Last Choir Standing: Semi-final

The numbers are dwindling and there are now only 109 voices to join in singing the opening number which tonight was 'One Night Only'. The real business of the evening then commenced with ACM Gospel Choir singing the Motown number 'Higher and higher. Last week Russell Watson had declared that ACM stood for Absolute Choral Magic - this week he changed the last word to 'Masterclass' and wondered how they could better that performance. Sharon loved it too, praising their great harmonies. Suzy however disagreed - she found it 'a bit dull' and would have liked more harmonic interest. Once again I found myself agreeing with Suzy Digby and wondering what the other two judges were watching.

Next to sing was Ysgol Glanaethwy performing 'The Rhythm of Life' from the musical 'Sweet Charity' and singing in both English and Welsh. Suzy commented on the fact that as soon as they started to sing in Welsh the sound changed the quality improved. As English is actually the second language for most of the choir this was perhaps not surprising, Sharon thought they were a bit square but loved their sound, and Russell loved the youthful energy that seemed to increase as the song progressed.

Third choir of the night was Only Men Aloud! singing the Robbie Williams song 'Angels'. Russell thought that the tenors sounded a bit nasal (he can talk!) but Suzy disagreed and said she had not heard any nasal qualities at all, just a fantastic performance that gave everything she had asked for. Sharon loved the arrangement but would have liked the soft parts to be even softer.

Next it was the turn of Revelation, a choir apparently not appealing to the voting public but saved twice by the judges. Could they pull off a performance that would keep them out of the bottom two? Well in my opinion, no. They sang George Michael's 'I knew you were waiting for me' which had Sharon eulogising them yet again and Russell thought it was 'the most exciting choral sound heard tonight' - presumably he had slept through the rest. Suzy said that they have something very special which can't be bought. Hmmmm....

For their second piece ACM Gospel Choir sang the Jackson 5 song 'I'll be there' accompanied by some rather distracting jigging around which was simply unnecessary to that particular number. Suzy thought they were exciting and passionate, but warned them to make sure always to use their best soloist. Russell thought it was not their best performance ever, while Sharon used a lot of words but actually said nothing meaningful.

Ysgol Glanaethwy chose their second Queen song of the series, this time 'Somebody to love', a brave choice with the original Killer Queen Sharon D Clarke as one of the judging panel. She thought it was a great sound and the soloist had a lovely voice but did not really have the emotion behind it. Russell reassured them that vocal maturity will come with age and Suzy marvelled at the sound produced by such a young choir.

Only Men Aloud! went for the big production number 'Luck be a lady' which Suzy thought was an irresistible performance, though she warned them not to let theatre take over. Russell ventured to say that this was the best performance of the night so far and Sharon described them as 'Busby Berkeley on jazz'.

Revelation's final song was 'I wanna know what love is' and Russell described them as being in the gold medal position in the last Choir Olympics. Sharon said that if they ended up in the bottom two again then there's something wrong with people. Or maybe something wrong with Revelation Sharon? Suzy said that she didn't see how their place in the final could be in doubt. Hmmmm... have the judges already decided then? We'll find out very soon.