From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V99 #173 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 99 : Issue 173 1099 subscribers Today's topics: 80's music greg white True Colours & Standing In The Light Mark Walsham SITL & TC / MP3 / Etc... Cliff.Barua Please!, Vertu, etc. Winman42 SITL Dan Nesselroth For Sale/Swop express Thanks to digesters from Stargirl! Jenny James I'm famous!! Winman42 midi files, mike l mary johns Is it love? Brian Flint Re: Opinions on Standing in the Light and True >> TenthSun Play for Today ERICWHE01 New member - Hi Steve Tomo ------------------------------ Subject: 80's music From: exhobie @ webtv.net (greg white) Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 09:02:08 -0400 (EDT) I have to agree with starchild (from south africa). Music in the 90's has been pretty bad with the last 3 years especially poor. Music in the early and mid 1980's had a special, unique sound thanks mostly to British groups that had real talent and songwriting ability, (and I don't mean garbage groups like Boy George). Of course we would all be better off with an 80's type revival and a Level 42 reunion would be awesome! My very best to all Levelheads!!!!!!!! ------------------------------ Subject: True Colours & Standing In The Light From: Mark Walsham Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 13:06:54 GMT As I have penned here before, it is my opinion that Standing in the Light and True Colours represent the bands most accomplished and quality content of all other albums/periods. These two albums demonstrate the depth of their songwriting and the spontaneous quality to the music. The band managed to pen complex and deep lyrics, but still managed to keep the spontaneous and live sound of the earlier albums. In my opinion after these albums everything became a bit too 'polished and neat', everything was a bit too clean. I'm not writing off all other L42 albums, as they all offer something different and in general (bar probably G and FN) they are excellent, but this area is so subjective! I hope these current writings are not going to re-spawn the old chestnut of 'old level 42 vs. new level 42'. Just my 5 euros worth. Rgds, Mark. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Subject: SITL & TC / MP3 / Etc... From: Cliff.Barua @ ec.gc.ca Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 09:30:30 -0400 Excellent points made by David Jacobs, regarding SITL & TC. I view those two albums as a nice conduit between the early, funky, get-our-feet-wet, semi instrumental group and the critical and commercial success to follow (World Machine). The main problem with SITL is the poor mix and rather tinny sound. Perhaps the reissues (?!!?) will bring the album into a new "Light". I was unaware that the US version lacked "My Hero". I thought the only differences in North America were the CD version of "World Machine", and the vinyl versions of "World Machine" and "Running In The Family" (minus Freedom Someday that was on the CD). The Canadian CD releases were all made in West Germany (upto Guaranteed, which was manufactured locally). Anyway, my Canadian CD includes "My Hero". Brian: you are correct about 128 kbps MP3's. But, _my_ ears can detect the quality of the extra 32 kbps of 160 kbps MP3's :-). But seriously, the files are much bigger but I've heard a few 160 and 192 files, and they do sound somewhat more full-bodied. Either way, I'd be ecstatic with any new files (the existing ones on some web-page, are excellent). Chewie818: I'm not funny, but two of my compatriots, Alex and Gaetan, definitely are. Daniela Dobrinov: great to see your name again. I hear Stoichkov might be on his way to England. Cliff Barua - Toronto ------------------------------ Subject: Please!, Vertu, etc. From: Winman42 @ aol.com Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 10:46:30 EDT Hey folks, can we please try and relax here. Why can't folks just disagree, and leave it at that. if you dont wanna' read the post, dont read it. We don't need to call each other 'idiots' in the digest. Reserve that stuff for private e-mails. And, if you want to call me an idiot, well please forward the message to Bill Wilson, or Carl Mueller, or Chris Dickman. Thanks. gaetan, thanks for mentioning the band VERTU. i just noticed that they released that album, and it sounds good to me. Quite a lineup. I do plan on picking it up. I doubt Columbia is hoping for a FUSION revival, as there are plenty of bands who have doing that stuff since the 70's. Alex, i have to agree with you on Surround Sound. While I love listening to my Laser Disc and DVD movies in Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro-Logic surrounf sound, I HATE listening to music in a surround sound mode. It never sound good to my ears. Unless I'm listening to a CD that was recorded and mixed with surround sound ineded. I have about six of these, and they do sound brilliant. But normal stereo CD's sound weird to me. Also Alex, regarding Go West's cover of 'What You Won't Do For Love'. I hope you are joking when you ask if this song has been done before. This is one of the most covered pop/jazz songs. it was written and originally recorded by Bobby Caldwell. Here are some of the artists that have coverd this tune: Go West Angela Bofill Peabo Bryson Roy Ayers Hiram Bullock Tanya Tucker Victor Wooten Brian, for info on the US version of ONE MAN, check out www.forevernow.com Tcoy, Winston ------------------------------ Subject: SITL From: Dan Nesselroth Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 07:50:28 PDT Hmmmm, maybe you guys are right. SITL was not all that bad. But I found it a "track by track" album, unlike RITF which can be played end to end as a phrase in itself. "MY HERO" IS indeed on the first American release of TC, but only on cassette!! The re-released CD has it too, but the sequence of the album is altered. At least the Canadian version has it. The American release of WM lacks coup d'etat. But the cassette includes DREAM CRAZY. CD and Record do not. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Subject: For Sale/Swop From: express Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 17:34:17 +0200 For sale/swop Nik Kershaw - The Riddle (Vinyl) (includes MK) Level 42 - Level 42 (CD) MK - Bitter Moon (CD-single) Level 42 - RITF (Vinyl) Level 42 - True Colours (Vinyl) Other Level 42 albums (CD/vinyl) are known to be sold in my neighbourhood, so mail me if you're interested... Norm. Level42 @ dse.nl http://come.to/level42 ------------------------------ Subject: Thanks to digesters from Stargirl! From: "Jenny James" Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 18:23:38 +0100 Hi all, I hope no-one minds me posting to keep you all informed as to our progress since the MK support gigs early in the year. (as many of you have requested) First of all I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone to all the digesters who have emailed us and/or ordered the single, the warm friendly response has been wonderful, and for a band just breaking through it is a real boost! Oh yes, by the way, we're giving away badges to our website visitors at the moment, it's only for people in the UK, but we'll send one to digesters anywhere in the world as a thank you. If you want one, email me your address and we'll send one out. Also, as a special favour, if any of you want to buy a single either from the shops or over the internet, we'd be delighted to sign it for you. Again, email me and we'll sort it out. The profile gained from the support gigs has helped us to set up a record label management deal, and our new single "Bad Head Day" will be available in UK shops in 2 weeks, as a limited edition special version available with an extra track - "Here I am" - clips on the website soon. (the internet pre-release version has sold out now.) We're starting to get some radio play on various radio stations around the country. If anyone in the UK hears it let us know! People overseas will be able to order the special edition as before from the website. We are now in the process of setting up our own email chat forum, if you're interested in joining, email us and we'll let you know when it's set up. Thanks again, and please stay in touch! If there's anything else we can do to thank you in return please let us know! We were meant to be recording a track for the Level 42 tribute album, but we've had no reply from our emails... as yet...:-( Thanks again, from Jenny and the rest of Stargirl, Seb Rob, and Kasper. PS don't forget to check the website! - http://www.stargirl.co.uk ! ------------------------------ Subject: I'm famous!! From: Winman42 @ aol.com Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 13:31:11 EDT Check out this article, written by our own Bob C, regarding the Knicks/Spurs game last nite. Bob was even able to slip in a Level 42 reference in my quote!!! http://www.injersey.com/news/c-n/story/0,2111,193088,00.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ No tickets? No problem! Fans flock to big game Published in The Courier-News 6/22/1999 By BOB CONSIDINE Staff Writer Hakeem Johnson did not get to Game Three of the NBA But at least he still had the shirt on his back. And it just happened to be an NBA Finals shirt. "It was a Father`s Day present," the Plainfield resident said. "That`s as close as I`m getting to that game." Johnson wasn`t the only Knicks fan on the NJ Transit train bound for New York for the team `s first appearance in the NBA Finals in five years. And fans` odds of finding a fan willing to sell a ticket did not dramatically increase as they approached Madison Square Garden. But many fans still kept themselves entertained while not spending the big bucks. "I might be going to Game Four on Wednesday," said Kevin Burns, a devout Knicks fan from South Plainfield. "I was at Game Three of the (Eastern Conference Finals) series against Indiana. That was incredible. "I`m still not giving up on the Knicks. I think if they lose tonight, Patrick Ewing will come back for Game Four. He has so much heart. And I`d really love to see him get a ring." Burns may have had to watch Monday night`s game at Chrone`s Tavern in Mountainside, but he saved himself a pretty penny. Ticket scalpers outside the Garden were doing decent business, selling nosebleed seats at $350 a pop. The only problem for the scalpers was their distance from the arena. Police officers covered all around the building plus the next two blocks in any direction. "They have the entire Garden pretty well covered," said Tim, a ticket "salesman" who gave only his first name. "You have to pick your spots." Of course, there were many who paid the high cost when the tickets originally went on sale. Joe Torres of Hazlet attended the game with his friend, Rich Haley of Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y. For a pair of mid-level seats, they paid $230. Although it was Torres` 38th birthday, it was Haley who got all the attention. Haley showed up with his entire body covered in orange and blue paint. He affectionately refers to himself as "Super Knick." "There`s no better place to be than here for any New York team in the playoffs," Haley said. "The Garden is the mecca of all sports arenas," Torres added. "This is the best." Thirteen blocks north and one block east of the World`s Greatest Arena, about 1,000 patrons crammed in the raucous All Star Cafe to watch the game on dozens of televisions in a very Garden-like atmosphere. "If you can`t get to the game and you don`t want to sit home alone, this is a great place to watch the game," said Winston Walker, a Jersey City resident. "The crowd here is very loud. They take it to another level. The children say this is the place to be, so that`s why I`m here." Walker, also a dedicated Knicks fan, said he would have paid up to $200 for a ticket. Ironically, he was approached by a scalper in the bar an hour before game time. The seller was offering a pair of tickets for $500. "My heart said yes," Walker said. "My wallet said no." Jun 22 1999 3:10AM Tcoy, Winston ------------------------------ Subject: midi files, mike l From: mary johns Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 12:19:50 PDT microkiddies, first off, great midi files Norman. I am a retard when it comes to computers so it was nice to see something accessable (I dont have a plug in to practically anything) Its also great 'cos it pisses my boss off. ; ) Heres something I think is interesting-everyone mentions L42 like bands but Im curious, is there a solo artist who has the same style as Mike?? I recently got the Changes CD (thanx ernie a. ; )and its I have to say its one of the very best ive heard. keepin it brief today, jlg ps-nightfly, you rule. Feel free to make fun of me any time in the future hehehe ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Subject: Is it love? From: Brian Flint Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 15:35:16 PDT I didn't think so. TO our Texas fan, Props to your team, Brett Hull though.....very poor sport, I'm happy for Dallas but that baby should shut his pie hole. I don't even consider him a Dallas Star...... Buffalo, I was pulling for you, but you got screwed, what can I say, bettemans a chump. Let's face, Buffalo is a cursed town (I refer you to your beloved 4 in a row AFC champs Bills) Maybe someday. As for the Drivel, if it upsets you and you take the time to comment on it, the drivelers win. Think about it. And don't call me a hypocrite, I know who I am. I have a moronic question though for all of you who don't feel I am a true fan. Why, when I do a search on Pink Floyd it list Level 42 on PF's live at Pompeii video. Are they on it or did some Amazon chump screw up the desription. And any of you who still believe I'm not a true fan, I throw down the Gauntlet, I'll bet I beat 90% of you in a bass duel. Okay I think I'm done being immature.....at least for today. Cheers The Brianator "Tell me something, why do I always find hard just to get along" _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Opinions on Standing in the Light and True Colors From: TenthSun @ aol.com Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 20:16:33 EDT I'm new to the digest. I've only been monitoring the board for a month but I figured I'd finally weigh in on an issue. It's been a long time since I've listened to these two albums but I agree with David Jacobs. I think these albums are absolute gems. And it took a while for me to come to that conclusion. You have to LISTEN to the songs. You can hear how the band are refining their approach to songwriting. I still think "Hours By the Window" is one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever heard. To me these albums represent the struggle between their philosophical and commercial instincts. They were trying to find a way to be both popular (and profitable--no small issue!) and true to themselves. I think you hear the results on both World Machine and Running in the Family. World Machine was their experiment to see what the general audience (not us the committed fans) preferred: their jazz-funk virtuosity or their pop songs. And the pop songs won. That was obvious with the success of Something About You (which STILL sends chills down my spine). But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate their more philosophical side too. That side I think was most clearly expressed in songs like The Pharaoh Dreams..., Kouyate, True Believers, and Hours By the Window and disappeared in all but lyrical form on Running in the Family (it made itself known in the lyrics of Sleepwalker and even the Running single; I mean how many bands can you name before or since who so neatly captured the dilemma of carrying the family legacy?) But they found a "pop" way to express it musically as well as lyrically in Take A Look (Man to me is an example of how musically awkward it CAN be for them to express their philosphical side), Heaven in My Hands, Love in a Peaceful World (which admittedly is Phil and Steve White's creation), Heart on the Line (Mark's sole creation). To put it succinctly (didn't think I could do that did ya'?) just compare Love in a Peaceful World to Past Lives (Forever Now, Resurgence edition). The first is a nearly perfect example of making the philosophical personal. The second is an example of how awkward the results can be when you try to make the philosophical personal. That's what they were struggling with on Standing in the Light and True Colours. ------------------------------ Subject: Play for Today From: ERICWHE01 @ aol.com Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 21:16:04 EDT The Scene : Auditions for the Band John Gould sits in on auditions for members of his new band called Level 42. He has already seen various people audition and then.... John : next ! Phil G : Hi, mate John : Phil, what are you doing here ? Phil G : I thought I'd just come long and try my hand at drumming John : Okay, show me what you're capable of.. Phil then went into his repertoire, baring his teeth at every beat.... John : That was impressive ! Phil G : I like to think so, and I can write to. John : Great, you're in.... Phil G : I'll only join if I've got complete control over musical direction and stay loyal to my musical roots. I'll stomp off if I don't get my own way. I don't want any of this Pop mainstream stuff, okay !!! John : You drive a hard bargain, but okay, I agree. Phil G : Alright, I'll see you at home later. John : next ! Mark : oh wow, nice to meet you John : What can you do ? Mark : I sing a bit and can play the bass. John : I'm looking for something special Mark : Listen to this then.... Mark then launched into a bass solo, slapping and fingering away - blowing away all of the competition. John : Can I hear you sing ? Mark : Okay how about "Get down on it, on my h****t, you can have it , if you want it..." John : Hold on, hold on, can you sing anything else... Mark : Yeah, how about "Hey baby wanna take a chance, get your hands down my underpants....." John : Stop, stop.....okay, I'm a bit unsure about the subject matter but your bass playing is brilliant. Have you any ideas about videos ? Mark : I've got an idea about dressing up as a clown and appearing with a beautiful woman John : Any other thoughts ? Mark : Yeah, and I've also had a brilliant idea about dressing up as a clown and leaving a beautiful woman ! John : And .... Mark : And I've also thought about dressing up as a soldier and singing to a beautiful scantily clad woman..... John : There seems to be a common theme here ! Mark : Okay, how about playing my bass in a sandpit John : Don't be ridiculous Mark : Alright , how about playing to a live audience who have problems dancing to the music, whilst a bloke plays with a venetian blind. Of course, the audience has to be full of beautiful scantily clad women personally selected by me ! John : Well, I'm not quite convinced.... Mark : Alright, how about painting me in blue paint, and have me to play bass near scantily dressed dancing women. John : Are you mad ? None of those ideas would ever work ! Nevertheless, you're good enough to be the bass player and I like your singing voice. You're in. Mark : Great, now where are my groupies, I'm feeling horny.... John : next ! Mike : Hello Sir John : Hello sonny, what can you do ? Mike : I am classically trained on the piano, and know most of Beethoven's piano concertos off by heart . John : Hold on, this is an audition for a jazz funk group Mike : I'm sorry , Sir, I do apologise for wasting your time John : Stop calling me Sir ! Mike : I'm sorry, Sir John : Play me this piece !! Mike played the technical piece on keyboard, humming along to the music John : That's wonderful and I like your voice, I've got plans for you kid Mike : Thank you, Sir John : Have you got any problems touring ? Mike : No, Sir...as long as I have my Cocoa at bedtime, and if someone leaves the landing light on, then I promise not to wet the bed. John : mmm, have you any other skills ? Mike : I'm a part time mime artist John : I don't know if we'll be able to use your skills in that area, but once we're making records I can guarantee you'll sing at least one song on your own per album. Mike : I've got some of my own songs here if you want to read the lyrics... Mike passed the pieces of paper to John John : This one is about love, this one is about being kind to your neighbour, this one is about being in love, this one about being shy, and this one is about showing your feelings.... Mike : I like to show people my love, Sir John : Well, erm ,err,..... anyway, I'll see you at rehearsals next week ! John : Next ! Boon : Hi John : What are you doing here ? Boon : The pubs are shut John : Come on Boon, what are you really doing here ? Boon : I can play guitar John : Okay lets hear it ! Boon played acoustic and electric guitar to John who looked surprised by his acumen John : Wow, that's brilliant Boon : and that's not all, I can write too... John : Yeah, with a crayon !! Boon : no, I mean meaningful stuff about love and stuff John : Not another one ! Okay, lets hear one then Boon (straining voice) : "is it the kick or the kiss....." John : I've heard enough. The lyrics weren't bad, but are you sure you haven't been drinking, you're singing was , lets say, laid back. Boon : No I haven't John : And you haven't moved from that spot since you got here, it's as though you are a statue. In fact, that gives me an idea for a video....yes, I see it now - a revolving stage,a giant game of ludo, cardboard cutouts and you alongside.... Boon : Do I get the job ? John : Well, you can't sing , you can't dance, in fact you hardly move at all......BUT........you're family, so you're in Boon : Great, let's celebrate...... And that's how it all started. Honest !! ;-) Eric W Any characterisations and events actually taking place in this way would be a bloody miracle. ------------------------------ Subject: New member - Hi From: "Steve Tomo" Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 09:06:10 +0100 Hi yer fellow Levelheads. My name is Steve and I come from London, England. I'm 30 plus! Single (divorced) and I've been into L42 since 1982. I have 2 children, Mark and Tracie (note the names and the spelling of my daughter's name) told you, I'm a true levelhead... This as you might have realised by now, is my FIRST (sorry, I don't mean to shout!) posting... so please be gentle with me... as I'm a virgin... well when it comes to this anyway, so please no flamers... not on my first posting... after this one I'm 'fair game' OK? I would like to say a big 'thank you' to all the people who put all this together on our behalf and before you guys get the wrong impression of me... that's not me 'kissing butt' that's me giving credit where credit is due... I don't kiss butt OK! Well on to better things... My favourite L42 tracks... I can't say I have one favourite track... there are far too many 'favourite tracks' to have just one... there are tracks that I love for different reasons... Tracie reminds me of my daughter, Man for example, reminds me of my son... Living it up (the sun goes down) is me... living my life...'cos this ain't no rehearsal... (very deep) sorry!... Two Solitudes, for the guitar solo.... I could go on... however... on to business I've been reading through the digest and I have noticed that some of you guys living 'across the pond' have problems getting hold of stuff... 'one man' for example, well I have a cunning plan... send me a private email to... steve.tomo @ virgin.net with your 'want list' I source them, post the details to you... you pay direct by debit card... or you send me the money and I post them to you... I obviously do have a life away from the 'PC' so I will answer every posting but I will operate on a first come first served basis... OK? Well enough of me... thanks for taking the time out to read this posting... I look forward to hearing from you... Best wishes.... Steve