Bernard Zuel
@bernardzuel.bsky.social
Writer & critic (SMH, Guardian, Rhythms & everything found at bernardzuel.net) teacher (Sydney University), podcaster, host/facilitator (anywhere you want me), media trainer (you talk, I help). Opinions definitely are those of my employer - moi.
February 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM
February 13, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Saturday read (& listen) #4. The playlist to reshape your weekend has double The Monkees & singular Curtis Mayfield with The Anchoress & Emily Scott Robinson; Bruce Springsteen, Cut Worms, The Clouds & A$AP Rocky with Stevie Jackson, Public Enemy, Sault & Dusty +more
open.spotify.com/playlist/1r7...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1r7...
February 13, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Saturday read (& listen) #4. The playlist to reshape your weekend has double The Monkees & singular Curtis Mayfield with The Anchoress & Emily Scott Robinson; Bruce Springsteen, Cut Worms, The Clouds & A$AP Rocky with Stevie Jackson, Public Enemy, Sault & Dusty +more
open.spotify.com/playlist/1r7...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1r7...
Saturday read #3. When it's pitiful & frustrating on screens, pages, streets & stages we need some comforting & some inspiring. Turns out that's exactly what the new Miss Jill Scott album was made for.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
JILL SCOTT – TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: REVIEW
JILL SCOTTTo Whom This May Concern (The Orchard) THE SCOURGE OF MODERN AUSTRALIA, John Howard, once said during his years in the political garbage bin that “the times will suit me” as he waited for se...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 13, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Saturday read #3. When it's pitiful & frustrating on screens, pages, streets & stages we need some comforting & some inspiring. Turns out that's exactly what the new Miss Jill Scott album was made for.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
Saturday read #2. When you know you're supposed to be on the bandwagon, when you can see why everyone else might be, but you're wondering if you missed that wagon ... by that much. What Comes To Mind springs from R. Clapton & R. Birdman to are you coming?
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
WHAT COMES TO MIND … RICHARD CLAPTON AND A YEAH HUP!
Here we have the next instalment in What Comes To Mind, an alternative series in the Wind Back Wednesday space, based on the work of the brilliant photographer Stuart Spence.Each time, he will dig out...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Saturday read #2. When you know you're supposed to be on the bandwagon, when you can see why everyone else might be, but you're wondering if you missed that wagon ... by that much. What Comes To Mind springs from R. Clapton & R. Birdman to are you coming?
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
Saturday read #1. Watching @marenmorris.bsky.social crossing the borders between pop country, roots & country pop - yes, she's real; yes, they exist - with an unexpected disco moment & a still tender breakup moment (or two).
www.bernardzuel.net/post/maren-m...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/maren-m...
MAREN MORRIS LIVE: REVIEW
MAREN MORRISEnmore Theatre, February 7 DONNA SUMMER’S Love To Love You Baby as the play-on music for a multiple Country Music Association-winner with three number one singles on the country chart? Why...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 13, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Saturday read #1. Watching @marenmorris.bsky.social crossing the borders between pop country, roots & country pop - yes, she's real; yes, they exist - with an unexpected disco moment & a still tender breakup moment (or two).
www.bernardzuel.net/post/maren-m...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/maren-m...
Couldn't lead this party; can leave a mark.
Former Liberal Party Leader Malcolm Turnbull on new opposition leader Angus Taylor: “He’s the best qualified idiot they’ve ever met.”
Former Liberal Party Leader Malcolm Turnbull on new opposition leader Angus Taylor: “He’s the best qualified idiot they’ve ever met.”
February 13, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Couldn't lead this party; can leave a mark.
Former Liberal Party Leader Malcolm Turnbull on new opposition leader Angus Taylor: “He’s the best qualified idiot they’ve ever met.”
Former Liberal Party Leader Malcolm Turnbull on new opposition leader Angus Taylor: “He’s the best qualified idiot they’ve ever met.”
She didn't choose it but she can help repair it, or at the very least make it survivable. A new Jill Scott album is made for these times, thank god for "a full-spectrum woman not a Mar-a-Lago-faced mouthpiece."
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
JILL SCOTT – TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: REVIEW
JILL SCOTTTo Whom This May Concern (The Orchard) THE SCOURGE OF MODERN AUSTRALIA, John Howard, once said during his years in the political garbage bin that “the times will suit me” as he waited for se...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 13, 2026 at 1:26 AM
She didn't choose it but she can help repair it, or at the very least make it survivable. A new Jill Scott album is made for these times, thank god for "a full-spectrum woman not a Mar-a-Lago-faced mouthpiece."
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
At least 2 Liberal leaders found Jane Hume neither trustworthy nor competent so naturally she's the new deputy. That said, if trustworthiness & competence was relevant Angus Taylor wouldn't be allowed to hold open the shadow cabinet door (& Richard Marles would be streetsweeping).
February 13, 2026 at 1:01 AM
At least 2 Liberal leaders found Jane Hume neither trustworthy nor competent so naturally she's the new deputy. That said, if trustworthiness & competence was relevant Angus Taylor wouldn't be allowed to hold open the shadow cabinet door (& Richard Marles would be streetsweeping).
Reposted by Bernard Zuel
The coalition/throupolition would need to win 20 seats at the next election to be competitive, 28 to take government.
Why is anyone pretending this leadership change will change anything?
Why is anyone pretending this leadership change will change anything?
February 12, 2026 at 10:46 PM
The coalition/throupolition would need to win 20 seats at the next election to be competitive, 28 to take government.
Why is anyone pretending this leadership change will change anything?
Why is anyone pretending this leadership change will change anything?
February 12, 2026 at 9:44 PM
“It brings none of us any joy to challenge Sussan. She has tried her very best. She has a very long & successful political career. As I say this [are] very difficult times, & I really did feel for her yesterday"
Sarah Henderson inching closer every year to sounding warm blooded.
Sarah Henderson inching closer every year to sounding warm blooded.
February 12, 2026 at 9:15 PM
“It brings none of us any joy to challenge Sussan. She has tried her very best. She has a very long & successful political career. As I say this [are] very difficult times, & I really did feel for her yesterday"
Sarah Henderson inching closer every year to sounding warm blooded.
Sarah Henderson inching closer every year to sounding warm blooded.
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
February 12, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Risking retribution for linking one of the most destructive forces in modern Australia to one of the most constructive ones in modern music, a review of the new album from the sublime Jill Scott finds soul music for the soul is just what we needed.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
JILL SCOTT – TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: REVIEW
JILL SCOTTTo Whom This May Concern (The Orchard) THE SCOURGE OF MODERN AUSTRALIA, John Howard, once said during his years in the political garbage bin that “the times will suit me” as he waited for se...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 12, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Risking retribution for linking one of the most destructive forces in modern Australia to one of the most constructive ones in modern music, a review of the new album from the sublime Jill Scott finds soul music for the soul is just what we needed.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/jill-sc...
Like the seat fillers at Grammys/Oscars who make sure no spot is empty while its holder pisses on/off, Ted O'Brien has been a hero in recent times for middle-aged middling white men aspiring to mediocrity. Thank god that the real thing, Angus Taylor, is back in the seat. Winner! Now we all win.
February 12, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Like the seat fillers at Grammys/Oscars who make sure no spot is empty while its holder pisses on/off, Ted O'Brien has been a hero in recent times for middle-aged middling white men aspiring to mediocrity. Thank god that the real thing, Angus Taylor, is back in the seat. Winner! Now we all win.
James Paterson's missing t was never being used for teamplayer.
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
James Paterson's missing t was never being used for teamplayer.
For those wondering, the somewhat problematic theatre star whose live & intimate show's modest sales we checked (1 & 2) last week has had a big turnaround. Ticket sales have doubled since then! It's happening people.
(NB for newcomers: the $65 is what you have to pay, not what you get to attend.)
(NB for newcomers: the $65 is what you have to pay, not what you get to attend.)
February 12, 2026 at 12:02 AM
For those wondering, the somewhat problematic theatre star whose live & intimate show's modest sales we checked (1 & 2) last week has had a big turnaround. Ticket sales have doubled since then! It's happening people.
(NB for newcomers: the $65 is what you have to pay, not what you get to attend.)
(NB for newcomers: the $65 is what you have to pay, not what you get to attend.)
She's working on a new album - yes, at last! - of her songs but as gift-before-purchase Holly Throsby has thrown us a cover of Alex G's Cross The Sea. It is quite lovely.
open.spotify.com/track/1rEt6u...
open.spotify.com/track/1rEt6u...
Cross the Sea
open.spotify.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:42 PM
She's working on a new album - yes, at last! - of her songs but as gift-before-purchase Holly Throsby has thrown us a cover of Alex G's Cross The Sea. It is quite lovely.
open.spotify.com/track/1rEt6u...
open.spotify.com/track/1rEt6u...
Shiiiiiiit. Oh, wait.
First thought was they really don't care about the deadbeat dads core audience for Kid Rock & Trump.
Second thought, ha! like any of them have passports or have ever thought of going anywhere more foreign than Miama.
As you were.
First thought was they really don't care about the deadbeat dads core audience for Kid Rock & Trump.
Second thought, ha! like any of them have passports or have ever thought of going anywhere more foreign than Miama.
As you were.
Parents who owe significant child support could have their passports revoked, sources tell AP, as Trump administration steps up enforcement of 1996 law.
US to expand passport revocations for parents who owe child support, AP sources say
Parents who owe a significant amount of child support soon could lose their ability to travel internationally as the Trump administration expands and steps up enforcement of a 30-year-old law that allows the federal government to revoke American passports until payments are made.
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Shiiiiiiit. Oh, wait.
First thought was they really don't care about the deadbeat dads core audience for Kid Rock & Trump.
Second thought, ha! like any of them have passports or have ever thought of going anywhere more foreign than Miama.
As you were.
First thought was they really don't care about the deadbeat dads core audience for Kid Rock & Trump.
Second thought, ha! like any of them have passports or have ever thought of going anywhere more foreign than Miama.
As you were.
February 11, 2026 at 9:27 PM
What a hothouse of talent. Get them a limousine indeed! #morningpop #thursdayvinyl #thecrocodiles #tears
February 11, 2026 at 8:21 PM
What a hothouse of talent. Get them a limousine indeed! #morningpop #thursdayvinyl #thecrocodiles #tears
The inevitable next step.
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 8:06 PM
The inevitable next step.
I needed the room to get out of the gloom, into the … #morningpop #thursdayvinyl #sherbet #slipstream
February 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
I needed the room to get out of the gloom, into the … #morningpop #thursdayvinyl #sherbet #slipstream
How do you get from Birdman to Duran Duran via a DJ who was definitely not in a bowtie? Where does the western suburbs begin & Richard Clapton end? Are you really going to punch me out? These are only some of the things at play in What Comes To Mind. You in?
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
WHAT COMES TO MIND … RICHARD CLAPTON AND A YEAH HUP!
Here we have the next instalment in What Comes To Mind, an alternative series in the Wind Back Wednesday space, based on the work of the brilliant photographer Stuart Spence.Each time, he will dig out...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 11, 2026 at 2:56 AM
How do you get from Birdman to Duran Duran via a DJ who was definitely not in a bowtie? Where does the western suburbs begin & Richard Clapton end? Are you really going to punch me out? These are only some of the things at play in What Comes To Mind. You in?
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...