The Aussie Diva Round Up - Jan 2008

After writing about Ricki-Lee's recent UK signing, I was inspired to find out what my other favourite Aussie divas have been up to in January. I could probably write a ten thousand word essay about Kylie's hectic schedule (when does that woman sleep?) but everything seems to change on a daily basis, so I'll be brief.

1. "Wow" is a great choice for the second single in Australia, Japan and the UK. The countries that have embraced Kylie from the beginning get a glorious dose of nostalgia, while the rest of Europe gets something more contemporary in the guise of "In My Arms". Also, as a Kylie collecting nerd, the prospect of so many different covers and formats makes me giddy!

2. I'm completely ambivalent to "2 Hearts" being selected as the lead US single. No offence to Kylie's small band of loyal American fans but I think a stateside campaign is a complete waste of time. Surely it makes more sense to concentrate on markets where she will actually be played on the radio and taken somewhat seriously.

3. The various "Wow" formats in the UK are fucking AMAZING:

CD1

Wow
Cherry Bomb

CD2

Wow
Do It Again
Carried Away
Wow (Death Metal Disco Scene Mix)

12" Picture Disc

Wow
Wow (CSS Remix)
Wow (Fuck Me I'm Famous Remix By David Guetta + Joachim Garraud)
Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix)

In addition to those three formats there will be two digital bundles with all the remixes from the 12" picture disc as well as Mark Brown's Pacha Ibiza Upper Terrace Mix of "2 Hearts" as an iTunes exclusive! The "Wow" remixes have already leaked and I'm particularly taken with the Death Metal Disco Scene Mix, which transforms "Wow" into the twisted sister of "2 Hearts" with an even darker edge. It shouldn't work but it does - unlike David Guetta's disappointing effort. I can take or leave the CSS and MSTRKRFT remixes but I'm gagging to hear the 3 B-sides! "Carried Away" and "Do It Again" are credited to Greg Kurstin, Kylie and Karen Poole (the same team behind "Wow"), while "Cherry Bomb" is apparently the handiwork of Bloodshy & Avant ("Speakerphone" and "Nu-Di-Ty").

Speaking of Minogues, the more talented and beautiful sister is releasing a new single in Australia this week - not that anyone appears to have noticed. "Touch Me Like That" looks set to suffer the same floptastic fate as it did in the UK. Dannii's brilliant anthem is receiving no airplay and is yet to dent iTunes' top 100. The physical single includes 12 (yes, 12!) remixes, so hopefully fans are stocking up on that instead. Order your copy from Chaos today. Your Dannii needs you!

Yet another diva with a Minogue connection is Kate Alexa. Australian pop fans may remember her top 10 hit "All I Hear" but Kate is probably better remembered for the flack she copped as the daughter of Mushroom Records founder Michael Gudinski - the man who first gave Kylie a recording contract back in 1987. I couldn't care less about the claims of nepotism. Kate's album was a lot of fun and she managed to score 4 top 30 hits, no easy feat regardless of her father's connections. It is something of an understatement to say that Kate's sound and image has had a complete overhaul. Pimped and preened by Kylie's right hand man, William Baker, Kate returns to the pop scene with a scorching cover of Womack & Womack's "Teardrops" featuring US rapper Baby Bash! I can't wait for the video clip!

Another Australian diva spending January hard at work is the legendary Olivia Newton-John, who released a live album in the US this week. If you overlook the hideously cheap cover (above), the album is rather lovely. Recorded at the Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, "Olivia's Live Hits" boasts stunning renditions of classics like "Xanadu", "Physical" and "Magic". There's still no word on an Australian release but you can order the American version and the accompanying DVD from Amazon. In addition to "Live Hits", Olivia also features on Anne Murray's latest album and is in the middle of filming a television series based on her 1999 film "Sordid Lives". Olivia reprises her role as beer swilling bar singer Bitsy Mae and contributes 5 new songs to the TV soundtrack.

In news that will no doubt rock the gay community to its very core, local legend Melissa Tkautz has been signed to Central Station Records and is threatening to release a new single in early 2008. Mel is performing at Australia Day celebrations in Parramatta this weekend (alongside the equally lovely Brielle Davis) before returning to her gay stomping ground with a show at this year's Fair Day on the 17th of February. Queensland poofs can bask in the glory of Melissa when she catches the bus up to Brisbane for the Big Gay Day on the 9th of March. I'm still trying to get details about the album but it appears to be a mix of tracks from her amazing scrapped opus "The Glamorous Life" together with new material. I'm beside myself!

While Melissa returns to music, the divine Deni Hines (above left) has announced a break from touring to film an Eco-tv series in the Northern Territory! Deni isn't the only diva turning to TV in 2008. Jade Macrae has been announced in the line up for the latest series of channel 7's It Takes Two, which should provide a nice boost for the upcoming release of her second album, "Get Me Home". Jade will be joined on the show by ex-Australian Idol fag Anthony Callea (who is appearing in the Australian production of "Wicked" - as a munchkin!) and the omnipresent Ricki-Lee. Paulini must be spitting chips over losing her spot to a former Young Diva!

Yet another Idol alumni gracing tv screens in 2008 is the fabulous Courtney Act, who will no doubt raise eyebrows as the first tranny to compete on Dancing With The Stars. I really hope she wins! In another exciting development, Robyn Loau is providing the soundtrack to this year's season of The Biggest Loser with her lovely ballad "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime", which is available to download from iTunes now. Robyn's classy cameo appearance on Neighbours will grace UK tv screens in January, while her collaboration with Josh Abrahams, "Hard", is about to hit Australian clubs. Expect "Hard" to garner a certain amount controversy - it's a dance tune about the Columbine shootings! The song is streaming on Robyn's Myspace, so have a listen. I think it's brilliant. Robyn has come a LONG way since the days of Girlfriend!

Last and least is British nobody turned "Australian" pop princess Amy Pearson. I still can't decide if I moderately like her or hate her but I'm leaning toward the latter if her new "inspirational" anthem for the Beijing Olympics is any indication. "Ready To Fly" is dreary rubbish of the worst kind but I'll reserve my opinion on Amy until I have time to process her debut album, "Who I Am", scheduled for release on the 24th of March.

Phew!

Ricki-Lee Goes International

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly be any more smitten by Ricki-Lee, I stumbled across this picture of her eating McDonalds in her car after the Logie Awards. Nothing screams Pop Trash Addicts quite like a pop star woofing down a Big Mac in a ball gown! While other divas have spent the dawning weeks of 2008 working on their tans and topping up their Botox, this former Young Diva has been busy wheeling and dealing with international record labels. The first exciting development is the Japanese release of "Brand New Day". The Japanese version wisely includes two hits from Ricki-Lee's first album ("Hell No!" and "Sunshine") and boasts a slightly trannytastic new cover - love that leopard skin print! With "Can't Touch It" proving a major success on Japanese radio, Ms Coulter could well have a massive hit on her hands.

In addition to scoring a Japanese deal, Ricki-Lee's management recently announced her signing with Ministry Of Sound in the UK. Watch out for this fabulous diva is your local drive-through when she hits Britain for a promotional tour in April! In the meantime, Ricki-Lee is busily promoting the upcoming release of "Can't Sing A Different Song" - the third fabulous single in a row from "Brand New Day". Ricki-Lee has been everywhere lately, from posing in a bikini on the cover of Woman's Day to performing a showcase at a recent tennis tournament. Not content to belt out her own hits, Ricki-Lee covered Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" (here) and rocked out to Rihanna's "Umbrella" (here). However, the classiest moment involved Ricki-Lee inviting a gay fan to duet with her on "It's Raining Men" (watch clip below). Words can not describe how much I love this woman!

2 Very Trashy Girls!

I've been obsessed with 2 Girls ever since my lovely friend Lexy sent me the link to their jaw-droppingly craptastic "Fallin' Angels" video clip (below). I was immediately smitten by the tacky production and incompetent "special effects", not to mention their disturbingly robotic vocals and tragic dancing ability. However, I became seriously hooked when I realised that these stunning divas were the daughters of Z-grade movie icon Judy Landers and thus, nieces of the delightful Audrey Landers - one of my favourite 80s pop stars! Lindsey and Kristy obviously inherited their phenomenal talent from the Landers' family gene pool but they still have a lot to learn from their fierce mother and auntie (pictured above). Where is the obligatory faux lesbian Playboy photoshoot for Landers siblings? The wooden acting? The fabulously inane lyrics about Spanish beaches? With their indisputable pedigree, I have no doubt 2 Girls will display all of these endearing qualities in their next big budget extravaganza and I, for one, can not wait!

Learn more about these goddesses on their Myspace. Unfortunately I can't find a lot of information about the release of "Fallin' Angels". It appears the lovely ladies have released an album exclusive to US Target stores and American iTunes but there are no details regarding an international version. If anyone knows where I get an MP3 of this masterpiece, I would be eternally grateful! The fabulousness of 2 Girls has inspired me to work on a post about Audrey Landers. Stay tuned!

Olivia's Lost Classic - Best Of My Love

The incredible global success of Cher's "Believe" inspired a small army of gay icons to jump on the dance bandwagon. Diana Ross released the exquisite "Not Over You Yet", while Tina Turner dusted off her dancing shoes for the delicious "When The Heartache Is Over". Even Engelbert Humperdinck got in on the act, raising the bar for popular music with his amazing Dance Album! As undeniably fabulous as those offerings are, my favourite slice of middle-aged diva dance pop is undoubtedly Olivia Newton-John's unreleased masterpiece, "Best Of My Love".

Recorded in 2001 with her nephew Brett Goldsmith, "Best Of My Love" was supposed to herald Olivia's return to pop charts courtesy of a contemporary dance sound. At one point an entire album was planned but Olivia feared for her dignity and pulled the plug on the project. I respect Olivia's decision but I can't help but think she overreacted and robbed herself of a huge hit. Even as a work in progress, "Best Of My Love" stands out as the best thing the grande dame of Australian pop has done in over a decade. I love Olivia's new age chanting, drippy ballads and covers albums as much as the next fan but it's such a joy to hear her sing something as bright and catchy as "Best Of My Love". It would be amazing to hear a cleaned up version of this in a club - the adorable lyrics and shiny chorus positively force you to wave your arms in the air.

I really hope Olivia reconsiders her stance on dance in the future. Lovely Livvy still has the voice, stunning good looks and huge gay following to get away with it. There's nothing ridiculous about making your fans happy. Many thanks to Peibols for the fabulous mock cover!

Danielle - Underneath The Radar

Danielle belongs to that most terrifying species of diva - a Big Brother housemate turned pop star. Hitching a ride to the top of the charts courtesy of BB is still relatively uncommon in Australia but occurs with disturbing regularity in Europe. Who could ever forget transsexual Nadia's UK top 40 hit "A Little Bit Of Action" or Christian's German smash hit "Es ist geil ein Arschloch zu sein" (translated - "It's cool to be an arsehole"). Apart from Danielle, the only other Australian example I can think of is Sara-Marie & the Sirens amazing cover of "I'm So Excited" - however Sara Marie actually left all the singing to the Sirens, only contributing her "bum dancing" expertise!

I guess that makes Danielle Australia's first legitimate Big Brother pop star and against all odds her 2006 debut single was rather fabulous. A nifty dance remake of Underworld's 80s classic "Underneath The Radar", Danielle's version immediately won me over but only tickled the charts at #41. Sadly, Danielle is yet to release a second single but her Myspace claims she is working on new material. I only hope Danielle comes up with another tune this catchy and effortlessly entertaing.

Find out more about this stunning talent on her glamorous website and Myspace.

Duet Of The Decade - Beat It

Twenty five years ago Michael Jackson released his second album for Epic Records and promptly revolutionised popular music. "Thriller" spent 37 weeks at #1 in the US, spawned 7 top ten hits, earned 8 Grammy awards and sold more than 100 million copies, becoming the highest selling album of all time. In order to commemorate (ie. cash in on) the anniversary of "Thriller", Michael has re-recorded the album with the who's who of urban music including such luminaries as Akon, Kanye West, will.i.am and the holy queen of American pop - Fergie!

As a massive fan of "Thriller", news of the album's ghetto makeover didn't exactly fill me with joy. Songs of this quality don't need polluting by the likes of Cunt-ye West but if that's what it takes for Michael to revive his career, so be it. The recently leaked tracks from "Thriller 25" haven't done much to allay my fears but the album promises at least one gem - Michael's stunning duet with Fergie! The unlikely duo have collaborated on a fabulous update of "Beat It". Once you get past the dawning realisation that Fergie is now part of the "Thriller" legacy, the new "Beat It" is pretty hard to resist. Staying closer to the original than most of the revised tracks, "Beat It" boasts a slightly rocky edge and a memorable vocal from old meth head. I really hope this is a single. "Beat It" still sounds unbelievably fresh and Fergie's presence should ensure a high chart placing. Just imagine the film clip - Michael groping Fergie's lovely lady humps with his discoloured, band-aid covered hands! HOT. Expect to read a lot more about "Thriller 25" as well as an upcoming retrospective on the original album and its amazing singles.

Aus Pop Flashback - Jackson Mendoza

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and brought in the new year with a bang. I've enjoyed a short blogging holiday but I'm back and ready to explore new lows in popular music! Unfortunately, nothing much is happening in the pop world at the moment, so I thought I would kick off 2008 with a craptacular flashback post about the very short lived but extremely fabulous Australian girlband, Jackson Mendoza.

The group consisted of two sisters, Natalie and Rebecca, who stood out from the crowd due to their exotic Eurasian looks and their unique brand of girl power pop. Jackson Mendoza only released two singles but both "Venus Or Mars" and "Ordinary Girl" climbed into the top 30 in 2000. "Venus Or Mars", in particular, became a huge radio hit and should be fairly familiar to most of you. I'm not sure why the girls quit after two relatively successful singles but it could have something to do with Rebecca being stabbed by her then husband (who subsequently killed himself).

On a brighter note, both sisters went on to enjoy considerable acting success after Jackson Mendoza disbanded. Rebecca appeared in Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith and The Lord Of The Rings, while Natalie shared the screen with Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge and now appears in the UK television show Hotel Babylon. Eight years have passed since the release of "Venus Or Mars" and "Ordinary Girl" but the songs still sparkle, making Jackson Mendoza one of the more intriguing pop oddities of the decade.