Oz TV Reviews
Australian Television Programme Reviews
The Voice Live Rounds
The Voice Moves into the Next Format
I have a strong suspicion that the first of The Voice “Live Rounds” were not live at all. The show was originally scheduled to go out on Sunday night and was rescheduled to Monday, with no explanation from Channel 9, despite numerous protests on the shows Facebook Fanpage. This, together with some things I saw during the show, lead me to believe that it was recorded on Sunday, edited and broadcast on Monday. If anyone knows any different I would be happy to hear about it.
Anyhow, the format for this round seems to be that all remaining competitors will sing in each show, the coach now has the option to put one of them straight through to the next round and the public gets to vote on the remaining three, with the singer coming bottom of the public vote leaving the show.
Performers appeared team by team again.
Team Joel
Michael Paynter started with Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars. I didn’t like this much, either Michael’s voice or the song.
CLICK HERE to Download Locked Out of Heaven (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Michael Paynter
Michael Stangel was next with Cold Chisel’s Four Walls. I could still very much hear the Chisel. It was a nice performance, but I was waiting in vain for it to let rip.
CLICK HERE to Download Four Walls (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Michael Stangel
So far the performances seemed brief and the comments even more so, theirs not mine, although I admit that so far I’ve had little to say. Only Joel Madden and one other coach would give their input on each performance.
Danny Ross followed with The Joker from Steve Miller. I believe that Danny has a Johnnie Depp fixation. Tonight he was Captain Jack Sparrow, without the hair. This was a novel interpretation of the song, but a little too camp for my taste.
CLICK HERE to Download The Joker (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Danny Ross
Kiyomi Vella was last up for Joel Madden’s team with Bjork’s It’s Oh So Quiet. It was a big production number with male dancers in evening wear with umbrellas. It reminded me of the musical Singing in the Rain. Kiyomi is a great performer and it’s hard to believe that she was studying some sort of science degree before the show and was not a Theatre major. I don’t like this song though. I hate to be told to shush when I am listening to music. But I still think this girl is going to be huge, everything that she does is perfect and professional.
CLICK HERE to Download It’s Oh So Quiet (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Kiyomi Vella
Joel chose Danny Ross to take straight through. I did say last week that we would see the hidden agenda raise its head again. I’m pretty sure that Kiyomi will go through on the public vote.
Team Seal
Mitchell Anderson opened up with Dear Prudence, apparently the Doug Parkinson arrangement. Mitchell once again reminded me of Joe Cocker which is not a bad thing. This is not a favourite Beatles song. I always thought it lacked something. Mitchell gave it everything and sang well. I hope that the song is strong enough to take him through.
CLICK HERE to Download Dear Prudence (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Mitchell Anderson
Alex Gibson sang Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues. This is a great country rock and roll song but I didn’t feel that Alex got into the rockin spirit of it. The band was playing well but I didn’t feel he quite matched them. There was way too much praise from Joel and Seal.
CLICK HERE to Download Folsom Prison Blues (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Alex Gibson
Jac Stone gave us Uninvited from Alanis Morrisette. It was a dramatic production and Jac sang really well, but I would like to have heard more power from her.
CLICK HERE to Download Uninvited (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Jac Stone
Harrison Craig was the last up for Seal with I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You. Harrison sang well but I guess you would have to be into that type of music (Popera). I prefer the more swinging versions by Elvis and others.
Seal chose Alex Gibson to go straight through. Once again this reeks of a hidden agenda to me, because I am sure that Alex would not have got through on a public vote and it means that one of the more popular singers will be out.
Team Delta
Tim Morrison was first up for Delta with Something. This was written by George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the Beatles, so the guitar is the main feature of the song. Tim sang well and did his trademark mike stand throwing. I think he overdid it and I didn’t like it for that reason.
CLICK HERE to Download Something (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Tim Morrison
Celia Pavey sang Jolene from Dolly Parton. They changed her look again, this time she was in a full length black dress and different make up colouring, she looked great. This was the best matching of singer and song tonight and a really good performance. Celia looked fantastic and sang even better.
CLICK HERE to Download Jolene (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Celia Pavey
Jackie Sannia sang Skyscraper. This did nothing for me. Jackie sang O.K. But “like a Skyscraper” really? No!
CLICK HERE to Download Skyscraper (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Jackie Sannia
Steve Clisby sang Just The Two of Us from Bill Withers. I thought this was another poor song choice. It’s nice but not a showstopper. But Steve managed to produce a few highlights and he looked good with a slight image change, in a black suit and shirt and no hat. Seal agreed with my point about the song.
CLICK HERE to Download Just the Two of Us (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Steve Clisby
Delta chose to send Steve Clisby straight through which is great. We’ve just gotta see Celia go through on the public vote.
Team Ricky
Simon Meli sang Sympathy For The Devil and started with some trade mark Mick Jagger maracas, but quickly threw them away. There was a heap of white dude dancing and it was very good, for a brief performance of a song that normally lasts over six minutes. Joel and Ricky loved it.
CLICK HERE to Download Sympathy For the Devil (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Simon Meli
Caterina Torres was next with Love Don’t Cost A Thing from Jennifer Lopez. It was a good performance from Caterina, but I kept thinking about Emma Pask and how she should still be there. I think the band could have gone with a little more of the Latin feel that Caterina was giving it. She presented well, but lost it on the high note at the end where she went flat.
Miss Murphy sang Beyonce’s 1 + 1. I thought the song was more emotion over substance which is the problem with a lot of modern RnB songs. She sang well and the crowd seemed to like it. Ricky went totally over the top in his assessment.
CLICK HERE to Download 1 + 1 (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Miss Murphy
Luke Kennedy was last cab off the rank with Please Don’t Ask Me from John Farnham. Luke was asked to go very pop and forget his classic roots. He did very well and sounded very Farnsy at times. But it seems strange to me to ask singers to move away from their strengths when they are in a competition.
CLICK HERE to Download Please Don’t Ask Me (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Luke Kennedy
Ricky Martin’s was probably the strongest collective team performance tonight. He picked Luke Harrison to go straight through, but for the wrong reasons in my opinion.
Who knows when the results and next round will be?
According to my guide The Voice is not making an appearance on Tuesday night. So, as they say, “check your local guides”, then make an allowance for Channel 9 moving it by 24 hours or so.
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American Idol 2013 Grand Final
The American Idol for 2013 is Revealed
We’ve made it, the very last episode of American Idol for 2013. Candice Glover and Kree Harrison battle for the coveted title. Each will again sing three songs tonight.
The first round was Simon Fuller’s choice, he’s the producer of American Idol and worth mega bucks, so he can pick what he wants.
Kree Harrison started with Angel. It was well sung and pleasant, but not spectacular.
Candice Glover’s song was a similar sort of performance, but with more dynamic range.
Randy Jackson gave the edge to Candice and said both songs were a little sleepy, which was true. Mariah Carey also made brief comments, but Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban were not asked for their input.
There were scant or no introductions to each performance tonight and the judge’s comments were brief. It seems that this show was rushing through to make more room for the results show. This may have been only in the edit that we saw on Australian TV where the two shows are packaged as one.
Carly Ray Jepson was the first guest appearance, with a piece of super light forgettable pop pap. What a waste of time.
Round Two The Winners Single
Kree Harrison was back with a country ballad that was really well sung and a bit more substantial than the first song. She got a standing ovation from all of the judges, except Nicki. Was she wearing the tight dress tonight?
CLICK HERE to download All Cried Out – Single – Kree Harrison
Candice Glover gave us another dramatic ballad, but I didn’t like the song, even though Candice gave it the kitchen sink.
CLICK HERE to download I Am Beautiful – Music Speaks
Nicki stood for this one. She and Keith Urban thought more of the songs than I did.
Final Round Favourite Song of the Season
Kree Harrison came up with the best song so far tonight. A big gospel number with a backing choir. Keith said it was beautiful. Randy said it was the best performance of the night. Mariah agreed with Randy, well derr, but she liked the diversity.
Candice Glover sang I Who Have Nothing, which she sang loud and powerful and started with a long acapella segment. When the band came in she got even better. I would have to give it to Candice on every performance tonight, but this one, by a country mile, was the best of the night.
I (Who Have Nothing) [American Idol Performance] – Single – Candice Glover
All four judges stood. Randy said she shot it to another level and she did. The image of Candice and Ryan Seacrest on stage together made me laugh, as she dwarfs him.
The results show started with a group number from all of the finalists, dressed in white. It was a pretty awful song, where everyone was trying hard to look like they were having fun.
The Band Perry gave us a lively all action performance and were joined by Janelle Arthur and she threw everything in with them, it was fun, I enjoyed it.
The top 5 guys gave us some Jersey Boys action with a great start by Lazaro Arbos, who was undoubtedly the best at this. Frankie Valli joined them to sing You’re Just Too Good To Be True and Grease (Is The Word). Frankie is still in good voice for an old boy, he turned 79 a couple of weeks ago.
Mariah Carey was introduced as the best selling female artist of all time, having sold over 200 million albums, that is phenomenal. I think I’ve only got one of them.
She looked great in a white dress with feathers and some wind action. But she appeared to be singing, or miming, at a completely different venue and there were only snippets of a bunch of songs.
Amber Holcomb was back, looking and sounding great and duetting with Emili Sandé on Next To Me.
Psy, the Gagnam man, was up next, singing in Korean with a big dance troop. All of this theatre is OK but I prefer the music to speak for itself.
Keith Urban then took to the stage with an island beach inspired country tune. Keith‘s band featured a ukulele player with a Uke similar to mine, just thought you’d like to know that. It was obvious why this Aussie has done so well taking country music to its home place.
Candice Glover sang Inseperable. A beautiful smooth soul ballad, she was joined by Jennifer Hudson. Candice just shone alongside the Oscar and Grammy winner, even outshone her.
Angie Miller was back at the piano duetting with Paul Lambert, the camp looking dude from last week, singing Titanium. Not my sort of thing at all.
Jessie J appeared in a shorts based one piece outfit that barely held her boobs in. She sang Domino with Angie. This was a very good and fun performance. Angie appeared to be having the time of her life. Then, when it finished, Jessie J invited her to perform her own single at one of Jessie’s shows in the UK this summer.
Next was a first for me, I had never seen Randy Jackson perform before. He played bass, while Keith Urban played guitar and sang with Kree Harrison, Where The Black Top Ends, another good and enjoyable performance.
The next part was an interesting set up. The great Aretha Franklin sang Natural Woman, Never Loved a Man, RESPECT and Think from a satellite link, while the 5 female finalists sang backing vocals below the screen on the stage in Hollywood.
Jennifer Lopez and some rapper popped up next. Jenny from the block and her dancers looked good, but I didn’t think much of the tune.
Finally Candice and Kree duetted a medley together and Candice Glover was announced as the winner. This was the right result, she is an amazing singer.
Best of luck to both girls for the future and to the other finalists.
Candice finished the show with her single I Am Beautiful. It was far from her best performance, through her tears, but that’s not what we will remember her for and there will be plenty of great performances from her in the future.
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The Voice Final Showdown Results
Coaches Make All The Wrong Decisions on
The Voice
The results of the The Voice’s final showdowns aired on Channel 9 on Tuesday. By now you are probably aware of the format, but just in case you are not we will recap.
The public have voted and the singer that came top in the votes and iTunes sales goes through to the next round. The singer that came bottom of the votes and sales is immediately out of the competition and the second and third placed competitors sing off for selection by the team coach.
Once again the team coaches made some poor decisions, including one unforgivable decision of who to leave behind.
Team Joel
Michael Stangel went straight through on the public vote
Kathy Hinch was bottom of the votes and is out.
Lyric McFarland and Danny Ross sang off
There was nothing new here as they repeated their blind audition songs. Lyric sang Shy Guy.
Danny sang When the Levee Breaks. This was another strange version and not quite what I remember from the blinds. Delta Goodrem could not choose between them. Ricky Martin and Seal both picked Danny Ross. I am really over him after the last two performances. Hendrix and Led Zeppelin are two of my favourite artists and I didn’t like what he did with their material. But Joel Madden did me no favours and picked Danny to go forward.
Team Delta
Celia Pavey straight through, at least the public are getting it right tonight
Nathan Allgood was straight out, a pity as he is a very good singer and I wanted to see him go through with Celia.
The Sing Off was between Ben Goldstein and Tim Morrison
Ben did his blind audition Bedouin Song with its Middle Eastern flavours and it was very impressive. Tim sang Sunday, Bloody Sunday which was much, much better than what he did with The Foo Fighters last night. But based on those performances I would have to go with Ben, as he offers something very different. Again the coach went against me and Delta chose Tim.
The Wanted Guest Performance
Backstage The Wanted looked like a rock band and seemed to have that snarly attitude, so I was surprised when they turned out to be a bloody boy band. I am pretty sure they were using auto tune on the vocals. Awful song too, not Wanted here.
Team Seal
Mitchell Anderson was the first to go through, another good pick from the public.
Nicholas Roy is out, as I suspected that song choice in the showdown killed him.
The Sing Off was between Jac Stone and Shawne Kirke
Jac sang Bernard Fanning’s Watch Over Me. It was a nice performance and once again she looked sensational. Shawne sang James Morrison’s You Give Me Something. I’ve got to go with Shawne. I think he is very soulful and I like the songs he sings. Delta and Ricky picked Shawne, Joel picked no one. Surprisingly Seal picked Jac and Shawne goes home.
Team Ricky
Luke Kennedy went straight through, which was a foregone conclusion, as he had the number one song on iTunes
James Walker goes home, the right decision in my opinion as the other three were so good in the Showdowns.
Emma Pask and Caterina Torres sang off for the final place in the next round.
Emma sang Blue Skies, it wasn’t quite the showstopper that Mas Que Nada was, but it was still great. I loved it, as did the coaches and the studio audience. Caterina gave an impassioned performance of Hot Right Now, but it would be a crime if Emma didn’t go through.
But blow me if Ricky Martin did not go ahead and commit that crime. He chose Caterina to go through. I’ve nothing against Caterina and had she been in another team I would be happy for her to go through. But Ricky seems to think as he as offered Emma a spot on his album that is enough. But he is denying the Australian public the opportunity to see something different on this show from the normal stuff you see in the charts. I will not forgive Mr Martin for this.
Just to prove how wrong he was, Ricky Martin informed us that Emma Pask’s self funded album is number one in the iTunes charts. Talk about the public not getting what the public wants.
CLICK HERE if you want to download Emma Pask’s music from iTunes
This must be a record, every judges decision was the opposite of mine in this round.
If you want to keep watching the show after this, I believe it is back on Sunday with an all public voting format, but probably not. The hidden agenda will most likely raise its head again.
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The Voice, It’s The Final Showdowns
The Final Showdown Rounds of The Voice 2013
Monday night saw the final round of Showdowns on The Voice 2013, featuring the teams of Delta Goodrem and Joel Madden
Team Delta
Celia Pavey started proceedings with Woodstock, originally written and recorded by Joni Mitchell. Celia has a great ethereal quality to her voice. But I’m not sure about the song choice, how many of the viewers are going to know about Woodstock and how this song related. Maybe the performance stood on its own. It got a standing ovation, but like Nicholas Roy the night before I think this song may not be commercial enough to get the votes. The judges gave sedate approval, I believe they all appreciate Celia, but the response was in line with the mood of the song.
CLICK HERE to Download Woodstock (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Celia Pavey
Tim Morrison, the ex rock band front man, gave us Learn To Fly from The Foo Fighters. Delta Goodrem wanted him to get rid of the beard that he had in rehearsals. Tim didn’t want to. He compromised and kept the goatee and moustache and shaved off the sides. Learn To Fly is a great rock song, but I didn’t like Tim‘s version. He seemed to be acting the part of a rock singer rather than actually being one. Joel Madden was kind of restrained in his praise, in his manner rather than his words. Seal raved over it. Ricky Martin gave the obligatory praise, without being convincing. Delta thanked him for his work.
CLICK HERE to Download Learn To Fly (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Tim Morrison
Nathan Allgood sang When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars. This song was covered by Candice Glover on American Idol recently. The performance appeared heartfelt; if not the best vocal he has done on the show. I like Nathan and hope it was enough to take him through. Joel said he wanted to see him play trumpet on the show. The tease line from Darren McMullen was if you want to see Nathan play the trumpet then vote for him.
CLICK HERE to Download When I Was Your Man (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Nathan Allgood
Ben Goldstein was last up for Delta’s team with Waiting in Vain from Bob Marley. It was a good steady performance, but nothing outstanding, apart from the weird screaming part in the middle, that I really didn’t like. The audience reaction was disproportionate to the performance, as was the praise from the coaches.
CLICK HERE to Download Waiting In Vain (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Ben Goldstein
I would like to see Celia Pavey and Nathan Allgood go through, but I have a feeling that Ben Goldstein will go through because of the girls reaction.
Team Joel
Michael Stangel was first up for Joel’s team with Home from Phillip Phillips. This was a good performance that drew you in and got the feet tapping. I think the song came up just a bit short of great, but Michael did enough for me to want to see him again. All of the judge’s comments fixated on the health problems that he has had. I really don’t like that sort of thing as it seems to be milking the situation.
CLICK HERE to Download Home (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Michael Stangel
Kathy Hinch
Kathy Hinch was next with Bleeding Love. It was a decent performance and Kathy looked good, but something is missing from her voice. It doesn’t go any further than her throat, but that can be enough for female pop stars these days. Too much praise from some of the judges again, but Ricky and Delta asked questions of her.
CLICK HERE to Download Bleeding Love (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Kathy Hinch
Lyric McFarland gave us Al Green’s soul standard Let’s Stay Together. This is one of my favourite old classic songs from the reverend. It was a good performance, although a bit patchy. Ricky Martin said he’s used the word perfection once in The Voice before, for Miss Murphy, he was wrong both times. Seal said Aretha Franklin-esque. Has he ever listened to Aretha Franklin? This level of praise from the judges went way beyond over the top.
CLICK HERE to Download Let’s Stay Together (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Lyric McFarland
Danny Ross was given another classic song, Jimi Hendrix’s All Along The Watchtower. Danny appeared in a really weird outfit. He looked like a Johnny Depp impersonator in his night shirt. I didn’t like this at all. He kind of sang the Bob Dylan version to the Hendrix arrangement. He looked weird and once again looked like an actor playing the part of a rock star. Note to judges, please look up the meaning of cool. I must have been watching a different performance to them.
CLICK HERE to Download All Along the Watchtower (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Danny Ross
I would have to go with Michael Stangel and Lyric McFarland to go forward from Team Joel.
We shall find out on Tuesday night with the results show airing at 7:30 on Channel 9.
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The Voice Showdown Three
Another Showdown on The Voice Australia
The third showdown on The Voice 2013 featured four members each from Team Seal and Team Ricky
Team Seal
Mitchell Anderson started with The Letter from Joe Cocker. The TV stylists smartened him up a bit with a black suit and frilly white shirt. He sang well, with a good full voice. My favourite part featured the backing singers and I would have liked more of that. Delta Goodrem confessed she was named after Joe Cocker’s song (Delta Lady). All of the judges loved it Seal called it powerful and said he could go all the way.
CLICK HERE to download The Letter (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Mitchell Anderson
Nicholas Roy sang Jeff Buckley‘s Last Goodbye. This was a very hard to song to sing as it covers a lot of range. Nick sang well, especially the last part, but I’m not sure how wide an appeal that song would have. The judges praised him, but were a little restrained.
CLICK HERE to download Last Goodbye (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Nicholas Roy
Jac Stone sang Luka originally by Suzanne Vega the love of the 1980’s Yuppies. I liked the way she sang it, a little throaty and breathy. She looked great too. The judges were much more enthused about this performance, except Delta who thought the performance went in and out. But Seal compensated for that with some heavy, heavy compliments.
CLICK HERE to download Luka (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Jac Stone
Shawne Kirke brought us back into the 21st century with Paolo Nutini’s Last Request. Shawne made it his own as Paolo has as such a distinctive voice. It was soulful and very easy on the ears. Joel Madden thought it was awesome. Delta loved it and thought it really worked. Ricky Martin thought it was a little off tune but enjoyed it. Seal thinks he is a winner.
CLICK HERE to download Last Request (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Shawne Kirke
I think the best bets to go through would have to be Mitchell and Shawne based on those performances.
Team Ricky
Caterina Torres If She Were A Boy we’d all be disappointed
Caterina Torres was first out with Beyonce‘s If I Were A Boy. She looked spectacular in her long black dress with it’s sequins and strategic holes. It was a big performance, but not really my sort of thing. However I could see it getting her a lot of votes. Ricky was leaping about in joy while she was singing. All of the other judges loved it too.
CLICK HERE to download If I Were a Boy (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Caterina Torres
James Walker gave us The Killers’ Mr Brightside there was some sound rumble at the beginning of this. I don’t think James has the range for this song. It was nowhere near as dynamic as The Killers version. Joel sees him as a member of a band. Delta told him to keep working. Seal congratulated him on being big.
CLICK HERE to download Mr. Brightside (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – James Walker
Emma Pask took on the Brazilian standard Mas Que Nada. Ricky showed her how to Samba in the rehearsals. Her voice was amazing in the rehearsals alone. I had to crank up the sound system for this one. She sang brilliantly in Portuguese. This was the highlight of the night for me. Delta raved “A true pros performance”. Seal said thank God Ricky saved her. Joel Madden said “fuego” and some other Spanish he never really had a handle on. He thanked God he turned around for her. He is going to vote for her. Ricky Martin said he is recording a Brazilian album and he wants Emma to be part of it. Ricky samba’d off the stage with her.
CLICK HERE to download Mas Que Nada (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Emma Pask
How Good is this?
Luke Kennedy was last up with Time To Say Goodbye from Andre Bocelli. Following Portuguese we get an intro in Italian. This was a good performance by Luke and he obviously has a great voice, but it never moved me like Emma. Joel imagined some white horse action, sorry you had to be there, or had to be Joel to really know what was going on in his head. Delta is going to send his clip to Andrea Bocelli who she has toured with.
CLICK HERE to download Time To Say Goodbye (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Luke Kennedy
It’s hard to pick only two from this team, but I would have to go for Emma because she appealed to me the most and Caterina because I think she is more accessible to a wider audience than Luke. Really Luke should be able to make his own way in his world of music with the connections he already has, now that he has his mojo back.
Monday night Team Delta and Team Joel showdown.
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American Idol Top Three
The Penultimate Outing For the
American Idol Girls
So we are down to the final three in American Idol and the girls battle it out for a place in the grand final.
Tonight each of them would sing three songs, which were chosen by other people.
Round one will be songs chosen by uber record producer Jimmy Iovine
Round two songs chosen by the judges
Round three will be songs chosen by the American Idol production crew.
Kree Harrison opened the show with the Pink song Perfect
Kree Harrison started the proceedings with Perfect from Pink. It sounded like a typical middle of the road country tune the way she sang it. Kree sang well but it was a pretty bland song. Keith Urban obviously did not approve of the song choice, but didn’t say it directly. Nicky Minaj‘s advice was to wear flat boots, what the? Randy Jackson said it was not a good song choice for her and he said it was a little flat. Mariah Carey made excuses for Kree saving herself for later tonight
Candice Glover gave us One from U2. It started off soft and gentle, then built big. I did not like that part and would rather have heard her keep it in the U2 mould. Nicky thought that she worked it and compared it to the Mary J Blige version. Randy loved it and Mariah felt it. Keith liked the power in the quiet.
Angie Miller sang Elton John’s Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. The second time we have seen this song on a singing comp on Australian TV this week after Miss Murphy covered it on The Voice on Sunday. I preferred Angie‘s version, although she went a little sharp at times. Randy Jackson questioned why she did not play the piano, Angie didn’t feel she would have been able to learn it in time. Jimmy Iovine obviously picked an Elton John song so she could sing it at the piano; maybe he should have discussed it with her first and picked something she could learn to play quickly. Randy liked it and Mariah did too. Keith Urban wanted restraint again.
There was a long clip of Candice‘s return to her home town. This really shows how big this show is that so many people turn out for their hometown girl.
Candice’s next song was Emeli Sande‘s Next To Me. Candice wore another big ring and did that Dionne Warwick thing with the mike. I preferred this to her first song. It was a good tempo and was not over done. Not a show stopper, but a good performance. Keith loved it he said that she sang where she wanted to sing. Nicky Minaj, on the edge of tears, told her she was so proud of her. Randy said koodoose to us for picking the song, I think he meant Kudos. Both Nicky and Candice ended the segment in tears.
Next was footage Angie Miller’s trip home, in a Lear Jet and featured appearances on the local news as a weather girl. Angie did a huge outdoor show which had so many people in attendance it could explain how she is still there in the final three, that’s a lot of voters.
Angie’s second song was another Pink tune. She strutted the stage with some attitude and I liked that. But again I thought there were some sharp parts in the song. Angie looked better than she sounded to me. Keith and Nicky both mentioned that she had more confidence on stage than ever before. Randy Jackson once again congratulated themselves for choosing the song. Is this show really all about you Randy?
Kree Harrison went home to a crawfish boil and hugged everyone in sight. She visited her old derelict home where she grew up. She also went to a Rodeo and rode a mechanical horse. Kree‘s home concert was in a large stadium and also had a huge number of fans in attendance.
Kree’s next tune was Rascal Flatts’ Here Comes Goodbye. This country ballad was probably more Kree than anything I’ve heard her sing on the show recently. She got an extended standing ovation from the audience, that Keith revved up. Nicky said it was one of her best performances to date. Randy said this is one of the best top three’s they have ever had on Idol. But again gave props to the judges and props to all of us. Mariah was overwhelmed with emotion over the home visit video. Keith said she had him from beginning to end.
Angie Miller finished with another Emeli Sande song, Maybe. She finally made it to the piano tonight. Angie sang well but I didn’t like the song, it had a lot of words without saying much. Mariah said it was a hard song to sing, in a high key and that is probably also something I never liked about it. Nicky talked about how much she had grown and how she was no longer performing like she was at a beauty pageant and that was her biggest achievement tonight.
Kree’s last song for the night was The Band Perry’s Better Dig Two. An up-tempo country song with a banjo and some devil from Georgia fiddle. This was really in her wheel house, another great performance for country fans. Mariah likes to see the sorrow more than the anger from Kree. Keith and Nicky didn’t think it was a good song for her, unusual that what I thought was the opposite of that. Randy Jackson said pretty much the same as Keith and Nicky.
Candice Glover closed the show. She sang, without an introduction, Somewhere from West Side Story. She belted it out in front of a huge orchestra. It was a great performance for people that like that sort of thing, bit iffy in the ending though I thought. The judges stood for the first time tonight. Keith said “If you want to vote for Candice dial the number on your screen, if you don’t want to vote for Candice call your doctor as you probably don’t have a pulse”. That pretty much summed it up. Although the song is not really my sort of thing, you could not help but admire the performance.
The results show started with a corny cross promotion for the animated film Epic, followed by a terrible sound problem on the first song by the three girls together. It sounded like some of their mikes were not switched on and they were only being picked up elsewhere. Ryan Seacrest and the judges glossed over that, by not mentioning it at all.
Mariah Carey previewed her new video under the guise of teaching the girls about making videos. It was awful, far too much cheesecake for a woman of her age. Paul Lambert, a former Idol contestant, had a filmed spot from Singapore that was even worse. But Alicia Keys showed them what it is all about.
Candice was first to qualify for the final. Kree is the second finalist and that is the undoubtedly right decision. I thought that Angie may have made it when I saw the number of home town supporters that she had. But Candice and Kree are the best singers in this competition. Angie sang her final song on the show, very off key through her tears.
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The Voice Showdown Results
Winners and Losers in The Voice Showdowns
The Voice Showdown results show produced both predictable and surprising outcomes.
The qualifying format is that the top member of each team in the public votes goes straight through to the next round. The person bottom of the vote leaves immediately. The middle two sing off and the coach picks which one of them goes through.
I was not impressed with the fact that in the sing offs the contestants had to sing their original blind auditions song again. Why? It must have been some sort of cost cutting or operational corner cutting. It added nothing for the viewers.
The results were announced team by team.
Team Seal
Harrison Craig won the vote and goes Straight through. This would have been a surprise to no one.
Hannah Darling came bottom of the vote and leaves tonight.
The sing off was between Michelle Martinez and Alex Gibson.
It was hard to believe that Seal picked Alex over Michelle. I believe that Michelle is amongst the best of this year’s performers and with more exposure on the show she could have a great career.
I like Alex and his voice is good, but I don’t think that he has a big future in the music business, because of his lack of confidence and his looks. It’s sad, but it is a superficial industry and these things count. I can only see a guy like Alex making it if he can write some really great songs and that is not what this show is about. We will have no idea if he can do that by the end of the series.
Team Ricky
Miss Murphy goes straight through to the next round after topping the public vote
Imogen Brough leaves us after bottoming out.
The Sing Off was between Simon Meli and Nick Kingswell
I was surprised that Miss Murphy came top of the public vote. I really would have thought that Simon Meli would have taken that position. But Ricky Martin picked Simon anyway. I quite liked Nick Kingswell‘s version of I Need A Dollar in the Blind Rounds, but hated it in this sing off. The continuous repetition of the title annoyed me.
Team Delta
Steve Clisby went straight through. This was totally justified and was no surprise. In fact I will be surprised if this guy is not there competing in the final show.
Sadly Josh Kyle came bottom of the public vote
The sing off was between Rob Edwards and Jackie Sannia
I had a sneaking suspicion that Josh would not pick up sufficient public votes, although I firmly believe that he was next best after Steve Clisby.
Jazz has a smallish audience in Australia and he may struggle to make a living here with his style and may need to move to the UK or USA where there is a bigger market for his type of material.
Delta Goodrem picked Jackie to go through. The judges rate her much more highly than I do. Much like Alex Gibson I don’t see her having a big future in the business for the same reasons. But like Alex she could be only one good song away from a career.
Will-I-Am performed his latest single which seems to be more Justin Bieber than him. It was pure theatre and good in that respect, but not the sort of song I imagine anyone will be singing along to in 20 years time.
Team Joel
Michael Paynter won the public vote and goes straight through.
Danni Hodson leaves, despite a good showdown performance this week.
Adam Garrett and Kiyomi Vella sang off for the remaining place in the next round.
I was surprised that Kiyomi did not top the public vote and that Adam scored more votes than Danni, based on their showdown performances. But Joel Madden picked Kiyomi to go through which was definitely the right decision in my opinion.
The second round of Showdowns begin on Sunday on Channel 9.
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The Voice Showdowns Two
Second Round Of Showdowns on
The Voice Australia
Another night, another hairstyle for Delta Goodrem and another hair colour for Joel Madden. And those are the two team leaders in the frame for tonight’s showdowns
Delta’s Team began proceedings.
Joel and Delta. New hair colour, new hairstyle
Rob Edwards was first up singing Impossible. He had a very quiet start. Delta was amusing sitting in her chair singing every line along with him. I didn’t know the song and I didn’t like it. Rob’s diction was very poor. It’s hard to be connected to a song when you can’t hear what he’s singing about. The judges praised his tone and presence. Just like last night, there was more praise than was justified in my opinion.
CLICK HERE to Download Impossible (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Rob Edwards
Jackie Sannia followed with Arithmetic, another song that I didn’t know or think much of. Jackie‘s voice sounded slightly strangled to me and it is obvious someone else is revving up the audience at certain points, telling them when to cheer or applaud. Seal thought her performance was spellbinding, I thought it was OK and once again the judge’s praise was over the top.
CLICK HERE to Download Arithmetic (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Jackie Sannia
Josh Kyle sang Settle Down. This guy can sing and I like the way he plays with rhythm. There is a big jazz influence and he got a big crowd reaction. The best performance so far tonight for me, but not that commercial I would have thought. I hope he goes through. Joel Madden said “a great opportunity to be different”, which is what I like about him.
CLICK HERE to Download Settle Down (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Josh Kyle
Steve Clisby gave us God Bless The Child from Billie Holiday. Steve is unashamedly one of my favourites, with a classic song. He surpassed Josh as the best performance tonight. This man is really cool and is just so good. Joel said he is going to vote for him. Ricky Martin said nothing and just hugged him. Delta was very wordy in her praise, but I believe genuine. If this man does not get through I will stop watching the show.
CLICK HERE to Download God Bless the Child (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Steve Clisby
There’s no doubt in my mind that Steve and Josh were the best of this four, but I am concerned that they will not both go through.
Then it was time for Team Joel
Danni Hodson started off with Stronger from Kelly Clarkson. This was a good ballsy performance, the lyrics backed up the emotion of it, unlike Rob Edwards’ opening number. Danni looked good with her hair down and the stylists influence. Joel thought that she did her best and there was talk of her redeeming herself from the Battle Rounds, when some of the judges thought she only did just enough to get through.
Adam Garrett was another voice that sounded strangled tonight and his coaching concentrated on the interaction with the crowd, rather than the music and it showed in the performance. Once again there was too much praise for a quite ordinary performance and a bland song.
CLICK HERE to Download Animal (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Adam Garrett
Kiyomi Vella great look, great performance
Kiyomi Vella gave us Upside Down. She may not be the best singer in the competition but she is a great performer. She varies her look and always looks great. This was a really interesting performance and she deserves to stay. I think Kiyomi could have a great pop career. She would put on great shows and I would love to see her videos.
CLICK HERE to Download Upside Down (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Kiyomi Vella
Michael Paynter sang The Horses from Daryl Braithwaite. I’m not that keen on Michael‘s tone, it’s a little high for me. But this was a very good performance and only suffered from being too short. All of the judges seem to want him to take more direction, so may be behind the scenes he tries too hard to be independent.
CLICK HERE to Download The Horses (The Voice 2013 Performance) – Single – Michael Paynter
Kiyomi would have to be favourite to go through from Joel’s team, second would be a toss up between Danni and Michael.
We shall find out tonight on the results show at 7:00PM on Channel 9
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The Voice Showdowns Begin
The Public Gets a Vote in The Voice Showdowns
Things have moved on from the Battle Rounds. Delta Goodrem has a new haircut and most of the judges have changed their clothes. This is the first round in which the public gets to vote. But as I understand it, our input is limited, determining only one of each four that goes through.
Tonight’s Showdowns featured singers from Team Ricky and Team Seal. Delta and Joel Madden’s teams got to sit it out.
Imogen Brough not quite ready for prime time
Simon Meli, who is always promoted as The Rocker, was first up. Ricky Martin asked him to sing Hold On I’m Coming from Sam and Dave. This is a classic song from the golden age of soul music. It’s also the second soul/funk song that Ricky has asked Simon to sing. So the boundaries between rock and real soul are maybe not that wide. I didn’t like his movements too much, but his vocal was good and he was enthusiastic. There was much reference to the “White Dude Dancing” term that Joel Madden had coined for Simon. He was praised all around from the judges.
Imogen Brough was next, also from Ricky Martin’s team. There seems to be no alternating this year. It was hard to see, in the rehearsal footage, who was wearing more eye make up Ricky or Imogen. She Sang The Voice a very Celtic song, well in her wheel house. There were definitely some pitch problems. I like Imogen and think that she has something worth pursuing, but before seeing anyone else I would say that she’s not yet ready for prime time and she needs to put in more work and practice. The judges gave her mooted praise
Nick Kingswell sang Olly Murs’ Army of Two. Ricky has picked some terrible songs for this guy. What with this and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun in the battles. Not that there is anything wrong with the Cyndi Lauper song, but not good for a guy battling against a girl. Nick showed good range, but I felt he lost it a bit when he was walking around shaking hands with people. But that is the sort of thing that Ricky and the other judges seem to want him to do. All of the judges seemed to think the opposite to me and they all gave him high praise.
Miss Murphy, otherwise known as Karen Andrews. This dual personality thing does not sit easy with me, it reeks of being fake. She sang Elton John’s Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word. It was sad, so sad, I did not really enjoy it at all, but it has never been one of my favourite songs. She gave it the big ending and the crowd responded. Once again the judge’s opinions were at odds with mine and they all gave her heavy praise.
On the whole I was not impressed with Ricky‘s team and I would only put one of them through and that would be Simon Meli.
Michelle Martinez a Real Pro
Michelle Martinez sang Dedication To My Ex, an up tempo dance worthy number, I didn’t know the song. Michelle had a different look tonight with her hair down and some sexy moves. She is a pro and gave a great performance. That’s what I’m talking about. The judges once again gave her heavy praise, but that is nothing to go by, based on earlier performances tonight.
Alex Gibson was asked by Seal to perform The Sound of Silence from Simon and Garfunkel, that’s a big song to take on. His guitar playing was really nice, but I thought the vocal was a bit shaky at times. It’s a great song and it was a nice performance. Once again I thought most of the judges over praised him, even though he was pretty good. But Seal was more realistic saying it was not his best vocal performance.
Hannah Darling the lady with the tatts and red hair, which has now turned pink, was next up. Seal mentioned in the rehearsal footage that she hadn’t returned his phone calls after the Battle Rounds. That’s pretty much throwing away the opportunity that she worked and cried for. She sang Linger from The Cranberries. I think this was a bad song choice, for anyone really. It is so linked to Dolores O’Riordan, the original singer’s unique style that anyone that covers it is going to pale by comparison and Hannah was no exception. Delta mentioned the fact that she did not return Seal’s calls and thinks that she may have blown her chance. Ricky and Seal said much the same. By the way Seal, there are no degrees of unique, it is either unique or it isn’t.
Harrison Craig sang Home by Michael Bublé. It wasn’t Michael Bublé but it was pretty damn close. This boy could go all the way, he’ll get the sympathy vote because of his stutter, but he is a great singer too. Ricky Martin‘s mum loves him. Joel Madden says he is winning. Seal asked “Why do you even need me?” Harrison said “To be coached by you Seal and in the presence of you all is absolutely breathtaking for me”. As Joel Madden said, he is wise and experienced beyond his years.
Seal‘s team were much better than Ricky’s, the only one I wouldn’t put through is Hannah Darling and even she was better for me than some of Ricky‘s team.
There are more Showdowns tonight on Channel 9, this time from Team Delta and Team Joel.
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American Idol Top Four Part Two
The American Idol Final Four Face Off Again.
The show started with a brief recap of the end of last week’s show, where no one went home. So we get to do it all over again this week
There were two themes again this week, first of all Songs from 2013 and then Standards
Angie Miller kicked things off with Diamonds from Rhianna. She slowed it down and sang it while playing piano with little other accompaniment. I watched tonight for the difference in her performance when playing piano and she does seem more genuinely into it and there is definitely less acting. Keith Urban didn’t like the arrangement. Nicki Minaj said it was bland and lacklustre and she can do better. Randy Jackson agreed with Keith and Mariah Carey agreed with Nicki, but did not want to admit it when Nicki pointed that out. So there was more bickering.
Amber Holcomb gave us Pink’s Just Give Me a Reason. In the rehearsal with Harry Connick Junior she didn’t know the words and was a little concerned about that. She had another new look on stage, but still looked great. I preferred the quiet slow start to the more up tempo part. There may have been a pitch problem on one of the high feature notes, so not her best performance. Nicki thought she was only connected in parts of the song. Randy said it was not stellar. Mariah made excuses for her with learning the words etc as did Keith, who said considering everything it was fantastic.
Candice Glover picked Bruno Mars’ When I Was Your Man for her song from 2013. She did it without changing the gender. This was the best song and best performance by far, so far tonight. It really proved how good she is and why she should win this contest. She got a huge reception from the crowd, but the judges never stood. Randy Jackson said it was amazing. Mariah said she has the musicality to change any song to suit her and that separates her from the rest. Keith loved it and Nicki said it deserved a standing ovation and the judges stood right then. The judge’s opinions seem to back up my beliefs.
Kree Harrison went with See You Again from Carrie Underwood. Her rehearsal performance was really connected and Harry Connick loved it. On stage she sang on a stool with an acoustic guitarist, although there was much more orchestration than that going on. It was still very good, but not quite as good as the rehearsal performance. Mariah Carey said she enjoyed it, without saying too much. Keith didn’t like the contradiction between what he saw and what he heard in terms of much more going on than was shown onstage. That boy thinks so much like me. Nicky liked it and didn’t care about the visual issues. They all loved her voice.
Angie Miller’s standard was Someone To Watch Over Me. In rehearsal Harry Connick told her to do less. I liked how the song started out, but it was built up too much and over done in both the vocal and the arrangement. Keith Urban said he would have missed the three chord ascending ending, but the rest was the beautiful. Nicki rambled. Randy did not love the arrangement, but said it was a great vocal. Mariah said it did not need to all be at the top of her range after Nicki had said she should get into her big notes at the beginning, there was more bickering.
Amber Holcomb chose Funny valentine. She did not understand what the song was about until Harry explained the lyrics to her in rehearsal. In short he believes that the writer had issues with his own looks, I am sure that Amber is not the only one to fail to pick that up. On stage it was another good performance, but I wasn’t impressed with all of the big notes. The judges and studio audience disagreed and gave her a standing ovation. Amber burst into tears while Nicki was praising her. Ryan Seacrest came in to comfort her. She still looked sad, despite all of the praise she got from the judges.
Candice Glover’s standard was You’ve Changed from Billie Holiday. Once again Harry told her not to do too much. She did it that way, just with power. Once again Candice was head and shoulders above the others in this round. She also got a standing O. Mariah Carey said she would download it straight away. All of the judges loved it.
Kree Harrison went with Stormy Weather. Harry gave the same advice again and demonstrated what she was doing vocally on the piano. He made a great point that the song is about someone feeling low, so why do vocal dynamics and stand back for the applause? It doesn’t fit the mood. Kree looked great in her off the shoulder stage outfit. It was a very good performance with her trade mark country feel. But it was tough following Candice. Mariah thought it was clear as a bell and beautiful, but would have chosen a different song. Keith said the same. So did Nicki in a very roundabout way. They dragged Harry Connick Jnr up from the audience, as Nicki and Randy seemed to think what he told them did not help their performances. In my opinion Harry wiped the floor with Randy in the argument.
I am a bit over the results shows, so I will not go into it too much.
Angie Miller was the first to make the top three. Next was Candice Glover. I was very pleased to see her out of the bottom two. Kree Harrison took the third place and Amber Holcomb goes home. My choice would have been for Angie to go ahead of her. But I am sure that Amber has done enough to secure a future for herself in the music business or even the modelling business.
Amber looked stunning as ever and gave a great final performance, but broke up on the final notes; all of the girls were in tears.
So I believe what comes next is the grand finale, where we find out the winner and get to see lots of archive footage.
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