World Wide Woozle episode #679

Hello, I'm back again. Hang on whilst I plug my computer into the gas mains because I'm not getting the sound I'm liking.**

But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself

I wrote this bit yesterday, August the 15th. Today is important to me for many reasons that I hadn't realised until this morning. Facebook told me so. Four years ago today I took possession of my current abode. It's small, but it's mine. Prior to living here I had become unexpectedly homeless and will forever be thankful to Bing, Todd and Suzy for putting a roof over my head for a few months. Six years ago today I went to my first coffee catchup with the Veterans' Motorcycle Club. Some of their members looked out for me for a while and I'm still friends with them. Good blokes who care. Twelve years ago on this date was my last day of employment as a teacher. I don't miss it too much but, for almost fifteen years I loved it. Thirty one years ago today was one of the highlights of my relatively unremarkable military career. I was part of the Catafalque Party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier on VP Day. I remember meeting some WWII veterans that day in between our shifts in the Tomb. One of them cried because he couldn't believe the care we had taken with our uniforms and drill. Years later I would work at the War Memorial and spend hours and hours in the same place. After the last couple of weeks I needed some help regaining my perspective and these few milestones have helped me move towards that.

  
  

Mulligan's Flat - 15 August 2026

Frenzal Rhomb - There's Your Dad - https://youtu.be/L8WgW_ueiFs

Memories of a frozen time beyond

Long time readers and listeners will know of my admiration for the Canberra heavy metal band, Armoured Angel. In my opinion they are one of the greatest bands of that type that Australia has ever produced. Last week, via their FB page, I noted that a couple of demos from their unfinished 1996 album were being released on limited edition 7" record and CD. Well, they did it right and the package deal including those as well as a t-shirt and two patches arrived this week. Keeping in mind that the album was never completed and that these are early recordings from those sessions, I still like them. Well, one song I really like and one might take a bit more time to grow on me. It's interesting to ponder what these tracks might have become. Armoured Angel aren't on any of the official streaming services but you're welcome to come to my place to listen to almost everything they've ever released, as well as a stellar live bootleg. And of course there are unofficial tracks on YouTube, like this one...

Armoured Angel - Armoured Angel - https://youtu.be/A64Q8CPN6rw

Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams

In late 2024 I went to the Mojave Desert with my good mate DUG. Other than being spectacular, and some of the best few days of my life, I was introduced to riding in Jeeps. I'd never been in one and since DUG has two, I've been in both! I could never justify owning one here, especially at the moment when I drive about 30km a week, but they are such fun. So, a while ago I weakened and ordered one, sight unseen, online. It didn't take long to be delivered and I am very happy with it. My only complaint is that it isn't red or silver like DUG's but I guess I'll cope.

The Dresden Dolls - The Jeep Song - https://youtu.be/807hyrQiK5A

But the miles, they never seem to end

The Commonwealth Games are over. With all due respect to Glasgow who stepped in and ran a good event at short notice, the whole thing has become a bit ho-hum. The Comm Games used to be a big deal. Now it's a bit like a glorified training camp where one or two countries win almost everything because the majority of top ranked competitors aren't from the Commonwealth. We could fix it though. Firstly, one city generally isn't big enough or financially able to host a big event. How about we rotate it between countries? I mean, Australia wins a lot of medals so why don't we, as a country, host the whole thing. Our weather is good, we love sport, and taking the whole country into account we have the facilities. Perhaps we could invite former Commonwealth countries to compete in order to bolster the competition. Or, limit how many competitors from one country can be in a final. You don't get a single country getting gold, silver and bronze in the same event at the Olympics do you? How about we go back to treating the Commonwealth Games seriously or, or limit eligibility to emerging athletes, or find our way into stronger competition? Australia somehow manages to compete in Eurovision after all.

John Farnham - Playing to Win (The Acoustic Chapel Sessions) - https://youtu.be/5QOy7d-VWpY

I'm made of metal, my circuits gleam

Not counting my early dalliances with the original Fitbit devices, I've had a smartwatch since 2020. Initially I had a Garmin Instinct and more recently an Amazfit T-Rex 3. Both are fabulous devices that do more than I've ever needed. There's a dark side to them though. The first is relatively obvious and that is that you are always connected, regularly distracted, and never alone. How many times have you been out for coffee, at dinner, in a meeting, or having a conversation when either you or the other person has got a notification on their watch and decided to read and/or deal with it? It's become a constant in our lives and I think it sucks. I can deal with that though. It happened when mobile telephones came into our lives and the behaviours we have all learned aren't going anywhere. There is, however, a bigger problem and that is the potential obsession with the data that smartwatches collect. More than a year ago now, my psych and my dietitian asked me what kind of data was on my wrist. I enthusiastically told them about my resting heart rate, number of steps taken, kilometres ridden and walked, sleep patterns, and calories expended. Both of them advised me to turn these features off, or at least to hide them from being seen every time I looked at the time. You see, I was fixated on the data. Could I train harder and get my resting heart rate under 40bpm? Did I need another quick walk before bed to get my steps to whatever insane goal I had in mind? Had I burned enough calories that day so that everything I'd eaten was negated and I was in a deficit? Are you getting the picture? In the last few weeks I noticed that I was opening the app for my watch and checking all the data again, often, and too much. Funnily enough, what made me realise this was that the watch was digging into my ulnar styloid (the bump in your wrist on the same side as your little finger) and bruising it. Why was my wrist skinnier than usual? And yes, I know the answer to that question and it involves nutrition. Can I ditch the smartwatch altogether and regain some of my sanity as well as my focus? Maybe. For now I'm only wearing it when I go walking, or hopefully cycling, to track those activities. I have loved watches since I got my first Timex as a small child whilst living in Singapore (I still have it, and it works just fine if you wind it up). So I'll go back to wearing some of the cool watches that I have neglected for ages. At the moment I'm rocking a groovy green Casio F91W which Angus got for me in Japan a while ago. Apparently the watch, unlike me, is quite a fashion statement.

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

And now, I'll do my second set of exercises for the day and then head outside before it rains. 

Keep smiling you legends,

The Woozle

"Would Jesus build a border wall? Would Jesus drive a tank?
Would Jesus own an arsenal? Would Jesus run a bank?
Would Jesus feel safe in his skin if he came to your town?
Would you still believe in Jesus if you found out he was brown?"

Jordan Smart, Who would Jesus bomb?, 2023.

** thank you John Bird.

World Wide Woozle episode #678

Welcome back.

Here is the weather forecast; I've been out on the World Wide Woozle balcony and it is pissing down with rain.**

Puts a song in this heart of mine

For the new readers/listeners/stalkers, as well as those who simply don't pay attention, I live in Canberra. Rain here is so unusual that it means people lose their minds. Hardly anyone knows how to drive when the roads are wet, raincoats are things that other people have, and our footpaths are clearly designed to flood. The timing of this precipitation is also right on the money, with our local government trying to lower the level of a few lakes to allow for maintenance. Seriously, who would want to be in a scuba suit in a Canberra lake in the middle of winter? 

Hazlett - queen of the season - https://youtu.be/FwgEPkGVu84

Anything, anytime

Fans of comedy, bird lovers, and children of the 70s and 80s would have been sad, like me, to hear of the passing of Bill Oddie. Did you know that Bill played drums in a production of the rock opera, Tommy, along with the London Symphony Orchestra, or that he sang on a Rick Wakeman album? Neither did I. The internet is useful some of the time. I was fortunate enough to have The Goodies as part of my childhood whilst living in Scotland, New Zealand, and Australia. Hats off to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation who from memory screened an episode four nights a week for many years. Bill Oddie was 85.

The Goodies - The Scout Proficiency Badges - https://youtu.be/tZBeuFbn3Go

Think I'll buy me a football team

I have a love/hate relationship with music streaming services. Artists aren't paid properly, everyone wants to listen for free, it's the death of the album, and greedy executives manipulate algorithms to choose what we listen to. Streaming, however, allows the curious to find music that was never going to be on the radio, or easily accessible, and I like that. More and more I listen to podcasts and audiobooks on Spotify but music comes from my own physical library loaded onto an old iPod or my phone. For the readers who may be unsure, a podcast is like a radio show, documentary, or an interview, it's just that you listen when it suits you. What can we do then, because music streaming isn't going away. One thing to consider is supporting bands and performers to make their music. 

Recently I pre-ordered a couple of albums from less well known Australian artists. Of course, these albums will be on streaming services soon enough and I can and will listen online too. But, and it's a big but (and I cannot lie) there will be no more good music if we don't pay fairly for it. Artists can't survive on streaming clicks, Facebook likes, and fresh air. The albums I have ordered are from Fanny Lumsden, and from Perry Keyes. I'll link songs from them below. Fanny, I have seen live and have some of her work already. She's a fabulous country/folk artist who hails from the Riverina in New South Wales. Her album, Traditions, is out on October 30 but available to order from her website. Perry Keyes came to my attention when I realised that he wrote the song, The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw, which was re-recorded by The Whitlams. Both versions are fantastic but I really like Perry's grittier sound and delivery. I simply love the way the drums hit four strong beats(eg: at 1m20s), what a great song. Perry's new album, The Alison Bend, is out on 21 August and you can get it here.

Fanny Lumsden - Difficult Woman - https://youtu.be/MGkHkcK_0II

Perry Keyes - Warren Zevon Has Stopped Drinking - https://youtu.be/cBaGpqvtm30

Because everything I say is everything you've ever wanted to hear 

I read, in books, online and on the subway walls, that the truth will set you free. To quote Henry Rollins though, "I'm a liar". I am struggling with eating and food more than I care to admit. I wrote about it last time and it may have sounded as if I was making progress, but I'm a bit stuck. I guess, like most things, if you haven't been there then you can't quite understand. I'm not going to fade away as I did when this affliction really ramped up, but I am worried. I saw my psychologist last week and I told her the truth. I mean, if you're going to lie to the shrink then why bother going? I should know, it took me years to get that right. Again, I'm not asking anyone out there for help, but if I keep on outing that unhelpful voice then maybe it will help me to shove it in the corner more easily.

Tears for Fears - Shout (live) - https://youtu.be/Y9F3RnLED1s

Studio 54 is the only place to dance

Recently I finished listening to the audiobook version of Chrissy Amphlett's autobiography, Pleasure and Pain. If you are a fan of the band, or interested in Australian music from the 80s and 90s then it's worth picking up. In some ways, however, it was a difficult read for me. Divinyls were a fabulous band but knowing some of the darker parts of their story and how entitled they were, at times, is a bit hard. After finishing the book I read a review of it that said something along the lines of, "great band, terrible people". 

Divinyls - Only Lonely (live Australian Made 1987) - https://youtu.be/vPFgK3sDUnY

The blood of the guitar was Chuck Berry red

Finally, the guitar. I committed to doing my level best to play it a bit. There are only six guitars in this house and it's hard to avoid them. I tuned up my old Taylor acoustic and I've been strumming a few chords more than once a day to get my fingertips back in shape. Guess what, I can still play. I think my next thing to do will be to learn a couple of new songs. Thanks to those of you that have been positive about this.

Tune in next time for lots more blethering including how we can fix the Commonwealth Games, and my review of a new release from the best heavy band Australia has ever produced.

Tabeana,

The Woozle

"Yeah, it could be any one of us, with a broken mind...

I learned about mercy
For everyone else, and for myself"

Suzanne Santo, Mercy, 2021

** thank you John Bird.

World Wide Woozle episode #677

Hello enormous listening world. For the comfort of others, please refrain from using the toilets whenever we're stationary.

Buy for comfort, buy for kicks

Recently I happened upon a Facebook Marketplace offering that was actually good. A fella, in my local area, was selling a big collection of Henry Rollins / Rollins Band books, CDs, and cassettes AND at prices that weren't silly. I met up with him on a cold Canberra evening and came home with a book, some CDs, and a double cassette. I'll talk about the book in a future episode because I need to spend time reading it. The real gem of the lot was a live CD that usually goes for the same amount I paid for the whole bundle. The Rollins Band ripping it up on stage in The Netherlands. The double cassette is Henry reading selections from his early tour diary, published as Get In The Van. I'll stay away from Marketplace for a long while now but this purchase was a real bonanza!

Hard-Ons with Henry Rollins - Let There Be Rock - https://youtu.be/FMzowawbDbk

Some got pollution, some revolution

You may have guessed that I like to write. I think a lot about what to write when I'm out on my daily walks, when I'm riding the light rail, or in the shower. I have been tempted to turn it into a podcast but the reality is, I wouldn't be able to play any of the music as part of that without paying licensing fees. Oftentimes these episodes live in my head as a radio show akin to that of Henry Rollins or Bob Dylan but they can stay there. Unlike many other bloggers, writers, podcasters and dare I say it, influencers (vomited in my mouth there), I actually pay attention to the creative output of others. My good mate Dave Macca has recently taken steps to return to writing via his blog. Macca can read more books, and remember what they are about, than anyone I know. To top it all off, he has a talent for speaking, and writing that makes stuff interesting and accessible to a wide variety of readers. Check him out here. Minds are for expanding.

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

Jaws was never my scene

Cycling. There, I said it. I've now ridden my bike three times in the last three weeks. Before anyone feels the need to tell me to be careful, to rug up, and not to overdo it; yep I am aware and I understand. My days of long, long rides are over for the foreseeable future if not forever. After more than a year of rehab, and a lot of bad words said under my breath, I am allowed to ride for about 30 minutes at a time once or twice a week. The first two times I went out were nerve wracking to say the least, but other than a minor twinge in one of my glutes, they seemed to go reasonably well. Yesterday I went out for a trundle with Toddo and that was totally awesome. We cruised in the sun wearing our full winter riding kit, talked non-stop, and it all felt good. This was also the first time I'd worn cycling gear in a long while and it still fits! More on that later. My plan is to be able to ride approximately 50km once a week with my mates, as well as a couple of shorter rides. Given that I used to push out 300km a week, the mindset change involved is, and continues to be huge.

Miranda Lambert - Gravity Is A Bitch - https://youtu.be/WnxfVJd4VzM

The sounds of the city, baby, seem to disappear

Recently I've been helping a local band to set up their sound production by attending rehearsals and a gig to do some mixing. I've also been assisting with in-ear monitors (IEMs). Essentially IEMs replace the big speakers that point at the band so that they can hear themselves. A lot of musicians have significant hearing loss because those monitors need to be loud to compete with a drum kit, the lead guitarist's 100 watt Marshall stack, the bass player's personal hygiene issues, and the singer's ego. IEMs, which are glorified earbuds, provide each band member with their own dedicated mix at a volume level that they themselves can manage on the fly if they want to. What I notice with the band I am assisting is how much better they sounded as a unit once the IEMs were in place. The drummer commented that for the first time ever he genuinely could hear what was going on. I wish these had been readily available when I was a gigging musician.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Can't You Hear Me Knocking - https://youtu.be/6Ep-rIAe2Ho

With my back to the riser, I make my stand

I haven't played a guitar for more than a minute or two in over a year. It's not that I haven't wanted to, I just haven't been in anything remotely approaching the right headspace. I hear songs and think I should learn them. I have people both encouraging me and inviting me to play. I know it's good for me and I love it but, it's just not been happening. Last week I needed to have a bit of an intervention that was led by me along with some gentle pushing from two of my colleagues. You see, what happened, or at least what crept up on me, was that I had stopped eating. Not totally, because I am still here, but enough to be a major concern. It's a road I've been a long way down before but I haven't really had a relapse for a couple of years. And what happened? Well exactly what you'd expect; I started to feel that I was struggling at work, my mental health suffered, and there were a few other clear markers as well. It's a vicious cycle because I placate the voice in my head by not eating much. Then my brain can't function properly and the voice of reason and logic hasn't got enough energy to do its thing. Which brings me back to cycling. I was convinced that none of my cycling gear would fit yesterday and I almost cancelled the ride. Guess what, it fitted just fine, and probably the way it always did. Having others encouraging me to eat doesn't work, in fact it makes things worse. What I seem to be able to do, with the benefit of ongoing therapy and gentle understanding from others, is to re-convince my brain that being healthy and eating properly go hand in hand. When I get that mix right then I can manage to have good things in my life; like playing the guitar and leaving the house. So, without wanting to put unnecessary pressure on myself, I'm going to take some of that stubbornness and willpower that the eating disorder uses to be unhelpful, and try to channel it into something positive. The song a day playlist works and is up to over 200 entries, and I can manage my back and core exercises four times a day without fail, so I'm going to try to do some regular strumming and picking. Watch this space. 

Lux Lisbon - Get Some Scars - https://youtu.be/D13lu3aajjo

I think I've said enough. See you next time for another random set of ramblings.

The Woozle

"Poor old Johnnie Ray,

Sounded sad upon the radio,

Moved a million hearts in mono..."

Sugarland & Sara Bareilles, Come On Eileen (live Dexy's cover), 2011.

World Wide Woozle episode #676

Welcome back Woozlephiles. Stop your doom scrolling and save your mind.

I got a brand new pair of roller skates

Last time on the World Wide Woozle I presented a range of songs that all had one thing in common. We had Alex Harvey, Cheap Trick, The Temptations, Taylor Swift, Waylon Jennings, and Bon Jovi. Did you pick it? And were you smart enough to realise that if they all had something in common then you really only had to listen to two or three tracks? The answer is that they all included a key change. I can see some aficionados out there slapping their foreheads in annoyance; of course, it was so easy! The Bon Jovi or T.Swizzle tracks are the most obvious. Key changes are groovy and seem to have become more and more rare in popular music. To me, they have the potential to re-energise a track, hook the listener in, and I just think they sound cool. People like me who can only really sing in one key should avoid them though.

The Offspring - Love Story (live) - https://youtu.be/E1oB31kglYw?si=zku3lIy-eRocpyJD&t=2195

If you find a funny face in your comic book

I've written before, and on the old Farcebook, about the 1992 demos that I am working on remixing with a view to having them mastered and then put onto CD. I am more than pleased to say that the other three members of the band have been in touch and are happy for me to do this. Maybe I'm just old and sentimental but it was absolutely awesome to connect, especially with our amazing singer Mel, who I hadn't had any contact with since about 1993. Thanks to DJ DJ and DJ Doc for helping me to track her down. 

Tracie Bennett - I'm Still Here - https://youtu.be/TInk1BcbAMQ

Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash

I had to go to the newsagent a couple of weeks ago. Remember those? Well for some reason a parcel I had to collect was waiting there for me. Whilst I was there I perused the magazine racks. Those racks were pretty sad and depleted; I guess print magazines are out of favour. Then I spotted one that was a complete retrospective of Tom Petty's career. I'm a big fan and I thought it would be a good thing to pick up until I saw the price. $25 for a magazine. Hard pass. Wow. That's a quarter of my weekly food bill and I could get a couple of old Tom Petty albums for that price. No wonder the newsagent has become a parcel collection point. Thankfully, Bing had the 2018 version of said magazine which I assume is exactly the same.

Tom Petty - You Don't Know How It Feels - https://youtu.be/ygfA1A45tn8

I'm movin' on up now, gettin' out of the darkness

I had a very, very bad day on January the 5th this year; one of my worst ever. Well, that was now six months ago and though it's still pretty challenging at times, things are improving. All week I could feel a bit more space opening up in my brain and last night I felt almost normal. And then, just like that, today the black dog barked loudly. So, I went outside, I walked, I treated myself to something I wouldn't normally allow myself to eat, I avoided anything negative, I meditated, and I did my best to accept what was going on. It's a wild ride and tomorrow is another day.

Queensrÿche - Best I Can - https://youtu.be/PTD6773wA58

I'll buy your knick-knack, just check my feedback

I've now dubbed all of my old four track recordings into digital format to preserve them into the future. After some soul searching, it seems like the right time to sell the old Tascam Portastudio. I read online that these classic pieces of recording equipment are having a bit of resurgence. So if anyone out there wants to take this off my hands and get hip with the kids just let me know. I'm going to put the money from the sale towards a worthy cause that involves teeth. I've been remixing some of my old solo demo tracks from 1994 too. This has helped me improve my editing skills using software in preparation for working with the full band tracks. You can hear a couple of these (Contemplation and Come Back To Reality) if you're feeling brave. Please remember that these ones were only ever rough recordings of ideas, with me playing everything, made to present to a band so that we could work on them. There are a few more to come when I'm feeling brave. All of my previous tracks are at this link.

Oasis - Rock 'n' Roll Star - https://youtu.be/3aatEBIZHNU

Tune in next time for more blethering, and news of a Rollins CD and book haul!

Look after yourselves,

The Woozle

"Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day, your dream is over
Or has it just begun?"

Kurt Deimer with Geoff Tate, Silent Lucidity, 2026 

World Wide Woozle episode #675

Welcome back.

Before I start, all of the songs in this episode have something in common so see if you can spot it. There are no prizes, but I reckon someone out there might just figure it out! Pay attention closely for the not quite regular version of one track! I like to keep you all on your toes if I can.

Back before music was ruled by algorithms, corporate greed, auto-tune, and the cut and paste of digital music software, we huddled together in garages and bedrooms to make demos of our songs. That is unless of course one could afford studio time. The first demo tape I appeared on was made by strategically placing a boombox in the garage during a rehearsal and pressing record. The first 'real' one was recorded in 1991 on the same model Tascam four track that Bruce Springsteen used for Nebraska. Admittedly the band was playing live with everything reduced to four tracks by a mixing desk before hitting the recorder. DJ DJ engineered that demo and it got us a LOT of gigs. I still have the stereo master copy but not the multitracks. 

I do, however, have the multitrack cassette for the 1992 demo of the indie band I was in at the time. Recently I decided it was time to save those recordings, remix them, get them mastered, and onto CD. I have a 4-track recorder so that was the easy part, but how would I get those tracks onto a computer? It was easier than I thought. DJ Guz loaned me a fancy mixing desk that also records to multitrack computer files. All I had to do was connect the four channel outputs from the recorder into the desk, clear all the effects, set the gain, and hit record. Now I have the four songs from the Lovesmudge demo ready to mix. I'm not the expert here, Bing is. He has more than a dozen albums in his discography so we'll get together soon to see what we can come up with. If they turn out to be any good then I'll investigate mastering and CD production. I'll write some liner notes too and hopefully the other three band members will contribute. Watch this space!

What I didn't realise I still had was a couple of cassettes containing demo versions of songs I wrote in about 1994/5. They won't be getting the full treatment but I'll have a go at tidying them up and releasing them via my Soundcloud page. 

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Last of the Teenage Idols - https://youtu.be/HlthQpbl_0E

It would be remiss of me not to mention how excited I am that DJ ZedBoots has moved back to Australia. She's been away having adventures in London, Glasgow, and all over the place since the start of 2020. I think she may have come home to thaw out! The family has grown as well with the addition of a fiance and a cat!

The Temptations - My Girl - https://youtu.be/y3KJ7d2qBoA

If you're around my age, I wonder if you expected middle age to be the way it is? I've almost managed to accept that I need to reframe how my life will look going forwards. I always thought that I was fairly physically robust but it appears not. Working with the GP and the Chiropractor we have addressed some of the issues with my back, but there are some that can't be fixed. I have to work on managing not only my body, but my expectations and that isn't easy at all. What I will say is that if you have any niggles, get them checked out now before you end up with something that you have to live with forever. That includes your brain too, not just your body. 

Cheap Trick - Surrender - https://youtu.be/LqB9lhHqmsE

I'm playing this song because it fits into the theme you're all madly trying to work out, but also because it has been an earworm for the past week or so. I've actually sung and played this twice in public as well. Once it was to about 10 people, and the other time it was to about 1000! You may not like Taylor Swift, and that's just fine, but I do. She writes a lot of her own music, plays and sings live, and trains for gigs by running on the treadmill whilst singing. 

Taylor Swift - Love Story - https://youtu.be/yfWgXcrNQIw

This week I noticed that the classic TV series, The Dukes of Hazzard has appeared on the Amazon streaming service. Watching it now, it doesn't feel quite as exciting as when in 1979, I was allowed to go next door once a week to watch it. At that stage, having just moved to the other side of the planet, we didn't have a television. The A-Team is also now available and if you think back to my visit to the USA in 2024, you may remember that I watched a lot of that in my downtime! Back to The Dukes for a minute. I reckon the theme song was my real introduction to country music. Here's Waylon, who sang the theme and was the show's narrator, singing with Willie Nelson.

Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson - Good Hearted Woman - https://youtu.be/swRJeMsk21g

Keep smiling y'all,

The Woozle

"It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not..."

Bon Jovi, Living On A Prayer, 1986

World Wide Woozle episode #674

Hello everyone. Welcome to the blog that shakes, that moves, but can't live without your love.

Tried to save the trees, bought a plastic bag, the bottom fell out, it was a piece of crap

I wasn't an early adopter of anything made by Apple or Google. That is unless you count the Apple IIe and IIc computers that we used at school in the mid 1980s. I was, however, extremely happy with my ten year old MacBook Air until this week. It does everything I need and looks good doing it. That is until the AI bots at Google sent me a friendly email to inform me that their Chrome browser would no longer be getting any security updates on my Mac. How rude. Does anyone just stop looking after their car, house, or child when it turns ten? On top of this I did some research only to find out that the boffins at Apple aren't releasing security patches for my MacBook either. It's just two more products from Bastards Incorporated. I can hear you wondering, "what does it all mean, Basil?" In the short term I have dumped Chrome completely and returned, after about ten years, to the Firefox browser. I will be the first to admit that it has come a long way and is seriously cool. After only a week I am a complete convert. With Apple's allegedly planned obsolescence I'll be doing anything to do with money or passwords on my iPad which is much, much newer. I understand that products have to have some kind of lifespan, but, if Apple insists on making such high quality hardware then maybe they need to support it for longer. A new Mac of any description is a serious financial investment that I'm not prepared to make at the moment. Maybe I can get my head around imagining it as a yearly cost over the next ten years because that doesn't sound nearly as bad.

Petra - Computer Brains - https://youtu.be/HpqCgnq_bAU

Let there be drums

With apologies to DJ DJ, I'm going to write about Jethro Tull now. For once, the algorithms feeding me music got it right when they recommended the new and improved version of a 1984 album that I'd never heard of. Under Wraps was apparently quite unloved when it was released as it represented a significant departure from the band's trademark prog/folk sound. It has programmed drums, synthesisers and Cold War era lyrics (and that flute). The new version has one remastered CD where the drum sounds have been stripped out and updated for a fuller, more modern sound. For those who prefer, there's also a remastered version with the original drums. Then you get a couple of live concerts, some demos, and a full Ian Anderson solo album. I think it's good value and a copy is winging its way (in a Sopwith Camel given the postal time estimates) to me here at HQ World Wide Woozle. The funny thing is I reckon I would've liked this LP if I'd heard it in the mid-80s . To close the loop though, Jethro Tull are not, and never were, hard rock or metal. The Grammys got that very wrong.

Jethro Tull - Lap of Luxury (Bruce Soord 2026 remix) - https://youtu.be/9pY7T4Smhck

All I wanted was a Pepsi

I've just had a week of annual leave. To be completely honest, I needed time away from work. My brain wasn't working particularly well and I needed a minute to let it reset. I did my best not to stay at home for the whole week and managed a lot of walking and a few catch ups. Still, it's very easy to be a hermit which I know is unhealthy. I really thought I'd be OK for a short bike ride today but my right hip said no so I will keep waiting, and wondering if it's ever going to happen. At least, after almost a year,  I've stopped wanting to swear every time someone rides past me when I'm out walking. Accepting my limitations is far from easy. In positive news though, I did get out and help a friend's band setup their sound mix and in-ear monitoring. I knew what to do but learning some new technology on the fly had me working hard for a bit! Maybe I'll pick up a guitar soon. Maybe.

Bobaflex - Hey You - https://youtu.be/rm5eWLXW6l4

That'll do. Thank you, come again.

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"An’ here I sit so patiently
Waiting to find out what price
You have to pay to get out of
Going through all these things twice..."

Bob Dylan, Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, 1966. (Cat Power 2007 version)

World Wide Woozle playlists are here.

World Wide Woozle episode #673

Hello out there all you radio fans. Welcome back to the on again, off again musical juggernaut that is The World Wide Woozle. Please ensure that your tickets have been checked.

Now I spend my time just making rhymes of yesterday

Today is the 137th day of the year. What does that mean I hear you ask. Well, it means that there are now 137 songs in my 2026 daily playlist. So far I've managed to keep up the good fight adding one a day with no artist appearing more than once. I'm unsure if we'll get to the end without some double ups but that really doesn't matter. If you haven't plugged your phone, computer, tablet or other listening device into 365 days with The Woozle yet then you know what to do. It's available on Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube. Details, as always, are here.

Custard - Music Is Crap - https://youtu.be/nvpEZtyKR4g

I was born in the cemetery, under the sign of the moon

Slayer isn't ever going to be everyone's cup of tea but is arguably the most influential thrash metal band ever. This week the 40th anniversary edition of their second studio album, Hell Awaits, was released. I've had a few listens, as have my neighbours and their dog that barks for 15 minutes at 0510hrs every day. If you're a fan then I'm preaching to the converted and you'll probably appreciate that this sounds a lot clearer than what we're used to listening to from 1985. It's not straight ahead either, with tempo changes and longer tracks which weren't nearly as common back in the day. Slayer went on to release twelve studio albums and remain one of the biggest metal bands of all time. Their third album, Reign In Blood, is referenced by so many artists as being a huge influence. However, Hell Awaits was quite a statement.

Slayer - Hell Awaits - https://youtu.be/NZPBGSiJzJw

Ease on down, ease on down the road

In 2024, although I didn't really know what to expect, I knew that I was fortunate to get tickets to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. One of the artists playing that night was a guy called Don Schlitz. I had no idea that he was the songwriter behind The Gambler which was of course made famous by Kenny Rogers. To add to that, it was the first song that Don ever had put down on tape! Seeing him play this, tell stories and clearly enjoy performing live was an amazing experience. If you ever get to Nashville then make sure you go to the Opry. Sadly, Don passed away a few weeks ago and he was only seventy-three. His version, the original, of The Gambler is a bit different as Kenny put his own touches on it. I watched an interview recently in which Don said that when he wrote it, at twenty three years old, he didn't drink whisky or play cards and he hadn't been on a train!

Don Schlitz - The Gambler (live) - https://youtu.be/mgnniR7OG_w

Every bit takes another bite without control over wrong or right

Last time around I wrote about using artificial intelligence to try and locate a song. In the last few weeks I've noticed that Spotify will allow users to create AI prompts to come up with playlists. This instantly appealed to me so I had to have a go. Prompts like, "make a playlist of ten songs I've played less than five times, that are based on my listening habits, and exclude Radiohead and Coldplay", were sort of successful. But I really didn't just need songs from albums that I already liked. I'll continue working on it whilst being a very specific curmudgeon. My effort asking for songs from NZ that I might like, hadn't listened to, and from the last five years wasn't too bad at all! Technology is cool as long as you refuse to be sucked into the default, uber-predictable version of what it thinks you should like.

The Veils - The Ladder - https://youtu.be/yvIrQIM-YJc

It's meant to rain this afternoon so I'll sign off now. I need to get outside before that happens so I'm going to do my second set of exercises for the day, plug the TENS machine into the gas mains for an extra boost, and then hit some bush tracks.

Happy birthday Toddo!

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"Somewhere deep inside my soul
We strum three chords and the truth"

George Huitker, Brother From Another Mother, 2023.

I think you've got a low self opinion, man

The self-hatred that binds you, blinds you, grinds you, keeps you down

I subscribe to an email list written by Mark Manson, author of, The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck. He sends a couple of sentences to think about. One of his most recent messages was titled, "Do you like yourself?' That sat me back on my heels and made me think, and I've been coming back to it for a while now. One of the prompts was, "You're going to be in a relationship with yourself for your entire life. So you should probably learn how to make it a good one." Mark then goes on to ask if you like spending time with yourself and is there a decision that could improve that relationship. For a very long time I didn't like myself at all. People around me mostly liked me as did my family but I tried to silence the internal monologue by self-medicating in a number of unhelpful ways including by obsessively controlling my exercise and diet. Even though I've done the work to help me manage a few mental health problems, Mark's email and the associated reflection has helped me admit that I'm good at sabotaging my own happiness. That's a reflection of how much I do or don't like myself at the time. It's hard because I like doing things to make others happy so why do I either not do this for myself or feel so bad when I do? I guess part of my ongoing work to reclaim my life is going to be learning to like myself again. Not just on the surface and in public, but deep down. Step one is admitting the issue and it's out there now. I'm not asking for help and if I wasn't in a relatively good place then I wouldn't have even written this.

Weddings Parties Anything - Rain In My Heart - https://youtu.be/5jx3c5yk744

World Wide Woozle episode #672

Welcome back, your applause will be recorded and donated to a less fortunate artist.

Your outside is in when your inside is out

Yesterday I went on a search for echidnas with Zoë and Zac. And wouldn't you believe it, they were all hiding from the strange people who had just flown in from Scotland! Never mind because we saw a quoll!! I've only ever seen one before and that was at dusk so seeing one in the morning was a very welcome surprise. Not to be outdone, late this afternoon in a different area of the park, another cheeky quoll bounced in and out of the bush in front of me for about five minutes. My next trick may be a visit in the dark to see if I can spot a bettong. Night vision equipment may be required.

The Doors - Hello, I Love You - https://youtu.be/mTu1GQSyq4I

You only get a minute, better live while you're in it

So, what does being 55 look like? For me it has meant both refusing to accept that I am getting old and then grudgingly making some concessions. I mean, who knew that if you stood up for over 12 hours a day that eventually your feet would complain? Since I can only sit for a maximum of an hour at a time, this is a problem. Harnessing the power of Al Gore's internet, I used A.I. for good and eventually decided to try compression socks. Winning. I'm not quite ready for a walking frame this week.

Don Henley - The Boys of Summer - https://youtu.be/6RUIeX6UCT8

'Cos I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby

Can I talk about another album cover this time around? Of course I can, it's my blog. When I started listening to AC/DC, buying an LP was a big deal and a significant investment. After saving and saving, I remember having the $13 needed for a record and heading, with my Mum, to Maxfield's Sports and Records in Moe. What a great place that was. Where else could one buy a football, a bicycle, firearms, and the latest music? My first ten speed bike came from there in 1983. Firearms weren't on my list. I had a couple of AC/DC albums dubbed onto cassette courtesy of DJ DaveDubya but choosing one to own was quite the choice to make. In the end I chose their 1978 live album, If You Want Blood (You've Got It). I was sold by the cover; Angus Young, impaled by his own Gibson SG guitar whilst Bon continues to sing. Later on I'd find out that this was a screengrab from the music video. The other reason I chose a live album, their only one at the time, was to get a solid selection of songs. If You Want Blood didn't disappoint. It's recorded at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow and is razor focussed with only 10 songs and at 52 minutes long. My only slight annoyance at the time was that the song the album is named after wasn't on there.

AC/DC - Bad Boy Boogie (live 1978, Glasgow) - https://youtu.be/E8-LNg7w2LY

I felt the whole world was so jive

A couple of weeks ago I was searching for a song. Normally, song title and lyrics are the only things I can remember while useful things including what I'm meant to be doing at work need to be written down. This song eluded me for a few days though so I thought that if the internet could help me choose socks then it could definitely find a song. I knew the song was a country tune, sung by a female vocalist, was relatively recent, and was about a town that sounded like Waxahatchee. ChatGPT told me a wide range of songs by the artist Waxahatchee but no matter how I asked or refined the question it couldn't find the song. I gave up and was a bit miffed. A few days later I wondered if Waxahatchee could be spelled differently. It can, and in about 20 seconds using a search engine I was in luck. It's hard to believe that artificial intelligence is so smart but couldn't work out a simple spelling error! Here's the song in question.

Miranda Lambert - Waxahachie - https://youtu.be/KDVeN3aH3kg

The Champs-Élysées is a busy street

In an effort to continue to listen to an ever widening range of music I have tried a lot of different artists and tracks. Last week, after looking at a map, I ended up looking for something from France that I might like. What I came up with was a well known French band with a new album. I listened and I liked it. Later I found out that this is actually an album of other people's songs that they like whereas I had thought it was a few covers and their own work. Not to worry, here's a cool track for you, and I have more to explore as a result.

Matmatah - Tombé pour la France - https://youtu.be/dXt-Ep_n_LI

Please remember, World Wide Woozle playlists are here. The song a day for 2026 is also now available on Tidal. Details at the link.

To those of you who have made it to the end, well done and thank you.

See you next time right here,

The Woozle

"With everything I own upon my back, I carry such a heavy load."

Stevie Wright, Hard Road, 1974.

World Wide Woozle episode #671

Welcome back campers, let's get started.

I'm a bit run down but I'm OK

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. And a shout out to my brother for the reminder that I am now eligible for accommodation specifically for those aged 55+. I celebrated by having brunch with two very good friends, a long walk in the nature reserve, and dinner with the Northside Velo crew. Given my lack of cycling for almost a year, I am slightly concerned that I may become the team mascot! Honestly though, I had a much, much better day than I'd expected and I'm very grateful for that. My birthday is the day of the year where I miss my immediate family the most. Somehow, even when I was unwell and difficult to live with, they managed to make it special.

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes - Better Days - https://youtu.be/bJnGv8M0v8Q

They could've been your mates

I recently watched the first episode of a documentary on the SBS about the work being done to extend and remodel parts of the Australian War Memorial. I shouldn't have read about it on one of the news pages that allows for comments because it made me sad. Seriously, if you think the War Memorial is glorifying war then you need to take a long hard look at yourself. Maybe head over there one day for the Last Post Ceremony, walk along the Rolls of Honour among the names of 103,000 Australians who died in war, and stand in the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. In the museum part, take a look at the conditions ensured by POWs, or read about the Bangka Island Massacre. Remembrance, respect, and commemoration are what this place is about.

The Externals - Edge of the World - https://youtu.be/Fg32Pvg1cU0

I know his name

I'm not sure whether this is good or bad news, but, in Scotland, filming is underway on a remake of the best motion picture ever made, Highlander. I saw the 1986 classic for the first time at the drive-in theatre in Moe and have since seen it far too many times for my own health. It features a Frenchman playing a Scot, a Scot as a Spaniard, and an American as a Russian. So, of course for the remake we have an Englishman as the Highlander, an antipodean as the Spaniard, and again an American as a Russian. For me, the only good news is that Queen will still be in the soundtrack and Karen Gillan (a Scot) got a starring role. I watched the film last week and I think it's time for me to at least consider a copy on BluRay as the DVD version is a bit of an average transfer.

The Proclaimers - Cap In Hand - https://youtu.be/DMMSndY7H5A

I thought I might explore the importance, or perhaps the influence, of album covers. I feel as if with the advent of streaming they may have become less important. Given the time I spent making sure that the right artwork appears in my online music library it would seem that they remain important to me. There are also seven LP sleeves in frames and on the walls in my humble abode. So, I'll start with one of my favourites. Stormwatch by Jethro Tull. I imagine there are two or three people in total reading this that may have listened to the record and that's OK. I challenge you to look at the album cover below and imagine what the music might be like. For those not in the know, Jethro Tull plays folk influenced rock music with a bit of a progressive bent. There's almost always a flute involved, and the flautist/vocalist often stands on one leg looking like a cross between a court jester and an olive drab flamingo. I see the artwork and hear crashing waves, I smell the oilskin jacket I once had, and I feel the cold sting of the North Sea when, as a wee lad, my Grandfather tries to assure me that I am NOT going in for a swim. And it all feels timeless.

Jethro Tull - Old Ghosts (live) - https://youtu.be/b6iwufdF0VY

I think that's enough for this episode. It looks like you're all stuck with me a bit longer as I begin my 55th revolution of the sun.

Keep smiling,

The Woozle (50 +GST)

"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.

World Wide Woozle episode #670

Hi everyone, and welcome back.

In this episode I was considering writing about the war, the price of petrol (gas for my North American friends), spending $300 million dollars, and maybe even football. After a bit of a think I've decided not to do that. There are so many things going on that are a total bummer and you can read about them somewhere else if you want to. I'm not ignoring the real world, just putting it aside for a little while. So, "sit back, kick off your shoes, start losin' the blues!"

Might sell my body on the internet

Remember I said I was rebuilding my digital music library? Well I'm there. It was a mammoth task but now there's a hard drive with all of my CDs ripped onto it. I'm not stopping playing CDs but I really wanted access to my own music library without having to rely on the corporate greed and algorithms of companies simply out to make a buck. The iPods work well and I'm sure I look very 2005. I don't like to sit still though and I have plenty of time on my hands. So I thought I'd investigate building my own music server. That way I can listen to my own collection wherever I am, including in the car. I used to be good at IT type stuff and I'm sure my brain will let me delve into a solution to make this happen. To be fair, it looks fairly simple just using a Raspberry Pi computer and a hard drive combined with a couple of pieces of software. Is it super nerdy? Probably. Is it unnecessary? Definitely. Will it be fun? I think so. Watch this space.

St. Vincent - Digital Witness - https://youtu.be/mVAxUMuhz98

Wearing badges is not enough on days like these

I like this next song a lot, and it's one I've performed live a couple of times. One day I'll do that again. As a result of taking a swing through Mark Seymour's solo back catalogue I stumbled across his version of Steve Earle's song, Jerusalem. I present it here without commentary other than that I too did not learn to hate in Sunday School.

Mark Seymour - Jerusalem - https://youtu.be/PPU6ndIHamo

Way up on high, the clock on the silo says eleven degrees

Let's stick with Mark Seymour for a moment, because I want to talk about his music in addition to that amazing cover version. Most of you will be familiar with his work fronting Hunters and Collectors, and I imagine it is hard for him to escape all of those classic songs. I would encourage you though to try something more recent. Mark has an instantly recognisable voice but also a talent for storytelling in songs in a similar way perhaps to Mick Thomas from Weddings, Parties, Anything. The songs sound like the places they are about as well as the people involved. In recent years I've spent more time in Melbourne than I ever did when I lived in Victoria. Walking the suburbs, riding the trams and trains, and finding the places that are comfortable for me. A lot of Mark Seynour's songs feel like Melbourne. Maybe I'm not describing that at all well. Have a listen.

Mark Seymour - Stars of Fitzroy - https://youtu.be/0gsCDHJd_E4

Hey, hey, mercy woman plays a song and no one listens

Years ago I went to see Mia Dyson play. I really enjoyed it, but not the crowd who managed to talk, eat, and drink through her super show. Wrong venue I guess. Mia is another storyteller, and I remember the audience actually taking notice after being told about this song. She'd met a woman who had been forced to give up her baby for adoption. All these years later, this track still hits hard.

Mia Dyson - Jesse - https://youtu.be/cLHOp_ts2uQ

I've come to talk with you again

Over Easter I walked up some big hills. I can't walk up them as quickly as I want to but, this is progress. The more I walk, the more I want to be away from the noise of cars. I can manage it most of the time in the suburbs and parks near my house, but getting into the bush is a total winner. During my hill walks I think I saw one person in three days. Perfect. I saw trees, echidnas, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, rocks, and a cairn. This weekend I'm a bit achy so the hills will have to wait a few more days to see me again. I'm not at all grateful about this back injury, but somehow it conspired to point me to a place I feel at home which was something that was missing without my bike.

Icehouse - Great Southern Land - https://youtu.be/vp-Ew23q3JM

Tune in next time for Jeep news, there's been a slight delay!

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"There's no time for us
There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams, yet slips away from us..."

Queen, Who Wants To Live Forever, 1986.

World Wide Woozle episode #669

Welcome back and thank you to all my regular readers, listeners and correspondents. Your cheques are in the mail.

This is a public service announcement, with guitars

Remember, World Wide Woozle playlists are here.

I don't know how to live but I've got a lot of toys

For those following along at home, by the time this is published I will be two-thirds of the way through re-digitising my entire CD collection. There are about 1300 albums to get through. I've got plenty of time on my hands at the moment and once you get into a groove it's just a matter of cycling the discs through the computer. So far, only two CDs have failed to cooperate. They will be replaced post-haste.

Along with this, I have to say a massive thanks to DJ Chippy and DJ Pat who answered my calls for old iPods to use. Getting the devices to talk to the newer version of Apple's software is a bit of a fiddle but I seem to have it sorted out now. Between those two iPods and a couple of small ones I still have here, I reckon I'll get the whole collection offline. The fun now is splitting it up in some kind of fashion that makes sense only to me!

Stars on 45 - https://youtu.be/7skQvj-aBV8

So your bags are packed and you're ready to go

Last weekend Zoë and Zac were here in Canberra. It was only a few days over two years since I'd seen them last. And then on Friday, Angus popped in to see me on his way through town. Living away from them is challenging at times but hearing about all the good things in their lives really helps to give me some perspective. I'm an extremely proud old Dad.

Neil Young - Comes A Time - https://youtu.be/qxH_4e7W7hc

There's only one way to rock

I've been distracted by the release, finally, of Van Halen's expanded edition of the 1986 classic LP, 5150. Thanks to DJ 3825 for hooking me up with a way to listen to a super high quality version whilst I wait patiently for a good deal on the physical media. To me, this record is one of the best that the band made. Everything is strong here; the players, the songwriting and the production. Nothing is perfect, but in terms of hard rock music, this comes very close. It's worth buying for the live concert video alone. Seeing a band playing so well and having a ton of fun is what this kind of music is all about. The concert footage also highlights how important Michael Anthony's high backing vocals are to the Van Halen sound. There are a few issues though. I mean, why do we only get three 2026 remasters of live tracks from the concert video when the whole thing is also on another CD and sounds quite different? Hmmmm.

Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds (live) - https://youtu.be/xs7v7qEyldY

I was a high school loser

It's no secret that I do a lot of walking. At the moment it's around 50km a week (more if I'm not feeling all that happy). Frankly, I'd much rather be mixing that up with some cycling but you all know the story about me having to be patient. There are upsides to walking. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts, and I know all the local dogs. I'm sure the whole neighbourhood recognises me as well. After seeing Zac using his drone last week I am seriously considering getting one to get some cool photos and maybe video of my favourite nature reserve. I can walk for a couple of hours there and see no-one except kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and, if I'm lucky, a quokka! The issue I am having is shoes. They simply don't last! I have wide feet and that, coupled with the need for orthotics, makes it hard to get good footwear. Yeah, yeah, yeah; it's a first world problem. 

Steven Wilson - Personal Shopper - https://youtu.be/sX22dFMSNcg

This year gone by ain't no piece of cake

Today is the birthday of Bing, the gentle pusher of prog. We've been mates, no brothers, for many years now. I've lived at his house on two separate occasions, we've played many gigs together, and he's a generous spirit. So do me a favour and click HERE to listen to one of his great songs. Happy Birthday Bro.

Porcupine Tree - Time Flies - https://youtu.be/JTEWlSTQ1RI

That's it. Thanks for reading and hopefully for listening as well. Stay tuned next time to see my new Jeep!

The Woozle

"And you can shake your fist at the TV set
And you can slam your hand in the table
And you can cry and curse through tight, locked teeth
Just as hard as you are able
But you can't run away from trouble
'Cause there ain't no place that far
No fuel left for the pilgrims
That's just the way we are..."

D.A.D., Jihad, 1989.

World Wide Woozle episode #668

Welcome back, let's rock. I just wanna have some kicks...

Ramones - Rock N' Roll High School - https://youtu.be/oz7KYUkdlvE

World Wide Woozle playlists are here. It's the cure for what ails you.

Hang on to your hopes, my friend

I've got time on my hands, and quite possibly too much of it. Whilst working my way through listening to every single CD I have, I noticed something interesting. My level of frustration with Spotify and YouTube has ramped up significantly. I don't want the same ten songs or albums recommended to me all the time. I Got You, by Split Enz is a wonderful song, but I don't need it to be suggested three times a day. As a result I have gone back to listening to Spotify only for podcasts, audiobooks and new releases. Then I discovered that back in the day I had converted all my CDs to MP3 using a lower than optimal bitrate. So the quality isn't fantastic. Remember I said I have time on my hands? Well I've been re-ripping all of my CDs so that I can listen to them on the move. The point that I'm eventually getting to is that this has been a great way to expand my listening. There are CDs I'd forgotten I had as well as quite a few not on Spotify.

Jim Breuer and the Loud & Rowdy - Old School - https://youtu.be/dx_e8YaQpS0

I'm writing this over a long weekend that includes International Women's Day and thus a good opportunity to highlight one of my favourite artists. Fanny Lumsden is from regional NSW, not all that far from Canberra really, and I've been a fan for a while now. You may remember me going to see her play live a couple of years ago; what a great gig! Recently I ordered one of her CDs that I didn't have. At the same time I took a chance and ordered a book that Fanny had written about the album. Now, what arrived in the post is an excellent example of how to engage with your fanbase (because we all know that money from streaming services is a joke). The CD was in there, the book is very cool and also autographed, then there was a signed photo, bookmark, and a sticker. That's neat. If you're reading this from the UK then lookout as Fanny and her band, The Prawn Stars, will be there very soon.

Fanny Lumsden - Great Divide - https://youtu.be/ISMLkHrHCWo

Know your product

A few years ago I became aware that Painters & Dockers had released a live CD recorded at a show in Auckland back in the late 1990s. Their 1986 live record, Bucket, was a cassette I played over and over towards the end of my high school years. My investigations revealed that only 500 copies of the Auckland CD were ever pressed so I resigned myself to either listening to it via streaming, or maybe finding a pirate copy somewhere. A copy of Overt and Deliberate popped up for sale during the week via Dixon Records in Melbourne. Ooooh, my precious! I quickly hit the buy now button and the CD should be here this week. Hmmmm, it was a bit extravagant but I know I'm very happy to be able to have a physical copy! 

Painters & Dockers - The Boy Who Lost His Jocks On Flinders Street Station - https://youtu.be/ym2bvFrpQ6E

Tonight, I'll be starting all over again

Just as I thought I was going to be back riding my bike, Murphy and his law came calling. It hasn't been any fun at all. The upshot is that I have some new drugs and I may be getting a couple of injections in my spine. Knowing how much I love needles this is going to be quite a challenge. At this stage I don't care if the injections work for three days, three weeks, or three months. I just need a break. Of course, they might not have any impact at all.

Divinyls - Back To The Wall - https://youtu.be/yrBd96o7y4Y

Old man, take a look at yourself

This year I'll turn 55. One of the things about poor mental health is a tendency, for all the wrong reasons, to want one's affairs in order. Recently, whilst feeling decidedly unhappy I renegotiated my mobile phone plan and my health, vehicle and home insurance. It truly astounded me just how much money I could save with about fifteen minutes of effort for each of those. Now that the cost of living is about to rise again, I'm rather glad I did it. The impending birthday has meant that every person and their dog send push emails, social media posts, and the odd carrier pigeon regarding retirement. As a result, I put on my big boy pants and spent some time with a financial advisor. The first meeting was quite a revelation as apparently I will be able to retire at 60 if I want to. To be honest, I thought I'd be working for a lot longer, and I still might. Our government is far from perfect but here in Australia we've had compulsory superannuation since 1992 (thank you Mr Keating), and I've had it since I started working in 1989. I have another meeting later today where I am sure the advisory company will no doubt want me to be investing in stocks, shares, property, weapons of mass destruction and the like. Frankly, it's no secret that I am Scottish and quite risk averse so they might be disappointed! If I can pay off my house, afford to eat, and buy a CD or record once in a while then I think I'll be OK. I'm also wearing out sneakers at an astounding rate but that's a story for another day.

Bowling For Soup - Getting Old Sucks (But Everybody's Doing It) - https://youtu.be/N4e_IZFwTfM

Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream

HELP! If anyone out there has an old iPod gathering dust that they don't want/need then please get in touch before I'm forced to eBay or the hell that is Facebook Marketplace! I've got a couple of them here but they don't hold many songs. I'm looking for one of the larger capacity ones so that I can continue my offline music listening quest!

I ain't got no home, I'm just rambling 'round

And lastly, by the time I publish this it will be Canberra Day. I came here in 1989 expecting to be staying four years and never coming back. I'm still here. A few years ago, when I was the only one in the family left here, I seriously considered going somewhere else. Then I thought about it and realised that I really like Canberra, and nearly all of my friends are here. Canberra isn't a big city, but it's got everything in a relatively small space. Most importantly, the bush isn't far away and it has a fairly progressive social demographic. For many, many years I've thought about the fact that I don't really have a hometown. I've been here since I was 17 so maybe it's time to admit that I'm a local. This song is clearly not about Canberra, but it's a great example of Gerry singing about his hometown.

Gerry Cinnamon - Diamonds In The Mud (live at Hampden Park) - https://youtu.be/bz8JPzOGR3Q

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change come what may"

Neil Young, Four Strong Winds (Ian & Sylvia cover), 1978.

World Wide Woozle playlists

365 days with The Woozle: Spotify version | YouTube version | Tidal version

• World Wide Woozle current listening
• 2025 Aussie rippers
• WWWoozle sadsongs

World Wide Woozle episode #667

Welcome back to World Wide Woozle Sea Cruises for a three hour tour. Vomit bags are available, just ask the friendly crew, or wave in a desperate manner.

In truth, if I never go on a boat again in my life it will be far too soon. If there is a punt to take me across the River Styx one day then it would want to be a very, very short ride.

Lionheart - Don't Pay The Ferryman (cover) - https://youtu.be/gNiqfVSPoJg

Albums that matter episode #5 went live recently. Please check it out at this link. Episode #6 is well underway and going through the requisite quality control, spell checking, and me throwing it all out and starting again (twice).

Sigh, I got caught out by some AI generated music. Spotify served it up in my Release Radar playlist and, to be honest, I thought it sounded pretty good. And then my spider-senses started tingling. Why did a relatively underground punk band from the 90s suddenly sound very, very much like Queen. It just didn't add up. The song credits are suss,  and I am fairly sure that this is definitely NOT the same group. If the members of 7 Year Bitch have indeed experienced some form of reincarnation then of course I will be only too happy to say that I was wrong. I'm not playing the song in question here but you can find it easily. If you do, let me know what you think. Meanwhile, here's the band in full flight.

7 Year Bitch - Hip Like Junk - https://youtu.be/tlNIshpjkVI

I also read that Spotify has no issue with publishing AI created music. It's not real, and it's not creative. It's just shit. This may cause me to cancel my Spotify subscription. 

Megadeth are a metal band that folks seem to really love or dislike intensely. I know very few heavy music fans who sit in the middle somewhere. Dave and his current iteration of the band have released what is to be their final album. They're also out on the road doing a final tour, including shows downunder supporting Iron Maiden. I'm in the minority. I don't hate them but I am very much not a fan. They're OK. I have spent some time listening to the final, self-titled long player. It's solid. Lyrically there are a few cringe-worthy moments but other than that I would be loath to complain. This is hard, heavy, and I guess, traditional, thrash metal albeit a bit slower these days. Dave can't help that he was born with that singing voice, and it often fits well with the feel of the band and the lyrical content. Like some other singers though, I get it, I respect it, but I find a whole album a bit of a challenge. The production of albums means more and more to me in recent times and Megadeth have nailed it on this release. Everything is clear and sits in a space without muffling something else. That can be quite a challenge in heavy music when the bass drum, bass guitar and low strings on the guitars are all in the same range. 

Megadeth - I Don't Care - https://youtu.be/-E4O5VlRYOY

Assuming that I don't fall off my perch overnight, or simply forget, the 365 Days with The Woozle playlist will have made it through two months without a hiccup. Some days I am torn regarding which song to add and I have to remind myself that this is an ultra-marathon project rather than a challenge to Allan Wells (look him up). If you've forgotten the links, or not checked them out yet then your choices, for now, are Spotify or YouTube.

Jet - Rollover DJ - https://youtu.be/Pd5QE-UXq2A

Last week, after 7 months of waiting, and a couple of false starts, I rode my bike twice. It was nothing fancy and grannies on step through, fixed wheel bikes, could probably ride faster, but it happened. For about 40 minutes each time, I felt better than I have in such a long time. Of course, it's slow progress but the setbacks are getting smaller, less painful, and a bit easier to deal with inside my head. My next trick is retraining my body to sit down for longer than a few minutes at a time. Other than a couple of occasions, and in the car, I haven't sat down much in that whole 7 months.

AC/DC fans.net House Band - Stand Up - https://youtu.be/Z-kLeedpilg

That'll do. Collect your belongings on the way off the SS Minnow.

The Woozle.

"All the kings and queens in the Bible

They could not turn back time
So what chance have I, of a miracle
In this life of mine?"

Vika and Linda, If I Could Start Today Again, 1999.

World Wide Woozle - Albums that matter episode #5

Hello music fans, and welcome back for episode #5.

Album # 5: Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Man (2000)

In the early 2000s I bought this album, on cassette, from a clearance bin, on a whim. I thought the cover looked cool. At the time I knew who Johnny Cash was but had never listened to him, at least not knowingly. Here's what happened...

If the Pogues were the gateway into one type of music then this Johnny Cash album was another. After the initial jaw dropping moment of how he covered Tom Pettys', I Won't Back Down, this long player seeped into my bones and it's still there around twenty-five years later.

This is a dark album which I imagine reflects that Cash was quite unwell at the time of recording. Johnny, with producer Rick Rubin, took some of his originals along with a wide range of covers and turned them into a statement. Later on I would learn that Cash, always clad in black, sang songs for the downtrodden, the poor, the "lonely old", and the outcasts. If you've ever felt left out then listen to this album and, for at least 42 minutes, you won't be alone.

American III introduced me to Will Oldham's music, made me go back and listen to some old Nick Cave, and beckoned me down a path towards country music. Without this album I doubt I would have got to Kris Kristofferson, The Chicks, Steve Earle, or Gillian Welch.

Years later, in the band, we'd do a version of I Won't Back Down. I'd introduced it to them because I loved the Cash version. I don't think anyone ever listened to it though and, apart from the intro, it was much more Tom Petty. Still, it will always be a Johnny Cash song for me.

Over the years I have enjoyed reading and hearing stories about this album being recorded. From Tom Petty dropping in to sing backing vocals on his song and doing another into the bargain, to the buffalo that didn't like the air conditioner on the cabin the studio was in...they'd butt into it so it had to be turned off to record!

Not long after getting this cassette I saw a collection of Cash's songs on CD. That collection was called Murder, and all the songs were about that. Later I'd discover that there were also great related anthologies called Love and God. Murder is an exception, in that it's a compilation worth listening to. It's sad, angry, and full of people looking for redemption.

Nowadays I have a lot of Johnny's albums. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to sort through the multitude of compilations but there are great CD versions of his early long players out there for only a few bucks. Still, if you've never listened before, or only know Ring of Fire, then grab a copy of American III: Solitary Man, and settle down for quite the experience.

Johnny Cash - Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone) - https://youtu.be/F5LMaF6ThOs

Thanks for reading this,

The Woozle

World Wide Woozle episode #666

Welcome back. 

The one on the left was - in the middle, and the one in the middle was - on the right
Did you watch the Super Bowl? After having the amazing experience of attending an NFL game with DJ DJ in late 2024, and the associated research I did prior, I understand a bit more of the game. From an outsider's point of view, the NFL is a spectacle totally made for television. Comparing it to other forms of football, I often reflect that it would be improved with less fluffing around between plays as well as coaching players to be able to tackle and catch. To be fair, it's a sport with a lot of the team having almost no skill other than being able to run into each other. It is also a multi-billion-dollar industry so someone must be enjoying it. The entertainment was amusing to say the least. We had Green Day who either censored themselves (unlikely) or were told which verse of American Idiot wouldn't cut the mustard. Then at halftime there was Bad Bunny, admittedly not my thing, with the requisite not so casual misogyny of a million dancers shaking their rear ends at the camera. My mate DJ DUG alerted me to the fact that the alternative halftime show was live via YouTube. One guy singing about how anything that wasn't old, or that he didn't like wasn't ok, Kid Rock doing half a song, and some cookie cutter country music. Dreadful. Let's hope that the AFL weren't watching. Remember when Prince played at half time? Now that was a show. 

Little River Band – Playing To Win - https://youtu.be/GbtiUrHUhRw

U2, and Blondie, and music still on MTV
Van Halen's album, 5150, was released in 1986. You can shove your David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar arguments where the sun doesn't shine. They are both excellent, and very different singers. This was Hagar's first album with the band, and it is an absolute ripper. I was excited to see that we are getting a 40th anniversary version with a whole lot of stuff including the concert, Live Without a Net. Seeing them play Summer Nights was the first time I remember seeing a headless guitar. For a short time, I had one but sold it. Never sell guitars folks, 99% of the time you'll regret it! Live Without a Net was the first VHS concert I owned and now having it available on BluRay will be pretty much worth the price of admission. I better keep an eye out for a deal!

Van Halen – Summer Nights - https://youtu.be/coDVcuVoINU

Across the universe
I remember the excitement in the late 70s that TVNZ managed to create around their broadcast of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. I know I didn't watch it all the time, but I do have some memories of it and how cool it was. Seeing those Colonial Viper spaceships punch out from the launch tubes was just awesome. Yep, I've watched the more recent version as well, it has its moments. A while ago I was interested to see that Amazon Prime has the original twenty-four episodes available. I've been slowly working my way through them, and it's been a lot of fun. Yes, there are some seriously cheesy moments including the bicycle helmets painted gold, but the overall story generally holds up well. I'm almost at the end and I must say that if you enjoy sci-fi then you should have a look at this. It's a classic for a reason.

Divinyls – Science Fiction - https://youtu.be/AiCv9F_GRBA

My name it is a number, it's on a piece of plastic film
It might be time to consider upgrading the World Wide Woozle computing facilities. This Macbook Air is almost 10 years old and is just starting to slow down. I remember being given it, as a gift, and worrying if I'd enjoy computing on the dark side! I think it's been awesome but now I want to be able to use more up to date music recording software as well as having more than a couple of applications at once. I've discovered that an iPad can be used as a secondary monitor with most recent Mac products which is cool and I think I'll stay on this side of the divide. There may be a new Mac Mini in my future, but, being full of Scots blood, I do like to overthink major purchases!

Petra - Computer Brains - https://youtu.be/HpqCgnq_bAU

Don't need no credit card to ride this train
Nostalgia can be a lot of fun. It's 40 years since the first Back to the Future film was released. I may have mentioned before not being able to justify, or afford, the replica that Gibson has produced of the guitar that Marty plays at the Enchantment Under The Sea dance. Or indeed the specially released Casio calculator watch. So I was happy to find out that my mate Bing has the movies on BluRay and was happy to loan them to me. It really hit me how many pop culture references come from this film as well as how much fun it is. There is also a small LEGO version of the DeLorean which is now sitting in my place. I find LEGO is absolutely excellent for mindfulness as when I'm concentrating on a build, my mind rarely wanders. It seems to be a good tool in training my brain to focus for longer. The only downside is that there is only so much shelf space at HQ World Wide Woozle!

The Ramones – I Don't Wanna Grow Up - https://youtu.be/JtKEvR3qspM

Looking forward, looking back
Goodness me, there's a lot of looking into the past in this episode. I am also looking forwards, but physical limitations mean that a lot of what I might like to plan is on pause. A few months ago, I thought that it was on a permanent stop but now I see some light at the end of the tunnel. It's still a long tunnel, but there is hope. My bike might get to do more than sit in the spare room! There is so much good, new music around if you can wade through the AI slop and overly processed rubbish. For instance, Aussie prog band Karnivool have released their first album in thirteen years, Sleaford Mods have new stuff out, Megadeth's final album has hit the stores, and Meg Mac has a new long player coming in about nine days. It's not the best of times for me, but it's not the worst.

Meg Mac - Outdone - https://youtu.be/Pu73qmFywWo

Please don't forget these playlists that I have available:

• 365 days with the Woozle – Spotify or YouTube - I'm adding a song a day for all of 2026 (I hope)
• World Wide Woozle current listening playlist

Keep smiling,
The Woozle

"This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real, or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes

Seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes"

Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast, 1984