World Wide Woozle episode #473

G'day, Bonjour, Ni Hao, Kia Ora, Rani,

Most of you in Australia will be aware of the natural disasters impacting our country at present. Fires and floods have devastated many areas. It was heartbreaking to watch the small township of Tingha and the surrounding area be threatened by fire. And whilst the township itself was saved, there were properties lost. Tingha, just in case you don't know, is where I went on tour with the band a few years ago. It's a very special little community in Northern NSW. While politicians continue to debate whether or not climate change is real, everyday people are impacted by the results that the majority of experts agree on.

John Williamson - Rip Rip Woodchip - https://youtu.be/Eti99nV3gCk

George and his Junk Sculpture Jr. version of the band (where the total age of the rest of the band is almost less than George's!) are playing a gig at Beyond Q in Weston Creek on the 24th Feb at 5pm. It's $10 entry with all of the money going to help people in Tingha. Get along if you can.

George Huitker & Junk Sculpture - Tiny Tin Town - https://vimeo.com/259137287

Album 13/100 - Jack White - Lazaretto (2014)

(Note that this is not ranked number 13, it's just so that I can keep track of how many of the 100 albums I have listened to and reviewed.)

This one was great. I'm not a fan of The White Stripes (Jack's former band) and whilst bits and pieces of his other projects are OK they've never really held my interest. "Lazaretto", therefore, was a bit of a shock. There's a much fuller sound than is to be heard on a lot of Jack's other work and it works really well. If I had to describe this album then probably the closest I could get to a decent description is that it is a bit like a carnival. You know that there's a sleazy underbelly there, there's a myriad of different things to experience and there's an element of mystique as well. "Lazaretto" means quarantine house or leper colony if you like (Lazarus, get it?) and it's a perfect name for a rather eclectic album. If you enjoy fabulously fuzzed out guitar then it's here. Old time pianos, country tunes, accordions, rock and roll...it's all on this album. Lyrically, "Lazaretto" is quite a mixture. Jack White himself says that some of the lyrics were influenced by stuff he wrote at 19. One of my favourite lines is, "This light that shines on me tonight, turns on when you wander through my door" (Alone In My Home). Anyway, I think this is a great album and definitely one that will remain on my playlist. And in a world of ripoffs, Jack was cool enough to admit that his song "Three Women" was heavily influenced by Blind Willie McTell's "Three Women Blues" and to include him as a co-writer. The LP version has special features such as a different intro for one song depending on where you drop the needle and a hologram that appears while the record plays. That's groovy!

Jack White - Three Women - https://youtu.be/r_9jShtfV_g

Jack White - Alone In My Home (live) - https://youtu.be/fkYlZHC22vw 

Album 14/100 - Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

Jazz-rock apparently. This album sounds fantastic; obviously the engineers and band did a great job putting it together. It also appears in quite a few listings for top albums or essential listening. But I don't get it. "Aja" is like the best produced album of easy listening music you've ever heard. It's in the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone magazine has it in their Top 500 albums of all time list so I guess a few people out there like it, I'm just not one of them. I'm not saying that this is a bad album, far from it, it's just not for me. If you're looking for super smooth, laid back, West Coast style music then definitely give "Aja" a spin.

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues - https://youtu.be/YhQ5Dg6gdEw

Named after the previous track, Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop-rock band. Playing one of their tracks fits in nicely given the name reference as well as last week's swag of Scots artists. Deacon Blue have been around since 1985 and, apart from a short break in the mid 90s, are still playing music.

Deacon Blue - I Was Right and You Were Wrong - https://youtu.be/6pJF8yP8JrE

DJ ZedBoot has almost finished her studies to become a Paramedic. Yesterday she found out that she's been accepted to work for London Ambulance Service (yeah, the one in England). She'll be heading off in August and to say that her parents are proud would be a massive understatement. Congratulations Zoe!

The Clash - London Calling (live) - https://youtu.be/6vnltySrJ5U

DJ DJ sent me a book recently titled, "Led Zeppelin and Philosophy". It's a collection of seventeen chapters written by various authors that examine Led Zep and issues such as creativity, identity and the ritual experience of the rock concert. I've only just started to read it and it may take a while, but I'll let you know how it goes. I often find Led Zeppelin a difficult listen. No-one is doubting the talent and influence of them as a group but there's often something that leaves me a little underwhelmed. It's very hard to put my finger on it though. When they are full stem ahead I love it and it's the same in their folky acoustic moments. But there's other stuff, especially "Dazed and Confused" that I really don't like. Hopefully this book will give me some other perspectives and pathways to take with regards to the great band.

Led Zeppelin - Trampled Under Foot (live 1975) - https://youtu.be/HGFITl5mFvs

I played Rival Sons covering Olivia Newton John a few episodes (here if you missed it) because it was brilliant. The Long Beach band play great riff rock and roll and there's a Led Zep influence there which is evident without them being a copycat act. Whilst they are all great musicians, singer Jay Buchanan is really, really good. Here's a couple of tracks from a rock act that for some inexplicable reason isn't one of the biggest bands getting around today.

Rival Sons - Do Your Worst - https://youtu.be/Vx60Fsu-w9M

Rival Sons - Electric Man - https://youtu.be/wRfRIXg2spo

I went ahead and listened to more of Kacey Musgraves work over the past week. DJ ZedBoots also gave it her stamp of approval! Again, if country music devoid of the sweeter than saccharine gloss is your thing then give Kacey a spin. "...well if you're gonna find a silver lining, it's gotta be a cloudy day..."

Kacey Musgraves - Silver Lining (live) - https://youtu.be/fyFniNV4Ipg

DJ SlimHenry reminded me of the next band during the week. I remember being aware of them when the album was released in 2004 but didn't pay too much attention. On reflection that was a mistake. Dave Grohl recorded the majority of the instruments as a side project and included a heap of his rock and roll brethren to sing and play along. The lineup includes Lemmy (Motorhead), Max Cavalera (Sepultura), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) and Cronos (Venom). It's a ripper of a metal album. I've chosen the next track because usually I am not a fan of Jack Black's singing. However, this is him singing seriously for the most part and it's great. There's a language warning to go with this one.

Probot - I Am The Warlock (Jack Black vocals) - https://youtu.be/gd7TtQu8WeU

Nick Barker is playing a show in Melbourne soon to mark 25 years since the release of his great album, "Happy Man". This is one of my all time favourite records. Apparently he's planning on ruling a bit of a line under the record as, to be fair, he's still releasing great music with his current band The Heartache State. So, if you're in Melbourne then get along to the show at The Spotted Mallard on March 15th. Here's the most well known track and then another that I think is essential listening.

Barker - Time Bomb - https://youtu.be/uoqnAPDVPSo

Barker - Action Jackson - https://youtu.be/DfdQgDO_SNY

And that, my friends, is the end for another longwinded episode of the World Wide Woozle.

Rob

"The microphone explodes, shattering the moulds...", Bulls On Parade, Denzel Curry (RATM cover), Triple J, 2019.

World Wide Woozle episode #472

Hi everyone, here we go again! Plenty to read this time and, as always, more than the recommended daily intake of music.

I'm still scarred by the Bon Iver album I reviewed in the last episode. I have a fairly open mind when it comes to music so it's unusual to find such little enjoyment in a long player. I did go back for an extra listen just in case but my previous comments stand. As a result, I cheated a little bit this time around and selected two records I was more familiar with from the list of "100 albums you should own on vinyl". Here we go...

Album 11/100 - Guns 'n' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Everything possible has already been said and written about this album. It's the biggest selling debut long player of all time and that's despite lukewarm initial reviews especially in the USA. The record had five singles released from it with four of them going Top 10 in the USA. So, what is it about this album that's so good? Well, for 1987, it was something quite different. Rough, raw and bluesy rock that quite clearly lacked the studio gloss that permeated the airwaves from chart topping bands like Def Leppard, Starship and Heart. Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" also came out in 1987 but, whilst it's a great hard rock record in its own right, Guns 'n Roses were simply more dangerous, explosive and hungry.  "Appetite for Destruction" bristles with menace; with gritty guitars, insistent drumming and a unique vocal style that all fit together perfectly. They could play fast, they knew how to bring it down for one of the best ballads of all time but most of all Guns 'n' Roses were doing their own thing. If you fast forward to today and look what the band became it's almost a parody of itself, but in the late 80s they were the best hard rock band on the planet bar none.

Guns 'n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine - https://youtu.be/1w7OgIMMRc4

Guns 'n' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle - https://youtu.be/o1tj2zJ2Wvg

Album 12/100 - Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (1982)

Like most people of my age, other than hearing "Sultans of Swing" on the radio, our first real exposure to Dire Straits came with the release of their album "Brothers In Arms" in 1985. It heralded the new medium of the Compact Disc as well as recordings done purely on digital equipment. But "Love Over Gold" is by far my favourite Dire Straits album. It's the one I asked the music shop to let me test my new speakers with a few years ago. All I need to hear is the first few guitar notes of "Telegraph Road" and I know if a sound system is set to my liking. I guess if you were looking for classic radio hits in 1982 then this wasn't the album for you. The first song is just over 14 minutes long and the one that might be great for radio, "Industrial Disease", almost comes in at 6 minutes. That's an eternity in popular music. But Mark Knopfler and the band stuck to their guns it seems and put out the record they wanted to make. I'm sure it was a gamble to put this album out but you should be glad they did. Knopfler can't help sounding like no-one else on his electric or acoustic guitars. And no-one talk/sings like him either. The rest of the band do more than exist to complement their guitar anti-hero, they create a level of sonic ecstasy rarely heard. The album has parts of spit and bile as well as moments of tender reflection as well as humour. I have to say that I really like the cover photo as well; for me it links in well with the song "Telegraph Road". I will admit though that I only recently gave thought to the title of the album and listened more carefully to the track of the same name. Have a think about it yourself sometime; what's worth more? Money or integrity?

Dire Straits - Telegraph Road - https://youtu.be/jhcY6uUsStA

Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (live) - https://youtu.be/nKCpMDpSP8M

The Grammys were held in the past few days. Who cares? Usually I couldn't give a hoot. Since they decided that Jethro Tull deserved an award for Best Hard Rock/Metal over Metallica I've not paid attention. But this time around the winner of Album of the Year is a bit interesting. Kacey Musgraves is a country artist. Her album sold far fewer units than her competition for Best Album but it still won. Why? Well I hope it's because the judges realised that a good album is more than an impressive sales chart. She's new to me as well but on the strength of what I've heard so far I'll listen some more.

Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round - https://youtu.be/GZfj2Ir3GgQ

Kacey Musgraves - Wonder Woman - https://youtu.be/jYm0g2oxdUw

DJ iRob is compiling a playlist of the best in music from those born in Scotland. There's a heap to choose from and I was pretty chuffed that he asked me to play along. So...here's a few Scots artists. In all fairness, the criteria was that the band had to have someone Scots in it, not just be all from north of Hadrian's Wall!

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Midnight Moses - https://youtu.be/7PorTxFQKRY

Eric Bogle - Shelter - https://youtu.be/xc6GAFmXxAM

Marillion - Heart of Lothian - https://youtu.be/9pkyZhlK8Q0

Sheena Easton - Strut - https://youtu.be/uSp0kO-NBWw

Elvis Costello released a new album towards the end of 2018. Burt Bacharach is back as a co-writer on some of the tunes. Who can forget the epic moment of them playing together on screen in an Austin Powers movie? Anyway, this is Costello's first album since 2013 and he rarely fails to please. Give it a spin and tell me what you think. It's been on my playlist for a little while and shows no signs of being removed.

Elvis Costello - Under Lime - https://youtu.be/xMKkQtH75R8

Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello - I'll Never Fall In Love Again - https://youtu.be/6sbNQoGwXGg

Thinking back to Mark Knopfler, I wanted to play this next song. It's one of Pink Floyd's best known but apart from it being just a superb piece of music, the David Gilmour guitar solo is just awesome. Legions of guitar nerds have spent years and years trying to replicate this tone. Fish around on YouTube sometime and that's a wormhole you will find it hard to escape from. I've chosen this version on purpose as Gilmour sounds as good now (well, recently) as he did back in 1979. He's selling that black Strat too...amazing.

David Gilmour _ Comfortably Numb (live) - https://youtu.be/LTseTg48568

One of my school friends was lucky enough to go and see Do Re Mi play last week. For those of you unaware of the band; they were big in Australia in the 80s. If you enjoy music with a soul/funk/new wave beat coupled with strong female vocals then this is for you. I believe that Deborah Conway (vocals) is also doing a solo tour this year; certainly one to look out for.

Do Re Mi - Man Overboard - https://youtu.be/bDO5KwDBgy8

I had a bit of a listen to Ruby Fields last year. Then she slipped off my radar. Recently I heard/saw her doing a cover of The Church's "Unguarded Moment". Whilst I didn't really like the cover, I did go back and check out some of her original stuff. This is pretty cool I think.

Ruby Fields - Dinosaurs - https://youtu.be/l_s-AHJ7Rqg

That'll do. DJ ZedBoots is home tomorrow for a short spell so I'll see what she's been listening to. Fun times. I've also got some guitar licks to record for H and the band to go with a track we started recording in 1893.

Thanks for staying until the end...thing got a bit out of hand! Tune in next time for more.

Rob

"No sweeping exits
No Hollywood endings
Flowers and football tops
Don't mean a thing.", Flowers and Football Tops, Glasvegas, 2008

World Wide Woozle episode #471

Rock on everyone...it's time for another fun filled, excitement packed episode with yours truly spinning the tracks.

Firstly, thanks to all the well wishers who sent positive vibes my way following my adventures with a pinched nerve and the green whistle. I'm glad to say that I am much improved. My foot and lower leg are still a little bit numb but it's all definitely improving. I was back on my bike for the first time this morning for a cruisy 55km with DJ ChuckHighPants.

As is the norm of late, let's head straight into the two albums I listened to this week from the "100 albums you should own on vinyl" book.

Album 9/100 - Bon Iver (self titled, 2011)

I'll point out at the outset that this won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2012. I think it's horrible. At first I was almost drawn in by the lush instrumentation; it sounded good. And then they started singing. Or did they? I have no idea as any vocals are buried in great huge catherdral-esque amounts of reverb and double tracking. It's pretty much unintelligible for the whole album. Now, I've listened to a lot of Death Metal where growled, guttural vocals are the norm so I'm used to having to reach for a lyrics sheet. But Bon Iver are an Indie Folk band. I did my duty and listened to this album three times through and I can safely say that I never want to hear it again. It was musically dull, almost vanilla, and I've already complained about the vocals. Don't bother with this one.

Album 10/100 - Ella Fitzgerald - Like Someone In Love (1957)

This album was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Smooth, silky, emotional and sublime. Sure; most of the songs are now considered jazz standards but the musicianship and the vocal delivery is stunning. The introduction to the first track reminded me of the feeling I got as a kid when the Disney theme began. I don't know much about jazz but this is a great listen. If you found the Sinatra album a little hard to feel the beat with (as I did) then you'll enjoy this. 

Ella Fitzgerald - What Will I Tell My Heart - https://youtu.be/NQKn7rYPosg

After those two polar opposite listening experiences I'm almost scared to dip back into the book for another two long players!

The Specials have a brand new album called Encore. It was released on the 1st of February. Those of you unfamiliar with the band would do well to listen to their classic tracks such as "Ghost Town" and "Message To You Rudy". Formed in 1977, the band play their own take on Ska and 2 Tone music. If you know the band Madness then you're in the sonic ballpark. There are three original members of the band still playing but the sound is still spot on. The new record pulses, grooves and skanks all over the place making it impossible to keep your feet still. There are great squidgy bass and keyboard sounds, reggae wah guitar, a great brass section and drums to make you cry. It's that good. And that's before you get to the lyrics which are pure urban poetry put to music. They cover a wide range of topics including race, politics and gender and the band aren't afraid to say what they think. I'm all ready to head out and buy myself a pork pie hat and some loafers!

The Specials - BLM - https://youtu.be/A63FoJHjXjs

The Specials - Embarrassed By You - https://youtu.be/AUjpF8uaqWs

DJ Lozza let me know that (Johnny) Diesel is playing a charity gig at EPIC here in Canberra on 31 March. It's a gold coin donation with funds going to the Rise Above Cancer Convoy. Diesel is a great guitarist. So much so that Fender have created a Diesel Signature Fender Stratocaster. I reckon it'd definitely be worth throwing a few bucks in the charity bucket and seeing Diesel into the bargain.

Diesel - Don't Need Live (live) - https://youtu.be/g1AdblZ7Zk4?t=53

Canberra champions of all things heavy, Witchskull, have just released a new music video. If you like bands like Black Sabbath, Kyuss or even Soundgarden then check this out. Every time I listen to them I'm amazed that three guys can make such a huge sound. When they're in your town be sure to get out and see them. This is world class metal.

Witchskull - Breathing Blue Light - https://youtu.be/TlZjK5b58X8

As a result of a Tweet from Jason Isbell I ended up listening to the next song. Josh Ritter isn't someone I've heard of before but is now on my list to explore. This song sort of reminds me of the only Bob Dylan album I've liked so far (Slow Train Coming). Anyway, see what you think and let me know. There's a bit of a Tom Petty influence in there too I reckon.

Josh Ritter - Old Black Magic - https://youtu.be/37jimrogxMw

Bob Mould also has a new album about to be released (Sunshine Rock, Feb 8th). The single release is called Lost Faith and it's out now. I've at times found Bob either essential binge listening or the complete opposite. This single is true to his past work and will no doubt rekindle my enthusiasm for his back catalogue!

Bob Mould - Lost Faith - https://youtu.be/k5F-aj171QM

Finally, a shout out to my mate DJDeeDubya. He let me know that The Guardian has an email update service about music called Sleeve Notes. How I have missed out on this for years remains a mystery! They do tend to be a bit UK focussed but there's quite a good range of music articles and reviews there. Thanks!

Joe Jackson - Sunday Papers (live) - https://youtu.be/DZ3NDP-Qiak

Have a great week out there folks.

Rob

"...so you think I've got a funny face,

well I've got no worries..", Cum On Feel The Noize, Slade, 1973

World Wide Woozle episode #470

This week's episode is a bit late. This is for two reasons. One is that I was away Fri/Sat/Sun participating in a cycling event. And the other involved me, a pinched nerve, an ambulance and a lot of pain. Currently I'm full of a range of drugs to dull the pain between my glutes and my knee so please excuse me if I go off on a tangent! The other complicating factor is that I set my MacBook Air off on an update and thanks to the disaster that we call the NBN, it might take a while. Typing on the iPad is less than amusing.

Judas Priest - Painkiller - https://youtu.be/nM__lPTWThU

Album 7/100 - The Velvet Underground & Nico (self titled, 1967). 

Hate is a strong word. I hate racism and cruelty to animals. And whilst I don't hate this album, I do intensely dislike it. One review I read described it as an "intense collage of noise". For me a lot of it is simply noise with no redeeming factors. The guitar work often sounds like the equivalent of random atonal chicken scratching and the violin seems just there to offend. The drums evoke the sound of a three year old thumping wet cardboard boxes. Lou Reed has a good voice but here it's like he's trying to be the beat poet version of Dylan. And Nico...well her voice is passable but it's the lite version of so many others from that time. Put simply I don't understand the appeal of this album. 

The Velvet Underground & Nico - Sunday Morning - https://youtu.be/3qK82JvRY5s

Album 8/100 - Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)

One of the best band names ever. You can interpret it in any number of ways. 

This is the third album from the band and it's the one that garnered them mainstream popularity. You get hard rock, stoner rock, grunge and doom all mixed up with quite a light touch vocally. I think what sets QOTSA apart from many of their contemporaries is the vocals. They're often almost playful and in sharp contrast to the pounding rhythms. The album is also rather groovy as it includes commentary from a made up radio station. If you like Alice In Chains or Soundgarden then you'll like this. 

In 2017, singer, guitarist and band leader Josh Homme kicked a photographer's camera into her face at a gig. There's no excuse for that and other than for this review I refuse to listen to his music. 

QOTSA - God Is In The Radio - https://youtu.be/zzIfpkeHamw

On Saturday I rode in the Cadel Evans Road Ride which took place in Geelong. The course was 115km long and with kind weather and great company from my Northside Velo mates it was a great day out. It was also fantastic to catch up with current Australian Crit racing champion, Beck Wiasak and to watch the women's pro race in the afternoon. My Dad was also out on the course cheering us on (on the biggest hill imaginable!). If you're a cyclist then you should put this ride on your "must do" list. It's superbly organised and the course is a ripper. 

Kane Gang - Respect Yourself (live 1985) - https://youtu.be/9QGXa13kmos

Right then...New Year's resolutions. Usually I don't bother but this year is different. With the words of my former triathlon coach ringing in my ears I set out to train properly for something that I struggle with; chin ups. I've always been bad at them and in the Army I could do the bare minimum. So I set out to get some upper body strength. But, I went a bit hard too soon and twinged my back. It was just annoying for a few days and got much worse yesterday. This morning something happened and I was suddenly  immobilised and in agony. I rang the ambulance and Alison and they came quickly to help me out. The upshot is that I've probably pinched a nerve somewhere and I need to wait for it to relax. That's all fine but I can stand up but not lie or sit! It'll be a while before I go back to the chin up bar. 

Rollins Band - Your Number Is One - https://youtu.be/TKj7Wuy5QHU

Rival Sons are an American rock band from Long Beach CA. I spotted this rather magnificent cover version this morning. Great song and a really top effort. I hope Olivia Newton John sees it,

Rival Sons - Hopelessly Devoted To You (live acoustic) - https://youtu.be/uCLrmZ0eQW8

Weezer have just released a whole raft of cover versions. Perhaps inspired by the success of "Africa". They're good but not that far from the originals. I'm all for bands having fun and throwing in the odd cover but this seems a bit much. Especially when they write excellent songs of their own....such as this one:

Weezer - Perfect Situation - https://youtu.be/jwv-iRvyDZg

Years ago, after the death of my mate Glenn, I tried to get into Miles Davis as he'd been a big fan. But no, I can't do it and I've made a decent effort. There's only one album of his that I like and actually I really, really like it. The first time I heard it was on vinyl at a holiday house with my brother a few years ago. It's an album that I can put on anytime and I always enjoy it. Must get a vinyl copy one day!

Miles Davis - Concierto de Aranjuez pt 1 - https://youtu.be/CsWidlDldVk

I was searching Spotify for some new, or interesting, folk type music but all I got was the processed cheese version of country music...yawn! Even some alt-country could've been ok but it wasn't happening so I searched further afield. What's folk music? Well it's generally acoustic music where the story and lyrics are at the forefront. Think Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Woody Guthrie. Originally one of the main purposes of folk music was to pass stories through to subsequent generations. Billy Bragg and Steve Earle straddle the boundaries between folk, punk and country. Here are a couple of folk style tracks that might interest you.

Phil Ochs - When I'm Gone - https://youtu.be/PNp1kqnRw-U

Gillian Welch - Look At Miss Ohio (live 2004) - https://youtu.be/9NPEj63d0jY

Iron and Wine - Claim Your Ghost (live 2017) - https://youtu.be/EGlkhgK49hY

The Chief has reported in that he's been to see the Rolling Stones exhibition in Sydney. The pictures he sent looked very cool. If you want to get a good look at some rock and roll history then get along to to the show in Sydney before 3 Feb. It's your chance to see over 500 exhibits and a lot of Keith's Telecasters strung without the low E string!

The Rolling Stones - Happy (live 1978) - https://youtu.be/5MJlTFbxjY8

Have a great week folks. Hopefully I'll be able to sit down soon!

Rob

"Come down off the cross, we need the wood...", Come On Up To The House, Tom Waits, 1999.

World Wide Woozle episode #469

Regular readers and listeners may appreciate the fact that I have NOT been cold this week. Canberra, like most of Australia, has been subjected to heatwave conditions. Not only that but there was an earthquake this morning! DJ HighPantsToddo and I were out cycling and we thought a truck had dropped its load or something similar. Nope; it was an earthquake!

Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move (live) - https://youtu.be/5BAImmeHEIA

Onwards dear friends...here are the two long players from the "100 albums you must own on vinyl" that I listened to this week.

Album 5/100 - Oasis - Definitely Maybe

This one landed in record stores in August 1994 and was a #1 hit in the UK album charts. It's not hard to understand why this happened either as it's a great rock and roll record. Despite the fact that the recording sessions involved a number of failed attempts to capture the sound they were looking for, the final result is an upbeat, in your face album that sounds like a band playing for all they are worth. Kudos to Owen Morris (producer) for being able to take recordings that the band were unhappy with and turn them into a bonafide hit record. On first listen I was taken by the full sound but not convinced by the songs themselves. Perhaps this is as a result of being more familiar with Oasis' second album, "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?". On subsequent listens, and remembering that this is a debut album, there's no doubt that it probably should count as a seminal work. Certainly it launched a whole generation of Brit-indie-rock music and bands. And you have to admire the confidence of a band who, on track one of their debut outing, sing, "tonight...I'm a rock and roll star".

Oasis - Rock And Roll Star - https://youtu.be/wjx8wSc2cTQ

Album 6/100 - Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

This one is the second album from the Canadian band and was released in 2007. It was a more difficult listen than Oasis as I had no familiarity with the band at all. When you know that the band bought an old church and renovated it as a recording studio some of the sounds make sense. Or at least they do to me. There's a lot of what sounds like a church organ in there. Arcade Fire put out quite a varied release here and f I had to describe their sound to someone I'd probably say that they sound like a mixture of U2, Queens of the Stone Age, The Cure and Roxy Music. Sometimes vocalist Win Butler sounds like a young Bono. Arcade Fire seem equally at home with slower, quiet tunes as they do with almost anthemic numbers and this turned out to be an album that was much more accessible than I thought it would be.

Arcade Fire - My Body Is A Cage - https://youtu.be/Jdve08cG3pE

Dream Theater have released a new single from their upcoming album, "Distance Over Time". For a band that sometimes seem to stray into the "I'll play all the scales I can in a random order" this is a really focussed track. Even though it's over seven minutes long it never seems overblown. If this is representative of the new album, which lands on February 22nd, then prog-rock heads everywhere will be happily banging to all sorts of time signatures.

Dream Theater - Fall Into The Light - https://youtu.be/JFxH4kky6z4

I was expecting at least one comment about the Gary Clark Jr. track that ended last week's episode. Interesting. Maybe you all missed it. A ripper of a tune with an unmistakable message.

Tomorrow (Saturday 19th) DJ ZedBoots is hopping on a plane for her trip to Nepal. Yep, another disaster prone area! She's there with a group called the Wild Medic Project providing health support in a village about 45km out of Kathmandu. It sounds like a great trip and another amazing experience to have under her belt. If she can just make it home without needing to be rescued that'd be great. Before she left, Zoe had to submit a university assignment. She likes giving them interesting titles with references to a song or album (wonder where she got that from?) Anyway, I'm sure her lecturer will enjoy, "Reign In Blood: A Review of Tranexamic Acid Use During Postpartum Haemorrhage" as much as we enjoyed choosing the title!

Slayer - Raining Blood - https://youtu.be/Kyw-GQHWoTI 

Yep, we know that the track is called "Raining Blood" and the album is "Reign In Blood". Relax all you Heavy Metal pedants!

Steve Earle released an album of Townes Van Zandt songs a few years ago. In March he'll bless us all with a new long player of Guy Clark tunes. Steve played bass in Guy's band in 1974 and regularly names him as one of his most significant influences. Here's the first single. It's great to hear Steve's diction has improved from some recent releases. This is an album I'll definitely be looking forward to as Steve is one of my biggest influences.

Steve Earle & The Dukes - Dublin Blues - https://youtu.be/wrNWrG385hg

I watched the movie, "Dumplin'" recently. If you like "coming of age" films then this is for you. I quite enjoyed some of it, especially the Dolly Parton soundtrack. "Joelene" is one of my favourite songs but I'll never forget playing this next one - the rhythm at the start always made me feel as if I was playing in "Dr Teeth & The Electric Mayhem" (the band from The Muppet Show)!

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 - https://youtu.be/UbxUSsFXYo4

SBS TV have been good enough to keep airing replays of their most excellent show "RockWiz". Sometimes I even get the answers to some of the questions correct! Lately I saw an episode where they had Dr G. Yunupingu playing one of his songs. Although I know how amazing his voice is, it's always a treat to watch him play and sing live. For those that aren't aware of him, G is an Indigenous Australian who was blind from birth. He plays the guitar left handed but strung for a right hander. And he has a voice that, if there is a God, came straight from him/her. Sadly G passed away in 2017 at age 46.

G. Yunupingu - Djilawurr (live) - https://youtu.be/AyppTLuJm14

I'm off to Geelong next weekend to ride, with some friends, in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Ride. The ride, not the race. It's an excellent 115km course that loops out through Barwon Heads and uses some of the course that the World Cycling Championships were on a few years back. So, if next week's episode is a little late you know why. I'm out cycling as well as being a fanboy at the race itself!

Joey Scarbury - Believe It Or Not - https://youtu.be/WqF5M7IK7I0

Have a great week everybody,

Rob

"I like the way you copped your stuff from Sticky Fingers..." - I Love Living In The City, Danko Jones, 2003

World Wide Woozle episode #468

Here we all are again for another exciting instalment of the World Wide Woozle. Music to engage, motivate and perhaps irritate; who knows. Whether it's the soundtrack to your life or a tune that leads you elsewhere I hope that you enjoy this episode.

Let's start with the two albums from the "100 albums you must own on vinyl". Mathematics was never my strongest subject, in fact my Year 12 teacher was amazed that I passed. So was I. With 52 weeks in a year and 100 albums to get through it seems as though one a week won't be enough. Accordingly, this week I spent time with two long players. Here we go…

Album 3/100 - Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life

Not having ever been a huge fan of Stevie's work I wasn't totally sure what to expect. Would it be super cool and funky a la "Superstition" and "Higher Ground" or would I be doomed to an hour or so of schmaltzy, easy listening love songs like "I Just Called To Say I Love You". Both would be a fair answer. I must admit that after the first two tracks I was ready to call off the 100 albums challenge in favour of having needles stuck in my groin but I persevered. And a good thing I did as track 3 is an absolute gem. There's a lot going on musically for the not so casual listener. Stevie's wonderfully busy keyboard skills are on show as is his harmonica playing. For me though the album isn't particularly cohesive. There are definitely lyrical themes that make their way into many tracks and they certainly add a lot of impact. But overall I didn't enjoy it as an album. Plenty of good songs and a few easy listening fillers.

Stevie Wonder - Village Ghetto Land - https://youtu.be/sGOQTRvVaYo

Album 4/100 - The Jam - Sound Affects

My method for choosing albums out of the book is to flick through the pages with my eyes closed and wherever it opens I'm stuck with. Sound Affects was the fifth out of six albums for The Jam. I've always thought of the band as an arty version of punk and this album reinforces that. You get the energy of contemporaries like Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and the like with a wider range of sounds and lyrical content. I thought that many of the tracks on Sound Affects would be at home on a record by The Clash. The production is excellent and the bass in particular was a highlight for me providing an excellent counterpoint to the guitar and vocals. The well known track, "That's Entertainment" is on this LP but it almost doesn't fit in. I certainly enjoyed this record (I'd never heard it before) and wouldn't hesitate to go back to it.

The Jam - Set The House Ablaze - https://youtu.be/dv7_p7c19VM

For the rest of the episode I'd like to play you a few tracks that I will refer to as "guilty pleasures". They're probably never going to be the critics' choices but they're the ones I like to sing along to in the car. What I'm saying is that these are songs that make me feel good.

Firstly, Diana Ross' "Chain Reaction". This is a killer track with all the hallmarks of an 80s Motown hit. You get the flawless vocals, epic key changes and a huge chorus. This one was playing at the coffee shop I was at with DJ ZedBoots today and I was nodding my head and humming the tune for the rest of the day.

Diana Ross - Chain Reaction - https://youtu.be/X_9N1u19Gus

Van Halen's classic album, "1984", was released this week in (you guessed it) 1984. 35 years on it still stands the test of time as one of their finest. I think the self titled release is their best followed by "5150". I'll let others fight out who the best singer is. I like them both. "1984" is definitely an album to play in the car. It's the sound of a great party on a warm evening bottled up and released on vinyl. This is my favourite track…

Van Halen - Panama - https://youtu.be/fuKDBPw8wQA

Fans of the TV comedy, "The Young Ones" and "Bottom" will understand my love for the band Bad News. They're so bad that they're good. They released an album and a single in the 80s as well as appearing at Donington's Monsters of Rock festival. If low brow humour including loads of toilet jokes, swearing and general hilarity are your thing then get a copy of Bad News. Truth be told, if you've ever been in a band there's no doubt you'll identify with a lot of what goes on! It's on Spotify too. Extra points if you can guess the guest guitarist on this track without phoning a friend or Googling…no-one else sounds like him.

Bad News - Drink 'Til I Die - https://youtu.be/5Angg8rJlDI

I don't often dream of being the frontman in a band but this is one song that makes me wish I had the pipes to do so. One we never played in Junk Sculpture's run of Oil's shows but that I'd love to do if we ever did a reunion show. Check out the hard tremolo effect on the guitar at the start - such an iconic Oils sound.

Midnight Oil - Armistice Day (live) - https://youtu.be/nNVCR39dX0o

Lastly; Steve Earle. "Guitar Town" was, and is, an album that inspires me. For a major label debut it is almost flawless. Great songs, well recorded and delivered with hunger and conviction. Whilst I have a soft spot for almost all of Steve's work, this album is particularly special. It's one that has helped dig me out of some deep holes in the past. "But when my boots hit the boards I'm a brand new man, with my back to the riser I make my stand"

Steve Earle - Guitar Town - https://youtu.be/AINUPFbFpqg

And just in case you were looking for something new this week…a song of genuine beauty and gentleness. These guys went to the same school as me, just a bit more recently!

Wolf and Willow - Into The Night - https://youtu.be/yEGXHMz01kc

Rock on Brothers and Sisters,

Rob

"....this is where I come from...this land is mine...", This Land Is Mine, Gary Clark Jr., 2019

World Wide Woozle episode #467

No doubt you're all madly working away at New Year's resolutions, breaking them or simply avoiding them altogether. The obsessive part of my personality says, "woo hoo; what madness can we get up to?", whilst the realist (much less of that I must admit) is telling me to chill and be kind to myself and those around me. I'll do my best.

I've made one decision though and hopefully it benefits all in some small way. You see, H gave me a book entitled, "100 Greatest Albums you should own on vinyl". I've had a bit of a read and there are some worthy additions and some that I find highly questionable. More often than not, however, the article is simply about the album and not why it's supposedly essential on vinyl. I find it hard to reconcile that an album recorded totally on a digital platform would be any better on vinyl than it is on CD. Music recorded on analogue equipment is another story. But, it's a decent list and a lot of the information is interesting. So, for 2019 I'm going to try and listen to all 100 albums at least once and give you a few words on each here at the World Wide Woozle. The book is in chronological order but I'm going to take a more random approach to selecting what to listen to. Well, except for the first one...I thought I'd start at the beginning for that.

Album 1 - Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours

This one is from 1955 and you get value for money with sixteen tracks. I'm unfamiliar with Sinatra other than hearing a few classics on radio and TV. Recorded in mono, this album is mellow and warm yet dark with most of the songs having lyrics about depression, loneliness and lost opportunities. The instrumentation is sometimes sparse but always tasteful. Frank's voice is smooth, splendid and makes me feel like I'm listening much earlier than the 1950s. There are some tracks that I found quite hard to follow as there is almost a complete lack of a beat but that's the style I guess. If Leonard Cohen could sing like Sinatra he might have made this album.

Frank Sinatra - Mood Indigo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aWMFBbSpMY

In March 1991 I saw Billy Joel play in Sydney on his "Stormfront" tour. I remember becoming a fan of his when the double live cassette "Kohuept" album (live in the USSR) was released. As a result I knew most of the songs played and it was a great show. I'm playing this song because the lyrics reference (I assume) the previous song in this episode.

Billy Joel - Stormfront (live) - https://youtu.be/j1KWxRRSLOg

My Mum gave me a book by Billy Connolly to read. She'd had the joy of receiving three copies for Christmas! It's a light and easy read about the highlights of his life. Sadly, Billy has Parkinson's Disease and it is starting to take its toll. The book is called "Made In Scotland" and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in Connolly or in fact, in Scotland in general. I knew he wrote this song but didn't realise that it was one of his earlier compositions.

Billy Connolly - I Wish I Was In Glasgow - https://youtu.be/JgPFEYH9y-Q

Spotify, like Google and Facebook, collects all manner of data about your online activity. Some of it is even put to good use. I enjoyed checking out the list of songs that I'd listened the most to in 2018 as there were some surprises in there. Discounting the million or so times I played a couple of tunes I was trying to learn to play I'm happy to say that my selection remains reasonably eclectic. The Preatures are up there with Judas Priest, Drive-By-Truckers, Deborah Conway and Thunder. Throw in some Rainbow, Extreme, ELO, Isbell, Stryper, Beatles and Giuda and that's a pretty good playlist. I've chosen two from the list to play. First up is Thunder and I've chosen it for the simple reason that it has one of the best recorded electric guitar tones ever (oh, and it's a great song too)...

Thunder - Amy's On The Run - https://youtu.be/zH_yIcEzFOI

Second is The Preatures. For me, they are my favourite band that I got into during 2018. I'm looking forward to them releasing something new and touring again. Mega-thanks to Sarah for talking me into going along to the show.

The Preatures - Mess It Up - https://youtu.be/6GUT1IfUMic

Among those artists we lost in 2018, Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries was one of the biggest. I saw a video of Keith Urban paying tribute to her by playing some of this song and was reminded just how powerful music can be.

The Cranberries - Zombie - https://youtu.be/6Ejga4kJUts

I was at a cafe today with Alison and the staff kept pressing "NEXT" on whatever device they were playing their music through. That's just bloody annoying. We'd get the first few bars of a song and then, ping, onto the next track. It's OK at your house, in your car or on your headphones but not when others are listening. Grrrrrr! At least they didn't click past this one...

AC/DC - Back In Black - https://youtu.be/pAgnJDJN4VA

If you believe what you read then "Back In Black" is Angus Young's favourite tune to play. Fingers crossed that the new album, whenever it appears, is a cracker!

That's enough for one week. I'll leave you with a great tune from Otis Clay. You might have heard the Bob Seger or John Farnham version but this one is just fantastic.

Otis Clay - Tryin' To Live My Life Without You - https://youtu.be/wcPe4ale96U

Bye,

Rob

"...don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years" - Wasted Years, Iron Maiden, 1986