From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V99 #8 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 99 : Issue 8 968 subscribers Today's topics: White Funky Laurence F. GREEN Re 'Changing The Guard' Bill Leslie-Miller Best Drum Track Steve Randall Two Things alan russell Mark's Set list and lawn mowers! Adam Hankinson Re: Level42 Digest V99 #7 MFanko Don't I ever work...? Daniel James Changing the Guard etc. Nigel Collier Best L42 drumming track Matthew Rice Re: Level42 Digest V99 #5 Nightfly83 Holy grail, holy cow... Bilal42 you are wrong about Quetzalcoatl! leon ramos Statue and RITF(platnium ed) ZW75 Re: Level42 Digest V99 #7 david jacobs Quetzalcoatl Wes C. Remund Drumming Tracks Paul J. Bannerman On A Level Brian ------------------------------ Subject: White Funky From: L.F.Green @ shu.ac.uk (Laurence F. GREEN) Organization: Sheffield Hallam University Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 11:24:36 -0000 Hmmm, Quite interesting what with all the talk about racial issues etc. The White Funky is inferring literally, they're white, and they're funky (whether we like it or not). You see, when Level 42 started up, there was all this stuff about 'White Funk' and apparently all the DJ's thought Level 42 were black americans (sorry to sound coarse, but this is a valid issue). they just didnt thing white guys could produce that kind of sound, hence they were given the White Funk tag, which was kind of dropped for politically correct reasons, although I didn't think it really mattered, I just find it quite amusing how they invented a name for the style of music based on the groups race??? Weird really. Then there was Brit Funk, Funk that was about it really. Pretty hard to catagorise, is there any other group like Level 42? Remotely? I can;t think of one. Comments please. LOZ ------------------------------ Subject: Re 'Changing The Guard' From: "Bill Leslie-Miller" Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 11:59:58 -0000 Levelheads Great news about 'Changing The Guard' being the next single, and although I do like every song on the album, my own personal feeling is that this song is arguably the most commercially viable 'hit' out of all the songs on the album, let's keep our fingers crossed....... Bill Miller ------------------------------ Subject: Best Drum Track From: Steve Randall Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 13:04:30 -0800 Think on everybody over the weekend. I think without doubt the best is Gary Husbands Composition "If you were mine" on the Wembley Live Video. Firsty he wrote it, and secondly, the drum break in the middle is unbelievable. The song live is also better than the studio version, and the kit is as big as a house! (The five string bass isn't bad either!) (But) "We only see so far.........." Steve Randall ------------------------------ Subject: Two Things From: "alan russell" Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 06:03:07 PST >Just out of interest, do most people on the digest own the Boon Gould >solo album 'TinMan' (if not why not). Why not ?? Well 'cos I never knew it existed that's why ! When did this come out then ? - Is it still available ? - How can you get ahold of it, and who sings the vocals on it ?? Oh - and to answer a question from last time around, I have seen the odd copy or so of "Running in the Family" platinum edition in some HMV or Virgin stores in the UK. In fact - you'd be surprised at the number of copies of some of the albums that are still available from store to store. Does anyone have any info on the "remastered" albums release dates yet, whilst we're on that subject ?? -- Alan ------------------------------ Subject: Mark's Set list and lawn mowers! From: "Adam Hankinson" Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 11:30:29 -0000 Bilal had me on the floor again!! (ooer!) with laughter. If we are looking at old tracks to be played at the tour then can I have a request please? Anything from Influences. Adz ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V99 #7 From: MFanko @ aol.com Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 09:07:50 EST Fellow 42 Nut cases, Could anyone tell me if there is a website i can go to to purchase 42 bootlegs and rare recordings? I envy all those going to see Mr King live this year.........I have just moved to the States from England and there is no way I can get back to see him:-( I hope you all have a wonderful time and when he plays One Man, think of one man in the US who couldn't make it. Take care all, I'll try and write more often, "...For a kinder eye to see us, not as we are, but as we dream" Martyn ------------------------------ Subject: Don't I ever work...? From: Daniel James Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 12:08:10 -0800 (PST) Okay, just another update in prices... Virgin and the Bayswater Hotel have announced a package of $399 including RT Air from NYC/Boston and 6 nights lodging. I think that eliminates the excuse for many of you on the east coast...! Again, British Air should have similar deals going. An additional comment about the Euro (as I was just looking into it). England is *not* participating at this point, so there is no need to worry about it. A few of us are traveling on to various countries from Britain, and it looks as though we won't be affected either. There is no need to get Euro travelers checks unless you'll be visiting multiple participating countries (saving the cost of currency conversion between countries). Apparently though, with credit card purchases we can now specify whether to be charged in Euros or the local currency. I have no idea why I would care as long as the conversion to $US is the same. ------------------------------ Subject: Changing the Guard etc. From: Nigel Collier Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 20:26:50 +0000 Follow Me: ======= This is indeed an outstanding track and one I reckon is 'just for the fans' - it only appears (to my knowledge) on PP Live, which as we all know was an album made very much by the band for the fans as a 'thank you'. Follow me to the ends of the earth... Changing the Guard =========== >This may have already posted here before, but has anyone else noticed the >significance of "Changing of the Guard" at the end of "One Man"? Mark wrote >it, and it seems full of allusions to "moving on" and leaving the past >behind Byrdman my friend, I'm sure you're far from alone in linking CTG with the context of the album. Let's face it, "Say toodle-oo to the passing of a king" and, "the dawning of a New World here within" give a pretty unambigous message. It's been very interesting and enjoyable to have read and contributed to the great threads on the Digest following the release of One Man about Mark's musical freedom and to what extent he 'owes' the fans. Many people (myself very much included) thought Mark has served us well, owed us nothing and reserved the right (nay, the duty) to go wherever he wanted to with his music. There were an equal number of fans who were disappointed with the 'new' Mark and felt let down by the lack of slap - that's why people bought Level 42, right? So Mark had 'sold them a pup'. Now, Byrdman, you thought you were getting carried away with your 'far-fetched' theories? Well how about this hypothesis ;-) The King is dead, long live the King The final word on One Man is left to Changing the Guard - the song _could be_ construed as a message to the 'old guard' of fans - the anachronistic bunch who liked Mark the way he was. The general feel of the song is partly Mark's self-satisfaction and reflection on a great career and also his conviction that he's happy that his new direction is a good one, he wants other people to be happy with it too, but if they're not then that's too bad - I can't remember the many recent mag articles and interviews but isn't that the basic gist of them? But this isn't just a 'comeback' for Mark, it is more emphatic than that, it is a change of direction and reflects personal upheaval. Mark isn't just 'new' but he's at pains to point out he's moved on too. *There's nothing new that ain't been done before .....refers to the old trademark slapping - the 'passing' King has done it all and has taken it as far as he can... *So don't you tell me that there's no more I can do .....is a clear statement that there's more to him than slapping a bass despite what some might think. I think the understated musicianship and even self-reference (Turn it On in Sunbed Song) on Forever Now were very much about self-satisfaction and reflection too (though not necessarily the lyrics) it a 'final' album of a band who had nothing more to prove. He's also very disarming by saying it doesn't really make a ha'pence worth of difference because when it's all said and done _it's just making music_ so we can get all steamed up and theorise as much as we like but let's keep it in proportion (it's not THAT different; many tracks form OM would not be too out of place on a latter L42 album). *If you can cling to the magic of the moment *You'll carry on the message, just like him Mark is urging the old guard to bear with him, try not to let their slap-disappointment cloud their view of where he sees himself going. If you try and allow yourself understand what Mark is aiming to achieve and his motivations for doing what he's doing, you'll be as enthusiastic as he is. Notice also in the second line here that the old Mark (former King) is referred to in the third person 'him', whereas he uses first person for the new Mark: *I've seen the changes and I've heard the liberties *So don't you tell me that there's no more I can do Along similar lines, he also refers to the listener as the inclusive 'we' when he's singing about those who can appreciate the new direction: *We'll start to see the changes that are written .....and then as the exclusive 'you' when he's addressing those who don't: *So don't you tell me that there's no more I can do *I built a castle from the dreams of idle wasters *And I'm on the ramparts looking down at you He's also saying here that if you really can't appreciate the new direction then that's too bad. I don't think this is pride or arrogance on Mark's part, rather he's saying that he's been there and done it (you haven't) and he knows his own mind and he's happy that he's right. *You're not alone, even when you're by yourself A solo Mark knows he retains many fans? Finally the chorus suggests that the 'old' Mark [and maybe Level 42] may return - is this the end of them? I wouldn't count on it! Remember, this is a hypothesis - I don't necessarily mean this is my own interpretation of CTG. 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: Best L42 drumming track From: Matthew Rice Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 13:32:23 -0800 (PST) > PS. which would you say are Level 42's greatest drumming tracks??? Phil: "A Floating Life" (exceptional fills and groove) Gary: "Over There" (Clever duple/triple overlays) IMO, a great drummer is crucial. Other current favorites of mine (Incognito, Jamiroqui, Steely Dan, Yellowjackets, etc. ) have exceptional drumming. On another note: It's hard for me to maintain a high level of day to day interest in L42 as a group unless I actively explore other high caliber music, and the recommendations of digester's have been a very important part. Not to beat a dead horse, but I highly recommend Donald Fagan/Steely Dan. There are very few other musical diversions that better help me sustain my interest in L42. --------------------------------------- Matt Rice, Graduate Student Geography Department University of California, Santa Barbara rice @ geog.ucsb.edu ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V99 #5 From: Nightfly83 @ aol.com Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 16:35:35 EST > Subject: Damn, I'm Good-win > From: Cliff.Barua @ ec.gc.ca > > I couldn't resist the chance to play Andrew Goodwin for a day, And how he played me. I was Cliff's violin, and he stroked me like a virtuoso. Sigh... > (Goodwin mode on) Well, blimey, mate. It does get a wee bit cold in England > in late January. I should bloody well hope you'll be wearing shirts, > especially Laurel (she could be arrested and all). Blah, blah, blah > (Goodwin mode off) Good heavens, do I really come across like a minor character from Eastenders? If so it's high time I hung up the old keyboard. > Byrdman, you can rant anytime. But I believe you are a Broncos fan, and > they're gonna get eaten by the J-E-T-S (Jets, Jets, Jets). (Please no anti > non-Level posts directed at me, or (Goodwin mode on) What's a bloody bunch > of grown men hitting each other in a sport inaccurately called "football" > got to do with the price of Level 42 imports in Tibet? (Goodwin mode off)) Since when did I get so profane? You'll be hearing from my attorney at law Lionel Putz any day now. > Subject: L42 Phil book (and, of course, other stuff) > From: alex.friesen @ sickkids.on.ca > > At one point (many many years ago) I > was acquainted with most drummers in Toronto Sorry, have I inadvertently stumbled across the All Canada Truly Useless Chat- up Line Digest? Cliff and Alex really going head to head (fnar) at the moment. Waiiit a minute...the whole question of multiple e-mail personae is rearing its head again. Both in Toronto, both rambling on incoherently day after day...Coincidence? That's no coincidence, or my name's not Joseph P. Arrington. > >Always happy to be of service...once told Barua I LOVED him...really > >takes some beating. > > Look, Nitfly, I have nothing against homoerotic love poems, but this ain't > the place for them. Oh no, my guilty secret is out. You know why they call me Nightfly? You should see what I do with my baton rouge... > Subject: One Man lyrics dissected > From: alex.friesen @ sickkids.on.ca > > "Goo goo matz, goo goo fan, ketzacoato" was what I thought I heard in the > pre-chorus of One Man (the title track). That "ketzacoato" sounded > familiar, though, so I did a bit of digging. A bit of digging? A BIT? Presumably the excavation of Pompei was to you an afternoon's light trowel work. Back to the sarcasm with you lad, all this academic stuff is scaring me. AG ------------------------------ Subject: Holy grail, holy cow... From: Bilal42 @ aol.com Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 18:05:14 EST Just thought, wouldnt Forever Now make a brilliant 'millenium' song?! Someone should release it! Bilal http://members.aol.com/bilal42 ------------------------------ Subject: you are wrong about Quetzalcoatl! From: "leon ramos" Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 16:57:26 PST hey guys, after beeing away from the digest i found some stuff about mesoamerican gods... here is my version, wch i think is the most reliable, since I am the only Latin american in the diggest (I hope to be wrong about that) Well Quetzacoatl was a "eathered snake" and it was a god of knowledge, he come to the earth and teached to the mankindarts and crafts. At some kind of festivity their enemies got him drunk and he took a woman, (something forbidden to him)... when he recovered of the alcohol effects, and found what he has done, he burned himself and we got thrue the land of the death... after nine days he came up as Venus, the planet. Well I am sorry to disapoint you but the stone that Mr. burns gave to the Simpsoms was not a Quetzalcoatl head,it was a Toltec Head, wich was another culture. well that's all And for the guy who asks for a RITF platinum edition... in Mexico there must be at least 1 in stock in a store called MIX-UP.let me see, i am looking for the remixes of "bizarre love triangle" by new order, we may exchange... ------------------------------ Subject: Statue and RITF(platnium ed) From: ZW75 @ aol.com Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 21:17:58 EST Hey wassup and happy new year to all! Yeah I remember that episode of the Simpsons where Burns gives Bart that statue for the blood transfusion. I think that is a hilarious cartoon especially the first episodes. Hey Gaetan, the RITF platinum edition can be found on Music Boulevard and Amazon.com (which is cheaper). Peace, Zanchie W. ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V99 #7 From: david jacobs Organization: JayDee Guitars Unofficial Site Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 19:30:47 -0800 Hi there peoples! Marcel Hoogervorst wrote: > What do you think of Mark's new Fender bass? I think it's ugly and its > sound can't reach the sound of an Alembic! Am I the only one who would > like to see and hear that Alembic again? Why did he change to Fender? > Is it a kind of symbolic end of Level 42 and a new start of his solo > career? Can someone tell me the reason? Well, under this circumstances I'm shocked you didn't get shot at dawn for saying that!!!!...Only joking! It has to be said however, that Marks' choice of Bass did come as a shock to many of us. However, I must say that ANY bass that is badly set up, is bound to be crap! I've played many Fenders with actions like telegraph poles! - Then again, I've played JD's and Alembics with similar actions!! - So that proves nothing! Secondly, I set up a Fender Jazz for a mate, who had basically bodged it up and made it play terrible. When I had finished, I'd got the action way down low, and the pickups were even and the Pole Pieces at the optimum settings! You could play anything on it, and it was a pleasure! It just goes to show that a good bass, doesn't need to have bookmatched laminates and carbon graphite strenghtening inside the neck! It doesn't even have to active mid sweeps and Q controls. The fact that Mark can play his Fender and sound good, just goes to show that it is a good bass. - Granted, it is different and not so 'toppy' - but perhaps that's a good thing?! - He can just plug in and go - what more could one ask for?!!! Mark has obviously gone for the trouser flapping frequencies first, and as any bass player will tell you - that is where the bucks are - even if you're Mark King! That's just another one of his 'sounds'. I think he did the most 'sound inventing' on Influences! Let's face it - if Mark King can play a Fender and make it sound like the best thing since sliced bread - the bass must be pretty good, or he wouldn't be playing it would he?! Best regards Dave http://members.xoom.com/man_of_funk ------------------------------ Subject: Quetzalcoatl From: "Wes C. Remund" Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 22:58:14 -0700 Wow! Now that's a name I haven't heard since I played the Star Trek 25th Aniversary computer game where Kirk, Spock and McCoy were thrown into a pit by Quetzalcoatl for being ill mannered. Not to fret, they escaped, won Quetzalcoatl's trust and McCoy operated on him to remove an organ that made him immortal. Who knows, maybe Mark's immortality has something to do with this "extra" organ. Live long and prosper levelheads. Wes ------------------------------ Subject: Drumming Tracks From: "Paul J. Bannerman" Date: Sat, 09 Jan 1999 02:13:39 -0500 In response to Bilal's question regarding "what are Level 42's greatest drumming tracks???" I would have to say 1). Fashion Fever (Running in the Family); 2). Gresham Blues (Staring at the Sun); 3)Sleep on my Heart (World Machine). What do you think? Paul Bannerman ------------------------------ Subject: On A Level From: Brian Date: Sat, 09 Jan 1999 00:43:51 -0600 I know the die hard's know this but how many others didn't know there was an On A Level and an On The Level CD? I've only got 'The'. Is the other more rare? Thanks, Brian.