[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 #442 February 6, 2003 In this issue: * Dream of Unwin * Wizzard on U.S. TV (cont.) * 'Move' lead vocals (cont.) * Move 'Movements' Set * Song Of The Week (week of 2/3): "Wear A Fast Gun" * Woody and releases * Who is Roy's "old friend"? * The Shazam ============================================================== 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: Dream of Unwin Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 14:15:40 -0800 From: roy-unwin Re: Track 16 on the CD Roy Wood and Wizzard has the title "Dream of Unwin." Having the surname "Unwin," and first name "Roy," not to mention also a beard, I am curious to have some information about this title, particularly, who was this Unwin, and what was the dream? Roy Unwin ********** Subject: Re: Dream of Unwin Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 02:47:46 -0800 From: kakman1 Roy Unwin writes: >Having the surname "Unwin," and first name "Roy," not to mention also >a beard, I am curious to have some information about this title, >particularly, who was this Unwin, and what was the dream? I may be an American in Texas, but I'm guessing that the title is a reference to Stanley Unwin, UK comedian who had unique way of speaking that had even East Enders and Cockneys scratching their heads(If possible track down hard to find CD version of Small Faces "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake", Stanley's unique verbiage is featured as the narrator on half the album). Then again, I maybe completely full of jelly babies, but it's a fair guess I'd say. Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard on U.S. TV Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 12:00:12 -0800 From: Hypergon Just a quick note to remind people that Wizzard did appear on Midnight Special here in the good old US of A. I think they might have been on twice. It would be great to find those videos for release someday. ********** Subject: Re: 'Move' lead vocals Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 12:00:29 -0800 From: Bob Kelly Lynn Hoskins wrote: >Hey Grandma sounds to me like a shared lead between 3-4 singers, with >Bev doing the count and Carl coming in first... (Am I right?) > >That's Trevor on Weekend. > >C'mon experts...put on your headphones and help us out here... I'll just quickly say that I think the big strength of the band's vocals was the way they were able to chop and change between 3 or 4 potential lead singers within a song. On the subject of Trevor Burton, doesn't he also take the "Three small bodies..." part of Walk Upon The Water? ********** Subject: Move 'Movements' Set Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 11:26:03 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" I have said before on the list that the 'Movement Set' is awful. I have these rare tracks on the Jap Mini Sleeve LP CD'S. The sound quality is a lot better on these. But again it is that awful version of the Shazam LP and the first lp by the Move is mastered of a Dat copy tape so it is still not great, only better. Also you still have a lot of the running times cut down on some of the singles. ICHTGG being the worst effected. I collect this stuff, so if it sounds bad, like Lynn i will not play it often. The Jap released cd's are not bad. They are the best sounding. Looking On is pretty good, Shazam is poor, the first LP is inbetween. They are now deleted, but you can still find them about. Only search them out if you collect the stuff. If not wait for Rob's remasters they will blow this lot away! ********** Subject: Song Of The Week: "Wear A Fast Gun" Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 01:11:18 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Song Of The Week: February 3, 2003 "Wear A Fast Gun" from the album "Wizzard Brew" (or "Wizzard's Brew" if you're in America) Possible discussion topics: Vocals Lyrics (corrections always welcome) Instrumentation Songwriting Arrangement/Production Personal interpretation *********************** "Wear A Fast Gun" (R. Wood) When you're walking down And there's no pavement on the street You see the light for it's still calling you Let it go boy -- let it be When you're walking down Feeling all screwed up inside Your woman waits oh! how she'll weep for you Let it go boy -- let it ride Wear a fast gun and you'll be alright Through the fight stand by me Wear a fast gun, and you'll live tonight. Holding on -- Holding on Save the Christian stand by me When you're walking down Your eyes are filled with burning rain And if they seem to overpower you Let me know boy -- once again Wear a fast gun and you'll be alright Through the fight stand by me Wear a fast gun and you'll live tonight Holding on -- Holding on Take your place to stand by me Holding on Christian brother stand by me When you're walking down The earth still waves beneath your feet The moment nears - it shakes the heart from you Let it show boy -- let it be ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Wear A Fast Gun" Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 11:21:14 -0800 From: Bob Hughes Probably the song on WB that sounds most like it would fit on ELOII. I love the arrangement on this, french horns, brass, recorders, etc. I assume most of it is Roy, building it up one part at a time. And not writing any of it down, cause he don't write music! ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Wear A Fast Gun" Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 19:20:37 -0800 From: Richard Messum Oh, boy! My list of my top three favourite Woody songs numbers at least twenty, but "Wear a fast gun" really is in my top three. Totally OTT in terms of production, of course, but that's part of its appeal as far as i'm concerned. Ken Russell's films are almost universally reviled for their excesses, but these very excesses are why i love Ken Russell; WAFG appeals to me for many of the same reasons. It's very dramatic, it's one of Roy's best vocals, and one of his best melodies; the instrumental passage between the last verse and the onset of the hymn could easily have been written by Vivaldi: excerpts from the largo movement of a Concerto for mandolin, string quartet and insane rock group. And what is that hymn, anyway? It has a very murky sound, though, at least on my LP (yes, the cats let me listen to it uninterrupted). I look forward to the remastering. And thanks, Lynn, for the lyrics: i've been trying to decipher them since 1973! ATB ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Wear A Fast Gun" Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 00:12:16 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" < Richard Messum wrote: >It has a very murky sound, though, at least on my LP (yes, the cats let >me listen to it uninterrupted). I look forward to the remastering. Richard i guess you have the lp on UA records. The UK lp on Harvest records sounds pretty good. I have the American lp twice too but have never opened them. In fact i only ever opened and played We're On The Road Again lp and to be honest i was dismayed to how poor the sound quality of this American lp was. I found the US copy of Boulders sounded dull too. At least now we all will have great sounding CD'S to do justice to these great works in the near future. I cannot see any point in opening the Move and related American LP'S i have now with the remasters pending. I will sometimes play the UK copies maybe once a year, i tend to stick to the CD'S now. ********** Subject: Just passing time Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 14:15:46 -0800 From: Gmcorie Lynn wrote: >I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage all list members who >are >afraid of saying something dumb on the list to post their >comments anyway. >It sure doesn't seem to stop ME! i've made an ass of myself many times. it never stopped me from posting something on the list. the list has helped me many times. like not to get the movements box set. wait for better mixed and remastered. can't wait for MFTC. got idle race birthday party off ebay after good advise from the list. now i'am a big IR fan can't wait to get more of their music. if any new members have any questons post them. you will get good advice. louisiana george ********** Subject: Re: Just passing time Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 17:26:45 -0800 From: Richard Messum Louisiana George wrote: >i've made an ass of myself many times. it never stopped me from >posting something on the list. the list has helped me many times. >like not to get the movements box set. Well, me too, i can be an utter berk if i want to be, but one should never be shy of expressing an honest opinion! On the subject of the "Movements" box, i have almost all of it on vinyl, and i've looked after my vinyl over the years and those LPs still sound great, but i have a special problem: i have 3 cats, and my turntable rests upon part of their path to the window. If you know cats, you know that they love to look out of windows. My three are particularly fond of racing up and down this path whenever i'm trying to play an LP, and the result of this is that i'm afraid to play my LPs (the "schrzzzzz" as they bound across the turntable's lid while a record is playing, is worse to my ears than fingernails on a blackboard!). So, "Movements" was a godsend to me, because, short of re-arranging my entire apartment, it's the least harrowing way for me to play this stuff. It has its many weaknesses, for sure, and these have already been discussed. But this music is *so* important to me, such an important part of my life, if "Movements" is my only really practical way to play it, then i'm happy with it. P.S. to Lynn: you have a cat or two, have you not? How do you keep them or him/her from dancing across your turntable whenever you're trying to play a record? P.P.S. saying a prayer for your astronauts ********** Subject: Re: Just passing time Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 02:49:22 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" Glad us folks on the list can be of help Louisiana George. Movements is awful George, a thirty year old cassette tape sounds on par with some of the stuff on it. And yes you can sometimes get a good deal on Ebay.Never be tempted to pay silly money for anything on there. You will see it again. I picked up a sealed US copy of Birthday Party for around $19. I have seen it go for a lot more than that. If you see Movements going real cheap grab it for the rare tracks. I would recommend the Jap mini lp sleeve cd versions if you find them at a normal CD price. They sound a lot better. Looking On is the best sounding one, quality is very good. Shazam is the awful edited mix,the plus side is Something Else and its out takes sound good. The first lp is ok, sort of inbetween the other 2. None have come of anything near a master tape so they all suffer a loss of quality. Rob's will blow all this lot away. So if you only want to get them once and don't collect Move stuff like i do, wait for Rob's! All the best Andrew Footman ********** Subject: Woody and releases Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 16:17:51 -0800 From: "David Woodier" With many discussions on Roy and releases I was wondering what priority of release the list would like to see. Quite rightly Rob wants the right things done with the respective catalogues and asks us not to buy those poorer issues. It has also been mentioned in the past that for Roy it is not down to money, so what is it then? I do not believe he will be a chart maker again (unless with something like the Wombles), but he still has a market. Everybody new or old is releasing stuff one way or another, internet, private pressing or just re-mastered versions. There must be a market that would suit Roy and old and new fans? When Main Street was issued, its success we were told would drive any future releases, do we know how well it sold? What levels of sales do the Move comps make, particularly the Crimson release? I agree we want high quality releases, top notch designs/inserts and sleeve notes as well as those bonuses, so Rob, what will make Roy release something and what 'market' / publicity is he looking for? On to my lead in, I would buy most things Woody related, including legit dodgy recordings or bootleg stuff, if I felt it was worth it, although as requested I haven't bought the recent issue. My priorities for releases would be: 1) Brand new Roy songs 2) Previously unreleased (commercially) BIG Band live/with Jeff/Sight & Sound/solo stuff/Move etc 3) Alternate versions of anything - demos / takes / etc 4) Remastered Back Catalogue 5) CD issues of SAW and OTRA - Annie in W etc 6) Anything else not covered above! Then there are the Video/DVD stuff. What's happening with the beatclub, Fillmore releases, what about a Woody video box set to compliment the overdue CD box set, which I would take any time! Rob - You are doing a sterling job and can Woody be one of the signatures on ELO2 please? Thoughts list land? ********** Subject: Re: Woody and releases Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 22:30:05 -0800 From: Rob Caiger Quoting David Woodier : >It has also been mentioned in the past that for Roy it is not down to >money, so what is it then? Obviously I can't speak for Roy - and wouldn't want to, but in my view, it's something (indefinable) that challenges him and "feels right" - and doesn't distract from whatever is a current priority or focus, released or unreleased, music or otherwise. >There must be a market that would suit Roy and old and new fans? There is a market and it can be tapped into, but a lot of preparation has to be put in. This catalogue has been ignored and neglected for 30 years - and some of the blame for that has to be Roy's, a large part of it the music industry. The right record companies have to be on board so we can unravel the various contractual and legal problems from the past and then there's the saga of locating the tapes. This is where the time goes. >When Main Street was issued, its success we were told would drive any >future releases, do we know how well it sold? Poorly. The cover was a big turn-off for retail and the record company should never have allowed it to come out in that form. Promotion was very sketchy and not at all well planned. Roy has to be fully on-board and involved in any release and for Main Street, he wasn't - for whatever reason. The record company didn't exactly go out of their way to ensure he was involved either. There was probably only one interview conducted and so the record company lost interest when it was apparent a long-lost Roy Wood wasn't a big enough reason to interest the public without support promotion. An opportunity missed. >What levels of sales do the Move comps make, particularly the Crimson >release? There's a question we have been working on for quite some time. Roughly (and because the Crimson CD is easier to account) about 6-7,000 copies UK over a year, without promotion or advertising. It's also only available in 2 stores - Woolworths and MVC, so that's a good figure. >...what will make Roy release something and what 'market' / publicity >is he looking for? Whatever he wants, whenever he wants it - which may be never. And of course you never know. It's one of the reasons record companies play safe and go the easy "Best of" compilation route. They haven't got the time or energy to give Roy the attention and support he needs / deserves. When they have tried to in the past, its not been his priority, so its back to the compilations again. There's a very big plan in front of Roy at the moment for his catalogue. It will answer all the questions, re-establish him and his music in the public eye and will finally do justice to a long neglected body of work. I only hope that this time, it fits in with what Roy wants to do and when he wants to do it. We shall see. >Then there are the Video/DVD stuff. What's happening with the beatclub, >Fillmore releases, what about a Woody video box set to compliment the >overdue CD box set, which I would take any time! All part of the plan. Roy is currently working on an album of rarities with an old friend right now and that is going to be a great release this summer, full of surprises. More soon. All the best - Rob ********** Subject: Re: Woody and releases Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 02:26:23 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" Rob Caiger wrote: > There's a question we have been working on for quite some time. > Roughly (and because the Crimson CD is easier to account) about > 6-7,000 copies UK over a year, without promotion or advertising. It's > also only available in 2 stores - Woolworths and MVC, so that's a > good figure. 6000 to 7000 copies from 2 store chains in one year! Thats with no promotion! I for one think that is pretty good. Now if Roy put some effort into this and promoted himself a bit better i think it would make a even bigger slice of sales. Why doesnt he sell his CD'S at his gigs. A roadie could do this for him. What a wasted chance at New York last year, fans crying out for stuff and nowt to buy. I bet if he had at that gig a CD single and album or 2 and took time to sign them he would have sold out! After all they had not seen him over there in over 25 years! At the end of the day most people under 40 dont know who he is because his music rarely gets played on the radio now. I know from past experience from giving a few 20 year olds lifts to work, they tend to like some of his stuff. What about using his stuff in films and their soundtrack lps. TV shows, BBC and ITV programs. He must have friends who work in these areas who may do this. After all loads of 60's and 70's music is used this way now. Why not Roy's? ********** Subject: Who is Roy's "old friend"? Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 09:04:55 -0800 From: "Andrew Footman" Rob Caiger wrote: >Roy is currently working on an album of rarities with an old friend >right now and that is going to be a great release this summer, full >of surprises. More soon. Roy is working on a rarities album with an old friend! Old friend - now that will keep us all guessing. I'll pick the 100 to 1 shot Jeff Lynne. Who do you lot think it is? ********** Subject: Re: Who is Roy's "old friend"? Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 19:20:42 -0800 From: "David Woodier" ROB - Thanks for answering the questions, but no thanks for dangling the carrot and keeping our eyes covered!!!!! > Roy is working on a rarities album with an old friend! Old friend - > now that will keep us all guessing. I'll pick the 100 to 1 shot Jeff > Lynne. Who do you lot think it is? Either Carl or Mike Sheridan. ********** Subject: Re: Who is Roy's "old friend"? Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 19:20:49 -0800 From: Leopard522 I don't know, but when I read that, my first thought was "I hope it's Jeff." Beth Gatlin Lincoln Park, New Jersey ********** Subject: Re: Who is Roy's "old friend"? Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 00:12:39 -0800 From: "Lynnette Cannell" >I don't know, but when I read that, my first thought was "I hope it's >Jeff." And mine was Rick Price, or Carl.............. ********** Subject: Re: Who is Roy's "old friend"? Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 00:12:49 -0800 From: Richard Messum Annie Haslam? Brian Wilson? No, wait, it's Jennifer Lopez! =:o)- ********** Subject: Re: Who is Roy's "old friend"? Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 00:13:12 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins >Roy is working on a rarities album with an old friend! Old friend - >now that will keep us all guessing. I'll pick the 100 to 1 shot Jeff >Lynne. Who do you lot think it is? An announcement will be made shortly, as soon as all FTM subscribers have received their bulletin. FTM subscribers pay a membership fee to receive first and exclusive news, so give it just a few more days and the question will be answered here on the list. What I can tell you now is that it's Roy's oldest friend. ********** Subject: The Shazam Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 11:28:47 -0800 From: Richard Messum Way behind on my reading as usual, i just found the following review of The Shazam's album "Tomorrow The World" in the January/February issue of "Blender." It was written by Rob Tannenbaum. "Power pop bands are the emotional retards of rock, living in a time bubble where it's always 1964 and The Beatles just released 'A Hard Day's Night.' But the Shazam, a Nashville trio, are more mature. In their world, it's always 1973 and Paul McCartney just released 'Band on the Run.' Recently praised by Little Steven in the pages of 'Blender,' the Shazam's third album, 'Tomorrow the World,' salutes vintage Britrock with a run of fuzzy melodies, guitar crunch and irrepressible spirit, even in a song about high school rejection. The jubilant highlight, 'Squeeze the Day,' sung by guitarist Hans Rotenberry in a boyish drawl, seems stolen from 70's pop master Todd Rundgren -- in the derivative confines of power-pop, that's as high as praise gets." The album received four stars (out of five). Richard <^..^> <^..^> & <^..^> ********** Subject: Re: The Shazam Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 11:40:38 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Richard and all, For new list members who aren't sure why a Nashville band called The Shazam is of interest to this list... apart from the fact that they're huge Move fans and named themselves after the second Move album, they performed with Carl and Bev at Abbey Road Studios in May 2002, doing acoustic versions of "I Can Hear The Grass Grow" and "Beautiful Daughter." Absolutely fantastic. Plus, when you listen to their music, the Move influence comes through loud and clear. The media has been picking up on this as well. The Jan/Feb issue of Magnet magazine (U.S.) had this to say about their new album: "This Nashville trio has expanded the customary limey triumvirate of garage icons to include the ethereal vocal blitz of Roy Wood and the Move." ("ethereal vocal blitz" - I love that!) If anyone wants to hear The Shazam singing "Beautiful Daughter" with Carl and Bev, there's a 1 minute clip on the Sounds page of The Move Online (http://www.themoveonline.com) . End of Useless Information #442 ******************************* [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.]