[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 #452 March 4, 2003 In this issue: * Move-less Wood (OR, I woke up with...) * Roy and The Move? * Wood-less Move (cont.) * Reformed Move without Roy? (cont.) * Isn't it amazing... * Move on (two) * Wizzard to reform but Roy Woodn't (cont.) * Woke up in a wooden zombie birdhouse * Roy Wood Cover * Bev's question * New Name for Wood-less Move * Song Of The Week (week of 3/3): "The Words Of Aaron" * Move Over Sabbath * Arthur Lee and Love live in London 31/03/2003 * Reunion ============================================================== 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 TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail to move-digest-request@eskimo.com with the word "unsubscribe" (no quotes) in the subject line ============================================================== Subject: Move-less Wood (OR, I woke up with...) Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 23:53:38 -0800 From: Joe Ramsey A Wood-less MOVE is like: 1. A fake Christmas tree 2. An aluminum baseball bat 3. Pergo Flooring 4. A modern pirate's artificial leg 5. A zombie birdhouse 6. Veneer 7. A toothless George Washington 8. Safe-burning fireplace logs (with gas burner... BAH!) 9. Drywall (NOT Stan Ridgway's band!) 10. ELO Part II In other words, it probably shouldn't be done. Love, respect, props and kudos to all members of the group, but without the main creative inspiration, it would really seem pretty pointless to me. Better that Carl and his amazing pipes keep singing for the Hollies (with a few Move tunes sprinkled in for good measure, of course), Trevor doing the blues that he loves and Ace maybe making a LONG overdue solo album with a little help from his friends. That would all be wonderful. Jeff Lynne needs a drummer. I think Bev would work out fantastically. Just a fantasy, but rather than a Move reunion. I would love to see a MOVE ENTERPRISES stage show. Every member that either played for Move, ELO or Wizzard all onstage at once doing a - gee, what would it be? - a retrospective, a historical recreation of every facet of this amazing group of musicians. From "Night Of Fear" to "10538 Overture" to "Are You Ready To Rock." So many of the players overlap anyway. Can you imagine? Roy Wood is such a treasure. I love it that he won't do anything nostalgic. Leave that to Sir Paul McCartney. But Roy has always worked best when he had a foil; a sidekick, pointing him in the right direction. How about a BRAND NEW GROUP, doing BRAND NEW MUSIC with Charlie Wayne??? I would buy 100 CDs myself. (And play them all at once!) Peace in, up & out! ********** Subject: Roy and The Move? Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 14:20:34 -0800 From: John Collins I thought it was time to join the debate, having seen many posts on the subject! I have looked at this from quite a few angles. Let me get a fact out the way first. In every interview I have heard Roy give in recent years, he has made it clear, that he does not want to live in the past. He has no interest in reforming The Move. If you think about it, he won't even release the Live album, as it is full of old material. I find it disappointing though, that perhaps for just one night, or a few nights, we can't see The Move. At the age of 43, I have never seen the Move, apart from old video footage. I am certain a reformed Move could fill out the NEC in Birmingham. If the Move want to go without Roy, well good luck to them. I might be talked into it, but I would say at this time, I doubt if I would see them. Like many others, I am a Roy fan first, a Move one second. Not only that, but it would not be the same. Roy has very distinctive vocals, and you would notice him missing for sure. The lads can call themselves The Move if they want, but putting the name on something does not mean it will sound like the band. Sorry to drag this up on this list, but Zoom comes to mind as the best example. Lynn's fears are correct here the press would instantly pick up on any missing band member. What is strange however about Roy's stand, is that 80% of the Army's numbers live are old material. As much as I enjoy it, would some of it sound better done by The Move? One final thought. I am told, and I have read, that The Move's stage act was over the top, and really something, would that be the same? I will leave it with you! ********** Subject: Re: Wood-less Move Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 22:55:16 -0800 From: dregsfan I not only have no problem with a Wood-less Move, in fact, I think it would be SO COOL! My main thing is, if Roy doesn't want to do it, but gives his blessing if others would like to, then why not?! Why should Roy's lack of interest hold up listeners who want to hear it, and former band members than want to do it. Also remember that although Roy was the main writer in the band, he wasn't the only one singing at any point in time. And Roy actually wrote less of the Move's entire body of work--even before Jeff entered the group--than Jeff did for ELO. As for the critics slamming them, that's bound to happen no matter what they call themselves. I feel like you just can't win. See any debate about Pink Floyd/Roger Waters/David Gilmour. Each side has valid points. But they're the ones *fighting* over it. Doesn't sound like Roy and the Move would be fighting. Also, I always think it's unfair to the musicians, if they choose another name, no matter how good they are, they won't get anywhere NEAR the attention they might deserve. I remember when Yes reunited once and they didn't have the guy (Chris Squire) who had the rights to the "Yes" name, so they had to call themselves "Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe." Seemed so silly. And, yes, they got much less attention than they might have otherwise. Anyway, I'm all for it. But then again, it's not like they'll play here in the US! :( Joe in Baltimore ********** Subject: Re: Wood-less Move Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 22:55:08 -0800 From: MarkP I feel a need to weigh in on this ... I'm of the 'The Move IS Roy' camp. Some can and *have* pulled off exhumations w/o a key player or players but The Move w/o Roy just *seems* really not right from my perspective. Although .. I had doubts about the recently re-formed Creation. No Kenny Pickett manning the larynx? How good could they be? Well ... and now this is going against my grain of thought concerning The Move ... they were AWESOME. But I have serious doubts on a Roy-less Move ... any configuration. ********** Subject: Re: Wood-less Move Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 13:04:01 -0800 From: kakman1 Here's a question for everyone who thinks the Move without Roy just wouldn't be The Move. When Ace Kefford and then Trevor Burton left the Move in 1968, did anyone stop buying records or going to the show or even paying attention? When Carl Wayne gave his notice in 1970 did people pelt rocks and garbage at the new configuration with Jeff Lynne? And here's the real goats and sheep divider: The Move was going to be phased out anyway if ELO was a hit, they only kept the name alive on paper and in the studio to please nervous record company execs. So, would ELO have been better off if Roy stayed or did it suck after he bid Jeff and Bev adieu? Not a fair question, you say? I think it is. If any new Move is configured but had only Bev Bevan and that was it as far as original members, my cynic meter WOULD be in the red. If Carl is involved, then the meter goes back to the other side of the dial. They both are demanding musicians and look for a certain quality and comradeship in other musicians. So no matter what Bev does, if he does put together a Move reunion for either a one-off charity gig or a working concern with little or no other original members, they will be a good band, at the very least. It won't be the same for many people, some of us will have one eyebrow raised, arms folded and critiquing the hell out of it, while everyone else is having a good time, because in the end, if the band is good any way, WHO CARES IF IT ISN'T THE ORIGINALS? You say I'm full of it? Go and see The Hollies next gig and shout out, "Where's the original singer?" and see where that gets you. This is all beginning to seem like a tempest in a teapot. Except maybe for charity one off gigs, we all know Bev isn't really going to put out a new Move, with or without Roy. Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Re: Wood-less Move Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 19:09:46 -0800 From: Gmcorie The MOVE without ROY would be like the BEATLES without JOHN. louisiana george ********** Subject: Re: Reformed Move without Roy? Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 03:50:43 -0800 From: ri I love the Move from the Message from the Country and Looking On era. Even if Roy were interested, I don't believe the band can ever really re-form because those exuberant and experimental young men are gone now, replaced by older versions of themselves; pop culture has changed; record companies are not inclined to experiment with anything that doesn't fit into a hot-selling niche. How long does a firefly live, how long can a spark last? Hardly seemed to last a day but it's over. (Crash Knorr, writing from rural Florida) ********** Subject: Re: Reformed Move without Roy? Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 22:54:58 -0800 From: "vellini" What about Creation??? ********** Subject: Re: Reformed Move without Roy? Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 23:47:24 -0800 From: ri "vellini" wrote: > What about Creation??? I'm not familiar with Creation. When my other favorite band, Procol Harum, got back together after a long hiatus, the results were mediocre. Not horrible, but it was obvious from the music and lyrics that the guys were much older and more comfortable and perhaps more sober, and they had lost that "edge" which only young men can have. It's hard to believe that 50-ish year old Move members could create anything on a par with Feel Too Good or Down on the Bay. I don't blame Roy for not being interested. After the band memberspass away I'd bet some fans would want to cryogenically freeze their bodies and then, when technology makes it possible, thaw them out at 25 year intervals, force them to perform a reunion concert, then plop them back into the liquid nitrogen for another quarter century. Imagine how hellish it must be to have people wanting you to inhale the fumes of a car you drove 30 years ago. ********** Subject: Isn't it amazing... Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 23:54:32 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Richard Messum wrote a while back about "Useless Information": >Incidentally, who is it saying "Isn't it amazing" on this? It reminds me >very much of the way that one of Mott the Hoople speaks the words "All the >way from Memphis" on their song of that name. Richard, I'm 99.9% certain this is Trevor. We will have to go to Trevor for the definitive answer. ********** Subject: Move on (two) Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 22:55:56 -0800 From: "Warhorse" The new band could of course make a virtue out of a necessity and put out a CD of their great hits, each with a different, 'big name' vocalist! For example, T** J**** singing 'Flowers in the Rain' with them, or A*a*t*c*a singing 'Brontosaurus' with them! Make your own further selections, as you wish! One of the above has already had success with a similar project on their own! ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard to reform but Roy Woodn't Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 12:00:48 -0800 From: kakman1 Peter Manion wrote: >Next Friday I have tickets to see Roy Wood in Bilston, and then, two >weeks later, Carl with 'The Hollies' in Cheltenham, and I can't help >myself, as much as I am like a stick of rock with 'Woody' through the >middle, it is 'Carl and The Hollies' I am looking forward to most, in >terms of entertainment value on the night! Dang! If I knew someone was going to the gig ahead of time (like say one month) i would have asked to post my Wizzo album (and single!) to one of you and had Woody sign it that night. Why that night? It's my fortieth birthday! I don't know, what's fed Ex to Uk from Texas? ;0) Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard to reform but Roy Woodn't Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 14:20:01 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" I'm going but Roy sometimes may not sign anything if he arrives late, i got Jap Boulders CD signed a few years back. You are to late to get it to me this time but he will be back there later in the year. ********** Subject: Woke up in a wooden zombie birdhouse Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 22:55:51 -0800 From: Plastic Ono Dream well it's about time we heard from "jpjo", his coffin lid has been closed too long! joe, joe, joe...haven't we come to the conclusion that "bev bevan" will most likely never play with "jeff lynne" again? what if "bev bevan" has nobody but "neil lockwood" lined up for "the new move review"? just what's up his deep voiced sleeve anyway? is all this speculation, joy & angst for nothing? at the next "roy wood's army" show, can someone please ask him who sings "crazy jeans"? i thought the "isn't it amazing" bit was "woody"! how about the "ooh" in "fire brigade"? we live to obsess! hey! i like the cover for "main street"! check please... ********** Subject: Re: Woke up in a wooden zombie birdhouse Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 23:46:54 -0800 From: Rob Caiger > how about the "ooh" in "fire brigade"? Carl ********** Subject: Roy Wood Cover Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 14:59:36 -0800 From: "Greg Weatherby" To those who are completists, and those who would like a different take on one of our beloved Roy's tunes, the great Martin Gordon will be releasing his first solo album come March 18th. Martin who, you say? Martin has a long pedigree. He has played with, and written for, such groups as Sparks, Jet, Radio Stars, and the recent incarnations of John's Children. The Roy song? "Tonight"! As in, I'll be over....... His take on the song? "Roy clearly has other things on his mind than intellectual improvement. And what's all that about overcoats? And endless tea? Strange bedfellows, if you ask me... Must have been all those ferret butties that they consume oop North. Even the brown furry bits were white and hairless" Check it out at http://www.eggtoss.co.jp/index.e.htm ********** Subject: Re: Wood-less Move Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 14:59:31 -0800 From: "Bruce & Cathy Anthon" Hi!! Down here in Aust we never got THE MOVE or ROY. We've had Jeff & Bev (& company) a couple of times. We may get Carl on a Hollies tour if we're lucky. All "Move" related projects have had various levels of success here (as in the rest of the world), so if I was you guys in the UK & to a certain degree, the USA & Europe, I'd shut up & take what is offered when it happens. Then make the choice whether you want to attend. What's the big deal? All be it great, it's only music!!! Imagine if you were a Iraqi Move fan!!!!!! Get over it & enjoy the music...& before all the Aust-cobber jokes start flying all I have to say is "I'm just looking on"......BOLLOCKS!!! Bruce the Basher ********** Subject: Bev's question Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 15:00:22 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins This is for the benefit of new members who must be wondering why the list is debating a Move reformation. A couple months back Bev Bevan agreed to answer questions from list members. One of the questions was: Q3: Bev, will it be you or Carl Wayne who finally gets Roy to agree to reform 'The Move' and not only do a couple of gigs but record again? His answer: A3: OK. The million dollar question. Roy has made it pretty plain that he is not interested in re-forming the 'Move'. He's also shown no objection to a re-formation of the band without him. I'd be genuinely interested in what everyone who logs on to 'useless information' thinks about this. Would you attend a 'Woodless' Move performance? Your arguments, pro and con, have been very compelling and passionate. When I fax your comments to Bev next week, I'll include your geographical locations so he can gauge UK sentiment vs. overseas. It's been a varied mix of opinions so far - I just want you all to know that there are no right or wrong answers here. Your opinions are of interest to Bev, or he wouldn't have asked for them. ********** Subject: New Name for Wood-less Move Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 23:48:07 -0800 From: "Stephen Simpson" Well, if some of the former Move members are going to get together and play WITHOUT ROY WOOD, they will need a name, won't they? So, while they have not *yet* asked me for my advice on this subject, I thought I would nonetheless try to lend a hand. I think we all should. So, here goes nothing... 1. Fields of People Missing Roy Wood 2. The Orchestra 3. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe 4. Moved 5. Blackberry Weighed in the Balance and Found Wanting 6. The Wood-less Move (this name is growing on me) 7. Eddy & the Falmouths 8. The Disturbance...Because Roy's Not In Our Band 9. Sgt. Paddy's Dicey Proposition Band 10. Wizzard Part Two Seriously, I think any combination of these other gents would be a great band. Just don't call it The Move, please! Yes, I would love to hear them play. Stephen in Bama ********** Subject: Song Of The Week: "The Words Of Aaron" Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 20:24:06 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Song Of The Week: March 3, 2003 "The Words Of Aaron" from the album "Message From The Country" Possible discussion topics: Vocals Lyrics Songwriting Instrumentation Arrangement/Production Live performance ***************************** "The Words Of Aaron" (J. Lynne) Maybe the years have told you Do you remember when life was just a new day? You know the story don't you? The one you told me when life was slipping away Aah, look at the brand new day Sitting here upon the milky way Aah, look at the dancing girls Sitting holding hands across the world You got a brand new lady Just like the one you left down in some other place Reading all the letters Saw your face coming through on the ouija board Look at the brand new day Sitting here upon the milky way Aah, look at the dancing girls Sitting holding hands across the world You heard the words of Aaron He spoke the truth in these things both great and small You can throw away the ashes You sweep them over the world of your own accord Did you know the real answer? You'd see the kind of mistakes that you can't afford ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "The Words Of Aaron" Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 03:14:41 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" This was Jeff back on form with great lyrics. He steered away from the Idle Race on Looking On, but was soon back on form with ELO and MFTC. It was a shame they called it a day with this album, its fantasic. It was a sad fact that the Move on lp got overlooked, they were a lot more than a singles band. They made great albums has we all know, i started with Shazam after cutting my teeth on Wizzard all those years ago. Great song, great album and there will soon be a stampede to get the remaster! ********** Subject: Move Over Sabbath Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 13:25:18 -0800 From: "David Woodier" Found in the letters section of March Record Collector ...with reference to article on Black Sabbath. While I found it very good reading I'd like to make the following points: there was no such definition as heavy rock in the early 70's. To suggest there was a big gap between this and progressive music is ridiculous, as it was all under the same belt at the same time. Also, who came first - Black Sabbath or the Move? Shazam came out one month before Sabbath's debut. Although the Move's Looking On, which is a hell of a record, came out three months after Paranoid. I think we should give Roy Wood some credit! Well said that man!! Not being a big Sabbath fan or having read the article I can only assume that the article was suggesting that Sabbath were the 'pioneers' of prog rock, but he believes Roy played a big part? One thing you can safely say about Roy's writing career is that it is certainly varied. The marketing plan for a Woody Box set would be interesting!! ********** Subject: Arthur Lee and Love live in London 31/03/2003 Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 03:15:03 -0800 From: andrew codd During the recent Woodless Move comments someone mentioned Arthur Lee and Love. I know it's a bit off topic for the Move list but could be of interest to at least some of the London fans. Arthur Lee and Love are doing a club gig under the name "The Andmoreagains" on the 31st of March at the Scala in London which is a great venue to see a band in. (I'd definitely go see Carl, Bev and at least one other ex member of the Move play there!) My dad and I will be there. All the best. Andrew Codd ********** Subject: Reunion Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 20:25:08 -0800 From: Gmcorie my 2 cents again. Move reunion would be great. no way without ROY, he's the heart of the MOVE can't live without a heart. would like to see anyone from the old group. chance of anyone coming to louisiana what a joke. i ask again is there any MOVE fans in louisiana beside me. to me the ultimate would be a reunion in the studio ROY & JEFF. first light was the best Lp ELO [musically] ever release. the genius of the 2 with all their experience in songwriting talent, creative energy and producing, no one can match their experience and if ace, trevor, richard or carl could put in their 2 cents [guess Bev & Jeff can't work together] the creative genius of the music they could make. put this on my wish list. louisiana george End of Useless Information #452 ******************************* [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.]