Here we go again and almost on time! Not long and I'll be on the countdown for episode #500.
Album 39/100 - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Like many people around my age I became aware of Led Zep as a result of "Stairway to Heaven". As a result, the first album I bought of theirs was the one with that track on it (Led Zeppelin (1971) - commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV). I found it a bit underwhelming really at the time I must admit. And after that I gorged myself a few months later on the 4 disc version of their first lot of remasters. Maybe I had this all wrong in that I never spent any time at all with any of their other albums and I was spoiled by the remaster set which is in essence a very long greatest hits compilation. This week I've had Led Zeppelin III playing a lot and it's been a bit of a revelation. It's what I like best in that it's a complete album rather than a collection of songs. There is plenty of variety to keep even the casual listener interested. Blues, folk and rock all get a workout. There may be better Led Zep albums but given my reaction to this one I'm very happy to recommend it (and it has my favourite track by the band on it as well).
Led Zeppelin - Bron-Y Aur Stomp - https://youtu.be/oC-9aEf0Q-A
Led Zeppelin - Gallows Pole - https://youtu.be/RSZca1Q9IWA
TOOL have a new album out right now. For fans of the band it has been a long wait as their last record was released in 2006. I'm not a fan. I don't dislike them, I've just never been into their music or spent any time with it. They hype for "Fear Inoculum" dragged me in I must admit and it's been a good result. Unlike many folks out there this was a different experience for me; one with no baggage. Reviewers and commentators are quite polarised in their opinions and I've come down firmly on this side of thinking that it's a great album. Yes, the songs are long but that's kind of the point. This isn't a record of four minute radio hits...it's a band making music the way they want to. It's is an album that needs to be listened to in its entirety when you actually have time to listen. It's not background music and some of it might be challenging. But I think it sounds fantastic. Great guitars, moody rhythms and percussions and vocals that sound amazing. It's like earlier Pink Floyd meets today's heavier prog music. Again, highly recommended.
TOOL - Fear Inoculum - https://youtu.be/q7DfQMPmJRI
As mentioned last time, I headed out to see The Screaming Jets and Rose Tattoo at The Basement here in Canberra. Sadly, my two wingmen were unable to come but I wasn't about to give up the chance to see two great bands so off I went. Just me and my new, super groovy earplugs! The Basement is an intimate venue and getting close to the bands wasn't a problem. The Screaming Jets were up first and ripped through a great set including their hits and some more recent tunes. Yup, they were loud, in fact really loud, but more about that later. For a band that are now 30 years old they had plenty of energy, a great sound and were most definitely crowd pleasers. Singer, Dave Gleeson, has a great singing voice but since the early days of the band many of us have wished that he'd keep his between song banter to himself. Nothing has changed. You can't deny that he has personality however!
The Screaming Jets - Blue Sashes (live) - https://youtu.be/yZ93m4ubl1U
I really enjoyed The Screaming Jets and if they'd been the headline act then most people would have gone home very happy. Rose Tattoo, not to be outdone, were equally as good and enjoyable. With Mark Evans (ex-AC/DC) on bass and Bob Spencer (ex-The Angels) on guitar this was a star studded version of the band that has been around since 1976. Dai Pritchard on slide guitar was the perfect guitarist to fill the shoes of the sadly missed Pete Wells. John Watson (Aus Crawl, Daryl Braithwaite, Men at Work etc.) made a small drum kit sound absolutely massive. This was a band that was tighter than tight. I was very worried during the first few songs that the band was on fire and Angry Anderson (vocals) was on another planet. Happily, he sorted himself out one way or another and the rest of the show was brilliant. Rose Tattoo are legendary in Australia but not so much overseas sadly. Guns n Roses know who they are though having covered "Nice Boys" Early on as well as having the Tatts open for them in Australia. Whilst the whole band was just great, Bob Spencer made the night for me. His approach to rhythm guitar was Malcolm Young-esque; get in a groove and just push the whole band along. There were so many of their classic songs played and only three twits who had to have a fight during the last song threatened to spoil the show. All it meant for me was I ended up almost in the front row.
Rose Tattoo - Nice Boys (live) - https://youtu.be/nkdUmMPlzb0
The earplugs I bought were a revelation. They claim to cut the sound level but not the clarity. The gig certainly sounded and felt loud enough but when I got outside and took the plugs out I was pleasantly surprised. No ringing at all. They'd done a wonderful job. If you like live music and being able to hear as well then get to your local musical instrument shop and get a pair. There's plenty to choose from.
Let's back it off a little...Neil Young has a new single out and an album due in October. This one is again with his band, Crazy Horse. Years ago I was on holiday in Adelaide and I'd just got a cassette copy of Neil's album, "Sleeps With Angels" (the one with the song "Piece of Crap" on it). This track, to me, would be right at home on that album; moody. I like it.
Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Milky Way - https://youtu.be/y_-9qcbuLcA
In the, "shut up and take my money" stakes, Billy Bragg wins again. Coming very soon is a double album of tracks recorded live for the BBC. Awesome! And along with the album you get an enamel pin of his famous Burns Steer guitar. You all know that I'll be needing that for my guitar strap!
Billy Bragg - Valentine's Day Is Over (live) - https://youtu.be/_-MH9nRSXAg
Without getting ahead of myself, I might have a new musical project in my near future. Before I can get to a rehearsal with my guitar I need some serious practice though. It's been a long time since I did anything other than strum a few chords. Fingers crossed (but not whilst I'm playing!)
Lenny Kravitz - Fields of Joy - https://youtu.be/kESn-Df34ug
I listen to a lot of music; usually with intent. I find music in the background distracting as I'll try to tune in to it. Albums and songs come and go and, as you'd expect, a few stick. As an example, if I'm needing a pickup then AC/DC's "Powerage" goes on. I came to John Moreland's music via a cover of one of his songs done by Jason Isbell's guitarist, Sadler Vaden (yeah, that's not convoluted at all). Anyway, the Moreland album, "In The Throes" is one that I've been coming back to for more than a few months now. His vocal delivery and guitar work is simply exquisite and that's before we get to the songwriting. I was disappointed to see that the album is actually out of print and therefore not all that easy to get at a decent price. I'll keep looking however whilst streaming it very regularly. If you like Neil Young, Springsteen (quieter stuff) or maybe Neil Finn then John Moreland should be on your radar.
John Moreland - Break My Heart Sweetly (live) - https://youtu.be/zHAGMBABAJE
Here's a quick 80s flashback. Many people are very quick to dismiss 80s music as inconsequential. Sure, there was a fair bit of rubbish released but have you had a go at the top 10 lately? I've always played the intro to this song on my guitar for a bit of fun. One day I should actually learn the whole thing. Eurythmics were a great band and Annie Lennox is a legend.
Eurythmics - Thorn In My Side - https://youtu.be/_AmkmqYEarw
Finally, a tale of life going full circle. When I played in my first real band, Mr Walker, DJ DJ was our sound engineer, bouncer and good friend. I remember being really pleased to meet someone who was as passionate about heavy music as I was. DJ DJ was, and remains, a huge fan of the band Queensryche and his enthusiasm got me into the band. Well today we scored tickets to see Geoff Tate, the original Queensryche vocalist, with his band performing the classic album, "Operation: Mindcrime" in Sydney early next year. The ins and outs of Tate vs Queensryche is a legal saga that I won't bore you with other than to say it's sad. Tate, judging by recent recordings, still sounds like his voice is in good form and this will be a gig to look forward to.
Queensryche - Revolution Calling - https://youtu.be/guzQnr-02jM
Sweet Oblivion (feat. Geoff Tate) - True Colors - https://youtu.be/HYsLG2VtTN0
That's it for this week folks. I've got a garage to finish emptying out before I start full-time work on Monday. I've got a short-term contract until mid-November to keep me busy. It'll be nice to be out of the casual workforce for a little while. As I'll be employed by the government my social media feed will leave politics aside for that period of time!
The Nightwatchman - The Road I Must Travel - https://youtu.be/vohUk1ydFYc
Rock on friends,
Rob
"You know it's all in your head
You'd better put that business to bed
What you see nobody sees
It only brings you to your knees", Did It Again, Kylie, 1997.
You'd better put that business to bed
What you see nobody sees
It only brings you to your knees", Did It Again, Kylie, 1997.
