From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V96 #105 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 96 : Issue 105 294 subscribers Today's topics: French (for Nigel) Prashant Joshi A New Subscriber Says Hello. Some Views on the >> Robert J Martin Madness / Level 42 The Bassman Re: Level42 Digest V96 #104 Pat Flanagan Hey, all--I'm off! Heather Swanson WOW, what a bloody response I got! Sh20Matt Re: Level42 Digest V96 #104 Jennifer Carman ------------------------------ Subject: French (for Nigel) From: kidsdoc @ terraport.net (Prashant Joshi) Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 10:18:42 -0400 The loose translation to the "French bits" is" I was alone Far too long Empty heart Devoid of feeling You came along To dry my tears My strength/hope renewed I look at you Caveat: I am Canadian and I may not be aware of all of subtle colloquialiasms in France, so forgive me if my interpretation varies slightly from the actual intent of the phrasing! ************************* * Prashant Joshi * ************************* kidsdoc @ terraport.net ------------------------------ Subject: A New Subscriber Says Hello. Some Views on the History of Level 42 From: Robert J Martin Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 10:38:42 -0400 (EDT) Greetings, I am new to this list as I just put myself online. This is a lengthy discussion of some of my opinions regarding Level 42. Please bear with me and forgive any rambling that you may encounter along the way. I did not know that Level 42 had officially disbanded until I read it hear and at the homepage. It's nice to see that fans still maintain an interest in keeping the group's work alive and in promoting future solo endeavors. Like most American's I was introduced to Level 42 in the mideighties through MTV's short-lived support regarding 'World Machine'. Unfortunately, other than opening for Madonna at Foxboro stadium (it was almost worth leaving after their performance)I never got to see Level 42 play live. We have always been seriously deprived here in the US. I must say that Level 42's music and skill level were beyond most pop musicians of their period (and remain so). Their music had a sense of maturity and intelligence as well as groove that few other acts could match. I look to Mark King as the single most largest influence on my own musical perspective. It was Mark King's bass playing that inspired me to pick up an instrument and paly bass back in 1986. I used to spend hours trying my best to learn the licks from all their CDs and (am still trying to this day.) In 1987 I started playing drums and drums have become my main instrument and is what I spend my spare time involved in learning playing and teaching. I taught myself to play drums by playing along to "World Machine" and "Running in the Family" and I bought my first issue of 'Modern Drummer' because Phil Gould was on the cover. i have subscibed ever since but look upon that issue as my most valued. My personal favorite Level 42 album overall is "Staring At The Sun" it is one of my all time favorite pop albums among any.This album helped to move Level 42 in a newer direction invoking some fusion like elements thanks to new member's musical backgrounds. I was concerned when MTV annonced the departure of the Gould brothers back in 87 but was astounded and estatic to find that Gary Husband had joined the group (along with Kate Bush's Alan Murphy) Staring at the Sun was never promoted by Polydor in the states as no one new of its existence."Man' is my personal selection for overall favorite Level 42 song because it shows the group at its finest display of chops and virosity. I was hoping that Level 42 were going to move in this direction which was more in line of having jazz/fusion Alan Holdsworth like elements. I really hope a live CD from that tour does get released eventually. "Guaranteed" showed this to a minor extent. It was a great pop album and "Man" like elements could be found in "If You Were Mine" It became pretty clear, however, that Gary Husband wouldn't stay based on the limitations placed on his ability to stretch out. Gary Husband had stated in a cover story for "Modern Drummer" (this is not a direct quote" that it did n't make sense to reamin with the group if (the record label demands for hit singles) his contributions were going to be overdubbed or drowned out by drum machine disco beats. His return to Alan Holdsworth was inevitable. the move from Polydor to RCA was from bad to worse as even less promotion was done and Level 42's existence were completely wiped out stateside by 'Guaranteed'. "Forever Now" exhibited the notion that Level 42 seemed content to stay in the discoish genre and even seemed to return to a rehash of their earlier styles. This CD offered a few great blazing funk tracks but seemed not to move the band forward, even backwards instead. While the CD was still better than many of their contemporaries, it should have been an indication that the end was in sight. Of course my having to import the last 2 CDs and never seeing the last one released in the US until now helped to bury any memory in the eyes of the public). It seems as if Level 42's success in the states was always hampered by what was viewed upon by many (stateside) as record company limitations on the extent to which they were identified with the general public as limp-disco, weak dance-pop, etc. (an unjust assessment). However due to their exceptional playing skills, Level 42 have always had a slight jazz like element to their music and this helped them to gain noteriety amongst accomplished musicians. It is for this reason we see their works available through Audiophile Imports shop which caters to serving up the finest jazz/fusion musicians in the field. This I'm sure is also why such players as Gary Husband and Alan Holdsworth were interesting in joining or contributing performance to the group. It seems that Level 42 never lived up to its fullest potentials in those fields. I am looking forward to next solo album from Mark King and am still waiting for that solo album that Gary Husband had been talking about for some time. His piano playing skills are as impressive as his drumming so this will be worth the wait. We can always hope for an eventual reunion as everyone is still young enough to carry on with their own careers for many years as well as do an occasional session together when the urge arises. Based on the Live aat Wembley and excerpts from Fati Accomplia videos, I have always looked to Level 42's biggest strength as a live act (favoring live over studio) Favovite album: "Staring at the Sun" Top 15 Favorite Tracks: Man A Floating Life If you Were Mine Fashion Fever Leaving Me Now Take Care of Yourself Mr. Pink 88 Over There Dune Tune Dream Crazy Micro-kid (live) Hot Water My Father's Shoes Everything else in the catalog Other than the Wembley and "Fait Accompli" videos I have been in continual searcvh for live video footage. **********I need a good VHS copy of "Guaranteed Live" would it be possible to buy a copy from somebody. I'll be happy to send a blank video tape in order to get it copied. Being a US citizen doesn't come with every priviledge as we have never been able to get it in the US, Even the $100 japanese import versions are usually out of stock. **********I am looking for any good video (VHS)footage of Level 42, particularly from the "Staring at the Sun" tour. Could somebody tell me what's out there?? Thanks in advance for any assistance regarding live video footage. I look forward to communicating with Level 42 Fans everywhere and can be reached via e-mail at: Here's to the future success of Level 42's members. Thanks for listening, Robert J Martin -"Take Care of Yourself" Fall River, MA, USA 02721 ------------------------------ Subject: Madness / Level 42 From: The Bassman Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 16:35:50 +0100 (BST) Greetings folks. I was watching the TV a couple of days ago and saw an interview with Suggs, the front man from the band Madness. It suddenly struck me how alike he and Mark are talking in the interview chair, even down to face expressions. They showed Suggs' latest video "Cecilia" which had some VERY big acting similarities to Mark as a "clown" (in that yellow checkered suit) from something about you and the Take care of yourself video. Also, in the earlier Madness videos, the horn sections were swinging around on wires like Mark and Mike did on the Staring... tour. Is this perhaps where they got the idea from? Did the latest Suggs video and the Take care.... video have the same directors/producers? It would be interesting to see how the two would interact if they were on the stage together. They are both nutters in the best possible way!! Cheers, Mark. Mark Tweedale mjt101 @ tower.york.ac.uk http://www.york.ac.uk/~mjt101/ ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V96 #104 From: pfpd @ pobox.com (Pat Flanagan) Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 12:26:17 -0400 (EDT) >Loz. I have the book. I love you. I want to have your baby. Uhhhhhhhh... huh huh >I had heard awhile back that Alan Holdsworth may have done one or two live >concerts with the guys on the Guaranteed tour. Is this true? And if so does >anyone have a video or audio copy of the show or shows? I have a concert that was taped from the radio of their appearance at the Odeon when they broke the record for most consecutive nights (I believe it was their 15th night there). AH plays guitar, though I've never been much of a fan for his loud, cacophonous, shrieky, whining style of guitar. Otherwise, it's good. :D TCOY, Pat Flanagan Publishing & Design PO Box 281, Granger, IN 46530-0281 email: pfpd @ pobox.com website: http://www.pobox.com/~pfpd TOTALMEDIA PUBLISHING: Print * Disk * Interactive * CDROM * Internet ------------------------------ Subject: Hey, all--I'm off! From: "Heather Swanson" Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 20:14:57 EDT Hi, all...just a note to say my account is terminated for the summer, but I'll be sure to be back in September... Hope I don't miss any major revelations while I'm gone! See you then! Heather ------------------------------ Subject: WOW, what a bloody response I got! From: Sh20Matt @ aol.com Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 21:19:24 -0400 Hey guys and gals, WOW, I knew that people were searching for Rare, B-sides, and concerts; but what a GREAT response I received after my first message on this SUPERB digest. By the way, my name is Michael (Mike, Mikey, Mic), not MATT, my friend Matt is letting me use his system to send and receive email. I have just spoken to Winston this morning, and I am flying out to NEW YORK CITY, on May 10-12, 1996, to have a bit of a LEVELFEST 1996! I am brining my entire collection, including the video and audio cassette of the last gig, ROYAL ALBERT HALL-LONDON. Contact Winston for details. Since all of you contacted me, please send a request, vis-a-vis your WANT you to copy this LIST, to me at the address below and just enough money for postage, I will supply the video and/or audio cassette cost. I will do these by a first come, first serve basis. Give me 5 working days after I receive your request, to fulfill your L42 package. It is great to know that the L42 movement is still strong and vibrant in America, the dream, in fact, is still alive! Best and Kind Regards, Michael MAIL TO: Mike, 37 Univ Cir, Stillwater, OK, 74074, USA NB: Just to spark this rumour up again, I just heard that time will come to an end..., just kidding, no really I heard that Mike and Mark are, indeed, working together in Wootton, IOW, UK- on a new album, and calling themselves THE NEW AVENGERS? Fancy that now?! (mtp) ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V96 #104 From: jcarman @ ktn.net (Jennifer Carman) Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 17:57:27 -0800 Hey all! I am finally back on the net after about a month of being away. I moved from Los Angeles to Ketchikan, Alaska last month. Let me tell y'all .... this town is so small, I don't think anyone here as even heard of Level 42! oh well.. I just wanted to say hi to everyone I have been missing.. and I wanted to respond to LittleHalo @ aol.com... >Also, I was wondering how many people on this Digest were from the Los >Angeles area. I live in the L.A. area and I wanted to know if I may be >driving next to a Digest member everyday. I used to live in Whittier... right near the 605 Washington Blvd/Whittier Blvd exits... my parents are still there.. and I will be back for a vacation in July.. If anyone is intending to visit Alaska or wants any info.. I am your woman! So contact me either here or by personal email! See ya! jen