{blackbabes} 'VH1 Divas': All that glitters, and soul too

NEW YORK – At VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul, sisters were doing it for themselves and for each other. And of course, they did it dressed to the nines.

The red carpet leading to the latest special in VH1's Divas franchise, taped live Sunday at the Hammerstein Ballroom— it will premiere on the network tonight, at 9 p.m. ET/8 CT — was fairly dripping in glitter, from Mary J. Blige's sparkling cream-colored gown to Jennifer Hudson's leg-hugging, rose-colored boots.

Asked if such fabulous clothes made the diva, Hudson replied, "Oh, my God — it's half of the ingredients!" Jill Scott agreed, speculating that "it has something to do with Diana Ross in Mahogany— that wonderful sense of presence."

Ross wasn't on the bill this year, but plenty of old-school giants were on hand to support principal divas Blige, Hudson, Scott, Kelly Clarkson, Jessie J and Florence Welch, from country icon Dolly Parton (a presenter) — in a painted-on black number embellished with silver high-heeled boots — to girl-group great Martha Reeves and funk queen Chaka Khan.

Gospel/R&B legend Mavis Staples, in a black pantsuit and sequined black coat, stopped Welch on the carpet to declare herself a fan. When Welch returned the praise, Staples shrieked, "You know me? You don't know me! You're the best! The best!"

J, showing ample skin in ebony and gold fabric connected with black nylon, couldn't decide which artist she was most excited about: "Everyone here is on my iPod. I'm the most unkown person. I feel like I've won a competition to be here."

That sense of mutual admiration and camaraderie continued on stage, as did the flashy fashion parade. But the emphasis was firmly on music, as the headliners traded solo turns with group numbers (some featuring male artists), including medleys devoted to seminal soul cities.

Some of the most exciting numbers shone a spotlight on less widely recognized names. During an homage to Chicago, Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and singer/songwriter Ledisi joined their mighty voices for a roof-raising Rescue Me. Ledisi also more than held her own with Clarkson on Chain of Fools, part of the Detroit tribute.

Welch, though strong-voiced, seemed relatively stiff, channeling neither Annie Lennox's fluidity for Walking On Broken Glass nor Amy Winehouse's grit during a surprisingly low-key salute to that recently departed diva.

There were, conversely, a few predictable displays of ostentatious vocal gymnastics. But the stars generally did not disappoint. The Chicago portion ended with the formidable Khan joining her fan Blige for a delirious Ain't Nobody. J and Hudson enjoyed a giddy rapport on Knock On Wood, while Estelle, Erykah Badu, Marsha Ambrosius and Questlove paid their regards to London with an infectiously breezy Back 2 Life.

Newer songs impressed as well: Hudson channeled her inner Beyonce for a thumping Night Of Your Life; on Hear My Call, Scott was more subdued — and a tad pitch-shy at points — but stunned the crowd with her poetic intensity.

House band the Roots provided a supple foundation throughout, and additonal male guests such as Boyz II Men and Travie McCoy represented their gender commendably. They looked pretty sharp as well. Of course, the focus of Divas was, by definition, not on them.

Asked on the red carpet what that term meant to her, Parton admitted, "I really don't even know what a diva is. But I assume it's a very strong woman, someone who's confident in her musical style and knows who she is. I guess that makes me one."