World Wide Woozle episode #460

Firstly this week comes the sad news that legendary guitarist Tony Joe White has passed away. He was 75. Back in the 90s, Australian TV had a very short lived series about guitar players. As well as leading me to the magic of Bob Brozman, it introduced me to Tony Joe White. Some might call his music "swamp rock" but his roots are firmly in the blues. What I like the most about Tony Joe White's music was the big fat sound he got from the neck pickup of his old Stratocasters, the use of the wah pedal and the grunts and groans that gave energy to his vocals. 

Tony Joe White - Even Trolls Love Rock and Roll (live) - https://youtu.be/6r9kJGmZOQQ

This week I chanced upon some songs from a New Yorker called Sean Rowe. After hearing one song I dived straight in and listened to the four albums that he has on Spotify. If you like any combination of Johnny Cash, alt-country, Americana or folk music then this is for you. What a voice!! I know this is a cover (Sean has plenty of originals) but this just showcases his voice so well.

Sean Rowe - Luckenbach Texas - https://youtu.be/9R5Z805Yuo0 

I've had a browser tab open for months now reminding me to explore the work of John Trudell. You may remember that I found out about him through a documentary about Native Americans in music and popular culture. Trudell was a poet and activist. His reasons for becoming so were many but included the death of his wife, three children and mother in law in a house fire not long after his involvement in a protest that involved the burning of an American flag. There's more for me to read about Trudell and a movie about his life that I will track down.

John Trudell - Graffiti Man (live) - https://youtu.be/EJAz8XeVoCY

Saturday night's Iron Maiden tribute show was pretty good. The band were loud, energetic and did a great job with the music. There weren't many surprises in the setlists, but this one was a real treat! Freeeeeeedooommmm!

Iron Maiden (live) - The Clansman - https://youtu.be/f1rUSuYGWa0

The Clansman is also the name of the pub in a rather funny Scottish TV comedy called "Still Game". It's probably nae funny if you've not got a Scots background but just in case (and if you're not easily offended) click here for a laugh.

If you believe many of AC/DC's biographers, George Young used to deconstruct their songs on the piano during the writing and recording process. The rationale being that a good song was a good song regardless of instrumentation. You can't hide behind overdrive or delay on a piano or acoustic guitar. Here's Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) demonstrating just that with one of his most well known tracks.

Chris Cornell - Black Hole Sun (live/acoustic) - https://youtu.be/Ts7dTQhg0RY

If eclectic is a word that you like to use to describe your musical taste then Opeth should probably be on your list of bands to listen to. They seem to cram almost every musical genre into their prog-metal based sound. A band for thinkers and dreamers I think.

Opeth - Sorceress (live) - https://youtu.be/8Fc0pbZxlo8

I read today, on Farcebook, that John Farnham's song, "Two Strong Hearts", is no good because apparently honey doesn't stick to bees. Meh, I think it's a great song regardless. The b-side to the single was (is) an absolute cracker as well.

John Farnham - Two Strong Hearts (live) - https://youtu.be/M1FJuFfRSrY 

Just in time for Halloween, Ghost have released a new music video for their song, "Dance Macabre". It's an ungodly combination of classic horror movie schtick, 80s MTV and Ghosts brand of metal. For fans of ABBA and The Walking Dead...

Ghost - Dance Macabre - https://youtu.be/7Gr63DiEUxw

Laura Kidd's music is released under the moniker, "She Makes War". It's melodic indie-pop often with cutting lyrics. It's also fully independent and awesome. If you sign up for Laura's newsletters or social media feeds then it doesn't take long until you feel an integral part of the process. So, if you like the song please pop on over to her website and make a purchase.

She Makes War - Devastate Me - https://youtu.be/_sWXQFA6e2I

This week's NWOBHM track comes all the way from Birmingham. The band came into being in 1974 but changed their name to Quartz in 1977. From all reports, a version of the band is still going today. Back in the day they toured with Black Sabbath and AC/DC and Tony Iommi from Sabbath produced their debut recording.

Quartz - Rock n' Roll Child - https://youtu.be/B3x-feS74Hc

George and Junk Sculpture have almost finished recording another original track. With any luck it will be available on Spotify soon (the first two songs are already there). Watch this space for more news; it's a fantastic song.

And now, here we are at the end of another week of me babbling. Let's close with the best TV theme song ever. Click here and I'll see you all next week.

Rob

"Remember when you were young,

you shone like the sun...", Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Pink Floyd, 1975

World Wide Woozle episode #459

A while ago I featured a band called Bobaflex. They're a hard rock group from Ohio and West Virginia. Formed in 1998 they've been putting out their brand of classic rock mixed with some metal and nu-metal influences ever since. I stumbled across their rather excellent cover of Pink Floyd's, "Hey You", which I played a few episodes ago. After a bit of listening and viewing I've decided that I think they are definitely worth listening to. The vocals and lyrics are pretty good and the musicianship and production is slick. As for their videos though...not so much. But I'm just a hack behind a keyboard...you can be the judge. This one is good all round.

Bobaflex - Long TIme Coming - https://youtu.be/yoUFJ4U90Bw

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) began in the late 70's. It was a movement that produced well known bands such as Iron Maiden, Saxon and Def Leppard. Motorhead were sort of around before NWOBHM and you can debate whether or not to include them. The lack of employment for young people in the UK contributed greatly to the scene as it provided mostly young males with an outlet and a community to be part of. NWOBHM drew its influence from punk rock and new wave all wrapped up in a loud, heavy package. My exposure to the music was much later. In 1990, Lars Ulrich (Metallica) and journalist Geoff Barton compiled and released an album called "New Wave of British Heavy Metal '79 Revisited". It was a real eye and ear opener for me. I'd been a metal fan for years but, in the pre-internet days this cassette was a godsend. I'll play you all a few tracks over the next few episodes and on purpose I'm going to avoid the bands that made it big.

White Spirit - Cheetah - https://youtu.be/rZa_A5WiUg4 (featuring Janick Gers who later played with Gillan and is now in Iron Maiden).

Blitzkrieg - Blitzkrieg - https://youtu.be/Ll4Ij58497Q (Lars was such a fan that Metallica covered this on the b-side of the 1984 single, "Creeping Death")

Paralex - White Lightning - https://youtu.be/XLFODk86oOY (You can really hear the bridge between old school hard rock and the newer heavy metal forming with this track)

Here's a song that I've been trying to play on the guitar for a couple of months now. It's not that I can't play the chords or notes, I just can't get it to sound right. Anyway, it's a fantastic song of harsh reality and protest from the 80s. Listen to the lyrics and you'll see what I mean. 

John Mellencamp - Rain On The Scarecrow - https://youtu.be/joNzRzZhR2Y

Since Neil Young has seeped into my consciousness this week; here's two of my absolute favourite tracks; one classic and one that should be,

Neil Young - Cinnamon Girl (live) - https://youtu.be/DgDy1SQ6hnw

Neil Young -  After The Garden Is Gone - https://youtu.be/zqx0J_YnZvo

Over the past week, in response to a rather interesting radio documentary, I have tried and tried to understand what people like so much about Fleetwood Mac. And I just don't get it. Great voices definitely but everything seems for the most part...bland. I did like this tune though...

Fleetwood Mac - The Chain (live 1977) - https://youtu.be/Z6WsaIbpUTE

Well I'm off with H tomorrow night to see Live Evil do their Iron Maiden tribute show. Funnily enough, Iron Maiden singer, Bruce Dickinson, is in Australia doing some spoken word shows. Bit of a shame that he can't come up to little old Canberra to see the locals pay tribute to him and his bandmates.

Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name (live 1982) - https://youtu.be/7vP2hFFV57E

This week I finished my foolish cycling challenge. I managed to climb Black Mountain 38 times. I did that in 12 rides. And I finished off with 7 reps in a row....I can assure you that was kind of silly. But it's done and my hill climbing base is well and truly building ahead of my assault on Mt Baw Baw in November.

Queen - Don't Stop Me Now - https://youtu.be/h-Tagxe70Aw

That Queen song (featuring re-recorded guitar parts) is from the soundtrack of the soon to be released film bio which is imaginatively titled, "Boheman Rhapsody". Apparently there's enough controversy about whether or not the story is sanitised. That alone should be worth the price of admission.

DJ ZedBoots will be home soon. She's stopping in for a few days to hug the dogs and check out the Air BnB (her bedroom is the kitchen!). There's also the small matter of taking in the Taylor Swift concert in Sydney. News reports today indicate that females now make up 50% of those buying and learning the guitar. The article author surmised that Taylor Swift had some part to play in this. Maybe. She certainly can play when the mood takes her.

Taylor Swift -  Blank Space (live solo) - https://youtu.be/p1Zt47V3pPw

That's it for this week, Rock on Brothers and Sisters. Your skin colour or DNA results mean nothing compared to what's in your heart.

Rob

"You better tell me,
Tell me,
It's really up to you.
Have you got the time to find out
Who I really am...", Is It My Body, Alice Cooper, 1971

Virus-free. www.avg.com

World Wide Woozle episode #458

Sometimes a set of lyrics seem to reach out and speak to me. I'm grabbed by the message or the delivery and caught up in the whole song. This happened a couple of days ago with the next song. As well as the actual lyrics, it's the fullness of the sound. Have a close listen to everything that's going on. Guitars, drums, synths, layered vocals, a couple of glass bottles being hit and much more. What a great song. "...let it all out, these are the things I can do without..."

Tears for Fears - Shout - https://youtu.be/Ye7FKc1JQe4

Uriah Heep have been around for a very long time (since 1969). I heard the next track this week and couldn't guess who the band was. I thought it could be a Dennis Wilson lost treasure or something by one of Jimmy Page's supergroups. But it's Uriah Heep and it's brand spanking new. 

Uriah Heep - Waters Flowing - https://youtu.be/jrfNq1oBNcM

Just in case anyone is interested, this is the Dennis Wilson song that I thought the previous track sounded like.

Dennis Wilson - River Song - https://youtu.be/LHCzTLnFpLE

Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top has a solo album available called "The Big Bad Blues". The title is a dead giveaway as to what kind of record this is. It's pretty much ZZ Top style rhythm and blues. Here's a track from the album. Check out the Muddy Waters version as well right here.

Billy F Gibbons - Standing Around Crying - https://youtu.be/YyIid7SsIwQ 

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit will release a live album in a few days. It was recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. You may remember that the whole thing was streamed live on YouTube (you can still watch it too). All the tracks are from his albums, "Southeastern", "Something More Than Free" and "The Nashville Sound". I can't seem to find out if there is a DVD as well but fingers crossed. This is a song about feeling left behind as the world moves forward...

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Last Of My Kind - https://youtu.be/io6ajAzXOzc

After a few hours scouring Spotify, YouTube and a few hand picked websites looking for something interesting I gave up. There's a heap of music out there but everything I found was technically great, well produced and quite soulless. It was just one of those days. And then I found this. It's not particularly new but oh my, what a great version. John Moreland is an American singer/songwriter from Tulsa. After hearing this great version of a Springsteen classic I listened to more of his stuff and it's fantastic. Good honest music that may just be the tonic for complicated and confusing times.

John Moreland - Thunder Road (live acoustic) - https://youtu.be/Jub6cg_UhcQ

And just for good measure, John's latest offering...

John Moreland - Slow Down Easy - https://youtu.be/9HoIEzv0Fqw

Year ago I went to the library. I haven't been for a long time. They only ever have the third book in a trilogy that you want to borrow. And ours is full of asbestos. But I digress. I went to the library and discovered that they had some CDs available for loan. As a result I had a period of time where I couldn't get enough of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. They are a great duo playing acoustic Americana and folk. Their vocal harmonies are to die for and the ancient guitars they play sound perfect. I spotted one of their CDs on a shelf the other day and ignored it; I really wasn't in the mood. But I am now so let's go. I chose this one for the harmonica.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Pocahontas (live) - https://youtu.be/iliCadW0s5Q

To end the show this week, it's KISS. We've rearranged our house for reasons that don't matter here. The upshot is that the stereo system is now in the room where I spend most of my time. This means more listening and watching music. This fabulous concert DVD (in three parts) got an airing and it's worth sharing.

KISS - Black Diamond (live with the MSO) - https://youtu.be/2RKMc5gS8yA

Eat less red meat...your planet will thank you,

Rob

"Say it doesn't matter ain't nothin' gonna alter the course of my destination.
I know I've got to find some serious piece of mind, or I know I'll go crazy.", Wrathchild, Iron Maiden, 1981

World Wide Woozle episode #457

My feet hurt. This is for a couple of reasons. One is that I have a part time job that involves being on my feet all the time. The other is that I'm having a month of hill climbing on the bike. Both of these are self-inflicted, first-world problems I know. For those interested, I'm doing an "Everest" month climbing Black Mountain here in Canberra. I need to go up 38 times in October to climb the same amount of metres as Everest is high. Last week I managed to get it done it thirteen times even though some rain limited my efforts on two days. This week I've ridden eight reps including today's personal best of five in a row. I'm really not sure if I can keep that rate up but it's a good challenge and excellent training for my assault of Mt Baw Baw in November.

Don't Stop (Fleetwood Mac cover) - Elton John - https://youtu.be/Te9hbKYlLto

You may have read that The Beatles "White" album is being re-released. Note that this is a remix, not just a remastering. Giles Martin (Sir George's son) was in charge as he was for the "Sgt Pepper's" remix that was released last year. There is a standard stereo mix as well as 5.1 surround sound and a heap of demos and acoustic versions. The whole shebang is 7 discs and a 164 page hardback book as well as other bits and pieces. If you're a Beatles tragic or if you just think that this was possibly their best album (as a whole) this should be well worth a listen. Save up now, it's out on November the 9th!

The Beatles - Back In The USSR (Esher Demo) - https://youtu.be/UAhWGnDZ0po

Shamelessly adding to their superannuation funds, Midnight Oil are back with a live release from their recent world tour. Here's the thing...the super deluxe mega version (or whatever it is called) is only available on DVD. If you buy BluRay then there's a whole lot of stuff including a whole other concert that you miss out on. Boo hiss! As I've mentioned in the past, I think I've watched enough Midnight Oil live footage to last anyone a lifetime whilst trying to figure out bits and pieces of their guitar lines. But, I hear that this may be shown at the cinema so I might head along to see it on the big screen.

Midnight Oil ft. Yirrmal - Treaty (live) - https://youtu.be/uMRrMsUxwPI

The death of Prince left a gaping hole in the musical landscape. Along with David Bowie I think he was one of the most creative artists that I've heard. I've read that at times he used to mix the sound for live gigs whilst he was performing...amazing! Anyway, I heard this next tune on Double J last week and it hit a nerve. No doubt many of you will be familiar with the Sinead O'Connor version but this is Prince and his band performing the song that he wrote. 

Prince - Nothing Compares 2 U - https://youtu.be/cpGA0azFdCs

A while ago H gave me a CD by UK prog rockers Tilt. I've played them before. I grabbed the CD this week and put it in the car for a good listen whilst driving to and from work. It really is a cracker. Soaring melodies, great guitar work and great vocal delivery. It's not so proggy that it ends up being impenetrable instead drawing you to a listening experience that is hard to describe. Entwining might be a good word. 

Tilt - Strontium Burning - https://youtu.be/-ZJJ7jtlMHc

I also took a bit a diversion into 70s rock recently via Stevie Wright's albums "Hard Road" (1974) and "Black Eyed Bruiser" (1975). If you take a listen to these alongside to much of the music being produced by Vanda & Young and released by Alberts then you'll notice some of their trademark sounds as well as their songwriting hooks. These are from a time when radio and live shows were king. 

Stevie Wright - Hard Road - https://youtu.be/Lo2KhDu__1Y

My favourite Judas Priest album turned 40 just the other day. "Killing Machine" came out in October 1978 (re-titled "Hell Bent for Leather" in the USA). I didn't get a copy until 1986 or 1987 but it was part of a double cassette with the "Living After Midnight" album that I picked up at K-Mart! Why is it my favourite? It's a bit hard to pin down a good reason but perhaps it just has a swagger and menace that some of their other stuff doesn't quite have. I like it as a complete album and it's classic UK metal at its best.

Judas Priest - Delivering The Goods - https://youtu.be/soNcOfRvOtg

So there you have it folks. More tunes to check out. Hopefully one will pique your interest and you'll disappear into the joy that is the YouTube wormhole of time and space. See you all next time.

Rob

"...gonna build a bridge and not a wall...", Ain't Gonna Let Them Turn Us Around, Mark Ribot/Steve Earle/Tift Merritt, 2018