World Wide Woozle episode #478

I imagine that being a "real" music writer might mean that you could get quite bored with constantly listening to new stuff. There are times when you just want to put on one of your favourite LPs and let it seep into your bones and your soul. Luckily, I'm just a hack on the internet with the option to do what I want. So I did. After last week's episode went to air I chose my two new albums to review for this piece and started in on them. Arrrggghhh! I couldn't get into either of them. And then I took a step back and left them alone for a few days. The results? Well you'll find out shortly.

But first, finally "The Dirt" was released to Australian Netflix audiences. We had to wait for the USA to catch up; time zones and all that jazz. Well, the short version is that if you are a Motley Crue fan you should really enjoy the movie. If you've never heard of them apart from "Kickstart My Heart" then you may be shocked, after watching the film, that they are all still alive. And for those easily offended by nudity, bad language, drug and alcohol abuse, violence, heavy metal and almost anything else...you should avoid "The Dirt" at all costs. The film holds nothing back and the crazy lifestyle that the band lived through isn't sanitised at all. Sure, there is a bit of artistic licence taken with bits of the band's timeline and guitar nerds will notice a few gear errors but all in all it's a solid effort. Critics will hate it but then critics pretty much always hated the Crue as well. I think I'll read the book now. Motley Crue will always be one of my favourite bands; despite all of their attempts to sabotage their own lives they continued to make great records.

Motley Crue - The Dirt - https://youtu.be/QfenIwtoQzk

Album 23/100 - BB King - Live At The Regal (1965)

35 minutes, 10 songs and it is AWESOME! This album not only has BB King and the audience absolutely exploding with energy, the quality of the recording given the year is top notch. I really enjoyed the fact that BB's voice is so strong and smooth here. You can hear all of the instruments very well in the mix as nothing is overpowering or buried. BB's guitar rings like the bell Chuck Berry told us all about. The final track, "Help The Poor" is a highlight and one that I knew from a rather cool Robben Ford cassette. I think I'll keep an eye out for a vinyl copy of this record; it's one that I can see myself going back to on a regular basis.

BB King - Everyday I Have The Blues (live at The Regal) - https://youtu.be/0RfAHm-HRqE

Album 24/100 - Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible (1994)

This is one of the best band names ever and as a result, I remember listening to one of their albums years ago and being disappointed that it bored me. So it was with a certain degree of trepidation that I cued up "The Holy Bible". Well, well, well...it's rather good. On first listen it's a harder edged indie-Brit-rock album and that bodes well. On subsequent listens I found the insistent nature of many tracks enticing and enjoyable. What happens though when you look at the lyrics and have a bit of a think about them is challenging. This is not a pop album. It reeks of abuse, depression, anxiety and self loathing. Sadly, about six months after the LP's release, lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey disappeared and is presumed to have died by suicide. That puts another dimension on the album. I wouldn't like you to think that "The Holy Bible" is all gloom and doom because it's not. It's a very tight, punchy record that is abrasive in parts and deeply personal in others. I'm not sure if it will encourage me to listen to more from Manic Street Preachers but I'll keep spinning this record.

Manic Street Preachers - Faster - https://youtu.be/rl2Jv4dzFqg

George, with some help from Matt (keys), Callum(guitar) and Tim(sound) has released another song and music video. This one is a very moving tribute to his Dad. I've had the privilege of playing this song with H but never in public. Check it out folks and let George know what you think via the band's Facebook page.

George Huitker and Junk Sculpture (feat Callum Henshaw) - These Flowers - https://vimeo.com/325800851

Speaking of George; he tells me that he needs to sit down with me and discuss what I have advised as "essential listening". That's in response to me recommending Neil Young's "Harvest" album in the last episode. Fair enough; I'm always keen to talk about music. What is essential to me? It's a song or album that, to my mind, defines an artist or says something very special. "Iconic" isn't quite what I mean as the greatest recordings by some bands aren't necessarily those thought of as iconic or seminal. Anyway, H thought that this was essential, open your ears wide and let this one sink in.

King Crimson - Starless - https://youtu.be/OfR6_V91fG8

Italian rockers, Giuda, have a new long player due for release. I really, really, really like this band as they are a lot of fun and wear their glam rock influences proudly on their sleeves. For fans of bands like Slade and The Bay City Rollers this is simply great rock and roll.

Giuda - Overdrive - https://youtu.be/DvX9T1V4QI4

That's it folks. All killer, no filler. Have a great weekend,

Rob

"Don't accept that what's happening
Is just a case of others' suffering
Or you'll find that you're joining in
The turning away", On The Turning Away, Pink Floyd, 1987

World Wide Woozle episode #477

I'm back again after a week off. I had started an episode for last week but it was so decidedly average that I consigned it to the bin and walked away!

My Dad has gone overseas. This time he's off to a few spots in South America including Colombia. It wasn't that long ago that you probably wouldn't have gone there for safety reasons. A quick spot of research indicates that it's much better these days. I'm sure that he's working hard on visiting more countries than anyone else we know!

Gustavo Santaolalla - Apertura - https://youtu.be/8Pr_k87TW8k

The above track is from the soundtrack to the film, "The Motorcycle Diaries". It's a great film but the music that goes along with it is nothing short of fantastic. 

Motley Crue's biopic appeared on Netflix last night. Even though the advertised release was 22 March, they made us wait until that time ticked around in the USA. They've been re-releasing a whole lot of their classic music videos onto YouTube to mark the occasion. Metal at its best. Watch out for my thoughts on the film next time around.

Motley Crue - Dr Feelgood - https://youtu.be/trGX3ET3jTQ

Diamond Head are probably best known as one of Metallica's main influences. They've been around in one form or another since 1976 and have a new album ready to release soon. This track is as much hard rock as it is metal but well worth a listen. I'll be interested to hear the whole album when it becomes available. 

Diamond Head - Belly of The Beast - https://youtu.be/BbnmxqdtTV4

Returning to my quick reviews of 100 albums you should apparently have on vinyl...

Album 21/100 - Thin Lizzy - Live and Dangerous (1978)

This wasn't a difficult review. I've had this album for ages and I'm a big fan of Thin Lizzy.  "Live and Dangerous" is a double album recorded in London, Philadelphia and Toronto. Depending on who you choose to believe, the album is either three quarters overdubs or three quarters live. Regardless, it's a good view into what was a fantastic rock band. You can hear Huey Lewis playing harmonica on it too. If you've never really listened to Thin Lizzy other than "The Boys Are Back In Town" then this would be a good place to start.

Thin Lizzy - Don't Believe A Word (live) - https://youtu.be/iGjeoCjA0gk

Album 22/100 - Neil Young - Harvest (1972)

There are two Neil Young personas: the grungy, noisy rocker and the thoughtful acoustic troubadour. 1972's "Harvest" album sits pretty much in the latter category. This is the album that took Neil from being a star, to being a mega-star. Just about everyone knows his song, "Heart of Gold". This wasn't an album that was meant to happen. Neil had already written the songs but went to the studio without a band and recorded with whomever was around that night! Whilst this album sounds great and the musicians play very well, it's the song writing and Neil's delivery that make them essential listening. 

Neil Young - The Needle and the Damage Done - https://youtu.be/49M10VIXPk4

Blackberry Smoke come from Atlanta, Georgia in the USA. They've been making records since about 2000 in the southern rock style. I've not listened to them a lot because the first time I did it sounded just a bit to formulaic for me. However, I really like this series of recordings and Blackberry Smoke's contributions are really, really good. Whoever is mixing and recording each band performing inside a converted mobile home is a sonic genius. This is a good listen and you should have a look at some of the others in the series.

Blackberry Smoke - Run Away From It All (live) - https://youtu.be/HSlbR4TYLnw

DJ ZedBoots copped a soaking when she recently attended a very, very wet Kylie Minogue concert. Her comments included that Kylie's new stuff was, "a bit slow". I'd have to concur. This, however, is a pretty cool track.

Kylie Minogue - Golden - https://youtu.be/Q6zw4yQPMLw

Snarky Puppy have a couple of new songs out. This is a band for you if you like jazz, prog, electronica or rock...something for everyone wrapped up in a bit of funk too. DJ Guzbox put me on to this band and whilst they are awesome in the studio, it's worth checking out their live clips to see amazing musicians having a good time.

Snarky Puppy - Bad Kids To The Back - https://youtu.be/fEHpq-BxFm4

You know, I'd always thought of Scorpions as a hard rock band on the strength of "Rock You Like A Hurricane". That's a great song by the way but I discovered more during the week. Uli Jon Roth, one of their guitarists is an absolute monster on the fretboard! This has revealed a bit of a gap in my hard rock listening which I will aim to plug over the next few weeks. See what you think of this...not at all what I expected.

Scorpions - Sails of Charon - https://youtu.be/Zs5NOrYYV2s

We'll finish this week with Don Walker. Many of you will know him as one of the main songwriters and the keyboard player for Cold Chisel. But Don has an interesting range of solo music and work with other groups such as Tex, Don & Charlie. If you're looking for earthy, honest music then have a listen to a few tracks from Don. Just goes to prove that Brian May isn't the only rocker with a degree in physics!

Tex, Don & Charlie - Paychecks (live) - https://youtu.be/jMrHm7An-ak

Don Walker - Harry Was A Bad Bugger (live) - https://youtu.be/k_u5oySGpCc

Don Walker - The Way You Are Tonight - https://youtu.be/XD5F5MVRm94

Have a great weekend folks, I'm off to work!

Rob

"...Well maybe I'm only dreamin' and maybe I'm just a fool
But I don't remember learnin' how to hate in Sunday school...", Jerusalem, Steve Earle, 2002.

World Wide Woozle episode #476

Me again. Let's dive straight in.

I finished off the album I postponed last week from the "100 albums you should own on vinyl". I also had a good listen to another two even though I was very familiar with them both. The act of listening to albums without skipping songs takes me back to the time when cassettes and vinyl were what we had and song order mattered.

Album 18/100 - Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile (1999)

I didn't like this album at all. And at almost 104 minutes long, giving it a few listens was really quite challenging. Some other reviewers commented that it was NIN's version of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" but I really don't hear that. There's no doubt that this is a dark, broody and generally depressing listen but not in a good way. There are a few faster songs but I feel that the band have found one sound and a formula and are sticking to it here, albeit while taking a long time to get anywhere. If you enjoyed NIN's first album, "The Downward Spiral", then this release has the potential to frustrate you. In short, I thought that, as a whole, "The Fragile" was pretty boring. Of course, your listening experience will vary and I usually give an album with a really bad review a spin...you should too.

Album 19/100 - Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks (1977)

This is another album that's already had more than enough written about it. It's regarded as being extremely influential and it's easy to see why. The punk sound was new in 1977 and the band, their delivery and their lyrics were a real punch in the face to the establishment in general. Sex Pistols only recorded one studio album and this is it. All these years later it still brims with malice and contempt. You should listen to this one without a shadow of a doubt whether it's for Steve Jones' massive guitar sound (using an amp heisted from Bob Marley's band) or Johnny Rottens' caustic singing.

Sex Pistols - Bodies (1977) - https://youtu.be/yzFFtBsl5ps

Sex Pistols - Holidays In The Sun (1977) - https://youtu.be/2Ah1JM9mf60

Album 20/100 - Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska (1982)

I've written about this album before. I've also, along with George and Brownie, performed it in its entirety. 

Bruce Springsteen recorded this himself on a 4-track cassette recorder. When he tried to get his band to record versions of the songs it just didn't click. The album was mixed and mastered from the tape that had been in his pocket for a few weeks. Whether this means it should be essential to own on vinyl I'm not sure but it's a fantastic record nonetheless. What you get is ten tracks, almost all acoustic, that are sparse and haunting both musically and lyrically. This isn't Bruce in his classic American sing-along rock and roll mode. It's songs of despair and real life complete with grit, grime and soul. As with some other albums I've reviewed, this is really good as a collection of songs, not just single tracks. I've listened to, and like, a lot of Springteen's music and this is his best in my opinion.

Bruce Springsteen - Used Cars - https://youtu.be/67dYxOXPtfQ

Bruce Springsteen - Highway Patrolman - https://youtu.be/7EVCO7ZKVDs

I also listened to some music by the great Melbourne group Painters & Dockers this week. I discovered one of their tracks buried at the end of a double DVD set of Countdown performances from the 70s and 80s. Painters & Dockers were a lot of fun and if you care to listen, they've usually got something to say. They can also be pretty funny. Dock on!

Painters & Dockers - Soul Child (live 1986) - https://youtu.be/FG9TkQK3tok

The next track is one I heard playing on a TV show I was watching. At the time I couldn't quite put my finger on who it was but as soon as I hit Google I remembered. A fun song indeed, see what you think.

Ace Frehely - New York Groove (1978) - https://youtu.be/LKdHy18rZcI

I've been struggling a bit with my cycling since I pinched the nerve in my back. Some of my foot and leg are still a bit numb (they are slowly improving). The result is that some days on the bike are better than others. I've got some time tomorrow though so I have a longer expedition in mind. I guess patience is not my strongest suit!

Chickenfoot - Highway Star (live 2012 - Deep Purple cover) - https://youtu.be/GQVTtpE9J7s

Oh, and on the Countdown DVD I mentioned earlier I also found this little gem. This song holds a special place in my heart!

Laura Branigan - Gloria - https://youtu.be/355Fk8drgZE

DJ SAB put me onto the next band. Generally they play Heavy Metal with a bit of theatre and opera thrown in. It's good stuff. This was at the end of their latest album though and, given that I just played Laura Branigan, it fits in quite nicely!

Avantasia - Maniac (2019) - https://youtu.be/rxCtD4Dc-yY

That's probably enough for this week. Enjoy your weekend when it arrives!

Rob

"He got no sense but he got money
He got no sense but he got overnight success", Wide Boy, Nik Kershaw, 1984

World Wide Woozle episode #475

Buckle up music fans....here we go.

Album 17/100 - Eagles - Hotel California (1976)

I think this is one of those albums that everyone thinks they know really well, I know I did, until they make a point of listening to it. Certainly the three singles from the album, "Hotel California", "New Kid In Town" and "Life In The Fast Lane" have been FM radio standards forever; I've played two of them in bands I've been in. So, I thought I knew this record and what I wanted to say about it. And then I listened to it again...right through. It's better than I remembered and I wonder if I ever actually made it past those three singles, which are the first three songs on the album. The Eagles are all great musicians and it shows in the intricate layering of instrumentation. No-one is over playing or competing for someone else's space in the song. The band sing harmonies that are lush and the fact that four of them have lead vocals throughout the record again demonstrates their talent. But, with all that talent, what have you got without great songs (Toto probably)? On this record there's the iconic title track, the rock of "Fast Lane" and the West Coast and Country mash up of "New Kid". "Victim Of Love" is hidden away on side 2 but it a ripper of a track. Almost at the end of the album is some ripping slide guitar on "Try And Love Again". All in all "Hotel California" is a great listen with a mix of styles that just works. My favourite track is, without a doubt, "Life In The Fast Lane". It's heaps of fun to play and if you listen carefully there are so many guitars doing different things that it's almost sublime. 

Eagles - Life In The Fast Lane - https://youtu.be/4tcXblWojdM

Eagles - Hotel California (live 1977) - https://youtu.be/MGhMdT_C-vQ

Only one album from the 100 this week. The other one I chose is a double album and I want to do it justice. After two listens I am finding little to like about it but this one deserves a bit more attention.

Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul are playing two shows in Australia in April. Steven Van Zandt is also famous as a member of Springsteen's E-Street Band as well as appearing on the TV shows "The Sopranos" and "Lilyhammer". So, if you're in Melbourne or Sydney (or the Byron Bay Blues Festival) this show should be on your radar. Steven also runs workshops at almost every gig location for school teachers. The band's album, "Soulfire", is a great rock and roll / soul album. If you like Blues Brothers, Southside Johnny or Springsteen then this could be for you.

Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul - Soulfire (live 2017) - https://youtu.be/CanRnjvdYNU

Little Steven looks like one of the guys who works at the local supermarket here. I keep waiting for him to reveal that they are long lost brothers!

The Download Festival hits our shores shortly with a huge lineup including Slayer, Anthrax, Judas Priest, Ghost and Haelstorm. Ozzy has been very unwell so he's tucked up in bed for six weeks to recover. His replacement is one of Australia's hardest rocking (and working) bands; Airbourne. These guys get much more support overseas than they do here and that's a bit sad. If you're lucky enough to be going to the show I hope that you get to see them.

Airbourne - Back In The Game - https://youtu.be/FlPalDkWsuA

In what I think is very exciting news, Zoe and I will be returning to Vanuatu in mid June. We'll be spending time with our families at Level School and up north at Lini. Only 103 days to go but who's counting?! After that it's home for Zoe to graduate from university and then back on a plane for her as she heads to England. 

Mötley Crüe's collective autobiography, "The Dirt", has been made into a film and will be released shortly on Netflix (trailer here). As one of my favourite metal bands as a teen I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it although I must make a point of reading the book as well. Mötley Crüe made a career our of being outrageous but they also recorded a swag of good tunes sometimes despite themselves. I remember asking my Mum if she thought Vince Neil was a man or a woman from the photo on the cover of "Tehater of Pain"...and it took her a while to decide!

Mötley Crüe - Wild Side - https://youtu.be/6nm1BJPe-pg

Mötley Crüe - Looks That Kill - https://youtu.be/kbJcUcELlBQ

Weezer have another new album. Do they never sleep? Anyway, it's called "Weezer" like lots of their albums. This one has a black cover so it will be known as, surprise, Black Album to distinguish it from the blue one, the green one, the red one and the teal one. I think that's all of them. Anyway, early reviews are far from favourable and I'll take my time listening to it before I decide about what to write. Meanwhile; here's what makes them a great band...

Weezer - Living In LA (live 2019) - https://youtu.be/cgtaJZCIeHQ

It's many, many years since Alison and I went to Mardigras in Sydney. Other than almost bing run over by the "Dykes on Bikes" all I remember is a lot of dancing and glitter. Last night one of my favourite artists made what probably wasn't a surprise appearance. I have nothing for admiration for Kylie Minogue. She took what was a basic singing voice and turned herself into a worldwide phenomenon.

Kylie Minogue - Better The Devil You Know (live 2002) - https://youtu.be/bfm__UKi11A

Finally, something new. G Flip is a drummer, singer and songwriter from Melbourne. I saw an article on the news today about her latest music video and was keen to find out more. The story goes that she wanted to appear so worn out for the clip that she drummed for six hours non-stop before taping it. You can see the sheer exhaustion in the clip. Talk about suffering for your art! 

G Flip - Bring Me Home - https://youtu.be/0CD0DggtZVk

See you all next time on the World Wide Woozle,

Rob

"Dearly beloved, 

We have gathered here today,

To get through this thing called life" - Let's Go Crazy, Prince, 1984