thoughtitwasagoodideaathetime:

Jennifer Holliday- And I am Telling You

The first time I saw Jennifer Holliday sing was her duet with Jessica Sanchez last week during the season finale of American Idol and I was immediately turned off by her giant, and sometimes scary, facial expressions mixed with her growling/screaming voice. I had to see more of her to know if was just a one time deal or how she actually sings. Then I found this video. It gives more context to the song and her expression is still larger than life. Then I read some of the comments and this one made everything click.

“Oh for heavens sake, you people saying this was over the top or her facial expressions too extreme, try going to a live Broadway show for once. Holliday had to make her pain known to the last row of the balcony.”

That’s when I realized, how can you not show her level of expression and still perform this? Or anything for that matter? There is not a movement, gesture, or even a blink of her eye that doesn’t come straight from the soul, and 30 years later I can still feel every inch of her pain even through a shitty quality recording while sitting on my bed. That is why it is called performing and not singing. Jennifer Holliday is simply perfect. I have watched this at least 10 times today and every time I have constant goosebumps and it is impossible to look away. This has to be one of the is the best live performances ever recorded. Everything needs be done with Holliday’s intensity. Not just music, but every single thing you do in life.

Audra McDonald sings I Could Have Danced All Night during the rFamily “cruise” at Club Med Ixtapa - July 15, 2010. Seth Rudetsky (on piano) kept changing to higher and higher keys without telling her as the song progressed. 

That last note, you guys. She is such a fierce bitch. I wish I could be in NY to see her in Porgy and Bess right now.