World Wide Woozle episode #578

Hi everyone and thanks for tuning in for another episode of the World Wide Woozle. Thanks also to those that sent responses to the previous episode. It's pretty groovy being part of a global village.

With only a couple of weeks to go now until HQ Woozle gets a new, permanent home, I've been reflecting on how fortunate I am to have friends willing to let me invade their space and crash in their spare rooms for more than a couple of days. Mega huge thanks to George, Todd, Suzy, Gertrude and Fitzwilliam. It's a kindness I'll never forget.

DJ Laff sends me cool songs all the time. Recently he highlighted the next track, a cover of a Johnny Cash / June Carter song on the B-side of an EP from INXS that also features Jenny Morris on vocals. Luckily the track is available on a Morris compilation as the EP is long out of print and not on Spotify. To make matters even more complicated; the EP is different in Australia to that in the global market! Anyway, I reckon Jenny Morris has a great voice and this is a very cool version of a classic.

Jenny Morris - Jackson - https://youtu.be/y2EVjOBZw-s

Many of you will understand the concept of the YouTube rabbit hole. Once you dive in looking for one song then so many others turn up. If it hadn't been for the previous song then I might not have come across the next one. Jenny Morris covering this Billy Bragg track. It's on her album Salvation Jane from 1995 and she does a great job of making a great song her own.

Jenny Morris - The Price I Pay - https://youtu.be/0SdiE-h7QdY

Last time around I played a live Prince track but didn't comment on it. Well, lovers of His Royal Purpleness are in for a treat. There's a newly released live album available. It comes on two CDs and also includes a BluRay disc of the concert from 1985. 20 songs and nearly 2 hours of music should satisfy most Prince fans. After viewing some of the footage and listening to the album via Spotify I can definitely say that I am looking forward to getting it in hard copy.

Prince and The Revolution - 1999 (live) - https://youtu.be/y65kOqNpt3Y

Starcrawler are a band I may have played before but with almost 600 episodes here I must admit I have been remiss in not keeping a list (or database) of all the tracks suggested to you! The band is a five piece punky, rocky group from Los Angeles in the USA. They have two albums out there and a few singles. If you like The Clouds, Black Sabbath and/or Hole then this is worth a listen.

Starcrawler - Roadkill - https://youtu.be/t_n4_PxA54Q

The Whitlams are one of those bands I always think I should listen to more of but it just never happens. I heard a newish single from them the other day and then took a haphazard trip through their back catalogue. I must go back and spend more time with this great Australian band. I didn't realise that the next song was written partly as a reaction to the suicide of one the band members and his battle with gambling. Suddenly the song takes on a much deeper meaning.

The Whitlams - Blow Up The Pokies - https://youtu.be/7B49zI5UrAQ

The Whitlams have a rockier side as well. This track, dedicated to a well known drummer is a cracker!

The Whitlams - You Sound Like Louis Burdett - https://youtu.be/03yeNNtSJco

Living End frontman, Chris Cheney has released a solo album called The Storm Before The Calm. It's less rockabilly than The Living End but is looking like being one of my favourite albums this year. It's one that I put on and play right through to the end. The lyrics are interesting and it's recorded in such a way that I feel I'm in the room with Chris. This is the first song on the album and it really sets the tone.

Chris Cheyney - Impossible Dream - https://youtu.be/QoBt3lsHO0k

The stupid pandemic meant that a lot of bands had to do something different to get their music out there and to survive. Anthrax probably could have afforded to take the time off but they celebrated their 40th anniversary with a livestreamed gig. It's now been released on CD and Bluray. I'm keen for some new songs but this is an excellent retrospective and there are a few deep cuts in there as well. For guys who have been rocking hard for 40 years they still sound fresh and enthusiastic.

Anthrax - The Devil You Know (live) - https://youtu.be/ONNq-00UKEA

FInally this week is a song I've played live a grand total of once. I have to remedy that because it's a lot of fun and also because I'm always keen to meet people who want to listen to Iron Maiden! This is Amy Shark's version and I really rate it. I didn't know what Keds were either so let's give her a pass on that lyric!

Amy Shark - Teenage Dirtbag - https://youtu.be/z6iyHYucMPQ

Enough,

The Woozle.

"...just because I dress like this,

doesn't mean I'm a Communist..."

Billy Bragg, To Have And To Have Not, 1983. 

World Wide Woozle episode #577

Hi everyone, plenty of music and musings this time around. Please remember that the songs aren't chosen randomly, I spend a lot of time thinking about tunes, lyrics and soundscapes that I think will be interesting and can add to what I'm writing about. I'd love it if you had a listen to one or two of the tracks.

It's always special when someone I know shares music with me and even more so when it's something that they've created themselves. My mate George has just released an album called Songs from H-Country. It dropped on Spotify literally about twenty minutes ago. You can listen to the whole album by clicking here. This is a more laid back affair with lyrics that matter, delivered with conviction and from the heart. The whole thing is a shade under forty minutes so sit back and listen the way it's meant to be heard, from start to finish. As George says, "it is an album". And you all know how much the concept of an album means to me.

George Huitker - Force of Nature - click here

If you would rather skip the bit below where I talk quite openly about my mental health, please fast forward to where you see the line of asterisks like this, *****. I won't be offended and I know reading about this stuff isn't for everyone.

I'm going to lay some heavy stuff out. Not the heavy music type of heavy but the "what's going on in my head" type. It helps me to write it down. As Prince once said, "...we're gathered here together to get into this thing called life..."

Prince - Let's Go Crazy (live 1985) - https://youtu.be/svqYueRzAh0

One of my friends was talking to me recently about my mental health journey. Given that I've been in a relatively good place for a while, she wanted to know if I thought back and wished things could have been different. I'm a realist and I know I can't change the past. Dwelling on it, other than to remember the good things and reflect carefully on mistakes made really doesn't help anyone. However I've grown as a result of mental illness, I'd be kidding you if I said it didn't suck. I spent the best part of a decade suffering with anxiety, depression and the associated side-effects. It hurts me greatly to look back on what I put family and friends through whilst I was unable and then unwilling to accept that something was wrong. And just when I thought that working with a psychologist and taking medication was putting things right, it was all wrong.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - If We Were Vampires (live 2018) - https://youtu.be/JV7c8V5XLk8

I was a bit stressed earlier in the week. I had quite a few time sensitive jobs at work, I had a job interview too and I'm still not quite over this cold/flu/virus. My boss, who is also one of my good friends, recognised this and along with the steadying influence of my mate Bing, I sorted myself out. My boss pointed out a number of things I'd been through in the last year or so and linked me into a well known stress test. Whilst the results were scary and indicate a high risk of illness, the fact that I'm still sitting here writing this to you, coping with work and life in general indicates that I'm a lot more resilient than I have been in many years. Some of that is sheer bloody mindedness to make the most of my life and a lot is due to the support of many of you out there reading this. Thank you.

I am dreadful at journaling on a daily basis. I've tried and tried to make it work for me and it just doesn't work. But I have found that writing here, sharing dumb jokes, talking about music, playing guitar, reading and of course cycling help me get through. I do use a reflection journal on a semi-regular basis, but the pressure of the daily entry isn't for me.

One of my best mates co-authored a book about post traumatic stress and things that help people deal with it. The book is called, Everything's OK. I don't have post traumatic stress, but the lessons in there resonate regardless. It's about how to build resilience and deal with what life, and your brain, throw at you. It's all well and good to think that life will get better. In my opinion, resilience, being open about how you are feeling, and a first class support network are the important things.

Sorry if that was a bit too much navel gazing, I just needed to get it down on paper. I'm still a work in progress and this blog really helps me to move forwards.

ABBA - Thank You For The Music - https://youtu.be/0dcbw4IEY5w

*****    *****    *****

My return to reading carries on and I won't continue to bore you all with it after this week. It's hard though to describe how amazingly happy this has made me. There's a group called Brothers and Books that I follow on Instagram. They're veterans encouraging each other to read. I became aware of them as a result of my work but their posts and positive mindset got under my skin in the best way. You can check out their good works here.

I took delivery of the most recent Jimmy Barnes album today. It's called Flesh and Blood and I've played a track from it here before. Reading the liner notes I discovered that the guy playing the bagpipes is the same one that I played with at the gig in Melbourne back in March. Groovy!!

Jimmy Barnes - I'm Coming Home (live) - https://youtu.be/X3Ois1ot9tA

DJ EssTee has discovered Tom Waits. This is so cool. Tom is excellent and there's a ton of back catalogus stuff to be getting on with. If you like beat poetry, jazz, old style carnivals and burping them Tom is for you.

Tom Waits - Whistlin' Past The Graveyard - https://youtu.be/beRi6hRDRCk

Billie Eilish has apparently shocked one and all by releasing a couple of new tracks. I've never listened to her but I thought that with all the hoopla that maybe I should. This is the first of those songs. Brutal and beautiful all at once.

Billie Eilish - TV - https://youtu.be/_JGGLJMpVks

Back to Van Halen, following on from last week. The biography was a great read and didn't seem to do too much airbrushing. What stood out for me were the comments from other well known guitarists who saw Eddie play close up. They were all astounded at how effortless he made it seem and that he always had a huge smile on his face. Eddie had his demons but with a guitar in his hand he was untouchable.

Van Halen - Eruption - https://youtu.be/M4Czx8EWXb0

Van Halen - Summer Nights (live 1986) - https://youtu.be/NqG7hXwXXv4

The Guardian published an article this week about what their writer thought were the twenty greatest Midnight Oil songs. For a band with such an extensive discography that's always going to be a hard ask and guaranteed to cause discussion. But why do we have to choose their greatest songs? If someone wanted a recommendation of where to start with the band then that seems fair enough but listening to music isn't a competition. What I like isn't going to be what you like. I made the mistake of reading some of the comments in the article. Good grief. Sure, I have my favourite tracks but that doesn't mean they are the greatest or that I continue to feel the need for top 10 or top 100 songs of all time. They end up just being the ones that radio executives decided we should listen to. And for those of you agreeing that the band hasn't done anything good since Diesel and Dust, a big raspberry to you.

Midnight Oil - At The Time Of Writing (live 2022) - https://youtu.be/leXnMA9Ay8E 

The classic album Appetite for Destruction turns 35 years old this week. I remember getting the 45rpm single of Sweet Child of Mine but not really really liking the whole album for a few years. Once it grew on me though it just kept on giving. I love the rhythm guitar of Izzy Stradlin and of course the whole take no prisoners attitude that the whole thing reeks of. GNR never reached those heights again but the Use Your Illusion double albums are pretty close. I'm not sure I'd go and see them these days but with The Cosmic Psychos and The Chats supporting them here in Australia it could be fun.

Guns n' Roses - My Michelle - https://youtu.be/6nhIdHpzHxM

The Cosmic Psychos - Go The Hack (live 2021) - https://youtu.be/IY8dAf7r5Ms 

The Chats - Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do The Twist?) - https://youtu.be/o66ptS2BX2g

What started out as a short episode really has taken on a life of its own. Time to shut up.

Keep smiling,

The Woozle.

"I've been wanderin' through this land, doin' the best I can

Tryin' to find what I was meant to do
And the people that I see look as worried as can be
And it looks like they are wonderin' too..."

Tom Paxton, I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound, 1964.

World Wide Woozle episode #576

I'm still here, rock 'n' roll never dies! And whilst I've spent the last week trying to convince my mind and body that I was getting better, it wasn't until yesterday afternoon (Saturday) that I felt any better than dreadful. People often joke about a "man-flu" but this was no joke. It's been a month off my bike so far and I think another week is probably in order. Boring but necessary.

Huey Lewis & The News - I Want A New Drug - https://youtu.be/N6uEMOeDZsA

Unless you've been living under a rock then you will have heard that the TV show Stranger Things has introduced a whole new generation of music listeners to Kate Bush and Metallica. Old fart music snobs will delight in telling everyone that they were there when the original songs were released and that it's only pop culture making kids listen to these tunes. They should take a long hard look at themselves. Music is cool regardless of how and when you were introduced to it. Was I into AC/DC when they first started out? No, I was four years old. But they are still my favourite band of all time. I remember when SingStar and Guitar Hero on the Playstation started to introduce people to a range of rock music. It was cool to see kids humming tunes by bands like Foghat. The ending of Stranger Things was decidedly average in my opinion but then you can't have everything!

Metallica - Master of Puppets (live) - https://youtu.be/S9IAmCz0ov8

Daniel Johns has been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late. Let's hope that he can get the help he needs and move forwards. He's an interesting guy and a great talent. There's a great podcast series about him which is worth a listen. I was reminded of this song during the week by a friend. Heavy stuff considering it was written by him as a teenager.

silverchair - Shade - https://youtu.be/tUCrls6vc_U

More good news, I finished another book. This time it was the first book in the series that the Netflix show, The Witcher, was based on. I'd watched the show quite a while ago and realised when I went to watch season two that I had no idea what was going on. So I read the book instead of re-watching the first episodes. I guess having some memory of the story in the back of my mind helped me with a reference point. It's a good read too. I'm currently reading Eruption, which is a biography of Eddie Van Halen. More about that when I've finished it. I've got tons of books that I haven't read because, even though I couldn't read for such a long time, I always wanted to and I'm a sucker for bookshops!

Van Halen - Unchained - https://youtu.be/ojNrj-sWfpk

Rage Against The Machine have reformed and are currently doing a string of live shows in the USA. I wasn't really a huge fan of their work the first time around but it's grown on me in the last few years. You might not agree with all of their political views but they write a great hook.

Rage Against The Machine - Renegades of Funk - https://youtu.be/4KXdU3cZbNQ

Those of you with Canadian roots or links may have heard of a band called Max Webster. They popped up randomly on Spotify and I gave them a shot. Doing some investigation I discovered that they toured extensively with Rush and also recorded with them. Have a listen.

Max Webster - Toronto Tontos - https://youtu.be/nHEgSxvMP5w

The last track this week came up in a list of new releases. I almost skipped straight by when it started. More angst, piano driven stuff. But I gave it a whirl on the strength of past tunes I'd heard from Meg Mac. She has a strong voice and doesn't shout when she sings. Great tune.

Meg Mac - Letter - https://youtu.be/rhsjApicNk8

That's all folks. Remember, less gossip and more love.

The Woozle.

"There is something I wanted to tell you

It's so funny you'll kill yourself laughing
But then I, I look around
And I remember that I am alone..."

Morrisey, Come Back to Camden, 2004.

World Wide Woozle episode #575

Hi everyone,

I started this episode with the aim to publish it last week but I was just too unwell to think straight. Now I can talk again and can stay awake, and upright, for nearly three hours at once. I did fall asleep on the bus on the way home yesterday which had the potential to be amusing and annoying all at once.

The Mark of Cain - Sleep - https://youtu.be/tbhrJxcsGVg

I wanted to mention something special that happened this week. I finished reading a book. That might not sound like much to most of you but it's a red letter day here for sure! One of the lasting effects of mental illness for me has been the inability to concentrate well enough to read for long. It's been very frustrating for a few years now. Just as I think I've got it sorted out I'll read a chapter and have no idea what it was about. I'm really hoping to have turned the corner because there's a good sized stack of books beside the bed that I'm keen to get into. I'm ok with the fact that I can't read all that quickly, but losing yourself in a good book is one of life's exquisite pleasures.

The B-52s – Paperback Writer – https://youtu.be/stJv1zieAYc 

I've heard this song quite a bit lately and I'm recommending it on the basis of the facts that it's interesting both lyrically and musically. We're all consumers in one way or another but examining what motivates us to be this way is quite interesting. How many people go to the shops just for something to do? And, yes, whilst I AM a Scotsman, it's true that if you don't go to the shops simply for recreation then you WILL save money! Cool video clip too!

Steven Wilson - Personal Shopper - https://youtu.be/sX22dFMSNcg - https://youtu.be/sX22dFMSNcg

I've recommended the Song Exploder podcast to a couple of people recently. I've also seen that there is now a TV version available on Netflix. If you're at all interested in how songs have been conceived and then put together then it's a good little series. Years ago now I heard the tragic story of this song and it adds to the listening experience for sure.

The Cranberries - All Over Now - https://youtu.be/h1lMxX8doSU

In the Metallica vs Megadeth debate I've never really taken sides but have enjoyed the former's music more I guess. I just don't really like Dave Mustaine's voice. Musically the bands haven't really been miles apart but in recent years I'd suggest that Megadeth remain true to their thrash metal roots whereas Metallica are a bit more expansive. They're both worth a listen. Megadeth have dropped a new single and it really is a ripper. Tight riffing, great recording and a cool song in general. Dave's voice suits it too; maybe that's the point I've been missing.

Megadeth - We'll Be Back - https://youtu.be/LkJ5jJuraLQ

HQ Woozle will soon have new and permanent digs because, yes, I've bought an apartment. In the end it wasn't all that hard. I looked at three places, made an offer on the one I liked the most and that was it. I get the keys in mid-August. For those who have seen or visited my last place, the new one is more than twice as big. Plenty of room for my guitars, music collection and maybe a couple of visitors!

Kris Kristofferson - Pilgrim's Progress - https://youtu.be/K5x2SwHQvl0

I've never really listened to Hawkwind. All I really know about them is that they play spacey early hard rock bordering on metal and of course that Lemmy from Motorhead was in the band for a while. I guess if you like Pink Floyd, Dr Who and Catweazle then this might be the band for you. It's serious but it's not, there's plenty of light and shade in the music and it's not hard to listen to.

Hawkwind - The Golden Void - https://youtu.be/VqWMviFhy24

I heard the next band last week via Triple J's Like A Version series. They were covering a Coldplay song. They made an overplayed track sound fresh and new, which is an achievement in itself (listen here), and the didgeridoo works well with the banjo, trust me. The band has plenty of great original material for you to check out. Some is sung in English and some in their own language, Yolŋu Matha.

King Stingray - Let's Go - https://youtu.be/WOZo2gqC4nE

Throw your hatred down,

The Woozle.

"There but for circumstance,

May go you or I.
Dressed in gold lame,

Find a place to stay..."

Neil Young, Throw Your Hatred Down, 1995.