Light of Doom is eliminated on The Next Great American Band
Tonight was the final performance show on The Next Great American Band. The remaining three bands would perform three songs: one that was chosen by the judges; one that was chosen by the show (who on the show I’m not sure, maybe the producers); and one the band would choose themselves. The three bands that performed tonight were Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, The Clark Brothers and Sixwire. Light of Doom was eliminated and I was glad that they went home. Not because of the band specifically, but just because they were the weakest band left in the competition and it would have sucked if they stayed and one of the other three bands were sent packing.
Here’s my take on the show, in the order they performed in the first round.
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. The song selected for them by the judges was “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire, and Sheila E. picked it for them. I thought they nailed it. I loved the horn section and Denver is coming into his own as a front man. John and Dicko said they were impressive, but both questioned their ability to put out a studio album that they might be a better live band. Sheila said that the members of Earth, Wind and Fire would have been proud of their performance. Their second song was “Vehicle” by Ides of March, and again they nailed the performance. John again questioned their ability to do a studio album, while Dicko complimented Denver on the fact that he is becoming an engaging performer. When he asked the question why should they get a record contract, Denver responded by saying that when the band plays there is joy. Great answer. Their final song was an original song called “The Way You Move Me.” Yet again I thought they nailed it. John said it was a well written song, while Sheila said that if she was young and heard that song she would be inspired to pick up a musical instrument and learn to play it. Dicko said the song sounded like an old standard.
The Clark Brothers. Tonight we had the stripped down, original band with the three brothers (no drummer or bass player). The song picked by John for them was “Change the World” by Eric Clapton. I hated their performance. I did not like at all how they interpreted the song. The judges on the other hand, loved their interpretation and the performance. John said that it was a deep, unique and original interpretation of the song, while Sheila said they made it their own. Dicko said they brought fire into their performance. Their second song was “Amazed” by Lonestar. Now I absolutely loved this performance. I thought it was moving and beautiful, and liked it even better than the Lonestar version of the song. The judges were divided on the performance. John and Sheila loved it, calling it beautiful, fantastic and passionate. Dicko thought it was a bad song choice for them, that it better suited Sixwire. Their final song was a gospel song “This Little Light of Mine / Faith, Faith, Faith” and I wondered why they did not play one of their original songs. Isn’t that the point of this competition – to get a record contract where they can make an album of their own original work? Sheila loved it, and Dicko called it magical. I wonder if I was watching a different show tonight.
Sixwire. Their first song was selected by Dicko, “Reeling in the Years” by Steely Dan. They nailed it. It was very true to the original and I loved it. The judges thought it was a great performance, and Dicko said they turned a judge into a fan. Their second song was “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” by England Dan and John Ford Coley. I did not like their performance, especially the way they edited the lyrics. I love this song, I love the words and was so disappointed that they were cut. I know that they have time constraints, but I did not like the way they did it. John and Sheila liked the performance, while Dicko said they were like a boy band who forgot to break up. Their final song was an original called “Good to Be Back” and they dedicated it to their buddies in Light of Doom. It was the song they played in the auditions to get them to the finals. Again it was great. It had such a good feel to it – I could see myself in a bar or in someone’s backyard with a beer just hanging out and listening to music. Across the board the judges said it was fantastic. John commented on the songwriting and said it was impressive.
I think that the winners are going to be Sixwire, mainly because they have the most broad appeal of the bands left in the competition. Of course Denver could be a dark horse – even though the judges said they would not do well making a studio album they have made it this far on fan support. And The Clark Brothers have a good following too, I’m sure, and the fact that they are good looking doesn’t hurt either. Who knows – I think it will be interesting to see who wins it all next week.
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