World Wide Woozle episode #602

Hi everyone, the rock and roll express is leaving now so dodge the ticket inspector and climb aboard!

Yesterday I had my fifth Covid injection. It didn't even hurt. But at about 9pm I started to feel really, really weird so I called it a night and went to bed. What followed was no fun at all. There's no need for me to whinge any more about it but let's just say that it was a relief after lunch today when I started to feel almost normal again. Still, I'd rather have all that than a dose of Covid.

Queensryche - The Needle Lies - https://youtu.be/9iVan8egsxw

Jimmy Barnes has teamed up with some rather well known rockers for an album and band called The Barnestormers. The first single is a Johnny O' Keefe classic that some of you will know from the Iggy Pop cover. What I really like about this track other than the undeniable energy is that it may be the first time I've ever heard Jools Holland play piano on something where he isn't completely overplaying and musically verbose. His work here is stellar.

The Barnestormers - Real Wild Child - https://youtu.be/s2AeE7kVdmA

I got sidetracked by the Bee Gees this week into listening to some soul and funk music. And then this popped up. Queen is a band that I reckon you need to be very brave (or foolish) to attempt to cover. Scary Pockets have hit this one out of the park (or for six if you like). It's like James Brown and The Black Crowes had a baby. 

Scary Pockets - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - https://youtu.be/lCnZCGl9qjw

Alice Cooper fans should be quite excited as he's about to release the classic albums KIller (1971) and School's Out (1972) with remastered sound, live extras and more. I got to experience Alice playing live here in Canberra a few years ago now. That guy with the makeup, dressed in leather and a straitjacket, waving a sword around and being guillotined on stage is also a tee totalling, born again Christian golfing fanatic. 

Alice Cooper - Gutter Cat vs. The Jets (live 1990) - https://youtu.be/qM9IvInEsPg

I've been watching a TV series called Rogue Heroes. It's a very recent dramatisation about David Stirling and the founding of the Special Air Service. It's a slightly irreverent look at the whole thing and that approach works well. There are definite serious moments too. Other than being well written (based on a book) and cast, the soundtrack is great. One of the first songs you hear in the whole thing is AC/DC's Live Wire. There's a definite hard rock vibe throughout the series alongside some period correct music including the inimitable George Formby! If you're in Australia it's available on SBS' streaming service which is free.

AC/DC - Live Wire (live from Atlantic Studios, 1977) - https://youtu.be/ylX1zKcfq0g

George Formby - Out In The Middle East - https://youtu.be/2KqUFSTkeqE

I was rather chuffed to get a vinyl copy of King Stingray's album from Angus for my birthday. It's on bright lime green vinyl as well. Unlike the CD, the LP comes with a lyric sheet and explanations of the songs. This is a good thing as many of them are in the Yolngu language. It's a fantastic album for making you feel good about life.

King Stingray - Lupa - https://youtu.be/3x1Yry8HucA

That'll do for another episode. Thanks for listening.

The Woozle

"But I don't ride in no fast car, I ride in a bus.

You can stick your Mercedes right on up your arse..."

The Mark of Cain, Degenerate Boy (X cover), 1997.

World Wide Woozle episode #601

Welcome back and thanks for reading and listening along with me. Tinkerbell isn't here to tell you what to do but I'm sure we'll all cope just fine.

In the last week I've made a concerted effort to listen to new music that I probably would have ignored in the past. I got onto a mailing list from a little record shop in NZ and their lists of recommendations are particularly well thought out; so much so that I present the next track to you. It's all the way from NZ but the influences are very clear. Nile Rogers (Chic) is on guitar on a few tracks as well. Play this one if you enjoy New Order, Spandau Ballet or Bowie. To be honest with you I've spun this album about five times now and it gets better with every listen.

Jonathon Bree - Pre-Code Hollywood - https://youtu.be/RCv1OC4Z1n8

Sabaton have just released an EP called Stories From The Western Front. If you enjoy their particular brand of power metal combined with a keen interest in history then you won't be disappointed. The lead single is a cover of Motorhead's track 1916. I think they've done a good job. Each version is quite different with the original being stark and emotional. Sabaton have added their trademark sound and production but the song still hits home. You might spot the two surviving members of Motorhead in the clip too. 

Sabaton - 1916 - https://youtu.be/HgGhhnQB1gw

The band We Will Ride Fast describe themselves as psychedelic post punk. I'm really not sure what that means, maybe Iggy Pop songs sung by the mailman whilst he wears a Pink Floyd shirt? Regardless, the noise they make is interesting and it held my attention for longer than a couple of songs. They are another band from NZ making music that's left of centre. Very cool indeed. Maybe there's something in the water.

We Will Ride Fast - Bing Bong Dong - https://youtu.be/nPcssvgebgg

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have a new album due to drop in June. As is the way of the world, the album is recorded but we have to wait through a few months of single releases, new articles and the like. Here's the second release. Not only is Isbell a fantastic guitar player but he's a wordsmith as well. I can feel the story of whoever it is he's singing about and evoking that kind of emotion is a rare talent. 

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Middle of the Morning - https://youtu.be/zSI0uuKGhTk

Regular readers will know that I really quite like the ABBA / Scooby Doo metal mashup that is Ghost. They're about to release an EP that includes this little gem. Fans of progressive rock or middle of the road boredom may recognise it as one of Genesis' more excellent tracks (ie: not one of their MOR yawn fests). The original is here.

Ghost - Jesus He Knows Me - https://youtu.be/BE3kJeBr9QI

Steve Earle is doing a solo acoustic tour which sadly doesn't include Australia. That's a real shame. I get it, we're a long way away and touring is expensive but for one guy and a guitar maybe he could reconsider. The last time I saw him in Sydney the venue was pretty much sold out and extremely enthusiastic.

Steve Earle - The Galway Girl (live) - https://youtu.be/CqI6slo_IWg

It's a birthday week here with Angus hitting 25 and me somehow reaching 52. I'm very fortunate to have good friends to lean on because on days like these it's terrible being the only one left in Canberra. Angus has had a big few weeks including being concussed at football, getting reported and sent off as well as locking himself in an electrical cupboard at work by mistake. How he ever made it to a quarter of a century is a mystery! 

Lastly, Painters and Dockers are playing in Sydney (at The Factory in Marrickville) on Saturday July 29th. I'm planning on going. If anyone else out there is keen to come along for what promises to be a great evening then please let me know soon so that I can secure tickets and prepare to "Dock On".

Painters and Dockers - Die Yuppie Die (live) - https://youtu.be/ATi9d76vWCw

That's all folks. Rock on.

The Woozle.

"All the kings and queens in the Bible

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

Paul Kelly, If I Could Start Today Again, 1997.

World Wide Woozle episode #600

Hi everyone and welcome to the 600th episode of the World Wide Woozle. 

For those that came in late; this all started in 2008 with a small email list and one song a week. Since then it's rolled along, gathered moss, been cancelled and restarted twice, and provided me with a lot of joy. Thanks for playing along. So it's a happy 15th birthday I guess. 

A couple of weeks ago now I was fortunate enough to get along to the Street Theatre here in Canberra to see John Schumann & The Vagabond Crew play what turned out to be a particularly awesome show. The current tour is a retrospective of John's work with the iconic Australian band, Redgum. DJ SAB had organised the tickets and, for the first time in my memory, I was in the front row! John and the band played for almost two and half hours and at the end, it felt as if we'd only just started. I'm not sure I expect to see professional touring musicians struggling to find the music charts on their iPads though. Regardless, it was a great gig and it felt as if the band enjoyed themselves as much as we did in the audience. Redgum's music, the collision of folk and popular stuff, was important to me growing up and it still has a lot to say.

Redgum - Gladstone Pier - https://youtu.be/ENt45zn_Ha4

George (aka Bing); my good mate, music advisor, twice landlord and all around legend has released a new album and it's a ripper. The Perfect Thing To Do sees George and his collaborators in what I think is his most focussed collection of songs. That's certainly not meant to detract from any of his previous long players, but this one really hangs together, for me, as a complete body of work. It's one to listen to non-stop. I've watched as George has moved from demos (and gigs) recorded on a phone, to his embryonic efforts whilst learning to use Garageband and now the way he uses the music software Logic as another instrument and extension of himself. These eight tunes are all catchy in their own way and, for those willing to take more than a fleeting moment, they provide much to think about inside the lyrics. I'm biased, of course, as I appear in the background on a couple of tracks and I heard most of these tunes (over and over and over) as they were being recorded and mixed. The Perfect Thing To Do represents about a year of hard work, give it a good listen because it really is a grand collection of songs.

George Huitker & Junk Sculpture - Brother From Another Mother - https://georgehuitker.bandcamp.com/track/brother-from-another-mother

Independent, emerging and self-funded artists need all the support we can give them. The reality is that listening to all the music you like, essentially for free, using Spotify, YouTube or whatever your poison is, means that many artists either go broke trying to get their music out there or simply can't manage it. So, I implore you to listen and then cough up for some of the music that you like. Or go to a show and buy the album (or a shirt). Otherwise we're doomed to whatever big corporations decide can be in the Top 40 alongside all the old stuff from when people actually cared about music.

Teenage Dads - Video Killed The Radio Star - https://youtu.be/a-aSv9UIOEU

I've been slowly working my way towards having enough original songs to record my own album. And I'm almost there. A couple of weeks ago a new song popped into my head whilst I was doing some work. I had to drop everything for a few minutes, pick up the guitar and write it down and record the melody so I wouldn't forget it. I sat on a rough demo for a week or so, tweaked a few words here and there and then recorded a proper demo a few days ago now. You can have a listen at the link below if you're brave (all my recordings are here). Remember that it's a demo recorded in a living room, on my eight year old Mac, with everything played by me. My aim is to get all my songs recorded properly before too long. And whilst I'll try to write something a bit more upbeat, the truth is that if I sit and try to write something it simply doesn't work. I need some kind of inspiration like a phrase or a couple of chords and then suddenly it all spills out. This tune came from a quote I read on Instagram combined with hearing about someone having a bit of a hard time. Tell me what you think.

Rob - Infinite - https://soundcloud.com/robwoozle/infinite

Right then, humour me in episode 600 as I play tunes you've no doubt heard before. These are a few of my absolute favourites. 

Let's start with a fun song that has one of the best ever guitar solos in it.

Lionel Richie - Dancing On The Ceiling - https://youtu.be/ovo6zwv6DX4

And then there's this one. When I realised how simple the main riff is I was very pleased with myself. It's fun to play...loud.

Queen - Tie Your Mother Down - https://youtu.be/LvB2MnIIdMw

Finally, the song that has saved me from many, many bad days. I first heard the cover version by The Proclaimers (which is sublime) but the original has a rawness and grit that moves me. I recorded this myself on a cassette many years ago when I was extremely sad. The tape is long gone but I should try it again one day.

Steve Earle and The Dukes - My Old Friend The Blues (live) - https://youtu.be/VGkHnMtp_MU

Thanks to everyone who's still reading these. The honest truth is that writing and sharing music with all of you really helps keep me mentally on the straight and narrow.

The Woozle

"You've got to try a little kindness
Yes, show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness

Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets"

Glen Campbell, Try A Little Kindness, 1969,

World Wide Woozle episode #599

Hello out there and welcome back.

The songs in this episode are a playlist of songs that Todd and I inflicted on an audience last Saturday night. I'll also include the few that I played solo.

Choosing songs for a gig whether originals or cover versions isn't easy. I went through a huge list in my head and in conversation with Toddo before we settled on the ones we eventually rehearsed and played. There were some that simply didn't work, some that we couldn't sing and of course plenty that I couldn't play. Add to that the fact that we were hoping to be relatively entertaining and the list grew and shrank on an almost daily basis. I have to recognise my mate Todd for putting up with me but also for rehearsing like there was no tomorrow. Kudos to you brother.

First up came a couple of Beatles tunes. Todd is one of the biggest Beatles fans I have ever known and he chose these. I'd played them both before at a New Year's Eve show back in the dim dark ages before the ANU ripped down one of the most awesome venues ever. Regardless, they were both a lot of fun to play as well as to work out how to manage them with just two acoustic guitars.

The Beatles – Piggies – https://youtu.be/t0nzZ8-kIf0

The Beatles – Two of Us – https://youtu.be/cLQox8e9688

Toddo chose the next one as well and it was new to me. I've never really listened to The Cure but I like this song so maybe I should spend some time with their back catalogue. It took us quite a while to find a key to play this in that we could both sing comfortably and in tune.

The Cure – Inbetween Days – https://youtu.be/scif2vfg1ug

A while ago I played my first solo show for some friends. I included a range of guest stars and Todd was there to help me perform the next track. So it made sense to reprise it. We did dump the guitar solo though because we were a bit worried about overstaying our welcome!

The Beatles - Hey Bulldog – https://youtu.be/M4vbJQ-MrKo

I've wanted to play the next song for absolutely ages. I figured though that without a piano and a bass guitar that it really wouldn't work. We tried it anyway and the fortunate thing was that, even though this was probably the hardest song for Todd to sing, it was the one he did the best. This one was tons of fun!

The Whitlams – You Sound Like Louis Burdett – https://youtu.be/03yeNNtSJco

Originally we were going to play When Love Comes To Town by U2 and BB King but when we rehearsed it, to be frank, it was a little bit dull. It needs a whole band I think. We arrived at a Johnny Cash song when I was showing Todd a different picking pattern. And of course, almost everyone knows the words to it.

Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues - https://youtu.be/89q3zN1Aa9Q

My last song for the evening with Toddo was by Green Day. He's a fan, I'm a fan and this song is one I always come back to. Learning the lyrics was interesting because a lot of them turned out to be not what either of us had been singing for years! Listen along with a lyrics sheet perhaps.

Green Day – The Grouch - https://youtu.be/p-LWwzbUXBc

It's almost a year to the day since I played this song at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. I wasn't going to play it at this show but I wanted to include an original and Todd encouraged me to do it as well. I think I might need to get around to getting a decent recording done.

Rob Marshall - One's Too Many - https://on.soundcloud.com/gVF5D

I've written about the next song here before.  It really hits home with me on a number of levels. Again, if you get a chance to see the documentary about Glen Campbell and the album and tour around this song then it's time well spent.

Glen Campbell – A Better Place - https://youtu.be/YzrugsDTKpw

Having seen Billy Bragg recently I was determined to play one of his songs. Lots of them are relatively easy to play but I just can't sing them. I think I struggled with this one a bit, I probably had it in the wrong key, but it's a great song. As I said on the night, this one is for anyone who thinks that Putin is a Communist.

Billy Bragg – The World Turned Upside Down – https://youtu.be/SWRpl2S9iwk

This set was a support slot for George and the band as the main act so I wanted to get people singing along and energised. The chorus of this song is perfect for that and it seemed to work.

Redgum – Long Run – https://youtu.be/FLrJa-fKIvw

So there you have it. The songs we played…

I'd like to say a huge thanks to George and the band for having us along and including me in a few songs in their set too. And also to the people who were at the show, didn't throw things at us, and sang along even when we fooled them with a song we were NEVER going to be able to play. Todd and I have another show tentatively booked so watch this space for details and we'll get to learning a few more tunes.

Marty, mate, if you're reading this; much love to you brother.

Rock on,

The Woozle

"When's it gonna be my turn?
Don't forget me
When's it gonna be my turn?
Open me up, tell me you like me..."

Lana Del Rey, Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard, 2022.

World Wide Woozle episode #598

Hello out there all you radio fans.

Bon Jovi - Blame It On The Love of Rock 'n' Roll - https://youtu.be/VZxZAhX9gfk

It has not been a great few days. On Tuesday evening I decided that the time was right to put a new car seat cover in my car. It required all sorts of contortions from me to get all the straps sorted out. The next morning as I got into the vehicle my back decided that all that twisting had made it angry and it decided to spasm and then be very sore. Stupid back. As a result I've spent the past few days popping anti-inflammatories and doing more stretching than a bendy toy. I was back on the bike this morning (Saturday) for a very gentle 50km and I'm just a bit tight now rather than sore. I guess I'll keep working on it and also add some more glute/hamstring/hip flexor moves into my heavy metal yoga routine! Seriously though, those few days really challenged my mental health. A couple of years ago it would've been much, much worse but my resilience is a lot better than it was and I got through it almost unscathed! Onwards.

Rose Tattoo - We Can't Be Beaten - https://youtu.be/dIhRZNHuWlo

Rose Tattoo play tonight in Canberra and I had thought I would go. At the moment I think that discretion will be the better part of valour however, and I won't take a chance with my back by standing up for a couple of hours. It's a shame but at least I did see them not that long ago at the same venue.

I've already mentioned the fact that I'm playing a few songs next Saturday (18 March) at the Artists Shed in Fyshwick. The evening starts at 7pm sharp with Susan reading some of her poetry followed by Todd and I murdering a few songs that you'll probably know and then George and his band raising the musical standard of the evening! Come along for a great night. There's also part 2 of the show on Sunday afternoon with Sam talking about art, Brownie and H busking out tunes and then George and the band doing a different set. Come along and be part of the community.

Dave Fenley - Stand By Me (cover) - https://youtu.be/RPpL5wDADMQ

Years ago I bought an album by City and Colour on the strength of one song. It's a beautiful album and I will admit I got a shock to discover that it was the same vocalist as in Alexisonfire. Very different! Dallas writes heartfelt and moving songs and his vocal delivery can be heartbreaking. This is a brand new single and I'll be looking out for the album as well. If the title doesn't indicate a language warning on this one then you should pay more attention.

City and Colour - F***ed It Up - https://youtu.be/GXi-td4mjac

I made a pact with myself quite a while now to no longer rant here, or on social media. The reason was two-fold. Firstly, it really doesn't make a difference. No-one's mind is going to be changed by my raving loony, left wing, hippy thoughts. And secondly, all it did was make me more grumpy. I made a conscious decision years ago to be as chilled as possible. It doesn't matter if someone cuts in front of you in traffic. The kids at the mall are just being kids. That guy with the pink hair probably likes having pink hair. I'm comfortable wearing shorts and a flanny almost everywhere regardless of what anyone thinks. There is one thing that has started to get under my skin recently and I thought I might air it here to see if I'm just an old fuddy duddy or if my concerns are shared. Let me give you some examples...

"Excited to say that..."

"Decided to go to..."

"Had a great time representing..."

Can you see it? What has happened to sentences? Are we so lazy that we always drop the first word? "I'm excited to say that...." or "I decided to go..." or "We had a great time...". How am I meant to know who the sentence is about without the first bit? And don't get me started on how people hold a pen either. That's it, I'm going back to a quiet life.

Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On - https://youtu.be/rjOhZZyn30k

Finally, it seems as though Sleaford Mods will indeed be coming to Australia before too long. The UK duo have had New Zealand dates for ages now and had to open a second show in Auckland. They aren't a band that I'd listen to every day but I'd be keen to experience them in a live setting. It's gritty, honest music. 

Sleaford Mods - UK GRIM - https://youtu.be/loiI8M3U7gA

Rock on brothers and sisters,

The Woozle

"If I could start again

A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way..."

Johnny Cash, Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover), 2002.

World Wide Woozle episode #597

Kia Ora, I'm back from holidays.

New Zealand was awesome. Getting there and getting back wasn't quite so fab. From the flight out to Wellington being cancelled as we were physically boarding to the closure of Sydney Airport when I was on the way home, the journey threw up a few challenges! Nonetheless, the rest of the trip was superb.

Jenny Morris - Aotearoa - https://youtu.be/j33Tlh5QnQo

Most importantly, I got to spend time with my family who live in Aotearoa. I hadn't been there since 2012 and it was three and six years respectively since I'd seen my Mum and my Brother in person. That's a long time. It was so special to hang out with my niece and nephew and to get to meet their dog, Tiny.

The Mutton Birds - Wellington - https://youtu.be/SiN0HsEI9TA

My brother and I had tickets to see Billy Bragg for a gig in February 2020 and you can all guess what happened to that show. It was postponed for three years! So getting along to see him play was always going to be special. And when I realised that my sister-in-law and her parents were coming too for the first night, well, that blew me away. Night one was Billy playing songs spanning his whole career and it didn't disappoint. Night two was stuff from his first three records (Life's A Riot with Spy vs Spy, Brewing Up With Billy Bragg and Talking With The Taxman About Poetry). Standing in an audience, most of whom knew every single lyric, was an uplifting experience. I've never been in a crowd quite so enthusiastic. Naturally, merchandise was purchased (I'd been saving for three years after all). Whilst I hope to get to see Billy tour again, seeing him belt out so many early classics, accompanied only by his guitar, will be OK as a full stop for me.

Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs' Tears - https://youtu.be/PhmCKkRae7o

Billy did mention that a new compilation of sorts was in the works but that he was having trouble finding a particular live track. Cue The Woozle who has the song on tape and also found a rip of it on an internet archive (that is from my tape anyway). The Bragg office was happy to get my email so let's hope it makes the record. As my brother said, that's my "fifteen fame filled minutes...".

Billy Bragg - King Tide and the Sunny Day Flood - https://youtu.be/lWPZeQzN_Ws

As a kid (I spent the second half of primary school in NZ) I was fascinated by Somes Island which is in the middle of Wellington Harbour. At the time it was a quarantine station for animals so you couldn't go there. Well, it's not playing that role now and visitors are welcome. I will admit that I was dreading the twenty-five minute ferry ride to get there because I can get seasick in the bath. Thankfully that didn't happen on the day. My brother, nephew and I headed over to the island (now known by its Māori name of Matiu) and it was well worth the journey. We got to spend a couple of hours walking around bush tracks, pretending to be experts on seabirds, looking for tuataras and inspecting the old quarantine station. It turned out that Matiu Island was also used as an internment camp in WWI and WWII. The views of Wellington and surrounds from the middle of the harbour are spectacular with houses dotted all through the hills. The lack of flat ground in Wellington just means that they've managed to build houses in the most amazing places!

Dave Baxter - Whispers - https://youtu.be/lKzKRiB09FY

I got home very late on Tuesday night and was back at work on Wednesday. It's now Friday evening and to be totally honest, I need a rest. I've been back on my bike and that was sublime but today I had to have what is now a regular blood test and they took enough to start a small blood bank! I know that I'll be just fine come tomorrow but I reckon I'll leave it here for this episode and head off to the land of nod. 

Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) - https://youtu.be/VbJmWCuMiEM

Before I finish; watch this space as I'm due to be playing a solo set at a rather groovy gig that's coming up on March 18th. I'll share more later but I'm very excited to say that my mate Todd will be joining me on a few songs.

Pō mārie,

The Woozle

"Well you know I have a love

A love for everyone I know
And you know I have a drive
To live I won't let go..."

Bonnie "Prince" Billy, I See A Darkness, 1999.

World Wide Woozle episode #596

Hi everyone,

Nothing but tunes this week. I've had a lot of time on the bike to think about these...2000km so far this year. "Sweet as Donny!"

The percussion in the introduction to this song always makes me stop and take notice. I also remember picking out the initial chords (they are very simple) before I had an electric guitar and being quite impressed with myself! It's one of those songs that is overplayed on commercial radio but that has zero effect on me these days.

Lou Gramm - Midnight Blue - https://youtu.be/v4G_0A8Cdkw

The next track was a big hit but at a time before I was really paying much attention. I walked to work listening to a podcast about Australian music in the 70s. This song came up in the conversation as one that producer Mark Opitz was especially happy with. I particularly like a couple of things about the track. The first is the keyboard sound at the start. It's got a chime type sound that just appeals to me and gives the song almost the feeling that it's in a church. The other thing is the juxtaposition between the delicate lyrics and the voice belting them out. It could've ended up being a sledgehammer bashing flowers but it works so well.

Cold Chisel - Choir Girl - https://youtu.be/xgFxK3acQVg

Nightwish are a very popular band who straddle the line between heavy metal and being ultra attractive to emo kids. Personally I think they are a lot of fun and they add some interesting twists to the genre that they sit in. The use of instruments such as small pipes adds a lot of depth. They also aren't a band with a lead guitarist who has to have a big solo in every song. To be honest, it's mostly rhythm work thus leaving room for other cool stuff to happen.

Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera - https://youtu.be/tL25rbnvM4o

Ozzy Osbourne has sadly announced that he can no longer tour. His body won't cope. He can still sing though so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with. If you've seen him live or even just footage from a concert you'll see what he puts his body through. A serious back injury just hasn't recovered after four years despite a myriad of treatments. When I bought my first CD player in 1989 I chose two CDs to go along with it. One of them was Ozzy's live album, Tribute. It's still a great album and of course showcases his legendary guitarist, Randy Rhoads.The opening riff from the next track is the first real heavy metal thing I learned to play on the guitar.

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train (live, 1981) - https://youtu.be/hIh2FH8DYQ0

Just over a year ago I was out to dinner with a group of friends and they asked me to come prepared with a song for them. At the time I had been feeling a bit despondent about life in general but this group had helped pick me up and keep me going. I definitely spent far too long choosing a song but in the end this is the one I had a go at. I could never do Glen's voice or guitar playing justice but it's such a beautiful song on many levels. I think I'll play it when I play in public again.

Glen Campbell - A Better Place - https://youtu.be/YzrugsDTKpw

You get two Don Walker songs in this episode. Bing introduced me to this tune and we played it live a few times. There's a lovely version by Missy Higgins too if you want to search it out. But I like the rough edges of Don's voice and the sound of the brushes on the drums.

Don Walker - The Way You Are Tonight - https://youtu.be/XD5F5MVRm94

Finally, The Boss. I was listening to the latest Bob Dylan album this week and somehow ended up back at Bruce's Nebraska album. That pointed me to one of his live compilation albums and this cool track. I'm a huge fan of the original and this is a lot of fun.

Bruce Springsteen - Stayin' Alive - https://youtu.be/4n1GT-VjjVs

Rock on everyone,

The Woozle.

"And the road becomes my bride

I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied
Gives me all I need..."

Metallica, Wherever I May Roam, 1991.