Well, this episode took a lot longer coming than I expected. During our trip to Pentecost, Vanuatu, I hurt my back. It was manageable (just) whilst we were there but the plane flight and then bus ride to get home did me no favours. The result was a pinched nerve that caused severe pain down my left leg and into my foot. It's been dreadful but it is slowly improving I'm pleased to say. I can now walk to the end of the street and back and I can also get out of bed without an hour of screaming agony. So, from my temporary standing desk....let's rock!
Rollins Band - Are You Ready? - https://youtu.be/1MwYamaRn6s
Vanuatu was fantastic. Injury notwithstanding, DJ ZedCycloneBoots and I had a great time. We stayed for one week with each of our families on Pentecost and had a couple of days on Santo at either end waiting for flights. And we did a lot. We helped a bit to build a new kitchen, we taught Grade 5/6 at Level, we assisted in the gardens where our family's food is grown, went to church four times and played tons of games with loads of kids, Zoe worked in a health clinic for 3 days and we generally looked around, talked to people and had an amazing time. It's a great lifestyle and on top of that both of our wonderful families are quite different. One of my favourite moments was at Lavusi which is where the Hinge family live. It's almost at the northern tip of the island and the views are spectacular. Godden and his family have built their house on the top of the hill in their village. As a result I was able to stand and look out to see the islands of Maewo and Ambae. On the first night Ambae was in the clouds but the sun was between it and the rain clouds coming over the water towards Pentecost. The effect of the sun, the rain and the clouds was indescribably beautiful. It may just be the best thing I've seen in my life. At Level School there are now new buildings for almost all of the classes and the final one is set to be built soon. Many thanks to all the generous people who have helped us to assist that community. Lots of people go to Pacific islands for a holiday in a resort and that's great; you'll enjoy yourselves and it definitely helps their economies. If you get a chance, even for a short trip to see how the locals live then take it. As you know, island life changed mine.
Lucky Dube - Different Colours - https://youtu.be/R4csXJXHVGA
On Pentecost people go to bed early (they get up early too) so I found myself with a bit of spare time in the evenings. I'm not a fan of reading by torchlight so I had downloaded a whole heap of podcasts to listen to. Some nights I just lay and listened to the sound of the night (interrupted by dogs, roosters and cows at times) but I also tried out some podcasts. One I listened to was Chuck D (Public Enemy) narrating a series about the history of UK punk group, The Clash. It was an excellent eight episodes and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in popular music. I found a new appreciation for their history and music as well as understanding a bit more about the punk scene in the UK.
The Clash - Clampdown - https://youtu.be/psB0cidB5bg
The other podcast I'd like to talk about is called "Song Exploder". It's pretty self-explanatory, artists discuss the making, meaning and bits and pieces of a selected track. One of the best I listened to was about The Cranberries final album. The vocals were demoed by Dolores O'Riordan and then the band used them to make the album after her tragic death. It put quite a different spin on the album for me...
The Cranberries - All Over Now - https://youtu.be/h1lMxX8doSU
A new release for you all...I found this one during the week whilst trying to distract myself from the pain that felt like a nail being hammered into the side of my knee...only loud music stood a chance and these guys were the tonic. It's a healthy and heavy mix of bands like Motorhead, Black Sabbath and Kyuss. They're from Sweden.
I'm not sure if I've featured the next band before or not. Apologies if this is old news but "The Bird and The Bee" are super cool. They're a duo that mix electronica with jazz and 80's rock and they sound sensational. They've got a Hall and Oates tribute album out and a Van Halen one ready to be released and that's before their dreamy originals. Different and so groovy.
The Bird and the Bee - Private Eyes (Hall & Oates cover) - https://youtu.be/mfP7hjjId3E
The Bird and the Bee - Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (Van Halen cover) - https://youtu.be/53DAU_6z7Rc
SBS TV has been running excellent and varied programming for NAIDOC Week. Top of my list was the documentary about the life of Gurrumul. It was hard to watch knowing that he would be dead not long after the film was made but don't let that put you off. You'll get an in depth look inside the culture of his family and the profound impact of it on his music and life.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Bapa (live) - https://youtu.be/gyAa1-jOZpI
I'll get back into reviewing the 100 essential albums in the next episode.
American pop-punksters The Dollyrots have a new album, "Daydream Explosion" due for release in two days (12 July). Their music is always high energy and a lot of fun. Order direct from them to support the band or stream their songs over and over OK?
The Dollyrots - Everything - https://youtu.be/QpKL5Jcm07s
Gerry Cinnamon has a new track out and it's worth your time. His accent isn't particularly strong in this one but there are lyrics included in the video in case you're challenged when listening to Scots people sing...
Gerry Cinnamon - Canter - https://youtu.be/zWYjG9Cxbyw
Whilst we're on the new tracks, how about this one from Taylor Swift? It's a great sound that continues to make me think that she has a thing for 80s synth pop and disco. The lyrics, however, are great. One for all of the social media users who are always outraged about something. Take it from me (and T-Swizzle), you need to calm down!
Taylor Swift - You Need To Calm Down - https://youtu.be/Dkk9gvTmCXY
Metallica have been around for a long time now and are showing few signs of slowing down. They record every live show they play and make them available online for their fans. The archive of recordings is amazing. They also put a whole heap of live songs out on YouTube, warts and all. Here's the band from just over a month ago playing in Ireland...
Metallica - Whiskey In The Jar (live - Thin Lizzy cover) - https://youtu.be/9MNdOCQYOL8
Anyway, that's it for this time. I apologise again for the delays in getting this out and also if it's disjointed. I'm sure you understand.
Our crazy orange cat passed away whilst Zoe and I were on Pentecost. Xena had lived a long life dedicated to leaving fur everywhere, sleeping in strange places and knowing when one of us was feeling blue. RIP Xena.
Bongtevuha,
Rob
"Everybody hurts, sometimes...", Everybody Hurts, REM, 1992.
