OT: Level 42's first U.S. dates in 23 years

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Don't know 'em...what album should I buy?

[Bob from NJ]

Don't know 'em...what album should I buy?

That's the million dollar question Kellie...their catalogue is so diverse, from real muso jazz-funk (early years) to pop polish (later 80s). World Machine (which features Something About You) is the one people talk about the most. It's a shame their earlier material isn't on i-Tunes though. There are some performances that would make your jaw drop in terms of speed and virtuosity.

But hey, why listen when you can watch?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHU9udnjQvw

There are a couple of Police/Sting connections with L42, too. Dominic Miller was L42's first guitarist before they put an album out and also guested on a couple of albums after they hit big. And of course our own Mr. Copeland recruited Mark King on bass when he performed Love Lessons in 1985 on a charity BBC show called "Children in Need"

[animal]

Good thread Bob, would be nice to see "Thunder Thumbs" in the Philly area.

Don't know 'em...what album should I buy?

Dive, maybe Level Best would be a good starter, gets you the hits and then can expand from there.

http://www.amazon.com/Level-Best-42/dp/ ... 563&sr=8-1

[smax]

i'd scout 'em on yootoob, dive.... an old friend was an uber fan and as a result i got to see and meet them a few times (an no, bob, i wont share my mike lindup story again 'cos i know you'll doubt and mock me! but its true) they were always really nice, especially the later arrivals like gary husband and alan holdsworth RIP.... Mark king would laugh at a joke and mime his chin falling to the floor; something my friend still does... i'd be a fan of their early stuff, debut album and 'early hours'...... we used to have a teasing running joke about level 42 which would wind our friend up a lot:
"let's play a funk groove by level 42" we'd say and start miming mark kings distinctive thumbs up style of playing and imitating his basslines with our voices:"dangdagadaga dang daga..." etc etc ....
""let's play a slow ballad by level 42" we'd say...."dangdagadaga dang daga..." etc etc ....
"let's play an epic song by level 42" we'd say...."dangdagadaga dang daga..." etc etc ....

and as stanley clarke is mentioned elsewhere i'd like to point out that mark king hasn't been adverse to playing of few of stan's solos in the past. i think level 42 were / are a brilliant live band but never really captured that for me in studio output.
it's a bit 'jazz' aswell the way he plays solo's during gigs like it's a bloody clinic, i do get a bit bored with unnecessary fret-wanking, and some of mark kings were a bit much, you certainly couldn't dance to them, which although it's not the point i think it should be, if i want to watch an instructional DVD i'll go and buy one......although this clip would seem to show that mark has got better with age... there are some really good recent clips on yootooob..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yioVmqlt ... re=related

dunno who else is in the band tho...they're doing a new album aren't they?.... billy cobham played with them recently
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRbEWLk4 ... _embedded#

[Bob from NJ]

And just as I say they probably won't be playing Philly yesterday, Ticketmaster announces today a pre-sale for a show at the Keswick in Glenside.

I'd like to say right now that I probably don't want $10 million tomorrow.

[sockii]

SHIT. Just FIGURES the Philly date is when I'll be in New York for my high school reunion.

Argh!

[DirtyMartini]

Don't know 'em...what album should I buy?

That's the million dollar question Kellie...

HAHAHA. I'm Kellie!

But I don't know 'em either, so Word to Dive for speaking my thoughts.

Thanks for the advice, all.

[moonstone]

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]Don't know 'em...what album should I buy?[/quote]

My favourite is their 1981 album which is simply called Level 42.

It's got a 7.25 minute version of Love Games which is just great.

Takes me back to my misspent teenage years

[Bob from NJ]

Sorry for the self-absorption...but here's a little something about Mr. King, which just went up this morning... Yeah, I wrote it...again, sorry..

http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2010/04 ... considine/

[moonstone]

[quote="Bob from NJ"]Sorry for the self-absorption...but here's a little something about Mr. King, which just went up this morning... Yeah, I wrote it...again, sorry..

http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2010/04 ... considine/[/quote]

Thank you Sir!

Great interview with info of up and coming goodies to buy AND Love Games live at Wembley.

Made my day. X

[Bob from NJ]

Thank you and you're welcome!

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="Bob from NJ"]Sorry for the self-absorption...but here's a little something about Mr. King, which just went up this morning... Yeah, I wrote it...again, sorry..

http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2010/04 ... considine/[/quote]

No apologies! Glad to get to see some of your work, Bob.

[Bob from NJ]

Thanks Kellie!

[moonstone]

Hi Bob

Not long 'til you go to see them.

They've just said in the County Press that they're playing at The Bestival this year and I'm very fed up because the tickets are all sold out AND I'm working! DAMN x 10.

Hope you have a great time at the show though Bob and please come back and tell us all about it. X

[Sarabande]

Awww... man. They aren't touring anywhere near where I live.