VH1 Divas, A Tribute To Oversinging and Unnecessary Runs

Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Mary J. Blige

VH1 paid tribute to Soul music with the help of artists like Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson and Florence Welch. With past Divas specials, the singers have showcased their talents and amazing voices performing their songs and those of their peers. This however felt like a long lesson in caterwauling and posing.

The show opened with Mary, Kelly and Jennifer Hudson doing a sort of Supremes-type thing, doing Motowned versions of their hits. Jennifer showed up on stage at least three times and her performance of "Night of Your Life" got people talking, although not for the right reasons. Everyone likened it to a knock-off Beyonce, red glittery dress by The Blonds, lasers, random dancers and backup singers. I really don't mind Jennifer, but just belt out your songs and leave the pageantry to someone who can commit.

Florence + The Machine seemed a little tired, although they rocked the cover of Annie Lennox's "Walking On Broken Glass" during the London Medley. Miss Welch is a doll, but she's just not Diva enough.

The highlight of the show was the tribute to Philly soul with Estelle, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Black Thought of The Roots and the always-welcome Boys II Men.

Florence paying "tribute" (?) to Amy Winehouse

But can we talk about this Amy Winehouse tribute? MTV tried and it was okay, and I'm sure there will be one during The Grammys next year, but it has become painfully obvious that no one can sing Amy's songs the way she did. Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings did a stellar job with "You Know I'm No Good," they were joined by a seemingly lost Wanda Jackson, but Florence made "Back To Black" more depressing than it already is. Maybe it was that 1920s funeral dress she was wearing. When I wasn't wondering what Adele was up to, I did enjoy Jilly From Philly's solo, "Hear My Call" and Kelly's barefoot performance of "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)"

It wasn't all that bad; I did appreciate that the ladies were genuinely excited to be performing with each other. Of course you have to appreciate the legends Mavis Staples and Chaka Khan, they delivered some quality screaming but something was missing.

Remember the first Divas concert with Aretha and Mariah doing that vocal battle during "Natural Woman"? Next year when someone has lost their baby weight, someone has gotten their ish together and another's vocal chords have finally healed we can have a real Diva Throwdown.