Tag: Damien Leith

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Covers Classics

It’s been a long wait for Damien Leith fans, but our favourite Irish-born crooner is almost ready to unleash his new album.

Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation features covers of some of Damien’s favourite songs from the 60s and 70s. I can’t wait to hear what Damien’s done with songs like Cat Steven’s “Father and Son,” “Everybody’s Talking” by Harry Nilsson, and “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg.

“The great songwriters of the 60s and 70s have always been a major influence on my own original material,” Damien explained in a press statement. “In many ways the songs of that generation are as relevant today as they were back then. I’ve chosen songs that either mean a great deal to me on a personal level or those that I’d just love people to hear.”

Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation hits stores on April 26, but you don’t have to wait that long if you pre-order through Damien’s website.

Image source: spud murphy @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Artists Climbing The Charts

A diverse range of Australian artists have made their mark on the ARIA charts this week.

Fergie may have kept her stranglehold on the singles chart with her mammoth hit, “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” but she’s faced stiff competition from Shannon Noll. His new single “Loud” has debuted at number three.

Fellow Australian Idol graduate Ricki-Lee has slipped two places with “Can’t Touch It,” but the pop smash is still sitting pretty at number seven.

Jetsetting folksters The Waifs have debuted at number two with their latest album, Sun Dirt Water. But they couldn’t shift the might of British opera star Paul Potts, who holds the number one spot for the second week with One Chance.

The Waifs have pushed Damien Leith’s album Where We Land to number four. The John Butler Trio’s Grand National and Powderfinger’s Dream Days at the Hotel Existence round out the top ten. They’re holding steady at ninth and tenth spot.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Where We Land” – Damien Leith

Damien Leith’s Australian Idol win ushered in a new era for the reality TV show. For the first time, the victor wasn’t shoved into a recording studio to record a prewritten album in a week. Instead, Damien was given the freedom to create a collection of songs that represented him. Some nine months after he took the Idol crown, Damien’s album Where We Land is in stores and sitting pretty at the top of the charts.

So in sales terms, Sony’s gamble has paid off. Australia hasn’t forgotten about Damien. Instead, they were eagerly awaiting this release. I’m happy to say, the wait was worthwhile.

I wasn’t Damien’s biggest fan during his Idol stint. I certainly didn’t dislike the guy, but I preferred eclectic Bobby Flynn and old-school rocker Chris Murphy. But I really like this record. It’s given Damien a chance to be himself, rather than a karaoke singer, and he’s a richer artist for it.

Time away from the Idol spotlight has given Damien a chance to grow, both professionally and personally. His trademark falsetto is as pure as ever, but he’s managed to reign it in somewhat. Perhaps on Idol Damien felt he needed to rely on those vocal tricks. Now he can focus on crafting tender lyrics and clever melodies.

His personal life has certainly given him fuel for that. After the birth of his second son Jagger, Damien penned the sweet tune “Not Just For the Weekend.” “Beautiful” is a tender ode to his wife. I loved the gentle sadness of “I Still Miss Us,” and “Cold Cold Heart” is rollicking good fun.

Damien made his name from cover versions, and fans will appreciate the ones he’s chosen here. The sparse rendering of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” is breathtaking, and the album’s bonus track “Danny Boy” is a fitting nod to his Irish heritage.

Where We Land is a great indication of the potential of Australia’s revamped Idol franchise. If we can unearth this country’s hidden stars, and give them the time to develop albums of this calibre, the future of our local industry looks bright.

Images: Wikimedia and Wikimedia Commons credit: Spud Murphy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith’s Number One Debut Silences Critics

A few weeks ago I reported that savage music critics had already dubbed Damien Leith “Idol Roadkill,” following less than impressive single sales. However, as predicted, Damien’s now having the last laugh. His new album Where We Land has debuted at number one.

This makes Damien the only Idol winner in history to score two consecutive number one albums. His Idol retrospective, The Winner’s Journey also raced to the top of the charts.

Where We Land is Damien’s first album of original material, and it comes some nine months after he won the Idol crown. Look out for my review of this album at Oz Music Scene later this week.

Damien’s not the only local talent selling plenty of albums this week. The John Butler Trio, Katie Noonan, and Powderfinger are all still in the top 10. Grand National sits at number seven, just ahead of Skin and Dream Days at the Hotel Existence at nine and ten.

Damien’s pushed Fergie’s The Duchess from the number one spot, but she’s still queen of the singles charts with Big Girls Don’t Cry.

Ricki-Lee is the only Aussie in the top 10 singles charts. Her dancefloor anthem “Can’t Touch It” has slipped to number five, after a couple of weeks at number two.

Image source: Dave Keshan @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Is Damien Leith The Latest Idol Failure?

Spare a thought for last year’s Australian Idol winner, Damien Leith. “22 Steps,” the debut single from his first original album has already fallen out of the Top 20.

Since its launch two weeks ago, “22 Steps” has dropped from number 11 to number 27. While critics see this as the beginning of the end for Damien, perhaps we shouldn’t be so hasty.

Early reports indicate that his forthcoming album, Where We Land is a solid piece of work. And it should be. After all, this is the first album made under Idol’s new format. Unlike other Idols forced to release a disc in a week, Damien was given time to write and record something he was happy with.

He was always billed as an unlikely Idol, not much to look at but with the voice of an angel. Not exactly the sort of guy that young girls clamber to get close to, but a big hit with the mums. It’s not a coincidence that kids buy the majority of singles, but adults wait for the album release.

Where We Land will hit shelves on August 20. Only then will we learn if Australia’s moved on to the latest reality TV superstar, or whether they still have a soft spot for this likeable Irishman.

Image source: Dave Keeshan @ Flickr.com