Week 10: Nessun Dorma & Unchained Melody

[shimmery]

Though this should maybe go in the Media forum, I think it's an excellent write up this week from TV Week tvweek.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=124701 so I'll put it here:

DAMIEN LEITH
"Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's Turandot
Damien's not one to run away from danger, though. Out of all the songs given to him by the judges — and this one had to come from Mark — Damien picked "Nessun Dorma". Although Michael Bolton was referenced as having performed this (always a mistake to risk a comparison to Michael Bolton, I feel), it's Luciano Pavarotti's version that is most famous. But Damien is neither Italian nor fat. How could he possibly pull this one off? Has everyone got so carried away with how well "The Prayer" did for Anthony Callea that they think anything sort of classical with Italian lyrics will cut the mustard? I was waiting for this to be a train wreck. It wasn't. It was far from a train wreck. It was so good they may as well shut up the Idol shop for another year and just hand Damien the trophy now. Not even an army of backing singers could take away from this skilled and quite extraordinary performance. Sure, he might have had his eyes closed for a bit too much of the song, but I'd want to shut out the sight of squealing prepubescent girls waving Dean posters too if I was Damien.


DAMIEN LEITH
"Unchained Melody" — Righteous Brothers
Don't you just know that Damien has sung this a million times? I bet he could sing it in his sleep — and for a lot of this performance, that's what it looked like he was doing. Eyes open or not, Damien knows how to build a song — and in Idol, when you only have about 30 seconds to get to your climax, that's no small accomplishment. Like Mark, I was imagining housewives Australia-wide rejoicing at this song. After Mark spoke, I wished I could block out the image of 40- and 50-somethings having hot flushes. Win or lose, Damien can fill a huge gap in the Australian market and — if he's smart — could be making hit records for years to come.

Lol, not just the housewives were rejoicing, try the teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s + - and I'm still getting shudders from Mark's remarks!

But back on that little remark - why the heck shouldn't the housewives of Australia have someone to be their Aussie Idol! Who ever said it was teen idol?

This review is a good indication of how the general population will really love Damien's performances and will wish him well!

[flynn]

To sing the last note in the higher register in Unchained melody is a HUGE ask - it may even be a high C note which is rare for people to be able to reach. If not then it's close to it. I've heard one version - JUST ONE - of UM where the singer did that note (No I cant remember which one). Everyone else I've heard goes down instead of up because the second to last note is already a stretch for most of them. In fact some of them just stick the whole last line iin a lower register and dont even go near where Damien went last night.

I think Damien could do it - but he would need to feel confident, full of energy and puff and have done it easily in several rehearsals first.

Hence the reason John Foreman (probably) suggested or agreed with him that he shouldnt attempt it after Nessun Dorma.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it

[shimmery]

flynn you could be right because Damien did say during the judging there was a discussion about which notes he should go for in the arrangement - and yes, he hit a LOT of high notes anyway, big notes. He did 2 massively difficult songs well, and made them look easy.

[Neski]

Can anyone supply me with the lyrics Damien sang on the show ... it is really confusing me as i can't keep up haha

[Neski]

To Nessun Dorma that is

[astrokath]

Neski, I have had my son play with this to try to get the lyrics. He removed the bass and slowed it down, but we still couldn't tell for sure.

[shimmery]

I can't ever quite tell either. I'd love to know if anyone ever figured out Damien's exact version

[gj]

This is what I have so far but the middle is elusive ----- I think we need group effort


Nessun dorma, nessun dorma ...
Tu pure, o Principessa,
Nella tua fredda stanza,
Guardi le stelle
Che tremano d'amore
E di speranza.

But in my heart my secret lies
What is a name no-one shall know
no, no
but on your mouth I shall say it
When the morning light shall dawn

And my kiss which breaks the silence
and makes you mine

Chorus
Il nome suo nessun saprà
E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir.

Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vincerò!
vincero, vincero!

[Mi chiamano Kami]

"No on thy mouth I shall say
When the morning light shall dawn"...?

GF version sounds sort of like he might be doing the "I shall die" line. But I just want him to be singing that line, so don't take my word for it.

[gj]

Thanks Kami - I have changed - I thought it was Italian in there -- but must be Irish/Oz--- have changed and I am sure more will put their opinions in --- we will get it in the end.

[astrokath]

The English bit as far as I can tell is something like:


But in my heart my secret lies
What is a name no one shall know, no! no!
But on thy mouth I shall say it
When the morning ?? (I think I can hear breaks and maybe dawn?)
And my kiss which breaks the silence
And makes youi mine

I have listened to that line many tines and am none the wiser. Even my son who can pick hiphop lyrics with ease, was stumped.

[gj]

Have a look at it now I have changed it a bit ---- god the Italian was easy!!

[astrokath]

Yes, that looks good to me gj

And may I say what a trial it is to be listening to that song over and over

[gj]

Cheers guys -- now we can sing along in Tassie

[gj]

On opera house is sound more like "on your mouth" so I have changed....