I was going to post the same. The same was the case with their audition.

I'm not altogether convinced much of that performance was live at all. Were there radio mics on their instruments? If so, they were invisible.

Escala to win!

I noticed they had something tucked away under their dresses at the back (oooo errr Mrs)

I think the Dark Lord just sees them as the total package, you can just see him rubbing his hands together with glee.........£ $ £ $ £

Vote ESCALA!

The point is, who would want to buy or download that type of music mush perpetrated by groups like Escala. At its best it's wallpaper music that is instantly forgettable and only has a slight visual appeal or attraction.

You do have a point. Bond's sales haven't been bad but they haven't exactly set the world on fire. Escala, or what we've heard from them, are not even as good as Bond.

They can play their instruments well yes but there is nothing original about them whatsoever, you could find thousands of musicians around the country who could play what they do to a better standard, they aren't really special at all.

I don't know what to make of Escala... I said before that their audition didn't inspire me because they played Bonds version of Palladio & the end result wasn't as good.

Last night they were alright; but still no where near as good as Bond.

And now tonight they are doing Palladio again with more power. So basically the best they have is a Bond cover.

* I know Bond didn't write Palladio, but the version they played in the auditions and again tonight is Allgretto by Bond *


If someone came on an sung a Mariah song; but only half as good as Mariah; people wouldn't be inspired. Why should Escala be any different?


Also, although arguably it isn't, if that was their debut performance it's a bit of a let down if they are to be entering that stage. This is Bond's debut performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZY0xk0VeDs

There is a huge difference between them; and I mean huge.

Plus Bond are the fighters; they are the ones who fought the classical music industry when that industry rejected them as dance and such.


Also, I wouldn't say Bond didn't go down a storm; their music is used all over TV and film prolifically. Hell BGT and X-Factor have been using Bond samples from day 1 - so erm yeah Simon knows exactly who Bond are.


Bond are signed to UniPPM (Universal) and he is SonyBMG; Bond have a new big album coming out in the Autumn...

I just can't help but feel that Escala are manufactured or will become a manufactured competitor to Bond.

I seriously don't think Escala are up to the creative power that Bond offers; so if Bond were to loose their footing in the industry, it would be damaging for those of us who do love this genre.

If Scala were good, and I mean really good, I'd go for them. But from what I have seen; we have a complete copycat act there.
Just my many, many mixed opinions.


One other thing; about Bond not being around. There have been weddings and baby's so Bond's had some downtime in starting their new album.

i think escala are overrated...
ive seen better in my school orchestra as ive mentioned before, and im sure there are plenty of people better than them
they are talented, but not as talented as most of the other finalists

Pretty much the crux of the matter. He wants a slice of the pie and if he can't get Bond he'll make his own.

I think, if I am honest. My real problem with Escala is this (repeating myself but meh).

If 4 lads came out and sang "Home", in exactly the same style as Westlife, soundling a lot like Westlife; the judges wouldn't dare call them original.

Then they came out and sang another song, soundling distinctively like Westlife. The judges again wouldn't call them original.

Then in the final coming out and singing Home again, in the same style as Westlife.


In that scenario people would knock them and the judges if they called them original.

But, because Bond and Escala are in a niche market and most of the mainstream audience have never heard of Bond, they can big Escala up.

Most people at home are probably thinking; what a great idea these girls have; how original. They are so talented to think of crossing genres like this.

When, its Bond who thought of it, Escala are just covering & its the worst kind of cover; where they don't change the song - or change only the smallest part of it.

Don't we all knock X-Factor winners who release cover albums... *cough* Escala are a ready made cover album.


Bond:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_%28band%29

Oh please!

Not as talented as the other finalists?!

There is more talent in their little fingers than 90% of the other finalsts!

As Cowell would say Escala are world class

Yeah, credit where credit is due; they are very talented.

The reason they are world class is because they have been trained at world class music school and are a professional band. They have toured all over the world and performed with professional musicians and artists. They are not some band that has just walked of the street or a band who play local pubs and clubs for some exposure.

I missed these the first time round but had heard how superb they were. To be honest i was a tad disappointed in them in so much i couldnt hear what they were playing due to the loud backing track. Im sure if they missed a note or two it wouldnt stand out due to them being drowned out. Having said that theres no doubt they are talented musicians but perhaps not starting from a level the others are due to their classical training and other work. I wouldnt be suprised at all to see them win, Piers certainly championed them last night.

i completely disagree
admittedly they are more talented than some of the finalists eg andrew muir [sorry!]
but they are nowhere near as talented as people like faryl or george
how many people in the country can sing like faryl compared to the amount of people in the country who can play the violin like escala?

If you couldn't hear them how do you know they are talented musicians? For all we know they could be just a bunch of Teeth and Tits and have no ability! Remember how may manufactured pop bands/artists mime when they perform live.

Escala are very talented and their performance last night was just outstanding. So what if they're not the first girl group to play violins?
Faryl was amazing but she certainly isnt the first young girl to sing opera/classical (step forward Charlotte Church. Hayley Westenra etc).

Its obvious they are talented as they are classical trained, they have also completed professional work. Check out their cv and you will see their abilitiy. The thing last night is you couldnt hear that ability because of the backing music. Ive no doubt if they played with no backing the talent would be obvious, loud backing dosent allow them to showcase their own talent to the full.

Or prove that they were even playing live!

The arrangement of LALD reminded me of Ben's performance on XF3.

True, but why did Piers, and more particularly Simon, say that Escala were original?

Of course they were playing live.

It's not Bond's version - it's anyone's version - if you youtube it you will find any number of versions that sound similar (I couldn't actually find Bond's version)

Surely the whole point is the overall effect of the girls who I think are more raunchy/sexy looking than Bond and the music combined. There's room in the world for more than one glamorous string quartet.

Maybe he just meant there arent "many" groups like them. The instruments look like the ones in that Ford ad where they play instruments made from car parts.
I agree with Reality Sucks - they came after Bond - so what? Surely they arent EXACTLY the same as Bond (they play violins = they're copying Bond ) is anything in this world totally original?