Tuesday, November 30, 2004

George Jones turned down an offer to duet with Frank Sinatra.

''It hurt me. It is one of my biggest regrets. But I told them I can't sing that way.''


Yeah, you can. George could do a very cool Stardust-esque album, something along the lines of Frank's In the Wee Small Hours.
First Thoughts,
On the Occasion of it Almost Being Christmas:


Hank III Lovesick, Broke and Driftin'

Neko Case The Tigers Have Spoken

Drive By Truckers The Southern Rock Opera

Merle Haggard The Essential (but I looked at it the other day and they wste a spot on I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver. Why, Lord, Why? I am willing to accept Okie from Muskogee was a giant dope-fueled tour bus joke no one got, but this stretches the friendship.)

Lacy J Dalton Country Classics

Mary Gauthier Anything

Emmylou Harris mmmmmmmmreissuesmmmmmmmm

Willie Nelson whatever his new one is called

Kris Kristofferson Broken Freedom Song: Live from SF



Thursday, November 25, 2004

Long Black Veil




When I was a kid one of the most played records at our place was The Cobbers Sing Songs of Australian Women, a double album with a white cover decorated with sepia tones and sketches from McCubbin. I remember the band members had impressive facial hair, Irish accents when they sang and Eureka flag vests. There might have been a lagerphone involved.

I remember a completely tragic song from the point of view of a regretful husband standing at the grave of his wife and baby. His gold fever drove them further and further into the bush and made him oblivious to the peril they were in. One about Daisy Bates too and one by Ned Kelly's sister. The rest is getting foggy but I bet if I heard them again I would know all the words.

My two favourite songs were The Bush Girl adapted from Henry Lawson and the allegedly true story of tragic Eliza Emily Donnithorne, on whom Charles Dickens apparently based the character of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. Her grave at St Stephen's Anligcan Church was recently vandalised by drunk yobs and today stonemason students from Miller TAFE will be repairing it. The gothic community too has been mobilised into action:


Eliza Donnithorne's Grave Vandalised
Tragically, the grave of Eliza Donnithorne at St. Stephens Cemetery, Newtown has been desecrated by vandals. Eliza's sad life story allegedly formed the basis for the character of Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations'.
Her monument is therefore not only a priceless gothic icon, but perhaps a site of great importance to the literary community worldwide. In the words of gothic artist/zinemaker Nicky McGann, "Just saw Eliza's monument. It lies there on the grass, broken as her heart was broken. Mayhaps he returned to trample upon her grave."
PLEASE HELP BY CONTRIBUTING GENEROUSLY TO THE 'RESTORATION BY GOTH COMMUNITY FUND'.
Donations can be made at Gallery Serpentine (123 Enmore Road Enmore NSW 2042) or at "Ascension Nightclub" on Saturday 20th November.
Thank you for your assistance.


It is the ultimate tragic romantic story:


Most sources agree that in 1856, at the approximate age of 30, Eliza prepared to wed. As Eliza was one of Sydney's social elite, her wedding was to be a gala and celebrated occasion. The banquet was laid out, the guests assembled, the coaches prepared to escort her the short distance to St Stephen's church and a crowd had gathered to be entertained by the spectacle. But the groom never appeared ...

The invited guests and the throng of onlookers slowly dissipate and the bride-to-be is left in the house alone, except for two faithful servants and the prepared wedding feast. The story goes that she insisted the banquet and the house remain in readiness for the arrival of her beloved. The door to the grand house remained ajar, held in place by a loose chain from where people could see in and Eliza could see out awaiting her fiancee's arrival. But he never appears, the wedding table is never to be cleared and she remained in her wedding dress until her death in 1886.


The bloke who wrote the linked article says that based on his research this is probably an urban myth, Sydneysiders noted the similarity between the two stories and over time the two merged. He also doubts there was a groom or a planned wedding at all, merely an eccentric old spinster. Oh well.

The song mentions the elegant houses and upper class social swirl of King St in Newtown. I often think about that while strolling in the area, hard to reconcile now its the carefully cultivated grunge capital of Sydney. (OK, so I don't think about it that often. Usually I too busy am trying to calculate if I can afford to buy anything at So! or Egg Records.)

Information on The Cobbers is virtually nonexistent online although I know they were quite big in the world of bush bands. I have no idea either where that LP is now.

Also, cobbers were little chocolate covered chewy lollies when I was growing up. Back when Paddle Pops could be had for 20c. Do they still exist?


Boney has attempted to lift me out of ennui with news that Jolie Holland is touring. Boney sez: "Jolie is sort of an edgier, spookier Norah Jones. She's got some jazz sophistication and some bluesy rough edges and some country-folksiness and some creepy Harry Smith / Jungian-fever-dream lyrics."

08 Dec 04 - Hopetoun
Surry Hills, Australia

09 Dec 04 - Vanguard
Newtown, Australia

10 Dec 04 - Cornish Arms
Brunswick, Australia

12 Dec 04 - Meredith Festival
Meredith, Australia

13 Dec 04 - Manchester Lane
Melbourne, Australia

She co founded the Be Good Tanyas but left after the first album. Tickets are $30 for the Vanguard.

UPDATE: I went over to ABC' DiG radio site to check out what they have to say about Ms Holland and there is some new Gillian/David stuff up, including a review by Brian Wise and an interview.

Oh and next Monday Brian Wilson is appearing at HMV Pitt St at 5pm. He is only signing copies of SMiLE so leave the surfboards at home.

UPDATE 2: Hilarious site of the day found at expectingrain. Unfortunately, most of Dylan's characters lack noble qualities.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

SO. Not alot happening this week (well, there is. But it's waaaay off topic.) . I am uninspired. Post Gillian Trauma? I am definately heading to Andy Baylor Friday night a good bit of Cajun party music could be just what I need.


Friday, November 19, 2004

Barefeet are a sweet sounding acoustic folky/country threesome playing at the Harp in Tempe on Sunday (see left.) Check out their website, get along and buy the EP!

Thursday, November 18, 2004

All Kinds of Precious Gifts

A Rolling Stone survey has named Like A Rolling Stone the Greatest Song Ever. These surveys are pretty meaningless except as a talking point but at least it isn't a goddamn Beatles song. I don't have a road to Damascas story about first hearing LARS like many people I know, but here is one of my best and most vivid memories.



July 2001. I'm taking a bus from JFK to my hotel in mid-town Manhattan. I am completely shattered after 20 hours without sleep (tried to stay awake and look out the window all the way from LA to NYC, so that whole "from sea to shining sea" thing) and fading fast. The bus inches it way through some boring industrial areas of Brooklyn, nothing much out the window to keep me awake. I keep fiddling with my walkman trying to find a station with decent reception, there are none. (Where are we, in the middle of the Nullarbor?) I can't keep my head up or my eyes open. Then, these three things happen simultaneously. The traffic breaks, we are flying. And up ahead suddenly is the glorious (pre 9/11) Manhattan skyline. And my radio crackles to life and clear as anything, Like A Rolling Stone leaps out. I am suddenly more awake than I have ever been.

The Top 20:
Like a Rolling Stone Bob Dylan
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction The Rolling Stones
Imagine John Lennon
What's Going On Marvin Gaye
Respect Aretha Franklin
Good Vibrations The Beach Boys
Johnny B. Goode Chuck Berry
Hey Jude The Beatles
Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
What'd I Say Ray Charles
My Generation The Who
A Change is Gonna Come Sam Cooke
Yesterday The Beatles
Blowin' in the Wind Bob Dylan
London Calling The Clash
I Want to Hold Your Hand The Beatles
Purple Haze The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Maybellene Chuck Berry
Hound Dog Elvis Presley
Let It Be The Beatles


picture nicked from here.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

I do believe Ms Fits has come up with the ultimate description of a Gil/David gig:


It was beyond sublime. The music felt like when you haul yourself out of a swimming pool and lie down on hot concrete with the warmth of the asphalt seeping through every limb.


Oy. There should be prizes for stuff like that.

Setlists from Melbourne, courtesy of Mr Simon. Read 'em and weep if you weren't there.

Prince of Wales Hotel
Wednesday, November 10, 2004


1st set, approx 9.20-10.20
1. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You (Dylan)
2. Make Me Down a Pallet on Your Floor
3. Elvis Presley Blues
4. Rock of Ages (GW on banjo)
5. Ruination Day Part II (GW on banjo)
6. Look at Miss Ohio
7. I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll
8. Black Star (Radiohead)
9. Wrecking Ball (DR on harmonica)
10. Red Clay Halo

20 minute intermission

2nd set & encores, approx 10.37-11.40
11. My First Lover (GW on banjo)
12. No One Knows My Name (GW on banjo & harmonica)
13. One Little Song
14. Revelator
15. By the Mark
16. Copper Kettle (Dylan, DR lead vocals)
17. The Way It Will Be
18. Caleb Meyer
-----------------------------
19. Orphan Girl
20. Everything is Free
21. I'll Fly Away
-----------------------------
22. Albuquerque (Young Neil)


Prince of Wales Hotel
Thursday, November 11, 2004


1st set, approx 9.46-10.40
1. One Monkey
2. One More Dollar
3. Elvis Presley Blues
4. Rock of Ages (GW on banjo)
5. Look at Miss Ohio
6. I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll
7. My Morphine
8. Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix)
9. Wrecking Ball (DR on harmonica)
10. Red Clay Halo

20 minute intermission

2nd set & encores, approx 10.57-12.10
11. My First Lover (GW on banjo)
12. No One Knows My Name (GW on banjo & harmonica)
13. I Had a Real Good Mother and Father (GW solo)
14. Revelator
15. By the Mark
16. Diamond Joe (Bob Dylan, DR lead vocals)
17. The Way It Will Be
18. Caleb Meyer
-----------------------------
19. Whiskey Girl
20. Everything is Free
21. I'll Fly Away
-----------------------------
22. After Midnight (J.J. Cale) - song started just before midnight and ended after!
23. White Freightliner Blues (Townes Van Zandt)

Prince of Wales Hotel
Friday, November 12, 2004


1st set, approx 10.00-10.46
1. Wayside/Back in Time (DR on harmonica)
2. Make Me Down a Pallet on Your Floor
3. Rock of Ages (GW on banjo)
4. Elvis Presley Blues
5. Annabelle
6. Look at Miss Ohio
7. Dear Someone
8. I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll
9. Tennessee Stud (Jimmy Driftwood)
10. Red Clay Halo

20 minute intermission

2nd set & encores, approx 11.03-12.11
11. My First Lover (GW on banjo)
12. No One Knows My Name (GW on banjo & harmonica)
13. One Little Song
14. Revelator
15. By the Mark
16. Big Rock Candy Mountain (traditional, DR lead vocals)
17. Wrecking Ball
18. Caleb Meyer
-----------------------------
19. The Way It Will Be
20. Orphan Girl
21. Everything is Free
22. I'll Fly Away
-----------------------------
23. Long Black Veil (Wilkins & Dill)

The Forum
Tuesday, November 16, 2004


1st set, approx 9.15-10.05
1. Wayside/Back in Time
2. Make Me Down a Pallet on Your Floor
3. Elvis Presley Blues
4. Rock of Ages (GW on banjo)
5. Orphan Girl
6. My Morphine
7. Look at Miss Ohio
8. I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll
9. Black Star (Radiohead)
10. Red Clay Halo

20 minute intermission

2nd set & encores, approx 10.23-11.41
11. My First Lover (GW on banjo)
12. No One Knows My Name (GW on banjo & harmonica)
13. One Little Song
14. Revelator
15. By the Mark
16. Copper Kettle (DR lead vocals)
17. The Way It Will Be
18. Caleb Meyer
-----------------------------
19. Wrecking Ball (DR on harmonica)
20. Everything is Free
21. I'll Fly Away
-----------------------------
22. It's a Long Way to the Top (Dave on lead vocals, GW on harmonica simulating the bagpipes, Tim Rogers on guitar, Tex Perkins on banjo)
-----------------------------
23. I Dream a Highway

A Movement Called H.O.P.E




Horrified Observors of Pedestrian Entertainment is a group "offering the good people of America who have been duped into buying Ashlee Simpson's CD a reprieve; the opportunity to turn in her CD for one of a higher entertainment quality. Just bring your Ashlee Simpson CD down to the Knitting Factory Box Office between 10 and 5 PM Mon thru Sat and get one by the likes of Elvis Costello, The Ramones, X, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Aretha Franklin, Mr. Bungle, Ray Charles, Abe Lincoln Story, Grateful Dead, Neil Hamburger, Joni Mitchell, and Brian Wilson (while supplies last / selections vary) courtesy of Rhino Records in replacement."

Other good works:

The Jimmy Fallon vehicle Taxi has been identified by H.O.P.E. and the good people of America as substandard entertainment and unfit for the silver screen. Confirming suspicions based on Fallon's SNL work as well as trailers and reviews of the film in the mainstream press, the H.O.P.E. office was deluged with e-mails from movie goers following Wednesday night's premier saying Taxi lacks any form of creativity, humor, or intelligence. As a service to America, over the course of the next two weeks H.O.P.E. will be dispatching members to theaters where Taxi is playing to alert patrons in line to see the film that it is substandard fare. The H.O.P.E. staff will also be offering suggestions for alternate viewing options available at the theater or to more entertaining activities in the area for those who choose not to see the film.


Singer/songwriter and CIA mind control agent Kris Kristofferson has undergone a bit of a resurgence lately with his nomination to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He got a bit at the CMA Awards, performed at the Ryman and, unrelated but still gratifying, Heaven's Gate is being rereleased. The Valhalla in Sydney is showing it this Saturday at 2.45pm, a one off.





Thanks to JC for the photo.

Tickets have been acquired to Came So Far for Beauty -- An Evening of the Songs of Leonard Cohen at the Sydney Festival next January. Nick Cave is the big attraction. Well, the songs of Leonard Cohen are the big attraction really but for that money you want some names. Apart from Nick, there's the McGarrigles, Rufus Wainwright, the Handsome Family, Linda Thompson and others.

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Remembrance Day





Picture

Reading
Fourth Welch/Rawlings show in Melbourne announced. Thursday 16th at the Forum.

The country colonisation of Ozblogistan continues apace with Immanuel Rant's adventures in country here and here. Resistance is futile.

More Boney on Gil and David. I told you he does it way better than me.

Zoilus on Gretchen Wilson (and Neko Case and Loretta Lynn.)

Thursday listening:

The Gift soundtrack Spooky Cate Blanchett film with excellent soundtrack, including perhaps the most chilling country song ever recorded - Loretta Lynn's Mama Why? featuring the truly freaky vocals of Lynn's son Ernest Ray. Little boy wants to know why God took Daddy, Loretta replies with some spoken word theological nonsense. I don't know what the poppet looks like but this springs to mind






You get the feeling the child in the song is about to take himself and mama off to visit Daddy in Heaven just as soon as he can get his hands on a blunt object.


The Blazers Puro Blazers Rocking Mexican-American "latino roots rock."


Wednesday, November 10, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Billy Joe Shaver, Guy Clark, Dennis Morgan and Freddie Hart have been inducted into the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame.

Tom T. Hall gave Shaver's induction speech Sunday, and Kris Kristofferson joined Joe Ely to perform some of Shaver's classics, which include Good Christian Soldier, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, Honky Tonk Heroes and I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal. Shaver was moved to tears by the performance.

"Boy, it's been a rough road, but there've been a lot of happy times, too," he said.

Lyle Lovett and Verlon Thompson paid tribute to Clark by playing selections from his catalog, which includes L.A. Freeway, Desperadoes Waiting for a Train and Homegrown Tomatoes.

Keith Urban, Jessica Andrews, Marcel and James Slater honored Morgan, whose hits include
Sleepin' Single in a Double Bed, Smoky Mountain Rain and I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool. T. Graham Brown performed Hart's Easy Lovin', while Freddy Weller, Jim Casey and Dickey Lee did other Hart songs, which include Bless Your Heart and Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me).

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Late notice, because I keep bloody forgetting: Desperate Man Blues is on SBS tonight at 10pm. A brilliant doco which all the Flop Eared Faithful should watch.

Two more Gillian Welch/David Rawlings items before I move on. Sigh.
Herald review of Roxy Show
Transcript of 7.30 Report.

Is anyone having trouble seeing the photo in the last post?

LAN Downunder takes on the Red Headed Stranger.

This is cool too. Round here we spend alot of time bagging pseudocountry poseurs like Rascal Flatts but I am still in a good mood so here is a heartwarming story. I've long admired Jeff Wall's often hilarious and insightful writing on music. I don't think he is updating Twangzine anymore but it is still worth rifling through the archives.


Why Rascal Flatts Deserve to Live

Last night, I took little Emily and her mom to go see Rascal Flatts in Winston Salem, NC. Emily is 13 and has Spina Bifida, and a bunch of brain problems. Her condition is terminal. She can walk, but in crowds and over long distances, she needs a chair. We just found out last week that she has a buildup of fluid on one side of her brain again and that they just can’t operate on her anymore.

Emily has met them once before at the LAX airport. She recognized them from CMT and went up to them and said hello. They were busy at the time talking to some for real bikini models, but dumped the supermodels to spend a few minutes with this little girl in a wheelchair. It was the highlight of her visit to LA.

Emily hears that Rascal Flatts is coming to town and she wants to go see them. Her mom ain’t got the money. She ain’t got no Daddy, and the medical bills are a whole lot more than the insurance covers. I would have just bought her a ticket, but we ain't got no money either.

I remembered talking to a friend in Nashville who told me he was playing with a Hot New Country Gomer and that there were doing part of the Rascal Flatts tour. I decided that I was going to get Emily into the show, and that not only was I going to get her into the show, but I was going to get her backstage. This would be my new mission in life.

I called the record label. No luck. I called every magazine I had ever written for about a possible story concerning Rascal Flatts and a poor crippled girl. I was basically told that there were no shortages of stories concerning Country Music stars and little crippled kids, That every publication had several such stories sitting around for when they needed to fill some space. I called Rascal Flatts publicist and never got a call back. I found out my friend wouldn't be on
this leg of thetour, so that angle wouldn't work either. I then went to work on their management. After wading through several layers of voice mail hell, I finally got hold of Doug Nichols. All he wanted to know was how many tickets and backstage passes I needed. He didn’t care anything at all about press or publicity. Just tell him what I needed and he would make it happen.

When I told Emily that she is going to go see Rascal Flatts and meet the band, she screams and hugs my neck. The day of the show I am extremely nervous. I’ve had smoke blown up my ass before by band managers. Emily has her hair done and gets all primped up. Please God, let their be tickets waiting. Please don't let me disappoint this little girl. We go up to the Will Call window and they can’t find our tickets. The lady working the window doesn’t give up and starts digging through envelope and boxes and magically they appear. Three tickets up front, not way back in the nosebleed section, and three backstage passes for the Meet and Greet.

The staff at the Joel Lawrence Coliseum in Winston Salem went out of their way to be helpful to Emily. When it came time for the meet and greet, Emily, and another little girl in a wheelchair were put first in line. The band came in and made a big deal over her. They signed her cowboy hat, they all gave her hugs, and were extremely gracious with their time, even though there were a roomful of people waiting for pictures and autographs.

As we rolled out into the hall, Emily had tears in her eyes. They were tears of joy. This had been a big deal for her, a really, really, really big deal. I got my neck hugged a couple of more times and told her that I love her, and was glad to have been able to help. I didn’t stay for the show, as I had to rush to the airport to pick up my mother-in-law. But I left feeling good.

I don’t think I did anything special except make a bunch of phone calls and grovel to people. But Emily and her mom acted like I had just bought them a house. The true heroes of this story are Rascal Flatts and their management team. You can say whatever you want about their music, but I have to honestly say they were all wonderful people.

They may not have made a fan out of me last night, but they damn sure made a friend. I owe them one, big time.

The reason you are getting this, is just because I wanted to tell somebody about what the band had done for a little dying girl. You don't need to forward it to anyone, there ain't no good or bad luck involved, or any of that type shit. Just a plea to do all you can to try to make life a little bit more enjoyable for one person. Any person at all. Just try to be nice to somebody. You'll be surprised at how much it pays off.

Jeff Wall

Monday, November 08, 2004

Oh Me Oh My Oh





I got into Gillian Welch back in 1996 or 1997 when she was included on the Horse Whisperer soundtrack (not the orchestral one, the "Songs From and Inspired By" one). Never seen the film but that disc gets alot of play round my way, being as it is full of crunchy country goodness. I believe it was also my introduction to Allison Moorer, The Flatlanders and Lucinda Williams (whose stark sensuality on Still I Long For Your Kiss made my naif 19 year old cheeks blush) and reintroduction to Steve Earle. Anyway, then I got the debut Welch/Rawlings album Revival and have never looked back. It's taken a long time for them to get down this way, something to do with her fear of flying, but here they are. I had built the concert up tremendously in my mind, counting down the days and immersing myself in the music although I worried a bit I was being set up for disappointment.

I wasn't.

There is a reason Gillian Welch and David Rawlings attract the kind of slobbering devotion they do, Boney and Boney's girl have expressed that many times and many times better than I could. There is definately something intensely hypnotic about hearing them on disc, an experience multiplied ten fold in the flesh. Around me were some people who had come from NZ just for the show, planned before they announced their Wellington gigs. What to say? Sublime (as Bernard Zuel in the Herald today described it, review doesn't seem to be online yet), inspirational someone said to me Sunday, dazzling, transcendant. I didn't take down a set list, but they started with Look At Miss Ohio, then on to Make Me A Pallet, most of Time (The Revelator), David leading on that Acuff Rose chestnut Girls Just Wanna Have Fun which would have stolen any other show, Caleb Myer. And on and on. More or less the same as the Brissie show below, but no Long Black Veil they finished with a driving White Freightliner Blues; when she said it was a Townes song I thought for a moment it was going to be Pancho and Lefty, but no complaints here.

Oh, and that Rawlings can play a bit, can't he? (And, I might add, way cuter in real life than in photos ... ) Not even the albums and a million jaw dropping reviews can prepare you for the flatpicking virtuosity on display. Sometimes the "and David Rawlings" gets stuck on the end as a kind of afterthought but this is definately an equal partnership musically, individually Gillian is something very special, together they are, well, pretty bloody perfect. And the harmonies. The audience of course adored them, roaring with approval after each awesome Rawlings break and mouthing all the words. Gillian's no slouch on the guitar and banjo either, swaying as she goes, and looking way off to the left as if she can see all those songs and characters come to life. Well, I think you get the picture.

Afterwards I hung around in that stinking alley that runs up the side of the Metro and got the autographs above and pic below -- I'm the one in the middle with the wild eyes and bogan grin. They were so gracious and obliging, I was a stuttering mess. "Oh ... mmm .... you good ... ugh .... me happy" Something like that I said anyway. Then I drifted away and 45 minutes later was going past the same place on my bus home and they were still there with some fans. If you missed out, man, you missed out.





And remember -- they will be on the 7.30 Report with Red Kezza tonight

Saturday, November 06, 2004

TV Talkin' Post

From the Shock Music mailout. Good Morning Australia is on Channel Ten. So either they mean Kerry Anne on Nine or GMA on Ten. It sounds more like Bert's style though.

Tune into GMA on the Nine Network on Monday morning at 10.50am to see Dan Kelly and The Alpha Males perform "Step Forward" from the three times ARIA nominated album "Dan Kelly and the Alpha Males Sing The Tabloid Blues". Maybe if Mark Holden is watching he'll figure out what the fuss is about.

Then, you may as well stay on the couch, because ABC-TV's 7.30 Report (after the 7.00 PM news) are featuring Gillian Welch that evening.

Friday, November 05, 2004

One More Sleep*

Review of Gillian Welch in The Oz


UPDATE: Brisbane set list.

Tear My Stillhouse Down
Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor
Elvis Presley Blues
Rock of Ages
Annabelle
Look at Miss Ohio
I Want to Sing that Rock and Roll
Black Star
Wrecking Ball
Red Clay Halo
My First Lover
No One Knows My Name
One Little Song
Revelator
By the Mark
Diamond Joe
Way It Will Be
Caleb Meyer

Everything is Free
I'll Fly Away
Long Black Veil







* and maybe a couple of naps

Thursday, November 04, 2004

If You're Not Going to Gillian Welch ....

... and like it a bit on the psychdelic side. Actually you could probably go to Gillian and drop by the Empire afterwards.

PSYCH OUT!

Empire Hotel, cnr Parramatta Rd and Johnston Sts, Annandale -
Saturday November 6th - 8.30 p.m till 2am.

Featuring -
THE INTERCONTINENTAL PLAYBOYS - Sydney's voodoo psych garage specialists. THE PUBERT BROWN FRIDGE OCCURRENCE "Fans of The Kinks and The Move will want to take particular note of The Pubert Brown Fridge Occurrence. With members of the bands X and Radio Birdman". THE DOLLY ROCKER MOVEMENT and DTS who blend elements of sixties rock.

$12 Admission + FREE SAMPLER C.D. The first 40 payers through the door will receive a free 8 track sampler CD featuring all of the above listed bands. An additional 50 copies will be available at the door for $5 each.

Running times:

Dts - 9.00
The Dolly Rocker Movement - 10.00
The Pubert Brown Fridge Occurrence - 11.30
The Intercontinental Playboys - 12.50

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Bob Log '01

Was reminded the other day about the 2001 Bob Dylan tour and my own mini-spree. Three gigs in four days (Tamworth, Newcastle, Sydney) plus another (Ballina) a week later. I wrote about it and have dug up the link. (Thanks Dave) Warning: The over-the-top dribbling fan quotient is sky high. Don't expect Booker Prize winning prose. You've been warned. Most of the internal links don't work (good to see I was bagging Bruce Elder's Dylan shoulder-chip back then too), the only really important one is the story about how Bob came to get his plastic Oscar. Remind me to tell you about it one day -- it's truly great.

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Praise the Lord and Pass the Wikipedia





This is the front cover of Buddy Miller's new album. Look at it. Commit it to memory. It is called Universal United House of Prayer. His name is Miller, with an M, as in Keith. He'll be in the "Country" section most likely. Go, find, get.

It's a gospel album, to be sure. But if blackhearted nonbelievers like me can dig it, you have no excuse. People who will love this album could include, but is not limited to, adherents to beliefs and world views described as Nestorianism, Atheism, Catholicism, Lutheran, Wiccan, Amish, agnosticism, Druzism, Sufism, Wahhabism (OK, maybe not those galahs), Kabbalism, Gnosticism, Anglicanism, Juche, Jedi Knightism, Judaism, Samaritanism, Shaktism, Vedanta, Amish, Satanism, Jainism, Santeria, Ptah worshippers, Thor worshippers, Queatzocoatl worshippers, Vin Diesel worshippers, Spiritualism, Scientology, Sikhism, Itan, Druidism, Hellenismos, snake handlers, Southern Baptist (very safe bet), Odinism, Kokopelli worshipper, Cthulhu worshipper, Order of the Solar Temple, Methodism, Russian Orthodox, Dragon Rouge, Opus Dei, Judeo-Paganism, Faery Wicca, Raelism, Shinto, Islam, Zoroastrian, Falun Dafa, Moonies, Quakers, Church of Jesus Christ Elvis, Taoism, Ananda Marga, Uniting, Animist, Theosphy, Pentecostals, Klingons and people who couldn't give a damn either way.