I'm not big on the competition shows on television these days. However, I have been watching one show consistently this summer – Rock Star: INXS. No, I'm not the biggest INXS fan in the world, although I do own some of their music. And besides, having gone through high school in the Eighties, the music of INXS is burned into my psyche, like it or lump it.
I've been watching Rock Star: INXS for one reason – Ty Taylor. Ty's former group, Dakota Moon, holds a space on my personal list of all time favorite bands. A mix of rock, blues, r&b and generally just plain good quality music, Dakota Moon ended well before its time. If you're a fan of the show and you've enjoyed what you've heard from Ty Taylor, consider picking up a copy of Dakota Moon or A Place To Land. You won't be disappointed.
Now then, while I've been cheering Ty along, I've been quite impressed with the rest of the talent on the show. No, it's not like American Idol. Its much better than American Idol could ever hope to be. Real music, no cutesy sketches of the "kids" on the beach or washing cars or any of the other distractions that American Idol uses as filler between the performances and annoying arguments between the judges.
These cats can sing. Well, most of them. Of special interest to me is the bluesy and sultry Jordis Unga. Being a big Bowie fan, I have to say her cover of The Man Who Sold The World was beyond excellent. Whether she ultimately ends up recording as a solo artist or with another band, her music will find its way into my collection.
So, while my man Ty is so obviously going to take it all (no room for argument, I've got tunnel-vision on this one), I'm going to have to make room on my iPod for some of the other voices I've been hearing on Rock Star: INXS.
Note to networks: more programming like this please.