The Sing-Off, Episode 4: The Big Finale

It’s been five days since last we learned the three a cappella finalists for whom America would have the chance to vote as winners of The Sing-Off. Thankfully, America is voting, and not the most recent Survivor jury, which probably would have chosen, say, Up With People, or some other group that didn’t even compete.

Anyway, our three finalists are:

* Nota, the super-cool Puerto Rican all-male act with a soul made out of funk and voices crafted from silk;

* Voices of Lee, the co-ed Southern charmers from small Christian school Lee University, who bring a touch of really nice jazz-inspired harmony;

* The Beelzebubs, the playful frat boys-turned-glee-clubbers from Tufts University with an old-fashioned look and an undeniable personality on-stage to go along with top-shelf voices.

Our judges, who got us to this point, are piano man Ben Folds, Pussycat Doll diva Nicole Scherzinger, and Boyz II Men legend Shawn Stockman. Our host is Mr. Jessica Simpson himself (once upon a time, anyway), Nick Lachey. Stay out of it, Nick Lachey! Sorry, couldn’t resist.

We start things off with a group number, involving all of our teams. It’s U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” which is a surprisingly difficult song title to type – it’s long! By this point, it’s pretty pointless to say it sounds great, because all the groups remaining are great. It would only be noteworthy if it wasn’t any good. Still, it’s nice to hear these three vocal powerhouses come together in one voice. Pretty cool.

Nick tells us about tonight’s special guest stars: Bobby McFerrin, Natasha Bedingfield, the legendary Smokey Robinson … and yes, we’ll have special performances involving our three judges, including a Boyz II Men reunion. Sweet!

We have two hours to fill, and clearly a lot of filler to go … and we kick it off with a look at Voices of Lee away from the show, where they go to a local school – I guess it’s in L.A.? – as part of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, it appears. Which is very different from being on Big Brother. These are at-risk youth, and Voices of Lee are here to provide some inspiration and guidance. It’s all predictably sweet, especially when the kids get to come to the show’s set and see how it all goes down. Voices of Lee are also inspired by the kids, who make our Tennessee sweeties feel like stars.

Now Voices of Lee take the stage to sing “Stand By Me” – never fails to be a wonderful, beautiful song, and VOL really do it justice. Hmm. They’re from Tennessee and the shortened form of their name is VOL? Is that on purpose and I just missed that until now, or is that only a coincidence? Anyway, their version is very mellow, very smooth. These college kids already have the poise of seasoned professionals – no matter where life takes them after this show, whether or not they win the recording contract (and I don’t think they will), they’ll be successful.

Hey, Jack Black is in the audience! I think that’s him, anyway.

Ben didn’t get them at the beginning of the competition, but he learned to love them. They’re one of the most harmonically and musically advanced group in the competition, which has earned them this spot. Ben touches on the “Man in the Mirror” controversy from last week, and how they whispered the line about making the world a better place, which Ben feels has a special, dignified significance in an era of change.

Shawn calls VOL the “breakthrough group” of the whole competition. He thought he had their style pegged, but they ended up showing him dimensions he didn’t expect. They have so many levels, so much depth, they’re like and all-star basketball team.

Nicole compares them to a “choir of angels” – appropriate for a Christian school, no? – and have captured us with a powerful yet warm and sweet blend of harmonies. I don’t like the top Nicole is wearing; it looks like something I’d expect to see on Eydie Gorme. Which is fine for her, but not for Nicole. VOL sings with their hearts, and come together as one voice. They stand for spirit and faith, and she believes those traits will carry them the rest of the way. I think she means in life, in which case, I agree.

Ah, I forget to mention: The theme here is “Songs of Hope.” Hence, “Stand by Me.”

The Beelzebubs are singing at what appears to be a ritzy senior center in their own little do-gooder clip. They get the older folks singing along and dancing. These are just good-hearted, fun-spirited boys, you can tell. It’s especially nice for the residents of the center to get the visit at the holiday time of year, which can get a bit lonely.

The ‘Bubs are doing “Where is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas. Not my favorite song they’ve done; the solos are as weak as I’ve heard this group, and the group harmony sounds just a little disjointed. Maybe it’s the song. I don’t know. But if America hadn’t already sent in its votes … I’d say the ‘Bub boys would be in real trouble tonight.

Nicole loves the song, she loves the BEP, and thinks they did justice to the song. Music is about giving back, and the ‘Bubs give back to us each tonight by having fun and putting smiles on our faces. Each of them are “Bub-tastic” and “infectious.” She means “infectious” in a good way, I’m sure, not the Rock of Love way.

Ben says the Beelzebubs are what everyone prays college boys are really like. Heh. That’s probably true … on the outside, anyway. I’m sure they’re pretty regular college guys when we aren’t seeing them (ahem). Ben predicts many parents will be offering their daughters to the ‘Bubs. Let’s not get carried away! “I wouldn’t,” adds Ben. Heh. If anyone’s wondering why the university a cappella movement is doing so well right now, the ‘Bubs explain that the moment they open their mouths.

Shawn says the club’s 47-year tradition has groomed the ‘Bubs to get to this point. They epitomize what the show is all about, never failing to be entertaining and sound “amazing.” A cappella will be the rage all over the country because of these guys. Again, let’s not get carried away … but let’s face it, the Beelzebubs ain’t gonna hurt the art form any!

Nota shows up at Someone Cares Kitchen/Someone Cares Tutoring – will they be cooking or tutoring? Or both? They get aprons, so it looks like cooking. Nota serves meals to those who need them. “Rock star” David recalls growing up in Puerto Rico, where there was sometimes no food in the house, so he feels for those whose stomachs he’s filling this day. Nota knows difficult times happen to everyone, so this experience is a pleasure for them. They sing a really cool version of “Lean on Me” for the diners, and it looks like just a really neat experience on the whole.

Nota is singing “Lean on Me” for us too – so we follow “Stand by Me” with “Lean on Me,” huh? – and I’m torn about Ludwig’s opening solo. He doesn’t sound totally confident, voice-wise, but he’s really giving it all he’s got from his heart, and I respect that. Ah, there’s that Nota flava we’ve come to know and love. It’s easy to catch a groove and ride it with this version of the classic tune, and the vocal gymnastics are impressive as always.

More celebs in the audience – I spy Sandy Cohen (a.k.a. Peter Gallagher). I miss The O.C. Actually, I just miss Rachel Bilson.