World Wide Woozle episode #605

This time around in another enthralling episode of the World Wide Woozle:
- Is too much cycling ever enough?
- Tina Turner
- Trying to enjoy Jeff Beck's music
- The new EP from Ghost
- Why I should refrain from DIY as much as possible

If you read this blog even semi-regularly you'll know that I ride my bike a lot. I ride to and from work most days (including some extra training kilometres usually on the way home). I ride on the weekends, usually longer distances. I ride alone. I ride with my mates. I'll ride with anyone I meet if they're going my way! For many years, it's kept me fit and relatively sane. But I am worried a bit. I set myself a goal of riding 14,000km this year. To put that into perspective, 12,000km is quite reachable for me. It's a lot of time on a bike (244hrs so far this year) and most of it is pretty enjoyable. Last Sunday wasn't though. I was suddenly cold, tired and lonely and it was no fun at all. Somehow I managed to keep pedalling and the sun came out accompanied by a rainbow. On Tuesday I began to feel unwell. I rode home feeling pretty drained and ended up having Wednesday off work (and the bike too obviously). I feel fine now but maybe, just maybe I need to plan my training better. I can't imagine not riding and even the thought of cutting it back makes me uneasy.

Colin Hay - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - https://youtu.be/PhOEQIPOQ-U

Tina Turner died this week. I'm sure that you all know that by now. A few of her songs always make me smile and I really, really like this version of one of her hits. Back in 2005 I played guitar in the band for a musical. It was pretty much all songs that I would never have considered playing otherwise and this one tons of fun.

Tina Turner - What You Get Is What You See (1989 NRL promo clip) - https://youtu.be/tXIzp0ok24I

Jeff Beck is a deadset guitar legend. As a result I always thought that I should like his stuff but it's never really turned me on in any way. It's not from a lack of trying either. I get it, he's unique, but I dunno, it leaves me quite disinterested. So when Spotify threw up a new EP from Jeff I hesitated. Later on I gave it a spin and whilst it's good, it's still not my thing. Apart from this track. This one is the business. I'll play the original for you.

Jeff Beck - Goin' Down (live) - https://youtu.be/P_Ybu9qbVto

Ghost. I've rambled on about them far too much over the past few years. The new EP really does kick it hard. It's great stuff, a lot of fun and there's not a dud on it. Magnificent.

Ghost - We Don't Need Another Hero (Tina Turner cover) - https://youtu.be/AMsV7qigmgQ

Whilst I might be OK at cycling, DIY is another story. About a week ago I noticed a small amount of water coming under the shower door into the bathroom. It's not really an issue as the water can only go down another drain but I guess, being almost an old aged pensioner, I might slip on it. So I fixed it. There was old silicon, old grout, cleaning products, masking tape and new sealant absolutely everywhere. AND there was also the case of the missing sealant gun to deal with. But it's done and the seal, whilst winning no beauty awards, seems to be functional. Unlike every time I try to fix my bike there was no blood. Winning.

Iggy Pop - Fix Me (Black Flag cover) - https://youtu.be/HnZow_zx4VQ

Two of the Marshall Clan are in Scotland this week. My Dad's there as part of a trip to Ireland and Scotland and Zoe has taken the train up to see him. Who knows when I'll get to return to the land of Irn Bru. I had the joy of a work trip to Wagga Wagga last week but it's not quite the same! I'm also being sent overnight to Melbourne...on a night when Angus will be away. Good grief!

Billy Connolly - Glasgow Central - https://youtu.be/BP6avh8MntE

Lastly, I've been making a concerted effort to listen to my LPs as much as possible. If that kind of thing interests you then give me a follow over on Insta at @rob.woozle 

Rock on,

The Woozle

" When my boots hit the boards I'm a brand new man,

With my back to the riser I'll make my stand.. "

Steve Earle, Guitar Town, 1986.

World Wide Woozle episode #604

Welcome back.

Sometimes life gets in the way of cycling and music and all I can do is roll with the punches. A couple of weeks ago I booked my commuting bicycle in for a service. When I dropped it off on Wednesday I was told that I probably wouldn't get it back the same day. I was far from happy but what can you do? Then there were a couple of events that came pretty close to triggering me during the week. Certainly this would have been the case not all that long ago. Somehow, I managed to work carefully through them and other than feeling a bit annoyed, I was OK. The sun came out and I finally got to ride to work again and I managed a long trundle on the way home.

Those of you silly enough to look at my Instagram posts will note that it's pretty much all about music. I've removed most TV viewing from my days and have increased the time I spend listening to my music collection as well as reading. It's doing me good. Here's an outstanding track from an album that's had quite a few spins recently.

Southside Johnny and The Jukes - Walk Away Renee - https://youtu.be/saWaoGFfCAM

I busted out the anniversary vinyl edition of one of my favourite records last night. It's a set that includes the LP, CD, DVDs and a book. I'm pretty sure I've never actually played the vinyl and I've decided that's just silly. So Ozzy's classic album Blizzard of Ozz got long overdue airing as I pored over the coffee table book that came with the set. It's a great album that stands the test of time. Randy Rhoads remains a very influential guitarist and many of the tunes have become live staples for Ozzy. Randy's lead guitar is fluid, fast and melodic. Other than Angus Young, he's the heavy guitarist I like to listen to the most.

Ozzy Osbourne - Steal Away (The Night) - https://youtu.be/lBWuLyIqUGQ

Well, this episode got delayed by a couple of days; sorry about that. Again, life got in the way.

The weather over the weekend was fabulous here in Canberra and I had planned to get out for a couple of longer rides to make the most of it. Not much beats rolling on quiet roads or cycle paths in the sunshine. On Saturday I decided to head out to Stromlo, down to the Cotter, towards Tharwa and then home via Point Hut Crossing. It was glorious. It was also a lot hillier than I had remembered. Whilst it was only 106km all up, the 1100 metres of climbing and the rough road surfaces definitely hurt. Angus' recommendation of a chocolate milk to aid in my recovery was a good plan. But wait, there's more. Sunday was even more lovely so again off I went. A planned 65km ride turned into 80km and I was completely gassed with about 8km to go. That was a very long last few kilometers I can assure you. It's been a very long time since I've felt that unwell on a bike and it was just because I had run out of energy. There was some dizziness, nausea, a blinding headache and a couple of alarming hallucinations! As my mate Todd reminded me that afternoon, I do have to take into account the fact that I'm 52!

Ramones - I Don't Wanna Grow Up - https://youtu.be/bH17fIsYirI

In mid 2019 some of you will remember that I enrolled in a Masters Degree to work towards becoming a librarian. In the end I had to admit that my brain was no longer up to that level of academic study and I dropped out after two semesters. I thought that I was all OK about that until last week. I watched a fabulous movie called, The Public, which is about a sit-in by some homeless folks at a library in the USA. It's fiction but it could easily be real life. The film was really well written and acted with a cast including Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling and Christian Bale. Towards the end though it made me very, very sad that my life hadn't been able to go in that direction (libraries, not homelessness). People throw the term "triggered" around with gay abandon these days but this movie did that to me and I didn't see it coming. I ended up having to work through an issue that I thought was long gone but I'm glad that these days I seem to have the tools to do that. Watch the movie by the way, it really is worthwhile (SBS streaming for those in Australia). This song features prominently in the film.

Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now - https://youtu.be/b0cAWgTPiwM

On Sunday afternoon Bing invited me over for a chat and to be there for him to unbox KISS' super-deluxe version of their 1976 classic album Destroyer. I think that album art is important and if you look at the cover of Destroyer then you may or may not agree that it's their best. Are they superheroes, cartoon characters or rock stars? Maybe all three. We had the chance to listen to the album in the 5.1 surround mix done by Steven Wilson and it might be the best immersive listening experience I've ever had. As well as hearing things that you may not usually hear (including the piano fattening up the bass lines in Shout It Out Loud and the cavernous reverb on Paul's voice) the whole thing puts you in the room, or on stage, with the band. It's like you live the album rather than just hearing it. We did A-B a couple of the tracks with the original 1976 stereo mix and Wilson was faithful to them whilst working his magic. There's a ton of other stuff in the boxset that would probably only appeal to KISS fans but the 5.1 mix itself is a musical treat. They really were the "hottest band in the world". Cork sniffers can feel free to let us know the genuine pros and cons of Dolby Atmos, DTS and all that jazz.

I've chosen this particular KISS live clip because it's just a hell of a good time. 

KISS - King Of The Night Time World (live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) - https://youtu.be/NnGvUMefUsg

Recently I commented that I was reading Ulysses by James Joyce. Well, I'm not any more. It was too much for my brain to keep track of and I had to return it to the library unread. I will admit that this was a bit frustrating but I just have to accept it and move on. The library's online catalogue is really quite difficult to search (or at least to get decent results from) and their digital offerings never really seem to line up with anything that I am interested in. And with the demise of the Book Suppository, I went to the bookshop in my lunch break and actually found a book by Charles Bukowski. Cool!

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

A big shout out to Angus who got the coach's award on Saturday as his team demolished the opposition by more than 100 points. I can't wait to get the chance to see him play later in the year. Australian Rules Football really is the best footy in terms of being great for spectators. It's fast, three dimensional and there is always something happening.

Little River Band - Playing to Win (VFL promo 1985) - https://youtu.be/GbtiUrHUhRw  

And finally, RIP Tiny. You were a lovely wee dog.

The Woozle

"And when finally the bottom fell out

I became withdrawn
The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on keeping on, like a bird that flew
Tangled up in blue..."

Bob Dylan, Tangled Up In Blue, 1975

World Wide Woozle episode #603

It has snowed here today in parts of Canberra (or maybe it was a lot of hail). Snow, rain and cold. I'm not quite foolish enough to head out on my bike in that weather so snuggle in for another instalment of the World Wide Woozle.

The Lemonheads - It's About Time - https://youtu.be/2LGpudC-bbM

Yesterday I found myself in a bad mood. I'd already planned to have a long ride and I managed to convince myself out of bed and out the door. For the most part, when I get onto my bike I'm all good, but not yesterday. I grumbled my way through the first 25 km and came quite close to turning around and going home. It was cold and I wasn't dealing well with it and the voices in my head. Then the sun came out and I pushed on; I'm stubborn. After about 50km I spotted a lump up ahead on the cycle path. It turned out to be an echidna who was also enjoying the sun. He/she was unwilling to move so I stopped and waited both to get a good look (from a distance) but to also warn other riders. When my old mate did finally wander off into the scrub I noticed that when echidnas walk it looks like their rear feet have been put on backwards! Seeing this gorgeous creature really lifted my mood.

Joey Ramone - What A Wonderful World - https://youtu.be/8IoO5nkxT_4

One of Angus' mates is working hard to carve himself out a career as a recording artist. From what I can see he's released twelve singles since 2020. One of them has over four million streams on Spotify; nice work! I can't see a link to the new tune on YouTube yet but you should be able to stream it from the link I'll post below on Spotify even if you don't have an account. In some ways this song, Monday Moods, reminds me of The Struts and in some places it's a bit Vance Joy. Triple J played the song on release day and Brodie, under the moniker YNG ONE, recently played the Groovin' The Moo festival. Here's hoping that he is wildly successful!

YNG ONE - Monday Moods - https://open.spotify.com/track/0y4VXXyPNZdqSVADcjMvGr?si=ffec1998c7894d9b

Another new track that caught my ear this week is from Nothing But Thieves who hail from Essex in the UK. If you're already a fan then you know a lot more than me about this band as this is the first track of theirs that I've ever listened to. It has a bit of a groove that reminds me of Michael Jackson's song Thriller, but the vocals would be at home in a Communards song. I am the least likely person to frequent a nightclub but if I did and I heard this song I'd be pretty happy. It's very danceable even for a gumby like me.

Nothing But Thieves - Welcome the the DCC - https://youtu.be/Y3FNUvJYGpE

I know that a lot of people really can't stand the next song and I'm probably one of them. So when I saw that the band These New South Whales had covered it I was both appalled and intrigued. After a quick look I still don't enjoy the original song but I love the energy that they've brought to it. Choccy milk, punk rock and mullets; what's not to like!

These New South Whales - Tubthumping - https://youtu.be/PXE9EntPZ8I

I've debated whether or not to write anything about King Charles getting his crown on and all that jazz. Look, I reckon Lionel Richie is a great singer, but surely the United Kingdom has a few of their own don't they? I am very proud that Zoe was working on the day but so very sad that paramedics (and all first responders) need to wear stab vests. Thomas Keneally put it well in an article in The Guardian when he wrote that if Australia wants to be a republic then Charles isn't the one standing in our way. It was also very cool to read that the royal carriage was built in a shed in North Head, Sydney.

Spinal Tap - The Majesty of Rock - https://youtu.be/RsOxgwF9LlM

Inspired by a couple of quotes I'd read I set off to find a book by the American author Charles Bukowski. That was more of a challenge than I'd expected. In the end I was a bit shocked at the prices online as well as at the fact that the ACT Library only held one title! After a wait, the library came through and I read Ham on Rye in two sittings. I'll definitely go searching for some more of his work. I figured that if I'd enjoyed Kerouac and Steinbeck then it might be worth a shot and I was right. Bukowski writes in a way that is almost gritty, rambling poetry and it really appeals to me. For now I'm going back to reading James Joyce. Considering that until recently I couldn't concentrate long enough to read fiction I'm pretty pleased with myself!

Francis Dunnery - Home Grown - https://youtu.be/R-fmIyFKwpU

And that's the end. Two dogs here need my attention (or do I need theirs) and I'm going to watch the football whilst listening to some very heavy tunes!

Rock on,

The Woozle

Well did you see the old man, outside the Seaman's mission?
Memories are fading with the medals that he wears.
Did you see the old man, outside the Seaman's mission?
He's just another hero from this land that doesn't care...

Anti-Nowhere League, Streets of London, 1982.

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.