Shelter

I have a new strategy with regards to this release. Every once or twice each year, I'm gonna drop by this thread and consider the dismal quietude of this wasteland of an issue and shudder to myself. -- Done.

Yeah.. you'd better brush up your French then.. Jokes aside - I'm glad to sense mutual respect here. I'll be in touch, sure.

^ Oh, why thank you! I'm not sure I deserve that kind of re-response, after sharing what was merely my first impressions and thoughts on a book that I have not read. It's all merely suspicions and second hand ponderings. Keep that in mind before you take any criticism to heart. (I am certainly glad you didn't google your book just in time to find first impression discretions like "freaky", but rather stumbled upon my more cheerful, if somewhat 'gui vive' view on the matter.) As far as "setup" goes - I don't even know if that is the best word for what I was aiming at.. (sometimes I like to flatter myself that my ponderings are somewhat more eloquent than I'm able to express, English being just my second language.. and the result may be milder cases of collateral damage (w?) at time.. ). But ok, bear with, let me try to be more specific as to my view on certain kinds of bio write ups. I suppose it all comes down to taste. Of course, I was - again - speaking about what I understood to be the concept of the book, the "layout" perhaps, after reading descriptions of it here and elsewhere, rather than actually reading it and analyzing it myself. Yet. And I was under the distinct impression that your book sorts under the type of "conversation" books that I personally am not overly thrilled by - even when both participants in said conversation are alive. And hence I am liable to suspect (and that's all it is at this point, remember) that at least one of the participants in such conversation being less alive, would make it all the more tricky to pull off stylistically. I like interviews, sure, but that is another thing.. Conversation books (to me) often blur the (to me important) line between spoken and written language and context, tend to leave the ever so important subtext and analyze dimensions unspoken in a way that makes it ingratiatingly or deceptive at best, and shallow or flat out missing at worse. (That said, I know it can work.. we all know the Paul Zollo's TP book, a decent attempt. And it can of course even be argued that your method is preferable to his since your take leaves out the overbearing risk of the main character's desire to groom the result.. Ok, so that is actually another source for potential praise here ). And then we have the strong "I" presence in such books or text - the "me" half of the conversation transcribed (or at least loosly pieced together, in more semi-fictional work) that can be problematic. And perhaps I made the mistake to "jugde" your book unjustly on this latter account, due to the fact that not only do you downplay the somewhat important presence of Howie - by leaving him out of the title all together (right?) - you also underline your own presence and importance by focusing on the unmentioned dead rock star in question being "my" (that is your) friend. That left me with a taste of this being a book as much about you, which I am sure it's not meant to be. Again, all that is my personal taste and thinking, since you did ask , and I don't know at all how or if any of that apply to your book. It's just that this is more or less what I meant with being "wary of the setup" of a conversation book with alleged (if symbolic rather than actual or graphic) elements of the supernatural. And even if any of all this does apply, that is just me, and I see no reason why you as I writer should adopt a style or change your methods because a stranger like myself speaks his mind - and perhaps somewhat sloppily so. Please. This is your book, not mine. (Kudos for writing it! I could never accomplish such a feat for sure, that's not where this is at.) Besides - let's not forget, I said I was wary.. not that I knew for a fact that I wouldn't like your book, or that it won't work. There is, like I also meant to strongly imply, many things that suggest that I will like it very much. Admittedly it was a low mark of sorts, to dwell on design issues. Again, such are matters of taste (just like we often discuss why certain songs, production methods, or certain album covers are "better" or "worse" than others.. No harm in any of that, but it certainly is a more than less unimportant issue in this case, agreed. Main thing is - again - someone cared to do this book and to have it published, and it's out. That is what matters. And it's made by what seems to be a person with great personal insights in the subject matter too, namely yourself. This is all a very very good thing and it does not matter what it looks like or what anyone like me thinks of aesthetics, quite right! I am sorry I even went there actually. Makes me feel.. petty.. ironically.. So much for literature theory according to me. Like I said, being a huge Howie fan I probably have to check your book out in more detail. After this, I'm sure I will. Whatever information it contains, and in whatever form it's presented, I am glad you decided to share it all with all of us - make no mistake about that. All the best to you and this book! I know for a fact Howie deserves it! Thank you!

Intersting. Although stranger things have happened, than the occasional conversation with dead people, I must say I feel a bit.. let's say.. wary.. about this book's alleged setup. The design does not help either, I'm afraid. That said, I am a huge fan of Howie the harmony singer, Howie the musician in general, Howie the producer and.. for all I know.. Howie the man (and as far as that goes, I think many people, and at least a few used-to-be dogs too, out there, are bound to agree with me) - and as such, I have often thought how some book or in-depth chronicling of his life, work and career would be a most welcome and well beyond overdue document. Can't believe how he just disappeared.. on so many levels, considering his vast CV, his network of personal connections on various levels in the "biz". An interesting and most merited guy, much deserving of a more biographical and professional coverage IMO. To me he will always be there in the higher notes of the sonic spectrum, in the sounds and vibes of his work, but still.. Suspect as this particular release may feel to me, I'm kinda glad someone felt him worthy of a book at least, and I might have to check it out. At least it's something, while waiting for that real biography or that real 10 page Mojo, Uncut or Rolling Stone special.. (that I'm aware is likely never to happen). Anyway - thanks for sharing info! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a seance to tend to.

Been a bit confused as to what is what on some of these old pro-recorded boots - most of whom collect dust admittedly, but all of whom carries absolute essential pieces of history and great versions. As is the case regarding the existence of certain other historical information details - setlists, dates, studio sessions and so on - what can be gathered from the releases themselves are dim and contradictory at best. Not sure I'm all the wiser now, but thanks for bringing this up. Love to compare recordings, hear peoples insight, and hopefully find new pieces to the puzzle.

So, I'm late to the party..? Sorry I missed this, but certainly I wish it was a big and great birthday for the MC. And that the year to come will hold lots of great Mudcrutching, Heartbreaking and Knobbing moments for us all to share with you. All the best!

while it may.. just may.. be debatable whether two dittys like I Don't Belong and Don't Treat Me Like a Stranger both belong in the same show, I sure as &¤%"¤#" would want to be there for that one. incredible suggestions! kudos. Make That Connection... ? Eh.. if you say so...

^^ Well.. since 2016 is apparently (supposedly), among other things, the year of Mudcrutch.. I do indeed look forward to some mean CCR covers this year... But much rather than the usual beaten to death stuff of cover band bars - Proud Mary (Jane's Last Dance, if so..?!) I think I can hear a Green River or Tombstone Shadow done to quite some perfection. Man, TP - bass and vocals - would really kill with some Fogerty stuff in the set, for sure.

Sad day. A true giant, one of the key influence, maker and driving genius of all of pop culture as we know it, passed away today. I guess Heaven hasn't just gained one icon of a swinging hellraiser lately (Lemmy Kilmister), but also arguably one brilliant if thin white duke. Now they are leaving one by one.. Uh.. Sound and vision - now in the sky above. Rest in Peace Ziggy.

Killed by death... Lemmy will be missed by all of us with a passion for rock'n'roll, attitude, style and humor.. that is.. life. Rest in peace!

Great stuff, thanks for posting!! Love these later era podcast interviews, as we've seen Ben and Mike do before, they really brings the journalism and the value for interested fans to a whole new level compared to usual old big media pre chewed career expos. So great hearing this! Mike really is an awesome man in many ways! I agree with Marion - the big ?, like we've been discussing somewhere before, is why MC's not allowed to explore his none-TP-interference side gigs and personal talents more. I would love for him to one day be able to cut an album, solo or Knobs or anything, released on Third Man Records perhaps.. just an idea. As for Mudcrutch 2016.. I honestly thought the big 40 mark of 2016 was gonna be all about the Heartbreakers, but I'm through being surprised (up:ed and down:ed really) about the TP/office strategy at this point.. the last two years has been a bit of a rough patch for a serious fan.. But I am seriously all for Mudcrutch next year, go, go go.. I say! This is wonderful news that - learning my lesson from All The Rest - I won't believe 'til I have the actual record (or obscure side-deal account that I will need to hear it,for that matter) in my hands. At least the teasing and the time frame for this one is well within reason, which is a good thing. I really really look forward to new Mudcrutch music too.. and it will be awesome to hear what they'd come up with this fall.

As soon as he/they are done releasing all the stuff they already got piling up, that idea is not half bad. Although what's on the other side of all that's cued up seems both ridiculously premature to ponder given what's stuck in the pipe line.. and frankly unimportant to me, whether they go soft, hard, gritty or swinging or all of the above is less important to me than that they record at all, and find fair ways to release stuff within the average life span of the listener. It's not so much what they do at this point - I trust them with that part. It's rather that they do it at all, and to some extent how and when.

Hey hey.. fantastic! They actually played Poor House?! Thanks for posting link and vids!

that is "swag" and "milk and honey" to you. I write like a jittery monkey when I'm cranky.

Cool. Always wondered what kept them from making that 20 year old stuff available through the usual outlets. To TP fans (at least to me) waiting eagerly for too many things to mention, this been-there-done-that piece, is a bit like serving cool air when everybody's expecting pancakes though. I mean, it is good stuff, for sure, but they seriously really seem to work utterly hard on finding new ways and whatever reasons they can, for not focusing on what really matters right now... Love these old comps, but come on..

Oh, somehow that one slipped my mind.. Surely one of the highlights too. All else considered, from the avalanche respons to this issue, I take it fair people won't spill their beans until the year is really over, perhaps secretly thinking there is still time for All The Rest to be out, perhaps even Mudcrutch? Fair enough. Sorry for being such a pessimist, but having experienced the turning of events this last year, I count every piece of new TP music properly released from now on to be a bit of a miracle.. and shall we have anything tangible other than 40th Anniversary sway over the next 12 months, I'll be as happy as I ever was and consider myself blessed. Seems like the days of gold and honey are now officially over though. It's the big money, the lawyers and the run around middlemen who now call the shots. Who would have thunk it, in the light of Hypnotic Eye. Maybe I'm just hypnotized... See ya all next year. Perhaps.

Seems like it's slowing down, and it's getting about time to sum up the year.. 2015 hasn't been a very good year in music, imo, but there has been a few decent efforts, some good stuff. Here's some of my impressions.. what do ya all think, what's your favs? Best albums of 2015 (..sorry Bob!) - Alabama Shakes / Sound & Color - Courtney Barnett / Sometimes I Sit And Think, Sometimes I Just Sit - Jeff Lynne’s ELO / Alone in The Universe - Sufjan Stevens / Carrie & Lowell Best songs of 2015 - Courtney Barnett / Depreston - David Hasselhoff / True Survivor - Tom Petty & Heartbreakers / Lookin’ for Daddy - Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars / Uptown Funk Best re-issue /archival release of 2015 - Bob Dylan / Cutting Edge - Link Wray / 3-track Shack - The Strands / The Magical World of Biggest letdown: TP locking his new releases behind co-deal pay gates, in one blow making it “music for the rich”. Also - for the second year straight - “All The Rest” goes missing. Sorry. It’s grim. Here's for a 2016 full of better decisions on all levels.

Looks like another year will pass without world peace being achieved, without productive sustainable behavior among people, sanity in general and All The Rest...... :/ Is it too soon to wish all a somewhat ironic Merry Christmas?!

This is not much.. but it's something. A blurb in all brevity, from a man who had toured "down under" no less than five times already in 1980 (speaking of..) . This clip has no music from Drop Down and Get Me, but I guess it belongs in this thread anyhow. A piece of history as it were.

MJ2LD: sorry for hi-jacking your post like that. Just found it funny. No harm intended. Presumptuous is my middle name.. Right.. that has to be a problem.. Never thought about that. Must be an awesome collection though. At one point I tried to collect them all myself, but what with all the different prints and versions I never quite got my head around all of the 45rpms. Still have some guesstimated 50+ of them (and that is even only covering the era up 'til 1982 for most parts), so I can imagine there's a mountain of vinyl for the completist.. Anyhow - how cool to be able to play most of it on the jukebox too!

^ Indeed, the world is a sad mess. And yes, I much rather see them do studio time, too. To me those two truisms are not the main connection of the cortex though. To me the immense value of studio recordings, every single bit of new material that we can cherish and enjoy (if properly released) beats another few go:s at the same:ish traveling hits revue that any tour is bound to be. And by quite a long shot too. That in itself is plenty reason to chose my way over the highway, so to speak.. Much more interesting and much more important in terms of legacy to savor that song writing and recording vein, as far as I'm concerned. And recent examples seems to suggest the strength of this logic too. As for the sad state of the world - it would certainly be surrendering to madness, having the bad guys win, if you will, if we all turn protectionists, crouching, small and scared. Then the end is truly imminent, then we serve the world on a silver platter into the hands of evil. If it was only for this part of the argument, I'd say let's all go out on tour, and reclaim decency and cherish life. But again, either way.. a world tour is not my priority neither.. and I don't think one will ever happen. But the aussies sure deserve a show or two, I must say.. and Europe kinda does too.. so.. let's hope fear, sickness or age does not reap the best of these men just yet.. It doesn't have to be a 40th Anniversary kind of thing.. it could just be very few, small scale, safe and sound dates of 2017 for all I care.. Just saying..

"Huge, huge TP fan" + "Owner of some wicked jukeboxes" = ?? I never was good at math, but... hey.. I look forward to the answer, and I bet it's not "no"..

Ah, Cracking Up.. One of the best ever covers by TPATH, and one of their best ever single b-sides too (accidentally to the possibly worst a-side, Make It Better). This is a really groovy and somewhat forgotten song for sure. And Marion, how nice to hear bout your jukeboxes! I so agree about vinyls and really wish I had some of that beautiful machinery myself. Not that my turntable and amps are anything less than great, but a 55 Seeburg... makes me jealous Sweet stuff!

Me three. I really love RM's touch in Mudcrutch. By all means, he neither has got what I like to call the somewhat clinical, "machine" like qualities of Steve's, nor the temper of Stan's. (I guess it could be argued that he's not as "good" as any of them, from certain technical points of view, don't know). But there is something of the latter's passion to RM though, I think, and I really love what he brings to Mudcrutch. It's a warm and very accurate treatment, all things considered. Suits the style and the ambience perfectly. And speaking of the beat/rhythm section, let's not forget TP's fantastic qualities as a bass man. I really, really love how TP handles his bass, and that too, in combination with RM, is too me what creates a lot of that very special Mudcrutch magic. (Not that Ben, Mike or Tom 2 is anything short of great, but they are not as "Mudcrutch specific", if I can call it that, as is RM's drums and TP's bass, IMO.)

Hey, that is surprisingly great! Any show sans FF, IWBD and RDAD is a memorable one in my book. This one almost historical in that sence. Edited sure, but editing done right. Really anxious to see it now! Thanks for all info.