World Wide Woozle episode #431

Welcome back. Whilst I'm doing my level best not to be Scrooge or a Grinch, please don't expect a Christmas playlist this week. 

I'm still working on getting into the new Foo Fighters album, "Concrete and Gold". It's not bad and those who are already fans of the band should definitely enjoy it. Right at the end of the album is a track that is just fantastic and one that makes me think that Grohl and Co. are making music for themselves as much as for public consumption. Wearing your influences on your collective sleeves is more than appropriate when it's this good.

Foo Fighters - Concrete and Gold - https://youtu.be/VGLXH9wqID0

Josh Todd is the singer for the American hard rock band Buckcherry. They've been around for a while and play an honest, energetic style of rock that's guaranteed to get most fists pumping. Josh has just released an album called "Year of the tiger". I've only had a quick listen but it warrants more air time so I thought I'd plug a track here.

Josh Todd & The Conflict - Rain - https://youtu.be/MvdON8CcWbo

Long time readers may remember that I'm a bit of a fan of the "Wolfenstein" series of computer games. I have fond memories of using the 3D version released in 1992 to test PCs that I was building at work. The latest version, however, only runs on the newest XBOX or PlayStation. That's a shame as it's impossible to justify the cost of a new console simply to play one game.

Iron Maiden - Aces High - https://youtu.be/Xg9aQvjMS60

I've been making a concerted effort to get to my target distance for the year with my cycling. With significant time off in 2017 due to injury, illnesses and more rain than I remember, it's a bit of a struggle. However, I have just under 265km to go to reach the goal of 12,000km. I've ridden the last 16 days straight and that's 29 rides. It'll be 30 by the time I get home this evening. Next year looks like being very different for a number of reasons but I still plan to try and average 1,000km a month. Anything over the total of 12,000km is a complete bonus in my opinion. And why do I do it? Because it keeps me fit both physically and mentally.

John Lennon - Mind Games - https://youtu.be/zge6UEwUGn0

From a very early age I enjoyed LEGO and I still do. This year, DJ Declutr, surprised me with the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. It's been a hoot so far with a fairly groovy range of mini figures and small models to build on a daily basis. I do have rather a lot of Star Wars LEGO though and one day soon I'll need to think about moving it on. It's probably the same for the bulk of my other collectables. I've had a lot of fun with them but times change. For those that have been in my "studio", there's no need to worry; I'm not throwing it all out!

Jeff Lynne's ELO - When I Was A Boy - https://youtu.be/tM34A80RTv4

That'll do for this week. Thank you to all of you out there in internet-land who read this and a special "hats-off" to those who send me comments, suggestions and/or anecdotes. I'm always interested to hear about the effect that certain songs have on people. An FYI, Christmas Carols make me cringe. I don't know why, they just do. Tune in next time for what looks like being a bumper episode.

Mi wisim yufala evriwan wan gudfala Krismas!

Rob

Fine then...click here for a Christmas tune. It's worth it.

World Wide Woozle episode #430

I was rather busy this week. It seems as if everyone is suddenly intent on ruling a line under everything they can before the end of the year. As such I didn't draft this week's ramble - sorry if it therefore appears to be disjointed. What I did do as the week progressed was to jot down a whole lot of music to play.

I've really been taking stock of my life lately and what kind of real impact I can have without grinding myself into the ground. I won't kid you, as a middle class, middle aged, white male sometimes it feels like it's so hard to avoid being seen as only doing something as tokenism. However, I've been participating in a gender equity and diversity committee at work. I was nervous at first but really pleased that my views were taken seriously and it was recognised that I was genuine. I hate the term social justice because large elements of a range of organisations, especially the Catholic Church, have bastardised it for their own purposes. But I am interested in helping to work towards a fair go for everyone in my own way. I don't feel discriminated against or marginalised (unless it's by bogans in utes yelling at me when I'm cycling) but I remain keen to doing what I can to improve the lives of those who are.

Dixie Chicks - Not Ready To Back Down (live) - https://youtu.be/pIw0JL-O6mo

I've been a bit on and off about The Hold Steady for years. I think I like them and then a whole album gets a bit tedious so I shelve the CD. Time for another go and this is a cracking song. They're a bit hard to describe but if you like Weezer & Springsteen you should be just fine.

The Hold Steady - Entitlement Crew - https://youtu.be/u2qnbkhH8DQ

Painters and Dockers were hugely influential to me as a teenager. Their live album, "Bucket" is a complete riot. Of course they had mainstream success with "Nude School" and "Safe Sex" from the "Kiss My Art" album in 1988 but I very much remember them as a sweaty pub band with lyrics worth a listen.

Painters and Dockers - Soul Child - https://youtu.be/Ys7TXrO7P5w

DJ BeeG put me onto this next artist. Sometimes Reignwolf is a one man band and sometimes not. My advice is to let this video play out and be amazed and the noise and groove that one man can make!

Reignwolf - Electric Love - https://youtu.be/ekq4ZMgMa1Q

Do you like soul? I do and that's mainly because of the way that vocalists in this genre manage to convey such deep emotion. Here's Charles Bradley making a Black Sabbath song very much his own.

Charles Bradley - Changes - https://youtu.be/S3YXIXp9zJs

Anthrax have a new live DVD coming out in 2018. The big news is that it was recorded in Scotland!! There doesn't seem to be any previews around just yet but I did stumble across this unusual and rather fine acoustic version of one of their classics. 

Anthrax - Antisocial (live acoustic) - https://youtu.be/UkfneY5nD_8

Speaking of live DVDs as we were; hang onto your hats as Ghost are releasing one in January next year. Personally I can't wait to see if they are actually any good live. Here's a preview...

Ghost - Absolution (live) - https://youtu.be/vQwIDYF35ao

Billy Corgan, leader of the Smashing Pumpkins, has recently teamed up with Electro-Harmonix (who make Big Muff guitar pedals) to work on a reissue of the pedal that he uses to make his rather distinctive guitar tone.Guitar heads can check it out here. Here's a classic track from the band. Interesting that I always thought they used an ADA MP-1 rackmount pre-amp but obviously I need to do more research.

Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock - https://youtu.be/VbrfXDFuzu0

Dream Theater are a prog rock band who have moments of brilliance. There's no doubt that as musicians they are fantastic but the songwriting isn't always there in my opinion. Their former drummer (and one of the founders), Mike Portnoy, has a new band called Sons of Apollo. Their album, "Psychotic Symphony" has just been released. On the strength of the couple of singles I think it will be well worth a listen. It's a bit of a supergroup but I'll let you all spot them in the video.

Sons of Apollo - Coming Home - https://youtu.be/J_1N8kVYfkE

Finally, my Dad's en route to Antarctica at the moment. I'm not sure that I'd be keen to spend all of that time on a boat but getting to go to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica would be cool (ha ha). I really hope that they see some penguins!

Midnight Oil - Antarctica - https://youtu.be/a8qzcOIMWQM

Next week I should have a tale to tell about appearing in a music video. I haven't done that since about 2002!

Cheers dears,

Rob

"...went into his room and smashed his Billy Bragg records...", The War's End, Rancid.

World Wide Woozle episode #429

Coming back to your regular life after a holiday is never easy. I've also discovered that the upset stomach side effect of the anti-malaria medication well and truly applies to me! As regular readers will know, I've struggled in the past with wanting to do too much for my families in Vanuatu. Finding the balance is a real challenge. Deep inside I've had a feeling for years now that I could do more with my life and it's much more evident at the moment. I recognise that I haven't exactly been sitting on my hands for the last 46 years but maybe it's time to do something a bit more long term. Of course, I have no idea what that is or how it might work so watch this space. What I do know is that there is a lot of the world that I haven't seen and that I could be useful in. I guess my experiences in Vanuatu have made me understand the benefit of moving out of my comfort zone and that even one person can make a positive impact. I've got itchy feet...

Battlefield Band - The Rovin' Dies Hard - https://youtu.be/9qZZ01RFf_Q

Let's talk about Christmas. What I want to think about for a few moments is the rampant consumerism and excess that has come to define celebrations at this time of the year. Maybe it's Alison's influence but more and more I think about the fact that we could live happily with less "stuff". Giving and receiving gifts is lovely but there's a limit. Recently we took boxes and boxes of books to a local charity who run a regular book fair. For years I'd held onto particular literary gems simply because they were gifts or they'd not been cheap. The ruthless cull and knowledge that someone else would enjoy them as well as the charity raising valuable funds made for a good feeling. I'm not advocating emptying the house out completely but there is a fair bit of stuff lying around that I'm unlikely to use again. Don't be a Scrooge though...Christmas presents, as well as family time, is important for kids!

One thing I do have a lot of is CDs, records and tapes. That's unlikely to change. Until I can carry them around on a device that doesn't require compromise in terms of sound quality I will remain a huge fan of physical audio media. I admit that I do buy less these days and Spotify is to 'blame' for that.

Cliff Richard - Wired For Sound - https://youtu.be/V57eqtN2K7E

Before the internet, shortwave (SW) radio was a very important part of many peoples' lives. It was a way to get up to date news from around the World for many of us. Shortwave broadcasts remain the only media link to the outside world that many people in developing nations or remote locations have. Radio Australia, for reasons best known to the ABC, don't broadcast SW any more into the Pacific or remote Australia. This is a crying shame. On Pentecost, with a cheap SW radio, I was able to listen to Radio NZ, Voice of America, Beijing Radio and a couple of others. Radio Australia used to be well listened to across the Pacific for news as well as emergency notices for things such as cyclones. I admit that I need a better receiver if I go anywhere else but it does irk me that the ABC have cut off what was a valuable service to the Pacific and remote Australia.

James Reyne and James Blundell - Way Out West - https://youtu.be/xB2fhqO2Mb4

John Bush sang for US thrash metal band Anthrax for a while replacing original vocalist Joey Belladonna. Joey's back these days and personally I wish Bush had been able to stay on. This week DJ NinjaRollins turned me onto John's original (and current) band Armored Saint. It's good. It's really, really good. He has to be one of the few metal vocalists around whose range and voice hold up after a number of years. Maybe he looked after it really well or perhaps he was just lucky. Here's John with Anthrax and then back with Armored Saint. Turn this up!

Anthrax - Cadillac Rock Box - https://youtu.be/hll2kQXloz4

Armored Saint - Win Hands Down - https://youtu.be/MA-C8_zgLXo

The ABC, when they aren't mucking around with the shortwave broadcast, have a done a great job with the current two part biopic about The Easybeats. With the recent death of founder, guitarist and songwriter George Young awareness of the band is heightened of course. Episode one is on ABC iView for those of you in Australia who have missed it. I'd highly recommend it as a decent look at how rock and roll came of age here as well as an insight into a fantastic band. Let me also say that the actor portraying Stevie Wright has obviously studied loads of old footage as his moves are spot on.

The Easybeats - I'll Make You Happy - https://youtu.be/eS7uMy8z6i4?t=2m5s

News of impending torrential rains around the country has the media in a spin. Frankly I'll be happy to get home this evening without resorting to SCUBA gear or a canoe. Some places have forecasts of their monthly rainfall coming in just a couple of days. Most of Australia can always do with some rain but this much may simply be damaging. And in a moment of pure selfishness, it gets in the way of cycling. Even with significant time off the bike this year I am almost on target to hit 12,000km by the end of December. Let's hope that the rains don't do too much damage and that slightly obsessive cyclists everywhere can get their fix without packing a snorkel.

Dragon - Rain (live 1985) - https://youtu.be/P67qfkhBy1E?t=4m34s

Lastly; a sad moment. My Auntie Maureen passed away early this week. She wasn't old and she wasn't sick and that makes it hard for everyone. I guess it's just one of those things. My heart goes out to my Dad, her only sibling and to my cousin Graeme who is her only child. I haven't seen her since we left Scotland in the late 1970s and now I'm kicking myself that I haven't ever been back. I'm glad that Alison got to meet Mo a few years ago and that Zoe was there in 2015. When my Granny died a couple of years ago Mo told me not to be sad because she'd had a very full and meaningful life and the same applies now. At the moment I'm very much feeling the fact that life really is short.

Johnny Cash - We'll Meet Again - https://youtu.be/KodNFsP6r88

Stay dry folks,

Rob

"Well you ask me why I like to dance
And you ask me why I like to sing
And you ask me why I like to play
I got to get my kicks some way
And you ask me what I'm all about
Come and let me hear you shout..." - AC/DC, High Voltage, 1975.