I love jazz. I love Michael Jackson songs. So you can imagine my delight when I regularly come across the most amazing MJ covers by some of the most amazing jazz artists. These pop classics are now jazz standards. I thought I’d share my favourites with you.
I know, it was eons ago … but needs must and work comes first. One day …
There was a genuine look of shock on Stevie’s face, I don’t know why – it was clear from the first audition he was the one to beat. Wasn’t it? Lucy ran him close though, with Sasha and Emmanuel also putting in strong performances to make a high quality final.
The final tonight looks a close – and varied – affair, with the rockiness of Stevie versus the soul of Sasha, the classical Lucy, and the rocky soul of Emmanuel.
Nothing much unexpected happened – although I suspect Tom had a bit of a shock, since he had such a strong team.
It’s funny how things turn around, isn’t it? Last week, I was looking strong, with nine team members and not one of them belonged to Will. This week, I’ve been reduced to three, and by far the top performance of the weekend was Vikram, of Will’s team, with Sheena and Lucy also very strong.
The Voice continues, with the dreams of half the hopefuls dashed upon the mix decks of their coaches and mentors.
The teams are complete!
The blind auditions came to and end last weekend, with Will’s tactic of holding out to the end backfiring spectacularly, leaving him with a Tina Turner impressionist to complete his team.
Still, we know Will is a genius, so once he gets Andrew back to basics, he may well uncover something. Or, he could just sacrifice him in the battles, and put him up against his favourite. We wait and see – hopefully it’s the former.
There were some strange choices made, with excellent vocalists failing to get through, while others who sounded decidedly dodgy in places making it. Brooklyn (Team Will), for example, began well enough with the rapping, but once she began to sing, you actually saw Tom wince.
There was a real problem with singers who had nice tone but whose diction was completely appalling. So many on each team – all the coaches are guilty. If they can sort them out, I’ll probably end up with too many favourites. Nerves obviously played a part and the coaches’ experience no doubt helps them to see past that. (There has to be some excuse.)
Team Scatty as it stands then, is:
Karl Loxley (Team Will) Classical Reflection; Emmanuel Nwamadi; Hannah Wildes; Stevie McCrorie (Team Ricky) Mitch Miller; The Mac Bros; (Team Rita) Claudia Rose; Daniel Duke; Lara Lee; Sharon Murphy; Stephanie Webber (Team Tom).
I am feeling a bit biased toward Hannah Wildes, since she is from my part of Medway and was pretty superior to a lot of what I heard. Overall though, I’m not as impressed this year as I was in previous years.
Bring on the Battles!
The internet of fascinating things with which to hit the Sunday slow-way …
Animals: Pets who could’ve sworn you just said “Treats!”
Photography: Fairytale art attack
Travel: The most breathtaking small towns and villages in the world
Life: Things creative people do differently – such as day-dreaming
Bear like puppies: *Warning* Serious heart melting may occur
For writers: The surprising reading level of top writers
Dance: Ballet and Irish blues gospel, who knew?
Perfect Sunday Slacker material: Pointless stuff
Music: The awesome Bobby McFerrin, his audience, Bach and Gounod. His voice is just incredible
Supernatural: Do you believe in ghosts? Maybe after seeing these you will
Images by Pixabay: Fairy Tale; Puppy; Ghost
The internet of interesting things to enjoy on the Sunday slow-way … help yourself to a biscuit.
Culture: Douglas Adams on what it is to be English
Art: Even if you don’t believe in all that astrology stuff, you’ll want to check yours out!
Life: An incredibly inspiring story
Death: All men (and women) must die. But what about after? I want to be a tree …
Writing: How to write a screenplay that sells itself
Music: Brilliant one-man cover version of Uptown Funk
Photography: Fascinating old photos, some odd, some poignant
Bands from across Medway, Kent and beyond are coming together to show that Medway is not a UKIP breeding ground.
Friday will see the beginning of a four day music festival supporting diversity, as the local branch of Rock Against UKIP brings together over 40 bands of mixed genre. The event is designed to raise awareness and prevent voter apathy, following the Rochester by election in November, when Tory defector Mark Reckless claimed the seat for Nigel Farage’s party.
Co-organisers Abi Zeiring and Aiden Hehir hope the festival will clear the misconception that Medway largely supports UKIP, and galvanize action for the forthcoming general election.
The event will take place in Poco Loco and the line up is as follows:
Friday, January 23rd from 7.30pm (not in running order):
Black Light Brigade; Bear vs Manero; Broken Banjo; Frau Pouch; KILL RPNZL; Punching Swans; The Shagmonroes; UpCDownC
Saturday, January 24th from 6pm:
3D; Allfather; Crybaby Special; DIYOA; Dusty Awe; Luna Lacuna; Mean n my Lady; Sleep Society; Sleight; Spinner; Tiny Ghost; Tim Holehouse; Unknown Report
Sunday, January 25th from 2pm
Anaelle Berlier; Deanos Hose; Dul Fin Wah!; Eleusia; Funky Mothers; Manic and the Madkats; The Objectors; Wolfe Sunday; more TBC
Friday, January 30th from 7pm:
Apothocary; Armour King; Black Plastic; Brittunculi; Eight Days from Sunday; Haeusser and the Errorists; Inverted Scrotum; Skat Injector; Vargr I Veum
Please note, musicians are a rowdy and liberal lot by and large, and the venue is a public house – the events taking place there in no way compromises their neutrality.
To contact the organisers, visit their Facebook event page.
Jaye Nolan 