World Wide Woozle episode #654

Hello out there, enormous listening world.

Before I get into it, here's a link to my current listening playlist. If you're even remotely interested then it's worth checking it regularly as I change it up a lot. Yes, it's still on Spotify for now.

In the ongoing and lengthy journey through my CD collection I've spent the week with Dr Feelgood (the band, not the song) and Bruce Springsteen. The first four Dr Feelgood albums have been given the 50th anniversary treatment and re-released. I picked them up recently as I had a grand total of none in the World Wide Woozle music library. While they sound great and I've played them loud and on repeat, I am disappointed with the packaging. Other than a few words on the cardboard sleeves, there are no liner notes, there are no extra tracks, nothing. Hmmmm, it feels like a lost opportunity. What I really like about Dr Feelgood is the percussive nature of Wilko Johnson's guitar playing. It's almost like a second drum kit at places and gives their music a real push.

Dr Feelgood - She Does It Right - https://youtu.be/iHm7uIC84YM

I haven't listened to any Springsteen for quite a while. He has a LOT of albums and I only have ten which I think is almost enough. What I found moving through different stages of his career was his clear ability as a storyteller/lyricist but also how much of the recorded guitar is actually him playing. I chose the next song because it has echoes of 50s music and maybe the jangle of The Byrds, and it made me smile.

Bruce Springsteen - Surprise, Surprise - https://youtu.be/yEIBlkh4AsM

A while ago DJ SteveArrrr invited me to go and see John Kennedy and The New Originals play here in Canberra. You may remember me writing about it. This week John has released an EP called, The Berlin Trilogy. You can probably guess that it's three songs recorded in Berlin ha ha! I listened to it a couple of times during my rain interrupted walk after work yesterday. Songs about Wollongabba, Coolangatta and Berlin were a great soundtrack. The sound is a lush acoustic experience with some tasty pedal steel guitar from Moe Jaksch. I must admit that when he initially posted about songs with Moe, I misread it and thought he was in Gippsland. You can get the album via Bandcamp at the link just above. I liked the last song a lot, it reminded me a bit of one of the saddest songs I know, REM's Leaving New York, but more in sentiment than sound. I've been doing a lot of thinking about moving on and this song really hit home.

John Kennedy - Time To Leave Berlin - https://youtu.be/-xFriIQTWAU

DJ Al-ee-sun sent me a pic from last night's Paul Kelly concert in Brisvegas. I'll be interested to see how he comes across in a big arena setting as I've only ever seen, or imagined him, in more intimate venues. And whilst Jason Isbell pulled out of the support slot quite a while ago, they did get Lucinda Williams and our own Fanny Lumsden for quite a country themed pair of supports. Fanny is awesome. Her records are fun, her social media is a riot, and she replies to her fans, including me, when they write to her. I also really like her "Country Halls" tour programme where she plays in small towns and communities if they can find her a hall to set up in. She's done this across Australia, New Zealand and parts of the UK. 

Fanny Lumsden - Millionaire - https://youtu.be/ng9pZ5RZvIY

What if your favourite songs were recorded in 1980s era Poland? Wonder no more as Maromaro and his Retro Poland channel have all the answers. At first it might seem like a bit of a joke, and it is, but when you dig further you'll find a talented musician having a lot of fun. 

Maromaro - Barbie Girl - https://youtu.be/5hPCSa6gbQ0

At this stage in proceedings I'd like to provide a public service announcement. That loud screaming you may have heard at about 0930hrs AEST for the last three Fridays was me. And it may well be again next week. Whilst the dry needling is having an excellent impact on my physical recovery, I find the whole thing horrendous. I have never been good with needles and the only saving grace here is that I'm lying face down so I can't see the chiropractor turning me into a human pincushion. To be fair, most of them don't hurt but there are a couple of spots...wow...intense. I will stay the course however as being able to walk with little or no pain and tightness is a massive win. I'm a bit worried that if I continue with all the meditation and yoga that I'll start to wear beads and smell of patchouli. Woozle 4.0 maybe.

Queensrÿche - The Needle Lies - https://youtu.be/9iVan8egsxw

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"Things got bad, things got pretty funky

Before my eyes you turned into a junkie..."

Paul Kelly, Darling It Hurts, 2010

World Wide Woozle episode #653

Welcome back.

Loads of official footage of the Ozzy Osbourne farewell concert is now online and many of you will have seen the most excellent version of Changes sung by Yungblud. Yep, it's awesome and potentially the highlight of the whole show. A few years ago though, Charles Bradley recorded a version that is superb. If old school R&B / Soul Music makes you smile then this one is a must.

Charles Bradley - Changes (live) - https://youtu.be/zfaOf70M4xs

Here's some brand new music for you all. This is the debut track for Canberra quartet Soforth. If you only listen to one track from this episode then please make it this one. Supporting local music is cool and even cooler in this case as I know one of the young folks in the group. I'm especially digging the tempo changes and the spluttering, surf fizz guitar line. Soforth push hard and then back off in a way that so many bands are unable to do. They understand the power of space in the sonic maelstrom they create. Great vocals, restrained and then hard hitting drums, all wrapped up with a pulsing bass line that keeps you guessing. I'm very much looking forward to hearing the upcoming EP.

Soforth - Ringing Tone - https://youtu.be/dLqQTTo5XWo

Did you ever not listen to a band as a result of their name? I did. I wrongly assumed that Viagra Boys were either a dumb hip hop act or the reincarnation of Vengaboys, neither of which interested me. Fast forward to a few days ago where one of my OG music pushers, DJ D-Dubya, told me to have a listen. I trust him. Very few people out there think about music (and music gear) the way he and I do. I'm unsure how to describe Viagra Boys so have a listen for yourselves. I guess if you like Iggy Pop then this might be right up your alley.

Viagra Boys - Sports - https://youtu.be/QjL7D33xpS4

Spotify is a problem. We all know that the algorithms aren't transparent; some of the very wrong recommendations prove this to me on a regular basis. I miss out on stuff I would definitely like and get bombarded with drivel. Then there's the issue of artist payments. And now we have the company being linked to arms manufacturers prompting some artists to remove their music from the Spotify catalogue. Here's the thing though, only spending your money on products and services that align with your version of right/wrong/justice is nigh impossible. You'd better not be wearing any cheap arsed clothing manufactured by workers in developing nations who are being paid next to nothing. You'd better not be using one of those fruity mobile phones or wearing swooshy sneakers. Who's using YouTube for all of their music and not paying a cent? I could go on but you probably get my drift. So what do we do? We do the best we can without turning ourselves inside out. I'm currently investigating an alternative to Spotify. This is as a result of the artist payment and algorithm frustrations. Feel free to let me know if any of the streaming alternatives are any good. Yes, I have a lot of CDs, records and cassettes and I use them a lot. But in the car and on the move I'm a streamer. Also, I'm typing on an ancient MacBook which won't be replaced anytime soon. But when it does I'll have to balance my Scottish tendencies to look for the absolute best value for money and look at the company making the device and how they are behaving. As Billy Bragg said, "if I only listened to ideologically sound pop music then I'd soon get tired of the Red Army Choir..."

Billy Bragg - The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions - https://youtu.be/lz2REwKVmnk

Since having to learn to sing 99 Luftballons as part of German class at school in 1985, I've had a bit of a fascination with popular music that isn't in English. I mean, there's a massive proportion of the world singing in other languages after all. Here's a couple for you all to check out, they are regulars on my playlists.

Anna Coddington - Kātuarehe - https://youtu.be/PrwPfjZY08M

Gyllene Tider - Sommartider - https://youtu.be/CnBfiQyeDcI

Last time around I wrote about problems with my physical and mental health. Well, they got worse and it continues to be quite a journey. Thankfully, after a number of visits to the chiropractor the pain in my back and down my leg is much reduced. I have a lot more work to do in order to make it stronger and more flexible, but significant progress is being made. I was extremely stressed about having dry needling, and I hate it, but it does seem to help. I've needed to use my newly developed meditation skills to deal with having needles stuck everywhere. Yep, I'm soft. While my physical health is much improved, getting my brain to play along is proving more of a challenge. I had to take some time off work and then go back part time because I simply couldn't cope. As with my physical health, I am doing what I am told by those in the know to address this. Written on my reminder board at the moment are the following:

• Don't give up
• Your brain needs food
• Do your yoga
• Remember to meditate
• Don't be a hermit
• Take the long term view

Easier said than done.

Don McGlashan - Start Again - https://youtu.be/YwwF2xNRF4k

Let's finish with something that's a lot of fun. This group did a whole heap of awesome versions of movie theme songs and this is my favourite one.

At The Movies - The Never Ending Story - https://youtu.be/REXpzTtplZg

That'll do.

Keep smiling,

The Woozle 

"Would Jesus feel safe in his skin if he came to your town?

And would you still believe in Jesus if you found out he was brown?"

Jordan Smart, Who Would Jesus Bomb?, 2024

World Wide Woozle episode #652

Welcome back at what is a sad, sad time for fans of heavy music.

The Prince is dead, long live the Prince.

Ozzy Osbourne died this week at age 76. While we all knew that he'd been unwell for a number of years, this news hits hard given that he was performing only a couple of weeks ago at his own farewell concert.

In my last couple of years of high school, heavy metal music became a passion and it remains so to this day. My friend Simon loaned me his LP copy of Blizzard of Ozz to dub onto cassette and over the following years I almost wore it out. The honest truth is that I'm not a big Black Sabbath fan. I understand their importance in metal music but Ozzy's later solo stuff is what grabbed my attention. Some of that, naturally, is to do with time and place. Ozzy was long gone from Black Sabbath by the time heavy music was on my boombox and walkman.

The iconic riff from Crazy Train (track 2 from Blizzard of Ozz) was the first real metal guitar piece that I could play. Simon played some bass and we would practice that bit over and over again. It felt good. These days it's a bit of a no-no in guitar shops because everyone plays it. There's a reason though; it's just such a great riff.

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train - https://youtu.be/FVovq9TGBw0

In mid-1989 I bought my first CD player. I also bought two CDs that day, one was the Ozzy Osbourne live album, Tribute. Yesterday, on my march through my entire CD collection, that album along with all the other Ozzy ones I own was played. Coincidence?

Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Know (live 1981) - https://youtu.be/mvwBbPIMhTY

Ozzy had a knack for attracting and working with some of the most influential guitar players. Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Brad Gillis, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde to name the most well known. Tony, of course, remained with Black Sabbath and is the author of some of the heaviest riffs of all time. Randy (dec. 1982) is well known for incorporating a range of influences, including classical music, into his playing.

Randy Rhoads - Dee - https://youtu.be/J9BQRMBjUOY

In other news, I am having a major struggle with some back issues. It's been a problem on and off for many years now but I've usually been able to manage it with a range of strategies. There is a limit, however, to how much massage, physio, stretching and exercise I can do. Sadly, it's just getting worse. I begged the GP for help and he finally took notice. Some new drugs are almost managing the pain and instability. Meanwhile I've been to see a chiropractor who came highly recommended. What we already knew is that two discs are a problem, two nerve roots are being impacted, and there is some joint arthropathy too. Quite a bit of this is age related, but a couple of injuries have helped it along. Let's see what the chiropractor can do because I'd really like to get back on my bike, walk without worrying about electric shocks down my leg, and most importantly, stop the triggering of my mental health because that is even harder to deal with.

Black Flag - Fix Me - https://youtu.be/ICdgH_LDo5Q

That's it. I've got nothing else today. Go and listen to some Ozzy.

Keep smiling,
The Woozle

"Heaven is for heroes, and Hell is full of fools..."
Ozzy Osbourne, Revelation (Mother Earth), 1980.

World Wide Woozle episode #651

Welcome back loyal listeners. Welcome also to newbies, irregulars, curmudgeons, and anyone else brave or silly enough to join in. Are you sitting comfortably? Good, let's begin.

This week DJ Toddo and I headed out to the theatre to see the production, Big Name No Blankets. This was a stage show / rock musical all about the Warumpi Band. Told from the perspective of founding member and lead guitarist Sammy Butcher, it was a real treat. Musically, the band were spot on and Taj Pigram moved and sounded exactly like singer George Burarrwanga. It's a three show run here in Canberra and I'd thoroughly recommend seeing the show if you can. I've listened to Warumpi Band since their iconic song, Blackfella Whitefella, appeared, with This Land by Coloured Stone, on Midnight Oil's The Dead Heart single in 1986. Hearing their songs played live, along with some of the stories and meaning behind them was more than worth the price of admission.

Warumpi Band - Stompin' Ground - https://youtu.be/HHYbwHTGOv4

Wet Leg are a band from the Isle of Wight who are getting a lot of exposure at the moment. They had a slot at Glastonbury and also on NPR's excellent Tiny Desk Concert series. It's a bit quirky, but poppy and infectious nonetheless. Other than the cool vibe, I was instantly hooked by seeing guitarist Hester slinging a Richie Sambora Kramer guitar! So cool.

Wet Leg - CPR - https://youtu.be/3tibZ_DBmVE

Many of you may have watched, or at least been aware of, the final Ozzy / Black Sabbath show that was in Birmingham last weekend. The whole day was a complete festival of heavy music as well as love for Ozzy. I've watched quite a bit of it and I hope there is a decent BluRay release coming soon. There were great moments and there were also plenty of singers and musicians who didn't really hit the mark. Nuno Bettencourt, guitarist for the US band Extreme, proved himself to be the consummate artist. He carried many performances and made it look almost effortless. Singer Yungblud probably made a whole lot of people check out his music after his superb rendition of Changes. Steven Tyler from Aerosmith proved that you can still sing, move and be a total rock package well into your seventies. I can only imagine how much fun it would've been that day. There's a ton of bootleg footage out there on YouTube so fill your boots. Here's a track that highlights Ozzy's voice and the superlative guitar work of the legend, Randy Rhoads.

Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads - Goodbye To Romance (vocal/guitar mix 2010) - https://youtu.be/-vrT1SQDYhA

Very few artists do justice in their attempts to cover AC/DC tunes. I'm still scarred by footage of Shania Twain murdering one of their biggest hits. I'm not even going to link it here for fear that you might inadvertently hear it. In sharp contrast, Morgan James' version of Thunderstruck is a total soul/r&b triumph, What fun!

Morgan James - Thunderstruck - https://youtu.be/IFe-AU7jwBI

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and guidance about photography after the last blog post. I won't be spending thousands on gear I can assure you. I might, however, get a small tripod that'll hold my phone from time to time. Otherwise I'm sticking with my quick draw, point and shoot style for now!

Dr Teeth & The Electric Mayhem - Kodachrome - https://youtu.be/6_01zRwJOPw

That'll do for this time. Happy Birthday Fitzwilliam.

Keep smiling y'all,

The Woozle.

"Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond

Call me what you will..."

Metallica, Wherever I May Roam, 1991

World Wide Woozle episode #650

Hello and welcome back all you radio fans.

The World Wide Woozle current listening playlist is, and remains, an ever-changing window into what I'm listening to now. You can access it HERE via Spotify. I love feedback and discussions about music so please feel free to engage me about this, via email, at any time.

In this episode I'm going to write about a few topics, and it might get long. I'll include some sub-headings so that you can skip what you aren't interested in. So, strap in for the ride and don't forget to hydrate.

Iron Maiden – Rime of the Ancient Mariner - https://youtu.be/gewer650wqc

Checking out

Some of you will have seen an article that I pointed to in The Guardian that reflected on the instant-response culture that we have created with text messages and other forms of instant online communication. Over the last few years many of us have allowed ourselves to be sucked into responding to messages instantly and at all hours of the day and night. Guess what, it's not good for you. And if you get that reputation in the workplace then you will never have a moment to think about anything. I am one of those people. Living alone, it is very easy to rely on messaging for human contact when the truth is that some quiet time isn't a bad thing. It means I can limit distractions when I am reading, writing, and meditating.

In pre-instant messaging days, you would never telephone someone after 8.30pm unless it was an emergency. Now, however, there seem to be no boundaries with regards to messaging. We all know that we should stop looking at our electronic devices at least thirty minutes before bedtime but we don't. I know I don't need to send stupid memes and pictures at 10pm, but I do. And I most definitely don't need to respond to that message at 3am because I forgot to put my phone on 'do not disturb'.

So, in the interests of my own wellbeing (selfish, I know) I am checking out. It's not that I won't respond or that I won't send messages, I'm simply going to make a big effort to not let it rule my life. One of the ways I will deal with this is dumping my smartwatch or at least stopping all the notifications. Every time my wrist vibrates, I am interrupted, stop what I'm doing and my mind wanders. I must remember to set up my phone so that the do not disturb setting actually works.

Jesus Jones - Who? Where? Why? - https://youtu.be/JlMZjFRFzBM

AC/DC
Yes, the best rock and roll band in the world are coming back home for a series of shows at the end of the year. Angus (Marshall, not Young) and I have tickets for one of the Melbourne shows. To be frank, I was shocked to be able to actually secure them. AC/DC were the first rock band that I really connected with, and they are still my favourite. It's uncomplicated, foot tapping, head nodding, rock and roll and this will be the fourth time I will see them live. Some will complain that it's not the original band, they are too old, tickets are too expensive, and so on. In this case, I simply don't care. Angus is the only original member, but Brian has been singing with them since 1980. Malcolm and Bon are dead so they really can't be expected to show up. Yes, they are old, but does that mean they can't do what they love? And ticket prices are much cheaper than some other international acts to recently grace our shores, cough, cough, Pearl Jam. I have little doubt that this will be the last tour, and they may have slowed down a little. Brian is 77, Angus is 70, and Stevie is 68. I'd absolutely love to be able to get on stage in front of a huge crowd at that age. "Hail, hail to the good times, 'cause rock has got the right of way...we're just living for today."

AC/DC – For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) - https://youtu.be/RtMGoU9NcMo

Not getting better

Honestly, I well and truly understand that any kind of mental health recovery journey is far from a linear process. I know there are moments of clarity as well as deep despair and everything in between. In recent times I think I have been making really good progress and importantly my psychologist thinks the same. I was reminded by a well meaning friend that I was now 54 and had been battling this for a number of years. They then asked when I would have it sorted out. Well, that sat me back on my heels and rendered me speechless. I don't know the answer but I do know that I wish it was today. I wish it had never happened to me, to my family, and to my friends. I'm ok now and I'm deeply appreciative to the people that helped me navigate my way over that particular hill this week.

John Williamson & The McClymont Sisters - I'll Be Gone - https://youtu.be/Cd6FhmogDY8

Photography
I have discovered that I like taking photographs. I just need to be better at remembering to pull out my phone to snap them! There are a couple of places near my house that are rather beautiful, and I've found myself walking there more and more searching for spots to shoot. I know that photography can be a very technical pursuit, but, with a half decent phone and a bit of patience I can get some rather pleasing results. I am a sucker for sunsets and a glassy surface on a pond. There's a rabbit hole to go down with regards to camera gear, but I don't need to even peek inside. Or do I?

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band – Photograph - https://youtu.be/oG14CJ0klhw

Maliyan Tour 2025

Melbourne readers need to be aware that my mate George has a live gig for you Victorians on the 2nd of August. All the details are on the flyer at the bottom of this blog post. Get there if you can for what promises to be a great show. It's the 10th performance on his Maliyan Tour (aka Bing's World Tour of Australia). Most big international bands manage to play in three or four major Australian cities but not George, he out there in cities and towns laying it down for y'all.

Brian Wilson

I thought I'd finish with a Beach Boys song. Brian Wilson passed away recently although many would argue that he really hasn't been with us for quite a while. It's a sad story but we are left with some superb songs. The Beach Boys Greatest Hits was one of the first albums I was given. First on cassette and then on LP, thanks Mum! 

The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice (vocals only) - https://youtu.be/FPN53PHDwe4

Lukim Yu,

The Woozle

"Same playbook as 2003,

looks familiar to you,

looks familiar to me..."

Jesse Welles, Sometimes You Bomb Iran, 2025.

World Wide Woozle episode #649

Hello out there marvellous listening world. 

Last time on the World Wide Woozle I was getting ready to head to Wollongong for a gig. I did, it was cool, and you can read all about it right here. Thanks, Bing.

I've also done an update of the World Wide Woozle current listening playlist. It's less angry than the previous iteration. Maybe I'm chilling out a little.

Today I was in Queanbeyan for work. It looks like I might go back there every couple of weeks as well. Cool people and a groovy setup supporting veterans. In the very early nineties Canberrans needed to go to the Leagues Club there to see most major bands that came this way. I have good memories of seeing The Angels, Crowded House, and Transvision Vamp there. I also remember seeing The Choirboys there on a Sunday evening. The crowd was tiny (Sunday evening!!) but the band played as if there were thousands watching. 

Choirboys - Never Gonna Die - https://youtu.be/Z3bUU56Xwbg

Clutch are an American hard rock outfit that I've liked for quite a while now. They have a new song which I'm about to play for you. What I am struggling to understand is why they aren't a ton more popular. Is it a saturated marketplace? I don't think I can blame radio as its influence seems so minimal these days. Or are we all stuck listening to only what we grew up with and/or what an algorithm recommends?

Clutch - Slaughter Beach - https://youtu.be/nRTfLdaFzyU

Look, the algorithms aren't all bad, they're just opaque in their intentions at best. YouTube threw this one up at me this week and it's cool. If you liked bands like REO Speedwagon, Journey, Foreigner and the like then this group from Sweden might be for you. DJ DaveDubya will be quietly giggling at their name...my brother might be too since he's a Kiwi these days.

Nestor - In The Name Of Rock And Roll - https://youtu.be/nRTfLdaFzyU

Two great bands that I've seen play at the much missed ANU Refectory, are The Living End and Baby Animals. Well, Chris Cheyney and the Baby Animals have teamed up to release their version of the Motörhead classic, Ace of Spades. First of all, why Suze can't sing, "baby, I'm your man" is beyond me. Those are the lyrics and it just sounds odd now. Secondly, I want to love this interpretation but, well, it's kinda bland. Suze's voice sounds fabulous but the band is a bit muffled. I know that there are two absolute guitar gunslingers on this track but it feels lacking in energy. If they play it live then it might hit home. It's only maybe from me...but that's just my opinion.

Baby Animals w/ Chris Cheyney - Ace of Spades - https://youtu.be/3ebZb0S0DbU

Here's the version you want.

Motörhead - The Ace of Spades (on The Young Ones) - https://youtu.be/YOAz4nPNvLI

I wrote in my gig review, and mentioned at the show how much AM radio influenced my early listening habits. I was listening to Queanbeyan FM today on the drive over the border (hi there DJ DocW) and they played the next song. It was another staple from 2ZB in Wellington and 3UL in Gippsland when I was a kid. I had no idea that the original was recorded when Tanya was just 13!

Tanya Tucker w/ Little Big Country - Delta Dawn -  https://youtu.be/AMAM3ae7KoQ

John Swan, aka Swanee, has a new album coming out soon. Australians will know him as a successful solo artist from the late 70s and 80s and then as the singer in The Party Boys. Swanee was also the singer who replaced Bon Scott in Fraternity. You might have heard of his younger brother as well who sings for Cold Chisel. You can read all about the new album right here. I missed seeing him play at the Rock for RnR gig I was involved in at The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne a few years ago and I'm still disappointed. Here's a really, really great song. If you only click one song link in this episode then this is the one. He has a big heart.

Swanee - Rescue Me - https://youtu.be/kWjIVWaNg-c

I'm about 90 albums into my quest to listen to every CD I own. No skipping tracks or pausing is allowed. So far it's been a lot of fun although I think my mid 90s CD player may be slowly giving up the ghost. Let me know if you've got a decent one you'd consider selling. I'd forgotten just how much I liked this song...

The Cat Empire - The Car Song - https://youtu.be/a4xau-JRu3I

Almost at the end now. Hang in there.

Can I recommend the podcast called, Strong Songs to anyone remotely interested in why some songs are simply just so good. I listened to a couple of episodes and I am now hearing bits in tunes, lyrics and arrangements that I had never noticed. The show about this next Jim Steinman tune was particularly jaw-dropping.

Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart - https://youtu.be/lcOxhH8N3Bo

For those of you who remain slightly confused about what a podcast is...it's essentially a radio show without a radio station. Also, some podcasts are simply recordings of radio shows that have already aired. Anyone can make one too. Maybe I should. I learned a lot recently about the French Foreign Legion, anxiety, and the use of castanets. Not all from the same podcast though.

The Members - Radio - https://youtu.be/IGhsO63D_R8

That's enough. 

Rock on folks,

The Woozle.

"...the lovers, the dreamers, and me..."

Kermit The Frog & Debbie Harry, The Rainbow Connection, recorded 1981.

The Woozle in Wollongong 24/25 May 2025

Hello again music fans.

This is a bit of a rundown of my recent weekend away and the set I played in support of the Wollongong leg of George Huitker's Maliyan 2025 Australian Tour.

I hadn't been to Wollongong for a while. For those not in the know, it's on the coast about 90km south of Sydney. From Canberra it's about a 3 hour drive if you include stops.

I chose to head to the 'Gong a day before the show. Winter is coming in fast in Canberra and the opportunity to get some sunshine and coastal air was a big drawcard. It's clearly not tourist season down there as accomodation was easy to find. I got a fab and groovy place about a five minute walk from both the CBD and the beach.

I am not a fan of the beach. I don't like sand. Salt water tastes horrible and of course there are sharks out there. I do, however, like being at the coast. I like the sound of the ocean and I'm pretty happy sitting on a bench somewhere gazing out to sea. Wollongong is great for a walk along the coast beside the beach. But, let me go out on a limb here and suggest that it is possible to walk without a takeaway coffee and/or without being on your phone the whole time...

I was fortunate enough to catch up with a couple of good friends there. Once by good luck when we were all out walking at the same time, and the next day for brekky at a fab cafe. Other than that I was pretty happy with my own company. I do wonder if the people in the next hotel room enjoyed me rehearsing my set though!

Rarely do I write much about food as it can be a challenging topic for me. I do, however, want to tell you all about the pineapple fritter I had as a treat at Glory Days on Crown Street. For years, every time I decide to get one I am disappointed. They arrive only half cooked, drowned in sugar and generally make me feel like I'd not bothered. Not this time. Oh, my, goodness. My taste buds were in heaven; the best pineapple fritter ever. Cooked to perfection and with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. I should've gone back for a second one but let's not go too crazy.

Sunday came around with an early morning stroll, the aforementioned breakfast, and the joy of setting up sound equipment for a gig.

Lajos opened the show with poetry readings. This is the man that recently wrote 1000 poems in 1000 days. We'll be needing some of these in a book before too long. Great stuff.

Then it was me. It's been quite a while since I played and sang in public. The fact that I'd lost my voice just a week earlier threatened to make life interesting. I chose my repertoire accordingly and almost got away with it, almost. I chose to play four songs written by other people as well as a couple of mine. Here they are, along with why I chose them. Don't feel that you must read all of this as it is as much a journal entry for me as an expose of my musical scattergun approach.

i. To A Mouse - Robert Burns - https://youtu.be/5kFST60dNgY (read by Billy Connolly)

Lajos had read poetry and I really thought that I was about to lower the tone of the evening substantially so I read this one myself. Somewhere I have a certificate from early primary school in Scotland for reciting this particular poem.

1. Gold - John Stewart - https://youtu.be/reFlgu1vq3Q

This song has so much going for it. Firstly it takes me back to my childhood and AM radio. Lyrically I love it; "I jump into my car and I throw in my guitar". The rhythm of the syllables and feel of spitting out the consonants are beautiful things. "California" was interchanged with "Illawarra" and "Alabama".

2. If It Takes A Lifetime - Jason Isbell - https://youtu.be/d82uSO0tn3k

 

Y'all know that Jason is one of my favourite songwriters. His songs, however, are quite difficult for me to sing given his range and level of control. I'm not sure I did a wonderful job with this one, maybe I should have done it a bit later after my voice and nerves were more under control, but I still enjoyed it. For me, this is a song about continuing to move forwards.

3. Love Lies Bleeding - Elton John - https://youtu.be/REfKNbNndzo

George loves prog rock and this was as close as I could get with one voice and an acoustic guitar. I distilled the original eleven minute epic down to a bare bones, Neil Young-esque version, of about three minutes. It has a lot of chords, I needed a capo so that I could sing and play it at the same time, and it was a challenge to arrange and learn. My goodness it was fun though!

4. No Way Nadir - George Huitker - https://youtu.be/puATe3Ty3sQ

I knew that George wouldn't be playing this song in his set and, after trying out a number of his other tracks, I decided to give this one a red hot go. It's got a thousand chords as well but I played it so many times when I was in Junk Sculpture that it's pretty much muscle memory. But...I started it too fast and the lyrics need to come out thick and fast! Then I had the capo in the wrong place so it got a bit of a spoken word / Mark Knopfler vocal styling in places! And I reverted to the original lyrics...sorry H.

5. One's Too Many - https://on.soundcloud.com/udo5TD45qECNiR7h8

One of my originals that's been around for a little while now. I feel like I've played it to everyone I know but this was a whole new crowd and it has one additional lyric I wanted to try on for size.

6. Another Day - Lovesmudge - https://youtu.be/k8KgQzU3tJY

I had time up my sleeve so, unrehearsed, I threw this one in. I wrote the lyrics in 1992 for a band I was in at the time. It's not that easy with just the one guitar but I think the song still stands up today.

7. If You Don't Like Hank Williams - Kris Kristofferson - https://youtu.be/J8RSGCJF6gI

There's a demo version of this which I have linked that I just adore. Kris was a smart man who liked all sorts of music and artists and I wanted to channel a little of that vibe. A few lyrics were altered so that Hank Williams is replaced by George Huitker. I'm sure you'll get it when you listen to the original.

And that was me, done and dusted.

George and Evan were up next playing a range of songs from his ten albums. Quiet songs, and 'bangers' as George calls them and everything in between. Lajos and I got up for some backing vocals on two tracks but no-one saw that green trombone solo coming. Anarchy in Wollongong!

Good times indeed.

Cautiously, I think I am now available for low key lounge room shows across the ACT. Book now to ensure disappointment!

Thanks if you read all of this.

The Woozle.

World Wide Woozle episode #648

Hello all you radio fans.

Yes, it's been a while so this might get long. Strap in.

First of all, this Sunday 25 May I'm playing a support set at a gig in Wollongong. Come along and see me murder some great songs by other people and one that I wrote myself. I might do one more but it depends how long I yak about my choices! You'll also see quality entertainment with Lajos Hamers doing his thing followed by George and Evan playing selections from his ten albums.

I've just come home from nine days in New Zealand. It was fab to spend time with my family there simply catching up. Nothing beats being in the same room. I also did a ton of walking here and there, went to a gig, regretted wearing shorts once or twice, hung out with my awesome niece and nephew, almost lost my voice and, for the first time I can remember, joined with my brother in taking Mum out for Mother's Day. I was also extremely fortunate in that Wellington only turned on the gale force winds and sideways rain on the day I was coming home. That's my holiday for this year. Other than a long weekend here and there, I'm now saving my holidays to go to Scotland in 2026. It's time.

Big Country - In A Big Country - https://youtu.be/657TZDHZqj4

I don't tend to listen to a lot of music when I'm on holiday. Sure, on the plane is a different story, but out and about walking and on public transport I prefer to immerse myself in the local environment. Having said that, I did listen to this song more than once as a result of seeing it played live in Wellington at the very groovy Vogelmorn Bowling Club.

Andrew London - Country's Buggered - https://andrewlondon.bandcamp.com/track/countrys-buggered

In the last few months I've experienced four anxiety attacks. Not fun, not fun at all. In fact the first one, when I was out for a walk, was absolutely terrifying and is the reason I got a new psychologist and started to take this all much more seriously. The others were horrible as well. One was when I was riding home and another just as I got on the plane to come home from Adelaide. It lasted almost the length of the flight to Canberra. What I've learned is that they can come out of nowhere and make my thought patterns dark and illogical. Yes, I told my psychologist about them and we're working on it. This kind of thing isn't something you should keep to yourself or try to deal with alone because it's hard. In the throes of an attack all I can do is try to sit with the discomfort and ride it out. I use music, sometimes a podcast or an audio book to help with this. And lots of photos to remind me that my life is good and that the voice in my head yelling all the unhelpful thoughts will eventually shut up. Many of you will know that I have "don't give up" tattooed on the inside of my left forearm. It's a constant reminder to keep going. I guess I've accepted that mental health challenges are part of my life and have been for quite a while. Once I admitted this to myself and began to get help (and follow the advice properly) it has been getting better but it's far from a linear progression.

Why am I writing this bit? Some of it is cathartic. But it also takes up a lot of my time and energy and is a reason that I haven't published anything here for a while.

I Ain't Got No Home - Bruce Springsteen - https://youtu.be/QeSrR1X65EA

The Lemonheads have been in the country playing some gigs recently. I saw them at the ANU in about 1993 and they really weren't all that good. I remember being disappointed that they finished the gig by simply making an unholy racket and not playing their current single. The album at that time, It's A Shame About Ray, however, is awesome. I bought it on the strength of hearing it over the sound system at the record shop, something that has only happened to me twice. Live performance aside, it's still an album I like a lot and it reminds me of a pretty awesome period in my life.

The Lemonheads - Confetti - https://youtu.be/4s7Fi2QBXqk

For many years I worked in IT support and then I taught computing to high school students. Later on I also dabbled in helping older people with technology. Having now assisted with getting my Mum a new computer and transferring some information across, I may never want to choose Microsoft for anything I do myself again. Seriously, there is a new version of Outlook which might be the biggest disaster since disasters began. It truly is diabolical for anyone used to a well thought out and functioning email client. I live my digital life, including email, in the cloud these days and most is pretty seamless. The installation process for Office 2024 and associated importing of email files, accounts and folders is a disgrace. Bill Gates is spinning in his grave and he isn't even dead yet.

Heaven & Hell - Bible Black - https://youtu.be/EKyEbjcvUag

You may have guessed that songs mean a lot to me. I like to share music. Like a lot of people it started with mixtapes that I gave to friends, family and people who mattered to me. Then the blog came along and of course playlist sharing. But did you ever share a song with someone and then, maybe when things went south, found that the song stings a bit? In the film, Rattle and Hum, Bono from U2 talks about stealing the Beatles song, Helter Skelter, back from Charles Manson. Well I'm stealing this one back. It's a beautiful song that's been hurting me for too long. Radio NZ have literally released the below version today so get on it!

Don McGlashan w/ Anita Clark - Anchor Me - https://youtu.be/qlAJjSpi5T0

Back in the 90s I was in a band called Lovesmudge. Formed out of the smouldering embers of a covers band, we wrote and played what you'd probably describe as indie music. We were influenced by awesome groups like The Falling Joys and The Clouds. I put one of our demo tracks online years ago here but I really should get the other three digitised and uploaded. Fast forward just a few years to the present day and I can hear that kind of sound coming back. How good is this track all the way from Gosford?

Little Quirks - Storm Like Me - https://youtu.be/KDZ1LwibVfY

The World Wide Woozle current listening playlist is pretty heavy and angry at the moment. I guess that's the mood I was in when I put it together. It's likely to change in the next few days so grab a listen here and subscribe to it so that you can come back at any time to listen and wonder, "what WAS he thinking!"

Since I'll be in Wollongong this weekend I think I'll finish with a great band from that town. I saw Tumbleweed play supporting Rollins Band in 1994 and they were tops. Sludgy, fat, loud, stoner rock and roll.

Tumbleweed - TV Genocide - https://youtu.be/3DbgkGJoGeo

Keep smiling groovers,

The Woozle

"Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose

In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back
Up front there ought to be a man in black"

Johnny Cash, The Man In Black, 1971

World Wide Woozle episode #647

Hello and welcome back.

I've been to Sydney and survived. It's a big, messy city and I've never really liked it. Whilst it was a work trip that included a 12 hour day, I amused myself in a couple of ways. I got to walk out past the NSW Art Museum to Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Parks in the middle of cities are such a blessing. I saw three large Navy ships alongside at Garden Island as well as the sun setting over the Opera House. On top of that I managed to knock myself out at about 0200hrs on Tuesday as I attempted to unplug the fridge in the hotel room. Fun times. I was glad to get on the pencil with wings that masquerades as an aeroplane, to come home.

Weddings Parties Anything - Taylor Square - https://youtu.be/R4aD2OH3UsI

I went to a funeral this week, online. It's becoming a habit. This one was for my brother's father-in-law. What was wonderful, in a sad situation, was the way that sincerely warm and affectionate stories were told about David. My young nephew spoke as well and he was fabulous.

The Proclaimers - I'd Ask The Questions - https://youtu.be/vSj8udGUD1k

Gig rehearsals are every night at my house just now. The neighbours haven't complained yet. Since it's just me and a guitar I think I'm safe. Pencil Sunday May 25th into your diaries and come to Wollongong to see me supporting my mate George on his Maliyan Tour 2025. I've decided to throw caution to the wind and play whatever I want to rather than worrying too much about what people will think. I'm guessing that almost no-one there will know me and therefore I can do what I want and retreat back into anonymity. On the "maybe" list at the moment are songs from Elton John, George Formby, Perry Como, Miley Cyrus, George Huitker, Ugly Kid Joe, and The Mark of Cain. I'll throw a couple of originals in there too.

The Mark of Cain - Degenerate Boy - https://youtu.be/bAc6E6dFfzM

My brother really made my day recently by reflecting that it was a good thing to hear about people who really don't have their mental health sorted out. Too often all we get are stories of those who have undoubtedly struggled but are now (seemingly) living their best lives along with a regimen of beauty treatments, retreats and a Garth Brooks Juice Diet. Life is messy and this bit of mine is as well. The drugs I was on may have addressed some of the red flag issues but they made me hungry and unable to get decent sleep. I realised that I was using so much energy fighting the hunger issue when my weekly grocery bill was almost half what it normally is. So, under doctor's orders, I've tapered off the old medication, had a couple of decent night's sleep, and I have new stuff to try. Will they make me tired, happy, grumpy, or something else!? It's a journey.

John Farnham - Pressure Down (live) - https://youtu.be/t9u6KLfCFxQ

The calendar tells me that I'm a year older. I think I'm feeling every one of my 54 years and 2 days at the moment. I'm taking today off training as I think I MAY have overdone it in the past week or so. The sleepless night, sore tummy and pounding headache are a reasonable indication I suppose. I don't feel old but, as I am regularly reminded by friends, family, doctors and the psychologist, I could probably dial it back just a little bit.

Kacey Musgraves - Follow Your Arrow - https://youtu.be/kQ8xqyoZXCc

A huge thank you all for the birthday wishes, and especially to Toddo and Suzy for organising the Northside Velo crew to surprise me on Friday morning. As someone who lives alone, and is prone to acting a bit like a hermit, I really appreciated everyone who reached out.

Baby Animals - One Word (live) - https://youtu.be/mVpDCsch7mU

That'll do. Although I'm going to do my level best to avoid anything more energetic than a gentle stroll around the block, I've got music to listen to and a poetry course to be cracking on with.

Keep smiling y'all,
The Woozle

"They try to tell us we don't belong
That's all right, we're millions strong
This is my music, it makes me proud
These are my people and this is my crowd..."

KISS, Crazy, Crazy Nights, 1987.

World Wide Woozle episode #646

Welcome back. An even bigger welcome back to those that read the last episode and lived to tell the tale. I'll try to make this one a bit shorter.

First up, happy birthday to my great mate Bing. He celebrated in style by playing two gigs in two days. I was fortunate enough to be in the crowd for last night's boogie experience at Huitker Studios in downtown Curtin. Seeing George play all his own compositions is just fabulous. Any mug can play other people's songs but to put it all out there on the line takes a special kind of drive and determination. In true Bing spirit, the gig went from bliss to quiet rage.

George Huitker - What Makes It Rain - https://youtu.be/ateArN2kZtU

Last time around I revealed my mad plan to listen to all of my CDs. Well, I'm happy to report that it's going quite well. They are on the shelves in sort of a logical order and I'm playing them as they are stacked. This does mean that some bands who have a lot of albums get their entire discography aired in order. That's fun as I can reflect on how they have developed (or not). I've also already unearthed some magnificent tracks that I had long forgotten about.

Steven Winwood - While You See A Chance - https://youtu.be/0j6g_uUhH2c

Last night I found myself feeling a little blue. It was nothing major but I knew that I needed cheering up and to drag myself out of the dumps. This short clip never fails...

Tommy Tiernan - Accent and Emergency - https://youtu.be/u3MG1iIZZjQ

I also listened to three Tommy Emmanuel albums. I'll tell you that cueing them up one after another isn't the best idea. I got a bit tired of the whole atmospheric soundscape thing at a few points. But then there's a bluegrass album cut direct to disc which is truly magnificent. And of course this reminder that Tommy can rock out with the best of them.

Tommy Emmanuel - Stevie's Blues - https://youtu.be/DXpdNHZJgZI

You'd think I was rediscovering a whole lot of music and I suppose I am. This one came up just before John Mellencamp's song, Justice and Independence.

Ben Harper - Glory & Consequence - https://youtu.be/qHgaJ5UI90M

I spent a few days last week working at the Avalon Airshow which is near Geelong in Victoria. Aeroplanes have never really excited me but I have to admit that I saw some pretty neat stuff. I think my favourite was a toss up between taking a virtual reality trip in an autonomous air taxi and seeing the military working dogs in action. Sadly, I have read that there was a nasty crash at the show on Friday. 

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention my state of mind following on from my last episode. The short version is that things are improving and I'm following the guidance of the health professionals. It'll take time but things aren't getting any worse!

Jason Isbell - Anxiety (solo, live) - https://youtu.be/JwW_zr2uMiE

Rock on,

The Woozle

"I can't remember when I felt this lost

Took a wrong turn trying to carry this cross
Why'd I have to go and get blessed with a curse
I'm chasing death or glory, whichever comes first..."

John Moreland, Nobody Gives A Damn About Songs Anymore, 2013

World Wide Woozle episode #645

Hi everyone,

This episode has two parts. The part about music and random stuff is first. Part two, which was written first, is about my mental health and the last few weeks. I understand that some of you won't want to read part two for any number of reasons. That's ok; it's something that flowed once I started writing and maybe the feeling of catharsis is a good thing.

Part 1

Since I last wrote I've been to Melbourne for a couple of days. I saw Green Day with Dave Dubya, went to lunch and a bookshop with my Dad, caught up with Angus and Em, visited a collectables shop, rode the trams, and went to some record shops. I was busy, very busy, and at the time I needed to be. 

Skyhook - This Is My City - https://youtu.be/Yp8BsPVT5MU

You can read any number of reviews about the Green Day concert but to me it was exactly as I thought it should have been. 60,000 people having a wonderful time singing, dancing and jumping along to a great band. I think the fact that the band themselves were clearly having a ball really added to the experience. For my money, AFI were the wrong band for the support slot. They are NOT a bad band but all that angsty posing really didn't fit with the energy of the local support band, Private Function, or the pop-punk of Green Day. 

Green Day - She's A Rebel - https://youtu.be/fo1d5LZGO98

I like visiting Melbourne but it's too big for me to be there for a long time. Since about 2015, I've always visited St Paul's Cathedral (opposite Flinders Street Station) whenever I'm in town. I like to sit on a pew for about 15 minutes and think. It's almost meditation, sometimes it's prayer, sometimes reflection. I always feel at peace there. I like riding the trams as well. Since my trip to the USA I've become more comfortable with the fact that I don't know quite where I'm going and I may get ever so slightly lost. The chance discoveries of cool coffee shops, the oases of urban parks, and the simple act of wandering around a suburb is usually good fun. People watching can be a hoot as well.

Paul Kelly - Leaps and Bounds - https://youtu.be/FtzYqgiuSDo

I did manage to get a couple of albums that had either been hard to find online or too expensive. I wrote a while ago about Darkthrone's latest long player, It Beckons Us All, and it was the album I was most pleased to find. Thank you Heartland Records. Darkthrone are one of the seminal Scandinavian Dark Metal bands but this one is quite different. Imagine the heaviest metal mixed in with ambient mood music, prog rock and maybe a Gregorian chant and you might get an idea of how it sounds. 

Darkthrone - The Lone Pines Of The Lost Planet - https://youtu.be/w3seDas5sSc

For the first time ever I bought a CD I already own. Curses! As a result, I have embarked on a quest to catalogue all that I have. I estimate there's about 1100 CDs. Then there's all the LPs and cassettes. Fortunately the Discogs app allows you to scan barcodes using the camera on your phone. I don't like to do things in half measures so as well as cataloguing them I am listening to every album in its entirety. This could take a while. 

Saint Etienne - Lost In The Library - https://youtu.be/1FgSXsrb0io

A while ago I had a great stereo receiver and turntable. They'd belonged to my parents who I assume bought them when we lived in Singapore in the early to mid 1970s. The receiver was a big, heavy, glorious Sansui 771 and the turntable was a lovely Akai AP-005 fully automatic model. Sadly, I gave them away at a time when I gave away a lot of stuff thinking that I was doing a good thing. In fairness, a lot of the stuff did need to go but I can see now that I went a bit over the top and wasn't thinking right. I've had a groovy, modern, Audio Technica turntable for a few years now but for a while I've really wanted to replace it with something old school. Well, after saving up for quite a long time, I finally took action and thanks to a referral from my great mate Steve, I am now the proud owner of a mid-1980s Dual 500 player. After listening to a few vintage turntables that Steve's mate had up for sale I brought the Dual home. It sounds just wonderful. Woo hoo!!

Leo Sayer - Giving It All Away (live) - https://youtu.be/F_0ZAe8aAok

Oh, and while I am no poet, I've decided that instead of hiding that part of my life in a notebook and the Notes app on my phone, that I'll post some stuff in the blog. The first one I've posted is available here right now.

I've been doing more and more reading over the last few months. I tend to stick to non-fiction or relatively easy to read fiction. Non-fiction is a winner because I don't have to remember a complicated plot line and therefore end up getting frustrated when I don't remember half the characters or essential parts of the plot. When it comes to fiction, I've been reading some Australian detective stuff which has been excellent. I'm able to picture the characters and places so I think the author must be doing something right! The other thing I realised is that I was avoiding reading physical paper books because my eyesight was a bit off. I now have groovy new reading glasses.

Belle and Sebastian - Wrapped Up In Books - https://youtu.be/iBU-MxydbWQ

The other thing I have been avoiding a bit has been cycling. You wouldn't realise it immediately but I know I have been. The reason is my back. For ages I've needed to do a LOT of stretching and core work to keep it relatively healthy. My new bike has been a complete revelation in this respect. I can ride for a few hours, hop off and not be stiff and sore. I realised that my commuting bike also has me crouched over a bit too much so I'll be getting rid of it and sticking with the new one only. This weekend I've had two solid rides. My back feels great and my general outlook is much improved as a direct result. Yes, I still need to keep some core work going but hopefully not quite so much.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Strange Things Happening Every Day - https://youtu.be/-88l-M0KgkI

Finally, after a VERY long wait, the 30th anniversary version of Roxette's album, Crash! Boom! Bang!, has arrived. I ordered it from what I thought was an Australian seller but it turned out to be a front for a UK based mob. I waited over a month and I was starting to think that I'd blown my dough! All of the demo versions are the winner here. Per Gessle is a great writer of pop/rock songs who loves classic guitars. Perhaps this is one for the serious fans only but I'll be playing it over and over!

Roxette - Crash! Boom! Bang! (T & A Demo - May 6, 1993) - https://youtu.be/1oMP9uXJyvY

Finally, I may have mentioned that I have a support slot coming up at a gig towards the end of May. So I'm busy choosing songs to play at that. Make sure you follow George's FB page for details of his world tour of Australia. He'll be appearing here, there and everywhere. Not to mention that he has new CDs on the way and some groovy tour merch. Please support him if you can.

Sorry that this bit was long; but you get value for money here at the World Wide Woozle.

Part 2

When I started writing, the truth was that I wasn't quite sure what to write about. This just poured out so it may be a bit of a stream of consciousness.

Many of you will be aware that I had a rather unpleasant mental health episode a few weeks ago. It came out of the blue and was the worst incident I've ever had. Of course, with hindsight, I can see the warning signs. Fortunately I had a support plan in my head and amazing people that looked after me until I was OK to be in charge of myself again. Now I'm back on medication for the first time in a few years and I have a new psychologist to work with. The psych says that I need to be kind to myself. That's easier said than done but I'll give it a red hot go.

Green Day - Basket Case - https://youtu.be/NUTGr5t3MoY

No-one ever knows what to say in situations like this, so don't worry. You don't need to say anything. I'm doing all I can to take control of my brain and I have help.

The Screaming Jets - Helping Hand (COVID ISO session) - https://youtu.be/BuFPajGugOg

I had some anti-depressants back in 2019 and I think I finished with them towards the end of 2020. In retrospect I don't really know if they worked or not. At the time I thought that they were helping me to think clearly and stopping my brain flooding my consciousness with crazy and unhelpful ideas. This time around the effect is different so far. They make me tired, sometimes spaced out and my balance has been a little off. I get headspins. And then there's the dreams! Even when I've been really unwell or unhappy in the past I've been a great sleeper. It's my super power! I can sleep almost anywhere and at any time. Having weird and crazy dreams, not nightmares, is no fun at all and I hope it stops soon. It's too soon to know if the medication is making me feel 'better' but I guess my mood is relatively stable. I know I have to be patient but I'm not. The medication is also making me hungry and, as I'm sure you can guess, I am finding that to be a particularly difficult thing to manage. Every single night I have to fight the urge not to take them.

The Wombats - Anti-D - https://youtu.be/ti1W7Zu8j9k

The psych also told me that I am really good at minimising things or making it sound as if they aren't particularly significant. What I'll do is talk with her about some very serious stuff and then end that part of the conversation with, "anyway", and move on. I have to work on this as it's probably something I've done for a very long time. Therapy is confronting. 

Soul Asylum - Misery - https://youtu.be/GLQ2TIul8pI

I guess the other thing to be aware of for anyone still reading, is that sometimes I really struggle to respond to texts, messages and emails. I'm not ignoring you, and it isn't that I can't be bothered. The truth is that sometimes I just can't bring myself to type anything. I'll keep working on that too.

I think that's enough. If you want to ask me about this stuff that's ok. But don't feel that you have to.

One final thing; none of this is anyone's fault.

Keep smiling y'all,

The Woozle

"My heart was broken, my heart was broken,
Sorrow, sorrow, sorrow, sorrow..."

The Proclaimers, Sunshine on Leith, 1988

Tired - 11 March 2025

Today I am tired.
More tired than a tired thing.
The voices in my head are noisy.
They want me to scream and snore all at once.
Another hour telling my life's story to a psych.
The chance of a new beginning.
Maybe it's another reboot.
I'd prefer an upgrade rather than a patch.
The drugs make me light headed.
The drugs make me hungry.
The drugs make me tired.
The drugs might give me clarity.
Might.
Today I am tired.

World Wide Woozle episode #644

Hello and welcome back.

During the week I posted the second episode in my series about albums that matter to me. Please feel free to check it out. Episode 3 is almost written as well.

I've always enjoyed writing, other than when it is for university type stuff. I'm conscious that those of you better educated can no doubt pick holes in my grammar and crazy use of punctuation. The way I try to write is the way I'd have a conversation rather than an academic paper. I'm hoping to never need the Harvard Referencing System ever again. I'm scarred by my experience with an Australian university who failed me in a Masters level unit as a result of my content and referencing in an essay that I had asked multiple times for assistance with. Thanks to that university for making me unwell. Enough of that. Let's rock!

Spotify playlist for this episode.

Black Sabbath, all four original members, are getting together for a final gig in Birmingham on July 5th. Ticket prices are predictably eye watering but the lineup is extensive and profits go to charity. Sadly it seems that Ozzy can't walk any more as a result of Parkinson's Disease. Black Sabbath have been around in one form or another since 1968 and are, of course, a seminal act in the history of heavy music.

Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - https://youtu.be/mfTpjrzas5E

A while ago I watched the Amazon TV series, Daisy Jones & The Six. I really enjoyed it and it's well worth your time. I'm currently reading the book that the series is based on and I'm not all that impressed. Perhaps I'm spoiled by having seen the dramatisation but I'm finding it quite dry. The concept is great and obviously translated to TV well but the book seems like a by the numbers story of a rock and roll band in the seventies. It's far from bad and I will finish the book but I'd be loath to recommend it.

Daisy Jones & The Six - Let Me Down Easy - https://youtu.be/Xbt1tOadwHA

A couple of weeks ago I headed to the cinema to see the latest Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. Five anorak wearing old blokes, plus me, had the theatre to ourselves and it was even cheap Tuesday! I thought the film was very well made and I enjoyed the fact that most of the songs in the movie weren't shortened or cut off. The highlight for me was Edward Norton playing Pete Seeger. The physical and vocal resemblance to the iconic American folk artist was astounding. The film is worth it for that alone. Monica Barbaro, as Joan Baez, was super as well. I read that she spent around five months learning to sing and play the guitar. The music in the film isn't mimed. Monica also had to wear fake teeth and sing at the same time! And while Timothée Chalamet is excellent as Bob Dylan, he ends up looking more like Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day. I found the story compelling and time flew by. Hearing those songs on a big theatre sound system was a treat as well. Did I learn anything as well as having a good time? Yes I did; Bob Dylan wasn't a very nice man. 

Monica Barbaro and Timothée Chalamet  - It Ain't Me, Babe - https://youtu.be/NSGxM9bs3uY

DJ DaveDubya sends me good stuff. I like jazz almost as much as I like opera and that's not much at all. The next track however, is very groovy (baby). I love the way that they have two drummers to play quite separate parts of what would be a single kit. These are serious musos.

Vulfpeck - Deantown - https://youtu.be/le0BLAEO93g

My brother also sends me excellent music recommendations. Given that we haven't lived in the same house since I was 16, I am very interested that his Spotify generated discovery playlist is often quite similar to mine. The next song that he recommended reminds me a lot of Sleaford Mods in the best possible way. Listen to the lyrics. 

dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip - Thou Shalt Always Kill - https://youtu.be/CWrMGXwhFLk

On Wednesday I had a really bad day. I had felt it coming but until it hit I was essentially powerless to stop it. It wasn't one particular thing that triggered it, rather a whole lot of smaller things that piled on top of one another and hit me hard. I took myself home from work at lunchtime as that gave me about 30 minutes to stare out the tram window whilst listening to good tunes. After finishing work at home I headed to one of my favourite places for a long walk in the bush. More and more I wonder if I'm meant to be in cities at all for any longer than is absolutely necessary?

Mulligan's Flat, ACT. 13 Feb 2025.

I think that's enough for this time around. Hugs to all those who look after me even when I don't behave all that well! I'll be keeping a bit to myself for a few days.

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"Talk about things that nobody cares

Wearing other things that nobody wears
You're calling my name but I got to make clear
I can't say baby where I'll be in a year..."

Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion, 1975.

World Wide Woozle - Albums that matter episode #2

Welcome back to my series about albums that matter to me. If you missed it, the first episode is available online at this link: episode 1. At the time of writing sixty brave souls have had a look; thank you all.

Album #2: Jason Isbell - Southeastern (2013)

In 2013 Jason Isbell released what I regard to be one of the best albums of all time. Southeastern is a collection of songs of such strength and depth that any songwriter could not fail to be impressed. Although Isbell would go on to win six Grammy Awards for subsequent work, this album is the one that I love. It's cliched to call it lightning in a bottle but that's what Jason and producer Dave Cobb achieved.

I became aware of this album via my good mate George. He insisted that I listen to it and gently cajoled me into taking more than a passing interest. In the end, as part of George's band, I played a gig where we performed Southeastern in its entirety.

We're here to talk about why I regard this album as important to me. I can assure you, after seeing Jason play live in 2018 and being part of a crowd singing along to every song, that his music is important to others.

Firstly, Southeastern is a reminder of a band I was once in. Junk Sculpture was around long before my involvement as well as after I was done. We played many special shows, most notably for me up in Tingha and surrounds. I had to work hard to learn every song on Southeastern but it was never a chore. I was blessed with bandmates who were (and remain) much better musicians than me. That said, they encouraged me and, with kindness, made me improve markedly. The thought of that relationship, or was it a brotherhood, still fills me with good vibes. The songs may sound simple in places but to be relatively faithful to them takes effort and a deep respect for the music.

When we played the Southeastern gig in 2015 it was at a beautiful old church outside Canberra. The venue was great, the crowd appreciative and the band was in a state of flow. I was there in body but not in spirit that day. I had learned the songs so well that it was autopilot. This was during the week Zoë was unaccounted for after Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. I remember not wanting to go to the gig but I knew there were others counting on me. So I don't remember much about the show other than saying a few words to the man upstairs whilst in the church on the off chance that he might be listening. It would be another few days before we got news that Zoë was OK. So, Southeastern takes me back to that time for both good and not so happy reasons.

The final reason that I think this album is important is that I keep coming back to it for inspiration. Whether it's the elegant fingerpicking on some tracks, the ripping solos on others or the sublime turns of phrase, this is an album I listen to very regularly. In the lyrics I am struck by Isbell's use of what he might see as common words. In particular I mean place names and medications that have a musical quality. Have you heard a song with Klonopin or Pedialyte mentioned before? I had to look them up. And places like Ybor City and Fond du Lac. Not only has my knowledge of USA geography improved, but it's made me wonder that whilst I might think that place names local to me don't belong in songs because they sound silly, perhaps they wouldn't to others.

There is now a tenth anniversary edition of the album that includes demo tracks as well as a live set. It's all killer and no filler. The demo versions in particular reveal Isbell's depth of talent.

 

I've been listening to the album whilst writing all of this down and trying to select a track to play for you all. Although I have my favourites, choosing one or two is a hard task. I've decided to select two. The first is the one I enjoyed playing the most. Guitarists love playing, loud, in the keys of E and A. Electric guitars, rock and roll music and those keys just work well together. Super 8 challenged me as it's in C (I think). I don't play slide guitar but approximating the cool guitar licks is heaps of fun. Recently, whilst watching live footage of the band, I have realised that there is a better than average chance that it's played in an open tuning (where the guitar is tuned to a chord). Maybe I need to try that but regular tuning is hard enough!

Jason Isbell - Super 8 - https://youtu.be/kydK3NvFvvg

The other song I'd like to recommend is Songs That She Sang In The Shower. It's not one of the 'hits' but I really like the guitar riff. It swings along in a way that I found hard to nail down for a while but when I stopped counting and started feeling the beat I got it. It also includes one of my favourite lyrics, "and the frost on the ground probably envies the frost on the trees". Sure, this is a sad song but it's achingly beautiful to my ears.

Jason Isbell - Songs That She Sang In The Shower - https://youtu.be/W8qNgGh-x9M

In one of Jason's songs on a subsequent album the lyric is, "I've sung enough about myself". It's an interesting choice of words. Southeastern is his post-rehab album but whilst the themes may reflect this, the majority of the songs aren't about him. Isbell has that knack of telling a story about someone else and making it sound personal.

Tune in next time for a trip back to 1988.

Thanks for reading this,

The Woozle