Cool Tuneage: US Steel Cello Ensemble, Golden Dawn and the Art Ensemble of Chicago is good medicine for flu season!

A touch of the flu
dragging
me down
down
down

the head -
is a
f r a g i l e
thing
on days like this.
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Good news for me: I'm still in the running for a FT job with BC Services. That would be sweeeeeet!!!
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Cool Tuneage

U.S. Steel Cello Ensemble: Bitter Suites (1979) Robert Rutman is the ringleader of these guys. It's a bunch of people playing large sheets of metal. It is absolutely beautiful!! If you're interested check out Mutant Sounds for more description...and a download link.
Allow it to take you on a trip
through metallic skies.
Great stuff!!!

Golden Dawn: Power Plant (1967) great rockin' Texan band in a similar vein to Roky Erikson's 13th Floor Elevators. Well worth checking out for you psychheads. These guys actually have a second album in the can, waiting for release!!! 40 years later and all new stuff!! And it sounds excellent! Golden Dawn on My Space.

Art Ensemble of Chicago: The Meeting (2003) This latter day AEC album is fantastic, and has all the elements of classic AEC! ****1/2 easy...Who'd have thought it, especially after Lester Bowie's death? Art Ensemble of Chicago official web site.
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Whew...time to lie down...damn flu!!
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youtube tribute to Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson

Here's a great tribute to Dewey from Old School Pro Wrestling. thanks scarryygood!

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Daevid Allen doesn't like money while Clark Hutchinson want to get high!!!

Daevid Allen's University of Errors: Money Doesn't Make It (1999)
I am continually exploring the world of Gong and Daevid Allen, and it's certainly...quite the world!! This album doesn't have the whimsy of the pothead pixie albums. It's very
current
hard and angry
Daevid sees the greed and motivation of the world, and he doesn't fucking like it! And I can't disagree...The band is young, motivated and tight.
With his work with Acid Mothers Gong and University of Errors, as well as reformations of Gong, Daevid Allen continues to be a force in the world of space, psychedelic rock...whatever the hell you call it, he's always interesting and worth investigating!

University of Errors home page.
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Clark - Hutchinson: Retribution (1970) ****1/2
This is the 2nd of 3 albums released by Mick Hutchinson and Andy Clark from 1969 to 1971. Mick Hutchinson is one motherfucking awesome guitar player!!! All the albums are worth checking out and are quite different from each other, but all feature amazing playing. ["A=MH2" is instrumental and more spacey - "Gestalt" is tighter, more concise and more thoughtful] I haven't heard "Blues" yet, which was their first, but released years later. Let's look at "Retribution".

"Free to Be Stoned" starts off the album with lyrics...um...telling you how they want the right to be stoned...cause everything turns out right...a little ridiculous I'll agree, but the music rocks away freely and starts to suck you in. This is my least fav on the record...and I'm a pothead!
"After Hours" is a jazz-rock stew that is fantastic. The album really starts to take off here and can actually get you more "stoned" than the first song. Great stuff!
"In Another Day" is absolutely....awesome!!! Amazing acid rock guitar that takes you away and a story that keeps you involved. This is an easy 5 star song. My fav!!!
"Best Suit" cracks me up. It's actually about a suit? a lost hat? it's great though, and the music is fantastic.
"Death, the Lover" wraps up the album and is very intense and dark, and as usual with this album, features incredible guitar playing from Hutchinson.
Conclusion: These guys are British, but if you love krautrock or space-rock, then give these guys a listen. Mick Hutchinson actually started out learning indian style music, and a good description could be: drug blues raga rock'n'roll. fun fun fun shit!!

A Clark - Hutchinson appreciation on Beefheart's Radar Station!
Clark-Hutchinson on progarchives.
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Future Explorations

Hampton-Grease Band: I recently listened to "Music to Eat" (1971) and was blown away! These guys were incredible. Visionary! What's it like? Beefheartian Ubu Zappa bizarre Waitsian...something like that. These guys deserve a post all to themselves.

Andrew Hill: Point of Departure (1964) this was in the top 5 for 1964 on Rate Your Music, and I've never heard of him!? Sounds like some exploration is in order.
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I'll leave you with a youtube of Mick Hutchinson today! Amazing solo guitar. On his youtube space, he announces that Clark Hutchinson are reforming and will release a new album with all new material. Listening to this youtube it should be great!

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Poetry: Life and Drugs on the Rock

Life & Drugs on the Rock

Pickin' mushrooms on the
long weekend
is it this one
is that one
will this kill us
will this inspire us

different varieties
look pretty on paper
as hashish smokers
inhale their lungs
and nod wisely
and sagely
and whisperingly
willing to try
anything

drinkers float in
and out of view
aggressive
and happy
a pat on the back
changes
to a punch in the face
and the mood
goes up
and
down

mushrooms dry
waiting for a trip
...or death...

cocaine snorted
up desperate noses
of the powerful
..and the weak...
let it snow
let it snow
as we stumble
towards meaning
...or chaos...

pot smokers
munch away
on couches
of rainbows and
chocolate...
bodies mellow
and sedate
as the pipe
burns away
and time passes
...there it goes!!!
where does it go?

the mushrooms dry
and pictures compared
scientifically
analyzed
preparation for the trip

pack your bags
young man
it's only life on the rock

what's your preference???

by john harvey 2007
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Fav Bootlegs: Captain Beefheat, Tim Buckley, Can, Van Morrison, Neil Young - (part 1)

Captain Beefheart: Being a Beefheartian, I like lots of his boots, but my favs include The Brown Star Sessions 1972, Captain Hook and If You Got Ears. Brown Star Sessions are outtakes from The Spotlight Kid (1972) and Clear Spot (1972) sessions. Excellent sound, excellent songs, excellent performances...
Captain Hook mainly consists of a FM broadcast of a Tragic band performance from 1974. I happen to feel that this period of the Captain's was judged much too harshly. They were energetic live, and this well recorded show is proof of that. Also check out the youtube at the end of this post for further proof!
If You Got Ears is a collection of rarities from throughout his career. Mainly good sound, and the material is, of course, awesome!
Click for more info on Cap's bootlegs.

Tim Buckley: Return of the Starsailor - Tracks 1-8 is the complete concert from Knebworth 1974, tracks 9-12 from Detroit 1975 and Song for a Siren from the Monkees tv series 1967.
Like the Captain, Tim's 1974-1975 period is rather derided by many of his fans, but again - I think it's pretty fucking good! Tim is more funky here, with lots of improvisation and that amazing voice in fine form. What's not to like????
Click for Tim Buckley's discography (including this boot)

Can - basically, any Can boots of shows from the 70s and Canobits (a 4cd of unreleased Can from all it's phases) are worth it. Since, there was a lot of improvisation with Can, you can't go wrong with any live material. Some of my favs are Mother Sky 1971, Horrortrip in the Paperhouse 1972-1973 and Future Days and Future Nights 1975.
Can on RateYourMusic.

Van Morrison: Mechanical Bliss 1974-1975 - This is a collection of studio outtakes that were considered for release by Van in 1975, but for some reason dropped. This would have been the follow-up to Veedon Fleece (which I love). To me, Van was on a roll in the early-mid 1970s. A few songs made it onto Philosopher's Stone, and "Flamingos Fly" made it onto the so-so A Period of Transition (1977).
What I really like about this album: 1) Van's voice is of course awesome. 2) The material is a little looser...not as stiff as his latter work. 3) He actually rocks on some of the songs: "I'm Not Working for You" is a song I hadn't heard before, and it rocked man...with Van spouting "What the fuck do they care" it shows Van in a punky state of mind. Wild electric guitar playing as well (Elvin Bishop?) which is unusual for Van. 4) A shitload of very interesting songs, both lyrically and musically.
This would have been a much more powerful album than A Period of Transition (1977) - which I don't dislike - it just lacks a certain power.
If you're a fan of Van the man then get off your can and land this bootleg...ok, I ran out of rhymes there, but you know what I mean..
Click for more info on this album.

Neil Young: Chrome Dreams 1977. This album was pulled by Neil at the last minute, and who knows why? It's incredible. "Sedan Delivery" is slower and more bluesy and I love it!! Many alternative versions of well-known Neil songs, and all are fantastic. This is such a famous boot, that Neil has actually called his official new album "Chrome Dreams II".
There are tons of Neil boots out there, and if you're a fan, it's hard to know where to begin. Lots of great live shows...I'm particularly fond of the Catalyst 1977 show with the short-lived The Ducks...the best bar band ever???
You can't go wrong with the 4 cd "Rock'n'Roll Cowboy" which is a treasure trove of unreleased Neil. Phenomenal music by one of all-time favs. I'm certainly waiting on Neil's new 8(?) cd/dvd box set he has been working on for over a decade...it should be incredible! Neil's outtakes are sometimes even better (or at least quite different) than the official releases. Neil is incredibly prolific and...is fucking incredible!!!
Click for the HyperRust Neil web site...packed with tons of Neil info!
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My attitude towards boots: Get the official releases first, then if you're a huge fan...why stop there? You're already supporting that musician as much as you can.

There's lots out there, so I'll try to remember to do a part 2, with maybe more obscure artists.
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Captain doing "Upon the My Oh My" with The Tragic Band on The Old Grey Whistle Test. I think this is great!!! thanks thomasdaniel.
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Funky youtubes to start off the week: Funkadelic, Sly & the Family Stone, Eric Burdon & War!!!

Funky youtubes for a Monday morning

Put on your BOOGIE SHOES!!!

Here's Funkadelic getting down on a tv show called Upbeat in 1970 doing "You Got A Thing, I Got A Thing, Everybody's Got A Thing". Check out the super hip white guy, and the funky act following the funkers. Hahaha... thanks typicalaussiebloke
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Now we get to Sly and the Family Stone doing a very funky version of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" on July 13th, 1970...you gotta love the dance moves so get on down baby!!! thanks SSB12
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Here's Eric Burdon & War doing "Spirit" from Copenhagen in 1971...absolutely awesome...check out Eric's hippie beard!? thanks vonoben
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Belated R.I.P to Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson

I was on a wrestling board and these guys were discussing who had the real "hardest" head in wrestling. Well, I can attest that if anyone had a harder head than Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson, I have yet to meet that person...and am not sure I would want to!!

I was privilieged to have been trained as a wrestler by The Link and his son, "Jumping" Jason Stirling. Sean "Val Venis" Morley was also in the class, and I had the opportunity to train with him many many times. Great guy. [aside: since I'm name-dropping, I've also been in the ring with Adam "Edge" Copeland...you knew Edge and Val would make it...they had it, and were willing to make the sacrifices required]

Anyhow, back to Dewey. I got to know Dewey quite well over a few years. We trained one summer in his backyard on Beach Blvd in Hamilton, and he would wander out offering insight to us...sometimes about life, sometimes about wrestling. I had the wonderful opportunity to wrestle Dewey many times in training, and once on an independent card in Hamilton. The match we had in Hamilton went about 10 minutes, and I couldn't believe how much a veteran of Dewey's stature gave me...he let me look stronger than most veterans would. It was a nice match, which ended when I missed an elbow off the top, and walked into a Link Slam...1,2,3...awesome! Everything went smooth...no pain....

unlike...

After Jason's training camp had been open for over a year, Dewey was chomping at the bit to get back into wrestling...at 58!! He was strong as a fucking ox!!! Well, Dewey decided to have a go with everyone in training...I guess, to also see what we were made of. I missed a session, and when I went to the next one, a couple of the guys came up, and started going on about how Dewey beat the snot out of a couple of the boys...he wasn't holding back! Old school baby...

It was my turn.

Dewey and I talked briefly. He asked what my finish was, and I told him elbow off the top...he said fine, we'll go 2 out of 3 falls...listen!!! That was the key. Listen to him. Follow his lead.

We started off and after a couple of minutes we were brawling away. I happened to notice that "Silent" Brian Macknie was at ringside and he had left his motorcycle helmet at the corner of the ring. Soon, The Link was down and was right by the helmet. I leaned over and

SMACK!!!!!

right on my head...I staggered back...Link had hit me in the head with the helmet at full velocity. I blacked out for a sec, and somehow noticed the helmet by my feet (I have no idea how it got there! I was fucking loopy), then I heard Link mutter, "Hit me..." Well, I was trying to get my head together, but I knew I had to hit him, and hit him hard...[aside: something that "Bullwhip" Danny Johnson had taught me...if a guy gives it to you...well, you gotta give it back...RIP Danny] So I did...I looked down, and then I heard Link mutter "Harder"...WHAT????? Could I even hit him harder? So, I wound up and hit him with that motorcycle helmet as hard as I could. Link shrugged it off, got up, and soon pinned me for the first fall. I was still seeing stars, Link was loving it...we finished off our match (in front of about 12-15 people at the training center), shook hands and I was feeling pretty proud at that moment. I survived The Missing Link at full throttle, and didn't bitch or moan about it...just shook hands, and then shot the shit with him and the other guys. Apparently, it was the best match Dewey had with any of the trainees.

So I can attest from firsthand experience that Dewey had the hardest head in wrestling.

The 3-4 years I was in wrestling, Dewey and his family always treated me great, and I have nothing but incredibly fond memories of my time in pro wrestling. I would have loved for it to continue, but the back got fucked up and I was 35...I started when I was 30-31...

So...RIP Dewey and thank you for the good times and incredible memories.

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Positive Musical Listening Experiences: Kousokuya, Syd Barrett, Iggy Pop, the Mummies, Focus, Morgen, Masters of Reality

Positive Musical Listening Experiences (a.k.a: great shit!!)

Kousokuya: 1st (1991) wow!! awesome japanese heavy psychedelic guitar freeform workout!!!! if you're into the acid mothers then drop yourself a hit of kousokuya...incredible shit!!! 5 effin' stars - here they are - *****

Syd Barrett: Madcap Laughs (1970) i've always been a bit wary of the cult of syd, but i'm starting to get it. having been a long time pink floyd fan of post-syd, i enjoyed the stuff with syd, but not as much...well, i would say syd's stuff is closing in. listening to this, i started to see the beauty and the fragility of his songs, his voice, his guitar playing...
a man hanging on
by a thread...
hopefully, he found happiness and some comfort away from the music biz and tending to his garden and paintings...

Masters of Reality: Give Us Barabbas (2004) a quieter m of r and i was very impressed...extremely catchy, hooky songs that lure you in...this was the 1st m of r that opened my eyes to them, and i hope to explore them a little bit more.

Iggy Pop: Naughty Little Doggie (1996) i remember driving to toronto for a wrestling show (back in the day...i wrestled hurricane hugo and the bastard cheated to beat me!!) and this album had just come out, and 102.1 actually played the whole album while i drove into t.o. i liked it and it was pretty rockin' and got me pumped up...but, i ended up not getting it, and only recently got a copy...well, it still rocks like an mf'er and after enjoying ig's: avenue b (1998) it's apparent to me, that he had an artistic renaissance in the late 90s that isn't discussed much or critically lauded...man, this rocks, and avenue b is thoughtful and more somber...great stuff for us iggy fans.

The Mummies: Runnin' On Empty, vol.1 (1996) this is a hoot!! imagine...
you're in a small club
the beer is flowing
the toilets are
overflowing
the smell and sweat
increase by the second
the walls are stained...
then...
a bunch of nutjobs wearing mummy costumes come out and rock the bar down in a sloppy high energy performance where technique is irrelevant, but letting the sweat flow is of paramount importance...awesome...brings back some wild memories (the good ones!!).
fun fun fun baby!!!

Morgen: Morgen (1969) here's some obscure psych that i thought was great! it rocked, the vocals were good, and everything about it is positive. if you're into late-60s psych (i am!!!) then do yourself a favour and get a hold of this one...

Focus: In and Out of Focus (1970) of course i remember the insane "hocus pocus" (which isn't on this debut), and when i got a hold of this i wasn't sure what to expect...well, i loved it!! of course with akermann on guitar and thijs van leer on flute and keyboards, you know the instrumentation is going to be excellent...and i loved the songs and the jamming parts, and it wrapped me up in a blanket of dutch goodness and i am now a fan! if you like jethro tull (and i've been a fan since high school) check this baby out.
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I'm off to pick the Guru up at the airport this afternoon..finally!! She's been gone for 3 weeks and the Bah and myself can hardly wait to see her again...5 of the last 8 weeks she's been in Vancouver for training in aboriginal social services...or something like that. We've missed you Guru!!!!!!!!!!!
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