World Wide Woozle episode #432

Happy New Year listeners! Things are definitely looking up for me in 2018 and I hope you're the same. You can't change the past anyway so either accept it, embrace it or draw a line under it and get on with living your life.

That might sound like a pithy, throwaway line from a self-help website but I mean it. Looking back over the last few years I am shocked at the number of people I know that have passed away; and not as a result of old age. The death, in late 2017, of my Aunt really hammered things home for me and I decided that life was too short to hang around waiting for tomorrow. Watch this space for some changes coming soon. And don't worry; I'm not about to stop washing, grow my hair and move to a commune. Probably because I don't have any hair and I like being clean.

Rollins Band - Do It - https://youtu.be/8xSFi-Tn2_g

Christmas disturbs me. More and more, it has become about excess, greed, gluttony and money. It's an opportunity for retailers to maximise profits. It's the time when we feel compelled to give gifts to people we hardly know who really don't need another box of chocolates or a book about how to survive the apocalypse armed with only sellotape, string, matches and a tin of baked beans. I like getting presents. I like giving them too but there's a limit. This year DJ Declutr and I set a quite modest limit for the gifts we would give each other. We both gave, and received cool things that are definitely NOT headed straight for landfill. I guess you could say that we became more mindful about the whole thing. We also agreed with some family members that, you know what, we really didn't need gifts from them any more. Instead, we'd maybe donate to a charity instead. Sounds simple I know but these aren't always the easiest conversations to have. And in a country with an obesity epidemic, the tradition of eating so much over the Christmas and New Year break that your belt and wallet hurt is simply disgusting. Enjoy your food, eat some treats but maybe you don't need to have a third helping just to finish off the plate of turkey and ham. So, "what is Christmas about Rob?" I hear you ask. Well, for me it's about the opportunity to spend some time with family, to take stock of the year and to enjoy the company of those you might not see that often. Some members of my family will recognise that I'm far from perfect here and that's OK. Maybe I'll get better at it.

Warren Zevon - Down In The Mall -  https://youtu.be/3XmfNyu1Hrw

The other day I took a deep breath and went into our garage. I then proceeded to fill the car full of books that I hadn't read in years but that I'd been holding onto. I kept a few for sentimental reasons (1982 World Cup Soccer Guide included) and took the rest to the Lifeline folks for their book fair. I did the same with my clothes and there's a very full charity bin out there now. It's amazing how much lighter you feel when you get rid of some clutter and also understand that it's got the potential to help someone else. I'd been holding onto the tons of cricket biographies and books I've had for over 30 years and I sincerely hope that a cricket tragic out there finds them at the book fair and enjoys them as much as I did all those years ago. What's interesting, and mildly frustrating, is that there is still a heap of stuff in that garage to be looked through. I'm sure that I want to keep my Scout shirt with all it's badges but other than looking at it once in a while I guess it lives in a box.

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

Scouting for Girls - It's Not About You - https://youtu.be/LRdI1azB6_M

On Wednesday, I stood, with my guitar, in the bush and mimed to a song we recorded later last year. The funniest thing was Dylan, cameraman extraordinaire, asking me to play the guitar solo bits so that he could film them. They were improvised when we made the recording so I had no idea of what to do. I hope it looks good in the end and I'll be sure to let you all know when the song/clip gets a release.

Hole - Celebrity Skin (live) - https://youtu.be/aJcHejLOmKI

DJ Zedboots is about to head back to university. That makes me sad, happy and immensely proud all at once. She's about to start six weeks of placement working in an ambulance which sounds rather exciting to me. I'm looking forward to hearing the sanitised version of events as I don't cope well with blood! Amusingly enough, as a result of how their training programme is scheduled, she can give you morphine but not put your arm in a sling!

AC/DC - If You Want Blood (You've Got It) - https://youtu.be/6EWqTym2cQU

Let's talk about Star Wars. I'm a huge fan; let's put that out there before I start. I really like the original trilogy, can't stand The Phantom Menace, despise Attack of the Clones and think that Revenge of the Sith is not too bad. I certainly enjoyed The Force Awakens and I thought that Rogue One was close to the best film in the entire collection - but not quite. So, given all that, you will understand why I was excited to go and see The Last Jedi. There's a spoiler in here so skip this paragraph if you need to. I avoided watching the trailer and reading any reviews or commentary about the film and I'm glad I did so. First things first - I enjoyed it, DJ ZedBoots enjoyed it and DJ Declutr enjoyed it too. We all had a fine time even though the cinema (hello Palace Electric) was freezing cold. Colder than Hoth during a cold snap. Apparently, if you believe rabid fans on internet forums, there are plot holes and problems galore with the film. It must be sad not to just be able to enjoy a film for what it is. It was a decent science fiction film that told a story over a couple of hours that kept me engaged. It's fun, it's Star Wars. I agree that killing off Luke seems kind of dumb at this point of the story and I didn't think Carrie Fisher acted all that well. R2D2, C3PO and Chewbacca look to be the only major characters now remaining from the 1977 film. After Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope, The Last Jedi would tie for third alongside Rogue One when it comes to rating my favourites.

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

That'll do for now. Have a good weekend.

Rob

"But they don't need me in the movies and nobody sings my songs, guess I'm just wastin' time"

World Wide Woozle episode #431

Welcome back. Whilst I'm doing my level best not to be Scrooge or a Grinch, please don't expect a Christmas playlist this week. 

I'm still working on getting into the new Foo Fighters album, "Concrete and Gold". It's not bad and those who are already fans of the band should definitely enjoy it. Right at the end of the album is a track that is just fantastic and one that makes me think that Grohl and Co. are making music for themselves as much as for public consumption. Wearing your influences on your collective sleeves is more than appropriate when it's this good.

Foo Fighters - Concrete and Gold - https://youtu.be/VGLXH9wqID0

Josh Todd is the singer for the American hard rock band Buckcherry. They've been around for a while and play an honest, energetic style of rock that's guaranteed to get most fists pumping. Josh has just released an album called "Year of the tiger". I've only had a quick listen but it warrants more air time so I thought I'd plug a track here.

Josh Todd & The Conflict - Rain - https://youtu.be/MvdON8CcWbo

Long time readers may remember that I'm a bit of a fan of the "Wolfenstein" series of computer games. I have fond memories of using the 3D version released in 1992 to test PCs that I was building at work. The latest version, however, only runs on the newest XBOX or PlayStation. That's a shame as it's impossible to justify the cost of a new console simply to play one game.

Iron Maiden - Aces High - https://youtu.be/Xg9aQvjMS60

I've been making a concerted effort to get to my target distance for the year with my cycling. With significant time off in 2017 due to injury, illnesses and more rain than I remember, it's a bit of a struggle. However, I have just under 265km to go to reach the goal of 12,000km. I've ridden the last 16 days straight and that's 29 rides. It'll be 30 by the time I get home this evening. Next year looks like being very different for a number of reasons but I still plan to try and average 1,000km a month. Anything over the total of 12,000km is a complete bonus in my opinion. And why do I do it? Because it keeps me fit both physically and mentally.

John Lennon - Mind Games - https://youtu.be/zge6UEwUGn0

From a very early age I enjoyed LEGO and I still do. This year, DJ Declutr, surprised me with the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. It's been a hoot so far with a fairly groovy range of mini figures and small models to build on a daily basis. I do have rather a lot of Star Wars LEGO though and one day soon I'll need to think about moving it on. It's probably the same for the bulk of my other collectables. I've had a lot of fun with them but times change. For those that have been in my "studio", there's no need to worry; I'm not throwing it all out!

Jeff Lynne's ELO - When I Was A Boy - https://youtu.be/tM34A80RTv4

That'll do for this week. Thank you to all of you out there in internet-land who read this and a special "hats-off" to those who send me comments, suggestions and/or anecdotes. I'm always interested to hear about the effect that certain songs have on people. An FYI, Christmas Carols make me cringe. I don't know why, they just do. Tune in next time for what looks like being a bumper episode.

Mi wisim yufala evriwan wan gudfala Krismas!

Rob

Fine then...click here for a Christmas tune. It's worth it.

World Wide Woozle episode #430

I was rather busy this week. It seems as if everyone is suddenly intent on ruling a line under everything they can before the end of the year. As such I didn't draft this week's ramble - sorry if it therefore appears to be disjointed. What I did do as the week progressed was to jot down a whole lot of music to play.

I've really been taking stock of my life lately and what kind of real impact I can have without grinding myself into the ground. I won't kid you, as a middle class, middle aged, white male sometimes it feels like it's so hard to avoid being seen as only doing something as tokenism. However, I've been participating in a gender equity and diversity committee at work. I was nervous at first but really pleased that my views were taken seriously and it was recognised that I was genuine. I hate the term social justice because large elements of a range of organisations, especially the Catholic Church, have bastardised it for their own purposes. But I am interested in helping to work towards a fair go for everyone in my own way. I don't feel discriminated against or marginalised (unless it's by bogans in utes yelling at me when I'm cycling) but I remain keen to doing what I can to improve the lives of those who are.

Dixie Chicks - Not Ready To Back Down (live) - https://youtu.be/pIw0JL-O6mo

I've been a bit on and off about The Hold Steady for years. I think I like them and then a whole album gets a bit tedious so I shelve the CD. Time for another go and this is a cracking song. They're a bit hard to describe but if you like Weezer & Springsteen you should be just fine.

The Hold Steady - Entitlement Crew - https://youtu.be/u2qnbkhH8DQ

Painters and Dockers were hugely influential to me as a teenager. Their live album, "Bucket" is a complete riot. Of course they had mainstream success with "Nude School" and "Safe Sex" from the "Kiss My Art" album in 1988 but I very much remember them as a sweaty pub band with lyrics worth a listen.

Painters and Dockers - Soul Child - https://youtu.be/Ys7TXrO7P5w

DJ BeeG put me onto this next artist. Sometimes Reignwolf is a one man band and sometimes not. My advice is to let this video play out and be amazed and the noise and groove that one man can make!

Reignwolf - Electric Love - https://youtu.be/ekq4ZMgMa1Q

Do you like soul? I do and that's mainly because of the way that vocalists in this genre manage to convey such deep emotion. Here's Charles Bradley making a Black Sabbath song very much his own.

Charles Bradley - Changes - https://youtu.be/S3YXIXp9zJs

Anthrax have a new live DVD coming out in 2018. The big news is that it was recorded in Scotland!! There doesn't seem to be any previews around just yet but I did stumble across this unusual and rather fine acoustic version of one of their classics. 

Anthrax - Antisocial (live acoustic) - https://youtu.be/UkfneY5nD_8

Speaking of live DVDs as we were; hang onto your hats as Ghost are releasing one in January next year. Personally I can't wait to see if they are actually any good live. Here's a preview...

Ghost - Absolution (live) - https://youtu.be/vQwIDYF35ao

Billy Corgan, leader of the Smashing Pumpkins, has recently teamed up with Electro-Harmonix (who make Big Muff guitar pedals) to work on a reissue of the pedal that he uses to make his rather distinctive guitar tone.Guitar heads can check it out here. Here's a classic track from the band. Interesting that I always thought they used an ADA MP-1 rackmount pre-amp but obviously I need to do more research.

Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock - https://youtu.be/VbrfXDFuzu0

Dream Theater are a prog rock band who have moments of brilliance. There's no doubt that as musicians they are fantastic but the songwriting isn't always there in my opinion. Their former drummer (and one of the founders), Mike Portnoy, has a new band called Sons of Apollo. Their album, "Psychotic Symphony" has just been released. On the strength of the couple of singles I think it will be well worth a listen. It's a bit of a supergroup but I'll let you all spot them in the video.

Sons of Apollo - Coming Home - https://youtu.be/J_1N8kVYfkE

Finally, my Dad's en route to Antarctica at the moment. I'm not sure that I'd be keen to spend all of that time on a boat but getting to go to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica would be cool (ha ha). I really hope that they see some penguins!

Midnight Oil - Antarctica - https://youtu.be/a8qzcOIMWQM

Next week I should have a tale to tell about appearing in a music video. I haven't done that since about 2002!

Cheers dears,

Rob

"...went into his room and smashed his Billy Bragg records...", The War's End, Rancid.

World Wide Woozle episode #429

Coming back to your regular life after a holiday is never easy. I've also discovered that the upset stomach side effect of the anti-malaria medication well and truly applies to me! As regular readers will know, I've struggled in the past with wanting to do too much for my families in Vanuatu. Finding the balance is a real challenge. Deep inside I've had a feeling for years now that I could do more with my life and it's much more evident at the moment. I recognise that I haven't exactly been sitting on my hands for the last 46 years but maybe it's time to do something a bit more long term. Of course, I have no idea what that is or how it might work so watch this space. What I do know is that there is a lot of the world that I haven't seen and that I could be useful in. I guess my experiences in Vanuatu have made me understand the benefit of moving out of my comfort zone and that even one person can make a positive impact. I've got itchy feet...

Battlefield Band - The Rovin' Dies Hard - https://youtu.be/9qZZ01RFf_Q

Let's talk about Christmas. What I want to think about for a few moments is the rampant consumerism and excess that has come to define celebrations at this time of the year. Maybe it's Alison's influence but more and more I think about the fact that we could live happily with less "stuff". Giving and receiving gifts is lovely but there's a limit. Recently we took boxes and boxes of books to a local charity who run a regular book fair. For years I'd held onto particular literary gems simply because they were gifts or they'd not been cheap. The ruthless cull and knowledge that someone else would enjoy them as well as the charity raising valuable funds made for a good feeling. I'm not advocating emptying the house out completely but there is a fair bit of stuff lying around that I'm unlikely to use again. Don't be a Scrooge though...Christmas presents, as well as family time, is important for kids!

One thing I do have a lot of is CDs, records and tapes. That's unlikely to change. Until I can carry them around on a device that doesn't require compromise in terms of sound quality I will remain a huge fan of physical audio media. I admit that I do buy less these days and Spotify is to 'blame' for that.

Cliff Richard - Wired For Sound - https://youtu.be/V57eqtN2K7E

Before the internet, shortwave (SW) radio was a very important part of many peoples' lives. It was a way to get up to date news from around the World for many of us. Shortwave broadcasts remain the only media link to the outside world that many people in developing nations or remote locations have. Radio Australia, for reasons best known to the ABC, don't broadcast SW any more into the Pacific or remote Australia. This is a crying shame. On Pentecost, with a cheap SW radio, I was able to listen to Radio NZ, Voice of America, Beijing Radio and a couple of others. Radio Australia used to be well listened to across the Pacific for news as well as emergency notices for things such as cyclones. I admit that I need a better receiver if I go anywhere else but it does irk me that the ABC have cut off what was a valuable service to the Pacific and remote Australia.

James Reyne and James Blundell - Way Out West - https://youtu.be/xB2fhqO2Mb4

John Bush sang for US thrash metal band Anthrax for a while replacing original vocalist Joey Belladonna. Joey's back these days and personally I wish Bush had been able to stay on. This week DJ NinjaRollins turned me onto John's original (and current) band Armored Saint. It's good. It's really, really good. He has to be one of the few metal vocalists around whose range and voice hold up after a number of years. Maybe he looked after it really well or perhaps he was just lucky. Here's John with Anthrax and then back with Armored Saint. Turn this up!

Anthrax - Cadillac Rock Box - https://youtu.be/hll2kQXloz4

Armored Saint - Win Hands Down - https://youtu.be/MA-C8_zgLXo

The ABC, when they aren't mucking around with the shortwave broadcast, have a done a great job with the current two part biopic about The Easybeats. With the recent death of founder, guitarist and songwriter George Young awareness of the band is heightened of course. Episode one is on ABC iView for those of you in Australia who have missed it. I'd highly recommend it as a decent look at how rock and roll came of age here as well as an insight into a fantastic band. Let me also say that the actor portraying Stevie Wright has obviously studied loads of old footage as his moves are spot on.

The Easybeats - I'll Make You Happy - https://youtu.be/eS7uMy8z6i4?t=2m5s

News of impending torrential rains around the country has the media in a spin. Frankly I'll be happy to get home this evening without resorting to SCUBA gear or a canoe. Some places have forecasts of their monthly rainfall coming in just a couple of days. Most of Australia can always do with some rain but this much may simply be damaging. And in a moment of pure selfishness, it gets in the way of cycling. Even with significant time off the bike this year I am almost on target to hit 12,000km by the end of December. Let's hope that the rains don't do too much damage and that slightly obsessive cyclists everywhere can get their fix without packing a snorkel.

Dragon - Rain (live 1985) - https://youtu.be/P67qfkhBy1E?t=4m34s

Lastly; a sad moment. My Auntie Maureen passed away early this week. She wasn't old and she wasn't sick and that makes it hard for everyone. I guess it's just one of those things. My heart goes out to my Dad, her only sibling and to my cousin Graeme who is her only child. I haven't seen her since we left Scotland in the late 1970s and now I'm kicking myself that I haven't ever been back. I'm glad that Alison got to meet Mo a few years ago and that Zoe was there in 2015. When my Granny died a couple of years ago Mo told me not to be sad because she'd had a very full and meaningful life and the same applies now. At the moment I'm very much feeling the fact that life really is short.

Johnny Cash - We'll Meet Again - https://youtu.be/KodNFsP6r88

Stay dry folks,

Rob

"Well you ask me why I like to dance
And you ask me why I like to sing
And you ask me why I like to play
I got to get my kicks some way
And you ask me what I'm all about
Come and let me hear you shout..." - AC/DC, High Voltage, 1975.

World Wide Woozle episode #428

Hi everyone,

This episode is split into two different parts. Part 1 is about the last two weeks that DJ ZedBoots and I have just spent on Pentecost in Vanuatu. Part 2 is about music.

Part 1 - Pentecost

Pentecost is an amazing place. This was my third visit (and Zoe's fourth). To get there I flew from Canberra to Brisbane, Brisbane to Santo and then Santo to Pentecost. That last flight is in a rather small plane called a Twin Otter. We spent a week with our family at Level School and then another week with our other family at Lini Memorial College. And we brought the rain with us! They'd not had any for months and we most certainly changed that. At one stage my travel journal was about to be renamed to, "Rob and Zoe go to Pentecost and look at rain". We didn't let it get us down though and still managed visits to help in the gardens (where food is grown), tons of time with kids and family just talking and playing, attending a Class 5 end of year party, looking at a health clinic, checking out a very wide range of building works and just generally hanging out. Finger spinners and yo-yos turned out to be fantastic ice breakers with kids.

The money raised from my band payments and generous gig-time donations has assisted in paying for a double length classroom at Level and it's almost finished. Other fundraising has made it possible for a number of families to gain assistance to help pay for their kids' school term fees. Thanks so much to everyone that helped out.

It's hard to describe life in Pentecost. It's hard but peaceful. Family, church and community is everything. Without fail, people smile, shake hands and say hello. Most want to strike up a conversation and it's genuine. One of the things that the locals appreciate the most is time spent chatting; they call it telling stories. I did a lot of that. The rain meant that we got so much time to talk to people and for me to work on my language skills.

We were extremely lucky to be the first people to inhabit a new "house" built at Level. It is unique there in that it has a raised timber floor. In all the torrential rain there was only one tiny leak right at the door. The craftsmanship is just amazing. We also contended with chickens following us everywhere, cows in the station area and Nakamal (meeting house) and naughty escaping pigs!

About 18 months ago my cousin Iain in Scotland, after a visit from Zoe, organised the congregation at the church he attends to collect some books for Level. They ended up with a lot and a huge package (like a pallet load) headed by sea to Vanuatu. For any number of reasons they were delivered to the wrong island, lost, found, re-routed, lost again, found again and then sat in a warehouse for an age. Iain chased them, I chased them and my sister Nancy in Port Vila chased them. I really thought that we'd never see them so imagine my shock when I found out that they'd arrived at Level about two weeks before we did! Two schools on Pentecost now have an amazing range of books. The library shelving at Level is going up over the Christmas break. Thanks to Iain and all the folks at New Kilpatrick Church in Bearsden for their generosity and for never giving up!

At Level, Zoe and I put solar party lights up outside the Nakamal and it was extremely well received by everyone including the local men sitting under them to grind kava. Solar is king on Pentecost!

I read a difficult book (Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance). More about that another day! And I enjoyed quite a lot of doing not much. Having a clear head to think coupled with being off-grid is wonderful for your mental health.

Our time flew by and I'll admit to crying like a baby when I left Level. No-one can really tell though when you're behind sunglasses, under a hat and clinging for dear life to the tray of a 4WD!

There are almost three sides to Vanuatu. The two urban centres (Port Vila and Luganville), the resorts and the islands. I haven't been to a resort so I can't comment there. Port Vila and Luganville are fine to transit through but I wouldn't go there for any length of time unless I was working or staying with locals. The islands are the place to be. The lack of western amenities and services will be a barrier to many (they were to me before the whole Cyclone Pam thing) but washing in a bucket, the long drop toilet and the lack of internet  is easy to get used to and very much outweighed by everything else.

I'll definitely be going back but admit that I don't know when that will be. That's three visits in three years now and I'm keenly aware that there are other places I might like to experience. These trips have been amazing adventures to take with Zoe. I feel that I know her on such a deeper level and I imagine she knows way too much about me. But, we'll be back one day soon. 

Part 2 - Music

Malcolm Young from AC/DC died this week. He was 64 and had suffered from dementia for a few years time. This was the first piece of news I heard when I came off Pentecost and Angus (Marshall, not Young) was the one who told me. There's no doubt that Angus Young was the one to initially attract me to AC/DC; he's iconic for a reason. However, before long I realised the driving force was his brother Malcolm's rhythm guitar. When so many people were shredding a million notes all over the fretboard, Mal was playing big, loud open chords. "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock & Roll)" is a simple but effective rhythm on an open A chord. Just add volume, drive and swagger. The classic opening to "Back In Black" is again open chords (E,D,A). Malcolm knew how to write what sounds like simple music that packed a punch, was catchy and had a distinctive sound and feel. When I started on the electric guitar I already knew the secret of those big open chords and I persevere with them today - that's his influence. Malcolm Young wasn't flashy, he preferred to be in the background just doing his thing and that's why I admired him so greatly as a musician.

AC/DC - Next To The Moon - https://youtu.be/oi5YGnr4VlI

AC/DC - Meanstreak - https://youtu.be/85XOuzSk9dY

Jason Isbell with his band, the 400 Unit, is coming to Australia in March 2018. After being unable to see him play during his last visit (and being intensely dissapointed) I'm happy to say that DJ Al-ee-sunshine has secured tickets for us both. Given the quality of the recent live performance he screened from the Ryman Auditorium, I am looking forward to an almost religious experience!

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Codeine (live 2017) - https://youtu.be/2m961waDa_8

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - White Man's World - https://youtu.be/nu4dupoC7EE

I'm not up to date yet on any new releases so that'll have to wait for next time. DJ SlimHenry let me know that Sepultura are touring here next year supported by Death Angel. Neither Max or Igor Cavalera are in the band anymore so I'll have to check out some of their newer stuff before looking at dates and prices. Certainly the older stuff that I am familiar with is fantastic.

Sepultura - Troops of Doom (live 1991) - https://youtu.be/5-oz9leEoI0

Both places I stayed on Pentecost had an acoustic guitar so I actually got a lot of playing done. Calluses on my calluses! I really must remember to learn more Bob Marley songs before my next visit. There are only so many times that I can roll out "Buffalo Soldier", "Redemption Song" and half of "One Love" before I've had enough. No-one else was worried though. They also really liked this next tune....

Johnny Otis - Willie and the Hand Jive - https://youtu.be/J9oo1zVmxDg

Lastly, a very brief comment about our politicians who are currently leaving refugees to rot on Manus Island. It's a national disgrace and many members from both major parties should hang their heads in shame. Let's hope that some other countries have the guts to go around our government and help out.

Steve Earle - City of Immigrants (live 2013) - https://youtu.be/Mx-Ru2wQFNc

Have a great weekend,

Rob

"On an island in the sun

We'll be playin' and havin' fun
And it makes me feel so fine" - Weezer, Island In The Sun, 2001.

World Wide Woozle episode #427

This time next week I will be almost packed and ready to return to Pentecost, Vanuatu with Zoe. We were last there in the middle of last year but it feels like longer. People often ask me what I'll do there when I explain that there is no power, running water, internet or TV. The answer is simple; I'll be with my family. We'll spend time in the gardens where they grow their food, we'll sit around and talk (a LOT) and we'll do a fair bit of playing games with all the kids. We might walk to the "bank" and that could take half a day all up. The pace of life there is different and that's one of the attractions. In the past I've taken some books that I have had trouble reading as I find that the fact that my brain is allowed to slow down means that I can lose myself in some quality writing. Reading is also a good break from having to do my best to keep up in another language for the majority of the time. That really tires you for the first couple of days out but it's worth it in so many ways. Most of my Ni-Van family members will speak four languages fluently (two local ones, the Vanuatu national language of Bislama and either French or English) so working on my second one seems only fair. I know that the education system has changed recently so that the youngest children are taught in their local language rather than in English. I'm hoping to learn a few words and phrases but if I am in their classroom it may cause too much distraction so I may sneak up and sit outside so that I can listen in and learn!

In other news, Angus has left home for seven months and is now in Canada about to start work as a lift operator and snowboard instructor at a ski resort. It's been an emotional week for Alison and I since he left. The good thing is that he has somewhere to live, doesn't seem to be starving and is in regular contact with us! I'm not sure that I'm that keen on a visit (especially in winter) but when Zoe left for Vanuatu in 2015 there was no way I wanted to go there....times change. Fingers crossed that there are no cyclones in Vancouver.

Some of you will be aware that I have started doing some recording. I'm hoping to release a six song EP on whomever is silly enough to want a copy before too long. It's a challenge as I don't have a very good singing voice but I'm determined to get it done. So far I have recorded three songs and two of them will be on the EP. One is OK but not up to the standard that I would subject you to. So far it is simply guitar and voice but I might get some keyboards on a song in the future. Choosing songs is the real challenge as, whilst I can play most things, I can't sing them! For the technically minded, my recording setup is simple. I use the Reaper recording software (because Garageband kept crashing), a couple of old microphones and an ageing Roland Edirol UA-25 which connects the mics into my Macbook Air. That's it. Other than that it's my guitars, amps and voice. I'm happy to share the early versions of some of the tracks; just let me know if you're interested.

Don't think that I haven't been listening to music; I've been doing that a lot! Other than trying to find songs that I can sing there has been quite a varied selection rolling around in my playlist for the last couple of weeks. Of course there's a fair bit of Tom Petty but none of you are surprised by that.

I guess that most people will be aware that George Young died recently. He's famous as an Easybeat and also as the producer of many great Australian bands such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and The Angels. George is arguably one of the pioneers of what we might refer to as the Aussie Pub Rock sound. Here's George with his partner in crime Harry Vanda...

Flash and the Pan - Waiting for a train - https://youtu.be/aUB1VPjLGvk

The Night Flight Orchestra are Swedish. They have released three albums and...and...that's all I know about that. I heard them for the first time this week and I've since been working my way through their recordings. Given that they are signed to Nuclear Blast Records I was expecting metal but they are more melodic hard rock. I certainly have liked what I've heard so far.

The Night Flight Orchestra - West Ruth Avenue - https://youtu.be/o5PDIAvDY_I

Do you have albums that you just keep coming back to? I have a couple that are never far from hand. One is the compilation, "Folkways: A Vision Shared" which is a tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. The other is W.A.S.P.'s live album which is imaginatively titled, "Live...in the raw". I'm not sure that you could get two albums further apart in almost all ways but I'm happy playing them one after the other. The Folkways LP has some wonderful versions of old songs and the W.A.S.P. one is just a rock and roll band playing loud and proud whilst putting on a great show. Many of you won't like both and that's OK!

Taj Mahal - The Bourgeois Blues - https://youtu.be/-VvfAfwS9k8

W.A.S.P. - Inside The Electric Circus (live) - https://youtu.be/NddMWTWoQ2Q

For those unfamiliar with Taj Mahal, a good place to start is his album from 1968, "The Natch'l Blues".

Rock and roll legend Fats Domino left us this week at the age of 89. He was the man that Elvis Presely referred to as the King and that says it all.

Fats Domino - I Hear You Knocking (live) - https://youtu.be/iU9f_MUBCSs

Finally this week, I've been listening to an old cassette that one of my Auntie's sent me years and years ago. It's by a German band called Helloween and really, I reckon I listened to it once or twice in the early 90s and never again until recently. That's a shame because, apart from the dodgy album title and even worse cover photo, it's a great power metal style record. Listening to it has mad me go back and check out more by the band and they are still around. If you like your metal with melody and a bit of cheese too then this is for you.

Helloween - Kid of the Century - https://youtu.be/GTjcQQFZVSU

See you next time,

Rob

"I wasn't irresponsible, I was hungry!"

World Wide Woozle episode #426

Anyone whose read this blog for a while would hardly be surprised that I'm going to write about Tom Petty. His death this week has hit me hard but maybe not for reasons that are immediately obvious.

There is no doubting Tom's place as a legendary rock 'n' roll artist. Album sales and public profile point clearly to these facts. From hit records with his band The Heartbreakers, a stint with them as Bob Dylan's live backing band, solo success, some amazing collaborations and an extensive discography you could pretty much say that he did it all.

I got interested in Tom Petty initially as a result of the Travelling Wilburys so I guess I was a bit late to the party. In 1988 I was in my final year at High School and the Wilburys were huge everywhere but especially in Australia. Their first album went to 11 in the UK and 14 in the USA but was number 1 on the charts here. It was an album that had something for everyone. Tom for the rock fans, Dylan for the folkies, Roy Orbison for those stuck in the 60s, Jeff Lynne for lovers of amazing melody and sunglasses and of course George Harrison. 

The Travelling Wilburys - Last Night - https://youtu.be/lX4JXUNbXZs

Tom followed this up with the sublime Full Moon Fever LP which my Dad bought for me on the strength of the Wilburys. There's a bit of solo rhythm guitar in Free Fallin' that may just be the best guitar tone ever This has always been a record that makes me feel good.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (live 1991) - Love Is A Long Road - https://youtu.be/qOpuB5aSVF4

I guess I was pretty happy with these two albums for a few years and then, in 1997, I met my mate Garry Douglas. Garry was a huge Tom Petty fan and over the period of a few years got me right into his earlier stuff as well as more recent solo releases. We talked about Tom's music via email for years. If you've been reading my blog for a few years you'll know that Garry sadly died a while ago. One of the last things he did was to see Tom Petty live in London, email me a few pictures and send me a tour t-shirt. Not long later he was dead. I had a gig with George and Chris very soon after this and we played this song as my tribute to Garry. It's cliched but I love it and it became a staple in our live set. Who's that on drums in the video even though he didn't actually play on the record? And surely you can spot a couple of Wilburys as well.

Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down - https://youtu.be/nvlTJrNJ5lA

Garry didn't get me into that song though, Johnny Cash did. It's on his album from 2000 called "American III : Solitary Man". Tom's on the track singing backing vox. Petty and The Heartbreakers were the backing band for Cash's previous release, "Unchained" in 1996. It's my opinion that this next song is quite possibly the best cover version of all time. It also started an obsession for me with the music of Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash - I Won't Back Down - https://youtu.be/N8i5NLyXZdc

In 2005 I had a rough time and music helped me through in many ways. I spent a lot of time watching live concert DVDs and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers live at the Fillmore was right at the top of my list (along with Steve Earle, The Dixie Chicks and Iron Maiden). The first song on the DVD is so punchy, so energetic and played with such vigour that it draws you in for the whole show. If you could wear out a DVD then this one would be long gone. I'm just sorry that I can't find the video footage online to share with you. Come and visit sometime and we can watch it over and over!

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (live 1997) - Jammin' Me - https://youtu.be/juY2DAL-UGE

Whether it's old or new stuff, solo or with the Heartbreakers or the Wilburys there's no doubt to me that Tom was amazing. He had a knack of wearing his influences on his sleeve without simply copying them (unless he wanted to). Watch some live footage and you'll see a guy who genuinely loved playing his music right up until the end. 

There is a veritable goldmine in the Tom Petty discography so get out there and discover it for yourself.

Tom Petty - Saving Grace (2006) - https://youtu.be/YtJ8PFMEQjo

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - Red River (2014)  - https://youtu.be/Qv3oaDX9ikY

I'm going to finish with the last two songs that Tom played live. It was on September 25th this year and he finished his show at the Hollywood Bowl with a to song encore. You can find footage of the actual show online if you like but I'm really not sure I'm ready for it.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - You Wreck Me (live) - https://youtu.be/e25p0Y3Vd38

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - American Girl (live 1978) - https://youtu.be/YS3xOmI1Plk

Thanks Tom, your music meant a lot to me and it always will.

Rob

Click here, go on, it's worth it, just one more tune.