A little late, I know, sorry!
The big BIG news of course is Amy Williams storming to Olympic Gold in the Skeleton! Yay, way to go Amy!
The BBC are making a movie charting the rivalry between Seb Coe and Steve Ovett, possibly being released before th 2012 Olympics. I knew someone would beat me to it, my screenplay is still up here *taps temple* waiting for a chance to be written.
In Boxing, Nathan Cleverly won the European Light Heavyweight title ... Peter Norfolk is still World Number One in Wheelchair tennis ... Greg Harlow won the World Indoor Bowls title, with Stewart Anderson and runner-up. In women's bowls, Debbie Stavrou beat Alison Merrien in the World Matchplay Championship final.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Saturday, 20 February 2010
PopStar To OperaStar: The Final!
Bernie versus Darius, two solos, two duets and a group number! She looks amazing in dangerous red; he, dashing in uniform!
Darius out first, a quick recap reminding us what a fabulous performer he is; he's chosen Non Piu Andrai - the one where he falls in love with his hand (anyone see TV Burp, lol!) He does even better this time, interacting well with the supporting cast, great timing! Loved it! Afterwards he said: “I wanted to see if I could get through this performance with my flies up, I did ask if I could wear a kilt but that’s not very Italian. It’s been such an honour to perform with the orchestra and I just want to thank everyone who’s voted for me.”
Katherine said: “The song was in good hands. When you came in you had the heart of a tenor and when you sang that song for the first time you settled much more into a baritone. You always come out and deliver a great performance, it was brilliant.”
Laurence said: “l loved the singing very much. It was very cheeky, very sexy, very Darius.”
A Bernie recap of her chacka chacka performances, the stunning vocal gymnastics. Les Fille De Cadiz her choice, full of character, very cheeky. Even stevens so far! Afterwards she said: “I had such fun singing the original, I really enjoyed it. I loved singing in French and all those things made me choose the song. I had a high note which I hoped would give me a ‘chaka chaka’ from Rolando.”
Rolando said: “I am very happy Bernie changed the choreography so that she stayed still and it allowed her to have a great vocal performance, it’s not a chaka chaka, it’s a chaka chaka plus.”
Meat Loaf said: “I want you to know, you’re hot.”
Laurence said: “You more than anyone bring a new audience to opera. You’re making opera the new rock and roll.”
Katherine said: “I’m really pleased and really proud of you, you created a real performance.”
Darius duets with Rolando on The Impossible Dream and I have to see past the cheesy Elvis impersonators I always imagine when I hear this song. And see past it I did, impressive. Bernie with Katherine sing Somewhere, which I also love, goosebumps on that, so Bernie just sneaks ahead for me, she threw everything into that. Afterwards Darius said: “I just found out that ten years ago in this studio I did my first final in Pop Stars, then two years later I was in the final of Pop Idol, tonight, to be here with my family, means so much, thank you so so much.” Bernie said: “I enjoyed every single moment, I loved it.”
Then the group song, all four of them with Brindisi - loving the banter beforehand, thoroughly enjoyable, excellent performance, it must be very hard to concentrate where you are when surrounded by all those powerful voices.
My heart still lies with Bernie, but, I was out and therefore couldn't vote (watching on ITV player!) The recap shows how Rolando has really stolen the whole show! It's an incredibly close vote, so now I feel really guilty as the winner is announced: It's Darius! Sorry, Bernie! She said: “Everyone has been amazing, thank you everyone.” Darius sings us out with his solo, which I think is probably what won it for him.
A lovely show, will they do another next year? I hope so!
Darius out first, a quick recap reminding us what a fabulous performer he is; he's chosen Non Piu Andrai - the one where he falls in love with his hand (anyone see TV Burp, lol!) He does even better this time, interacting well with the supporting cast, great timing! Loved it! Afterwards he said: “I wanted to see if I could get through this performance with my flies up, I did ask if I could wear a kilt but that’s not very Italian. It’s been such an honour to perform with the orchestra and I just want to thank everyone who’s voted for me.”
Katherine said: “The song was in good hands. When you came in you had the heart of a tenor and when you sang that song for the first time you settled much more into a baritone. You always come out and deliver a great performance, it was brilliant.”
Laurence said: “l loved the singing very much. It was very cheeky, very sexy, very Darius.”
A Bernie recap of her chacka chacka performances, the stunning vocal gymnastics. Les Fille De Cadiz her choice, full of character, very cheeky. Even stevens so far! Afterwards she said: “I had such fun singing the original, I really enjoyed it. I loved singing in French and all those things made me choose the song. I had a high note which I hoped would give me a ‘chaka chaka’ from Rolando.”
Rolando said: “I am very happy Bernie changed the choreography so that she stayed still and it allowed her to have a great vocal performance, it’s not a chaka chaka, it’s a chaka chaka plus.”
Meat Loaf said: “I want you to know, you’re hot.”
Laurence said: “You more than anyone bring a new audience to opera. You’re making opera the new rock and roll.”
Katherine said: “I’m really pleased and really proud of you, you created a real performance.”
Darius duets with Rolando on The Impossible Dream and I have to see past the cheesy Elvis impersonators I always imagine when I hear this song. And see past it I did, impressive. Bernie with Katherine sing Somewhere, which I also love, goosebumps on that, so Bernie just sneaks ahead for me, she threw everything into that. Afterwards Darius said: “I just found out that ten years ago in this studio I did my first final in Pop Stars, then two years later I was in the final of Pop Idol, tonight, to be here with my family, means so much, thank you so so much.” Bernie said: “I enjoyed every single moment, I loved it.”
Then the group song, all four of them with Brindisi - loving the banter beforehand, thoroughly enjoyable, excellent performance, it must be very hard to concentrate where you are when surrounded by all those powerful voices.
My heart still lies with Bernie, but, I was out and therefore couldn't vote (watching on ITV player!) The recap shows how Rolando has really stolen the whole show! It's an incredibly close vote, so now I feel really guilty as the winner is announced: It's Darius! Sorry, Bernie! She said: “Everyone has been amazing, thank you everyone.” Darius sings us out with his solo, which I think is probably what won it for him.
A lovely show, will they do another next year? I hope so!
Friday, 12 February 2010
PopStar To OperaStar
Semi final night and Marcella's wearing a red waterfall - wardrobe have had a lot of fun on this series. Mylene's the opposite extreme in black leather mini-dress. Meanwhile, Meat Loaf is doing his now usual, now embarrassing boycott of Alan, by appearing to urinate at the back of the panel's box.
Only two going through to the final! But public vote only, no judges decision. Who's it gonna be?
Kym out first, with little Gwion from the Oliver show accompanying her for Pie Jesu. Beautiful, she does bring so much heart and warmth to it, even if the vocal isn't completely perfect, she sells it.
Afterwards Katherine Jenkins said: “I was worrying all week that it might fall flat but that is best you have sang it, well done to you. I think you are right, I don’t think you have strongest voice but you sing from the heart.”
Meat Loaf said: “It was a really tough song because it was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber about the death of his father so imagine how he must have been feeling at the time and I thought that you did really well.”
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: “That’s the kind of song where there’s nowhere to hide, it’s very very difficult but you got right more than you got wrong.”
Rolando said: “Overall it was a good performance.”
Darius was a naughty boy and didn't learn the aria they gave him, Fin Ch’han Dal Vino (Champagne Aria) before finally deciding he would and so not having as much practice as he should, tut tut. But you wouldn't know it - if you're a layman like me - so confident a performer is he, if maybe not as vocally spot on as it should've been. Afterwards he said: “I have to admit I can’t thank the judges enough for giving me the biggest challenge of my vocal career and when you stand up to it you learn more and whether I made it or not is up to the viewers at home.”
Rolando said: “The good news is you managed to sing all of it, with almost all the words, and you were giving a performance, you’re a very good actor, but the bad news is, not always kept operatic voice and at the end you made a little mistake but probably nobody noticed.”
Asked by Alan if he thought the performance was a success, Meat Loaf said: “He had eight women on stage with him with low cut dresses and managed to keep my attention away from them, so yes.”
Laurence said: “I think we saw the best of you last week, this week that sounded to me like badly done, hastily done, handed in late, homework.”
Marcella and another assured, fantastic vocal, interacting well with the cast, lighter than some of the other arias, this one Mein Herr Marquis (The Laughing Song) from the operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’ composed by Strauss. Afterwards she said: “I was nervous but also excited and wanted to enjoy it and I kept telling myself, ‘Enjoy it, enjoy it,’ And push through all the cr*p in my head.”
Katherine said: “It was completely different to last week and it was so nice to see you do something happy and fun and get the opportunity to act and move around the stage. I really enjoyed it and it was great to see those vocal gymnastics again.”
Meat Loaf said: “If you weren’t married I would take you home. The high notes were fantastic, if you were nervous, I didn’t know it and if some guy had their head in my breast I would knock him to the floor.”
Rolando said: “You really had fun with it, obviously the audience had fun, the high notes were great, overall much more happy then last week.”
Bernie and I'm lol-ing at the 'Look of Love' between her and Rolando. She really is just the business - vocally she's as hot as Marcella but also sings with the heart and soul of Kym, she's awesome. Honestly, it's not because of the name, really. I voted three times for her. And I'd like Kym to go through too. Afterwards the preformance of Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve (Juliet’s Waltz) from the opera ‘Romeo and Juliet’ she said: “I just felt so nervous and was determined not to be nervous then when it started I felt so much love for the song I wanted to scream I was so excited.”
Rolando said: “This was a hard one, the hardest aria you had to sing, lots of high notes. The good news is it was really well performed, the bad news is I don’t have my phone or I would vote.”
Laurence said: “You never ever disappoint, every week your performance grows and grows. Whatever is thrown at you, you deliver and that was marvellous crescendo.”
Katherine said: “I can tell you’re not completely happy with that but that for you, Bernie, is eight out of 10 but for me it was the performance of the night.”
Meat Loaf said: “If you’re not in the finals, no disrespect to the other contestants, but if you’re not in the final it’s a crime.”
Vote lines are open!
Meat Loaf does Bat Out of Hell and not being a fan, I'm completely distracted trying to see if that's Tommy Blaize backing, as in, nose against the telly, but every time the camera goes near, it veers away again at the critical moment - that's Dave Arch on piano isn't it? Worst vocal of the night far as I'm concerned - Meat, not Tommy. Didn't think their voices married together at all well. Horrible.
Votes are in! First through - Bernie! Yay - longest scream ever! (Her not me!) And Darius with her! Aw, bye to Kym, really enjoyed her performances. Incredible Marcella will keep singing, Alan won't let her stop.
On hearing the news, Kym said: “I can’t wait to see my kids. I will listen to opera now but I don’t think I’ll sing it again.” Marcella said: “I’m a little bit disappointed but I’m ok.”
Final next week! Who's your favourite or are you waiting till the night?
Only two going through to the final! But public vote only, no judges decision. Who's it gonna be?
Kym out first, with little Gwion from the Oliver show accompanying her for Pie Jesu. Beautiful, she does bring so much heart and warmth to it, even if the vocal isn't completely perfect, she sells it.
Afterwards Katherine Jenkins said: “I was worrying all week that it might fall flat but that is best you have sang it, well done to you. I think you are right, I don’t think you have strongest voice but you sing from the heart.”
Meat Loaf said: “It was a really tough song because it was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber about the death of his father so imagine how he must have been feeling at the time and I thought that you did really well.”
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: “That’s the kind of song where there’s nowhere to hide, it’s very very difficult but you got right more than you got wrong.”
Rolando said: “Overall it was a good performance.”
Darius was a naughty boy and didn't learn the aria they gave him, Fin Ch’han Dal Vino (Champagne Aria) before finally deciding he would and so not having as much practice as he should, tut tut. But you wouldn't know it - if you're a layman like me - so confident a performer is he, if maybe not as vocally spot on as it should've been. Afterwards he said: “I have to admit I can’t thank the judges enough for giving me the biggest challenge of my vocal career and when you stand up to it you learn more and whether I made it or not is up to the viewers at home.”
Rolando said: “The good news is you managed to sing all of it, with almost all the words, and you were giving a performance, you’re a very good actor, but the bad news is, not always kept operatic voice and at the end you made a little mistake but probably nobody noticed.”
Asked by Alan if he thought the performance was a success, Meat Loaf said: “He had eight women on stage with him with low cut dresses and managed to keep my attention away from them, so yes.”
Laurence said: “I think we saw the best of you last week, this week that sounded to me like badly done, hastily done, handed in late, homework.”
Marcella and another assured, fantastic vocal, interacting well with the cast, lighter than some of the other arias, this one Mein Herr Marquis (The Laughing Song) from the operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’ composed by Strauss. Afterwards she said: “I was nervous but also excited and wanted to enjoy it and I kept telling myself, ‘Enjoy it, enjoy it,’ And push through all the cr*p in my head.”
Katherine said: “It was completely different to last week and it was so nice to see you do something happy and fun and get the opportunity to act and move around the stage. I really enjoyed it and it was great to see those vocal gymnastics again.”
Meat Loaf said: “If you weren’t married I would take you home. The high notes were fantastic, if you were nervous, I didn’t know it and if some guy had their head in my breast I would knock him to the floor.”
Rolando said: “You really had fun with it, obviously the audience had fun, the high notes were great, overall much more happy then last week.”
Bernie and I'm lol-ing at the 'Look of Love' between her and Rolando. She really is just the business - vocally she's as hot as Marcella but also sings with the heart and soul of Kym, she's awesome. Honestly, it's not because of the name, really. I voted three times for her. And I'd like Kym to go through too. Afterwards the preformance of Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve (Juliet’s Waltz) from the opera ‘Romeo and Juliet’ she said: “I just felt so nervous and was determined not to be nervous then when it started I felt so much love for the song I wanted to scream I was so excited.”
Rolando said: “This was a hard one, the hardest aria you had to sing, lots of high notes. The good news is it was really well performed, the bad news is I don’t have my phone or I would vote.”
Laurence said: “You never ever disappoint, every week your performance grows and grows. Whatever is thrown at you, you deliver and that was marvellous crescendo.”
Katherine said: “I can tell you’re not completely happy with that but that for you, Bernie, is eight out of 10 but for me it was the performance of the night.”
Meat Loaf said: “If you’re not in the finals, no disrespect to the other contestants, but if you’re not in the final it’s a crime.”
Vote lines are open!
Meat Loaf does Bat Out of Hell and not being a fan, I'm completely distracted trying to see if that's Tommy Blaize backing, as in, nose against the telly, but every time the camera goes near, it veers away again at the critical moment - that's Dave Arch on piano isn't it? Worst vocal of the night far as I'm concerned - Meat, not Tommy. Didn't think their voices married together at all well. Horrible.
Votes are in! First through - Bernie! Yay - longest scream ever! (Her not me!) And Darius with her! Aw, bye to Kym, really enjoyed her performances. Incredible Marcella will keep singing, Alan won't let her stop.
On hearing the news, Kym said: “I can’t wait to see my kids. I will listen to opera now but I don’t think I’ll sing it again.” Marcella said: “I’m a little bit disappointed but I’m ok.”
Final next week! Who's your favourite or are you waiting till the night?
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
The things they say ...
In the car, on the way home from school, Matt says:
"We're holding the funeral for the teacher's monkey on Friday."
Oh! Really - the teacher's monkey?
"Yes. It's a big chocolate one she got for Christmas and it's going to be eaten on Friday. She's going to chop the head off and pour contented milk in it ..."
I'll be honest, it took me a minute...
"We're holding the funeral for the teacher's monkey on Friday."
Oh! Really - the teacher's monkey?
"Yes. It's a big chocolate one she got for Christmas and it's going to be eaten on Friday. She's going to chop the head off and pour contented milk in it ..."
I'll be honest, it took me a minute...
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Rochester Local People
If you read the Daily Scatter, you'll have seen my exciting news. Not so exciting for you, I know, but for me, I'm thrilled! I always hoped that the blogging would pay off and that someone would come along and decide I was good enough to write for them - and the lovely www.localpeople.co.uk have done just that! I'm now the Community Publisher for www.rochesterpeople.co.uk so do please come along and visit me there - if you are a local, register and join in. If you're not, you can still register and join in! You might be planning a trip to one of our many festivals or coming to Medway for some of the sporting events due here in the run up to 2012 - so visit the site and make the most of the local knowledge! Write a review of a local business or restaurant and we'll even give you a £10 M&S voucher!
It's only just gone live and I've been neglecting the blogs - but now I'm getting into the swing of it, normal service will be resumed shortly!
It's only just gone live and I've been neglecting the blogs - but now I'm getting into the swing of it, normal service will be resumed shortly!
Friday, 5 February 2010
PopStar To OperaStar
Finally - I'm in! The blog threw me out last night and it just didn't want to know again until now! Anyway, here we go ...
Tussling tenors, bruised baritones and scrapping sopranos was how they billed it, and they weren't wrong - what a tough choice! Observation: Is Darius actually a giant or are the rest particularly small?
Bernie out first with Les Filles de Cadix - she's loving being the flirty vamp with the sexy male dancers, she can barely keep the grin off her face. Another storming performance, she's fantastic.
Referring to her stunning final note Rolando said “That C sharp was fantastic.” And Meat Loaf said “She came bursting through those doors like The Terminator. You owned that stage.”
Danny has Funiculi Funicula which I adore. LOL at the McFly guy having a go, next year, sonny, next year! And then Rolando and Katherine doing the Macarena! There's even a hokey cokey air about it - Pavarotti meets the Tiller Girls says Alan. Danny's best yet, slight wobble but great stuff, huge fun.
Katherine said “It was a really good performance. I agreed when I watched it (your performance) last week it was not good. But I kept you in because I could see the potential in you and I’m so glad I did.” Laurence said ”The worse thing you can do is take it too seriously and you turned it into a football chant. And that’s great.” “Absolutely” agreed Meat Loaf. And Rolando said “He had fun with the piece. It was yabba dabba doo!”
Kym with Nella Fantasia and they don't tell us exactly why but it's very emotional for her. Beautiful song, beautifully sung; she's got everyone sobbing now. I'm voting for everyone so far ...
Laurence said “That was terribly moving.” Katherine said “I know what you’ve been going through and you held it together and I’m so proud of you for doing that.” Meat Loaf said “I just love it when people just feel songs so much and you did and you’re making me cry and I loved it.“ Rolando said “You started flat but the emotion and the breathing but I have to say you put everything together.”
Darius' poor kid brother, how underwhelmed is he? Darius completely at home on the stage again, even makes a chair a good foil, loved the falestto bit, singing to his hand! His kid bro still not looking happy, leave him alone Darius! Cracking performance of Non Pui Andrai, but his flies are undone - the cameraman a lot more discreet than Meatloaf!
Rolando said “That’s where your voice should be singing. I appreciate you create a performance and you gave a very good performance. Really good. Congratulations.”
Meat Loaf said “3 out or 4 weeks you’ve got the character.” Katherine said “Now I know why you were looking. I really enjoyed it. When you’re singing in the right register it’s so lovely. Well done. It’s brilliant.”
Marcella sings Ave Maria, it's all about the voice, nothing but her and the harp. No tricks, just quality and simplicity - I do find the constant quivering a little off putting, I find her less watchable than the others.
Meat Loaf said “That was a really hard song but Katherine said it’s all about the note and I said no it’s about the emotion and you’d the notes and the emotion.” Katherine said “I think your worry was there weren’t the fireworks to show your voice off but you didn’t need that. You wouldn’t have been able to sing this in week one.” Laurence said “It’s a terribly minimalist piece I liked the way you did that. It was soulful and quite earthy.” And Rolando said “I have to say physically she was very quiet and she had to control her voice. It was a tremendous performance.”
Mika and Danielle (not sure we need to see her tonsils, Mr. Cameraman) perform - Popstar and Operstar, don't know the song - sounds familiar of course, but very enjoyable.
First through: Kym! Bernie! (I restricted myself to just Bernie, bearing in mind you don't actually have time to vote for any more!) Last place: Darius! I think it's bye bye Danny in that case. A shame but going on a high ... oh, but hang on, based on tonight Rolando and Laurence have gone for Danny ... 2 votes each - Katherine clearly struggling to decide and sends it back to the public. Good call, fairest way - Marcella is safe! Danny joked “I’m going to have a holiday!”
Tussling tenors, bruised baritones and scrapping sopranos was how they billed it, and they weren't wrong - what a tough choice! Observation: Is Darius actually a giant or are the rest particularly small?
Bernie out first with Les Filles de Cadix - she's loving being the flirty vamp with the sexy male dancers, she can barely keep the grin off her face. Another storming performance, she's fantastic.
Referring to her stunning final note Rolando said “That C sharp was fantastic.” And Meat Loaf said “She came bursting through those doors like The Terminator. You owned that stage.”
Danny has Funiculi Funicula which I adore. LOL at the McFly guy having a go, next year, sonny, next year! And then Rolando and Katherine doing the Macarena! There's even a hokey cokey air about it - Pavarotti meets the Tiller Girls says Alan. Danny's best yet, slight wobble but great stuff, huge fun.
Katherine said “It was a really good performance. I agreed when I watched it (your performance) last week it was not good. But I kept you in because I could see the potential in you and I’m so glad I did.” Laurence said ”The worse thing you can do is take it too seriously and you turned it into a football chant. And that’s great.” “Absolutely” agreed Meat Loaf. And Rolando said “He had fun with the piece. It was yabba dabba doo!”
Kym with Nella Fantasia and they don't tell us exactly why but it's very emotional for her. Beautiful song, beautifully sung; she's got everyone sobbing now. I'm voting for everyone so far ...
Laurence said “That was terribly moving.” Katherine said “I know what you’ve been going through and you held it together and I’m so proud of you for doing that.” Meat Loaf said “I just love it when people just feel songs so much and you did and you’re making me cry and I loved it.“ Rolando said “You started flat but the emotion and the breathing but I have to say you put everything together.”
Darius' poor kid brother, how underwhelmed is he? Darius completely at home on the stage again, even makes a chair a good foil, loved the falestto bit, singing to his hand! His kid bro still not looking happy, leave him alone Darius! Cracking performance of Non Pui Andrai, but his flies are undone - the cameraman a lot more discreet than Meatloaf!
Rolando said “That’s where your voice should be singing. I appreciate you create a performance and you gave a very good performance. Really good. Congratulations.”
Meat Loaf said “3 out or 4 weeks you’ve got the character.” Katherine said “Now I know why you were looking. I really enjoyed it. When you’re singing in the right register it’s so lovely. Well done. It’s brilliant.”
Marcella sings Ave Maria, it's all about the voice, nothing but her and the harp. No tricks, just quality and simplicity - I do find the constant quivering a little off putting, I find her less watchable than the others.
Meat Loaf said “That was a really hard song but Katherine said it’s all about the note and I said no it’s about the emotion and you’d the notes and the emotion.” Katherine said “I think your worry was there weren’t the fireworks to show your voice off but you didn’t need that. You wouldn’t have been able to sing this in week one.” Laurence said “It’s a terribly minimalist piece I liked the way you did that. It was soulful and quite earthy.” And Rolando said “I have to say physically she was very quiet and she had to control her voice. It was a tremendous performance.”
Mika and Danielle (not sure we need to see her tonsils, Mr. Cameraman) perform - Popstar and Operstar, don't know the song - sounds familiar of course, but very enjoyable.
First through: Kym! Bernie! (I restricted myself to just Bernie, bearing in mind you don't actually have time to vote for any more!) Last place: Darius! I think it's bye bye Danny in that case. A shame but going on a high ... oh, but hang on, based on tonight Rolando and Laurence have gone for Danny ... 2 votes each - Katherine clearly struggling to decide and sends it back to the public. Good call, fairest way - Marcella is safe! Danny joked “I’m going to have a holiday!”
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Teena Marie - Indigo2
My favourite singer and I'd never seen her live before Saturday night! That's an outrageous admittance isn't it! Not my fault though, the last time she appeared here I was either heavily pregnant with the Hobbit, or had just had him - approximately 18 years ago. So to say I was looking forward to this was a bit of an understatement.
There was a DJ warming up and he played to the crowd - the eighties throwbacks, mainly, much like myself! He said there was an after show party till 2am; dammit, I thought, we've only paid for parking till midnight! There was a lot of grooving in the seats to In and Out, Circles, You Know How To Love Me ...we knew we'd ache next day!
The Lady Tee didn't disappoint; in fact, she was even better than I thought she could be live - amazing, her vocal is incredible, each song delivered with the sweetness and purity I fell in love with back in 1979 - and what a trip down memory lane it was, with songs from that classic '79 album, Wild and Peaceful - I'm Just A Sucker For Your Love and De Ja Vu, plus a Rick James tribute (of course!), I Need Your Lovin', Square Biz, Behind the Groove - she did Milk and Honey (her daughters joined her on stage) and You Baby off Congo Square, every uptempo song had the audience on it's feet, the ballads offering the chance to savour every note of that awesome voice. Two words: Portuguese Love.
I've never seen a star involve a band so much - and the backing singers (including her nephew) weren't just that, they had a share of the stage with Teena accompanying them - on percussion; such is her talent she frequently had guitar in hand too.
I've only one criticism - and that's not of the Lady - but some of her noisy, fidgety "fans", who I can only assume just wanted to be able to say "I was there" since they didn't shut up or keep still, they were driving me nuts! I'm pretty sure they were the same ones who didn't take their seats until she was well into her second song! They'd have been chucked out back in the day ...
It didn't detract from a blinding show - no fancy costumes or dance troupes, no flashy lighting, no pretence - just the stage with the band, the singers and the Lady herself in complete harmony. In the last few months we've seen 'Mimegate' a number of times in relation to so-called stars: Teena Marie puts them to shame. She's coming back in the summer; I'll keep you posted. To see more rave reviews, log in to Facebook if you can and join the group 'Get Teena Marie in London' or just follow the links from each of those Youtube clips (in all honesty, the quality of the uploads from the Indigo2 don't do her justice) and hear more - enjoy!
PS - must say a big THANK YOU to the lovely man who gave me change for the car park and thus helped me avoid a tutting queue!
There was a DJ warming up and he played to the crowd - the eighties throwbacks, mainly, much like myself! He said there was an after show party till 2am; dammit, I thought, we've only paid for parking till midnight! There was a lot of grooving in the seats to In and Out, Circles, You Know How To Love Me ...we knew we'd ache next day!
The Lady Tee didn't disappoint; in fact, she was even better than I thought she could be live - amazing, her vocal is incredible, each song delivered with the sweetness and purity I fell in love with back in 1979 - and what a trip down memory lane it was, with songs from that classic '79 album, Wild and Peaceful - I'm Just A Sucker For Your Love and De Ja Vu, plus a Rick James tribute (of course!), I Need Your Lovin', Square Biz, Behind the Groove - she did Milk and Honey (her daughters joined her on stage) and You Baby off Congo Square, every uptempo song had the audience on it's feet, the ballads offering the chance to savour every note of that awesome voice. Two words: Portuguese Love.
I've never seen a star involve a band so much - and the backing singers (including her nephew) weren't just that, they had a share of the stage with Teena accompanying them - on percussion; such is her talent she frequently had guitar in hand too.
I've only one criticism - and that's not of the Lady - but some of her noisy, fidgety "fans", who I can only assume just wanted to be able to say "I was there" since they didn't shut up or keep still, they were driving me nuts! I'm pretty sure they were the same ones who didn't take their seats until she was well into her second song! They'd have been chucked out back in the day ...
It didn't detract from a blinding show - no fancy costumes or dance troupes, no flashy lighting, no pretence - just the stage with the band, the singers and the Lady herself in complete harmony. In the last few months we've seen 'Mimegate' a number of times in relation to so-called stars: Teena Marie puts them to shame. She's coming back in the summer; I'll keep you posted. To see more rave reviews, log in to Facebook if you can and join the group 'Get Teena Marie in London' or just follow the links from each of those Youtube clips (in all honesty, the quality of the uploads from the Indigo2 don't do her justice) and hear more - enjoy!
PS - must say a big THANK YOU to the lovely man who gave me change for the car park and thus helped me avoid a tutting queue!
Friday, 29 January 2010
PopStar To OperaStar
Mylene wearing her hair in tribute to Rolando; Jimmy displays his wonderful attitude again; Darius, international man of language.
Kym up first, singing Habanera and wearing a lacy bedspread. No, it's lovely, really. She's flirting - I get why the bedspread now. She became saucier as she went along, the last part was steamy. She's done it again, a deserved standation. There's a woman in the family enclosure all stoney faced and not clapping! Bad form, what? I didn't notice the wrong words, neither did Meat Loaf, lol! Rolando just, well, see the quotes, ha ha. Afterwards she said: "It’s difficult because I’m so busy and I’d love to be able to spend more time on the songs. I got a few words wrong but I did my best.”
Laurence Llewellyn Bowen said: “That was Kym playing the joker as far as I’m concerned. That was your pitch for the top spot, I thought it was wonderful but I’m a mere man and I’m a push over for a woman with a fan. But that’s really Katherine’s opera song, so it’s really Katherine that you’ve got to impress.”
Katherine said: “I loved the performance, I really did, in fact I might have to steal that fan, but you did get some of the words wrong and you could have been more sexy in the performance, the music could have been more sexy.”
Meat Loaf said: “lt worked for me, I’ll tell you what, that was like sex. Forty-five seconds of pure ecstasy.”
Alan replied: “We really must get you out more.”
Rolando said: “Acting and singing are quite different and it’s difficult and the voice wasn’t always there, the character was in and out, in and out.” *add that last bit to Meat Loaf's comment and you understand the hilarity!
Next to perform was Jimmy Osmond with Amor Ti Vieta He's eating, drinking, sleeping opera, crikey they've set me off now, his best yet, he makes everyone smile ... and cry.Afterwards he said: "I just got through it. What a beautiful experience it’s been this week to uncover emotions. Everyone should go to the opera.”
A dewy-eyed Katherine said: “I think this has been a turning point for you, it’s the first week where you’ve had a proper aria and it’s forced you to sing in an opera style and something clicked, I hope you preferred it because I enjoyed that.”
Rolando: “It was very, very touching. Technically there is so much to work on but the one thing an opera singer should never lose, and you didn’t, and that is the connection with the emotion and that is fantastic.”
Marcella is given Queen of the Night. Goodness! Or, WTF as Marcella put it! The Magic Flute song with the very high very quick notes, she's looks fabulous in a stunning blue floor length gown and hair extensions, the set is amazing, plenty of character, awesome performance. Afterwards she said she was glad to have her husband and son in the audience.
Meat Loaf said: “That was difficult but I’m going to quote Shakespeare and say, ‘Call out the dogs of war.’”
Rolando said: “That was a challenge and, technically, the most difficult thing to sing, but I have to say, yes, yes, yes.”
Laurence said: “I’m agreeing with Lord Meat of Loaf, wonderful, absolutely wonderful.”
Katherine said: “Who’d have thought anyone would be able to sing this song in this competition, let alone in the third week and, character wise, I would not mess with you.”
Danny has Time to Say Goodbye - I love this song! Tips from Russell Watson but he's taken Danny's phonetic phrase book away. Hope he gets it back - wobbly start, became stronger, went for it big time though!
Danny said: “I think it was a tough one but I did my best. It was nerve wracking but nerves are no excuse.”
Katherine: “Sometimes you haven’t had the energy levels but you found the energy and came out with some guts but I know you can do better.”
Rolando said: “I have good and bad news. The bad news is that technically you were struggling all week and it was sometimes too much pop, but the good news is you were nervous and you were still big on stage and that says a lot.”
Laurence said: “I’m a huge fan of your voice and of most of your performances but that was B side - you didn’t engage with it in the same way but, as Rolando said, you fought so hard to make something of it and I’m extremely grateful.”
Darius has Granada, I know this, I do ... what is it ...ah, this is going to wind me up - it's an advert isn't it? Is it? Or is it something I know in English. That's Amore? Is that it? Another strong overall performance from him. Afterwards he said :“I salute the mentors and opera singers who spend their lives learning to sing like this. This is a dream come true for me.”
Meat Loaf said: “I believe that you love Granada and if you were selling real estate there I’d buy one from you.”
Katherine said: “This is a completely different – what was all the fuss about this week? I don’t understand. You even did a little twiddle that I didn’t hear in rehearsal. It was brilliant.”
Rolando said: “You surprised everybody and improved to grow in the performance. Your Spanish is better than your French. Thank you very much, it was a beautiful act, thank you.”
Laurence said: “There was a great bit where sounded like you’d been gargling women. It was a great performance, a very great performance, some wonderful noises there.”
Finally, Bernie with Voi Che Sapete, singing as a teenage boy! Gary from DOI helps with character. In a tough week, Bernie wins my vote again - stunning. She's got the vocal, but also captures the emotion and is animated throughout, watchable and well as listenable. Afterwards she said: "I would love to continue singing like this and I really hope we’re bringing this to wider audience.”
Katherine said: “It was outstanding Bernie, honestly. What I love is that when we gave you this song you didn’t know it and I’m not sure you liked it, but you attacked it and you came out here and gave a marvellous performance.”
Rolando said: “I was very impressed, really. What you sang last week compared to this, it’s a different world. It was really believable and I enjoyed it immensely.”
Meat Loaf said: “Peter Pan don’t ever grow up, don’t ever grow up, don’t ever grow up.”
The girls outsang the boys tonight, I think they'll all be safe and it'll be a boy going! Not much time to vote is there? Rolando takes the stage; they make him bring it back, he has to sing ... his eyebrows have a life of their own, don't they? Mesmerising. (The voice, not the eyebrows!) Here we go: Safe - Marcella; Kym;Darius; Bernie. Jimmy v Danny, tough for the panel. Or maybe not - it's unanimous for Danny! Jimmy said: He said: "My opera dreams have just begun. What a blast and now I get to go home and see my beautiful wife and kids, that's opera for me. It's empowering and exciting and I have fallen in love with everyone in this contest."
Down to just five! Same time next week, 9pm ITV1 on Friday, see you then :-)
Kym up first, singing Habanera and wearing a lacy bedspread. No, it's lovely, really. She's flirting - I get why the bedspread now. She became saucier as she went along, the last part was steamy. She's done it again, a deserved standation. There's a woman in the family enclosure all stoney faced and not clapping! Bad form, what? I didn't notice the wrong words, neither did Meat Loaf, lol! Rolando just, well, see the quotes, ha ha. Afterwards she said: "It’s difficult because I’m so busy and I’d love to be able to spend more time on the songs. I got a few words wrong but I did my best.”
Laurence Llewellyn Bowen said: “That was Kym playing the joker as far as I’m concerned. That was your pitch for the top spot, I thought it was wonderful but I’m a mere man and I’m a push over for a woman with a fan. But that’s really Katherine’s opera song, so it’s really Katherine that you’ve got to impress.”
Katherine said: “I loved the performance, I really did, in fact I might have to steal that fan, but you did get some of the words wrong and you could have been more sexy in the performance, the music could have been more sexy.”
Meat Loaf said: “lt worked for me, I’ll tell you what, that was like sex. Forty-five seconds of pure ecstasy.”
Alan replied: “We really must get you out more.”
Rolando said: “Acting and singing are quite different and it’s difficult and the voice wasn’t always there, the character was in and out, in and out.” *add that last bit to Meat Loaf's comment and you understand the hilarity!
Next to perform was Jimmy Osmond with Amor Ti Vieta He's eating, drinking, sleeping opera, crikey they've set me off now, his best yet, he makes everyone smile ... and cry.Afterwards he said: "I just got through it. What a beautiful experience it’s been this week to uncover emotions. Everyone should go to the opera.”
A dewy-eyed Katherine said: “I think this has been a turning point for you, it’s the first week where you’ve had a proper aria and it’s forced you to sing in an opera style and something clicked, I hope you preferred it because I enjoyed that.”
Rolando: “It was very, very touching. Technically there is so much to work on but the one thing an opera singer should never lose, and you didn’t, and that is the connection with the emotion and that is fantastic.”
Marcella is given Queen of the Night. Goodness! Or, WTF as Marcella put it! The Magic Flute song with the very high very quick notes, she's looks fabulous in a stunning blue floor length gown and hair extensions, the set is amazing, plenty of character, awesome performance. Afterwards she said she was glad to have her husband and son in the audience.
Meat Loaf said: “That was difficult but I’m going to quote Shakespeare and say, ‘Call out the dogs of war.’”
Rolando said: “That was a challenge and, technically, the most difficult thing to sing, but I have to say, yes, yes, yes.”
Laurence said: “I’m agreeing with Lord Meat of Loaf, wonderful, absolutely wonderful.”
Katherine said: “Who’d have thought anyone would be able to sing this song in this competition, let alone in the third week and, character wise, I would not mess with you.”
Danny has Time to Say Goodbye - I love this song! Tips from Russell Watson but he's taken Danny's phonetic phrase book away. Hope he gets it back - wobbly start, became stronger, went for it big time though!
Danny said: “I think it was a tough one but I did my best. It was nerve wracking but nerves are no excuse.”
Katherine: “Sometimes you haven’t had the energy levels but you found the energy and came out with some guts but I know you can do better.”
Rolando said: “I have good and bad news. The bad news is that technically you were struggling all week and it was sometimes too much pop, but the good news is you were nervous and you were still big on stage and that says a lot.”
Laurence said: “I’m a huge fan of your voice and of most of your performances but that was B side - you didn’t engage with it in the same way but, as Rolando said, you fought so hard to make something of it and I’m extremely grateful.”
Darius has Granada, I know this, I do ... what is it ...ah, this is going to wind me up - it's an advert isn't it? Is it? Or is it something I know in English. That's Amore? Is that it? Another strong overall performance from him. Afterwards he said :“I salute the mentors and opera singers who spend their lives learning to sing like this. This is a dream come true for me.”
Meat Loaf said: “I believe that you love Granada and if you were selling real estate there I’d buy one from you.”
Katherine said: “This is a completely different – what was all the fuss about this week? I don’t understand. You even did a little twiddle that I didn’t hear in rehearsal. It was brilliant.”
Rolando said: “You surprised everybody and improved to grow in the performance. Your Spanish is better than your French. Thank you very much, it was a beautiful act, thank you.”
Laurence said: “There was a great bit where sounded like you’d been gargling women. It was a great performance, a very great performance, some wonderful noises there.”
Finally, Bernie with Voi Che Sapete, singing as a teenage boy! Gary from DOI helps with character. In a tough week, Bernie wins my vote again - stunning. She's got the vocal, but also captures the emotion and is animated throughout, watchable and well as listenable. Afterwards she said: "I would love to continue singing like this and I really hope we’re bringing this to wider audience.”
Katherine said: “It was outstanding Bernie, honestly. What I love is that when we gave you this song you didn’t know it and I’m not sure you liked it, but you attacked it and you came out here and gave a marvellous performance.”
Rolando said: “I was very impressed, really. What you sang last week compared to this, it’s a different world. It was really believable and I enjoyed it immensely.”
Meat Loaf said: “Peter Pan don’t ever grow up, don’t ever grow up, don’t ever grow up.”
The girls outsang the boys tonight, I think they'll all be safe and it'll be a boy going! Not much time to vote is there? Rolando takes the stage; they make him bring it back, he has to sing ... his eyebrows have a life of their own, don't they? Mesmerising. (The voice, not the eyebrows!) Here we go: Safe - Marcella; Kym;Darius; Bernie. Jimmy v Danny, tough for the panel. Or maybe not - it's unanimous for Danny! Jimmy said: He said: "My opera dreams have just begun. What a blast and now I get to go home and see my beautiful wife and kids, that's opera for me. It's empowering and exciting and I have fallen in love with everyone in this contest."
Down to just five! Same time next week, 9pm ITV1 on Friday, see you then :-)
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Sports Day
Shelley Rudman claimed a Bronze in the Skeleton European Championships, which secured her the runner up spot in the overall World Cup, keeping up her impressive form in the run up to the Olympics.
Speed Skaters Elise Christie and Jon Eley won silvers in the 1500m and 500m respectively, at the European Championships in Germany, with a bronze for the men’s relay team in the 5000m.
Sailors Ian Percy and Andrew Simpson have added the World Title to their Olympic one!
Paralympian Sean Rose takes downhill World Cup Gold in Sestriere, becoming the first Briton ever to do so.
Greg Harlow won the World Indoor Bowls title.
Disabled sailor, Geoff Holt, has become the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the Atlantic.
Speed Skaters Elise Christie and Jon Eley won silvers in the 1500m and 500m respectively, at the European Championships in Germany, with a bronze for the men’s relay team in the 5000m.
Sailors Ian Percy and Andrew Simpson have added the World Title to their Olympic one!
Paralympian Sean Rose takes downhill World Cup Gold in Sestriere, becoming the first Briton ever to do so.
Greg Harlow won the World Indoor Bowls title.
Disabled sailor, Geoff Holt, has become the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the Atlantic.
Friday, 22 January 2010
PopStar To OperaStar
Rolando's looking for "Chaka Chaka" in the performances tonight. Should be interesting - an opera version of I'm Every Woman!
Darius, singing a Spanish song in French - he's feasting on ass at the moment, as Katherine and Rolando argue (very genteely) over pronunciation; Dave Arch is cracking up. Confident, real stage presence, who'd have thought, he's come a long way since that Britney classic hasn't he! The song: Votre Toast from Carmen. He said: “It was the most wonderful, wonderful experience working with Rolando and Katherine and you have to learn to sing in French with Italian overtones and a different vocal but it’s such a privilege…it’s a singers dream, I’m really enjoying it.” Rolando said: “You gave energy to your performance…but the French, aye aye aye, there was a moment when you wobbled.” But Laurence Llewelyn Bowen liked the performance and said: “l think we can out you as secret matador.” Afterwards Darius said: “I was confused by the different directions, I must admit.”
Kym has the drinking song, ideal for barmaid Michelle! But she hasn't had much time - on stage though, it's a mini production. I know nothing about opera, obviously, but I thought she was brilliant! Staggered actually, wasn't expecting that! The official song title: Brindisi/Libiamo Ne’lieti Calici. Afterwards she said: “I find it really hard. I’m tired, working and I have my children. It’s harder then I thought it would be, it’s so difficult.” Katherine Jenkins said: “There is such a massive improvement on last week, that was just wonderful. I think when you have a setting and your character, you’ve got into it and with it being a drinking scene you can use your character. You tend to go flat but didn’t do that this week, but I’d still like to make it stronger next week.” Meat Loaf said: “I think you have a real problem and that is that you’re going to be invited to every party in London from now on.” Laurence Llewelyn Bowen said: “It was sophisticated and very sensible. The song is about requiring money from gentlemen callers to go upstairs for fun, but you made it elegant and sexy.”
Danny has a beautiful but tragic song, Caruso, showing his serious side, even with the tongue tied Italian, terrific performance, very emotional, I loved it, his mum's crying and Katherine swooned! He said: “Oh my God, I’m so happy it’s over. I nearly cried, especially with my mum sat there.” Rolando said: “I have to say that Danny worked very hard and had real concentration. It was a dangerous piece for him because he could bring his pop voice out but he really kept his opera voice.” Laurence said: “It was an incredibly mature performance. It would have been absolutely so easy for pop Danny to come out and play but you kept him back. It was fabulous.” Meat Loaf said: “I applaud you, son, you were there, every moment. That was love song and I believed every moment that you sang.” Katherine simply said: “I have one word, swoon.”
Marcella had Un Bel Di Vedrimo from Madame Butterfly, dramatic and emotional, terrified but not crying. She's very hard on herself, a great job, didn't quite get the raw emotion. She said: “I can’t remember how I felt, I was definitely struggling. There’s so much to think about. I didn’t really connect as much as I wanted, it’s the old story about the nerves.” Katherine said: “I think you are far too hard on yourself. You, by far, have got the hardest song this week, and last week, but you come in and work really hard and, technically, everything we asked you did, it was outstanding.” Meat Loaf said: “She was singing about a lover coming back across the seas and if I was him I’d have been swimming to you darling and I want you to know, God willing, and the creek don’t rise, you’ll be back next week.” Rolando was not so impressed and said: “You tried to get the emotion but when a technical part arises you can’t connect the emotion and we didn’t hear that extra magic moment we had in the rehearsal room, but, as Katherine said, it was an incredibly difficult piece.” Laurence agreed and said: “The butterfly was clear for takeoff and I was worried it wouldn’t leave the runway, but, on the plus side, you’ve pulled Meat Loaf.”
Vanessa and there's still no let up in The Saturdays schedule, so she suffered again this week, still breathy - don't think it will do her any favours, the song not being something in Italian we've never heard of - Summertime in English and I'm thinking, I prefer Ella. She said: “I am a little torn but I am still putting 100 per cent into this and I do want to be here.” Rolando said: “Well, you know, one thing is to say you want to put 100 per cent into something, the other thing is to work like that and perform like that - you did it.” Katherine said: “That was a really good performance, but, in fairness, quite an easy song. It’s in English and so not as complicated and I think you got away with it. But, if it was more difficult, it would have been more worrying.” Laurence said: “There’s a fragility to your tone that I find endearing, but, what I would suggest, is that you run because Rolando is going to bag you up and make sure you make it to rehearsals.” Meat Loaf said: “I have to disagree with Katherine, it is an easy song but it’s also hard because it’s English and so well known and everyone has heard it, so to come out here and to nail it, the audience knows when you’ve nailed it, but in French they wouldn’t have an idea and I think you did very, very well.”
Bernie's got the Love Theme from The Godfather, Parla Piu Piano, she's going for a big note at the end "Oh, S***" she says. "Where's it say that?" says Rolando! Passionate, it's a Wow - she nailed it, I'm actually welling up, there's a standation in the audience I think. From a batch of excellent, moving performances, she just nicked a vote from me. And not just because there's a chance we're related. A Chaka Chaka performance! And not a Rufus in sight (just a private little 80's soul joke there!) She said: “I was so, so nervous.” Katherine said: “That ending blew everyone away, I wished I had that note. It was so beautiful, you were so into the passion of it. You were slightly ahead of the orchestra but I’m going to forget that because it was brilliant.”
Meat Loaf said: “Hit men all over the world are in tears now, sweetheart, you killed it.”
Laurence said: “It is incredible to hear the noises you make so and even though you were running fast, it gave it added energy.” Rolando said: “You took breathes in strange places, but that’s what I call a chacka chacka performance.”
Jimmy sings Volare, a flirty song, he'll sing to the missus. Had a lot of fun with it. He said: “I blew the words but I had so much fun. If I’ve gotta go, what a way to go. It was do much fun. What a great song, what a great opportunity. I’m still working on it.” Rolando agreed and said: “You said it, the words were not there. I think this is the problem of pop singers, your voice was tired it was not there, you were struggling, but you tried very hard and when your voice is tired there’s nothing else you can do.” Meat Loaf said: “Jimmy in the middle of the stage you did something with your hand and it was sexy dude.” Laurence said: “Last week the song was ice cream, this week I thought it was a little bit of cheese, very nice and lovely but next week let’s have opera.”
Katherine shows them all how it should be done, seemingly so effortless and a jolly song! Well, it was! Lots of tra la la ing.
Decision time: Safe are Darius - Danny - Bernie - Kym - Marcella. It's Jimmy v Vanessa.
Meat Loaf and Katherine chose to save Jimmy, with Katherine saying: “Vanessa has the God given voice, but, Jimmy, you come in here every week prepared, so I have to save Jimmy.”
Laurence and Rolando chose to save Vanessa, so the decision went back to the public voting figures and Vanessa was announced as having the least amount of votes and therefore left the competition.
She said: “I feel like gave it my all and I just want to thank everyone who voted.”
Down to six! Same time next week: 9pm, ITV1.
Darius, singing a Spanish song in French - he's feasting on ass at the moment, as Katherine and Rolando argue (very genteely) over pronunciation; Dave Arch is cracking up. Confident, real stage presence, who'd have thought, he's come a long way since that Britney classic hasn't he! The song: Votre Toast from Carmen. He said: “It was the most wonderful, wonderful experience working with Rolando and Katherine and you have to learn to sing in French with Italian overtones and a different vocal but it’s such a privilege…it’s a singers dream, I’m really enjoying it.” Rolando said: “You gave energy to your performance…but the French, aye aye aye, there was a moment when you wobbled.” But Laurence Llewelyn Bowen liked the performance and said: “l think we can out you as secret matador.” Afterwards Darius said: “I was confused by the different directions, I must admit.”
Kym has the drinking song, ideal for barmaid Michelle! But she hasn't had much time - on stage though, it's a mini production. I know nothing about opera, obviously, but I thought she was brilliant! Staggered actually, wasn't expecting that! The official song title: Brindisi/Libiamo Ne’lieti Calici. Afterwards she said: “I find it really hard. I’m tired, working and I have my children. It’s harder then I thought it would be, it’s so difficult.” Katherine Jenkins said: “There is such a massive improvement on last week, that was just wonderful. I think when you have a setting and your character, you’ve got into it and with it being a drinking scene you can use your character. You tend to go flat but didn’t do that this week, but I’d still like to make it stronger next week.” Meat Loaf said: “I think you have a real problem and that is that you’re going to be invited to every party in London from now on.” Laurence Llewelyn Bowen said: “It was sophisticated and very sensible. The song is about requiring money from gentlemen callers to go upstairs for fun, but you made it elegant and sexy.”
Danny has a beautiful but tragic song, Caruso, showing his serious side, even with the tongue tied Italian, terrific performance, very emotional, I loved it, his mum's crying and Katherine swooned! He said: “Oh my God, I’m so happy it’s over. I nearly cried, especially with my mum sat there.” Rolando said: “I have to say that Danny worked very hard and had real concentration. It was a dangerous piece for him because he could bring his pop voice out but he really kept his opera voice.” Laurence said: “It was an incredibly mature performance. It would have been absolutely so easy for pop Danny to come out and play but you kept him back. It was fabulous.” Meat Loaf said: “I applaud you, son, you were there, every moment. That was love song and I believed every moment that you sang.” Katherine simply said: “I have one word, swoon.”
Marcella had Un Bel Di Vedrimo from Madame Butterfly, dramatic and emotional, terrified but not crying. She's very hard on herself, a great job, didn't quite get the raw emotion. She said: “I can’t remember how I felt, I was definitely struggling. There’s so much to think about. I didn’t really connect as much as I wanted, it’s the old story about the nerves.” Katherine said: “I think you are far too hard on yourself. You, by far, have got the hardest song this week, and last week, but you come in and work really hard and, technically, everything we asked you did, it was outstanding.” Meat Loaf said: “She was singing about a lover coming back across the seas and if I was him I’d have been swimming to you darling and I want you to know, God willing, and the creek don’t rise, you’ll be back next week.” Rolando was not so impressed and said: “You tried to get the emotion but when a technical part arises you can’t connect the emotion and we didn’t hear that extra magic moment we had in the rehearsal room, but, as Katherine said, it was an incredibly difficult piece.” Laurence agreed and said: “The butterfly was clear for takeoff and I was worried it wouldn’t leave the runway, but, on the plus side, you’ve pulled Meat Loaf.”
Vanessa and there's still no let up in The Saturdays schedule, so she suffered again this week, still breathy - don't think it will do her any favours, the song not being something in Italian we've never heard of - Summertime in English and I'm thinking, I prefer Ella. She said: “I am a little torn but I am still putting 100 per cent into this and I do want to be here.” Rolando said: “Well, you know, one thing is to say you want to put 100 per cent into something, the other thing is to work like that and perform like that - you did it.” Katherine said: “That was a really good performance, but, in fairness, quite an easy song. It’s in English and so not as complicated and I think you got away with it. But, if it was more difficult, it would have been more worrying.” Laurence said: “There’s a fragility to your tone that I find endearing, but, what I would suggest, is that you run because Rolando is going to bag you up and make sure you make it to rehearsals.” Meat Loaf said: “I have to disagree with Katherine, it is an easy song but it’s also hard because it’s English and so well known and everyone has heard it, so to come out here and to nail it, the audience knows when you’ve nailed it, but in French they wouldn’t have an idea and I think you did very, very well.”
Bernie's got the Love Theme from The Godfather, Parla Piu Piano, she's going for a big note at the end "Oh, S***" she says. "Where's it say that?" says Rolando! Passionate, it's a Wow - she nailed it, I'm actually welling up, there's a standation in the audience I think. From a batch of excellent, moving performances, she just nicked a vote from me. And not just because there's a chance we're related. A Chaka Chaka performance! And not a Rufus in sight (just a private little 80's soul joke there!) She said: “I was so, so nervous.” Katherine said: “That ending blew everyone away, I wished I had that note. It was so beautiful, you were so into the passion of it. You were slightly ahead of the orchestra but I’m going to forget that because it was brilliant.”
Meat Loaf said: “Hit men all over the world are in tears now, sweetheart, you killed it.”
Laurence said: “It is incredible to hear the noises you make so and even though you were running fast, it gave it added energy.” Rolando said: “You took breathes in strange places, but that’s what I call a chacka chacka performance.”
Jimmy sings Volare, a flirty song, he'll sing to the missus. Had a lot of fun with it. He said: “I blew the words but I had so much fun. If I’ve gotta go, what a way to go. It was do much fun. What a great song, what a great opportunity. I’m still working on it.” Rolando agreed and said: “You said it, the words were not there. I think this is the problem of pop singers, your voice was tired it was not there, you were struggling, but you tried very hard and when your voice is tired there’s nothing else you can do.” Meat Loaf said: “Jimmy in the middle of the stage you did something with your hand and it was sexy dude.” Laurence said: “Last week the song was ice cream, this week I thought it was a little bit of cheese, very nice and lovely but next week let’s have opera.”
Katherine shows them all how it should be done, seemingly so effortless and a jolly song! Well, it was! Lots of tra la la ing.
Decision time: Safe are Darius - Danny - Bernie - Kym - Marcella. It's Jimmy v Vanessa.
Meat Loaf and Katherine chose to save Jimmy, with Katherine saying: “Vanessa has the God given voice, but, Jimmy, you come in here every week prepared, so I have to save Jimmy.”
Laurence and Rolando chose to save Vanessa, so the decision went back to the public voting figures and Vanessa was announced as having the least amount of votes and therefore left the competition.
She said: “I feel like gave it my all and I just want to thank everyone who voted.”
Down to six! Same time next week: 9pm, ITV1.
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