Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Happy birthday Bobby Kennedy

Happy birthday Robert F. Kennedy. You would have been 87. "Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of the events, and in the total of all these acts will be written the history of this generation...It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." Day of Affirmation Address, University of Capetown, South Africa, June 6, 1966.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Hey sports fans, One of the things I have the pleasure of doing from time to time, outside of journalism and teaching and of course my own writing, is writing stuff for other people. This can be really fun, like '... in-depth liner notes'(with David Laing trading licks in spots) of double CD Boogie! , 'by Jen Jewel Brown who, as Jenny Brown and Jenny Hunter Brown, was one of the most incisive Australian rock critics of the day.' Thanks guys, but 'of the day!' I aint dead yet! But it was really great to be able to talk about this sizzling double CD of Australian gems, 'compiled by David Laing, who anthologised Australian garage rock of the punk-era and beyond with the acclaimed Do The Pop! compilation some years ago.' The set includes gem-like relative obscurantis like Buffalo, Kahvas Jute and Band of Light as well as the more recognised Stevie Wright, Daddy Cool, the Hooks, Sports, Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons and so much more. Pop-up appearances by me, including on ABC radio; both 774 (with sporty ex-Novocastrian Lindy Burns)and RN in The Drawing Room with Mr Ubiquitous Waleed Aly and my great value ex-housemate Ross Wilson. The hot pressing and fabbo Ian McCausland cover package booklet of Boogie! make it a unique class act. More, Warners, more! Glad it's selling well for you. Cool Baby Boomers Xmas gift for sure. And right along track with my aim of seeking to have us remember our great arts creators from times past in my ongoing Australian Arts Living Museum Project...