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Tuesday, September 30, 2003 |
Welcome to the Level 42 Digest! Founded in 1993, this is a community of 536 fans of the band Level 42 and its music. The community interacts here via email, through many related web sites, and at periodic "Levelfest" gatherings held around the world. All subscribers are encouraged to participate and contribute new dialogue about their common interests. Sponsored by SiteSpect - web conversion optimization, a/b testing, split-run testing and multifactor testing system. |
| Topics for Tuesday, September 30, 2003 1. Ramblings of a 'fan' .. - fredsimpson @ lineone.net 2. Rockin' Bottoms - alex.friesen @ sickkids.ca 3. digest history and longevity - Matt Rice 4. + MARKETPLACE - Level 42 Digest 5. + WEB DIGEST SUMMARY - Level 42 Digest 6. Armageddon - Andrew Goodwin |
| 1. Ramblings of a 'fan' .. |
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| From: | fredsimpson @ lineone.net <fredsimpson @ lineone.net> |
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| Date: | Mon, 29 Sep 2003 13:57:57 +0100 |
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| Ok, I hear what some of you are saying about the 'same old stuff' and I hear the same on some other digests, but there's another side to it .. I'm a typical fan. I own all the albums, all the DVD's, one T- shirt and have absolutely no musical abil ty whatsoever. I cannot appreciate the fine points of musicianship and have never hung out with anyone famous either before or after a concert. I can, however, tap my foot roughly in time with what's going on and I can appreciate the skills that thers possess and that I never will as long as my arse point downwards. I have periods where I don't listen to certain bands, but as soon as those 'old classics' are given an airing I'm back to where I was the first time I heard them. Much of the music I really appreciate reminds me of good times and good mates, so it will always be special. It's a real bonus when you do go along to see a favourite band and out comes new material that will, in time, become a classic and remind me of even ore good times. (Incognito, Jazz Cafe, 2003, magnificent) Level 42 are not in that category at the moment, perhaps they never will be again but there must be something here for each of us or perhaps it IS time to move on. I have some good memor es and enjoy getting them out now and again. I'm too busy to criticize anything Level 42 have or haven't done, I'd rather just appreciate those things they've left behind for us. I shall never tire of listening to Peter Gabriel's 'Big Time', Incog ito's 'Don't worry 'bout a thing', Steely Dan's 'Black Cow', Christina Aguilera's 'Underappreciated', Sade's 'No Ordinary Love', D Train's 'You're the one for me', Atlanta Rhythm Section's 'Spooky', The Doobies 'Long Train Running', Level 42's 'Lov Games' ... enough, I know ! I read this digest (and a few others) to keep up to speed with what's happening as well as to listen to the views of others. I find it a useful forum and I wish there was a litle more I could contribute - but I'm sure he vast majority of the closet digesters feel the same way. I suggest we all just knock something up, post it, then wait for the regular contributors to give us some stick ! But let's keep it going. Fred Simpson PS - of course I'll be going to see them this time round. Brighton 6th Nov. Wouldn't miss it for the world. May even write a report for those of you that miss it ! | ||
| 2. Rockin' Bottoms |
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| From: | alex.friesen @ sickkids.ca <alex.friesen @ sickkids.ca> |
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| Date: | Mon, 29 Sep 2003 12:48:08 -0400 |
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>> From: Eric J. Hansen <ehansen @ worldmachine.com> Based on activity on the mailing list and the Web Digest site over the past few weeks, I'd like to bring up a new topic: "have we hit rock bottom?" << It's been, what, some eight years or something that some of us sad old gits have been hanging around the digest? And I'm too stubborn to say the ride is over. Is it just that there's nothing new to talk about? I don't think so. There has never really been much to talk about, but we babbled on anyway. Are we all just getting too old? Other priorities in our lives? Or are we just apathetic? >> 535 die-hards can't be wrong... << No, but they can have an extended nap time. >> From: Michael Payne <michael @ journeyhouse.com> What a shock to hear about the tragic and sudden passing of Robert Palmer. << Yes, he was only 54 or something. A sad loss to the music world. And speaking of Bobby P., I hold him responsible for the breakup of one of my bands. Back in the days when he was riding the crest of his hits (Simply Irresistible, Addicted to Love, etc.), the guitar player/singer/writer of my original act landed the guitar tech gig on the Palmer tour. He was all "I'll just be gone for six months to make some cash, then we'll pick up where we left off." Yeah, well, that was the last we saw of him, except for the occasional pass through town with some major touring act. And, no, that has no relevance to Level 42, and I don't blame anybody for their decisions at the time. I recall that I was trying to land the drum tech gig, but to no avail. Okay campers, complete the alternate lyrics to this phrase: "might as well face it, it's..." ...Alex... | ||
| 3. digest history and longevity |
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| From: | Matt Rice <rice @ geog.ucsb.edu> |
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| Date: | Mon, 29 Sep 2003 10:42:34 -0700 |
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| In response to Eric's comments about the digest, It is a shame that traffic is so slow right now, perhaps when some of us actually get 'Conversations with Silence' from amazon.co.uk, we'll have something concrete to talk about and things will pick up. My amazon.co.uk link says that the release date is Oct. 13: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000D96LT/026-9288825-2170030?me=9 I have to admit that of all the Level 42 material (solos and albums), the one that still gets regular circulation through the CD changer is 'Changes'. I consider the best of all Level 42 related solo releases, and I am really looking forward to hearing Mike's new stuff. The Level 42 digest was the very first significant internet community that I became a part of. My fond memories of the technology revolution of the 90s are inextricably intertwined with the Level 42 digest. I can't even begin to list how many good technology tips, music recommendations, and trans-atlantic cultural tidbits I've picked up over the last 9 years. I remember in 1994-95 getting my first PC (Micron, Pentium I 90Mz, 16Mgs RAM, $3000) and internet connection (20 hours, $12.99 / month, 14.4 modem service); picking up Incognito's Positivity (referral from this digest, perhaps from Lolita); and sitting back in my student apartment to read my Level 42 digest and check on the latest at http://www.swcp.com/~synth/level42 What a great time that was. Mid 90s, Internet boom, Level 42 excitement still strong, Steely Dan on tour, beautiful girlfriend, ready to conquer the world. Now nearly 9 years (and three kids) later, girlfriend now my wife, everything has changed, except this nice little email digest that still magically appears in my Inbox every morning at 3 or 4am. I think we should all thank Eric for the hurculean efforts he has put in over 10 years time to create and host what may be one of the longest lasting email digests in existence! Thanks Eric. Hopefully this tattered and somewhat apathetic community will coninue living a bit longer and revive itself if/when some new material comes out. -- Matt Rice, Graduate Research Assistant National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis UCSB Department of Geography +1 805 893 8652 (phone) Santa Barbara, CA 93106 +1 805 893 8617 (fax) rice @ geog.ucsb.edu http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~rice | ||
| 4. + MARKETPLACE |
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| From: | Level 42 Digest <level42-admin @ worldmachine.com> |
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| Date: | Tue, 30 Sep 2003 03:00:05 -0400 |
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-- Printer ink for Epson, Canon & HP - FREE shipping. -- -- FREE Satellite TV - NO EQUIPMENT TO BUY. --  | ||
| 5. + WEB DIGEST SUMMARY |
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| From: | Level 42 Digest <level42-admin @ worldmachine.com> |
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| Date: | Tue, 30 Sep 2003 03:10:14 -0400 |
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Don't miss a Level beat! The following is a list of messages posted to the Level 42 WEB Digest over the last day (not including off-topic and admin boards). Click on a heading to get the full content for any board or topic. Questions about this mailing list related service? Email us at level42-admin @ worldmachine . com. Have fun!
Author Summary 6 messages: Bassgirl Fendergirl From Space 2 messages: an42, Steen-a-reens and Al, Jen_IOW, DREAMCRAZZY, dmakavanagh 1 messages: Kansas City Milkman, Animal on a Yamaha RTC, slap42bass, Stevie Jay, roc51, davelaboss, humph42, SteveR, JWC Bronski | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6. Armageddon |
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| From: | Andrew Goodwin <nightfly83 @ hotmail.com> |
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| Date: | Tue, 30 Sep 2003 08:58:45 +0100 |
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| It has indeed got awfully quiet around here. Speaking for myself, I find both contributing and non-contributing to be habit forming, and once I stopped I couldn’t be bothered to stop stopping. And when the List Of Bands To Show How Eclectic I Am reached its peak/nadir, I was all but ready to throw in the towel. But I was moderately intrigued to see with what the people who had taken issue with my contributions in the past would regale us, if given the floor so to speak. [Cue tumbleweed.] Given that for those who have been here more than a couple of years (which is surely pretty much everybody, since it’s not like there’s anybody discovering the band with each new release) there is nothing original left to discuss about Level 42, I have listed below a handful of topics designed to bring about some lively debate. Some are directly music related, some are less so. None have anything to do with Level 42, so apoplectic purists may wish to stop reading at this point. Should none of these rouse us all from our estivation, I suggest we all go and have a lie down until there is a minute variation in set list to get animated about. If there is a God why does he let so many terrible things happen? Manufactured bands – they’re not so bad. The United States – global liberator or burgeoning fascist state imposing its values on an unwilling world by force? Singing along at concerts is a great idea which really enhances other fans’ enjoyment. Avril Lavigne – chirpy teenage poppet or spawn of Satan? Mobile phones are a symptom of a modern era of hedonistic instantaneous gratification which is causing a breakdown of values in youth today. Jennifer Lopez – I would, wouldn’t you? If boxing has weight divisions, why doesn’t basketball have height divisions? Since language has no inherent meaning all communication is basically fraudulent, and as a result we are all destined to a life of worthless misunderstanding and will die alone and unfulfilled. Dogs should all be exterminated. AG _________________________________________________________________ Tired of 56k? Get a FREE BT Broadband connection http://www.msn.co.uk/specials/btbroadband |
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