Monday, 16 June 2008

Ham Sandwich - Carry the Meek

While some sound the death-knell for the album ever louder, there are still plenty whose records drown it out. Like this one.
Freed from the constraints of cool moniker syndrome and worrying whether it fits the sound, Kells quintet Ham Sandwich turn in as assured and alluring a debut as you'll get between now and the turkey.
Two singers, the right mix of poignancy and darkness in its break-up narrative and some well-timed instrument punishment give 'Carry the Meek' a primitive power which few can summon well - the line "I think I got my hearing back" is very apt, but there's a lot done to your heart too.
And, like the most dysfunctional of couplings, you'll keep coming back. Some will find the name unforgivable, but some of the music is unforgettable.
Harry Guerin   

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Britain's Got Talent: Simon Cowell: 'Faryl Smith Will Earn �20m Before She's 20'

Simon CowelSimon Cowell believes 12-year-old Britain's Got Talent star Faryl Smith will earn �20million before she's 20.


Cowell last night hailed the youngster -- who he has primed for international superstardom -- as better than opera star Katherine Jenkins -- who is Faryl's idol -- and Charlotte Church.


Simon says, "I know she says Katherine is her idol but she is far better than her. She is by far the most talented youngster I've ever heard. When she opens her mouth her voice is just incredible.


"We've uncovered an absolutely massive singing talent. Full stop."


Faryl's parents have already been bombarded with offers from showbiz agents and fixers. But her family want Cowell -- who who propelled X Factor winner Leona Lewis to stardom in the US -- to mastermind her career.


Faryl went into last night's finale as runaway bookies favourite for the show's �100,000 prize and star billing at the Royal Variety Show ahead of string quartet Escala and choirboy Andrew Johnston.


But, regardless of the outcome, Cowell has been in talks to tie Faryl to a multi-million pound deal.


And Faryl's dad Tony has revealed how he and wife Linda have talked about signing Faryl to Cowell's SyCo record company, an offshoot of Sony BMG. Health and safety officer Tony, 49, told the Sunday Mirror newspaper, "A lot of people have shown interest in Faryl. It's been difficult to make decisions because we don't know much about the music industry. But I'd have to listen if it was Simon Cowell telling me my daughter was special and had big potential.


"I can't really say too much at this stage. But we're not interested in speaking to anyone else now."


Asked how she will celebrate her success, Faryl said, "I'm going to go on a massive shopping spree in TopShop and New Look.


"I'm going to take my two best friends out and spend as much as I can. We'll probably have a big party too."


However, she is keen to distance herself from former child star Charlotte Church, who was also discovered on a TV talent search aged 12 -- and is now worth an estimated �12 million.


"I can see why people compare us," she said. "But Charlotte has gone down the pop route and I want to stick with classical music."




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