Over the past couple days, while meditating on my upcoming birthday, thinking about years gone by and the current state of the world, this song kept popping into my head. And as I turn 52 today, I can’t think of a better mantra for the coming year than its title: Hope and a High Road. I’m gonna adopt that as my personal mission statement going forward.
The song was written by Anthony Porter. I first heard it years ago at one of his acoustic shows, and immediately loved it. He eventually released a version in 2023 on an acoustic EP called Wrote a Song, Wanna Hear it? Vol 1. Definitely take a moment and give his song a listen:.
As a songwriter, there’s no greater honor than having someone else cover your song. And a few years ago, Anthony posted a clip of himself performing a cover of my tune Easy Living on his birthday and hearing him sing it really touched me. So this is my chance to return the favor. But even if that had never happened, I still would’ve covered this one. It’s just that good.
I hope you all enjoy my version of it. Keep the faith friends and I’ll see you on the high road.
And Anthony - I hope I did justice to your beautiful song.
I make a point every 25 of June to remind myself that growing old is a privilege and that the future is not promised. 52 years in and I’m stoked to still be playing music and making artwork. But not everyone I’ve known was as lucky as I was, so tonight, I’ll also raise a glass for loved ones who went before their time. Cheers.
When You’re Tough
Bullette released another new single, When You’re Tough, this past Sunday, and it’s a banger. I really enjoyed playing guitar on this one, as I got to relive the 90s by laying down some Portishead style tremelo textures and a little J Mascas inspired Big Muff riffage. Good times.
The usual suspects include:
Monika Bullette: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Mighty Joe Castro: electric guitar
Billie Shato: electric guitar
Jonathan Monck: bass guitar
John Paul Travis: drums
Produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia. Mastered by Joe Lambert Mastering. Music and words by Monika Bullette.
Stream it here:
Bandcamp • Spotify • Apple Music
Radio is a sound salvation
This Saturday, June 28th: tune in to MakerParkRadio.NYC (9AM EST) where I’ll be chopping it up on The Rocker with Lorenzo Mameli show. Coming to you live from Staten Island, we’ll be spinning some tunes, telling stories and possibly performing a few acoustic songs. Now, I’ll be forthright in admitting I’m no early bird so feel free to place bets on how many coherent sentences I can make before 11 am.
Upcoming Shows
Fri July 11 / Starving Artists Cafe, Stockton, NJ (MJC solo acoustic show w/ Anthony Porter)
Wed July 16 / The Chill on the Hill - A Celebration of Newport ‘65, East Whiteland, PA (MJC performing a special Johnny Cash set)
Fri July 18 / Bowery Electric, New York, NY Johnny Thunders Birthday Bash w/ Lenny Kaye, Diane Gentile, Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers, Joy Buzzer, Steve Krebs and the Maynard G’s and more
Bookshelf
I’ve had a mild fascination with mafia culture ever since I first saw Goodfellas in the theater as a teen. This is the story of brutal NY mobster and Lucchesse underboss Anthony Casso who, like Sammy the Bull, was one of the highest ranking La Cosa Nostra members to turn informant. I enjoyed the stories in here, although many are vague with details regarding certain crimes (the exception being murders). Not the best book in the genre but worth a read if you’re into this sort of thing.
If you’ve got good book recommendations, drop a comment as I’d love to hear to them.
You can also join the party over on Goodreads
Wake Up, You’re Rambling! is entirely reader-supported. If you enjoy the content but are not ready to become a paid subscriber, you can also support by making a one-time donation here at Buy Me A Coffee. But only if you can. I truly appreciate every reader who follows along. From the bottom of my old man heart, thank you.
Well, time for me to blow out the candles. Thanks again for reading this far.
Hasta luego amigos,
Mighty Joe Castro
