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.
It’s not unusual for musos to include a cover version or two in their live show or as B-sides. But you rarely see performers cover entire albums. Yet that’s exactly what Australia’s resident oddball, 
