Seasons Greetings Eh

Homercat will be on holidaze for a while. Not sure when we'll be back. Sometime in the next two weeks I will be putting up my top ten list of the best albums of 2009. Thanks to all who have stopped by over the year and here at Good Rockin' we're looking forward to a good 2010. I'll leave you with a song from Corb Lund's latest album called Losin' Lately Gambler which also happens to be a candidate for my top ten list.

Alberta Says Hello by Corb Lund
Buy It

twelve days of christmas by bob & doug mckenzie

Funny Toon

Joe Strummer

Seven years ago today Joe Strummer died suddenly in his home at Broomfield in Somerset, the victim of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. From the time I discovered the Clash in 1979 to the present day, Joe has been a defining force in my life. When I heard the news that Joe had passed away it was a devastating day for me as well as countless others. Most of us know the basic history of The Clash, one of the most important groups of our times. Yet Joe was a man of mystery, willfully reinventing himself to take part in the 1977's radical punk movement. The reality - which included a secret family past, enormous worldwide success, bleak years in the wilderness and a triumphant return to stardom - contained all the elements of Shakespearian tragedy. But through enormous personal struggle and resolve, Joe Strummer turned his life into an uplifting, epic story. I have often said that as the world was getting it's first look at punk via the Sex Pistols and parents being scared shitless by them, it was really the Clash that should have had the parents running scared. Joe Strummer was a man I much admired and one of the greatest poets of our generation if you will. There's really nothing more I could say that hasn't been said by better writers than homercat. Was he the greatest singer? Compared to many, no. Was he the greatest guitarist with the cleanest live performance? No way. But when you read the lyrics and see the raw artistic talent, it will make you involuntarily sit down and take your breath away. Thanks for the music Joe.

Willesden To Cricklewood
Global A Go-Go
buy stuff

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Horny Holidays

When my alarm went off this morning my local radio DJ said something like only seven days till Christmas, and my mind went holy crap where in heck did this month go. The insanity and madness that is gripping the North American continent will soon be over. I don't know what it's like in other parts of the world right now, so I can only speak of present experience. This will be my only posting to feature Christmas music this year. Homercat will probably grace these pages a couple more times this year and then it will be vacation time until 2010.

Good Rockin recently passed it's six year mark of bringing you the best of rocking goodness. Homercat doesn't exactly get the goods out on a daily basis, but unlike many other fine music blogs who have closed up shop, he is still around. So it has kind of been a Christmas tradition here to post up the best Christmas song that I know of. Those of you who have followed Rockin' for more than a year will be familiar of what I speak about. It has been upped every year just in case someone has missed it or for those who have never heard it. This year I'm going whole hog and putting up the whole damn album. If you are a Mojo fan, this is arguably his best CD. If you are looking for something different in your holiday music, here it is. This recording sounds like Mojo and the Toadliquors got together for a few (too many) drinks to rehearse, and just ended up recording that. It's a great mix of R&B, traditional, and a few original songs. The singing and playing may be a little sloppy, but the inspired piano playing by Wet Dawg more than makes up any musical short-comings. A Christmas album for the masses who despise Christmas albums. Mojo's interpretations and "re-wordings" of classic Christmas tunes, as well as some original tunes leads to a FUNKY-FINE CHRISTMAS!!! This is the best holiday album I own which contains the best Chritmas song ever which also may be one of the best songs ever in the song It's Christmas Time.

1. Happy Birthday
2. Trim Yo' Tree
3. Good King Wenceslas
4. Mr. Grinch
5. Head Crushing Yuletide Sing-A-Long
6. It's Christmas Time
7. Jingle Bells
8. Boogie Woogie Santa Clause
9. Santa Clause Go Straight To The Ghetto
10. Run Rudolf Run
11. We Three Kings
12. Everyday Will Be A Holiday
13. Sleigh Ride
14. Little Man Song
15. Go Tell It On A Mountain
16. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Copy and Paste this link into your browser to download
http://rapidshare.com/files/71586284/hornyx.rar
password is homercat
For those of you who aren't interested in that album or think Mojo is a goof or it's just that you want to grab a couple songs and be gone here is a couple more random loosely related holiday songs.

Christmas Wrapping by The Donnas
Song For a Winters Night by Sarah McLachlan
Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis by Tom Waits


Funny Toon

Thirsty Ears

For nearly three decades Powder Blues has been Canada’s favorite blues band. Their music incorporates elements of Swing, Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues into their unique and instantly identifiable sound. This broad approach has resulted in an appeal whose demographic is so wide that it is not unusual to find people from seven to seventy swaying side by side at a Powder Blues concert. Throughout the years they have toured ceaselessly throughout Canada, the United States and overseas, spreading the joy of a music that makes people smile and dance. When they first burst upon the recording scene in late 1979, with their self-financed and self-produced debut album, ‘Uncut’, after nearly two years of wood shedding and honing their unique blend of sounds in Vancouver’s then flourishing nightclub scene, the established recording industry label giants shrugged their effort off as ‘not commercial’. The band was told there was ‘no market for the blues’.

Undiscouraged, the band pressed the album at their own expense and proceeded to sell it off stage and deliver it to radio stations. When the switchboards at the stations lit up with calls asking ‘who’s that?’ other stations followed suit. After selling nearly 30,000 copies in a matter of weeks, the major record labels came calling and entered a bidding war for the band’s services and the right to distribute this ‘non-commercial’ product nationally. RCA won the contract and to date that album has gone on to sell over a million copies worldwide. In June of 1981 The Powder Blues released their second album 'Thirsty Ears'. It shipped platinum and the first single reached Top 5 nationally. Their touring schedule continued at a pace of over 300 shows per year. You wanna hear something pathetic? The first time homercat ever heard these guys was the day after he got his new turntable and he started playing the Missus' old vinyl. When I put it on and listened I was enthralled. Very, very infectious stuff. So I had to rip and share my find. Now I'm haunting the the used record and thrift stores looking for more Powder Blues since all their stuff seems to be out of print. A Great album for people with "thirsty ears".

Thirsty Ears
Joy Ridin'
Secret Success

Funny Toon

Rooftops and Satellites

Six-time Juno award-winner Colin James has driven his 12-album, 25-year career with his blues influenced guitar mastery and soulful vocals. Colin has juggled his skills as a singer, guitarist and big-band leader so well over the years that diversity seems almost synonymous with his career. Throughout it all, Colin has always forged ahead, without regard to fads or trends, going wherever his muse takes him.

On his latest album, Rooftops and Satellites, Colin’s singing and guitar playing has never been more soulful and his new songs are among his most meaningful ever. This album came out the first week of October and I can't get enough. It’s not a breakthrough disc by any means or even a comeback record, because Colin’s an established rock and blues institution who’s never gone away. But it is an album that serves notice that Colin James just keeps on getting better and better with every studio outing. Searching the net I managed to find just a couple reviews of this album. One reviewer didn't like it as much as his 2005 album Limelight. I have to disagree. While there aren't any downright blistering blues riffs on this album, overall it is way better and every song is a keeper. Compared to Limelight which I felt had one or two throwaway tracks on it. In fact you could slap any song from the new album on the radio and it should be a hit. The songs are very stay in your head all day catchy and there is a perfect mix of horns, guitars and all the James trademarks his fans love. This disc is burning a hole in my head because I can't quit listening to it.

Homercat scrobbles his tracks over at Last FM and when I checked out his artist page I was shocked to see that I was one of only 47 listeners out of millions who have listened to this new album. That's shameful and I always try to rectify a situation where an artist doesn't have enough exposure. Rooftops and Satellites will be on my year end top ten list and more than likely will take the top spot. James is also one of those artists that sounds better live than on album. I've seen him every trip he's made through Victoria and his performances are nothing short of jaw dropping. So here's a suggestion, feed these couple of tunes through your ear canals, take a chance, buy the album for yourself or as a gift for the music lover on your Christmas list and you'll be glad you did. Better yet, If you can catch him live on this tour buy a ticket, you won't be sorry. You can thank me later eh.


Wavelength
Better Than I Can Imagine
Buy It


Funny Toon

Banned on Vulcan

Banned on Vulcan is a 4 song EP by the dark cabaret/darkwave artist Voltaire. It was released in 2001. Voltaire is a great fan of Star Trek, frequently attending conventions. All four tracks on this album relate to the Star Trek universe, and mention characters, places, and situations from the all the shows. Not to mention that this stuff is catchy and absolutely hilarious. Even if you're just a passing fan of Trek this is too good to miss and you'll want to track it down. I'm going to feature two of the songs from this EP and give a little description. Check em out and soon you'll be trying to find this classic gem at your local record store.

"Worf's Revenge (Klingon Rap)"
A gangsta rap-esque song celebrating the character Worf, a Klingon who first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and later, Star Trek: Deep Space 9 extolling his physical strength, achievements, and sexual prowess, referencing his on-screen romances with Deanna Troi, Jadzia Dax and Ezri Dax.
"The U.S.S. Make Shit Up"
A song about treknobabble, Star Trek's tendency to use borderline nonsense to explain away technical details, and some inconsistencies within the Star Trek universe. It describes every series from The Original Series to Voyager. A live version of this song also appears on Voltaire's live album, Live!, and includes a "bonus verse" dealing with Enterprise.


Funny Toon

A String of Pearls

Prairie Oyster is an award-winning Canadian country music group from Ontario. They were named Country Group or Duo of the year six times by both the Canadian Country Music Association and the Juno Awards. The band actually formed in 1974 as a trio playing live gigs and disbanded only to reform and release their debut album in 1986. The band released their first greatest hits album, String of Pearls, in 2000. This is just a terrific album if you like country music or you are unfamiliar with this great Canadian band. The singing is good, the writing is wonderful, and there's a range of different sounds on the album so you can listen all the way through and it doesn't get dull. Their albums are extremely hard to get a hold of besides this album and their most recent album which came out in 2006. All the other albums seem to be out of print and I can't find any of them. Too bad as I really enjoy this group. Not all is lost though, as I will be searching for them on vinyl whichg may be easier to find.

Black Eyed Susan
She Won't Be Lonely Long
Buy It


Funny Toon

Opus X

I'm going to put up this quick post about classic Canadian rockers Chilliwack for a couple reasons. First off this is my first vinyl rip from my new turntable and the sound quality is pretty darn good for a first timer and secondly my free time has been almost non existent lately which I'll talk about in a future post. I didn't want everyone to think I had fallen off the face of the earth. Opus X is the tenth album (hence the "X") by the Canadian rock band Chilliwack, released in 1982. Producers Bill Henderson and Brian MacLeod received the Juno Award for "Producer of the Year" for their work on the songs "Whatcha Gonna Do" and "Secret Information" from this album. This is the whole album and will only be available for a short time.


320 kbps

Whatcha Gonna Do
Secret Information
She Don't Know
Night Time
Lean On Me
Don't It Make You Feel Good
Really Don't Mind
You're Gonna Last
Midnight

Copy and Paste this link into your browser to download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=59FD8W2F

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Bad Habits

Colin James is one of my all time favorite musicians and if you've been around my site for any length of time, you know I have mentioned him here and there. We go and see him every time he is in town and this tour is no exception. We just scored tickets for his second sold out show here in Victoria for February and I can't wait. He is supporting the release of his latest album which I'm going to cover in a future post.

Colin James is an artist that Canadians know all about. Colin James grew up in Saskatchewan, listening to folk and blues. After learning the penny-whistle and mandolin, he quit school and worked with a succession of bands. I hadn't heard of him until I moved to Canada. He really needs more exposure in outside of his native Canada because he is truly a great blues guitarist. I guess you could say his big break came in 1984 when a band he was in got the gig for opening for Stevie Ray Vaughn in Regina. Vaughan was so impressed that he took James on the road with him to open several dates in the US. James first album debuted in 1988 and became the fastest-selling album in Canadian history. The biggest problem for Americans is, he doesn't tour the U.S. very much, and spends most of his time in Canada where his shows sell out instantly.

Bad Habits is a blues rock album by James, released in 1995. I say this as James has another project called Colin James and the Little Big Band where his music is more swing oriented and they have released three albums. Bad Habits earned James the 1996 Juno Award for "Male Vocalist of the Year". This is a fine set of both original and cover material. Paring back the sound to the basic guitar, bass and drums, James uses horns and keyboards to color and accentuate certain tracks rather than overwhelm them. This is a five star effort that edges right into essential albums for any fan of music. There are several killer cuts from this album. In fact the first time I saw James perform Better Days live, I thought I was going to lose my mind. It sounded so damn good and he can positively make that guitar of his wail like nobody's business. So if you're unfamiliar with his work, you've got to give these two tunes a spin.


Better Days
Saviour
Buy It


Funny Toon

The Turntable Returns

There is a reason I haven't been around for a bit. Homercat has finally acquired a turntable and he has been rediscovering the vinyl age. So all those vinyl albums that have been sitting around forever finally got to have their moment in the sun again. The price was right too, as in free. We were at a friends house that has tons of vinyl and he showed me crates and crates of stuff that he was going to get rid of as they were all duplicates. See he buys vinyl by the boxful and ends up with a lot of duplicates. As the conversation turned around to me maybe taking them off his hand as I was finally thinking about getting that turntable he says hey I've got one that's still in the box that I got a long time ago with a bunch of stuff. Take home and see if it works. It does and it's a beaut. Now the adventure has begun and I'm scouring thrift stores and used record stores again looking for forgotten treasure.

As I slipped on that very first album it took me back to when vinyl was king. Holding that album and reading the liner notes while the record played was our closest connection to the artist. Some of us would actually use the cover to roll up a big doobie while we listened to Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother for the umpteenth time. We only had 2 TV stations, 3 on a good night, and they usually signed off at midnight. Remember that test pattern they'd run. If you were lucky one of the magazines like Rolling Stone, Circus, Hit Parader or Creem would have an article about your favorite artist. You never saw them on TV unless you allowed to stay up late on the weekend for the Midnight Special. So when you bought that new album you would cherish it. Nowadays you can take your music everywhere with you, but back then you had to wait till you got home to hear your favorite record as turntables weren't the most portable of devices. I do know that those of us who grew up listening to our favorite artists on the record player will never forget what it was like to buy that new album and that feeling you had when you held it while the music played.

Album art and packaging was an art form in itself and I feel that now album art is a lost art form. So many new releases now tend to be so uninspiring as to produce many yawns and a lackluster response in general. I couldn't begin to tell you how many albums I purchased based on the cover itself. Without even knowing who the heck they were or what they sounded like, if a cover caught my eye I would think,"That cover is so damn cool that it has to be good" and 80% of time it would be great. My most prized piece of vinyl back in the day was Alice Cooper's 1972 release, School's Out. The original album cover (designed by Craig Braun) had the sleeve opening in the manner of an old school desk. You could actually fold it out into a desk and you opened the lid and the vinyl record inside was wrapped in a pair of girl's panties. Priceless I tell you. When you removed the record, there was all manner of clutter in the desk that you could spend hours looking at. I can tell you it's a hard puppy to find now.

So I may be spending more time refining my ripping skills and getting some of my great rare and out of print stuff on the pc. In the meantime I have been enjoying the warm and friendly sounds of an old friend. Today I'm just going to put up a few gems from back when I got my very first record player. So somewhere down the road I should have some old goodies for you.

Green Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf
One Toke Over the Line by Brewer and Shipley
Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band
Yo Yo by The Osmonds


Funny Toon

Another Look at Tom Cochrane

Tom Cochrane, whether on his own or with Red Rider, has long been an underrated and overlooked rocker-poet-folkie. It was a funny thing when I did a little research about Tom to fill in the gaps of my knowledge about him. Canadian web sites are chock full of information and no wonder as he is a premiere Canadian artist. Check out any US based web sites and he barely garners a short paragraph. For example Rolling Stone had this to say.

For U.S. audiences, singer-songwriter Tom Cochrane's career can be summarized in four words: "Life is a Highway." In his native Canada, however, he's parlayed his brand of radio-ready, Bob Seger-meets-Bryan Adams heartland rock into a lasting career. His crafty songs continue to fill a void for people who like their music uncomplicated and to-the-point.

I would rather listen to Tom Cochrane over Bryan Adams or Bob Seger at any time because Tom is a fine musician and a great humanitarian and that short little paragraph doesn't even come close to explaining the scope of his music. One of the things I found interesting is that he actually released his first solo album in 1974, way before the Red Rider years. Then he went to Los Angeles where he got a line on writing theme music for the Happy Hooker, Xavier Hollander, movie My Pleasure Is My Business. After that he drove a taxi in Toronto and then landed a job on a Carribean cruise liner. Eventually one night he walked into the El Mocambo club in Toronto and met a group called Red Rider and he auditioned and got the job. In 1990 Red Rider was officially history and as research and new inspiration, Cochrane took his family to West Africa on a fact finding mission in 1990 for the famine relief organization World Vision -- he would make two more trips just like it to raise awareness and money. That experience, dealing with the starving masses, helped shape his next album - 'Mad Mad World' - and specifically it's international hit single "Life Is A Highway".

It's really too bad Tom has never got more exposure in the states other than the overplayed Life is a Highway. Songs like Stonecutter's Arms, No Regrets and Big League really give you a better idea of what Tom's music is all about. Folks just don't know whats they is missing. A good starting point to explore more of Tom's music is the 2002 release Trapeze which is a 2 disc overview of his career. The first disc covers his Red Rider days and the second disc covers his solo work and every single cut is a gem and really is essential music for any fan of rock n roll.

Stonecutter's Arms
No Regrets
Big League
Buy It

Funny Toon

Lone Rhino

Lone Rhino is the first solo-career album by the artist Adrian Belew following years of playing in groups such as Talking Heads (as a touring member) and King Crimson (as lead singer and main songwriter), Frank Zappa, and David Bowie to name a few. Really the list of people he has played with is pretty incredible as he is widely recognized as an "incredibly versatile player. He remains one of the most underrated and woefully overlooked guitarists of recent times. Belew has released a number of solo albums for Island Records and Atlantic Records which blend Beatles-inspired pop-rock with more experimental fare.

Belew was discovered by Frank Zappa in 1977, where he was playing in Nashville with a band called Sweetheart. Zappa invited Belew to audition for an open spot for an upcoming tour which he landed easily. It was during Zappa's lengthy 1978 U.S. tour that David Bowie came to see a performance, which resulted in Belew being invited to join Bowie's touring band when the Zappa tour wrapped up. Once more, Belew accepted, touring the world alongside Bowie and appearing on his 1978 live recording, Stage, and 1979 studio effort, Lodger. Just as Belew's Bowie gig was about to wind down, he received an offer he couldn't refuse from another artist, Brian Eno, who introduced the guitarist to the Talking Heads, who were in the middle of recording their classic 1980 release Remain in Light. Belew was invited to lay down guitar for the songs, which led to his participation on the album's supporting tour. Belew just kept falling into somegreat gigs because of his versatile guitar work. It was around this time that Belew also began work Lone Rhino which came out in 1982 and includes the incredible robotic funk of Big Electric Cat.

The Momur
Big Electric Cat
Buy It


Funny Toon