Adele’s “Skyfall” Performance At The Oscars: Review Revue

Robbie Daw | February 25, 2013 9:23 am

Professional awards magnet Adele can now add an Oscar to her growing collection, after her win at last night’s Academy Awards for her James Bond theme “Skyfall.” And, believe it or not, this is the first time a 007 tune has won in the Best Original Song category!

At any rate, Adele also performed at the ceremony. Some critics were a bit nonplussed over the vocal mix, citing the fact that the London songstress’ pipes were drowned out by the orchestra. Still, most were in agreement that the singer herself brought her A game to the Academy’s big night. See our roundup of what the Internet had to say about Adele’s performance of “Skyfall” below.

:: The Los Angeles Timesfelt Shirley Bassey and Adele’s Bond songs saved the night: “Like Bassey, she doesn’t succumb to the drama inherent in the song’s big-band orchestration. Adele practically tunes it out, and though Oscar host Seth MacFarlane joked earlier that Adele would be “shouting” at the audience, she did anything but, keeping her vocals low and her tone slyly conversational.”

:: MTV found nothing to gripe about: “Adele let loose with her very own James Bond tribute on Sunday night’s (February 24) Oscars. Done up in sequined all-black everything, the diva gave a flawless performance of the theme song for ‘Skyfall’.”

:: HitFix felt Adele’s vocals could have been more prominent in the mix: “All night, the house orchestra tended to overpower vocals — including on other powerhouse performances from 007-famed Shirley Bassey and Dreamgirls Oscars winner Jennifer Hudson. While Adele kept her kinder notes understated like in the recording, her backing band seemed to challenge her. Great performance on her part, but an iffy mix.”

:: Hollywood.com also lamented the vocal mix: “In her first televised performance since giving birth to her child, Adele belted out Skyfall‘s title track to the excitement of many. But from the second she stepped out on that Oscar stage (introduced by America’s other favorite no-filter queen, Jennifer Lawrence), the emotional rollercoaster we were ready to board was not ready for us. The mix seemed to overpower Adele — an impressive feat considering the strength the singer holds in her incredible vocal chords — and she seemed visibly frustrated through the entirety.”

:: Billboard was blown away: “With hair down and gold sequined black dress shimmering, Adele did her trademark stand-and-sway and this-big hand gestures as a full chorus and massive backing band (complete with a 15-plus orchestra) brought the layered, building track home.”

:: E! concurred: “It was a simple setup: Some glittery jewels hanging as a backdrop, a band and Adele, with her killer voice and and the sparkliest dress we ever did see. And as with all things that Adele does, we think it was perfect.”

:: Finally, Chart Rigger had this to say: “I truly love Adele’s Platinum-selling ‘Skyfall,’ and think it deserved to win the Golden Globe, BRIT Award and, now, Academy Award that its racked up. And while her performance of the James Bond theme at the Oscars last night was truly grand, it was really Dame Shirley Bassey who stole the effing show with ‘Goldfinger’.”

What do you think of Oscar winner Adele’s performance of “Skyfall”? Hit us up below with your thoughts, or let us know on Facebook and Twitter!