Welkam! I've almost managed to crank another episode out in a week so things must be looking up. If you've got the time folks then I've got the energy...here we go!
First up. for those of you not playing along on Facebook, it might seem rather amazing in these uncertain times but I have a new job! Woo hoo! I'm sad to leave the War Memorial behind but the lack of regular work made me start looking for something more permanent a while ago. I've landed an initial 12 month contract with a government agency and I'll be working as a peer support advisor to military veterans and their families. It's a pretty cool job that also involves some training and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.
Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends (live 1969) - https://youtu.be/DvLFAbxTNJA
Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) are a hard rock band originally from Sikkim which is in NE India. They've been around since 2006 and have recently signed to a record label based in Denmark and have an album about to be released. The band has plenty of content available on the internet, both original material and some very well done covers. Here's their latest release which showcases the band really well. Hard rock and metal fans; if you're anything like me, you'll hear the riffs and then the voice and be instantly hooked. These guys are GREAT!
GATC - Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay - https://youtu.be/lq82yt-Od1U
Being cooped up has people all over the place coming up with lists of favourite movies, books, films, juices and anything actually. Every now and then they are actually interesting. Any list of my favourite movies (if you want a list let me know but most people are well and truly over lists) will always include the Mike Myers film, So I Married An Axe Murderer. It's not his best but I think it has some of the funniest moments ever captured on film. Watching some of the other actors barely able to hold it together as Mike carries on is simply classic. Here's an example with Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia cracking up. But, back to the music and Mike's father in the film, played by Mike, loves a bit of Rod Stewart. Rod has become very middle of the road in the last few years but he was most certainly a rocker in his day.
The Faces - Stay With Me (live 1972) - https://youtu.be/J2FMAt7UeB0
I'm a big fan of English band Motörhead. You all knew that though. As with bands like AC/DC you always knew what you were going to get with Motörhead. Loud, obnoxious rock and roll played by guys who treated every song and every gig as though it might be their last. No room for half measures. In the early 90s, before heavy metal detuned and suddenly everyone new sounded the same, I was interested in a Brazilian band called Sepultura. Being Scottish I was always looking for value for money in my CD and LP buying and the EP was king in this respect. One day, at the very much missed Impact Records here in Canberra, I picked up Sepultura's EP Third World Posse. It turned out to be excellent and into the bargain, a release exclusive to Australia. It also contains a particularly inspired and brutal cover of a Motörhead song. So here it is. Horns up \m/
Sepultura - Orgasmatron (live 1992) - https://youtu.be/2_D99CNNXRo
As mentioned last time, the pandemic has put a hold on everyone's travel plans. It's really annoying as after almost 40 years I thought I might be ready to take myself back to Scotland. Of course, having the deliverer of babies and survivor of cyclones in England is a pretty big drawcard. I'll admit that I even dreamed of coming home via the USA to do a bit of a music pilgrimage. There are so many places in song lyrics that I'd like to visit for one reason or another. I know it's such a huge cliche but I really want to go to Graceland. Probably more as a result of this song than actually because of Elvis (even though the Elvis stuff would be amazing). In my travels I'd also like to see the Mississippi Delta to see if it does shine like a National Guitar....what a lyric!
Paul Simon - Graceland (live 1991) - https://youtu.be/0VTcBO4q5kY
A couple of bits of sad news this week. Firstly, American soul, folk singer Bill Withers passed away. I have fond memories of singing and playing Ain't No Sunshine with my friend Sam. Also of course Lean On Me is a fantastic song although every single choir seems to butcher it. I remember the conductor telling me once that I was singing it wrong and to sing what was written in the music in front of me. There were two problems here; one is that I can't read music and the other is that no matter how accurate the sheet music was it simply lacked soul and feeling. My good friend Karen posted that this was a great track from Bill and she was right.
Bill Withers - Grandma's Hand (live) - https://youtu.be/lAoFAhJJF7M
The second very sad death is that of Adam Schlesinger, bassist and songwriter of the band Fountains of Wayne. He was 52 and the corona virus took him. Everyone knows him and the band for their song Stacy's Mom. Adam was a very accomplished guy in the entertainment industry with three Emmy's and Grammy to his name. Gone way too soon.
Fountains of Wayne - Better Things (The Kinks cover, live 2001) - https://youtu.be/jTNonlossl0
The Dixie Chicks are back with their first new material since the 2006 album, Taking The Long Way. This is a band not afraid to say what they think and to write and sing about difficult issues. Their new track is about gaslighting. I'm out of the loop as I had to look it up but it refers to manipulating someone in a relationship. The song is about Natalie Maines rather horrible breakup and what her ex-husband put her through. But it's also a commentary about abusive relationships. Here's the official video clip but I'd like to highlight the live version too as Dixie Chicks are very much the real deal musically.
Dixie Chicks - Gaslighter (live 2020) - https://youtu.be/2PA8ua0Tuqk
That was a bit heavy so I'm going to finish this week with something lighthearted. Kris Delmhorst is an American singer-songwriter. It'd be fair to describe her work as folky, poppy and/or Americana. In 2011 she recorded a whole album of songs by one of her favourite bands, The Cars. I can't quite remember how I found out about it but it was so good that I ordered a hard copy of the CD almost immediately. So, here's a track from that album and another which is an original. Remember folks, you can still buy music...
Kris Delmhorst - You Might Think - https://youtu.be/AX8B0PdpjUo
Kris Delmhorst - Color Of The Sky (live 2017) - https://youtu.be/pm-W0-vYwi8
That's all folks, wash your hands!
Rob
"...with a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe..."
Rhinestone Cowboy (Springsteen version), Glenn Campbell, 1975
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