World Wide Woozle #497

If you're not interested in a bit of a rant then you should avoid the next bit. Also if you think that the Daily Telegraph or commercial television (in general) constitutes real news, the the same applies.

It's hard to think about music at the moment. In fact, it's hard to think about anything other than the fact that Australia is burning. Not just a few fires but massive out of control blazes taking out an area bigger than Belgium. Or, for American readers; the area so far burnt is that of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. And it's still growing. We've seen communities only able to take refuge in the water at beaches, the biggest peacetime evacuations in Australian history, deaths, property loss and so much more. The scale of this disaster is hard to comprehend. It dominates the news, social media and the talk in the lunch room at work. Here in Canberra we have the worst air quality for a major city anywhere in the world and it's not going away anytime soon. People once obsessed with Facebook and Instagram now spend their time checking air quality and fire reports. Laying blame for this isn't all that complicated. Successive generations have refused to take serious action to address what causes climate change. Politicians on both sides of the major political ideologies have denied and obfuscated for decades and now we suffer. Everyone suffers. This isn't a problem that can be fixed tomorrow; it needed to be addressed years ago and some brave decisions made but they weren't. So do we allow our politicians, emboldened by a hysterical media and funded by those who play a major part in destroying our habitat to continue in this way? No. We need to change the way that our leaders interact. They are out of touch if they think that this is ok. If the Leader of the Opposition continues to lead with, "I wrote to the Prime Minister...." Stop writing to him. You work in the same building. Talk to him or at least pick up the phone. And if the other members of the Liberal and National Parties can't recognise the giant mess that the PM is making of the whole situation then they should all be voted out. Seriously, it's a complete farce that highlights the fact that our political system is broken. As for the uninformed people trying to blame The Greens for causing the fires by not allowing hazard reduction; three or four minutes reading (again, not the Telegraph) will reveal that this is a complete lie.

Everywhere we look we're overloaded with the fires. it's horrific, it's sad and it should make you angry. But you need to remember to look after yourself and those around you even in small ways. If you aren't directly involved then turn the TV off for a little while. There are a ton of good ways to help out in terms of donations of money or goods. So many people are doing great things and these help both the givers and the receivers. 

I'll admit that I'm struggling with the impact of the fires. As well as the news barrage, the fact that Canberra is almost continually blanketed in thick smoke is tough to deal with. My bike sits neglected at the door, our dogs yearn for a walk and everyone is stuck inside. Again, this is nothing compared to those in fire areas but you live your life where you are. Instead of being a downer, I'm going to play a few specially selected tracks this time around. These are the songs that I turn to when I'm not feeling great. The ones that make me smile or think of good things, people and places. I'll tell you a little about each one. If you're with me on Facebook then please feel free to share a song back with me that you find uplifting....and it doesn't have to be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! You can comment on the blog too.

In 1984 I was fortunate enough to go to the 14th Australian Scout Jamboree outside Sydney. It was a long journey from country Victoria in a bus that broke down in Albury! At the Jamboree we built bikes and raced them, flew a light plane, went ziplining, got wet and muddy and generally had a great time being kids. The Jamboree had its own radio station and they took requests. My Patrol had this as our unofficial theme song and I'm sure the people running the radio station got tired of our constant requests for it...

Hoodoo Gurus - Like Wow, Wipeout! - https://youtu.be/vFnaNPGe4gQ

Queen was one of the first rock bands that I couldn't get enough of even though I only had their Greatest Hits LP. When "A Kind of Magic" was released it cemented my place as a fan. Funnily enough though, I go to this tune a lot and it isn't on either release. I like this one because it has the most awesome guitar riff. There's a great version of Def Leppard playing it at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert as well. A real foot stomper and never fails to put a grin on my face.

Queen - Now I'm Here (live 1975) - https://youtu.be/uvOuRt_BiRI

Like a lot of people I imagine, I grew up thinking that Blondie were a disco band as a result of their song, "Heart of Glass". I remember having my little mind blown when I discovered their other work and the fact that it was as much punk as it was anything else. Blondie were (are) truly unique. I like this song particularly because if you listen past the pop sounds you can imagine the Ramones singing it too. At least I can. The driving rhythm and the three chord verse is pure punk. Bands like Blink 182, Green Day and The Dollyrots can surely trace their sound back to Blondie as much as The Clash or The Ramones.

Blondie - Denis (live) - https://youtu.be/ZtlnNaTBrUI

"My Island Home" was written about an Indigenous Australian man living in the desert and missing his home on an island in Arnhem Land. It's a great track, admirably covered by Christine Anu, that's quintessentially Australian. During my first visit to Vanuatu it became clear that the people there had adopted it as well. It makes sense and as a Warumpi Band song and as one so loved by my home away from home it always makes me happy.

Warumpi Band - My Island Home - https://youtu.be/yZEodxUx2ME

Billy's reddest song I guess. This one is from what's probably his least popular album but I love it all the same. The original version of this song is from the 19th Century and Billy has updated it a bit as you'll soon see (click here to hear Billy talk about it). I learned about Socialism and Communism at university whilst studying politics. As a result I understand how both have been warped by many people around the world for their own nefarious purposes. My personal ideals of people being equal regardless of gender, colour or background were often at odds with many of my peers and the music of Billy Bragg and the good bits of socialism had a profound effect on me. In Vanuatu, one of my grandfathers told me that he liked me because I understood that all blood was red. That'll do me. Read the lyrics folks.

Billy Bragg - The Internationale - https://youtu.be/yAw0Ri4FSdM

ABBA? Yep....great band. They've got it all: terrific vocals, harmonies, pop, rock and a lot of energy. The synth line at the very start of this song chugs along like any number of heavy metal guitarists. I remember playing in a band years ago and throwing that into a song to see if anyone noticed ha ha! I like ABBA best when they are rocking out and this is one of the best examples. For those unconvinced maybe have a look at this live version.

ABBA - Does Your Mother Know That You're Out -  https://youtu.be/WkL7Fkigfn8

A throwback to my childhood up next. My Mum loved this song and still does. I remember that the b-side of the single was just the backing track! Wham were huge when I was in high school and playing them on the radio station at lunchtimes was always popular. Other than that it's just a great song with a good beat and again, it makes me smile.

Wham - Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go) - https://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A

I'd never heard of Talking Heads until 1987 or 1988. A friend, with a broader tape collection than me (and a big boombox), played their "Little Creatures" album to me whilst we worked at a Scout Camp over Easter. This song has stuck with me ever since. I like the idea of listening to the highway breath!

Talking Heads - And She Was - https://youtu.be/cl3B_FTDKD0

Finally, in terms of songs that make me feel better, is this one from The Proclaimers. It's from 2018 and I know that some of you continue to be shocked that the band are still putting out records. Well, they are and they're full of great tunes. This one has the effect of making me homesick for a town that isn't my home and that I have no memory of visiting. It's an amazing thing to be able to write a song that evokes such strong emotions.

The Proclaimers - Streets of Edinburgh - https://youtu.be/7qTbLoyQ23g

So, welcome to a new decade. The music continues here at HQ World Wide Woozle. Thanks for listening and reading. Oh, we all really enjoyed the new Star Wars movie. I'll write more next time.

Rob

"The river runs red,
Black rain falls, On my bleeding land...", River Runs Red, Midnight Oil, 1990.