There’s been a mistake in the 2011 AMP shortlist

There’s been a mistake in the 2011 AMP shortlist. They’ve nominated a truly great artist.

He won’t win, of course. He’s not indie. He’s not watered-down country. He’s not third rate enough. His music has nothing to do with fashion, or “promoting the Australian recording industry”.

At the recent ARIA Awards Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s album Rrakala was passed over for the risible quirky indie shite of Boy & Bear – yes, yet another terrible triple j band, bland as all shite – instead winning the deeply patronising “world music album” category. Australia is still very much a country divided (by covert racism).

And yet even Elton John and Sting have performed duets with the fellow! It’s not like he’s an unknown in the rest of the world.

Gurrumul photography: Greg Neate

Related posts: Oh mercy. The shortlist for the AMP 2011 has just been announced.

by Everett True

My name is Everett True. I am a music critic. This is what I do. I criticise music. The clue is in my job description – music critic. I do not consider myself a journalist, as I do not research or report hard news. I do not consider myself a commentator as I believe that everyone should be a participant. I criticise people and in return I am not surprised if other people criticise me. It is part of the whole deal of being in the public arena. I am Everett True. Believe in me and I have power like a God. Quit believing in me and I no longer exist.