Sigh. Cretin that I am, I failed to mention the passing of Stevie Wright, lead singer of The Easybeats, on December 28 2015. In honour of Wright’s memory, here is their most famous song. Contentious as this comment may be, I believe this is one of the best songs that the Australian music scene gifted to the world: a Beatles-esque sound that flirted with the early sounds of punk to create a far more aggressive tone than anything in the Beatles back catalogue.

Too many wonderful musicians have passed away recently. So, given Bowie’s legacy, his eclecticism and his unyielding mystique, I choose to believe that Bowie has simply returned to the stardust and universe that birthed and allowed him to visit us all here on planet Earth for 69 years. There’s not really much I can say that won’t be said more eloquently and with more reverence than I and my silly blog could possibly conjure. Farewell, David. And thank you for all that you left for us to enjoy, marvel and cherish.

Ok, it’s Stevie Wonder: you already know what you’re in for. Funk is seeping out of every possible pore of this tune: the bass line, the beat, Stevie’s voice and that glorious Hohner Clavinet made famous in Superstition combine to create something that is so goddamn funky that I literally (YES LITERALLY – PENDANTIC GRAMMARISTS BE GONE) cannot stop moving to it. I’d like to see you try and stop! I could theoretically write more about this track, but it’s late and I’m tired and also it’s STEVIE FRIGGIN’ WONDER, so stop expecting quality from me and experience actual quality from Mr. Wonder instead.

This song popped into my head this morning for some reason, and I felt that given the mood of Sydney (where I’m based) this week, it seems ideal.

This is quite the lovely little song from Australian group Axiom. Though that name is perhaps not particularly well known in Australia, it was the progenitor of Little River Band being as how Glenn Shorrock and Brian Cad were both members of it. So kick on back and ride out the week with just a little more joy.

Ah, the 60s. What an era! I grew up with the sounds of the 60s, but being a child of the 90s meant I didn’t grow up with the, uh, culture of the 60s. Being a child of the 90s meant I had no idea who actually performed this song (for the longest while, I thought it was Rod Stewart because the vocals sounded sort of similar), and also meant that I had to endure the inevitably atrocious cover.

Nothing screams psychedelica more than that groovy flange effect used in the bridges. In fact, it’s this particular effect (and the name of the song) that stuck in my mind more so than the less than child-friendly lyrics, thankfully.

Wednesdays are for waking up and thinking “holy hell, why is it only Wednesday!?”. Ol’ Ziggy Stardust here clearly knows what I’m on about, because he’s written me a song title that sums the situation up quite nicely.

I’ve been a bit neglectful in my Bowie intake, but I’m at least getting the minimum recommended daily dosage. It Ain’t Easy is built around the contrast between the almost Dylan-esque, folky verses and the semi-psychedelic, balls out 70s rock of the chorus. It’s a lifter of spirits, that’s for sure!

Sometimes, you just need a little bit of sweetness in your life. Something that makes you smile and maybe tear up a little bit because it’s also a little bit sad. If that’s the case, then say hello to Big Star with their probably quite well-known tune, Thirteen! Now, like me, you probably heard Elliott Smith’s cover of the song before you heard the original, and with good cause: this came out in the 70s. Gosh dangit, the 70s were great for music.

Anyway, this really is just an achingly beautiful song that I just want to listen to over and over again. So excuse me while I go do that!

I am so darn glad that the app Shazam exists. There are about 500 million classic songs that I know perfectly… provided you don’t ask me the name of the song, or the artist that performed it. I am just the worst at trivia nights. “I KNOW THIS SONG! IT’S… IT’S… oh balls.” As you might imagine, this song was one steeped in mystery, but it was made doubly worse by the fact that I had no bloody idea what he was singing. I still don’t! But it’s darn good: some classic 70s rock, right on the cusp of the transition into the world of 80s synth and glam.

Yesterday’s post is still making me retch, so let’s just consider this a palette cleanser. Thankfully, this palette cleanser is triple strength and will no doubt reaffirm your belief in brilliant music. That bass! That voice! Those lyrics! It’s sublime: a perennial classic, completely overflowing in joyfulness and class. So, hit play below and just try and stop smiling!

Ah, Bob Dylan. We have somehow skirted around him by mentioning stuff like the Traveling Wilburys and other artists that sound like him, but never a dedicated post. Why? Well, because I’m woefully ignorant about his music! So, let’s fix that little issue, shall we?

Here is Hurricane, a song that generated it’s fair share of controversy upon its release in 1975. It was written in protest against the jailing of American boxer, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, who at the time was accused of murder and subject to a great deal of racial profiling. Dylan met with Hurricane while he was incarcerated and wrote the song in support. And boy, did Dylan write one hell of a song! A nearly 9 minute opus, it’s toe-tappingly brilliant, chock full of Dylan-isms like that syncopated singing style, lyrics that tell a story, and compulsively catchy chorus hook. So, welcome to either/or, Mr. Dylan!