Joyful Noise Season 2 Episode 4 Covered
- July 23, 2017
Joyful Noise is a musical reality show that showcases the world's best gospel choirs as they compete to win the title of America's best gospel choir. The show is hosted by Grammy award-winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett, and each episode features incredible performances by the gospel choirs along with uplifting interviews and inspirational stories.
In season 2 episode 4, entitled "Covered," the gospel choirs share their versions of classic gospel songs that have been covered by other artists throughout the years. The episode starts off with the judges - gospel singer Kierra Sheard, producer and songwriter Donald Lawrence, and gospel legend Hezekiah Walker - discussing their favorite gospel covers. They emphasize that the key to a great cover is not simply replicating the original song, but adding one’s own distinct flavor to it while still staying true to the original message.
The first choir to perform is John P. Kee’s VIP Choir, who deliver a soulful rendition of "Lord, I Believe" by James Fortune and FIYA. Their unique arrangement of the song, complete with a thrilling drum solo and gospel-style call-and-response, wows the judges and sets a high standard for the rest of the competition.
Next up is The Greater Allen Cathedral of New York Choir, who give a stirring performance of "I Need You To Survive" originally sung by Hezekiah Walker. The group's powerhouse singers quickly draw the judges in, with their soaring voices and heartfelt delivery, leading the judges to deem their performance as one of the best of the night.
The next choir, The Faithful Central Bible Church Choir, takes a different approach with their rendition of "Never Would Have Made It" famously sung by Marvin Sapp. They reimagine the track with a jazzy, upbeat arrangement that has the audience clapping along. The choir members' joyful energy shines through their harmonious vocals, resulting in an outstanding performance.
Following them is The Voices of Grace Choir, performing the timeless classic "Amazing Grace." The choir's lead vocalist packs in sheer emotion and feeling, which is backed by the soulful and melodious vocal harmonies of the rest of the choir, creating a heart-rending rendition of the evergreen pop track.
The final choir, The First Church of Deliverance Choir, delivers a choral arrangement of the Shirley Caesar classic "I Feel Like Praising Him." The choir’s soloists showcase their impressive range, while the full choir harmonizes in waves of joyous sound. The judges note that the song is a perfect fit for the choir, who seem to radiate pure joy and love for gospel music.
After the choir performances, the judges deliberate on the night's performances. Donald Lawrence is seen nodding along and tapping his foot, feeling uplifted by the messages of hope and faith in the performances. Meanwhile, Kierra Sheard remarks that each group’s unique take on the cover songs had managed to delight, engage, and move the audience in distinct ways.
In the end, the judges have a difficult decision to make: picking the best gospel cover choir of the night. With such a high level of talent on display, any choice will be a valid one. However, the judges declare the winner based on the performances, their arrangements, their execution, and the overall delivery: the standout performers of the night were The Voices of Grace Choir, who had transformed "Amazing Grace" into a powerhouse track, replete with soaring vocals and passionate harmonies, and left a lasting impact on the audience and judges alike.
The episode ends with the winner’s announcement, with the Voices of Grace Choir being awarded gold certificates and offering a song of gratefulness to God. All the choirs celebrated together, united by their love for gospel music, uplifting lyrics, and a desire to spread joy and hope. "Covered" is a joyful episode that showcases the best of gospel music and the power of faith, reminding viewers of the uplifting power of music, and the hope and healing that comes with faith.
