Rev. Joe Kendall, star of the show "Pastor Cop," 1996's Crimefighting Clergyman of the Year and an avid baseball fan who covered 2004 Spring Training for the Salad Bowl, sent me a few thoughts after going to see Reba McEntire in concert on Saturday night:
Looks like Malanda at work.
Posted by: Camera at April 29, 2005 05:31 PMNo musical depth, well maybe, but have you ever heard Reba really sing a song. I've heard many songs where the sheer emotion in her voice could rip my heart out. The problem with Reba is, at times her singing style can be way too melodramatic and it appears to non-Reba fans that she is nasal and lacks vocal ability. However, when Reba picks and sings the right song she can blow you away. I understand your opinion completely, because I have listened to many of her albums. There are moments where she decides to make an attempt to change it up or stylize her voice,it sounds great and you really hear why she is so popular. Whereas, other times she gets too carried away and over-vocalizes or tries to sing out of her range and to the average non-Reba listener she sounds like a cat in heat.Which is honestly a mistake that alot of singers make. I must say though, even when she's not so good, believe me Reba is not dumb. I am sure she is very aware when a performance is not her best. In fact, she has admitted she is not the greatest singer. What Reba has is a certain entaining quality. If you think of Barbara Streisand, Anita Baker, Cher or any of the other so called "over-the-top" vocalist, they all have their crazy little nuiances and ridiculous gestures. The one thing that stands true about these veterans is there ability to reach out to the common person and make them feel special. I truly believe that is why Reba is so loved, she's just the gal from Oklahoma with what I honestly think is a good heart. If you think about it, how many superstars are as humble and easy to relate too as Reba is?
Posted by: Jason Coyer at November 17, 2005 01:05 PM