As a cynical 'real' musician, I'm often asked by friends what I think of the Idol phenomenon. My standard response is "Crap", but that's just because, for the most part, I don't think my friends would understand my answer.
I am not a fan of what my wife calls Karaoke Radio i.e. the derth of supposedly talented singers doing cover songs. Shannon Noll and the bloody woeful "What About Me" is a prime example of this. I know so many good songwriters with bunches of original material who can't get their songs heard for love nor money. All BMG and the other majors are interested in doing is taping into the pockets of the average listener with songs they will instantly recognise and 'connect' with.
Having said this, I am pleased that a girl like Casey won. It just proves that the general public don't give a rats what the talent looks like, but more what they sound like. And Casey does have an awesome natural voice...
As for the Beatles issue, its not hard to believe but hard to swallow. I recently met a mid-20's person who said she did not know a Beatles song from a Stones song. She was born in 1982 and both her parents were, and are, hardcore punk music fans. Still, I can' imagine anyone living in the Western world who is not at least familiar with a few Beatles songs.
Cheers,
Maso
