World Wide Woozle episode #654

Hello out there, enormous listening world.

Before I get into it, here's a link to my current listening playlist. If you're even remotely interested then it's worth checking it regularly as I change it up a lot. Yes, it's still on Spotify for now.

In the ongoing and lengthy journey through my CD collection I've spent the week with Dr Feelgood (the band, not the song) and Bruce Springsteen. The first four Dr Feelgood albums have been given the 50th anniversary treatment and re-released. I picked them up recently as I had a grand total of none in the World Wide Woozle music library. While they sound great and I've played them loud and on repeat, I am disappointed with the packaging. Other than a few words on the cardboard sleeves, there are no liner notes, there are no extra tracks, nothing. Hmmmm, it feels like a lost opportunity. What I really like about Dr Feelgood is the percussive nature of Wilko Johnson's guitar playing. It's almost like a second drum kit at places and gives their music a real push.

Dr Feelgood - She Does It Right - https://youtu.be/iHm7uIC84YM

I haven't listened to any Springsteen for quite a while. He has a LOT of albums and I only have ten which I think is almost enough. What I found moving through different stages of his career was his clear ability as a storyteller/lyricist but also how much of the recorded guitar is actually him playing. I chose the next song because it has echoes of 50s music and maybe the jangle of The Byrds, and it made me smile.

Bruce Springsteen - Surprise, Surprise - https://youtu.be/yEIBlkh4AsM

A while ago DJ SteveArrrr invited me to go and see John Kennedy and The New Originals play here in Canberra. You may remember me writing about it. This week John has released an EP called, The Berlin Trilogy. You can probably guess that it's three songs recorded in Berlin ha ha! I listened to it a couple of times during my rain interrupted walk after work yesterday. Songs about Wollongabba, Coolangatta and Berlin were a great soundtrack. The sound is a lush acoustic experience with some tasty pedal steel guitar from Moe Jaksch. I must admit that when he initially posted about songs with Moe, I misread it and thought he was in Gippsland. You can get the album via Bandcamp at the link just above. I liked the last song a lot, it reminded me a bit of one of the saddest songs I know, REM's Leaving New York, but more in sentiment than sound. I've been doing a lot of thinking about moving on and this song really hit home.

John Kennedy - Time To Leave Berlin - https://youtu.be/-xFriIQTWAU

DJ Al-ee-sun sent me a pic from last night's Paul Kelly concert in Brisvegas. I'll be interested to see how he comes across in a big arena setting as I've only ever seen, or imagined him, in more intimate venues. And whilst Jason Isbell pulled out of the support slot quite a while ago, they did get Lucinda Williams and our own Fanny Lumsden for quite a country themed pair of supports. Fanny is awesome. Her records are fun, her social media is a riot, and she replies to her fans, including me, when they write to her. I also really like her "Country Halls" tour programme where she plays in small towns and communities if they can find her a hall to set up in. She's done this across Australia, New Zealand and parts of the UK. 

Fanny Lumsden - Millionaire - https://youtu.be/ng9pZ5RZvIY

What if your favourite songs were recorded in 1980s era Poland? Wonder no more as Maromaro and his Retro Poland channel have all the answers. At first it might seem like a bit of a joke, and it is, but when you dig further you'll find a talented musician having a lot of fun. 

Maromaro - Barbie Girl - https://youtu.be/5hPCSa6gbQ0

At this stage in proceedings I'd like to provide a public service announcement. That loud screaming you may have heard at about 0930hrs AEST for the last three Fridays was me. And it may well be again next week. Whilst the dry needling is having an excellent impact on my physical recovery, I find the whole thing horrendous. I have never been good with needles and the only saving grace here is that I'm lying face down so I can't see the chiropractor turning me into a human pincushion. To be fair, most of them don't hurt but there are a couple of spots...wow...intense. I will stay the course however as being able to walk with little or no pain and tightness is a massive win. I'm a bit worried that if I continue with all the meditation and yoga that I'll start to wear beads and smell of patchouli. Woozle 4.0 maybe.

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

Keep smiling,

The Woozle

"Things got bad, things got pretty funky

Before my eyes you turned into a junkie..."

Paul Kelly, Darling It Hurts, 2010

World Wide Woozle episode #653

Welcome back.

Loads of official footage of the Ozzy Osbourne farewell concert is now online and many of you will have seen the most excellent version of Changes sung by Yungblud. Yep, it's awesome and potentially the highlight of the whole show. A few years ago though, Charles Bradley recorded a version that is superb. If old school R&B / Soul Music makes you smile then this one is a must.

Charles Bradley - Changes (live) - https://youtu.be/zfaOf70M4xs

Here's some brand new music for you all. This is the debut track for Canberra quartet Soforth. If you only listen to one track from this episode then please make it this one. Supporting local music is cool and even cooler in this case as I know one of the young folks in the group. I'm especially digging the tempo changes and the spluttering, surf fizz guitar line. Soforth push hard and then back off in a way that so many bands are unable to do. They understand the power of space in the sonic maelstrom they create. Great vocals, restrained and then hard hitting drums, all wrapped up with a pulsing bass line that keeps you guessing. I'm very much looking forward to hearing the upcoming EP.

Soforth - Ringing Tone - https://youtu.be/dLqQTTo5XWo

Did you ever not listen to a band as a result of their name? I did. I wrongly assumed that Viagra Boys were either a dumb hip hop act or the reincarnation of Vengaboys, neither of which interested me. Fast forward to a few days ago where one of my OG music pushers, DJ D-Dubya, told me to have a listen. I trust him. Very few people out there think about music (and music gear) the way he and I do. I'm unsure how to describe Viagra Boys so have a listen for yourselves. I guess if you like Iggy Pop then this might be right up your alley.

Viagra Boys - Sports - https://youtu.be/QjL7D33xpS4

Spotify is a problem. We all know that the algorithms aren't transparent; some of the very wrong recommendations prove this to me on a regular basis. I miss out on stuff I would definitely like and get bombarded with drivel. Then there's the issue of artist payments. And now we have the company being linked to arms manufacturers prompting some artists to remove their music from the Spotify catalogue. Here's the thing though, only spending your money on products and services that align with your version of right/wrong/justice is nigh impossible. You'd better not be wearing any cheap arsed clothing manufactured by workers in developing nations who are being paid next to nothing. You'd better not be using one of those fruity mobile phones or wearing swooshy sneakers. Who's using YouTube for all of their music and not paying a cent? I could go on but you probably get my drift. So what do we do? We do the best we can without turning ourselves inside out. I'm currently investigating an alternative to Spotify. This is as a result of the artist payment and algorithm frustrations. Feel free to let me know if any of the streaming alternatives are any good. Yes, I have a lot of CDs, records and cassettes and I use them a lot. But in the car and on the move I'm a streamer. Also, I'm typing on an ancient MacBook which won't be replaced anytime soon. But when it does I'll have to balance my Scottish tendencies to look for the absolute best value for money and look at the company making the device and how they are behaving. As Billy Bragg said, "if I only listened to ideologically sound pop music then I'd soon get tired of the Red Army Choir..."

Billy Bragg - The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions - https://youtu.be/lz2REwKVmnk

Since having to learn to sing 99 Luftballons as part of German class at school in 1985, I've had a bit of a fascination with popular music that isn't in English. I mean, there's a massive proportion of the world singing in other languages after all. Here's a couple for you all to check out, they are regulars on my playlists.

Anna Coddington - Kātuarehe - https://youtu.be/PrwPfjZY08M

Gyllene Tider - Sommartider - https://youtu.be/CnBfiQyeDcI

Last time around I wrote about problems with my physical and mental health. Well, they got worse and it continues to be quite a journey. Thankfully, after a number of visits to the chiropractor the pain in my back and down my leg is much reduced. I have a lot more work to do in order to make it stronger and more flexible, but significant progress is being made. I was extremely stressed about having dry needling, and I hate it, but it does seem to help. I've needed to use my newly developed meditation skills to deal with having needles stuck everywhere. Yep, I'm soft. While my physical health is much improved, getting my brain to play along is proving more of a challenge. I had to take some time off work and then go back part time because I simply couldn't cope. As with my physical health, I am doing what I am told by those in the know to address this. Written on my reminder board at the moment are the following:

• Don't give up
• Your brain needs food
• Do your yoga
• Remember to meditate
• Don't be a hermit
• Take the long term view

Easier said than done.

Don McGlashan - Start Again - https://youtu.be/YwwF2xNRF4k

Let's finish with something that's a lot of fun. This group did a whole heap of awesome versions of movie theme songs and this is my favourite one.

At The Movies - The Never Ending Story - https://youtu.be/REXpzTtplZg

That'll do.

Keep smiling,

The Woozle 

"Would Jesus feel safe in his skin if he came to your town?

And would you still believe in Jesus if you found out he was brown?"

Jordan Smart, Who Would Jesus Bomb?, 2024

World Wide Woozle episode #652

Welcome back at what is a sad, sad time for fans of heavy music.

The Prince is dead, long live the Prince.

Ozzy Osbourne died this week at age 76. While we all knew that he'd been unwell for a number of years, this news hits hard given that he was performing only a couple of weeks ago at his own farewell concert.

In my last couple of years of high school, heavy metal music became a passion and it remains so to this day. My friend Simon loaned me his LP copy of Blizzard of Ozz to dub onto cassette and over the following years I almost wore it out. The honest truth is that I'm not a big Black Sabbath fan. I understand their importance in metal music but Ozzy's later solo stuff is what grabbed my attention. Some of that, naturally, is to do with time and place. Ozzy was long gone from Black Sabbath by the time heavy music was on my boombox and walkman.

The iconic riff from Crazy Train (track 2 from Blizzard of Ozz) was the first real metal guitar piece that I could play. Simon played some bass and we would practice that bit over and over again. It felt good. These days it's a bit of a no-no in guitar shops because everyone plays it. There's a reason though; it's just such a great riff.

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train - https://youtu.be/FVovq9TGBw0

In mid-1989 I bought my first CD player. I also bought two CDs that day, one was the Ozzy Osbourne live album, Tribute. Yesterday, on my march through my entire CD collection, that album along with all the other Ozzy ones I own was played. Coincidence?

Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Know (live 1981) - https://youtu.be/mvwBbPIMhTY

Ozzy had a knack for attracting and working with some of the most influential guitar players. Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Brad Gillis, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde to name the most well known. Tony, of course, remained with Black Sabbath and is the author of some of the heaviest riffs of all time. Randy (dec. 1982) is well known for incorporating a range of influences, including classical music, into his playing.

Randy Rhoads - Dee - https://youtu.be/J9BQRMBjUOY

In other news, I am having a major struggle with some back issues. It's been a problem on and off for many years now but I've usually been able to manage it with a range of strategies. There is a limit, however, to how much massage, physio, stretching and exercise I can do. Sadly, it's just getting worse. I begged the GP for help and he finally took notice. Some new drugs are almost managing the pain and instability. Meanwhile I've been to see a chiropractor who came highly recommended. What we already knew is that two discs are a problem, two nerve roots are being impacted, and there is some joint arthropathy too. Quite a bit of this is age related, but a couple of injuries have helped it along. Let's see what the chiropractor can do because I'd really like to get back on my bike, walk without worrying about electric shocks down my leg, and most importantly, stop the triggering of my mental health because that is even harder to deal with.

Black Flag - Fix Me - https://youtu.be/ICdgH_LDo5Q

That's it. I've got nothing else today. Go and listen to some Ozzy.

Keep smiling,
The Woozle

"Heaven is for heroes, and Hell is full of fools..."
Ozzy Osbourne, Revelation (Mother Earth), 1980.

World Wide Woozle episode #651

Welcome back loyal listeners. Welcome also to newbies, irregulars, curmudgeons, and anyone else brave or silly enough to join in. Are you sitting comfortably? Good, let's begin.

This week DJ Toddo and I headed out to the theatre to see the production, Big Name No Blankets. This was a stage show / rock musical all about the Warumpi Band. Told from the perspective of founding member and lead guitarist Sammy Butcher, it was a real treat. Musically, the band were spot on and Taj Pigram moved and sounded exactly like singer George Burarrwanga. It's a three show run here in Canberra and I'd thoroughly recommend seeing the show if you can. I've listened to Warumpi Band since their iconic song, Blackfella Whitefella, appeared, with This Land by Coloured Stone, on Midnight Oil's The Dead Heart single in 1986. Hearing their songs played live, along with some of the stories and meaning behind them was more than worth the price of admission.

Warumpi Band - Stompin' Ground - https://youtu.be/HHYbwHTGOv4

Wet Leg are a band from the Isle of Wight who are getting a lot of exposure at the moment. They had a slot at Glastonbury and also on NPR's excellent Tiny Desk Concert series. It's a bit quirky, but poppy and infectious nonetheless. Other than the cool vibe, I was instantly hooked by seeing guitarist Hester slinging a Richie Sambora Kramer guitar! So cool.

Wet Leg - CPR - https://youtu.be/3tibZ_DBmVE

Many of you may have watched, or at least been aware of, the final Ozzy / Black Sabbath show that was in Birmingham last weekend. The whole day was a complete festival of heavy music as well as love for Ozzy. I've watched quite a bit of it and I hope there is a decent BluRay release coming soon. There were great moments and there were also plenty of singers and musicians who didn't really hit the mark. Nuno Bettencourt, guitarist for the US band Extreme, proved himself to be the consummate artist. He carried many performances and made it look almost effortless. Singer Yungblud probably made a whole lot of people check out his music after his superb rendition of Changes. Steven Tyler from Aerosmith proved that you can still sing, move and be a total rock package well into your seventies. I can only imagine how much fun it would've been that day. There's a ton of bootleg footage out there on YouTube so fill your boots. Here's a track that highlights Ozzy's voice and the superlative guitar work of the legend, Randy Rhoads.

Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads - Goodbye To Romance (vocal/guitar mix 2010) - https://youtu.be/-vrT1SQDYhA

Very few artists do justice in their attempts to cover AC/DC tunes. I'm still scarred by footage of Shania Twain murdering one of their biggest hits. I'm not even going to link it here for fear that you might inadvertently hear it. In sharp contrast, Morgan James' version of Thunderstruck is a total soul/r&b triumph, What fun!

Morgan James - Thunderstruck - https://youtu.be/IFe-AU7jwBI

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and guidance about photography after the last blog post. I won't be spending thousands on gear I can assure you. I might, however, get a small tripod that'll hold my phone from time to time. Otherwise I'm sticking with my quick draw, point and shoot style for now!

Dr Teeth & The Electric Mayhem - Kodachrome - https://youtu.be/6_01zRwJOPw

That'll do for this time. Happy Birthday Fitzwilliam.

Keep smiling y'all,

The Woozle.

"Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond

Call me what you will..."

Metallica, Wherever I May Roam, 1991

World Wide Woozle episode #650

Hello and welcome back all you radio fans.

The World Wide Woozle current listening playlist is, and remains, an ever-changing window into what I'm listening to now. You can access it HERE via Spotify. I love feedback and discussions about music so please feel free to engage me about this, via email, at any time.

In this episode I'm going to write about a few topics, and it might get long. I'll include some sub-headings so that you can skip what you aren't interested in. So, strap in for the ride and don't forget to hydrate.

Iron Maiden – Rime of the Ancient Mariner - https://youtu.be/gewer650wqc

Checking out

Some of you will have seen an article that I pointed to in The Guardian that reflected on the instant-response culture that we have created with text messages and other forms of instant online communication. Over the last few years many of us have allowed ourselves to be sucked into responding to messages instantly and at all hours of the day and night. Guess what, it's not good for you. And if you get that reputation in the workplace then you will never have a moment to think about anything. I am one of those people. Living alone, it is very easy to rely on messaging for human contact when the truth is that some quiet time isn't a bad thing. It means I can limit distractions when I am reading, writing, and meditating.

In pre-instant messaging days, you would never telephone someone after 8.30pm unless it was an emergency. Now, however, there seem to be no boundaries with regards to messaging. We all know that we should stop looking at our electronic devices at least thirty minutes before bedtime but we don't. I know I don't need to send stupid memes and pictures at 10pm, but I do. And I most definitely don't need to respond to that message at 3am because I forgot to put my phone on 'do not disturb'.

So, in the interests of my own wellbeing (selfish, I know) I am checking out. It's not that I won't respond or that I won't send messages, I'm simply going to make a big effort to not let it rule my life. One of the ways I will deal with this is dumping my smartwatch or at least stopping all the notifications. Every time my wrist vibrates, I am interrupted, stop what I'm doing and my mind wanders. I must remember to set up my phone so that the do not disturb setting actually works.

Jesus Jones - Who? Where? Why? - https://youtu.be/JlMZjFRFzBM

AC/DC
Yes, the best rock and roll band in the world are coming back home for a series of shows at the end of the year. Angus (Marshall, not Young) and I have tickets for one of the Melbourne shows. To be frank, I was shocked to be able to actually secure them. AC/DC were the first rock band that I really connected with, and they are still my favourite. It's uncomplicated, foot tapping, head nodding, rock and roll and this will be the fourth time I will see them live. Some will complain that it's not the original band, they are too old, tickets are too expensive, and so on. In this case, I simply don't care. Angus is the only original member, but Brian has been singing with them since 1980. Malcolm and Bon are dead so they really can't be expected to show up. Yes, they are old, but does that mean they can't do what they love? And ticket prices are much cheaper than some other international acts to recently grace our shores, cough, cough, Pearl Jam. I have little doubt that this will be the last tour, and they may have slowed down a little. Brian is 77, Angus is 70, and Stevie is 68. I'd absolutely love to be able to get on stage in front of a huge crowd at that age. "Hail, hail to the good times, 'cause rock has got the right of way...we're just living for today."

AC/DC – For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) - https://youtu.be/RtMGoU9NcMo

Not getting better

Honestly, I well and truly understand that any kind of mental health recovery journey is far from a linear process. I know there are moments of clarity as well as deep despair and everything in between. In recent times I think I have been making really good progress and importantly my psychologist thinks the same. I was reminded by a well meaning friend that I was now 54 and had been battling this for a number of years. They then asked when I would have it sorted out. Well, that sat me back on my heels and rendered me speechless. I don't know the answer but I do know that I wish it was today. I wish it had never happened to me, to my family, and to my friends. I'm ok now and I'm deeply appreciative to the people that helped me navigate my way over that particular hill this week.

John Williamson & The McClymont Sisters - I'll Be Gone - https://youtu.be/Cd6FhmogDY8

Photography
I have discovered that I like taking photographs. I just need to be better at remembering to pull out my phone to snap them! There are a couple of places near my house that are rather beautiful, and I've found myself walking there more and more searching for spots to shoot. I know that photography can be a very technical pursuit, but, with a half decent phone and a bit of patience I can get some rather pleasing results. I am a sucker for sunsets and a glassy surface on a pond. There's a rabbit hole to go down with regards to camera gear, but I don't need to even peek inside. Or do I?

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band – Photograph - https://youtu.be/oG14CJ0klhw

Maliyan Tour 2025

Melbourne readers need to be aware that my mate George has a live gig for you Victorians on the 2nd of August. All the details are on the flyer at the bottom of this blog post. Get there if you can for what promises to be a great show. It's the 10th performance on his Maliyan Tour (aka Bing's World Tour of Australia). Most big international bands manage to play in three or four major Australian cities but not George, he out there in cities and towns laying it down for y'all.

Brian Wilson

I thought I'd finish with a Beach Boys song. Brian Wilson passed away recently although many would argue that he really hasn't been with us for quite a while. It's a sad story but we are left with some superb songs. The Beach Boys Greatest Hits was one of the first albums I was given. First on cassette and then on LP, thanks Mum! 

The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice (vocals only) - https://youtu.be/FPN53PHDwe4

Lukim Yu,

The Woozle

"Same playbook as 2003,

looks familiar to you,

looks familiar to me..."

Jesse Welles, Sometimes You Bomb Iran, 2025.

World Wide Woozle episode #649

Hello out there marvellous listening world. 

Last time on the World Wide Woozle I was getting ready to head to Wollongong for a gig. I did, it was cool, and you can read all about it right here. Thanks, Bing.

I've also done an update of the World Wide Woozle current listening playlist. It's less angry than the previous iteration. Maybe I'm chilling out a little.

Today I was in Queanbeyan for work. It looks like I might go back there every couple of weeks as well. Cool people and a groovy setup supporting veterans. In the very early nineties Canberrans needed to go to the Leagues Club there to see most major bands that came this way. I have good memories of seeing The Angels, Crowded House, and Transvision Vamp there. I also remember seeing The Choirboys there on a Sunday evening. The crowd was tiny (Sunday evening!!) but the band played as if there were thousands watching. 

Choirboys - Never Gonna Die - https://youtu.be/Z3bUU56Xwbg

Clutch are an American hard rock outfit that I've liked for quite a while now. They have a new song which I'm about to play for you. What I am struggling to understand is why they aren't a ton more popular. Is it a saturated marketplace? I don't think I can blame radio as its influence seems so minimal these days. Or are we all stuck listening to only what we grew up with and/or what an algorithm recommends?

Clutch - Slaughter Beach - https://youtu.be/nRTfLdaFzyU

Look, the algorithms aren't all bad, they're just opaque in their intentions at best. YouTube threw this one up at me this week and it's cool. If you liked bands like REO Speedwagon, Journey, Foreigner and the like then this group from Sweden might be for you. DJ DaveDubya will be quietly giggling at their name...my brother might be too since he's a Kiwi these days.

Nestor - In The Name Of Rock And Roll - https://youtu.be/nRTfLdaFzyU

Two great bands that I've seen play at the much missed ANU Refectory, are The Living End and Baby Animals. Well, Chris Cheyney and the Baby Animals have teamed up to release their version of the Motörhead classic, Ace of Spades. First of all, why Suze can't sing, "baby, I'm your man" is beyond me. Those are the lyrics and it just sounds odd now. Secondly, I want to love this interpretation but, well, it's kinda bland. Suze's voice sounds fabulous but the band is a bit muffled. I know that there are two absolute guitar gunslingers on this track but it feels lacking in energy. If they play it live then it might hit home. It's only maybe from me...but that's just my opinion.

Baby Animals w/ Chris Cheyney - Ace of Spades - https://youtu.be/3ebZb0S0DbU

Here's the version you want.

Motörhead - The Ace of Spades (on The Young Ones) - https://youtu.be/YOAz4nPNvLI

I wrote in my gig review, and mentioned at the show how much AM radio influenced my early listening habits. I was listening to Queanbeyan FM today on the drive over the border (hi there DJ DocW) and they played the next song. It was another staple from 2ZB in Wellington and 3UL in Gippsland when I was a kid. I had no idea that the original was recorded when Tanya was just 13!

Tanya Tucker w/ Little Big Country - Delta Dawn -  https://youtu.be/AMAM3ae7KoQ

John Swan, aka Swanee, has a new album coming out soon. Australians will know him as a successful solo artist from the late 70s and 80s and then as the singer in The Party Boys. Swanee was also the singer who replaced Bon Scott in Fraternity. You might have heard of his younger brother as well who sings for Cold Chisel. You can read all about the new album right here. I missed seeing him play at the Rock for RnR gig I was involved in at The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne a few years ago and I'm still disappointed. Here's a really, really great song. If you only click one song link in this episode then this is the one. He has a big heart.

Swanee - Rescue Me - https://youtu.be/kWjIVWaNg-c

I'm about 90 albums into my quest to listen to every CD I own. No skipping tracks or pausing is allowed. So far it's been a lot of fun although I think my mid 90s CD player may be slowly giving up the ghost. Let me know if you've got a decent one you'd consider selling. I'd forgotten just how much I liked this song...

The Cat Empire - The Car Song - https://youtu.be/a4xau-JRu3I

Almost at the end now. Hang in there.

Can I recommend the podcast called, Strong Songs to anyone remotely interested in why some songs are simply just so good. I listened to a couple of episodes and I am now hearing bits in tunes, lyrics and arrangements that I had never noticed. The show about this next Jim Steinman tune was particularly jaw-dropping.

Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart - https://youtu.be/lcOxhH8N3Bo

For those of you who remain slightly confused about what a podcast is...it's essentially a radio show without a radio station. Also, some podcasts are simply recordings of radio shows that have already aired. Anyone can make one too. Maybe I should. I learned a lot recently about the French Foreign Legion, anxiety, and the use of castanets. Not all from the same podcast though.

The Members - Radio - https://youtu.be/IGhsO63D_R8

That's enough. 

Rock on folks,

The Woozle.

"...the lovers, the dreamers, and me..."

Kermit The Frog & Debbie Harry, The Rainbow Connection, recorded 1981.

The Woozle in Wollongong 24/25 May 2025

Hello again music fans.

This is a bit of a rundown of my recent weekend away and the set I played in support of the Wollongong leg of George Huitker's Maliyan 2025 Australian Tour.

I hadn't been to Wollongong for a while. For those not in the know, it's on the coast about 90km south of Sydney. From Canberra it's about a 3 hour drive if you include stops.

I chose to head to the 'Gong a day before the show. Winter is coming in fast in Canberra and the opportunity to get some sunshine and coastal air was a big drawcard. It's clearly not tourist season down there as accomodation was easy to find. I got a fab and groovy place about a five minute walk from both the CBD and the beach.

I am not a fan of the beach. I don't like sand. Salt water tastes horrible and of course there are sharks out there. I do, however, like being at the coast. I like the sound of the ocean and I'm pretty happy sitting on a bench somewhere gazing out to sea. Wollongong is great for a walk along the coast beside the beach. But, let me go out on a limb here and suggest that it is possible to walk without a takeaway coffee and/or without being on your phone the whole time...

I was fortunate enough to catch up with a couple of good friends there. Once by good luck when we were all out walking at the same time, and the next day for brekky at a fab cafe. Other than that I was pretty happy with my own company. I do wonder if the people in the next hotel room enjoyed me rehearsing my set though!

Rarely do I write much about food as it can be a challenging topic for me. I do, however, want to tell you all about the pineapple fritter I had as a treat at Glory Days on Crown Street. For years, every time I decide to get one I am disappointed. They arrive only half cooked, drowned in sugar and generally make me feel like I'd not bothered. Not this time. Oh, my, goodness. My taste buds were in heaven; the best pineapple fritter ever. Cooked to perfection and with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. I should've gone back for a second one but let's not go too crazy.

Sunday came around with an early morning stroll, the aforementioned breakfast, and the joy of setting up sound equipment for a gig.

Lajos opened the show with poetry readings. This is the man that recently wrote 1000 poems in 1000 days. We'll be needing some of these in a book before too long. Great stuff.

Then it was me. It's been quite a while since I played and sang in public. The fact that I'd lost my voice just a week earlier threatened to make life interesting. I chose my repertoire accordingly and almost got away with it, almost. I chose to play four songs written by other people as well as a couple of mine. Here they are, along with why I chose them. Don't feel that you must read all of this as it is as much a journal entry for me as an expose of my musical scattergun approach.

i. To A Mouse - Robert Burns - https://youtu.be/5kFST60dNgY (read by Billy Connolly)

Lajos had read poetry and I really thought that I was about to lower the tone of the evening substantially so I read this one myself. Somewhere I have a certificate from early primary school in Scotland for reciting this particular poem.

1. Gold - John Stewart - https://youtu.be/reFlgu1vq3Q

This song has so much going for it. Firstly it takes me back to my childhood and AM radio. Lyrically I love it; "I jump into my car and I throw in my guitar". The rhythm of the syllables and feel of spitting out the consonants are beautiful things. "California" was interchanged with "Illawarra" and "Alabama".

2. If It Takes A Lifetime - Jason Isbell - https://youtu.be/d82uSO0tn3k

 

Y'all know that Jason is one of my favourite songwriters. His songs, however, are quite difficult for me to sing given his range and level of control. I'm not sure I did a wonderful job with this one, maybe I should have done it a bit later after my voice and nerves were more under control, but I still enjoyed it. For me, this is a song about continuing to move forwards.

3. Love Lies Bleeding - Elton John - https://youtu.be/REfKNbNndzo

George loves prog rock and this was as close as I could get with one voice and an acoustic guitar. I distilled the original eleven minute epic down to a bare bones, Neil Young-esque version, of about three minutes. It has a lot of chords, I needed a capo so that I could sing and play it at the same time, and it was a challenge to arrange and learn. My goodness it was fun though!

4. No Way Nadir - George Huitker - https://youtu.be/puATe3Ty3sQ

I knew that George wouldn't be playing this song in his set and, after trying out a number of his other tracks, I decided to give this one a red hot go. It's got a thousand chords as well but I played it so many times when I was in Junk Sculpture that it's pretty much muscle memory. But...I started it too fast and the lyrics need to come out thick and fast! Then I had the capo in the wrong place so it got a bit of a spoken word / Mark Knopfler vocal styling in places! And I reverted to the original lyrics...sorry H.

5. One's Too Many - https://on.soundcloud.com/udo5TD45qECNiR7h8

One of my originals that's been around for a little while now. I feel like I've played it to everyone I know but this was a whole new crowd and it has one additional lyric I wanted to try on for size.

6. Another Day - Lovesmudge - https://youtu.be/k8KgQzU3tJY

I had time up my sleeve so, unrehearsed, I threw this one in. I wrote the lyrics in 1992 for a band I was in at the time. It's not that easy with just the one guitar but I think the song still stands up today.

7. If You Don't Like Hank Williams - Kris Kristofferson - https://youtu.be/J8RSGCJF6gI

There's a demo version of this which I have linked that I just adore. Kris was a smart man who liked all sorts of music and artists and I wanted to channel a little of that vibe. A few lyrics were altered so that Hank Williams is replaced by George Huitker. I'm sure you'll get it when you listen to the original.

And that was me, done and dusted.

George and Evan were up next playing a range of songs from his ten albums. Quiet songs, and 'bangers' as George calls them and everything in between. Lajos and I got up for some backing vocals on two tracks but no-one saw that green trombone solo coming. Anarchy in Wollongong!

Good times indeed.

Cautiously, I think I am now available for low key lounge room shows across the ACT. Book now to ensure disappointment!

Thanks if you read all of this.

The Woozle.