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.