It's All in the Delivery

This from WIAS field reporter Phillip Grecian who found this jewel on line. I will let the video speak for itself.  We'll discuss after.

Eddie Izzard has a comedy routine about singing the National Anthem, pointing out that most people don't really know the words. Mr. Izzard suggests one can fake it if you use strong physical gestures affirming and denying each phrase alternately and in sequence. Sounds harder than it is but basically if you act like you believe in what you are saying, even if it is totally wrong, you will at least look like you know what you are doing. If done with complete commitment, some will be fooled. Obviously Miss Lake Darnell has studied the Izzard method of fake singing.

She is not having trouble with the words, she has "key" issues. But, that is of no matter to a beauty contestant who is bound and determined to show poise, grace and refinement in the talent portion of her competition. With total commitment to a musical key that has no relationship to the one played by the instrumental back up, she affirms and denies the dramatic words with abandon.

As students of performance, turn off the sound and watch the video again.  She looks exactly like she knows what she is doing.  It is obvious that her every move has been thought out. Her rehearsals were probably videoed and studied. It appears hours were spent choreographing every move from the left hand on the hip to the pointing accusations at the audience.  Then with head thrown back and left arm embracing the heavens she sells the last note as if channeling Barbara Streisand.

Unfortunately that is with the sound off and this is not a dance number. When combined with the sound it becomes obvious that more time was spent on eye makeup than learning how to sing.

And lastly, if you are going to choose to sing as your talent, and you really don't have any singing talent...why in the name of Bert Parks would you chose..  "I'm Telling You"?  This is Effie White's 11:00 number from the musical Dream Girls and is meant to be sung by a drop dead diva with a huge voice.  It is a torch song with incredible emotion. Even singers with incredible voices shy away from this tune.  Jennifer Holliday originated the song on Broadway in 1981 and won a Tony Award for her performance as well as the Grammy for Best R&B Performance, Female for its re-release in 1982 for which it became a number-one R&B hit for Holliday. Jennifer Hudson portrayed Effie and sang the song in the 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls, winning an Oscar for the role. Hudson's version became a Top 20 R&B single, and a number-one dance hit. And then comes... Miss Lake Darnell.

Reporter Phil Grecian had only three things to say after posting this performance:

Holy Crap. Holy Crap. Holy Crap.

Well said.

As you were,

Jay

P.S. Thank you for the inspiration, Phil.