From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V98 #118 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 98 : Issue 118 557 subscribers Today's topics: MK on 'Stars in their eyes' + a request. Dan James Spaldo's Baaaaack!!! powerfm re: DVD L42, Drummers galore Chris Staunton Drummie/stars in their eyes/ME! Adam Hankinson L42 - Toto Adam Hankinson Isle of Wight Festival 1970 Eric J. Hansen More on Level's end. Brian Runkle Re: Level42 Digest V98 #117 Tony Sharpe off topic: Dublin B+B BHConrad the LA Budgetfest Laurel Anderson 80's bands, Princes Trust Brian My two cents worth Greg Jamate ------------------------------ Subject: MK on 'Stars in their eyes' + a request. From: Dan James Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 11:16:10 +0100 > 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. Will, I saw this on Saturday night. My son Liam (12) leapt from the bath and nearly fell down the stairs when I told him Mark King was just about to play on TV (child abuse is alive and well in our house). The guy sang reasonably well in that unique and slightly nasaly MK tone, but looked very uncomfortable tapping at bass he clearly couldn't play - I'm surprised he didn't learn a few convincing hand movements for the show. A brave effort and enjoyable none the less. A request to anyone: Is it possible to get sheet music with bass tab for songs such as 'Take care of yourself' (does anyone know the funking bass line to that?!) and (I think it's called) '43' - we only have an old tape of this. The song I have in mind is quite a fast instrumental with lots of popping and slapping. If anyone can help Liam with some of the funkier bass lines we'd be very grateful. Anyone living in the West London area? (we live in Hillingdon, near Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK). A final note to say that from what I've seen so far, you seem a happy, decent and helpful bunch - many thanks to all for a very interesting (and apparently flame free) newsgroup. -- Dan James http://www.desol.demon.co.uk/puzzles/ When a question is the answer... ------------------------------ Subject: Spaldo's Baaaaack!!! From: powerfm @ mail.netconnect.com.au Date: Mon, 04 May 1998 23:56:47 +1000 Hey Guys!!! Thanks to all the members who gave me a warm welcome to the Digest and took the time to answer my queries, ta. I notice that the Big "M", Marcus Miller has been getting a bit of attention in the list. I just bought his new album today, "Live and More", and quite frankly.....AAAAAWESOME!!! Just love his playing, and the band knocks it out, too. Funny thing, after I left the record shop, I went to pick up my Bass Player subscription, and who's on the cover??? I'm waiting for the hat trick. Anyway, I really wanted to answer Adrian Bond's querie regarding the Thunderbirds....my father, who's a WO1 Sergeant Major (great upbringing...imagine how he felt when I told him I chose music as a career....) sez it means "Fully Acknowledged Broadcast", but a mate of mine sez he read and interview with Sylvia Anderson, where it was stated they were playing on "fab!!!" a buzz-word of the sixties. Dunno. S'pose that's not an answer really, is it??!! Anyhow, to Level matters.... I dug up my copy of the Princes Trust '89 concert last night, and I couldn't help but get jealous all over again. No, not because MK wuz playing his arse off (as we expect) but because John Farnham's right-hand man, David Hirschfelder (the guy on the piano) is a fellow Ballarat, Aust. boy, and there he was, playing along side my heros...lucky !@#$%^&*(^%$#!!!!!! (He actually used to jam with my next door neighbour, oh, O.K., I guess I'm just name-dropping now.) I'd actually like to hear from any JayDee owners, regarding their necks. A friend of mine bought one, fitted a set of standard guages to it, and whoa, there goes the neck!!! I almost bought a hot pink one myself but the neck seemed to have the same problem. Is it the climate, could these have been handled by a careless dick of an owner, or is it the string guages??? If anyone can help (you out there, John Diggins???), this time I'll shout a six pack of Fosters. I'll talk less bass and more 42 next time. "Welcome to the house of Usher" (???????????? Don't geddit) Cheers, Spaldo P.S. I'll gladly admit I LOVE "The Chinese Way".. I can't understand what the problem is....... ------------------------------ Subject: re: DVD L42, Drummers galore From: Chris Staunton Date: Mon, 04 May 1998 10:37:07 -0400 Hi all! Wow, what a busy weekend! This is the first time I've wished I had email access on the weekends, so that I could have replied to all of this as it went down! This may be a bit fragmented (and long), so bear with... From: Maurice Shannon > 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. I am waiting... waiting for all the different standards to go away, waiting for Circuit City to be swallowed up in some huge act of God for trying to force DIVX on the USA, and most importantly I'm waiting for Star Wars to come out on DVD. That will be the day I go buy a machine! MAURICE: I would love to find out more about HDA, I'm not familiar with that one. Could you email me some info? -------NEXT TOPIC-------- Subject: New Drummers From: Brad Dietz > John Molo (Bruce Hornsby)- probably the best choice (IMHO) with his > workings with such a keyboard and drum > machine oriented artist- plus he's damn good. WOW! Reading this (and having it seconded in a later post) validated for me all those years of screaming to the world at the top of my lungs that John Molo should be recognized at one of the greatest drummers of our time. If there has ever been a more unsung, fantastic, humble, frighteningly tight drummer, I have not seen them yet. Thanks Brad I owe you one... > Steve Smith (Steps Ahead, Journey) Speaking as a bass player, this guy scares me. He's that good. > David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) Aaaaaaah... I don't think so. I think he's possibly the funkiest white guy who ever lived, but I can't see him playing pop, no matter how hard I try. > Neil Peart would be interesting since like Phil, also writes lyrics. I'm quite sure he would never "lower" himself to playing with a Pop band, you should have heard some of the snotty things he said about the Rush tribute album from a couple years ago. Jeeze, relax a little Neil! > Omar Hakim: Jazz/Fusion master who could subdivide a groove turn it > around and back again and never lose The One. You got that right! Okay, and now for my very own original suggestion: Pat Mastelotto (Mr. Mister, King Crimson, a zillion others) - Not that I know a great deal about him, but I love what I've heard, and that's enough for me! What ever happened to Mr. Mister :^( I guess that's what happens when a bunch of studio musicians try to form a "Band". Which leads into my next topic... > New question. Why did Level 42 break up? > I know the basics that you all know, but I think their is another major > reason...because they keep having musicians bail on them. Phil and Boon > leave, in come Gary and Alan. With great respect, Alan passed away much too > young and only recorded one album w/the band. Gary stayed on. Like a baby, > (sorry Gary fans) Gary doesn't like playing to click tracks so he > bailed.(musical differences) Guitar players have come and gone. They have > been good musicians, but where is their commitment with the band??? AS one of those musicians who frequently bail on bands, I'd kind of like to defend my fellow drifters (even though I know that's not necessary :^). I can identify with Phil and Boon, one of the most successful gigs I had gave me such a strenuous and physically demanding year that I had to quit, and it took me 6 months to restore my health to any semblance of normalcy. I still am not ship shape. The more you put into your music, the less you have left for everything else, that is the way of things and sometimes no matter how great the experience you have to take care of yourself. Like gary I have done a lot of one-shots (intentionally or not) and it is a wonderful thing for the musician. You get to step in, help out a group (even better when they are friends), give them a chance to get on with what they're doing after the upheaval of losing a member, and maybe even learn something along the way. But their comes a time when you must go. Their music is not your music or some other such thing and you just move on. It's what being a session player is all about, do an album and if they like you possibly a tour of duty. It's not about commitment, I give 110% commitment to whoever I'm with, but then I move on to the next experience. Someday I will find that perfect band, and then I will stop "bailing" but until then, I will continue being a Swiss army knife of a bass player ("where the hell did he pull that groove from?") fav quote of the year: <...The U.S. way, who knows what they know, the U.S. business blows...> ------------------------------- Chris Staunton chriss @ pcsupplies.com ...gotta get back to BASSics... ------------------------------- ------------------------------ Subject: Drummie/stars in their eyes/ME! From: Adam Hankinson Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 16:51:47 +0100 Hello friends, Yesterday Jeff wrote: >and while we are talking of drummers that may have fitted >in to Level 42 how about ...........Drummie Zeb from Aswad. Drummie played on Marks Influences album didn't he? *stars in their eyes* Did anyone get this on video? I would love to see this. Adrian Bond wrote: >Looking forward to putting names to faces at the ILF. Same here! If you wanna see my ugly mug go here: http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/backstage/3883/adz.html I promise you will smile at least.... Adam. Loz - aren't you comming down to the ILF? ------------------------------ Subject: L42 - Toto From: Adam Hankinson Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 17:05:40 +0100 Hi again, Arjan Meijer wrote: >Another track that has some Level 42-ring to it is "I Will Remeber" by Toto >(from the Tambu album 1995). I thought that "Baby He's Your Man" sounded like L42. The drum loop and chords sound very similar to "The Bends" (and during the fade out the Mike Porcaro starts poping) Adam. P.S.Jeff Porcaro was the BEST! (just bought the new best of George Benson CD) The musicians on that CD include....Jeff Porcaro, Nathen East, Will Lee, Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenor, Ab Laborial, Steve Gad, Steve Lukather, Jerry Hey, Randy Brecker, Quincy Jones, Louis Johnson and loads more. Sorry didn't mean to go about that but got carried away. I'll shut up now! ------------------------------ Subject: Isle of Wight Festival 1970 From: "Eric J. Hansen" Organization: Worldmachine Technologies Corporation Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 17:04:51 -0400 (EDT) Heya, I was at the video store the other day, and they had a video for the "Isle of Wight Festival, 1970" in the new releases section. I had never heard of anything like this, so I did a web search for it, and found the following video review: - - - If Woodstock was a love story and Altamont was a tragedy, then the Isle of Wight Festival was a comedy of errors. More than 600,000 people voyaged to a small island off England's southern coast for the five-day fest in the summer of 1970. The event proved to be hopelessly unorganized and financially disastrous, while remaining musically adventurous and, in retrospect, a fun (and funny!) monument to the end of an era. Director Lerner emerged from the event with 175 hours of film and spent 25 years getting the financing to complete his record of the event. While there is some outstanding musical footage, including performances by Jim Morrison of The Doors and Jimi Hendrix (in their final live appearances), The Who, Miles Davis, Kris Kristofferson (who gets pissed and walks off during "Me and Bobby McGee"), Tiny Tim, Jethro Tull, Donovan and Joni Mitchell, Lerner's camera captures even more remarkable moments of the events surrounding the on-stage action. Stoned, rebellious attendees ("This is a psychadelic concentration camp," dribbles one drugged-out hippie), the backstage craziness of having to deal with a zillion gate crashers, angry artist reps demanding their cash upfront--according to Lerner, the Isle of Wight was truly a bye-bye to bohemia. - - - Wowww. So my question is, of course: do you think Mark was at this event (as a spectator, not a musician)? Or maybe others band members? I didn't realize that this event had even occurred, so I'm a bit surprised to learn about it not even a month before I myself make my first pilgrimmage to the IOW. I don't mean to make anyone unwillingly reveal their age =) but if anyone here actually attended this show, do tell! -Eric -- Eric J. Hansen Worldmachine Technologies Corporation http://www.worldmachine.com tel: (617) 357-4040, fax: (617) 357-4949 ------------------------------ Subject: More on Level's end. From: brunkle @ bigreddog.com (Brian Runkle) Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 17:48:06 -0400 I hope no one is taking any offense to my comments on the end of Level 42. I just can't help but get aggrevated to think my favorite band is no more. Bilal...I didn't mean to put down Gary, but I think he had no intentions on staying with Level 42 permanently. On Guaranteed, Gary helped persuade Alan H. to play on the album. Gary knew Alan wouldn't be a member. Gary also knew he would eventually go back to play with Alan. Gary said (in June '91 Modern Drummer) that he does not like playing along to click tracks. It really bothers him. He knew what he was getting into before he joined. As for Jakko, if he was really "committed", where was he on Forever Now. He didn't play on the album at all. On another note...Can anyone tell me the name of the band that Phil Gould produced a cd for? He may have even played on a track or two? Please, anyone.....anyone.....Bueller.... Later, Brian [on your last question, there are at least two possible answers: Album: "A Certain Kind of Freedom", by Mick Talbot and Steve White... + Phil is featured on the track "A Road Less Travelled" + Gary Husband plays piano on "There Will Never Be Another You" Album: "United States of Mind", by Mick Talbot and Steve White... + Phil cowrote "Favoured Nations" and "Black Diamond Pearls" + Phil coproduced "Favoured Nations", "Black Diamond Pearls", and "Shades and Beads", + Phil plays 'additional keyboards, beats and groove' on "Favoured Nations" + Phil plays piano on "Black Diamond Pearls" + Also featured are Annie McCraig (vocals) and Danny Blume (guitar) FYI, This info was gathered using the archive search engine at http://www.worldmachine.com/level42/#archive -Eric] ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V98 #117 From: "Tony Sharpe" Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 23:13:06 +0100 > A Physical Prescence......And the way the echo at the end leaves > you waiting into the opening downbeat of "Leaving Me Now" is great. Tut Tut Dave - Either your having a funny 5 minutes or you mean the opening downbeat of "Something About You" (unless of course you have a remixed, reordered album, then coool) Its funny but It seemed strange having their live album called "Physical Prescence" and then a track by the same name on a different album a year later. I thought there was a connection somewhere (obviously not). I still love the way they turned the key change section from the live version of that track into the opening melody of "Lessons in Love" Like the recent threads re:- the drummers and the US demise - really interesting views from all parties. This is where the digest is like one big melting pot! One I would like to get views on is the effectiveness and contribution of Wally Badarou. I have been on the digest for a while and can't recollect too much discussion about him. I honestly think this guy has played a mega-role in giving the band it's unique sound. I often listen to his solo album "Echoes" and can't help spottiing his little deft touches that conform to appear in the L42 tracks he has co-wrote and played on. Most of the tracks that were released in the UK as singles and were successful featured WB as a co-writer. Was this because the other stuff wasn't deemed "good enough" for commercial airplay by either the band or the record label (Polydor/RCA). I know it is hypothetical but does anyone think the guys would have been as good/had as much success without his involvement? I have heard MK sing his praises on numerous interviews. Also does anyone know whether WB ever performed live with the band in the early days? Lets Go! Tony ------------------------------ Subject: off topic: Dublin B+B From: BHConrad Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 19:19:21 EDT Hey. I'm going to London for the International Levelfest. I plan to go to Dublin for a few days afterwards. I've booked rooms in London + IOW, but haven't found on in Dublin yet. If anyone could give me leads for a cheap B+B (or Hotel) to stay in for May 28-30, I'd appreciate it. Bruce (in the US) please email me offline at BHConrad @ AOL.Com **** ** p.s. MTV. what's the M stand for? [I thought I heard something about an M2 station that does play music. anyone know?] ------------------------------ Subject: the LA Budgetfest From: Laurel Anderson Date: Mon, 04 May 1998 17:14:51 -0700 Hello All, Laurel here. Just trying to get an accurate head count for the Budgetfest on the 23rd (for two very good reasons-- first, so that we can make arrangements such as picking a location, and second so that I can tell the beautiful and talented Lolita how many t-shirts to send my way) . I know that at our last get together that Jeff, Colin, Shannon, Carl and I expressed interest. So anyone in Southern California who wants to get together in the spirit of the First Annual(?) International Level 42 Day, send me an e-mail with the following information: 1) a heads-up that you're planning to attend AND 2) whether or not you'd like a t-shirt Those of you who are interested and available get back to me asap, so I can give Lolita enough notice to get the shirts here on time. Also, it'll give me and Shannon Gallegos (who is operating as Sigfreid to my Roy in planning this extravaganza) enough time to plan some great stuff. SO, all those of you who have yet to attend a Levelfest-- THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT!!! If not in LA, then at the fest nearest you. We're fun people..... no- really. hope to here from a whole bunch of you really soon, Laurel ps- Hey Jeff, you still offering up your pad? ;-) ------------------------------ Subject: 80's bands, Princes Trust From: Brian Date: Mon, 04 May 1998 21:39:56 -0500 Someone posted the other day about 80's bands that are putting out new albums (and touring). What were those bands again? From: Alex Friesen > Saw a compilation movie called "Best of Prince's Trust" (or something like that > ) on Much Music a couple of weeks back. Second or third cut was our lads playing > HIMH. Mark was visible in the "backup band" for many other songs, > ...Alex... Someone tape this for me if it comes on again please! Brian L. ------------------------------ Subject: My two cents worth From: "Greg Jamate" Date: Tue, 5 May 1998 02:26:25 -0400 Hi Levelheads, Cliff wrote: > 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. Whoa Cliff, the objective, fair and open minded radio stations in Canada failed to inform you about Forever Now? It seems as if somewhere along the line American radio jilted you. You are off base to think that snobbery caused Level 42's demise. Look no further than the recent comment: "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." Trends in radio format always were and always will be determined by what youth are buying. It is cash flow, not snobbery that determines what format to broadcast. ciao, Greg