Michael Jackson memorial: Mariah Carey sings 'I'll Be There'

Pop & Hiss brings you quick thoughts on some of the main performances at today's public Michael Jackson memorial.

What: Mariah Carey's 'I'll Be There.' A No. 1 hit for Carey, who covered the Jackson 5 hit on her 1992 "MTV Unplugged" album. The ballad was an early sign of Jackson's strength as a vocalist, a childlike innocence conveyed with near expert phrasing. The Times' Ann Powers is inside Staples Center, and she offers that "Carey's version of the Jackson 5 song symbolizes innocence for her too -- it was one of her early hits, and a curly haired, cherubic Carey has been featured singing it in many televised Jackson tributes this last week. For Jackson's fans, the song recalls a period when the star made history as one of the first black teen idols to find acceptance across color lines."

At the memorial: In the very first verse Carey -- in a black, glittery dress -- made it clear that this would be a more restrained, elegant rendition of the song. Singing through the emotions, Carey was at a near-gasp in the song's opening moments. Her partner on the 1992 cover, Trey Lorenz, made an appearance here as well, heightening the performance's gospel undertones. Lorenz, in fact, showed off more vocal dynamics than Carey. But a more subtle Carey is a more graceful one. 

Inside the venue, Powers noted that Carey's take began in a tiny voice, as if to honor the boy Michael. When Carey found that Lorenz almost bowled her over, that's when she turned her voice up a notch to match her singing partner. Lorenz sang Michael's name in falsetto, and Carey added "Never Can Say Goodbye..." 

Very tasteful. 

-- Ann Powers and Todd Martens

Mariah Carey performs at a service for US pop star Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Comments

[jen]

I imagine it wasn't an easy day for any of those performers, i excuse her performance as i would be unable to perform in that type of situation without choking back tears...however what was not excusable was that dress...she is completely inappropriate...you can't dress skanky at a funeral...at least it wasnt a mini dress with sky high heels this time...someone needs to tell that girl she is not giselle...hide your goodies girl especially at a funeral you should know better!!!!

[Matthew Flynn]

Let's be honest--We are not only mourning MJ's death, but also the death of Mariah Carey's singing voice. It's not time to be mean, but let's be honest, Jermaine was outstanding singing "Smile" at his own brother's funeral. She also desperatly tried to cover her limitations with awkward phrasing, riffs that went nowhere and strange grunts and pops. I like Mariah, but let's all be honest, her performance sercures MJ as the king of pop and a great singer.

[Danielle Paul]

I think Mariah Carey's performance at Michael Jackson's Memorial Service was horrible. From the first note her voice cracked and was off key, and I don't believe it was due to being overly emotional. She tried to pull it together in the second half of her performance, but I feel she was damn lucky that it was a duet. I particularly agree with an individual who earlier said, and I'll paraphrase, that she tries to add as many extra notes to a measure as possible, climbing up and down the "vocal possibilities." (WELL PUT!) I've always found that to be terribly annoying, and her hand gestures seem to be another way that she reaches where her voice can no longer reach. Quite frankly, I've always thought that she sounded like a screeching chipmunk when she was in her prime. Presently, she should just quit singing and particularly, live performances. What an embarrassing display on her part. I don't think she has one redeeming quality as an entertainer--she simply STINKS.

[jmcconnor]

people all handle grief differently, and react differently.

IMO it's in really bad taste to criticize mariah's performance given her emotional state. did you pay money to see a concert? no. was mariah singing to please fans? no. she was singing for michael, to remember him and express her feelings about him. if it was just another day at the office she would nail it without batting an eyelash, but again, things like this don't happen every day.