World Wide Woozle episode #639

Hello out there all you radio fans.

At this time of year it is seemingly the done thing to look back on the year that was and also to have a think about the one coming. To be honest, if you've read this blog more than once or twice then you know almost everything about my year! I understand that not everyone wants or needs to read my self-reflection, feel free to skip to the songs.

Rollins Band - Low Self Opinion - https://youtu.be/VepuImWmH0o

2024 had some huge ups and deep downs as well. I've spent a significant amount of the year working hard to get my back sorted out. That was no fun at all but, touch wood, things are looking good. It's a combination of an excellent massage therapist (thanks Ken and Jo for the tip), loads and loads of walking, a bit less cycling, and tons of stretching and rehab work. There's no doubt that there were dark times over 2023 Christmas and New Year when I could hardly walk and was in constant pain. 

Pantera - I'm Broken - https://youtu.be/2-V8kYT1pvE

The other major thing that sucked was the realisation at work that my brain wasn't going to allow me to operate at a higher level for any length of time. That one hurt a lot. I know I've improved but the limit was most certainly reached. Props to my managers and co-workers for the support when I went back to my old level. It was a good move.

Primal Scream - Movin' On Up - https://youtu.be/UVm3mJPn5tE

Let's look at the good things then, because they are much more important. I have some awesome friends, got to see some good live music, did some dog sitting, my ability to read novels continues to slowly improve, work was generally pretty positive, I went on an epic holiday and my kids are happy and healthy. Yep, that'll do me.

Queen - The Show Must Go On - https://youtu.be/t99KH0TR-J4

I'm coming to you from Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains. I'm here for a few days soaking up the mountain air and relative serenity. To be fair, it's only busy here down at the small shopping centre! I've done some hard, hard cycling and some decent walks as well. Today I plodded along for 21km which is my longest walk in a very long time. At least since I started keeping track back in about 2009!

The Ventures - Walk Don't Run - https://youtu.be/c2JhbC6NFJc

Farcebook let me know of another milestone today. The MacBook that the World Wide Woozle is produced on turned 10 years old today. I remember when Alison and the kids got it for me. It's still my first Mac and I still think it rocks!

Queensrÿche - I Dream In Infrared - https://youtu.be/JJowBTSh90E

My friend Suzy asked me about my goals for 2025 and I had to do some serious thinking. In 2024 I wanted to write in a journal every day and with only a few days to go that will become a reality. Sure, I've missed a day or two but I always went back and filled them in. It's been a good exercise in self-reflection even though I'm not always the best at being totally honest on paper; even with myself. A work in progress I guess. 

Billie Joe Armstrong - Gimme Some Truth - https://youtu.be/wB28KkGUg2o

My massage therapist told me that I need to work on my lats as another facet of making my back as strong as possible. So I guess that's going to need to be a 2025 goal. It might mean some time in the gym and up until now I've really hated gyms. But, there is a gym about a 3 minute walk from my house so I suppose I should go and talk to them. I know I'd much rather do almost anything else to achieve this goal but I'm not sure I can get there without a little push.

Skunk Anansie - Twisted (Everyday Hurts) - https://youtu.be/Zqe4NbLW7Ww

Another goal, that I don't really like, is around food. It's been a very up and down year for me with regards to eating properly and consistency is needed even if my stupid brain tries to derail that thought on a regular basis. And if I eat a little more I have to control the urge that has me out the door for another exercise session. Again, a work in progress.

Polish Club - Apples and Bananas - https://youtu.be/cDWWZKcl6FI

Reading more is my other 2025 goal. I've been gradually improving at this and now I think I just need to reduce the distractions and get on with it. I've definitely got loads of unread books just waiting for some love! TV and social media are my enemies here. The cathode ray nipple and the doom scrolling are getting the flick. I'm realistic though, they're not bad things in small amounts.

The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy - Television, The Drug Of The Nation - https://youtu.be/hD9pJzZ1XGI

And while it often feels easier for me to withdraw and seriously limit my connection with the outside world I do realise that the hermit life isn't all good for me. I'm doing my best.

Don't give up folks. Thanks for reading this and a big thanks to those who have engaged with the blog and also supported me through 2024.

I love youse all,

The Woozle

"Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good"

Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, Don't Give Up, 1986.

World Wide Woozle episode #638

Hello from World Wide Woozle HQ. As always, sincere thanks for tuning in.

Yesterday I finished work for the year. That was a solid month of slogging after returning from leave. I think it was rather well planned to now have a few days off. I'm pretty fortunate in that I really like my job and work with a great team.

King Stingray - Day Off - https://youtu.be/9LQHkB3JgjM

King Diamond, who I saw live with DJ DJ at The Fillmore in Silver Springs, have a new single out. An album has been mentioned for many years and hopefully we'll see it soon. The band and stage set in the video here is exactly what we saw at the end of October. As is the norm, the band is tight, the guitars sound huge and you may or may not like King's vocal style. 

King Diamond - Spider Lilly - https://youtu.be/VIIIOwCPn_I

I've played a track from this album before but feel compelled to go again. This is a band with a million different sounds. They genre hop non-stop and it's a hoot. Get your groove on with this one.

King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard - Le Risque - https://youtu.be/Ik-gBAlEbQY

In Memphis, I took a walk up Beale Street. That's where this guy got his moniker and made a name for himself. Sure, it took U2 to bring his music to a whole new generation and a level of recognition that was well deserved, but BB definitely had the blues!

B.B. King - How Blue Can You Get (live 1985) - https://youtu.be/P27tTNP7SFc

In the mid 80s I discovered hard rock and heavy metal music. People come to classic music by any number of means and I eventually listened to Led Zeppelin as a result of the next band. Yes, yes, they are very derivative but they rocked hard and I still like it.

Kingdom Come - Get It On - https://youtu.be/k1OdgfEhzgM

I went to quite a few music based exhibitions in the USA. It seemed as if this band was being talked about non-stop. So I found a gap in my listening and I'm plugging it now. I know a lot of the songs but nothing much about the group.

The Kingston Trio - M.T.A. - https://youtu.be/7Tc1GUXxr2o

Well that's enough for another episode, just a quick one. Next time you can "look forward" to the Woozle 2024 review and a bumper Chritsmas stocking size amount of listening. For now I'm going bushwalking, braving IKEA very briefly and then going to the airport to collect Angus and Em!

Keep smiling y'all. Surely someone has noticed the rough theme in this episode!

The Woozle

"When We Were Kings
Of our own time
We started young
And hoped to climb
But seasons change
And so did we
Now we long for what
We used to be..."

Stryper, When We Were Kings, 2024.

World Wide Woozle episode #637

Hi everyone, welcome back and thank you for listening in.

This week my good friend Dave "Tanker" Matteson passed away. I was last with him on 18 November in Huntsville, Alabama when he dropped me at the airport to start my trip home. Less than a month later he's gone.

Dave and I first 'met' in 1997 in an online forum for GI Joe and Action Man collectors and we've been friends ever since. We emailed, chatted, and spoke on phone / video calls on a very regular basis. Dave was proud of his kids and loved his wife. He also served in both the US Army and US Air Force. He was called Tanker for obvious reasons; he worked with tanks!

As most of you will know, I got to finally meet him in person this year when I attended his daughter's wedding. Dave hadn't been well for a while and I will admit that I was shocked to realise how bad it was when I saw him. I guess like a lot of people my age he just didn't want to worry or burden others with what was going on. Dave, Rita, Katie and Maggie, treated me like family (and continue to do so) and it's a kindness I won't forget.

Whilst I am sad, no, devastated that my friend has died, my thoughts are with his family and friends. I think that it's also another reminder that our time on this earth is short and may well be shorter than we imagine.

I remember at Maggie's wedding that I was sitting with Dave, Rita and Katie. Dave had struggled all day with even the simple act of walking. He wasn't really up to saying much but did his best. He was almost asleep at the table and Maggie walked past. His eyes lit up and he called out, "I love you Maggie!" Nothing was going to stop him from celebrating his daughter's special day. Later on, as we left, he turned and said quietly to the entire room, "thank you all for coming, I have to be going now". It sounded a bit final and I guess it was.

As I exited the car at Huntsville airport, Dave gave me a hug and told me he loved me. He was my brother and I miss him.

Dave Matteson was 61.

Thanks for reading this.

The Woozle

 "Now the sun's gone to hell and the moon's riding high
  Let me bid you farewell, every man has to die..."

Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms, 1985

   

World Wide Woozle episode #636

Here is the weather forecast, as issued at 2315hrs Greenwich Meaning Time. Getrude, Fitzwilliam and I have been outside and it is pouring with rain!

Again the TV and airwaves are full of commentary regarding Spotify Wrapped; the yearly data dump that they do to let us know our music and podcast habits. I dunno, some of the results seem a little odd to me. I don't doubt though that I spend just over 72,000 minutes listening, but, whilst I do like them a lot, Cold Chisel wouldn't get close to my second most streamed band. I'm also reminded how little the actual artists are paid; a maximum of 0.003 cents per stream. So get out there and support artists in any way you can. If we don't then how can we expect new music? My top artists I hear you ask? AC/DC, Steve Earle and Stryper. That's not a shock at all, but then I did manage to listen to almost 7,000 songs from 1,796 artists.

The song I streamed the most is from Colin Hay and I have no arguments at all about this. It's a brilliant version of a great song. From the luscious guitar introduction, Colin's husky yet liquid vocals, and the delicate backing instrumentation, I think this is a real treat. The whole album is a ripper.

Colin Hay - Across The Universe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P9Jf5YgKYo

George has re-released the video, and the behind the scenes footage, from Tiny Tin Town. It was a few years ago now but I really feel that the song stands up as a great example of Aussie rock and roll. I have fond memories of Tim recording the track with various members of the band setup, at different times, in George's lounge room. Tingha NSW is the tiny tin town in question and our time touring in that part of the world almost ten years ago was an unforgettable experience. My only regret about the whole song is that I recorded my guitar parts using a borrowed amplifier which I absolutely loved but baulked at buying at the time. Ah well, rock and roll dreams don't always come true!

George Huitker & Junk Sculpture - Tiny Tin Town - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYu5bBHTKSE

Roxette have released the 30th anniversary version of their album Crash! Boom! Bang! We were fortunate enough to see them here in Canberra on their tour for this album. I remember very much not wanting to go and then being blown away at how much of a rock and roll band they were in a live setting. The second disc in the set, as is their habit for these re-releases, contains a ton of demo versions of album tracks. Roxette demos are a LOT of fun and in some cases I like them more than the polished final versions. I also enjoy hearing ideas that didn't quite make the final cut. 

Roxette - Lies (T&A demo May 14, 1993) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ_aERmkNco

Hayseed Dixie have released their 2024 Christmas single. It doesn't disappoint. If you like bluegrass you'll like this. If you have a sense of humour you'll like this. Don't say "humbug" and pass it by. Smiling is good for you.

Hayseed Dixie - YMCA - https://youtu.be/RKSjGLCcbi4

For the longest time, Tool have been a band I've thought I should like. I struggle to 'feel' most songs with non-traditional time signatures and maybe this is part of the block. I'd much rather not be stuck in a 4/4 or 3/4 world though so I'm trying to get my head around some different stuff. Try this one folks, it's almost 12 minutes long and I hate to think how many time changes are in it. The guitar sounds here are magnificent.

Tool - Pneuma - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ClCaPmAA7s

I was going to write a fair bit about the Pearl Jam show that DJ Hamertime and I attended just one night after I flew back in from the USA. It's pretty much all been said so here's the short version oy my observations. I was very disappointed that neither support band had merchandise on sale. The Cosmic Psychos played the best 25 minutes I've seen from a live band in a while. The Pixies were dreadful and quite boring. Pearl Jam clearly love to play and care for their fans. That is all.

The Cosmic Psychos - Nice Day To Go To The Pub - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzfVLVtPlzQ

That'll do. Meanwhile the countdown to the end of the year continues. Stay safe and avoid the shops.

The Woozle

"...and I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole..."