World Wide Woozle #391

Metallica fans are either rejoicing and counting their pennies or still sitting in their parents' garages and basements whinging in online forums this week. I'm in the former category. The band are about to release remastered and expanded versions of their first two albums, "Kill 'Em All" and "Ride The Lightning". There are plenty of versions to choose from and a swag of stuff that is previously unreleased as well as the classic albums given a bit of a sonic tidy up. Much of the commentary seems to be along the lines that this is all well and good but what's going to happen with their classic album "And Justice For All" when it gets the treatment?? Whingers want to hear Jason's bass lines which are famously....well....not really there. It isn't that he didn't play on the album, more that the bass competes with the drums and guitar for frequency space on the album and it doesn't work. Here's the thing folks; unless the band either completely remix the album or re-record it then not much is going to change. It's still a classic. I'll be lining up for both of these releases after a concerted effort to save the spondoolies to afford them.

Metallica - The Four Horsemen - https://youtu.be/C4nCy5CITc8

I'm rarely interested at all in who wins music or film awards. The Grammys got my attention this time though when three, yep THREE, of my favourites won awards. Either I'm going far too much into the mainstream or people are actually listening to a wider range of good music. If there isn't something in this triumvirate of tunes for you then I think this blog really isn't for you.

Ghost - Cirice - https://youtu.be/-0Ao4t_fe0I

Taylor Swift - Bad Blood - https://youtu.be/gqvXpkjfwao

Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free - https://youtu.be/FhIL8H2P1Jk

Some people are born with a twinkle in their eye and a passion for mischief. A few of them even manage to use this for good rather than tormenting the rest of us. Tim Minchin is one of those guys. Hideously talented and with a razor sharp wit. This song is a very clear message to a member of the clergy who would seem to be doing everything he can to avoid participating in the investigation into child abuse allegedly perpetrated by members of the clergy.

Tim Minchin - Come Home (Cardinal Pell) - https://youtu.be/EtHOmforqxk

I was prepared to intensely dislike Lady Gaga's tribute to David Bowie when I heard about it. Gritting my teeth and wincing I clicked the link. I can't say that I love it but it is so much better than I had imagined. I'm not sure anyone could've done much better and the requisite level of respect was definitely there.

Lady Gaga - David Bowie tribute - https://youtu.be/3fGBZhsa4VU

How did Led Zeppelin come up with their sound and songs? By paying tribute almost non-stop to their influences. Who do you reckon influenced this band? Personally I thought that this was a great album even if it cut a little close to Led Zep!

Kingdom Come - Get It On - https://youtu.be/hj5I3TIeRPM

I remember the first time I heard this tune and it wasn't the original either. This week someone at work mentioned that they'd been singing with a woman who had a voice like Janis Joplin. I'm hoping that she comes back sometime so that I can have a listen. Jenny Morris does a cracking version of this song but the original is much more gritty and funky all at once.

Janis Joplin - Piece Of My Heart (live) - https://youtu.be/vThD7ot9oII?t=1m25s

After Change are a rock/punk/indie band out of Adelaide. I found out about them when Jake from the group bought one of my guitars. We still yak about all things six-string quite a while later. The band recently got some air time on Triple J radio and they are releasing a music video in a couple of days. What I really like about the couple of tracks I've heard from them are that the recording is clear and crisp, the singer can sing and shows some real emotion and that all the instrumentation is first rate. I'm really looking forward to seeing the video, hearing new tracks and hopefully purchasing an album from them before too long. Angus is rocking one of their t-shirts as well!

After Change - All Or Nothing - https://youtu.be/RKPFRiqh8L8

This week I went back and listened to Pearl Jam's 2013 album, Lightning Bolt. I'd enjoyed it when it was released but then it got forgotten about for a while. I struggle with the band at the best of times but I think this album holds together well as a complete unit. It just happens to be one that you've go to allow to slip under your skin. See what you think.

Pearl Jam - Sirens - https://youtu.be/4jZBwyG7HPs

The last song this week is for my American friends DJ Ironside and DJ ToyBuzz....they'll know why and you just get the bonus of a couple of really, really good songs from one of New Zealand's best bands ever. The first clip is live at the Wellington Town Hall in 1979...I performed on the same stage in 1980 and/or 81!

Split Enz - Stuff And Nonsense - https://youtu.be/hNKymrS3ZhI

Split Enz - Message To My Girl - https://youtu.be/YUC_jE78FNE

That's it folks...gotta get ready as Zoe's leaving home tomorrow.....

Jebediah - Leaving Home - https://youtu.be/LADdnqNejtI

Later y'all.....

Rob

More? More I hear you call! Well OK then....try this.