I am a sucker for a great country duet. I don’t consider myself much of a country music fan, but put on a little Kenny and Dolly or Johnny and June and I’m all about it. The cheesier the better. So I’m totally smitten with “Someone Like You,” the brand new single from Bradley McCaw and Paulini. Sure it’s a little formulaic, but there’s no point reinventing the wheel. With stellar vocals and romantic sentiments, there’s a lot to like here.
“Paulini’s vocal is effortless. There’s a power and a playfulness that takes the song to a new place. It’s a positive love song, with is kind of rare for modern radio,” Bradley said. “Inspired by all the old school duets I have sung along to in my car!”
He originally wrote the song for one male singer but left the song unfinished for nearly a year until he realised what was missing. This needed to be a duet.
“We recorded the vocals in one session using two microphones, side by side in the one studio. It was very old school and because of this, we captured an innocence and joy in the performances,” he added. “Duets just have a different energy, combining two artists from different genres at the top of their game, and that sends the song into unexpected places.”
This is a total throwback, but I’m just optimistic enough to think it might inspire a revival. We can only hope!
I try my best to avoid the potential Eurovision tracks before the Australia Decides show, but Paulini’s effort keeps creeping into my inbox. So in spite of myself, I listened. I don’t know what she’s up against yet, but her song “We Are One” is definitely a track we could be proud to send to Turin.
This song has everything you want in a Eurovision number. It’s incredibly danceable. Paulini gives a powerhouse vocal performance. And the lyrics from Rick Price and John Capek, which celebrate our similarities, are ideal for the world stage.
“The world is hurting so it’s time to bust out with a little hope, unity and joy. There’s no better way to do that than with big sounds, and some big notes,” Paulini confirmed.
“I’m tired of being the person of colour, Australian’s are tired of lockdowns due to the pandemic, and the world is tired of being divided by religion and fear. It’s time to remind everyone that we are all humans standing on the same Earth, breathing the same air. Now is the time to come together, because we are one. I’m calling for unity from the top of my vocal range to remind the world, we are more than black or white, we are more than gay or straight, we are more than Muslim or Christian — we are people first.”
Amen! I’m ready to send Paulini to Italy now, but she’ll have to face off against the rest of the Aussie talent on the Gold Coast on February 26. Make sure to watch live on SBS to have your say!
Image used with permission from Ambition Entertainment
I’ve seen many musical productions in my time, but I can’t remember ever being greeted by a sign warning me of what was to come. There’d be sexual references, drug references, racial slurs, and strobe lighting effects. Oh yeah, and full frontal nudity. In all honesty, that was one of the few things I knew about Hair before arriving at The Art House in Wyong last week. However, I soon discovered that while the pink bits are what Hair is best known for, it’s far from the most important thing about this musical.
If the warning sign out the front wasn’t reminder enough that this musical might take us out of our comfort zone, the sight of Hugh Sheridan’s Berger crawling over the audience in little more than a loin cloth just a few minutes in did it. Seeing Hair certainly isn’t like your average night of musical theatre. It’s bold and funny. There’s a real youthful energy about it, despite its ‘60s setting. In fact, perhaps the young characters have a greater energy than the current crop because they’re connecting with one another rather than their smartphones!
Hair does an incredible job of capturing a moment of time. The characters live life, embrace experience, laugh, and love, but the spectre of the Vietnam War looms large. It catches you at moments, when the laughs give way to pathos. I have been lucky enough to live my life fairly removed from war. I remember the Gulf War in my youth, but watching it on TV didn’t feel too dissimilar to watching a Hollywood action film. It’s palpable here, like another character just waiting to tap the characters we quickly grow to love on the shoulder. They can shake it off for a time and sing another song or smoke another joint, but we know it’ll catch up to them.
Speaking of the songs, it’d be remiss of me not to mention this cast. There are the big names like Hugh Sheridan, Paulini, and Prinnie Stevens, with voices as striking and personalities as sparkling as you would expect of people with their profiles. But there were no weak links here. Matthew Manahan as Claude, Stefanie Cacamo as Crissy, and Callan Purcell as Woof were especially strong.
As the lights faded to black I found myself thinking that Hair was one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I’ve seen. A week later I’m still turning it over in my mind. It’s not like anything I’ve seen before, but that’s one of the things that makes it so special. Let the sunshine in.
This production is travelling all around the country. You can still see it at the following venues.
28 September 2019 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong (1.30pm & 7.30pm)
29 September 2019 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong (5pm)
3 October 2019 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney (8pm)
4 October 2019 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney (8pm)
5 October 2019 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney (2pm & 8pm)
6 October 2019 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney (2pm & 7pm)
11 October 2019 – Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise (7pm)
12 October 2019 – Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise (7pm)
After captivating the nation on the original season of Australian Idol, Paulini kind of fell off my radar. I seem to remember a single a few years back, but she definitely hasn’t had the kind of career that I anticipated. Hopefully she’ll remind all of us why we fell in love with her when she releases her new album Come Alive next February.
If the lead single “Air It All Out” is any indication, this is just what Paulini needs to get back under our skin. It’s life affirming and full of wisdom and feminine strength. And of course it shows off her incredible vocal chops.
Are you happy to see Paulini back in the spotlight?
Jazz in the Vines is gearing up for another big year with more food, more wine, more music and more fun!
The annual Hunter Valley jazzfest is scheduled for October 31. A stellar line-up has already been announced, including The Australian Army Band and Dixieland Jazz Band, Watussi, Galapagos Duck, the fabulous foursome Christine Anu, Grace Knight, Paulini, and Monica Trapaga, and perennial favourite James Morrison.
Add six of the area’s premier wineries and a host of local restaurants and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic day out.
Tickets are available from May 11 for the bargain price of $65. Get yours from the Jazz in the Vines website, and all Ticketmaster and Moshtix outlets.
