Honky Tonk Highway

It's not quite mania in the true sense but there's been more Dylan content in the world's media in the past year than in any past decade I can remember. The big event this week is the release of Dylan's 44th album, Modern Times. Was going to do a big review but have decided to re-direct everyone over to the Mule where there's sure to be better takings for the time being. Don't be deterred by the Cash article - it's something she HAS to do! I wholly recommend the Edna Gunderson interview to make you sit back and do yet another evaluation of what Dylan means when he actually talks!!

Those who have followed our Aud's singer/songwriting career will be interested to know she's back in Oz for a series of concerts and shows during September. While appearing at the 2006 Gympie Muster, Audrey was co-opted to be co-host of his Gympie Muster Special by John Nutting, of ABC Radio's Saturday Night Country. You can listen to the streaming archives of the four-hour show. Audrey's out here for a working holiday and to promote her new album, Lost Men and Angry Girls, samples of which can be heard here. Those in Sydney's Inner West will probably be best served by her appearance at the Empire Hotel in Annandale on Friday, September 8. For where she may be appearing near you, see the tour gude. (Photo by Eric Jones and blatantly stolen from Reckless Records).


You wanna be rich?

Then become a musician and sit back and wait for the royalties to flood in! Oh yeah! This story from the Chicago Tribune just proves the old story of what's old is new again. So, if your cheques have been a bit slow or your old stock seems to be glued to the shelves, have a read through and discover you're not alone.

He Stopped Loving Her Today . . .



A fascinating and detailed look at the origins and eventual recording of this George Jones classic. Have a listen to the two clips below to hear how the song was over-produced to within a groove of absurdity (in the humble opinion of the author, of course!) compared to the simple and heartfelt original ballad written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putnam. The first of the clips is the demo version sung by Braddock (pictured right). The second (fully "blown") version is, of course, the much-touted hit by Jones (unfortunately, until I learn how to present them otherwise, you'll have to download the files from yousendit). The story mentions how the song took 18 months to record and Jones' retort to the producer, Billy Sherrill, the day the track was finally put to bed: “I looked Billy square in the eye and said, ‘Nobody will buy that morbid son of a bitch.’ Then I marched out the studio door.”

Howdy!! It's been too obvious for too long the Tonker has been less than industrious in updating, creating, informing the reader or generally writing about the topics relative to this blog. Many, many months ago an affliction of sorts washed over and around the author which culminated a few months back with a diagnosis of lower colon cancer. Following an operation, a six-month chemotherapy course has now to be endured. There is no intention to bore the britches off the casual honky tonkin' reader here, so at the suggestion of several people who insist my story may help inform those who may face similar afflictions in the future, the whole saga will be logged (or blogged) over at my other, otherwise unused, blog rayves.

The Mule is having a bit of a break with her usual gig guide so I thought I'd help out a bit. Good to see she's moving along with her blog after a short spell due to the old blogger's (writer's) block.

A reliable source has informed me the Mule is scheduled to take part in a forum on ABC Radio National's The Music Show on Saturday September 2 at 10am (repeated 8pm), dealing with several Bob Dylan-related topics, including a review of Bob's about-to-be-released album, Modern Times, along with sometimes music busybody, Imre Saluszinsky. Be sure to tune in.


Friday August 25th
Rob Luckey and the Lucky Bastards - Balmain Bowling Club, Balmain - 8pm
Lonesome Train - Mayfield ExServices Club
Nicki Gillis - Anthill Golf Club, Picton
Radio Birdman + Johnny Casino & The Secrets - Carringbah Bizzos

Saturday August 26th
The Murray Hillbillies - The Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt - 9pm
Lonesome Train - Wollongong City Diggers
Radio Birdman + Johnny Casino & The Secrets - Manly Fishos
The Flaming Stars - Matraville RSL
Catherine Britt + Sam Hawkesley - Blacktown RSL

Sunday August 27th
The Murray Hillbillies - Cooks River Motor Boat Club, Tempe - 4pm
50 Million Beers - Botany View Hotel, Newtown - 6pm
Cletis Carr - Merton Estate Hotel, Rozelle - 6pm
Lonesome Train - Royal Hotel, Leichhardt
Catherine Britt + Sam Hawkesley - Wests Leagues, Newcastle

Limpin Jimmy and The Swingin' Kitten's Newsletter

Seems Jimmy and the Kitten are having computer troubles (why doesn't everyone get a Mac?) and they've lost their entire weekly gig guide. They've cobbled together the major happenings for this weekend, including the Flatfoot Shakers at the Ashfield RSL Saturday night and the Rose Seidler day out on Sunday. Here's a cut and paste from their emailed, abridged newsletter (without the live links):

Hey there all you Crazy Cats'n'Kittens,

Well the computer bogan is at it again. In the middle of saving our weekly newsletter, our computer froze and all the content of this weeks newsletter was lost. With Outlook Express there is no recovery! As this represents days of work, we regret that there is too much involved in trying to recreate it. Suffice to say there are some major events on this weekend being :-

SATURDAY 26th August

Flatfoot Shakers - A big night of music and dancing at Ashfield RSL tonight when DJ Grizzly Adams presents The Flatfoot Shakers from Melbourne from 8pm till midnight.

SUNDAY 27th August


Rose Seidler House 50's Fair Day - Sunday 27th August

Celebrate the music and popular culture of the 1950s on Sunday 27 August when the Historic Houses Trust’s annual Fifties fair returns to Rose Seidler House for a fun-filled day of music, dance, fashion and shopping.

Kicking off the entertainment line-up will be DJs Limpin’ Jimmy and the Swingin’ Kitten, 1950s band the Flatfoot Shakers, and the Swingtime Dancers as they chart the progression of 1950s music and dance from swing/jump-blues, to rock’n’roll to rockabilly.

Roaming street theatre group Vintage Allsorts will keep festival-goers entertained throughout the day with performances inspired by 1950s newsreel, TV and radio.

Event coordinator Mark Lillis says this year’s Fair promises to be another fantastic line-up of authentic 1950s entertainment.

‘Now in its twelfth year, the Fifties fair attracts people from right across New South Wales as well as from inter-state. This era seems to resonate with people of all ages and there’s also something really unique about this event that sees people making the pilgrimage to Rose Seidler House year after year.

‘Featuring fifties-style music, dance and fashion, vehicle displays, stalls and memorabilia plus activities for the kids, the Fifties Fair has become a not to be missed date on Sydney’s cultural calendar. There will also be dance and hula-hooping performances and the 50s style hairdresser is back by popular demand to create your very own bouffant or quiff.

‘Collectibles and memorabilia from the 1950s will be on sale with specialist dealers and collectors selling household gadgets, plasticware, books, glassware, ceramics, toys, comics, knick knacks, clothes and furniture.

Rose Seidler House, one of the most uncompromising modernist houses in Australia, was the first commission for the late internationally renowned architect Harry Seidler. Built between 1948 and 1950, the house features open planning, minimalist design, mod cons and appliances. The original furniture is one of the most important post war design collections in Australia. Nestled in natural bushland, the house has panoramic views of Ku-ring-gai National Park from its glass walls and sun filled deck. The house is open every Sunday and will be open for viewing at the Fifties fair.

Where: Rose Seidler House, 71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga
When: Sunday 27 August 10am – 5pm
Cost: General $12 Conc/Member $6 and Family $27. Children under 5 years FREE
Tickets at the gate & includes entrance to Rose Seidler House.
Transport: Getting there: FREE shuttle bus service between Rose Seidler House & Turramurra Station throughout the day.
Enquiries: T 02 8239 2211 or visit www.hht.net.au

Media inquiries/request for images: Ruth Williams T 02 8239 2326 or M 0409 741 974 or E ruthw@hht.net.au



BENT JAZZ "Swingin’ the Blues" – Sunday, August 27th, 2006 Hey Jazz, Blues and Swing lovers, the Bent Jazz - 'Swingin' the Blues' festival is on Sunday 27 August 2006 at Chipping Norton Lakes. Yes, Liverpool's great free jazz event will return again in 2006 with the promise of an amazing line up of artists. Wayne Cornell Jnr has a new website so check this great Swing performer out at www.waynecornelljr.com
Over a soothing afternoon, scenic Chipping Norton Lakes will again swing to the sound of superb line up of Australia Jazz and Blues performers and it’s all FREE! Contact : 1300 36 2170 or go to http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/scripts/viewarticle.asp?NID=29607



Don't forget, if you want a comprehensive list of what's on or coming up, check out the Swing Gig Guide at http://calendar.yahoo.com/swingsydney for Swing events. Or check out the Swamp Shack with Pedro Manoy or Blow with Andrew Williams in Drum Media each week. You can also try the Sydney Jazz Club Calendar and you can find this at http://www.corporatenews.com.au/jazz/sydney_gig_guide.html and Blues at www.sydneyblues.org. They are full of great information on what's on around town with Big Bands, Jazz and Blues outfits.

Unfortunately Gigs2ya at http://www.gigscene.com.au is still off the air but meantime, you can check out gigs on a shared site at http://www.swingtimeaustralia.com/nsw/gig.php

Lotsa love to you all, Limpin' Jimmy and The Swingin' Kitten

Yeah, I know I should be doing some local stuff reviewing Kasey's new album or previewing Catherine Britt's show at the Vanguard in Sydney last night (or at least trying to review the excellent Andy Baylor show at the Bridge Hotel at Rozelle last Saturday) but I was distracted while browsing around and discovered a bittorrent of a live country music show in Gruene Hall, just out of Austin, Texas, performed just a few weeks back (is that a record for the most links - 9 - within one sentence?).

I think it was 1998 when Dale Watson first came out here (pictured at the right as he performed at the front of Tamworth's K-Mart store that year) as part of Tamworth's 10-day Country Music Festival and also played various venues around Sydney (and interstate maybe, but I'm not sure).

He was the flavour of the month every time he appeared anywhere. The gals literally fought over who was going to stand in line just to talk to him. I remember having many conversations with the one female who claimed him for her own. Heady days indeed! Dale's last visit was soured by being ripped off by promoters (what else in the music industry?) and the word was he'd never come downunder again. So far he's been true to his word.

Meanwhile, based back in Austin, Watson had the reputation of being the hardest workin', tourin', bad-ass, drinkin' country singer since the "good ol' boys" used to rip half of the US of A apart every night before, during and after their gigs. The pace, band changes, disappointments with the reception he was getting from the music industry as a whole took its toll on his health and he had a few scrapes with issues I'm told he's well over by now.

A year or so ago he moved to Baltimore to be closer to his children after the tragic death of his girlfriend. But the lure of Texas was strong in his blood and, as soon as he was happy his kids would be well cared for, he moved back to Austin and has since been reinstated at three of his old residencies in Austin. I think Dale believes he was made to perform in Texas and to keep "real" country music alive for the whole world at large. If you've seen any of his live shows, you'd know what I mean.

These are only two of the photos included in the bittorrent and I've uploaded the other 30 of them to my Yahoo! Photo Gallery for those who can't or won't get the torrent. He's aged a little and the tats are coming along fine - a small prize to anyone who can read the lines below the portrait on his upper left shoulder. The music is as good as I remember and it's good to hear a live Dale Watson set again. The current band is listed on Watson's MySpace site as: Dale Watson - lead vocals, guitar; Gene Kurtz - bass; Don Pawlak - pedal steel guitar; Don Raby - 5 string fiddle; Herb Belofsky - drums. Finally (if it woiks!) a track, No Help Wanted, from the July 29, 2006, Gruene Hall show, which is going to be the next single from his new album, Whiskey or God, reviewed here in the Austin Chronicle - and surprise, surprise - it's a truckin' song!! You'll have to download it within the next 7 days from yousendit.