Blog It Baby, and Tim Buckley and Harmonia float into view.

As alluded to in the previous post, Harvey Dog's mental health isn't quite where it should be, but once a situation is cleared up and we say goodbye to xmas - the worse time of year for me [and a lot of people who suffer from depression], then I hope to get the energy to add some more dimension to the blog. Band profiles, lists, book reviews, more articles...Maybe a web site as well. So much to do...and look forward to. Until then, I will keep posting per usual.
***

Vaspers the Grate says "Writing your own blog is hard enough" but "...you have to interact with the blogosphere...by posting comments at other blogs." He does, and I've started stepping into this process, and I will add more recommended blogs as I come across them.

It's all about communication and sharing of ideas and thoughts...right?
***

Tim Buckley: Lorca (1970) ****1/2 I ordered this online, since you won't be finding too many Tim Buckley cds at your local HMV. Maybe "Greetings From L.A" if you're lucky.

What an incredible beginning. Ominous...foreboding...and yes, I would say somewhat dangerous. It's definitely a dark album, but let your mind meld into the music, the voice, the mood. Let it float...let Tim take you on a journey.

This album usually isn't rated too highly and I know that Guru T-Lu finds Tim Buckley dull and whiny, but I disagree. I think he's exciting and experimental and what a fucking voice! This album is challenging and flows like jazz...like I said...let it float. The Tim Buckley Archives.
***

Harmonia: Deluxe (1975) **** I know I know...another 4 star rating. I could pull out crappy albums from my collection and give them low ratings, but I want to expose the good music, and try to expose less popular acts to the masses. If one person reads something here and explores it and loves it...well, that would make me happy.

Obviously, I am into "floating" music today.
***

I have been completely negligent regarding Captain Beefheart. I apologize profusely. Here's another link for a site on the good Captain. United Mutations.
***

CATHARTIC WARNING Harvey Dog rambles on and on until Dr. Hawkwind appears and applies some medicine.

Sorry about the delay to all my fans out there! Hahahaha....For some reason, this amuses me.

CATHARTIC WARNING
Harvey Dog is rather stressed out lately due to a situation in his and the Guru's home. Let's just say living with a 21 year old kid with an attitude and all that goes with it certainly makes for stressful times. I hold in my emotions and hope...hold in my emotions and hope...then BLOW UP!!! hold in my emotions and hope...then BLOW UP!!! This is where we are now. One thing that has come out of this for the blog is that it has renewed my interest in music with ATTITUDE!!!!! Classic Punk Rock!!

I believe attitude is a great thing. A necessary thing. You need attitude to change things. BUT BUT BUT there is no reason to hurt people who are just trying to get on with their lives and have no intention of hurting anyone. Let's face it...life sorta sucks, a lot of people suck, and most people just want to get on with their lives with as few problems as possible...but just like hatred can increase exponentially, can peace and love?
***

GUILTY VERDICT! I am VERY guilty of staying in too much and hiding away from the world. I should be out supporting worthy causes either through monies or volunteering. I'm trying my best to bounce back from a pretty bad breakdown, so hopefully soon I'll be out there doing my bit to put some positive vibes back into society. If I don't, then shame on me. Currently, I'm just trying to cope and deal with what's going on in my life now.
***

When I was younger, I spouted out poetry and wrote about what I thought society's ills are (maybe I didn't have the solutions, but you need to identify the problem before you can solve it, and these are mighty complex problems for anyone) and I supported music and artists that meant or said something. At least if they were sincere and meant it maaaaaaannnn. I definitely got into punk rock (about 79-80) and went to tons of punk rock shows.

During my drunken stint in Toronto, I regularly went to a serious hardcore punk club called DMZ run by serious bikers. I saw some incredibly energetic shows. I remember seeing No Means No, and it was hi-nrg man. It was so hi-nrg I remember smashing my hand into some broken bottles and bleeding a bit.

(Aside: This was common when I was younger. I had so much anger and unhappiness inside of me, I would actually cut myself to try to feel...it's difficult to explain unless you've experienced this yourself. Or felt the need to go this far. It was mainly during my early 20s, but it did occassionally happen all the way to my early 30s. I may or may not explore the psychology of this later. It's not easy man. It's also not easy to understand why my friends thought this was so funny and actually encouraged me in my actions. They didn't realize I would also do it by myself very late at night and not tell anyone. I don't think that's funny. Especially when you have to wear long sleeve shirts in the summer at work to cover up the scars. This happened a couple of times.)

The blood didn't bother me (it wasn't deep enough for medical concern), I just went on drinking and carrying on all idiotic and crazed...it was a huge release of anger and frustration. The way to do it, I guess, is go to the shows, let out all your anger and frustrations and hostilities...let them out...let the sweat pour over them...then actually pinpoint why you are angry and hostile and do something about it. I'm always struggling with my anger. I guess when it comes down to it...I like, and LOVE (especially my sweeties...the Poobahs and the cat) a lot of things about life, but there is this deep rooted unhappiness inside me. It appears hereditary. My Mom strikes me as supremely unhappy. Unfortunately, she's in denial about it while I shout about it!!! As you're reading. If she's not as unhappy as I think, then I'm completely missing the mark and good for her.

I DON'T WANT TO BE UNHAPPY!!!! This is why music is so important to me. It's the one thing that's always struck me as pure. True and sincere. I'm NOT talking about the insincere corporate crap solely out for profits...and I'm not naive. Musicians need to make a living, so I don't put down musicians for "selling out". I blame the marketeers of our culture who seem intent on making the youth more and more stupid and pliable and accepting of their crap. If you don't think there's political motivaton behind this...well, I'd have to say you are unaware. PMRC anybody? I think the reverberations of that are still being felt today. Big record companies aren't going to sign true controversy (they manufacture their own), because they want the government on their side in the fight against file-sharing. This is why we need to support the smaller, more sincere companies out there. Revenant is a great example. The Bear Family release box sets, that you know aren't going to be big hits, but they have found a market of collectors and people obssessed with music. They don't need to be #1 with a bullet...just sell enough to make some bucks, make a lot of collectors happy, and more obscure musicians can benefit from some bucks and more exposure.
***

I'm nearing the end of "Fury's Hour" by Warren Kinsella, a well written manifesto about punk rock. He really lambasts the racist punks...and rightfully so! Replacing one system of hatred with another system of hatred, well....what's the fucking point!!?? It's still a system of hatred, and if that's all we're going to end up being, let's get it over with now...let's finish off the job we've started so well and finish off the planet choking with pollution and shit coming out of its rivers and forests cut down and resources raped by greedy capitalists out for themselves. Warren Kinsella's web site.

Things suck, things need to change or our planet will spew us out just like she has with various other species in the past. And that's all we are to her...another fucking species...however, we are the MOST dangerous of species.
END OF CATHARTIC WARNING

What this is all leading to...um...yeh, I'll soon rent out Don Letts' "Punk: Attitude" and give the people what they want!! My opinion!!
***

Hawkwind: Hall of the Mountain Grill (1974) **** This may not be the best Hawkwind album, but it's still fantastic. Remember from a previous blog, I mentioned about my luck in getting "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock". Well, Hawkwind was a vital part of my emergence into rock debauchery. There was a nice colour photo of "Space Ritual" with Stacia's breasts full and...out there...all for an innocent 12 year old boy to see.

SIDE ONE (hey, i have it on lp!)
Psychedelic Warlords: absolutely awesome...classic
Winds of Change: beautiful. that's the great thing about hawkwind they can be all nutsy and acidy and they can also make beautiful music.
D-Rider: i guess this is dated and all that...certainly of its time...and it washes into Web Weaver, and....it's beautiful

SIDE TWO
You'd Better Believe It: another psychedelic classic....the beginning of this sounds incredibly familiar...was it before hawkwind or after???? it's great...or did i hear this from hawkwind originally years ago...and as Hawkwind says: "it's so easy to say"....and it's live?!
Hall of the Mountain Grill: hawkwind goes classical and again...beautiful beautiful...
Lost Johnny: classic...i've read lemmy's autobiography and loved it and love Lemmy! i also read mick farren's give the anarchist a cigarette and it's also recommended highly by harvey dog...deviants were awesome too...well, awesome, may not be the right word, but maybe we'll say highly interesting...very interesting...
goat willow / paradox: great ending to a great album.

And remember...Hawkwind loves you. Hawkwind's official web site.
***

Ode to my Guru

I am so tired...

ready to quit
give it up

another day
another fight
I'm sick of the fight

sometimes the point of it all
...seems hollow
life seems empty

yet I know
yes!
I know

I do have a reason
to keep on going
even when everything
seems....empty....shallow

I see the Guru
sleeping there
I feel the warmth

I know
I know

that's enough reason
to keep on living.
***

Hunter Rocks! Hunter Rocks! Hunter Rocks! Hated Uncles what?

Ian Hunter: Welcome to the Club (1980) **** This is a classic live album. Mick Ronson on guitar. Ian's in great voice. Enthusiastic crowd.

(Aside: Now, I don't really mind Phish, but I find that their stupid arrogant crowd ruins the live cds. I'm a big fan of Widespread Panic, and they suffer from the same problem. These crowds are there for themselves, not the motherfucking band! Rant over.)

Thanks Rant guy. Hey, Rant is the name of an Ian Hunter album! Nice segue.

I actually stood a few feet away from both Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson once. I saw them in Hamilton, Ontario around 1990 (YUI Orta tour) at an old strip club called Bannister's.

They came on and sounded amazing!!!! I was plastered and hammered and was the first one up on the dance floor. I couldn't believe it! Fucking Ian Hunter from Mott the Fucking Hoople and Mick Ronson ex- Spider from Mars...I mean, what the fuck??? It was like a crowd of maybe 75 people. And they're sitting there on their asses?! It's a rock'n'roll show Jim! Sad sad sad.

I had an amazing time! Sweaty, wasted and plastered and more people did eventually join me on the dance floor. About time assholes!

I get excited talking about Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople so I use a lot of !!!!!

Great time was had by one and all. The band were so tight and it was a puzzle why they were playing there???? Bannister's? A fucking cheap strip club. I mean we are talking about Hamilton. It ain't no St. Catherines. hahahaha. Or Burlington.

Did I mention that The Hated Uncles played at Bannisters...twice? And one time we got written up in the local paper? When I locate the article that will be another Hated Uncles story. The other show I actually have on cassette, and it was done one week after our drummer quit, so we wrote all new material, including all new lyrics by Harvey Dog in a crazy drunken, still working full-time, week of chaos. The show turned out to be very unique and I'm quite proud of it. Tim Gibbons from Trouble Boys fame liked it. So there. I also remember that they had a basement and at that time it was still a ripper bar. Of course, that was our pre-gig meeting place.

So, anyhow, after the show I was wandering around and passed the dressing room and there's Ian and Mick standing there smoking and talking and I was hammered man! too drunk too drunk and i could feel my mood...darkening...don't ruin it Harv don't ruin a great night, for once just fucking leave...

I stood there for a second and before they spotted me I moved on out of there. I say it was out of respect. Ian Hunter was never in Glass Tiger or Honeymoon Suite! Ian Hunter's official web site. Great site and Ian writes for it!! I love that.
***

The punks meet Manfred Mann wrapping xmas gifts with Guru T-Lu and poetry(?!) strikes again

I've recently become more interested in the classic punk period from the late 70s. Over xmas, I'll rent out Punk: Attitude from our local vid store.

Punk may be about attitude, but isn't the best punk railing against something...in other words
let's change things up

do things a bit...
different.

Harvey Dog has been, in the far ago past, been spotted with a Sex Pistols (as well as Bad Brains and Violent Femmes and Iggy) shirt on, and he had lots of attitude, but was it the best kind of punk? More beer sodden and depressed probably, but hey, not to put myself down too much, I did rail against something...I felt, and still think, change is needed.

I hope the new culture isn't so brain deadening, that people can still actually, you know...think. There are people doing good things though. Might as well keep hope, even though that's increasingly difficult these days.

I'm looking forward to renting this out. I've lately read a couple of books about the era. That Legs McNeil "Please Kill Me." Great trashy read. "Fury's Hour" by Warren Kinsella. Pretty enjoyable. I'm over halfway through. "On the Road with The Ramones". Another book that was loads of good times...and wondrous stories. Also a Patti Smith bio. Oh, should be a blast. Punk:Attitude official web site.
***

The Guru has been wrapping up our "late" xmas gifts to Ontario and has been acting rather bizarrely, shall we say.

I don't really understand xmas at all.
***

Manfred Mann's Earth Band: The Good Earth (1974) *** As this record was heading near the halfway point of the second side, I noticed that Guru T-Lu did not seem impressed with the progginess of this record. I had to tell her that she was never a teenage boy. As she left the room, she commented again, with a certain tone, about the "progginess" of this record.

The Guru has great taste in music, but she's no prog head.

I think it's sort of impressive and quite listenable. The Mick Rogers version of Manfred Mann is probably my fav period of theirs. The self-titled one is the best. Manfred Mann's Earth Band's official web site.

I don't think I'll play my Gentle Giant records for the Guru quite yet. Gentle Giant's official web site.
***

the eyes of the guru

3 inches of ice
immerse the car

...a frozen

sheet

of glass

I seek the sun

I crave the sun

...I seek the sun

puzzled
at the lack of directions

I ask the gurus
of the pavement
how to seek the sun

I look into

the reflection
of the ice

deep into its icy eyes

I look away

to see an eagle
chew its own wings

by the scruff of the neck
I grab the eagle
and won't let go
the eagle won't
let me go...

as we slide away

into the

frozen darkness.
***

Honeymoon Suite & Glass Tiger are coming to town, Randy California and Spirit

I heard the great news on the radio on the way to work this week. Honeymoon Suite and Glass Tiger are coming to PG man!!!!

Refer to this blog for my encounter with Allan Frew from Glass Tiger. Is is it Alan or Allan? Hahahaha...just kidding. I really don't care.

Well, there's also a Honeymoon Suite encounter that ended up with a group of us getting kicked out of the bar. It really was JK's fault this time. I wasn't involved so much this time. JK was drunkenly dancing with a group members' groupie of the night, and at first it was ok but then he got more and more drunk and more and more all over the fucking dance floor. The rest of us drunkenly defended JKs drunken antics a little too vigorously I guess.

But the whole point of the story is that we did see the complete first set, and that Honeymoon Suite sucked big time.

Of course, now I would have just left the bar and gone to another place. God, I'm getting old!!!
***

Spirit: The Mercury Years 1975-1976 (1997) **** I'm a big fan of Randy California and Spirit. I started off with the classic 4 albums up to and including Dr. Sardonicus (1970). Then I picked up this one a few years ago and it has stuck to me. It's always on the list...

What more is there to say? Check em out. Randy California and Spirit web site.
***

I got shot down on highway 16
rat a tat tat a rat a tat tat
***

Light on Lighthouse, BST live story and who are those hippies?

What is it with Lighthouse? I mean...I'm listening to "Peacing It All Together" and it's ridiculous. So
so
so
ridiculous

They actually sing a song all about the importance of "common people" then they refer to these people as the "little people"!??

I couldn't but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
***

Blood
Sweat
& Tears live: August 2003 Hamilton, Ontario w/ Luther Wright & the Wrongs
Shortly after my breakdown, Guru T-Lu took me to The Festival of Friends, the annual summer festival in Hamilton, to see Luther Wright & the Wrongs, Derek Miller and Blood, Sweat & Tears. I really wanted to see Luther Wright since I had just gotten into "Rebuild the Wall". Brilliant, by the way. They were good live. I liked em. But-----let's talk about Blood Sweat & Tears baby.

After Luther Wright & the Wrongs, we met some guy I knew and didn't really care to see. Hammered as usual, and I had quit drinking the previous year. I'll just say I didn't even like him when I drank. So, my nerves were pretty fragile, cracking eggshells. The Guru meets up with a friend and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of a huge crowd...ALONE!!!!

The panic
ensues

rises...to the sky
out of sight baby, I was freaking. After standing and staring wild eyed at the crowd I scoot out of there and find the Guru. I'm shaking...but her friend has a nice fatty from her husband. We went behind some trees and partook. It was strong shit!!!

Nerves calmer I stay on the outside of the crowd, and then Blood, Sweat & Tears come on. Right at the ***point*** of peaking.

They start off with "I'll Love You More than You'll Ever Know". My head started rolling off my head and I became one with each note....

colliding with the stars it was a great show and it finally got me to buy some classic BS & T....

amen.Blood, Sweat & Tears web site.
***

Roky Erickson goes to the 13th Floor, Metallica gets dissed and Prince George rocks man!

Roky Erickson: I Think of Demons (1980) ***** What can I say? When I make up my listening list this one is always on it. And why is "Bloody Hammer" one of my fav songs? And "White Faces"? And "Shake Me Lucifer"? And "Creature with the Atom Brain"? And "Cold Night for Alligators"? It's like those cheesey old horror movies, amusing, yet somehow still scary underneath. It's about being disturbed, hallucinating
fading
in and out
dealing with the
horror
....the nightmares

the pain in the brain...
thinking
too much

and
I start to
think of demons

And I'm thinking of demons. Again. Roky Erickson's official web site. From all reports Roky is doing much better these days. Great to hear.

For great late 60s Texan psychedelic music, check out his original band, The 13th Floor Elevators. The 13th Floor Elevators web page.
***

Found a nice blog by a guy with amazing musical tastes (Ash Ra Tempel was on his list! As was Beefheart and Roky Erikson). In other words...similar to mine. Hahahaha. He talks about the mind and occassionally music. Hopefully, there will be more regulare activity on it. The Daily Formaheap.
***

I've heard that Metallica song with Marianne Faithfull at the end of it twice on the radio here in PG. Both times the dj had to comment on how spooky it was, but with this touch of snideness to it. Sorta mocking her. I think it's the best fucking thing Metallica ever did. They suck.

I refuse to list a link to a Metallica web site. No need to encourage that sort of behavior. Go to this Captain Beefheart web site instead.
***

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Motley Crue, and now Nickelback into our fair city.

Good God....
***

You may be thinking to yourself. "Listening list?" Yes, I have a listening list. Is that so bad? Back me up Randy...you better back me up motherfucker!
***

Talking Heads and Dream Syndicate accost the Buddah

Harvey Dog has sad news to report. Prince George's own Rock Your World may be closing. I include the "maybe" since Steve isn't giving up. Just ain't making enough cash man. That would be a very sad day indeed. Keep positive thoughts...
***

Talking Heads: More Songs about Buildings and Food (1978) ****1/2 I loved this album when I originally got it, probably round 1980. I just bought it again at our beloved Rock Your World.... * time out! *

sob sob whimper * cough *

OK OK, I'm fine now. Sorry bout that. Anyway. I still love it. It's one of those classics where every song is, at the very least, incredibly entertaining.

I saw them in Toronto at Kingswood on the "Speaking in Tongues" tour. It was that tour where David Byrne starts out alone on stage with an acoustic guitar, then he turns on a boom box and plays Psycho Killer. It caught people off guard. All of a sudden someone is standing there. No fanfare. Super shit hot opening. Then Tina, then Jerry, then Chris, then I believe Adrian and Darryl and ?? Bernie Worrell??? I think so. Gotta look this up. One of my fav concerts ever. I didn't fuck up or anything either!!

Question: Did every male Talking Heads fan have a crush on Tina Weymouth? The ladies as well? Best Talking Heads web site.
***

Dream Syndicate: Days of Wine and Roses (1982) **** Here's a group definitely worth getting hearing. I also have one Steve Wynn solo and heard a couple of songs from recent albums, and they're great too. This is their first. Medicine Show (1984) was even better. Check out "State Trooper" from an Uncut cd of the Boss' songs or influences, something like that. Who cares? It's only the fucking Boss. Other people, especially Manfred Mann's Earth Band, do his songs better.

Gotta get that Live at Raji's. I heard one song ("Medicine Show") and it rocked like a motherfucker. Steve Wynn's official web site.
***

Buddah Blessings

Some days
I feel
like an island

drowning
in self-awareness

crippled by weaknesses

drunk on adrenalin
confused
by passages of time

and the
peace

of the buddah
***

Guru T-Lu wasn't crazy about that "drunk on adrenalin" line. Ummm. It's the best I can think of for now.
***

Should I dare buy Jandek? I guess I have no choice with all the controversy on e-mole@yahoogroups.ca.
***

Love Your Family/ Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar/ Don't piss off Frank Sinatra!

The Streetwalkers: Downtown Flyers (1975) **** OK. Let's get to the bottom of this. I am a huge fan of Family, Streetwalkers, Roger Chapman.

Listening to this on lp. I love that I have a turntable once again. After years of listening to cds, it can be quite startling to find that the music has finished!

They rock, they use progressive elements (but not too much), lots of dynamics, Roger Chapman's singing is intense and wild, the musicianship is top notch, the writing is solid. They deserve to be way more highly regarded. They aren't even listed in a massive AMG book I have from 2003! Check out these web sites! Roger Chapman: official appreciation society. Great site and "Chappo" even answers questions from fans. Similar to Ian Hunter. I like that these guys take time out to show appreciation for their fans. It's reciprocal! Strange Band: The Family Home Page, for lots of goodies. I found 3 old videos of Family playing live on tv, and they were awesome live! That's the only thing I'm missing...Live Family. Gotta place the order, even though they're pretty pricey.

Stop it! I'm rambling! Give these guys a listen to and see what you think. This Streetwalkers album is really great, so if you already know of Family and like them...now it's time to get into The Streetwalkers. Now I need to get some solo Roger Chapman stuff.
***

I love that song "Don't Become the Thing You Hated" by Destroyer. Especially from the "Frogs Eye Sessions" ep. * words of wisdom Llyod words of wisdom *.
***

Guru T-Lu suggested Jesus and Mary Chain's "Head On" as a candidate for "Top 10 songs to wake up to".
***

I woke up next to the corpse of Lester Bangs.
He liked cough syrup, I like cherry Scope.
I never met Lux Interior from The Cramps
I'm sure Lester and Lux shared some dope.

And then I went running through the house screaming: "Funk funk baby we need more funk" repeated endlessly....
***

After hearing amazing Meters and Art Neville songs on Uncut's "Funk Soul Brothers", I knew it was time to put on the Soul Jazz comp "New Orleans Funk" 1960-1975 (2000) which I haven't listened to yet. Band to investigate: The Meters. This is a great cd! Sounds like an easy **** to me.
***

Philip Glass & Ravi Shankar: Passages (1990) ****1/2 Deep and beautiful music. Philip Glass official web site. Ravi Shankar official web site.
***

Time to experiment. Put on Frank Sinatra's "Greatest Love Songs". Released in 2002 Recorded 1953-1966. Wasn't Frank Sinatra a bullying, murdering, gambling, alcoholic? I'm certainly not saying he was, but I thought I may have heard that rumour. Now, onto the tuneage.

I know the lyrics are written by geniuses and all that crap, but aren't the lyrics just somewhat corny? I know I have no taste and blah blah blah...but to prove I do, I do like "Candy Man" by Sammy Davis Jr. and "Detroit City" by Dean Martin. And "Fly Me to the Moon" is pretty cool. I like Sid Vicious' version of "My Way" best of all.

We've reached song 11 and I guess there is a certain flow to it. It certainly doesn't deviate much. Is this ambient music?

Wow! "My Heart Stood Still" was pretty fucking majestic! "Night and Day" is creepy. In fact, a number of the lyrics are pretty creepy....

Frank Sinatra as the Devil Outside the Front Door

outside the door...a scratch
a knock??
is it Frank?
back from the dead
knock knock
the hand of a ghost
let him in!
don't let him in!!!!!

I don't understand???

diablo! diablo! frank!???
***

Royal Trux & Can get reviewed, Dogs in the bathtub and Paul McCartney is an ass!

There's a constant banging in the back of my head...taking me to
another zone,
another space,
so it's time to listen to some music
as medication.
***

Royal Trux: Cats and Dogs (1993) **** I've just started listening to Royal Trux, and I've been quite impressed...bringing me back to heroin soaked days in the bathroom / looking for a fix / puke / face down / lots of fun.

I wish. * sigh * maybe one day...Royal Trux web site.
***

I picked up my music magazines for the month today. MOJO, Uncut, Record Collector. The Uncut cd is the type I love. 2005's most essential music. There's usually something new that grabs my ears and drags me along kicking and screaming into new territory. I listened to it before Royal Trux, and I would say that Devendra Banhart certainly caught my ear. The new John Cale is awesome, the Ry Cooder was great, My Morning Jacket rocked a little harder than usual (that's good for me), I already have the great Black Mountain, and this Antony guy always catches my ear. And so did, amazingly, Robert Plant's new one. It's the best I've heard out of him for like 30 years! No wonder I love these cds...always lots new and old to explore. And considering how much Uncut blows McCartney, they knew enough NOT to put any of his new songs on it! No matter how "highly"rated it is.
***

I'm planning a new cd order. I'm thinking Willard Grant Conspiracy (didja ever hear their version of Dylan's Ballad of a Thin Man on a MOJO cd??? Awesome! As is the whole cd except for some whiny guy who calls himself Songdog), maybe go for a 4 cd Live in Japan by Coltrane, Marc Carroll (for Guru T-Lu, and I like him too), maybe now the new Cale...Richmond Fontaine.
***

Who are The Arcade Fire???? Who are the Brain Police?
***

Isn't that painting by Captain Beefheart at the top of the blog great? Support the unknown geniuses in your town...if you know them...support them....artists, musicians, bloggers, photographers...
***

Happy Birthday Mr. Peter Peterson.
***

I almost popped my eyeball once again. Thank God I stopped it in time.

Guru T-Lu doesn't seem to be taking my eyeball popping very seriously. In fact, one could say she's mocking me. And dismissive. Ian Hunter would understand. That's why he has to wear dark glasses all the time. Eyeball Popping. Ian Hunter's great official web site.
***

Doggies in the Bathtub. Doggies in the Bathtub. This eerie song sung by Guru T-Lu with our dog Poobah on her in the bathtub. Anyway, how should the tune be sung? Apparently I was singing it too shoegazer-like. It's supposed to be darker Guru T-Lu stated. Maybe more Diamanda Galas? I have to admit the Guru's version was sending shivers down my spine.

7 poobahs in a bathtub
dancing in plastic love
Time for some Can...
***

Can: Delay 1968-1969 (1981) **** mind is bouncing out butterfly rhythms as Can flaps its wings rapidly...very early Can...butterfly beautiful Mooney spits it out butter-fly butter-fly.

The more of this early krautrock (Can, Amon Duul, Faust, Brainticket, Ash Ra Tempel, Neu!, Kraftwerk and so on) I listen to, the less "out of the blue" punk seems. This stuff is punk way before The Sex Pistols. And so were The Ramones. And Stooges. And New York Dolls...It's a continuous flow baby!

inner space inner space
I can feel it throbbing
inner space
take me by the hand
lead me to the 19th century
understand the thief
he understands
what the true crime is

lead him to the noose
and past the
cheering crowd

ratings on the rise
and the hanging man

dangles

pleasantly
in the wind
and the pissing sea

it's far too late
and I've done what I must
and not lost the trust
not lost the trust

still I scream
I'm the thief I'm the thief
just a crime
it's just a crime.

Everybody must check out Can...amazing amazing stuff. Can's Holger Czukay official web site.
***

"I didn't mean to step on this red thing,
I'm sorry that I made you cry....

Oh Poobah

I didn't mean to hurt you
I'm sorry that I made you cry

Oh Poobah

I didn't want to step on this red thing
I'm just a jealous dog."
sung to the tune of Jealous Guy as I was standing on Poobah's red thing making her cry.
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So Sgt. Poobah took you by surprise...

Listen to "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" and just tell me that Yoko Ono isn't plastered...singing loud and over-the-top background vocals...Merry Xmas Yoko...
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Eyeballs are popping, Ash Ra Tempel incites poetry and I run out of things to say.

"Ow. I just popped my eyeball." "I don't know how I put up with you babe."

So begins another night of surreality and madcap laughs. After listening to a MOJO cd (The Roots of Led Zeppelin: excellent) and an Uncut cd (Tracks inspired by The Boss: better than I thought, since, no matter how hard I've tried, I still can't get into the Boss. I love when Manfred Mann's Earth Band covers him), I thought it was time for mind melt. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...
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Ash Ra Tempel: Ash Ra Tempel (1971) ***** I love this album. I first read about Ash Ra Tempel in one of my mags...an article about them recording an album with Timothy Leary. It sounded just insane. I had to have it. Praise the "Mother Librarian", Randy came out to Prince George for the summer...and voila I have 3 Ash Ra Tempel records. I will definitely order some more Ash Ra Tempel.

psychedelic
freakout
seventh eye means little
in realms
of prisms
glass shards shine

time passes.....20 minutes into 1

a gentle pulse
false sense of
security???

madness
immaculate
embrace the cornerstone
the future

dim eyes pollute
the atmosphere
and lies destroy the

earth.

This is beautiful music obviously driving me crazy. It's great to just free float write and see what the hell comes out. Get some Ash Ra Tempel. It'll be good for you. It's like the freedom of the music allows you to open and be free yourself.

Motherfucker! Ash Ra Tempel official web site.

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Another one for the "Top 10 rock stars to make fun of". Ted Nugent. Or would he be on "Top 10 scariest rock stars of all time" list? And Gene Simmons could be on either list as well.
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Just reminding you about Captain Beefheart...and Kevin Coyne.
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Popping your eyeball is no laughing matter. I'm sure Alice Cooper has popped his eyeballs. Alice Cooper's official web site.
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Guru T-Lu and I are fighting over the computer. I just told her: "I feel like I have more to write, but I'm feeling pressured." Guru T-Lu: "If you're feeling pressure, now's not the time to write."
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Data Sets are more exciting than Ron Sexsmith, and top 10 lists are forthcoming

As I struggle with these 2 words floating in my empty sky brain..."data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets"...
and work becomes a struggle and little progress seems to be made. What does one do? I guess bitch about in a blog. It seems like it should be simple but simple is as never simple as simple seems to be.

So what will Harvey Dog's Carnival of Music Thoughts discuss today? Don't ask me, I don't know.
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Let's start with a preliminary. Out of respect to High Fidelity, I will compile lists. Now lists are fun, lists are stupid, lists are opinions, lists are meaningless. "Data Lists" "Data Lists" "Data Lists" "Data Lists"....STOP IT!!!

Sorry. Just a little programming madness going on. Nothing to be alarmed about. * cough *

Yes. Lists. One I'm working on is "Top 10 favorite rock stars to make fun of". Now, of course, this is totally subjective. Which are the best kinds of lists. Here's some suggestions for consideration.

Lou Reed: There's something about Lou. He takes himself so seriously and is such an asshole, yet, he's brilliant....so, you make fun of him.

Paul Simon: I mean, do I have to say more. Even though his Saturday Night skit where he sings "Still Crazy After All These Years" in a turkey (hahaha...you should make fun of me! I wrote chicken outfit first) outfit was hilarious.

Paul McCartney: He is such an ass.

Ron Sexsmith: Guru T-Lu actually knows Ron Sexsmith! Apparently, at parties he'd whip out hi...zzzzzzz....zzz.z.z..z.zzzzzzzzz....what? Oh. Um. That's what happens when someone mentions Ron Sexsmith I start to fa...zzzzzz.z.zzzzzz

Laurie Anderson: She and Lou make a great "fun" couple.

Glass Tiger: My friend JK and I drunkenly accosted Allan Frew of Glass Tiger at the Downstairs John at McMaster University: Hamilton, ON. We had talked to him before he went on, and he mentioned how much he liked Iggy Pop and all the hi-energy punk guys. We thought...alright. this could be good. Well, after their 2 sets of pablum finished, we drunkenly followed him out of the bar, all the while berating him with being a fake..."How could you play such shit and like punk...you're a fake!! A fake! A sell out!!". Well, we were drunken assholes and yes, he was a sell out, but then again, who made a living playing music? And why didn't we just leave and go to the Rathskellar? Doesn't mean I can't make fun of him, right?

Our Lady Peace guy and his chick Chantel Whatever: I hate making fun of all these Canadian acts.

Oh yeh, here's some other possible candidates. Aerosmith. I mean, like, what's up with these guys anyway? Joan Baez: Well, after watching how sensible she was in No Direction Home I think she's off the list now. But, there used to be a day...David Bowie, of course. Graham Nash. David Crosby. Phil Collins (if he wasn't so boring...at least in public. I'm sure he's a riot out of the spotlight). Oh my God...Guns'n' fucking Roses obviously. Basically, Axl. Elton, God bless him. John Lydon.

The list keeps growing. Any other ideas? Here's a great rock list web site. RockList.net
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Little Feat: "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" (1974) *** These guys are really good. Really tight, soulful, funky. I think "Sailin' Shoes" is better. Do you smell the heroin? I thought so. Little Feat's official web site.
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Modest Mouse, Richard Thompson, Motley Crue's coming to town! and John Cale fucks me up

Modest Mouse: Good News for People who like Bad News (2004) ***1/2 After communicationg with Vaspers the Grate, I thought it was time to listen to this morsel once again. I find it really catchy and the variety of musical atmospheres is impressive. Guru T-Lu really liked "Float On" and didn't even know we had the cd. She approves. Looking forward to the new one.
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Richard Thompson: Amnesia (1988) **** I saw Richard Thompson live in 2003 in Toronto at an outdoors festival and he was fantastic. Amazing band, amazing guitar playing. Great time was had by one and all. This was the festival I also saw George Clinton at! That was also an amazing show passing around joints and getting as funky as an out of tune white jackass can get.

Sigh. That is the one thing I miss, now that I'm in Prince George. The big band coming to town is...get this....Motley fucking Crue. I hope Axl Rose is opening. My one regret is not seeing Motorhead last winter when they came to town.

Oh yeh, as usual this is an excellent Richard Thompson album. Richard Thompson's excellent offical web site.
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Time to get fucked up and listen to some really fucked up shit. I need to relax. What shall we put on?
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John Cale: Sun Blindness Music 1965-1968 (2001) ***** Umm...I noticed I started zoning into some weird territory and looked at the time. We were 2:00 into the 1st song. 4:00 in. I found myself holding my penis, not in a sexual way; but in a frightened way. 5:00 in. I'm hearing faint screaming in my head. Is it on the cd? Oh, please God, let it be on the cd. 12:00 in. Guru T-Lu has now joined me for some relief. Even though I could feel my eardrums expanding, then contracting, then expanding, then contracting...20 minutes I'm still here. I've noticed that Guru T-Lu has left the room. 27 minutes in my mind is on a trampoline out of control. 31 minutes in: Guru T-Lu has entered the room. I looked at her and said: "This is brilliant." Guru T-Lu said: "This is poopoo. Giant poopoo." Then she got angry as I went to type this up on blogger. She just said: "Fuck off John. Get this shit off I can't listen to another minute." I oblige...Then she went into crazy noises, I believe, in imitation or mockery of this album.

I have returned and have finished listening to the album, while Guru T-Lu is cleansing herself. I couldn't capture that zoned out spaciness I was feeling earlier, but I also have 2 other John Cale albums like this! Dream Interpretation and Stainless Steel Gamelan. Thanks Randy! So, I shall be exploring the canyons of my mind at a later time. A site with info on these 3 releases.
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Guru T-Lu slags Steve Earle, Lou Reed debauchery stories upcoming: here's a preview, Sly's amazing crackpipe

Guru T-Lu on Steve Earle who's "The Revolution Starts Now" is playing. "Who's singing here?" "Steve Earle" "I don't like him. He's so fey. He sounds like Blur or something." "I thought you liked Blur." "I do. It's ok for Blur to be Blur. But not Steve fucking Earle."

After that exchange I am unable to rate this album.
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Upcoming: Lou Reed has a definite effect on my behaviour. I've seen him 4 times, and except for one time (his most bland album & tour: "Mistrial") I have behaved, shall we say, questionably. It's why I've always had trouble with the brilliant "New York" album. And the "Ecstasy" tour I saw with Guru T-Lu contributed to my eventually quitting drinking. Thanks Lou!
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Sly and the Family Stone: "The Essential Sly and the Family Stone" 1967-1975 (2002) ***** There's so much amazing music on this collection, how could it not merit a 5. I guess you should still get "There's A Riot Going On" & "Stand" since they're supposed to be more album, than single, oriented. I have neither, so i'll give this a 5 and maybe re-adjust when I acquire those 2 albums. Then again. Who fucking cares? Sly & the Family Stone's official web site.

I can remember almost buying "There's a Riot Goin' On." It had the cover with the american flag, and I had it in my hand for quite awhile. I took something else instead, and I now regret that fatal decision. It was at Sam the Record Man in Hamilton, Ontario. Oh God...15 years ago? I'm pretty sure I also held Moby Grape's 2 cd "Great Grape" in my hand at the same time and put that one back as well. What an amazingly difficult day that was! I must have been hungover. And why do I remember so much fucking detail?! How pathetic am I??????

That's it...this section is now done! I'm too upset!!!!!
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Black Mountain: Black Mountain (2005) Vancouver's own. The province I live in. 2nd song in, and they've won me over This great!

Catchy as hell...and all that. I would say I'm a fan. I'll listen to it a couple of more times before the lameass rating. Here's their site, which also includes info about Pink Mountaintops. Black Mountain web site.
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Scissor Sisters 1st listen, Harvey Dog goes surfing and Captain Beefheart appears

I got out this Scissor Sisters cd from the library, and it started off good, then the 2nd song was really catchy and I thought...ummmmmm...is there something here? Then their cover of "Comfortably Numb" came on and I think it's the shits! You can make any song into a Bee Gees "Saturday Night Fever" song, but that doesn't show anything. So fucking what? It could have been a cover of any song, with any words. Now if you want great Pink Floyd covers, get Luther Wright and the Wrongs "Rebuild the Wall" ***1/2. If I change my mind about this song, I will ask for forgivenesss.

The next song sounds alright, so who knows about these guys? I'll probably move on and explore others.

OK. I'm finished listening to this for the first time. Verdict? Strikes me as one of those albums, where I love some songs, but can't stand others (especially the disco sucks songs). Initial (early) rating? **1/2
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Speaking of exploring new music, I found this blog Vaspers the Grate during some surfing, and he lists some great music (that he got from amazon.com as free downloads), and sites to look into. He seems to be really into free, legal downloads. And for free, legal downloads, look into Steve Coleman. He has his music available for free download, with a very articulate, rational reason for doing so. Steve Coleman's M-Base web site. Check him out, and also Vaspers' recommendations. Please forgive him though...he is a computer guy. ;)
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I hate smiley faces, but I still use them. What's wrong with me....
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I've always been fascinated by Captian Beefheart. He reminds me of me if I were more like Don Van Vliet.

I don't think it's a healthy fascination.
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Harmonia: Musik von Harmonia (1974) **** It's a little too early to rate this cd, since I've only listened to it twice, but it certainly sounds like what a **** cd should sound like. Beautiful stuff. I couldn't really tell you the difference between songs...yet. However, I just love the way it flows as a continuous river rippling over rocks. A beautiful picture, if you will.

Another one from Randy. Hope all's going well with Anita! And you're heading towards the finish line at school with a fluorish.
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