Marguerite

Yes, I read the message on his site too Val ;) I'm not particularly worried about Gareth, I merely used his name to illustrate Simon's attitude to his artists. All Simon cares about is hitting that no.1 spot and he has all the tools necessary to do it, except that he just needs a voice to hire to make it happen. A young, good looking voice for hire, to sing the songs he's got from his Swedish music factory and make lots of money for his label. Who it is, doesn't really matter, they're just a means to an end for Simon.

This is taken from Simons autobiography and describes just how he works with his artists. Simon had been watching Mamma Mia with his girlfriend and heard 'I Have a Dream', He turned to her and said "That's it, that's the Xmas no.1". He then phoned Louis Walsh and told him they were going to record it and then asked Pete Waterman to produce it. The very last people to be told were Westlife, who actually recorded the song. So that's how Simon & Louis work. Shayne's apparently not a songwriter, so the material he does will be chosen by them, the producer booked and probably Shayne will find out what he's singing, the day he goes into the studio to record it. If Shayne doesn't tow the line, he'll be out, Simon will lose interest like he did with Gareth. There's another XFactor coming up and there'll be another Gareth or Shayne in there just waiting to take their place.

You're not the only one becoming confused about Wills overseas promo ;) After all but writing it off on the Will in Italy thread, I'm beginning to wonder if there's a whole other meaning to Wills long break. I had visions of him backpacking round some remote cities in the Indian sub continent. Perhaps he means he's taking a break from us here in the UK while he plies his music travelling around the World. I don't think he'd advertise the fact that he's trying to break in another country, perhaps what we've heard before is 'Will speak' for exactly that :lol:

It'll be interesting to see the outcome of the work he's been doing with Groove Armada. He's in Ibiza with them now isn't he? and he was certainly finishing off some other work with them just before Xmas, Wills OS told us that ;) He was with Nitin Sawhney just before Xmas too, so obviously there's ongoing work there as well, yet somehow, I don't think it's for Wills next album but will we ever get to hear what it's all about :D Will certainly seems very keen on acting and quite serious about the auditions he's got coming up. He really sounded very precious when he told the Dutch interviewer Albert, that he WAS an actor now ;) I think there's one hell of a lot going on in Wills World, but promoting KO overseas, isn't high on his list of priorities.

Yes, I agree with you Laura. I think Will has met so many people now, in the 4 years he's been in the business, that he's absorbing a whole lot of outside interests. I don't think the commitment to the music (as in making albums) is half as strong as it was, but I bet that if he was writing film scores or tracks with Nitin, it would be another story. He appears to still love to sing, but not to promote. He's certainly not gonna be your average pop star for much longer, when he said he had 2 years left as a chart star, I think he's probably right. He just doesn't like that side of the music business and he's got enough money now, enough contacts in other areas, to step back from that and do what he wants to do, without being controlled by a record company.

Up until 21st May, Shayne had sold 339,700 albums, he's probably sold about 12k this week taking him over the 350k mark and leading Journey South now by about 7k .

Will appeared quite a lot considering there was 500 VIP guests there. I think the camera person was a fan. We even got a glimpse, right at the end, of Will duetting with James Brown again. In fact, they were the only entertainment shown I'm pleased I watched it. I've even decided I like Victoria & David but I'd like to shove one of Gordon Ramsays platters down his gob, sideways.

No, I don't think you're confused :D Will has sold almost 3.5 million albums, which translates as a clear profit for his label of 3.5 million pounds. (Robbie reckons the label makes £1 per album profit ;) )A high percentage of artists signed to a label, lose them money, so, even though Sony/BMG probably think he could have made them loads more by going abroad long ago, they're still quids in by keeping him on board.

I don't expect his record company expected to hear him say that he was going to take a long break, do some acting and concentrate on other projects either Laura :D They may have a 1 album at a time deal with Will, which would mean they'd have no say in what he does inbetween, which seems highly likely. Shame about the European promotion, but without the commitment necessary to promote, it's a waste of time even thinking he'll sell over there.

I think we all agree with you on this. I mean people are hardly likely to buy something that they don't even know is for sale are they? :angry: Really don't know what has happened, because it seemed that before Xmas, all concerned (Will, the label and his management) were eager to go to Europe. He's done 2/3 very successful showcases but I would imagine it's Will that's had a change of heart and kept it low key. Sony/BMG have been anxious for him to go to Europe since Fridays Child was released, so they're not likely to be the ones who have pulled out on the arrangement.

I think we were all expecting an all out European campaign. There's obviously been a change of plan, 'cos 1 appearance on German tv, 1 appearance on Dutch tv and a couple of magazine interviews, is hardly going to set Europe alight.

This is one of their original songs I think. Haven't heard it yet, but I would have liked these two to do well, they were my favourites on the last XFactor and I think their version of Desperado on the show, was very good.

I'll probably change my mind tomorrow, but this is my choice for today ;) Alibi of Love (for gawds sake release this one some time Will) All Time Love (beautiful simple track, not really a favourite, but I just can't imagine anyone else singing this) Easy (my very favourite of this round of releases) Hey Ya (can still remember the feeling I got hearing this on Live Lounge) If That's What You Want (should have been on the first album) I couldn't Love You More( Will sang this beautifully, would have loved a recorded version of this one too) Leave Right Now (Still love it) Side by Side (Great original track, never gets the recognition it deserves) Signed Sealed Delivered ( Will does Stevie, and doesn't he do it well) Superstition (See above)

Indeed Will does an awesome version of this Donny Hathaway track, but it's even more awsome live, especially his version for the radio 2 concert from the Mermaid .

A Fantastic performance from Will, boy did he own that stage I just hope that we get to see his other two songs this morning on the reprise of the concert.

Yes physical single, but only got it last week though :D

The calibre of the artists involved this year make it very much not a kids thing. The likes of these bands accepted the invite because they saw it as a 'festival' type gig where they would each perform a set. Unfortunately, the powers that be have only the TV programme in mind, where sets are cut and mimed performances fit in with the TV scheduling. Probably, solo singers like Will could still do it live with a backing track, but I don't think this is what he'd have had in mind when he signed up for the concert. Likewise all the other acts that are pulling out.

Do you know, I don't venture on that forum anymore, but last night, in view of Wills win, I decided to have a look. ;) Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear, :lol: The very same person, seems to think that Will only one PI 'cos Darius was nobbled. It's very true, there's none so blind as those who won't see :rolleyes: Will won PI, 'cos he got the most votes, simple as that. And if further proof were needed, Will's still here, Darius is long gone and that fact is all down to the publics choice too. :D

Now why doesn't that suprise me ;) :D

I think everyone is of the same opinion that Shayne needs to break from Cowell & Walsh if he's to have a lasting career. Just one problem, how the hell is he supposed to do that? Cowell & Walsh are hand in glove, of one mind as to their idea of a pop star. Their ideas are dated and based entirely around the success they've had with Westlife and the Swedish music factory. The only way he'll get away from them is if THEY don't want him anymore, if he starts to fail. Success will see him tied in tighter than a nuns corset. He's in a no win situation. If he sells like Westlife, he gets no respect from anyone, if he doesn't, he won't have a career. The one thing he certainly won't have, is his own choice in his future.

As Will said, he can't make a straight video, and in the past, he's done the alternatives, walking on the beach on his own, straight to camera and a dance one. He's now developing a reputation for some very unique & quirky videos and anything that is different is bound to cause a reaction and provoke opinion. Love 'em or hate 'em, they get noticed and that can't be a bad thing :D

I was quite shocked by a couple of people on that thread the other day. I know for a fact that they break their necks almost to be at any live gig he does, then they start having a pop :rolleyes: There's a simple solution, stay away and give someone elsa a chance of a place for a change.

I'm grateful I've been out today and that thread's been locked before I could reply. Not my favourite performance from Will, but as always it was live, I'd never expect less from him. To have him compared unfavourably to a mimed performance by George, is really taking the Michael though I think :angry:

Happiness out for me please

Yeah, It is £1.99, don't know where Amazon got that price from are they all £3.99 from that site?