news articles 14 july

[Inside Australian Idol]

Chart idols
July 14, 2004


The Australian singles chart is dominated by two former Australian Idol contestants this week.

Paulini breaks into the top spot with her new single Angel Eyes, while Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll grabs the number two spot with Learn to Fly.

The biggest movers this week are Frankee, whose single F.U. Right Back drops three spots from one to four, and Mario Winans, whose single I Don't Wanna Know drops six spots from four to ten.

Hillsong Church breaks into the top spot of the Australian albums chart this week with For All You've Done, knocking Australian songstress Kasey Chambers's album Wayward Angel down to number five.

Meanwhile, the Shrek 2 Soundtrack jumps from six to three this week, and Aussie crooner Pete Murray's album Feeler drops three spots to number six.

Australian singles chart

1(-) Angel Eyes - Paulini (SONY)
2(-) Learn To Fly - Shannon Noll (BMG)
3(3) Burn - Usher (ARI/BMG)
4(1) F.U. Right Back - Frankee (COL/SONY)
5(6) Roses - Outkast (ARI/BMG)
6(7) Perfect - Simple Plan (EW/WAR)
7(5) Trick Me - Kelis (VIR/EMI)
8(8) Tipsy - J-Kwon (BMG)
9(9) Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas (A&M/UMA)
10(4) I Dont Wanna Know - Mario Winans (UMA)


Australian albums chart

1(-) For All You've Done - Hillsong Church (HMA/SMA)
2(2) Sunrise Over Sea - The John Butler Trio (JAR/MGM)
3(6) Shrek 2 - Soundtrack (MCA/UMA)
4(5) Confessions - Usher (ARI/BMG)
5(1) Wayward Angel - Kasey Chambers (CAP/EMI)
6(3) Feeler - Pete Murray (COL/SONY)
7(4) Get Born - Jet (CAP/EMI)
8(7) Elephunk - Black Eyed Peas A&(M/UMA)
9(8) Michael Buble - Michael Buble (WARNER)
10(9) Anastacia - Anastacia (EPI/SONY)

AAP

www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/13/1089694350381.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

An Aussie idol visits Manila

By Cris O. Ramos Jr .

ITS hard to believe that just six months ago, Guy Sebastian was an unknown, church-going 22-year-old from the suburbs of Adelaide who has been through a lot of jobs.

“I sang in church, I went through two bands—one pop and the other gospel,” relates Guy. “I left both bands to start my own thing. Then I started working at warehouses, you know, using forklifts and that kind of stuff. Then I started working in a studio as a recording engineer and a vocal teacher at the same time before the opportunity to join Australian Idol came up.”

Today, the Australian Idol winner of Sri Lankan/English/Portuguese descent is a genuine cultural phenomenon, a pop idol whose mesmerising voice, disarming charisma and gravity-defying afro hairdo has not only captivated Australia, but has also set the record books reeling. His debut single “Angels Brought Me Here” debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA charts and went on to be the highest selling Australian single ever!

“I reckon that the song became such a hit because it really summed up what I felt as far as the competition goes. It’s a very overwhelming process to go through that at some points you really do feel that there’s something else that got you there,” says Guy. “Especially with how I didn’t feel confident before and then something just clicked and I could look people in the eyes and really try to deliver a song. It’s a great, inspirational song that sums up how any of the winners would have felt had they won.”

But destiny was on Guy Sebastian’s side on Australian Idol. “My edge? That would probably be the fact that I took a risk singing unpredictable fare such as ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong, ‘When Doves Cry’ by Prince and ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from The Sound of Music,” concludes Guy. “I knew that at the same time these risks could fall flat on my face so I worked hard off-cam to give it my own spin and practiced them over and over. I enjoyed every moment I performed those songs so the audience probably enjoyed them in return.”

Like his winning secret, the making of Guy’s debut album Just As I Am is a genuine revelation, a musically assured slice of funk-tinged urban pop and soul that belies the extreme circumstances under which it was recorded. It is testament to Guy’s unswerving commitment and self-discipline that he was able to finish recording the album in an intense five-and-a-half-day schedule.

“I wanted to give the people who believe in me something that they would be proud of,” says Guy. “Not just something that’s considered as good for a six-day album, but something which is a great album. Full stop.”

Not only has Guy proves himself to be a superb interpreter, Guy also proves in Just As I Am that he is an antithesis to the manufactured pop star. Three of Guy’s original compositions—“All I Need Is You,” Something Don’t Feel Right” and “I 4 U” are all included on Just As I Am. As early as now, Guy is already polishing several of his more than a hundred compositions for his upcoming sophomore effort.

“Credibility is what I have always strive for and I couldn’t imagine my first record not having any of my own songs on it. I tried to make songs that weren’t totally restricted to one genre like R&B. I don’t have that bling-bling, that whole ‘look at me’ arrogance. I think I’ve got a bit too much joy for that. That’s why I concentrate on bringing a pop flavor to all that R&B,” says Guy. “I want to bring ‘no attitude music.’ It’s all about the music. It’s not about being cooler than or being above everyone, but being on the same level as the people who are listening to it. You can look real good, you can be one hell of a dancer, but it will still take good songs to bring some impact. To touch people as a singer, all you need is to give yourself through the music.”

www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/jul/14/yehey/enter/20040714ent1.html

[Darin]

This week was suppose to be Idol week.

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol a ratings winner
July 14, 2004


CHANNEL Ten is relying on Australian Idol to prop up its ratings through to the end of the year and early indications look good for the channel.


Idol moment ... Flynn fails to hit the right notes.

The second series of the hit show which has made Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll and Paulini Curuenevuli household names drew a viewing audience of 1.69 million last night.

However, Nine's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation took the top spot, attracting 1.77 million viewers.

That made Idol the second most watched program of the night and compared with 1.64 million people who watched the first episode of the first series.

"It's a fantastic result," Australian Idol executive producer Greg Beness said.

"I'm extremely pleased with the ratings. We've got a long way to go, but I hope they continue throughout the series."

But Mr Beness said he expected audience numbers to fluctuate as the series progressed to the live semi-finals.

In the 16-39 year age group last night, Ten claimed victory with Australian Idol attracting a 52.3 per cent market share while Nine's The Block had 31.4 per cent and Seven's Hot Auctions took 16.3 per cent.

In the 25-54 age group, Idol secured 43.7 per cent of viewers while The Block had 35.4 per cent and Hot Auctions had 20.8 per cent.

Idol's auditions continue tonight on Ten at 1930 AEST.



entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,10134790%255E10229%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Guy Sebastian keeps working the charm

Guy Sebastian proves he’s no flash in the pan as he cooks up album No.2, writes RUBIN KHOO.

THINGS have been pretty hectic for Australian Idol Guy Sebastian. Shortly after winning the Australian Idol in November, there was the World Idol in December and of course, there was the performance at the American Idol in May, apparently initiated by infamous “judge dread” Simon Cowell himself who was impressed by Sebastian’s performance at the World Idol contest in London.


Guy Sebastian says of his second album: 'This time I was able to formulate my own style.'


“It was nerve-racking,” he admits, “because you represent your whole country.”

In the midst of all this he had the fastest selling single in Australian history. But the Idol has spent the last few months in relative seclusion working on his second album, to be released towards the end of the year. The first album he admits was somewhat rushed and hence, he is looking forward to his next one.

“There was a lot more time,” he says. “Compared with the first one, this time I was able to formulate my own style.”

Sebastian was in town recently for a Malaysian promo tour during which he held a showcase and several meet the fans sessions.

It was the first time that Sebastian was talking to media after taking a deliberate break to work on his second album. He has spent the last couple of months in Los Angeles, New York and Copenhagen.

In an interview with The Star, Sebastian described his soon to be released album as being more of a reflection of himself as an artiste.

“I never like to make an album all in the same style,” he says. “My next album will be different, so I’m really looking forward to unveiling the album.”

The album will be made up of funk and soul numbers as well as ballads.

“There will be beautiful ballads,” he says, “I love singing cheesy ballads ? not ashamed to say it because everybody needs the time to sit back and listen to ballads.”

“I am definitely looking forward to it,” he says referring to his next album.

While the first album Just As I Am did include some of his own compositions, it also including a number of covers including Prince’s When Doves Cry and Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World. The result was an eclectic mix. That might have worked then but for the second album, Sebastian is moving towards creating something more easy to define.

Apart from the ballads, there will also be a few up-tempo numbers but with a difference.

“The fast tracks are going to be like 70s music with a modern beat,” he says. “I haven’t really heard anything like it.”

Sebastian had the opportunity to work with a number of music industry heavyweights, among them Bryan McKnight, who co-wrote a track with him and who will also probably produce the track.

“Meeting him was really touching,” says Sebastian. “I couldn’t believe I was getting to work with him. What a dream. You know, I’ve had a No.1 album and No.1 single but I don’t think it really sunk in until I met him.

Nearly a year on into the music business and Sebastian’s outlook on the industry may have changed quite a bit and with it comes the realisation that talent is not the only factor when it comes to making it.

“I’ve learnt a lot – it is a business at the end of the day. There is the X-factor, also there’s absolute pure luck, where you got to go on a TV show and people like you. They dictated my luck, future and career and some people don’t get that opportunity, so it’s not all about talent. Unfortunately, sometimes it just takes the right time and place.”

Sebastian advises competitors vying for the title of Malaysian Idol to be as confident as they can and to stick to their guns.

“If they have made their decisions, they should stick to it. My decision to sing Climb Every Mountain at the finals wasn’t supported by everyone but it was the song that probably won me the competition.”



www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2004/7/14/music/8427973&sec=music