THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet, is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

FULL WOLF LEO MOON

O is the light that bOrrOws from One sun

O! when we look UP!@stars &cOnstellations

Oh!when celestial wanderers affect Our cycles

OHH!when wOnder augments intelligence

sO it was when we gathered in a circle

and the O! mOOn outside turned sOng and pOem

into a clarity spiral/serpentine.sOngs resOnated

with a pOwer,cOnversatiOns had a smile imprinted

and lOve was wOrd making new wOrlds.

mOOn affects all!fOOl mOOn even mOre-

every wOlf must hOwl!

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Rammstein - Amerika

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Maximum Rammstein
CD - £9.99

GONZO WEEKLY NEWSLETTER #10

I have been promising for some weeks that the Gonzo Daily publishing empire would spread "into more traditionally magaziney areas", and I wasn't lying. I have sent out issue nine of the new Gonzo Weekly newsletter to nearly 2,000 subscribers. Check it out below:

Newsletter #10
Newsletter #9
Newsletter #8
Newsletter #7
Newsletter #6
Newsletter #5
Newsletter #4
Newsletter #3
Newsletter #2
Newsletter #1

THIS WEEK WE BRING YOU DEEP PURPLE, ROB AYLING, PINK FLOYD, EPISODE SIX, ERIC BURDON, YES, JON ANDERSON, HAWKWIND, SPIRITS BURNING, TIM BLAKE, NIC POTTER, FISH, STEVE HILLAGE, SPOOKY TOOTH, ALAN DEARLING, LAURIE COKER

LINK: The Montreal Gazette on Eric Burdon

The unmistakable voice comes in cautiously, a little tentatively, on Water, the opening track of Eric Burdon’s first studio album in seven years. But a mere half minute into the song, the swaggering growl – only slightly diminished by age – peeks over the wall. By the chorus, it’s back – and it will make several appearances over the next 55 minutes.

Burdon, the greatest singer of the mid-1960s British Invasion era, is one of those vocalists whose power, wit and phrasing have always made almost anything he touches worth hearing. This is still the case, as illustrated by Old Habits Die Hard, a boastful roadhouse rocker about what a bad-ass he has always been, and Invitation to the White House, an amusing spoken blues fantasy (perhaps a descendant of I’m Mad Again) in which the president asks Burdon for advice – and he gives it. (“We should make friends with the Canadians/ They got more than just snow,” the Animal-in-chief urges the commander-in-chief, among other pearls of wisdom.)

If there’s a whiff of disappointment in this long-awaited return, it has to do with the performance of the many supporting musicians, who sound a bit too slick, too professional and too polite when they should be egging Burdon on to greater heights. Johnny Lee Schell’s guitar solo in the otherwise excellent In the Ground, for example, is restrained to a fault, bordering on uneventful. The easy-listening, Spanish-flavoured torch ballad Wait, co-written by Burdon, even comes off as an attempted mainstream hit.

Similarly, a strange sterility and lethargy settle over Bo Diddley Special, in which Burdon completes the trilogy that began with the Animals’ sweat-drenched live cover of Bo Diddley (the song) and continued with The Story of Bo Diddley, the group’s brilliant capsule history of rock n’ roll. Luckily, however, everyone does loosen up a little in the album-closing cover of Diddley’s Before You Accuse Me.

The dryness of the sound is doubly surprising, given that Burdon co-produced the album with drummer Tony Braunagel. It’s entirely possible that the wonderful EP he released last fall with Cincinnati garage rockers the Greenhornes set us up for something a little rawer and uncompromising (although no one was looking for anything as weird as that EP’s Cab Driver, which sounded unsettlingly xenophobic from a man whose politics had never seemed to be in question).

Read on...

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The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £9.99

The Animals And Beyond  DVD - £9.99

Beat Beat Beat - Eric Burdon.. DVD - £4.99

MORE ON HAWKWIND AT MANCHESTER

Hi Jon

 

For the record, or not, my builder mate, Jason has downed tools today in Burnmouth up here in the Scottish borderlands, to head south to Manchester for the Hawkwind gig. He's clutching a copy of the 'Travelling Daze' book I compiled with many Travellers and Musos from around the planet. He reckons Mister Brock and friends may like it. You were kind enough to review it a few months ago. As you know, it includes dozens of contributions, words and pics, from the people who actually helped put on the free festivals of the 1960s and 70s; many of whom are still out there 'doing it' and 'living the life':  http://www.enablerpublications.co.uk/pages/travelling_daze.htm

 

Meanwhile it is selling nicely. As a for instance, Mel from Magnus Records and Films, emailed me this morning saying:

 

"Wow that was quick got it this morning! Only had time to flick through but really like what i have seen so far, David (Stooke's) paintings brilliant as ever and really nice anecdotal stuff, VERY  chuffed to  have a pic of us in too, much thanks and i hope you sell many, i shall certainly recommend it....all the best xxx mel"

 

Alan (Dearling)

Enabler Publications and Services
45 Haymon's Cove
Eyemouth
Berwickshire
Scotland TD14 5EG

018907 51222
www.enablerpublications.co.uk 

DAVEY CURTIS: Hawkwind at Manchester Ritz. (EXCLUSIVE)

Dear Jon,

Bumped into Graham in the Salisbury pub, a famous Manchester rock music watering hole. It's reputation must have spread far and wide because Richard Chadwick himself popped in for jar!

The cold and snow did not put people off as The Ritz soon filled up with Windy fans. Early doors tonight with a 6.30 start. Tim Blake was supporting Hawkwind so it was going to be a long night for him. Unusual but not unprecedented. Noel Redding's Fat Mattress supported Jimi Hendrix Experience and I even saw Jethro Tull support themselves once, but I digress. After a few teething problems Mr Blake sets his lap top off playing some nice ambient strings and he riffs over the top on his keytar and theremin, all very nice and chilled out.

It seems to go down well with the crowd and he keeps us entertained for 30 minutes or so. He probably only had time to dash to the bog and then he was back on stage again with the rest of his Hawkind cohorts. Because the lights dim and.... Blast Off! 

It sounds great, good acoustics, much better than the 02 Academy at Newcastle. I seen some bands there and they might as well have been yodelling underwater. Dave Brock looks a peach, dressed up like a polar explorer, must be cold up there on stage but it hasn't diminished his vigour as the band rock along very nicely.

The evening could not pass with the band paying tribute to their friend and former colleague Huw Lloyd Langton and as they played one number images of Huw appeared on the huge screen behind them. Very moving and they got a thunderous applause. They played a good mixture of classics and new stuff. Damnation Alley, Prometheus, The Awakening and of course Silver Machine. 

I noticed that Mr Dibbs has took to singing that number now. Richard Chadwick must have given up. The last few times I've seen them the sound man kept forgetting to switch his mic on. All in all a very good night, the dancers were great as usual,the band were firing on all cylinders and the sound was excellent.

Well worth the 280 miles round trip to see them and high bench mark for my first gig of 2013.

Love Davey C

HAWKWIND: WTF Strangeness and Charm

This is very strange. Through those jolly nice people at Google News Alerts I saw a page advertising Hawkwind's gig in Bedford on Sunday. Being a civic-minded sort of fellow, and knowing that le grande fromage is going to the gig, I decided to post a link to it.

I found the headline:

"Hawkwind’s Space rock at Bedford Corn Exchange"

Yes. I thought. Succinct and to the point. I could probably have done something more imaginative like "In search of Space? - Go to Bedford" or "Silver Machines land at Bedford", but yes. That is a functional headline.

Then I read the text:

Published on Saturday 26 January 2013 07:48

Legendary UK space-rockers Hawkwind headline the Corn Exchange in Bedford on Sunday night.

The band formed in the late 1960s and have released more than 25 albums. They still play to packed venues across the world with original overlord, Dave Brock, at the helm. Support is by Maria Daines Band. Tickets cost £20, doors open at 7.30pm.

Again, sussinct. Not particularly imaginitive prose here, but it does the job that it should so. I have never heard of the Maria Daines Band, but they seem rocky enough, and have appeared at various hip charity events. She is an animal rights activist and is quoted as saying:

"'I endeavour to give sentient beings a voice in song to make their plight visible and their stories heard, the fight to overcome injustice and cruelty must never be silent! Compassion is the vital link that makes life bearable when all else fails'"

 

From what I can see, she is a perfectly suitable opening act for Hawkwind and has done it before at Stamford last year.

And then I saw the illustration. Is it a picture of Hawkwind? No. Is it a picture of Maria Daines? Nope. It does not seem to have any relevance to any story or link on the page. WTF? (as my darling stepdaughters would say)...

SO IT SEEMS THAT YES ARE GOING TO RECORD A NEW ALBUM AFTER ALL

Yes will record a new album later this year, Chris Squire has confirmed.

He and singer Jon Davison have started work on embryonic ideas with a view to tracking material after their current tour, during which they’re performing three classic albums in full.

The bassist’s confirmation comes after Steve Howe admitted last year that he doubted whether Yes fans were interested in a follow-up to 2011′s Fly From Here.

Squire tells Vintage Rock: “We’re going to set aside some time to make an album of new material. There will be a lot of excitement around that for us.”

Davison, who also fronts Glass Hammer, tells EntertainmentTell: “There will certainly be a new Yes album. Chris and I have already looked at some interesting ideas. Currently the main focus seems to be each member solidifying any personal ideas that will then be brought to the collective table in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Squire is anticipating the possibility of recording a second Squackett album with old friend Steve Hackett.

Read on...

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Union (Standard DVD) DVD - £9.99

Union (2CD) 2CD - £7.99

Rock Of The 70's DVD - £12.99

The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £7.99

Rock of the 70s DVD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet, is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

WILLIAM BLAKE 2013

Songs of Innocence and Experience return like dreams and visions

(i slept next to a death's head of William in Sheffield)

Ginsberg with a harmonium murdered Blake's poems 1973 Melbourne Town Hall

and BRING ME MY BOW OF BURNING GOLD!
BRING ME MY ARROWS OF DESIRE! in eight feet tall letters

adorn the walls of Full English Cafe every poetry reading Saturday night

O Blake!Nudist!Vegetarian!Artist!Your contemporaries

demanded you give up poetry as "childish"-make art!make money!

You made most marvelous etchings/drawings/colored Heavens

and Hells that were visions of muscular madness.You are our age.You are us!

We who oscillate between Poison Trees in 2013 need your Holy Wisdom!

Sing Your Poems!

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: AMT & The Melting Paraiso UFO: Pink Lady Lemonade

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Does The Cosmic Shepard Dream of Electric Tapirs
CD - £9.99

Barbara Dickson In Her Own Words: A Life In Music

Barbara Dickson in conversation with John K V Eunson, and music with Nick Holland.

As a multi-million selling recording artist with an equally impressive Olivier Award winning acting career, Barbara Dickson OBE has firmly established herself as one of the most enduring and popular artistes in Britain today.  Now in her 45th year in music, Barbara is still doing what she loves best – creating music and performing live.

Join us for the grand finale of Young At Heart 2013 as Barbara talks to John K V Eunson, Scottish writer, about her life: growing up in Dunfermline; performing on the folk circuit with the likes of Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty; starring on stage in Blood Brothers and on television in Band Of Gold; and, throughout, her continuing love of music.

In the second half, Barbara performs an acoustic set of her favourite music accompanied by Nick Holland on keyboards and vocals.

“The chance to hear [Barbara] sing a personal choice of favourite good songs should not be missed.” (The Times)

Got a question you’d like Barbara to answer? Please email your question, along with your name and seat number, to artsdevelopment@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk by Wednesday 20 March and a selection will be included in those put to Barbara on the night.

Date: 23 March 2013

Location: Town House, Hamilton

Time: 19:30 - 22:00

Cost: £15.00

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B4 74 - The Folkclub Tapes 2CD - £11.99

Nothings Gonna Change My World CD - £9.99

Full Circle CD - £9.99

Into The Light DVD - £12.99

Time And Tide  CD - £9.99

ATKINS/MAY: American review

http://www.shakefire.com/reviews/cd/atkins-may-project-valley-of-shadows

>> Atkins May Project: Valley of Shadows (2012)

Submitted by AJ Garcia on Thursday, January 3, 2013 - 11:32PM Artist: Atkins May Project Album: Valley of Shadows Members: Paul May, Al Akins Genre: Metal, Rock Label: AIS Tracks: 10 Type: LP Release Date: November 13, 2012 Discs: 1 Rating: 3.79 (out of 4.00) GRADE: B+ Official Site  The latest release from the band Atkins May Project is my first experience with the band so of course research went into who they are and where they came from. For those not in the know, here is the 411. For those that already know, bear with me. Alan John (Al) Atkins is probably better known to fans of Judas Priest. Atkins was the founder of the band and the bands original singer/songwriter in the groups infancy. The band was successful but not as widely known as it would later become. Due to this Atkins was forced to take a job to support his family, he was later replaced by the bands better known front man Rob Halford. It was with Halford and Atkin’s contributions as covered by the newly fronted Halford Judas Priest that the band gained its popularity and fame. Yeas later Atkins attempted a comeback with the band Lion to little fanfare and decided to go solo, creating several well recieved albums. Later, teaming with guitarist Paul May, Atkins began co-creating music under the name Atkins May Project and released the bands first album Serpents Kiss. This album, Valley of Shadows, is the second release from the Atkins May Project. I’ll be honest, Atkin’s vocal style instantly reminded me of those old metal bands such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, or Quiet Riot. In short, Atkin’s vocal style came off very dated. I had a tough time getting used to the operatic metal style that, for me, died out in the mid 80’s. Still, I trudged on. As I dove deeper into the album I have to admit that I actually started to like it. Atkin’s vocal efforts on some of the mid to backend stuff reminded me of a very off Tom Waits. His voice is very gravelly and at times infused with a very natural sounding blues style (Atkin’s began his music career in a blues rock outfit). As the album rolled on and everything started to come into focus I really did enjoy the old school guitar work mixed with the hard rock sound that enveloped Atkin’s vocal work. It’s not revolutionary, and at times dips into that 80’s era sound, but it has a current flair to it with a good dose of nostalgia that takes me back to my youth. Over time I can see myself really enjoying this album, when all surprises are out of the figurative bag, but for now this album and I still have some kinks to work out. For fans of the old school metal era, you probably aren’t going to need to much convincing that this is an album for you. For fans of the hard rock category, once you get passed the first couple of tracks you’ll find the path. Like I said, it takes getting used to the dated bits, but when all is said and done, you’re going to enjoy this album for what it is. Enjoy. Facebook Pictures/Covers:

INTERESTING COVER VERSION OF A MICHAEL DES BARRES SONG

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I'm Only Human SCD - £9.99

Carnaby Street CD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet, is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

Mitakuye Oyas'in

Hawk sends Lakota prayers to our heart in hospital

Herman uses his time like a Monastery

When the priest asked"what do you need or want?"

He replied-"Paper,pencils,eraser".(Supplied immediately)

Tantalus Modern Myth-here he is in Room 501-a suite

with every convenience known to man-

refrigerator,stove,coffee maker-and he is banned

from imbibing solid food or liquids.Paradox rules us!

Every thing he sees becomes a line of poetry

Every visitor on psychic or spirit level sings to him-

we,the living,claim him.Spirit Singers-bring him back to us!

We need every huge heart living before St Valentine returns !

GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Martin Stephenson & The Daintees - Oran Mor

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Salutation Road CD - £9.99

Lilac Tree  CD - £7.99

Disciples Of Merle &...  CD - £9.99

Church & The...  CD - £7.99

Yogi In My House  CD - £7.99

Haint Of The Budded  DCD - £11.99

Down To The Wood  CD - £9.99

GRAHAM AND DAVEY C UNDER SONIC ATTACK

If  - this morning - you wandered into the badly converted potato shed that we euphemistically call the Gonzo Daily office suite you would notice something badly wrong! Graham is missing! If you were then to wander into the Curtis family home in Seaham on Sea, you would see that Davey Curtis (guitar toting lunatic of this parish) is also missing! Have they been abducted by aliens? Have they taken up a new career as costumed superheroes? No, it is far worse than that.......They have gone to MANCHESTER!

Hawkwind are playing in Manchester tonight in front of an audience containing not one but two heavy drinking Gonzo scribes. Expect news in a few days time.

STEPHEN STILLS BOX SET NEWS

Rhino Records

The bulk of Stephen Stills‘ career as a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist will be released in a four-disc box set called ‘Carry On’ on March 26. The package includes hits from Stills’ career as a solo artist, with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills & Nash and more. In total, 82 songs are featured, including 25 that have never been released.

Today’s press release from Rhino Records reveals that ‘Carry On’ will unfold in choronological order, beginning with an unreleased song called ‘Travelin” that he cut in Costa Rica at the age of 17. The most recent recording is from CSN’s 2012 world tour, when the group played ‘Girl From North Country’ at the Beacon Theater in New York City.

There are several Crosby, Stills, Nash and Youngsongs including ‘Black Coral, which Stills and Young released as a duo in 1976. Other highlights including ‘No-Name Jam,’ a song Stills recorded with Jimi Hendrix in London in 1970. There are also new live tracks, including the CSN song ‘No Tears Left’ from a 1997 performance at the Fillmore in San Fransisco. Herbie Hancock, Eric Clapton and Maynard Ferguson all make guest appearances on songs.

Read on...

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The Lost Broadcasts
DVD - £9.99

LINK: Atomic Sunrise: a rare glimpse of David Bowie, Genesis and Hawkwind on the brink of stardom

It's the missing film that captures David Bowie's transition from acoustic to electric star; the emergence of Genesis and Hawkwind; and the musical birth of the Seventies with the rise of glam, prog and heavy rock.

The Atomic Sunrise festival, held at the Roundhouse between 9 and 15 March 1970, was the direct consequence of the murderous events at Altamont the previous December. The Grateful Dead not only pulled out of that gig: they also withdrew from a scheduled appearance at the Roundhouse the following March, which left a week free to mount what was billed as “Seven Nights of Celebration” in a “Living Theatre Environment”.

Three bands were scheduled to play each night, many of them regulars at the Roundhouse's Sunday Implosion gigs, with The Living Theatre – officially the oldest experimental company in the world – moving among the crowd like the counter- cultural equivalent of a flash mob, but with social/political consciousness-raising rather than marketing as the intent. They were the resident artistes at Atomic Sunrise, on a bill that included many names welded firmly to that time: Graham Bond (whose presence deterred the billed but absent Black Sabbath), Brian Auger, Third Ear Band, Fat Mattress, Gypsy. But none of these are what gives the film to be premiered at the Roundhouse on 11 March its cachet. That lies with the unique, thrilling footage of Bowie, Genesis, and Hawkwind at formative stages of their careers. There is nothing else like it on film.

Read on...

LINK: Video Du Jour: Michael Des Barres Band

January in Texas means one thing: SXSW is close at hand. Now the big event doesn’t happen until March but it’s not too early to begin getting ready for the annual craziness in Austin.

For us, one of the perennial fixtures of SXSW is singer/actor/raconteur Michael Des Barres. The former Power Station singer and “MacGyver” TV bad guy has shown up and played in Austin more times than we can count – although we’ve missed him the past two years. But he’s a sure bet to make a reappearance on South Congress or one of the backwaters of SXSW this year.

So, to kick off the anticipation, here’s “You’re My Pain Killer” from Michael’s latest CD, Carnaby Street.

Read on...
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I'm Only Human SCD - £9.99

Carnaby Street CD - £9.99