I don’t mind admitting that I’ve anticipated tonight’s episode of Australian Idol like none other this season. I’ve been bemoaning the lack of showtunes for seasons, and now we got to do it with Liza Minnelli. She opened the show with “Cabaret” and was brilliant. It just simply doesn’t get any better.
The men escaped the bottom three, leaving Kate Cook, Kim Cooper, and Hayley Warner in the bottom three. Kim’s been a perpetual member of the bottom three, so it wasn’t a great surprise that she left us. I’ll miss her though!
Toby Moulton opened the show with “Somebody To Love.” Taking on a Queen song is always a tall order, because quite frankly you’re never going to be Freddie Mercury. But despite that, I think he did really well. He didn’t let the song scare him, and that confidence really made it.
Stan Walker was right in the pocket for “Circle of Life.” It was the perfect song for him, and he didn’t put a foot wrong. I was wowed. This is why he hasn’t been in the bottom three; he’s just that good.
Kate Cook did a little Dusty with “Son of a Preacher Man,” but honestly she looked a little lost. She got lost in the lyrics and fell off them all over the place. There was no sex here, and with a song like this there should be. It was a big disappointment for me, because I really like Kate.
Hayley Warner took on Powderfinger’s “These Days.” I couldn’t fault the way she sang it, but it didn’t jump off the page. It’s a little scary considering she was in the bottom three last week. She needed to do better.
James Johnson got panned by some judges for “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” but honestly I loved it. I was thrilled for someone to embrace the theatre theme and present something truly emotional and theatrical. I felt it was very genuine and authentic.
Nathan Brake gave us a little MJ with “Thriller.” He sang it brilliantly, but we were a little disappointed not to get a little “Thriller” dancing. Thems the breaks. If that’s the worst we can say about it, I think that’s a good thing.
Toby Moulton take two bored me. I hate Radiohead, and he didn’t do anything to convince me otherwise. I admit that he sang it well, but it just didn’t engage me at all.
I was worried when I heard Stan Walker was taking on “We Will Rock You.” This is a fun song, but one that tends to operate on one level. But not when Stan sings it. He injected so many dynamics into it, and really made it his own. This turned out so much better than I expected it to be.
Kate Cook showed us her vulnerable side with her second song, “Make You Feel Love.” This is how I love to see Kate. We all know she can tear up an up-tempo number, but it’s these slower tracks that really floor us. After the train wreck that was her first performance, this might have just saved her.
Hayley Warner was another one who improved on her first performance. Her stripped-back, almost reggae take on “Oh What a Night” was inspired. It might have been slowed down, but it wasn’t sleepy. It was joyous. She really sparkled here.
James Johnson gave us another Queen song: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” I love Queen as much as the next guy, but I feel people have really copped out by giving us a lot of Queen tonight. This was a bit lacklustre for me. I couldn’t fault him vocally, but it never became anything more than filler.
Nathan Brake gave me everything I wanted from theatre night. “Music of the Night” had just enough emotion and pomp and soaring vocals and theatre. This was the performance of the night for me, without risk.
It was such a solid night, that probably those who are vulnerable are going to be the ones who had train-wreck performances. I’d hate to see her go, but I think we may lose Kate next week.