Tag: Guy Sebastian

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kezin’s an Oz Music Scene Winner!

Congratulations to Kezin, the lucky winner of the Guy Sebastian giveaway! Kezin has won a copy of Guy’s latest CD, The Memphis Album.

Kezin, who is from Singapore, said “I want this album for my best friend … she’s CRAZY about him. We pop in any and every CD store we pass so that she can ask about the album. We’ve got no clue as to when The Memphis Album is arriving which means this endless loophole will continue until she gets her hands on one!”

It looks like your friend can stop searching Kezin!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and keep watching Oz Music Scene for more great competitions!

Image source: Kriss Szkurlatowski @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win Guy Sebastian’s "The Memphis Album"

Guy Sebastian’s latest release, The Memphis Album, has been the former Australian Idol winner’s most successful album to date. Listening to this nostalgia-filled tribute to the past, it’s not hard to see why.

Guy’s reverence for these original Stax recordings is obvious. Not only did Guy make a pilgrimage to Memphis to create the record. He also enlisted the likes of Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn to ensure these cover versions had all the life of the originals. And they do. There’s a real energy to this recording that makes it easy to forget these songs are around forty years old.

While Motown produced sweet soul music, Stax’s songs were always a little edgier. Guy’s voice is a natural fit for these sexy tracks. “Hold On I’m Coming,” “Let’s Stay Together,” and “In The Midnight Hour” are real standouts.

I believe the secret to this album’s success is its broad appeal. Mums and Dads can happily listen to these beloved songs which never stray too far from the originals. And with Guy Sebastian in fine voice, his teenage fans will lap it up too. It’s just good music, and good fun.

I have one copy of Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album to give away to a lucky Oz Music Scene reader. To be in with a chance to win it, simply leave me a comment and tell me why you love Guy Sebastian. Please remember to include your e-mail address when you comment so I can contact you if you win. The competition will close at 5 pm (AEST) next Tuesday 26 February, and I’ll announce the winner the following day. Good luck!

Image source: Bigpond Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian To Wed

Congratulations are in order for Guy Sebastian, who recently became engaged to his long-term girlfriend Jules Egan.

Guy broke the news (and the hearts of teenage girls everywhere) in this week’s New Idea. He told the gossip rag he proposed to his main squeeze while walking on a Queensland beach over the Christmas holidays. His lucky lady is now sporting a gorgeous white-gold ring set with 140 diamonds.

The mag reports the couple got together eight years ago after singing together at a friend’s wedding. They met through the Assemblies of God Paradise Community Church when Guy was just 13. Awww.

You can leave your well wishes for Guy and Jules on the New Idea website.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Performs on Asian Idol

Guy Sebastian jetted to Jakarta this week to perform on Asian Idol. Apparently, this was like a mini version of World Idol (anyone else remember that?), where six Eastern nations battled for the title.

Now, Hady Mirza of Singapore won, but I figured my readers might be more interested in checking out Guy Sebastian’s duet with Indonesian Idol, Mike Mohede. The pair sang Guy’s debut single “Angels Brought Me Here.”

Guy also apparently performed a medley of hits from The Memphis Album on the show. This is great exposure for Guy, who’s set to release his new soul album in India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie’s Got the "X" Factor

Kylie Minogue has burst back onto the albums charts this week with a number-one debut. Her tenth studio album X is sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA charts in a big week for Aussie artists.

Her single “2 Hearts” has slipped to number nine this week, just behind The Veronicas’ “Hook Me Up” at eight.

Kylie’s album outperformed another Aussie legend, Jimmy Barnes, who debuted at number three with Out of the Blue.

These massive albums have pushed Human Nature’s Motown tribute, Get Ready, to number five this week. They sit just ahead of Delta Goodrem’s Delta at number six.

Aussies have also claimed the last three spots in the top ten. Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album is at number eight, ahead of Keith Urban’s greatest hits record 18 Kids at nine, and the revamped Young Divas’ outfit at number 10 with New Attitude.

But the real surprise this week was the performance of Australian Idol Natalie Gauci’s debut single “Here I Am.” A number two debut isn’t a disaster by any means, but it’s the first time an Aussie Idol has failed to claim the top spot in its first week.

Here’s this week’s complete Aussie top 10.

Australian singles chart

  1. “Apologize” – Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
  2. “Here I Am” – Natalie Gauci
  3. “Clumsy” – Fergie
  4. “The Way I Are” – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
  5. “Into The Night” – Santana feat. Chad Kroeger
  6. “No One” – Alicia Keys
  7. “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
  8. “Hook Me Up” – The Veronicas
  9. “2 Hearts” – Kylie Minogue
  10. “How Far We’ve Come” – Matchbox Twenty

Australian albums chart

  1. X – Kylie Minogue
  2. Long Road Out Of Eden – Eagles
  3. Out In The Blue – Jimmy Barnes
  4. Timbaland Presents: Shock Value – Timbaland
  5. Get Ready – Human Nature
  6. Delta – Delta Goodrem
  7. Greatest Hits – Spice
  8. The Memphis Album – Guy Sebastian
  9. Greatest Hits: 18 Kids – Keith Urban
  10. New Attitude – Young Divas

Image source: Georges Biard @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Inspired By Stax Soul

It worked a treat for Human Nature, but will rediscovering his soul roots pay off for Guy Sebastian? Australia’s original Idol recently visited the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis to record his soul covers album.

While Human Nature tackled the sweet harmonies of Motown, Guy Sebastian’s record will cover the grittier recordings of Stax. Think Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Jackie Wilson, and other legends.

Guy’s enlisted a top team of talent to help him capture Stax’s sexy sound. Founding member of Booker T and the MGs, Steve Cropper, produced the album while his former bandmate Donald “Duck” Dunn lent his bass-playing prowess.

Fans can expect to hear some of these classic soul covers when Guy performs acoustic shows around the country. He plays the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel in Adelaide tonight before visiting Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.

Image source: DianeSunshineCoast @ Wikimedia Commons