James’s blog
Extras:
- Harry Hill’s book - index of famous names (PDF)
- Cover Paije (Spotify playlist)
- Now That’s What I Call Wigging Out (Spotify playlist)
Why not:
Sites I’ve linked to:
- Amardeep Singh at Lehigh University
- Anglican Church Music
- Billie the Vision
- Books by Mark Billingham
- Einar Egilsson’s chord image generator
- Garry Knight on Flickr
- Harry Pearson
- Korall on Wikimedia
- Lille Cathedral
- Michael Rosen blog
- Nadia Oh
- Nick Hillman on Twitter
- One Post Wonders
- Popjustice
- Red Bubble
- Slate: Owen Pallett
- Sputnik Music forums
- Stewart Lee
- Survivors Fund
- Tour de France Lanterne Rouge
- Wordle
- Wyclef on YouTube
Other good sites:
Fantasy mentoring: Week 3
19 Oct 11 | Re: I want you in the final
The rumours are true, The X Factor is back, and I am getting well into the live shows. It seems like all the talent is with Kelly Rowland this year, both in terms of the contestants and of what it takes to Be A Judge, but there’s plenty to interest one and all, except maybe Beyoncé if she’s watching — I’ve been saying for years that Kelly was the talented one, and who could disagree with me now?
Anyway, like last year, I’m occasionally going to pick some song choices for my favourite acts, to show any producers who read this that I would be way better than, say, Gray Barlow. Sic. Rumour has it that this week is Rock Week, so the odds are already in my favour since, unlike Barlow, I know what rock actually is.
So without further ado... Beeeeeow der der der, duh duh duh der, BOOM!
- Boys — Marcus. My choice: Dare To Dream by Ash. Actually I’ve been saying since this song came out last year that it would be a ripping winner’s single, and everything about it says X Factor Show Stopper. (Watch it here if you don’t know it). Marcus will look a bit embarassing if he tries to rock out, so what he needs is a ballad that’s a bit sentimental, but has plenty of guitar-based oomph. This will do it. If he goes on last and sings this, it’ll make everyone else look a tier below.
- Girls — Although this is clearly the strongest category, I don’t have a defined favourite but based on last week I’m going for Misha. My choice: Born To Be Wild. Most contestants would turn this into an unbearable cheese-fest, but if Misha comes out (1) not dressed in leather and (2) with a cheeky wink and (3) sings within herself, she could do quite a cool performance. I think the song’s phrasing would lend itself to a Knock On Wood-style soul vocal. Get a bit of brass in the arrangement.
- Groups — Rhythmix. My choice: Get Off Of My Cloud. The obvious choice here would be some Avril Lavigne song, so my choice puts a twist on that by being the origin of her “hey hey you you” bit. This is quite shouty and will allow for some good turn-taking vocals and bouncing around the stage, plus Sir Mick is very in at the moment, you know. Choreography will be key, but with only two groups left they ought to have time to come up with something that works. One thing though: I have been impressed by Tulisa’s song choices so far so it’s entirely possible she will come up with something far better than this.
- Oldies — Sammi. My choice: Anything For Love (But Not That). A toughie, this, because Sammi can do dance diva, and she can do big ballad, but rock? Not sure. My choice is a bit of a risk, but I think her voice is up to it and it will have a good surprise factor because I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a woman singing it. Plus they can cut it right down and just choose the bits that suit her voice. NB I presume Louis will pick another Steinman fave, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, here. But I think she’d put some real emotion into the Meat Loaf hit.
Who am I rooting for? Well, Rhythmix have impressed me the most so far, so I hope they can establish enough popularity to stay in well past the halfway mark at least. Misha might be good, but they need to be very careful and she must only rap when absolutely necessary.
Posted by ROGER HUNT at 19:49
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