From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V98 #115 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 98 : Issue 115 560 subscribers Today's topics: re: Level 42 in US? Chris Staunton ILF and hotels: More Info:- Tony Sharpe Gary Husband Video, Other Drummers Will Greer Wrong drummer & Chinese way Adam Hankinson North American Demise of Level 42 Barua, Cliff [Ontario] Re: Brian R's assessment MTNSUN Re: Level42 Digest V98 #114 DonZipf Re: Level42 Digest V98 #114 Maurice Shannon MK on Stars in their Eyes? WillOShea Fw: ILF and hotels: More Info:- Tony Sharpe Level 42 after "RITF" Dave Mock SCREW MTV john c vaeth Level 42 and MTV+ janet.morgan update... leon ramos ------------------------------ Subject: re: Level 42 in US? From: Chris Staunton Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 09:34:33 -0400 brunkle @ bigreddog.com (Brian Runkle) wrote: > MTV played "Heaven in my Hands" when it was first released. To my > dispair, it was voted "trash" (or course by thousands of idiots who do > not appreciate great freakin' music!) NO WAY! On MTV? I find that hard to believe ;^) I think that time period was the beginning of the end for MTV. It started out as a great idea, but slowly degenerated into a mouthpiece for a corrupt industry full of lazy, greedy and generally unprincipled people. Sigh. Nowadays if I come across it while channel surfing, what I see usually either scares me, bores me, or makes me sick. And since they hardly play any "music" anymore anyway, I've started calling it eMpTyV. Oops, damn, I'm ranting again... uuh, these views are the opinion of the author... does not reflect the opinion of the L42 digest... etc., etc.... > After that, MTV never played the video again. And that was the last I ever > heard of Level 42 on MTV. And subsequently in the USA, eh? One organization should not wield that much power. If radio had still had control over the market it would have been a whole different story. DJ's in general STILL love Level 42, and play it whenever their PM's aren't looking. So everybody keep those requests coming in! -----Abrupt Topic Change------- I finally got my "Also Available In Green", the Trace Elliot 15th anniversary ultimate bass CD, which has (among other legends) Mark King on it. As has been noted, the song is "At This Great Distance" which has always been one of my favorite. The liner notes include this info: career: as front man for his band LEVEL 42 Mark inspired a whole generation of bass players and became a hero figure who has been a leading light in bringing recognition to the bass player's art. In late 1994 he announced his last Level 42 gig and has moved into production and a solo career. track courtesy of BMG RECORDS previously released as a LEVEL 42 CD single only all proceeds from this track have been kindly donated by Mark to Nodorf Robbins to assist their work with children in music therapy ------------------------------- Chris Staunton chriss @ pcsupplies.com ...gotta get back to BASSics... ------------------------------- ------------------------------ Subject: ILF and hotels: More Info:- From: "Tony Sharpe" Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 15:19:40 +0100 Wow, this is getting exciting. OK here is today's news on the accommodation front for the IOW trip. Hotels are filling up fast, but I have just managed to reserve 5 double rooms at the Hotel Ibis (nice newish place) in Portsmouth City Centre (1.5 miles from the ferry port) in my name for May 23rd. Cost of room is 40 pounds (add 5 pounds for breakfast). You can get 2 (possibly sneak 3 in) to a room. These reservations are held provisionally for me until Tuesday, at which time I have to confirm and pay in advance for them. So if anyone wants to seriously take up this offer mail me and I will get it on. Please state preference of sharing (with anyone in particular or don't mind). Those taking up the offer can settle with me on 23rd May. Sorted........ Tony ------------------------------ Subject: Gary Husband Video, Other Drummers From: "Will Greer" Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 08:22:42 -0600 I got my Gary Husband video last night. I like it - it reminds me of all the times I've gotten together with a drummer buddy in the living room and just layed out some grooves. Of course all these guys sound way better that we did. If anyone is interested in getting it, be aware that it isn't an instructional video per se, but rather a series of takes including Gary and various other musicians playing nothing in particular. For the most part, Gary plays way too many notes, but I knew that about him before this video. As far as the Mark King segment goes, I thought that the producers of the video gave _way_ more face time to Mark than to any of the other musicians. Gary talks about playing with Mark for about 20 seconds and says about everything there is good to say. The camera focuses on Mark's playing in preference to Gary's many more times than it does with any of the other players on the video. It seems to be really complimentary in general. Where is Gary from? I was surprised to hear his accent on the video. Sort of a French/Slavic-sounding mixture. Actually, he sounded a lot like some of the Avalanche players here in Denver sound when they do interviews. Go Avs! The video makes me think about how Mark may have played with some other drummers, and what it would have sounded like. How about these guys: Tony Thompson (Chic, Power Station): Tony is very heavy handed and very 1-oriented for a funk drummer. I think he would have made L42 sound different but good. Gerry Brown (Stanley Clarke, related): This seems obvious because of the Clarke connection. Bu I think Mark's drumming on "Influences" sounds like Gerry Brown. Alex Van Halen: Nevermind. Sorry. Any other thoughts? =================================== Will Greer Empower Solutions, LLC Denver, Colorado (303) 888-7154 mailto:Will_Greer @ EmpowerSolutions.com http://www.EmpowerSolutions.com =================================== ------------------------------ Subject: Wrong drummer & Chinese way From: "Adam Hankinson" Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 14:21:42 +0100 Hello friends, Pat, I said I was probally wrong and I was! You are right, Neil Conti was the drummer that played live with the band after Phil G left. Add my name to the list of ppl who like The Chinese Way. My fav bit being the keys solo. I also like the US remix (keys stabs intro) Tony (MM) Consider the video packed in my bag...NP bye for now Adam ------------------------------ Subject: North American Demise of Level 42 From: "Barua, Cliff [Ontario]" Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 10:58:28 -0400 Though this issue has been discussed before, and will no doubt generate several responses, I'll put my two bits in. All comments in quotes refer to North American music/radio industry perceptions of music. World Machine and Running in the Family (RITF) were seen as "smooth, semi-funky, enjoyable, non-threatening" albums. They already had a niche audience here in Canada, but these two albums made them big in all of North America. Staring at the Sun had some good songs, but was seen as a bit of a departure from the previous two albums. However, the momentum of those albums allowed for a reasonably successful, though brief, tour. Level Best (both CD and video) was well supported. The downfall was Guaranteed. By 1991, in the US, Nirvana and Seattle grunge was getting big. At the same time, radio in the US became heavily formatted. Level 42's music never really fit any of these "radio formats" (which is a good thing). Guaranteed had no one big hit (a la Something About You and Lessons In Love), so that eliminated the more mature segment of would-be Level 42 purchasers, who would hear that song on "Adult Contemporary" radio, and then go out and buy the album. Most of the people who bought RITF were probably unaware of Guaranteed's release. It became so bad, that even here in Canada (where there generally isn't such an air of music "snobbery" as in the US), I was unaware of Forever Now and the band's breakup until I joined this list in 1995. Luckily, if the boys did reunite (original lineup!!), and went on tour (a la these other 80's acts), their music and talents are conducive to still sounding fresh. Unfortunately, the thought of a 40-something Philip Oakey singing "Don't You Want Me" and Boy George singing "Karma Chameleon" sounds like utter parody. Unlike Classic Rock gods like Page/Plant and the Rolling Stones, 80's artists will generally find it hard to reproduce "nice, poppy" songs with any sort of integrity. But there will still be a huge audience for it just because a lot of people my age (33) feel totally isolated from today's artists. Sorry for the long post - back to lurking. Cliff Barua - Toronto ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Brian R's assessment From: MTNSUN Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 14:37:01 EDT Yep, Brian, I remember that Smash or Trash vote. Audience participation in rating videos is okay, but then to deny the rest who want to see works from a band is really lame. MTV gave Level 42 crazy coverage that summer of Madonna's tour. I taped a couple of interviews that Mark and company did from the Miami location (Mark: "Who let that semi in here, damn it!"). Montreaux rock did a lot with them when RITF come out as well. But sadly, it was also the same summer of the demise of L42's coverage here in the States. Damn that MTV, and in my opinion the poor job of (Polydor's ?) the publicity department. I truly believe L42 could have had a better fighting chance with great publicity. Could elaborate more, but gotta split. P.S. Any scoop on the Denver Level Fest yet? :) Arcelia ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V98 #114 From: DonZipf Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 14:45:19 EDT > Why did Level 42 become less popular in the U.S after "Running in the > Family" Remember that, at the time, the two predominant musical trends in the US were Hip Hop & Heavy Metal. 42 just didn't fit into that equation. Z. ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V98 #114 From: Maurice Shannon Organization: Cinram/POP DVD Center Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 12:10:23 -0700 Attn. LH's If there are any Levelheads in the Santa Monica, CA area please contact me at the phone number below. If there any fans who have adopted the DVD format already, I currently heading up an effort to encode L42 assets to disc. Furthermore, I'm also going to license select songs for transfer to High Density Audio (HDA) at 96Khz 24bits deep. If none of you have ever heard audio at this data rate, make sure your sitting down when you do as it can be down right emotional. Bye-Bye CD's. BTW those of you who do live in the area should come by my lab for a demo. We are one world, --------------------------------------------------- Maurice Shannon, http://www.popstudios.com Director of Sales / Technical Counsel Cinram/POP DVD Center, (310)899-7203 ------------------------------ Subject: MK on Stars in their Eyes? From: WillOShea Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 15:12:25 EDT I've just seen a trailer for the popular Saturday night entertainment extravaganza that is 'Stars in their Eyes'. There was no sound from the acts shown but one bloke looked suspiciously like he was being Mark King. Consider yourselves notified! Will. ------------------------------ Subject: Fw: ILF and hotels: More Info:- From: "Tony Sharpe" Date: Sat, 2 May 1998 00:43:41 +0100 Apologies if you have already seen this, just responding to Eric's Mail to resend. > >OK here is today's news on the accommodation front for the IOW trip. Hotels >are filling up fast, but I have just managed to reserve 5 double rooms at >the Hotel Ibis (nice newish place) in Portsmouth City Centre (1.5 miles from >the ferry port) in my name for May 23rd. Cost of room is 40 pounds (add 5 >pounds for breakfast). You can get 2 (possibly sneak 3 in) to a room. These >reservations are held provisionally for me until Tuesday, at which time I >have to confirm and pay in advance for them. So if anyone wants to seriously >take up this offer mail me and I will get it on. Please state preference of >sharing (with anyone in particular or don't mind). Those taking up the offer >can settle with me on 23rd May. > >Sorted........ > >Tony > ------------------------------ Subject: Level 42 after "RITF" From: Dave Mock Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 19:26:20 -0700 (PDT) Hey, Micro-Kids: Great topic from the Friday Digest about Level 42's popularity decline after "Running In the Family." Here's my guess: I became a Levelhead at the time the lead single, "Lessons In Love," gained energy Stateside, which was May 1987. The difference between the sound on "LIL" and on "Heaven In My Hands" is marked -- the lads were going for a harder, more rock oriented edge -- witness Gary Husband's booming drums and Alan Murphy's jarring guitar. The only similarity between the band was, of course, Mike Lindup's percolating synth. To any average MTV viewer who wouldn't know a Thunderthumbs from a Chapman Stick, it seemed the boys changed direction and the MTV audience wasn't getting it. Also, the album wasn't nearly as smooth as "RITF" or "World Machine" beforehand, or even "Guaranteed" afterward. I'm sure jazz/soul/funk listeners from the "Love Games" era who stayed with the guys as they added a pop sheen, and who were cheesed off that they went rock. There's still a difference between a techno-pop sound (which is an offshoot of dance/disco) and arena rock. Even having a flashy video with quick cuts doesn't mollify an audience if you've appeared to have left it. By the time L42 reappeared with a studio album, it was three or four years later, an eternity if you're a band still trying to build momentum in the US. That's my uneducated guess as to what happened. With all that said, I still listen to "SATS" from time to time, wishing that the lads had put the 12-inch remixes of "Heaven In My Hands" and "Take A Look" on the album. Otherwise, they might have really cracked the US, and maybe they'd still be together... TCOY, The Duke _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Subject: SCREW MTV From: jcvaeth @ juno.com (john c vaeth) Date: Sat, 02 May 1998 00:24:07 EDT Thanks to Brian for your comments on the failure of Level 42 in America. Quoth Paul Simon: "The music suffers, the music business thrives..." REALLY! So HIMH was trashed on Mtv. I cannot believe how much Garbage has been praised and exalted by the purveyors of plastic, soulless tripe that is called "music" television. What is more sickening really is how much our generation swallows it. All of it! It's called FASHION FEVER, baby. One must remember that an American success is something that Level 42 had sought with much frustration. This is reflected in some of their songs, I think. Check out "I Sleep On My Heart", "My Hero", and more recently "Don't Bother Me" for a peek at their views on ambition. Mistrust the Veejay's, I say! Fight the Power! CRANK 42! yours, John AMUSING POSTSCRIPT: I probably would not be a Level 42 fan if I hadn't seen the video for "Lessons in Love". I had never heard anything so fresh, and they seemed sort of bemused in the midst of the rather funky set. (But of course, that must have been on VH1, right? RIGHT?!? ;) _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Subject: Level 42 and MTV+ From: "janet.morgan" Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 23:49:25 -0700 Brian - I too saw "Heaven in My Hands" get trashed by MTV. After that, I couldn't turn on MTV without getting pissed. It's too bad they didn't take off in the USA like they did in Europe. I've seen them 3 times in Arizona - I guess I should count myself lucky! The 2nd time they played at Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, which only has room for approx. 2200 people. We got 2nd row seats, and the amplifiers were only 5 seats away! I swear to God, I lost my hearing for 2 weeks! Best dang concert I've ever been to! It's really nice to "read" about all you Level 42 freaks. Their music got me through some tough times. And yes, you can count me as one who likes "Chinese Way". Wish I was going to the Int'l Levelfest - maybe next year. My son will have graduated and in the air force and I'll be able to do whatever I feel. Please keep these Levelfests posted so we can plan accordingly. " The Chinese way, who knows what they know, the Chinese legend grows." Janet ------------------------------ Subject: update... From: "leon ramos" Date: Sat, 02 May 1998 06:28:08 PDT Levelheads.... I just wanted you to know that Just have expanded my homepage again, is the first update since that infame incident, the new features are More MIDI,s which are gently provided by The MIDI Extreme (Sean D. Green) I also put some lyrics, and I have some friens working on "Why are you leaving" and "Turn it On" lirycs, if anybody already has it... Will be so gently to mail them to me? I updated it yesterday but haven't had time to test it, would you like to check it and send me your opinions, and if you find any bug let me know it. There is no offensive material... żOK? Take care of yourself ups! P.D. my adresses are: leonjoramos @ hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/3375/ ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com