Concertos show cream of the strings

ORCHESTRA VICTORIA Eight Seasons, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, February 25

PICK OF THE DAY - THURSDAY DECEMBER 31

Rating: 3/5��

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Coleen's Real Women

Aussie Cosi more subversive than sexist, says Sharman

Director Jim Sharman aims to mine the emotional depths of Mozart's opera, writes Bryce Hallett.

It's a beige new world when politicians are protected from themselves

Don Ward isn't usually punched for telling passers-by their shoes need polishing. But on Monday someone took a wayward swing at the Manhattan shoeshiner, yelling: ��Why don't you get an education so you can get a real job!��

Free Jazz

GATO BARBIERI In Search of the Mystery (ESP)

Cutting to the chaise

QUARTET: THE RAZOR J Studios, 100 Barkly Street, North Fitzroy, August 12-29

CD REVIEWS

the proclaimers NOTES & RHYMES (Universal) Rating: 3.5/4 fghr GOING HOME (Which Way/Fuse) Rating: 3/5 jen cloher and the endless sea HIDDEN HANDS (Sandcastle/MGM) Rating: 2.5/5

Freebies

Sounds of summer IF you love your easy listening dance and house music, then you might want to get your hands on this CD prize pack.

Cd Reviews

Watershed k d lang Watershed, the first collection of original tunes from lang in eight years, isn't really a watershed. Instead, it's more of the same from the singer-songwriter. Which is fine because what is "the same" for lang is some gently beautiful tunes touching genres like the torch song, country and a little slinky jazz. It's an easy to listen to (but not "easy listening") album that sneaks up on you, demanding you play it again.

Musak A La Mode

Nouvelle Vague's easy-listening covers of post-punk classics have become the soundtrack of groovy cafes everywhere. Producer Marc Collin speaks with Guy Blackman.

Who You Calling Easy?

Burt Bacharach's middle-of-the-road reputation hasn't done justice to his true radical nature, writes Michael Dwyer.

Voters Tune Out Election And Jones

A RARE slump in ratings for Alan Jones and the talk station 2GB lends weight to the theory that a significant number of people have made up their minds on the federal election and stopped listening.

Live-on-air

2006 Newcastle Entertainment Centre Baby Boomers are in for a real treat this Friday July 28) when Easy Listening 2NURFM broadcasts live from the Newcastle HomeShow.

Easy Action

CD REVIEW: Easy Action, Johnny Casino (Off the Hip) ***?