Hello and let's get on with it, OK?
Nick Cave played live, with Warren Ellis, recently in Canberra. A couple of readers out there have let me know how good the show was. I was interested to hear that my mate Steve had a ball even though he knew almost none of the songs. That's most definitely an indication of a top shelf performance. I'm not a Nick Cave fan but I did find his recent interview on ABC's Conversations series rather interesting.
From my new desk I can see across the top of the CBD to the lake. I can also see a crane which even moves once in a while. To top it all off there were window washers in Santa Claus gear hanging around on one of the large office towers. That made me laugh quite a bit! I've been in the job for two weeks now and I feel as if I have finally landed in the right place. I've got lots to do, it makes a difference to others and the team I'm in is awesome. Woo hoo!
Spotify Wrapped lets you know who, what and how much you have listened over the first 11 months of the year. Personally I think it would be much better if it actually added up 12 months of statistics but that's not my call. There's something definitely wrong in the Spotify algorithms though. In the playlist auto generated that is meant to show my favourite tracks of the year there are a couple I can assure you that I have never listened to and never will! Let's play something that I listened to a lot!
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me..."
This episode was a bit of a long time coming. Lots has been going on. As a result this is a bit of a bumper issue and it'll be the last one for 2022. Even World Wide Woozles need a break.
Is a change as good as a holiday? Maybe. A short break followed by a change might be even better. Jindabyne turned on the good weather two weekends ago and we made the most of it with some cycling, good food, walking, watching the cricket and talking a lot of nonsense. It was an excellent reset. So much so that I needed not one, but two naps when I got home on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Todd, Riss and Mick for looking after me.
The Mark of Cain - Sleep - https://youtu.be/tbhrJxcsGVg
Is a change as good as a holiday? Maybe. A short break followed by a change might be even better. Jindabyne turned on the good weather two weekends ago and we made the most of it with some cycling, good food, walking, watching the cricket and talking a lot of nonsense. It was an excellent reset. So much so that I needed not one, but two naps when I got home on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Todd, Riss and Mick for looking after me.
The Mark of Cain - Sleep - https://youtu.be/tbhrJxcsGVg
Nick Cave played live, with Warren Ellis, recently in Canberra. A couple of readers out there have let me know how good the show was. I was interested to hear that my mate Steve had a ball even though he knew almost none of the songs. That's most definitely an indication of a top shelf performance. I'm not a Nick Cave fan but I did find his recent interview on ABC's Conversations series rather interesting.
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow - https://youtu.be/4sfhvxTZ0wo
From my new desk I can see across the top of the CBD to the lake. I can also see a crane which even moves once in a while. To top it all off there were window washers in Santa Claus gear hanging around on one of the large office towers. That made me laugh quite a bit! I've been in the job for two weeks now and I feel as if I have finally landed in the right place. I've got lots to do, it makes a difference to others and the team I'm in is awesome. Woo hoo!
Kate Ceberano - Feeling Alright - https://youtu.be/KixNHtd5IPo
Spotify Wrapped lets you know who, what and how much you have listened over the first 11 months of the year. Personally I think it would be much better if it actually added up 12 months of statistics but that's not my call. There's something definitely wrong in the Spotify algorithms though. In the playlist auto generated that is meant to show my favourite tracks of the year there are a couple I can assure you that I have never listened to and never will! Let's play something that I listened to a lot!
Colin Hay - Norwegian Wood - https://youtu.be/keN7u8_Q8ho
I've listened a bit to Starcrawler over the last year. It's rock 'n roll that's full of energy and has the elusive swagger that bands like Thin Lizzy brought to the fore. They've released an acoustic version of one of their more recent songs and I think it works really well.
Midnight Oil recently released a live set recorded in Adelaide back in 1982. It's available on all the streaming services or you can purchase digital files (FLAC or MP3) with the money going to an Australian music industry charity. Personally, I wish that CDs were available but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Fans of the band will enjoy some of the lesser known tunes but there are still plenty of their more well known tracks there as well. Considering that this series of recordings are essentially desk tapes, this one sounds fantastic. There are a couple of moments where the mix is a bit weird but they are fleeting and don't detract from the fact that we're hearing the Oils in full flight. They are raw, raucous and tight. It's the sound of rock and roll.
Midnight Oil - No Time For Games (live, 1982) - https://youtu.be/dEeOpYt1Vw4
Empyre are a British rock band who describe their music as "intense, atmospheric rock, with a dark and introspective edge". I think that if you like straight ahead hard rock, Muse and/or Pink Floyd then this might be for you. The album is interesting and diverse without losing focus.
Empyre are a British rock band who describe their music as "intense, atmospheric rock, with a dark and introspective edge". I think that if you like straight ahead hard rock, Muse and/or Pink Floyd then this might be for you. The album is interesting and diverse without losing focus.
Empyre - Parasites - https://youtu.be/YItjEOpU7gk
I've listened a bit to Starcrawler over the last year. It's rock 'n roll that's full of energy and has the elusive swagger that bands like Thin Lizzy brought to the fore. They've released an acoustic version of one of their more recent songs and I think it works really well.
Starcrawler - Stranded (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/3bET0TAkEJw
The week before last I turned up to band rehearsal to find that the room had been double booked. We'd all made the effort to be there and so we drove down the road, found a park and sat in there for a couple of hours busking to the wildlife. It was a lot of fun! This week we were back in the rehearsal space with the world's loudest metal band in the next room. The only thing louder than their drum kit was the click track!! We're currently building a repertoire of songs which means trying a lot, dumping quite a few and then moving on to new stuff. Hopefully we'll be ready for a gig of sorts before too long. The trio has become a quartet so we now have two singers and two guitarists. Phew! I was feeling a bit under pressure as the only musician there! Here's a couple of songs I have to learn for next time. Covering covers...
Shihad - I Got You - https://youtu.be/2VXKPQHe_AE
Faith No More - Easy - https://youtu.be/vPzDTfIb0DU
Speaking of cover versions. It was only recently that I realised that Rick Springfield played in this band. I remember Darryl Cotton (vocals) from kids' TV!
Zoot - Eleanor Rigby - https://youtu.be/iptr7i7sFkM
DJ HelenOf sent me a note which, among other things, got me back listening to Joe Satriani. I remember picking up the Surfing With The Alien LP in New Zealand for less than the regular new album price. Never has the wrong sticker on a record cover brought me so much pleasure ha ha! It's a ripping album that showcases a gret guitarist. Often I get quite bored with instrumental stuff, but this album continues to hold my attention.
Joe Satriani - Surfing With The Alien (live) - https://youtu.be/d_0khAAItqg
As many of you will remember, I was quite unwell a few months ago and an indication of this was six whole weeks with no cycling. It's taken a long time to get back into reasonable shape but I'm back to averaging about 300km a week now and I'm amazed that I've got there. I seriously thought that it might not happen until early 2023. I've had a couple of 100km rides in the last two weeks and that's quality time on the bike but also inside my own head. I usually do my best thinking on the bike or in the shower!
Aerosmith - Back In The Saddle - https://youtu.be/lX8GG3dnsp8
That's probably enough. And not a Christmas song in sight. There's more than enough of those playing at the supermarket.
As I sign off for 2022 I'd like to thank everyone who has read this and my other blog posts this year. Writing them helps keep me on the straight and narrow and I really appreciate the comments and suggestions that many of you send through. This year has been a bit all over the place for me. There's bits that I wish hadn't happened but then there have been really good moments as well. Thank you to all those of you who keep an eye on me; it means a lot and I'm very grateful.
Happy Birthday Suzy!
Rock on,
The Woozle.
"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringingWho can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me..."
ABBA, Thank You For The Music, 1977
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