Australian Idol Recap: Top 7
Featuring Special Guests Harry Connick Jr and James Morrison
The top eight opened the show with a group performance of Harry Connick Jr's "Whisper Your Name". The Idol band was joined by jazz musician James Morrison, who also mentored the top eight during the week. However, only seven would get to perform. Nathan Brake, James Johnston, and Scott Newnham all found themselves in the bottom three for the second time, and Scott was eliminated.
In Australia on a promotional tour, Connick attempted to put the recent Hey Hey It's Saturday controversy behind him and took his place as a guest judge.
Kate Cook - "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles
Donning her usual cowboy hat, Kate lent her trademark country-tinged sound to the big band format. It was a lively performance but given country music is not a very fashionable genre in Australia, voters may soon get tired of this formula. Nevertheless, Connick said he loved the country vibe and would pay a lot of money to see Kate perform. JayDee Springbett described her as the love child of Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra.
Stan Walker - "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" by Beyoncé
Stan's decision to perform a big band arrangement of a Beyoncé song shocked James Morrison and the judges but he delivered a cheeky, energetic, crowd pleasing rendition of it. Connick was seen dancing in his seat and later told Stan he preferred this version to the original, praising the band drummer for his "New Orleans" vibe.
Kim Cooper - "The Man I Love" written by George and Ira Gershwin
In the workshop, Morrison thought Kim seemed tense and defensive, while she admitted she had been trying to "fake it 'til you make it". Her performance on Sunday was slightly pitchy at times but Connick said he was proud of her efforts, comparing performing in front of a big band to being strapped to a truck and racing down the highway. Springbett, however, questioned whether Kim wanted to be a singer or a celebrity, leading a visibly offended Kim to insist her goal was always to be an artist.
James Johnston - "Fever" by Little Willie John, covered by Peggy Lee
James expressed a desire to be seen as a man, rather than as a boy or "tween idol" with his song choice; Morrison was unsure if James could sound believable. He responded with a surprisingly mature and sexy performance, which Connick described as "smoking".
Hayley Warner - "Tainted Love" by Gloria Jones, covered by Soft Cell
The arrangement was interesting but the performance seemed a bit too upbeat and theatrical for the song. Ian "Dicko" Dickson criticised Hayley for smiling too much and not showing enough "desperation" and "betrayal". Connick, reluctant to dish out negative feedback, defended Hayley: "Some people have different responses to betrayal. You ever see something horrible [and laugh]?" Dicko pounced, quipping: "Yeah, Hey Hey It's Saturday" to audible groans from the audience but Connick took the comment in good nature.
Nathan Brake - "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by Duke Ellington
"Scat singing is not something you generally learn in two days and it can pull the whole piece apart if he doesn't get it," said Morrison during the workshop. However, Nathan's risk in scatting coupled with his own dramatic flair paid dividends, producing arguably the most commanding and impressive "big band" style performance of the night.
Toby Moulton - "My Way" by Frank Sinatra
Toby's voice is probably not as powerful as some of the other finalists and could easily have been lost within a big band. However, the oldest contestant in the group wowed the audience and the judges with his heart wrenching and emotional performance. Dicko said he sung the classic beautifully as an "introverted teacher". Connick said Toby's song choice was possibly the riskiest of the night but that he did a great job.
Connick ended the show by singing "The Way You Look Tonight" which appears on his latest album Your Songs. Amidst the drama of the past week, it was easy to forget that this CD was the reason he was in Australia in the first place.
It was big band night on Idol
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Harry Connick Jr was a guest judge
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