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
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