You’re kidding me, right Australia? After a stellar run on Australian Idol, Brooke Addamo was sent home tonight. This talented teen hasn’t put a foot wrong all competition, so I’m not really sure what happened! I know I sent through a few messages to save her tonight, so I can’t even say I didn’t try!
Once Brooke found herself in the bottom three with Thanh Bui and Sophie Patterson I was almost feeling confident. Sophie is a stellar talent, but after her second week in the bottom two I thought perhaps she just wasn’t connecting to the Aussie public. Thanh’s performance last night was nowhere near his best, and his delivery of it tonight wasn’t much better.
My husband is going to be gutted when he gets home and hears the news! What a terrible end to a great week of Australian Idol!
South Australia’s finest The Audreys will hit the road this November to support their ARIA-nominated album When the Flood Comes.
This country-folk band really shines in the live arena thanks to their unique blend of traditional instruments and emotive tunes.
Check them out at the following venues this November!
13-15 November 2008 – The Promethean, Adelaide
20 November 2008 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
21 November 2008 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
22 November 2008 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
27 November 2008 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
28 November 2008 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
29 November 2008 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
I have not been more excited about an episode of Australian Idol in its history. Two words for you: Cyndi Lauper. To have one of my idols mentoring these talented youngsters and sitting in on the judging panel was a real treat. I’m also a massive fan of the 1980s, so I was pumped. But could the idols match my anticipation?
Luke Dickens certainly did. When I heard he was taking on John Cougar’s “Jack and Diane” it seemed only natural. It’s a storyteller’s song, and that’s exactly what he is. This man just improves in leaps and bounds every week. He seemed more comfortable than I’ve ever seen him, engaging the audience and still remembering to enjoy himself. He’s definitely stepping up where it counts. It was a joy to watch, and it even made Cyndi cry!
Brooke Addamo revealed a whole new sexed-up side with one of my favourites, “Bette Davis Eyes.” Initially I was a little concerned that the band was getting the better of her, but she really took up the challenge and came home strong. I loved seeing this edgier side to her. Every week she brings something new and she continues to show us she’s more than just a pretty face. Cyndi’s also proving to be worth her weight in gold – she’s bringing such great performances out of our Idols!
Madam Parker took on Diana Ross’ “Upside Down.” I’m not sure whether it was her illness that brought this performance down, but it just felt very lacklustre. Even if you’re sick I sort of feel like you need to give it more than this when you’re choosing a high energy song.
It’s funny, my husband I were discussing the possibility of Mark Spano singing some Foreigner just this morning. We were hoping for something rocky like “Jukebox Hero” or “Cold as Ice,” but he opted for “I Want to Know What Love Is.” I love a good power ballad, but I’m not sure he brought the right degree of light and shade to this. It finished strong, but I don’t think it was anywhere near his best performance. I just can’t put my finger on exactly why. I’m still a massive fan.
Tom Williams mutilated “Uptown Girl.” He turned one of the most wonderful pop songs of the 80s into a sugary-sweet piece of garbage. It lost all its bounce, all of its fun, and just became something from High School Musical. This is the worst thing I’ve heard him do, and I haven’t liked his other performances. My husband actually said I do this song better on SingStar, and my own mother begged me not to sing anymore as a child. The cop-out of not knowing any song from the 80s was just the cherry on the sundae for me. Terrible on all accounts.
Chrislyn Hamilton took on another of my favourite songs, “True Colours.” If she was intimidated by Cyndi Lauper’s presence on the judging panel, she certainly didn’t show it. She delivered a performance that was mature beyond her years. I believed it. I think I really needed to see this other side to her, to feel there was more depth to her than just someone who could belt out some big notes. This was very impressive.
What an improvement Teale Jakubenko has made. You would never imagine this was the same guy who stumbled into the bottom three last week. His version of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” was masterful. He took command from the get go and floored us all. My only criticism is that he broke the spell when he stepped out from behind the microphone. Before that my macho husband had tears welling in his eyes! But if that’s the worse you can say … well I’m sure he won’t be in the bottom three this week.
It seems like this is the week that all our performers have decided to show a brand new side. This week Sophie Paterson stepped away from being our resident folkster to show a real strength. And they don’t come much stronger than Annie Lennox, do they? Her version of “Sweet Dreams” was incredibly powerful. She also looked sensational, although I really agree that she needed some more sensible shoes for that sexy strut!
It was yet another brilliant performance from Wes Carr with his rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” It makes me wonder though, where are everyone else’s instruments? I could have listened to this for a whole lot longer. There’s absolutely nothing to fault with a man so talented.
Roshani Priddis is one of those performers I could just watch forever. She has a way of drawing you in, and she did it again with “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” I felt every ounce of her anger. She did everything right, and again I was impressed. I have a feeling this girl might have been hurt before, and if she hasn’t she certainly made me believe she has!
Thanh Bui closed the show with The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” I am so glad Cyndi set him straight on the meaning behind this song! The performance was a little patchy, but what was good was really, really good. He just needs to drop that act and really feel. When he did that it was urgent and sufficiently creepy. Just like all good stalker songs should be!
So who’s going home? Honestly if it’s not Tom there’s no justice in this world and all the parents need to confiscate their children’s mobile phones!
The big names just keep on coming out for the Day on the Green shows. After the recent announcement of Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks, organisers are putting on one for the mums and dads.
Mick Hucknell is back with his old band mates for a Simply Red Best Of tour. These guy were actually one of the first bands I saw way back in the 90s, so I’m thrilled to see they’re returning to Oz. Kate Ceberano and Dragon will ably support the British soul outfit on these massive shows.
Tickets for the following shows are available through Ticketmaster from October 3.
5 February 2009 – Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Perth
7 February 2009 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley
8 February 2009 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
21 February 2009 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley
22 February 2009 – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton
Natalie Gauci has launched off suggestions she’s a failed Idol, insisting she’s working hard to produce an album she’s happy with before she unleashes it on the public.
“I don’t want to release something just for the sake of it. Idol did change my life but you’ve got to take perspective. My album is going to be ready when it’s ready. I am just taking one step at a time,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.
She’s also been taking some much needed time off following her whirlwind Australian Idol journey, holidaying in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia with a new beau. But it’s back to the grindstone now, with Nat preparing to jet off to the UK to continue work on her debut disc.
Natalie expects to release it in 2009, but I’m happy to wait as long as it takes. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather this than the old method of releasing an album a week after winning Idol!
This week I’ve been listening to Canberra rock outfit Switch 3’s first full length release, Calm Before. It’s a curious name, as there really isn’t a lot that’s calming about this album. It’s likely to endear them to the angry young kids out there, but it also made it not really my cup of tea.
These indie rockers from Canberra may not become my favourite band, but there’s still plenty to appreciate about in this recording. These lads play with such intensity, committing completely to their songs. That dedication is infectious, and it’s hard not to believe in what they’re doing. Evan Dorrian is a demon on drums, and his driving beats are the perfect complement to Maf Davis’ powerful vocals.
They may have their roots in punk, but their melodic sensibilities are likely to appeal to music lovers who don’t tend to enjoy bands of that genre. They’re a band who stays true to their artistic vision, even having a hand in producing the disc with ARIA award-winner Anton Haggop.
But there’s just not enough variety here for me. I started out enjoying the songs but the repetitive lyrics and melodies made them drag. There was little respite from the angst-ridden tunes, and not enough diversity within them to keep me engaged. Switch 3 are very good at what they do, both as individuals and a band, and I’m sure fans of the darker side of music are going to lap this up. But right now I feel their potential isn’t quite realised. Calm Before is a solid effort from a band that is only going to improve in time.
AC/DC’s film clip for their newie “Rock N Roll Train” is here! There’s nothing revolutionary about it in terms of the live clip or the song, but Acca Dacca fans are unlikely to care. It’s straight up rock and roll, and we all know Aussie do that the best!
With his angelic voice and soulful grooves, Guy Sebastian shows are always worth seeing. But his latest tour promises to be something extra special.
This time around Guy’s paired up with the Australian Army band. And the military link doesn’t stop there. Proceeds from all the shows will go to Legacy, a charity which provides care to the families of deceased Australian serviceman.
Guy’s Army in Concert tour kicks off in Wagga Wagga tomorrow night. There are still some tickets available, so make sure you snap them up fast!
19, 20, and 21 September 2008 – Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
4 October 2008 – Concert Hall @ QPAC, South Bank
11 October 2008 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
26 October 2008 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
28 October 2008 – Canberra Theatre Centre
7 November 2008 – Hamer Hall @ The Arts Centre, Melbourne
13 November 2008 – The Hills Centre for the Performing Arts, Castle Hill
15 November 2008 – Wrest Point, Sandy Bay
22 November 2008 – Entertainment Centre, Darwin
29 November 2008 – Civic Theatre, South Townsville
They’ve been out of sight for a few years, but The Models are making a comeback! The 1980s rock outfit featuring Sean Kelly and James Freud will reunite for some shows next week to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Expect to hear big hits like “Out of Mind, Out of Sight,” “I Hear Motion,” and “Barbados” when they play Melbourne’s The Prince Bandroom on September 25 and Sydney’s The Gaelic Club on September 27.
It will be the band’s first shows since they played the Countdown Spectacular in 2006, and the first time they’ve done their own shows in eight years. There’s no word yet on whether these shows will be one ofs or whether there’s more to follow, but I’ll keep you posted! Until then here’s a clip for all you old fans, or the young ones who have no idea what I’m talking about!
One of the world’s greatest voices singing some of the world’s most adored songs proved to be a winning combination for Aussie ex-pat Tina Arena, so she’s doing it all again with Songs of Love & Loss Volume 2.
The track listing this time around looks just as strong as the last, with highlights including Blondie’s “Call Me,” Split Enz’s “I Hope I Never,” Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” and a real surprise, Alice Cooper’s “Only Women Bleed!”
Once again Tina teamed up with the London Studio Orchestra led by famed conductor Simon Hale who had nothing but good things to say about the Aussie diva.
“She’s amazing … she is not intimidated by the live set up or the orchestra and rises to the challenge of having everything going to straight tape. Many artists would crumble in these conditions but Tina seems to shine. Nobody records like this anymore. This is how it should be done!” he gushed in a press statement.
Following her sell-out tour last December, Tina plans to return to Australia next March to showcase her latest release. Songs of Love & Loss Volume 2 will be in stores on November 15.
This week I’ve been listening to Canberra rock outfit 
