World Wide Woozle episode #539

Ho, ho, ho....here we go!

Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - https://youtu.be/KIhIBFPtnoc

There are plenty of great rock and roll Christmas tunes for all of you out there who have had enough of Mariah Carey and Michael Buble to last you a lifetime. Here are a few to keep you amused and hopefully singing along...

Stryper - Winter Wonderland (live) - https://youtu.be/FwD57Y58s4E

Ronnie James Dio - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - https://youtu.be/bukhmxx88wo

Run DMC - Christmas in Hollis - https://youtu.be/OR07r0ZMFb8

Twisted Sister - Twelve Days of Christmas - https://youtu.be/4V8BmeFdbvA

No Doubt - Oi To The World - https://youtu.be/ZFLExwIQKto

The Dollyrots - The Dollyrots Do Christmas - https://youtu.be/DG3-ea_q5v8

There. If that's not enough then just throw on the Elvis Christmas album.

Paul McCartney has a new album out now. It's called III (as in the number three). Paul plays everything on the album apart from one guitar solo and one drum track. I will admit that I initially listened to the record thinking that, like his last band album, it'd have a good couple of tracks and the rest would be, well, just ok. I'm happy to report that I was wrong. Other reviewers certainly seem to disagree with me as, in my opinion, this is a fantastic collection of songs. Paul, at about 80 years old, sounds much better vocally than he has in other outings recently and the songs are interesting and catchy. What's not to like? This is one album that I will most definitely be purchasing as a hard copy.

Paul McCartney - Find My Way - https://youtu.be/2oSmP3GtOBk

Paul McCartney - Lavatory Lil - https://youtu.be/3GDgdgcME7E

Not to be outdone....here's the new one from Ringo which features Paul!

Ringo Starr - Here's To The Nights - https://youtu.be/S6oqrbFzLaU

It's a short episode this week. I've been spending a lot of time playing the guitar in preparation for a New Year's Eve gig rather than listening to other stuff. I do get a reasonable amount of time to listen whilst on public transport however and that's a bit of a bonus. I'll be back on my bike and off the bus on January 1st and not before time. The bus / light rail to work is quick and easy but I really do miss time riding. My bike is lonely too.

Let's finish with a couple of older tunes. The first was a hit in the 80s here in Australia for another group and I didn't realise that it was a cover version until this week. How very embarrassing. The original is super cool with a funky beat and groovy guitars. I'll follow that up with one of my favourite early rock and roll songs. 

Redbone - The Witch Queen (of New Orleans) - https://youtu.be/yQ03YMiEd0g

The Crystals - Da Doo Ron Ron - https://youtu.be/8vs6e8l6m9w

And on that note...have a great festive season everyone. For many out there it's going to be challenging with isolation, border closures and a ton of other stuff so look after yourselves and those around you. ANd a HUGE thank you to all those who have been keeping an eye on me this year; it's humbling and very much appreciated. 

Rob

"And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me

My brothers in arms", Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms, 1985.

World Wide Woozle episode #538

Groovers, skinheads, freaks, weirdos and music lovers everywhere....WELCOME! Hi to the stalkers as well.

When I published the last episode I was still in quite a deal of pain and discomfort. Sometime on Thursday night that situation improved markedly and I feel a lot better. I'm not jumping around, riding my bike or doing a lot of sneezing but I did manage two easy, flat walks today of about 30 minutes each and I feel good. I predict a lot of walking in the next few weeks.

Jimmy Rogers - Walking By Myself - https://youtu.be/qhjDXXEcocg

I was reminded recently of seeing The Radiators play in the main auditorium at the Defence Academy in December 1989. They are such a fun band with a rough sense of Australian humour. That particular gig ensured that rock bands were never allowed in that venue again!

The Radiators - 17 (I Wish I Was) - https://youtu.be/VP_e1UrdvZA

Phil Campbell (ex-Motorhead) has a band and it's rather good. More straight ahead hard rock than the punk edge that Motorhead had but it's head nodding, toe tapping stuff. 

Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons - Born To Roam - https://youtu.be/jprIokB6Xrc

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play stripped back Americana, Blues and Folk music. Often they record the whole thing with only one microphone. I noticed a new album from them pop up on one of the streaming services during the week and I've now played the whole thing four times and will get a hard copy. What a ripper! It's 48 unreleased tracks recorded a few years ago and I wasn't bored or track skipping even once. Gillian normally plays a 1956 Gibson J-50 guitar and David a 1935 Epiphone Olympic. If you like the sparse feel of Springsteen's Nebraska then this may appeal.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Put Your Foot Upon The Path - https://youtu.be/lv53HeN1QQ4

Are there albums that you keep coming back to? Not just single songs, but whole albums? I have a few. One is called Folkways: A Vision Shared. Released in 1988, it's a compilation of Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie tunes by a range of artists including Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, U2, Little Richard and Emmylou Harris. I'd say without a lie that I've played this album a couple of times a month for over thirty years. The album won a Grammy Award but I wasn't aware of that until about five minutes ago. There's also a companion album which has the original songs on it. Here are two tracks that I really like although I could've happily played the whole thing for you. 

Brian Wilson - Goodnight Irene - https://youtu.be/80hWncr7XZU

U2 - Jesus Christ - https://youtu.be/A47WxX3FkwU

I was contacted this week and asked if I was interested in writing a book. It was like the LinkedIn version of a Nigerian money scam I think. Funnily enough I think the person contacting me had actually looked at the blog a couple of times. Needless to say I'll keep punching out episodes here but a book, I don't think so. Especially when they were suggesting a self help style thing. I can see it now...how to ride your bike too much and be a heavy metal and folk music fan all at the same time. Nope.

Laurel Brauns - I'll Be Your Sylvia Plath - https://youtu.be/szoY7_o7PbQ

Man that was a good track. I had to study Sylvia Plath in my last year of school. Hated it. I'll now have to revisit her work. If I could remember which poem we were tortured with I'd read it now!

After retrieving my old iPod from the car wreck I've got back into revisiting the Johnny Cash four CD compilation called Legend. I was once banned from playing this in the car. Apparently too much Johnny Cash is a thing. I was late to being a Cash fan but for the last twenty years I've made up for it. Johnny was far from a perfect individual but he admitted his faults, sang about them and kept on keeping on. This song says it all for me.

Johnny Cash - Man In Black (live) - https://youtu.be/B7DmvffTuS0

Speaking of men in black...check this out. Metal from the South Pacific sung this time in the Tongan language. The lyrics and translation are there; maybe not what you expect. This is serious headbanging stuff and I'd love to see these guys playing live.

Shepherds Reign - Aiga - https://youtu.be/X8fWTIUWU2U

Last up this week is Norwegian band, Motorpsycho. I'm not sure what I was expecting, maybe a cross between Motorhead and the Cosmic Psychos but in reality this band is much more dreamy, folky, progressive rock. Some of it reminds me of CSNY, Jethro Tull, The Beach Boys and Dream Theater. It's growing on me.

Motorpsycho  - The Same Old Rock - https://youtu.be/hmEwzcIGMw8

Thank you for reading to the end if you did. If you didn't you're not here so it doesn't matter.

Have a great weekend,

Rob

"And they try to tell us that we don't belong

But that's alright, we're millions strong
You are my people, you are my crowd
This is our music, we love it loud..." KISS, Crazy Crazy Nights, 1987.

World Wide Woozle episode #537

Welcome back groovers.

I won't lie to you, I have not had an enjoyable week. I managed to go to work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but the pain and nausea just kept getting worse. As a result I spent Thursday in bed asleep and also feeling sorry for myself! I'm feeling a bit better now but sitting around doing not much isn't a lot of fun! Many thanks to everyone who sent me messages, spoke to me and showed concern. It has all been very much appreciated.

I wasn't really sure what to make of the next song and video but it's rather cool. Old school animation combined with Elvis Costello style rock and roll and a gruff, positive message. Whatever it is, there's no doubt that it's a bit out there but well worth a look.

Idles - Kill Them With Kindness - https://youtu.be/SELdxmlg2Cw

And whilst we're over in left field how about this. What is going on here? A clip that reminds me of the TV show Shameless, an appearance from Action Man and, and...well I don't know. Maybe the description posted by the band says it all: "Mork n Mindy is the sound of the central heating and the dying smells of Sunday dinner in a house on an estate in 1982. Concrete, dinted garages, nicotine. Where beauty mainly exists in small cracks on the shell of your imagination." It's good.

Sleaford Mods - Mork n Mindy ft. Billy Nomates - https://youtu.be/iKcbSOjIzjQ

I found (finally) an old iPod I'd been searching for over the past month or two. Until very recently it was annoying that my car didn't have a CD player and I also couldn't find the iPod. Anyway, it's currently plugged into the rental tank that I've been given to drive around and I've been enjoying a range of different tunes. Rosalie is a great song originally played by Bob Seger and then re-invigorated by Thin Lizzy. Today I heard Motorhead playing it and it just goes to show that a good song is a good song. All three versions simply rock!

Motorhead - Rosalie (live) - https://youtu.be/1hFIx6vpVr0

Angus pointed out the next track. A re-working of one of the best soundtrack tunes of all time. It may or not be your kind of thing but I thought it was a lot of fun and it pushed me to listen to more of the band's output as well as revisiting the original track which you should do as well.

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - I Wanna Be Like You (from The Jungle Book) - https://youtu.be/bD0VpmaSBjs

I mentioned the new Kylie Minogue album a while ago. It's been on heavy rotation here at HQ Woozle and I think it's a very strong effort. There are countless nods to her influences as well as well crafted pop and disco hooks. The album version of the next song borrows a synth line from Queen (in my opinion) but I've chosen this stripped back version because it's a bit different. Enjoy.

Kylie Minogue - Say Something - https://youtu.be/FE4DHUPGq-I

Guns n Roses are coming to Australia next year. Interesting. Axl has shown by playing with AC/DC that he can show up on time for performances so it'll be interesting to see if he maintains that level of respect for his own audiences. Regardless, the Gunners are a hugely influential rock band and if they're on song the shows should be amazing.

Guns n Roses - Raw Power - https://youtu.be/YmtrFnRzn2s

How often do you listen to an album all the way through and think that every song on it could've been a single? I think that'd be very rare but humour me. Yesterday I had a couple of listens to The Angels rather fine effort from 1990 called Beyond Salvation. I submit that every song would've worked as a single and been a hit. Certainly it was a very successful record and I remember seeing the band touring behind it at the Queanbeyan Leagues Club! So many albums have a couple of great songs, a few OK tracks and some filler. This is not one of those albums.

The Angels - Dogs Are Talking - https://youtu.be/lSXYiZsajgI

The Angels - Love Waits - https://youtu.be/rkieMzHe648

That's all folks. Keep smiling.

Rob

"Now go out and get yourself some big black frames

With the glass so dark they won't even know your name
And the choice is up to you cause they come in two classes
Rhinestone shades or cheap sunglasses..." ZZ Top, Cheap Sunglasses, 1979.

World Wide Woozle episode #536

I'm still here folks. Just.

Yesterday I had a car accident and I don't do things by halves. The upshot is that my car may be written off and I have three broken ribs. And the other car involved was stolen! I had the joy of attendance by police, fire and ambulance and they were kind enough to take me off to hospital where I was imprisoned, poked, prodded and scanned for many hours before they let my mate Todd take me home. Look, not an experience I'd recommend but it is what it is.

On Friday night I played a few songs at the open mic night. It was the last one for the year but I do have a special set coming together for a New Year's Eve shindig. The support of a few people who read this blog as well as the crew at the open mic night has really helped me feel semi-confident about singing and playing by myself in public. And when a bar full of leather clad Veteran Motorcycle Club members clapped and sang along with a young woman (who had special needs) singing her heart out it wasn't me crying.

To tell you the truth, I'm pretty sore at the moment. Apart from the broken ribs I have excellent purple bruising on my hip and my chest is aching from the seatbelt. As a result I'm going to play you the songs that I played on Friday night with a brief commentary. That's about all my brain can cope with.

The first song I played was an easy one...on purpose. Get the nerves under control and the fingers working. I also really, really like the lyric, "hubcap, diamond star halo".

T-Rex - Get It On - https://youtu.be/A4o4Q9sd_y4

I played in a pub rock band years ago and this song was a favourite to play. Pretty funny for a tee-totaller...

Spy vs Spy - Hooligans - https://youtu.be/GdMCf28aX1Q

The next song was a challenge with only one guitar and my dodgy vocals but it was fun nonetheless. Every chord in the verse is a seventh! I needed the trumpet though.

The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's / With A Little Help From My Friends - https://youtu.be/P3DKACKz-jo

I recorded a version of Wellington by The Mutton Birds a while ago. I went to primary school just up the road in Tawa and I have fond memories of the place. My Mum and my Brother live there too so the song has special meaning. Also, the song evokes strong memories of Wellington's fairly average weather!

The Mutton Birds - Wellington - https://youtu.be/SiN0HsEI9TA

You heard this one last week and I was inspired to give it a bash. It's a fun song to play and the little bluesy guitar line is neat. I can confirm that you can substitute "Nikon" with "iPhone" and no one notices. Let's have some fun with it....

Dr Teeth and The Electric Mayhem - Kodachrome - https://youtu.be/6_01zRwJOPw

I started the set with glam rock so it made sense to finish with some as well....I wasn't sure whether the set would be folk music or glam rock. I think glam rock had it.

Slade - Cum On Feel The Noize - https://youtu.be/KaAgx4vUPME

There you go. It was fun.

Doc W; I got your message. Will call back when I'm more myself mate.

Rock on folks, I'm going to find some more painkillers.

Rob

"It's a song of the heart

A race in the wind
A light in the dark
That's freedom..." John Farhnam, That's Freedom, 1990.

World Wide Woozle episode #535

Surprise, I'm back. I got a bit disorganised in the last week or so but things are all back on a relatively even keel here at World Wide Woozle HQ.

I'm slightly disturbed that no-one out there spotted the mystery drum beat in the Roxette tune I played last time. I must admit that it really did hit me like a ten ton heavy thing. It's these guys....

Run DMC and Aerosmith - Walk This Way - Walk This Way - https://youtu.be/4B_UYYPb-Gk

Alice Cooper has announced a new album. That's a solid effort for him given that he's 72 years old. His secrets to longevity include Jesus, golf and clean living (eventually). Whilst we have to wait months for the album, Alice has released a single which to my ears is almost rock and roll perfection. I'll admit that I didn't realise it was a cover of a Velvet Underground tune until ten minutes ago. Off now to check out the original...

Alice Cooper - Rock & Roll - https://youtu.be/wmkf57yffT0

Let's talk about the new AC/DC album. Hmmmmm...the reviews are very, very good saying things like it might be their best long player in thirty years. I don't agree. If this was AC/DC's first album then they could be rightly proud of it. The production values are tip top, the guitars growl, the bass is full and the drums are rock solid. Brian's vocals undoubtedly sound better than they have for quite a while as well. But here's the thing...the hooks aren't really there. Shot In The Dark, the first single, is great. It swaggers and rocks like you'd expect from AC/DC but the rest really struggles in my opinion. It's good but not really memorable. OK, now that I've said that let me explain that those were my thoughts after listening to the album at least ten times through over a few days as well as selected tracks in no particular order. In 1988, AC/DC released the album Blow Up Your Video. I remember being super excited about it and getting the cassette as soon as I could. I was also underwhelmed and desperately disappointed. The two singles were great and the rest did nothing for me. However, I persevered with the album and you know what, those tracks became very familiar and they grew on me. 1988 was my final year of high school and Blow Up Your Video will always be linked with that. These days it's probably my favourite album with Brian on vocals. That's a very unpopular way to be if you talk to most AC/DC fans. And so, I thought that the latest album needed more time. Saying that it's their best in thirty years is a big call. So watch this space as I let the album seep further into my subconscious. Who knows? In a subsequent episode I'll discuss the great AC/DC moments from the last thirty years as I've been back and revisited classic albums like Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip.

AC/DC - Kick You When You're Down - https://youtu.be/ksqTQ33ohWM

Bing very kindly gave me a couple of Bruce Springsteen CDs that he'd ended up with two copies of. I've no idea how he keeps track of his albums; it's like the National Film and Sound Archive at his place! I hadn't listened to Darkness On The Edge Of Town for many years and I think that the benefit of time made me realise how strong an album it is. There's a raw power, guts and gravel in the delivery that really draws you in. This one will be in the CD player for a while yet.

Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - https://youtu.be/ZOWIAXsfZus

Bruce Springsteen - Badlands - https://youtu.be/7T_6Ua6fd5s

I've been on a bit of a Paul Simon / Simon & Garfunkel trip these past few weeks. I just wish I could find one of their songs that I can actually play and sing at the same time. The ones I can play I can't sing and vice versa. I've taken a shine to these two particular tunes because they project such strong imagery to me. It's no secret that I'm very keen to visit the USA one day. There are so many places in song lyrics that sound so interesting (and may be in fact quite pedestrian). The New Jersey Turnpike, Saginaw and of course Route 66.

Simon and Garfunkel - America - https://youtu.be/Eo2ZsAOlvEM

Paul Simon - Kodachrome - https://youtu.be/qrRRhoS3KFk

I gave blood last week. I hate needles. I hate giving blood. But I go because I know that it's important. This time was possibly the worst experience I've had with a needle. It hurt a ton going in, it was sore the whole time I was bleeding into the bag as vampires hovered around and when the needle came out...oh boy...I hit the roof. As a result the lovely staff wouldn't let me go home for ages. Who knows what happened but let's hope it was a one off. I've got until February to psyche up for my next visit!

Franz Ferdinand - Shopping For Blood - https://youtu.be/CKo0MKm8e5Q

I heard a couple of tracks from the next guy a few weeks ago. It took a minute to tune my ear into what he was doing so hang in there. William has a quintessential Australian drawl reminiscent of John Schumann and John Williamson. If you like swampy, bluesy, folk with an Australian twist then spend some time with this...

William Crighton - 2000 Clicks - https://youtu.be/vJfT3lHEL34

Zoe is in isolation at the moment. Although her two most recent Covid tests have been negative, she was working with someone who tested positive so she gets a couple of weeks indoors. And so, here are a couple of songs for her. You might like them too.

Taylor Swift - The Man (live and acoustic) - https://youtu.be/F3aXpa1rQEY

Bears In Trees - It Gets Better - https://youtu.be/jxgVYpgwDTk

That's it. Keep smiling you lot!

Rob

"Everybody got a room
In God's Hotel
Everybody got a room
Well you'll never see a sign hanging on the door
Sayin' 'No vacancies anymore'..." Paul Kelly, God's Hotel, 1994.

World Wide Woozle episode #534

Welcome back everyone and thank you to those who continue to read these musings. I appreciate it greatly.

Kylie Minogue has a new album of disco tracks imaginatively entitled, Disco. I've listened to the entire album four or five times now. I wanted to make sure that once the initial sugar hit had worn off that I still liked it. And I do. This may be Kylie's best album since 1997's classic, Impossible Princess. Disco isn't the yawn inspiring "doof-doof" stuff that you hear coming out of clubs or from the huge stereos of crappy Mitsubishi Lancers. Disco is a well-crafted, smooth and danceable collection of tracks. If there's beauty in disco then it's on this record.

Kylie - Magic (live) - https://youtu.be/Gtiwrz9flSA

Hang on tight as on Friday (the 13th)  both AC/DC and Death Dealer will release molten slabs of rock music. Death Dealer are an international collective of great musicians who like their heavy metal in the classic style. If bands like Dio make you raise your fist and yell then this should be a no brainer for you. Expect the highest production quality as well as a band that engage really well with their fans. As for AC/DC…..you know it's going to rock.

Death Dealer - Running With The Wolves - https://youtu.be/mtIO5w2wFKs

My brother surprised me this week with a Spotify playlist he'd made from a mix tape I sent him in 1995. You can check it out here. All these years later I still think it's a decent collection of tracks. Here's a couple that I really enjoyed listening to.

Dave Graney and The Coral Snakes - I'm Gonna Release Your Soul - https://youtu.be/WJG6LtwgNZk

Painters and Dockers - The Boy Who Lost His Jocks On Flinders Street Station - https://youtu.be/ym2bvFrpQ6E

Billy Bragg has now rescheduled his concert tour all the way into the start of 2022. That's a long wait but at least it's not been cancelled yet. The bonus for me, seeing him in Wellington New Zealand, is that the show is now going to be at a seated venue. Old legs, knees and arms will be very thankful especially since we're going for two of the three nights.

Billy Bragg - The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions - https://youtu.be/9nr68LZcXM4

Roxette are releasing a series of albums containing outtakes, unreleased stuff and live tracks. The first is available now and it's not bad at all. This version of Joyride is tons of fun and even more so when you realise where they've borrowed the drum track from…

Roxette - Joyride (Brian Malouf US single mix) - https://youtu.be/w87G4qnVha8

Sad news the other day was that Midnight Oil's bass player, Bones Hillman, has passed away as a result of cancer. Bones joined the Oils for the Diesel and Dust tour and has played on all their recordings since including The Marrakatta Project which was only recently released. Whilst his bass work is excellent, the addition of his backing vocals gave many of the Oils' songs greater depth and beauty.

Midnight Oil - Barest Degree - https://youtu.be/y8C6jDWCMNY

Lastly, a quick word about TV. Star Wars fans should do whatever they can to ensure that they watch The Mandalorian which is into its second season on Disney+. It's fun, it respects the canon and did I mention it's fun? The other show which I believe everyone is already raving about is The Queen's Gambit streaming via Netflix. If you'd told me that I might enjoy a show about a young girl in 50s USA who plays chess then maybe I would've thought you to be misguided. It is, however, excellent, intriguing and enthralling. Watch it now.

Rock on,

Rob

"...one nation controlled by the media

Information Age of hysteria..." Green Day, American Idiot, 2004.

World Wide Woozle episode #533

Welcome back enormous listening world!

On Friday I had another crack at singing and playing at the Open Mic Night hosted by the Veterans' Motorcycle Club. And whilst it went really, really well I was so nervous that I completely forgot to play one of the songs I had prepared! Oh well, it can get an airing next time. It really is fantastic to have the opportunity to play live to a few people in an atmosphere that is very, very relaxed and supportive. These guys do heaps for the community at large. They're also keen to let anyone have a turn so if you're musically inclined or even just might try one song with a backing track you should come along.

So, I thought I'd play the songs here that I played on Friday night and try to explain why I chose them.

Some songs almost play themselves and Joelene is one of those for me. Since I learned to play a minor chord on the guitar I've been strumming this one. I don't really like The White Stripes version...too much screaming for me. What brought me back to this song was hearing Miley Cyrus sing it a few years ago. She has an amazing voice, a cracking band and she performed it with such conviction that I've listened to a bit of her work ever since. I managed to play this song in the wrong key on Friday night but it still seemed to work.

Miley Cyrus - Joelene - https://youtu.be/wOwblaKmyVw

In the early 90s I heard friends of mine play this song in their band. It was the first time I'd heard it and the swirling guitar lick at the start had me enthralled. Years later we played it a lot in Junk Sculpture. I chose it to play by myself because the vocal range isn't huge and I could fill out the sound with the guitar whilst still retaining that classic lick.

The Church - The Unguarded Moment - https://youtu.be/Z7ukwrKd8cA

When I was trying to choose songs DJ Bing suggested that I do a Billy Bragg number. That makes sense since I'm such a huge fan and Billy is a singer/songwriter. The problem is that I can play his tunes but I find them almost impossible to sing. And then I remembered this one. The lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie and the music by Billy Bragg and Wilco. Yes, I played this for you last week and maybe that's what made me think of it. Regardless, it's a simple song but it's a lot of fun.

Billy Bragg and Wilco - Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key - https://youtu.be/vwcQAlRn0Gs

And then I took a bit of a leap of faith. Last time around I listened to a Vietnam Veteran sing songs that he had written about his time there and subsequently. I figured that if he could sing a protest song then so could I. In my opinion it's just fine to be anti-war as long as you support the troops themselves. I learned this song from my Dad. I'm still alive so maybe no-one listened to the lyrics or perhaps they resonated.

Tom Paxton - Lyndon Johnson Told The Nation - https://youtu.be/uXcG3tXYNF8

The final song that I played was one I'd written myself. It's very new and still a work in progress. You'll all be able to hear it before too long I hope. It seems that I write a decent song every thirty years or so!

Let me finish this week with a song I'd love to be able to play live. The Mutton Birds were a great New Zealand band but I've only been listening to them for a couple of years....late to the party. This track is beautiful and the overdriven guitar in the chorus with the light tremolo effect is just perfect.

The Mutton Birds - Anchor Me - https://youtu.be/MyFn5wLO6GA

That'll do. It's been a busy weekend. Keep smiling...

Rob

"It's coming from the nor nor west

The endless eye warns
A hole in the sky mirrors
And the light that never never warms..." Radio Birdman, Hand of Law, 1977.

World Wide Woozle episode #532

Hey ho, let's go. 

There's a lot of music to get through this week and I'll do my best to keep the commentary relatively brief. None of the selections are random but I certainly understand if you skip some of my ramblings and just check out some music that you might have forgotten about or perhaps never heard before.

Stevie Wonder has just released a beautiful new song. Maybe there's an album coming. Sure, the lyrics are poignant but the sound on this track is truly sublime. From the first few notes you know it's going to be Stevie Wonder and for a man in his seventies, he sounds as fresh as he always did. 

Stevie Wonder - Where Is Our Love Song? - https://youtu.be/RLMB5o5vtLs

I was a huge fan of John Mellencamp's 1985 album Scarecrow. It's a protest album hiding in plain sight. This week I realised I hadn't really paid attention to his more recent work and threw on the 2017 album, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the record was. Better than good. I'd not had the same reaction to the latest Bon Jovi long player which really is coma inducing. Izzy Stradlin (ex-Guns n Roses) is playing guitar on this cool track.

John Mellencamp - https://youtu.be/MrswHnweFig

Armored Saint are a heavy band that, for reasons I can't quite fathom, are a level below Metallica and Megadeth in popularity. Their output is consistently of high quality and John Bush's vocals really make the band stand out in a crowded metal marketplace. Who knows what the story is but I know I like them. 

Armored Saint - End of the Attention Span - https://youtu.be/Ql3PAxkQy1s

I saw Billy Joel in Sydney on the Stormfront tour in the nineties. I wasn't a huge fan and I'm still not but I reckon I knew almost every song that he played at a show that was tons of fun. As I mentioned last time, I've been trying to write songs from the perspective of other people rather than myself (seriously, who needs more about what I think?!) and this song remains an inspiration. It's a bit folky and, as is important to me, it tells a story. Oh, and who doesn't love a piano accordion?

Billy Joel - The Downeaster Alexa (live) - https://youtu.be/duNltFtDR4Y

When I was out for a walk this afternoon I had a listen to an album that I may not have played all the way through for over twenty years. Faith No More's The Real Thing came out in 1989 and was a huge hit on the back of the single Epic. Today's listen reminded me how strong the album is. The songs are moody, catchy, heavy and light all at once. The band are great musicians who leave plenty of space for each other and Mike Patton, with an amazing vocal range of about six octaves, effortlessly sings, growls and raps his way around the songs. What a ripper.

Faith No More - Falling To Pieces - https://youtu.be/32bdevGClD4

Angus told me he's bought a surfboard today. He's well and truly recovered from the shoulder surgery of earlier in the year and now we wait for footage of him carving up the waves somewhere on the Sunshine Coast. I hope he remembers the lesson of having to be rescued by lifeguards at the beach when he was little and got caught in a rip on his boogie board. He wouldn't listen...and it was very "Bondi Rescue" in the end!

Def FX - Surfers of the Mind - https://youtu.be/O8VJq50pWCg

In the last few years I read and really enjoyed books about early to mid twentieth century America by authors like Steinbeck and Kerouac. I could relate their gritty and harsh imagery to the Americana style music of a range of artists. Woody Guthrie is one of those guys. Although the tune for this one was written long after Woody's death it fits so well.

Billy Bragg - Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key (live) - https://youtu.be/Mpoo1rja_2I

I don't know whether or not to include this song. I've been doing my best to limit my exposure to politics of late because, quite frankly I've had enough. Local, federal and overseas politics just seems to get more and more divisive and filled with hate from all parts of the spectrum. I'm not presenting this song as a commentary on Bush, Trump, Biden or anyone else. I just want you to hear the raw emotion in the singer's voice.

Bright Eyes - When The President Talks To God - https://youtu.be/cDHCXM9TujY

Righto, we're almost at the end...hang in there. This song is pure poetry and the guitar solo soars in a way I really like. I haven't been to Gladstone (yet) but after hearing this song you almost feel like you've been there too long. The line about the "rattle of broken men" really hits home. Redgum had a lot to say and it's still relevant.

Redgum - Gladstone Pier - https://youtu.be/8VCFW1WghXc

Language is an interesting thing. In some countries, indigenous languages are held up as important and preserved. Conversely there is the sad reality that others become extinct. Australia and Vanuatu both have this issue with some languages having no more speakers and not being well documented if at all. Anyway, I'm reading a book which is in English and Bislama. Bislama was great in that it allowed all people in Vanuatu to communicate as the large number of indigenous languages there made that challenging. The negative effect is that some people have lost their traditional language altogether. All of that helped me to find this song which I found thought provoking. 

Mojo Juju - Native Tongue (Featuring The Pasefika Vitoria Choir) - https://youtu.be/JLQ4by3lUJo

Stay tuned for the next episode for more tunes and the wash up from me competing in Sunday's Australian Indoor Rowing Championships.

Keep smiling,

Rob

"A public service announcement followed me home the other day,

I paid it never mind....go away...", REM , Bad Day, 1986.

World Wide Woozle episode #531

Welcome back.

All weekend I've had this line in my head; "...you, yes you, STAND STILL LADDIE!" Not because I've been listening to Pink Floyd (I haven't) but the aural image of a stern Scots schoolmaster has just been sitting there on repeat. Maybe I need to stand still.

Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall (part II) - https://youtu.be/YR5ApYxkU-U

I heard some tracks from Sydney band DMA'S today. They were covering a Crowded House and then a Kylie tune and both were rather fine. The singer's voice was quite unexpected so I tried out some of their original material. Wow. I guess I expected a band called DMA'S to be hip hop, electronic, yo-yo music. Nope. It's more like the next incarnation of Bronski Beat or The Communards. Check this out folks...

DMA'S - The Glow - https://youtu.be/sxqxFCEEkkI

We'll stick with bands who have an acronym for a name for a minute. DGM are an Italian progressive metal band. Listening to their music they range from almost AOR/Classic Rock through majestic songs with soaring chorus and on to thrashy polyrhythmic explorations. The singer sounds a bit like Joe Lynn Turner who did the classic Odyssey album with Yngwie Malmsteen. I've chosen what I think is a relatively accessible track for you all.

DGM - Flesh and Blood - https://youtu.be/fJhyycfUUf0

Have you ever heard of a band called The Lemon Twigs? Nope, neither had I. Sometimes the Spotify algorithms get it right for me and this is one of them. The band is essentially two brothers who add some others for live shows. If you like your rock and pop music to be slightly left of centre and with some surprises then you may enjoy The Lemon Twigs. For fans of The Beatles, Decemberists and The Byrds.

The Lemon Twigs - Small Victories - https://youtu.be/KQ5-M-RY2Sw

And just because it popped up when I was trying to learn another song on the guitar....how's this for a fantastic vocal performance? No auto-tune, no computer enhancement, just pure talent.

Linda Rondstadt - You're No Good (live) - https://youtu.be/yNbx7QWf-cg

I wrote about Eddie Van Halen's passing last week. The impact has been huge in the media and if you throw his name into a YouTube search you'll find many, many tributes from a wide range of musicians. Few are foolish enough to try and emulate him but there are some cracking interpretations out there. DJ Dr sent me some notes that he had penned that were his thoughts on Eddie. I was very interested in his choice of guitar work to highlight. Eruption....fair enough, the solo from Beat It (Michael Jackson)....cool and then there was this. DJ Dr described it as more of a solo with words than a song; it's very cool!

Van Halen - Humans Being - https://youtu.be/igNkzZl50RE

Over the weekend I wrote a new song and it's a bit heavy lyrically. I've only demoed it so far but I'll get to work during the week to record a decent version. It's not healthy for me to spend too much time on very serious, emotionally draining stuff though. I sang through this next track about five times on my way to the supermarket and felt much better as a result. I've loved it for years and it reminds me why I really enjoy rock and roll.

Bryan Adams - 18 'til I Die  - https://youtu.be/rZ6Ec7ag4gk

Rock on folks,

Rob

"...the civic fathers divide us up into cats and dogs...", You Am I, Soldiers, 1996.

World Wide Woozle episode #530

Hello there all you radio fans.

There was extremely sad news this week with Eddie Van Halen passing away at only 65 years old. The tributes from other well regarded musicians as well as a legion of fans are a clear indication of the high esteem in which Eddie was held. Many musicians believe that he was the most important guitarist in rock since Jimi Hendrix. There are twelve Van Halen studio albums to sink your teeth into and I'd recommend starting at the beginning. The band's 1978 self-titled release is nothing short of incendiary. As well as rocking hard it swings, it jives and it's a lot of fun. I remember a school friend who played the cassette non-stop in his car. I loved the energy as well as the fact that Eddie's guitar was panned hard to one side. It felt like a rock band playing inside when we were driving. RIP Eddie.

Van Halen - And The Cradle Will Rock - https://youtu.be/11mBDT5mpdw

Van Halen - Dreams - https://youtu.be/zsXCs41DkWs

In happier news, the new AC/DC single, Shot In The Dark, has now been released. With Brian, Cliff and Phil back in the band their first song since the 2014 release of Rock or Bust doesn't break any new ground but you wouldn't expect that! To me, the track is sonically very similar to 2000's Stiff Upper Lip. Brian's vocals are very strong so whatever has been done to aid his hearing has helped a lot. Of course it remains to be seen if he can sing live. Certainly when Angus and I went to see them in 2015 he was struggling and that's me being kind. If the rest of the new album is of similar quality to this single then we're in for a treat. Power Up is to be released on November 13th.

AC/DC - Shot In The Dark - https://youtu.be/xNhn1KOqq8g

I made a big effort to listen to the radio all week in an attempt to get enthused about some new music. I won't lie though, I was particularly underwhelmed and stopping myself switching over to almost anything else was a trial. Along with the inane radio announcers, there was very little that I enjoyed in the slightest. The synthesised electronic beats, similar synth sounds and low key rapping as well as singing on almost every song was rather boring. It wasn't all a waste of time though. I gained an appreciation of curated playlists and the songs I had on my USB stick that I hadn't listened to for a while. Ha! I did like this song though...the lyrics matter and the music itself grew on me. 

Future Utopia Ft Dave & ES Devlin - Children of the Internet - https://youtu.be/nX7WQhlg3DM

The next tune was another one of the few from my radio listening that held my interest. Loads of cool stuff going on in this track and it reminds me quite a bit of the Buffalo Springfield song, Stop Children.

Chet Faker - Low - https://youtu.be/CGWKZCa6XYw

I was asked today if I like country music. I certainly do but not the ultra processed sickly sweet stuff sung by artists with identical accents. I like it a bit more authentic by artists like The Chicks, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash. I've been practising this song but I'm struggling with it.

Johnny Cash - Cocaine Blues (live)  - https://youtu.be/W1vACkYddHI 

And whilst I've played this one for you before it's a song I keep coming back to; simple, beautiful and gut wrenching.

Glen Campbell - A Better Place - https://youtu.be/JMh78jF-fMQ

Maybe the radio wasn't so bad after all. I've just remembered that this song hit me like a ton of bricks. It's the synth bass driving the beat that makes it work for me as well as the fact the overall sound isn't too far from The Preatures. There's a freshness to this track that I really enjoyed so I'll have to check out some more of Kita's work.

Kita Alexander - Can't Help Myself - https://youtu.be/er3xdPgQT-Q

I had a listen to Paul Kelly's album, Live At The Continental & The Esplanade (1996) this week. Originally I bought it on the strength of his live version of the Nick Cave song, God's Hotel (which he co-wrote with Paul Kelly). The whole record, however, is a really good snapshot of how good Kelly can be in a live situation. He plays his standards but usually with a twist and the recording is such that you can almost feel the sticky pub carpet beneath your feet.

Paul Kelly - Pouring Petrol On A Burning Man (live) - https://youtu.be/PuZj1k0htqU

Paul Kelly - To Her Door (live) - https://youtu.be/yl3qD-Zbu-Y

If Don Walker played To Her Door then I reckon he'd start it like Paul Kelly did in that live version. Sublime!

This time I'm going to finish with something a bit different. Scottish artist Gerry Rafferty, who everyone knows for Baker Street, has a lot of great music to listen to. For your enjoyment, here's a track from 1979. The drummer, bass player and keyboard player are so locked into the groove on this one that it's tight yet smooth and loose all at the same time. I'm not sure quite how to describe it...it just flows really well for me.

Gerry Rafferty - Get It Right Next Time - https://youtu.be/SuCj-_TIGdw

Rock on Brothers and Sisters,

Rob

"...I don't want no teenage queen,

I just want my M14..." Full Metal Jacket, 1987.

World Wide Woozle episode #529

I'm back home now. The dogs and I survived a week of each other! At one stage I woke up wondering why it was hotter than a hot thing only to find a small black dog under the covers and wrapped around my feet. Better than the other type of black dog by a million miles.

On Friday night, George and Sam came along to the open mic night with me. George and I sang a few songs (well, he sang and I tried to look good) and then I did a couple by myself. Loads of fun indeed. Sam got up for a couple at the end and did a great job. Rock on! It's pretty cool to be at a venue where anyone can have a go and people are so kind. Thanks to you both for coming along; it meant a lot. Next time everyone reading who lives close by can come and sing along OK?

Baby Animals - One Word - https://youtu.be/NQkGcWGZdzA

Sometimes the simple songs are the best and I was reminded by another performer how cool this song is. It doesn't matter which version you choose to listen to...it's all about tapping your foot and singing along.

Jimmy Barnes & Jessica Mauboy - Good Times (live, 2016) - https://youtu.be/g5MclNZqeOE

I've just finished reading a biography written about AC/DC founder, Malcolm Young. Look, it was pretty thorough and did a reasonable job and being what I think is best described as, "warts and all". But for a book that claims to have been checked by people that were intimately involved with the band, listing 1976's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap as the band's first album is a pretty dreadful mistake. It was their third. In good news, the teaser for the band's new single is doing the rounds so surely we won't have to wait much longer. I tried my hand at playing some AC/DC songs on Friday evening. Anyone who says you can't play hard rock on an acoustic guitar simply isn't trying hard enough.

During the week I had a conversation with a guy who had just discovered the band Nightwish. It's sort of gothic, operatic, folky heavy metal. I like it in short bursts. I know I've played this clip before but it never fails to make me smile. The song has a great beat and when you remember that the lyricist has English as a second language it's very impressive. And the clip....how much fun did they have making it?

Nightwish - Storytime - https://youtu.be/5g8ykQLYnX0

I've just finished watching the third season of the Netflix docu-drama, The Crown. I'm not a fan of the monarchy but the series is well put together and interesting from a historic point of view. Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret is well cast and Tobia Menzies does a great job as the Duke of Edinburgh. In this season, there's an episode about the Welsh mining disaster at Aberfan in 1966. I did a bit of reading about that and of course the YouTube algorithms decided that I needed to know so much more about it. In amongst the latest heavy metal and folk releases I kept getting songs about mining...and there are plenty. This one stood out though. There are a heap of other versions from artists like The Dubliners, Peter Paul & Mary and U2 but, as is often the case, let's stick with the original.

Luke Kelly - Springhill Mining Disaster - https://youtu.be/ORQj_j7_NM4

Those of you who have been reading for a while know that I struggled with my mental health for a period of time. Now I work in that field trying to shine a little bit of light for other people. But mental health ebbs and flows and I had a little ebb a few weeks ago. Seriously, everything was going swimmingly apart from one area. I noticed I was struggling and I knew that I really, really didn't want to go backwards so off I went to the GP. She was very understanding and sent me off to a new psychologist who pretty much hit my reset button and after a couple of sessions has me back on the straight and narrow. This is not meant to be saying, "look at me", I really want to encourage anyone out there who isn't feeling so good to do something about it. You can wait years and make a mess of a lot of things or you can get some help. This is the same for your physical health too. Remember, fit your oxygen mask before trying to help others.

Hothouse Flowers - I Can See Clearly Now - https://youtu.be/Y1HRcoHGmi4

This is a shorter episode. I've enjoyed being outside far too much this long weekend but I promise a return to form next time around. 

Rock on,

Rob

"...I don't live for music no,

I say I live for rock 'n' roll..." Choirboys, Never Gonna Die, 1983.

World Wide Woozle episode #528

We're back...and I mean "we". I'm dog sitting this week so that means that Sooky the lap hound is true to his name. Any typos are all his. Sparky, as is normal for him, is snoring in the corner. 

A Perfect Circle - Dog Eat Dog - https://youtu.be/OktIuQohC8k

Everyone knows that I've been working on completing my collection of AC/DC CDs. The Australian releases naturally as the song order that appears on some of the overseas releases just sounds wrong to me. Anyway, it's done. There are 17 studio albums, many of which I already had, but a couple were a bit tricky to track down without a Lotto win in the bank! In the end the cheapest one was about $10 and the most expensive....ahem...$135. And yes, I have the live albums too, the boxsets etcetera, etcetera. I will not however, as has been suggested, begin to track them down on cassette too. That's just silly. 

AC/DC - Stick Around - https://youtu.be/BY_LumPgM3g

I read this week about a band that the author thought were the Canadian version of The Pogues. I dunno about that but I did quite enjoy the music I listened to from Great Big Sea, Whereas The Pogues are pretty rough around the edges and have a punk influence, Great Big Sea are more mainstream and smooth for the most part.

Great Big Sea - Ordinary Day - https://youtu.be/-wcjBU8zbdY

There are plenty of Australian musicians with a Celtic influence in their material. I remember seeing Weddings, Parties, Anything at an outside concert and thinking how much better they were than on their records (and their records are great). Mick Thomas is one of my favourite songwriters.

Weddings, Parties, Anything - Knockbacks in Halifax (live) - https://youtu.be/oY_ro_ZYibw

On Friday, a bread knife got the better of me and I made a small mess of two fingertips on my left hand. Blood everywhere, dogs underfoot and the phone ringing too (hi Marty!) The most annoying thing has been that, as a result, I can't practice the guitar. I'm meant to be whacking out a couple of tunes on Friday night so fingers crossed (oh dear!) that they heal up. Here's a song I'd been working on...with the acoustic guitar.

Rainbow - Long Live Rock & Roll - https://youtu.be/nRKz4bqsUxc

Other than dog sitting, I had my first experience of racing on the indoor rowing machines yesterday. I did two 500m races and one 1000m gut buster. In my first race I managed to forget most of the technique I'd been taught and I fell off the seat....twice. I did recover though and wasn't last. The other two races were much better although 1000m is a long way and I almost spewed at the end. We were lucky to have great coaches and support and now there's some training to do before competing at the Australian Indoor Championships in a month!

Alice Cooper - Working Up A Sweat - https://youtu.be/bsaWPjZa8fc

Finally, in this week's slimmed down, calorie controlled episode, I went to an art exhibition today. The newest exhibition at the Australian War Memorial is called Ink In The Lines and it focuses on tattoos. I think this is the best put together exhibition I've seen at the AWM. The layout, the use of video and the photography are all stellar. Even if tattoos aren't your thing, the depth of feeling and the stories behind many of them are extremely interesting. If you're in Canberra you should visit, if not it's online too.

Dropkick Murphys - Rose Tattoo - https://youtu.be/9d8SzG4FPyM

Rose Tattoo - Stuck On You - https://youtu.be/cMUBh8G02aI 

That's it folks. Be kind to each other.

Rob

"I'm a shooting star, leaping through the sky

Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car, passing by like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me..." Queen, Don't Stop Me Now (with long lost guitars), 1978/2011. 

World Wide Woozle episode #527

It's raining in Canberra. What that means is that I'm inside when I'd rather be out. I shouldn't complain too much however as the precipitation is very welcome. What I have discovered though is that living in a ground floor unit, I can't hear the rain unless it happens to be coming in sideways and hitting the window. Snoozing through the sound of rain on the roof is something I hadn't realised I liked until now. Here's a song that I learned many, many years ago...

Jose Feliciano - Rain - https://youtu.be/zZVhkGFYLis

This week marks fifty years since Jimi Hendrix died. Guitar players come and go but Jimi is arguably the most influential. He's certainly a product of his influences but very much an individual. Hendrix's career really only lasted four years and all this time later guitarists old and new rave about him. My introduction to Hendrix was in late 1987. At the time my guitar heroes were Angus Young and Mark Knopfler. I bought a guitar magazine, which at the time was horrendously expensive as they were imported from the USA and it was as if we had to pay for first class postage even though they were months old. Inside was an article about a new Hendrix live double album called, Live At Winterland. So I went out and bought it a little while later. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I hated it. Noisy and guitar frequently out of tune with a drummer who sounded like he was an octopus on speed. Anyway, I chalked it up to experience and didn't listen to the album more than a few times. Not long after I heard some of Jimi's studio recordings and was blown away; they were magical. And with the benefit of those listening experiences I listened differently. Sure, the last song on the album, a cover of The Trogg's classic, Wild Thing is so out of tune that it is laughable but the rest suddenly made sense. I won't say that I'm a huge Hendrix fan but at the right moment I really enjoy some of his work. I still don't like the drumming....sorry.

Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin' - https://youtu.be/EX5phFmbrU8

In 1992, Irish musician Luka Bloom released an album called The Acoustic Motorbike. In addition to being a stellar album, his cover of the LL Cool J rap song, I Need Love, introduced him to a wider audience, including me! Luka has released around twenty five albums now with a new one just out. The first song from Bittersweet Crimson is below and I think it happens to be one of the most beautiful and poignant songs, and videos, that I've seen in a long time.

Luka Bloom - I Need Love - https://youtu.be/hyTISoOX1C8

Luka Bloom - The Beauty of Everyday Things - https://youtu.be/oFWjeHROi5U

When I saw the name Dave Mason pop up this week I thought it was the Australian performer whose band, The Reels, are a bit of a cult classic. But no, it's the OTHER Dave Mason. The Englishman who has played with many bands including Traffic, The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac. This song is one I was introduced to when Kate Ceberano performed it on her TV show in the 90s and I've enjoyed it ever since. In these uncertain times it's fun to see Dave and his mates performing a cracking version.

Dave Mason & The Quarantines - Feeling Alright - https://youtu.be/Xd56ap_aa4k

And for those who haven't heard of The Reels....

The Reels - Love Will Find A Way - https://youtu.be/I03-9hu95n4

In 1980, Motörhead released their seminal album, Ace of Spades. Fittingly a 40th Anniversary edition is due for release very soon. But here's the thing....there's a lot of great material included and, price notwithstanding, it's slightly disappointing that you need to buy it on vinyl to get all the tracks. The CD version doesn't have them all. Hmmm....I realise that records have outsold CDs in some countries in 2019 for the first time in years but seriously, why not release all the tracks on both? Will I buy it? Probably not. I've got the original album and a ton of other Motörhead stuff AND I was fortunate enough to see them play live. Still, it's a great album without a doubt.

Motörhead - Ace of Spades (from The Young Ones) - https://youtu.be/DwImGZJ3IWg

Motörhead - We Are The Roadcrew (live Hammersmith 1981) - https://youtu.be/_jW-IxfbW-E

In 1993 I graduated from university and got my degree in the auditorium at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Tomorrow I'll be in that building again for the first time since that day. There's a certain level of irony as I'll be standing in front of third year Officer Cadets and Midshipmen and talking about mental health. It's a funny old world.

The Clash - Career Opportunities - https://youtu.be/MsE5NAAU39k

Australian rockers Kingswood have a new album out called Juveniles. You may have heard them covering Fleetwood Mac's Go Your Own Way for a TV advertisement for cars. Don't be fooled into thinking that Kingswood sold out there. As they said themselves, the opportunity presented itself and they took it. Undoubtedly it raised their profile and increased their bank balance which, as any musician will tell you, is great! The latest album is a good listen. It's a bit rock, a bit mellow and sometimes sounds like early Powderfinger (before they sucked). Give it a spin and support Australian music.

Kingswood - Bittersweet - https://youtu.be/rIawsqt5YZU

Finally, this week Lee Kerslake passed away. Lee was the drummer in many bands including Uriah Heep and the original version of Ozzy Osbourne's band. Despite a very long and acrimonious relationship with the Osbournes (at one stage Ozzy had his drums as well as the bass re-recorded and re-released years later on the first two albums) Ozzy got it right at the end. One of Lee's final wishes was to receive his platinum albums for Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Ozzy sent him the ones that he'd been given by the record company years ago. Sharon is probably still fuming.

Uriah Heep - Gypsy (live) - https://youtu.be/LdpL9USjdnA

Living Loud - Last Chance (live) - https://youtu.be/KjkQhkCmV-c

Don't look now but the rain has stopped....goodbye and have a great week.

Rob

"I've been uptight and made a mess
But I'll clean it up myself, I guess...", Handle With Care, The Traveling Wilburys, 1988.

World Wide Woozle episode #526

Yup, I'm back again. This week I'm feeling a LOT better. It's amazing what happens when you pay attention to looking after yourself. A little less cycling, only reading the news once a day and some guitar playing has definitely helped. 

Johnny Cash - I Won't Back Down - https://youtu.be/xggRxWXdTng

On top of feeling much better, after changing podiatrists I can now walk again without pain. The new podiatrist is about a 700 metre walk from my office. When I shuffled up there to see him a couple of months ago I was in tears by the time I arrived as my foot hurt so much. He adjusted my orthotics, made me buy new shoes and then do some exercises. And now, voila! I can walk. Today I was out bushwalking for about 8km (5 miles for you heathens) and it was bliss. 

B-52s - Roam (live) - https://youtu.be/ERrmZAJ_ajI

I've made no secret of the fact that I think Roxette were a fabulous band. Loads of fun and when I saw them live I was blown away by their rock and roll show. After ending up through the Roxette looking glass on YouTube I had a listen to some of the music that they were doing before forming the band. Per Gessle (vocals, guitars) was in a band called Gyllene Tider (Golden Times). Listening to this song you can see clearly where the Roxette sound came from...what a ripper!

Gyllene Tider - Sommartider - https://youtu.be/kaKsBwhS2iI

Bonus points if you spotted Marie from Roxette singing backups! At least I assume it's her as it certainly sounds like it.

Roxette - Crash! Boom! Bang! (live) - https://youtu.be/b_AuhP_cKwA

The new Stryper CD appeared in my post box this week all the way from the metal gurus at Utopia Records in Sydney. And while I'd already had a preview via Spotify it's always great to support the artists you like by buying physical media if you can. This CD is classic Stryper with their trademark soaring guitars, great harmonies and plenty of fist pumping tunes. In the CD jacket they are all pictured wearing yellow and black Stryper masks.....I wonder if they sell them?

Stryper - Do Unto Others - https://youtu.be/54JVuMtLVHE

One of the reasons I've stopped reading and watching the news so often is the horrible hate and intolerance being peddled by so many people. They should listen to that Stryper song and take a long hard look at themselves.

And because that might have been a bit serious here's a lighter moment. If you've ever been in a band this will sound familiar. Comic genius from the guys that brought you The Young Ones.

Bad News - Excalibur - https://youtu.be/soPRopexCWs (language warning folks)

According to their bio, The Pilgrim are an "acoustic, psychedelic, melodic, folk project". So far I've listened to a fair few of their tracks and that's a pretty good description. The guitars on this song are a dead ringer for acoustic Led Zeppelin but they're way, way more than another Zep clone.

The Pilgrim - Sitting Down On The Porch - https://youtu.be/kbZMqoz2JDs

I've been thinking a lot about tunes I could try at the next open mic night. I can play loads of songs but I also have to be able to sing them at the same time....in tune! Doing all this thinking made me reflect about singer-songwriters that have influenced me. It's no surprise that Billy Bragg is at the top of that list. And whilst this isn't actually a song he wrote, the interplay between the rhythm of the guitar and Billy's singing here was one of the first tunes that hooked me in; folk music met punk rock.

Billy Bragg - The World Turned Upside Down - https://youtu.be/PWPE6CR2yoU

Rock on folks,

Rob

"...don't watch the news 'cause singing the blues is going out of style...", Rose Tattoo, Rock 'n' Roll Is King, 1981.

World Wide Woozle episode #525

OK, I have to admit it. I overdid things over the weekend and made myself unwell. Or it was a coincidence. Regardless, I ended up pretty run down and, in my usual fashion, I made it worse by thinking that fresh air and exercise would fix the problem. It didn't. Monday off work and mostly in bed has done the trick!

D.A.D. - Sleeping My Day Away - https://youtu.be/ASfVIFUw20Y

I just love the twangy surf guitar mixed up with hard rock in the above track. The whole album, No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims, is fantastic. The bass player has a two string bass and a helmet that explodes!

On Friday I went along to play guitar at an open mic night. The plan was to backup one of my friends who was singing a few songs. That was a lot of fun and even though we hadn't had a rehearsal it sounded OK. Later on I was encouraged to have a go by myself. I've never been shy at talking in public or about playing my guitar but singing is a completely different thing. But I was there, I was plugged in and I really had no choice so off I went. One song....not bad...people clapped and they recognised the tune so that wasn't a disaster. Then another that I knew no-one would know...seemed to go down well. And then when I thought that was it they said I should do another. I ripped out an original that I wrote many years ago. I don't think I've ever sung it other than to myself. Well, I wasn't thrown out and no-one's ears were bleeding so I might go again next  month. For those interested, I played No Secrets (by The Angels), The Beaches of St Valery (Battlefield Band) and Another Day (by me).

Some of you have already heard about my version of The Beaches of St. Valery. For those who came in late, I heard about St. Valery earlier in the year and what happened there during WWII. Then I realised that Battlefield Band had a song about it which is fantastic. Last week my Dad sent me a CD recorded by a friend of his and the song was on there as well! I took this as a sign and decided to record a version just to send back to my Dad. Well, it turned out OK so I shared it around. It's a sad song and I was a bit shocked at how emotional I got when trying to sing it the first few times. But the version you'll hear if you're interested took about four hours to record so I got used to it! See what you think. Oh, and the original is here.

Rob - The Beaches of St. Valery - https://soundcloud.com/robwoozle/st-valery-20

On Saturday, feeling a little drained I slept in then went for a walk around the lake. Because I had signed up to it I went along to the first of four sessions of an introduction to indoor rowing. I liked the idea of trying something new and some of the coaches are people I already news so off I went. Spent would be a fair description of how I felt afterwards. Still, it was fun and I'll go back next week.

Soundgarden - Rowing (live) - https://youtu.be/K47iOp6JDqk

On Sunday I felt dreadful. The sun was out though and I live beside a big hill. You guessed it, off I went up the hill. Not for a stroll either, as the hill got steeper I pushed harder. It felt good until I got home. By bedtime I was well and truly tired out. Being that tired out meant that my stomach decided that it would misbehave. As a result I took today (Monday) off work. How very annoying. I'm all good now but it's a lesson I never seem to learn.

The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself - https://youtu.be/-1pYKdqD1ls

The Rolling Stones have just released their 1973 album Goat's Head Soup for the fifth time. Surely if you turn up at the record store with your original copy you can at least get a discount. Good for fans I guess. In more disturbing news is the fact that Powderfinger is releasing some unheard material. The good news is that they found 50 tracks they'd never released and they are only subjecting the public to 10 of them. They've also declined to play at the AFL Grand Final which is a relief.

Bryan Adams - Kids Wanna Rock (live) - https://youtu.be/oYi2lqG2u9I

Lastly this week here's some Steve Earle with The Pogues (watch some footage of them recording it here). I'm open to suggestions of songs I could do for the next open mic night and this is one I'm considering.

Steve Earle & The Pogues - Johnny Come Lately - https://youtu.be/xVaPwdgezWI

Rock on folks, and don't be like me....have a rest before you need it!

Rob

"Went from end to end to end

And then from there I went again

The road that only this one knows

Off to nowhere here I go...", Illumination, Rollins Band, 2000.

World Wide Woozle episode #524

Hello there all you radio fans,

I know it's been a great weekend when, on Sunday evening, I realise that I haven't written this episode yet! My only excuse for tardiness is that I've been doing other stuff and simply forgot. Spring is almost upon us in Canberra and that means warmer weather, washing that dries on the line and of course, my favourite, the annual angry magpies vs cyclists season! Let's get down to business.

Metallica have released their second live album recorded with a symphony orchestra. One wasn't enough? Apparently not. I've had a listen and, whilst obviously there are a few new songs since their last one in 1999, there's really not that much to write home about here. However, in the live footage released it's fairly obvious that the band are having a whale of a time and, you know, that's pretty cool. If heavy rock with an orchestra is something that interests you then Metallica's 1999 album, S&M, is great. KISS' Alive IV with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is much more fun though. S&M 2 is really for fans only.

Metallica and San Francisco Symphony - Moth Into Flame (live) - https://youtu.be/Q0SU8vxBpc8

Sadly, we got the news this week that Justin Townes Earle had died. Named by his father Steve, for his friend and fellow musician, Townes Van Zandt, Justin was an accomplished musician in his own right. His album, Absent Fathers, is well worth checking out. Justin was just 38 years old.

Justin Townes Earle - The Saint of Lost Causes - https://youtu.be/zdgBLnEGILI

In the 80s and 90s when INXS were one of the biggest bands on the planet I wasn't really into them. Maybe it was a reaction to them being overplayed on radio or perhaps I was just being contrary. Regardless, after playing one or two of their songs live I started to listen more and I'm glad I did. They were great musicians and really knew how to write a groove. INXS' 1991 live show at Wembley has just been re-released and it should be winging its way to my HQ World Wide Woozle in the near future.

INXS - Original Sin (live 1991) - https://youtu.be/p5asQOVqiVQ

Last weekend I read about the life of former Aussie Rules footballer, Robert Muir. If you don't know his story then I very much encourage you to click here and spend the time reading it. It doesn't really matter if you're a football fan or not, the article is an horrific and devastating insight into racism in Australia. For me, reading that made me sad, angry and at times despondent. Some people truly believe that Australia doesn't have a problem with racism and I really struggle with that because, well, it's so obvious. A day or two afterwards I turned on the radio and heard Kev Carmody giving a shout out to the performers of this new version of his well known song. Timing is everything...

Electric Fields - From Little Things Big Things Grow - https://youtu.be/ao7GOymvhsw

Have you ever misplaced a CD and it really gets under your skin? I have and even though I've looked through ALL of my discs I simply can't find them. Somewhere in my little house, two Warumpi Band CDs are hiding! I will not be defeated though! I think the way to find them is to order replacements ha ha! So, here's a placeholder...

Warumpi Band - Sitdown Money - https://youtu.be/-G4jw0Pj_gg

In 1969, King Crimson released an album called In the Court of the Crimson King. In 2020, they are releasing a 26 disc deluxe boxset of the same album. There's live concerts, different mixes, studio sessions and a lot more. I've never listened to the original album so I think I'll start there. It did make me think though, how many albums that I like would I be prepared to sit through something similar if it existed? I did listen to many, many versions of Beatles and Beach Boys studio tracks that DJ PotRope gave to me. It was cool to listen over a number of hours as the bands built up a song. I still don't think I'd have the stamina for 26 discs dedicated to one album though.

King Crimson - The Court of the Crimson King - https://youtu.be/MBIJ8JWostc

I'll leave you this week with Cinderella. I've chosen this song for a few reasons (other than the fact I like to listen to it in the car....a lot). Firstly, it's simply a fun bluesy rocker with tasty guitars and of course Tom Keifer has a great rock and roll voice. But at the start of this live version the drum intro is pure magic. I don't always pay a lot of attention to drumming but I'd like to be able to play this! Rock on!!

Cinderella - Hot and Bothered (live) - https://youtu.be/yGqEVLxoyaM

I may be playing a couple of songs live in front of an audience later in the week so watch this space to see if I remember how to do that...

Rob

"In this land of competition

the compassion is gone
Yet we ignore the needy
and we keep pushing on...
keep pushing on", Punk Rock Song, Bad Religion, 1996.

World Wide Woozle episode #523

Hello enormous listening world,

This week I've listened to very little new music. Instead I've been concentrating on writing some liner notes for a soon to be released album recorded by a good friend. Having access to the freshly mastered, uncompressed audio is a privilege and I'm taking my time to do the job justice. Spending time with new original music I also reflected on how people might listen to these tracks. There will be an LP for those with record players, CD as well, but what I'm thinking about is the actual device. I prefer to listen to music on my relatively old stereo system through some nice B&W bookshelf speakers. There's the option of LP, CD, cassette and digital through a Chromecast device. Of course they all sound different. Add to that headphones, earbuds, bluetooth speakers and, heaven forbid, iPad or phone speakers and the way music sounds can be very different. Whilst I implore you to do better than the built in speaker on your phone or tablet, the fact is that good music will transcend the listening hardware. Mono car radios still made a good noise I seem to remember.

Hole - Boys On The Radio - https://youtu.be/luWlDmQw5iQ

I did listen to some Bee Gees after seeing Jane and Jimmy Barnes doing a wonderful cover version of a well known track. I did a two day Mental Health First Aid course and the weather stayed good for me to walk the five kilometres there both days and home once. Bee Gees were great to walk to and I was surprised at how many of their songs I knew quite well. I'll admit that I skipped a few of the slower ones but that's because I didn't want to be late to the training. 

Bee Gees - To Love Somebody - https://youtu.be/RQCT1f8IHK0

Bee Gees - Spicks and Specks - https://youtu.be/rBF6u_Qt-A0

A few years ago I bought an album by Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey. I still think it's one of the great rock and roll records of all time. It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I realised Wilko had starred in Game of Thrones as Ilyn Payne, the executioner. He certainly looks mean enough on the TV for the role - well cast! This song was a hit for Wilko's band, Dr Feelgood, in 1977. This version from the album with Daltrey really shows that his voice is still very, very strong. I'd almost go so far as to say he was wasted in much of his work with The Who. But that might be overly controversial and I'm all about a quiet life for the most part. The main reason I've chosen this song is the percussive sound of Wilko's Telecaster guitar. He plays it like a drum. 

Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey - Sneaking Suspicion - https://youtu.be/g19iHg5-9Zw

The 1980 movie version of Flash Gordon is getting (or may have already received) a 40th anniversary release. I always thought it was a great fun movie very much as a result of Brian Blessed, Max Von Sydow and Timothy Dalton. Of course the soundtrack, by Queen, was an absolute ripper. I think the last time I saw the film was on VHS or maybe a dodgy download. I'm very much looking forward to watching it on DVD or BluRay. "Flash, Flash I love you but we only have fourteen hours to save the Earth....."

Queen - Flash - https://youtu.be/LfmrHTdXgK4

Two and a half years ago, one of my friends in the USA passed away suddenly. I knew he'd had difficulties with his mental health but it was a dreadful shock nonetheless. We talked online reasonably regularly about action figures and music. He was a great drummer and later on an excellent singer. Ken turned me onto this song by way of his cover version, the Judas Priest version and the original by Joan Baez. I'll give you all three versions because they are quite different. I heard the Joan Baez version on the radio when I was at the supermarket during the week and immediately thought of Ken.

Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust (live 1977) - https://youtu.be/aXaqKCDGN28

Judas Priest - Diamonds and Rust (live 1982) - https://youtu.be/se9-HI_VjwE

Ken Miller - Diamonds and Rust - https://www.reverbnation.com/kenmilleravoca/song/25054638-diamonds--rust-cover-judas-priest

Finally this week a classic. This is the first song I ever remember seeing a video clip for. It was released as a single in 1979 so that means I was just eight years old. For a "pop" song there's so much depth to it and for me it never gets old. I Got You went to number 1 in both Australia and Split Enz's native New Zealand.

Split Enz - I Got You - https://youtu.be/YmQlBfxh4Us

Stay warm and have a great weekend,

Rob

"Hey man I'm alive I'm takin' each day a night at a time,
Yeah I'm down, but I know I'll get by.
Hey hey hey hey, man I gotta live my life,
Like I ain't got nothin' but this roll of the dice,

I'm feelin' like a Monday, but someday I'll be Saturday night..." Bon Jovi, Someday I'll Be Saturday Night, 1994.

World Wide Woozle episode #522

G'day Groovers.

Last time I was a bit underwhelmed by the new Midnight Oil song. After another week the song is still stuck in my head and it has well and truly grown on me. Of course not everything that you like is instant as we know. There are plenty of slow burns out there but often you have to be willing to let a song, book or film ferment for a while. I still stand by my comments about the muffled guitars noting that it may of course be a consequence of the song being compressed for streaming services. 

This week I took delivery of a couple of AC/DC CDs that landed in my post box. I can hear you groaning from here...hasn't he got every album and then some more? Well the truth is that I have all of the Bon Scott era albums on vinyl and the first five Brian Johnson albums on LP as well. After that I moved onto CDs. So, other than Powerage (1978), I didn't have any of the early albums on CD. So, I now have the Australian version of Let There Be Rock (1977) and the Australian only release, TNT (1975) on disc. Woo hoo! They sound pretty good and you really can't go wrong with AC/DC in my opinion. For those interested, Let There Be Rock, has a different track listing to the international version. And the best tracks from TNT and their first album, High Voltage (1975), would be released internationally and confusingly also called High Voltage (but with a different cover).

AC/DC - Let There Be Rock - https://youtu.be/3f2g4RMfhS0

A few years ago I bought the album Decoration Day which is by the American band, Drive-by Truckers. I initially made the purchase because it was one of the albums that was made when Jason Isbell was in the band. I've played it a lot this week for no particular reason other than I was looking for something else and spotted it on one of the CD shelves. The Drive-by Truckers play bluesy rock and roll for the main part. There are some excellent almost folky moments as well and when you get used to the gravelly, hoarse voices it's a great listen. The band cover quite a wide range of sounds from Crazy Horse style jams through to almost sounding like the Grateful Dead. They've got plenty of albums to choose from but this one would be a good place to start. I'm going to choose two songs because it's my blog and I'm greedy. The first is a great combination of a folky melody and despondent country style lyrics. The second is the one that really reminds me of the Grateful Dead. The title track, Decoration Day as well as Outfit are the two Isbell songs on the record and he still plays them regularly at live shows. 

Drive-by Truckers - The Deeper In - https://youtu.be/z3uLjmah_aM

Drive-by Truckers - Marry Me - https://youtu.be/T3a5XWZks_w

Runrig are a Scottish band who were around from 1973 until 2018. They're huge in their homeland and have a cult following elsewhere. Over 50,000 fans went to their farewell concert in Stirling and there's a live DVD available. Their music is a mix of folk and rock and they sing some songs in Gaelic as well. I must dig out the albums that I have...they're here somewhere!

Runrig - Pride of the Summer (live 2018) - https://youtu.be/L_Kw727GOnA

Since I'm in a bit of a folky mood this time around it's time for a track from The Pogues. I listened to my favourite Pogues album, Rum, Sodomy & The Lash, today in the car. I had an expedition out to Queanbeyan (took my passport just in case) and I got through the whole album by the time I'd been there and back. I went out there to attend a coffee catch that the Veterans Motorcycle Club was having for Veterans, families and supporters. It turned out to be a lot of fun just hanging out talking. There's also the chance that I might be asked to play some guitar in a band as a result....that could be fun. My electric guitars haven't been plugged in and turned up for a long, long time. But, back to The Pogues...I've chosen this clip because it includes the lyrics. And for those interested, there's a commentary about what the song is about here. Oh, and the album was produced by Elvis Costello.

The Pogues - The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn- https://youtu.be/VefIC662SAE

After reading an article in the Guardian I had a listen to Emma Swift's new album, Blonde On The Tracks. Emma is an Australian singer-songwriter but this album is all Bob Dylan tunes. If you believe what Swift told The Guardian, she recorded these songs partly as the result of writer's block. They sound great and are another window into Dylan. Let's hope that Emma has another original album very soon.

Emma Swift - Queen Jane Approximately - https://youtu.be/2R94s8vxi9A

That's it for this week folks. Happy Birthday to Alison, Dave, Sally and Vera!

Rob

"E rere ra e taku poi poro-titi

Ti-taha-taha ra whaka-raru-raru e
Poro-taka taka ra poro hurihuri mai
Rite tonu ki te ti-wai-waka e....", Poi E, Patea Maori Club, 1983.

World Wide Woozle episode #521

Hello enormous listening world, welcome back. Take a seat, turn up the volume and get ready for more music.

Midnight Oil have released a new song. Thank you to the many readers who made sure I was aware of this! I've had quite a few listens to it now and I'm a bit in two minds. On one hand I can see how it might translate well into a live show, but as a studio recording it feels a bit flat for some reason. Sacrilege? Maybe. Burn me at the stake at your leisure. The drums are almost devoid of any variation and the guitars are a bit muffled and buried in the mix. Garrett's vocals sound really good though. No instances of him struggling to reach the notes. The lyrics have a lot to say and the Oils are one of the few bands that can sincerely sing from the point of view of Indigenous Australians. The track picks up some energy as it progresses but overall it lacks a little of the spark that I associate with Midnight Oil.

Midnight Oil - Gadigal Land - https://youtu.be/F50PFu_xNJQ

DJ K-Dub sends me a lot of fantastic recommendations. So much so that I have a list to work though! I'll get to one of hers in a minute but a conversation earlier in the week reminded me of the band, Vintage Trouble. Their first album was almost perfect but the follow up...meh...it was kind of meandering and went nowhere for me. Live footage, however, confirms that Vintage Trouble are a tour de force when they are on stage. To that end, here's the band ripping through an old Ike and Tina Turner number. Their influences are clear!

Vintage Trouble - Baby Get It On (live) - https://youtu.be/eipXthVqu_4

The Main Squeeze are from Bloomington, Indiana in the USA. I was first attracted to their work when someone recommended that I listen to their guitarist. It's true; he's phenomenal! The rest of the band are no slouches either and I really enjoy their take on classic songs as well as their originals. This is their latest cover...wow!

The Main Squeeze - Layla - https://youtu.be/365wR-wilqA

OK, back to one of the tracks that DJ K-Dub sent me. I know nothing about this performer except that his song deserves much more than a few hundred views. Great voice, tasteful guitar and lyrics that matter. If you delve into his back catalogue there's a wide variety of styles and some wonderful harmony vocals. I'll keep Luke Jackson on my playlist for a while I reckon.

Luke Jackson - I'm Not Okay With This - https://youtu.be/Rz4eZxyKi8U

I've been a Stryper fan since about 1987. For me, they were successful because their sound, whilst obviously influenced by bands like Van Halen and Iron Maiden, is very distinctive. No-one has the Stryper guitar sound and then there's Michael Sweet's vocal range and power. Combine all that with harmonies and their lyrical message and Stryper remain one of a kind. They've got a new album due soon and a couple of tracks have already been released. I missed seeing them on their last Australian tour but I won't let that happen if they come again.

Stryper - Make Love Great Again - https://youtu.be/iSw7kb_qKDI

Maya Hawke starred as Robin on the Netflix series, Stranger Things. Seriously, she should have been Robyn with a "y" but let's not go there....grrrrrr. Maya has an album coming out and a single available now. Her voice sounds innocent and like a light breeze. The instrumentation is laid back and it's almost like Gillian Welch in places. This could be one to watch.

Maya Hawke - Stay Open - https://youtu.be/y1ohQK6LVZg

Taylor Swift's new record, Folklore, has been available for a few weeks now. It was a bit unexpected; she'd been busy during lockdown without letting on. This time around Taylor is more indie-folk than she is country or pop but it still works for her. For me, this is an album that warrants being played right through rather than skipping through tracks. Here's a more stripped back version of one track that I enjoyed.

Taylor Swift - cardigan - https://youtu.be/i50QUXDeC80

Another new release is from our Kylie. Whilst the initial rhythm bit sounds VERY much like its from Queen's I Want To Break Free, this is Kylie at her 80s disco best. The vocals are a bit nasal in places and I wonder if that's her voice or the effects used (or both). Regardless, this is a solid dance track. The official video comes out soon but the audio is legally available so check it out.

Kylie - Say Something - https://youtu.be/pRzwD2LLXSI

My paternal Grandfather was in the Royal Air Force in WWII. Even when I was in the Army he never spoke of his war service and as a family, we know very little about what he did. I'd also never seen a photo of him in uniform, until this week. For some social media projects at work the comms people were asking for photos of relatives serving during WWII. So I asked my Dad and it turns out he had one photo of Grandpa. Then I asked my cousin, who still lives in Scotland, and he scanned and sent me two more. What a revelation! These photos are also the first time I've seen my Grandpa with any hair at all. I'm fortunate to have his ID tags and the forms the RAF used when his service finished at the end of the war. A few years ago we managed to be issued his medals from the British MOD as he'd never received them to our knowledge. We can all be a bit blase about photos these days with hundreds on a phone in our pockets. Having these three photos, which I will frame and hang in my house, means the world to me. 

RAF Central Band - RAF March Past - https://youtu.be/5QaxpOQAWOY

Have a great weekend everyone,

Rob

"Oh Flower Of Scotland,

When will we see, your like again?
That fought and died for
Yer wee bit hill and glen.
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's army.
And sent him homeward
Tae think again." The Corries, Flower of Scotland, 1969.