Get it ON!

I was surfing around looking for some cool footage from my favourite band of the moment, Vintage Trouble. If you haven't been paying attention then you need to listen to some of their tunes right NOW.

 

It wasn't long before I came up with this:

 

Vintage Trouble – Baby Get It On (live)

 

That's a very, very, very cool version of an old Ike & Tina number. Check out the original as well, you won't be disappointed.

 

Ike & Tina Turner – Baby Get It On

 

Vintage Trouble have had their debut album available from their website for a while but there's a mass release version available for pre-order from the usual outlets. Do yourself a blues approved favour.

 

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #151

Welcome to a bumper episode. School holidays have been good to me so far and I've done plenty of music listening and some purchasing as well.

 

As I type, there is a VERY, VERY tired young man on the lounge next to me. A week at snowboarding camp has certainly worn him out. Of course, he came back today and Zoe has now exited stage left for a couple of days!

 

To start, welcome to our first guest presenter – DJ ArrVee. She's chosen three songs and they are all crackers.

 

Song 1: Mazzy Star – Fade Into You. "So dreamy and intense and I love the slide guitar".

 

Song 2: Pixies - Gigantic, "because Kim Deal does vocals and every Arts student fangirl wished she could be Kim Deal. Also because it starts with a cool bass line and then builds into screamy guitars."

 

Song 3: Bjork – Hyperballad, "because who hasn't wanted to throw car parts off a cliff."

 

As I said, great choices! DJ ArrVee sent some more suggestions as well so look out for those in the coming weeks. Feel free to join in by shooting me an email. You can choose one song and tell me your reasons or if you're really keen go for a whole episode.

 

Now, back to me. This next track was on one of the morning TV music shows that I was flicking past on the way to the cycling highlights. It caught my ear and the TdF had to wait a bit. What I like is the nod to the 80s with a modern twist. I found this track remeniscent of Howard Jones, Thompson Twins and Big Country.

 

Gypsy and the Cat – Jona Vark

 

Another more recent band that I've had a bit of a listen to this week is Potbelleez. Recommended sort of by DJ COJ so thanks to him for the heads up. This clip is hilarious – the Muppets go adults only! As for the song, the squidgy bass sound is a winner with me.

 

The Potbelleez – From The Music

 

I've played Glenn Campbell before. It's no secret that I am a big, big fan of "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Galveston". But I didn't know that he'd put out a CD covering bands like Green Day, Foo Fighters, Jackson Browne, Travis and U2. So, after a bit of Googling I had a track listing and was off to YouTube to check it out. Now, Glenn is 70+, but to me his voice is still great. And the thing I liked the best about all the covers I was able to listen to is that he made them truly his own. This next song is overplayed, overblown and my least favourite Green Day tune. But Glenn just does such an awesome job that I couldn't resist.

 

Glenn Campbell – Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

 

I got a huge shock when I saw an advertisement for this next band. They are playing Canberra in October. This is a group that I loved as a teenager – their album "Hysteria" was, and remains a stone cold classic of the hard rock genre. Hopefully I'll be there at the gig.

 

Def Leppard – Rock Rock ('Til You Drop)

 

To follow on from Def Leppard, here's something a bit different from AC/DC clones Rhinobucket. They're a solid band with some good rock tunes, magic vocal delivery and a swagger that reminds me of Thin Lizzy. But this is an acoustic track and it translates well.

 

Rhinobucket – I Was Told

 

I've had the album that this next track is from for ages but for some reason it wasn't until I saw this video that it all came together. I really, really like the idea of the two piece band but without the screaming of the White Stripes perhaps. Try this, it's groovy baby!

 

The Black Keys – I Got Mine (live)

 

I spent some time one day this week at a very good record shop. Landspeed in Canberra isn't huge but it has a great mix of styles to choose from. And every time I've been in there good tunes have been playing on the store stereo system. I picked up Kyuss' first album and a Johnny Winter live CD both for $10 – bargain. But the CD playing in the shop had me entranced – I even hung around longer to see what each subsequent track was like. It was great so I bought it. The band is Colour and City and they are out of Canada. I did some checking with my Canadian connection DJ KelSee and she advised that it was an offshoot of a very loud and noisy band called Alexisonfire. Well, this is the complete antithesis of that band. Colour and City are moody, acoustic, analogue and full of depth and reverb. I love it. This is the first track, the one I heard and was instantly hooked.

 

Colour and City – We Found Each Other In The Dark

 

Have a great weekend. Listen to something old, something new, something local and of course some blues!!

 

DJ Rob

 

 

Song of the Week #150

Here we are at the 150th episode. Who knew that a weekly email to a few friends would mutate into a rambling weekly missive?!

 

I'll admit that some weeks it is a challenge to come up with a good set of tunes. Other times I agonise over which songs NOT to include.

 

But I've decided to branch out. I'm going to interview some of you out there about your favourite music. Why? Because I'm interested. I know why I choose songs but I am genuinely interested in why other people choose their favourites. I read yesterday that the right type of music can release dopamine into your system in the same way that certain foods, exercise and emotions can. Feel free to drop me a line if you want to contribute. I'll tap some of you on the shoulder anyway!

 

DJ Fatboy sent me this one during the week. He doesn't really know why he chose it but it did remind him of an old double cassette he used to have. Songs can trigger strong memories.

 

The Rolling Stones – Under My Thumb (sort of live)

 

The next track is from one of Australia's best rock bands. It's a tune I used to play in a band a few years ago now. It's also one I'd forgotten about until I was in a record shop this week. And it might be the first time I remember seeing a white Gibson SG guitar – drool, drool!

 

The Angels – After The Rain

 

To be truthful, I'm not even sure why I like the next song. It was on the radio in the car, it was catchy and I stopped and write the name of it down so I wouldn't forget. Checking out the various versions on YouTube I think that the singer does her best to dress like Ozzie Ostrich!! Cool song.

 

Sia – Clap Your Hands

 

Here's something extremely cheesy. But I like it – I think I have the 45 somewhere still as well! Very much a SingStar favourite as well. I'm not quite sure how Jefferson Airplane mutated into 80's pop rock but this was the result.

 

Starship – We Built This City

 

As most of you know our house was burgled a while back. The saga with the insurance company is almost over. Unfortunately this replacement laptop has the worst sound system ever (one tinny speaker) so I hope that this track sounds OK. Brian Setzer is a rockabilly guitar legend. This is him playing with a big band and is very, very cool! I've been lucky enough to play a couple of shows with a brass section and it is a lot of fun.

 

Brian Setzer Orchestra – This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof

 

Last week I played a track from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Later on I sought out one of their albums. Why someone didn't push me in their direction earlier on we'll never know. There is a fantastic version of the Ritchie Valens hit "Framed" on it. You should listen to it – it's great – especially with the Scots accent!! But here's an equally fantastic interpretation from Los Lobos. And if you haven't seen the movie that this version is from then get with the programme folks!

 

Los Lobos – Framed

 

Finally, something I hadn't expected to like all that much. Kyuss were around in the early 90's I think. I remember getting a tune of theirs on a cassette sampler that came with the highbrow publication "Hot Metal Magazine". It was a good tape that introduced me to quite a few bands that I still listen to. But until this week, Kyuss wasn't one of them. I'm pretty sure I saw them supporting Metallica in 1992 but I was there for the main act. After picking up one of their CDs for $10 I've been playing it quite a bit. It's what I would imagine is referred to as "Stoner Rock" but there's more to it in my opinion. I'd describe it as being a bit like The Doors but with a much bigger bottom end. See what you think.

 

Kyuss – Space Cadet (language warning on this one)

 

Well, the sun is out so I think I'll head out for a run.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #149

Busy, busy, busy. Three words to describe this week.

And cold too. -6 degrees on the scooter this morning. When I jumped in the pool at 7am it felt like a spa bath! It is weeks like this that make me very glad that the floor is heated at our house – perfect for early morning yoga!

I’m going to race through some tunes today so get ready. But I have three weeks of school holidays coming up so brace yourselves for some longer blog entries. That’s as long as I don’t get too bleary eyed watching the Tour de France. Three week race, three weeks of holidays. Magic!

Here’s Henry singing his lungs out. One of the best guitar riffs ever. It’s meant to be loud so you know what to do.

Rollins Band - Fool

This next tune from SAHB was one I’d been looking for on YouTube for a while. It’s a great slab of rock without being too overpowering. A song perfect for driving with vocals that remind me of Bon Scott. And a fabulous chugga chugga guitar.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Midnight Moses

If you watch or listen to the news you’ll know that one of the US nuclear factories is threatened by bushfires. And if you knew that you’ll understand the tenuous link to this tune.

Billy Bragg – Help Save The Youth Of America

Did you get the link? Los Alamos? Hello? Turn the switch on your brain to the “on” position.

Hahahahaha! I found a remaster of a Twisted Sister album in a CD shop last weekend. The job of remastering was pitiful but the songs are still good. This isn’t on that album but it’s a funny song and clip. Dee Snider (singer) was sponsored by Vidal Sassoon!!

Twisted Sister – Leader Of The Pack

And all those motorbikes reminded me of The Fonz. I’m sure I look this cool on the scooter!

Happy Days Theme

I was going to play Nick Cave’s song “God’s Hotel” now. I’d been reading more of Paul Kelly’s book and he wrote about it. But I like Paul’s version a lot and I quite dislike Nick’s so I won’t bother. It left me cold and I’m disappointed. So how about a good cover of a Cave song. This one is perfect. It is like it was written for Mr Cash.

Johnny Cash – The Mercy Seat

And on that note, hoo roo.

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #148

I like cycling. I remember the thrill of learning to ride a two wheeler, my Dad painting a bike silver for me, my first 10-speed racing bike and of course the love affair that I have with my Cervelo road bike. I like reading about cycling too; books, magazines, websites, the lot! I’m happy on my mountain bike, time trial bike or even riding some hills here in Canberra. I’m excited when new season bikes are released and always wish I had unlimited funds. And I’ve certainly spent a fair bit of time online at the Trek Website customizing a dream bike over and over. I really need to get on with learning to ride my unicycle. But what I can’t stand is cheating. It already looks like this year’s Tour de France will be overshadowed by the Contador doping circus. All I can do is cheer for the riders that I hope are clean and pray that one day the UCI will see the light and get really serious about sanctions for doping.

Sadly the big music news this week was the death of E-Street Band member, Clarence Clemons. I’m only a fan of selected bits of the Bruce Springsteen discography but there’s no doubt that The Boss’ music just wouldn’t have been the same without Clemons’ saxophone. I didn’t realise until this week that my favourite Springsteen song is actually written about him meeting Clarence. And in retrospect I realised how many songs that I like featured the Big Man. I’ll dedicate this episode to him.

This is my favourite Springsteen tune. From the Born To Run album (1975)

Bruce Springsteen – Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

I remember thinking that I had finally got the better of a jazz snob when I was at school when I found out that Clarence was playing on this next tune. A helluva lot of fun and also featuring Alice Cooper, Billy Joel and Brian Setzer. Of the guest stars, only Alice is in the video.

Twisted Sister – Be Chrool To Your Scuel

The next song was a hit for Clarence along with Jackson Browne in 1985.

Clarence Clemons – You’re A Friend Of Mine

And this cheesy number with legend Aretha Franklin was a chart topper also in 1985.

Aretha Franklin – Freeway Of Love

Clarence also appeared on Lady Gaga’s most recent album. She must have at least one redeeming feature I suppose.

Before I finish, I feel the need to plead with just about every TV news service. The images of cruelty to animals in Indonesian slaughterhouses are probably unnecessary in every report that has a tenuous link to the story. At the very least, a warning that the images may be disturbing would be appreciated.

This morning Alison took pity on me and I was spared a ride to work on the scooter in -4 degrees. As a result I grabbed a random CD from the racks to listen to while negotiating the polar bears and penguins who are here because it is colder than where they normally live. I’m glad that this particular CD came with me because it made me laugh all the way to work. That can’t be bad!

Billy Connolly – Last Train To Glasgow Central

This is odd. Very odd. But the album is strangely almost compulsive listening….see what you think:

Luther Wright & The Wrongs – Comfortably Numb

See you on the flipside.

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #147

In this week’s episode it’s pretty much all music. Apart from maybe an attack on the Tobacco Lobby! We’ll see.

Ozzy’s re-mastered CDs and vinyl arrived in the mail yesterday. Along with the music and DVD was a pretty cool coffee table book filled to the brim with photos. I won’t dwell on this box set but will post a separate review on the blog in a few days. This track is an instrumental that guitarist Randy Rhoads wrote for his Mum. He used to disappear from the tour bus and take classical guitar lessons. Pretty cool.

Randy Rhoads - Dee

Since I’m on a bit of an acoustic guitar trip here’s a true master.

Paco Peña - Soleares

So, here we go with a bit of a rant. Bypass it if you like. The tobacco industry has terrible TV ads on at the moment attacking the government for bringing in legislation to mandate plain packaging for cigarettes. Personally I am all on the government’s side. Smoking is dumb. I also read that smoking is about to be banned in a number of prisons. That’s going to be tough but will the end result be worth it? I’m happy for my taxes to go on nicotine patches rather than the cost of treating smoking related illness. The tobacco industry wants us to believe that we can’t live without the taxes imposed on their products. Well, without their products surely the savings in health care would even it out. Remember all the moaning when tobacco companies could no longer sponsor sport in Australia? What a furphy. Smoke at your own risk, not near me and don’t expect me to be happy about funding your treatment for a related illness.

And just to show that I do have a sense of humour…

Motley Crue – Smoking In The Boys Room

With the arrival of some replacement gear from the insurance company (finally) I had to pretty much configure my iPhone from scratch. This was good and bad. Bad in that some tracks I had purchased are no longer, and good in that I loaded on a whole swag of different tunes. I’ll play a couple now…

First up is The Darkness from the UK. They were a great rock band with soaring guitars, cat suits and some wicked falsetto vocals. Standard story – they are no more.

The Darkness – Love Is Only A Feeling (anyone pick the location?)

And one from maybe the best stage musical ever…

Ipi Ntombi Cast - Shosholoza

Last weekend I went to see X-Men: First Class. I’m not a hardcore fan of the comics or anything like that. But the movie was very cool. Plenty of action, some in jokes and a whole lot of fun. You don’t have to look too closely to get the anti-discrimination message either. It was worth the price of entry. One of the actors was Zoë Kravitz, daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet. In 1991 Lenny released the groovy album “Mama Said”. I got it on cassette free with a 12 month subscription to Rolling Stone. Just as well because the magazine was and is dreadful. But the album rocked. Here’s a track from it written for his daughter Zoë who would have been 3 or 4 at the time. Now she’s on the big screen!

Lenny Kravitz – Flowers for Zoë

But I don’t want to finish on a quiet note. Here’s another track from my current playlist of current. You can just rock out to it or have a think about the lyrics if your brain cells are still functioning this late in the week.

Bad Religion – 21^st Century Digital Boy

People, get ready!

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #146

Hello Winter! Suddenly it’s cold here in Canberra. I’m not sure we got much of an Autumn either which is very unfair. Getting ready to go out cycling now takes a lot longer with layer upon layer of clothing to be applied as well as lights on the bike. Brrrr is all I have to say!

Here’s a song to warm you all up. Not the original but a good effort nonetheless.

Joan Osbourne - Heatwave

Dr. Who has been back on TV here for a while and I think it just keeps getting better and better. My only gripe is that we really don’t need the bit at the start of every episode explaining who Amy and the Doctor are – the BBC doesn’t need to dumb it down. This next song was featured on last week’s show. A classic that now probably freaks a few Dr. Who viewers out!

Dusty Springfield – You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me

In Heavy Metal news, the enhanced versions of Ozzy Osbourne’s classic albums, “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman” are now available. Remastered CDs, vinyl versions, the obligatory coffee book and a replica of Ozzy’s gold crucifix are included. In my humble opinion, “Blizzard of Ozz” is one of the greatest metal albums of all time. I remember being given a copy when I was about 15 and being mesmerized by the guitar work. I’m looking forward to hearing the remastered version soon – the original lacks a bit of bottom end. This track is an extra on the new enhanced edition. It only has guitars and vocals and I think it sounds great. There are delicate touches in the verses as well as the opportunity to hear the classical influence in the screaming guitar solo without distraction. Awesome.

Ozzy Osbourne – Goodbye To Romance

I can’t let talk of all things Heavy Metal pass without a quick discussion of the Soundwave Revolution festival which will hit in September. The number legendary acts is sure to have most rock fans salivating. Alice Cooper, Bad Religion, Steel Panther, The Sisters of Mercy, Machine Head, Danzig and Devin Townsend just to name a few. The big ticket item though is Van Halen. It might be cheesy, but I’d love to see them live! Especially with Diamond David Lee Roth singing – what a treat. VH have to be the ultimate party band. I spent a while finding a good version of this song, possibly my fave from Van Halen. It’s worth waiting through the 42s of introduction.

Van Halen – Unchained (live)

Maybe we need to chill a bit after Ozzy and Van Halen. I don’t want anyone out there in radio land getting over stimulated. Here’s a special version of a classic track. What a voice!! I remember wondering as a kid which member of the Music Department was responsible for bringing a “capella” to the rehearsals because they always left it behind. I get it now.

Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (a capella)

On Sunday I played with some colleagues at a show here at school. Tons of fun! But I was asked to play this song for someone else to sing to. I’d played bits of it in the past but never the full song – and it was in a different key of course! After three quick run throughs on my own it was time to play. Any opportunity to play live is great and this time I got to debut my newest guitar. I’ll admit it was far from perfect on my behalf but it was still a hoot!

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under The Bridge (Acoustic)

Searching out good music is made easier and probably harder with the help of the internet. Before we had that I guess I relied a lot more on radio. But here’s one that came to me from the local library in my pre-internet days. I saw a CD with a funny blue cover and picked it up on the off chance it might be good. It was. Here’s Gillian Welch with great picking and insanely good vocals. Thanks to DJ Tel4 for jogging my memory as well!

Gillian Welch – I Want To Sing That Rock ‘n Roll

If it’s too loud, you’re too old.

DJ Rob