Democracy for New Mexico

Free Streaming: Neil Young's New CD Living With War

Go to True Majority's site to stream Living With War, Neil Young's new anti-war, anti-Bush album. The album will be available at digital retailers beginning May 2nd. CDs will be available in stores early May. See our previous post for background.

Support for the Iraq war is now down to 28 percent.

The True Majority link above plays the whole album in sequence. You can go to this site to play individual tracks or try clicking for >mp3s. You can also listen as MySpace. And here are the lyrics to all the songs and today's New York Times review. Excerpt:

"We are the silent majority now, and we haven't done a damn thing," Mr. Young said. "We've stood by and watched this happen. But there's more of us than there is of them, and we have to do something. When people start talking and see they can get away with it, it's going to happen everywhere. It's going to be a landslide, it's going to be a tidal wave. This is just the tip of it."

You can also send this petition to your Senators from True Majority's site:

The President's latest $68 billion supplemental request is the fourth time in three years the administration has asked for extra, unplanned billions to be taken from other critical needs and poured into the unending war in the Middle East.

"Staying the course" is costing our nation $100,000 a minute. Our soldiers, our children and our nation are not served by continuing to plunge heedlessly ahead.

I urge you to vote FOR Sen. Russ Feingold's amendment to the supplemental funding request, which would require that our troops leave Iraq by Dec. 31st, 2006.

Here's more info on Senator Russ Feingold's amendment to bring the troops home. And to take this to the streets, show up Saturday morning at the anti-Iraq, anti-Iran demonstration here in Albuquerque.  Flyer.

LET'S IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT

Let’s impeach the president for lying
And leading our country into war
Abusing all the power that we gave him
And shipping all our money out the door

He’s the man who hired all the criminals
The White House shadows who hide behind closed doors
And bend the facts to fit with their new stories
Of why we have to send our men to war

Let’s impeach the president for spying
On citizens inside their own homes
Breaking every law in the country
By tapping our computers and telephones

What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees
Would New Orleans have been safer that way
Sheltered by our government’s protection
Or was someone just not home that day?

Let’s impeach the president
For hijacking our religion and using it to get elected
Dividing our country into colors
And still leaving black people neglected

Thank god he’s cracking down on steroids
Since he sold his old baseball team
There’s lot of people looking at big trouble
But of course the president is clean

Living With War Tracklist:
1) After the Garden
2) Living With War
3) The Restless Consumer
4) Shock and Awe
5) Families
6) Flags of Freedom
7) Let's Impeach the President
8) Lookin' For A Leader
9) Roger and Out
10) America the Beautiful

Koo-Koo-Ka-Choo

I am the egg head, I'm the Commander, I'm the Decider, Koo-Koo-Kachoo

Go listen. Now. Semolina Pilcher must be up at arms.

I'm definitely sitting on a cornflake waiting for 08 to come.

If you're curious, here's the original.

I am he as you are he as you are me
and we are all together....

Neil Young Records Anti-Iraq War Album

Leave it to Neil. Thirty-six years after he penned come ten new protest songs under the album title "Living With War." According to an article in The Independent:

It started as a rumour - gossip shared by fans on internet chat sites. Could it true, they asked? Could Neil Young, a cultural lodestone for a generation of country rock fans, really be turning his attention to President George Bush and the war in Iraq? Now Young himself has confirmed it. Not only has he recorded an entire album about the conflict, but in one of the songs he spells out who he thinks is to blame for the ongoing chaos and violence and what the consequences for that person should be. That track is called "Impeach the President".

"I just finished a new record - a power trio with trumpet and 100 voices," the 60-year-old says in a ticker-tape message posted at the bottom of his official website. "Metal folk protest? It's called Living with the War."

Further details about the album came from Jonathan Demme, the film maker who produced the recently released documentary Heart of Gold about the singer-songwriter. "Neil just finished writing and recording - with no warning - a new album called Living With War," he told the music magazine Harp by e-mail. "It all happened in three days ... It is a brilliant electric assault, accompanied by a 100-voice choir, on Bush and the war in Iraq ... Truly mind blowing. Will be in stores soon."

...His song urging that Mr Bush be impeached reportedly accuses him of "lying" and features a rap with the President's voice set against the choir singing "flip-flop" - an accusation Mr Bush and other Republicans aimed at John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, during the 2004 election campaign.

More info available at Thrasher's Wheat and Young's official website. To get in the mood click play:

Music Pick of the Day

Now's the time to get your copy of Folk Songs of the Far Right Wing. Don't hesitate. Act now!

Time

Like the old song says, "another year older and deeper in debt." Well, the lyrics actually say another "day" older, but what the hell. It's gonna be 2006 in another few hours. and think back fondly to those millenium survival kits and New Year's around the world coverage on all the TV stations SIX years ago now.

Time is of the essence: time flies. Remember when Orwell's novel "1984," Prince's party like it's 1999 and Clark's 2001: A Space Odyssey sounded so futuristic?

Ah, Those Were the Days My Friend when Richard Nixon and Ronnie Ray-Gun seemed like the worst that America could produce in terms of leaders.

I don't know about you, but I kind of miss Guy Lombardo doing Auld Lang Syne at midnight every year on TV. No one else does it with as much corn, and I think a song like that should be corny, above all. Guy died in 1977. Never fear, you can download his traditional version or spiffier versions ala Tex-Mex polka, freestyle disco or country. I kid you not.

Oh my, Time, Time, Time, See What's Become of Me ... as the Bookends Theme says, "Time it was, and what a time it was, it was, A time of innocence, a time of confidences, Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph, Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you."

Then again, Turn, Turn, Turn, To Everything There is a Season. And some believe that Time Has Come Today, a song, by the way, that was the first I ever listened to on headphones -- those massive clunky ones that preceded ear bugs by decades. My conciousness wasn't the only thing altered.

Some try to save Time in a Bottle. Personally, I think Time is on My Side.

It's good to remember that >The Times They Are A'Changin -- again. At least we hope they are, and for the better. still doesn't know what's happening, but perhaps we can use Lakoff-style framing to tune him in to the truth, no?

If you need to determine the EXACT time so you know precisely when the New Year hits in your part of the world, check out the Time Ticker. Or take a Walk Through Time. Remember, the New Year will arrive one second later this year. Tick tock.

Here's how the New Year is celebrated around the world. You can watch the ball fall at midnight tonight at NYC's Times Square, as well as celebrations around the globe via 25 live Earthcams.

Finally, cap your celebration with some Faith-Based New Year's Toasts by Ward Sutton. Holy sacred cow, it's almost twenty oh six! Since I'm half Polish, I'll wish you "Szczesliwego Nowego Roku." See ya next year ...

Amnesty International: Make Some Noise!

The Black Eyed Peas, Avril Lavigne, and The Cure are joining Amnesty International in a ground-breaking musical venture using the works of John Lennon. Make Some Noise launched on 10 December -- International Human Rights Day -- and aims to inspire a new generation to celebrate and stand up for human rights.

The global launch of Make Some Noise features the release of the Black Eyed Peas’ rousing version of Power to the People, The Cure’s interpretation of Love, Snow Patrol’s recording of Isolation, and Grow Old With Me performed by The Postal Service. All four exclusive singles are available as online downloads via www.amnesty.org/noise. These will be followed in early 2006 by an array of iconic John Lennon tracks from further top artists. All single downloads will be available at $0.99 in the U.S. from www.amnesty.org/noise. All profits from music sales will be used to support Amnesty International – the world’s largest human rights organisation – in its global human rights work.

Amnesty International wants Make Some Noise to encourage a new audience to celebrate and take action for human rights and attract one million new supporters worldwide. All of the contemporary recordings will feature as either single downloads, over the course of the year, or as part of a download compilation album. Due for release in 2006, the compilation will mark one of the greatest music projects of the decade.

Make Some Noise follows Yoko Ono’s generous donation of the rights to John Lennon’s solo songbook to Amnesty International in 2003. “It’s wonderful that, through this campaign, music which is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation,” says Yoko Ono. “John’s music set out to inspire change, just as Make Some Noise does. In standing up for human rights, we really can make the world a better place.”

Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, says “Power to the People is the ultimate anthem! We had an incredible time recording the track for Make Some Noise, and hope the single will motivate people to truly stand up and be counted.”

Irene Khan, Secretary General at Amnesty International, says “We’re thrilled to be using John Lennon’s songs in our human rights work. We hope this music will bring an awareness of human rights to a new generation. After all, human rights are what make music possible - we wouldn’t be able to create music, listen to it or dance to it without freedom of speech, expression, and association.”

https://noise.amnesty.org/site/c.adKIIVNsEkG/b.1211391/k.AE8/Story_of_Make_Some_Noise__Make_Some_Noise.htm

'Tis the Season

We were out shopping at Peacecraft in Albuquerque's Nob Hill last night and saw a big lighting display on the club that hugs the corner of Carlisle and Central. It included a large message of "Season's Greetings" that stretched along the Central side, which brought back memories of how popular this saying was long before the current Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas dither came along. In fact, as I recall it, "Season's Greetings" was the message most heard and seen on many Xmas cards, in stores and among people of varied backgrounds during my younger days. So there!

We aren't joining the Tricentennial luminaria contest this evening, but we do have our very pretty tree from the Delancey Street lot, our usual all blue lights along the eaves and our perenniel peace sign that's been lit on the front of the house since before the war started (see right). We are gonna travel down to Old Town later to mingle on the plaza and witness the lighting of the luminarias there and browse the lights on the way home.

Most of all, whether you celebrate any of the wintertime holidays and whichever way you might express that celebration, we want to wish you peace, good tidings and the patience and energy to keep speaking truth to power. Now more than ever.

Here are a couple tunes as my gifts to you this season. First up, in honor of all the brave souls who have returned to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, as well as those who may never return home, here's Christmas on the Bayou by Lonnie Brooks from the Alligator Records Christmas Collection. And I know I've been on a Jackson Browne kick lately, but I had to include his Rebel Jesus , this version performed with The Chieftains on The Bells of Dublin holiday album. You can read the timely lyrics below. Enjoy. Your friendly heathen pagan...

The Rebel Jesus, Jackson Browne

The streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants' windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all God's graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

They call him by the "Prince of Peace"
And they call him by "The Saviour"
And they pray to him upon the sea
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robber's den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

But pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus.

Casino Nation

A couple things to watch as we ponder the implications of George W. Bush ordering the surveillance of emails and phone calls of U.S. citizens, as well as the activities of peace groups in the United States. A couple videos to absorb as we witness the push back against seeing and acting upon the truths of the Iraq War and the powers and reasons behind it, even by many in our own Dem Party. A nod to my friend up North for the links:

One (Quicktime)

One (Windows Media)

Two (Quicktime)

Two (Windows Media)

Lennon Killed 25 Years Ago Today

It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since John Lennon was shot four times and killed by Mark Chapman, but it's true. In April of 1980, I had moved to Albuquerque from Chicago. On the evening of December 8th, I was to pick up a friend at the airport. An unusual and very heavy fog hung down on the Duke City that night and my friend's flight was delayed and later diverted because visibility was so low. I heard about the murder on my car radio while driving between home and the airport. Like almost everyone else in my generation, I was devastated. I recall listening to John's last album, Double Fantasy, and much of his other music many times that night. The continuing dense fog seemed just right.

Another assassination. First John Kennedy, then Martin Luther King, then Robert Kennedy and finally John Winston Ono Lennon to round out the tragic quartet of lost visionaries. Each time, the new wound reopened the scars from the last one. Each time, a feeling of incredible loss, a startlingly personal loss somehow. But this last one was someone from my own generation.

I was a Beatles fan from the beginning. Nothing like starting out that era as a 15 year old. I was lucky to see the Beatles play live three times in Chicago, twice at the barnlike International Amphitheater at the Stockyards and once at the old Comiskey Park, home of the White Sox. I recall standing on a folding chair for most of the first concert, plugging my ears against the outrageously loud screaming, and trying to stay balanced while girls crawled along the floor and under the seats trying to make their way to the stage. Ticket price: $2.50. At the second, my friends and I managed to finagle box seats that hung over the stage on John's side and we spent most of that concert waving and exchanging gestures with Lennon. A special treat: we could clearly hear the band. At the third, we got to meet George Harrison's sister, Louise, who lived in Illinois, near the third base dugout.

Paul (the "cute Beatle") was my favorite at the beginning.  As things progressed, the dreamy, sitar-playing George took over that spot. Finally, as I matured and became more enmeshed in politics and the counterculture, John was the one. I wasn't alone in this progression. Many in my generation made the same trip. And a trip it was. They grew and evolved as we did. And vice versa.

Of course I wonder what Lennon would be doing now, if he had lived. He'd be 65 for one thing. Would he still be turning out witty, relevant, bluntly and beautifully imagined music to match our experiences and speak truth to power? I'd like to think so. After all, even the Viet Nam-era Give Peace a Chance is, once again, timely. Oh, and Happy Xmas (War is Over). If we want it.

A sampler of tributes:

Rolling Stone has a long bio-article by Mikal Gilmore, a podcast of a 1970 interview of Lennon by Jann Wenner, a rundown of John's essential recordings by David Fricke and an interview by Pete Hamill from 1975.

AOL has a bunch of stuff, including a free play of the full CD of Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon.

Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! has another treasure trove, mostly to do with Lennon and politics.

A Reuters article reports on observances around the world today as does CNN International.

Kimo to Host Musical Hurricane Benefit

The New Mexico Music Commission hosts a musical benefit for hurricane relief:

"CHICORY AND CHILE"
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 7:00 - 10:30 PM
KIMO THEATRE IN ALBUQUERQUE

PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
Bayou Seco
Priscilla Baca y Candelaria
Christian Orellana – NM Peruvian Music & Verse
Jenny Bird - Taos Songwriter
Rahim Al Haj - Classical Composer
Tony Rio & Voodoo ChiLi
Chuy Martinez & Oti Ruiz - Mexican maestros of Musica
Danny Solis - World Champion Slam Poet
2005 National Poetry Slam Championship Team
Bonnie Bluhm
Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez - Author: The Dirty Girls Social Club

Admission is free for “Chicory and Chile,” but donations are suggested. Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross, Gulf Coast Musicians, and the Humane Society of the United States. The City of Albuquerque, AMP Concerts, Avokado Productions, Poetic Justice Institute, KiMo Theatre staff and TM Magazine are also sponsoring the event.