EVERYONE had high expectations of the semi-final leg of the GT&T Jingle and Song competition, and expected dazzling performances from the fifteen persons shortlisted in the English segment.

From all accounts, save for a few disappointing acts, the contestants not only ‘tear up de place, but left excited patrons breathlessly anticipating what they would be served at the Final and Grand Finale.
The semi-final leg of the competition was hosted at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday last, and one has to certainly applaud the Heat Wave Band for such brilliant musical accompaniment. Only the careless singers would have missed a beat or strayed off key in their performances.
Opening the night was Dorian Obermuller, performing Machel Montano’s ‘Mr. Fete’, and one has to agree he took his versatility to the limit. With careful gyrating, lots of energy, and classic use of stage, he plunged the National Cultural Centre into thunderous applause and screams of approval.
And his fans came out in their numbers to support him; but to take him to the next round, they must text E8 to 620-8683.
And Sherbith Hinds coming after Dorian Obermuller certainly kept the groove going, as she belted out ‘Come Through’, much to the delight of the audience. This was a very upbeat reggae selection, and Sherbith worked it smoothly, even adding some sensuality to her moves as she served out ‘magic cupcakes’ with her sweet voice. To keep her ‘working it like this’, her fans will have to text E25 to 620-8683.
Lemuel Chester took his act to the outermost limit in classically executing ‘Missing You’; and although the judges felt he needed more showmanship, his fans can take him to the next round by texting his lucky number, E30, to 620-8683.
Then suddenly disaster struck, and Sonia Barrow, who had thrilled the audience at the quarter-finals, had ‘the sun go down on her’ when she stepped on stage with great gusto, but apparently panicked and sadly forgot her lines, forcing her to walk off the stage. The judges brought her on back again, and the same thing happened.
She was allowed time to compose herself, and she came back later to deliver a performance that could only be dubbed lukewarm. However, her fans can keep her in the competition by texting E15 to 620-8683.
The Berbician Michael Small again stole the hearts of Guyanese as he ‘soared like an eagle’ in performing with fine style the reggae piece “I’m in Love”. His vocals were astounding, and Charmaine Blackman-Alves (judge) was delighted when he presented her the rose he had brought on stage.
The Essequibian songstress Tishana Cort should be taught a lesson in ‘keeping herself together’. Coming on stage to perform ‘Guyanese Wine’, she brought the right attitude to the song, but the actual singing was one brawling, loud, and almost raucous performance; and at times it appeared as if she was shouting at the judges in a rage.
And, good grief, could somebody tell her to stop jerking like a robot and tossing her head about the place! Many voiced their trepidation that her wig would have flown like a ballistic missile and hit the judges. Essequibo would certainly have to double up their votes and text her number E13 as often as possible to keep her in the competition. That is, E13 to 620-8683.
And it appears as if the streak of misfortune continued, and was indeed affirmed when Neil Maraj came on stage to sing Adrian Dutchin’s ‘Soca do Me’. He evidently had difficulty with his lines, and was very nervous throughout his entire performance. He tried his best at using the stage, and even tore off his shirt and attempted to wave it to garner crowd response, but this also failed miserably.
Nevertheless, his fans can take him to the next round by texting his magic number, E21, to 620-8683.
Ominelle Orne failed to deliver, and went off key several times during her performance. She hardly executed any dance moves whatsoever, and did not use up the stage. The judges were certainly disappointed in her, and I guess her fans were, too.
But she can remain in the competition if they continue to text her number, E7, to 620-8683.
Coming to the stage next was Ryan Hoppie, who performed ‘Vibes cyan Done’, and definitely brought the soca vibes in full force to the audience and judges. Though he kind of messed up on the dancing side of things, he kept the energy throughout his competition. The magic number to keep him singing to the next round is E12 to 620-8683.
Karen Couchman certainly needed to do more to bring a cutting edge performance, but she managed Timeka Marshall’s ‘Undercover Lady’ fairly well. To keep her singing, her supporters will have to continue to text her E23 to 620-8683.
Darren Benjamin’s performance of ‘Chill Spot’ found favour with the judges and evoked a resounding response from the audience. He was smooth, then electric, and then he oozed down nicely into throaty undertones that obviously affected the females. To take him to the next round, his supporters are required to text his winning number, E3, to 620-8683.
Lerone Souvenir came on next to perform ‘Affairs of the Heart’. He clearly almost ‘fegged out’, in a manner of speaking, at one point in the song. He also seemed to be straining during his performance, and definitely lacked the confidence to deliver the song to his best. However, his fans can help him remain in the contest by texting his ‘seal the deal’ number, E6 to 620-8683.
Diana Chapman performed well when she sang the soca selection ‘Call Me’. Her customary dance moves were impressive as usual, but something was just lacking about her performance. She just failed to bring the vibes associated with the song. Linden can keep her singing by texting her number, E20, to 620-8683.
On this occasion, Edward Perez of Essequibo pulled out all the stops to deliver a stirring rendition of the soothing reggae hit ‘That Girl’. He ensured he used the stage well, was in key all the time, and he never missed a beat in his presentation. The judges dubbed him ‘a very consistent performer’. To see him driving that car to Essequibo, his supporters will have to text his number, E10, to 620-8683.
And just as predicted, Natasha Yapp again saved the best for last and delivered a performance that brought every patron to their feet in thunderous applause. Hitting alarmingly high notes with brutal force, she took her voice to some pitches normally reserved for the seasoned international singers.
Liquid honey flowed from her lips, and next came happy, jewelled butterflies as she thrilled, teased, enticed, and enthralled all with her magnificent vocals. She really delivered on Rihanna’s ‘Man Down’. To keep her in the competition, Guyana needs to text E18 to 620-8683.
As patrons filed out of the National Culture Centre, murmurs of approval could be heard all around amidst speculations on what the finals of the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition 2013 has to offer.