From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V97 #128 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 97 : Issue 128 500 subscribers Today's topics: Blurb!! Bill Miller June Levelfest Jason Bell Re: The Biography MR P C DEVENISH Music theory 101 Randall L Collins Completely non-level related... JodyBob Pat Flanagan's Bar & Grill Bruce_Conrad Various N Collier Mark's Sun quote Rob Kadel Take Care Of Yourself MrPink New Richard Marx MScore0696 Jo Da Flos MrFish prince's trust Jdelsav L42 world peace songs? MNR. CA MOCKE CD Projects Jdelsav Re: Level42 Digest V97 #127 DonZipf Some stuff Benedict Poole ------------------------------ Subject: Blurb!! From: bmiller @ abbeywood.com (Bill Miller) Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 11:30:13 +0100 (BST) Levelheads First to DJZ, you mentioned "Things can only get better". Is this the Howard Jones version from the eighties??? Secondly Johnathan Doody - great story JD!!! Thirdly to Mark Garrett. Mark I wish you all the very best on your travels and good luck for the future, what you said was what I would have said if I were in your position. Bill Miller BILLY'S GONE ------------------------------ Subject: June Levelfest From: Jason Bell Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 12:45:55 +0100 (BST) Just a quick note...... Well done for setting up the Vegas Levelfest. I hope that all who are going will have a great time. June 20th - 22nd is a special time for me as I am getting married on the 21st of June. Have a drink for me. Regards Jason Bell Email : xdr44 @ dial.pipex.com OR Jason.Bell @ PEmail.net WWW : http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/estate/xdr44/ Chapman Stick Player and a Member Of The HTML Writers Guild ------------------------------ Subject: Re: The Biography From: MR P C DEVENISH Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 15:15:33 -0700 (PDT) I bought my copy of the digest a couple of years back but it was really hard to find. I had to use a rare book search from a certain well known book shop in the UK. Right now I can't remember the name of it, oh yeah it was Waterstones. I think it's a free service I just filled out the details on a form and left it to them. I think it took ages for them to locate but they did eventually. In my opinion it wasn't as good as it could have been. My personal interest is in the band and the music rather than there personal lives. It would have been better if there had been more emphesis on their inspirations and how they put there songs together and less about how Mark tought drums to the kid next door. I'm looking for recordings of interviews that the band have given on T.V and radio during there illustrious career. I have a distant memory of Mark doing and interview on BBC Radio 1. I was a young kid and didn't have a tape player of my own and consequently don't have a copy of it. It would have been about the time that RITF was released because I remember Mark Talking about how, when writing "It's over", he had "all these harps going". If anyone can help me find my not-quite-forgotten past then please post a message or email me directly. If you do I shall be eternally grateful and may even deliberately have children and force them to listen to my entire record collection just to ensure that the name lives on. ------------------------------ Subject: Music theory 101 From: rcol @ ix.netcom.com (Randall L Collins) Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 10:26:10 -0500 (CDT) Matthew writes: > The use of modulation (changes between keys) in Level 42 tunes. > Since the use of modulation is usually limited to very standard > common chord modulations (particularly tonic->supertonic->supertonic > functioning as a dominant->new tonic that is a fifth higher), did > Level 42 start with easy modulations and progress to more complex > types of modulations in their music? I would have to sit down and really listen to a lot of their music again, but I don't think L42 (yeah, that's Level 42, Steve!) :) used a lot of modulation. I think a better and more prominent analyzation of Levelmusic would be musical format (binary, tercery, sonata, rondo, etc). These formats were the basis for classical music from the early 17th century to the present. Even a lot of today's music is loosely based on these standards. > (I would hypothesize that Mike Lindup, having an extensive formal > theory education, would have used modulations more, and especially > would have used more complex modulations -- I would hypothesize that > Mark would not have used many complex modulations, due to his lack > of formal theory education). Well, I'm really lost with this one. I don't see what a formal music education has to do with using complex modulations. There's no rule that says any song you write has to change keys. I have a formal music education and the songs I write don't modulate at all, unless I have a need for it. My music is more rhythmically challenging. That's my choice. Mike and Mark are talented musicians regardless of whatever "education" they had. I'm sure you would agree with that. > 2) I think that it would be interesting to write an essay on the use > of extended triad chords (ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, etc. . .) in > Level 42s music. Extended triad chords are typical of Jazz and are > heard primarily in more sophisticated pop/jazz/fusion. You hear a lot of these chords in early bebop too. Listen to some early Herbie Hancock (Blue Note) as well as Art Tatum and Duke Ellington. Where do you think these modern jazz fusion musicians get their inspiration (including me). :) > My theory teacher played Steely Dan for us to introduce us to extended > triad chords & their construction. Listen to Donald Fagan's Fender > Rhodes at the beginning of 'Deacon Blue' and you will hear many of > these type of chords. Level 42 (especially Mike) uses these type of > chords a lot. > 3) You could do an essay on the use of modal harmony in Level 42 songs > and contrast it to standard methods of harmonization. That's an idea. I think a lot of L42's music (especially earlier stuff) uses very basic harmonizations. Add a twist to that. Analyze their vocal harmonizations and how it resolutes itself into the main harmonic structure of their instrumentals. I find that fascinating. Mark and Mike sing with great harmony. > Tell me what you think, and perhaps some other digesters can add to > this. Matt, I don't want you to think that your ideas aren't good because they are. (See? You got me thinking about my college days!) I think what was mentioned is good to start with but as a piano and theory teacher as well as a classical and jazz music performer, music theory has little relevence. My philosophy is this: There is a distinct line between performance and theory. If we were to do a musical analysis of every L42 songs, what is that saying? I'm sure the boys didn't compose their music with certain harmonic and melodic theories in mind. I use to do a lot of music analysis in school of Beethoven sonatas and a lot of it is really nasty. Intentional? Hardly. Beethoven had virtually no music education yet scholars look at the structure of his works and say, "Look how he uses these scales", or, "these chord structures are textbook perfect." The same can be said of Level's music. If we showed Mark or Mike a detail copy of one of their composition with its chordial, harmonic, and melodic breakdown and how it "fits" known musical theory, they would probably look at each other, stratching their heads with a glazed look on their faces. Bottom line? Music will have an appeal to everyone, whether the artist has a formal education or not. I use to be a little prejudice against people who called themselves musicians with no music education who could "play" chords and melody. I couldn't legitimize it because they didn't study music in a formal setting like I did. Now, I realize that there are really talented players with little or no music upbringing as well as degreed musicians who can't play worth a darn. I can really listening to music for what its worth. It's kind of like being an audiophile. We can be critical about bloating midrange, or shrill highs, or palpableness, but sometimes you have to let that stuff go and enjoy what makes music what it really is. Music! Sorry for getting so long-winded. At least, as Winston put it, I didn't talk about Minidisc. .and now....the return of..... Randall....the defender of ATRAC!!!!! (just kidding. Calm down, everyone!!! :) Glen writes: > You were standing on the quee (oops, I mean quay) and you blew a kiss > to me, I was sad to go...... > Sorry, Randall, couldn't let you get away with that misspelling of > Torquay--the fine resort town on Engand's southwest coast. A place > dear to my heart :-) > P.S. Don't mention the war...... Oh my, I did misspelled that, but I only did it one time and I think I got away with it! Don't mention the misspelling to anyone else..... :) I did visit Cornwall when I was there. Southwest England is truly beautiful. Didn't get to Torquee.....quee...quee..QUAY...QUAY...uh.... .uh..trepassers will be tied up with piano wire...SORRY!!! SORRY!!! Right, then! Randall "It's the Attila the Hun show!" ------------------------------ Subject: Completely non-level related... From: JodyBob @ aol.com Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 12:16:08 -0400 (EDT) I'm in an ASL class and I wondered--any of you people across the pond know the British sign for Britian? I would wholeheartedly appriciate it... Thank you very much indeed..... JodyBob ------------------------------ Subject: Pat Flanagan's Bar & Grill From: Bruce_Conrad @ hphc.org Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 12:46:53 -0400 Pat-I knew there was something about that name...then it hit me (not literally). There's a bar near my office where we would go whenenver someone left the company (department). Used to go there a lot.-not as many leaving the company now...:) Anyway, it's called Pat F's. I'll send you one of their napkins :> Winston - cool hat! I'll be in touch for at least one. I doubt I'll be going to Vegas though. I was quoted for $700+ (package) as a single traveller, through AAA. I'll look around some more, but it anyone has cheaper suggestions, please let me know. Marc - I'm the dude working on a Level42 Connection Collection (our own tunes). I'm just collecting info right now. Anyone can tell me what they have to offer @ Bruce_Conrad @ BMUG.Org. Bill Wilson will be glad to include your LIL cover on 'Cover 42, #2'. Zaphod - please send ChezDan @ AOL.Com info on AYGB-CDR. He wants to buy one. He used to be on the digest. He lives in western Mass. LOZ - i know you're busy. I sent u a question about the L42 books. If you don't get it, please email me. I'd like to buy another. Also, if anyone is interested, I may go to the Eric Johnson concert at Berklee P.C. in Boston, May 14. WebMister Hanson may go as well. Bruce_Conrad @ HPHC.Org Software Control Analyst Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Quincy, MA WWW.HarvardPilgrim.Org //members.aol.com/bhconrad/index.html ------------------------------ Subject: Various From: N Collier Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 18:45:00 +0100 One of the things I love about L42 is that they have seemingly never involved themselves with stuff like politics, race, religion - all potentially contentious issues (read a selection of Digests over the past few years for evidence of that) - it's almost as if they were just enjoying themselves too much for such subjects to become an 'issue' - they've got better things to be getting on with. Being a L42 fan has never had any implicit deeper meaning, no baggage, no agenda. That's not to say that the band have avoided 'big' and difficult issues in their music but they've never really tried to have an 'attitude', got completely out of their depth, taken themselves too seriously or disappeared up their own arses (U2?). That carries itself very strongly onto this Digest. Apart from the odd dust-up, by and large nobody makes a big thing about race, religion, politics etc (apart from the odd playful swipe). I never feel as if anyone is really ramming anything down my throat and I rarely feel 'excluded' by the language anyone uses. > "Up went the Lobsters........Boing....Straight up her A#@%hole" Unbelievable- a fellow Derek and Clive fan. I have everything they did though I really wouldn't recommend anyone to listen to their stuff - it is despicable, deplorable, sick, indefensible and completely hilarious. "Lobsterissimus Bummakissimus" I read 'The Fall of the House of Usher' the other night - I may write a mini review of it in due course. I didn't really 'get it', it's only 20 pages long and not a lot really happens in it. I need to have a look at lyrics for 'Past Lives' again but from what I remember and from what I read, I can see only a tenuous, passing relevance. If we're looking around for more 'esoteric' titles for CD projects then there's plenty of potential in the poems of Edgar Allan Poe - it's really worth a look. I also came across an interesting and esoteric title for a CD project when I was recently reading Herodotus; the word is 'Dithyrum' and is ancient Greek for 'dance music' - how about that for a remix album? BTW, the title of the poem in 'House of Usher' is The Haunted Palace, for some reason, that slightly rings a bell with one of the titles of the 'unreleased tracks' Loz spoke about. Was there a track about haunting or something? One last thing, this may have been mentioned before but I can't remember the answer if it has...why is the track 'Physical Presence' not on the album of that name? Another last thing, I'd like to hear Stevie Wonder sing Judgement Day - it was made for his voice. It's also the joint best track on 'Changes'. BRUCE H >> any news of the letter in the County Press? I can feel an international petition coming on... Nigel "...friends all over the world, none in this country but all over the world" - Tony Hancock, The Radio Ham http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~nnac/ ------------------------------ Subject: Mark's Sun quote From: Rob Kadel Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 14:02:28 -0400 (EDT) So I'm watching Fait Accompli again last weekend, and a question occurred to me. Does anyone know what the quote was in the Sun which Mark discusses in FA? He says something like, "Mark King says 'My album's rubbish!'" (referring to Satring at the Sun). But they sort of leave it like that -- does anybody know what the story was surrounding that? If so, please post. -Rob ************************************************************************ Rob Kadel Department of Sociology Emory University Atlanta, GA 30322 (404)727-7510 http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~rkadel/ ------------------------------ Subject: Take Care Of Yourself From: MrPink Organization: Sandstorm Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 19:42:32 +0100 Fellow Digest people, Arjan Meijer was suggesting Take Care of Yourself was kind of a dig at Thatcher & co. Well.. could be. Just watch the video. I heard someone say (can't remember who now...) that the song was kind of more dedicated to Alan Murphy than to politics. Level 42 have never really been political. The closest thing (other than the Spirit is Free) would be the Chant Has Begun, but that was kind of a mid-eighties trend I think. Cheerio. -- ==+///==---------------------------------------------------==///+ ==+///= David Goodall ---- MrFish @ Sandstorm.demon.co.uk =///+ ==+///==---------------------------------------------------==///+ ------------------------------ Subject: New Richard Marx From: MScore0696 @ aol.com Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 19:30:35 -0400 (EDT) Hey Levelheads, I just got the new Richard Marx CD called Flesh and Bone. Track 12 titled "The Image" borrows the bass line from Lessons In Love. It struck me on the first listen when I really wasn't paying attention. Of course the groove is not played with the same prowess as 'ol MK ...what else could be expected. Overall this is a good CD. It has some cool grooves and is much funkier than his earlier stuff. Definitely worth a listen. Bonneville Mark Toronto, Canada ------------------------------ Subject: Jo Da Flos From: MrFish Organization: Sandstorm Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 19:45:38 +0100 Folks, By the way, is anyone interested in another trip to the Ilse Of Wight this summer?? It could be good. All of you say "Yes Dave"........ NOW! Cheers, David -- ==+///==---------------------------------------------------==///+ ==+///= David Goodall ---- MrFish @ Sandstorm.demon.co.uk =///+ ==+///==---------------------------------------------------==///+ ------------------------------ Subject: prince's trust From: Jdelsav @ aol.com Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 21:38:46 -0400 (EDT) Hey- heard a couple of adds in the NY/NJ area giving away tickets to this year's Prince's trust concert (the SPICE Girls are singing), wondering if Mark will have any do in the concert dan ------------------------------ Subject: L42 world peace songs? From: "MNR. CA MOCKE" <9413693 @ narga.sun.ac.za> Organization: Stellenbosch University Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 08:50:48 +0200 Hi! The Lurking South African Digest Member (moa!) :) have noticed L42 have quite a few "world peace" songs. Coup on WM, Freedom Someday on RITF, LIAPW on FN. Is all this a reflection of L42's (or Mark's for that matter) viewpoint on world peace? Are they really world peace fanatics? (like me). Maybe some of you know something more about this issue. Did any money they ever raised go to Green Peace or so? (hope it did!) :) Does any of the earlier albums (before WM) have such songs on? Which are they? Ta for any comments/replies about this! Cheers, Charl "Look what we've become... world peace at the point of a gun..." - Coup D'Etat, World Machine Album, 1985 ------------------------------ Subject: CD Projects From: Jdelsav @ aol.com Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 03:34:42 -0400 (EDT) hello all Just wondering what the status on the Newer CD projects is. If someone could just post or e-mail me directly? When is the next NY level fest (I just moved from morristown to Hoboken) A lot closer to the city!! thanks, dan ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V97 #127 From: DonZipf @ aol.com Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 03:46:51 -0400 (EDT) Last time Matthew Rice wrote... << I think that it would be interesting to write an essay on the use of extended triad chords (ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, etc. . .) in Level 42s music. Extended triad chords are typical of Jazz and are heard primarily in more sophisticated pop/jazz/fusion. My theory teacher played Steely Dan for us to introduce us to extended triad chords & their construction. Listen to Donald Fagan's Fender Rhodes at the beginning of 'Deacon Blue' and you will hear many of these type of chords. Level 42 (especially Mike) uses these type of chords a lot.>> Matthew, you are an astute musical theoretician and your suggestions to 'the copse' were most intriguing. In fact, Donald Fagen himself gives a theory lesson, just as you describe, in his video "Donald Fagen - Concepts in Jazz/Rock Piano." You probably already know that, but I thought that, since you broached the subject, it might be good to point other interested folks (especially Dan fans) to this tape. Don discusses & jams with Dan-alumnus Warren Bernhardt, demonstrating the very composition/arranging techniques you've mentioned, and it is slammin'! The tape also comes with handy charts of several Dan/Fagen tunes. From Homespun Tapes, about $50 (yikes! - but worth it). "It's a kind of pyramid, with a human heart...beating in an ion grid." - Fagen Don Z. ------------------------------ Subject: Some stuff From: Benedict Poole Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 09:51:16 +0000 >but I know a certain girl-group that has entertainment-value for sure. >And _please_ let them stay away from politics Ho ho ho... OK, who goes first?? Note for non-UK readers: there was much media coverage here a little while back, of the fact that the Spice Girls voiced their liking for Thatcher. Cue lots of gags about 'Ginger Spice, Sporty Spice [etc.] and... MAD OLD SPICE!' Ahem. Back to L42 I guess... - The other artists recommendations page sounds a good idea for the website. It's always interesting to see who other people are in to. - TCOY: this is indeed an anti-Mrs T song. It's even in the lyrics! But I think the band was having a go at the general selfishness/yuppiness of some people, associated with the Thatcher years, not just one person, although of course she was the figurehead of that age (anyone remember 'there's no such thing as society'?--what a cretinous assertion!) - Mark recommendations: Another one just came to me. Jack Bruce mentioned Mark in an interview some 7/8 years ago, praising him for his voice and the fact that he can sing & play together so effortlessly--as any bassist on this list will atest, this feat is tricky! Er, I think I've outstayed my welcome. Til next time! Cheers Ben -- ben @ flump.netkonect.co.uk benedict_rs_poole @ gb.coopers.com Chapman Stick #091, based in Westcliff-on-sea, UK