TV WEEK'S VERDICT - DAMIEN
Nov 20, 2006 10:52:49 GMT 10
Post by dededom on Nov 20, 2006 10:52:49 GMT 10
The Morning After
with Gavin Scott
FINAL 2 PERFORMANCES: WINNER'S SINGLE / CONTESTANTS' CHOICE - Sunday November 19
Although the judges didn't give their verdict tonight — it just wouldn't be right for me to let the most significant Idol performance show of the season pass by without a few comments, now would it?
Going into tonight's show I still held the belief that Damien will be this year's Australian Idol. Thinking back to his and Jess's most memorable performances, I could remember several songs Damien blew the audience away with: "Hallelujah", "Wicked Game" and "Crying" to name just three. But other than "Beautiful", Jess hasn't had any performances that stand out as strongly. In fact, were it not for her recap package, I would have forgotten all about songs like "Walk Away" and "Words" that I thought she did well at the time.
That's the difference between Damien and Jess. Both can sing well, but Damien picks songs and performs them in a way that sticks in your mind. Jess may be Australia's sweetheart, but it takes more than a beautiful smile and a bright personality to last as a recording artist. She has the vocal ability, but will she amount to anything more than a Young Diva in waiting?
JESSICA MAUBOY
"Night Of My Life"
You've got to wonder where SonyBMG finds these songs. "Angels Brought Me Here" was quite good — but I tend to think a lot of that had to do with Guy making an average song better than it actually was. As for "Listen With Your Heart" (still a stupid title) and "Maybe Tonight", I can't even hum the melodies of either of them. "Night Of My Life" is no better - it's a song without a chorus that never seems to get anywhere. Jess did well with such a boring tune but disappointed me by declaring her love for it. Admittedly, Jess isn't the sort of girl to complain about her lot in life, so maybe she's just putting a positive spin on things, but this song stinks! And if Jess is going to be happy with any old rubbish the record company give her, then that's a good reason why she shouldn't win this competition.
DAMIEN LEITH
"Never Meant To Fail" – Alex Lloyd
Damien has come a long way. Not only from Ireland, but from the teenager with the dodgy hair, crappy garage band and habit of holding his guitar too high. He's even come a long way since his first audition – shows what a bit of styling and a decent haircut can do. But there was one thing Damien always had, and that was the ability to choose a song that would knock the socks off everyone. Until now. I don't know this Alex Lloyd song and I doubt I'll remember it tomorrow. It was possibly Damien's least memorable performance. On the positive side, it let him rock out a bit more for a change and showed that there's more to him than balladeering, but as one of three songs before the Grand Final, it wasn't the smartest move.
JESSICA MAUBOY
"Impossible" – Christina Aguilera
On the flipside, this X-tina number was Jess's smartest move in weeks. She was vocally amazing – possibly the best she's been all season. And although I suspect she's been singing this in her room since Christina's album "Stripped" came out, practising until she got every lick just as Christina does it, it was a great performance. After this, it's clear to me that Jess is the best female voice that's ever been on Idol. Could Damien be in trouble?
Before we find out, we have Maybelline's most gratuitous plug yet, where Sheridan gives Jess and Damien's mums some frocks for the red carpet. Stilted much.
DAMIEN LEITH
"Waiting On An Angel" – Ben Harper
I knew from the starry sky background on the big screen behind Damien that this was going to be a slowie. Again, I'm not familiar with the song. In fact, it's the sort of song during which I'd go and get a drink. I didn't, but that's just because I had a dog asleep on my lap. Of course, Damien sang well – it's not in question any more whether either of them can sing – but this was another wasted opportunity. Is Damien in trouble? I think so!
Before the last batch of songs, we got to see the Final 12 help out on McHappy Day. It was nice to see Klancie and Mutto again. And Joseph. Remember him? Seems like decades ago. Mostly, however, this segment was dominated by Chris Murphy yelling and cracking funnies. Again.
JESSICA MAUBOY
"Together Again" – Janet Jackson
Excellent. Brilliant song choice. Great delivery. Jess has finally worked out that good song + her voice = Idol success. She sang this better than Janet did (OK, not that difficult) and it was an uplifting, inspired end to her time in the competition. Loved it.
DAMIEN LEITH
"Night Of My Life"
As Damien began, I tried to remember Jess's version. That's right, already forgotten how the song goes. I'd heard during the week that Damien had put his own Coldplay spin on this and by doing so, it made for a much more interesting song. A little too much falsetto, sure, but after two ho-hum performances tonight, this reinforced that Damien is not just a great singer, he's a great artist. I can imagine Damien releasing an album that is interesting and has his personality stamped all over it – even if it is thrown together in a fortnight.
VERDICT
So who should win?
The girl from the bush with the amazing voice who finally seems to have realised what works for her and what doesn't? Or the Irish fella who's known from the start how to get the votes?
The 17-year-old who will do whatever the record company tells her to do because she's too nice to say no, or the 30-year-old who's already submitted 18 songs for inclusion on his album?
Jess, who could be the first female Idol winner who'll stick around longer than a couple of singles, or Damien, who could sell hundred of thousands of albums every Mother's Day for years to come?
Damien, who probably doesn't need to win – I'm sure he’ll get signed anyway – and could make a great CD with the extra time afforded the runner-up, or Jess, who probably needs the title of Idol winner in order to last in the music business long enough to mature into her career?
The answer is simple, really. The person who should win is the one with the best voice, the greatest ability to entertain and a consistently impressive track record over three months of live performances. And for me, that's still Damien. Jess stole the show tonight, but I think Damien deserves to win the competition.
with Gavin Scott
FINAL 2 PERFORMANCES: WINNER'S SINGLE / CONTESTANTS' CHOICE - Sunday November 19
Although the judges didn't give their verdict tonight — it just wouldn't be right for me to let the most significant Idol performance show of the season pass by without a few comments, now would it?
Going into tonight's show I still held the belief that Damien will be this year's Australian Idol. Thinking back to his and Jess's most memorable performances, I could remember several songs Damien blew the audience away with: "Hallelujah", "Wicked Game" and "Crying" to name just three. But other than "Beautiful", Jess hasn't had any performances that stand out as strongly. In fact, were it not for her recap package, I would have forgotten all about songs like "Walk Away" and "Words" that I thought she did well at the time.
That's the difference between Damien and Jess. Both can sing well, but Damien picks songs and performs them in a way that sticks in your mind. Jess may be Australia's sweetheart, but it takes more than a beautiful smile and a bright personality to last as a recording artist. She has the vocal ability, but will she amount to anything more than a Young Diva in waiting?
JESSICA MAUBOY
"Night Of My Life"
You've got to wonder where SonyBMG finds these songs. "Angels Brought Me Here" was quite good — but I tend to think a lot of that had to do with Guy making an average song better than it actually was. As for "Listen With Your Heart" (still a stupid title) and "Maybe Tonight", I can't even hum the melodies of either of them. "Night Of My Life" is no better - it's a song without a chorus that never seems to get anywhere. Jess did well with such a boring tune but disappointed me by declaring her love for it. Admittedly, Jess isn't the sort of girl to complain about her lot in life, so maybe she's just putting a positive spin on things, but this song stinks! And if Jess is going to be happy with any old rubbish the record company give her, then that's a good reason why she shouldn't win this competition.
DAMIEN LEITH
"Never Meant To Fail" – Alex Lloyd
Damien has come a long way. Not only from Ireland, but from the teenager with the dodgy hair, crappy garage band and habit of holding his guitar too high. He's even come a long way since his first audition – shows what a bit of styling and a decent haircut can do. But there was one thing Damien always had, and that was the ability to choose a song that would knock the socks off everyone. Until now. I don't know this Alex Lloyd song and I doubt I'll remember it tomorrow. It was possibly Damien's least memorable performance. On the positive side, it let him rock out a bit more for a change and showed that there's more to him than balladeering, but as one of three songs before the Grand Final, it wasn't the smartest move.
JESSICA MAUBOY
"Impossible" – Christina Aguilera
On the flipside, this X-tina number was Jess's smartest move in weeks. She was vocally amazing – possibly the best she's been all season. And although I suspect she's been singing this in her room since Christina's album "Stripped" came out, practising until she got every lick just as Christina does it, it was a great performance. After this, it's clear to me that Jess is the best female voice that's ever been on Idol. Could Damien be in trouble?
Before we find out, we have Maybelline's most gratuitous plug yet, where Sheridan gives Jess and Damien's mums some frocks for the red carpet. Stilted much.
DAMIEN LEITH
"Waiting On An Angel" – Ben Harper
I knew from the starry sky background on the big screen behind Damien that this was going to be a slowie. Again, I'm not familiar with the song. In fact, it's the sort of song during which I'd go and get a drink. I didn't, but that's just because I had a dog asleep on my lap. Of course, Damien sang well – it's not in question any more whether either of them can sing – but this was another wasted opportunity. Is Damien in trouble? I think so!
Before the last batch of songs, we got to see the Final 12 help out on McHappy Day. It was nice to see Klancie and Mutto again. And Joseph. Remember him? Seems like decades ago. Mostly, however, this segment was dominated by Chris Murphy yelling and cracking funnies. Again.
JESSICA MAUBOY
"Together Again" – Janet Jackson
Excellent. Brilliant song choice. Great delivery. Jess has finally worked out that good song + her voice = Idol success. She sang this better than Janet did (OK, not that difficult) and it was an uplifting, inspired end to her time in the competition. Loved it.
DAMIEN LEITH
"Night Of My Life"
As Damien began, I tried to remember Jess's version. That's right, already forgotten how the song goes. I'd heard during the week that Damien had put his own Coldplay spin on this and by doing so, it made for a much more interesting song. A little too much falsetto, sure, but after two ho-hum performances tonight, this reinforced that Damien is not just a great singer, he's a great artist. I can imagine Damien releasing an album that is interesting and has his personality stamped all over it – even if it is thrown together in a fortnight.
VERDICT
So who should win?
The girl from the bush with the amazing voice who finally seems to have realised what works for her and what doesn't? Or the Irish fella who's known from the start how to get the votes?
The 17-year-old who will do whatever the record company tells her to do because she's too nice to say no, or the 30-year-old who's already submitted 18 songs for inclusion on his album?
Jess, who could be the first female Idol winner who'll stick around longer than a couple of singles, or Damien, who could sell hundred of thousands of albums every Mother's Day for years to come?
Damien, who probably doesn't need to win – I'm sure he’ll get signed anyway – and could make a great CD with the extra time afforded the runner-up, or Jess, who probably needs the title of Idol winner in order to last in the music business long enough to mature into her career?
The answer is simple, really. The person who should win is the one with the best voice, the greatest ability to entertain and a consistently impressive track record over three months of live performances. And for me, that's still Damien. Jess stole the show tonight, but I think Damien deserves to win the competition.
