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| One of Australian’s most loved artists and nominated by revered music legends as one of the great voices of Australia, Guy Sebastian was born in Malaysia to a multicultural Sri Lankan family, which moved to Australia where all sons became involved in music through their Para |
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One of Australian’s most loved artists and nominated by revered music legends as one of the great voices of Australia, Guy Sebastian was born in Malaysia to a multicultural Sri Lankan family, which moved to Australia where all sons became involved in music through their Paradise church in Adelaide. Guy’s elder brother Oliver Sebastian has written many recorded gospel songs, while Chris, a younger brother has also commenced his musical career.
At 4, Guy taped and sang along to his favourite songs. Eventually, despite several setbacks in his teens, he became a drummer in a band and only after a couple of years when he found the band another drummer was he permitted to sing. Finally the urge to make his own music became so strong that despite his own familys disapproval he gave up university and commenced classes as a vocal coach, while he also studied music and music technology. During this time he was also part of the great Australian band, The Planetshakers, with whom he travelled Australia and overseas and also recorded. There is also a track or two available with SA Youth Alive albums. Early in 2003 Guy Sebastian submitted the song “NO MORE” for an Australia wide competition held by PilotPen and was awarded the winner’s prize.
In 2003 he was talked into attempting to try out for the inaugural Australian Idol contest, which format was completely new to Australia. During the competition, when he re-arranged songs into his own unique format which also displayed his almost 4 octave range, musicians and critics of reality shows – and the judges – were vocal in their appreciation of his superb musical talent and it was no real surprise when he won, despite the very great talents displayed by the other competitors. Some comments included “I think your voice is the most beautiful instrument I have ever heard” (Marcia Hines, celebrated US/Australian artist), “I simply never tire of hearing you sing, a true joy and privilege - you are a sublime talent” (Mark Holden, musician/singer and writer of numerous No. 1 hits), “You’re the best unsigned talent I’ve ever heard – you’re destined for enormous success” (Ian Dickson former marketing director of BMG record company).
Guy Sebastian was given “Angels Brought Me Here” as his debut limited edition single, which almost broke all speed barriers in sales, and his DEBUT ALBUM “JUST AS I AM” , which features three of his own original songs, reached almost 7 platinum, due to the frenzy of obtaining something of his voice. It sold over 2 ½ platinum in the first week. (However, there are many other tracks available from pre-competition, including two solos and of course “No More” for those lucky enough to obtain that). He not only had no.1s in Australia but also in New Zealand and several Asian countries, where other singles reached the top 3.
It appears that no-one was quite prepared for the incredible whirl of fame that continued in 2004. Guy toured with the group to huge sell-out crowds in entertainment centres and theatres, he appeared in Asia and New Zealand to continuous accolades, took part in his church’s recording of GOSPEL ALBUM “PARADISE LIVE – ADORE” cd/dvd album (in which he sings the major part in three tracks, on of which he wrote with his Pastor). He even flew back from Malaysia to take part in an Easter Gospel Festival at Toowoomba, before flying back again to Malaysia the same day. He was then sent overseas to write for the 2nd album, writing with such well knowns as Robin Thicke, Beau Dozier, David Ryan Harris, Brian McKnight etc. Unfortunately, the timing for the 2ND ALBUM BEAUTIFUL LIFE (October 2004) coincided with the amalgamation of Sony/BMG record labels and while the launch was tremendous, and overseas interest was immense (see www.alexa.com), that very successful tour was rushed and lost momentum (only 4 weeks from the announcement of the tour and its start, and the album), with New Zealand and Asia ignored, they felt snubbed.
Guy continued to tour and write for his 3rd album, and meanwhile he was in huge demand for private corporate gigs and TV appearances, barely able to field everything that was offered. Guy again took part in the recording of the 2nd Paradise GOSPEL ALBUM – PARADISE – SET ME FREE (cd/DVD) and toured Asia with that group.
He also became a World Vision Ambassador as well as being a McDonalds ambassador, and was nominated for Young Australian of the Year.
In 2006 Guy Sebastian’s star was continuing to rise even higher and he was asked to appear in the series “It Takes Two”, where he showed Australia once again why he is considered such an innate artist. A well known journalist penned an article, the gist of which was while Guy brought his extraordinary talents to the show which was greatly enhanced by his presence on it, he was simply too ‘big’ and ‘too popular’ to take part in such competitions. The TV media however continued to ask him to appear whenever they could.
At the finale of that show Guy sang an inspirational song penned by him, Gary Pinto and Phil Turcio, “Taller Stronger Better” which received such huge acclamation that it was decided to make it the first single off the 3RD ALBUM (CLOSER TO THE SUN). However, while it may have been cool to play similar songs by ‘gritty bands’, radio was loath to play it as Guy is a committed Christian and has a major ‘nice guy’ image which they apparently felt was not cool enough. And yet during this same period those same stations might play “My Sweet Lord” by the late George Harrison. However, even despite the lack of airplay the single went gold and is generally considered around the world as one of the true anthems of recent years. It is available on the World Youth Day Album 2008
So much is he in demand that quite often around the busier parts of the year he will be doing two gigs per night, especially at Christmas time.
Guy Sebastian’s stunning shows early in 2007 set a new height for artistic and musical integrity, pulling in even more fans. The Australian Philharmonic Orchestra approached him and he had two shows at the Sydney Opera House and one in Melbourne, which again showed his continued evolution as a musician / singer. UK conductor Gavin Sutherland accorded him the highest label of ‘a musician’s musician’ as an artist, and gave him the accolade of ‘streets ahead of the rest!’ During these shows different groups and individuals in the audience would simply be overcome and gave standing ovations, with finales reaching a peak of seven standing ovations by the entire audience at the end of the shows in Sydney. Unfortunately due to new prior commitments Guy was unable to do more of these shows, as after a world wide search by the WYD organisation, his song written with Gary Pinto had been applauded as the theme song for the World Youth Day 2008, with all the recording, filming and appearances that was thereby entailed. The song “Receive the Power” is available from the WYD08 site and Itunes, and the song and video are open to the public on many sites. The WYD 2008 ALBUM, “RECEIVE THE POWER” is available from Sanity.
Guy travelled to the US, and was accorded the absolute honour of recording with (Booker T and) the MGs house band at Ardent Studios, where they recorded with 14 tracks out of the 15 as first takes, including his own “I’d Like to Get to Know You”; jammed with Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn at BB Kings Restaurant, following Sheryl Crow and her father; sang in New York to an explosion of applause as people rushed the stage and tours with his legendary band the MGs. Steve Cropper describes Guy (see youtube) as “mind boggling”. John Fry of Ardent Studios is so impressed with his 4TH ALBUM “THE MEMPHIS ALBUM” and Guy that he is already suggesting that it be placed in the Stax Museum in the Here and Now. The Memphis Album has already gone 2P in 10 weeks.
Spoken fondly of as “the coolest guy”, “the nicest guy on the planet”, the “most beautiful person I’ve ever met”, and “my favourite person in the whole world” by the cool media, Guy Sebastian has only just started to soar! We look forward to his own 5TH ALBUM (expected around mid 2008) and he has been writing with David Ryan Harris.
THE MEMPHIS ALBUM has been reviewed as astonishing and authentic, oozing freshness and excitement, technically amazing, fresh, electrifying, an awesome jam session and superb, while Guy’s supreme talent and gravelly voice shows joyous individuality. Even the Memphis Flyer bowed down!
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Everyone Talking about Guy
Sebastian in the US - Eddie
Floyd
[quote]Soul legend to play in
MelbourneArticle from: Sunday Herald SunFont
size:
April 06, 2008 12:00am
IT has been one of the most talked about and
downright exciting pieces of television this
year and, no, it is not Underbelly.
The ABC's recent excellent specials on
American soul music have regenerated interest
in the sounds and styles of black music in
the US from the 1950s to the '80s - much
to the joy of veteran Eddie Floyd, who is to
tour Australia soon.
Floyd was part of the successful
Memphis-based Stax Records label - which
featured heavily in the series - in the late
'60s and is the man responsible for such
classic tunes as Knock on Wood, Big Bird,
634-5789, Bring it on Home to Me and I've
Never Found a Girl.
"Soul music just keeps going and going
and that is just so fantastic," he
says by phone from the US.
"To hear young people appreciate it
makes my heart soar every day.
[b]
"That Aussie kid, Guy Sebastian, who
has recorded an album in Memphis with the old
soul men, well, he has everyone talking over
here.
"That kid is great and everyone loves
what he has done."[/b]
Floyd agrees Stax Records, which became home
base for many black soul artists, certainly
drifted a long way from what it was set up to
do.
"A couple of white kids tried to start
up a country music label and we were what
ended up happening instead," he
laughs.
"You see, their company was based in a
black neighbourhood and their sessions came
to feature musicians of all races and kinds.
"It was an open house policy. The main
thing was you had to be able to play.
Didn't matter if you were black or white.
Music was everything.
"I started in the '50s myself and
saw the birth of the whole thing."
During the '60s Floyd toured the world
with the famous Stax Revue alongside other
celebrated artists such as Otis Redding, Sam
& Dave, Booker T. & The MGs and Carla
Thomas.
"Of all the artists from that era, my
hero was Sam Cooke because, man, that guy did
it all," he says.
"He influenced not only me, but a lot
of other songwriters. The guy was an
out-and-out genius."
Still writing fresh material, Floyd will soon
release an album of new music.
"It is called Eddie Loves You So and
it is for the new generation of fans coming
through," he says.
"In the meantime I stay busy playing
solo shows and doing guest spots with the
likes of the Blues Brothers Band, Bill
Wyman's Allstar Band and Booker T. & The
MGs."
The singer says he does not need to work
because he could "easily" live
off the royalties he receives annually for
his classic tune, Knock on Wood.
"Yes, I . . . have been blessed with
that song's success," he says.
"But I just love playing
live."
Eddie Floyd and The Bamboos play the Prince
Bandroom on April 11.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...
5006022,00.html
---------------------------------------------
----------------------
[/quote]
Thanks, Eddie. Take him away, USA.
LOL - thanks Speck
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prinia |
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Replys
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Listener
| aren't they wonderful!!! Just love AMM
and my husband won't play other stations
up here now! He rather likes Vega, although
he couldnt quite get what Gary Jones and Mark
Gable were on about when they 'begged
Booker T and the MGs to come out and tour'
- when they had the MGs with the great Lester
SNell touring! I mean how close was that? I
certainly hope they actually went to see
them, after all that!!
--------
These quotes listed underneath are from when
[url=http://www.allmemphismusic.com]http://ww
w.allmemphismusic.com[/url] held a
'special' on The Memphis Album (I
believe they're lining up for another one
this month)
AMM
[quote]All Memphis Music first heard about
Guy Sebastian from our good friend Steve
Cropper back in October 2007. Steve's
excitement was so obviously genuine and
heartfelt. Also our friends at Ardent
recording Studio kept mentioning this guy,
named Guy from Australia, who had recorded
this fantastic album. Cropper sent us a promo
copy early in December, and from the first
listen we were blown away by how good these
recordings were, and how much they moved us.
11 great Memphis soul classics, a Ray Charles
song and a Drifter's song, both R&B
classics, and an original composition by Guy
himself. Guy took these songs, already etched
forever in our minds and made them his own.
The true mark of a great vocalist. And what a
great band he lined up to play on this record
with him. Steve Cropper on guitar, who also
co-produced the record. Donald
"Duck" Dunn on bass, Steve
Potts on drums, Lester Snell on piano and
keys, Dave Smith on bass on a few songs on
the record, Jim Spakes on the tenor
saxophone, Kirk Smothers on baritone sax,
Scott Thompson on trumpet, Howard Lamb on
trombone, and beautiful background vocals by
Susan Marshall and Jackie Johnson. This band
plays music as funky as two week old train
smoke and as soulful as a sardine syrup
sandwich.[/quote]
Rick Steff, who added organ when Lester might
have been on the keys
[quote]Rick Steff:
Hi this is Rick Steff. I'm a keyboard
player here in Memphis, and was the organist
on Guy Sebastian's new record, The Memphis
Album. My connection to the record was Curry
Weber who is the engineer, who I do a lot of
work with. Basically it was cut live on the
floor, much the same way a lot of the
original records were done. And of course it
was a huge pleasure to work with Steve
Cropper. Basically the band was as if you
were sitting in Booker T's seat as these
tracks went down. Playing in Memphis you play
these tunes a whole lot, and so to have your
ear kind of bent by someone who is doing it
is real rare, but immediately when we started
doing these tracks Guy brought such life and
energy to the songs that it really made them
pop and come alive. One of the probably-one
of the best versions I think that shows that
is the version of I can't stand the rain,
the Ann Peebles tune, which we just kind of
got in a groove with Guy, as we were
beginning recording of it and the recording
went so quickly because everyone was so
energized. And I think you hear that energy
in that track.[/quote]
Susan Marshall and Jackie, the BVs
[quote]Susan Marshall:
Hi hullo. My name is Susan Marshall. I was
one of the background singers on the Guy
Sebastian Memphis project, and it was great
getting a phone call from Curry Weber, who
was the engineer on the project, and he told
me that Steve Cropper was going to be
producing, and that was exciting for me
because although I've met Mr Cropper
before I've never got to work with him. So
Jackie and I showed up to Ardent Studios, and
we thought we were just going to be singing
on maybe one or two songs, but I think they
ended up liking the sound that Jackie and I
had for backgrounds so we kept on. I think we
ended up doing about eight songs all
together. It was a lot of fun being in the
studio with Steve, because in between songs,
you know, we were here in one day doing all
the vocals, and in between songs he would
entertain us with stories. It was great,
stories about the old days with him and Otis,
Booker T & The Mgs stories. It was wonderful.
We all had a really good laugh. But very
surprised and pleased that Guy Sebastian has
this amazing voice. Jackie and I kept looking
at each other thinking, you know. He really
sounds to me, just me personally, sounds to
me like a mixture of Otis Redding, and um,
just all of the um, trying to er(voice in
backgroud: Liza Minelli?) Liza Ma- .... :lol:
....... no er he just has this old soul
voice, there's, just like he's been
around forever. Its kind of like, he sounds
to me like someone plucked him out of the
1960's, 70's soul music, and
transported him time wise to today's, you
know music scene, and he adds this fresh
wonderful new, you know, thing to all the
songs. And basically its all the same thing
you know, but he adds this freshness, a
little twist to each song. Its a little bit
different, and quite frankly kind of nice
that he's putting Memphis music out there
again, and getting people to notice what
everybody, what the whole world came to love
back then. So I think your going to like this
new song, this new twist on an old song I
should say. Why don't you take a listen to
Respect yourself.
***************************************
Had a great time getting to meet him, and
listen to all the songs he cut from the
Memphis catalogue, as it were. One of the
songs that Jackie Johnson and I sang
background for was I'd Like To Get To Know
You which was an original by Guy, and we
really liked it. I think it has a really
cool, er vibe that's kind of Memphisy, And
I think you're going to like it
too.[/quote]
Susan has just cut her latest album - you can
hear her fabulous voice on her myspace (and
read her blogs)
These are in addition to those great blogs
from Curry Weber, the engineer whom Guy loved
working with
(PS...... I remember in one of the Soul
Lounges Steve Cropper telling us a story
about who had been there at the time of the
story he was telling..... and he turned to
Guy and said "and you were there
too..." meaning, Guy must have been
there somehow when all this original stuff
was happening, surely!
(thanks to Adelaide fan for all the
transcriptions and our great Hairbear media
expert)
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