VH1 Divas 2004

Clearly VH1 decided to make significant changes in the 2004 Diva's Live Show. The pacing was much increased in an effort to keep the audience engrossed in each performance. The use of the stage "in the round" was effective in showcasing each performer from each angle (so no-one would fall asleep like at previous VH1 Divas live shows.) Unfortunately, it took VH1 this long to invite Patti LaBelle, a true Diva by universal standards. In fact, I hate referring to her as a "diva" b/c the term is so grossly overplayed in today's society. At 60 years young, Patti LaBelle stole the show without even trying.

Unfortunately she is sometimes accused of "stealing the show" with her outrageous performances, such as kicking off shoes, rolling on the floor, and her vocal acrobatics. In this VH1 show Patti LaBelle demonstrated that she has not slowed down one bit after nearly half a century of show stopping standing ovations. Patti was graceful, elegant, sexy at 60, and sang her ass off. I tip my hat to her as usual and pray for another 6 decades of her magic. She's a woman who is as generous w/ her time dedicated to charities, special causes, and is the national spokesperson for many campaigns, including the Minority Aids Campaign. I've said way too much and my fingers are tired......so in conclusion....... She is one bad ass power house woman who deserves much more attention than she gets. I also fear for others who have to sing w/ her on stage..... poor things. (Although Cindy Lauper held her own as they worked their very different styles together.) THE END. PHEWWWWW........

This should have rocked. VH1 moved away from the traditional divas (Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, etc.) that had made the 2003 show so stale. Sadly the move backfired. The show had no MC keeping the show together. Queen Latifah did a fantastic show at the 2003 Divas. The show kicked of with a horrific rendition of Lady Marmalade featuring Patti Labelle, Cyndi Lauper, and Jessica Simpson. Okay in the studio with some control they can all sound great.

However, when they are competing with each other (why?) it just sounds torturous! Jessica Simpson has the most bizarre facial expressions when she sings that i've ever witnessed! Cyndi Lauper also performed Girl Just Wanna Have Fun. That wasn't as bad but it was hardly impressive. The worst was yet to come! Cyndi and Patti Labelle teamed up to perform Cyndi's hit 'Time After Time'. It was acoustic, and didn't fit in with the rest of the show. Still it could've been okay if they both hadn't insisted on squealing like mamed animals. It was just dire.

Debbie Harry (from Blondie) is always cool. She has a style of her own and although maybe she can't compete vocally with a many of the divas although she certainly can sing very well. Debbie came out and performed Blondie's #1 hit 'Rapture'. With some lovely vocals. She really hit the notes perfectly. She looked stunning. Rapper Eve provided a new, but sadly inferior rap. It was good. Debbie's next performance was a team-up with newcomer Joss Stone. They performed the Blondie hit 'One Way Or Another'. I think Joss misunderstood the style of the song and just shouted over Debbie. A rather sad bit was when Debbie tried and failed to match her shouty style which spoiled it a bit. She should've just let Joss get on with her totally inappropriate warballing. The whole of Blondie performed this track. The final track Debbie performed was Blondie's massive hit 'Call Me'. It was pretty poor. Not Debbie's fault because you just couldn't hear her. The sound was atrocious all the way through the show.

Joss Stone also performed a few songs on her own. They were quite well done. Ashanti also showed up to perform two inexplicable cover versions. Firstly she did Diana Ross' 'I'm Coming Out', and then Chaka Khan's 'Ain't Nobody'. She is not a diva! She can sing to an extent but she has no presence whatsoever. Why not just get the real singers in. Chaka was even interviewed on the show....

Gladys Knight showed up and did a medley. It was very good. She was probably the best bit of the show. I don't know much about her other than she is a seasoned performer in Las Vegas and her experience and class really shone through. Patti Labelle fitted in another performance this time her 80's hit 'New Attitude'. It was the finale and it was okay but it was too little to late. This was one big dud. Better luck next time VH1.

The version I saw was a heavily edited 55min version which was shown on VH1 in the UK. If these were the best bits.....

I gave this show a 6/10. All of the VH1 Divas shows have disappointment me. This one, however, was one of the better shows in my opinion. When Cyndi Lauper appeared as Cher's guest in 2002, I thought it was a nice and overdue inclusion; however, I felt she should've been a headliner. It finally happened in this show and I think she did a great job. Patti LaBelle also put on a great show. And the pairing of the two on Cyndi's "Time After Time" was a moving highlight. Additionally, I think the opener of "Lady Marmelade" was explosive. Jessica Simpson was unnecessary and out of place next to the powerful vocals of Patti and Cyndi on that performance, but it was still one of my favorites. Patti did the original and I found an MP3 of Cyndi performing it with Angelique Kidjo in France. That, too, was a powerful performance and when I heard Patti and Cyndi would be on this show, I had hoped they would perform this song together. Cyndi also did her Salsa version of "Stay" from her acclaimed "At Last" CD and opened an 80's tribute with an abbreviated "Girls Just Want...". It was good to see Blondie performing, although some of her performance was weak. She doesn't have the vocal power she had in the 70s and 80s. I also enjoyed seeing Glady Knight performing and seeming ageless. Nothing against Joss Stone, Jessica Simpson, Eve or Ashanti, but these ladies are NOT Divas. I did find Ashanti's performances weak. She sounded like an American Idol audition. Newcomers and one-hit wonders do not belong on this show! A Diva should be one who's stood the test of time with powerful vocals incomparable to anyone else. And Tom Jones?? Come on, VH1! And who was this group of bimbos--I forget their name? Just filler, I guess, that did not work. Cyndi, Cher, Tina, Patti, Gladys, Carly, Carole King, Gloria Estefan, Chaka, Madonna, Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson of Heart, Taylor Dayne, Blondie, Mariah, Whitney, Paula Abdul...those are Divas!! I hope VH1 gets it right one of these days.

I watched this on VH1 in the UK and thought that the stars (although I wouldn't call some of them "Divas") managed to pull of a pretty good show.

Debby Harry, as always managed to entertain with her eccentric singing and injected some much needed style into the show. I thought that her singing "Rapture" was the best part of the whole thing.

The gorgeous Jessica Simpson looked a bit out of place during the version of "Lady Marmalade" but I'm a really big fan of hers so I'm going to comment any further without sounding biased!

I really enjoyed Joss Stone singing solo but joined with Debbie Harry, a totally different style, they drained each other out! (Note - Don't shout Joss!)

Overall I think that this is worth a look. But only if you're a die-hard music fan.