Review of INLAND (Rattle)
Waikato Times
19 January 2008
Reviewed by June Joyce
Michael Houstoun
Inland (Rattle)
If you are hesitant to tackle New Zealand composers for fear they might be unintelligible, or maybe they have passed you by, Michael Houston (sic) has come up with a beauty. The composers featured on Inland are Ken Young, John Psathas, Mike Nock, Victoria Kelly, Gao Ping and Douglas Lilburn. The double-disc album jacket is correct; it both stretches and soothes. It is totally accessible, and even with six composers represented, it all works. Houston (sic) needs no introduction, but it is appropriate that a world-class pianist can stamp his authority on the repertoire - it deserves it. Two of the composers are well enough known; Lilburn and Psathus (sic), whose contribution to the 2004 Olympic Games thrust him into the NZ spotlight. It is amazing what a little overseas recognition can do for Kiwi artists. Goa (sic) Pings (sic) Dance Fury energises, and this is beautifully met by Landscape Prelude by Kelly - a soft gentle peace (sic) with notes trickling like water under the trees. The Psathas contribution Jettatura, Nock’s amazing variety, are well worth listening to. In short, Houston (sic) has done as well with his choices as he has in the performance.
Another winner from Rattle 
COMMENT: Yep, my name has been misspelt in the newspaper and you had better get used to seeing it here because it has been happening for thirty-plus years now and I am no closer to a cure. In the end I feel sure it is a result of lazy inattention by either the reviewer, the sub-editor or typesetter. As in the above case, a correct spelling and faulty spelling are often side by side and no-one seems to notice. Or perhaps the general inattention goes hand-in-glove with a lamentable apathy. MH