Journey South - X Factor Final 9 Show

Journey South
Song: First Time Ever I Saw Your Face  Check out 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' at Amazon.co.uk (Roberta Flack  Check out 'Roberta Flack' at Amazon.co.uk)

Andy and Carl of Journey South doing a great version of Roberta Flack's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
Andy and Carl from Journey South have made a surprising song choice in Roberta Flack's romantic ballad. Another surprise is the fact that they are singing the song accompanied only by Carl playing acoustic guitar.

The brothers know they're taking a risk but it's one that pays off. The stripped down arrangement gives their interpretation of the song an intimate folk club feel. They both deliver vocally and give a truly spellbinding performance.

The pundits are unanimous with their plaudits. Even Louis, who questioned their rock credentials last week, acknowledges that Journey South have "real talent".
Andy and Carl are still keeping their feet on the ground though. So much so that they barely smile whilst being showered with praise! They do eventually though, and deservedly so!

Panel-Bites:

Simon Cowell:  (Introduction) Ehm, very happy to introduce two very talented guys. Without any gimmicks, no choirs, no backing tracks, just two voices. It's Journey South.

Intro clip...

Andy:  The competition is just noticably gettin' stronger and stronger. You know we want to win and that's what we're here for.

Simon Cowell:  For me, they've been in the middle of the pack. But what I want to happen after this week is I want them to become front runners in this competition.

Andy:  This week we're gonna be just singing acoustically. You know, Carl's been playing the guitar since like he was 10 year old, and it was Carl that insipred me to actually get into the music. Now we're going right back to our roots.

Simon Cowell:  It could be the most incredible performance they've ever done or it could be "Goodbye Journey South".

Andy:  Performing acoustically carries a massive risk, but if we want to win this competition then it's a risk we're gonna have to take.

Journey South sing...

Kate Thornton:  Sharon! Your comments please?

Sharon Osbourne:  Well guys... I, I like risk takers and you guys took a huge risk tonight coming in here with no backing track, just yourselves. I mean you're very brave and you did... you did really well with a song that is extremely hard to deliver. I mean, it's an all time classic, it's the hardest song to cover and you did... you did well with it, you did.

Andy:  Thank you Sharon.

Kate Thornton:  Thanks Sharon. Louis?

Louis Walsh:  Carl and Andy, you know you've just proved why Simon picked you for this competition. To do that, no gimmicks, no backing track, no nothing... It's such a hard thing to do. You've proved to me that you've got real, real talent.

Andy:  Thank you Louis.

Carl:  Thank you.

Kate Thornton:  Thank you Louis. Simon, you're mentoring Journey South, what would you like to say to the boys?

Simon Cowell:  Ah, you know what, it... it was a risk and I would rather somebody left the competition by taking a risk than played it safe, and you know I could see it means a lot to you, particularly you Andy, because it kind of takes you back to where you started from... you know, which is singing in small clubs. But it was a risk that paid off tonight, because if nothing else, you know you proved to the audience at home and the audience here that you're just really, really good singers. (Cheers) And that's what it's all about.

Kate Thornton:  Thank you judges. (To Journey South) Great comments guys. What would you like to say back to the judges?

Andy:  Just like to say that, you know, we appreciate like all your, all your comments. You know, good or bad. Ahm, obviously it was great this week, so we just want to thank you so much for your comments and your support. You know it really is keeping us going, so thank you.

Sharon Osbourne:  It's all right lads! (Smiles. Journey South smile back.)

Kate Thornton:  (To Journey South) It was a big risk for you guys tonight. You stripped it right back. Are you pleased you gambled?

Carl:  We are so pleased, yeah. I mean, it is totally strippin' the song back and you know it's a hard thing to do and...

Andy:  We've been really nervous about this all week...

Kate Thornton:  (Nods) Yeah.

Andy:  ...and ahm, but you know, hopefully we've pulled it off.

Kate Thornton:  Well we'll find out... (Turns to camera and announces the voting numbers etc.) ...for now, ladies and gentlemen, it's Journey South! (Carl and Andy exit the stage)

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