Catch Damien's wind

I admit, he's not my cup of tea, but these "Idols" need all the support they can get. As I wrote a couple of days ago, Damien Leith (or Tic Tac teeth as one of my friends likes to call him) is releasing a generous 18-track covers album called "Catch The Wind" which showcases "the great songwriters of the 60s and 70s". According to Damien,

[the songs] have always been a major influence on my own original material. In many ways the songs of that generation are as relevant today as they were back then. I've chosen songs that either mean a great deal to me on a personal level or those that I'd just love people to hear."

Leithy has shapped up to be the second most successful Idol winner (behind first series winner, Guy Sebastian). His "Winner's Journey" cd/dvd was an enormous success during late 06/early 07, spending 5 weeks at #1 with an accreditation of 4x platinum. His "Idol" winner's single "Night Of My Life" was also a big hit, spending 5 weeks at #1 with Platinum sales and also became a Top 10 hit in his home-country Ireland. In 2007, he formally began his solo career with the ballad "22 Steps", a dreadfully dull choice which generated little interest, peaking at #11. This however did not discourage sales for his debut studio album "Where We Land" which became his second #1 album and accredited Platinum status. Oddly, no further singles were released from the album (planned second single "All I Want Is You" remained a promo-single only). Since then, he's released a novel and hosted the medical reality show "Saving Kids".

"All I Want Is You" live on "Australian Idol":


Will he score his 3rd #1 album? "Catch The Wind: Songs Of A Generation" is out April 26.

Track listing:
1. Catch the Wind (Donovan)
2. Annie's Song (John Denver)
3. Wild World (Cat Stevens)
4. If (David Gates)
5. The Times They Are a Changing (Bob Dylan)
6. Father & Son (Cat Stevens)
7. Starry Starry Night (Vincent) (Don McLean)
8. Everybody's Talking (Harry Nilsson)
9. Universal Soldier (Buffy Saint Marie)
10. Guitar Man (David Gates)
11. Baby I Love Your Way (Peter Frampton)
12. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Neil Young)
13. Longer (Dan Fogelberg)
14. Blowing in the Wind (Bob Dylan)
15. Old Man (Neil Young)
16. And I Love You So (Don McLean)
17. Sunshine On My Shoulders (John Denver)
18. Time In a Bottle (Jim Croce)

http://www.damienleith.com.au

More cash-in cover albums from c-grade Aussies

It's the new philosophy for Australian record labels in the 21st century - when in doubt, release a covers album. In the past 5 years, Australian artists have been churning out more and more cover albums! Young Divas, Human Nature, Guy Sebastian, Marcia Hines, Tina Arena, Kate Ceberano, Natalie Gauci are all GUILTY of this crime.

The song selections for Kate Ceberano's newie "So Much Beauty" are particularly eye-brow raising, although maybe not as much as that breast-tastic picture I've posted of her *drools*. Included are The Kate's takes on...yes wait for it... "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol (I think I just threw up a little), "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall, "Babylon" by David Gray, "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5, "Live To Tell" by Madonna (oh no, she di'nt!) and "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretender (cause apparently Marcia Hines' version wasn't bad enough). In a bid to restore some shred of credibilty, she's included 3 original numbers including "Never Say Never To A Friend", a duet with "It Take Two' partner, Melbourne footballer Russel Robertson. Aren't the over 40 bogans in for a treat! Naturally, the album is released on April 26, just in time to cash-in on the "It Takes Two" finale and Mother's Day sales.

Out the same day is the new album from 2006 Idol "winner" (do they really win much these days?) Damien Leith. Yep, after his debut album performed below expectations last year - although to be fair, it didn't perform terribly bad either considering it only produced one single "22 Sleeps...I mean "22 Steps" - Sony BMG are hoping to make up the difference with an album of Don McLean (I smell another "American Pie" *cries*), Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and Neil Young covers. The album is called "Catch The Wind".

Now we sit and wait in anticipation for Anthony Camp-allea's new album of showtune covers. I'd die for his rendition of "Big Spender"!