wish for...
a little rest in the country
a little peace in the city
...I'm a jackhammer
cutting through the concrete
no one knows
what these little pills do
I'm a shaking
I'm a quivering
the guns are shooting,
people are dying
instead of living
if you ain't like me
I don't wanna know
I don't wanna see
...
the clowns in the circus
have taken over
the lion tamers have
lost control
the acrobats are falling
and
I'm a quivering
from the medication
that keeps
the demons at bay
take me to an island
my own private island
away from the pain I see
what do the children feel?
what do they see?
follow our footsteps
cause we're right
they're wrong
kill the bastards
that disagree...
...
and I'm dancing
dancing in my head
dancing on my bed
dance with the pain
dance with the hurt
...
the truckers
and the nuns
are fucking
in the alleys
and it's alright
it's alright
keep on dancing
keep on fucking
keep on driving
keep on dreaming
there's power in your dreams
that keeps you going
for...
one more day
one more day.
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Saturday, December 29, 2007
Poetry: The Power of Dreams
Thursday, December 27, 2007
It's Christmas time!!! Care for some cheese???
Here's the classic Bobby Sherman gaily dancing his way into our hearts. thanks spaceace40
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Is this the greatest cartoon rock band ever besides The Monkees??? Reggie's rocking and Betty and Veronica were obviously the prototype for The B-52s. thanks 12TVcartoon
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And to finish off this slice of cheese, let's go back to The Mike Douglas Show for The Defranco Family. thanks again spaceace40 Heartbeat...it's a lovebeat!!! catchy shit...
****************
Rambling thoughts on life and music
Well, a merry xmas to one and all. hohohohohohohohoho
Hope everyone's having a nice holiday season!!
I don't how I survived without an mp3 player until now! They are fucking awesome!!! I mean, I can now listen to music driving the car, walking the dog, riding the hog, cleaning the pad...it really is fantastic. Thanks Guru and to my bro for sending a 2nd one, which will supply the guru with the same enjoyment. I have them on NOW!!
This is always the time of year I get my cold and flus, and working with teenagers hasn't helped. I'm sick right NOW!!!
I'm working at the local Teen Centre over the holidays and it's pretty cool. In a city of 300,000 you'd be lucky to get 12 out to the local teen hangout...well, here on Haida Gwaii, there's not as much for the kids to do, so they get around 50 teens a night!! Pool table (old and worn, better than nothing), 2 old style video games, an old tv and dvd player for movies, a sound system...it's pretty cool. Chris, the guy who runs it, has donated most of this stuff. Really nice guy, so I'm happy to help out...and getting paid is nice too. :)
Why don't people realize that there is a big difference between networking and programming. 2 separate fields, and while it may be quicker for me to get trained as a networker, than someone starting fresh, I still need that training. I've got an on-call contract and troubleshooting is fine, but setting up a network is driving me "out-of-my-ever-sweet-lovin'" mind. I don't know where to begin. [aside: ok, I'm done whining now]
The cat is sorta staring into space right now. He looks funny. He's 17 1/2, and still going strong. Somebody has to keep an eye on the dog!!
It is raining buckets as I type this...welcome to Haida Gwaii!!
We watched "Smoke Signals" last night and it's an excellent movie. Living on a rez really opens your eyes towards native culture...the good the bad and people are people...
Rambling thoughts on Music
I have finally finished sorting through Randy's amazing stash, and it really is fucking incredible!!! I have cut back on my downloading drastically. I need to catch up on my listening! I have 1 dvd all ready for ya RG...don't forget to let me know about that whole dvd thingie...ya know...* cough cough *
I listen to The Kinks way more than The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Just an observation.
Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour is terrific. He has made doing a radio show an extension of his art, and I don't think it should be taken as a triviality. It's too impressive for that! Have you checked it out Mole? Mole's show is an art form as well. Click for e-Mole's blog. Happy holidays Bruce!!
Enough rambling thoughts...now it's time for me to cut the cheese...hehehehe
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Wednesday, December 05, 2007
A shitload of music appears!!!!
I haven't done a blog lately, cause I've been so engrossed in the package I've had no time...and a little bit of "real" work here and there helps pay the bills!
I don't even know where to begin??? There is so much incredible music enclosed it's left me awestruck. There have been a number of names I didn't recognize...which I love! Cause then it's time to research.
Let's start with the ones that stand out:
The Grateful Dead - pretty much every album ever released - and I'm including the Dick's Picks series and the Download Series...all the official releases, a couple of boots...an absolutely fantastic amount. Of course, this makes Randy a freak - and I guess I'm a freak too, since I'll keep every last damn one! Great album covers too! I began by refreshing myself with "Live/Dead" from 1969 and was blown away again. "Dark Star"..."St. Stephen"...Pigpen wailing away...yeh, pretty fucking great!! Let's hear it for the original space rockers.
Jandek - a bunch of albums from the one-time recluse. I put on "Six and Six" from 1981 and loved it. Quiet, spooky, personal...this is a discography I'm looking forward to delving into. Yeh, Mole, I'm finally becoming a Mr. Jandek fan. When I get a job, I'll be getting a hold of Corwood...gotta fill in the missing albums, and there are 51 albums available as of today! I love the fact he made his career by being truly independent! Jandek's web site.
A ton of Will Oldham's stuff. I've read nothing but positive things about Mr. Oldham, but am ignorant about his music. That will change soon.
The 1st 29 episodes of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour. Playlists here. I listened to the 1st one and loved it! Lots of music I've never heard and some interesting tidbits by DJ Bob. The Prisonaires story was heartbreaking!
John Fahey discog - I can finally get into and start properly appreciating this giant of the guitar...I've only had "Return of the Repressed" and years ago an old lp of "Blind Joe Death" which I loved.
The Love, Peace & Poetry series of psychedelic music from different countries. Turkish psychedelic music!?!? You bet!!! Here's some info. This is right up my alley.
The Numero Group series of obscure soul, gospel funk and kid's soul! Great stuff for the music archaeologist. Numero home page.
Oh man...this is like the tip of the iceberg!
Albert Ayler - one of my favs
The Buffalo Springfield Box Set - read some mixed reviews about it, but the music can't be beat and I've always wanted to hear this baby.
Mandrill - you can't have too much funk!
Les Razilles Denudes - 70s Japanese wild noisy insane shit!! I had never heard of these guys and it makes me feel ashamed. This is the type of music I've been getting into recently!
The Shaggs - ok Bruce...now I'll find out why you love them so much.
Royal Trux / Pussy Galore / Neil Hagerty / Destroyer - wow! I recently listened to "Singles Live Unreleased" and felt I getting it! I always liked Destroyer.
Lots of albums from 2006 - Howlin' Rain (already listened to, and loved it!) Oneida (these guys are great) Scott Walker (starting to slowly get into Scott...probably too tasteful for me to get right away!) Sufjan Stevens (i've been wanting to hear this one for ages) Sunn O))) (i just got into them...did you read my mind RG?..I have the 1st 3 ready to send you!) Rufus Harley (bagpipe free jazz...i've been wanting to hear this since reading about him in MOJO)
I'm listening to cd 1 of Forever Changing: The Golden Age of Elektra Records and digging their early folky roots.
Box Sets
What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves (looks amazing!)
David Crosby (the disc of rarities is supposed to be great...and while he can be very irritating, he does have a great voice and has been involved in some incredible music)
How Low Can You Go: Anthology of the String Bass 1925-1941 (more amazing musical history from Randy!)
Talking Heads (8 cds of their studio albums with bonuses...and the Stop Making Sense dvd, which we watched and loved it...i saw them in 1982 in Toronto, and it was one of the best shows i've ever seen)
Speaking of dvds - that's for the next post!!
Thanks again Randy, you've made an old music freak extremely happy!!
*******************
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Cool Tuneage: US Steel Cello Ensemble, Golden Dawn and the Art Ensemble of Chicago is good medicine for flu season!
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!!!
%%%%%%%%%%
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.
@@@@@@@@@@
Whew...time to lie down...damn flu!!
***************
youtube tribute to Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson
***********
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Daevid Allen doesn't like money while Clark Hutchinson want to get high!!!
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".
"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.
*************
Future Explorations
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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Poetry: Life and 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
###############
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Fav Bootlegs: Captain Beefheat, Tim Buckley, Can, Van Morrison, Neil Young - (part 1)
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.
***************
Monday, November 05, 2007
Funky youtubes to start off the week: Funkadelic, Sly & the Family Stone, Eric Burdon & War!!!
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
&&&&&&&&&&
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
*************
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Belated R.I.P to Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson
Positive Musical Listening Experiences: Kousokuya, Syd Barrett, Iggy Pop, the Mummies, Focus, Morgen, Masters of Reality
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.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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!!!!!!!!!!!
*************************
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Hallowe'en!!! Boo!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA
Boo.
()()()666()()()()()()666()()()()()()()
Here's the classic "Time Warp" from Rocky Horror - a movie I still haven't seen all the way through...but, I've always loved this song and video. thanks nawty
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Monday, October 29, 2007
I'm all lost at the supermarket!!!
no no no old man
i won't cut your precious stock
with this very
sharp knife...
back breaking
knee is going
and the old man
won't listen
why won't he listen?
he just berates
and berates
and berates
an endless stream
of profanity
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Thursday, October 25, 2007
Musical A-Ha's - Robert Wyatt, Birthday Party, Swell Maps, HP Lovecraft and Six Organs of Admittance!!
I've been lucky and have had a few recently.
#############
Musical Surprises
Robert Wyatt: Nothing Can Stop Us (1982) I have a few of Robert's cds as well as his work with Soft Machine, and have always enjoyed him, but always felt something was lacking for me...I always felt I was missing something. Then I put this cd on, and while listening to it, I found myself transfixed by it. My mood and the mood of the cd were in perfect sync. A-ha!! I thought to myself, I think I've got it!! For the first time, I absolutely loved his work without thinking: yeh, it doesn't quite hit me - but it's good for me!! Now, I'm finally ready to delve into his work with enthusiasm...
The Birthday Party: Prayers on Fire (1981) I'm a Nick Cave fan. I have loved many of his cds, and have "got" him. When I finally picked up this highly rated cd from his early band, I could hardly wait. Then I put it on, and for some reason it didn't hit me. I kept looking to see if it was over...was it my mood? Then, I decided to give it another try, and I don't know what the fuck was wrong with me the first time. It's brilliant! harsh, discordant, passionate...great great stuff. Now I need to get more of The Birthday Party!!!
Swell Maps: Trip to Marineville (1979) This is one of those cds I got a couple of years ago from my friend Randy, and it got lost in the shuffle. I remember listening to it...but couldn't remember anything about it! It was time to give it another try. When I saw it was from 1979...that surprised me. I thought they were from the 90s. I'm so ignorant sometimes! Then I put it on, and it immediately grabbed me by the collar and shook me around! This was awesome punky rock with experimental tendencies...I loved it!! Now, I'll have to listen to the other Swell Maps Randy gave me - "Jane From Occupied Europe". Thanks dude!
H.P. Lovecraft: II (1968) I love late 60s psych...maybe I'm dated myself, but I find this time period of music to be exciting, catchy, sometimes ridiculous, but always entertaining. This is another one I listened to, but couldn't remember anything about it - of course, I think I listened to it at work, which isn't always the best way to listen to music...too many distractions...like work. When I put this on, the thing that struck me was the excellent singing. The music was tight and catchy and it represented everything I love about this time period of music. Loads of fun...
Six Organs of Admittance: Dark Noontide (2002) I knew I already liked this baby, but when I put it on again, I forgot how truly beautiful it is. It's a classic "album" in that it sets the mood and flows from one crest to another. Definitely need some more of the Six Organs!!
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What am I listening to right now? The Beach Boys: Good Vibrations - 30 years of The Beach Boys - disc 3 - and this is also truly beautiful. There's a well-worn weariness during this time period of The Beach Boys, that makes me enjoy it more than the early stuff. No matter how much you hate Mike Love (and you'd have plenty of reasons to!), and how irritating his stage presence is, don't let that deter you. It's worthwhile to at least get a greatest hits of them. I picked up the box set for $40 back in Ontario a few years ago...well worth it!
^^^^^^^^^^
************
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Fifth Estate: The Denial Machine - great doc on the politics of the environment
I cannot fathom the evil of people who out and out lie for their own profit. It is so obvious - just look at Dr. Fucking Singer's face when questioned about where his funds come from. Lies! Oh, I don't know where they come from...LIES!!! This is the same clown who the tobacco companies paid to refute the science of second hand smoke. This "doctor" [not medical] is selling his soul for a profit. Un-fucking-believable. And the people at Exxon, who are willing to destroy the fucking planet, for a fucking profit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are modern day demons who have an incredible grip on our lives and future.
Sometimes, I'm at a total loss in how to deal with this absolute evil. The power they have...I think we know who controls white house environmental policy...and unfortunately, with our current government, Canada as well. The scientific community overwhelmingly recognize that humans are causing global warming, yet politics and money are still in blissful denial.
Oh well...judge for yourself. Click here to check out The Fifth Estate's web about this story. Here's the 1st part on youtube. There are 4 parts altogether. thanks zenblkboi
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Poetry: untitled nightmare #1
dip your toes into the water
come on...just a little
it won’t hurt
...I promise
the words change
into human and animal form
a caricature of evil
come on
jump in
answer the door
you fucking idiot!!
I pull myself off the couch
and take in my surroundings…
my head is heavy
and my body is
weighing me down.
the ringing of the
doorbell changes
to the sound of alarms
alarms all around
alarms on the street
alarms are pounding
inside my head
...as the nurse takes my temperature
there there
the doctor will see you in a bit
don’t be afraid
…but I am terrified
one doctor walks in
then a second
then a third
before I know it
I am surrounded
by men in masks
with very sharp instruments
gleaming in the
surgical light
I scream an alarm bell
but no sound escapes
from my mouth
…I scream silently
as the masked men
start putting memories
from my past
into my gaping mouth
I start to drool,
and roll over
to turn off the alarm
ringing beside my bed…
I shake my head
come on
get it together
it’s alright
I’ll be fine
I put my feet on the floor
which quickly changes to quicksand
and I fall
I fall
I fall
into the eternity of my nightmares…
***********
A creepy video to warm you up for hallowe'en!!
********
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A rambling rant about mary-jane after watching "The Prince of Pot" on CBC
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Iggy Pop: Live in San Fran 1981 DVD - thoughts
&&&&&&&
Lots of songs from the dire "Party" album...all sound better live.
Clem Burke is a fucking drumming maniac...he sounds awesome.
The crowd's bunched in tightly at the front, but overall stay relatively calm. No hardcore slam dancing or stuff. As Iggy says at the end: "Thank you...you've been pleasant."
"Dum Dum Boys" is my fav performance on this. Iggy seems more into this one. It's almost as if he's trying to channel the energy of the dum dum boys.
Iggy looks as if he's going to occasionally nod off throughout, but he manages to pull himself back into some rock'n'roll energy...usually by going near Clem Burke and getting into his banging the shit out of the drums.
Strange to see Carlos Alomar here. He seems to be having a good time, and sounds pretty good.
Iggy actually stays on the stage throughout the duration of the show!!! If this is the whole show it was pretty short. Around 50 minutes (including encores).
"Rock & Roll Party" sounds much better live. So did "I Need More".
This was near the end of the 1981 tour, so Iggy seems pretty exhausted (and also in a bit of a bad mood...but not in an exciting way). At 34 I'm sure the booze and drugs were starting to wipe him out. I know when I was 34, that was when the booze was starting to wear on me...and I certainly wasn't at Iggy's level of addictions!
Iggy seemed totally bored by "Lust for Life".
It was fascinating watching Iggy trying to get into it...you could tell he means it, man, but he was at the age where the energy seemed to be sapping out of him. After reading his bio, this was a time when he was hitting the bottle pretty hard...and who knows what else! At 34 it's going to catch up to you. Thankfully, he worked through his addictions and retrieved some of that lost energy.
Watching the trailer of Iggy & The Stooges Live in Detroit from 2005, was a revelation. At 58, Iggy was way more into it, and the energy level was much higher! Even though I slagged "The Weirdness" , there's no doubt that Iggy & The Stooges still have it live! In fact here's Iggy & The Stooges from 04/17/2007 at the Fillmore in Denver doing a great version of "I Wanna Be Your Dog". thanks eddieroot.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Top 100 Canadian Albums --- roundtable discussion
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Me: Welcome Randy, Clara and Nathan to our discussion of Canada's Top 100 albums...of all-time, dudes!!!
Rockhead: It doesn't.
Me: Now be nice.
Newshit: Obviously this list was done by a bunch of old shits who can't comprehend anything new!
Me: ok, ok...let's start with the top 10. Any surprises?
Rockhead: I could think of 20 albums by Neil that are better than the so-so "Harvest"...and Joni's over-rated.
Newshit: No Rockhead - they're just old.
Me: I'm glad The Guess Who snuck into the top 10.
Rockhead: What the fuck are The Arcade Fire doing there??? I like Pursuit of Happiness better!!
Me: I agree dude.
Newshit: A little too new for you guys?
Rockhead: No dipshit, just a little too lame for me.
Countrified: I'm bumming...where's Terri Clark? Why's Shania so low on the list - isn't it one of the biggest selling albums of all-time?
Me: Sales have nothing to do with it.
Countrified: That's stupid.
Rockhead: I like "Up to Here" [#15] much better than "Fully Completely" [#5] which is where I think The Hip - who I like - started to repeat themselves.
Newshit: You know there's only 1 album from the 21st century that actually made the top 20.
Me: Yes, that is true. Maybe albums take some time to simmer before we can really determine if it's an all-time classic.
Newshit: No, I think there probably wasn't anyone under 25 who was asked to vote.
Me: I'm not sure Newshit.
Rockhead: Who really likes or listens to Bryan Adams anyway. [note: #12 - "Reckless"]
Me: Hey - let's hear what you guys would choose as #1.
Rockhead: I accept Neil - but, I would choose "Tonight's the Night" [note: #30] or "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" [note: #16]
Countrified: I'll accept Harvest - hey, why's there no Anne Murray?? I love that Snowbird song!
Newshit: I think "Funeral" should have been #1. It's certainly the most relevant Canadian album on the music scene today. Just ask Bowie, David Byrne and Rufus Wainwright.
Me: I would have picked Neil - but, I'd go for a comprehensive overview of his classic period. So, I'd choose "Decade". [note: #31]. Hey - no Headstones! Or Forgotten Rebels!! Opinions?
Rockhead: Yes, Headstones "Picture of Health" or "Teeth and Tissue" should have been there.
Countrified: Who?
Newshit: Yep - you see? No Headstones. Probably a little too new for wheelchair bound critics.
Me: Harsh...
Rockhead: At least Celine and Avril didn't make it.
Newshit: Now, I don't like Avril or Celine myself, but that just seems snobby not to include them.
Countrified: I'm glad Stompin' Tom made it. [note: #82] No Paul Brandt either. Where's Scotty Campbell?
Me: Apparently there's no jazz in this country except for Oscar Peterson. [note: #45]
Rockhead: Praise the Lord!!
Countrified: Oh, I see Stan Rogers made it. [note: #54] That's nice.
Rockhead: You know, I think these lists should be separated into particular genres.
Countrified: Not a bad idea. How can you compare Shania with Rush?
Me: I think part of the fun is seeing what genres are emphasized and which are ignored. There's only 1 classical album on the list. [note: Glenn Gould #53] This tells you which genres are popular and which aren't. If you're an experimental musician, this list could be disheartening. Or a jazz or classical musician.
Newshit: I think lists like this just tell you how old the critics are.
Me: Well, they did ask djs and musicians as well. Probably as good a representation as you could get.
Rockhead: How about asking the fans?
Me: But then you'll most likely get albums based on sales.
Countrified: If more people like an album...doesn't that make it a better album. I mean, if an album doesn't sell, how good can it be?
Rockhead: Promotion baby, promotion.
Me: True. Then it becomes which record label has the most money.
Newshit: Don't forget reputation...
Me: Hey, lists are fun. You can't take it seriously, or base your listening pleasures on a list. I use lists as a way to explore new or unfamiliar artists. I see Roy Hynes [#94], Thrush Hermit [#85], Harmonium [#77, #56 & #49] and The Weakerthans [#75] as musicians to further explore. Especially Harmonium...how could they pass underneath my radar?
Newshit: I say it's a way to explore old musicians, but there ain't a lot of new ones here to explore.
Rockhead: Hey - not true. How about The Constantine's. I've seen em live and they rocked. Now I'm reminded of them and should look into their albums.
Countrified: I'd like to see an all Canadian country list. Too much "rock" bias in the press.
Rockhead: Most of what the press likes ain't rock sweetheart.
Newshit: And it sure ain't new, either.
Me: Now, let's stop the press bashing. I think this list was really cool and Bob Mersereau deserves credit for getting us discussing great Canadian music - more fun than talking about current "issues" or politics.
Rockhead: Amen, brother.
Me: Harvey Dog signing off. Check out Bob's book - at least check out his blog. Good night, Canada, wherever you are.
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