Drew Kirk Productions have both 'Crazy Love' and ' Bada Boom Bada Bing' down as new singles. I like 'Crazy Love' best but it's 'Bada Boom' I end up singing - well, my equivalent of when no one is around.

Drew Kirk Productions have both 'Crazy Love' and ' Bada Boom Bada Bing' down as new singles. I like 'Crazy Love' best but it's 'Bada Boom' I end up singing - well, my equivalent of when no one is around.

Now that's a Youtube video I'd like to see :D any chance Meg?

It'd damage your speakers, Paul. Are you going to put any of your photos on the Darius Campbell Unofficial facebook, Paul? It's hoped it'll end up like the archive on .net. Open to anyone and any one allowed to upload on to it.

thanks, meg

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/leisure/83935..._to_swing_king/

 

 

Darius Campbell talks to Matthew Jenkin about his journey from popstar to opera star to swing singer.

 

THERE was a time when Darius Campbell, formerly Danesh, was better known for his goatee beard, embarrassing pony tail and cringe-worthy psycho babble on 2002’s Pop Idol than his singing ability.

 

But despite his weekly crucifixion by the press, Darius finished third in the contest and, after a quick shave and a much needed hair cut, bagged a number one single with Colourblind the following year.

 

“Those days are days I learned so much from,” said the 30-year-old Glaswegien.

 

“I learned about having a thick skin and it didn’t matter what the press wrote about me.”

 

His second album Live Twice flopped, but like a cat with nine lives, Darius has kept landing on his feet, popping up everywhere from West End musicals to Raymond Gubbay’s mammoth production of Carmen at The O2.

 

Now he is dipping his toe into the world of swing music for The History of the Big Bands, running at The Churchill Theatre in Bromley in November.

 

Confused, desperate or just enviably multi-talented?

 

“I think variety is the spice of life,” Darius said.

 

“I love the idea that as a singer you get to tell a story within the songs you sing or within the context of a show.

 

“Different genres are just different colours of a palette.”

 

Darius’s victory on ITV’s Popstar to Operastar contest proved he has an impressive set of pipes to match his sometimes cheesy over confidence.

 

Having performed as a teenager in Scottish Opera’s production of Carmen, it was a dream come to true to be trained by and duet with tenor Rolando Villazon.

 

Darius said: “He’s a man who has trained his entire life to be the greatest of his generation.

 

“I was really taken aback by that.

 

“He was magnanimous but incredibly personal in his approach and to get the thumbs up from him was amazing.”

 

Darius’s sunny optimism may have been the butt of critics’ jokes when he first burst onto the scene but that ability to turn lemons into lemonade proved invaluable after he broke his neck in a car accident in Spain this summer.

 

He said: “Being in an accident like that changes your life because you realise how lucky you really are.

 

“Since then I’ve had a sense of vigour and renewed enthusiasm for simple things, like eating,” he laughs.

 

“When you’re lying on a bed for week, on a drip, sucking through a straw, using bed pans and dependent on someone else to give you a bath because you can't move your spine, that is an experience which humbles you incredibly.”

 

Now on the final road to recovery, Darius hopes he has eight more of his nine lives left.

 

The History of the Big Bands. The Churchill, High Street. November 1. For tickets, call 0844 871 7620.

It'd damage your speakers, Paul.

I was thinking about that with the videos I didn't post on Youtube from the busk :rolleyes: We are kind to speakers aren't we :D

 

Are you going to put any of your photos on the Darius Campbell Unofficial facebook, Paul? It's hoped it'll end up like the archive on .net. Open to anyone and any one allowed to upload on to it.

I will, but I'm not keen on facebook. I don't like the lack of control you seem to have over what you are doing and who knows what about you on there etc! Another thing that really bugs me is the chat feature. Every time I've been contacted by someone I reply but they don't seem to receive it, it's very frustrating.

 

 

A tweet

 

DariusOfficial

 

Did a photoshoot for Macmillan last week. so happy to help out a wonderful charity.... www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee D x

about 8 hours ago via web

 

Just give it a go, BP you may even like it. On your own site you choose who and what goes on it

thanks meg, yet again a luke warm interview...when i think of so many with no talent getting so much hype and bigging up in nterviews -while d seems to get the opposite...not even the correct facts as once again ps and pi have morphed into one......and past acihevements not counting for much compared with the usual generic darius comments from the interviewer

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/leisure/c...eatening_crash/

 

This one's a little late but -

 

The show will go on at The Alban Arena, despite Darius Campbell's life-threatening crash

3:21pm Monday 6th September 2010

 

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By Melanie Dakin »

 

Darius Campbell is a lucky man. Despite suffering a broken neck in an accident less than two months ago, he is back preparing to tour with his latest show The History of the Big Bands, which calls in at The Alban Arena this weekend.

 

When the Porsche he was travelling in skidded into a wall at 70mph after hitting an oil spill, Darius got out of the car, seemingly unhurt. He then felt a sharp pain in his neck and collapsed shortly afterwards, following a trauma compression injury. He learned later his third vertebra was cracked down the middle and he could easily have been left paralysed or been killed.

 

I really love Nat King Cole. He’s a legend. He did something with his voice no other singer did before, allowing the bass baritone to enter into popular music in such a distinctive way

 

Darius Campbell

“I’m just focusing on getting better,” says the 30-year-old singer. “I’ve been wearing a neck brace and have physiotherapy every day. I’ve also had alternative treatments such as acupuncture, which has given me the best chance of getting well.

 

“The healing is going so well my doctor has been quite surprised as not only has it healed completely but I’ve healed faster than any other patients he’s had, which I put down to using complimentary treatments.

 

“It’s amazing I survived and walked away. I’m incredibly grateful I’ve got my hands, legs and my singing voice.”

 

Darius (formerly known as Darius Danesh) shot to fame in the first series of Pop Idol, but was pipped to the post by Gareth Gates and Will Young. It did his career as a singer songwriter no harm however, as earlier this year he was crowned the winner of ITV’s Popstar To Operastar.

 

I for one was gutted when Darius didn’t win Pop Idol. He was clearly very talented. Does he feels vindicated now?

 

“It was not so much being vindicated as that’s not in my vocabulary. It’s not about trying to get a deal or prove myself. The chance to train my voice with Rolando Villazon, who is arguably the best tenor in the world and certainly of his generation, there’s no price you could put on such an experience if you have an interest in singing.

 

“Pop Idol was ten years ago and as a runner-up I was given an incredible opportunity. Since then I’ve been able to work with some of the best people in television and it’s been a lot of fun.”

 

So why did he turn down Simon Cowell’s offer of a million pound record deal?

 

“I was incredibly flattered but it seemed too good to be true. Once I’d got over my disbelief of the situation - I was a student in Edinburgh at the time and it was all very exciting - I sat down and worked out what I wanted. Simon wanted to do it his way but I wanted to perform my own material and not be a covers artists being told what to wear and how to be.

 

Darius went on to sign with Grammy Award-winning U2 producer Steve Lillywhite, exceeding Pop Idol expectations when his self-penned single Colourblind entered the UK chart at Number 1 and his debut album went platinum.

 

Darius, of course, is no stranger to the stage. Recent West End roles include Sky Masterson in Guys ’n’ Dolls, Billy Flynn in Chicago and Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s Gone With The Wind.

 

Now he is taking on his biggest role yet in The History Of The Big Bands.

 

Following in the footsteps of the great crooners such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Andy Williams, Darius revisits some of the swing era’s very best songs.

 

“It all stemmed from a conversation I had with my grandfather about big band music. I loved the idea of having a band on stage and being able to demonstrate the roots and relevance of big band music throughout the ages. It was very much the pop or rock of its era.

 

“Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Peggy Lee; the big band sound evolved over many chapters that can be divided by the leaders such as Duke Ellington to Count Basie. It’s a journey from one end of the spectrum to the other with great songs and solos performed in a way an audience will probably never have heard before. We have a dancer performing burlesque and a 16-piece orchestra. The whole idea is to transport people to a different era to see what it was like to have been there, back in the day and experience the music the way it should be - live.”

 

So does Darius have a favourite among the big band artists?

 

“I really love Nat King Cole. He’s a legend. In my opinion he's the greatest male vocalist. He did something with his voice no other singer did before - allowing the bass baritone to enter into popular music in such a distinctive way. It’s never been achieved before and I love his voice; it’s like velvety chocolate.”

 

The History of the Big Bands takes the audience on a trip down memory lane with songs from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Buddy Rich and also performing classic tracks made famous by Frank Sinatra and other greats from days gone by. Darius will be releasing an album to coincide with the tour, which is continuing through 2011.

 

“I’ve been very lucky to experience different things and grow as a man and also as a singer,” concludes Darius. “It’s good when you find the perfect fit, the genre that suits your voice best. I’d thought I’d found that with opera but I have a sneaking suspicion I might be at my best with an older era of crooning, which oddly enough I tapped into in those first Pop Idol auditions years ago.”

 

The History Of The Big Bands is on Saturday, September 11 at 7.30pm at The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans.

 

Details: 01727 844488, www.alban-arena.co.uk

Thanks Meg, a much better interview. So pleased his neck has healed so well. He has such a positive attitude, I'm sure that helps. Sue

Getting good treatment may help even more.

The discussion tab has gone on Darius' facebook - replaced by a music tab. 11 songs are featured including the singles, Simple Like The truth , Mercury Rising and Fly Me To The Moon.

I saw that a little earlier, as I clicked on it and noticed the FMTTM mp3 download - I couldnt download it from his link, but this time it worked - I thought I didnt recall it being there before

You can still get the discussion tab by clicking the arrow next to the tabs, he's just so many tabs it's not showing

Has anyone written out the words to the three new songs ?

If so, it would be great to have them printed on here. Anyone ?

I'll ask Nina if she can put them on her lyrics page on her site when she's got time.

Edited September 17, 201014 yr by megham

http://ht.ly/2FIlC

 

Coming soon: History of the Big Bands with Darius Campbell

Sep 17 2010 by Chris Hole, Evening Gazette

 

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Darlington Civic Theatre, Thursday, October 21. Tickets £20/£22, details on 01325 486555.

 

FROM pop star to opera star to big band star - DARIUS CAMPBELL is the singing equivalent of a Swiss army knife.

 

Since making his name on reality TV shows Popstars: The Rivals and Pop Idol, the Scottish crooner has dipped his feet into a number of different pools.

 

Next month he will be bringing his new production History Of The Big Bands to Darlington Civic Theatre.

 

The show transports the audience on a musical journey through the defining big band and swing era of music - complete with top class dancing and narration.

 

During a chat with What’s On, Darius revealed the inspiration behind his new venture was actually his grandfather.

 

“He was telling me about his life,” says Darius - who recently decided to use his mother’s name Campbell rather than his former surname Danesh in tribute to his Scottish roots.

 

“Michael Buble was on the radio and we started talking about swing music. It was fascinating and I was really interested to hear about it.

 

“The more I learned about it, the more interesting it became. Big band music was such a big thing.

 

“It was used to stimulate the troops when they were out fighting, it was played in dance halls, and it gave birth to ballroom dance music.

 

“It was an era of glamour and decadence. And it was very stylish.”

 

History Of The Big Bands will feature the music of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Duke Ellington, among others - as well as some of Darius’ own self-penned tracks.

 

“There isn’t another genre of music that has such a wide appeal,” Darius adds.

 

“I wanted to produce a show that would appeal to an older generation, to people my age, and also to my little brother and his mates who like singers like Michael Buble. I’m really excited about it.”

 

This won’t be Darius’ first move into the world of theatre, he has previously starred in West End productions of Guys And Dolls, Chicago, and Gone With The Wind.

 

The band that will be joining up with him for History Of The Big Bands are no strangers to the stage either.

 

“This big band is the most amazing group,” Darius says. “We have put together 18 of the best musicians in Europe. A lot of them have played in the West End before.

 

“They are the top of the top and it’s a real privilege to work with them. It should be a great show.”

 

Since emerging from the reality TV world, Darius has mustered up five UK Top 10 singles, two successful albums, a book, and has performed in a string of high profile gigs and shows.

 

Earlier this year, he triumphed on TV show Pop Star To Opera star as he joined seven other well known names who were trained to perform world famous opera arias.

 

Just last month, he hit the headlines after breaking his neck in a horror car crash in Spain, but the singer says despite the setback he is raring to go with his new production.

 

“I’m match fit now and ready to go,” he says. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Eastbourne this time

 

resented by Darius Campbell

Congress Theatre

Thursday 4 November 2010

Buy Ticket

The History of the Big Bands sees the incomparable Darius transport the audience on a magical musical journey revisiting some of Swing’s very best songs.

 

All the famous tunes from the world’s greatest big band leaders are here, music from:

Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman & Buddy Rich.

 

The History of the Big Bands features a magnificent 16 piece big band and a series of first class soloists who cover the famous solos as played by the original andleaders. The audience is led on a musical ride from one band leader to another by the alented, charismatic and hugely successful Darius.

 

Darius is of course no stranger to the big stage. From pop star to opera star, he shot to fame through Pop Idol, had five Top 10 singles including the No. 1 Colourblind, a platinum album and a gold album. He’s starred on the West End stage in Chicago, Guys ’n’ Dolls and Gone with the Wind and he recently won TV’s Pop Star to Opera Star going on to play a lead role in Carmen at the O2.

 

The History of the Big Bands promises an outstanding evening of high energy, virtuoso musicianship and wonderful songs. A fantastic show it’s sure to appeal to every big band fan and more.

Performance Times:

7.30pm

http://www.eastbourne-theatres.org/What...asp?showID=2081

 

Manchester

 

http://www.goseethis.com/whats-on/the-hist...14/default.aspx

 

 

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Price from: Free

 

Opening Times: 29/10/2010 - 29/10/2010

 

Category: Jazz, World & Folk , Theatre .

 

The History of The Big Bands, Starring Darius Campbell

Following in the footsteps of the great crooners such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Andy Williams, Darius Campbell, the winner of ITV1s ‘Popstar to Operastar’ and a West End star takes on his biggest role yet in The History of The Big Bands on 29th October.

 

The audience will be led on a musical ride, complete with a 16 piece orchestra, of big band famous tunes such as Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller, in what promises to be an outstanding evening of high energy, expert musicianship and wonderful songs; a perfect evening for all jazz and swing fans.

 

This venue’s ticketing system does not currently integrate with Go See This so direct bookings are not available at this time. You can find out full details of the event and to book tickets see the Opera House website.

 

Darius' Myspace now has 4 of my favourite songs on the music. If he's asked, I could have made that a lot more.