Subject: Level 42 Digest, #228 ===================== * LEVEL 42 DIGEST * ===================== Digest 228 Sunday, 10/30/94 90 subscribers Today's messages: Hi, I'm the BIG Z ------------------------------ From: "Zaron Michael Frumin" Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 22:52:38 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Hi, I'm the BIG Z Fellow Level 42 enthusiasts, First off, I'd like to introduce myself: Hi. I'm "THE BIG Z", and I am new to this digest. I must tell you all it is a great pleasure for me to discover I can now interact with all of you who have excellent taste in music!! Level 42 is my FAVOURITE music group. I have followed the band for the last nine years--ever since I first heard "Something About You"--and have called them my favourite for almost as long. I'm very happy to have recently learned that they are still together; I was told the group had broken up after their release of _Guaranteed_ in early '92. Living in the U.S., I had to work a bit harder to learn that they had released a new album, _Forever Now_, this year. Of course, after finally receiving my own copy of the new CD last month, it was worth it. Unfortunately, I often feel that, living in the U.S. in the 1990s, I am almost completely cut-off from the best music and culture in the world! During the 1980s, so many European--and especially British--groups were very successful here in America, and so I was able to easily hear and learn about artists like Level 42. I don't really know why this has changed the way it has in the last 5 years; all I do know is that I now feel deprived! I can't help but think about all of the great music I may never hear and all of the talented artists I am missing because I have little or no exposure to them here. This is quite frustrating for me, since, historically, most of the groups I have liked have been from the U.K., or from elsewhere outside the U.S.. PERHAPS MY NEW FRIENDS ON THE LEVEL 42 DIGEST MAY BE WILLING TO HELP ME; ONCE YOU GET A FEEL FOR THE KINDS OF ARTISTS THAT I LIKE, I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD RECOMMEND OTHERS (WHETHER CURRENT OR PAST) THAT I MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD OF. At this time, I'd like to mention another one of my favourite artists. In fact, I think you will find this particularly interesting because the artist I am about to mention is linked with our beloved group! I have already mentioned that Level 42 is my favourite GROUP. In addition, I have a favourite MALE VOCALIST. It is THIS person that I want to tell you about now: He used to be the lead vocalist of a group that I have liked equally as much as Level 42 over the last several years. The interesting thing to me is that I never would have dreamed that these two groups would somehow be linked--other than the fact that I knew they were both British groups. Their styles are very different, I take on completely different moods when I listen to each of these groups, etc. Therefore, you can imagine how pleasantly surprised (more like SHOCKED!) I was when I saw the name DARBYSHIRE listed as one of the writers for the single "Forever Now". If you haven't yet guessed my favourite male vocalist, he is none other than RICHARD DARBYSHIRE, former lead vocalist of that other of my two most favourite groups, LIVING IN A BOX. So I'm curious: Are there any other LIVING IN A BOX and/or RICHARD DARBYSHIRE fans on this digest? Does anyone know if Mr. Darbyshire has been a longtime friend with Mr. King, Mr. Lindup, Mr. Badarou or any of the other members of Level 42? I would love to hear from you!! Last question: I'd love to hear your comments on the new album, _Forever Now_; how do you think it compares to the group's previous albums? Can one even 'compare' one Level 42 release to another? I'd also like to know what the professional critics have been saying about the new album. Has it been selling well in the U.K.? In other parts of Europe? I know the title track was a significant hit in Japan; was it a hit anywhere else? REMEMBER, I AM A DEPRIVED AMERICAN!!! I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS WITHOUT YOUR HELP! Thank you for your attention. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Cordially, THE BIG Z ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please respond to me personally at: ****************************** * fruminza @ student.msu.edu * ****************************** "... Now I'll chase the whole world over, making my demands. And I won't stop until I'm holding Heaven In My Hands." Level 42