My dear listeners and readers I offer you a humble apology. It has been too long since I assaulted your ears with my music selections. I think though that this episode will have something for almost everyone. So plug yourselves in and let's get on with it...
Here's something that was new to me at least. The Dead South have been around since 2012 and have three albums out. They are from Saskatchewan and didn't even stutter when I said that. If you like Americana, Folk and/or Bluegrass music then you should enjoy this track. My listening lately has had a lot of acoustic music in it and this fits in nicely. And even if you don't like this kind of music the film clip is very much worth a look.
The Dead South - In Hell I'll Be In Good Company - https://youtu.be/B9FzVhw8_bY
Let's stay with a similar sound for a minute. Australian and international guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel has a new album. He's got a ton of really neat guests appearing including Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires and some guy called Mark Knopfler. Watching Tommy play is a treat for almost any guitarist I know.
Tommy Emmanuel - Deep River Blues (with Jason Isbell) - https://youtu.be/YcbxsG3OWfA
Church of the Cosmic Skull play an interesting mix of music. At one point it's fairly doom style metal and then they add in moody and spacey stuff with choir vocals. I don't know what to call it...psychedilc doom trance prog? Labels aside, it's possibly the best thing to come out of Nottingham since Peter Shilton was in goals.
Church of the Cosmic Skull - Evil In Your Eye - https://youtu.be/QMJTofSaKUM
Ghost are back with a new single called Rats. They are also due to release a new album on June 1st. Rats is a bit heavier which is good; the nameless ghouls rock out with some solid riffing. The live album that they put out recently was a lot of fun and if the new album follows on from the single it may well become my extreme yoga and workout soundtrack!
Ghost - Rats - https://youtu.be/C_ijc7A5oAc
I should thank, belatedly, all of you who supported me during the Pollie Pedal ride. It was good fun riding through Gippsland but hills like Mt Hotham and the climb to Thredbo were some of the hardest days of cycling I've ever done. I was lucky to ride with some close friends as well as the politicians and industry heavyweights. Money was raised for a good cause and we got to see some really beautiful parts of the country, open cut mines notwithstanding.
Alison and I were fortunate enough to see Mental as Anything play a few weeks ago (thanks Blakey). I wasn't sure what to expect not having seen them for over 22 years. And whilst they have had a few retirements and lineup changes it was a fantastic show full of fun. You'd swear The Wiggles copped some stage moves from Greedy Smith.
Mental As Anything - Shake off your sandals - https://youtu.be/ySnm_TBOwjQ
In my continuing search for new bands who know how to rock and roll I spent a little time listening to Michigan rockers, Greta Van Fleet. There's no doubting that they are heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin in almost every way. As a result you could be tempted to say, "ripoff", and move right along. Here's the thing though; they are young, full of energy and genuinely rocking out. There's no digital trickery, no laptop in the background, it's just rock and roll. For that alone they get two thumbs up from me.
Greta Van Fleet - Highway Tune - https://youtu.be/aJg4OJxp-co
Among guitar lovers, Joe Bonamassa is quite polarising. It's very much that you're a big fan or you can't stand him. I'm in the latter camp. It's not that he isn't an amazingly talented blues player, it's that I find it all very boring and ho-hum. He does it well but it's a bit vanilla in my opinion. As a result, I was pleasantly surprised to hear this stellar version that he's done of Taxman by The Beatles. It helps that he has Reese Wynans (from Stevie Ray Vaughan's band) on keyboards but nonetheless, it's a lot of fun. If he could only channel this much passion into his solo stuff...
Joe Bonamassa - Taxman - https://youtu.be/dgaM43KCqT4
I'm pretty excited to say that I've been working on a bit of a musical project. I was chatting to one of my friends about maybe picking up my guitar again after months of being unable to face it. She said that she sings a bit and would love to give it a go. Well, we've had a couple of rehearsals now, chosen some tunes and it's all systems go. With any luck we'll be ready to do some lounge room shows in a couple of months. It's pretty good fun playing acoustic guitar again; certainly a lot less gear to carry around!
Let me address the elephant in the room of the band I used to play in. Almost a year ago now the decision was made that the band was finished. We played our final shows and celebrated what we'd achieved which was massive. That was in August 2017. The end of a band is a big thing, well it was for me. What messed me up was that not too long after it was all on again. I agonised about what to do. I like the guys in the group; we're good friends and we'd made great music together. But I'd been through the grieving process and I felt, and I still do, that I can't go back. George and Junk Sculpture are playing shows now with some new band members and I hope that they are fantastic. Rock on.
Sara Bareilles - Goodby Yellow Brick Road (live) - https://youtu.be/Ozd2ja7mAgM
I hope you listened to that track by Sara Bareilles as it really is spectacular. I found it whilst looking for song ideas for the new group. We won't be doing that song I don't think as I'm not sure I could pull it off on the guitar. My piano skills don't stretch beyond being able to play a C chord either. I did find this next song though, another cover, and my good friend DJ Lizzy thinks that it's better than the original. I'm not sure about that but it may be the best live version I've seen or heard. How much fun are they all having!!?
Sugarland with Sara Bareilles - Come on Eileen (live) - https://youtu.be/TMDqkBjvdMg
When Zoe and I flew home from Vanuatu last year we sat next to a guy who told us about a band his brother was in. I finally remembered to check them out and was suitably impressed. I may or may not have played them here before, I can't remember, but regardless it's worth an airing. Low down slugdy metal from Australia!
Motherslug - Electric Dunes of Titan - https://youtu.be/9Gvo_OK1Px4
Well there you have it. A bit of a bumper episode and I hope that there was something in there that you liked. If not, let me know. I'll finish with Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards. I was extremely excited to pick up a very limited edition live album of theirs on vinyl this week. It's not released on CD or digitally and I was quite amazed just to see it in the shops. Lars is of course one of the guys in the punk band Rancid and this was a side project that I really enjoyed. So get your Doc Martens on and jump around to this.
Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards - To Have and To Have Not - https://youtu.be/4qeAnOX-UCk
Rock on brothers and sisters,
Rob (with input from Sooky the lap dog)
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