[This digest is the copyright of the Move "Useless Information" Mailing List. Re-publication or re-distribution of "Useless Information" content, in any form whatsoever, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent.] USELESS INFORMATION The Move Mailing List Digest Issue #383 August 29, 2002 In this issue: * Song Of The Week (week of 8/26): "Look At Me Now" * What's in the FTM Shop... * Jellyfish cover I Can Hear The Grass Grow * Roy Wood in upcoming episode of BBC1's "Celeb" * Cheap Trick (cont.) * Woody web site (cont.) * Rob deftly removes the pennies thrown in his soup * ELO & Move CD reissues (cont.) * All that fuss * There's a job to be done ============================================================== To POST TO THE LIST: Send an e-mail to: move-list@eskimo.com Move List Info & Archives: http://www.eskimo.com/~noanswer/movelist.html Join the ELO List: http://www.eskimo.com/~noanswer/showdown.html Other official websites: The Move: http://www.themoveonline.com Roy Wood: http://www.roywood.co.uk Face The Music (for all ELO & related news): http://www.ftmusic.com TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail to move-digest-request@eskimo.com with the word "unsubscribe" (no quotes) in the subject line ============================================================== Subject: Song Of The Week: "Look At Me Now" Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 00:26:59 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Song Of The Week: August 26, 2002 The Electric Light Orchestra "Look At Me Now" from the album "No Answer" Possible discussion topics: Vocals Lyrics Instrumentation Songwriting Arrangement Production Personal interpretation Strong/weak points *********************** "Look At Me Now" (R. Wood) Someone is waiting, lurking in the trees The spirit of her is walking back to me Ah look at me now feeling emotion Ah look at me now The King of the castle brought her to her knees Gave the Salvation Army girl a squeeze Ah look at me now feeling emotion Ah look at me now Look at me now Now she's a sallow face Scattering her lace -- on dewy ground Ah, I keep searching my head Now it's spinning around Lifting her head, her countenance redeemed Re-acted the murder by the silver stream Ah look at me now displaying emotion Ah look at me now Look at me now so cold and yet so brave Weave me some wings to take me to her grave Ah look at me now feeling emotion Ah look at me now Look at me now ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Look At Me Now" Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:08:28 -0700 From: John DeSilva ... it's good to get back to the fun stuff of the list ... You're 13 years old - you just heard "10538 Overture" by this new band the Electric Light Orchestra. You think to yourself "this sounds just like the Move!" You then find out ... it is the Move! Rush to the record store, buy "No Answer" (this is Southern California after all), slap it on the turntable, and get blown away all over again by "10538". What will the rest of the album sound like? Then you hear "Look At Me Now" - and you think, "Whoa, this is incredible, otherworldly!! Listen to the cellos!! Listen to the oboe!! That acoustic guitar sounds like it was made in 1644 (July 2nd, perhaps)!!!!" Anyway that's a bit of what I went through when I first heard "Look At Me Now" as a spotty-faced 13 year old lad. Quite simply, there has never been a song that has the sound or feel of LAMN before or since - a true Woody classic! JD San Jose, CA PS. the quad mix on "First Light - ELO" is a revelation - you can hear even more of the cellos and acoustic guitar - awesome! ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Look At Me Now" Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 23:25:34 -0700 From: Richard Messum First off, i was confused (doesn't take much) because i don't have an ELO album called "No answer." I do, however, have the English pressing of their first album, which is called, simply, "The Electric Light Orchestra" and which includes "Look at me now." I did a bit of research (i.e., i looked at the booklet that came with ELO's "Afterglow" box) and learned that the two LPs are identical but were titled differently transatlantically due to a misunderstood 'phone message -- record executives being notoriously thick. Ah, ah, telephone line.... (As someone once said, England and America are two nations separated by a common language.) As to the song, well, it ain't rock 'n' roll (not much on the album is), and is very much a Roy Wood solo piece, as he sings to (presumably) his own string and horn accompaniment (none of that heavy metal thunder, no drums 'n' bass, no wild electric guitars), it's chamber music, or chamber opera really, and quite lovely. And tragic. "Ah, look at me now / feeling emotion" is one of his best lines ever, IMHO. The seemingly emotionally empty hero finding redemption through the love of a good woman and surprised that he has found the path again, but then losing her to an act of violence. (Is it murder? Is she executed by royal decree? What is going on here?) I would theorise, just slightly off-topic, that if one compares Roy's and Jeff's contributions to this album, the two of them were quite obviously developing in totally different directions (which was already becoming apparent as far back as "MFTC") and it was inevitable that one of them would go (he says with 20/20 hindsight). Roy left and we got Wizzard, Wizzo and some extraordinary solo recordings; Jeff stayed and we wound up with "Balance of power." (Yikes! Hope i'm not going to be lambasted on the ELO list for saying that! Hey, guys, i liked "Zoom.") Cheers, Richard ********** Subject: What's in the FTM Shop... Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 14:25:14 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins John DeSilva wrote: >PS. the quad mix on "First Light - ELO" is a revelation - you can hear >even more of the cellos and acoustic guitar - awesome! John, thanks for mentioning "First Light." I don't know if early ELO fans on the Move List know this, but the enhanced limited edition 2CD version of "Electric Light Orchestra" won't be around much longer. Once it sells out, it's gone. And I'd hate to have someone here miss out on hearing Roy play cello on "Great Balls Of Fire"! (Lots of gems on this release, but for me "Great Balls Of Fire" done Roy Wood style is worth the entire price of the 2CD.) The Face The Music Shop (http://www.ftmusic.com) has only a limited supply of "First Light" 2CDs. The supply is dwindling fast... Also, the FTM Shop has a small supply of Carl Wayne's solo CD, "Carl Wayne." It was originally released on vinyl in 1972, and was released in Japan on remastered 24-bit K2 CD last year. Carl will personalize all remaining copies. (Brian Carter aka Plastic Ono Dream has been cooking up a review of Carl's album. You almost done, Brian? ;) Mike De Albuquerque fans may not want to wait to order ELO's "The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach)" because early orders will be autographed by Mike. Track listing: Daybreaker / Showdown / Daytripper / 10538 Overture-Do Ya / Mik's Solo-Orange Blossom Special / In The Hall Of The Mountain King-Great Balls Of Fire / Roll Over Beethoven Lastly, there are just four FTM back issues left, and they may be of interest to some of you. I've listed a few of the hilites from each remaining issue. Issue 22 (48 pages): cover: Roy Wood The Move Becomes ELO: Jeff Lynne at Beatles Anthology Press Conference Roy Wood Live at Cropredy Special Roy Wood at Christmas Trevor Burton & Richard Tandy Live Issue 20 (40 pages): cover: Roy Wood & ELO Part II 40 pages Roy Wood live at the Birmingham Symphony Hall Roy Wood news Roy Wood, Martin Kinch & Chris Evans - Don't Forget Your Toothbrush TV special report Issue 19 (48 pages): cover: Roy Wood Big Band Roy Wood Big Band launch - photo special Bev Bevan interviewed on The Move Roy Wood Live through the years Album review: Great Move! The Best Of the Move Issue 12 (44 pages): cover: Bev Bevan Jeff Lynne interview Dave Pritchard's 50th birthday (Dave was a member of The Idle Race) Roy Wood news Hope some of you found this information helpful! ********** Subject: Jellyfish cover I Can Hear The Grass Grow Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 01:21:20 -0700 From: "Simon Apple" This may have been posted before, but...Jellyfish used to perform I Can Hear The Grass Grow on their "Spilt Milk" tour in '93 (?). I remember seeing that show (it was one of the best "rock" performances I ever saw - they pulled off ELO & Queen type vocal harmonies way better than ELO or Queen ever did live!..with NO backing tracks, samples, or sequencing!). When they broke into this Woody classic, I was floored - even though I was likely the only one in attendance who knew the song(!), it sounded great - and it was a very pleasant surprise. Anyway!....the new Jellyfish boxed set has just been released (from Not Lame Records - the same folks who released the Lynne tribute). It's a 4 CD, 80 song set of rare, unreleased material - including a very nice live acoustic performance of I Can Hear The Grass Grow. For those familiar with Jellyfish, I'd recommend this box set - it's pretty cool. For those not familiar, I'd recommend their 2 studio albums first. If you're a fan of Jeff, Roy, Beatles, (with some Supertramp, Queen, Cheap Trick thrown in), you'll love Jellyfish - my favorite band of the '90's. Wonderful songwriting, arranging, production - everything. ----Jeff ********** Subject: Roy Wood in upcoming episode of BBC1's "Celeb" Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 18:18:34 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins I don't know which episode he'll be in, but there are only 6, so we just might be able to figure this one out! Starring Harry Enfield and Amanda Holden, "Celeb" is a brand new 6-part comedy series that will debut on BBC1 Friday, 6 September, at 9.00pm. Enfield plays the central character - an ageing, dysfunctional stadium rock star called Gary Bloke, who drives a chrome-plated, turbo-charged lawnmower around his country estate in Rockmansionshire and struggles to maintain his marriage to his publicity-obsessed wife, played by Holden. And it would seem that no rock-themed show can be without some sort of "Osbournes" controversy. According to a recent news story, Enfield has reportedly denied basing one of the characters in his new BBC series on Ozzy Osbourne, after the former Black Sabbath singer threatened to sue. Osbourne's lawyers wrote to Enfield asking him to stop portraying Osbourne or his family in his new TV show Celeb, due to be screened in September, according to the Sunday Telegraph. But Enfield insisted the show is based on a Private Eye cartoon strip which first appeared in the satirical magazine in 1987. Enfield's new character is based on fading pop star Gary Bloke, who is too rich to worry if his records sell but still wants to be a celebrity. But Osbourne, who has seen a resurgence in his career since he featured in his own reality TV show, reportedly believes the series is based on him and his family. The Telegraph said that a letter sent to Enfield urged him to "cease and desist from the inclusion of any characters in the show based on Mr Osbourne or any other member of his family". Enfield was adamant that the Osbournes were not even a factor in his writing the show. "I haven't watched a single Osbourne programme. They're so snooty, New York lawyers, aren't they? Stupid little idiots," he told the Sunday Telegraph. (Um, more information as I get it...) ********** Subject: Re: Cheap Trick Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 00:23:11 -0700 From: Zabadak900 (Rick) Open note to Roy Wood: Should the Tricksters ever ask you to write a song with them, please contact Terry Reid in L.A. for his account of his dealings w the band after the fact. ********** Subject: Re: Cheap Trick Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 00:30:40 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins >Should the Tricksters ever ask you to write a song with them, please >contact Terry Reid in L.A. for his account of his dealings w the band >after the fact. Not sure what is being hinted at here (maybe you can explain for those of us scratching our heads? :) but are you referring to Cheap Trick's cover of Reid's "Speak Now (Or Forever Hold Your Peace)"? The "Tricksters" have covered several Roy Wood (Move) songs: "California Man" on Heaven Tonight and Budakon II "Rock 'n' Roll Tonight" on Busted "Brontosaurus" on the Baby Talk 7" single "Down On The Bay" on Sex, America, Cheap Trick (Are there more?) Roy and Rick Nielsen are good friends. The band very much wanted to see Roy perform in NY in March, but were locked into a tight recording schedule. Although, Tom Petersson did manage to sneak out of the studio so he could catch the Saturday show. ********** Subject: Re: Cheap Trick Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:38:49 -0700 From: "Dale G. Leopold" Don't forget Roy's duet with CT on "Money is the Route of All Fun" on Sex, America, CT. And listmembers might also want to peruse http://www.cheaptrick.com/gallery/london2001a.jpg Dale in Richmond (for whom Cheap Trick was, in fact, the route to Roy Wood in the late 70s). ********** Subject: Re: Cheap Trick Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 23:25:18 -0700 From: "David Fatta" I just saw Cheap Trick last Sunday night at the New York State Fair. "California Man" is third in their set, featured prominently among their best known material; a place of honor. Leading into the song, they teased the crowd with the Brontosaurus riff. "California Man" is a showstopper for them, and it is done with the respect and reverence that a classic song commands. Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersen have often cited The Move as one of their major influences, listening to them in their formative days in Rockford, Illinois. The voice of their muse had a barely distinguishable Midlands accent. They are obviously big fans, and no one should be surprised if their sound is Move influenced. They carried the proud tradition of thunderingly powerful pop well into the eighties. A Brummer-at heart, David Fatta ********** Subject: Re: Woody web site Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 13:58:54 -0700 From: "Martin Kinch" John DeSilva wrote: >You've found the web site of Roy Wood superfan Martin Kinch (a member >of the Move List, although I haven't seen anything from him recently) >- his site is indeed a treasure trove of everything Woody. > >Martin - you still out there mate? Yep, I'm here,Got myself a little retirement cottage here in Lurktown. I'm a better reader than a writer, so I don't post much, but I enjoy reading all the comments and news about Roy and Co. ( Apart from the recent criticicism of Rob's work on the forthcoming CD releases that is !- I've actually seen the sleeve/booklets for these releases as some of my own collection is being used for them and I know how much work has been/is being put into them - they are worth waiting for, "Believe me now" ) I'm glad you've seen my site It would be good to have a list of all the Woody/ELO related sites (Official and Non official) I think that one of the best places to look at for a list of sites is Ray Murray's http://www.1152.org/ELO/ There are loads of great sites out there in web space. Regards Martin http://www.cherryblossomclinic.freeserve.co.uk/ ********** Subject: Rob deftly removes the pennies thrown in his soup Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 11:54:22 -0700 From: John DeSilva Rob Caiger wrote: >>Rob Caiger's credibility(as a CD compiler) is defunct. > > Not in the eyes of the record company or the band members. And > ultimately, with the approval and support of the majority of fans, > that's what matters to me. The bad news: that Rob has to waste one second "defending his life" so to speak. The good news: his description of the process is one of the most fascinating pieces on the inner workings of the music archival process that I've ever read. Thanks Rob, for being an up-front guy and representing the true fan's interests in such a professional, classy manner. JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: Re: Rob deftly removes the pennies thrown in his soup Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 16:06:41 -0700 From: "Dale G. Leopold" Hear! Here! (as Carl's new band put it on their debut album...) Rob is a fan's fan, thank goodness he's as diligent and dogged as he is. Over on the Randy Newman list that I used to inhabit, he had a doppelganger of sorts in a fellow named Gary Norris. Gary is a big fan of Randy's music (yes--obvious connection here: "The Story of A Rock and Roll Band," which was a parodic tribute to ELO. As I recall from reading various interviews, Randy was/is a fan of ELO, and received a membership kit for the ELO fan club after the song was released. Years later, of course, Jeff produced a track on Randy's "Land of Dreams" album--I can share an anecdote or two about that experience, if anyone's interested...). A while back he met Randy after a gig and managed, after a few fits and starts, to become Randy's official archivist. He is fairly obsessive about collecting memorabilia, trawling through master tapes, etc. Luckily he doesn't have to delve into the sordid financial aspects of the music business, unlike Our Rob. No envy here for *that* part of the job description... Anyway, Rob, keep up the good work, and as Paul McCartney said to Michael Jackson (this before he found out about you-know-what): "Keep your pecker up!" Dale in Richmond ********** Subject: Re: Rob deftly removes the pennies thrown in his soup Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 01:46:40 -0700 From: "chris roberts" Like JD said: > Thanks Rob, for being an up-front guy and representing the true fan's > interests in such a professional, classy manner. Sure its frustrating to experience delays in anything that one is looking forward to but when the waiting is over - oh how much sweeter is the reward for the wait. I imagine that the whingers on the ELO list are the sort who 'feel' their Christmas presents under the tree on December 24th and then get disappointed that Christmas Day is an anti-climax. Grow up you lot and stop hassling 'Santa' - it can't Be Christmas Everyday even if you Wish It Could! Rob is doing a great job and I for one am grateful he keeps us all informed along the way. 'Keep Your Hands on the Wheel' Rob! Thanks mate. Chris Cardiff, Wales, U.K. ********** Subject: Re: Rob deftly removes the pennies thrown in his soup Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:31:43 -0700 From: Tremelo7 perhaps rob should write a book about what a hassle its been putting this stuff together---i know i would buy it...and not to throw gasoline on the fire, but...where is the move live at the fillmore?...this is the most anticipated release of all...at least by me.....mike ********** Subject: Re: ELO & Move CD reissues Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 11:03:27 -0700 From: "Friedman, David, Arista - Nashville" Don't even think about questioning Rob Caiger's credibility. It is obvious that, unfortunately, the vocal list members who are doing so can't count and can't comprehend any of the economics of the music business. Whether you like it or not, it is the music BUSINESS...if it was just fun and games, then that's what it would be called. Rob has done a tremendous job and you're lucky that you have such an ally that is willing to continually keep you posted, consider your ideas and thoughts strongly, and work towards a real, proper reissue campaign. You could settle for inferior product, but WHY? How would you like a plain old remastered album with no bonus tracks, only a four panel CD booklet with no extra pictures, artifacts, or reprinted materials? If that was released you'd be throwing Rob under the bus. Look at the first ELO album reissue! Stellar job, Rob. And to rush-release something during 4th Quarter/Christmas? That is industry suicide. Every record company in the world saves their biggest and best releases for the the months of October/November/December. In the US, I can think of 10 huge albums coming in time for Christmas off the top of my head. The record companies also put tremendous amounts of marketing money behind these releases for THEY will be the ones to sell the most and give the corporations the most bang for their buck. As much as we all love the MOVE and ELO, these reissues do not fall into this same class of release. With all of that said, I'd like to register my opinion ... ROB, PLEASE FORGIVE THE LIST MEMBERS FOR THEY ARE ANXIOUS MORE THAN ANGRY ... TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS YOU NEED FOR IN THE END WE WILL THANK YOU! ********** Subject: Re: ELO & Move CD reissues Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 15:16:10 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" Rob, I'll take mine well done, not half-baked. I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Our friend Phillip would do well to read the chapter in M. Scott Peck's excellent book, "The Road Less Traveled", titled "Delaying Gratification". Good things come to those willing to wait. The trick is to learn to enjoy the wait. So I choose to relish the excellent work Rob has done so far (including his very enjoyable posts) while I eagerly look forward to what is coming, not with angst but glee! As Mr. Spock said, "Having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting". Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: All that fuss Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 11:03:57 -0700 From: "Bill Krouwel" Gosh, those people over at the ELO list DO get excited, don't they... I think I'll just stick to the Move list... For what it's worth, I think Rob's doing an excellent job in trying circumstances, and would infinitely prefer reissues to be handled by the likes of him - genuinely interested (obsessed?) people, than some "professional". Remember that the "professionals" are the ones responsible for the current state of the British music industry...Gareth Gates and all! Movingly yours, Bill Krouwel ********** Subject: There's a job to be done Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:31:38 -0700 From: "Richard Pasquini" I don't understand what anybody would be bit#$in' about...Rob is probably the best person on this planet to undertake a job like this. Roy Wood is a friggin' genius and he deserves the BEST and that is exactly what ROB IS DOING. Why settle for less...Roy Wood deserves this and the music industry isn't going to do anything for him...they only want money... they do not care about talent or a musical genius. But Rob does care and so does his fans. Rob, I am behind you 1000%. Take your time...do your best...Roy Wood deserves to be treated special. His music is special to all of us who love him. I know that this is a big job...and, Rob, your the best man for it. I know when these CD's come out that I will cherish them... ROB CAIGER, THANK YOU Sincerely, B.J. Squeens End of Useless Information #383 ******************************* [This digest is the copyright of the Move "Useless Information" Mailing List. Re-publication or re-distribution of "Useless Information" content, in any form whatsoever, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent.]