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
