Idol finalist signs record contract

By Jonathon Moran
February 10, 2008 06:00am



FORMER Australian Idol finalist Carl Riseley has quit the navy after signing a major record deal. He has already recorded his debut album, Your Imagination, to be released in the next few months.

John Foreman produced the album, and Australian jazz musician James Morrison makes a guest appearance.

The soon-to-be-former Royal Australian Navy trumpeter came third in the last series of Idol – behind Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby – but was much loved for his original flair and swinging style.
"It's all signed off ... I'm due to officially leave on the 17th of this month,'' Riseley told The Sunday Telegraph.

"It's all over, but I'm doing the Reserves to keep in contact and I'd still like to do the odd gig with the navy band.''

Riseley, 25, who twice served in Iraq, has been on leave without pay from the navy since he was selected to compete on Australian Idol last year.

A jazzed-up crooner often compared to Michael Buble, Riseley's unique musical path does not end with his old-school stylings.

After the series ended in November, Riseley joined with manager Ralph Carr, who looks after Vanessa Amorosi and Kate Ceberano.

He's been in negotiations with various record labels since then, signing with Universal Music last week.

The album features Riseley singing covers of his favourite swing tunes, including We've Only Just Begun and The Letter.

There's also a swing version of the national classic Waltzing Matilda, a song that won Riseley much praise on Idol.

"It's a swing album with big band and strings, so it's very classy,'' he explained.

Riseley isn't the only new signing for Universal Music.

Delta Goodrem's fiance, Brian McFadden, has also signed with the label.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story...8-10388,00.html