The passion and seriousness that participants brought to the Richard Stoute Over-21 Contest at The Plantation last Sunday were striking.
And making it, from the 23 keen contestants, through to the finals set for Sunday at the same venue were Matthew Williams, Princess Best, Charmaine Bradshaw, Christine Carter, Michael Alexander, Richmond Reid, Bryan Best, Troy Arthur, Jaime Depeiza, Oneil Harvey, Shelly Ann Niles, Gabi Best, Arthur Moore and Jason Stowe.
Notable, based on the number of people taking to the stage, is that there are many looking for an avenue to express themselves artistically – some with the hope of even making a career in their genre of choice.
These singers possess great voices, notwithstanding that most are tonally similar to the original singers whose songs they render.
It was interesting to see who would be creative enough to bring fresh treatment to the well rehearsed songs – no doubt fine-tuned by frequent visits to the karaoke sessions – and win the judges’ favour to go forward.
The above finalists clearly impressed, meeting the points criteria of voice, 40; diction, 20; rendition, 20; creativity, ten; and stage, ten.
Among those standing out was Williams doing I Run For Life and Purple Rain. He was exceptional in voice and was in total command of the stage.
Previous winner Depeiza, singing Touch Me In The Morning and Midnight Train To Georgia, was excellent in clarity and impact of voice.
Alexander, as evidenced by his controlled breathing and intonation in rendering We Are Young and Hallelujah, knows his craft; and Princess Best epitomized My Immortal, holding true to the darkness of the song. Her second offering was Make You Feel My Love.
Arthur was in exceptional voice, though there was doubt he felt comfortable with his selections I’ve Got To Be Me and My Way.
Reid is a smooth operator. A Barry White and Lou Rawles soundalike, he did justice to the songs by the two gentlemen: Practise What You Preach and Lady Love, respectively. (JS)
