Karl
Wallinger was an enormous talent. Think Pet Sounds only across the
board a million light years better melodically, lyrically, consistently
and production wise. Karl was the legit GOAT.
Fame did not elude
him. Chances are you know "She's the One" The Waterboys and World
Party. I didn't stumble into Karl for real until World Party's 2000
release of "Dumbing Up" I was gobsmacked still am.
The song
list just pours out effortlessly with dynamics, pacing, tempo and chops.
There isn't a weak cut on the whole effort. Think of the best concept
albums that flow track to track and then raise your expectations by a
million. Prepare not to be disappointed even for a moment.
"What
Does It Mean Now" still hit's me squarely in the solar plexus every
time. "Who Are You" effortlessly does Dylan better than Dylan at his
upper most. It's mind blowing and I love his voice. "Are you the problem
or the answer who are you" just jaw dropping. The shredding on "Here
Comes The Future" is delicious. Talent oozes out of him as he just
breathes.
After track six you can't possibly think he will meet
or exceed expectations and that's where the tracks just effortless float
you along on a cloud of "High Love" in a higher mind. Slow dance with
someone you love with this one.
Shortly thereafter in 2006 we got
to see him briefly in a small club at the Beach. We sat basically in
his lap. It was a warm up gig before a bigger show in D.C. but it was a
real treat. Who doesn't enjoy spending quality time with the band at
the bar.
I was just thinking about him last week wondering what
he was up to and now this. In a time when we need all our voices for
words of positivity, insight and laughter Karl's will be missed.
Here comes the future hope that you can work it out.
When boys and girls are laughing in every nation
When the Truth is pursued for relaxation
When living with the world is our aspiration
When
there's no mileage in hate, and no gas-stations
And the creatures are
protected from mammals to crustaceans
And the soul has found it's
liberation
You know this is always on my mind
I'll miss you Karl
It's like a light surrounds your face.
PBDBooks and Music
Activist, Author, Musician and Radio Personality Paul Burke DiMarco is the author of "Journey Home" by Paul Burke. "Dear Mom - Letters to Heaven" is his second book. PBDBooks and Music will also feature live rebroadcasts of his solo acoustic performances.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Karl Wallinger World Party An Appreciation
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Allman Brothers Band - Manley Field House - Music Review
Happy
to report this two disc set featuring the five man band does not
disappoint. I damn near rowed my water rower out of the front room and
into the street. Sonicallly Berry's bass sounds a little hot from the
show - sort of a wonky amp or a pinned needles affect. But this get's
sorted out after the first few songs and there he is in all his talent.
The show sounds great through my bookshelf Polks kudos to Jason
NeSmith. Gregg gets lost in the mix so often it's always nice to easily
hear him and his keyboard work.
Six months after Duane catapults
into the next realm the band is fierce. Ain't wasting time no more and
playing with determination and fire. I wasn't sure what to expect with
this release. How much is there of the legacy of the ABB in unreleased
material? Was this going to be a sourly sourced release? But I've
always loved Berry's playing and voice (more Hoochie Coochie like
numbers is what I would have said) and championed him over the air so I
jumped on the release. Happy new year indeed!
A real unsung
member of the band Berry comes to the fore and sounds drivingly
inventive. All five of the boys are thundering through this live
broadcast. Gregg sounds great and extends his solos, the freight train
and Jaimoe are enormous. And Dickey wasn't messing around. I mean
honestly this whole review could have been about Dickey's tenacity, and
melody.
Thanks to the team of Bert, Kirk, John and Bill for getting this out to the public.
Long live the Allman Brothers Band.
https://shop.thebighousemuseum.com/.../allman-brothers...
Monday, January 08, 2024
The Fate of Nature by Charles Wohlforth - Book Review
The Fate of Nature by Charles Wohlforth. I have no idea how this book crossed my path but it stared at me on the bookshelf for a while challenging me to open. I side stepped it with a Jimmy Buffet Biography and the excellent U.S. Grant Biography by Chernow. Slightly annoyed and finally out of fresh reads I opened her up thinking I had a preachy research book. I was wrong. What I didn't account for was the author's talent, his story telling ability and the unfolding adventures that fire out one right after the other chapter after chapter. "The Fate of Nature" reads like a novel and a damn good one.