Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! It was all about patriotism on Australian Idol tonight as our newest talents paid tribute to our local legends. This week’s guest mentor was one of our finest, ex-Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes.
Thanh Bui kicked it off with John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice.” I’ve always thought Thanh sounded a lot like Farnsy, and I thought this would be a great track to help him break away from the boy band mould. In the verses I felt like he didn’t quite sing with the authority the song called for, but in the choruses he soared. He’s got so much potential, and I just hope he gets the time on the show to realise all of it.
If they were still handing out touchdowns on Idol, Chrislyn Hamilton would have scored another with her take on Tina Arena’s “Chains.” As everyone else seemed to, I had my reservations about this one. I felt like she just hadn’t lived enough to perform this song effectively. Boy was I wrong. I got chills and a little teary watching her. She committed to this 100% and gave it her all. Wow and double wow.
Tom Williams came out next with Evermore’s “Light Surrounding You.” I will say this: it was better than last week. Having said that, I still hated it. It was just so boring. While there were some nice notes in there, there were also some clangers. I wasn’t engaged in any way, shape, or form. It all just operated on one level and I was glad when it finished so we could get on with the show.
I’m not quite sure what it is about Teale Jakubenko. When he stands behind a microphone I am so engaged, but then he steps away from it and he loses me a bit. Maybe he starts to think too much about performing rather than actually doing it. And I really don’t think the song helped him either. It’s a fantastic song, but one that spends a lot of time operating on one level. Personally I felt dropping to his knees at the end was complete cheese. But like Thanh, he’s really growing and that’s exciting. His voice especially is only getting stronger.
I’ve been saying all week that I really hoped one of our soul girls tackled Renee Geyer’s “Heading in the Right Direction.” I’m glad the one who did was Roshani Priddis. I loved what she did with it, the way she slowed it down and stripped it back and let the lyrics really shine. I was captivated from start to finish and I believed every word she sang.
Wes Carr rocked the pants off The Easybeats’ “Friday on my Mind.” Every week he just delivers a solid, confident performance and it’s a joy to watch. It looks like Wes enjoyed performing this one as much as I enjoyed watching it!
I was going to be disappointed if Luke Dickens didn’t bring out a little Barnesy. I was pleasantly surprised that the number he chose was Cold Chisel’s “Flame Trees.” It’s such a beautiful song, and I think Luke did it justice. To think that he went from being so sick he couldn’t talk to singing this well is phenomenal.
Sophie Paterson is back! I think that having Darren Hayes as a mentor couldn’t have come at a better time because he brought back the vulnerable quirky girl that we all originally fell for. I’m not a fan of “Don’t Hold Back” by The Potbelleez, but I loved this stripped back ballad version. I agree with Darren: if she’d done it up tempo I would have hated it. Instead I was mesmerised from start to finish, for not the first time tonight!
Mark Spano busted out a little more John Farnham: this time “Age of Reason.” In an Australian hit show too much Farnsy is never enough. It was good, but not great and I can’t exactly put my finger on the reason why. He sang well, he performed well, but ultimately it was forgettable. I’m still a fan, but with so many great people in the comp he really needs to lift his game.
Madam Parker closed the show with The Veronicas’ “Hook Me Up.’ It just didn’t work. The vocals were shaky and she just looked a bit lost out there. Even if she had nailed the vocals this isn’t really one of those songs that allows you to show off. It’s all about attitude, and Madam just didn’t bring any. I guess I admire her trying to step out of her comfort zone, but I also wonder whether she just didn’t have enough knowledge of Aussie music to pick the right song.
I’m almost ready to give away picking who’s going because I never seem to get it right! Again, I really think Tom’s time is up but I know to never underestimate the power of those squealing kiddies. Given that I think perhaps Teale or Thanh’s time might be up.
Image source: Newscom
I love a good compilation album. The problem is, there aren’t a lot of those around. Sure you can buy those mindless discs of the latest Top 40 music, but aren’t we all sick of those songs anyway? Then there are those discs which fit a theme, but tend to have all the same songs you own on other albums anyway.
