World Wide Woozle episode #559

G'day groovers, let's get some good music spinning here.

Spotify link for the playlist of the tunes from this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KqfWu7vvH20L4xZcgGIhb?si=f9485b4b0af64717

First up this week are James Williamson (The Stooges) and Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman) combining their punk and rock experience for an album released about a year ago now. Just hit play OK, it's great.

Kames Williamson & Deniz Tek - Stable - https://youtu.be/5OwkUzeJzpo

Continuing for a minute with punk rock...the next band hit me hard this week with the release of their fabulously titled EP, Unsolicited Advice for your DIY Disaster. The Buoys are from Sydney and have been playing since 2016. Cool name for a band as well when you consider that all members are female; I like it! Musically they remind me a bit of elements of The Go-Gos, Courtney Barnett and The Donnas. Here's a link for their recently released EP (the whole thing). 

The Buoys - Drive Me Home - https://youtu.be/mKIkcIct8aY

I started reading Stevie Van Zandt's autobiography, Unrequited Infatuations, this week. Many thanks to my mate DJ TC (who works for Little Steven) for reminding me that the book had been released. For those unaware, Little Steven has been a rock and roll guitarist for a long time now and is well known as a long time collaborator with Bruce Springteen, for appearing in the TV shows The Sopranos and Lilyhammer as well as fronting his own bands including The Disciples of Soul. It's interesting to read how varied his influences are as well as the path that he and Bruce took to rock and roll fame. He's an interesting guy....the book starts with him recounting being under a blanket in a car being smuggled into Soweto in apartheid era South Africa.

Artists United Against Apartheid - Sun City - https://youtu.be/4BIvf-ZlJNc

Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul - Soulfire (live) - https://youtu.be/CanRnjvdYNU

Apparently David Lee Roth (Van Halen and solo artist) is retiring. He released a short statement recently that says, well, not a lot really other than that he's done. If you've ever listened to him speak on radio or in an interview you'll know that Diamond Dave has a VERY big personality. He's an interesting guy. Singer, jazz musician, martial arts expert, painter, paramedic...and the list goes on. Rumours now abound that maybe he's not well. I hope that this isn't the case. Regardless of what you think of him, he's been a showman and a very successful one for many years. Maybe he's just realised that his voice isn't up to it anymore and he's going out (relatively) on top. If you want to hear all about his amazing life then hit up the podcast he did with Joe Rogan. It's a couple of hours of Dave talking non-stop about everything and the time just flies on by. I bought this song on a 45 when it was released...such a cool guitar track.

David Lee Roth - Yankee Rose - https://youtu.be/Aae2uyXLnd8

Van Halen - She's The Woman - https://youtu.be/Tj3ul98CnRg

My friend Karen recommended the next artist and I've been slowly listening to a few tracks. I chose this particular one because it's a great song but also because it showcases an artist who can sing and convey emotion in a live situation. If you like Serena Ryder, Miley Cyrus (doing country) or Carole King then I would recommend this. I just wonder how her family lost the "s" from the surname?!

Brandi Carlile - Right On Time (live) - https://youtu.be/wcWP91VUbWo

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit have a new album coming at the end of November. Here's a track they recorded in Athens, Georgia. It's a cover of an REM song and those in the know will be aware that they are from Athens. All proceeds from the album go to charities so get on and pre-order now or make a note to get a copy when it's released.

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit - Driver 8 (live) - https://youtu.be/OxOflWlehg4

My mate George has the third in his run of online gigs coming up this Wednesday evening (20 Oct 2021). As always, it promises to be a great way to spend some time enjoying original music. To get the link either visit the band's Facebook page or his webpage and ask. Rock on Bing!

George and Rob - Tiny Tin Town (live) - https://vimeo.com/502564251

That's about all for this week. Keep an eye out for the trailer for the upcoming Beatles film, the new Coldplay album, and me out on my bike.

The Woozle

"...now I'm on my way to a brighter day..."

Swanee, Rescue Me, 2014.

World Wide Woozle episode #558

Good morning on what is a glorious Spring day here in Canberra.

Already this morning I've been super productive. Maybe it's the weather or perhaps just that I had to collect my groceries at 8am and I've just kept on trucking! Let's get to some music.

In 1979 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band performed at the No Nukes Concert at Madison Square Gardens. Get ready because a ten song video is set to be released in November. Here's the first release and I hope that it gets you toe tapping and maybe up for a dance in your lounge room as it did for me. It's just fabulous to see a band having such a good time performing as well as the great sound and video quality.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Sherry Darling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFE78WbrZjc

License To Kill appears on Bob Dylan's 1983 album, Infidels. This week a new official video was released that was filmed back in 1983 during the recording sessions. Mark Knopfler and Alan Clark (Dire Straits) are playing as is Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones). I'm no Dylan expert and not even a big fan but I really liked this song for some reason. Bob's voice is really strong here and the lyrics are timeless.

Bob Dylan - License to Kill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRrlFYg2QkI

I was unsure about playing the next tune. Although I really enjoyed the album and I'm a big AC/DC fan I will admit that this song isn't my favourite. But when the music video is added in I think it's very much worthy of your time (and mine). The look back through the band's history is rather cool although they don't include some of the others that did their time back in the day. This is probably as close to misty-eyed as you'll get from AC/DC.

AC/DC - Through The Mists Of Time - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7-bIFDMSFA

I've continued with the 30-day mindfulness challenge. It's pretty good and makes a difference for me. I can also see definite applications for it with my work. I'm not dashing off to find an Indian guru to teach me a better way but daily meditation seems to be a good thing.

Midnight Oil - Underwater - https://youtu.be/bDwpQehaKvk

Did we ever expect to hear from Tears for Fears again? Probably not. The story of why they started playing music again is a good read and you can get all the info here. There's a lot of water under their bridge but in the end they realised that nothing was stopping them making music except themselves. There's a new album out soon-ish and the first single has been released. If you liked Tears for Fears before then this won't disappoint. If you've never heard of them then this isn't a dreadful starting point as it's a strong track that is well produced.

Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUp-ujO979U

I've left this track until the end on purpose. If you've read this blog for a while you'll have been introduced to Puddles Pity Party. I think he's a great singer and, in a world of great voices, he stands out to me. I think the clown getup is rather cool and suits what he does with covers and his originals. Puddles' latest release addresses the issue of trolling and the feral world of keyboard commandos. Seriously, if you don't like something then don't listen to it or at least be polite. Constructive criticism is OK, hating is not.

Puddles Pity Party - Driven to Tears / Black Sabbath / Police - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu8fgeyAwVU

That's it folks, smile at a stranger, pat a dog, be excellent to each other and yourselves.

The Woozle

"Here's my story, sad but true
About a girl that I once knew.
She broke my heart, I became unglued,
It all started when she called me dude..."

Scatterbrain, Don't Call Me Dude, 1990.

World Wide Woozle episode #557

Hi everyone and thanks for joining me this time around here at World Wide Woozle. If you're the person that is reading in Romania then please yell out and say hello!

Here's the playlist link for this week. Click here.

October is Mental Health Month here in Australia. Depending on which statistics you want to read either one in four, or one in five, people will experience problems with their mental health during their lifetime. It's a challenging subject but one that needs to be normalised and discussed. If your friend was taking medication to aid in pain relief from a broken leg then there's every chance that no-one would think twice about it. Mental health is completely different and it needn't be. Talk to your friends, family and colleagues - please. 

The Black Sorrows - Another Blue Day - https://youtu.be/TMAWQAZmUEw

Lux Lisbon - Scars (acoustic/live) - https://youtu.be/kTqoZfLdtLo

Ghost have a new single that comes from an album that seems to be a long, long way off. But the single is cool, and from a new Halloween film! You get the familiar spooky Ghost schtick and it really is a great track.

Ghost - Hunter's Moon - https://youtu.be/rtkaUZvMaG8

Elton John has teamed up with Stevie Wonder for the first track from the former's Lockdown Sessions album. At first I thought to myself, yep; another Elton mid-paced, well produced song. On further listening I realised the fat bass sound and then Stevie's iconic harmonica give the track something special.

Elton John with Stevie Wonder - Finish Line - https://youtu.be/dEyCVAIfiCk

 

I will freely admit that years ago I thought that the Blues Brothers were just a band made up for the film. I was wrong. And this week I noticed a release of a live gig that they'd broadcast on the radio called Real Tight! (Live San Francisco 1978 KSAN). It sounds like it was a great show and whilst I can't find any of it on YouTube just yet, this will give you an idea of what it's all about....wait through the band intros for Matt, Steve and Duck to get into the music because it's so groovy!

The Blues Brothers - B Movie Box Car Blues (live 1978) - https://youtu.be/ythpz9KrLm0

DJ EmJay sent me through a few recommendations a while ago (thank you!) and I may have lost the email for a while....but all is well because nothing is ever really gone on the internet. Firstly, here's a cover version that I really didn't expect to be all that good. Not because the band can't play or because I don't trust DJ EmJay but because covering The Beatles is heavy man...and rarely is it done well. This is cool though and Klaus sings it so well.

Scorpions - Across The Universe - https://youtu.be/ESSiufFTxJQ

The next track was also recommended and EmJay highlighted the fact that it might be her favourite song ever. A worthy choice! This is a slightly different version to the one we're all used to hearing as well; I like trying to spot the differences. 

Queen / Bowie - Under Pressure (Classic Queen Mix) - https://youtu.be/YoDh_gHDvkk

Recently I realised that I needed to return to taking better care of my own mental health. I'd let a few things slip and it showed. So, to that end I've been learning properly how to meditate and breathe. I was a bit resistant initially and thought it would be all about rainbows and incense but it's proving to be pretty good. And I've also taken a bit of a leap into journaling. Not writing about music (I do that here all the time) but making a genuine effort to write down and then reflect on how I feel, gratitude and a bit of affirmation. Again, it sounds a bit like purple kaftans and temples but it's not. The reason I'm writing about it here isn't because I want external affirmation, but it's to keep me honest about the whole thing. I have things I need to address. Thanks for indulging me!

The War On Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore - https://youtu.be/MVh6XTwWhMY

See you all next time....when...I'll be OUT OF QUARANTINE! Woo hoo!

Hugs,

The Woozle

"Into the great wide open

Under them skies of blue
Out in the great wide open
A rebel without a clue..."

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Into The Great Wide Open, 1991.