The Sing-Off 3 – Top 4 – Videos and Recap

Here we go! Live blog of tonight’s The Sing-Off!

Ultimately, based on the entire season, the right group went home tonight.   Afro Blue has been hit or miss all season. They have a hard time out of their comfort zone. And to be perfectly honest, they can be kind of dull.  Ultimately, I think the Dartmouth Aires won the sing off, because they are just way more entertaining.  Let’s face it–this is the Pentatonix party.  Everything around them is just window dressing.

Having said all that, I would have rather Urban Method, who has had the fewest enjoyable performances out of the four groups– been sent home instead of Afro Blue.  They stepped it up tonight, which I’m sure went a long way to keeping them in the game.  They should come in third next week with Pentatonix and Dartmouth Aires taking the 1st and 2nd spots, respectively.

Afro Blue was eliminated

Moving on to the final. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE.  There’s a 10 vote limit.

Pentatonix – 1-877-674-6401 – 1 to 97979
Urban Method 1-877 674-6402 – 2 to 97979
Dartmouth Aires 1-877-674-6403 – 3 to 97979

Also you can vote online at NBC/The Sing Off

You can vote until Sunday November 27th at 9 am EST

The Top 4 open with a group mega mega mega mix! Baba o Riley, Last Friday Night and Bittersweet Symphony. Hm. That was as odd as it sounds. – VIDEO

MASTER MIX

Pentatonix: “Forget You,” Cee-Lo Green vs. “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson – The group is struggling with the arrangement, but of course it’s FABULOUS AS ALWAYS. Wow, those backgrounds are unbelievable. Fast, furious, keeping the beat. Some of the transitions were a little weird, but the songs are put together so cleverly, it doesn’t matter. The choreography was also really adorable. It told a story. Ben: Nice work. Seamless. You made that entertaining. Amazing rhythm section. You always come up with some kind of trick. Sara: Great performance. You guys were telling a story on stage. Shawn: You seamlessly put together those two songs. It was so fluid. He calls the rhythm section “intelligent”. – VIDEO

Urban Method: “Hot in Herre,” Nelly vs. “Fever,” Peggy Lee –  The group manages to use all of their voices to best effect. The blonde alto is perfect singing the Peggy Lee parts, while the Hip-hop sections are seamlessly woven in. For the first time in a while, everything fits together. Their best arrangement and performance since the beginning of the competition. Sara: That was sexy you guys!  You made a very successful master mix of those two songs. Shawn: I loved it! Sexy lead. So much going on in a good way. Best arrangement you guys have done. You pulled it off great. Ben: A really engaging arrangement, dynamically right but it didn’t wear you out. The last transition was really effective. – VIDEO

Afro-Blue: “I Believe I Can Fly,” R. Kelly vs. “Fly,” Nicki Minaj & Rihanna – The song choices are a little predictable, but on the other hand, the group doesn’t do well outside of their comfort zone. This is very safe. It’s not engaging me.  The backgrounds aren’t as tight as they could be.  The female rapper, who ended her rap with a big glory note was the best part, but I wish they could surprise me more.  Shawn: Nice blend of the Afro-blue style, soul, gospel and spirit. I hope you understand how much you’ve grown.  Ben: You blended the two songs together. He thought the backgrounds behind the rapper were too busy. He would have liked them to drop out. Sara: So much heart, humility and courage. I loved the theme that came out of this mix–about empowerment. – VIDEO

Dartmouth Aires: “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga vs. “Sympathy for the Devil,” The Rolling Stones – The original “Born This Way” soloist was replaced by the safe choice, Michael, at the last minute.  The two songs didn’t gel together initially. It was really hard to tell where the group was going with it.  But, at the end when the performance turned into a battle between good and evil, it came together and became very entertaining. Still, not one of their better performances. I hope they bring it in the second half. I’d really like to see them stick around.  Ben: That’s a lot to take in. The bass was going out of tune a little bit. The Jagger lead, wasn’t over Jagger. A good interpretation. Ben consoles Ethan for loses his part. Sara: There was so much happening. This one fell off a little bit. You chose the perfect leads. So much fun to watch. Shawn: You have a flair for the dramatic. Not my favorite performance…I’m so spoiled. I loved the battle waging between good and evil. – VIDEO

JUDGES’ CHOICE

Pentatonix: “Dog Days Are Over,” Florence + the Machine – The judges chose “Dog Days” because it has a lot going on. HOLY MOTHER EFF!  That performance just blew me completely away.  Focused, passionate, beautifully rendered, tight gorgeous backgrounds, incredible leads.  The rhythm section as amazing as always.  I was literally close to tears.  If these guys don’t win the competition, something will be seriously, seriously wrong.  They leave every other group in the dust. Shawn: You guys are ridiculous. That was like audio drama. There was so much that was ear candy. Sara: You are riveting on stage. A god given gift. 3 of them are only 19! WUNDERKINS! Ben: A surprise is a rare gift in a musical arrangement, but you have one or two in every arrangement. – VIDEO

Urban Method: “All of the Lights,” Kanye West -The judges picked something they felt would combine their strengths.  The group is really stepping it up this week. Another good performance.  I generally hate the brunette as a lead singer, but she’s actually got some edge here. They’ve got some really cool things going on arrangement wise too. Shawn: It’s so good now. You’ve become stronger. I loved seeing you guys evolve. You are in it to win it. Ben: Great build up arrangement. You have  a real mature way of holding on to the tension. You guys were really locking, harmonies were shimmering. My favorite performance from you. Sara: You guys have just blossomed. You have so much confidence on stage now. That was awesome. – VIDEO

Afro-Blue: “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Sam Cooke -The judges picked a traditional gospel-like tune for the group. This is right in their wheelhouse, and it’s lovely. The arrangement is a nice blend of gospel with the jazz stylings Afro-Blue is known for.  Very nice.  One of their best performances of the competition.  They tend to over-arrange, but not here. Ben: I’m really happy for you guys. Christie you just killed it. That just really pulled out something from you guys. I’d buy that record. Sara: I got really emotional watching that performance. My eyes were filling with tears. You just returned to where you were supposed to be the whole time. You sounded like one voice behind her [The lead] Phenomenal. Shawn: That was absolutely soul stirring. You all straight took us to church on that one. Honest, melancholy, everything that song originally was. So beautiful. That was the best performance y’all did. – VIDEO

Dartmouth Aires: “Shout,” The Isley Brothers – They wanted to pick a song that would allow them to bring a party to the stage. I had a huge smile on my face throughout that entire performance. These guys are full of so much joy and so much fun. I love their sense of humor. Plus, the lead singer, Michael, is just phenomenal. I would really like them to advance to the final, but overall, they were the weakest tonight. Sara: Michael! You perform like you’ve been doing this for 35 years. It’s ridiculous. I just love you so much. You have so much heart. It’s so much fun. There were some pitch problems. Such a special group. I’m glad you’re here. Shawn: Instant party, just add water. Mike you are a frickin superstar. This song exemplifies what you are.  Ben: I grew up on these kinds of records. Michael you’re a classic singer.  You’re a total star. It’s still causing some pitch trainwrecks. – VIDEO

Hm. I think the Dartmouth Airs are going home.

Results: Urban Method is safe! Pentatonix is safe. Of course. Oh no. The judges can’t decide! Afro Blue and Dartmouth Aires have to sing off!

Afro Blue reprise American Boy – This was easily their best performance of the competition. They are performing it well tonight.

Dartmouth Aires reprise “Somebody to Love” – Good the second time around, but they’re trying a wee bit too hard? Holding notes and singing with uber conviction. It comes off a little desperate. – VIDEO

I still think the Aires are going home.

RESULTS! Sara chooses Dartmouth Aires to advance. Shawn chooses Afro Blue. It’s up to Ben! And he chooses…Dartmouth Aires! YES!!!! I’m so happy to be WRONG!

Afro Blue leaves with their swan song “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters.  And now, I remember why I often didn’t like them.  Zzz. – VIDEO

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!