The AcoUstiKats, from the University of Kentucky, perform on the first night of ‘The Sing-Off’ season four. (From NBC.com)
NBC wheeled a show out after a year off last night.
They slapped host Nick Lachey on the cheeks, opened up the studio door to let in some cold air and decided to make fans of the voice happy again.
“The Sing-Off” is back for a season four. The vocal competition that truly showcases the wonders of human projection will have a two-week run. Ten teams competed last night in its two-hour premiere. NBC big-wigs put it on directly following “The Voice.” That popular singing competition is nearing the completion of its latest curve, down to five pretty great singers. No dopes, those NBC decision-makers.
If you didn’t tune in during the good, old days of 2009 to 2011, its premise allows “The Sing-Off” to be different than “American Idol,” network cousin “The Voice,” “The X Factor” and other competitions that came before it. Its contestants sing a cappella. Voice only. No instruments other than the sounds that come out of their mouths. And at their best, they sound like a full band. The percussion and bass lines they create are as astounding as the energetic leads and honey harmonies.
I’m a fan.
I love the big-production factor. There can be 20 members dancing around in interestingly choreographed moves as they sing. I love the smaller groups. There can be four singers, like a true barbershop quartet that has carried the banner of this type of vocal work for so long now.
It’s not just the TV cameras and studio productions that make these groups sound so swell.
The winner of season three, Pentatonix, included The Westcott Theater in Syracuse on a live tour after its victory. Those five young singers were even more memorable live.
I think it is going to be a good two weeks.
Judges Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman return. The leader of Ben Folds Five and veteran from Boyz II Men have been elevating the broadcasts with intelligent comments since the start. Jewel is the woman judge for the first time. Nicole Schwerzinger and Sara Bareilles sat in that chair before her. The founder of Pussycat Dolls had the spot for two seasons. I liked alt-pop singer Bareilles’ ideas better the third season. Jewel has the potential to be interesting.
The 10 teams put on a fine first night.
The co-ed, 12-voice ensemble Vocal Rush and five-man, country music group Home Free caught my ears immediately. I liked the doo-wop style of Street Corner Renaissance, five seasoned singers from Los Angeles, experienced men who actually do croon together on the corners of LA.
The bottom two teams, designated by said judges, must battle in a sing-off to see who stays and who goes home. Last night, that chore went to a college ensemble, The Princeton Footnotes, and the seven-member VoicePlay.
They competed with the N Sync song “Bye Bye Bye.”
The Ivy League squad lost.
The next episode is Wednesday.
I know that there is a certain amount of vocal competition burn-out. Myself, every January I must decide if this is the year I give up on “American Idol” at last. I know some folks will stomp their feet and say, why not just go out and see a live band play at a location near you?
Some music lovers hate watching contestants hope for fame while singing covers of hit songs.
A while back, I proposed a singing competition where the best bands and artists from single cities are given the spotlight to perform their original music.
For now, though, this is what the networks are giving the world.
So how about you? Do you still watch vocal competition shows? Will you be watching “The Sing-Off” for the rest of season four? What’s your favorite singing show, ever?
Mark Bialczak 
Have to keep watching as long as the AkoUstiKats are still there. Of course, it got better after they beat Princeton. Only watched part of “The Voice” because spaced out on pain meds.
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I was annoyed that they eliminated the LA street corner dudes so early, Angie. Those cats had soul, and sang rings around some of the younger groups still in it. Good luck for your Kentucky bunch, and I hope you feel better with that shoulder of yours.
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Thanks Mark. Yeah, I saw several that should have been eliminated b-4 the street corner group. Holding out hope for the KATS but at least they got further than Princeton. That was what counted for us, cause son-in-law is chief of staff at UK.
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I remember your UKentucky connection, Angie. Anyway, the UKats were flat out better than Princeton singers.
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i so still watch the voice and haven’t seen this one, i’ll check it out based on your recommendation. love ben folds, so i trust his judgement. also used to have a secret guilty pleasure of watching the dance competition shows, i found myself drawn in time and again and was mesmerized by the amazing talent i saw.
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I think you will like ‘The Sing-Off,” Beth, based on your affection for ‘The Voice,’ Ben Folds and the dancing shows. Let me know if it scratches the entertainment itch!
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And, even though you didn’t ask, I think it will be Cole or James that is eliminated tonight on ‘The Voice.’ Let’s say it will be James the big-voiced rocker, leaving the country-folk kinda guy alive. What do you predict, Beth?
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i actually think it will be james, i was not as impressed with his performance as the judges were )
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So James it will be because we both have impeccable musical taste, Beth.
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well, we were right after all, along with cole too, in a double elimination )
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I don’t watch any of these shows, simply because I don’t have a TV but when I’m out somewhere that they’re on… I am completely enthralled. I saw Pentatonix in concert last year… they were amazing.
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They were pretty darn cool live and on stage, for sure, Aussa. No TV? I don’t know whether to bow or howl. OK, I’ll howl. NO TV!
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Haha well… I do have Netflix for the lonelier moments of my life. And for when I am cleaning my kitchen.
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I love The Sing-Off too! And I had the good fortune of being a judge at the recent Collegiate A Cappella Showdown at the Turning Stone … there are some great groups around here (First place: Hamilton College; 2nd was SU; 3rd Binghamton). By the way, hear great choruses this Friday at my live Christmas Broadcast … hope you can make it …
http://thesunnyspot.com/blog-post/our-live-hometown-christmas-broadcast
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Sounds like that was fun, Mike. Thank you for heads-up on your annual live holiday shoe, too!
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Hah! Holiday shoe?
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Freudian typo, MIke. You and Ed Sullivan have a really big holiday shoe.
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I am a ‘Strictly Come dancing’ fan (Dancing with the stars is the US version, I think). The live band and the incredibly talented singers on ‘Strictly’ deliver perfection for every song, every week.
Then we turn over channels to the X Factor – most of them can sing, a couple of them are really good but I’m not sure handing the trophy/recording contract to a 16 year old is a good idea. If you’re going to sing about love and loss you need to have lived a little first. I hope the over 35 year old wins. She will, hopefully, cope better with fame. And she can sing.
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I love to hear about your British versions of competition shows, Rachel. I’m rooting for the 35-year-old over the 16-year-old every time, for the same reason as you. Fame can be a heavy burden for a teen.
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After American Idol, almost all of the large TV stations started their own singing/talent competition because AI was so popular. I don’t watch those type of programs anymore because I needed a break from them. One day, if they are still on, I will start watching again.
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I can’t help it. I like them! Thanks, PJ.
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