Welcome back, enormous listening world.
I've started the countdown; twelve days until I get to see AC/DC. This will be the fourth time for me (1991, 2001, 2015, 2025) and I can't see there being another. There is only one original member left (although Brian did join in 1980) and they aren't young fellas any more. Still, there's a lot to be said about getting out there and doing what you enjoy. They definitely don't need the money and I'm sure a long tour is taxing on everyone, so I am thankful that they love the music and their fans enough to keep on rocking. I've read quite a lot about how they aren't at their best and so on. Guess what? I don't care. For a band that started in the early 70s they're going pretty well. I can't imagine them sitting at home with their pipes and slippers just yet.
AC/DC - Are You Ready - https://youtu.be/CIhylLW4Fcs
It's now a year since I was in the USA. At about this time in 2024 I was in Tupelo MS, visiting Elvis' birthplace, trying to find dinner at ALDI, having a ball on the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway, and wondering why the travel booking website had given me a hotel in the middle of an industrial area. One day I'll get back to the USA, it's a fabulous place to visit, but not for another three or so years. One of the reasons I went was to make up my own mind about Americans. As Billy Bragg once said, "Americans aren't all right wing, Reagan voters who only listen to Van Halen", and of course he was correct. From DC to Nashville, Tupelo, Memphis, Mesquite, Atlanta, Birmingham, Gadsden and Huntsville, people there could not have been friendlier or more helpful. My physical rehab is coming along steadily so I should be able to travel far and wide before too long.
I want to share with all y'all something that the chiropractor told me last week. After manipulating my spine, he said that my back was, "almost unremarkable". It took a while for me to understand what he meant. I still must work hard with my exercise routine three or four times a day, but it is continuing to have a positive impact. Only a few weeks ago I really didn't think I'd be getting to Melbourne to see AC/DC, but I'll be there even though I have to fly instead of doing the eight-hour drive each way. I'm having to train my brain to stop telling me that my back hurts because, 95% of the time it doesn't, and the other 5% it is just a bit stiff. Meanwhile my hip flexors, glutes, TFL, psoas and related bits all do something different every day as they adjust to a back that isn't badly jammed up. Other than not being in constant pain, there is now room in my brain. And by this, I mean that I don't spend every waking hour worrying and catastrophizing or meditating to deal with all that. This manifested itself on the weekend by me actually caring about what I was getting for my weekly meals, and then the huge shock of getting a few new items of clothing. There is still a way to go, and I really, really, really want to get on my bike soon, but it's coming. Imagine that; I did what the chiro and the psychologist told me to do, stuck to it, and it is working.
Gary Jules - Mad World - https://youtu.be/etSbOs3aUqI
I do love a new release. I don't enjoy being told to pre-order one with six months to go until it sees the light of day (or the airwaves). Bing seems to get it right with a short lead time, a teaser, and then BOOM here it is. With the release of his new long player, Songs from E-Country coming very soon, the first single was let loose on the internets this week. Keen listeners will recognise the track but, don't look away because this is a serious update to the version you might know. If Nine Inch Nails is a band that you enjoy then perhaps George has something for you here. And the clip, goodness me, I think it's his best by far, seriously adding to the vibe and lyrics of the song.
I've started the countdown; twelve days until I get to see AC/DC. This will be the fourth time for me (1991, 2001, 2015, 2025) and I can't see there being another. There is only one original member left (although Brian did join in 1980) and they aren't young fellas any more. Still, there's a lot to be said about getting out there and doing what you enjoy. They definitely don't need the money and I'm sure a long tour is taxing on everyone, so I am thankful that they love the music and their fans enough to keep on rocking. I've read quite a lot about how they aren't at their best and so on. Guess what? I don't care. For a band that started in the early 70s they're going pretty well. I can't imagine them sitting at home with their pipes and slippers just yet.
AC/DC - Are You Ready - https://youtu.be/CIhylLW4Fcs
It's now a year since I was in the USA. At about this time in 2024 I was in Tupelo MS, visiting Elvis' birthplace, trying to find dinner at ALDI, having a ball on the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway, and wondering why the travel booking website had given me a hotel in the middle of an industrial area. One day I'll get back to the USA, it's a fabulous place to visit, but not for another three or so years. One of the reasons I went was to make up my own mind about Americans. As Billy Bragg once said, "Americans aren't all right wing, Reagan voters who only listen to Van Halen", and of course he was correct. From DC to Nashville, Tupelo, Memphis, Mesquite, Atlanta, Birmingham, Gadsden and Huntsville, people there could not have been friendlier or more helpful. My physical rehab is coming along steadily so I should be able to travel far and wide before too long.
Motley Crue – City Boy Blues - https://youtu.be/5hxF4Q7GmyY
Taylor Swift's new album has, predictably, sold a bunch of copies. It's a collector's dream, or nightmare, with all the different versions available. I don't have a physical copy just yet but I have taken the opportunity to listen online. Is it her best? Maybe not. Is it a great album? I think so. Taylor and her crew really do know how to make a record sound great. By that I mean their dedication to the craft of recording and sound production. This is not tinny, throwaway pop at all. And while it's easy to be either distracted or consumed by the hype, behind it all is an artist who writes songs, plays instruments, engages with fans, and puts on a great show. The constant shapeshifting and reinvention reminds me of a very successful Australian pop star. Kylie isn't all that different (the lack of a country and western background notwithstanding). Haters gonna hate. Just listen to this bassline...sublime.
Taylor Swift - Ruin The Friendship - https://youtu.be/WQCPl5rTMDQ
Taylor Swift - Ruin The Friendship - https://youtu.be/WQCPl5rTMDQ
As mentioned previously, Bruce Springsteen has released the expanded version of his 1982 album, Nebraska. My copy is still coming from somewhere overseas, who knows where it is. On a side note, I could rant and rave about the time it takes for parcels to get to and from Australia but that won't change anything so I will have to remain patient. So, I weakened and listened online. There are four discs and here's a quick rundown for you.
Disc 1 - this is made up of demos for what would become some of Nebraska and some of Born In The USA. If you're familiar with those albums then you'll recognise some lyrics, melodies and songs. These are demos so clearly not all are fully formed but it's a good insight into the Boss' songwriting. I enjoyed it but I imagine more casual fans won't be all that keen.
Disc 2 - Electric Nebraska. Having recorded the demo for the album, these tracks are the whole band trying to lay down an electric version. There is one stinker in this set but the rest are so much better than we'd been led to believe. This is a disc I will play many times over. I don't think that the Nebraska songs lose anything with a whole band, they are just different. They still reek of desperation and small-town troubles, but in a different way to the stark feeling of the album we are familiar with.
Disc 3 - Nebraska live. Bruce didn't tour for the original album so here we have him playing the whole thing right through. Recorded for this release, it's OK I guess but it's not essential. It comes on video with the CD set so maybe I'll enjoy it more when I watch it.
Disc 4 – the remastered version of the original album. Considering this was recorded on a 4-track cassette machine in a bedroom, then carried around in Bruce's pocket for a while, the quality is astounding. These songs stand the test of time. Maybe I'll take a trip to Nebraska one day and I'll stay in a mansion on a hill.
Bruce Springsteen - Reason to Believe (Electric Nebraska version) - https://youtu.be/20gSNJ0bHtQ
Disc 1 - this is made up of demos for what would become some of Nebraska and some of Born In The USA. If you're familiar with those albums then you'll recognise some lyrics, melodies and songs. These are demos so clearly not all are fully formed but it's a good insight into the Boss' songwriting. I enjoyed it but I imagine more casual fans won't be all that keen.
Disc 2 - Electric Nebraska. Having recorded the demo for the album, these tracks are the whole band trying to lay down an electric version. There is one stinker in this set but the rest are so much better than we'd been led to believe. This is a disc I will play many times over. I don't think that the Nebraska songs lose anything with a whole band, they are just different. They still reek of desperation and small-town troubles, but in a different way to the stark feeling of the album we are familiar with.
Disc 3 - Nebraska live. Bruce didn't tour for the original album so here we have him playing the whole thing right through. Recorded for this release, it's OK I guess but it's not essential. It comes on video with the CD set so maybe I'll enjoy it more when I watch it.
Disc 4 – the remastered version of the original album. Considering this was recorded on a 4-track cassette machine in a bedroom, then carried around in Bruce's pocket for a while, the quality is astounding. These songs stand the test of time. Maybe I'll take a trip to Nebraska one day and I'll stay in a mansion on a hill.
Bruce Springsteen - Reason to Believe (Electric Nebraska version) - https://youtu.be/20gSNJ0bHtQ
I want to share with all y'all something that the chiropractor told me last week. After manipulating my spine, he said that my back was, "almost unremarkable". It took a while for me to understand what he meant. I still must work hard with my exercise routine three or four times a day, but it is continuing to have a positive impact. Only a few weeks ago I really didn't think I'd be getting to Melbourne to see AC/DC, but I'll be there even though I have to fly instead of doing the eight-hour drive each way. I'm having to train my brain to stop telling me that my back hurts because, 95% of the time it doesn't, and the other 5% it is just a bit stiff. Meanwhile my hip flexors, glutes, TFL, psoas and related bits all do something different every day as they adjust to a back that isn't badly jammed up. Other than not being in constant pain, there is now room in my brain. And by this, I mean that I don't spend every waking hour worrying and catastrophizing or meditating to deal with all that. This manifested itself on the weekend by me actually caring about what I was getting for my weekly meals, and then the huge shock of getting a few new items of clothing. There is still a way to go, and I really, really, really want to get on my bike soon, but it's coming. Imagine that; I did what the chiro and the psychologist told me to do, stuck to it, and it is working.
Gary Jules - Mad World - https://youtu.be/etSbOs3aUqI
I do love a new release. I don't enjoy being told to pre-order one with six months to go until it sees the light of day (or the airwaves). Bing seems to get it right with a short lead time, a teaser, and then BOOM here it is. With the release of his new long player, Songs from E-Country coming very soon, the first single was let loose on the internets this week. Keen listeners will recognise the track but, don't look away because this is a serious update to the version you might know. If Nine Inch Nails is a band that you enjoy then perhaps George has something for you here. And the clip, goodness me, I think it's his best by far, seriously adding to the vibe and lyrics of the song.
George Huitker – The Truth About Lonely - https://youtu.be/SJEhfOi-HXw
That's all for now. Get outside.
The Woozle
"…and now that I live to see my melodies betray me,
I'm sorry the love songs all mean different things today."
Jason Isbell, Gravelweed, 2025.
That's all for now. Get outside.
The Woozle
"…and now that I live to see my melodies betray me,
I'm sorry the love songs all mean different things today."
Jason Isbell, Gravelweed, 2025.
