World Wide Woozle episode #544 - Here comes The Woozle

Hi everyone,

Three and a half months ago I signalled an end to my writing here. At the time it felt right. I had nothing else to say, nor the energy or inclination to do so. But here we are. I have more to say and the writing bug has returned.

Firstly, for those receiving this via email, please feel free to let me know if you'd rather not get these any more. I won't be offended at all.

A little while ago both my dietician and my psychologist were talking to me about things I do, or could try, for my own wellbeing. I'm pretty good at encouraging others to look after themselves (well, that's my job) but less so at taking my own advice. I mentioned that I'd finished writing here and one of the things I was gently prodded to try was writing real letters; the kind you do with a pen on some paper. I ended up quite enjoying that. People blab on about mindfulness and being present all the time and it can be a bit wearing but writing a letter made those things real for me. It probably also helped me to realise the enjoyable part of blogging which is the composition, choosing the songs, editing and wondering how people will react (or not) to my meandering electronic thumbnail dipped in tar. 

Some of you may have read the above paragraph and be worried about me with the dietician and the psych. Don't be. The psych, who was simply amazing, finished with me recently and I no longer need or have to see her. And I have a feeling that the dietician is going to have the same reaction when I see her next. Recovery is a complex thing and it's different for everyone. I'm fortunate to have, eventually, and with a lot of work, moved a long way down the path to wellness. I won't bore you with the details but I feel better than I have since maybe 2013 and friends and family keep telling me that I look and sound better as well. A lot of really great things have happened to me, especially in the last few months and it's an amazing feeling. I smile a lot these days.

And now, regular (or irregular if you like) programming resumes. I'm going to focus on music, which is one of my great passions. I'll include some wellbeing stuff later on in future episodes for those interested. I'm no guru but I know what has worked for me.

Queen is one of the reasons that I love the electric guitar. Their music took me in so many directions from the heavy rock of Tie Your Mother Down, to the grandeur of Who Wants To Live Forever, and the unbridled joy of Don't Stop Me Now. One of the first rock songs that I learned to play was One Vision (and I still have the sheet music!) I've chosen the next track because I think it's a great tribute to Freddie and Queen in general. In my opinion, Adam Lambert does a magnificent job singing for the band now and I'd happily go along to a show, but...George Michael made this his own. Huge thanks to DJ KungFuRollins and DJ Ducky for introducing me to this one.

Queen and George Michael - Somebody to Love (live) - https://youtu.be/UvM2Cmi-YRU

The Mutton Birds are from New Zealand and very well known there. If you like this song then they have a greatest hits compilation called Flock which you should play. I learned, once recorded and sometimes perform their song Wellington. It means a lot to me. The next tune has resonated a lot recently and it's got a chorus that I happily belt out at volume when I'm in the car. I find it a bit hard to sing though so maybe I'll get someone else to do that for me at a future show.

The Mutton Birds - Anchor Me - https://youtu.be/hSaoiabOX84

Last weekend DJ FeeDub and I travelled to a local winery to see George and Junk Sculpture play an outdoor show. The punters were blessed with a clear, blue day and a band playing with a whole lot of love for their audience. It's the first time I've danced at a gig that I can remember (other than moshing or stage diving) and DJ Bing also grabbed me to sing a few lines of a Jason Isbell song. It was this one...thanks brother!

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - 24 Frames - https://youtu.be/ZtgPeNKpnyw

There's some more fabulous live music coming up for me to tell you about. Firstly, DJ Digby'sDad and I are going to see a tribute show for The Beatles Let It Be album. It's the same crew that did the White Album show a few years ago and, given that we can't see The Beatles play it, this should be fun. Todd will know all the words for sure! The same week Fi and I are heading to see Bohemian Symphony which is orchestrated versions of songs by Queen. Betcha I can bang my head to Bohemian Rhapsody even if it is an orchestra playing!

The Beatles - Across The Universe - https://youtu.be/90M60PzmxEE

Queensrÿche are releasing expanded versions of their classic albums, Operation: Mindcrime and Empire. For metalheads in the 80s and 90s, these were essential listening and I owe DJ DJ a LOT for turning me on to them in a big way. Listening back now I'm still struck by the musicianship, songwriting, and the fact that both albums are so cohesive (yes, I know that Mindcrime is a concept album with a storyline). The new versions come out in about a month so you've got time to plan for what will be money well spent!

Queensrÿche - Revolution Calling - https://youtu.be/CNdOsL4Xe7Q

Regular readers will know that I'm a sucker for a good cover version. In my mind, that's one that respects the original but adds a little bit of something else. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) and Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) team up on this version of a Rolling Stones classic to give it a bit of the Muscle Shoals treatment. In my opinion this works really well. The swagger of the original is maintained but the addition of the horns, backing singers and Nuno's guitar makes the track even cooler. It's my favourite Rolling Stones song and I love what these guys have done with it. The track is also from a film about Muscle Shoals which I must track down!

Steven Tyler and Nuno Bettencourt - Brown Sugar - https://youtu.be/NlicnrM6CWg

In the early 90s I subscribed to Rolling Stone magazine. I got two cassettes as part of the deal and they are both still firm favourites. Lenny Kravitz's Mama Said was one and I'll write about that another time. The other was Shiver by Jenny Morris. There aren't a lot of albums that I'll happily listen to from start to finish but both of these fit into that category; all killer, no filler! Here's a song from Jenny Morris that was written by Paul Kelly and produced by Andrew Farris (INXS). Years ago I had a copy of an Ovation round-back acoustic guitar and it was perfect for this song (but not good for much else, so I sold it).

Jenny Morris - Street of Love - https://youtu.be/SF8BXedhN4c

That's it folks. I'll be back another day with tunes and maybe some news about a bit less cycling and a bit more balance. But not too much less cycling!

Rock on,

The Woozle

"Guitar band, a guitar band,
I'm gonna be a star with my guitar in a guitar band.
Guitar band, a guitar band
I'm gonna turn it on, get in strong with a guitar band."

Stevie Wright, Guitar Band (Vanda & Young), 1975