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.

World Wide Woozle episode #520

Hello out there all you radio fans.

Last week there was the chance that I'd be snorkeling around my unit as the result of a water leak. Thankfully I haven't had to use my fins and snorkel just yet. A trip to the hardware store and some fun with silicon sealant and a caulking gun means that the water is contained. My handiwork isn't pretty but I'm all about function over form in this situation.

There's a theme running through all of the songs in this episode. See if you can work it out. If not, just enjoy the tunes!

Ringo Starr was 80 a couple of weeks ago. You may remember him from the TV show, Thomas The Tank Engine. There are quite a few songs recorded as a tribute to Ringo on this occasion that are now available on YouTube. Sheryl Crow does a great version of All You Need Is Love which you should check out as not only does it sound great but it highlights her skills as a musician. There's a bit at the start of the next song where Ringo comes in and it's my favourite bit of his drumming. I don't know quite why but it just feels great. 

The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever - https://youtu.be/HtUH9z_Oey8

Deborah Conway's debut solo album, String of Pearls, from 1991 is one I come back to on a regular basis. Deb's voice, combined with a very strong collection of songs and a cracking band makes this a ripper of a long player. This track, which I was fortunate enough to play live just once, sounds simple but has a depth and complexity which envelops me in a good way every time I listen to it. This is the acoustic version with only guitar, vocals and accordion. Beautiful.

Deborah Conway - Release Me - https://youtu.be/j5n5fiAzCvs

Biffy Clyro are from Kilmarnock in Scotland. The Proclaimers have a song called The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues but other than being a bit of trivia for you, that has nothing to do with anything!  Lots of reviewers categorise Biffy Clyro as being alt-rock and that sounds fair. They have a habit of writing songs with an almost anthemic sound which has made them very popular in the UK for a number of years. The song I've chosen for you highlights all of that as well as showcasing one of the two types of guitars that I wish I had in my arsenal. A Telecaster. I did have one years ago but you know the story....foolishly sold it to buy something else.

Biffy Clyro - Mountains - https://youtu.be/NfzwM4pdyxU

Mainstream pop radio isn't something that I'd ordinarily pay a lot of attention to. Whilst doing a spot of channel surfing in the car the other day the next song came on and I listened to it right through. It's not a new song by any means but it sounded so fresh and exciting. Later on I checked the video clip and remembered how much fun it was. I've never listened to anything else by this band, maybe I should. This is a groovy tune with a great clip.

OutKast - Hey Ya! - https://youtu.be/PWgvGjAhvIw

I had a listen to the first two Jane's Addiction studio albums during the week (they released a live record first). The first one, Nothing's Shocking (1988), resonated with me much more than the more popular, Ritual de lo Habitual (1990). Both are highly regarded alternative rock albums that influenced many bands and continue to do so. That spot of listening took me down the garden path to the band Soundgarden. They're a band who took grunge, rock and metal and made a sound all of their own. I clearly remember the first time I heard the next song and thinking how cool the guitar riff was. It still is. The album it's from is a complete listening experience and Chris Cornell had one of the best voices in rock music.

Soundgarden - Spoonman - https://youtu.be/T0_zzCLLRvE

Soundgarden probably liked Led Zeppelin. I run very much hot and cold with Led Zep; it really depends on my mood. At times their music can feel like overblown, pompous stadium rock and then at others it speaks to me at an almost spiritual level. Their quieter, folky moments are my favourite but the majesty and power of this track rarely disappoints.

Led Zeppelin - Kashmir (live) - https://youtu.be/PD-MdiUm1_Y

Devo is a band I need to spend more time with. Like many of you former late night music video show watchers I've seen and heard Whip It just one too many times. I have a couple of friends who regularly post/write about how good Devo are after this little bit of video, I predict much more of their music in my life. Are we not men?

Devo - Jocko Homo (live) - https://youtu.be/iIVITn7gbXo

There you go. Lots of what I think is cool music. I hope you do too. Did you work out what links all of those songs?

Rock on.

Rob

"Seven faced marble eyed transitory dream doll,
Six proud walkers on the jingle bell rainbow,
Five men writing with fingers of gold,
Four men tracking down the great white sperm whale,
Three girls waiting in a foreign dominion
Riding in the whale belly, fade away in moonlight,

Sink beneath the waters to the coral sands below.",  The Eleven, Grateful Dead, 1968.