From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V98 #132 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 98 : Issue 132 561 subscribers Today's topics: ALL OVER YOU leon ramos rare L42 material Walter.Franken "Forever MP3" Chris Staunton Frank Joey Vela don't bother me Ernst-Jan van der Hee Various N Collier 20-bit DonZipf Re: Level42 Digest V98 #131 Laurie Webb Varma Prince's Trust concerts/Record fair (again) GJWillett Long time no type Savage42 Sinatra Terek Richie wimpy song / good laugh / Howard Jones Brian left/right brain Brian 5th Anniversary Pin! DonZipf Re: LOTS ! Zak Nilsson ------------------------------ Subject: ALL OVER YOU From: "leon ramos" Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 08:05:13 PDT Hi, it's me again About the FN Comments. Have you ever heard the "All over you" Remixes by K-Klass, very Euro... It has a bug, if you listen to it carefully you'll find that it has to be LOUDER. (HE-HE) :-) Seriously, Since the first time i heard them i said "who was the german guy that made that?"... and I have Forever now album lyrics on: (and also some midis) http://www.geocities.com/collegepark/library/3375 A week ago, some guy in a "Windstar" Minivan was playing a original version of "Lessosn in love" as louder as hell. it was 6:00 on monday, below my windows... What a way for starting a week!, I am trying to find him/her, 'cause i want to make some noise at 4:00 am... Seriously, it's nice to found that l42 still sounds like new (even after 18 years)... A News tv show here, uses randomly the tunes from the "level 42" album between news.. ciao, i just wanted to share that. Leonjo Ramos leonjoramos @ hotmail ------------------------------ Subject: rare L42 material From: Walter.Franken @ frco.com Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 09:32:44 -0500 Hi there, fans! Went to a international record&CD fair in Amsterdam. Wow, for Level 42 fans a real must! I found an English guy who had lots and lots of rare L42 stuff. Demo's, promos, Spanish, Dutch, German stuff, too much too mention. The only problem was my purse, which was almost empty, and the prices were quite high actually (approx. $25 per 7" single, going up to $50). I went home with the Guaranteed 7" Gatefold sleeve including press announcement, CD5 demo of Live at Wembly (3 track) and a picture disc of Mark, doing something for Amnesty. Supposed only three were made (I hope, else I was ripped off :( ) If you live in or near the Netherlands, try to visit this fair. It's held once per two month in the Jaap Eden Hal in Amsterdam. Take care, Walter 'Micro Kid' Franken ------------------------------ Subject: "Forever MP3" From: Chris Staunton Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 10:22:51 -0400 > Adz:-), If you have the Resurgence FN extra tracks, you couldn't convert > them to MP3 for me, could you? If Adam doesn't have time, (it does tie up the computer for a while) I would be more than happy to do this for anyone, with these or any other tracks. I can also post them on a temporary webpage, or email them to you (if you don't have a max attachment limit!). Just drop me a line! > Forever Now, is such a bloody stonkingly brilliant album, that IMHO, no > songs should be dropped. In fact it should be made a double CD with the > second CD being exactly the same as the first. Woah, easy there... I agree, but let's not go overboard! > TOP TEN LEVEL 42 STUDIO ALBUMS No, it would hurt my head too much this early in the AM. Besides, would you choose favorites among your children?!? ;^) ------------------------------- Chris Staunton chriss @ pcsupplies.com ...gotta get back to BASSics... ------------------------------- ------------------------------ Subject: Frank From: "Joey Vela" Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 06:33:05 PDT Terek, One of the first rules of posting is to know a little something about the subject which you are posting. You obviously don't know much if anything about Frank Sinatra. I will try to enlighten you. Frank was one of the greatest voices of our time, untrained but very real and with so much integrity. His phrasing and his style were innovations, not the ability to hit notes. His true innovation, however, was his attitude. Every frontman/lead vocalist owes a debt to the Chairman of the Board for this. Many have tried to imitate Frank's suave attitude, but all have failed. Frank was the ultimate cool! He was the man every woman wanted and every man wanted to be. Frank did have to pay dues early in his career. He didn't land a gig with the Tommy Dorsey Band overnight. He had to do years worth of dive gigs for little if any pay. His mafia ties were not made until he was well into his solo career. He really didn't need them. They thought that their associations with Frank would give them some degree of legitimacy (not to mention ties to the President of the United States). In short, they needed Frank more than Frank needed them. Did you know that Frank won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in "From Here to Eternity"? Frank was a remarkable actor. He also had memorable performances in "the Manchurian Candidate" and "the Man With the Golden Arm". This man was no novelty act on the big screen ala Elvis Presley, the Beatles, or even Whitney Houston today. This man was an ACTOR! The Seinfeld hype over the last week brought out all of the Seinfeld haters, and with all of the coverage that Frank's passing has received, it was only a matter of time before those who didn't like Frank would come out of the woodwork to offer their 2 cents worth of "What was so great about Frank Sinatra?" diatribe. If you don't like Frank, then that's OK, but have the facts before wasting space on this or any other web posting board. Long live Frank Sinatra! Regards, Joey Vela ------------------------------ Subject: don't bother me From: "Ernst-Jan van der Hee" Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 18:52:38 +0200 Andre, >6) Don't bother me seems to get a lot of banging.....mmmm, shoot me, >but I like it. It really comes to my mind everytime I have that "screw >you" feeling. The song really frees my mind every time when people are >moaning or complaining. The whistling part is very well placed in this >song. It amplifies the thought behind the song. "No matter what, I walk >away whisteling". I chose 'don't bother me' to leave from the FN-album in favor of AOY, but you're right, that whistle at the end is great! It makes the song, almost forgot thanks Andre. Ernst-Jan van der Hee email work : ernst.van.der.hee @ abnamro.com email home : ejvdhee @ casema.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'Sometimes we catch a glimpse of perfect happiness' Lighthouse Family ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Subject: Various From: N Collier Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 19:00:14 +0100 >I thought 'singing and playing can't >be that bad'. Well, on a bass, it is. Especially when the basslines are complex and syncopated - not like strumming chords and singing I would have thought. When you think you've got the hang of singing and playing Mark's basslines simultaneously (talk about "...rub my stomache while I pat my head..."), try doing it opposite-handed...oh, and try to remember you're actually supposed to be a drummer first and foremost...and imagine innovating all that as young as in your teens and early 20s... >I am surprised that a number of people consider Forever Now one of their >worst albums. There are two of them for me: Guaranteed is the worst for >me by far, followed right behind by Staring at the Sun. I have to agree completely with Lolita here (and yes, I still wear the T-shirt Lolita - maybe I'll wear it to the ILF). SATS and Guaranteed are, *as whole albums*, weaker IMHO. They mark somewhat of a low point for me - the nadir of a decline which started with RITF but was ended triumphantly with FN. Having said that, both are still great albums containing some pure Level 42 gold as well as some *relative* dross: 'Gresham Blues' just goes on and on getting nowhere like a depressing, plodding dirge and 'Her Big Day' is just plain stupid and flippant. However, 'A Kinder Eye' gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it - 'My Fathers Shoes' and 'She Can't Help Herself' are extremely well written (with not a Gould in sight!) and there are many other notable tracks (harmonies in 'Man', Gary going beserk in 'If You Were Mine' etc. etc.). I've said it before on the Digest and, by jingo, I'll say it again - Forever Now (Resurgence) is one stonker of an album for a band to 'sign off' with. I can't say it's my favourite album because L42 albums are very different in character and I find it impossible to rank them (what criteria would you use?). But in the context of the band's development through the years, it's certainly equal to anything they've done. Regards, 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: 20-bit From: DonZipf Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 14:41:41 EDT > The latest FN release was again by RCA/BMG Japan, and according to > different sources this was a 20-bit remaster of the original studio tapes. > There has been some discussion on this digest wether or not it really _is_ > a remastered edition. I have it, and do think it sounds better compared > to the UK version. Andre, as you have the disc, you're in a position to clear this up once and for all! All "20-bit remastered" discs are produced using a trademarked process, one of several possibilities (HDCD, HRCD, etc.) Each disc produced with one of these processes, MUST display the trademark logo on the cover (plus, they cost more, and use the logo to justify the price). If there's no logo, it isn't 20-bit. Does your disc have such a logo? If so, which process was used? 2 days to departure! - Z. ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V98 #131 From: Laurie Webb Varma Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 15:05:22 -0400 (EDT) Hi everyone, I just had to join the debate over worst and best albums...! I've been disappointed to see so many people not enjoying Staring at the Sun. I think since Two Solitudes from Running in the Family got me hooked (and because jazz is one of my favorite music types), I enjoyed this one with much openness. Two of my very favorites are on this album--Tracie and Two Hearts Collide. I must confess I was not introduced to the band's older albums until the last few years, so the pop stuff is more endearing. However, I really enjoy True Colours; this is my favorite album of their older style. World Machine and Pursuit of Accidents are good too. Unfortunately I can't really get into Standing in the Light. Now for Forever Now and Guaranteed! I agree that Guaranteed is a real departure, but I don't think changing styles is so much a weakness as a strong suit. It's kept me interested, and I have always marveled at how good they sound using different styles. Maybe because my musical tastes are so eclectic anyway, I love all the changes I've watched their music go through; I wish they were still around to make more! Guaranteed, however, is a little too rocky. It does have some good tracks though. Lasso the Moon may be my favorite "message" song next to Freedom Someday (from the Platinum edition of Running in the Family), but then there are others, and it becomes really hard to choose. Forever Now did have to grow on me. My immediate favorite was Tired of Waiting. I agree with the digester that said they wished the Resurgence and RCA CDs could have been combined. (How about a box set!?!) I enjoy just about everything on the two CDs; I think The Bends and Past Lives are weakest. Just by way of explanation, my judgment goes by message/lyrics, melody and harmony, and whether a song speaks to me, not so much technical musical talent (I wanted to clarify since so many of you seem to be musicians). Laurie Webb Varma Knoxville, TN ------------------------------ Subject: Prince's Trust concerts/Record fair (again) From: GJWillett Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 16:30:48 EDT Hi all!! Long time no post! Just been too damn busy at work recently but have found out that I will be able to come to the ILF this weekend after all - and not working (the best news I've had all year!!!!!!!). Anyway back to the matter at hand: Bill Leslie-Miller wrote: Anybody see Level 42 on telly over the weekend...?? VH1 were playing the Prince's Trust Concert at the NEC in Birmingham, not sure what year it was 88/89 ??? but i'm sure you will all remember that Level 42 were the host band playing for the likes of Swing Out Sister, Van Morrison, Mike And The Mechanics, Mica Paris, Erasure etc etc etc Yeah, I did see VH1 when I was 'channel-hoping' over the weekend and saw not only the 89 one but also bits of the ones from 86 and 87. It was quite funny seeing MK on stage playing away with poeple such as Elton John, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney and the like. He looked a bit in 'ore' surrounded by all these 'legends' (call them what you will) and a little 'lost'. Especially with Eric Clapton as he was once in Cream and Cream are one of MK's most influential bands. Capped the weekend off on Sunday by going to another record fair in London and managed to find the 2nd 12" to Wings Of Love (the one with Love Meeting Love on the flip). I've spent the best part of 8 years going around countless record fairs and record shops trying to find it as it's so damn (must stop swearing all the time!!) rare to find. Also on the same stall, I came across the US 7" of RITF which has a black p/s and has the same p/s used for TBWYG in the UK. A quick plea to all of you Americans out there - if you see any US issues of any singles then drop us a note at GJWillett @ aol.com as these are pretty hard to get hold of in the UK. You never know if you're after something from this side of the pond I maybe able to help. Blimey this is getting rather lengthy (said the actress to the bishop!) but I haven't written for a while (good an excuse as any!). See ya all at the ILF. Can't wait!! Glyn (.....drums stop, very bad, very bad) ------------------------------ Subject: Long time no type From: Savage42 Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 19:42:58 EDT hey everyone - I've been looking all over the internet for Eagle Entertainment / Eagle Records and have come up short with the eception of finding some info about Hall & Oates. Anybody have any clue about release dates...touring - this info SHOULD be available with a release date in June. Well, if anybody has any info just let me know thanks everybody dan ------------------------------ Subject: Sinatra From: tereknbobbie @ webtv.net (Terek Richie) Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 19:46:43 -0400 Hello everybody. I never really considered suffering for your artform to be paying your dues as a musician/singer. Playing no money gigs and living off of Ramen noodles does not necesarilly a great musician make. I was basing most of my "alleged mafia ties" opinion on the fact that we all don't start on the same page as far as the music business goes. Some people can be chapters ahead, depending on who they "know". And as far as the mafia goes, there are sooooo many shady dealings involved behind closed doors, who's to say F. Sinatra didn't benefit.........who's to say he did??? I don't know. No matter what his ties were it still doesn't take away the fact that some beautiful music was created. NO DOUBT. I could talk for days on the subject but won't. I'll save my feelings on "selling out" for another time. Take care everyone, T. P.S. who out there has info on music videos during the Guaranteed album? ------------------------------ Subject: wimpy song / good laugh / Howard Jones From: Brian Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 20:44:04 -0500 > Subject: FN > From: DonZipf > > The best song that Mike > does, IMHO (not that I'm ever humble), is "Lasso the Moon". Now that's a > great song, from a great album (Guaranteed)! Talk about a wussy song... :) > Subject: Forever Now Forever!!! > From: JDoody @ checkpoint.co.uk > > Leave the album alone!!!!!!!!!......................apart from "Don't > Bother Me" which is crap. LOL. Does anyone know if Howard Jones' latest album, 'Angels and Lovers', or 'Live Acoustical America' or 'In the Running' are any good? Brian. ------------------------------ Subject: left/right brain From: Brian Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 20:57:59 -0500 Lolita and John mentioned left and right brain functions. I am interested in some more information on this if you have any or know of any on the web. I guess drummers, etc. learn to use both sides of their brain, huh? John mentioned that people who do puzzles (does Quake count? :) ) , etc. do better after strokes. I've also read that females do better after strokes because they have used both sides more. Brian. ------------------------------ Subject: 5th Anniversary Pin! From: DonZipf Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 23:21:27 EDT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To all subscribers of The Level 42 Digest, old & new: THE LEVEL 42 DIGEST 5TH ANNIVERSARY PINS ARE HERE! And, thanks to our benefactor Eric Hansen, a sample can be seen at.... http://www.worldmachine.com/level42/l42pin.html Ordering info can be obtained by e-mail: DonZipf @ aol.com I will be leaving Wednesday for the ILF, so I hope to find a pile of orders awaiting me when I return. I'll get 'em out to you straightaway! Those attending the ILF can get theirs in person. See you there! Cheers to all! - Don Z. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------------------------------ Subject: Re: LOTS ! From: Zak Nilsson Date: Mon, 18 May 98 20:34:44 -0700 On 5/18/98 3:00 AM, Andre Huijts doodled: > For me the FN album was the return of the "real" L42. The funk was back, > the groove was back, PHIL WAS BACK ! ! ! ! As far as I'm concerned, this is what summarizes L42 for me too, and Andre hit it square on the head. I've always been a total and utter funkster as well as a JazPhreek (Hiya Paul!), so it's pretty obvious why L42 appeals to me so much...they do both genres so well. And, I kid you not, as I read Andre's post, The Sunbed Song started playing from my FN cd. It served as an exclamation point for me, a reminder of why I've been listening to L42 since 1984 or so. And while I can appreciate Gary Husband's ability, he's just too "straight" for me. Phil has the groove and the vision thing, and FN proved it again. And as blasphemous as it may be, sometimes I listen to tracks from Staring At The Sun or Guaranteed and wonder how much better they would have sounded if it had been Phil...? :) Oh well...I also agree that, at least for me, it's a waste of time to figure out which songs to drop from FN...because I wouldn't. I got both CDs, and I'm glad I did. :) See ya'll at the LA BudgetFest...and for the rest of you, have fun at the IOW and at all the rest of the Levelfests! Zak Nilsson Xaqtly Music http://www.primenet.com/~xaqtly "Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines"