PHOTOS: Vuyo Mbuli funeral

Mourners have arrived to pay tribute to Vuyo Mbuli at his funeral at St Johns College in Johannesburg. See the pictures here.

WATCH: Vuyo Mbuli's funeral

Watch the 294-minute SABC footage of the funeral of TV and radio presenter Vuyo Mbuli at the West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg.

Sam Brighton

Idols: Duet to me one more time...

2011-09-20 06:01
The Top 4 is a tricky stage. As Gareth pointed out, everyone's got their favourites. But that doesn't mean a few game-changing performances can't upset the apple cart.

Freddie's had a tough time with his performances in the last couple of weeks. His overly-animated vocal spewings have left many wondering if he's got the vocal chops to keep up. I for one have never doubted his vocal ability, only his commitment to delivering it.

This week the brother brought it. While his individual renditions of Seal's Kiss From A Rose and Kings of Leon's Use Somebody were just satisfactory, his duet with his bromantic love interest Dave brought Randall to his feet.

The pair covered Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush's 1986 hit Don't Give Up.

Could you believe it? Randall giving FREDDIE a standing ovation? Way.

I had the pleasure of attending the Top 4 performances in Johannesburg and can testify that Freddie deserved nothing less. Together Dave and Freddie are dynamite. It's actually Freddie's weakness: If he performs alone, he's mediocre. But give him a sounding board - just like when he sang Cee Lo's Forget You with the Mzansi Choir - and he's on fire.  Their skill, intensity and raw awesomeness made for a killer performance.

And apparently it was a fluke! Insiders tell me that throughout rehearsals the boys failed to nail the harmonies, leaving vocal coach Malie Kelly overcome with nerves.

Listening to the performances live is integral to the critiquing process. Actually, it's not fair to judge a singer on the capabilites of your TV speakers.

Dave's individual performance of Bruce Springsteen's Streets of Philadelphia was as tender and encapsulating as I imagined it would be. A great song for his voice as well as a perfect way to demonstrate the level of control he's developed since those frantic chest thumps and Exorcist-like eye rolls he employed in the top ten round.

Oh yes, let's not forget about Crushanda and Mark! The diva was a crowd favourite with her Celine Dion number, but she failed miserably trying to take on Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me. It's so not her. I feel like we've had this conversation before - why doesn't she just stick to what she's good at? Forget diversity, forget the younger audience - you're here to show off your pipes. So do it.

Poor Mark. It's no surprise he successfully covered Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through the Grapevine, but the audience wasn't really loving it. Perhaps Randall's right - he's not singing the right songs. Even though he had a bit of trouble with the lyrics, he impressed me with The Pretender from The Foo Fighters. But again - what does the majority of the Idols audience think of The Foo Fighters?  

Let's hope their dreamy duet of Sting's Fields of Gold is enough to forgive their other shortcomings. Unfortunately, I think it came in second to Freddie and Dave's duet.

Let's go back to the very beginning of the show for a moment. Guest judge Craig David opened the stage with his hit 7 Days. Sigh... he's still got it even if it's been years since he was relevant.

As a judge he was superb. Insightful, helpful, funny, and he used just the right amount of cute anecdotes. I hope "I like you" Gareth and "you're perfection reincarnate" Unathi were taking notes. Goodness knows we could use some diversity down there in the judging pit.

Today my singular favourite is Dave, but if I could have it my way, the combination and Dave and Freddie would get my vote.

Who do you think will make it to the final?

Read more on:    idols

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.

Comment on this story
29 comments
Add your comment
Comment 0 characters remaining
 

Recent News

Sam Brighton can't understand all the hate towards Lady Gaga performing in SA when she's keeping fans happy and our mostly unused stadiums filled. Read this review

Idols: Singles vs Stamina

2011-10-03 07:18

While everyone's got an opinion on Mark and Dave's debut singles, will it really have an impact on how you feel about your favourite? Read this review

inside channel 24

Now Showing at the Movies

Where is it showing...
OR find out what's on where...

Gossip

 
 
More Gossip
 

This Week's Top Free Song

Follow We

Indidginus

Ruff Tuff
Download Now » Our favourite purveyor of quality rhythms since 1996, specialising in dubstep, dub, drum and bass, dancehall and global bass music, is back with this great track off the Ruff Tuff EP.
 
Get More Free Music »

Jobs - Find your dream job

Assistant Director

Sandton
Communicate Cape Town Engineering
R750000 - R1000000

Product Controller

Sandton
Communicate Cape Town Engineering
R450000 - R600000

MI Accountant CA

Sandton
Communicate Cape Town Engineering

Property - Find a new home

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Southern Sun - Maputo

Spend 3 nights and pay for 2 at Southern Sun - Maputo for only R4 621 per person sharing. Includes accommodation, return flights, airport taxes and airport transfers.Book now!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

gobii 7” colour LCD eReader + R160 eBook voucher – As seen on TV

Read eBooks, watch videos and listen to music with this great eReader, now only R799. Buy now.

Sizzling hot Weber offer!

57cm compact braai + FREE cover + FREE fish braai for R1299.95. While stocks last. Buy now.

Buy Gordon Ramsay’s ultimate cookery course book + Bokke Se Komuis for FREE!

Buy Gordon Ramsay’s ultimate cookery course for just R368 and get Bokke Se Kombuis, valued at R180, for FREE! Offer valid while stocks last. Buy now!

Wreck It Ralph now available

You and your kids will love this hilarious, arcade-game-hopping adventure from Walt Disney. Available on DVD, Blu-ray and in 3D. Buy now!

Hot and exclusive Coby 7" wifi tablet – only R1299.95

Don’t miss out on this super hot deal of the week, save R300 on the Coby 7” tablet! Dispatched within 24hrs + free delivery. While stocks last. Buy now!
There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.