World Wide Woozle episode #456

After 456 episodes some of you are still reading what I write. Thank you. 

Mark Knopfler has one of the most distinctive guitar tones in modern music. He released the upcoming song only a few days ago. When it started I was getting ready to be bored,  after all, it's been a while since Mark did anything particularly upbeat. I was wrong however, this is a really good tune and it grows on you. It's a portrait of a man doing what he likes best and obviously enjoying it. Good tune, fun clip.

Mark Knopfler - Good On You Son -  https://youtu.be/JIBCHh-fMUE

For those following along with the Weezer / Toto love fest, there's now a video clip for Weezer's version of "Africa"...including Weird Al Yankovic!

Weezer - Africa - https://youtu.be/mk5Dwg5zm2U

Speaking of Toto, if their particular brand of soft rock is your thing then get ready as they head down under in very early January 2019. Tickets are just shy of $100 which is pretty reasonable in comparison to a lot of big shows these days. Almost worth the price of admission just to see Steve Lukather play live; he is an amazing guitarist.

I had an excellent email conversation with DJ DJ and DJ Dr this week (thanks gents). It was all about which five iconic bands you'd like to see including where and when. The catch was that if you'd seen them already then they weren't eligible. Anyhoo, I had a long hard think about this. My list included Tom Petty, Judas Priest, Dio and U2. All for different reasons. The fifth was KISS. I remember when they came to Wellington, New Zealand on their "Unmasked" World Tour. It was 1980 so I was only 9 but KISS fever was well and truly alive. I'm not sure I actually knew anyone who went but they were certainly the talk of the town. 

KISS - Detroit Rock City (live 1980 in Auckland, NZ) - https://youtu.be/ntuA2yM1Yo0

I don't play U2 very much. Maybe I overdosed on them in the late 80s and early 90s. Or perhaps I just don't like their more recent stuff all that much. I remain a huge fan of their albums "The Joshua Tree" as well as "Rattle and Hum" and consider them essential listening for people interested in different ways to use an electric guitar. When I was playing with Junk Sculpture sometimes George would shout out to me, "...OK Rob, play the blues..." It always made me feel good because it's taken from one of my favourite U2 songs.

U2 - Silver and Gold (live) - https://youtu.be/1k8XKahlUA8

Some bands re-release their old stuff having had it remastered, remixed or just packaged with some b-sides and outtakes. Not, Mike Muir. He gets his band, Suicidal Tendencies, to re-record some of their old stuff. He's done it with their first album and now with one of his solo albums. The solo album is called "Lost My Brain (Once Again)" and the re-recording with ST as the artist is called "STill Cyco Punk After All These Years". I almost skipped the re-recording because, really, the original is pretty good. But the next track slipped into my Spotify playlist and really, it's pretty good. Definitely the upbeat, skate punk sound that ST are famous for.

Suicidal Tendencies - All Kinda Crazy - https://youtu.be/snCtp6QGceI

My old Eko Ranger acoustic guitar has come back from getting the love it deserved. The sound difference is amazing. It projects more and has a bit more "oomph" in the mid to low end. Well that's what I think and it feels great to play again. Maybe I'll make good use of the lovely microphone that DJ Guz loaned me and do a spot of recording with it in the near future. I think I've finally found another song that I can sing in tune so the EP is almost there! I'll keep that under wraps for now in case it turns out to be a shocker when I record it.

John Hiatt - Perfectly Good Guitar (live) - https://youtu.be/pzeoLe6nSrU

Paul Simon is retiring from touring apparently. So are Elton John and KISS. I'll believe KISS retiring when I see it! Sir Elton is going out with a bang though, three hundred concerts over about three years! At this stage though I'm starting to think that the Rolling Stones will outlast me. It's quite interesting to see which singers manage to look after and hang onto a decent singing voice after a lot of years. Paul Stanley (KISS) said this week that he was working to get his voice in as good condition as he could for the farewell tour. He also said that if you want to hear him sing as he did on KISS Alive (1975) then you should play the album. Which is amusing as we all know very little of that album is actually live. But Paul makes a good point. Anyway, I had a think about singers and a bit of a listen to live footage that I didn't think had been overdubbed. This guy still has an amazing set of pipes on him...

Aerosmith - Dream On (live 2017) - https://youtu.be/qFMUFN-JIdU

If anyone is interested, I've clicked over 10,000km on the bike so far this year. The 13,000km goal is looking quite reachable even with hill (hell) month about to start.

Slade - Mama Weer All Crazy Now - https://youtu.be/RPTk5poAa1c

I've had a bit of a soft spot for Lily Allen's music for a few years now. She's often brutally honest as well as being amusing and I really like her voice. She's got a new album called "No Shame". This track caught my ear as a result of being on radio Triple J. Given that I don't listen to that station much anymore (Double J is more my thing) I was glad to have stumbled across it.

Lily Allen - Family Man (live JJJ like a version 2018) - https://youtu.be/vWipLLZjS94

Tom Petty's "American Treasure" deluxe boxset is now available on Spotify so I guess that means a physical copy can now be purchased as well. Sixty-three tracks and and just over four hours of music. I'll dig deep into it in the coming weeks and report back. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is one of the iconic gigs I mentioned earlier. In 2012 they played at The Royal Albert Hall in London and my mate Garry went to see them. Garry died a few months later and Tom Petty songs always remind me of him and make me smile about the crazy music related emails we used to send non-stop.

Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks - The Apartment Song (demo 1984) - https://youtu.be/vkKPklG2QVE

Another week, another swag of tunes and no political commentary. I've given up on that as it's just a series of face palm moments. They're all nuts. Stary tuned in coming weeks as the Beatles "White Album" 50th anniversary approaches and no doubt there will be some tasty release to go with that. We'll also take a quick look at some NWOBHM (Google it).

Cheers,

Rob

"Just because you're better than me
Doesn't mean I'm lazy
Just because you're going forwards
Doesn't mean I'm going backwards ", To Have and to Have Not, Billy Bragg, 1983

World Wide Woozle episode #455

Episode 455. More music, more blethering. Let's go....

V Spy V Spy (not to be confused with the cartoon Spy Vs Spy) were a hard edged, politically charged Aussie band most well known for their output in the 80s. The vocal delivery, lyrical content and the instantly recognisable guitar sound all combine to make them essential listening for me at least. 

V Spy V Spy - Hard Times - https://youtu.be/j4ZQQzbiRt8

In the last couple of weeks I've gravitated back to some older Bruce Springsteen tunes. There's just something raw and honest about his earlier work. And please don't think I'm discounting his more recent tracks either. This is a newer live version of what is a stone cold classic. If you've got time then check out the original which was recorded on an old 4 track cassette recorder  - click here.

Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (live 2013) - https://youtu.be/g2TmSB8ccLY

For Australian readers, the movie version of Jimmy Barnes' life story will be on the TV soon. He's released two books, "Working Class Boy" and "Working Class Man" and has also had a live theatre tour. I've related before that the first book is quite a difficult read in many ways. Poverty, violence and alcohol abuse were such integral parts of Jimmy's life that it's amazing that he is still around today and singing. For those overseas, if you haven't heard Jimmy sing then check these two clips out. He has to have one of the most powerful voices in rock music.

Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Man (live ABC TV 2017) - https://youtu.be/QsD_EH1kTZw

Jimmy Barnes - I'd Die To Be With You Tonight (live 1986/7) - https://youtu.be/u34DDEdbsJQ

From the start, Heavy Metal music has always been caught up with an element of fantasy. The next song from 1975 by Rainbow typifies that. What it also has is a strong link to folk music. It's not the heaviest song but it showcases Ronnie James Dio's great voice and Ritchie Blackmore's varied influences.

Rainbow - Temple of the King - https://youtu.be/JBOJIpr_HgI

I'm lucky enough to have an acoustic guitar that my Dad handed on to me a few years ago. It was second hand when he bought it back in about 1970. Anyway, I'd been thinking about a new acoustic guitar since the other one I have I don't really get on with and the old one, well I'm not all that keen on taking it out and about. But the price of something that I'd like is pretty steep so I decided to have the old one, made by a company called Eko. looked at by a local guitar tech. He thought it was awesome. It's getting a device installed that will stop the body bowing and increase the resonance as well. All for about a tenth of the cost of a new one. Apparently the guitar is bullet proof so maybe I should take it out more often!

Steve Earle - Guitar Town - https://youtu.be/AINUPFbFpqg

John Denver - This Old Guitar (live) - https://youtu.be/zlKLtnbU0xE

Canberrans who love their Metal should already have tickets to see Live Evil later in October. The band will be at The Basement playing Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" album in whole as well as some other tracks. I'm fortunate enough to have seen Iron Maiden live and I can assure you that Live Evil are so close that you could close your eyes and not tell the difference. It promises to be a great show.

Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name (live) - https://youtu.be/_BFXCgm5270

I'm sorry if you've had enough of The Proclaimers but this next song had me in stitches during the week. The lyrics are a real treat even though it's essentially a sad song.

The Proclaimers - I'd Ask the Questions - https://youtu.be/EcYLNnt60I4

That'll do. I'm off to work.

Keep the faith Australia,

Rob

"Like a spiral on the wind
I can hear it screamin' in my mind
Long live rock and roll", Long Live Rock and Roll, Rainbow, 1978

World Wide Woozle episode #454

Let's get straight to the music this week. There's no theme. If it's music, and I like it then it gets a guernsey here at the World Wide Woozle.

DJ FormerlyFatRollins is a big fan of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon" long player. As a result, I sent him a link to a doom version of the album. I'm in two minds about this one. It's well played, the vocals are solid but for my money it needed to be slower and more sludgy to be a doom version. Still, well worth a listen and the accompanying clip for this song is excellent.

Doom Side of the Moon - Money - https://youtu.be/-9toFP9jdqI

The above track took me on a bit of a journey made up of some random and very bad Pink Floyd cover versions. This next one is good though. It's faithful enough to the original but injects some grit and grunge as it goes on. More about the band, Bobaflex, in an upcoming episode.

Bobaflex - Hey You - https://youtu.be/rm5eWLXW6l4

During the week I came across a whole series of videos made on the topic of what makes a particular song great. Rick Beato, who makes these videos, has a fantastic knowledge of music, access to multitracks of a lot of songs and is passionate about it all. Anyone interested in music will absolutely love his work. Here's just one example:

What Makes This Song Great #9 - Toto's "Rosanna" - https://youtu.be/QLoh8zHjGUI

Rick is up to 44 episodes. Wow!!

I caught up with DJ Doc yesterday. He's a rocker, has his own radio show and is an all-round good guy. Sitting and yakking for a while about bands, family and music was a real treat. DJ Doc's radio show will soon be available streamed via the internet so that you can all listen. Look out in about a month or so for the heads up to tune in. Here's a tune in his honour...one that we once played live together!

Alice Cooper - School's Out (live) - https://youtu.be/XbNEOJMGFAo

Here at HQ WWWoozle we've started a new venture. With an empty nest we found ourselves with a whole part of the house sitting empty. So, after a fair bit of work (especially from DJ TooTall) we're all setup as an AirBNB! We went live on the site during the week and already bookings have rolled in for the next couple of weeks. All that remains to be seen is how much fun the dogs have with everyone who comes to stay. So, if you know anyone needing accomodation for a few nights in Canberra point them here.

Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs - Stay - https://youtu.be/o1Z_hskvz1M

I glanced at my phone today to see the preview of an email I had been sent. The title was, "10 baldest rockers". How rude! Google's algorithms really are hilarious some times. Hard to go past this guy though...

Rose Tattoo - Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw - https://youtu.be/vcwj86WkXb8

I must apologise to any of you who listened to that Metallica track last week. After a few listens myself I reckon it sounds like you're listening to an old slightly warped cassette in a dodgy walkman. Of course it's probably a result of the source material they are working from but it was still a disappointment. I'm still looking forward to the whole boxset though.

The Guardian newspaper have been pretending to be Australian this week. Seriously, a bit of local content doesn't make up for the fact that the majority of their content is straight out of the UK. Their app used to really annoy me with constant UK football scores. But I digress. The paper (are they still a paper?) ran an article about the best Brisbane songs. Have a read of the reply letter from Powderfinger's drummer sometime; it's priceless. Whatever they choose between The Go-Betweens, Regurgitator, The Saints or Powderfinger; none of them are as good as this mob...

Custard - Music is Crap - https://youtu.be/nvpEZtyKR4g

Since I'm talking, briefly, about Brisbane I think I'll finish with a story about that town. DJ RollinsFan and I went along to see the Livid Festival there in 1994 or 1995. It was a great and very hot, day out. We went simply to see Henry Rollins play with his band but along the way caught a range of excellent act. The Mark of Cain (at 11:30am) and The Cruel Sea were highlights for me apart from Rollins. We also saw a little bit of You Am I but they were having a very off day for some reason. Anyway, I'll end with The Cruel Sea because I'd never seen them until that day and they were absolutely awesome!

The Cruel Sea - The Honeymoon Is Over - https://youtu.be/s-puVOJF5jQ

Have a good weekend folks and thanks for tuning in,

DJ Rob

"Especially at night,
I worry over situations that,
I know will be alright,
It's just overkill...", Overkill, Colin Hay

World Wide Woozle episode #453

Hi everyone. I worked all weekend so this wasn't finished until a bit later on. Look at it this way; there's enough music here to get you through the worst case of Monday-itis ever.

One of the most empowering things about the World Wide Web is the ability for musicians to post their creations without the need for record companies and the like. I stumbled across this next track whilst browsing through listings on "Bandcamp". The band is a solo effort and should appeal to fans of old school metal. If you like Dio and Dungeons and Dragons then this is for you. Remember; it's a home demo rather than a full on professional recording. Regardless, I think it's a lot of fun.

Throne of Iron - Call to Adventure - https://youtu.be/AdR4MK1LFzU

Metallica fans should start saving their pennies right NOW! The classic album, "...And Justice For All" is getting the 30th anniversary boxset treatment. And it's huge! Aside from the remastered album on CD and vinyl there's live recordings and videos, demos, b-sides, rarities, a huge book, tour laminate, badges and a heap of other stuff. It will be available in November and the super deluxe version is US$200. Here's the first track released..

Metallica - Eye of the Beholder (live 1988) - https://youtu.be/eNpgY-MzRDI

On the topic of boxsets, REM have a new one coming soon. It covers a whole lot of their recordings made by John Peel and the BBC. There are a few versions of the set but the biggest one is 8 CDs and a DVD. Definitely worth a listen. The next track has been released as a teaser. 

REM - Losing My Religion (BBC live 1991) - https://youtu.be/LUH9KmBdjyk

Let's stay with REM for just a minute. There's one song of theirs that I simply can't get enough of. This one never gets old. Great guitars...and lyrics that I had oh so wrong until I read them!

REM - What's The Frequency, Kenneth? - https://youtu.be/jWkMhCLkVOg

Not one to rest on his laurels, Paul McCartney has a new album. My mate DJ PooPic went to see him last year and his feedback was that the show was wonderful and that Sir Paul was as energetic as ever. The album is called "Egypt Station" and you can stream or buy it now. I've chosen a live clip for you. No trickery here; just a band having a great time and sounding fantastic.

Paul McCartney - Come On To Me - https://youtu.be/OBc7FwDrM_g

I've been working on a list of essential albums for those who are interested in Heavy Metal music. It's a challenge as the genre is very diverse and there is a lot of music to be considered. It's also good fun to try and avoid the classics that most people at least have some awareness of. For example; I really like Darkthrone's album "The Underground Resistance" from 2013. It's a huge departure from their earlier albums which are very much Norwegian Black Metal in the same vein as Celtic Frost and Bathory. "The Underground Resistance" is more traditional metal and probably more accessible. Anyway, I like it. If you've got some views about what might constitute essential metal listening please let me know.

Darkthrone - Dead Early - https://youtu.be/E7-KWJaq6GE

Lastly, Jim Steinman. The guy who made "Bat Out Of Hell" such a great album. The guy who Def Leppard simply couldn't work with. Two tracks here. The original version of one that Meatloaf made huge later on and then his spoke word piece about the true meaning of rock and roll. Enjoy!

Jim Steinman - Rock and Roll Dreams Come True - https://youtu.be/RTOtCoVqgbs

Jim Steinman - Love and Death and an American Guitar - https://youtu.be/0q8f-XTeZ3I

Have a great week,

Rob

"I walk 47 miles of barbed wire
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie
I got a brand new house on the roadside
Made from rattlesnake hide" - Who Do You Love?, Bo Diddley, 1958