Can you believe it was ten years ago today that Princess Diana passed away? Such a long time ago, but I can vividly remember waking up from an afternoon nap and hearing the news on the radio. I was convinced I’d heard wrong, that I was still groggy from sleep. But of course, the terrible news was true.
Around the world, tributes are pouring in from people united by the grief they still feel, and the inspiration they still take from this stunning lady. Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Flynn has added his voice to this global outpouring of emotion with his new single, “The Princess.”
“The Princess” is a tribute to Princess Diana’s life, and the millions of people she touched around the world. Prince William, Prince Harry, and The Queen have personally endorsed the song.
As Diana was so active in supporting charities, it’s fitting that sales from the single will benefit two important charities. One dollar from the sale of each single will go to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. An additional dollar will help establish a new music school for underprivileged and indigenous children in South East Queensland.
The single is available from Tension Records online and Leading Edge music stores around the country.
After some truly breathtaking performances, Holly Weinert and Brianna Carpenter took their rightful places amongst the Australian Idol top 12 last night.
I was so thrilled to see these girls make it through. They bring something truly unique to the top 12, and I can’t wait to follow their progress in the competition. You know, with so much talent amongst the Idol ranks this year it’s going to be really difficult to vote people out every week!
Before we do though, we’ve got the wildcard round on Sunday. Last night each judge chose two people to have a second chance at Idol glory. I was thrilled that the judges did it this way. It’s allowed us to have a very different bunch of contestants – not the contestants the majority wanted but the contestants that one person believed in enough. I’m also glad the wildcards weren’t chosen on the basis of gender. It seems crazy to me that Idol franchises seem so concerned with an even gender mix.
And so, Australia, your wildcard contestants are: Daniel Mifsud, Husny Thalib, Carl Riseley, Natalie Gauci, Mark Da Costa, Jack Byrnes, Dave Andrews, and Sarah Lloyd. It’s really a mixed bag, isn’t it? I’m thrilled that Husny, Daniel, and Natalie have another shot at making it through. I’m also expecting big things from Dave and Jack. Bring on Sunday!
After a couple of days predicting, I actually got it right last night! I was thrilled that the two Central Coast boys, Ben McKenzie and Marty Simpson, were voted through the top 12. Well done boys! Australia definitely got it right this time.
With the announcement out of the way, it was time to hear the final group of girls. Sarah Lloyd started us off with a gutsy rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s Dreamgirls hit, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” I thought she performed really well, but I just don’t find her very interesting. There was nothing to fault here, but I wouldn’t go out and buy her albums.
Morgan Hosking is more my kind of performer. Funnily enough though, while she has the interest factor, the vocals let her down. She insisted a bad case of nerves marred her performance of Alanis Morissette’s “You Learn,” and maybe that’s all it is. The sad thing is, we hadn’t seen a lot of Morgan before last night so Australia’s going to take her on face value. I think she could have brought something very cool to the competition, but she won’t go through with this effort.
After some half-good acts, Holly Weinert was a breath of fresh air. During the audition rounds this chick from Mildura got lost amongst all the other guitar girls. Yet last night she held her own and established herself as a unique force in the competition. I loved everything about her stripped-back version of “Easy.”
While Holly provided a point of difference, our next singer Madison Pritchett showed she’s incredibly bland. Her voice is really nothing spectacular, and her stage presence didn’t impress me either. Her take on Avril Lavigne’s “When You’re Gone” was far too sugary sweet. I can see this girl modelling for Dolly magazine, not on the world music stage.
From the bland to the extraordinary, enter one of my favourite contestants, Brianna Carpenter. Some of my first loves let me down this week, so I was thrilled at this performance. Regina Spektor’s “Fidelity” was the perfect song for her: unique, kooky, and playful. I just hope that Australia understands how great this was and votes her through, as the competition really needs someone like her.
Seasoned Idol performer Rosie Ribbons closed with a very different take on REM’s indie anthem “Everybody Hurts.” There’s no denying that Rosie’s a great singer. But it feels like she’s putting together a collection of impressive notes, rather than really singing and connecting with a song. Maybe that’s enough to do well over in Britain, but this kind of superficial performance won’t impress Australia. I found it downright painful.
I really hope Holly and Brianna join the top 12 after last night. Their performances were the only ones that really had star quality for me. Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Sarah took one of their places. Disappointed, but not surprised.
So tonight we’ve got the girls’ verdict, and the wildcard announcements. Given the talent that’s been rejected, Sunday’s going to be one hell of a night!
Megastar rappers Akon and The Game have touched down in Australia with one thing on their minds. And one could be forgiven for thinking it’s not their massive Roc Tha Block tour.
The notorious bad boys have asked for packets of condoms and a love seat to be provided as part of their rider.
But that’s not all. According to The Herald Sun, the tour’s organisers have been scouring Melbourne’s high-class gentleman’s clubs for ladies to entertain the visiting stars.
It sounds like these guys are looking to make the most of their short stay in Australia. When they’re not sampling the locals, Akon and The Game will appear with Sisqo, Naughty by Nature, and Pitbull at the Roc Tha Block shows. The tour kicks off at Melbourne’s Vodafone Arena tonight.
Despite my confidence, it seems I was wrong again last night. No one was shocked to hear Tarisai Vushe announced as the first girl in the top 12. But no one expected that Lana Krost would join her, including Lana herself. I’m still not convinced that she’s ready for the competition, but there’s no denying she has talent. She’s undoubtedly going to improve week after week, and that’s going to be really fun to see.
Mark Da Costa opened the show with a bang with a rocking version of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” The judges and audience seemed to love it, but it felt a bit weak to me. Perhaps you needed to be there to feel the energy. It was solid, but he didn’t seem to have the pipes to pull off some of the notes he aimed for.
While Mark’s energy didn’t reach me in TV Land, that of young Ben McKenzie certainly did. Ordinarily I chat through performances, criticising this and complimenting that. Yet while he sang “Mad World” I sat speechless, captivated. I think with all the focus on Matt Corby, this other sweet 16-year-old has been overlooked. I know I underestimated him, but I won’t make that mistake again. Wow.
I’m in two minds about Jack Byrnes’ performance. I thought his arrangement of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” was really innovative and fun. I thought his voice was very strong. I even loved the “mincey dancing” that Dicko panned. Yet I didn’t connect with it on an emotional level, and I just can’t put my finger on why.
Newcastle’s Dave Andrews came next with the John Farnham hit “That’s Freedom.” As a former Novocastrian, I had a personal interest in Dave. I wanted him to do well, but this was simply adequate. I couldn’t fault his singing at all. It was a beautiful arrangement. It’s just that there was nothing really special about it. He made it to the top 24 because of some quirky song choices and his great personality, but he didn’t showcase any of that last night.
Next up was another emotional investment, Lyall Adonis. He blew me away at his audition, yet it seems like he’s struggled with nerves throughout the rest of his time in the competition. He was still battling them last night. Listening to his performance of “Desperado” without the visuals, the vocal was pure and solid. But sadly we all know this competition is about more than the vocals.
Marty Simpson closed the show with The Fray’s hit “Over My Head.” I think Marty was great, but the band let him down here. It seemed like they were rushing and it made what could have been a great performance fall a little short. As a Central Coast resident, I’ve actually caught Marty playing around the place locally over the past few years. Let me tell you, he’s a real find and he’s got a lot more to give.
So tonight we’ll find out who’s through, and hear the last of the girls sing. Ben McKenzie deserves his place in the top 12 after last night, but I’m not so sure who should join him. I’m tossing up between Marty Simpson and Jack Byrnes. What about you?
This makes Damien the only Idol winner in history to score two consecutive number one albums. His Idol retrospective, The Winner’s Journey also raced to the top of the charts.
Where We Land is Damien’s first album of original material, and it comes some nine months after he won the Idol crown. Look out for my review of this album at Oz Music Scene later this week.
Damien’s not the only local talent selling plenty of albums this week. The John Butler Trio, Katie Noonan, and Powderfinger are all still in the top 10. Grand National sits at number seven, just ahead of Skin and Dream Days at the Hotel Existence at nine and ten.
Damien’s pushed Fergie’s The Duchess from the number one spot, but she’s still queen of the singles charts with Big Girls Don’t Cry.
Ricki-Lee is the only Aussie in the top 10 singles charts. Her dancefloor anthem “Can’t Touch It” has slipped to number five, after a couple of weeks at number two.
It was a big night in Australian Idol last night, with our first two contestants through to the top 12, and the first six girls singing for their supper.
As the picture shows, Matt Corby and Jacob Butler are our first two top 12 contestants. Did you pick it? I think most of us guessed that Matt was a shoe-in, but I’m surprised by Jacob’s inclusion. While his performance certainly wasn’t horrible, I didn’t think he was distinctive enough to earn the nation’s votes. He may not have been one of my favourites, but I’m still happy to see him there. This boy’s nothing if not committed, and once his nerves settle and he starts taking some risks he could really pull out something special.
After an uncharacteristically speedy announcement, Channel Ten brought us the first group of ladies. I didn’t think it was as strong as the men’s group that came before, but the performances of a select few showed we’re going to have an amazing top 12.
Sally Van Der Zwert was first up, taking inspiration from the original Idol with her cover of Kelly Clarkson’s “Never Again.” She has a pretty voice, but I felt she was a bit breathless and thin in patches. She’s a really attractive girl, but she’s lacking that elusive star quality. A decent, but ultimately unforgettable, performance.
Perhaps I forgot about Sally so quickly because Natalie Gauci came next. This girl captivated me, and the judges, from the start. I continued to be entranced by her cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt.” I’ve never been a Christina fan, but I can appreciate the quality and difficulty of her songs. Natalie kept her cool, and was never daunted by the challenge of this powerhouse ballad. It was stunning, and while I’m biased, I thought it was better than the original.
Next up was a groovier Cheray Doughty than we’d previously seen. She moved and grooved her way around “Tell Me About It,” but I just don’t see her as Australia’s answer to Joss Stone. What I liked most about Cheray was her folky whimsical style, and I’d hate to see abandon that for this kind of disposable pop. The judges raved about her though, so apparently they saw something I didn’t.
While Cheray disappointed me, Tarisai Vushe delivered more than I’d ever expected. I’d originally perceived this African beauty as just another Whitney wannabe, with a big voice but little substance. But her dynamic performance of “River Deep, Mountain High” proved me wrong. As a matter of fact, she could be one of the most exciting performers we have. I loved the way Tarisai built this, from a tender ballad to a rock powerhouse. She’s a bundle of sass and sunshine, and there’s no justice if she doesn’t get through.
Next up we had Jesse Curran, with a country take on the U2 classic “One.” She sang beautifully, but following Tarisai made her look ordinary. It’s a shame as Jesse was already disadvantaged following the tabloid news about her relationship with country crooner James Blundell. When the public has branded you a home wrecker, it takes something spectacular to make them like you. This performance wasn’t enough.
Lana Krost closed the show with the number one hit, “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” It was a pleasant effort, but I felt she didn’t really understand what she was singing about. This is another girl with so much potential, but she seems a little too inexperienced to really make an impression on the competition.
So who will go and who will stay? This one seems a lot more clear-cut to me. If Natalie and Tarisai don’t make the top 12 after their consistent brilliance, I’ll be shocked.
Australian Idol 5 is off and racing after a cracking first semifinal. Following a thoroughly entertaining show last night I’m left wondering who will stay, and who will go. Some of the favourites underachieved, leaving some others to rise to the top of the pack. Right now, it really seems like it’s anyone’s game.
First up with the crowd-pleasing teen Matt Corby. So much has been said about Matt in this blog so far, but did his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” live up to the hype? Honestly, I think so. Sure, the performance could have been a bit more dynamic, but he certainly nailed the vocals. The performance showed real depth, and for his first time on the Idol stage I think he did a credible job.
This week the Idol forums were buzzing about Junior To’o. We’ve barely seen anything of this Sydney dad, yet there he was fighting for his place in the top 12 amongst early crowd favourites. While he may not have the profile of some of the other contestants, Junior took it in his stride to deliver a very mature performance of “Dear Mr President.” Junior brought a great sadness and believability to the song, and it was wonderful.
Carl Riseley showed yet again why I call him a poor man’s Michael Bublé. This time around he tackled “Home,” a song that should have been right up his alley considering his Navy background. But this guy just simply isn’t good enough. He didn’t do a bad job, but he’s just not strong enough to compete at this level.
Next up we had Daniel Mifsud, my early favourite, with Diesel’s “Tip of my Tongue.” When the judges said this was “underwhelming” I think they were spot on. He sang well, he performed well, but on the whole it was all just very average. I’d expect to hear something on a par with this performance at any local pub. He was so popular he may find himself in the top 12 anyway, but based on that performance alone he doesn’t deserve it.
It seems people either love or hate Husny Thalib. Personally, I fall into the former category. He brings a sense of drama and theatrics to Idol that we haven’t seen since drag queen Courtney Act. While the song “If You Can’t Say No” may alienate a few people, he really sold it to me. Really strong vocals, distinctive dance moves, outrageous costuming: this boy has style.
The show was closed out with serial reality TV offender Jacob Butler. I was a bit of a fan of Jacob’s work on The X Factor, but I can’t say he won me over here. “Chasing Cars” is such a monotonous song that he really had nowhere to go with it. It’s a shame. He’s a strong performer, but I doubt this will win him votes.
I predict Matt and Daniel will probably win their places in the top 12, based purely on their popularity. However, I’d really love to see Husny take Daniel’s place. He worked his leather-clad butt off for it, and he really deserves it.
The husky sexiness of Abby Dobson’s voice has been a delightful fixture on the Australian musical landscape for some time. She helped make “Even When I’m Sleeping,” her massive 1998 single with Leonardo’s Bride, an instant classic. Her guest spots on Paul Mac’s first solo disc were magical.
Abby’s set to wow us again with her solo debut, Rise Up. She’s worked with some in the business for the release, including old buddy Paul Mac, Josh Pyke, and 78 Saab’s Nicholai Danko.
Rise Up is in stores from October 6, but fans in Melbourne and Sydney can get a sneak peek when Abby plays a couple of very special shows next month. She’ll appear at Melbourne’s Northcote Social on September 19 and The Basement in Sydney on September 27.
In the meantime, check out the video for her new single “Shining Star.”
The lads from Regurgitator have spent the last few months in exotic Brazilian locations, and now they’re back with a brand-spanking new album.
According to FasterLouder, Love and Paranoia is “a collection of pop-rock that will welcome you to the dancefloor.”
To celebrate the album’s September 15 release, Quan, Ben, Pete, and new member Seja Vogel, will head around Australia for a massive tour. Chinese pop-rock outfit New Pants and I Heart Hiroshima will join The Gurge for the Amor e Paranoia shows.
A few weeks ago 
