World Wide Woozle episode #474

Two episodes in a week? Sorry; it's just me trying to get back to my regular Friday afternoon timeslot!

Album 15/100 - Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time (1986)

Initially I thought that this was an odd choice as Iron Maiden have a lot of albums, many of them highly regarded. But, as I do with every long player reviewed as part of this 100 essential albums series, I listened all the way through three times (some get more listens but three is the minimum). What struck me is that "Somewhere In Time" doesn't have a dud track on it. As an album it flows well and I felt no need to skip through any tracks. I took a look back at other Iron Maiden albums as well and, in my opinion, this one stacks up as the best as an entire listening experience. I am a huge Maiden fan but most of their albums have a track or two that I could take or leave; not this one. As with all Iron Maiden, especially the earlier releases, the album artwork is superb. There's heaps there for the true fan to nerd all day about. This was the first IM album to feature guitar synthesizers (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son later on would feature keyboards) and at the time this was almost sacrilegious for a metal band. Not to fear though, it doesn't detract from the sound, quite the opposite in fact. So, throw the album on your turntable, cassette deck, CD player, audio stream or whatever and enjoy it....the whole thing right through. Then take into account the fact that this album was made after being on tour for 331 days...top shelf stuff.

Iron Maiden - Stranger In A Strange Land - https://youtu.be/UJsl-bB7lmk

Iron Maiden - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner - https://youtu.be/-mZTKzgCLLE

Album 16/100 - Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (2013)

Electronic music really isn't my thing. Once in a while I like a little bit of Kraftwerk but other than that I'm happy to let it pass me by. And then I listened to this album...wow...it's great! My first spin was on the stereo whilst I was doing a bit of cleaning up and I couldn't help stopping to listen more closely. Then I had another session with it during some time sitting on the bus. It's exquisite through headphones. I understand that the band (Guy and Thomas) recruited some well known names and studio musicians to help them with this album; a departure from working by themselves. The result is a joyous celebration of pop/club/funk music. Yes, there's the mega hit, "Get Lucky" included but it's track 8 and everything before it (and after it) is just as good. I'd definitely recommend this album, again as a whole, to anyone who likes good music (as well as those of you who may, like me, not be really into electronica).

Daft Punk - The Game of Love - https://youtu.be/ajGKWk0auOc

Daft Punk - Giorgio by Moroder - https://youtu.be/zhl-Cs1-sG4

Keith Urban is a massively underrated guitarist. Recently he combined with John Mayer as part of CMT's Crossroads series. That's the same series that brought us the excellent gig featuring Def Leppard with Taylor Swift (it's here). Have a look at this song that ends the show...not only is it a great version but both Keith and John do well covering one of the best pop singers ever; George Michael.

Keith Urban and John Mayer - Faith (live) - https://youtu.be/6YhWJ_JpGOU?t=2276

Let's go even further left than left field, waaaaay outside the square and potentially outside your comfort zone. Brighde Chaimbeul comes from the Isle of Skye in Scotland and on this album she plays the small pipes. Her debut album, "The Reeling" is nothing short of astounding. The small pipes (a lot smoother and less harsh than the standard bagpipes you may be familiar with) can be haunting, melancholy or joyous. The album was recorded live, in a church, without overdubs. It's on Spotify and I strongly suggest that if you're in a peaceful mood, or needing some peace, that you give it a chance.

Brighde Chaimbeul - An Léimras / Harris Dance - https://youtu.be/MEqG6g55eJU

From the pipes...to Elvis. The 50th Anniversary edition of the '68 Comeback Special is now available. 5 CDs and two BluRay discs chock full of Elvis goodness for you to binge on. There's all the tracks you know as well as outtakes and rehearsals. I can't wait to dig in and have a good listen.

Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel (live) - https://youtu.be/WVxL1e7ZGLw

There are so many amazing artists out there that for whatever reason you never get to hear about. Last week, while researching Led Zeppelin, I came across this footage from a backyard show. Seriously, this is one of the best blues guitarists I've ever heard; it blew my mind. Listen in...this is how it's done...

Joanna Connor Band - Walking Blues (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSwoM7WIy5M&feature=youtu.be&t=100

Before I go, don't forget H and the Junk Sculpture Jr. boys are at Beyond Q this Sunday at 5pm...be there and support local music as well as our friends in Tingha.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Rob

"Echoes of reggae,

comin' through my bedroom wall...", Ruby Soho, Rancid, 1995

World Wide Woozle episode #473

G'day, Bonjour, Ni Hao, Kia Ora, Rani,

Most of you in Australia will be aware of the natural disasters impacting our country at present. Fires and floods have devastated many areas. It was heartbreaking to watch the small township of Tingha and the surrounding area be threatened by fire. And whilst the township itself was saved, there were properties lost. Tingha, just in case you don't know, is where I went on tour with the band a few years ago. It's a very special little community in Northern NSW. While politicians continue to debate whether or not climate change is real, everyday people are impacted by the results that the majority of experts agree on.

John Williamson - Rip Rip Woodchip - https://youtu.be/Eti99nV3gCk

George and his Junk Sculpture Jr. version of the band (where the total age of the rest of the band is almost less than George's!) are playing a gig at Beyond Q in Weston Creek on the 24th Feb at 5pm. It's $10 entry with all of the money going to help people in Tingha. Get along if you can.

George Huitker & Junk Sculpture - Tiny Tin Town - https://vimeo.com/259137287

Album 13/100 - Jack White - Lazaretto (2014)

(Note that this is not ranked number 13, it's just so that I can keep track of how many of the 100 albums I have listened to and reviewed.)

This one was great. I'm not a fan of The White Stripes (Jack's former band) and whilst bits and pieces of his other projects are OK they've never really held my interest. "Lazaretto", therefore, was a bit of a shock. There's a much fuller sound than is to be heard on a lot of Jack's other work and it works really well. If I had to describe this album then probably the closest I could get to a decent description is that it is a bit like a carnival. You know that there's a sleazy underbelly there, there's a myriad of different things to experience and there's an element of mystique as well. "Lazaretto" means quarantine house or leper colony if you like (Lazarus, get it?) and it's a perfect name for a rather eclectic album. If you enjoy fabulously fuzzed out guitar then it's here. Old time pianos, country tunes, accordions, rock and roll...it's all on this album. Lyrically, "Lazaretto" is quite a mixture. Jack White himself says that some of the lyrics were influenced by stuff he wrote at 19. One of my favourite lines is, "This light that shines on me tonight, turns on when you wander through my door" (Alone In My Home). Anyway, I think this is a great album and definitely one that will remain on my playlist. And in a world of ripoffs, Jack was cool enough to admit that his song "Three Women" was heavily influenced by Blind Willie McTell's "Three Women Blues" and to include him as a co-writer. The LP version has special features such as a different intro for one song depending on where you drop the needle and a hologram that appears while the record plays. That's groovy!

Jack White - Three Women - https://youtu.be/r_9jShtfV_g

Jack White - Alone In My Home (live) - https://youtu.be/fkYlZHC22vw 

Album 14/100 - Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

Jazz-rock apparently. This album sounds fantastic; obviously the engineers and band did a great job putting it together. It also appears in quite a few listings for top albums or essential listening. But I don't get it. "Aja" is like the best produced album of easy listening music you've ever heard. It's in the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone magazine has it in their Top 500 albums of all time list so I guess a few people out there like it, I'm just not one of them. I'm not saying that this is a bad album, far from it, it's just not for me. If you're looking for super smooth, laid back, West Coast style music then definitely give "Aja" a spin.

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues - https://youtu.be/YhQ5Dg6gdEw

Named after the previous track, Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop-rock band. Playing one of their tracks fits in nicely given the name reference as well as last week's swag of Scots artists. Deacon Blue have been around since 1985 and, apart from a short break in the mid 90s, are still playing music.

Deacon Blue - I Was Right and You Were Wrong - https://youtu.be/6pJF8yP8JrE

DJ ZedBoot has almost finished her studies to become a Paramedic. Yesterday she found out that she's been accepted to work for London Ambulance Service (yeah, the one in England). She'll be heading off in August and to say that her parents are proud would be a massive understatement. Congratulations Zoe!

The Clash - London Calling (live) - https://youtu.be/6vnltySrJ5U

DJ DJ sent me a book recently titled, "Led Zeppelin and Philosophy". It's a collection of seventeen chapters written by various authors that examine Led Zep and issues such as creativity, identity and the ritual experience of the rock concert. I've only just started to read it and it may take a while, but I'll let you know how it goes. I often find Led Zeppelin a difficult listen. No-one is doubting the talent and influence of them as a group but there's often something that leaves me a little underwhelmed. It's very hard to put my finger on it though. When they are full stem ahead I love it and it's the same in their folky acoustic moments. But there's other stuff, especially "Dazed and Confused" that I really don't like. Hopefully this book will give me some other perspectives and pathways to take with regards to the great band.

Led Zeppelin - Trampled Under Foot (live 1975) - https://youtu.be/HGFITl5mFvs

I played Rival Sons covering Olivia Newton John a few episodes (here if you missed it) because it was brilliant. The Long Beach band play great riff rock and roll and there's a Led Zep influence there which is evident without them being a copycat act. Whilst they are all great musicians, singer Jay Buchanan is really, really good. Here's a couple of tracks from a rock act that for some inexplicable reason isn't one of the biggest bands getting around today.

Rival Sons - Do Your Worst - https://youtu.be/Vx60Fsu-w9M

Rival Sons - Electric Man - https://youtu.be/wRfRIXg2spo

I went ahead and listened to more of Kacey Musgraves work over the past week. DJ ZedBoots also gave it her stamp of approval! Again, if country music devoid of the sweeter than saccharine gloss is your thing then give Kacey a spin. "...well if you're gonna find a silver lining, it's gotta be a cloudy day..."

Kacey Musgraves - Silver Lining (live) - https://youtu.be/fyFniNV4Ipg

DJ SlimHenry reminded me of the next band during the week. I remember being aware of them when the album was released in 2004 but didn't pay too much attention. On reflection that was a mistake. Dave Grohl recorded the majority of the instruments as a side project and included a heap of his rock and roll brethren to sing and play along. The lineup includes Lemmy (Motorhead), Max Cavalera (Sepultura), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) and Cronos (Venom). It's a ripper of a metal album. I've chosen the next track because usually I am not a fan of Jack Black's singing. However, this is him singing seriously for the most part and it's great. There's a language warning to go with this one.

Probot - I Am The Warlock (Jack Black vocals) - https://youtu.be/gd7TtQu8WeU

Nick Barker is playing a show in Melbourne soon to mark 25 years since the release of his great album, "Happy Man". This is one of my all time favourite records. Apparently he's planning on ruling a bit of a line under the record as, to be fair, he's still releasing great music with his current band The Heartache State. So, if you're in Melbourne then get along to the show at The Spotted Mallard on March 15th. Here's the most well known track and then another that I think is essential listening.

Barker - Time Bomb - https://youtu.be/uoqnAPDVPSo

Barker - Action Jackson - https://youtu.be/DfdQgDO_SNY

And that, my friends, is the end for another longwinded episode of the World Wide Woozle.

Rob

"The microphone explodes, shattering the moulds...", Bulls On Parade, Denzel Curry (RATM cover), Triple J, 2019.

World Wide Woozle episode #472

Hi everyone, here we go again! Plenty to read this time and, as always, more than the recommended daily intake of music.

I'm still scarred by the Bon Iver album I reviewed in the last episode. I have a fairly open mind when it comes to music so it's unusual to find such little enjoyment in a long player. I did go back for an extra listen just in case but my previous comments stand. As a result, I cheated a little bit this time around and selected two records I was more familiar with from the list of "100 albums you should own on vinyl". Here we go...

Album 11/100 - Guns 'n' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Everything possible has already been said and written about this album. It's the biggest selling debut long player of all time and that's despite lukewarm initial reviews especially in the USA. The record had five singles released from it with four of them going Top 10 in the USA. So, what is it about this album that's so good? Well, for 1987, it was something quite different. Rough, raw and bluesy rock that quite clearly lacked the studio gloss that permeated the airwaves from chart topping bands like Def Leppard, Starship and Heart. Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" also came out in 1987 but, whilst it's a great hard rock record in its own right, Guns 'n Roses were simply more dangerous, explosive and hungry.  "Appetite for Destruction" bristles with menace; with gritty guitars, insistent drumming and a unique vocal style that all fit together perfectly. They could play fast, they knew how to bring it down for one of the best ballads of all time but most of all Guns 'n' Roses were doing their own thing. If you fast forward to today and look what the band became it's almost a parody of itself, but in the late 80s they were the best hard rock band on the planet bar none.

Guns 'n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine - https://youtu.be/1w7OgIMMRc4

Guns 'n' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle - https://youtu.be/o1tj2zJ2Wvg

Album 12/100 - Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (1982)

Like most people of my age, other than hearing "Sultans of Swing" on the radio, our first real exposure to Dire Straits came with the release of their album "Brothers In Arms" in 1985. It heralded the new medium of the Compact Disc as well as recordings done purely on digital equipment. But "Love Over Gold" is by far my favourite Dire Straits album. It's the one I asked the music shop to let me test my new speakers with a few years ago. All I need to hear is the first few guitar notes of "Telegraph Road" and I know if a sound system is set to my liking. I guess if you were looking for classic radio hits in 1982 then this wasn't the album for you. The first song is just over 14 minutes long and the one that might be great for radio, "Industrial Disease", almost comes in at 6 minutes. That's an eternity in popular music. But Mark Knopfler and the band stuck to their guns it seems and put out the record they wanted to make. I'm sure it was a gamble to put this album out but you should be glad they did. Knopfler can't help sounding like no-one else on his electric or acoustic guitars. And no-one talk/sings like him either. The rest of the band do more than exist to complement their guitar anti-hero, they create a level of sonic ecstasy rarely heard. The album has parts of spit and bile as well as moments of tender reflection as well as humour. I have to say that I really like the cover photo as well; for me it links in well with the song "Telegraph Road". I will admit though that I only recently gave thought to the title of the album and listened more carefully to the track of the same name. Have a think about it yourself sometime; what's worth more? Money or integrity?

Dire Straits - Telegraph Road - https://youtu.be/jhcY6uUsStA

Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (live) - https://youtu.be/nKCpMDpSP8M

The Grammys were held in the past few days. Who cares? Usually I couldn't give a hoot. Since they decided that Jethro Tull deserved an award for Best Hard Rock/Metal over Metallica I've not paid attention. But this time around the winner of Album of the Year is a bit interesting. Kacey Musgraves is a country artist. Her album sold far fewer units than her competition for Best Album but it still won. Why? Well I hope it's because the judges realised that a good album is more than an impressive sales chart. She's new to me as well but on the strength of what I've heard so far I'll listen some more.

Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round - https://youtu.be/GZfj2Ir3GgQ

Kacey Musgraves - Wonder Woman - https://youtu.be/jYm0g2oxdUw

DJ iRob is compiling a playlist of the best in music from those born in Scotland. There's a heap to choose from and I was pretty chuffed that he asked me to play along. So...here's a few Scots artists. In all fairness, the criteria was that the band had to have someone Scots in it, not just be all from north of Hadrian's Wall!

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Midnight Moses - https://youtu.be/7PorTxFQKRY

Eric Bogle - Shelter - https://youtu.be/xc6GAFmXxAM

Marillion - Heart of Lothian - https://youtu.be/9pkyZhlK8Q0

Sheena Easton - Strut - https://youtu.be/uSp0kO-NBWw

Elvis Costello released a new album towards the end of 2018. Burt Bacharach is back as a co-writer on some of the tunes. Who can forget the epic moment of them playing together on screen in an Austin Powers movie? Anyway, this is Costello's first album since 2013 and he rarely fails to please. Give it a spin and tell me what you think. It's been on my playlist for a little while and shows no signs of being removed.

Elvis Costello - Under Lime - https://youtu.be/xMKkQtH75R8

Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello - I'll Never Fall In Love Again - https://youtu.be/6sbNQoGwXGg

Thinking back to Mark Knopfler, I wanted to play this next song. It's one of Pink Floyd's best known but apart from it being just a superb piece of music, the David Gilmour guitar solo is just awesome. Legions of guitar nerds have spent years and years trying to replicate this tone. Fish around on YouTube sometime and that's a wormhole you will find it hard to escape from. I've chosen this version on purpose as Gilmour sounds as good now (well, recently) as he did back in 1979. He's selling that black Strat too...amazing.

David Gilmour _ Comfortably Numb (live) - https://youtu.be/LTseTg48568

One of my school friends was lucky enough to go and see Do Re Mi play last week. For those of you unaware of the band; they were big in Australia in the 80s. If you enjoy music with a soul/funk/new wave beat coupled with strong female vocals then this is for you. I believe that Deborah Conway (vocals) is also doing a solo tour this year; certainly one to look out for.

Do Re Mi - Man Overboard - https://youtu.be/bDO5KwDBgy8

I had a bit of a listen to Ruby Fields last year. Then she slipped off my radar. Recently I heard/saw her doing a cover of The Church's "Unguarded Moment". Whilst I didn't really like the cover, I did go back and check out some of her original stuff. This is pretty cool I think.

Ruby Fields - Dinosaurs - https://youtu.be/l_s-AHJ7Rqg

That'll do. DJ ZedBoots is home tomorrow for a short spell so I'll see what she's been listening to. Fun times. I've also got some guitar licks to record for H and the band to go with a track we started recording in 1893.

Thanks for staying until the end...thing got a bit out of hand! Tune in next time for more.

Rob

"No sweeping exits
No Hollywood endings
Flowers and football tops
Don't mean a thing.", Flowers and Football Tops, Glasvegas, 2008

World Wide Woozle episode #471

Rock on everyone...it's time for another fun filled, excitement packed episode with yours truly spinning the tracks.

Firstly, thanks to all the well wishers who sent positive vibes my way following my adventures with a pinched nerve and the green whistle. I'm glad to say that I am much improved. My foot and lower leg are still a little bit numb but it's all definitely improving. I was back on my bike for the first time this morning for a cruisy 55km with DJ ChuckHighPants.

As is the norm of late, let's head straight into the two albums I listened to this week from the "100 albums you should own on vinyl" book.

Album 9/100 - Bon Iver (self titled, 2011)

I'll point out at the outset that this won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2012. I think it's horrible. At first I was almost drawn in by the lush instrumentation; it sounded good. And then they started singing. Or did they? I have no idea as any vocals are buried in great huge catherdral-esque amounts of reverb and double tracking. It's pretty much unintelligible for the whole album. Now, I've listened to a lot of Death Metal where growled, guttural vocals are the norm so I'm used to having to reach for a lyrics sheet. But Bon Iver are an Indie Folk band. I did my duty and listened to this album three times through and I can safely say that I never want to hear it again. It was musically dull, almost vanilla, and I've already complained about the vocals. Don't bother with this one.

Album 10/100 - Ella Fitzgerald - Like Someone In Love (1957)

This album was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Smooth, silky, emotional and sublime. Sure; most of the songs are now considered jazz standards but the musicianship and the vocal delivery is stunning. The introduction to the first track reminded me of the feeling I got as a kid when the Disney theme began. I don't know much about jazz but this is a great listen. If you found the Sinatra album a little hard to feel the beat with (as I did) then you'll enjoy this. 

Ella Fitzgerald - What Will I Tell My Heart - https://youtu.be/NQKn7rYPosg

After those two polar opposite listening experiences I'm almost scared to dip back into the book for another two long players!

The Specials have a brand new album called Encore. It was released on the 1st of February. Those of you unfamiliar with the band would do well to listen to their classic tracks such as "Ghost Town" and "Message To You Rudy". Formed in 1977, the band play their own take on Ska and 2 Tone music. If you know the band Madness then you're in the sonic ballpark. There are three original members of the band still playing but the sound is still spot on. The new record pulses, grooves and skanks all over the place making it impossible to keep your feet still. There are great squidgy bass and keyboard sounds, reggae wah guitar, a great brass section and drums to make you cry. It's that good. And that's before you get to the lyrics which are pure urban poetry put to music. They cover a wide range of topics including race, politics and gender and the band aren't afraid to say what they think. I'm all ready to head out and buy myself a pork pie hat and some loafers!

The Specials - BLM - https://youtu.be/A63FoJHjXjs

The Specials - Embarrassed By You - https://youtu.be/AUjpF8uaqWs

DJ Lozza let me know that (Johnny) Diesel is playing a charity gig at EPIC here in Canberra on 31 March. It's a gold coin donation with funds going to the Rise Above Cancer Convoy. Diesel is a great guitarist. So much so that Fender have created a Diesel Signature Fender Stratocaster. I reckon it'd definitely be worth throwing a few bucks in the charity bucket and seeing Diesel into the bargain.

Diesel - Don't Need Live (live) - https://youtu.be/g1AdblZ7Zk4?t=53

Canberra champions of all things heavy, Witchskull, have just released a new music video. If you like bands like Black Sabbath, Kyuss or even Soundgarden then check this out. Every time I listen to them I'm amazed that three guys can make such a huge sound. When they're in your town be sure to get out and see them. This is world class metal.

Witchskull - Breathing Blue Light - https://youtu.be/TlZjK5b58X8

As a result of a Tweet from Jason Isbell I ended up listening to the next song. Josh Ritter isn't someone I've heard of before but is now on my list to explore. This song sort of reminds me of the only Bob Dylan album I've liked so far (Slow Train Coming). Anyway, see what you think and let me know. There's a bit of a Tom Petty influence in there too I reckon.

Josh Ritter - Old Black Magic - https://youtu.be/37jimrogxMw

Bob Mould also has a new album about to be released (Sunshine Rock, Feb 8th). The single release is called Lost Faith and it's out now. I've at times found Bob either essential binge listening or the complete opposite. This single is true to his past work and will no doubt rekindle my enthusiasm for his back catalogue!

Bob Mould - Lost Faith - https://youtu.be/k5F-aj171QM

Finally, a shout out to my mate DJDeeDubya. He let me know that The Guardian has an email update service about music called Sleeve Notes. How I have missed out on this for years remains a mystery! They do tend to be a bit UK focussed but there's quite a good range of music articles and reviews there. Thanks!

Joe Jackson - Sunday Papers (live) - https://youtu.be/DZ3NDP-Qiak

Have a great week out there folks.

Rob

"...so you think I've got a funny face,

well I've got no worries..", Cum On Feel The Noize, Slade, 1973