After my rather long and involved blog entry last week I had a look at how many people had read it via the website. Not many. I was a bit surprised but then I guess my rather sporadic output may be a contributing factor. Of course, I have no way to tell how many people actually read the email I send out. I won't lie; I had a bit of a "why am I bothering" moment. The truth, however, is that with the exception of a couple of episodes, I've always felt that I had something I wanted to write about. I'm not a writer, just a guy who always wanted to be a radio announcer and who is genuinely interested in music. So I'll keep writing. It's a bit like playing a gig. You always give 100% because that's what rock and roll is all about. If it's two blokes and a dog in the crowd you still play as if there was a thousand screaming punters. Ever onward...
John Cougar Mellencamp - You've Got To Stand For Somethin' - https://youtu.be/czra89vntkY
In 1992, then Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna was fired from the band. His replacement was John Bush from Armored Saint who would front the band until 2005. It's messy as to when Bush left and Belladonna came back as there are reunion gigs and a whole lot of other stuff involved. My point in telling you all this is that it was recently the anniversary of the release of Anthrax's first album with Bush. "Sound of White Noise" (released on May 25, 1993). I wasn't particularly keen on Anthrax in the pre-Bush era but his strong vocal delivery really added something to the band's sound and any releases that he sang on are well worth checking out. There's also an excellent live DVD available called "Music of Mass Destruction". Anthrax have released some excellent albums with Belladonna more recently but in my opinion, while being a solid singer, they should've hung onto John Bush.
Anthrax - Room For One More - https://youtu.be/XfT25gfatFk
Anthrax - Caught in a Mosh (live) - https://youtu.be/eM11x00D1iI
If you're a metal fan, you could do a lot worse than to follow @ThisDayInMETAL on Twitter.
Ahab, named for the character in Moby Dick, are a German band who play music that moves from quiet and melodic, through to funeral, doom laden dirges complete with death metal guttural vocals. It's a hard listen at times but, if you're reasonably open minded and don't mind heavy and progressive music then it might grow on you. It's a bit like Jethro Tull and Black Sabbath had a baby with a sore throat...or not.
Ahab - The Isle - https://youtu.be/YyjOvaMo5Ec
Earlier in the week, while walking...trying out my new shoes...I was listening to some old Divinyls songs. What a great band they were. Pure Aussie rock and roll. I didn't realise that guitarist and songwriter Mark McEntee was also in Air Supply way back in the 70s! What a trip! Anyway, here's Divinyls doing their thing...
Divinyls - Sleeping Beauty - https://youtu.be/wdk0vCzs3A4
Divinyls - I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore (live) - https://youtu.be/ChnJlOhZZj0
Alan Parsons, well known for his music as well as for being lampooned by Mike Myers in the second Austin Powers film (click here if you haven't seen it) has a new single. It's quite laid back and would almost fit on a Travelling Wilburys album. Anyway, I liked it and the clip is great as well.
Alan Parsons - As Lights Fall - https://youtu.be/qImCjQ4K988
The next song is from a group of New Yorkers called Vampire Weekend. The track is catchy and definitely reminds me of Van Morrison. And with winter definitely coming here in Canberra this summery tune is a welcome ray of sunshine. I'll be checking out more from this band in the near future.
Vampire Weekend - This Life - https://youtu.be/FwkrrU2WYKg
For many bands, getting to play their songs along with a symphony orchestra seems to be the thing to do. Groups like KISS and Metallica have done it well. This is not that kind of example. It begins well and I love Status Quo but in the end the orchestra is wasted. Maybe it was better on the night.
Status Quo - Whatever You Want (live) - https://youtu.be/SWBRcWDsHkk
Earlier I mentioned my new running (walking) shoes. Well, so far I've had a couple of long walks and one walk/shuffle/jog in them. And without wanting to appear too hopeful it's all going well. I'm off to the Podiatrist shortly for my scan results and to find out if I either get orthotics, continue to limp forever or have my foot cut off. Fingers crossed for a good outcome. The long walks were good and the jog was amusing and it'd be good to be able to run for a bit longer than 1km.
The Spencer Davis Group - Keep On Runnin' (live) - https://youtu.be/TyZrK9meebo
Whilst KISS are travelling the world, lip syncing their way through another greatest hits farewell tour, former band member Ace Frehley is playing live shows and putting out solid new material. Don't get me wrong, plenty of people are loving the KISS experience but even for them feels a bit fake. Ace has just released a video for his song "Mission TO Mars" which comes from his 2018 album, "Spaceman". Good song, fun video.
Ace Frehley - Mission To Mars - https://youtu.be/n92S-3K1WyA
Bruce Springsteen also has a new track available. You can listen to it here. If you're a fan of The Boss then please let me know what you think. Personally I thought it was a bit bland.
What's not bland is the next rendition of a Springsteen classic. How much fun do you think all of these 1000 Catalan folks are having?
No Surrender Festival - No Surrender - https://youtu.be/alorNxGo0FM
On to my two album reviews for this episode.
Album 33/100 - Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
This is an album I grew up with. My family's record collection included this one as well as 1966's "Sounds of Silence". I still have a cassette I made with one album on each side. Simon & Garfunkel successfully bridged the gap between folk, Americana and popular music. There was something for everyone without ever selling out. From the beauty of the title track, through the complicated and catchy rhythm of "Cecilia" to the deceptively simple sounds of "The Boxer" there is so much to dig into on this record.
Simon & Garfunkel - Baby Driver - https://youtu.be/J8i4Rp3qizk
Album 34/100 - The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers (1971)
In my opinion, this is the best Rolling Stones album. Others have big hits on them for sure but this one is the most consistent to listen to right through. Whatever happened in the writing and recording of "Sticky Fingers" it all just seems to gel. For guitar nerds; this is the first Stones album with Mick Taylor. If you only had to have one Rolling Stones album then I'd recommend this one.
The Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knocking - https://youtu.be/Gz5mI6tqm_Q
Steve Earle - Dead Flowers (live - Rolling Stones cover) - https://youtu.be/NPCkv-N7GsU
Surely that's enough for one episode.
See you next time around,
Rob
"Nothing to see where the sleeping souls lie,
And don't it feel good...", Chemical Warfare (don't it feel good), Slayer / Katrina & The Waves, 2019
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