Ray Columbus - Some Bursts From the Rambling Man

One thing about not being able to sing for the last year (I'm OK now) is that I got to watch American Idol, Stars In Their Eyes Series 2 NZ, America's Got Talent et al.

I enjoyed it too here are some observations: Idol was fabulous the standard vocally of the vocalists was very high. Chris wasn't the best, Adam was... with his 5 octave range he was magic. When he looked down the barrel of the camera for a ballad particularly he had an Elvis quality... and I don't say that lightly... A withering stare... he should have won. Only speculation that he may be gay during the last week probably cost him. Why one asks, Freddy Mercury was gay... died of aids but guys were the main fan base of Queen, where Idol drags (sorry for the pun..I just noticed it) is prepubescent females. Hence Chris with a Zed like appeal, hairdo, boy next door look..even he was embarrassed when he beat Adam! They'll both do well I'm picking. Adam has Queen already interested... but I hope he doesn't do the Retro thing.. just when he's starting out. Old Rockers like me are locked in there, and I'm not complaining... but Adam should become the RockStar of the next 10 years or more. I know he can do theatre too but if I was his Manager..I'd lock him into Rock...he was light years away from any other finalist at the genre... Ballads too. Chris should PopStar his way continually up the charts.. I liked Danny too... a great R&B singer. The great thing about American Idol is that at least 3 of the judges know good Pitch or intonation and that helps  tremendously. Simon..it's his great strength..nothing escapes him, his colleague Piers in the show that Simon owns "...got Talent" franchise is woeful... but still better than the Hoff and Mrs Osbourne... they haven't got a prayer. Hence most of the finalist/vocalist in America's Got Talent are vocally inept...especially the Elvis impersonator...he may have a slight sound like The King but he can't sing good enough to fill the white shoes of the Vegas Era Elvis he tries to do. Pathetic.

I really enjoyed "Stars In Their Eyes" series 2 this year. The standard was high, the Stars the performers picked were novel... like Avril Lavine, Billy Idol, Nora Jones et al.. and most of the time the singing was pretty good (a little too much echo/reverb on the voices for me.. But the backing were excellent instrumentally and of course our Pop Diva Suzanne Lynch and Taisha handling Backing Vocals superbly.. how great to have B/V's like that to give new talent confidence. Wow! Well done.

Just a word on the British talent series with the tada over Ms Boyle... that's a very good example how reality shows can have an amazing reaction around the World... But ultimately are just giant Garage disposals that can in the same breath almost send the same talent they feted down the gurgler!!! I feel sorry for her..did in advance really. Hope Mr Cowell takes the time to really give her a break!!

The ROCKONZ HALL OF FAME had a packed show in Christchurch, Mayoral blessing and all... I was pleased for Frankie Stevens getting inducted. Congrats Frank, and well done again Dian and Cecille Murphy, you're on to a winner there... and Charity (my fave too) CANTEEN benifitted handsomely.

Cool. More soon.

RayC

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