Released 25-01-09, Universal Records 

Will Young.  Leona Lewis.  Kelly Clarkson. Michelle McManus. Tommy Reilly….Who?



These names all have something in common; winning a television reality TV show.  The first four- okay, three- have all gone on to have successful careers after victories in The X Factor and Pop Idol, each selling over a million records.   So, can Tommy Reilly expect to go on and have a similarly stratospheric career in the wake of winning Channel 4’S Orange Unsigned Act today?



In a word (or two), probably not.



But what Tommy has over all of these karaoke singers is that he’s bloody good.  Surprisingly good.  



Lets be honest; the winner of most of these shows are generally pretty rubbish.  Even last years winners of Orange Unsigned Act, Envy And Other Sins, appear to have disappeared into the indie-folk wilderness. With Tommy, who releases his debut and show winning single 'Gimme A Call' today this, barring massive misfortune or a new friendship with Stan Collymore, should not be the case.   He might not be as big as Kelly, Leona et al, but he has everything you could want from your singer-songwriter and could well look at giving the likes of Damien Rice a run for his money. Judging by the smile on the face of Simon Gavin (Unsigned Act’s less pantomime-y version of Simon Cowell, and the man who will now manage Tommy) at the announcement of the winner, he knows it too.



This young Scottish lad has an interesting, emotive voice and wears an endearingly bewildered expression most of the time; an expression that, I think, actually belies a strong sense of self-belief.  And so it should.  'Gimme A Call' is catchy, lyrically mature and has an instantly affecting sing-a-long chorus that’ll be sung back at him many a time before the summer is out.



For once the audience, like the boy, done good.

Posted In Comment, Jan 25 2009. Words - Emma