Songs Of The Week, 2025: 1/18-1/24

 

Hard Core Troubadour- Steve Earle
Bus Stop- Tin Machine
Working At the Factory- The Kinks
Julie Don't Live Here- Electric Light Orchestra
Canto de Dor- Os Tincoas
Might As Well Get Juiced- Rolling Stones
That's Life- Frank Sinatra

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Hard Core Troubadour- Steve Earle
("Wherefore art thou Romeo, you sonovabitch?" One of my fave Steve lines.)

Bus Stop- Tin Machine
(You either love it or hate it, though actually, I'm not sure anyone really "loves" it like I do. From Tin Machine's debut, here's "Bus Stop," NOT the country version.)

Working At the Factory- the Kinks
(hpunch suggested I give "Think Visual" another go, as my one star rating seemed a bit harsh. He was right. There are at least five great Ray tunes on that album. Here's one of them.)

Julie Don't Live Here- Electric Light Orchestra
(Saw an article last week claming ELO fans think "Time" is their lost masterpiece. I am here to say, it's not.  But I did discover this song when revisiting, a b-side and bonus track that is damn good.)

Canto de Dor- Os Tincoas
(I want to thank pmac for Os Tincoas. They only recorded three proper albums in their prime, and then one posthumous release years later. Every one a winner.)

Might As Well Get Juiced- Rolling Stones
(Mick, Keith and The Dust Brothers. Not a great song, per se, but a great record, I think.)

That's Life- Frank Sinatra
("I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet
A pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin'
Flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get
Back in the race"--sorta)

Saturday Instagram Photo Dump

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BW's SOTU

I woke up to an email from a friend. The last line was, "Keep having to remind myself, it’s a marathon and not a sprint- 4 days already feels like 4 years." There was other stuff in the email, but I focused on that line.

The bottom line is, I am drained. Wiped out mentally and emotionally.

I have no business. I can't give records away. This is making matters worse. It reminds me too much of the last days of NYCD when everyone was sorry to see us go, but still walked out of the store empty handed. I know, as long as you have your health. Well, not having a few bucks in your pocket to pay bills isn't a very healthy way to live.

I don't feel funny or particularly inspired.

I spent years writing and finishing my book. I put blood, sweat and tears into that baby. Well, it's done. Now what? (Exactly.)

I spend everyday doomscrolling, a very unhealthy way to pass the time. It makes for great entertainment on Saturday's Instagram Dump, but along with the hilarious memes, comes the other shit. And I am tired of it.

I expect some of you to come at me anonymously with your insensitive comments, ranging anywhere from "Grow a dick, drama queen" to "Die die die die die," both of which are real, by the way. Those cowards can go fuck themselves. I also know that many of you feel the way I do, and your commiserating is a welcome shot in the arm.

I am not shutting down Burning Wood. I'll be here. I hope as a good distraction. I just can't promise much commentary. Finding a weird b-side is supposed to be the happy distraction from the mess, except the mess is too horrible and unbelievable. That musical "find" doesn't seem to be cutting it. 

Still, I'll do my best.

Thanks for reading.

 

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It Sneauxed In New Orleans

 

New Orleans saw a record breaking amount of snowfall yesterday, with some areas getting as much as 10 inches. My initial reaction at seeing the various social media posts was, "Get a grip everyone!" Bars, restaurants and shops, essential and non-essential, were closing as early as 9PM on Monday, 8-12 hours before the first flakes were about to drop. Some mentioned the chill and urged people to stay inside at a point when the temperature was still in the low 40's. I was reading this a few minutes before I was headed to the grocery store where my neighborhood's wind chill was a balmy 3 degrees.

But then my man Stanton Moore, as well as a few others, explained, New Orleans never sees this. The last time there was any measurable snowfall in the French Quarter was 1895, I believe. New Orleans residents don't have snow shovels handy, or ice melt, or snow boots. Many don't even have winter clothes. There's little need. I've been in New Orleans a few times in December. It was in the high 50's. When put into perspective, I could understand the shock, the panic, and in many cases, the joy. I imagine a snow covered French Quarter is quite beautiful compared to a black and yellow snow covered Times Square.

This morning, NYC is waking up to a wind chill feels like temperature of 15 below. I won't be playing my drum pad on the porch like Stanton Moore, or standing outside with a big smile on my face like George Porter Jr.. But I love how they are making the best of a once in a lifetime weather event. That's New Orleans for ya.

 

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Garth Hudson, 1937-2025

 

 

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

See you in four years, or hopefully sooner.