I've been in quite a reflective mood for the past few days. That's not always a good thing either. More about that another time perhaps but music is always something I turn to whether I'm in a good frame of mind or not.
Eurythmics - Thorn In My Side (live) - https://youtu.be/THwXdoh1Pgw
Last weekend I was invited out to dinner and at the same time to help sort through some old boxes of records. Some of you call them vinyl but you could also be talking about cheap car seats or bondage pants so I'll continue to call them records. Am I slightly pedantic? Yes. Anyhoo, in amongst some very groovy long players and singles I spotted the yellow Alberts label on one particular 45. It turned out to be AC/DC's first ever single from 1974. These are two songs recorded before Bon Scott was their singer and also before Phil Rudd (drums) and Mark Evans (bass) solidified the lineup that would last until Evans left in 1977. The single itself is in great condition and is as rare as hen's teeth. The last one I could find that sold online through Discogs went for AU$2500. Here's the original A and the B side. The A side was re-re-recorded for the band's TNT album in 1975 but the B side was only available on this single.
AC/DC - Can I Sit Next To You Girl - https://youtu.be/biaGJ_4rEzE
AC/DC - Rockin' In The Parlour - https://youtu.be/j0HEm0_-2_c
I listened to The Stone Roses last night for no particular reason. I do remember back in the day thinking that they were a little bit mellow and hippy for me. The first album still sort of feels that way but Second Coming is a different story. Starting with an 11 minute track, the album moves and shakes in all the right ways. You can feel the psychedelic influence but the songs are more focused and I dunno, I just like it a lot. I wasn't tempted to skip any songs. The song I've chosen has a great Beatles-esque feel. In other tracks I enjoyed the insistent bass, swirling guitars and dance rhythms.
The Stone Roses - Your Star Will Shine - https://youtu.be/efkvQd4LEfk
Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett released an EP of instrumentals back in April. It's called Portals and it is very interesting. If you're expecting Metallica style noodling then, yes, there is a little of that but there is so much more. These are four tracks that move in different directions and build soundscapes in your head. It's tempting to play instrumental music in the background but this deserves your full attention,
Kirk Hammett - High Plains Drifter - https://youtu.be/zwOqs88cHWo
I read recently that Prince's estate wouldn't allow the use of the song Nothing Compares 2U in a film about Sinead O'Connor. I find this so sad. Yes, Prince wrote the track but Sinead made it famous and really did it justice. It's always been a gut wrenching song for me to listen to and both versions are quite different. Here's Sinead singing the song live, as a tribute to Prince. You can feel the emotion as she sings. The struggle for a few notes just heightens the atmosphere in my opinion.
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U (live) - https://youtu.be/5KuGUP-C9Ko
Darkthrone originated in Norway back in 1986. Since 1993, the band has been made up of two guys, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto. They are famous for doing very little press and staying away from regular music channels. But their music, which can be dark metal, punk, and anything in between, continues to be popular. There's nothing quite like them and they are considered pioneers of extreme metal. Darkthrone has a new album coming in a couple of weeks and it'll be interesting to see what direction it takes. If you're looking for a "gentle" introduction to the band then 2013's The Underground Resistance is probably a good place to begin as it's close to classic heavy metal.
Darkthrone - The Hardship of the Scots - https://youtu.be/i6h4b-Jm8iU
I was listening to some albums by The Angels recently and found out that former singer, Doc Neeson (1947-2014) had released an album in 2006 in a band called Red Phoenix. It's streaming on Spotify although a hard copy looks like it costs the earth. Featuring David Lowy (now with The Dead Daisies) it's solid Oz Rock without being an Angels clone.
Red Phoenix - Lonely With You - https://youtu.be/oQwPq3IqNMo
If you're in Australia and a Netflix subscriber then you should know that the third season of Derry Girls is now available. I'm a couple of episodes in and it remains as hilarious as the first two lots. It's a great laugh and the characters are well cast indeed. I honestly find a lot of comedy to be just stupid and boring but this is so much more than just jokes and skits. It's a look at real life. And if you're an 80s or 90s child (or even a parent) then a lot of it may resonate even if you've never been to Londonderry. Sister "George Michael" still has me laughing. This show is the funniest thing to come out of Ireland since Father Ted.
The Undertones - Teenage Kicks - https://youtu.be/PinCg7IGqHg
Look out next week for a report from this evening's Don McGlashan show (it's VERY late so it better be worth it).
Onwards,
The Woozle.
"How can you talk about equal rights and jail the man that uses them?
How can you worship the rich man that sees poor folks and refuses them?How can you talk of freedom and jail the man that talks it?
You kiss the man's ass that rides the road and you jail the old boy that walks it..."
Dropkick Murphys, The Last One (lyrics Woody Guthrie), 2022.
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