The heart of this digest, and I’m talking about people like Nick, Eric, Alex, Jay, Carl, Me, Don, Win et al and in no particular order, have spent years on here, years when Level 42, whatever that might be, was clearly very cool. We need to rid ourselves of the affliction that is the thought that Mark King’s Level 42’s greatest hits circus is somehow a continuation of the coolness we were celebrating in the early years. It’s not. It’s naff. My opinion maybe, but one I feel strongly about.

 

This, from Mike Lindup

 

>”I have always said in answer to us getting back together, that I would if it felt like everyone wanted to for the "right" reasons - for me that meant the wish to create something new, shared by all, rather than something driven only by financial necessity, which could be unfulfilling.”

 

Mike made a similar comment in the last ever fan club newsletter. It was a great sentiment, and I genuinely thought Mark and Mike would work together again. What actually happened was naff. Sure, it’s enjoyable nostalgia, well played most of the time, but so is Coronation Street.

 

But that doesn’t mean the digest is any less relevant. If Mark had retired in 1994 we’d still be here, and I think we’d be a lot more vibrant than we are now without Mark’s annual nostalgia merry-go-round. But we always look towards Mark, or at least we look towards him too much, and it’s a fault of the digest, the balance is wrong. Yes, he should be the main focus, but there should be more focus on the others, as “It was far from a one man band” (Paul Crockford). That’s why I was disappointed at the turnout to Mike’s concerts, as the one I went to was so much more better entertainment, in every respect, than anything I’ve experience from Mark since after his One Man tours. Sure, Conversation with Silence is not everyone’s cup of tea, but Mike’s entitled to indulge himself. I hope he tours again and more people get the chance to see it, you won’t be disappointed.

 

From now on I’m going to contribute to the digest as if Mark’s band doesn’t exist, until he actually does something good. That means discussion about Mike, trying to get something new out of Mark, Phil and Boon. Discussion about the FN and Guaranteed reissues, collecting, etc.

 

BTW, I have the very first 2 Level 42 pin badges (from The Pursuit Of Accidents) up on Ebay at the moment. Search for ‘Level 42 pin badges’ on ebay.com.

 

As for all the nonsense about me being jealous of Mark; maybe. But I think Mark is a very gifted musician, a workhorse, hungry for success and single-minded. Whereas I think Boon and Phil are intellectuals who have led eclectic lives and have disparate influences. Deeply spiritual people.  That comes through in their music and their contributions to Level 42. I think Mark would have liked to have had certain aspects of Phil and Boon’s personalities as much as they’d probably have like to have had their share of the recognition given to Mark. In my opinion Mike is probably a better musician than Mark and is more passionate about his music.

 

L()Z

 

Laurence Green

Structures Engineer

CarillionWSP  0114 2942553

 

 

I came across this link, thought it was interesting to see L42 advertised on some racing cars.

 

 

Dan