Keith

 

I like to consider my self relatively impartial to the shenanigans that take place here. 

 

It seems to me, while there are valid points being made on both side of the argument Loz presented, you initially supported the flame of Mikey and while doing so, brought Andrew into the discussion for no apparent reason.

 

I think we should be able to discuss our opinions here, attempting to do so without having to point out the shortcomings of others, tempting as it may be.  If you invoke or provoke someone, human nature is to be defensive and attack back.    

 

Aren't we here to discuss whatever we want to, acknowledging we have a common interest in Level 42?  I've been on this mail digest for a few years, well before the new Level 42, and not every Level 42 related discussion has positive (Guaranteed being the greatest example).  Ying and Yang dude.

 

Keith, I hope my comments don't offend you (involuntary Canadian response; sorry) (sorry for apologizing).  I just didn't want you to carry on being frustrated needlessly and point out that if you respond to a post dragging others into the debate, while at the same time making derogatory comments, you should anticipate this sort of banter.

 

Andrew knows he should not have remarked to your grammar and you are right, it is not important (except when it comes to Travis - where are you lad?).        

 

It's funny; you say web digest and five days later people are upset with each other over the "new" Level 42.  Sorry about that.

 

I also want to say that Mark drew me to the band initially because I used to be a bass player. To me Mark was the band.  I've come to realize, as Loz steadfastly notes, it really the combination of all of the original guys that made this a great, great band in their day.  Forever Now is proof of this. 

 

Colin

(the altruistic Canuck who worships the old Level 42, who would pay too much money to see the new Level 42 and wouldn't like them as much, but would still enjoy it very much and wouldn't complain too much either, as long as I had 5th row floors, while not having to fly to the motherland to do it, not even if they release a new album)

 

 

In his defence, I’d say that AG is far from arrogant, but he might be provocative. However, his caustic wit is always well worth a chuckle, to me at least. Reading AG’s regular diatribes at the ill-prepared, the meek and the downright ridiculous is one of the very few things left that makes this Digest fun for me and worth subscribing to.

 

He’s right in his original point too – basically many of his are here to celebrate the music and career of a band which is now defunct (or should that read de-funked!) and who are highly unlikely to ever see perform again. The band in question being called Level 42 (featuring King, Lindup and The Goulds) and not ‘Level 42’, the current tribute act doing the sentiment-and-chips-in-a-basket circuit. I’m sure that AG is as much an admirer of Level 42 as the most ardent of fans….check out the archives, all the old posts are still there. So we might as well get used to the fact that there are going to be periods where conversation moves to other areas. I think the band’s every note, song, album, style, influence and live gig in history has now been analysed, examined under a microscope and re-analysed at this stage, and I believe that numbers are dropping off the Digest because of it. The lack of new music and new things to talk about inevitably leads to stagnation and diversion, so please don’t blame a few bright sparks here and there for trying to liven it up a bit with a few well-placed digs and tongue-in-cheek jibes. If you’re sensitive, perhaps you’d better not bite unless you’d like us all to sit here quietly, challenging nothing. The nanny state has gone far enough already…at least he’s contributing. No contributors = no digest.

 

As for the grammer (sic) observation which Keith ill-advisedly raised, I’d like to point out that correct use of the apostrophe is a punctuation issue, not ‘grammer’. And it’s pretty hard to be taken seriously if you’re attacking someone else’s point of view while displaying a poor grasp of basic writing standards. Poor spelling and punctuation is not a bad reflection on anyone’s education, sincerity, intelligence or lack of it - it’s simply the fact to be creditable and taken seriously, a well-written, well-polished piece of criticism might get more support than a misspelt rant and rave.

 

Keith: posting a message slagging AG off and packing it full of grammatical and/or spelling errors only gives him further fuel.

 

Now there’s the fireworks lit…..

 

 

Most of those who read or post know much more about L42 and music than I do - of that I have little doubt.  I do know that about 20 years ago (how can it be that long) I picked up "World Machine" and it was the first album that fit me just right.

 

Of course when RITF came out - I grabbed it and it happened again.  I love that album.  Over time - I found all the boys older albums and continued to get the new ones as they came out.

 

I'm the kind of fan who will continue to buy whatever comes out.  Whether it's from the newer version of L42, solo's from Mark, Mike, Boon, Gary, etc. - and there's nothing wrong with that.  For me - I always find something great in any new album.

 

I also don't think there's anything wrong with those who stopped following once the original line-up was done.  It's what's great about a band that we've all enjoyed so much.  We can hopefully, mostly agree to disagree.

 

By the way - I was in line for 3 hours waiting to vote on Tuesday.  Now that's dedication baby!!!

 

Tim in Philly

"You're caught in a web you've spun yourself."