X Hits The Spot

Tonight's X Factor really got into "the swing" of things with a Big Band special which was more or less on top form throughout. My favourite performance this week was
Laura White giving a superb take on the song "God Bless The Child" which is a song I've never really been a fan of before but both her and the live band made it absolutely stunning.

Also standing out were Diana with her take on the song "Smile" which I seem to remember being performed in the first series by Steve who ended up winning, and Rachel Hylton's rather silky version of Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good".

The second half of the show was let down however by a dreadful performance of all the finalists covering Mariah Carey's "Hero" to be released in aid of Help For Heroes rasing money for those who have been injured whilst in the services. They really could have put more effort into the song choice and arrangement considering the powerful film that was shown before the song itself.

The acts who ended up in the vote off were both Daniel from the over 25s and Scott from the boys with three of the judges deciding that Scott should make his bow.
Whilst I thought Scott's performance in the main show wasn't the best, that being a rather weak version of Sinatra's "That's Life", I thought he didn't do too bad a version of "I Can't Make You Love Me" although that's not to say it's better than George Michael's take on the song.

As for Daniel it's rather surprising he's made it this far in the series and it's good to have someone on there who stands out amongst everyone else even if it does look out of place at times.
Next week's theme however is Disco which I'm really looking forward to although I'm hoping there won't be too many covers of songs from Saturday Night Fever.

I'm gutted that I've never actually been to see a live transmission of the show whilst I've been at University considering it's filmed not too far from here at Wembley's Fountain Studios. I suppose the tickets would be a nightmare to get hold of although Ali O'Boyle one of our alumni managed to get in the audience for one of the shows in the first series when the likes of Tabby, Rowetta, and Steve Brookstein were competing.

I heard that another of the acts competing in that series with the imaginative name "Voices With Soul" were responsible for inspiring Expansion Records to release a superb compilation of music by 80s American soul group The Perri Sisters which I'd say is the best thing overall to come out of the show.