FRED HAMMOND
feat. KELLY PRICE & SHIRLEY CAESAR
“Awesome God”

A-

Fine way to open the show. Hammond, dressed comfortably, took the stage with “Awesome God.” The song proved to be a worthy uptempo funk track and once again showcasing Hammond’s glorious return to his faithful self. Kelly Price remembers and adores her lyrics. Shirley Caesar, although quite enthusiastic, stumbled over lines and even forgot a few lyrics. Hammond, using his Detroit magic, glosses up the performance with great party-amped ad-libs and aggressive energy. Glad to see the braids are officially gone. The guy was definitely clean-cut with his extra chunky self.

YOLANDA ADAMS
"Victory"

C+

Accompanied with a big, churchy sound on background vocals, “Victory” seemed a bit relevant for the live show. Certainly the song is so 2005 and every bit of annoying with all of its wordy lyricism, but the major distraction rested on Adams’ galactic wardrobe. Beyonce probably could have pulled it off, even though it somehow resembles a purple version of Mystique (from X-Men fame).

ANTHONY HAMILTON feat. TARSHA HAMILTON
"Better"

B

A sweet, tender original ballad coming from husband and wife. Felt appropriate, though it lacked all the grittiness of Hamilton’s R&B shows. The vamp, saturated with ascending “ohs,” definitely raised the bar on the performance. Still, it was more of a memorable presentation for his wife - an emerging, aspiring gospel singer.

DR. BOBBY JONES & THE NASHVILLE SUPER CHOIR feat. Y'ANNA CRAWLEY
"The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow"

C-

Talking about a wardrobe malfunction. Dr. Bobby Jones, clothed in paper wrap and homeless attire, tried to pump new life into Dr. Thomas Dorsey’s ageless lyrics. Somehow the wardrobe got lost in the translation. But it was Crawley, 2009's Sunday Best winner, that proved to be the evening’s laughing prize. What looked like an outfit straight out of a Disney Broadway run ended up looking more like Carol Burnett’s highly-memorable out-take on Gone With the Wind. If only those wings could fly. Although the choir proved to be extra spicy with their deliveries, the rearrangement paled in comparison to the original pew burner.

LEDISI & KELLY PRICE
"How Great Thou Art "

B+

Kelly Price enters the stage first; setting the pace on a traditional approach to “How Great Thou Art” while Ledisi, seconds later, approaches the microphone using her God-ordained jazzy pipes. Both ladies were dressed with royal greatness - a definite plus. Ledisi and Price both battled to hit piercing high notes, belting like end-time revival preachers. Glorious to see both women can showcase the marvelous soulfulness of gospel music, but some of the yelling and vocal outbursts could have been toned down a tad bit. They must didn’t get the memo that we still have volume switches on our TV remotes.

BEBE & CECE WINANS
"Close to You/Grace"

B

Back together again. The moment was certainly a blessing for those who remember their ministry as a duo from the ‘90s. They performed a snippet from their 2009 hit single “Close to You” but slipped into a string-enhanced “Grace.” All of a sudden, the excitement disappears. What we expected was an uptempo, fiery groove, comparable to “Celebrate New Life” or “I’ll Take You There.” Instead, it’s more of a plug to buy the new album. And most of the audience sat with disbelief. At least they looked good together and looked like they enjoyed their Sunday prime time moment. It was still apropos, but failed to connect.

CITY OF REFUGE P.S.A.L.M.S. CHOIR
"Shout"

B

The church choir from Bishop Noel Jones’s City of Refuge took the stage with a fiery revisit to Milton Brunson’s “Shout.” McGee kicks out some Ricky Dillard and Tye Tribbett excitement and even bursts out a few dance club moves. But Ray Chew and his background band deliver a zesty arrangement, giving it more of an urban jingle (even parading with Mary Mary’s “Trevor’s Birthday”).

SHIRLEY CAESAR
"Celebration"

C+

Looking all glammed up like a First Lady should, the reigning gospel queen’s churchy energy never fails to capture audiences. But the song, new to Caesar’s repertoire, was a bit rambunctious for Caesar that night. The choir and band completely overshadowed Caesar’s deliveries. She may have been a bit tired, but a better song would have been better for our enjoyment.

JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA
"I Trust You"

D

Overacting on what is obviously a background vocal track isn’t really necessary. Fortune, definitely not a singer, decided to use the moment to preach and talk without taking a breath. I bet Closed Caption on this performance only displayed the music notes. Give him a pulpit please.

FRED HAMMOND
"They That Wait"

B+

Even without John P. Kee present, Hammond owned the infectious contemporary song. For a song that isn’t all that prepped for Sunday morning, he surely pulled it off with a live band and full choir. Fans of the energetic RFC praise tunes are probably prepping this for next Sunday’s worship service.

FANTASIA feat. DIANNE BARRINO-BARBER
"He's Done Enough"

B

Once again proving that traditional gospel is where soul music lives, Fantasia uses a perfect gospel song to demonstrate her Patti LaBelle energy. Obviously, she took the moment seriously. She kicks off her heels, flaps her hair, squalls and jumps on her feet like a faithful Patti fan club member. Her mother, Dianne, definitely proves the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. Mama’s not as fierce and theatric, but she’s certainly gifted with gospel pipes. The performance still is worth checking out again and again. Great choice of song for the evening.

RANCE ALLEN GROUP
"Something About That Name Jesus"

A

Bearing an almost timeless quality, Kirk Franklin’s “Something About That Name Jesus” might stand up with gospel hymns like “Through It All.” The legendary Rance Allen Group approach the song in their usual cool fashion, but Rance Allen’s glorified gospel runs, attached to a Southern bluesy testimony, showcases how gospel music should feel. His vocal timing is perfect and the group echoes his sentiments well. And the crowd agrees; with their hands lifted in intimate worship. By far one of the evening’s greatest high moments.

TYE TRIBBETT & G.A.
"So Amazing"

D-

If you’re a Tye Tribbett fan (and you’re probably are if you’re reading this), you probably thought this moment was everything synonymous to a Tye Tribbett performance. But let’s count up all the troublesome facts: “lip-synch performance, nine G.A. singers (and probably the last time you will see G.A. with their leader since their recently announced breakup), very tight skinny jeans and circus-like leaps and acrobatics. It was definitely everything we have come to associate with Tye Tribbett. But it still was more of a rowdy spectacle than a bowlful of gospel ministry.

DONNIE McCLURKIN
"We Fall Down"

A

The very simple song still has a blessed melody; a Brenda Russell-like (think “Piano in the Dark”) quality. McClurkin, using both his sweet ballad touches and gospel power belting, does a good job in touching the lows and highs of the song.

MARVIN SAPP
"Best In Me"

A-

Utilizing the leftovers of “Never Would Have Made It,” Sapp may just have another crossover hit single on his calendar. He dedicates the song to a tearful Harvey (now sitting in the audience). Only the chorus is worth repeating, but that’s all you need for a memorable gospel song. James Cleveland always said, “You don’t need a lot of words.” Remarkably, Sapp got the point.twice.

DONALD LAWRENCE feat. CITY OF REFUGE P.S.A.L.M.S. CHOIR
"Back II Eden/The Best Is Yet to Come"

B+

Part track, part live, part hilarious. Donald Lawrence’s suit, looking like the Paisley Park back album art of Prince’s Purple Rain, certainly drew all the attention for TV viewers. But the infectious song captures all the joy of an uptempo D. Lawrence party track. He returns with the same energy on the evening’s closer“The Best Is Yet to Come.”