[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 #407 October 31, 2002 (BOO!) In this issue: * Song Of The Week (week of 10/28): "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" * Much to my surprise * Wizzard wallpaper - a question! (cont.) * Tell us the news about yourself... ============================================================== 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: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 21:58:54 -0800 From: Richard Messum I have to disagree with Joe completely on this one, IWMITD is one of their best. Vocally, it's Roy at his most sinister. I have no idea what it's about, but possibly a conniving female has entangled some hapless male in a relationship (a "dance") and he becomes attached, then she changes her mind, you know what women are like (oh, hi, Lynn), but he says no, it's too late ("to want your freedom"), you asked for it, it wasn't my idea but you're stuck with me. So what if there are pennies in my bouillabaisse, i don't care, it's a tasty soup nonetheless.... It happens to me all the time ;-) Musically, the sound at the beginning could be Bev Bevan hammering a cardboard box with a big stick, it could be Roy bashing Jeff Lynne over the head with a 'cello ... as it's played backwards it's difficult to say..... But when Bev starts playing frontwards it's some of his best and most complex work in the canon. It's all oboes 'n' bass, too, isn't it? (I've heard of drums 'n' bass, but....) I don't detect any guitar at all. (Mind you, i haven't listened through my headphones, one of the cats deposited a hairball onto them the other week and they haven't been the same since.) But, no guitar adds to the peculiar atmosphere (and was also probably a mini-revolution for the rock music of the day). It's an amazing song from an amazing album. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 02:16:36 -0800 From: Kevin Kunreuther Really wild choice for SOTW, though I prefer the oboe solos from "Feel Too Good", this features Woody's most dramatic vocals and over the top performance on a Move song. But listen to this song, people; was this song originally going to be slated for "Electric Light Orchestra" or not? No sawing cellos or sweet violins, true, but a rockin' oboe, crunchy bass guitar, a box of old pennies for added percussion at beginning of track and aforementioned dramatic verse and vocals, and I could easily slot this one somewhere on the first ELO album. I have an idea what Woody is going on about in this song. Perhaps an abstract poetic verse about two people getting hot and sweaty all night in bed. Using 'dance' for 'sex' is kinda old hat nowaday, but it makes for nice imagery, and the old Move sense of humour is running rampant throughout. Imagine Carl Wayne doing the lead vocal instead (Oh no! Rob has asked EMI if MFTC re-issue could be delayed again to track down those lost Carl Wayne guest vocals - kidding!) I think Jeff is not performing on this track, but is definitely behind the board in his producer hat (hey Roy instead of dueling guitar leads on this, how about dueling oboes, eh? It'll make the track sound more stately, you know?). When I first heard this track, I went, no, no, not for me this one, best to skip it. Never did, especially since I first heard this on the U.S. Split Ends collection, before tracking down MFTC. Still not one of my fave tracks but I've grown accustomed to this piece over the years. Question: why were all the credits goofy and wildly innacurate on the U.S. and Canadian MFTC album? ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 11:26:10 -0800 From: "Doyle, Joe" John DeSilva wrote: >.......with Roy going so over the top in the dramatic category (much >like >his opening speech on "Marston Moor" ... aha! THAT'S why Joe >doesn't >like it!!! ;-D ). No JD, I do like BOMM, very much so. This genuinely is the only Roy track that I just do not like at all. The effect it has on me is one of nails running down a blackboard - yeuuuugh. However, I'll bow to public pressure and give IWMITD a try through a headset and see if a stereophonic revelation occurs: Jimi Hendrix on oboe :). I did try that with Diary Of Horace Wimp a few years ago, after mauling it as SOTW on the ELO list, disgusting piece of plop that it is, and had to lift the stylus after about 30 seconds, whilst I ran off to vomit - mind you this track is an absolute masterpiece compared to Horace. It's all about taste though and it's nice to see that so many Listees do love this track (strange boys.... :) ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 21:54:15 -0800 From: John DeSilva Doyle, Joe wrote: > No JD, I do like BOMM, very much so. This genuinely is the only Roy > track that I just do not like at all. The effect it has on me is one > of nails running down a blackboard - yeuuuugh. Joe: Right - I was referencing your distaste for Roy's opening speech on TBOMM. It has that overwrought, Shatneresque quality that is in evidence on IWMITD. As I said before, it would be a hoot to hear the vocal track without instrumentation, if only to give Bill Shatner some further acting lessons!! ;-D Even if you don't like this one, you're still my Move/Wizzard hero Joe!!! JD the second San Jose, CA ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 11:26:34 -0800 From: unicorn1 (Tammy) I love this one! I only got hold of "Message from the Country" a few years ago, and won't say it was 'love at first hearing' with IWMITD, but it definitely grows on you. Thanks for the headphone tip, Lynn! What a difference. Who played bass on this one? It's such a prominent instrument here... unusually so, but it works, especially at the end. As for the words, who knows? I get the image of a relationship in which one partner's been pushed into something he's not ready for, and society takes a dim view of it. Anger on the speaker's part. A touch of despair? Vindictiveness? (i.e., "You got us into this, now deal with it!") A dark little song...and one of Roy's best. This is one of those songs (and albums) that usually only gets played in the car. Otherwise, all I hear is "Would you please turn that *#=%^ down!!" Makes me feel like a teenager again. ;-) ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 02:17:13 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" This is a real corker! The mix is the best, stereo never got any better than the way instruments are moved to great effect on this song. The song sounds very sinister. The lyrics give a sort of doomed impression along with the sinister sound of the music. What is it about? Only Roy knows i bet, but we may find out when 'First Light' MFTC comes out next year. I still do not understand why the Move albums met with such poor sales at the time because they are great albums. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 11:27:05 -0800 From: "Richard Shaw" I'll come out of the shadows to say that this is my favourite Roy Wood song. Bizarre and brilliant - a microcosm of the man himself, although the song doesn't have long hair or a beard. I've no idea what it's about, but it doesn't matter, because the imagery of the lyrics is enough. Somehow I picture a couple who are clinging to each other, having lost their last chance at greatness and who are now near the bottom of the heap. But who knows? ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 15:31:44 -0800 From: David Gofstein Hiya All: As one of those Americans who joined the party around the time of Split Ends, this was one of my first favorites by Roy and/or The Move. (The other was the not at all similar Chinatown.) This song is just so darn odd!! I love it. The galumphing bass all the way through it, the vaguely Eastern sounding oboes, the stentorian (sp?) vocal, the incomprehensible lyrics which somehow still sound important, the oboe freak out at the end----what a hoot this thing is! It makes me smile and scratch my head every time. It wasn't my idea to lurk, dave g ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 15:31:58 -0800 From: Joe Ramsey Richard Shaw wrote: >I'll come out of the shadows to say that this is my favourite Roy >Wood song. Bizarre and brilliant - a microcosm of the man himself, >although the song doesn't have long hair or a beard. I don't know, Richard... if a song *could* have long hair and a beard, it would be this one. It causes me heartfelt contrition to disagree with my Namesake from the North, but Mr Doyle... I must, I must. Have always loved this one. Sounds like Roy on everything but drums - killer bass, but that instrument is great on the whole album. This was smack in the middle of Woody's Bass-Fixation, which seemed to begin with "Brontosaurus" and continue right on through the whole of "Message From The Country" to "10538 Overture." After that, "Sawing Cello-Mania" took over (which, if you really think about it, may be the exact same thing. Groovy!). Sounds like Bev Bevan shaking his bag lunch in the very beginning of the song before the drums kick in. My guess is a ham sandwich, deviled egg and protein drink. I've loved EVERY song Roy features the oboe on. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 15:32:54 -0800 From: "Steve" I would also list this as my fave Roy track. Nothing like it anywhere. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 04:06:50 -0800 From: "Dale G. Leopold" I've been enjoying this discussion of IWMITD, even though--(sniff)--I've never heard the song! I have the "California Man" LP, which was my introduction to Roy and the Move back in, oh, 1978? This song was missing from the album, along with "Ben Crawley" (never heard that 'un either) and "My Marge" (ditto). So now I'm *really* looking forward to the First Light MFTC in March. Given the comments about headphones, I expect I'll need to grow a second pair of ears to *really* enjoy the quadraphonic mix of this song that will no doubt be featured on Disc 2. BTW I've only recently become aware of the re-mix and re-release of some albums on the DVD-Audio format (mixed to take advantage of the surround speakers, with song track info displayed on your TV). A review I read of Richard Thompson's "Rumour and Sigh" in that format sounded extremely cool--I'll be ordering that shortly. At the risk of being drawn and quartered by the other listmembers for causing even a day's further delay on any First Light releases, has Rob looked into this for any First Light projects? (I can hear the sound of budgets being torn asunder as I type). If that happens, then I can proudly say It Was My Idea to Remix... Cheers, Dale in Richmond ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 04:07:22 -0800 From: "Doyle, Joe" Well I'll definitely cede that the stereo work is first class, when listened through a headset, and that this track does have an Electric Light Orchestra first album feel about it. Apart from that, come back Horace all is forgiven (OK, well not quite, but I still don't like this track). I got the impression that I was sharing some sort of mental breakdown with Roy near the end, when the oboes go mad. Not my cup of tea at all. ********** Subject: Much to my surprise Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 21:57:39 -0800 From: Plastic Ono Dream original title: "bc gets a monkey grip in the court of wizzard wyman as his pentelow gets nicked!" okay? so let's start the fun. i went to a "bill wyman" book signing last night here in wonderful new york city. a few days earlier i noticed on "all music guide" that "wizzard" horn man "nick pentelow" played on the first two "rhythym kings" (bill wyman's current band) recordings. so, i thought, if i can weasel my way up to "bill wyman", i'll get a "wizzard" connection question in! after a very long wait in a very long line, with a very heavy book ("rolling with the stones" a giant coffee table book, 54 bucks & worth a lot more!) i was ushered up to "bill wyman" by one of the many large british female publicists. keep in mind when i'm face to face with someone famous i become a seat wetting screaming "beatles" girl. "hey bill man, howya doin'? man, "monkey grip" & "stone alone" are great! i'm so glad they came out on cd!" said i. he looked at me in disbelief, & made that little exhilation noise, "pfft"...like "yeah right". i said "yeah man they're great". he smiled & said "thanks". he's very cool, & looks great for being 67! i said "you know that sax player you used on the 1st two "rhythym kings" cd's"...he was signing my book & looked really interested now... "nick pentelow" i said. "yeah...nick...you know him?" bill said. "no, i...i don't know him...but you know he played with "roy wood's wizzard!" i said. "you know him?" bill said. "uh no man, just from playing with...ROY WOOD!" i said. "...oh..." said bill. "alright then...next!" said the large female u.k. publicist. and that was it! so i guess he's not a huge "woody" fan. but it's cool "nick pentelow" is still doing stuff with high caliber people. and "rolling with the stones" will make the best xmas gift for any "stones" fan on your list! time for my "19th nervous breakdown". i love "it wasn't my idea to dance" by the way. every bit of it brilliant! ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard wallpaper - a question! Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 21:59:26 -0800 From: "Andrew Clark" > Does anyone know which number the lads are performing here? I am pretty sure that this is the Top Of The Pops performance for Angel Fingers. ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard wallpaper - a question! Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 00:20:26 -0800 From: John DeSilva I wrote previously: >I believe that Nick is playing a guitar - it's definitely a Gibson, >and judging by the tuning pegs I'll guess it's a Les Paul Custom or >possibly an SG Standard. Gibson bass tuning pegs are typically much >larger, silver, and shaped kind of like an inverted club (as in >playing cards). I take it back - I think that is a bass Nick is playing. I gave it a much closer look, and I noticed that the tuning pegs aren't close together as they would be on a guitar. So maybe it's an SG bass (or whatever they call it - the one that Jack Bruce played for most of his Cream tenure). JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard wallpaper - a question! Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 00:22:17 -0800 From: VJOHN307 John DeSilva wrote: >Based on the fact that Rick Price is wearing the jacket he sported on >the cover of "Eddy And The Falcons" (and this was confirmed by Martin >Kinch), AND the fact that both Roy and Rick are playing acoustics, >I'm going to guess that they're doing "This Is The Story Of Our >Love". It's also possible that they're doing "Angel Fingers" ... I'll have to check out the wallpaper, but off the top of my head, I'd guess 'Angel Fingers'. Vague memories of seeing their appearance on TOTP for this in 1973, though I've never seen the video since (was it wiped?), also 'Disc & Music Echo', in its full colour centre-spread poster series, used a still from 'AF' on TOTP in which Roy is playing (or miming!) an acoustic. (The poster also had an inset of Roy in tartan trousers with the cello, I think - this is from memory as my poster disintegrated aeons ago). I don't think they ever did 'Story Of Our Love' on TOTP (only minor Top 40 entry) - in fact, I've never seen them do this one on TV at all. John Van der Kiste ********** Subject: Re: Tell us the news about yourself... Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:00:47 -0800 From: C17456H Tell us the news about yourself... >Your name, age, location, occupation. Carmelo Hernández 42 Alicante (Spain) Teacher, Musician, Writer >How long have you been a Move and/or Roy Wood fan? Really involved since 1999/2000 >What was your first Move related experience? When i bought my first Cd (California Man) of The Move. It was a real-magic "déjà vu moment" and since then i fall in love with The Move. >Tell us about your top 5 favorite Move related tracks. Blackberry Way Hello Suzie Looking On Message from the country Do ya >What's your favorite Move related album, and why? Looking On, because this album was the necessary bridge of progression between the original Move-sound and the futured ELO-sound; and because it was the first meeting between Roy and Jeff. >If you've seen the Move or any member of the Move in concert, tell us >about that show. Only in my dreams. >Who are some of your other favorite artists/bands? Procol Harum Jimi Hendrix Cream Beach Boys Beatles >Are you having trouble finding any Move related music on CD? Not really. If the Cd is commercially available then I'll find a way to locate it. ********** Subject: Re: Tell us the news about yourself... Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:51:43 -0800 From: Chris Hooley >Your name, age, location, occupation. Chris Hooley, 43 years old, living north of Paris. Mis-spent youth in Coventry. Currently unemployed and looking to change career. Ex Financial Printing Manager for evil money-grabbing american company who cut and ran. >How long have you been a Move and/or Roy Wood fan? Since 1972 proper. >What was your first Move related experience? Either hearing Fire Brigade on the early precursor to "pop radio" on the Bee-Bee-Cee, in 1968. I think they allowed 30 minutes of such melodies in those days. Must have been by chance since my parents didn't indulge me in listening to "pop music". OR (as Shawn Neale reminded me recently in his own introduction) a compilation album, which someone gave me. Tell me Shawn, was it "14 Top Hits" freebie, released by the Sun and including Joe Cocker, Procul Harum, The Move and T Rex"? Anyway, like Shawn I got my hands on the mfp, "Fire Brigade", by which time I was hooked and moving on the 'ard stuff. >Tell us about your top 5 favorite Move related tracks. California Man. Always been No1. Sounded great on a little dansette, at 45, 33 and 78. And still sounds wonderful today (but I only listen to it at the correct speed these days, because I'm much more sensible and conservative (oh, and because I no longer have a Dansette). Down on the Bay Angel Fingers Brand New 88 Cherry Blossom Clinic (Revisited) But heck, ask me tomorrow and the last four could easily swap around with many others. I mean, I haven't even got any ELO ones in there. >What's your favorite Move related album, and why? Wizzard Brew, because it was probably the first "real" album I bought, and it was central to my growing up. The music, the artwork, the look. Brilliant. It was my teenage years. Just wish I'd stuck to music and learned loads of instruments like "the Man", then I might have avoided ending up a sodding Printing manager (unemployed). I can still play the violin, Roy/Jeff, if you ever decided to get back to the original ELO formula. >What topics would you like to see discussed on this list? It's entertaining just as it is. I'm amazed how knowledgeable everyone seems to be, chuffed that there's so much interest, and glad to find that the music lives on! >If you've seen the Move or any member of the Move in concert, tell us >about that show. Wizzard, Locarno, Coventry. Wizzard, Coventry Theatre. Electric Light Orchestra, Cov Theatre Electric Light Orchestra somewhere in Brum. Just damned fine, all of them. I can't remember particular details these occasions were nearly thirty years ago. But they were instrumental to my life. Thanks guys! But I did get to say hello to the chaps in Wizzard, Bev Bevan, and finally Mr Wood himself. Made me up for life. >Tell us about an amusing or interesting situation that has happened >as a result of you being a Move/Roy Wood fan. Not particularly amusing, but I seem to remember that Rock and Roll Winter's release was repeatedly delayed until we were well into Spring. Kind of missed the point in the end. I was on a hiking holiday in Derbyshire and was determined to get a copy the day it finally came out. Funnily enough, the village shops (local shops like in Royston Vesey - there was nothing in there for meeeee!) didn't stock it. When I finally got hold of it when I got back to the big bad city of Coventry, all the copies were warped. There, told you it wasn't funny........ >Who are some of your other favorite artists/bands? Beach Boys Dave Edmunds Squeeze Talking Heads Stranglers Manic Street Preachers >Which Move related song do you wish one of your favorite bands >would cover? I think they should leave them well alone. I think they're just fine as they are. But if a group was going to do something, then perhaps Mink deVille might do some good renditions, of Move/Wizzards more ballsy numbers. >What is the one burning question that you have never had answered >in relation to Move/Roy Wood history or music? Is Roy resposnible for the twisted variation of IWICBCED on the "Family Hamper.com" advert currently playing incessantly on TV at the moment. If yes, is he getting good royalties from it? It's bloody awful, because it it's almost recognisable, but never gets going. If no, then he ought to find out who's ripping him off and get his dues. >Are you having trouble finding any Move related music on CD? This is France. Home of Johnny Halliday and a number of other unspeakably bad "musicians" (I use the term loosely). I have tended to dig out the vinyl when I get the urge, but I shall eventually treat myself to the entire works on CD. And I'll come home to get it. Right that's enough from me, Ta-ra a bit! Chris End of Useless Information #407 ******************************* [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.]