Committed is the Sing-Off Champion
Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town are Eliminated first
The Backbeats are eliminated second
Street Corner Symphony are eliminated 3rd
BOO. Street Corner Symphony deserved to win. They are talented, versatile, contemporary. Dang.
Committed sounded the same whether they were singing something solemn and churchy, or a tune that was supposed to be sexy. I did not see much charisma there.
Pretty entertaining finale with lots of great singing. My favorite performances were the Backbeats soaring “Firework” and Street Corner Symphony’s beautiful “Fix You.”
Interestingly, the guests who sang with the finalists didn’t bring add much. I would much rather hear each group do their own thing. Oddly, the best collaboration was Nicole Scherzinger and Talk of the Town singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”–a song that was originally sung as a duet by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel and then the Temptations and Diana Ross a few years later.
Speaking of Jerry Lawson. I hope when the show comes back next year, all the finalists are working on a level playing field. I never got pitting an established, experienced group like Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town against a bunch of up-and-comers. Let’s home the producers got that out of their systems.
Lastly, I really enjoyed the celebration of pure singing talent the Sing-Off brought to the fore. The show was refreshing, in a world where so many pop singers are auto-tuned and sound like absolute crap live. Looking forward to next season!
Live blog after the jump…
The ratings have been so good for the Sing-off, for a few hot minutes, NBC planned to expand the finale to 2 1/2 hours. That decision only lasted a few days. We’re back to a 2 hour show tonight, and that’s probably for the best.
Tonight we find out the result of the viewer vote. Either Committed, Street Corner Symphony, Backbeats or Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town will win $200K plus a Sony recording contract.
Neil Diamond, Sheryl Crowe, Sara Bareilles and Boys II Men will appear tonight. The judges and Nick Lachey will also perform.
Group song: “Put a Little Love In Your Heart” – I would’ve picked a different song…but that was still pretty awesome. – VIDEO
All 10 contestant groups are back for the finale. The 4 groups still in the competition will perform with tonight’s guest stars.
Boyz II Men sing with Committed – If I’m being perfectly honest, Boyz II Men were barely on my radar back in the day. This is a very nice performance, but does not change my view that Committed sing nice harmonies, but are a tad boring. – VIDEO
The Whippenpoofs take us to break! Hooray. I thought they should have lasted longer.
The Backbeats perform with Sara Bareilles – “King of Anything” – Sara sang with UCLA’s a’capella group. Hm. This sounds a little off to me. Sara isn’t blending well with the group. – VIDEO
Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town with Nicole Scherzinger – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Is that cane Jerry holding a prop, or does he need it? A real throwback to the Temps and the Supremes. Nice. Nicole isn’t a terrible singer. Actually, she’s better than Diana Ross! – VIDEO
Eleventh Hour (the high schoolers) sing us out to break.
Street Corner Symphony performs with Ben Folds – “Gone” – Oh look at Ben working the stage. Compared to Jeremy, he’s not the awesomest lead sing, but still love him. For the most part these “guests” aren’t adding much to what these groups already have. Having said that–loved the arrangement–beautiful harmonies. Nick Lachey is mocking Ben’s judging style! – VIDEO
Groove for Thought sings us out to break.
Sheryl Crowe joins The Backbeats, Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town and Committed. – “Long Road Home” – There are GUITARS!!! Blasphemy. The groups are pretty much just glorified backup here. – VIDEO
Neil Diamond with Committed and Street Corner Symphony – “Ain’t No Sunshine” – So…they aren’t singing a Neil Diamond song…because? Would’ve rather heard a Neil song. Oh yeah, Neil was just inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame. He’s so rawk! Ha. – VIDEO
Here comes the Holiday portion of the finale! Nick Lachey leads the group in a rendition of Stevie’s “That’s What Christmas Means to Me”! The beatboxer chick from Backbeats sings! The groups are dressed in festive holiday outfits. That was fun. – VIDEO
The groups indulge in a little holiday do-goodism next. After a segment on visitng a women’s shelter, The Backbeats take the stage to sing “Firework” – Nice. Good song pick for them. Love the explosive harmonies. Ben says they’re here because they bring the “emotional content” to the song each time. Shawn is disappointed we had to wait this long to hear Kenton sing! (He was good!) Nicole lays on a Paula Abdul-worthy metaphor about ice cream, bananas and rainbows! – VIDEO
Men of Note takes us to break.
Committed visited a school to sing with some kids. After their video package, they take the stage to sing “Hold My Hand” by Michael Jackson and Akon. Didn’t this song just come out? They really let loose on the bridge. Digging this! Looking upward–they must mean God. Ben thinks Committed are a total joy and inspiration. Nicole is moved to tears. Nicole likes their specific message of love. Shawn says there is no way they could not have made it to this point. – VIDEO
Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town visited Ability First a center for adults with physical disabilities. After they take the stage to sing a gospelized version of “Love Train” by the O’Jays. Nicole says “You are our teachers.” I think she’s going to cry again. Shawn calls them the foundation of a’capella. Ben says they put the song first. – VIDEO
Pitch Slapped take us into the break
Street Corner Symphony handed out guitars for the “Little Kids Rock” charity. HEY. I heard of them! Kris Allen does stuff with them. The group takes the stage to sing “Fix You” by Coldplay. All the finalists join them on stage for the last chorus. Powerful. Shawn thinks their harmonies are pure. Nicole calls them authentic and warm. Ben says they bridge rock and a’capella. – VIDEO
It’s time to eliminate two groups. Jerry Lawson and The Talk of the Town are eliminated first, just like I knew they would be. Predictably, they sing “Hit the Road Jack” as their swan song. – VIDEO
The next group to leave the competition is The Backbeats. Their swan song is “Goodbye to You”. – VIDEO
Committed and Street Corner Symphony are the Top 2. No surprise there.
Time to look back on the Top 2 finalist’s journeys! And after the break, we find out who WINS.
On the Rocks takes us to break with “The Final Countdown”. Cheeky!
Committed wins The Sing-off. Can’t say I’m happy about that. Street Corner Symphony sing their swan song “Drift Away”.
Committed sing “We Are the Champions” to close the show. Zzzz. – VIDEO
