World Wide Woozle episode #635

Hello enormous listening world! Yes, that's right, I am back! Five weeks off work including four in the USA was fabulous.

This episode will be all about my time away so if a glorified travelogue isn't of interest to you then feel free to move on (I won't be too offended) and wait for the next episode.

Firstly, I do recognise that people go on holidays (that's vacation to all y'all in America) quite regularly. I don't though. This journey was my first time in the USA, my longest trip ever, my first time in the Northern Hemisphere since 1979, and the most time I've had off work since 2014. It was a big deal to me. I was very nervous about being away from home, travelling alone, and dealing with food. Obviously I have made it home so I survived. I can assure you that I learned a lot about myself in the process.

What I won't do here is mention every single thing I did. That'd be long and boring for everyone. I can read my travel journal anytime I like. If something does interest you then please feel free to talk to me about it. I'm also not going to talk about politics even though I was in the USA during the election. It's their decision and other than saying that we, as Australians, seemed MUCH more interested in the whole thing than 90% of Americans I came into contact with, I'll leave it at that. If you want to ask me about it feel free to drop me a line.

Thoughts on getting around:
It's a long way from Sydney to Dallas. 14 hours on the way there and 17 on the way back. Why is there more leg room on a budget USA domestic airline that then is on a QANTAS Dreamliner? QANTAS service was great but I really felt quite claustrophobic when the person in front of me reclined their seat for almost the whole trip (both ways). Southwest Airlines in the USA are excellent, American Airlines were horrendous. I took a lot of Ubers and they were easy and reliable. I rode the bus a bit in Nashville which was pretty convenient and cheap. The Amtrak from Atlanta to Birmingham was the way to travel; I loved it. In every town except Memphis I walked almost everywhere. In DC I was doing about 20km a day. It's a great way to see and feel the surroundings that you don't get in a car. And then there was driving. On the other side of the road. The night before picking up the hire car in Nashville I was very stressed. Then they gave me a lime green vehicle so that I had no chance of blending in. Then it was straight onto a four or five lane freeway. There was no soundtrack as I needed to concentrate hard. But it was fun and not nearly as difficult as I had imagined.

Washington DC
My first stop. I was extremely fortunate to be able to stay with my mate Darren who has had a few postings to the USA. This helped me ease into my time away. I started way too hard and was tired out in a few days. Learning to pace myself was important. I saw a lot of DC's Smithsonian Museums and the highlights were Leadbelly's 12 string guitar and also the Postal Museum. Arlington was a sobering reminder of the cost of war but also a window into the American psyche. Sutto took me to eat at a diner, to see the Space Shuttle, Blackbird and Enola Gay, to the NFL, to Ben's Chilli (yum) and to The Fillmore in Silver Springs to see King Diamond. I thoroughly enjoyed walking a long way and my quiet sojourn around Teddy Roosevelt Island and Georgetown was sublime.

Rob and Sutto at the Udar-Hazy Center. 

Nashville TN
I had a groovy AirBNB in a quiet neighbourhood. The supermarket was close by and this helped me feel more at ease with the food situation. To be honest though, I was doing so much walking that I could've eaten almost anything! I lost weight on this trip and that wasn't my plan at all. In Nashville I got to play my dream guitar (Gibson Everly Brothers J-180E) at the Gibson Garage, toured the iconic Ryman Auditorium, went to a show at the Grand Old Opry, and got my VISA card blocked by trying to buy clothes. I also had a massage as my back was tight from all the walking and travelling. The masseur told me he was a big Kath and Kim fan! Nashville was busy but friendly and felt safe.

The Grand Old Opry

Tupelo MS
After driving along the fabulous Natchez Trace Parkway (that's something I'd go back to in a heartbeat) I saw Elvis' birthplace. The house he was born in is there as well as the church he first sang in and the memorial chapel built after his death. It's well set up and worth a visit.

The pina colada with wheels

The church where Elvis first sang in public at age eight

Memphis TN
I drove to Memphis, filled up at a very dodgy gas station (thanks Google Maps) and dumped the car at the airport. In the Uber to my accommodation I started to worry; Memphis looked pretty rough and run down. I wasn't wrong. Although I stayed in a nice area (Cooper-Young) I wasn't prepared to do the amount of walking and exploring I'd done in DC and Nashville. The best thing I did here was take my mate Barry's advice and book onto a bus tour of the main sights. It was a lot of fun with the tour guide singing and playing guitar. We finished up with a tour of the iconic Sun Studios where, along with all the really cool Elvis and Johnny Cash stuff there was U2's drum kit from the Rattle and Hum sessions sitting on the studio floor. Graceland was impressive and I spent ages there (it was also an expensive outing compared to almost everything else) but, I didn't feel the Elvis connection I was hoping for. No matter, that feeling had been there in Tupelo. Also in Memphis, literally at the end of my street, was a great toys and collectables shop and a vegan restaurant. I spent ages in the toy place talking about action figures, Australian music and a whole lot more. I'd felt a bit alone and upset in Memphis and this helped to turn it around.

Some of the gold records at Graceland

Mesquite NV
My mate Doug lives in Mesquite with his wife Molly and two little dogs, Izzy and Tiff. I'd met him twice in Australia years ago and he'd stayed with us in Canberra on his visits. We spent just long enough in Las Vegas for me to get my suitcase and load it into his Jeep! Mesquite is in the desert and is a great town. It was super clean and friendly. We saw KC and The Sunshine Band play in an outdoor amphitheatre, went to dinner at one of the local casinos, viewed the Veterans Day Parade, had a family dinner and did a late night car park  deal for a used guitar! Doug took me to the Valley of Fire State Park which was simply stunning. We saw petroglyphs, amazing rock formations, longhorn sheep, and a vastness of landscape that took my breath away. I would say it was almost life changing but there was more to come. Doug packed up his Jeep and we headed to California and into the Mojave Desert. We looked at old mining sites, graveyards, abandoned vehicles, dynamite bunkers and more. And we stayed in an old miner's hut feasting on MREs (those American ones are pretty good). The desert at night and in the day was a trip. The terrain and the colours changed, there were Joshua Trees everywhere and the sky went on forever.

Brothers. Mojave Desert sunset.

Atlanta GA
To be honest, I only went to Atlanta because it was the cheapest flight back east from Vegas close to my destination. It turned out to be a great place to stay for a couple of nights. I was in a tiny house and tiny was the operative word. But it was clean, cosy and had everything I needed including a cat that sat outside and demanded love. The Atlanta Freedom Trail was a beautiful and well maintained walking path that took me quite a long way. It also took me to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Archive and Museum. I don't know if people have favourite presidents but he's been mine for years.

  

Jimmy and I

The tiny house

Birmingham AL
In planning this trip I'd really wanted to take a long train journey but fitting one in turned out to be problematic. I rode the Amtrak from Atlanta to Birmingham which takes about four hours. The seats, in coach class, are as good as business class on a plane. I almost had a whole carriage to myself and the staff were very friendly. Train travel is the bomb. It's not too fast, you can get up and walk around and then there's the view. After leaving Atlanta I travelled almost due west. We only stopped once, in Anniston. The track goes through a lot of forests but is never far from a road. Passing through small towns was excellent. You get a whole different perspective of the USA this way here as well as being able to look into people's backyards. Birmingham itself was very, very quiet. I went to the Civil Rights Institute which, although it was closing early, was a sobering reminder of days gone by. It wasn't all doom and gloom though and a really positive outlook I thought. Somehow I'd jagged a hotel with breakfast included. Cognisant of the fact that weight had been falling off me for the last few weeks I thoroughly enjoyed myself as did the ladies in charge of the buffet!

  

Desperado waiting for a train...

Huntsville AL

My friend Keith aka BDK came and got me from Birmingham and drove me to Huntsville. But not before we'd visited his place to say hi to Charley the HUGE labrador. We also went for a slap up lunch before heading off. Southern hospitality really is a thing and I felt very privileged to be on the end of some. I've known BDK since the late 90s but we'd never met in person. You would've thought we were lifelong friends. In Huntsville we met up with my mate Dave aka Tanker. Maggie, whose wedding I was to attend, is his daughter. Dave and his wife Rita had organised for me to stay with Father Bill who was also officiating at the wedding. Huntsville was pretty cool. It's the biggest city in Alabama and has a very large military base. Dave took me there to look at a whole heap of NASA rockets on display as well as showing me around the area. My lasting impressions are of wide streets, big yards and people who wave and say hi. I did a couple of great long walks in the Monte Sano Preserve and the peace and quiet so close to town was good for my soul. The wedding was great and seeing Maggie and her fiance Chris tie the knot was a special moment. Everyone made me feel like part of the family which was wonderful. Father Bill took care of me and I took care of some of his IT problems!

  

Me with (L-R) Tanker, BDK, Chris and Maggie

So there you have it. The super-abridged version of what I got up to. Looking back I packed a lot into a few weeks away. I learned that I need to pace myself and that just because food worries me, I must not simply avoid eating. I also faced the realities of travelling alone. Most of the time it was fine and clearly I broke it up by meeting, and staying with, some people I knew. The roughly ten days in a row on my own in Nashville / Tupelo / Memphis was too long though and I felt it. Lesson learned. Even meeting someone for a coffee would've sorted that out. I was extremely stressed about driving on the other side of the road but, with some deep breaths and giving myself a stern talking to, it turned out fine. 

I've written before about how the Army took away my love of camping and the outdoors. This trip really rammed home to me that being outside in nature is something I really need in my life. I get plenty of it here in Canberra with some bushwalking and cycling. I do NOT need to sleep in a tent or on the ground ever again but some of the other options have become more and more appealing. Cities, in large doses, aren't my thing. I was happiest in the USA when I was in the forests and quieter parts. That's something to keep in mind for my next extended holiday. I wouldn't say I've caught the travel bug. I'm very happy being at home. I have, however, committed to a trip to Scotland in 2026. Time to start saving and planning!

Many of you will have seen lots of photos from me on Facebook. I'm dreadful at remembering to shoot pics at the best of times and I made a huge effort to do so whilst away and I'm glad I did. It's a good visual diary for me. I also kept a daily travel journal (thanks Suzy and Todd) which is full of good memories. I also seem to have accumulated quite a number of t-shirts!

Until next time, whenever that may be, rock on!

The Woozle

This song carried me across the country.

World Wide Woozle episode #634

Hi everyone,

I've been here and there over the last few weeks, Perth most recently. I really need to get back there one day when I'm not on a work trip so that I can have a bit more of a look around. I'm in Adelaide shortly and then not long after that I'll be winging my way to the USA for some rest, recreation and rock 'n' roll.

This episode was almost fully formed when the sad news of Kris Kristofferson's passing hit. I was at work when I found out and I was floored. I know that he was 88 but I guess you never expect people you admire to slip away. I was fortunate enough to be given a ticket to see Kris here in Canberra just over five years ago (thank you Karen and Jeff). He looked old when he walked to the microphone stand, slightly unsteady in his cowboy boots. But when he got there and started to sing and play he was another version of himself. I listened to a few tracks on a set of headphones as I tried to concentrate on work but it wasn't easy so I switched them off. Later on, during my lunch break, I walked in the sunshine and reflected on Kris. He was a Rhodes Scholar, US Army helicopter pilot, janitor, songwriter, performer, actor and father. And he's a legend. What really resonates with me is that his vocal delivery is gravelly, rough, wavers a bit in and out of tune, and suits his songs perfectly. There's more to Kris than the country music formula. He's gone now, rest in peace.

Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge - Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLeDe5yRi8s

Kris Kristofferson - Pilgrim's Progress - https://youtu.be/K5x2SwHQvl0

Kris Kristofferson - Here Comes That Rainbow Again -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwCgn9KoaRM

DJ DJ absolutely made my day on Sunday when he asked if I wanted to go and see King Diamond when I'm staying with him in DC. Some of you may be familiar with his early work in Mercyful Fate (Metallica fans will know all about that). King has been around singing since the 70s but really gained prominence with the release of the Don't Break The Oath and the subsequent tour of the USA. It's shock rock at its absolute best. I know that King Diamond's music isn't for everyone, the vocal style with the falsetto will put many off, but I'm pumped to see such an influential performer play live.

King Diamond - Sleepless Nights - https://youtu.be/U-yYG00Nr8I

I've updated my regular listening playlist, click here as usual, with twenty tunes to keep you all on your toes. There's a version of the next song on there by John Williamson. I've sandwiched it between Coloured Stone and Grinspoon because I wouldn't want anyone to get too comfortable! Here's the original and it's a cracker. I can see myself learning and playing this one before long.

Eric Bogle - Shelter - https://youtu.be/_Or5of1gytA

Let me tell you what else has been going on. The truth is I've been unwell. My brain very helpfully decided that it was time to have a relapse of a few mental health issues. The result is that I've had to re-engage with my psychologist to sort a few things out. Thankfully I have that option and she knows what she's doing. I'm told that I'm a good patient because I do what I'm told. I am, however, also very aware that I'm more than capable of convincing myself that I'm doing the right thing when I'm doing the total opposite. To be honest, I am finally  improving but there is still a way to go. Like many issues, anorexia is something I think will always be in the back of my head but I'm building more and more skills to combat that nagging and destructive voice. It's amazing how much better your brain works when your body is properly fueled. A thousand apologies to all those people that I've not really been in much contact with. This has taken nearly all of my energy to keep it together and not let my work be impacted. I definitely need a holiday, it's been a long time coming, and it's not far off now.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Tupelo - https://youtu.be/SgO6Jp6LFEM

I keep coming back to The Chicks. I guess good music is good music. I remember buying a live DVD of theirs for about $5 in about 2005 and being an instant convert. This song resonates at the moment....the long way around indeed.

The Chicks - The Long Way Around (live) - https://youtu.be/s5HKLteH9Mc

So there you have it. Some tunes, a whole playlist and a bit more. I'll be back soon with the balance of what was going to be in this episode. Oh, and for those that haven't realised, I have stopped using Instagram. It's part of my plan to be more mindful about how I spend my time. More about that next time probably.

Keep smiling, it costs nothing.

The Woozle

"It rained all night in a summer sky

A simple life in a digital time
Sitting in the sun waiting on the tide
A feeling in the wind is telling me to go now..."

King Stingray, Best Bits, 2024.

World Wide Woozle episode #633

Welcome back for another episode.

On Friday night, Dave Dubya and I went to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to see Iron Maiden. For me the trip involved an uber, a plane, a bus, a train and the shoe leather express. I also had a bit of a look around Moe, where I lived when I was at high school. I used to be scared stiff walking home past the racecourse so I did that as a bit of exposure therapy. 40 years later it wasn't so bad.

Iron Maiden are not young men but as the Ode reminds us, "they shall not grow old...". Bruce and the boys put on an excellent show full of energy, loud music and the classic Iron Maiden theatrics. We had a great vantage point directly in front of the sound desk. The barrier also gave us something to lean back on once in a while, always a bonus. I didn't expect to see Rod Smallwood, the band's long-time manager, beside the desk but there he was. I knew well ahead of time that the setlist had a heavy emphasis on the Somewhere In Time and Senjutsu albums and I was prepared. After the show I heard plenty of complaints about the lack of some of the band's more well known tracks but given that it wasn't a surprise at all, I have limited sympathy. They did almost the greatest hits tour a few years ago. I could be picky and say that for seasoned professionals charging big money that fluffing the timing in a couple of songs was a bit much. But we all make mistakes and they weren't dreadful by any means. You can see in recently posted video footage where Bruce is singing lines out of time with the rest of the band but they got it together pretty quickly. I got a real kick seeing Eddie come out three times in different guises (The Stranger, The Cyborg and the Senjutsu Warrior). Kudos to whoever was wearing that 8 foot suit! And for the most part, the band rocked hard with seemingly boundless energy. 

Iron Maiden - The Writing On The Wall - https://youtu.be/FhBnW7bZHEE 

The Externals have released a new EP, Back on the Cans. The title is a nod to the end of lockdown in Melbourne and Premier Daniel Andrews. The song itself is, to me, all about having a great time playing tunes with your mates. I don't drink cans but I can relate to the energy and groove of this excellent track. The CD version of the EP is in the mail at the moment coming to HQ Woozle but of course you can stream the whole thing on Spotify, YouTube and a few others I'm sure. Turn this one up, pogo around the lounge room and have a helluva good time with a great Aussie band.

The Externals - Back on the Cans - https://youtu.be/ZDRZ42JO8pE

DJ ElShano recommends some great tracks to me. Recently he shot through a link to a song by Chet Faker. He's not an artist that I've ever listened to before and I wasn't sure what to expect. This one reminded me a little of Alabama 3, who I really enjoy, but then it also harkens back to some 70s cop show theme songs. Well, that's what I hear. See what you think; it's a cool track.

Chet Faker - Oh Me Oh My - https://youtu.be/0nRnuqo3q7c

Since I mentioned Alabama 3, it would be remiss of me not to make an attempt to convert some of you. Try this...seriously groovy baby.

Alabama 3 - California Got You Stoned - https://youtu.be/lfXGWbK-tck

I do like a good slab of folk music and so when Dave recommended The Bad Shepherds to me I was pretty pleased. These guys were nominated for the live act of the year in the 2010 BBC Folk Music Awards. Click the link and see if it leads you on a mandolin filled musical journey...

The Bad Shepherds - Down In The Tube Station At Midnight - https://youtu.be/Kmt2dpHHhFk

On a related note, The Bad Shepherds led me all the way back to a track that I'd long forgotten. Old school late night MTV watchers may well remember Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction. What a classic!

Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction - Prime Mover - https://youtu.be/mtnCcWOS7y8

The link between The Bad Shepherds and Zodiac Mindwarp is English comedian Ade Edmonson. Well known of course for his roles in The Young Ones and Bottom, he sang and played mandolin in The Bad Shepherds and also made the video for Prime Mover!

Tom Petty fans will probably enjoy the soundtrack for the new TV show, Bad Monkey. I think there are 21 of Tom's tracks covered by artists including Eddie Vedder, Jason Isbell, The War on Drugs and Kurt Vile. This one is from Larkin Poe and I really like how they've taken an already energetic song and pushed it almost to the edge.

Larkin Poe - Runnin' Down A Dream - https://youtu.be/lQVDjTBfk-0

Lastly, Neil Diamond. Why not? I was listening to some early tracks of his and was struck not only by the songwriting but by just how good these mono recordings were. The almost cheery instrumentation contrasts with the lyrics in a way that works so well.

Neil Diamond - Solitary Man - https://youtu.be/N3Nn7Q6l5uY

That'll do I reckon. Let me know if any of those tracks interest you.

I've got a big week coming up. Massage tomorrow, Covid booster on Tuesday and the psych on Wednesday. Good grief, which idiot organised all that!

Rock on brothers and sisters,

The Woozle

"...and she has stupid hair..."

Eric Cartman, Kyle's Mom's a Bitch, 1999.

World Wide Woozle episode #632

Hi everyone, This episode is a long one. I took a different approach and created a playlist of songs I was considering and then whittled it down over a week or so. The list itself is about an hour long and you can access it here.

Dr Hook - Walk Right In - https://youtu.be/K1e_12DOKZI

DJ DJ sent me a link a while ago to a list of the "best metal albums" so far this year. This band and track stood out for a number of reasons.The main one is the mix of moody, dark country style sounds along with very heavy metal. It works. A TV show such as The Walking Dead would have been perfect for this music. So I listened to some of the band's back catalogue as well. It's good but fairly straight ahead metal. This album, American Gothic, is a big step up in making things interesting and unique.

Wayfarer - Reaper on the Oilfields - https://youtu.be/lev4nNHKeQQ

Spotify and YouTube algorithms are wild. Whilst YouTube tends to give me simply more of the same, Spotify seems to significantly widen the spectrum. The next track is from an artist that I know nothing about and there's nothing of substance about them online. There's every chance it is one person in their bedroom making music. This song reminds me a lot of making 4-track cassette recordings in garages and bedrooms. The drum machine sounds and the guitar effects are very familiar. It's a bit quirky but it takes me back. 

Hear Guitar - 1984 - https://youtu.be/1jkSHgjVrdE

Fanny and her band have recently returned from a UK tour. I'm hoping that they will do some shows closer to home before too long. The one I saw last year at the Street Theatre here in Canberra is one of my favourite shows of all time. Fanny is on the Cooking Vinyl label and I recently took advantage of a very generous sale to add another of her albums to my collection. This song resonates at the moment for a number of reasons. 

Fanny Lumsden - This Too Shall Pass - https://youtu.be/wBVvSMyG7hY

Anyone who has spent more than a couple of minutes reading some of my blog entries will know that Steve Earle is one of my absolute favourite artists. His songs are rough, tender, moving and always have something to say. And Steve isn't afraid to say exactly what he thinks. He has a new live solo album out now and it is most definitely warts and all. I found it hard to pick a song from this record but I always go back to this one. It's helped to turn my life around more than once. 

Steve Earle - My Old Friend The Blues (live) - https://youtu.be/N8TUxQutNeQ

Billy Bragg changed my life in 1990. I was a lost soul and suddenly there was someone singing about things that mattered to me. And most of it was simply one man and a guitar. A number of world events have really got me down and whilst I know that music can't change this, the fact that people out there sing along and hope for better outcomes is encouraging. I realise that the original version of this song is used as an anthem by socialists, communists and a whole lot of other 'ists'. I implore you to ignore the labels and perhaps imagine a world where people genuinely cared for one another. It starts with us at the grass roots. 

"Stand up all victims of oppression,

For the tyrants fear your might.

Don't cling so hard to your possessions,

For you have nothing if you have no rights.

Let racist ignorance be ended,

For respect makes the empires fall .

Freedom is merely privilege extended,

Unless enjoyed by one and all..." 

Billy Bragg - The Internationale - https://youtu.be/G-Zmk6DRRjo

Green Day are about to release the 20th anniversary edition of their classic long player, American Idiot. It's a fantastic album and I was more than a little excited to hear about this. But...I'm a little underwhelmed. You get the original album, a live DVD that I already have, some demo versions and another live show. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what I expected but this feels a bit light on. I'll check it out on a streaming service before deciding if I'll part with a lot of spondoolies for this one. 

Green Day - Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams - https://youtu.be/YQQrlXDEemY

Before too long I will be in Memphis. At Graceland. At Elvis' house. Right on cue there is a compilation just released of tunes recorded by the King himself, in Memphis. I imagine that will make an excellent playlist for me! There's the chance of seeing a gig at Graceland too. Woo! 

Elvis Presley - In The Ghetto -  https://youtu.be/d4s4FckNvAg

I know at least one reader out there (hi Bing) enjoys the next band. I think that more of you should give them a decent listen. Whether you like rock, prog, fusion, electronica or polkas, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard have something for you on one of their 26 studio or 16 live albums. They are more than prolific. The latest long player from the band remains quirky but it centred around 70s style boogie guitar riffs. This is the one if you want to get up and dance. 

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Field of Vision - https://youtu.be/dGt-0qi8p4Q

Ghost have released their live album, Rite Hear Rite Now, recorded at The Forum in Los Angeles. I was more than a little interested to see how the band would sound live. It doesn't disappoint. I know that their songs are catchy and well crafted but the x-factor when performing live is clearly in evidence here. I can feel the band enjoying the experience. Here's hoping that Papa Emeritus IV and his nameless ghouls also make this concert, which had a very short cinema release, available on Blu-Ray. 

Ghost - Spillways (live) - https://youtu.be/sSWF15bZhmY

King Cannons are an Australian band (full of New Zealanders) that only lasted a short while but oh my, they were fabulous. I saw them twice here in Canberra (ANU Bar and Transit Bar). They played an infectious brand of rock and roll mixed up with ska, punk and reggae. I remember reading an interview with singer Luke, who remarked that he'd got a lot of tattoos so that he would never have a regular job. Luckily he writes great songs and has an excellent voice. 

King Cannons - Teenage Dreams - https://youtu.be/jHXgSIMZAmk

Last weekend I did too much, saw too many people and generally ran myself into the ground. I need to do better at recognising this. Eventually I sat down to relax and unwind with one of my favourite movies, Flash (1980) starring Sam J. Jones, Max von Sydow, Brian Blessed and many more. It's cheesy but I love it. The soundtrack is, of course, by Queen. They also did the soundtrack to my favourite all time movie, Highlander. I'll reset my weekend boundaries and try to remember that time offline and to myself is important. 

Queen - Who Wants To Live Forever - https://youtu.be/p4-roxaXZYY

Let's finish this episode off with a few upbeat tracks. 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down - https://youtu.be/B7zLrljRkB0

Kylie Minogue - Magic - https://youtu.be/vzZn31gd_Jc

Bill McClintock - Fire In The Abyss (Hendrix/Slayer mashup) - https://youtu.be/IO9gATex-y8

Later y'all,

The Woozle 

"I think you've got a low self opinion man I see you standing all by yourself.

Unable to express the pain of your distress, you withdraw deeper inside... 

Give yourself a break from self-rejection, try some introspection." 

Rollins Band , Low Self Opinion, 1992.

World Wide Woozle episode #631

Hi everyone and welcome back.

For those interested, my regular listening playlist has been updated. 66 minutes of listening to perhaps lift your eyebrows and spark interest in something you haven't heard before, or for a long time. You can access it HERE on Spotify.

Slade - Gudbuy T'Jane - https://youtu.be/wE-ALT6452E?si=GhMOlxkCEGcmmtJx

I recently finished the second book in Jimmy Barnes' autobiography. To be completely francis with you, I'm not sure how he's still alive. I learned a lot about addiction as a result of this chronicle of one of our greatest rock stars. As well as this, the story of his time in Cold Chisel gave me fresh perspectives from which to approach their music and I've enjoyed nearly all of their back catalogue in recent weeks. I regularly find that if I know some of the story behind a song or album that I am much more interested in it. I had a similar experience last weekend recording some backing vocals for one of George's upcoming records. Once immersed in the song and the story it just makes more sense. The challenge for the songwriter is, of course, to draw an audience in and hold them. Ever since the next track button appeared on CDs it seems as if we've lost the urge and/or attention span to listen to a whole song or album. Anyway, here's a cracking early live recording of Cold Chisel.

Cold Chisel - Home and Broken Hearted (live 1977) - https://youtu.be/-M6D-JctRqM?si=wCgl1v8jE1tPjmly

A few years ago now I asked my Dad if I could borrow his 35mm slides to scan some onto the computer. Well, not to rush things I actually made a start on it last weekend when the weather was nothing short of disgraceful. I worked my way through 28 slide trays (that's about 1120 slides). My plan had been to choose 50 to scan in and I ended up with 60. Not too bad. Once I worked out a system for processing them it's been relatively painless. I have no memory of seeing some of the slides and it was an interesting window into the world of our family in the 70s, as well as some from before I was born. I certainly am very fashionable in places as is everyone else! Seeing both my parents and grandparents as younger people has been a real treat. These pictures will be put in the cloud for my family to access if they want to. Here's someone you may recognise if you look closely...

Recently I had the opportunity to "work from home" at my Dad's place in Geelong. I suggested it to my bosses and they were very supportive. I already work from home one or two days a week so they know that I will get stuff done. It's about an 8 or 9 hour drive to Geelong depending on the route you take and if there are night roadworks on the back road! But I started up an audiobook and actually rather enjoyed the journey. We had a magnificent time for the week. Getting extended time just to hang out was the best bit really. I may have almost regretted wearing shorts on a walk around Queenscliff, but it made a few other people there laugh. To top it all off I got to zip into Melbourne on the train to see Angus and Em. And...one of my best friends from school came all the way from Moe to Geelong to ride the train back to Melbourne so that we had a chance to catch up. Legend.

Skyhooks - This Is My City - https://youtu.be/QXTJWqMzuBM?si=5TNXKn24VjtUYZAo

In Melbourne, my mate David took me to Greville Records in Prahran. I didn't have much time there but I'll be saving up and going back. They had tons and tons of cool records (both old and new) and I need a few hours for a good dig around. Put it on your list.

Deborah Conway - It's Only The Beginning - https://youtu.be/IyYVg3YDZh0?si=dfN6Tr3kFYI_G43v  

I think that LP records are far too expensive. $75 for an album is just silly money. I'm all about supporting artists but there is a limit. So when I saw a Billy Bragg album I didn't have at a seriously reduced price it was time to pounce. Billy recorded this album with his mate Joe while travelling across the USA on a train. Most are songs that I know from the original artist recordings but these on location recordings and the story behind the trip are rather cool.

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry - Railroad Bill (live) - https://youtu.be/eMVQd8IXNmY?si=4lCEBoV-3u4kG-Sk

And now, as a result of this I've been seeing if I can fit a short train journey into my American trip. The Amtrak website is probably sick of me already!

Glady Knight and The Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia - https://youtu.be/jboC9-nL0WA?si=5ZMAJKk0AMWZ3r5W

The Southern River Band goes from strength to strength. Their album is almost due to be released and this single is a cracker. I do realise that it's an updated version of a song they've had for a while but I think it's great. The band is playing in Canberra, at The Baso, in August and I'm tempted to go along.

The Southern River Band - Chasin' After Love - https://youtu.be/CIUMeToH0Sk?si=lchi5_jwQ-yJQysy

Anna Coddington is a New Zealand artist that I knew nothing about until last week. Now I still know very little other than that her latest album, Te Whakamiha, is very, very fab and groovy. Sung in Māori and English, it is funky and soulful. A lot of it reminds me of Prince. I'll learn more about Anna and will be exploring more of her music as she has five long players in total that I can see. Kātuarehe means to be outstanding or marvellous. An apt description for this record.

Anna Coddington  - Kātuarehe - https://youtu.be/PrwPfjZY08M?si=oQKMFrM7yoRMqFWH

Finally, Melissa Etheridge has released an album, I'm Not Broken, that she recorded live at a gig inside a correctional facility. It's far from her greatest hits and that's rather cool. She reflects that she chose songs to match the occasion and location. I first heard this song when I had to learn it to play in a band. The version we had as a reference was this one by Robben Ford which is tops. Of course, the track was first recorded by blues legend Albert King. "If it wasn't for bad luck, you know I wouldn't have no luck at all".

Melissa Etheridge - Born Under A Bad Sign (live) - https://youtu.be/-7UJvo1zpUs?si=HgPZWrfDPcjPI64K

How's that? I hope there's a song in there that you like or perhaps leads you elsewhere.

Happy birthday Zoë xx.

Rock on everyone,

The Woozle

"Washington, Jefferson
Watch out baby cause here I come
Abraham, Theodore
You know you'll see my ugly mug
Up on Mount Rushmore, yeah."

Ian Hunter & The Rant Band, When I'm President, 2012.

World Wide Woozle episode #630

Hello enormous listening world; the World Wide Woozle continues to roll on. Thanks for tuning in.

It's Sunday morning here in Canberra on a long weekend. DJ HamerTime and I were meant to be doing some cycling this morning. Unfortunately he's under the weather. Also, I've just looked out the window and thick fog means that I can't see far at all. I've done plenty of rides in less than ideal conditions but today doesn't need to be one of them. The sun will eventually come out and I can enjoy riding hard without being cold and wet.

Amon Amarth - Put Your Back Into The Oar - https://youtu.be/vYNAEzgKNec

I am hugely grateful to my good friend Jess who hooked me up with a last minute ticket to see The Whitlams Black Stump on Friday night. I'll happily admit that I have never been a huge fan of the band in the past but the opportunity to attend a show in the company of other people absolutely made my day. 

I've written in the past about how awkward I feel going to see gigs by myself. It's all good when the band is playing because I'm pretty much totally engrossed in watching and listening. Standing or sitting around waiting or between sets really makes me uneasy. I remember putting on my big boy pants and dragging myself to Smith's Alternative to see Don McGlashan play a while ago now. I was sitting waiting for the gig to start and two punters asked if the seats at the table were free. When I welcomed them to have a seat one of them asked me if I didn't have any friends. It was meant in jest but I almost went home. 

Don McGlashan - Hold Onto Your Loneliness - https://youtu.be/0Z17b76HKAI

Friday night was at Tallagandra Winery which is about 30 minutes from my place out in the country. They certainly attract a wide range of great Australian artists. I just wish that you could book single tickets rather than having to find a group of people who want to go. Anyway, that aside, it's a good venue. The band was Tim on keys/vocals and Ollie on guitars and pedal steel. They played a lot of tracks from the new album and I enjoyed them a lot. Tim is a great storyteller through his lyrics and has a talent for making the everyday seem interesting. I was transfixed watching Ollie play the pedal steel guitar; it's a true art form. And I did laugh at the end when Richard and I were singing along to I Make Hamburgers and someone shouted at us to shut up. Sorry mate, we were having a great time. If you want to listen in peace and quiet then you've got the CD I'm sure. Actually, given the demographic I'm sure that punter had the album on limited edition, gold plated vinyl to play in his dedicated listening room whilst sipping Grange. Maybe that was a bit judgmental. Oh well, it's my blog. Here's my absolute favourite song from the night, even if they did play their fabulous new interpretation of You Sound Like Louis Burdett.

The Whitlams Black Stump - The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw (live) - https://youtu.be/scGdLU83JLw

Tim Freedman has a very distinctive voice and I think that's a key for success in popular music. So does Colin Meloy from The Decemberists. I noticed that they have a new long player due to be released in the near future. There are four tracks available online. Maybe it's an EP or perhaps they are building the album one song at a time. Regardless, they sound great. This one has what could be a New Orleans jazz feel along with the band's very recognisable style. See what you think.

The Decemberists - Oh No! - https://youtu.be/pAmJYu2UVyU

It's time for some good, solid rock music here on the World Wide Woozle. I've played you all The Southern River Band before. Remember them? They're from Western Australia and clearly love any number of classic rock bands. What I like is that The Southern River Band, whilst clearly paying homage to their elders, put their own twist on things. I imagine that this is a band best seen live whilst surrounded by like minded individuals having the time of their lives. There's so much energy in their latest track...

The Southern River Band - Vice City III - https://youtu.be/jjTwRBBJswk

Let's keep that energy going for a few minutes because Amyl and The Sniffers are back. oh boy are they back! This little Aussie band has already scored support acts with Foo Fighters and Jane's Addiction and are another take no prisoners act. I'm getting tired of reading articles and comments from people who think that rock music died years ago. This track shows a clear development for this band. They've grown as songwriters and the Iggy Pop-esque groove on this track is a ripper.

Amyl and The Sniffers - U Should Not Be Doing That - https://youtu.be/jCxgUPFVFkA

Mark Seymour is a storyteller too. While many of you will be aware of his history with the band Hunters and Collectors, the man carries on in style. His latest album, The Boxer, is well worth your time. Songs about real people and real life. And, yes, another distinctive voice.

Mark Seymour and The Undertow - She Burned Her Bridges Down - https://youtu.be/Rj_oTuYFO3M

It's been a challenging few months for me at work. Many of you will know that earlier in the year I was fortunate enough to be selected to act at the next level up. It was always going to be a challenge for me to see if I could get back to working at a higher level. My brain doesn't work the way it used to but I've been doing my best to improve that. Sadly I had to admit that it was all getting a bit much and I wasn't coping well. My managers have been very understanding and essentially I'm returning back to the job I did before I was acting up. I won't lie, I was pretty devastated about having to admit this and also a bit embarrassed. Now that I've had a bit of time to reflect and get used to it I am OK. I can't suddenly go back to my brain running on all four cylinders but I can do my best to keep it improving. Thank you to the people who responded when I told them what was going on. I know that in situations like this it's hard to know what to say and I appreciate that. You don't have to say much but just know that when someone tells you something sad, personal or challenging that getting no response can be very upsetting.

Stryper - Calling On You (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/fjdKE5sZu_4

So, Stryper (above) has released an unplugged album. It's called To Hell With The Amps. I love the band and I have since I was in high school but I was skeptical about them ditching their amplifiers and electric guitars. I needn't have been. The songs sound fresh with this approach and the fact that Michael Sweet's voice is still very strong make the album a great listen. The band are on a US tour at the moment and although I'd still really like to see them rocking out in their full yellow and black stage gear, the acoustic show would also be a lot of fun. There's a livestream concert from this tour coming up soon and I'm hoping it works well enough for them to consider a release onto BluRay or at least a streaming version.

Finally, a live show that is pure gold. George (watch out for his new album, The Call To Home Symphony, hitting the airwaves on June 1) gave me a copy of the Alchemy live DVD by Dire Straits. More and more I find myself listening to (and watching) Mark Knopfler play guitar. I recently reflected with a few of you that in the 80s his red guitar and sweatbands were some of the coolest things I knew. He's one of the reasons I chose the red electric guitar that's been with me since 1987. Putting the DVD on made me think about how well it is produced. Although the video footage suffers a bit from a combination of not enough lighting and watching on our modern high definition TVs, the audio is superb. Through my old 2.0 stereo system it sounds huge. This is a concert released in 1984 and the warmth and bottom end are great. I found as well that through watching the concert a couple of times, I have had my ears opened to songs I didn't pay a lot of attention to previously. 

Dire Straits - Telegraph Road (live) - https://youtu.be/EX2n2ftbdZU

Keep smiling brothers and sisters,

The Woozle

"Carmelita, hold me tighter
I think I'm sinkin' down
And I'm all strung out on heroin

On the outskirts of town..."

Warren Zevon, Carmelita, 1976

World Wide Woozle episode #629

Thanks for tuning in. It's raining quite a lot here at HQ World Wide Woozle. Although I'd rather be outside on my bike, the precipitation does indeed provide an atmosphere conducive to reflection and writing so here we go. And more about rain later on.

The National Film and Sound Archive has an online exhibition now celebrating 100 years of radio. I'll probably take a look over the weekend. Radio was a huge part of my life for many years, I loved to scour up and down the dial searching for stations from far flung places. When I was in the Army and still living on base, I was once called to see the Intelligence Officer to explain why Radio Moscow was sending me a programme schedule! I like old radios too. Although I don't have heaps of room here to collect them (probably a good thing) I do have an old National Panasonic receiver that was converted to a Bluetooth speaker by a mob in Geelong. Very cool. If I could fit a couple of cool ghetto blasters in here I certainly would. Radio was where we heard new and old music. The local community station, 3GCR aka Gippsland FM was an integral part of my education. While commercial channels played the hits, community stations played everything. In the space of a few hours I'd hear folk music, music in languages other than English, old time rock and roll, polkas and the weekly heavy metal show. Of course radio is still around but I must admit I generally only listen in the car. Then again, if I invested in a shortwave receiver I could go back to my days of searching for Voice of America or something more exotic. Yeah, it's all on the internet but that's no fun.

The Sports - Who Listens To The Radio - https://youtu.be/wNjFdWrv3Fs

Last weekend I was in Mudgee with my good mates Toddo and Davey for a cycling event. The Mudgee Classic has been held four times and I've ridden them all. Getting away for the weekend, talking nonsense in the car for 5 hours each way, hanging out at the local RSL Club and getting a solid 120km ride done all added up to a top shelf weekend. We missed seeing Ken Sutcliffe, "the male model from Mudgee", starting the event but we did stop in his home town of Oberon to visit the dunnies and the bakery. If you're even a casual cyclist then I couldn't recommend this event highly enough. There's gravel/dirt rides on the Saturday and road cycling on Sunday with distances from 35km up to 170km. It rained, hard, on Saturday which wasn't that much fun for those riders. We got a bit of a shower on Sunday but nothing too much. We did need a loud rain and thunder playlist in the cabin though as SOMEONE who isn't Todd or I snored louder than two chainsaws! Seriously though, I'm very grateful to the lads for being such awesome friends.

Judas Priest - United (live) - https://youtu.be/6DmZUAbeWlM

The Woozle and Toddo in Mudgee.

A long time ago now I played in a band called The Dark Violence of Beauty. Our bass player, G-man, went on to play in a few bands and he's in one called Tundrel. They've just released their latest track, and video clip, and I'd really appreciate it if everyone out there clicked the link to check it out. I know at least two people in the clip and if you're from Canberra then there's every chance you'll recognise a couple of locations. Regardless, check it out and support local music.

Tundrel - Mechanical Sympathy - https://youtu.be/MeyJklUas7g

Roxette are coming back to Australia in 2025. I saw them here in Canberra at the Royal Theatre on 29th January in 1995 and it remains one of the best rock and roll gigs I've ever seen. I'm serious. I'll have to think long and hard about the 2025 show for a while. Per Gessle is a fantastic songwriter who has that knack of writing great hooks. He also loves classic guitars! This is my favourite song from the Crash Boom Bang album that they were touring back in '95. The jangly, swirling guitar in the verses and the overdriven sound in the bit before the verses...this song has it all.

Roxette - Fireworks - https://youtu.be/EvpYdXjE0Rc

When I first got a CD player, I thought CDs were expensive. These days they are on the way to silly prices. $50 for the latest Pearl Jam CD? Oh dear. I remember early on getting a CD called The Superior Sound of Elton John. I guess it was meant to be some of his best tracks remastered so that they sounded better on the new media. Other than playing Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting far too many times the rest of the album didn't really interest me. Then about ten years ago I put it on and really enjoyed it. Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding became a particular favourite. It's long, it has many different parts and, in the middle it rocks hard. I've heard Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) doing a great live version of it and Dream Theater do as well. Recently Elton John and Bernie Taupin were awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Songwriting and there was a series of well known artists including Annie Lennox, Garth Brooks and Joni Mitchell playing in tribute to them. They were good, better than good, but then I saw the link for Metallica playing. Seriously, their obvious love for the original song is clear and whilst making it their own, Hetfield and co. show plenty of respect. Listen carefully for when James sings, "just a fan". Those are Bernie's lyrics but the timing of the delivery is pure Metallica.

Metallica - Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding - https://youtu.be/CUI24ZZ4ksA

Canberrans, what is happening? We're being inundated with great heavy metal bands visiting our humble town. Triumph of Death, Unleash The Archers, Temtris and Cirith Ungol are all coming in the near future. Amazing. Listening to these bands along with some others pointed me towards the brand new album from Darkthrone. Now there's a band that care not a dot for what is popular, trendy or will make them money. Their albums range from the seminal Norwegian black metal releases A Blaze In A Northern Sky and Transilvanian Hunger through to the Priest/Maiden influenced The Underground Resistance and now It Beckons Us All which is pretty traditional metal but with folk elements and a song about the bird people of Nordland. The latest album is dark, loud, heavy and simply awesome. 

Darkthrone - Howling Primitive Colonies - https://youtu.be/6mGn2OBHCYk

For those following along on Spotify, my regular listening playlist has had a complete update. You can get it here and you don't need to pay for Spotify to listen to it. I do try to keep it quite varied. Where else will you get Faith Hill, Amon Amarth and Hockey Dad in the same place? Here's one from that playlist that I was reminded of when driving home from Mudgee. 

C.W. McCall - Convoy - https://youtu.be/Uxp6OG8izQg

Keep smiling everyone,

The Woozle

"It's hard to make believe everyday.

Things are not always the way they should be.

Words come easy if you try.

Hiding in the shadow of your eyes."

Mi-Sex, Blue Day, 1983