In last night's Idols:
From the press releaseThis week, the musical theme for the Top 4 Spectacular in M-Net’s Idols contest was “My Idols”, and the contestants could choose two songs each from their own musical idols.
After a whirlwind week that included a jet-set trip to Bloemfontein and a visit to the successful Johannesburg pantomime Peter Pan (starring Afrikaans Idol Dewald Louw), the four remaining Idols buckled down to rehearsals.
Song 1
Tender
Tender Mavundla set a blistering tone for the evening with the old Chaka Khan classic “I’m Every Woman”, which was a hit for Whitney Houston on the Bodyguard soundtrack album. “You might be joining Whitney next year, releasing your debut album while she releases her comeback album!” Dave predicted. “Nice way to start the show, you deserve to be on that stage,” Mara complimented Tender.
“That was executed just perfectly,” said Gareth. “A really excellent choice of song,” said Randall, “but I had one problem - it was too short!”
Munro
Munro du Toit took us back to 1970 with the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” Dave cracked a joke about Munro’s song being apt for the part of the world he comes from, which is currently flooded. “Ek sê, Munro, jy’s nca my boet!” Mara teased.
Gareth compared Munro with Chris Daughtry, who placed fourth in the fifth season of American Idol, but predicted that Munro would do better than just fourth place. “The reason you’ve done so well is that you’re a really good entertainer,” Randall praised.
Jody
For Jody Williams the choice was simple: Céline Dion. And the song she chose is “I Surrender”. “I’d say that was your best performance to date,” Dave admitted. “I surrender,” Mara teased, “you’re a fantastic singer.”
Gareth admitted that he doesn’t really like Céline Dion, “but you brought that song to life.” Randall cautioned her to focus on singing the song in its entirety and not to neglect the opening lines.
Andriëtte
Andriëtte Norman loves Billy Joel and she chose the Piano Man’s “Honesty”. “Interesting song choice, nicely handled,” Dave commented. “It’s going to be a very tough choice because you’re all so, so good,” said Mara, but she hoped that Andriëtte’s second song would “excite” her more.
“I love that song,” Gareth raved, “Andriëtte, you’re superb.” Randall proudly held up a poster that he made himself, saying “Andriëtte”
Song 2
Tender Tender returned with the dramatic Tamia ballad, “Stranger In My House”. Dave was speechless - “it’s the presence, the command that you have …” he marvelled. “I am so proud of you, you are absolutely brilliant my girl,” Mara raved. Gareth cracked a joke about how dangerous it is to sing about a stranger in your house in South Africa. “It’s a very adult song but your command of it… fantastic,” Randall praised.
Jody For her second song Jody chose Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt”. Dave reminisced about seeing Christina Aguilera perform before she released her first album and wondering where ‘this tiny little person get this big voice from’, “and this performance made me think the same thing,” he said.
“You are just unbelievable,” Mara concurred. Gareth commented on Jody’s “spark of brilliance.” Randall thought it was a better performance than her first song.
Munro Munro reverted to his normal hard rock for his second song, “Kryptonite”, from the band 3 Doors Down. Dave advised Munro to stay on the rock path and stick with “guitars and chicks and rock ‘n roll” and he would have a career.
“You are such an exciting entertainer,” Mara reiterated. “Tonight you pulled out all the stops. You are a rock star!” Gareth raved. Randall said he wasn’t convinced by the earlier Creedence song, but that this was a much better choice - more in keeping with Munro’s entertaining stage persona.
AndriëtteAndriëtte rocked the show to a close with Anastacia’s “Left Outside Alone”. “I don’t know what to do, I can’t separate you guys tonight,” Dave despaired. “Yeah, it’s getting very difficult,” Mara agreed.
“I think the standard has gone up tonight across the board, but that was the power performance of the evening,” Gareth raved. “You’re at least as good as all the Idols from around the world and a whole lot better than most of them,” said Randall.
Voting opened at the start of Sunday night’s broadcast on M-Net and viewers can vote via landline, SMS, MXit or on the Idols website at www.mnet.co.za.
Voting has now become especially important to the remaining Idols, because last night they learned what the winner’s prize package comprises. This year, the winner will win a brand new, customised, Citroen “Idols Edition” C2 and R100 000 in cash.
Idols love music and to make sure the winner's entertainment is always crystal clear, he or she will also get a PSK-915 Docking Station, a PSK-3807 Docking Station, a SSDP9797 Dual Screen Portable DVD player, a SSFF9200 Series MP4 Player and a Navig8 GPS System from JVC. That prize is perfectly complimented by the Xbox 360 and the R2 000 voucher from Look & Listen.
Our Idol will always deliver a polished performance with a professional Shure SLX2458 Uhf Wireless Handheld Microphone c/w SM58 Mic Capsule and stay in touch with fans with a laptop, laptop bag and 24 months connectivity donated by @Lantic. And our Idol will be groomed for a year by Phree Edge, Idol’s official hair stylists.
And of course the big prize is the chance to record an album with SonyBMG, one of the biggest, most powerful record companies in the world, the value of which is inestimable for any artist serious about his or her career.
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