Songwriter of the Year 2009
AucklandMusic.com was invited to the University of Auckland School of Music Songwriter of the Year competition. It was being videoed by Juice TV so I just took a stills camera. It seemed to be a talent competition with judges and a winner. As it will be screened on Juice TV, I will not be a spoiler and reveal who won. Indeed to retain a little journalistic integrity, I do not know who won (I left after the last entry performance, while the judges were deliberating).
The student singers included Keishia Paulse, Phil Austen, Janine Foster, Francis Mcmanemin, Jocee Tuck and Isaac Williams. Each demonstrated their songwriting and singing ability with a solo presentation and with the professional stage band.
These are my impressions of how they all did, leaving the best until last.
Isaac Williams – solo performance was patchy, BV sounded unrehearsed. With band, the middle of the road composition blended but it failed to move me as much as other performers. Not to take away from the fact that I have seem many many live bands no where near as good in the music and song writing department.
Janine Foster – totally inventive and original. Genre bent jazz or dance music? This was utterly original, very pop, a Chemical sister with Animae sensibility. Her presentation was delightfully indulgent but the performer’s projection suffered, simply as her hair hides her eyes, but does it matter? Her song Mean Green Kicks was by far the most memorable of the night. If she can leverage that phenomenal ability and uniqueness she could be very successful. Or she could work the dance club circuit. She is my pick for international pop career potential. Originality is everything.
Jocee Tuck – her piano ballard brought tears to my friend’s eyes – Jocee Tuck’s xylophonic orchestra was a feast in bright tones and her voice is spectacular. Seemed to me more of a festival artisté than a pop singer. For this I rate her very highly. There is a lot of love for the music and a musical wisdom that goes beyond temporary appeal.
Phil Austen – a shakey start soon revealed that projection was not his strongest card. But here is one real singer/songwriter. His band performances were far stronger, if a little self conscious. He should not be worried. He has genuine talent – but he is more Dylan, less Bon Jovi. He should not indulge in rock star pretension but his song writing was probably the strongest rock music, and it became apparent with the band – it gelled very well. But any attempt at strutting betrayed innocence.
Francis Mcmanemin – finest singing performance goes to Francis Mcmanemin. His voice has qualities that will carry him, his song writing is coherent. My impression was he lies somewhere between Johnny Cash and The Proclaimers. Chris Woods falsetto backing vocal on Erosion was the standout vocal performance of the night.
The crowd winner and the most professional, slick, sexy, soul singer Keshia Paulse stole the night. She opened the show with a subdued sensitive piano song. But her band performance was slick and effortless dynamic thunderbolt. She is a vivacious and exciting performer. Her song writing talent is slick and shines brightly. She is a star.
