The auditions are behind us, so it’s time to forget the loonies and focus on the talent unearthed by this season of Australian Idol. And what talent there is, with so many gifted musicians the traditional Top 100 was expanded to 136.
So who are the best of the bunch? Here are just a few of the talented performers that impressed me so far.
I must admit, Daniel Mifsud caught my eye on one of the earliest Australian Idol ads this year. He wasn’t singing: it was an entirely superficial reaction to his pretty hair and laid-back fashion sense. I called him Blue Scarf Boy for some time, so it’s nice to be able to use his real name. But this boy isn’t just sexy; he can actually sing, and he seems to have quite the musical knowledge. His take on Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” was breathtaking. While I usually go for guitar boys, I’m pretty smitten by Daniel.
I mentioned I had a thing for guitar boys, right? I didn’t have to wait too long to find someone who fit that mould. Lyall Adonis has the voice of an angel, and a laid-back vibe that reminds me a lot of Amos Lee. The song he played for his audition is by far the best original piece I’ve heard in an Idol audition. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure his was the best Idol audition I’ve seen. This guy is a real find, and girls are going to go crazy for his dimples. Like Daniel, he was also wearing a scarf. Coincidence?
Lyall wasn’t the only guitar boy who won me over. I couldn’t resist the charms of Matt Corby, who played a stellar rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” I generally hate when people harp on about how contestants are “only 16,” but I can’t help but make an exception in Matt’s case. He plays guitar better than most people twice his age, and his voice has a huskiness that seems incongruous to his youth. He also makes me feel like a dirty old woman. Sixteen-year-olds did not look like that when I was at school.
But I’m not just going gaga over the guys. Aussie Idol is also serving up some outstanding female talent. Melbourne’s Natalie Gauci had the judges fawning all over her, and with good reason. Not only is this raven-haired songstress an absolute stunner, she’s also incredibly gifted. She checks all the musical boxes, with her emotive voice, piano skills, and songwriting credentials. However, as she proved with her cover of “I Will Survive,” she’s not above belting out a pop song. Natalie also seems to have her head screwed on, so she seems a shoe-in to make the top 24, at least.
Brianna Carpenter is shaping up to be this season’s Chanel Cole. The quirky dress, sunny personality, and quiet confidence are all there. But Australian Idol has come a very long way since Chanel reveled in her odd-girl-out status in season two. Now we actually embrace singers that are a little left of centre. I loved Brianna’s audition song “Jacqueline,” and I’m hopeful that she’ll find our revamped talent quest is a perfect fit for her uniqueness.
So there’s what I think, but I’d love to hear from you. Who do you love, or hate, on Idol this year?