Gere's obscenity charges are suspended

Gere's obscenity charges are suspended

India's

Gabriella Cilmi, Lessons To Be Learned

Gabriella Cilmi, Lessons To Be Learned

Gabriella Cilmi is a 16-year old Australian who's already made a considerable mark with her appearance on Later...with Jools and the single Sweet About Me, where she tramps all over her own 'nice girl' image. Add to this support slots with Rufus Wainwright and Nouvelle Vague and various soundtrack appearances and it seems that Island records are saying they've found yet another 'soul' diva with a voice that's experienced way beyond her tender years. Doesn't it all sound a little too familiar?

But it really seems unfair to deny the talent on display here. The writing (usually shared between Gabriella and her production team) is sound and varied enough to keep you listening. The persona projected is suitably feisty, which suits her delivery. Only her attempt at the Martha and the Muffins classic, Echo Beach (recorded as the theme tune to er...Echo beach, and included here as a bonus) is best glossed over. In fact that's the best way to describe it, coming as it does with a gloss so high that it ceases to exist. Or maybe it's just uptempo numbers that she can't yet deal with. Terrifying is also a little hamfisted. She's best on the sultry 'classic soul'-styled numbers like Sanctuary or Safer. The production by Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Sugababes etc) is bright and bolshy - leaving plenty of space to let the impressive voice do its stuff. Cigarettes And Lies in particular is pitched just right with its scratchy blues-driven hooks.

The trouble may be in the timing. The voice is undoubtedly phenomenal. But blindfold someone and play them this back to back with Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Duffy and even (god help us) Anastasia and you'll start to be a little confused. As is the way with a creative arena that's also an industry, labels are unimaginative in trying to force feed us too much of something a little too formulaic.This is a shame, for you sense that somewhere inside all this is a true talent and identity longing to escape, but being generically groomed to the point of extinction. If her management and record company could leave her alone for two or three years (and a real band of her own) this teenager may well become a force to reckon with.

Tearful Day-Lewis pays tribute to Ledger

Tearful Day-Lewis pays tribute to Ledger

Book of Daniel Day-Lewis paid an emotional tribute to recently actor Heath Leger during an appearance on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' yesterday.
The actor's eyes filled with tears as he wheel spoke, via satellite, of his regret on scholarship of Ledger's sudden death on Tuesday.
Day-Lewis, wHO was on the present to talk about his Academy Award nomination for 'There Testament Be blood', said he matte up "strange" talking well-nigh anything else.
"There isn't anything to aver other than to verbalise one's regret to his class and his friends and to articulate from the bottom of the inning of one's ticker...that I'm sorry for their difficulty."
The histrion continued: "I didn't know him. I have a strong impression I would experience liked him real practically, as a individual, if I had."
He added: "I had already marvelled at close to of his work. And looked forrader to the work out he would do in the future."
Day-Lewis prayed Ledger's loved ones would be left wing unaccompanied to grieve, saying: "This is going to be something they ar going to be support with for the reside of their lives."




Swing Out Sister

Avril Lavigne dismisses pregnancy claims

Avril Lavigne dismisses pregnancy claims

Vocalist Avril Lavigne has denied media reports that she is expecting a baby with her isaac M. Singer husband Deryck Whibley.
Various US news websites claimed late that the isaac Bashevis Singer is about 6 weeks pregnant.
A DJ had reportedly claimed that Whibley had "been notification altogether his friends that he's excited to be a father".
However, Lavigne's congressman has dismissed the reports, saying: "It's not true."

Ledger family prepare for Heath's funeral

Ledger family prepare for Heath's funeral

The family of Heath Ledger have returned to their native Australia where they will hold a private funeral for the actor in his home town of Perth.
Ledger's father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate flew from Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia, late last night.
The family are now home in Perth, where the body of the Oscar-nominated actor is to be laid to rest next to two of his grandparents in Karrakatta Cemetery.
It is also reported that the toxicology results of the 'Brokeback Mountain' star's autopsy are to be revealed this week.
The initial medical examiner's report was inconclusive as to the cause of his death on 22 January.




Tomas Bodin