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Post by steveyoung on Nov 13, 2006 14:39:57 GMT 10
If I Can Dream. It is an old Elvis Presley song, but don't be put off. It is not his jailhouse rock, blue seude shoes era. This is as big and grand as crying or unchained Melody, with a huge finale. It would challenge the very best.
I believe Damien could equal (even surpass) the Elvis version. And even though it is an old song, the lyrics are very apt for today's troubled world.
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Post by hyperrune on Nov 13, 2006 14:42:44 GMT 10
I haven't heard it, but I like the sound of it. The description makes me think of John Lennon's Imagine - is that too corny?
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flynn
Session Muso
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Post by flynn on Nov 13, 2006 17:23:25 GMT 10
Hey, Elvis is a legend!!! And I totally think Damien can do an Elvis song justice and make it his own. Like I said somewhere else Damien actually sounds a bit like Elvis sometimes in his lower register. But I cant say I know that particular Elvis song LOL You surprised me! Can you hum a few bars  What about In the Ghetto? Or Always on My Mind Oooh Elvis did Hey Jude! I didnt know that - (yes I've found the definitive Presley song site and I had no idea he did so MANY songs!!!! LMAO) Imagine - he would do this beautifully - but yeah - not sure if its right for Idol - especially the Finals. Damien - Hey Jude?  |
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Post by dededom on Nov 13, 2006 21:02:59 GMT 10
Whatever he chooses - please do it acoustically - so we can hear your voice SHINE
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Post by irishrokit on Nov 14, 2006 0:10:37 GMT 10
I haven't heard it, but I like the sound of it. The description makes me think of John Lennon's Imagine - is that too corny? I was thinking Imagine too. I have a version of Ronan singing it live and it's awsome. Also I think he would do Only You very well too. The song the platters sang that is. But some people are complaining he always sings old songs so something modern would be great too. I like You and Me by Lifehouse or Amazing by Josh Kelly. I'm not really into Ricky Martin but Nobody Wants To Be Loney is another good one. Or for something totally different I'm A Believer. Just thought of another one but it's an older one again. Beautiful in my eyes. It was an Elton John song but I really like the Joshua Kadison version  I like the Bee Gees too something like Heartbreaker or How Deep Is Your Love  There's just too much I'd like to hear him sing. I'm sure he'll pick something great anyway but I hope he reads our posts ;D |
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Jim
Chart Topper
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Post by Jim on Nov 14, 2006 3:33:00 GMT 10
What sould I like Damien to sing at the Opera House. Hmmm:
"Sweetest Kind Of Pain" - August Way. I know they're only a new band but I think he (Damien) would really do well with this song. I think an acoustic just cello and guitar version (played well by the idol band) would suit him great.
"Home" - Michael Buble. Another sweet song I think Damien could make his own.
"Better Be Home Soon" - Crowded House. Another acoustic feeling song I think he'd do well at.
"More Than Words" - Extreme (I think). A more powerful arangement with quite a but of rising vocals near the end resulting in falsetto might work.
"An Innocent Man" - Billy Joel. A great chance for Damien to showcase his lovely falsetto and great notes he can hit. And also slowly bring up the power of the song from weak to strong. I think his own arangement of this song could work. It'd be a challenge though.
"Morning has Broken" - Cat Stevens. An oldie but a goodie. But it might be a little slow for his liking. But there is worse out there.
"You Raise Me Up" - I think it was covered by Westlife. Sure every man and his dog has sung this song at parties and kareoke nights. But I think Damien could really put out a steller performance of this one. But since it's an overused song, maybe not.
Well they're my choices of what I think he'd be good at singing. And to comment on the above choices.
I think that Elvis one would be a challenge but it'd work just I think.
And I'm going to say no to the Bee Gees song. Cause I don't think he can hit their vocal heights (The Gibb brothers that is). And to be honest I think their songs sung in lower registers really don't sound that good. But that's just me.
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flynn
Session Muso
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Post by flynn on Nov 14, 2006 8:22:50 GMT 10
Yeah - Elvis hmmm - it would really depend on which track he chose - he's no Elvis Presley (LOL thinking hip swivel and leg shaking here) but he has a similar tone at times so I think he could do it. The Bee Gees - not sure about that - but I'm not a big fan of their slower stuff.
There's a Weddings Parties Anything song called Darlin Please that I think he could do well. Its a bit country sounding tho.
And how about - I cant make you Love Me - George Michael did this but it was written by Reid/Shamblin and first recorded by Bonnie Rait
Ah there's so many he could choose but I guess he's already chosen them by now and well into rehearsing.
Cant wait!!
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mozaic
Session Muso
Damien is a star! :D
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Post by mozaic on Nov 14, 2006 8:43:53 GMT 10
I think Throw Your Arms Around Me by the Hunters & Collectors would be a good song too |
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Post by murfinator on Nov 14, 2006 9:31:22 GMT 10
I was thinking Imagine too. I have a version of Ronan singing it live and it's awsome. ooh where did you get that? |
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Post by hyperrune on Nov 14, 2006 10:31:21 GMT 10
"An Innocent Man" - Billy Joel. A great chance for Damien to showcase his lovely falsetto and great notes he can hit. And also slowly bring up the power of the song from weak to strong. I think his own arangement of this song could work. It'd be a challenge though. Ohhh, Billy! Billy is a legend! Innocent Man is one of my favourite songs of his! I reckon Damien could also do Honesty, or Don't go Changing really well! Or So It Goes...Billy has so many beautiful songs! |
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Post by hyperrune on Nov 14, 2006 10:32:42 GMT 10
Btw Jim I love the quote in your sig, I've never heard that!
Ronan Keating doing Imagine?! OMG! Gotta go look for that...
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Post by ac12309 on Nov 14, 2006 11:55:36 GMT 10
In all honesty, I think he's already won it. (But don't leave anything to chance, still vote for him!) I'd say it's time to start thinking about how to best use the publicity of the next few weeks to advance his future career.
So it might be a good time to put some more stuff of his own out there (if he has something that is as good as Sky, that is), or something composed specifically for him to sing first. That way he can use the publicity machine of Idol to start promoting Damien Leith the original artist as opposed to Damien Leith the (virtuoso) singer of cover songs.
And something to vocally acknowledge* his Irish heritage would be gold for his Irish fan base (in both Ireland and Australia). He'd get that much free publicity out of it in Ireland... they'd likely be playing it daily on Irish tv for the next month at least. And he'd constantly be getting asked to sing at Irish national events. I'm sure he'd summon everything to craft something absolutely unique and special.
"Danny Boy" could work and would be appropriate to Damien's status as an immigrant. I'm sure he has family and a large number of good friends he has left behind who are sad he's gone. Elvis did an excellent version of it, and there are certainly some falsetto opportunities therein. But if Damien knows a more appropriate Irish song that could work better for him, go for it.
*Yes, I know he did U2's With Or Without You, but lyrically it has nothing to do with Ireland.
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flynn
Session Muso
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Post by flynn on Nov 14, 2006 12:09:34 GMT 10
There are some other originals of Damiens on his myspace site. I dont know which of them are the best coz sadly my pc isnt powerful enough to play them thru that site. it just keeps buffering and I get one or two notes at a time - LOL VERY annoying and not helpful in terms of actually getting to hear the song.
Anyway - it'll probably work for you!
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Post by steveyoung on Nov 14, 2006 12:51:08 GMT 10
It is surprising If I Can Dream is not better known, and is one of the reasons why I suggested it. It would not necessarily be associated with Elvis Presley. It is HUGE. Fantastic finale. Would test even Damien, and is neither the rockie hip swaying or later over the top vegas. It is paced really well, great lyrics, and very powerful. If you watch the 30+ Elvis sing it, it nearly brings him to tears. Readers should try giving it a go.
I read also Innocent Man by Billy Joel. I like this one too. Very good choice I think. But there has to be at least one part where it will sour. That is the only reason I do NOT think the beautiful Imagine would work. NOT for Damien.
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Post by steveyoung on Nov 14, 2006 13:11:03 GMT 10
and a further note. I agree about the old songs thing. But IF I CAN DREAM is SO apt for today. PLEASE readers, seek it out, listen, and decide for yourselves. It is perfect. Even a young Elvis did not have the voice for it. It was not until his voice was a little more mature that he attempted it, and did a great job. Damien ALREADY has the voice. His is the best I have heard in a very long time. And please, again, about Imagine. My greatest concern with this choice is that I think people want to always remember the John Lennon version. It IS John Lennon, and far too well known. No matter how well Damien did it, even if better than John, it would not satisfy a lot of people. The Hunters and Collectors one was not a bad idea either. But the Danny boy one, great song, but the worst idea I thought, as it is TOO irish. Nothing against Ireland.
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