This is a public announcement: all typos are caused by the small black dog sitting on my knee. He's a bit sad because DJ Al-ee-sunshine has gone away for the weekend. Look, the truth is I wouldn't mind his assistance so much if he didn't keep resting his head on the keyboard! Anyway, on with the show!
As you all know, I enjoy a good cover version as much as the next person. This next one has me in a bit of a spin though. Sometimes I really like it and then I think to myself, "what WERE they thinking?!" Weezer have put out some very good records recently and this almost fits in with their sound but then again it doesn't. Cool drumming. Oh, and it was released yesterday.
Weezer - Rosanna - https://youtu.be/J8jr-p0lQZo
John Mellencamp has a new(ish) movie out called "Plain Spoken". Essentially it's John yacking all over the top of a live concert. He has a few interesting things to say but it gets old very quickly. I saw it on Netflix but if you get the BluuRay version you can turn his commentary off. Worth a look (on BluRay) even for casual fans.
John Mellencamp - Lawless Times (live) - https://youtu.be/D_IeTvynbs8
I think that John Mellencamp sounds more and more like Tom Waits everyday...
As a lot of my musical heroes age (unlike me, I'm timeless) their voices suffer and that's only natural. What's interesting though is those that seem to be pretty much as strong as they always were. Ronnie Dio was one of those prior to his death. I was surprised though to hear how good Dee Snider from Twisted Sister sounds. Check this out and remember that when this was filmed he was 61.
Dee Snider - We're Not Gonna Take It - https://youtu.be/2-DhlrMqKNk
And now for something completely different. Imagine if Brazilian heavy metal titans Sepultura died and were reincarnated as three teenagers from New Zealand. I think this is possibly the best metal release that I've heard in years from anyone. These fellows sing in the Maori language on some songs and it just sounds amazing. For young guys they're doing amazingly well. It's great to see that they have been picked up by the legendary Napalm Records and also that they are to play at Wacken! 5 stars for the song and the clip too.
Alien Weaponry - Kai Tangata - https://youtu.be/5kwIkF6LFDc
Yesterday I watched a documentary called "Rumble" It's on SBS catchup for all of you Aussies out there. The film is about the role of American Indians in popular music. It's very well made and there is a lot of really interesting information about a range of musicians including Link Wray, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson, Randy Castillo and Buffy Sainte-Marie. If you're interested in the origins of blues, rock and metal then watch this. If you have a broader interest in American history then watch too.
Link Wray - Rumble (live) - https://youtu.be/fHEmDLQKrrk
Buffy Saint-Marie - Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee - https://youtu.be/_VXF7XzHgoA
Jesse Ed Davis - Red Dirt Boogie Brother - https://youtu.be/gjODwM-lj2M
I was sad today to hear of the passing of Australian guitarist Phil Emmanuel. He was just 65. I've chosen this next clip very much on purpose. Phil is known as a great rock and blues guitarist but this showcases another side of his playing. It's just so clean and fluid!
Phil and Tommy Emmanuel - Medley - https://youtu.be/M94V5DDQwrg
Of course with Alison being away for the weekend I have to wait until next week to see the latest Star Wars film. The upside is that I can probably watch all of the previous ones just to make sure I know what is going on. Ha ha! Other than that I can see a few kilometres on the bike in my immediate future. What a shock.
Finally this week is a musician whose name always reminds me of Darth Vader. Sadler Vaden is in Jason Isbell's band but also a solo artist in his own right. He's got a couple of albums out and if you like Tom Petty, slide guitar or The Black Crowes then you will be very happy to listen to them. One is out of print but both are available on streaming services.
Sadler Vaden - Nobody Gives a Damn About Songs Anymore - https://youtu.be/rYI6CNAW-Fg
Have a great weekend everybody. And check back next time for a very, very heavy and rather awesome local release.
Rob
"How would I know that this could be my fate..." , Fell On Black Days, Soundgarden, 1994.
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