Longing for the day ...

Interesting public releases

OK, I have heard about the ALP's "Truth Overboard" thing - it's not hard to find. Interesting catalogue of statements - I was wondering when the ALP would do this.

What's even more interesting, though, is the unavailability of the PM's "detailed" response. This morning, I found an interview transcript in which the document was discussed, but no listing of the document on either the PM's site or the Liberal Party's site. This is a rather curious oversight - especially considering that his responsesto Mike Scrafton and to the 43 senior former PS honchos are both listed.

On the other hand, applying Occham's razor, it might simply be that the PM/Liberals are less Internet-savvy than the ALP and have simply not updated yet. Let me know if/when you spot the document ...

Tri-Nations finals

23 - 19

A couple of terrible mistakes, a couple of unlucky close calls ... some awesome Springboks pressure ....

I gotta wonder, though, why the Wobblies haven' tried the short kick behind the line more often. It took an ex-Springbok to make it work ... Bit of a no-brainer to beat a rsuing defence. Beats the crap out of kicking the balls away long all night.

There's always not year. Well done, the 'Boks.

Missing Idol

Next hought it would happen but ... due to a family miscalculation ... I missed the first half of Idol tonight. hence, I won't try to pick the winners.

However, a quick observation is that they were all better than last week. And I'm a "music Nazi" (thanks for that, Dicko), I hate that Spanish vocal technique rubbish. People who can really sing demonstrate it by sining appropriately, not by showing off their vocal technique.

Casey was bit picthy and lacked penache in the lower notes. Big notes were good, but ... I dunno what the judges were on about. Must been better live than it was on TV. Song choice was good.

Maybe they'd all taken happy pills after last week or maybe I'm being grumpy ...

Idol moments #2

OK, so, Angeline, Liza, Amali and Daniel. I'd give myself 2.5 for that.

Angie was no surprise - she was the pick of the night and will only get better with practice.

Amali I picked as well, actually, I wrote this bit between hearing the result for Angie and Amali. I still think she needs to do more to get further - especially about her movements - and go for some big notes.

Daniel - well, I don't think I've ever been happier about being wrong. I think it was probaby, as Mark said, that people felt sorry for the mauling he got. I'd rather he went through than Adrian, anyway, but I didn't think people would go for it ...

Adrian - well, OK, white boy soul was a big ask. Perhaps he's just too cliched. He certainly didn't stand out from what was a rather forgettable evening.

Things that stand out at this are that the voters are going to character and talent over flawless performance. I think that's a wonderful thing for the future of music in Australia. There's far too much "flawless" music around that's not worth hearing.

Can't wait for next week ...

Australian Idol, round 2

OK, I wasn't impressed at all by this lot. Lots of potential that didn't materialise. Marcia was very defensive, especially of the youngsters, and so she should be, but they really weren't as good as last week. Mark said it best: "I was waiting to be touched" - but these performances tended to be technically correct but uninspiring.

That said, I felt awful for the kids - especially Dicko but also Mark were a bit harsh. But then again, that's what they're there for. I didn't disagree with much they said, I just felt it was brutally delivered. Hopefuly it will make them better performers rather than burying their confidence.

My picks:

Angeline - vocally very strong and had complete conviction. I wonder, though, how she'll go in light of her size. Will pop-crazy punters go for it?
Adrian - though the boy band thing has left its mark - neds to move with more conviction.
Amali - though I was waiting for her to go for the big notes at the end and she never did. Perhaps lacking a little confidence, she needs to stand up and get more enrgy from her diaphragm. Also needs to more with more purpose.

I feel very sorry for Daniel - he was better than that last time I saw him, and he picked a pig of a song to take on. I also think Yasmine was better than the judges gave her credit for.

Finally, I wonder whether Barry and Chloe will get through purely based on their looks.

Overall, then, I guess I was disappointed and I though Ngaiire was better than any of them. My only cert based on tonight is Angeline - but I'm not confident she'll get much further (more's the pity).

Time will tell how correct I am, and of course, no-one cares anyway.

Idol moments

Well, Australian Idol has gotten serious, and I'm pleased to say that, after half-watching Sunday's show, I picked the four finalists from last night - though I got the order slightly wrong, in that I thought Ngaiire would go through at the expense of Hayley. Still, not a bad effort considering the strength of the competition.

I gotta agree with Dicko - thank God for the wild cards.

It's very pleasing to see that the four finalists were all interesting, vocally speaking, rather than "soul diva" clones. That bodes well for the competition and puts the industry on notice that the public want variety in their musical consumption.

Can't wait to watch this week's lot, and this time I'll try to put up a fearless prediction *before* the result is known ...

(Isn't it delightfully compelling viewing? It's a bit like my guilty secret - I hate myself for watching, but some of those singers are Soooo good!)