From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V97 #6 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 97 : Issue 6 457 subscribers Today's topics: More Bits (again, not naughty) Randall L Collins AYGB Euro version and more dirk.vael When did the Gould's leave? Marc_Dupuis Introduction Sariane E. Leigh AYGB Jay Vohs Mikey's Volume 1 Marc_Dupuis LowLandsLevelFeest on February 22! Andre Huijts The Digest and how I feel about it. Andre Huijts LevelADS page Mark Hughes My Favorite Band WLonote Yesterday's post Julian Arnold Cabbed stuffage Eric J. Hansen Liner notes from Words of a Mountain Eric J. Hansen PARRINGTON, COLO, LEVEFEST 97 Mikey42 AB-FAB Mikey42 RE: "Take Care of Yourself" availability WALTFRA ------------------------------ LIST ADMIN NOTE: For the record, I've revised the "disclaimer" for the Level 42 Digest. This text appears at the bottom of each Digest (both current and archived), in the 'welcome' message sent to all new subscribers, and on the Digest's homepage. -Eric eric @ worldmachine.com ------------------------------ Subject: More Bits (again, not naughty) From: rcol @ ix.netcom.com (Randall L Collins) Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 06:54:37 -0800 After reading the odd posting or two about our L-lads working on other projects, I just thought I'd pass on a bit of info that Mark King did in 1991. I'm not sure how many of you guys out there ever heard of Rick Astley but he came out with his first hit in 1986 or 7 called 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. He's a bloke with a soulful sound; kind of like Luther Vandross. I'm sure our U.K. members know who he is, but anyway, Mark King co-wrote two songs on one of Rick's CD's 'Free'. -Be With You -Really Got A Problem If you ever happen to find this disc, I think it's worth getting it. Mark, of course, plays on these tracks and they do have a bit of L42 seasoning sprinkled on it. Does anyone have this CD? The whole CD is actually pretty good. Ran ------------------------------ Subject: AYGB Euro version and more From: "dirk.vael" Date: 6 Jan 97 16:02:37 Yo! A. About this AYGB Euroversion (see some Digests ago) Do not send me money yet! Just send an email with your snail mail address (Europe!), and whether you want the standard AYGB disc (with Resurge Track) or a custom CD (with tracks replaced). If the latter is the case, include which track(s) should be replaced. I'll send you an email when I have enough orders to buy some bulk amount of CDRs. Then send the money (around 15 DM) and 14 days after your money arrives at my doorstep, you'll have your AYGB CD... guaranteed! People wanting it on MiniDisc (THE new home-audio standard for the next few years) can send me a disc (74 mins please) or 14 DM on the double! B. About the L42 CDROM Another good idea: those who have the text-adventure 'Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy' for any platform (C64, PC etc). Send it! You know why this should be included on the CDROM! And keep the ideas coming! Thanx to all who responded already! This CDROM will rock! C. About multi-track continous CD-Audio (for those L42 bootlegs etc) Anyone ever tried to put indexes into one audiotrack. I have such CDs (really rare) and maybe this would be a good alternative for the impossibility to remove the 2 second pause. And yes, the Wembley 1987 CD is the exclusive CD version of the original Laserdisc (plus MicroKid). (BTW, had no time to burn it this weekend due to harddisk problems.. grrrrr) D. Miscellaneous msg to Zaron Michael Frumin: PLEA$E RE$POND!! (or anyone who knows him) msg to anyone who knows Tucker Hass (or can get in touch with him): send me his address!!! msg to Eric: Dished Out Bums w/ 'Lost In Space' = +/- 'Glass of Chianti' (as awesome as) msg to Eric again: you know 'NYDC' (=Danny Tenaglia) with 'Up in my house' on Tribal US? msg to Eric AGAIN: expect a surprise tape in near future> I acquired really cOoL trax!!!! msg to everyone: STOP THIS JOE STUFF! Greetz, Dirkies ------------------------------ Subject: When did the Gould's leave? From: Marc_Dupuis @ MADISONUSA.CCMAIL.CompuServe.COM Date: 06 Jan 97 12:44:59 EST I was looking thru an old calender when I noticed this: August 27, 1987 - Level 42 at Toad's Place This was a great concert, Mark was sick as a dog but stomped like a big dog. The Goulds were there (I still have a vivid image of Phil playing two hi-hats at once). I don't remember any horns or Annie. And I thought this concert was much earlier than this, like in the early 80's. I guess memory IS the first thing to go. Anyways, it got me thinking, maybe this was one of the last shows for the Goulds? When did the Goulds leave? (Note: I cannot access FAQ - I only have email capability). Thanks, -Marc ------------------------------ Subject: Introduction From: "Sariane E. Leigh" Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 15:21:15 -0500 (EST) I am a 19 yearold American Level Fan which leaves me in a double minority. I can barely find any songs, or anyone under 25 who has even heard of the band. IF there any fans across the world who are just as intrested in learning about the band, please give me an e-mail. Even the older, can drop some Level knowlege on me, because I really am not all that familiar with early 80's acid-jazz revolution. Especially the British revolution. Sari Washington, D.C. leighs @ wam.umd.edu ------------------------------ Subject: AYGB From: Jay Vohs Date: Mon, 06 Jan 97 16:04:00 PST I've only been receiving the Digest for less than two weeks. Since Christmas, actually. There is one recurring subject I can't get straight. That is the AYGB subject. From what I can tell from the posts it seems to be a CD with a collection of songs recorded on a writable CD Drive? Is that right? I seem to be missing something. Can somebody fill me in because I hate to miss out on an opportunity. Right now all my favorite groups are on an "import" only basis. Its such a struggle to get any new music. What do I hear when I turn on the radio? I get songs like LUMP!!?!! Jay in DE [Yup, it's a "digest only" CD-R with hard-to-find Level 42 B-sides. Take a look at Volume 96/digest #250 through the WWW archives for more info... http://www.worldmachine.com/level42/#archive -Eric] ------------------------------ Subject: Mikey's Volume 1 From: Marc_Dupuis @ MADISONUSA.CCMAIL.CompuServe.COM Date: 06 Jan 97 16:50:14 EST Good Heaving, Heavy Bodies! (Benny Hill's Samurai character trying to say "Good Evening, Everybody") Well I'm part way thru Mike Payne's Volume 1. Interesting stuff, the old footage is kind of hilarious in places, just because it looks so dated now. But some nice stuff - I liked seeing footage of Phil playing, even if it wasn't sync'd to the soundtrack very well. More on that later. I liked the handheld video from the last show. Who taped that? Poor bugger probably missed alot of the show trying to snake the camera around the young ladies directly in front of him/her. And when the camera did get a view of the stage, I did a double-take: was Tiny Tim playing guitar for them? Whaddup wid dat 'do, Jakko? I didn't sense that total autopilot vibe that some attendees spoke of, but it's kind of hard to tell (more on this later). I noticed Gary had ANOTHER kit - this guy changes his drum set-up more often than I change my underwear. Oh oh, I said Gary and underwear in the same sentence. ;-) remember that thread? I really like the recent interview with Mark. Gad! he's just GOT to release this stuff he's been working on! But the crap he has to deal with, like I bet you he was kind of embarrassed dealing with the cameraman doing his "now look in the rearview mirror while I film from the rear seat" and "OK, now look down at me lying on the front seat as if you and the camera were best buds cruising around town, looking for a record deal." Yeesh. Mike, it is extremely nice that you provided this footage, gratis to boot, I probably never would've have seen most of this otherwise. Now, that being said, and please don't take offense, but the quality is dismal. I spent 5 minutes trying to get rid of the tracking error on the first few vid's before I realized that the error was present on the source (I'm quick, huh?). And I noticed that the video and audio tracks didn't line up very well in most cases. And that it looks like there are many generations of copying in between my tape and the Holy Grail. And I broke my nail opening your package. I complain enough? And all that on top of your "quality may vary" disclaimer you stuck out there for everyone to see! Ungrateful cuss, eh? Anyways, I do appreciate you taking the time. Did any of this come from the infamous BobC tapes? Are these in better shape? (hint hint) Thank you for listening, and, well... just being there. Benny Hill, dancing with the old guy and patting him on the head - "Your head feels just like my wife's derriere!" Old guy, patting himself on the head - "So it does!" -Marc ------------------------------ Subject: LowLandsLevelFeest on February 22! From: "Andre Huijts" Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 22:01:35 +0100 Hi there !!! After a long period of radio-silence because of the last madening two months I would like to let everyone know that: THE FIRST >>>> LOWLANDSLEVELFEEST <<<<< WILL BE HELD ON >>>> FEBRUARY 22 <<<<< in ROTTERDAM / RIDDERKERK The Netherlands. As I indicated earlier I wanted to make it in January, but this is impossible for me personaly and is too short-notice by now for everybody planning on attending. Everyone who has indicated he (she?) was willing to come will receive private e-mail for details ! PLEASE NOTE I HOPE I HAVE ALL THE UP-TO-DATE E-MAIL ADRESSES, so if you want to come and have not received private mail, please let me know (huijts @ worldonline.nl) Here's my list so far: Alexander Thomas thomas-a @ Rcs1.urz.tu-dresden.de Dirk Vael dirk.vael @ ArthurAndersen.com Maarten Gorter maarteng @ dds.nl Ernst-Jan van der Hee ejvdhee @ globalxs.nl Michel Buis (+2) michel2 @ hotmail.com "The Mighty Maomoondog" MM95 @ worldonline.nl Andre Huijts huijts @ worldonline.nl Frans Bal (maybe /my cousin) Anyone else who is new, or just didn't know about the feest and is also interested please e-mail me so I can give you further information !!! EVERYONE who likes LEVEL 42 is more than welcome !!! MAJOR CHANGE IN PLANS !!!: I intended to meet near Ahoy' Rotterdam, but since this is one of the worst winters since ages it doesn't seem to me like a good idea to meet there because waiting outside in the freezing cold is NOT a good way to start. So it seems better to me to meet at my place, which is very easy to find by car (and much warmer). Please if anyone comes by public transport, let me know, I can advise you, or arrange to pick you up somewhere. Further details in private mail, to not mess up the digest ! (Plenty of mess already) Groetjes, Andre ------------------------------ Subject: The Digest and how I feel about it. From: "Andre Huijts" Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 23:01:50 +0100 All the fuss on the latest digests started me of thinking about it and I have tried to write here what I have on my mind: 1) What benefits has this digest brought me ? - I know M U C H more about my favourit band then ever before (not in the last place by LOZ) - I have met people (electronicaly) and 1 personaly which share the love for the music of Level 42 (and will meet more in february !) - I now own records/cd's/info I never even dreamed of existed (and this will only grow, hope to receive AYGB soon !) - I have been informed of other bands that people like, that I should try listen to as well, because I value the musical opinion of any Level 42 fan. 2) What do I not like about the digest ? Mmmmmmmmh, let's think..............................think.....ah ! - I have the feeling that the regular writers on the digest seem to know each other well (I think a lot of you have met) and this can sometimes make people who don't write very often (or at all) feel like "not belonging" to the "group". I do not think that this is intential, and I think this just happens when you have personaly met someone,(or even have extensive e-mail contact for a long time) that you will share more easily personal "problems" or share your feelings. I do NOT mind personal notes, it gives some background information of the people on this digest, so it does not feel like we were all machines here. - Has anyone on this digest ever thought about the fact that not everyone is from the US or UK, and so their native language is NOT English ? This may seem unimportant to you, but I think a lot of so-called lurkers are a bit afraid to leave any message at all, because they feel their English is not good enough. The fact that people READ English does not mean that they also can WRITE English (I'm shure I make a lot of mistakes, but-hey- who of you US and UK guys and galls speak ANY other language ?????) What I mean to say is that not every lurker wants to be a lurker. Maybe US and UK people should bear in mind when writing mails to the digest to keep their language plain and not to high profiled, so everybody can keep up ! - there were,are and always will be some discusion that I am not, or only slightly interested in (like extensive Bass discussion) But hey, Bass-playing is an important part of our fav.band isn't it ? So I don't mind, I just skip if it goes to deep.....and there will allways be the same "problems" for other members. To sum it all up: I think this digest is G R E A T and wouldn't want to miss it ! This does not mean there is no room for improvement. When somebody suggests some improvements it is a bit childish to feel attacked personaly , what has happened the last few days. I understand part of Loz's reaction, but on the other hand I have to agree with Joe that sometimes he is telling us that he has some information and than not telling us. I much rather be in the blind on these cases. LOZ, this is not meant to hurt you, but I feel Joe is right on this point. On the other hand LOZ HAS given as a lot of unique and hot news (not Joe !) and this is one of the best reasons for being a member of this digest (like the unknown material, new releases etc.) Keep up the great work LOZ, and take a little criticism by heart. REALY guys, everyone who flamed Joe should read his FIRST msg. again, and there are NO personal assaults in it. This is not the case however in his second msg. and his remarks about LOZ's personal life are way out of line. Also he offended EVERYONE (even the people who did not respond) on the digest, and he placed himself above the crowd, as if he was superior to all other digest members. Then as I understand from his last msg. this was a reaction to all the flames he received, which does not mean this is justiffying things. "is it so wrong, to be human after all...." Well, please note I am not choosing sides here, both have their points, but can we be a bit more adult next time someone critizes the digest (or anything else) ? Well this msg. is much too long already, so I will leave now... Kijk en als ik nu hier iets in het Nederlands zet, dan begrijpen al die yanks er geen snars meer van. Wie heeft eigenlijk beslist dat Engels de voertaal op het Web is ? Groetjes, Andre huijts @ worldonline.nl ------------------------------ Subject: LevelADS page From: "Mark Hughes" Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 22:07:51 -0000 Dearest All, Please can you dust down your duplicate Level 42 stuff and let some of the newbies have a chance at enlarging their collection. Remember when you used to get frustrated at not being able to find that one cassette, album or rare piece of Level ?? If, like me, you have any 'spare' Level that you don't really NEED .. sell it or SWAP it with someone else !! My page is FREE but at the moment it is taken up with MY stuff only and that is not really FAIR !! Also any links to Level 42 sites you know/run , please let me know so that I can add them to the page. I now have THREE excellent Level 42 links on the page .. so if you only know of 1 or 2 .. please drop by !! Also if anyone has a Level 42 midi file, do send it to me as the Mission Impossible theme is not really in keeping with the page !!! So remember - DIG OUT THE OLD FOR THE NEWBIES - Level 42 is not just for Christmas!! Mark Hughes http://www3.mistral.co.uk/markhughes/ To Infinity and Beyond .. ------------------------------ Subject: My Favorite Band From: WLonote @ aol.com Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 18:24:05 -0500 Wow! Take a couple weeks off and look what happens! Anyway, my name is Wes and I'm a Level 42-oholic (and the crowd says "Hi Wes") :-) I like this "If you were the head of the Label" thread. Here goes: Level 42 (1981)- "Turn it On". This predates the British Invasion by about a year, but the track is just irresistible, and would have a similar appeal in the U.S. to some of the R&B and "Blue-eyed Soul" that was popular at the time. Follow with "Love Games". I think that's about as much as you can milk out of the first one (when I say that, I'm speaking strictly from a U.S. commercial standpoint. If *I* were the pres, I'd release 'em all. Critics be damned!) Pursuit of Accidents (1982)- This would have been the "sophomore slump" album in the U.S. At a time when we were innundated with Duran Duran, Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, etc., most of the tunes from Pursuit would have gotten lost in the shuffle. I'd say "You Can't Blame Louis" would have gotten a moderately good reception. Standing in the Light (1983)- "Living it Up" is by far the best single, and would have done well in the U.S. had it been released. So our boys make a huge comeback after falling out of the limelight during POA. "Micro-Kid" would have been a suitable (but less successful) follow-up. True Colours (1984)- "Hot Water" does fairly well as a dance single (though the version from WM has a little more commercial "snap" to it), with "Kansas City Milkman" as the second single. It would appeal to a slightly different audience than "Hot Water" but IMO is a better song. World Machine (1985)- "Something About You" is a no brainer. I can't really argue the decision to realease "Leaving Me Now" second. Good ballads can do wonders for a band's sales, and though I'm partial to "Lying Still", "Leaving" had more of a "piano-style" ballad feel that Americans were more comfortable with. "I Sleep on my Heart" would be my third single, but it would have been interesting to see what sort of reception it received. Running in the Family (1986)- "Lessons in Love". Again a no brainer. I like Joe's argument for "Fashion Fever" as a second single. Third would be "Children Say". This is with the benefit of hindsight, but I think a shrewd record exec would perceive that the sophistication of Level 42's music was starting to grow, and that while they would be putting out good music for a long time to come, it was not always going to be dance hall stuff. "Children Say" is a wonderful song that would start to catch the interest of what is now called the "Adult contemporary" crowd. Staring at the Sun (1988)-"Two Hearts Collide". I've posted before that this isn't one of my favorites, but it would have been a strong first release to build on the momentum that "Children Say" left off with. "Tracie" would be my choice for second release, followed by "Silence" as the ballad. You notice my choices are taking a much more "adult contemporary" turn. The reason I believe "Heaven in my Hands" didn't get a fair shake on U.S. radio (I believe it peaked at #77, but don't quote me) is that it was at a time when bands like U2 and REM were starting to enjoy some mainstream success with their guitar-oriented progressive music. "Heaven" came off IMO as a pop band trying to "rock out" and sort of hedging its bets. By now we've managed to start alienating the 15-20 year old group, but there are a lot of folks out there who would be getting turned on to Level 42's sound. Guaranteed (1991)- "Guaranteed", though it did almost nothing on U.S. charts, would nevertheless have been my first choice. It's a little reminiscent in feel of "Lessons", and though the pendulum of popular music had started to swing well away by this time (a la Pearl Jam and Nirvana), it plays to the bands strengths very well, and that's about the best thing you can do. Follow ups would be "Overtime" and "If You Were Mine". Forever Now (1994)- "Forever Now". The biggest thing about this song to me is how it just immediately grabs you. Love it! Follow-ups would be "Love in a Peaceful World" (oh, these guys are the biggest thing to *ever* hit VH-1 :-)) and "Play Me". There you have it. With the Wes Hodge plan, the boys have gone from Soul to Dance to Adult Contemporary without missing a beat, and are hard at work on their eagerly anticipated 1997 release.... ------------------------------ Subject: Yesterday's post From: "Julian Arnold" Date: 6 Jan 1997 16:04:22 -0800 Hello People, I've been away for a while and only started back reading digests yesterday. I have to say I seem to have missed a lot!!. I tried to read through Loz's offering, but man is it long!. It seems to me that somebody or somebodies have had a go at Loz or other's and forgive me but, THAT NOT WHAT THIS WHOLE SHAGGIN' THING IS ABOUT!!!!!. I don't know what was was said by whom to whom about whom or whatever but it strikes me to have such futility going on when there are bigger things happening. I mean Polydor's rereleases coming out soon, solo CD's etc. Plus Loz has been a great source of input for the digest and if Loz quits a goes away well, I'm sorry but I'll have lost a huge chunk of interest in what goes on. And as for these humongous threads about Thomas Dolby et al, I like TD but this is a forum for Level 42 and at least the majority of discussion should aim for that. Opinions matter but not bullying and bickering, so cut it out Kids!!! (bloody hell!) Julian. ------------------------------ Subject: Cabbed stuffage From: "Eric J. Hansen" Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 21:51:27 -0500 (EST) Folxes, Well! I'm back from a three day excursion to New Orleans -- "the Birthplace of Jazz". Believe me, I did my best to locate the now-infamous "shoot your own music video" place that was featured in Fait Accompli, but to no avail. Nonetheless, a good time was had by all, with much good music and even more good eatin! Between my girlfriend and I, we had it all: beignets, gumbo, crawfish, etouffe, po' boys, and lots of hot sauce! We missed the swamp tour excursion, but maybe next time. I also just picked up the new Jamiroquai CD - "Travelling Without Moving" (interesting reference there). John Thirkell and Gary Barnacle are listed in the Jay's "thanks" section (John's name is misspelled): "A big thank you to Johnny Thirkle & Gary Barnacle of the Co. Durham Miners Coalition Brass Band." It's not obvious whether or not they played on this album... anyone know? Alrighty then! Back to the "always on the level" program! Seeya, Eric -- Eric J. Hansen ................................. mailto:eric @ worldmachine.com Worldmachine Technologies ....................... http://www.worldmachine.com ------------------------------ Subject: Liner notes from Words of a Mountain From: "Eric J. Hansen" Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 00:36:44 -0500 (EST) Hiya, I recently typed in the liner Notes from Wally Badarou's "Words of a Mountain" CD, (c) 1989 Island Records Ltd. (Catalog #91260-2) Vince is going to put these up on the Level 42 Home Page as part of Wally's "bio" when he has time, but I figured that for now, I'd post them and at least make them available via the Digest search/browse engine. So, without further ado... ............................ [ press play ] ................................ Wally Badarou is the bespectacled boffin whose synthesizer skills have lurked behind some of the most influential hits of the last 10 years: M's "Pop Muzik", Grace Jones' "Warm Leatherette", innumerable hits by Level 42, and a host of French pop. In addition, his soundtracks to files as significant as "Countryman" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" have established him as a composer/arranger of subtlety, with an intrinsically modern feeling. But in his perhaps less know capacity as a solo artist, he also excels. Working in a category that distinctly belongs to the late 80's, his skills as an instrumentalist primarily concerned with texture might not have found a clear - or at least, marketable - niche till nowadays, when the relationship between humans and machines have moved beyond simplistic cliches of the 70's, when machine music was derided as 'cold'. His latest album, following the diversity of his only previous solo work, "Echoes" is a complex, thoughtful piece entitled "Words of A Mountain". Hovering somewhere between classical and New Age music, it is a highly symbolic venture, whose meaning enriches each time it's played. Badarou was born in Paris in 1955, where his parents were students - his father a budding surgeon, his mother a pediatrician. When Wally was seven, they moved back to Cotonou Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, in West Africa. It was a comparatively privileged childhood, in which Wally, as the eldest of two brothers and a sister, enjoyed the musical instruments his father would bring him back from his international voyages. When his parents bought a piano for his younger sister, it was Wally who monopolized the keyboards. It was to Wally that his parents later turned when a younger brother joined a band, hoping that the eldest son would dissuade him from such time frittering. But close contact with a combo merely encouraged Wally to join the band itself. However, Wally never thought of music as a career. His ambition lay in aeronautical engineering; he yearned to be a pilot. "Now, I enter a studio as if it was a sacred place", he comments, "it's like the cockpit of a place to me, where I can create something multi-dimensional." It was only a deficiency in maths at school in France that drew his attention elsewhere. By now, his father had become a diplomat - first, Minister of Health, then Minister of Foreign Affairs - and eventually, Badarou Senior became Ambassador of Benin to Paris, London, and Madrid. At 18, Wally found himself studying in Paris. "I'm from a melting pot of backgrounds" he observes deliberately. "I belong to that no man's land, belonging to the world rather than only to Africa. I know I'll be rejected by racists in Europe, and by the authenticists in Africa; but I have to defend that land somehow." After school, it was time for Wally's military service. He worked with radio guided anti-tank missiles, surrounded by people he found far from stupid. In a happy flashback to his childhood, when he used to enjoy building miniature radio-guided places, "It was a good period. It gave me a rest, to decide what I was going to do." He played with different bands all through his time in the army, from 1977-8, often working with Antilles musicians, the peer group of artists like his contemporaries Kassav, playing the beguine, while really inspired by musicians like Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul. Immediately before entering the army, Wally had acquired his first synthesizer, a Korg. Nonetheless, while in the army he decided to forget about music, and concentrate on studying law, fearful he'd become just one keyboard player among many. "My studies lasted six months. Then, I realized I'm not here just to have a comfortable life, with a nice car. If I had to be miserable, at least let me be doing something I enjoy. At the time, I didn't have a penny, although I come from a bourgeois family. I respected my father's decision that they wouldn't support me unless I was doing something they could endorse." But Wally was not without work. He became a regular session player, and joining a band call Pi 3/4. "It was a bit of Genesis, and a bit of jazz. Unlistenable now! Very amateur jazz funk, but it was fun at the time." The bass player of the group was the son of the A&R man in France's Barclay Records, and the band found themselves a deal with that label. It didn't last long, but the label retained Wally's services as a solo artist and arranger - launching a career move that to Wally, recalls that of Quincy Jones, who also started out as an arranger chez Barclay. One day, Wally found himself jamming with some English musicians for the first time, in the Barclay studios. The bassist turned out to be the brother of Robin Scott, aka 'M'. Invited to play on that ground breaking record, credited as an inspiration by musicians from David Byrne and Brian Eno, to Mick Jagger, "Pop Muzik" introduced Wally to a wider musical world. It gave him his first place ride as a professional, a significant trip, and his first appearance on British "Top of the Pops". At 'TOTP' rehearsals, Wally again found himself jamming with a drummer, who shared his passion for Herbie Hancock (ironically, a her who Wally is scheduled to produce soon). The drummer was trying to form a band with a musician named Mark King. Thus, Wally was present at the birth of Level 42, with whom has maintained an involvement on many levels, including production, ever since. Working with the Antilles group, the Gibson Brothers, on the his "Cuba", led him to meet Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell, who was looking for a keyboards player for a new signing, Grace Jones. The connection with Jones' boyfriend and stylist, Jean-Paul Goude, has led to an exciting collaboration on the French Government celebration for the Revolution. Wally is organizing the music for the major event. The resulting "Warm Leatherette" sessions so inspired Blackwell that he began dreaming of a "Nassau sound" emanating from his studio on that island where La Jones had recorded, with Wally and Sly and Robbie as lynch pins of the music. Blackwell's confidence in Badarou resulted in Wally becoming a semi-permanent resident of Nassau, with his own studio at home. In 1982, Wally signed an unusual deal with Blackwell's Island Visual Arts label, designed to exploit the contemporary interface between music and visuals. Subsequently, Wally has created the "Countryman", and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" soundtracks, recorded the multi-faceted "Echoes" album, with its hits "Chief Inspector" (covered by artists like Princess) and "High Life", which has the dubious distinction of being one of the most bootlegged records in Africa. Wally is very aware of the reasoning behind an African musician making a record like "World Of A Mountain". "Now that the world is becoming more aware of African music, I felt, like many others, that it was important that this interest did not become a simple fashion or fad. There are two ways to confirm one's authenticity: to do what's expected of your background, or to go beyond that, and do what is not meant to be your music. Because no matter what you do, you're different from the white pop world, anyways. I suppose I'm trying to be Stravinsky! I want people to be aware that Africans can be sensitive to other forms of music, too.! - Vivien Goldman .............................. [ press stop ] .............................. ------------------------------ Subject: PARRINGTON, COLO, LEVEFEST 97 From: Mikey42 @ aol.com Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 00:30:24 -0500 HAPPY BLOODY NEW YEAR MATIES! WELL, I am back from my trip to Colorado, and I know I am going to upset some people with my posting today, but OH WELL! MR JOE PARRINGTON: I don'y know who you are, as I have NEVER seen a posting or contribution from you to this digest, but I felt compeled to write this to the digest as a whole. YOU ARE TOTALLY OUT OF ORDER! This digest, I am sure, was conceived as a vehicle to communicate Level 42 interest, other related or non-related material by artist, greeting, etc. etc. etc. We are in sort ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY HERE! What Eric Hansen has done is bring people all over this world of ours together, via this digest, if all we did was write and read Level 42 all the time, I am sure that we all would sell our collections! It is the idea and ability to communicate all and any ideas, either personal or whatever. But when you attack someone on a personal basis on the whole of the digest, you insult me, the rest of the digest, and make the person your are attacking feel very upset. Loz and I have had our differences, we have been able to patch things up, but we confronted each other privately and with sincerity! Loz has contributed alot to this forum, although he might had a touch of HA HA I know this first, it is his excitement of the news and how it will benefit the digest as a whole, he really did not have to pass along anything to us and keep all of us in the dark! I appreciate your general comments and recommendations (so I can't spell) but find your letter out of place, and hope not to see this repeated. I am for anyone posting whatever, but along with that freedom comes a sort of responsibilty and discretion. Lord only know how many times I have been attacked on this digest, but I always accepted these comments, did not always agree with them, but considered them and dealt with them, as it was done in a very sincere manner. Except that BASTARD who said that only DEMOCRATS could come to LEVELFEST (remember that one!), what a immature sod he was! We have all subscribed to this digest to speak, meet, and read ideas and posting by people with a similar interest; friendships cannot survive on LEVEL42 alone, if only! We MUST have the personal side of others postings, as we are not physically close, we must support "our friends here" as if they were next door, when they go through a rough spell, or a happy one! A friend on this digest, should be treated the same as if they were your next door neighbour! Lend your shoulder sometimes, you never know when you might need one! I hope this closes comments on this issue, so it can be over and dealt with! FAIT ACCOMPLI! Now- My trip to Colorado, YIKES! I hated it! I cant SKI! It took me 1 1/2 hours to get down this mountain, that was supposed to be a beginners hill, BTW it was a Black Diamond for those of you who ski! I will never do that again, and for the altitude, I could not even breathe, 12,000 ft is not the best place to be, and the SNOW, AAARRRGGGHHHH! Nice place for scenery, but that is all. To my COLO friends, sorry, but I will stay at 947 ft here in OKLA! LEVELFEST: I have only ONE more detail to work out, as the lady has been on holidays, she sould be back this week, so just a few more days and I will have the final list! WHEW! I have alot of e-mail to read, and I am still interviewing for employment this week, so if I don't respond to your e-mail and/or packages, PLEASE give me a couple of days to organise myself. ------------------------------ Subject: AB-FAB From: Mikey42 @ aol.com Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 01:40:25 -0500 I have forgotten who was sending me the final episode that aired in the UK of AB FAb, have you sent it, THE SUSPENSE IS TRULY BLODDY KILLING ME MATE! Please let me know, so I can stop sleeping at my mailbox! I now know how some of you feel waiting on me, I guess it is my just reward for my organisational style, no worries I have changed it per my New Years resolution! MIKEY42 "Boli-Stoli" ------------------------------ Subject: RE: "Take Care of Yourself" availability From: WALTFRA @ frmail.rosemount.com Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 01:35:31 -0600 > I wonder if anyone knows whether "Take Care of Yourself" is available as > a single, or on some other recording. I want to acquire the track (love > it), but I strongly object to purchasing Level Best. I can't stand the > fact that some of the songs have been absolutely SQUASHED; crucial > lyrics ommited in order to fit all those tracks on the album. Glen, TCOY is available on the following formats: 7" single : Polydor PO58 (tcoy/silence) Cassette single : Polydor POCS58 (tcoy/silence) 12" : Polydor PZ58 (tcoy/silence/man) 12" : Polydor PZR58 (tcoy/starchild) 12" promo : Polydor PZ58DJ (tcoy/silence/man) CD Single : Polydor PZCD58 (tcoy/silence/man) HTH, Walter