Hello enormous listening world. Fortunately, my Covid test came back negative and I was released from quarantine the next morning.
Here's the link for a playlist of all the songs in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/43uR7WtiPTFEyuk8mJoUhu?si=2c3b10cd83034997
And so now, onto some music. I hope that the selection this time moves, grooves and soothes you!
When I turned 50 some good friends gave me a new vinyl copy of Carole King's album, Tapestry. You might remember me writing about it at the time. In the last week or so I've been revisiting it and for any number of reasons it has really spoken to me in a way I certainly didn't expect. The physical act of playing a record (rather than streaming or CD) has special meaning to me as well. The feel of the record, the sleeve and sleeve notes as well as cleaning the LP before playing somehow make the music more special. Anyway, before I get too carried away, here's the first track from the album...truly magnificent. Thanks to all my friends old and new.
Carole King - You've Got A Friend - https://youtu.be/VbMI4imWFzY
Pink Floyd are about to release the remixed and updated version of their 1987 album, A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Whilst this was included in the massive Later Years box set from 2019, this is a separate release of this album. Not everyone loves this album, in fact many Floyd fans really dislike it. 1987 was about the time that I got interested in Pink Floyd and as a result this record is one I quite like. "...There's no sensation to compare with this, suspended animation, a state of bliss...", is a great lyric I think. There's also some new Sony 360 degree surround sound technology going on here but I'll get some input from the expert on all things audio, DJ Guz, and will get back to you on that!
Pink Floyd - Learning To Fly - https://youtu.be/OVn7o1q2g3Y
ABBA are back. Yep, I realise that it has been all over the news but I'm a fan so I thought I'd mention it. The new album, Voyage, is due for release on November 5th and two singles are already available. ABBA haven't spent all the years since they broke up trying to make every penny possible by tarnishing their legacy as many bands have. And look, if these new tunes are anything to go by then the album should be cool. The digital touring version of the band could be interesting. Oh, to be young and airbrushed!
ABBA - Don't Shut Me Down - https://youtu.be/hWGWFa3jznI
Fans of the legendary English band, The Smiths, know that they will never re-form. And given the recent debacle from the Sex Pistols it's probably not a bad thing. Fortunately both Morrissey and Johnny Marr have extensive and continuing solo releases to sink your teeth into. You may or may not avoid Morrissey these days given some of his political views but there's no denying that he's a great songwriter and performer. Johnny Marr is cool though and he gets cooler. I was exposed to Johnny not because of The Smiths, but because of his work with Billy Bragg. He's got a new single (Billy does too - more about that in another episode) and it's got a thumping beat, tasty guitars and an almost entrancing vocal feel. I like it.
Johnny Marr - Spirit Power and Soul - https://youtu.be/qeqBn3BAMag
"Morrissey", I hear you shout, "give us some Morrissey!" Oh, ok then. Here's a tune that I've liked for years. What a wordsmith, what a voice!
Morrissey - Come Back To Camden - https://youtu.be/5XWJyO3Zj0s
Recently I signed up for a 30 day trial of the Amazon Prime streaming service. DJ BlackBeltHenry had told me that it had a ton of music films, documentaries and concerts and, as a result, it sounded like a winner to me. Well so far it's been awesome. Last night I happened upon a John Denver concert recorded in Japan in the late seventies. The video quality is average at best but the audio was great. There's a load of other stuff that I'll watch as well including the biopic about W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes as well as Creedence, Alice Cooper, Johnny Cash, The Bee Gees and the history of the Bay Area thrash metal scene. Rock on indeed! Here's a song we used to sing in class at primary school. Again, a magnificent set of lyrics.
John Denver - Annie's Song (live in Tokyo) - https://youtu.be/GqViYyDIAdI
I was going to write now about the new Iron Maiden album, Senjutsu. After thinking about this for a little while I'm going to hit pause on the review and wait a little while. Let's just say that I think it is quite boring and I'm hoping that it grows on me. I am a HUGE Maiden fan so I'll give them due respect and spend more time listening. One from the past...check out that crowd!
Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark (live in Santiago) - https://youtu.be/6PDMtqejNfs
I was in the car today (legally) and listened to an album recorded by Sheryl Crow in 1998. It's called The Globe Sessions and is named for the studio they worked in. I've had the album for years and haven't listened to it much. Well, today was the day and I really enjoyed the backbeats, the almost grungy guitar, Hammond organ sounds and of course Sheryl's voice. I think I'll listen to it again shortly.
Sheryl Crow - My Favourite Mistake - https://youtu.be/AmIlUKo4dQc
Let's finish with a song I've played a lot for y'all over the years. And I'll keep playing it into the future. This one came to me via The Proclaimers who have a brilliant version. It's a song I've turned to for years now when things aren't going so well. I really should work it up and record it properly myself before too long. I've got a version I did on the 4-track machine over fifteen years ago but maybe it needs revisiting. If you only listened to one song this week then make it this one. It's the blues that helps chase the black dog away.
Steve Earle - My Old Friend The Blues - https://youtu.be/VGkHnMtp_MU
Rock on Brothers and Sisters! And please come back next time,
The Woozle
"...All I want and all I need,
All I crave is a good pub feed..."
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