Colourful character entertaining

He is arguably one of the most outrageous characters to appear on breakfast viewing and his comments divided the country and almost ignited an international incident. Reporter Aden Miles says Paul Henry's memoir, What was I Thinking is packed with stories from his career and is flooded with his trademark wit
 
What was I Thinking tells stories of his childhood and his extensive career in journalism that is a compelling read and gives clear insight into who this man really is.

It is no surprise that Paul Henry is an individual with cemented beliefs and he is audacious. He recounts his work as an international correspondent interviewing politicians and celebrities; he even witnessed Mother Theresa's funeral.

I was surprised to discover that he was thrown into jail in Iraq.

The book also allows him to speak personally, detailing his efforts at drama school, working at the BBC, Radio NZ as well as running for Parliament.

Whether you like him or not, you have to admit that he knows how to tell an entertaining story.
I have a feeling Paul Henry doesn't care if people like his book or not.

Fantastical read whisks you away

Released in 2005, The Last Templar was Raymond Khoury's first novel and spent 22 months at the top of New York Time's Bestseller list. The book is powered by original thoughts and will take you all over the globe.

The story opens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Treasures from the Vatican are on display when four masked horsemen wearing the medieval attire of the Templar Knights ride out of Central Park into into the centre of the gala.
As the tuxedo crowd run for safety, astounded archaeologist Tess Chaykin, who is one of the central characters, watches as one of the horsemen utters a phrase in Latin before snatching one of the objects and fleeing into darkness.

Khoury takes you back to 1291 Acre, where the Muslim assault overwhelmed the guards of Jerusalem. Grand Master of the Knights of Templar William of Beaujeu escapes and is nearing death.

He knows they have lost this battle and orders Aimard of Villiers and his Martin of Carmaux to escape with a chest on the only vessel left in the nearby harbour, which is the The Falcon Temple.

The Last Templar is a fantastical read, which intertwines two worlds. The plot is smartly delivered with most of the action taking place in the present.

The book also spawned a sequel, The Templar Salvation, which was published in 2010.

Refreshing sounds but a little goes a long way

Few can deliver cafe- style sounds like Norah Jones.

The singer has recorded delightful songs over the last decade, says reporter Aden Miles. . . . Featuring has its sweet spots but some songs are stale.

. . . Featuring is a compilation album of 18 songs. For the most part . . . Featuring is a delicious listen with a diverse lineup from Outkast to Ray Charles who is heard on Here We Go Again, a soft gospel influenced song.

The first cut on the album is The Little Willies' Love Me, and is followed by Virginia Moon with the Foo Fighters.
Though many sceptics challenged the collaboration, the artists mix their distinctive styles effectively.

The easy listening sound, while refreshing on several, follows through without let up to the final song.
Little Lou, Ugly Jack and Prophet John by Belle and Sebastian are covered.
Loretta, Take off Your Cool with Outkast and Bull Rider, and Creepin' In with Dolly Parton are also on the album.
All have one thing in common, they fail to ignite.

Benchmark for quality

Maisey Rika sets the benchmark for quality.

Few singers in New Zealand can compare to a sound like that on Maisey Rika's Tohu. In an era where over-exaggeration is celebrated and autotuned performers become icons, Maisey Rika and Tohu emerged as the benchmark for quality.

Tohu is a socially and culturally conscious collection of 12 songs that Maisey wrote over the past decade.

The tracks include Ladeda Day, Nia, Repeat Offender, Omaio and Untouchable, some of which are the very first songs written by Maisey and demonstrate her organic soul and illustrate her developing songwriting flair.
Tohu, which was produced by Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, is rich with tales and the universal emotions of adversity, happiness, love, and justice.

Maisey dedicated a song to Nia Glassie, where she sings: "Nia, sets my soul on fire. Justice, enforce punishment. Too young, a cry her only defence."

The ancestral sounds of traditional Maori instruments have been used alongside guitars, drums, animated horns and pure strings.
Well placed lyrics fused with an effortless soprano, Maisey Rika's Tohu will take you by the hand and walk with you barefoot through the forest of life.

Hugely successful

He has dedicated his life to the farm and his unceasing efforts have been recognised. Aden Miles caught up with Waotu farmer Hugh Edward on his most recent success.
 
Waotu farmer Hugh Edward is achieving great things.

The 22-year-old won the Don Thompson Cup and the Harrison Shield at the AgITO AgriAwards Waikato on June 23.
AgITO celebrates the achievements of its trainees and employers.

The Don Thompson Cup is awarded to a trainee who has demonstrated outstanding practical performance in a national certificate in agriculture or production management strand.

The Harrison Shield is awarded to a trainee 24 years and under possessing outstanding ability.
The winner is chosen for qualities of leadership, academic ability and practical farming skills.

"It's pretty good, to get this when you have all of the other young farmers out there, " he said. "Just to think about all of those farmers who have done this before me."

He was raised in Waotu and moved to Matamata for two years.
He has returned to manage his farm as a contract milker where he takes care of 220 cows.

One of his prizes included accounting advice. As well as being recognised for his efforts, Hugh will create and operate a Young Farmers' social club in Tokoroa.

Author rips into enduring fascination with identity



CASE CLOSED: Did author Patricia Cornwell really solve
the Jack the Ripper case?

For more than a century, the mystery of Jack the Ripper's identity has captivated the world.
Who brutally murdered so many Whitechapel prostitutes in England in the late 1800s?

Reporter Aden Miles says Patricia Cornwell confidently points the finger at artist Walter Sickert in Portrait of a Killer: Jack The Ripper - Case Closed.

Cornwell said that Sickert's work was one of the best clues to his incrimination.
She describes his work as menacing and threatening, particularly towards lower class women.

Several of Sickert's canvases illustrate the Ripper's crime scenes.
Cornwell suggests the Ripper would have been a man with a ferocious hatred of women.

She also mentions that Sickert, who was fascinated with anatomy, was a master of disguise who could have easily lured women to their deaths.

Cornwell has done her best to reveal the Ripper. It's an intriguing read and the evidence damning.

Songs from singer's soul

ADELE: British song bird Adele's new album.

The South Waikato News launched its review series on the entertainment pages several months ago. Reporter Aden Miles chose to begin with British songbird Adele's album 21
 
I DIDN'T know much about Adele's debut album, only that it gave a platform to a gorgeous voice.
Her second album, 21, offers the same exposure. This time the material is darker, deeper and more melancholy.

21 draws heavy inspiration from Motown as well as country, blues and rhythm and blues.

This album flaunts break-up songs with most of them reflecting Adele's most recently ended relationship.

Some of the most notable songs are Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You and the most recently airplayed Set Fire to the Rain.
However, it is Take It All, one of the quieter songs which only has a piano accompanying Adele's voice, that stands as the ballad of the album.

Her voice is a generous instrument that carries its tone right through to the height of its range. With power, soul, clarity of tone and a crystal clear belt, as well as a solid album, Adele has cemented herself as one of the finest vocalists and musicians of her generation.

Some shining moments



HIP HOP: Jessie J's new album Who You Are.

If you haven't already belted out the song Price Tag, then chances are you haven't heard of Britain's latest octave straddling singer Jessie J. Reporter Aden Miles listened to her debut album Who You Are which was released earlier this year  
Jessie J, or Jessica Ellen Cornish, is the latest graduate from the Brit Institution for the musically talented and has picked up a BRIT award and a hoard of hit singles.
She can sing but is the album any good?

Who You Are hosts a duo of personalities: one side is sweet, warm, honey coated while the other is tough and rude. As schizophrenic as it is, I like it.

Who You Are showcases 13 tracks crossing between 90s soul, contemporary pop and hip hop.

The album, which took the 23-year-old singer-songwriter more than six years to complete, includes Price Tag, Nobody's Perfect and Do It Like A Dude.

Shining moments involve a live version of Big White Room, Casualty Of Love, and Stand Up.

However, some songs do fall extremely flat like Mamma Knows Best. The overly used burlesque sounding orchestra on Mamma Knows Best is too loud, too complicated and doesn't gel with the rest of the album. And I won't be replaying Rainbow as the tune is utterly pointless.

Album dark and genuine

There are two types of Mariah Carey: one sings fresh rhythm and blues with hip- hop collaborations and the other sings monotonous pop songs. Reporter Aden Miles said Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is home to the rhythm and blues singer, the "real" Mariah Carey and the work deserves more credit than it receives
 
On her 12th studio album, Mariah Carey along with producers Terius "The- Dream" Nash and Tricky Stewart ignore the obvious choices when it comes to Carey's talent. Instead they focus on her honey tones.

Memoirs is heavy on slow jams, the quiet bedtime confession types which take you back to the sound Carey had during the 1990s.

Carey co-wrote everything on here, except for her failed attempt at covering Foreigner's I Want to Know What Love Is.

Apart from the last four songs, which are remixes, the album is tight, fresh, dark and genuine.

The heavily promoted Obsessed was the album's lead single, and was followed by H.A.T.E.U and the Foreigner cover.

Up Out Of My Face, Standing O, It's A Wrap, Betcha Gon' Know, Languishing, Angels Cry and Ribbon are also featured.

Just to remind listeners of her abilities, the one-minute-long song Angel (The Prelude) is sung entirely in whistle register.

It's strange, yet alluring.

However Candy Bling, with its late 1990s vibe and summertime lyrics, and The Impossible, a sexy confession to a lover, are absolutely supreme.

Whatever the image, deserved or not deserved, when Mariah Carey is in this kind of mood the result is just fantastic.

Latest album immerses listener in another world

Immersion, the new album released by drum and bass band Pendulum proves silence makes the heart grow fonder as fans rave about the transition and pure professionalism in the latest work. Wintec intern reporter Rebecca Smith says the album is the creme de la creme after years of previous work

 

AFTER popular Aussie band Pendulum disappeared from the music scene in 2008 many said the band was over, until their latest album Immersion was released last year.

Albums before Immersion simply seem like mild stepping stones in comparison to the latest. The band has finally found its niche after a subtle confusion on the matter in previous albums such as In Silico.

Pendulum isn't a category of music you can engage in with everyday life sequences.

The music has been made for its passionate followers and mind-blasting live concerts. Their newest sound fully credits their experience, falling between a complex genre of dubstep/drum and bass.

Lead singles Watercolour and Witchcraft are essential tracks that identify and illustrate the change between albums but also sound diluted compared to the rest of the album's material. The pick of the tracks is the two-part, mid-record The Island.

Immersion's theme (a virtual reality) is simply genius. The music is otherworldly. The 15 electrifying tracks have the ability to take your mind on an illusional journey and this is what originates the work and adds to Pendulum's mysterious ways.

Joe's I Wanna Know

Our Joe competition is now open and to enter you need to record a video of yourself singing the chorus to I Wanna Know to our facebook page. The official video may provide you some inspiration.

Music video by Joe performing I Wanna Know. (C) 2000 Zomba Recording LLC.

Win Tickets to see American singer Joe

The word is out that the South Waikato News has one double pass to give away to go and see American rhythm and blues singer Joe perform in Auckland.

To go into the draw all you have to do is upload a video of you singing the chorus to I Wanna Know to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SouthWaikatoNews.

Most awesome singer wins!!!

SWaikato Teens Can Skateboard Too

A team of four skateboarders from Forest View High School competed in the Waikato Secondary Schools Skateboarding Champs, held at the Dey St Skating Rink in Hamilton.

Competition was fierce among the 64 contestants, in the senior boys, Doug Gordon placed fifth, Max Harris came seventh and Callum Egan came in at 10th. While Harlan Jones placed 19th in the junior boys.

The senior boys team now has the opportunity to compete in the Northern Regionals in Auckland in October. Awesome skills boys.

Doug Gordon, Harlen Jones, Callum Egan and Max Harris.
Credit: Ali Harrison.

Baking paradise found in heaven

It's easy so why not give a go.

Take time to flick through the pages of Cupcake heaven - hundreds of divine recipes to take you to baking paradise.

If the book's title didn't give it away, then the crayon pink stained cover with a central image of a cupcake topped with white icing or cream and strawberries, certainly would.

A collection of recipes are sprawled out over 243 pages with an introduction to making basic cupcakes, frosting and tips on how to measure and test when cupcakes are ready to be pulled out of the oven.

It has also been divided into chapters including celebration cupcakes, healthier options and dessert and vegetable cupcakes. It also contains a section for cupcakes for children.

I am a passionate advocate for both men and women having the skills to bake and cook. People appreciate it, believe me :)

New Trades Academies On The Way

Education Minister Anne Tolley.
Credit: kevin stent/Sunday Star Times.

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the number of Trade Academies is to double next year with an extra 2000 places available.

This means up to 12,500 positions will be available for 16 and 17-years-olds by 2014.

Tolley said the academies provided education and practical training to those who were at risk of falling out of the system.

More than $60 million was set aside in this year's budget and will be used to fund 10 new academies.


The locations for the new academies will be confirmed over the next two weeks. Tolley said the academies left people better prepared to take up apprenticeships, jobs, or to go on to further study.

Dougy Takes Out 3rd Place



Dougy Petley. Credit: Maori Television.

 Congratulations to Dougy Petley of Putaruru who came third on Homai te Paki Paki. Out of the thousands who have entered this year, South Waikato had a place in the top three. Great stuff Dougy.

SPOTLIGHT: Stan Walker's From The Inside Out

Stan Walker's last album, From The Inside Out was released last year to generally positive reviews. Despite being a fan, reporter Aden Miles reveals the album, which debuted at number two on the ARIA albums chart, does have its flaws.
 
There's no doubt Walker has pipes, he has a deep lower register and a piercing falsetto but with the exception of three songs, the album left me thinking "Okay, now what".

A highlight is Choose You. Its beat is magnetic, the rhythm consistent and the vocals connect with the material.

Love Graffiti is perfection andStuck In A Box with Young Sid is also a snap track.

Walker's cover of Kissing You, made famous Des'ree and her luscious voice, is nowhere near the original but it isn't bad. The song production is altered, making it more tense.

Major movies reviewed

South Waikato News also began a book/magazine
review series this year.

One of Rip It Up's 2011 issues contains all of its trademark content and musical photo spreads. Reporter Aden Miles said this issue also marks the final for editor Phil Bell also known as DJ Sir-Vere  
The new issue of Rip It Up is a huge movie special and includes a visit to The Hangover: Part 2 set in Bangkok - not my first choice for a cover story - where writers get up close and personal with the wolf pack.

There are also stories on the new Transformers, X-Men, Green Lantern, and Super 8 movies.
In the 122-page issue, there are features on the Arctic Monkeys, Manchester Orchestra, Lonely Island, Jon Toogood's new super group The Adults, Liam Finn, Friendly Fires and Katy B.

DJ Sir-Vere has also contributed his interview with Hamilton singer Kimbra about her history, new single and the worst gig she has ever performed.

Rip It Up is renowned for its reviews and 11 pages are given to the crucial and entertaining art form.

I love Rip It Up. It has depth, substance and a broad selection of editorial content.
But this issue is hardly their best. The cover story should have also been reconsidered.

A brilliant piece of literature but story that's hard to follow

To the Lighthouse was first published on May 5, 1927 by Virginia Woolf and was a landmark novel. Reporter Aden Miles read the book when he was 19 years old and said it was a way of telling stories that he had never read before
 
Anyone who has read To the Lighthouse will inform you that it is of extreme modernism and can be difficult to follow.

The story centres on the Ramsay family and their visits to the Isle of Skye in Scotland between 1910 and 1920.

Following in the traditions of other modernist novelists like James Joyce, Woolf's plot is secondary to thoughtful reflection and can be hard to grasp.
There is little dialogue and no action as most of it is written as observations. Hence the reason for the difficulty to follow the story.

To the Lighthouse has many themes where it seeks to investigate the means of perception, attempting to understand people.

The themes also includes the of loss subjectivity, perception and the passing of time, which can occur mid-sentence.
Some of the characters also display elements of modernist thinking. One such character include Mrs Ramsay abuse Victorian standards of society and she challenges the existence of God.

To the Lighthouse isn't a light read. It is written on thoughts and reflections and can change mid-sentence.
However, it is a brilliant piece of literature that explores story telling in such a different form.

Debut album will be a hard act to follow



SYNTH POP: Kids of 88's debut album Sugarpills.








One of the features of the South Waikato News entertainment pages are the CD and book reviews.










The debut album Sugarpills from this New Zealand electropop band holds a collection of driving techno beats. Reporter Aden Miles says this album is worth banging your head to.

Sugarpills was released in 2010 featuring singles My House and Downtown.

Often described as good party music, the album is among the new breed of synth pop groups cropping up all over the country.

Sugarpills is husky, arrogant and projects a style that is consistent with the 1980s while staining the group's own individuality on the mix.

Kids of 88 is made up of Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy who created the 10-track playlist which includes Ribbons of Light, Cotton Mouth, Everybody Knows, Apart of You, San Fran, Feel the Birds and SQRL.

The album is so good that it won Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for their single Just a Little Bit at the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards,
There is no doubt that Sugarpills is a summer album, I don't think its reception would have been so glossy if it was released during the winter.

However, I am more interested to hear their new material, an album like Sugarpills would be a titanic act to follow.

The Beginning of The Mix

The Mix is here....

For the first time ever, the South Waikato News has opened The Mix, an interactive and fun forum of communication, this time focussing solely on youth.

Every blog post, photograph, uploaded audio and video will be aimed towards youth, covering entertainment, the arts, sports, literature, and social issues.

We have a horde of exciting things to talk about on The Mix, as well as our FB page and twitter home @swaikatonews.

This is place for you to say it like it is, if you want to say The Mix is awesome - that's great, if you want to say it's lame and needs work - well, that's great too.

The Mix values feedback, suggestions, and any ideas that you may have.

Yay first blog post down.