This clip has come back around and it is a favourite . . . . . obviously!
"The differences that so often separate adults are not the ones these kids reach for. Skin color, religion, money, social status, those are distinctions they’re taught later on. For now, some of the main differences lie in what they like to eat, what they like to do, where they live in the neighborhood, and yes, maybe even the size of their toes.
There’s something worth remembering in that we aren’t born knowing which differences are supposed to divide us" The Female Quotient
“If the narcs think I’m gonna stop baking brownies for my kids with AIDS, they can go fuck themselves in Macy’s window!”
Mary Jane Rathbun (1922-1999) was raised in Minneapolis and later became known as "Brownie Mary" in San Francisco as the Godmother of the medical marijuana movement.
Lots of people I met in San Francisco were just a little different!
Menat to sugn off yesterday with another track from the Taj Mahal gig of this year that Rippin’ Frog shared . . . . . .you know you want it down load it now!
bit of a system crash (wot again!? - ED) last night so didn’t sign off with a night time track . . . . . hope nobody noticed but after a study up here we are on a Sunday morning here in that there Brit-land Blighty!
So the Sealyman Maestro dropped by and mentioned he was awaiting a CD (ask your father!) by Penny Arcade so I had to check them out. There is a fair bit on YouTube which I REALLY LIKED some from 2024 and more recently so this recent effort is for The Sealyman!
PENNY ARCADE - Everything’s Easy
Mar 2026
"Everything's Easy" is the second single from the upcoming Penny Arcade album "Double Exposure". Album preorder available via https://orcd.co/pennyarcade
We mentioned Andy Fairweather-Low the other day with his Amen Corner big hit ‘ If Paradise (Was Half As Nice) and I said he had gone on to be a jobbing journeyman guitarist and back up singer for a huge range of folk and especially showing up in live tributes and fund raisers as in hear
"Take Me To The River" - featuring Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Charlie Watts, Andy Fairweather Low and Ray Cooper - live at the ARMS Concert (1983)
Experience the haunting, atmospheric power of R.E.M. as they perform their classic hit "Drive" in a rare and intimate television appearance.
This performance was recorded on March 13, 2008, at the KLRU-TV studios in Austin, Texas, for the legendary PBS series Austin City Limits. Taped during the week of the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, the concert served as a high-energy preview of their fourteenth studio album, Accelerate. While the set was packed with new, fast-paced rockers, this rendition of "Drive" provided a somber, mid-tempo highlight that showcased the band’s legendary dynamic range.
🎸 The Story Behind the Song"Drive" was the lead single from R.E.M.’s landmark 1992 album, Automatic for the People, an record that defined the somber, acoustic-driven sound of the early 90s.
The "Rock On" Homage: The song’s famous refrain, "Hey kids, rock and roll," was a direct tribute to David Essex's 1973 hit "Rock On.” (sic?) However, Michael Stipe transformed the phrase into something far more cynical and political, reflecting the "Bush-whacked" era of the early 1990s.
A Song Without a Chorus: Musically, "Drive" is a rarity in pop history—a Top 40 hit that lacks a traditional chorus. It relies instead on a relentless, building tension and a stark, folk-inspired arrangement.
The Transition: While the studio version is famous for its swelling John Paul Jones string arrangement, the live 2008 version emphasizes the interplay between Peter Buck’s electric guitar and the steady, driving rhythm that gives the song its title.
✨ Musical Highlights
Vocal Mastery: In this 2008 taping, Michael Stipe delivers a powerhouse vocal performance. By this stage of the band's career, Stipe had mastered the art of live improvisation, adding a seasoned grit to the lyrics while maintaining the song's eerie, hypnotic allure.
Peter Buck’s Guitar Work: Watch for the mid-song solo where Peter Buck’s signature Rickenbacker jangle takes a backseat to a heavier, more distorted tone. This specific tour was characterized by a "return to rock," and even the band's older hits were infused with a new, aggressive energy.
The Tightest Lineup: Along with core members Stipe, Buck, and Mike Mills, this performance features the exceptional backing of longtime auxiliary members Scott McCaughey and drummer Bill Rieflin, creating a wall of sound that perfectly fills the historic ACL stage.
🏛️ About Austin City Limits 2008
R.E.M.’s appearance on Austin City Limits was a major event, marking the first time the band had ever performed on the longest-running music program in television history. The episode originally aired in May 2008 (Season 34, Episode 4) and was later released in its entirety as the live DVD Live from Austin, TX. This performance is widely regarded by fans as one of the band's best filmed sets from their final years, capturing them in a city that had championed their music since their early days on the college rock circuit.
Subscribe for more legendary live performances and deep dives into the history of R.E.M. and the icons of alternative rock!
