World Wide Woozle episode #542

Here we go again. Another musical journey…and more.

Being a parent is a roller coaster ride. Now that Zoë has made it public I can talk about the fact that she has had Covid-19 and subsequently recovered. She tested positive a few days before Christmas and, in true Zoë form, was more worried about the effect on those around her. Given her occupation, it wasn't a shock that she got the virus. This didn't make it any easier though for her or her family! Zoë suffered stoically and with good humour (most of time) as she lost her sense of taste and smell and was nauseous and tired. Thankfully she has now recovered and is back at work. She's also now been vaccinated and has been spending time doing the final ambulance driving course (the driving courses had been on hold as a result of the pandemic).

Sammy Hagar - I Can't Drive 55 - https://youtu.be/RvV3nn_de2k

My kids both have an amazing work ethic. I spoke to Angus last week and he'd just finished 14 days straight at work. It's fair to say that he was a bit tired. I think he's looking forward to going back to his massage course in a week or so and of course completing it in the middle of the year. He's a man with plans and I think that is very cool.

Spacey Jane - Here Comes The Sun (Triple J Like A Version) - https://youtu.be/X9-QYrBEufw

Ghost are a fun band and I've said it before, you shouldn't take them too seriously. This time around singer Papa Emeritus IV has teamed up with The Hellacopters for a Stones cover...

Papa Emeritus IV with The Hellacopters - Sympathy for the Devil - https://youtu.be/Soq9xHAVfvc

Another band that is usually a ton of fun are Weezer. From the old Buddy Holly and Sweater Songs through to today there's always been something worth the price of admission. Their last couple of albums had a bit of a Beach Boys vibe going on coupled with quirky lyrics. This one is in the same ballpark and the clip certainly adds a bit more.

Weezer - All My Favorite Songs - https://youtu.be/AGPdXYG1msg

If you haven't heard it yet via Facebook or a direct link, I've released an original song and put it up on Soundcloud. This one has lyrics written by my friend Sam and was recorded, mixed and produced by George (who also played some very tasty keyboards). I linked to a live version of the song in the last episode but the studio recording that we did was very much how I heard the song in my head when I put it together. Thanks to all who have already provided feedback; it's very much appreciated. For those who are interested, I'm playing my Taylor Big Baby acoustic guitar and we just stuck a microphone in front of it and hit the record button. George is playing a fire-engine red Nord keyboard. The whole thing was recorded, mixed and tweaked using the Logic music recording software. It took us about 3 hours in total.

Rob with George - Smooth Ride - https://soundcloud.com/robwoozle/smooth-ride

Mike Campbell played with Tom Petty for almost fifty years. His current band, The Dirty Knobs, sounds a bit like Tom but has a bit of a rougher edge. It's good, honest rock and roll from guys that have nothing to prove. I do like a record where the band sounds like they are genuinely enjoying themselves.

The Dirty Knobs - Wreckless Abandon - https://youtu.be/n_Cfsktanus

I had a chat with a guy yesterday who had been on tour supporting Suicidal Tendencies; what a trip that must have been! When I told him that I had a cassette that I made in 1988 with ST's debut album one one side and Painters and Dockers Bucket on the other side he just smiled. Yeah, that was a great tape! The ST album, which was released in 1983, remains one of my all-time favourites. 

Suicidal Tendencies - Subliminal - https://youtu.be/Kxmva8FcsxA

Painters and Dockers - In My Mind (live) - https://youtu.be/7y2nNwgTlKY

That'll do. Thanks for reading.

Oh, and I got to cuddle a baby miniature chihuahua today at work; that was rather groovy!

Bye,

Rob

"They're justified and they're ancient and they drive an ice cream van..." Justified & Ancient, The KLF, 1991.

World Wide Woozle episode #541

Just when you thought it was safe to open your email (or click that link), here comes the World Wide Woozle!

First things first...my ribs have almost finished healing, I'm back on my bike and although there was a bit of a hiccup right at the last moment, my car has been replaced. After a couple of months using public transport as well as a LOT of walking I certainly appreciate the option of the car. I'm not a car person; to me they serve the purpose of getting from A to B. When the insurance company told me that the replacement car I was meant to get had been sold by the dealer I bit my tongue and asked for the cash instead. Then I was lucky enough to call another dealer who, to his shock as well as mine, had a car that suited my needs actually already on a truck to Canberra. There's a certain irony that the type of car I got (a little Kia) is the same that I tried to buy earlier in the year. I must say that the new wireless version of Apple's CarPlay is super cool. Oh....and the car is white.

Andy Prieboy - On The Road Again - https://youtu.be/GSwTO0kLQbY

Sleaford Mods have been getting a fair bit of air time here at HQ WWW. Their latest album, Spare Ribs, was released on 15 Jan and it is one of the few albums I've pre-ordered in many years. The music is gritty, uncompromising beat poetry with an industrial hiphop backbeat. It's a bit like what might happen if Frank from the TV show Shameless got on the microphone. I can't wait for the CD (and the t-shirt) to get here,

Sleaford Mods - Nudge It - https://youtu.be/xhdGipqrKNY

Barry Gibb's new record came out on 08 Jan. I did NOT expect to be all that interested in it until I read about some of the people he had playing with him. Let's see; Jason Isbell, Dolly Parton, Gillian Rawlings, Tommy Emmanuel and Keith Urban. OK, now I'm interested. Whilst I have only listened to a few tracks I certainly think that the whole album is going to hold my attention. Great songs, Barry's amazing voice and an all star lineup. Sweet.

Barry Gibb with Keith Urban - I've Just Gotta Get A Message To You - https://youtu.be/1mocrPhJBSM

David Bowie's 74th birthday was marked by a star studded streaming concert. Some of the performances missed the mark but it's pretty hard to live up to the original material. Joe Elliott from Def Leppard has always been a fan and the band covered Space Oddity and Drive-In Saturday previously. Anyway, this is a cool version of Ziggy Stardust with Joe on vocals. Joe doesn't sound like Bowie but his voice works well in my opinion. Note Earl Slick playing either an original Supro guitar (made famous by Bowie) or the re-issue.

Joe Elliott - Ziggy Stardust - https://youtu.be/RJ8_IhD1cIY

I've been trialling a whole lot of songs for an upcoming solo lounge room gig. A lot of cool tunes have been tried and dumped because I either can't sing them or I can't sing them AND play guitar at the same time. The NYE gig proved to me that I can't be trusted with a tambourine to tap my foot on so watch this space as I think I have a drum machine solution worked out. This is a solution that doesn't require a degree in computer programming to use! Here are a few songs that may or may not make the setlist...

The Party Boys - Gonna See My Baby - https://youtu.be/-eOx6n5-HEk

KISS (with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) - Sure Know Something - https://youtu.be/7pbgaZfm4tE

Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown (live 1984) - https://youtu.be/4GE4xI3xYF0

Ike and Tina Turner - Baby Get It On - https://youtu.be/HmzJLObmDyo

Or maybe I'm just fooling with you. If anyone is interested in coming along there are a few "tickets" left so drop me an email. The gig is on the afternoon of Saturday February 20th.

Last weekend Bing and I played a show for a few friends. We played almost all originals and it was heaps of fun. You can see highlights of the gig here. However, Bing was kind enough to upload this video of us playing an original song written by me and my friend Sam. She sent the lyrics and I borrowed a RhinoBucket riff and mangled the whole lot into a song. It's still a work in progress but see what you think if you're brave enough.

Bing Vandergraaf and The Woozle - Smooth Ride (live) - https://vimeo.com/498895478

Sadly, New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain died a few days ago. The influence of the Dolls on so many bands shouldn't be underestimated. RIP Sylvain :-(

New York Dolls - Jet Boy (live 1973) - https://youtu.be/Cbd-BcuPvLA

That's enough. Some of us have guitars to play. 

Rock on,

Rob

 "I won't be torn between
The man in the chair and the man that's in my dream
I'm going to melt the two men into one..."   Queensrÿche, Best I Can, 1990.

World Wide Woozle episode #540

Hi everyone, welcome back.

I've never really been interested in celebrating the new year. Even when we played the big production gigs with the band at Vivaldi's the actual date held little significance for me. It's just another day. And whilst I understand that people want to be rid of 2020, it isn't as if a magic wand has been waved overnight and everything is suddenly fab-a-doodle. I'm not aiming to sound like a misery guts, really I'm not, it's just never been my thing to mark a new year.

Last night, however, was a bit different. Here in Canberra we are very fortunate that there are relatively few restrictions about gathering and celebrating. We aren't ignoring the virus, it's just that we've remained fairly well isolated from it. DJ SamTee asked George and I if we'd consider playing a few songs for the evening and after consulting for about fifteen seconds we agreed. Over the past few weeks we've been rehearsing as a duo along with backing tracks that Bing has spent days and days crafting. The party was fun, the support act was me playing a solo set, and our main set seemed to go down rather well! There was dancing, singing and just the right amount of food, drink and frivolity! We played a few of George's original tracks from his forthcoming LP and then finished the nights with a few selected classic tracks. I particularly enjoyed playing these two covers...

The Runaways - Cherry Bomb - https://youtu.be/yTiVCaNY1rI

Spy vs Spy - Don't Tear It Down - https://youtu.be/gOeJshHFpPI

The guitar sounds in the Spy vs Spy song are the ones closest to those that I hear in my head and try to achieve with my electric guitar. It's that jangly, swirly sound that I really dig.

Whilst rehearsing, George suggested that we add an old Midnight Oil track which is relatively obscure. After creating the backing ensemble and us running through it he thought it would be good to record the whole thing and make a video. Although the original track is from 1996, the lyrics and sentiment remain so relevant today and I hope you enjoy and appreciate it. Huge thanks to George for including me in a fun project.

On a personal note, the recording features me on electric and acoustic guitars. I used my old red electric guitar which I bought with my Mum in December 1987. That guitar has seen a lot of miles and is still the one I feel most comfortable playing even though I have much fancier equipment here. I remember after having it for a few months that my Dad remarked that if he'd known how much I would play it that he would have considered getting me one years earlier. I'm very fortunate to have family that has always encouraged me to play and sing.

So, here it is. George on vocals, keys, drums, space noises, bass, everything else I've forgotten and me on electric and acoustic guitars.

George Huitker featuring yours truly - Time To Heal - https://vimeo.com/495481831/9dbed1bd69

Oh yeah...I went for my first bike ride today since my car accident and ten hours later the smile is still there. I think 2021 is going to be the year of me smiling as much as I can.

Rock on,

Rob

"...I'm movin' on up now

Getting out of the darkness
My light shines on...", Primal Scream, Movin' On Up, 1991.