he was nervous at all but moreso EXCITED and had a hard time breathing. I’ve been told that he’s done quite a few gospel stage plays and you could see it in his performance from the lean backs to the kicks, etc. He definitely knows how to win a crowd in just the way that a performer in a stage play has to. With that kind of gift, he probably really is a good praise and worship leader. If he doesn’t lead praise and worship at home, he should…
Brittany Dear followed with “Here I am To Worship.” She too was really, really nervous and she couldn’t hide it. The performance was just odd overall though, I don’t think the song was in the right key for her or something. I can’t put my finger on it. The Beyonce references we heard in her voice during the auditions didn’t seem to come out in this performance aside from the vibrato, which I don’t think she did on purpose, it was more of a shake.
Next was David Wilford with “I Will Bless The Lord” by Isaiah D. Thomas and made popular by Byron Cage. I’m definitely a fan of this dude. He sings his face off. He knows his voice and there are some singers who’ve been in the game for years who still don’t. Now I’ll admit, I was nervous at the beginning of the song, not that he sounded bad because he didn’t, but I was afraid he might “over neo-soul-ify” the song, but he didn’t, he brought it on home. I agree with Yolanda Adams, that his look is tight, yarmulke and all except for one thing. I can’t take the painted on hairlines that seem to be becoming more and more popular in some gospel circles. Not sure if I’m spelling it properly but I think it’s called “beigein” or something like that. Really just irks me. Yeah, it’s a matter of preference and a few of you might have it so don’t take offense, but really look at the thing, I guarantee you look better without it. It’s like the male equivalent to a bad lacefront wig..
Tiffany Carlin Laird came next with “Walk With Me.” Umm, so I gave a side eye to the song choice because I don’t categorize it as a “praise and worship” song, but that aside, she BROUGHT IT! The placement of her voice is pretty incredible! Singing as high as she does can be a little jarring or grating , but she hits those notes dead on without hurting your ears!
Next up Dathan Thigpen comes with “Open The Eyes Of My Heart.” I had to pause his performance because as soon as I realized that was what he was singing, I had to chuckle for a little bit, because this song makes me think of nights that I can’t sleep. Because without fail, if I’m suffering insomnia at 3am, a worship CD commercial will come on and they’re usually singing that song or “I Will Sing Of Your Love Forever.” Ok, enough of that, back to the performance. Like David, I thought he might have begun the song with too much “stuff” but then he went into worship and made the song GREAT! (I’m noticing a trend with beginning the song with a lot of tricks and toning it down by the end. Maybe that too is a nervous tick of some kind.)
Behind Dathan, was Martha Burries with “Our God Is An Awesome God.” This was my favorite performance of the night. Her voice is just incredible to me and she knew HOW to sing the song to make it her own, but keep the simplicity of the song intact.*whoosh* This is what I will now call a “Goldilocks” performance. Not too little, not too much, JUST RIGHT. (Get up on your nursery rhymes, ha!)
Brian Smith came next with “I Am Persuaded.” This is probably one of my FAVORITE songs ever. I was prepared to have a serious attitude if he messed up my song. Y’all don’t understand, this song GETS ME EVERYTIME! But he nailed it with just him and a piano. It was a pure performance. However, I am curious to hear what he sounds like with a more upbeat and band/background heavy song. Looking forward to that. I’m not saying that I don’t think he’ll do good with it, just haven’t heard him do it.
Bethany Divine sang Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain.” I agreed with the judges that she played it a little “safe” and didn’t really give all that she had. I’m about to nitpick but I think I realize why. There was this one little part where she went for a strong note and it cracked just a little bit. I think from that point on she said “oh I’m not crackin again, let me keep this simple.” But you can’t do that, you got to keep on going and going hard.
Vernell Payton, Jr. closed out the night with “Praise Is What I Do.” I’m not sure I would have picked this song for him. I’m a big fan of Vernell’s voice, especially that grit that’s always present in it that makes you pay attention to him, and this song calls for something a little different than what he has. He didn’t do a bad job at all, I just think it would have been real hard for a voice like his to shine on this song. I was Vernell’s preliminary judge in Season 2 (DC) and this season (New Orleans if I remember correctly) and pushed him through every time, so you know I’m a believer.
Well, now it’s the hard part, going from 20 to 10.
Our top 10 are:
- Durward Davis
- Franklin Davis, IV
- Tawanna Tarvin
- Leandria Johnson
- Orlando Wright
- Brian Smith
- Tiffany Carlin-Laird
- David Wilford
- Dathan Thigpen
- Elder Goldwire McClendon
I’m actually pretty pleased with the judges decision for the top 10. I mean, I could possibly go back and forth on a few of them, but there’s no one in the top 10 whom I don’t think should be there. Am I making sense? Well, Kirk also announced that they’d be bringing back an 11th contestant next week and my choice for that spot would be… drum roll please….
- Martha Burries
- Davon Fleming
- Vernell Payton
- Quianna Pettigrew
- Jonte Thomas
Ok, I know, I know! I was supposed to pick one. But I couldn’t. That’s not my job today so….. deal with it! ha!
What did you think? Do you agree with the top 10?
Torrence
Listen….In reference to Bethany…whatever Torrence….that sister can sang and was sanging last night. The judges got it twisted(no disrespect-I love all of their talents)–she put her all in to that song and she blessed the masses and for those of you who she did not reach–keep on praying—. She has a unique quality and she gave it her all and she should be the WILD CARD. She had one female competitor (Leandria) and they should be in the top 3. But hey I’m not judging—-but God is—and Bethany’s blessing is on the way.
Yes Bigen must die…or hairspray…men use it when their hairline has diappeared, been trying to convince the hubs to let it go to but to no avail!
I did not agree with all of the top 10, I feel like the mohawk dude was a wasted space!! I was shocked when they let him go through the audition, his performance was terrible, he missed notes and he was all over the place. The wild card should definately be the Jontae Lady!
For the most part the judges did a good job. This IS a SINGING competition! I don’t someone should be chosen because of their AGE or anything other than their talent. I don’t think the lady with the afro of Elder Mcclendon should have been chosen. Sorry, vocally neither of them were better than the girl who sounded like Kim Berrell or the young man that said I dare you to praise him and then took a bow. Sorry I don’t remember names but ya’ll know who I’m talking about. Please let’s not turn this into another American Idol and on people you like instead of who can actually SANG. And yes that’s sang with an A.
I’m not thrilled about the top 10. I feel Jonte should have been in that number. I found her on you tube and she sings No More Tears and OMG she ripped it apart. I’m not going to watch this show because it has become another American Idol. Last year Latice Crawford had an annointing. She was my best but hey if they want people that yell and people you can find at any sunday morning church service then so be it. And by the way Tina needs to re audition.
You will see Jonte Landrum (you tube).
Christians… I assure you that many of you are poor reflections of GOD. We are the light of the world; a city that is set upon a hill… and yet we act like kings of the hill. I don’t know personally know Franklin Davis IV but I wish I could meet him and encourage him face to face. This man is clearly a good singer! I heard him live on some internet gospel on the spot thing yesterday and he’s amazing. Did anyone take into consideration “nerves?” If anything I feel like he made some of the same mistakes other singers made, like Tina in the opening . He gets scrutinized more often because he certainly doesn’t fit into the mold boring Christians fit in. If he couldn’t sing he wouldn’t be on the show; duh. STOP being judgemental because you’re afraid to be different. I wish that man the best success and hope that he does something bigger than any of us good wish for him. Also if “WE” the church don’t accept him and embrace what he can offer to the Christian world then shame on us because he will obviously change the game up in the Black secullar world.
I think two of them shouldn’t have made the top ten but they are ok. But I think Martha should have been one of them.
Mesie all the way for me she can sing… did anyone take into consideration the fact that they placed her to open the show. I would like to know who chose the songs and the arrangements for these contestants and how much support they received from the so-called mentors. Torrence again you should know better than to employ metaphor which can be misguided. Donnie sings this song all the time on TBN and I guess that he wanted this young girl to execute song the same he did…very much unfair. I think that the Christian community needs young girls like Mesie in the music industry. I hope that she gets signed soon. I will be praying for you…much love young sis..
These people need to really research who they pick like american idol. Research the real reason he got a divorce. instead of wearing those scarves he should be wearing wife beaters because thats exactly what he did. and to top it off he is homosexual. hes no sunday best
i love bethany devine and how she sung “for every mountain”. i don’t know what the judges are talkin bout? They must not see potential when they see it, cuz she is clearly somthing special. i pray that she is the wild card because her voice is unique, her range is awesome, and she is beautiful as well!!!!
I loved the performance of “Walk with me”. Can anyone recommend a rendition of it (artist and album) that sounds similar to the way it was performed on Sunday Best last Sunday? Thanks so much.
The judges seem to be judging the singers based on whether or not they seem like they “praise at home” as Yolanda Adams put it. I don’t think this is fair, nor do I think this is the job of the judges. Their job is to judge singing ability and ability to connect with the audience, not to judge someones’ authenticity…who are they to say whether or not someone really loves the Lord. Of course all of the singers love God, and this should not be questioned of any of them. The judges really need to be more careful. Finally, the Mary Mary judge needs to stop saying ” terrified”…no one has looked terrified to me, and I think she just keeps throwing that word around even when it is not applicable. I hope the producers of the show read these comments.
omg i love the older gentelman…and wen he sang idk but it hit my heart and tears fell from my face..something about him i like and i want him to be one of the last ones standing… some other ones that have strong and wonderful voices..but the older gentlemans touched me…..im glad they let some go because u can tell they werent there for the right reasons….and u can tell by the way they sing they werent singing for the lord….ugh cnt wait for tonight show!!!!!!
I don’t know what the judges were going through tonight but to kick Orlando
Wright off and keep “Bow Tie Boy, Brian Smith ” was a total mistake. The best thing you done tonight was to keep Elder Goldwire because he brings it every time. He has my family ready to RUN thru the streets of Louisville, Ky. The tears just fall from my face and my heart sinks just to hear him hum, HE IS SUNDAY BEST.
WhenI heard Elder Goldwire McClendon sang he reminded me so much of my late grandfather who used to sing with such power. It felt as if God Himself was there and no one else was in the room. It made me cry. Elder Goldwire sang with such conviction. Thank you Elder for reminding me that, there is no power in heaven or on earth that is above the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. GLORY!!
Elder Goldwire may not be the strongest vocally, but he comes in like a roaring lion with the anointing. It’s something about knowing the spirit of God. I don’t know how the judges will be able to choose between the singing contest vs the Spirit appeal. The que is, “Elder is getting ready to sing”… We get our hankies and tissues and turn the volume up. I hate to say it, but when/if he gets judged/voted off, (pardon grammar) there gone be some warm sanctified folk. With that being said, I expect Leandria Johnson to be in the finals. Sometimes you have to go through to get to. She’s been through something, that young lady is for real.
LeAndria Johnson has a gift she is destined to be great…I love her testimony her spirit, I appreciate her worship.Im definitely voting for her when its time and im rooting for her all the way!!!!
My fav is LeAndria Johnson next is Boatright dude, love him. I like Elder McClendon, however I’d like the show to be based not just on his anointing, but also him showing some range and being able to compete. He forgot the words to Yolanda Adams song and they still gave him a standing ovation in week one??? Let’s face it at the end of the day we need SUNDAYS BEST to be versatile enough to hit various genres and bring some vitality and fresh wind. I love the Elder and I respect his gift and the fact that he’s 79 and been married 59 years, but talent wise I think he either needs to step it up or he should be gone by next week. Having “church” at the end of every song is getting tired and a lil religious. This aint church, “It’s a TV show”! I’d like to see the anointing come through in the music.
I think Elder should stay, because he can sing, I know this is a TV show but he is sending a message to some out there it TV land. This is church we are the church. Thank You JESUS
I think Leandria Johnson is an awesome singer. Each week tears flow from my eyes as she sings. She is a real testimony!!!!