I have really missed Big Band night on Australian Idol. I’m so glad that now Kyle has gone, it’s made a reappearance. But before we could hear the old standards, it was time to give someone the boot. It was another all-male bottom three this week, with Nathan Brake, Scott Newnham, and James Johnston all facing the chop. It seems Scott’s fans couldn’t forgive a few weeks of subpar performances. It was definitely his time.
Kate Cook kicked off the show with Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack.” I loved the way she built this, starting it slow and then upping the tempo. I also loved the Australian quip at the end. This was a great way to kick off the show.
Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” was always an unlikely choice, but Stan Walker pulled it off and then some. I was incredibly impressed by this. I was unsure whether he’d suit big band, but he showed he can apply himself to any genre. This was a highlight not just of the night, but the series.
Kim Cooper got slammed for her rendition of “The Man I Love,” but I actually loved it. Kim continues to impress me with her genuine interpretations and poise. Her voice may not be the strongest in the competition, but I her honest performances cut through that. She also looked stunning; not that it matters in terms of performance but as a girl I’ve got to admit that I loved the look.
James Johnson has really grown on me in recent weeks. But when I heard he was singing “Fever,” I was tremendously nervous. What does such a young boy know about fever, really? If his performance was to be believed, not a lot. It’s not that he was bad per se, but he stole it. I’ve seen all those moves before at Michael Buble concerts. It was a really good imitation, but an imitation nonetheless.
Hayley Warner made a very smart choice, giving a big band feel to Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” I thought big band might have seen her falter, but she did what she needed to do to step up. It had the dark side that Hayley loves to play with, yet all of the elements of big band. Like Marcia, I don’t know what Dicko was talking about. I thought this was great.
I love Nathan Brake. I hold my breath every week, hoping that he does well. And this week, he did. “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was the perfect song for him. This is big band the way it’s supposed to be. He looked completely natural, and knocked it out of the park.
Toby Moulton took on a mountain, “My Way.” Paul Anka did it, Frank Sinatra did it, it’s a big song. But I felt it. That’s really the biggest compliment I can ever give. I hung on his every word, and felt every single syllable. This was another brilliant performance, and such a fitting way to end the show.
This was such an incredible night. This is why the big band night should be a fixture on the Australian Idol program. On a night where there was so much good, it’s tough to even contemplate who might go. But I think James might be vulnerable.