A Big Band and Some Even BIGGER Stars!!! (Pop Idol - The Big Band Album)

Name: lil-ms-muffin

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Product:	Pop Idol - The Big Band Album
Date:	04/05/02 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everyone's favourite is on here, Brings old classics to the present day

Disadvantages: Not good if you hate swing

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POP IDOL - The Big Band Album
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Well, they're back! We no longer have to sit looking lost on a Saturday night. For all of you who, like me, were beginning to get withdrawal symptoms we can once again get our fix of Pop Idol. Perhaps it's not as good as seeing them in the flesh but it's a pretty good substitute don't you think?!?

I love what this album has achieved in the fickle world of modern music. For all those teeny-boppers who have never heard any of the old classics, this album has brought some of them to the attention of us all. For all those Gareth fanatics out there, no one can deny that 'Mack The Knife' was one of his best performances just showing that the oldies really are golden!

Let's look at the tracks...

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'BEYOND THE SEA' - Will
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Well, I love Will to bits and there is no doubt that he is THE Pop Idol, but this just doesn't work for me. The pace is too slow and he doesn't get the chance to give it his all, so we don't get that unique Will-sound. As has become his trademark, he does pick up the pace towards the end but it doesn't get the hairs on the back of your neck standing up like they do when he sings 'Ain't No Sunshine' or 'Light My Fire.' It is a good track, just not his best. 6/10

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'GET HAPPY' - Zoe
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Zoe's first single. What can I say about Zoe other than that I think she has a fantastic talent, especially for someone of her age! Could she be the next Whitney Houston? I think she has definite potential provided she isn't stifled by the UK's refusal to accept anyone who doesn't fit the mould. This is a fantastic track, moving along with excellent pace. Zoe gets to show off her full ability as she moves effortlessly through the octave
s. 10/10

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'LET THERE BE LOVE' - Darius
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Hmmmm.... I'm not sure if this image works for Darius. I'm sure there will be thousands of you out there who disagree with me but I think he performs better when he's doing something a bit cheekier! ('It's Not Unusual' springs to mind!) But this is an old favourite of everyone's and Darius performs it perfectly. Being one of his biggest critics after Popstars I was pleased to see him do so well in the competition because he really tidied up his act. His vocals are spot on now and we don't have any worrying Darius-isms! 7/10

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'MACK THE KNIFE' - Gareth
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Well, I'm not Gareth's biggest fan. If it wasn't for the stammer.... Anyway, this has got to be his best performance. You can hear how much he enjoys this one and, therefore, it's really enjoyable to listen to. He's more comfortable singing this one too and it shows in his vocals as they're much stronger. As for when he performs it, it's one of the only times you see him giving a fantastic all round performance. Who could forget him on the show wearing his famous white suit, making all the girls scream with his (supposedly) sexy shark bite!!! I love this because it shows how the old classics have been brought back to life and Gareth makes it his own! 10/10

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'EV'RYTIME WE SAY GOODBYE' - Jessica
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Remind me again why she went out of the competition so early?!? Oh yeah, I remember.....it was a huge mistake!!! Jessica may not have had the best stage presence but she has a fantastic voice and gives one of the best live performances (after Will of course!) This is a beautiful track and her voice is perfectly suited to it. She not only sings it note-perfect,
but her tone and emphases are perfect. 10/10

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'I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU' - Aaron
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This doesn't sound like Aaron to me. You just don't get that cheeky-chappy feel! And, it's not a well-known track (or is it just me that doesn't know it?), which makes it harder to love. That's all I can say really. But I'll wait to see what more Aaron has to offer in the future before I make my final judgement. 6/10

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'I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN' - Zoe
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I love this SO much! It's a great track for Zoe to sing because she can give it that little bit extra. Perhaps one of the reasons Zoe features three times on this album is that her voice is perfect for these old soulful tracks. Superb! 10/10

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'THAT OLE DEVIL CALLED LOVE' - Hayley
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To repeat a (now) well-known saying, 'You're sooooo sexy!' Well, being a girl myself, I can't really agree with that. This for me isn't one of Hayley's best tracks. It doesn't give her the opportunity to show off her vocal talents. She plods along and sounds good but any club singer could sing like this, we want that little bit extra. I don't want to cause any offence but I think (and know!) she could do a lot better. 6/10

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'I WON'T DANCE' - Will
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Aaahhh, one of my faves! Not a track which immediately strikes you as being amazing, but it grows and grows until you have it on repeat play. It still isn't Will at his peak but it's damn close!!! Again not a song that many will know, but just you wait... Just one thing I worry about, 'Cos heaven rest us, I'm not asbestos!' What type of a lyric is that?!? 9/10 (
Loses one mark for the crazy lyrics!)

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'NIGHT AND DAY' - Korben
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Again, why did Korben go out at the beginning of the competition?! He has a fantastic talent and should definitely have been there in the last five!!! Saying all that, I don't like this track very much - it doesn't really show him at his full potential. It's a bit of a boring track and he does his best to lift it up but just misses out. Can't wait to see future material from this guy though because I'm sure it'll be great!!! 7/10

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'CHEEK TO CHEEK' - Rosie
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Well, Mrs. Vocal Aerobics, this isn't half bad!!! A good song with a good pace that stops her from going overboard with the warbling. She does well with this track as I doubt many people will know it. She sings it well and she keeps the warbling at just the right level to make it unique to her but not too ridiculous! 10/10

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'THEY CAN?T TAKE THAT AWAY' - Laura
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Now I have to ask, why did she get through to the last ten?! She may be a lovely person but she can't actually sing!!! It's never good when she can't even reach the last note of the second line because it's too low. A nice track but perhaps a little too big for our Laura. Never mind, better luck next time! 5/10

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'OH LOOK AT ME NOW' - Gareth and Zoe
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Well, it's the collaboration every Pop Idol fan was waiting for. Disappointing?! I'm not sure what I think yet, I think it comes down to your personal preference. This is a fun track, perfect for the duo's duet, but Gareth just doesn't have a strong enough voice to perform with Zoe. Basically, she eats him for breakfast!!! Nice to hav
e the other Idols doing backing vocals though, a nice touch!! 9/10

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In all, this album is one which everyone should have in their collection. Any Pop Idol fan especially should invest as this may be the only time that all of the idols will be together on one album. I for one hope this is not the case but who knows what the music big-wigs have planned for the future. (I think the best thing about this album has got to be the fact that there is no Rik!!!!) Anyway, if you don't already have a copy, get yourself to the nearest music store as soon as possible and buy one!!!

Oh, and well done to the 'Big Blue' who performed superbly throughout!!!

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