World Wide Woozle episode #515

Hello enormous listening world...

This week I've been thinking about what it means to be a rebel. I won't bore you with the many reasons why this has been on my mind but I'm going to briefly explore it from a musical point of view here. There are two main points in the definition of a rebel; one relates to someone rising up against their government or ruler and the other one is someone who resists control, authority or tradition. With that in mind, let's rock.

Chuck Prophet - Jesus Was A Social Drinker (live) - https://youtu.be/TTiRNRvoG1s

Yup, if we're to believe even half of what is written down, Jesus was a rebel. You can take the whole son of God out of the equation if you like and his ideas and actions are still  rebellious.

Rebellion can take many forms and sadly violence is one of them. At times the violence seems unjustified and damaging to whatever cause it is related to. And then there are other times when it's a last resort when no-one will listen or nothing else works. Currently the World is sitting idle as Indonesia rules West Papua with a cruel, iron fist. We all pitched in to help East Timor but for some reason we're happy that atrocities have continued there since the early 1960s. 

George Telek - West Papua - https://youtu.be/qYKnlg5hQOo

Johnny Cash was a rebel. He sang a hit song about shooting a man, "just to watch him die" in the mid 1950s. He performed in prisons, released gospel albums and although he came from a conservative background he sang for the downtrodden and the dispossessed. The fact that Johnny's life was so troubled and has so many contradictions cements his place as a musical rebel.

Johnny Cash - Man In Black (live) - https://youtu.be/1Okt0-Y38Pc

Staying in the USA for a minute, the Dixie Chicks are rebels. Now known as The Chicks, the band took a stand against the war in Iraq and caused massive uproar amongst their audience. Death threats and all sorts of other things followed but The Chicks stood their ground.

The Chicks - Not Ready To Make Nice (live) - https://youtu.be/9wh0om9erc8

The Specials were rebels. They fused punk, ska and anti-racism beginning in the late 70s in Coventry, England. And they're still rocking...

The Specials - B.L.M. - https://youtu.be/wgu_mexOpww

I could go on and on about different kinds of rebels. John Howard was a rebel when he enacted tough gun laws in Australia, Eddie Mabo was a rebel fighting for land rights for Indigenous people, Robert The Bruce rebelled and fought for independence against a cruel regime and Kevin Rudd had the stones to stand up and say "Sorry". None of these people are perfect and I'm sure I could list any number of reasons not to like them but at one time they made a stand for what they believed in even if it flew in the face of tradition, control, authority or law. Let's leave it there, I've said more than enough.

I'll finish this week with a quote from one of my favourite artists. Billy Bragg sings, "...if no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man..."

Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards (live) - https://youtu.be/Zn06juaCNSA

There you have it folks, have a great week.

Rob

"I'm sick and tired of hearing things from

Uptight short sided narrow minded hypocrites

All I want is the truth, just give me some truth...." Gimme Some Truth, Cheap Trick, 2019 (originally by John Lennon)

World Wide Woozle episode #514

Hello out there all you radio fans...

This is an episode where I really hope you'll take the time to listen to a few of the tracks. I know that I regularly go off on more than a few tangents to talk about whatever I'm thinking about but this time it's all about the music.

Masters Apprentices with Hoodoo Gurus - Turn Up Your Radio - https://youtu.be/OYa7ziJjJZA

As a teen and a young person the radio was very important to me. Records and cassettes weren't cheap and there was no Spotify or YouTube to try before you buy. The local radio stations and, if the atmospheric conditions were right, the FM stations out of Melbourne combined with the local community FM station, were where I went to get my fix and to hear new stuff. Like many people my age I had a few prized cassettes of songs I'd taped from the radio, hoping that the announcer wouldn't talk too much over the start or end of the track. I had the opportunity to do work experience at the local AM radio station and it remains one of the best weeks of my life. I spent my mornings in the record library cataloguing and transferring new singles onto cartridges and the afternoons sitting in with the announcer. Radio is quite different nowadays but it still holds a special place in my heart. I've still got a few tapes that I made back in the day so here's a track that appears on one of them...

Mel Brooks - To Be, Or Not To Be - https://youtu.be/kmzPnpn63nA

Somewhere, someone is working out whether or not they should remove that clip for good. 

Let's move on. I got into rap music in the mid-90s as the result of a university assignment. Artists like Public Enemy, NWA and Ice-T were interesting to listen to as what they rapped about was a reflection of the reality of their lives. A bit later on I heard an album by a guy called Matisyahu. It's a mix of rap and reggae. To top it off, the man himself is, and performs as, an Orthodox Jew. It's an interesting mix.

Matisyahu - One Day - https://youtu.be/WRmBChQjZPs

If you're my age, or older then you probably know who Burl Ives was. For me, hearing some of his songs transported me right back to some of the earliest times in my memory. Burl was an American singer, actor and icon. He sang folk songs, popular songs, songs for children and a whole lot more.

Burl Ives - John Henry - https://youtu.be/PiYElO21wiQ

I have a bit of an ambivalent relationship with classical music. I don't care much for it and I imagine the genre cares little for me! However, there's one piece of music that I've always really liked so here it is. Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite has always conjured up a story in my head and that's the whole point I think. Whilst In The Hall of The Mountain King might be the best known piece from the Suite, Morning Mood often rolls around in my head when I'm cycling on a particularly cold, clear and still Canberra morning. It also featured on a milk TV commercial in New Zealand in the late 70s so maybe that's why it's stuck in my head!

Edvard Grieg - Morning Mood - https://youtu.be/-rh8gMvzPw0

Years ago, I worked in a place where there were two of us called Rob. Somehow he became known as Evil Rob and I was Good Rob. Well, Evil Rob recommended a lot of very interesting music to me over the three years I was there. Other than an excellent Black Sabbath tribute album called Nativity in Black, the one that has stayed with me for over 20 years is a band from The Netherlands called The Gathering. I guess you might call it atmospheric metal. What I like about it is the depth and variety of sound as well as a vocalist with a great voice. 

The Gathering - Eleanor - https://youtu.be/PIHV9YNCdRk

In 1996 Triple J radio played a track from a new band called Pollyanna who were from Sydney. We were very much in the grip of loud, indie-pop and these guys hit that nail right on the head. Their debut album, Long Player, is the sound of pub gigs, summer and loud guitars. I liked it then and I like it now. 

Pollyanna - Keep Me Guessing (live) - https://youtu.be/4zaM3DkwbJI

A while back I was listening to a band called Tinariwen who are from the Sahara Desert in Northern Mali. Their brand of music combines what I assume are traditional sounds for them along with rock and blues. Listening to them led me to another group called Songhoy Blues. They are from, wait for it, Timbuktu! In my opinion classifying a band as "World Music" is just lazy. These guys are desert, rebel rock. The intro to this song really made me think of Link Wray's song Rumble.

Songhoy Blues - Soubour (live) - https://youtu.be/4SYxSD-k3m0

Something I usually shy away from here at the World Wide Woozle is the heaviest of heavy metal. To be fair, it's very much an acquired taste and I know the majority of listeners aren't into it. However, I distinctly remember the moment that the genre made sense to me and that was seeing Armoured Angel play live in 1991. The power and the sheer brutality of the riffs pounding throughout the gig was enlightening. Add to that the fact that heavy metal crowds seem to be the most friendly and I was hooked. So here are a couple of heavy tracks if you're interested. 

Napalm Death - On the Brink of Extinction - https://youtu.be/npa8qUNEIFY

Unleashed - Before The Creation Of Time - https://youtu.be/R3UHfA5dCAw

Year ago, as a nod to my heritage, I tried to learn to play the bagpipes. Well, it was too hard which is a little disappointing but probably not so bad for my neighbours. I went back to the guitar and kept rocking on! But I've always loved the pipes. Marching along with a pipe band was one of the highlights of my time in the Army. Like death metal, bagpipes aren't for everyone but they're both for me. Bagpipes are an integral part of Battlefield Band but not in this next song. It seems poignant to play it for you all now since we've just had the 80th anniversary of the event that it is all about; a sadly forgotten part of WWII. The lyrics are with the song....have a read.

Battlefield Band - The Beaches Of St Valery - https://youtu.be/7INre6oo9es

I hope you enjoyed the tunes this week and that maybe you listened to something you might not have otherwise heard.

Keep smiling,

Rob

"I'd sell your heart to the junkman
Baby, for a buck, for a buck
If you're looking for someone to pull you out of that ditch
You're out of luck, you're out of luck...". God's Away On Business, Tom Waits, 2002.

World Wide Woozle episode #513

I always feel as if I should have a standard opening line for these blog entries. Something catchy that I can use. But everything I think of sounds either really lame or is too close to something I've heard elsewhere. You'll have to make do with a genuinely warm welcome and the regular warning that the music could be a bit random. Maybe eclectic is a better word. Onwards....

It's no secret that I enjoy listening to a lot of the recommendations that the Spotify algorithm machine throws my way. The next band appeared in my "discover" weekly list the other day and I've been rocking out to them ever since. Patrón is a new band with members of QOTSA, Danzig, Mad Season and Screaming Trees (to name a few) coming together to give us a sleazy, bluesy, doomy rock and roll mashup which is very danceable. In fact I need to organise some sheer curtains as the neighbours waved at me this afternoon when I was getting my boogie on to this next track. Oh dear! Patrón are a lot of fun and I reckon they'd be a complete riot at a live show.

Patrón - Who Do You Dance For? - https://youtu.be/xKVdgtb4fDA

In awesome recording news...the latest track I've been working on now has a piano part along with the acoustic guitar and vocals. I've only done a rough demo so far but will get on with better recorded guitar and vox later on today so that DJ HewBee can weave his keyboard magic. A big shout out too to mate DJ EssTee for letting me loose on her lyrics! Watch this space as I reckon we'll be ready to release it on an unsuspecting public in a few weeks. And since I'm very nervous about my singing voice....here's a bit of an example from many years ago...

Push Grunt Shove - Riff Stealer - https://youtu.be/4DO5Pc14phQ

The Boomtown Rats; what a great name for a band. I must say that I didn't expect to be hearing a new track from them much less an album but here it is. At first I thought it was an unreleased David Bowie tune and I imagine you'll probably hear that as well. If the album is as good as this single then it'll be a ripper...

The Boomtown Rats - Trash Glam Baby - https://youtu.be/or8dD5VYk_4

This next track almost didn't make it into this episode. When it started off I almost skipped through it as it seemed pretty bog standard folky country but I let it go as I like to give songs a chance. I'm glad I did. Jackson Browne is in there a little later on and the song has really grown on me. There are plenty of songs about isolation but this one is actually good.

Grace Potter - Eachother - https://youtu.be/H_N8fVhQn8w

I've never really been a fan of The Pretenders. For one reason or another they've never really piqued my interest. That all changed a little while ago when I was encouraged to listen to their earlier stuff. They've also got a new long player coming out soon. Check out this single and remember that Chrissy is around 70 years old...she sounds fantastic! Oh, and that's a wonderfully fuzzy guitar at the start.

The Pretenders - Turf Accountant Daddy - https://youtu.be/1ODPgzITbQk

I was pretty disappointed that there isn't an official video clip for the next track. I remember hearing this track for the first time in about 1989. I was a very mixed up young man and music helped me through tough times. This track, from the great album Come Out And Play, resonated with me then and it still does. 

Twisted Sister - I Believe In Rock and Roll - https://youtu.be/TviNaeKoin0

About the same time as I was banging my head to Twisted Sister, one of my friends loaned me an album by the American band, Manowar. They are one of the bands who invented what we know now as "power metal". Bands like DragonForce and Avantasia are the sons and daughters of Manowar (and a few others of course). Manowar's 1987 album, Fighting The World, is a lot of fun and it rocks hard. Songs like Blow Up Your Speakers, Defender and Carry On are absolute classics. So when I saw a cover of one of their tunes I was sceptical...not an easy band to do justice to but oh my, this is great. Watch the bass player's fingers...they are simply a blur!

Dan Vasc feat. Luis Mariutti - Black Wind, Fire and Steel (Manowar cover) - https://youtu.be/IMvRp94lUws

Every now and then I dip into Father John Misty's music. Recently he's released an album called Off Key In Hamburg so see what you think of this song. The lyrics feel right in these interesting times. Musically it's very close to Elton John at his best and indeed the vocals even sound like him. Father John Misty has a delicate touch amongst the bombast and that's pretty groovy.

Father John Misty - Things It Would've Been Helpful To Know Before The Revolution (live) - https://youtu.be/9vAd8NhMas4

The next track is for my good mate Neal over there in Louisville, Kentucky. He's not doing so well health wise. Some of you may remember in 2012 that I foolishly competed in a half-marathon. I wrote two names in black marker on my arm to carry with me to keep me motivated. Those names were Dave and Neal. Both of those gents were having ongoing challenges with cancer. In 2020 they are both thankfully still with us but Neal's battle just got even harder. I was talking to him the other night and he mentioned one of his favourite bands was Night Ranger. So, Neal my brother, this one's for you...hang in there.

Night Ranger - Eddie's Comin' Out Tonight (live) -  https://youtu.be/DC-Mj1pkJy8

And on that note, we've reached the end of episode #513. To close, here's a track from Jenny Morris. In 1989 I got a copy of her album Shiver as a freebie with a magazine subscription. The magazine, which shares a name with a long-lived British rock band, was crap but the album is a real treat. One of the few I have that has absolutely no filler; every track is a cracker. Here's Jenny live on MTV...

Jenny Morris - Aotearoa (live) - https://youtu.be/SlJSr6hTBso

And now....football.

Rock on,

Rob

"This is a public service announcement, with guitars...." Know Your Rights, The Clash, 1982.

World Wide Woozle episode #512

Ladies and Gentlemen, another week has passed and I'm here again in your email and on the blog to waste a little of your time. 

Of course, the observant amongst you will recognise that my presence here means that I have indeed survived the trial that was dental surgery. I won't lie, I was petrified and it took quite a lot of laughing gas before I stopped shaking uncontrollably. After the two needles had gone in and my face was numb it was a dream. I even fell asleep between all the drilling and having the crown fitted because I was so worn out. So whilst I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone else, it could have been worse I guess. 

Rhino Bucket - The Hard Grind - https://youtu.be/qvAbJUk5YgI

The best band ever to come out of Brisbane is called Custard. I have great memories of playing their tune The Apartment Song in a band I was once in. Well, Custard are back to save us all from rock and roll mediocrity with a new album called Respect All Lifeforms. You can guarantee I'll be spinning it more that a few times in over the coming weeks.

Custard - The Min Min Lights - https://youtu.be/MWLgXhbKyxM

Ian Hunter from Mott The Hoople turned 81 this week. I really only got into his music in the late 90s as my mate Garry kept the pressure up until I relented and had a good listen. I'm glad that he was so insistent as there's a lot of great rock and roll in the Mott and Ian Hunter back catalogues. Garry was taken from us a few years ago and every time I hear Ian Hunter or Tom Petty I raise my eyes skyward and wish he was still here.

Mott The Hoople - Rock n Roll Queen (live) - https://youtu.be/1WyGjaspiUw

Ian Hunter - When I'm President (live) - https://youtu.be/Gqi1z1Ka_4c

The Angels are a classic and legendary Australian rock band. I've seen them play a number of times and other than one very, very sub-par performance (hey, it happens) they have rocked the house down. The band in its current form have just released an EP called Under The Stone and if this track is anything to go by then we're in for some great rock and roll. This clip was released today; that's right, the World Wide Woozle sometimes has the finger on the pulse!

The Angels - Under The Stone - https://youtu.be/GiIcH4q51kY

It's our second long weekend in a row, this time to mark the Queen's Birthday. It was fairly amazing to see her out riding a horse during the week; she's 94. So, kudos to her for being a fair age. I'll leave the republic debate to one side for a bit. At the moment there are a lot more pressing things.

Motorhead - God Save The Queen - https://youtu.be/Qa1wdUkeuvE

Henry Rollins is a big fan of a wide range of music and he's got an encyclopaedic brain for talking about it as well. He's definitely a fan. I didn't see this one coming though and I hadn't heard about it until today even though it's not particularly new. Judging from the comments this version of a Waylon Jennings classic is just ever so slightly polarising. It reminds me a bit of some of the gothed up versions of country songs we did back in the day with The Dark Violence of Beauty. I like it. You may not.

Henry Rollins - Lonesome, On'ry and Mean - https://youtu.be/3XhEO9XZ1zc

The Irish band Clannad celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. Their music is a bit hard to describe....maybe atmospheric, Celtic, folky, prog? Whatever it is, and it doesn't need a pigeon hole, it's great to listen to. I always find that there's more in each song every time I listen. Not a band I gravitate to all that regularly but when the mood takes me it's an immersive listening experience.

Clannad - Who Knows (Where The Time Goes) - https://youtu.be/Xq-uu62EY5A

Hmmmm, what to say about the happenings in the USA at the moment. I think it's safe to say that there is nothing I can add to the commentary that hasn't been said. The best thing I think I can do is list a couple of tracks here that might give you pause for thought.

Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - https://youtu.be/vwSRqaZGsPw

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings - This Land Is Your Land - https://youtu.be/1ifbleDsSsI

Until next time, peace,

Rob

"Boogie, boogie my life away,
Boogie woogie living and loving every night and day..." Boogie My Life Away, Backstreet Girls, 2003.