Subject: Level 42 Digest, #401 ===================== * LEVEL 42 DIGEST * ===================== Digest 401 Thursday, 05/25/95 162 subscribers Today's messages: At this Distance etc. On being old. Learn to Say No Blues & Soul 12/10-23/85 #447 Demographic Compilation Releasing Forever Now, True Fans, Etc. Re: B sides and demographics Re: Level 42 Digest, #400 Re: M's Album Introduction Re: M's Album Farewell ------------------------------ From: Benedict Poole Date: Wed, 24 May 95 12:47:30 +0100 Subject: At this Distance etc. Hello all Er... I think I have misquoted the above song's title. Oh well. To the person asking if it's any good - YES! Very atmospheric & shivery, with some extra- ordinary bass harmonics/unusual slap licks [Yes, I'm a bass player. And yes,\ I'm blond. And yes, I like slapping!!!] I've been into L42 for about 7/8 years, and prefer the older stuff, to be honest, though it's all cracking stuff. However, Forever Now is probably one of my favourites - I regard it as a real return to form. Shame they've now split up! I've seen the band twice: once on the Staring at the Sun tour (Fait Accompli doesn't convey just how GOOD this tour was! Especially `My flies wide open, I feel a breeze' -- guess which song Mark was playing with). I then saw them at Hammersmith just before Guaranteed was released, complete with Holdsworth on guitar. The band were obviously having a great time then, posing for photos etc... I've been talking music with Dave Crowson [hello dave!] and we were suggesting bands for the other to listen to. Having seen D-Influence on Jools Holland the other night, I'd recommend them. Plus Incognito, Young Disciples/Carleen Ander- son, Jamiroquai, Freak Power, Solsonics, Brand New Heavies, Gil Scott Heron, Curtis Mayfield, Ellis Beggs & Howard (anyone else a fan??), etc. etc... Who agrees Follow Me is a top track? Am I right in thinking it's only on A Physical Presence? Marvellous album that. Anyway, enough of that. Ta ra! Ben -- Ben Poole University of Kent at Canterbury, UK. ------------------------------ From: M.C.Ashby @ lut.ac.uk (Martin Ashby) Date: Wed, 24 May 95 14:28:47 bst Subject: On being old. Alex wrote, in an old person sort of way (ie. leaning on zimmer frame muttering incoherently about the good old days): >Anybody else admitting their advanced age would make me feel better, I'm sure. Well, when I owned up to being 29, I didn't say *exactly* how close to the big three-oh I am. About this |<-->| close... and no one will let me forget it, either... Martin ------------------------------ From: jtheal @ julian.uwo.ca (Jeremy Theal) Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 09:41:56 -0400 Subject: Learn to Say No My Levelheaded friends, Just a question about this "Learn to Say No" track that Kim and Lolita have mentioned... is it on Forever Now? My copy of the CD (British release) doesn't have it. Is it one of the extra tracks on the Japan release? If it is, where can I buy this release? Thanx! Jer ------------------------------ From: Peter Hadley Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 11:01:14 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Blues & Soul 12/10-23/85 #447 Blues & Soul #447 December 10-23, 1985 ******************** The Hit Machine by R.St.P -------------------- AAH...the glamerous life of a Blues & Soul reporter. Unfortuantly, though, we scribes don't spend all our time in the luxurious ambience of Praed Towers screaming: "Hold the front page" across the room at editor Killbourn ( a man of whom Robert Maxwell and Rupert Murdoch have both been heard to say: "who?"). No, there's another side of life for all us intrepid Clark Kent lookalikes ---such as traipsing across the vast uncharted wastelands of West London on a cold, drab November evening then having to hang around the dingy backstage area of the BBC Shepherds Bush Theatre for an hour waiting to pin down interviewees Level 42 only to find that, rehearsal having overrun, the interview needs to be condensed into 20 minutes. Never mind, at least the 20 were spent in a warm, comfortable pub with Polydor buying the rounds and Level 42's Boon and Phil Gould and Mike Lindup all in good humour and good form. "Sorry you had to wait," they quickley explained. "We are doing the 'Terry Wogan Show' live tonight and the producers are perfectionists. It took ages longer than rehearsing for 'Top Of The Pops'". It was very much a flying visit back to Level 42's adopted home city of London (three of the band originate from the Isle of Wight but they formed up in the Big Smoke). "We've come in from Norway today especially for the show," explained Boon. "We're presently on the opening Scandinavian segment of a major European tour. We'll be doing nine countries in four weeks. Tomorrow's gig is in Denmark---and Copenhagen's a good town for the band," said Mike. The tour opened, of course, with four triumphant nights at the now acknowledged mecca of British soul music---the Hammersmith Odeon (ironically enough, owned by Rank, not Mecca!). The concert format is one Level 42 see as being the best showcase: "We did a club date in Oslo," said Boon, "but we missed the light show we are able to use in a concert setting. It serves to provide the punctuation points in the set. "People say you can get closer to an audience in a club but there's a decided disadvantage to in that the people at the back can't see! You can still get a good rapport at a concert and everyone gets to see as well as hear you." Level 42 have earned themselves lots of friends---Alexi Sayle and Nick Kershaw were among the many celebrities who came down to Hammersmith and made the gig like "a ronk and roll party", in Boon's words. They've got lots of very faithful fans too: "There's a guy called Pete Jones who attended his 42nd Level 42 gig when he saw us at Hammersmith and there's two guys called Chris and Robin who've been following us around since way back. We even gave them official crew passes this time round," said Phil. Level 42 value their fans highly and like to stay close to them, though they concede that many people expect their stars to take on a mystical aura. "They expect you to be almost as if you are carved in stone and your music can take on a very personal aspect to them. It can mark a pivotal point in their life, serving to conjure up all sorts of memories---and that's when it takes on an added mystical meaning." Of course, all this can put constraints on what a band can do on stage: "Something about what a band plays must strike a chord with an audience. It gives you the key to winning them over but it also sets limits on what you can do," said Boon. "We must have played 'Love Games' a thousand times, for instance. Fortunately, I still enjoy playing it and, of course, it's changed somewhat over the years, but I'm sure a lot people would be pissed off if we didn't include it in our set." But the band are moving on, constantly developing. The current album, for instance, marks a major stepping point in their ever upward career. "We had a huge meeting in January to decide our future policy," said Boon. "We all have little studios at home. We write songs and work out the arrangements then do demos and spend a lot of time with them. Our working method now is to spend a lot of time on pre-production and to live with the material for three or four months then go into the studio and get the album down relatively quickly, "The present album is the first one we've self-produced, with help from Wally Badarou who is almost like a fifth member of the band. He's a French Nigerian and has lots of great ideas. We cut the album at Maison Rouge. "This album is different from our others but I feel it's the strongest we've done yet. We never really talk about musical direction, it just happens. We don't like to put ourselves into any category though our music will always be dance orientated. "Mark King comes up with most of the ideas but Boon and I write a lot and whoever's song it is, all four of us have an input," chipped in Phil. "Mark's voice remains a Level 42 trade mark. His bass playing might not be quite so prominent this time, but it's still there." Level 42 now have a virtually worldwide following but they've yet to conquer America. "That's big priority for us," said Boon. "Mark and I went over there back in 1979, before it all happened for us. Jazz funk was our major influence in the early days, though we don't seem to listen to a lot of it nowadays. "I still like the jazz idea of breaking loose and going for it. That for me is the most enjoyable part of playing but, with lights having a major role in our shows, we do have to work cues," said Boon. "The stage show is tight, the way Americans like it, but we realise we have to work a bit on image. We've been spending a bit on new stage clothes lately. "Our big problem in America has been categorisation, but if we can work on the image then Level 42 can have it's own category. Level 42 is all based on Mark's particular unique feel, but the other three members of the band each have their own feel. The stuff we play at home, when each of us is working on his own, is very different but put the four different feels together and that's what makes our music what it is." The guys are planning to play in America next year: "We've never gigged there though we have recorded there in the past, with Verdine White and Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire producing," said Phil. While America remains to be conquered, the Isle of Wight, where Mark, Boon, and Phil all grew up (Mike is a Londoner) also needs to waken up to it's talented prodigal sons: "If we went back there now and played a gig nobody would notice," smiled Boon, "It's such a laid-back place, a great place to grow up and to bring up your own kids in but not a lot happens outside that!" ------------------------------ From: "Friesen, Alex" Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 10:02:46 -0500 Subject: Demographic Compilation Hi All, I'll probably regret this, but I've started compiling all the demographics people are sending in. The categories I'm currently trying to fill are: name, email address, age, gender, "race" (ooh, I hate that part, but it's valid for demographics), marital status, occupation/education level, fan since (song or date), favourite album, video and song, address (general location on the planet), and instrument(s) played. So far it seems that this list is populated by elderly married Vogons with no education, but much expertise at interstellar bypass construction. I'll spew out all sorts of fascinating (and somewhat less inaccurate) information after an as yet undetermined data collection period. So keep that demographic data coming!! ...Alex... "My eyes wide open / I feel a breeze / words softly spoken..." ------------------------------ From: John Edward Martin Shuford Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 10:23:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Releasing Forever Now, True Fans, Etc. I agree with Lazlo that I don't think Forever Now will ever be released over here. I even took the disc around to radio stations in Portland and Seattle, got it some airplay and new album previews. Even if their format could hold the entire album, the three stations that played it loved the album as a whole, and they really liked the songs they chose (Love in a Peaceful World, Tired of Waiting, Romance). But after pestering RCA/BMG for a couple of years, after going from enthusiastic response to my letters (well, as enthusiastic as a blood-sucking Vice President of Marketing is going to be) to none at all, after commitment to L42 then not, I'd say there's no shot in hell that album ever sees the light of day over here. And I'm sad to say that I don't care (quick, which song is that from) because RCA can go screw themselves. The damage is already done--they gave L42 the final push towards break-up--so I'd just as soon that they never make another buck off L42. True Fans: You guys from England are making me extremely jealous. After all, you possess the one song I've never heard: Can't Walk You Home. That's the holy grail for me in my quest for 42. You guys are real fans. I humbly bow at your feet. Someone mentioned Toy Matinee/Kevin Gilbert/Giraffe. Do you know that there is an album called 3rd Matinee that features everyone from Toy Matinee but Gilbert (who is replaced by the lead singer from Mister Mister)? Is Giraffe another spin-off from this group? I'm just getting into these guys, and I have a friend who is really hooked. ------------------------------ From: Fur Q Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 18:57:23 +0100 (BST) Subject: Re: B sides and demographics > Also, I've been searching for some B-side tunes: Three Words, As > Years Go By, At This Great Distance, and Play Me. Righto. Here's MHO on the above toons: Three Words (B-side of Tracie)- A good number, but a little twee. You can see how it missed the album. Still worth having. As Years Go By (B-side of My Father's Shoes) Possibly my favourite Level 42 track ever. How did they throw a song this good away? Slightly Beatle-ish in construction and with a fabulous horn part. Possibly Gary Husband's best moment with Level, too. What a groove. I listened to this before everyone of my A-level exams in June 1992. I had my first final exam for my degree today. I had to play it before leaving my room, for my own peace of mind. It still kicks. At This Great Distance (B-side of Overtime) Partially spoken in Van Morrison style (I once asked Mark if this was a conscious nod, and he replied 'God, I hope not' or something.), partially sung in killer harmonies, this is swirling, atmospheric majestic music. Very little finer Level in existence. Why did they throw these tracks away on B-sides and include clodhopping filler like 'The Ape' on the album? Play Me (on CD single of Forever Now) Nice, but not a patch on Past Lives. More than a hint of Wally methinks, especially the French vocals near the end. Swaggering rhythm, and some cooking slap bass. Now for demographics, 21 year old (22 on June 13th) final year Politics undergraduate at the University of Lancaster in the North West of England, but originally from London. Plays drums, guitar and bass, has every Level album on vinyl and CD, all but about 2 of the 12" singles, and most of the 7" singles. Been into Level since 1986, first saw them Wembley 1987, last saw them Albert Hall 1994 (sniff), and 16 times in the interim. Also obsessed by XTC and Elvis Costello. Collects records by almost anyone like they're going out of fashion. After graduating will spend a year as the elected sabbatical (that means I get paid for it) editor of the University newspaper. Louis. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "You know something ladies and gentlemen? I'm just cheap colonial trash." ------*------ David Letterman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Louis Barfe-the slacker generation personified. L.Barfe @ lancaster.ac.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ From: Kim Ivey Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 13:23:52 -0600 (MDT) Subject: Re: Level 42 Digest, #400 To Greg Schilling: Great Choice for one of your FAvorite songs- "Good Man in a Storm". It also happens to be in my top three also ... which is presently in a state of flux since I got Forever Now and Changes in my possesion. However, "Good Man in a Storm", "Something About you" and "Lying Still" are the only songs I listen to when I play World Machine now adays. ------------------------------ From: huwmill @ cix.compulink.co.uk (Huw Millington) Date: Wed, 24 May 95 21:10 BST-1 Subject: Re: M's Album In-Reply-To: <9505241110.AA28512 @ enterprise.bih.harvard.edu> > New York * London * Paris * Munich is the first M album. Ah I didn't know there was an album. Is is any good? Huw ------------------------------ From: rpowell @ mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu (Randall Powell) Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 15:14:55 -0500 Subject: Introduction Greetings from New Orleans! I'm so happy to become a part of this list and to know that there are others who recognize the enormous talents of the band. I've been a fan since the beginning, and have seen them live once, opening (?!) for Tina Turner. They were superb, as always. I'm a keyboard player with (plug) one independently released album and another to be released later this summer. Mike Lindup has been a major influence on my playing and arranging. He defines taste and economy. Also learned a great deal from Wally Badarou (his solo efforts are well worth owning). I had to import "Forever Now" and it took forever. Do they not have an American label or distribution at present? I've never understood how this country could fail to see how wonderful they are. If there are any other L42s in my area, or if you're passing through the Crescent City, be sure to let me know. Thanks again for the opportunity to join this list. Randall Powell Randall R. Powell ------------------------------ From: lazlo @ Rt66.com (Lazlo Nibble) Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 14:18:44 -0600 (MDT) Subject: Re: M's Album >> New York * London * Paris * Munich is the first M album. > > Ah I didn't know there was an album. Is is any good? There are several; all are at least interesting. The L42-relevant ones are: [M: New York * London * Paris * Munich] LP: 1979 US (Sire SRK 6084) [Wally Badarou: synth/keyboards] [Gary Barnacle: saxes/flute] [Phil Gould: drums] [M: The Official Secrets Act] LP: 1980 US (Sire SRK 6099) [Wally Badarou: synth] [Gary Barnacle: sax] [Phil Gould: drums] [Mark King: drums/bass/guitars (bass on "Maniac" only)] -- ::: Lazlo (lazlo @ rt66.com) ::: Check out http://www.rt66.com/lazlo for the Internet Music Wantlists, ::: many artist discographies, and other record collecting resources. ------------------------------ From: cresswel @ no2sun.cray.com (Darrin Cresswell) Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 04:54:00 -0500 Subject: Farewell Fellow Levelheads, First of all, here is my demographic data... I'm a 25 year old white male computer technician, married, no children. My wife is also a big fan of L42, although not a fanatic like me. I've been playing drums since the sixth grade, and I dabble a little with bass and keys. Unlike most everyone else, my first exposure to level was their first album. Love Games still is one of my favorite songs. I listen to a lot of different things but mostly rock, pop, and jazz. I, like most others it seems, don't like the majority of new material coming out these days. I am always looking for new material. I spend a lot of time in used cd stores listening to anything that looks interesting. I also carry a list in my wallet of all the suggestions that you people have made, Thanks! My main reason for this post is to say good bye. Because I am changing jobs I will be loosing my net access (hopefully not for long). I've been on the list for quite awhile (my first one was #31!) and it has been fun watching it grow. We sure have a diverse crowd! Despite the fate of the digest being in limbo, I'm sure it will find a way to survive, and I hope to be a part of it in the future. A BIG thanks to Eric for making this list possible and a special thanks to everyone who made copies for me. If anyone is in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, drop me a line! Best personal reguards to all, Take care of yourself!! Darrin Cresswell