[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 #406 October 30, 2002 In this issue: * Song Of The Week (week of 10/28): "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" * Annie Haslam in concert * Song Of The Week (week of 10/21): "Wave The Flag And Stop The Train" * Wizzard wallpaper - a question! * Bootlegging the bootleg * Dreaming of Christmas (cont.) * Where Are They Now? - Keith Smart (2000) * 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: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 13:03:14 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins A lot of you have asked when you'll get to hear the rare clip that I mentioned a couple weeks back. I have the clip, just need to get it up on The Move Online site. I'm aiming for next Monday, so it will be next week's discussion song. In the meantime... Song Of The Week: October 28, 2002 "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" from the album "Message From The Country" Possible discussion topics: Vocals Lyrics - what do they mean? Instrumentation Songwriting Arrangement/Production Strong/weak points What is that sound at the beginning? *********************** "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" (R. Wood) The people throwing pennies in my soup Expecting me to be ashamed of you Now my needs are growing and I'm groping 'round I am really groping 'round We didn't break until the morning One dramatic glance Now it's too late to want your freedom It wasn't my idea to dance The prince of thunder gave his warning speech His talons dared to grasp you from my reach Once again you clutch me to your warming breast Now I lay me down to rest We didn't break until the morning One dramatic glance Now it's too late to want your freedom It wasn't my idea to dance As dawn is nearing I'm hearing tearful music So I have given you the will to weep For now you're at your last and final peak Dangerously the past explodes about by ears Loudly ringing through my ears We didn't break until the morning One dramatic glance Now it's too late to want your freedom It wasn't my idea to dance It wasn't my idea to dance © Copyright 1971 Roy Wood - The Move - Message From The Country ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 13:59:22 -0800 From: "Doyle, Joe" Oh Lynn, you had to do it didn't you? Picking the *only* RW song that I truly do not like. It's bloody awful. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 14:00:09 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Joe Doyle wrote: >Oh Lynn, you had to do it didn't you? Picking the *only* RW song >that I >truly do not like. It's bloody awful. This will probably sound very "high school," but have you listened to it with headphones? I can't tell you how many times headphones have swayed my opinion of a song I didn't like. Maybe it's because 'phones let you hear more of the complexities and intricacies. (And as Roy matured as a songwriter, his arrangements and instrumentation became wonderfully chaotic and complicated.) For a long time, I was so-so about "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance." And then one day when I was in need of rest and relaxation, I decided to listen to "Message From The Country" with headphones. It was like I was hearing the song for the first time - it sounded nothing like how I remembered it. Now it's one of my very favorites from the album. Anyway, just wondered if you've tried that approach. It doesn't always work, of course. I think "When Gran'ma Plays The Banjo" would drive me up a wall no matter how I listened to it. Ah well... ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 16:36:25 -0800 From: Bob Hughes One of my all-time favorite Roy songs- the thudding bass, the crashing drums, the oboe trio. It's so over the top, in your face Roy it's unbelievable. Everything the songs on Looking On tried to be and failed. It's just brilliant. Is this the only rock n roll tango ever written?? The beginning? bass guitar strings and a maraca slammed right up against the mike, I think. Bev is brilliant. Both of him. How many bass guitars are there? Are the oboes playing backwards at one point? I'm not sure. Where's Jeff? ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:31:09 -0800 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" Woah! This is one of my faves. Seems to be a love/hate thing in the responses so far. It is, for sure, one of Roy's most challenging pieces to listen to. It is worth noting that this is the song that opened the "Message..." LP here in the states. If one had never heard The Move before back in 1971 and bought this album out of curiosity, what would one have thought upon hearing this blaring from one's speakers? Hmmm... did anyone on the list have this experience? I played this track over & over for a while when I first got the album in '71 because the sounds emanating from my speakers, and headphones, simply blew me away. What are the sounds at the beginning? I think at first we hear a "chunka-chunka" intro on Roy's bass then some sort of percussion thru a filter or effects unit, then Bev comes crashing in with Roy playing the finest (only?) rock oboes ever recorded. I suspect minimal or, perhaps, no involvement from Jeff on this one....pretty much all Roy. I agree with Lynn, this track is best appreciated with headphones, there are some fantastic stereo effects happening on it. In fact, I had some interesting experiences with this track involving headphones and certain substances...ahem, well, it was, technically, still the 60's... Maybe that explains the lyrics....they actually made more sense when....ah, skip it... Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 19:53:59 -0800 From: John DeSilva Well, I'm usually in lock-step with Joe Doyle when it comes to opinions of the Move and Wizzard's music - but I have to strenuously disagree with him on this track. This song in my mind is Roy forming his part of the ELO sound (which makes sense given that it was recorded at the same time as the ELO tracks). No one, and I mean NO ONE could get away with an oboe as the lead instrument on a song that rocks this hard. The bass throughout the MFTC album is Roy at his best, but never was he more "crunchy" on bass than on IWMITD. It makes me wonder how much influence Roy's bass sound had on guys like John Wetton during his King Crimson tenure. Again the disparate elements of this track while by themselves wouldn't appear to go together at all fit perfectly in the hands of a sonic architect like Roy (he and Brian Wilson are on the same plain in that regard as far as I'm concerned). I'd love to hear the vocal track separated from the music - it must be hilarious 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 ). This is another one of the great opening tracks to an album for which the Move were well known ... it only got better on the ELO album. JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 21:55:55 -0800 From: "Richard Pasquini" Hi all...usually I stay pretty quite and don't have much time to respond, but this song is an exception. This Roy Wood song is absolutely GENIUS. This is definately my favorite Roy Wood song. Definately his most intense and wierdest song...I absolutely LOVE this one...I loved it when it came out...and I still love it now. "Message From The Country" was such an unbelievable album...everything was top notch on it...even the goofin' songs...all good. But this song blew all the others away...so wierd...so strange. I used to use this song to blow my friends minds way back when. When we were sittin' around under the influence...I would sit my friends down, and hand them some headphones...and but on "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance". Everyone loved it. This is a unique classic. There's no other song like it...and there is some very interesting echo effects going on, as has been stated...the playing, especially the bass is top notch (since I play the bass I can really appreciate this number). It would be really excellant if this song was a whole side of an album. I can listen to this stuff FOREVER................ enough said......I LOVE THIS ONE........... ********** Subject: Annie Haslam in concert Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 21:58:04 -0800 From: "chris roberts" I got the following info posted to me about up coming Annie Haslam shows. They are all in the US so I won't be going but I'd thought I'd share the news/plug from Annie's site WhtDoveOrg@aol.com: Come and hear the wonderful healing voice of Annie Haslam as she performs 'live' again with her 5 piece band. November 30th at The Bottom Line, NYC call .....212.228.6300 December 7th at The Keswick Theater, Glenside, PA call .....215.572.7650 (www.keswicktheater.com) December 21st at The Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, Upper Black Eddy, PA call .....610.859.0366 Februaury 7th at Stephen J. Buck Theater, New Hope - Lambertville Winterfestival, New Hope, PA. call ....215.862.2974, (www.winterfestival.net) Annie's new CD 'One Enchanted Evening' will be available for order on www.anandaangels.com second week in November. A CD of songs that have inspired Annie's musical career! There will be a limited amount manufactured so it is advised to order soon in time for the Holidays! Post us a review please if anyone goes!! :O) Regards Chris Wales U.K. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Wave The Flag And Stop The Train" Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 13:13:54 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" This early Move "B" side, touted by Bev Bevan as being an attempt to do something in the style of The Monkees, continued Roy's lyrical bent toward the strange/ macabre. In some ways many of the Move's early songs were like the Who's early "B" sides, mostly written by John Entwistle (R.I.P.), who also had a lyrical bent toward the strange/ macabre (e.g. "Boris The Spider", "Whisky Man"). As for Monkee comparisons, was this a blatant attempt to crack the US market by trying to mimic the Monks, who were wildly popular at the time? If so, the suicide theme probably thwarted it. In fact, this theme surfaced again, if in title only, on the "B " side of "Forever", "Music To Commit Suicide By" . So put off was United Artists here in the states that they changed the title to "Woodbe" (a real rarity/curio for you Brits to search for!). They could have thought of something more clever, such as "Music To Ignore Musical Geniuses By". But lyrically, this is sort of an answer to "Last Train To Clarksville" in which the love interest is urging his significant other to "Take last train to Clarksville and I'll meet you at the station". The answer is "Committing suicide was more her plan". I guess she really loathed the guy but he had such a grip on her that she figured the only way out was to tie herself to the tracks and do herself in. The guy finds out and pleads with the conductor to "Wave the flag and stop the train". This sounds as if it was recorded in a hurry. Roy has said in the early days they would sometimes record their stuff during the engineer's lunch break (see liner notes he wrote for the 2 LP "Roy Wood Story" c.1976). Bevs drumming is slightly off time in parts and the vocal harmony is a bit off key here and there. But these are minor gripes. Overall it is a cool record. Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: Wizzard wallpaper - a question! Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 15:32:37 -0800 From: "chris roberts" A few days ago George Mackenzie tipped us of to: >Check out the Top of the Pops 2 website for some cool Wizzard >wallpaper. http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/ And so the Wizzard boys are on my computer full time! :O) Now this is where I reveal my 'trainspotter past' with the question. Does anyone know which number the lads are performing here? There are a few clues: For a start Roy's wearing the pink jacket that I know he wore for a Ball Park Incident recording. But his make-up seems to come from a later period than that, to my memory at least. Both Roy and Rick are playing acoustic guitars, so....er...what does that mean? And to confuse things still further Nick Pentelow appears to be 'playing' bass!!! Just a though to get you all going :O) Regards Chris - Intrigued of South Wales (and I don't know the answer by the way!) ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard wallpaper - a question! Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 21:59:00 -0800 From: John DeSilva Chris: Great question! BTW I too love this picture - it really captures what I imagine Wizzard to have looked like in full performance. As I have never seen the TOTP performances, or been to one of the live shows (wish I had been at the Santa Monica Civic with jpjo for the show he attended), this plus my iPod will have to suffice! ;-D >For a start Roy's wearing the pink jacket that I know he wore for >a Ball Park Incident recording. >But his make-up seems to come from a later period than that, to my >memory at least. >Both Roy and Rick are playing acoustic guitars, so....er...what does >that mean? 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" ... obviously I'm guessing here as I don't know the exact song list for their TOTP performances. >And to confuse things still further Nick Pentelow appears to be >'playing' bass!!! 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). JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: Bootlegging the bootleg Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 13:02:42 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Just to update those who've been waiting patiently for info on how to get a copy of the Village Underground bootleg. I'm in the process of sending copies to the kind souls on the list who have volunteered to burn copies for other list members. I've been swamped with work and apologize for running behind with this. Would like to get input on what to do about the cover... shall we copy the whole thing, bad artwork and all? Or come up with our own front cover art/photo? Did anyone on the list take photos? E-mail me off-list if you have an opinion. Another update soon - ********** Subject: Re: Dreaming of Christmas Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 14:25:40 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" Roy's supposed desire to do new things rather than relying his older stuff raises a couple of questions... 1. Why does he continue to predominantly do his old stuff at live shows? 2. Why did he do his old Christmas hit with the "Wombles"? Obvious answer...the public likes it! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Roy doing new stuff. Doing a Christmas album would give him an opportunity to write a few new songs with a Christmas theme (even do something in the salsa style he's flirting with as a teaser), perhaps do a few covers of Christmas favorites, toss in the ones he's done already and-presto!- a complete Roy Wood Christmas album. Having such an album be recycled every year seems to me to be a good thing. And following it up with an album of all new material could only help it's sales as Roy's profile would be more pronounced directly after Christmas. I still say it's a splendid idea. Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: Where Are They Now? - Keith Smart Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:30:37 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins I found another "Where Are They Now?" piece, originally posted to the Move List back in February, 2000. Quite interesting and definitely worth re-posting... Birmingham Evening Mail February 26, 2000 by Andy Coleman WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Keith Smart of Wizzard and The Rockin' Berries CASTING A SPELL: 70s rocksters Wizzard BIRMINGHAM drummer Keith Smart toured the world with top pop bands Wizzard and The Rockin' Berries - but now he's content to stay at home, running a music booking agency. The 53-year-old operates BTWS Entertainments Ltd from his home in Kings Norton, mainly booking the Rockin' Berries into gigs but also occasionally finding work for groups like The Fortunes, Ivy League and the Merseybeats. "I got a bit tired of the touring," admits Keith, who this year celebrates his 30th wedding anniversary with wife Coletta. "Now it's great because I've got my Saturday nights free, I can watch the football results then go for a drink at my local social club." Keith has picked up his drumsticks just once in the past two years, playing at a friend's wedding reception at Birmingham Botanical Gardens when the scheduled drummer pulled out. "I didn't really want to do it but for the first time in 30 years I played with no pressure at all on me and I really enjoyed it. I'd forgotten the fun side of it and I must admit it gave me a buzz. "In fact, I met up with some friends last week and we talked about forming a band to play on a casual basis." Despite rumours of Wizzard reforming, Keith doubts it will happen. "I last heard from Roy Wood two years ago. He left a message on my answer machine inviting me to the Robin R'nB Club at Merry Hill where he was rehearsing for a solo tour. "I was in Dubai at the time but when I returned I rang him and left a message on his machine - but he never got back to me." Aston-born Keith began drumming at age 15 with The Everglades, which also included Trevor Burton. He went on to play with Danny King and the Jesters, Blaises, The Lemon Tree and The Uglies with Steve Gibbons ("I had the best time ever in The Uglies," he admits.) He formed Mongrel with Rick Price, Charlie Grima and Carl Wayne but, in the middle of recording an album, Roy Wood told them he'd had an argument with Jeff Lynne and was leaving ELO to form a new band. He asked Keith, Rick and Charlie to join as the rhythm section. "We were doing really well with Mongrel but Woody said the magic words 'I'm planning to make it big in America.' Musical differences "The band was named Wizzard, we signed with Don Arden and Roy came up with Ball Park Incident. Wizzard was launched with a bang!" Keith recalls his years with the band as one long party but musical differences led to him leaving in the mid seventies. While with Wizzard he'd also done session drumming so work was not in short supply. He worked with Clifford T. Ward for ten months before joining The Rockin' Berries in 1976. "I played with them until February 1998, going everywhere from Harrogate to Hong Kong," he recalls. "However, in 1998 we signed with a new agent who turned out to be pretty naff at finding us work. "I'd been looking after the band's business for 13 years anyway so it was suggested I took on the agency role. But we needed somebody to man the phones all year round, and since I'd had enough of touring, I agreed to come off the road." Keith still enjoys the fruits of his Wizzard years with regular royalty cheques when clips of the band are shown on television. It's an especially profitable time in December when I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day is regularly aired. "But the apple of my eye is my seven-year-old grandson Ryan," Keith says. "When I'm with him it's like being a kid again!" © Copyright 2000 Mirror Regional Newspapers ********** Subject: Re: Tell us the news about yourself... Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 00:16:44 -0700 From: shawn neale Thanks for the invite to share a little. I'll do my best to answer your q's.... Mr Shawn Neale.....young 43..... poole in England.. occupation is a civil servant within the jobcentre. Move fan for about 30 years. Started when I heard a compilation lp 'riund a friends. It had 3 tracks; it was flowers in the rain that did it for me. I then purchased the mfp Fire Brigade lp for the princely sum of 59p. That was it, me and my firend were hooked, However I had enyed 10538 overture and ball park incident. Top 5 tracks...wow that is tricky I have many LPs and many favourites, but here goes. Apologies to Jeff, if it seems Roy based. 1. Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited.....The Move 2. Open up said the World at the door...The Move 3. The thing is this, (this is the thing)... Roy wood and Wizzard. 4. Can't get it out of my head...ELO. 5. French Perfume...Wizzard Favourite album.... Eldorado by ELO..and why?.. Great songs, that are interesting without being too poppy and commercial. I think that ELO faded after this, well in my opinion. I think they were too influenced by the America market..Still couldn't blame Jeff, as his work had been overlooked for many years... What would I want more..not sure as I am really impressed so fay. Loads of great information and it is great to know that other people are as mad as I am on the move. More news on latest news if possible. Or even an Advertising notice board selling unwanted items, that sadly cannot be purchased. It would be great if people could be supplied with all the music that has been released and sadly not now available. Not sure if this is legal though, but a shame none the less. I recently saw Roy Wood's Army at Benville near Dorchester. This was on the 14/9/02 and was great. Even if it was a strange location and poorly attended. It was a little sad to see so few people and to think that such a great musicianas Roy was being ignored by the general public / media. I could give you a review of the gig if this would be useful ? I have also been to two Steve Gibbon's Band Christmas Specials at the Birmingham Odeon-Think this was around 1978 / 79. Other music: moody blues, be bop deluxe, genesis, barclay James Harvest (to 1977), Chris de Burgh, etc Burning Question..When is Roy going to release an album of new material. Even if this is a rearrangement of the old favourites. It appears that there is no interest. Why not release a live CD of a recent concert-would Roy allow this, even if it was legal ? Trouble finding discs.. I have most vinyl discs, ie move, wizzard, elo, idle race, rick price, carl wayne. However, I haven't got a copy of the LP 'On the Road Again' or Mongrel LP. I also need the Birmingham Beat by Mike Sheridan and The Nightriders. Similarly I haven't managed to obtain the CD title Brum Beat, a compilation. What I find irritating is the new cd releases with odd extra tracks. In this I am missing most of the singles on Idle Race - Back to the Story. And a few extra tracks on the remastered ElO albums, move compilations. Hope this gives you an impression of where I'm at... Shawn Neale... End of Useless Information #406 ******************************* [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.]