Carl Riseley’s the latest graduate of the Australian Idol class of 2007 to make good. The swing king has quit the navy and signed a major record deal with Universal.
Carl’s debut album Your Imagination is due out in the next few months. It features cover versions of some of Carl’s favourite songs, including “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “The Letter.” The swinging version of “Waltzing Matilda” Carl performed on Australian Idol also appears on the CD.
“It’s a swing album with big band and strings, so it’s very classy,”Carl told The Sunday Telegraph. Sounds like it’ll be right up the alley of those fans that voted for Carl during the reality TV competition.
Your Imagination was produced by Australian Idol music man John Foreman, and features a special guest appearance by legendary jazz trumpeter James Morrison.
Thought you’d seen the last of Australian Idol alum Tarisai Vushe? I know I had, but it seems this pint-sized pop diva is determined to make it in the music industry. She’s handpicked a star-studded backing band, and is currently preparing for her first big gig at Parramatta’s Roxy on March 8, supporting Malaika.
Tarisai will play alongside Brad Carr (The Choirboys), Peter Bilney (The Normie Rowe Band), Pat Frisina (Brave’n’Crazy), Stephen Short (Hump), Jack Demerjian (Arax), and Oles Yurakov (Bandolero).
“I just needed a band for my life shows. They’re really experienced and really committed,” Tarisai told The Daily Telegraph.
“Kids are awesome, but I just really wanted commitment and serious people.”
Tarisai and Band perform blues, roots, and old style rock music including covers and originals. Tickets for Tarisai and Malaika will be available soon from The Roxy.
Here’s the news plenty of my young readers have been waiting for: Australian Idol runner-up Matt Corby will sign a record deal with Sony BMG this week.
“He’s signing with Sony on Tuesday,” Matt’s manager David Caplice of Caplice Management told The Sydney Morning Herald.
So much for word that Sony would only sign this year’s winner, right? Still, with many believing Matt was this year’s most marketable Idol contestant, and Natalie struggling to reach the top spot on the charts, it’s not surprising the record giant has broken its rules.
Matt had previously said he was worried a record company would make him a pop star, rather than allowing him to play the blues and roots music he prefers. It seems his Sony deal will give Matt the artistic freedom he’s been looking for. I can’t wait to hear what this talented teen releases.
Australian Idol competition. We expect this sort of behavior from so-called “credible” artists, but recently even past winner Guy Sebastian and judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson had something to say. Guy called the current crop “boring” and Dicko said the contestants “lacked personality.” It seems the only person standing up for the franchise is this year’s winner, Natalie Gauci.
“I am sick of people bagging Idol, especially contestants from the show who have been on it and are successful because of it,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.
“People need to see the positive side. They need to appreciate what the contestants go through.”
Good on her. While many might suggest Natalie’s had a free ticket to fame, it’s worth remembering that she got her start on Triple J’s Unearthed competition. This is the same comp that Missy Higgins won, and no one dares to suggest she hasn’t done the hard yards!
“I have been doing this for a long time and Idol has just prepared me for what is to come now,” she added.
Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons
It looks like we haven’t seen the last of Australian Idol finalist Jacob Butler. He’s been playing charity gigs around the place as he prepares to record his debut album.
Last night he wowed the crowd at the Advertiser Sunday Mail Foundation do in Adelaide with an acoustic set of original songs.
“I want to make a record that has relevance in 20 years time – I’m a songwriter so I’ve got a huge catalogue of songs in me,” Jacob told The Advertiser.
“I’ve been doing a few charity gigs so here’s hoping they bring back a bit of good karma.”
But it wasn’t all about business. The visit gave Jakey B a chance to catch up with his South Australian family.
“It’s the first time I’ve been back since March, and mum’s come down from Port Lincoln to hang out … and iron my shirt,” he joked.
After so many attempts to find stardom on reality TV, it’s good to hear Jacob is capitalising on his newfound fame and working towards releasing that album. I can’t wait to hear it.
After a seemingly endless telecast, last night Natalie Gauci was crowned this year’s Australian Idol. She faced stiff competition from season golden boy Matt Corby, and no one seemed more surprised with the result than Natalie herself.
“Are you sure?” she asked host James Mathison after her name was called. “I don’t believe this is happening.
“It just feels like it … like it never ends and it just keeps going and the buzz is always there and it makes me so grateful to know people have voted for me around Australia. It’s really exciting.”
Tickets to her Winner’s Journey tour are released today, and her debut single “Here I Am” is on sale on Wednesday.
“I’m going to put on a really good show and I hope everyone comes to watch me,” Gauci told the crowd.
I know there are a lot of big Matt fans in here, but honestly, I don’t think they need to worry about him. He’s shown what he can do, and I’m sure the record companies are going to snatch him up. I also think he’ll be better for it. Just look how far previous runners-up like Shannon Noll and Anthony Callea have gone!
Last night our Australian Idol hopefuls Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby had one last chance to impress the public. But did they pull it off? Who deserves the winner’s crown? Here’s my verdict on the final showdown.
Matt Corby kicked off the night with his rendition of the winner’s single, “Here I Am.” Newspaper reports earlier in the week suggested Matt hated the song, and while he denied these claims his performance told a different story. I thought he looked really uncomfortable, particularly during the verses.
He looked a lot more at home performing Radiohead’s “High and Dry.” I’m sure Radiohead fans probably hated his loungy treatment of the song, but I’m not a Radiohead fan. I really liked it, but I think his falsetto needs some work.
I was less enthusiastic about his closing song, “Mind’s Eye” by Wolfmother. This should have rocked. The band did, but Matt’s performance felt laboured and tired.
Natalie Gauci seems to be the master of turning hideous pop songs into gold. Just as she did weeks ago with “Umbrella,” Nat did a great version of Timbaland’s “Apologise.”
She followed it up with a breathtaking version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Considering how she struggled with the high notes in “Ray of Light,” I was a little nervous about this, but she pulled it off for a commanding performance. For me, this was the performance of the night.
She closed the show with the winner’s single “Here I Am.” This is the way this song needs to be sung, no question. Her performance had vulnerability and strength all at the same time. Wow.
Reading my comments, I guess you know which way I’m hoping the verdict goes. I’m backing Natalie for the exciting performances she’s delivered in recent weeks. Matt started the competition really strong, but lately he’s been a bit lacklustre. Natalie, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength. I also really don’t want to hear Matt’s version of “Here I Am” saturating radio waves. It’s going to be a really close call, but Natalie has my vote.
I’ve got to admit, I’m pretty excited about Australian Idol this year. Sure Ben McKenzie got dumped a lot sooner than he should have and I wish we’d had an originals night like last year, but on the whole I’m pretty happy with our final two. But it seems outspoken judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson doesn’t share my enthusiasm.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Dicko slammed Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci while on the publicity trail for his new gig The Great American Band.
“It’s [Australian Idol’s] all going well but to be honest the contestants are all a bit boring.
“They’re all these pretty people with not a lot of personality. It’s a shame to be talented and beautiful but bloody boring.”
But Dicko’s found an unexpected ally in Kyle Sandilands.
“I find it hard to believe that Dicko would have said this, knowing his feelings towards the final two Idol contestants,” his fellow judge said.
“However, if he has blurted this out in some sort of drunken stupor, I’m sure it’s only him trying to be a hero in front of his new American friends.”
Tonight the pair have one last chance to change Dicko’s mind, and looking at the rumoured song choices they might just do it. I hear Matt’s hoping to rock the house with a little Wolfmother, while Natalie will be tackling some Kate Bush with a dash of Placebo.
In one of the closest verdicts this season, Australian Idol viewers sent home likable crooner Carl Riseley.
Just four percent separated Carl from remaining Idol hopefuls Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci. Despite coming so close to the Idol crown, Carl was gracious in defeat.
“Man, I am so thrilled for these two,” he told the studio audience. “These two are the most talented guys I have ever met.”
Next Sunday Matt and Natalie will perform three songs including the winner’s single “Here I Am.” Then they’ll head to the Sydney Opera House on November 25 to learn who will be our next Australian Idol.
Image source: Charlotte in Australia @ Flickr
It’s crunch time on Australian Idol, with only three young hopefuls remaining. Tonight we’ll see one of them leave the comp, paving the way for the final two to sing for the ultimate title at the Opera House. You’d think all of that would have inspired some outstanding performances, but did it?
Natalie Gauci was first up, singing the viewer’s choice of “Ray of Light.” I agree with Kyle – this is the worst thing I’ve seen Natalie do. Personally I’ve never liked the song, and it did Natalie no favours. If nothing else, it proved that Natalie can’t sing anything. Thankfully, this wasn’t her only song of the night. Pink’s “Nobody Knows” was a much better choice, and I really enjoyed it.
I was really excited when I heard the home viewer had picked “You Give Me Something” for Carl Riseley, but I didn’t think this worked at all. Vocally it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. I thought his version of “For Once in My Life” was better, but it still wasn’t up to the standard I’d expect at this stage of the competition. I like Carl a lot, but I’m wondering whether he peaked too early.
I was beginning to despair that the viewers’ choices would unintentionally sabotage all of the Idols, when Matt Corby appeared. Evermore’s “It’s Too Late” was the perfect song for him, forcing him to step out of the introspective space he’s inhabited for the last few weeks and really perform. In my eyes, this was the performance of the night. He closed the show with a soaring rendition of “Across the Universe.” It didn’t quite have the “Idol Moment” I think he was aiming for, but it came pretty close.
I honestly have no idea who will go tonight. If the punters vote on performance alone, Carl should be shown the door but we all know more comes into play than that. His status in the bottom two last week will only inspire more Carl fans to pick up the phone. I feel Matt and Natalie have been our most consistent performers and deserve places at the Opera House, but will it happen? You’ll have to watch tonight’s elimination show to find out!
