[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 #357 May 24, 2002 In this issue: * 'Split Ends' liner notes (part 1) * 'Split Ends' liner notes (part 2) * "Come Back Karen" lyrics * Songwriter of "Something Else" dies at 62 * Mike Sheridan singles * Tell us the news about yourself... (cont.) * Can cook, will cook * LIGHT!Fest East Coast (ELO/MOVE fanfest) planned for August 17 & 18, in Baltimore!! ============================================================== To POST TO THE LIST: Send an e-mail to: move-list@eskimo.com Useful Web addresses: TheMoveOnline: http://www.themoveonline.com Official Roy Wood site: http://www.roywood.co.uk Face The Music Online: http://www.ftmusic.com Join the ELO List: http://www.eskimo.com/~noanswer/showdown.html 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: 'Split Ends' liner notes (part 1) Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 20:37:52 -0700 From: John DeSilva Movers: Since I've quoted Richard Cromelin's liner notes from the 'Split Ends' album several times on this list, and since many of you are too young to have bought this album when it came out (and since it's been out of print for many, many years), I thought I'd post the complete liner notes from the back cover of the album. There's a Move history article on the inside sleeve of the LP, but I'll leave that for another time - here's part one (part two to follow): ******* Somebody suggested that we call the album 'Naugahyde Jumpsuit', which really isn't too bad. Then we thought about something like 'Revenge of the Move' - you know, one of the superlative rock 'n' roll bands of all time once more smashing into the ears and bodies of grateful listeners long after splintering into the Electric Light Orchestra and Wizard (sic) - but somehow it sounded a little too dry and humorless, which would never do. But 'Split Ends' is real nice, don't you think? Mainly, it feels good, is snappy and concise, and suggests the flavor of rattiness and toughness that distinguishes the Birmingham School of rock 'n' roll. It also relates directly (and cleverly) to the composition of the album. What we did, you see, was purchase 'Message From The Country', hailed near and far as on of 71's best albums, from Capitol. Then, with scissors sliding about in our sweaty hands and tears of regret dripping from our eyes, we snipped out "Ben Crawley Steel Co." (look out, Johnny Cash), "Don't Mess Me Up" (likewise Elvis), and "My Marge" (and you too, Rudy Vallee). Our sorrow was tempered, though, by the obvious necessity of the amputation. Because we had to have room for five of the most magnificent singles ever to languish in obscurity. Nobody buys singles anymore, right? Well, now they're album cuts. "Do Ya", "Chinatown", "Down On The Bay", and "California Man", came out on UA during the past year, and "Tonight" was the A-side of "Don't Mess Me Up" on Capitol. 'Split Ends' also includes the healthy bulk of the original 'Message From The Country', and the result is a great hybrid album that you can place proudly next to 'Shazam' and 'Looking On' (on A&M and Capitol Records respectively). If you're reading this in your corner record store and wondering about the basic presumption of all this verbiage - that the Move is an almost ineffably supreme rock 'n' roll band - I'll tell you what to do: snap the shrink-wrap off, sneak behind the counter, quickly remove the Grateful Dead album the herbulent clerk is playing, slap on Side One Cut One and turn the volume up. Do you notice the plate glass window shattering? See the shaggy clerk swinging from the light fixture? Look at the old man diving under the classical bins and the children dancing in the street outside. I guess the main thing about the Move is the way they can blast your head wide open and make you feel extremely, ecstatically happy all at the same time. Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan are among the chosen few who have been handed the secret key to the Magic that is rock 'n' roll, and as your body is plunged into a twitching frenzy by their musical storms, you'll also find a smile spreading inexorably across your visage. Don't fight it, because that's what it's all about. Heavy makes you very happy. Oh yes, the Move is an unbelievably heavy, loud and powerful band. Even though the inventive arrangements, unique harmonies, nifty rhythms, the flirtations with classical elements and all the rest of it will give the musical sophisticate a lot to chew on, the Move speak first of all to us illiterate rock 'n' rollers, and it doesn't matter at all that we can't tell an oboe from a bassoon. The Move is infinitely larger than superb technique and clever structure. It's a matter of style, you see, and they've got it down pat. The tone is set by the constant pressure of tongues against cheeks. Their humor is the kind that makes you feel funny rather than just making you laugh, and you'll find it everywhere - in the leering vocals, in the words, and in the relentless single-mindedness and intentness of their attack. Technique is worthless when it sits there asking to be admired like pretty china plates, but every raspy note the Move sling at you glows with vitality. You can feel the people behind the electricity and smell the English beer that bubbles beneath the music. It's giddy, silly, foolish stuff, electric good-time music with a pile-driver impact. It's usually festive and exuberant, occasionally beautifully plaintive. And it's always dazzling. - RICHARD CROMELIN NOVEMBER, 1972 (part two coming up) JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: 'Split Ends' liner notes (part 2) Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 20:48:58 -0700 From: John DeSilva ... And here's part 2 of the 'Split Ends' liner notes - a track by track description of the album. Enjoy! ******* DO YA: Marty Cerf in Creative Services at UA says that this one looks like a hit (he rambles on about the three points of the triangle - airplay, requests and sales). Well, it is an exquisite single, with an explosive opening riff that'll have you backed against the far wall. Rock 'n' roll thunder. The Move have cut some fine singles in their day, and it's about time one of them made it. Amazing, the way they get from something like "I've seen lovers flying through the air hand in hand/ I've seen babies dancing in the midnight sun ... I've seen old ladies crying by their own gravesides" to that rousing chorus of "Do ya do ya want my love?" And isn't it marvelous the way they can remind you of the Kinks, Alice Cooper, Jimi Hendrix and the Who while never sounding exactly like anybody but the Move? All in four minutes and nine seconds. It's got everything a hit single needs: It takes a long time to hear all the words, it gets a little bit shorter every time you hear it, and it sounds great over a tinny portable radio. I just put it on the turntable and a friend flew into the living room about five feet off the ground. MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTRY: An anthem. It leans more to the group's ELO side, as do most of the original album cuts. Have Brian Wilson and the Boys ever woven a more gorgeous and complete vocal tapestry than the Move's soaring a capella "Ba-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da"'s? The message from the country rises higher. CHINATOWN: A bit of exotica from the lads - "See the Eastern ladies walk in Chinatown". This one's more snappy than heavy, bouncing you along rather than steamrolling over you. Spiffy little Oriental riffs in here, as well as some mean woodblock from Bevan. THE MINISTER: Shades of "Paperback Writer"! When you hear that vibrato-laden lead line you'll have no questions about why the guitar is rock 'n' roll's A-Number-One instrument, nor about the contention that Roy Wood is one of that instrument's worthiest exponents. Also give a listen to the bass. WORDS OF AARON: Melody comes to the fore here, sweeping along over a chugging backup. Nice piano, powerful singing. Where'd that flute come from? DOWN ON THE BAY: Good old bass, drums, and guitars sure can make a monster sound, can't they? "Down On The Bay" charges like a runaway stallion. One of the best dance numbers on the album, it gives you a chance to toss in a little rhumba toward the end. Very sexy. CALIFORNIA MAN: And look out, Jerry Lee Lewis, make way for the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Is that Duane Eddy on twang guitar? Goin' to a party, come on meet me after school. NO TIME: A slow sad one, to change the pace for a few minutes. Catch your breath and shed a quiet tear. This one tends to sneak up on you after a while. Did the Bee Gees server as musical consultants? ELLA JAMES: Back into the fray. This is the only spot where 'Split Ends' follows the same sequence as 'Message From The Country'. Isn't that interesting? IT WASN'T MY IDEA: Crunchy guitar and perhaps Roy Wood's finest moment as a rock 'n' roll oboeist challenge one of Roy's most theatrical vocals ever for Highlight of the Song award. It opened "Message From The Country" and sounds just as formidable back here at Side Two, Band Four. UNTIL YOUR MAMA'S GONE: Sweet picking on the intro; enter a devastating, crushing arrangement and vocal. TONIGHT: "I'll be over tonight, if you say you might". A great song, brilliant execution. This one absolutely had to close the album. - RICHARD CROMELIN NOVEMBER, 1972 ******* JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: "Come Back Karen" lyrics Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 01:01:43 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Richard Messum wrote: >Lyrically, it's a dog: you have to work really hard to figure out >what "I'll mend your broken heart / just like the one you gave to me" >actually means. Of course, no-one expects teenage love songs (or >pastiches thereof) to be poetry. I'm a little late in responding to this one, but I thought I'd offer my take on the line, "I'll mend your broken heart, just like the one you gave to me." It makes sense to me. Just read it as: I'll mend your broken heart... (it's) just like the (broken heart) you gave to me. It was a mutual heart breakage, it would seem. >But one would think that Roy could be a little more coherent. You're not suggesting that this is the only Roy Wood song that doesn't necessarily make sense lyrically, are you? ;) How about this line from "Buffalo Station": The law came down, took hold of my daddy So I had to send him all my dough When a real cool guy with an old school tie Came over on the radio ??? ********** Subject: Re: "Come Back Karen" lyrics Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 10:10:41 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" Regarding Roy's lyrics, I would submit that he is a master of stringing together dissimilar lyrical images into a cohesive whole. They don't nessicarily have to make make sense in conventional way but overall simply convey a particular mood or feeling. I'm glad he generally doesn't follow a "tin pan alley" method of writing songs. Look at the odd twists and turns he uses musically. This is precisely what makes Roy stand out from other writers. Likewise his lyrics are often a tad unusual. I don't recall anyone ever complaining about the lyrics of some of John Lennon's more unusual songs. Good heavens, he even wrote the nonsensically bizarre lyrics to "I Am The Walrus" specifically to thwart the efforts of those who were trying read things into his songs that were not there. Another case in point is REM, who early on in their writing would string syllables and phases together because they liked the way they sounded, not because they made sense lyrically. I am currently attempting to decipher the lyrics to "We're Gonna Rock & Roll Tonight" at Lynn's behest for the benefit of this list. We can all have a field say debating that one as the lyrics, at least to my ears, are quite bizzare at times and open to conjecture. I think Roy may have made some of them up on the spot as it was being recorded. I'll getting these to Lynn shortly. Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: Re: "Come Back Karen" lyrics: Who needs coherent lyrics? Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 10:10:44 -0700 From: cathy uselton > How about this line from "Buffalo Station": > > The law came down, took hold of my daddy > So I had to send him all my dough > When a real cool guy with an old school tie > Came over on the radio > > ??? Actually, who needs coherent lyrics? I think that's optional. I enjoy songs where the lyrics have strange or fantastic imagery anyway. Let's hear it for "I am the Walrus"!!! I realize I'm comparing apples to oranges, but I'm never distressed when lyrics don't make sense to me. I take it for granted that either one of two things have occurred: 1. The lyrics weren't meant to have a conventional meaning. 2. The lyrics in fact do make sense, but I can't wrap my mind around them, and the meaning has sailed over my head. ;-) I know this is the Move list, but what's up with the 'gold veranda in the dark being sent to the metal man' bit on "Alright"? I think this has a very deep meaning - probably the meaning being that Jeff had a few too many beers with friends one night and came up with that one. ;-) my 2 cents... thanks! cu tornado alley, ok ********** Subject: Roy Word Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 11:04:29 -0700 From: "Doyle, Joe" From Lynn: >You're not suggesting that this is the only Roy Wood song that doesn't >necessarily make sense lyrically, are you? ;) >How about this line from "Buffalo Station"....: or one of my personal favourites She said my head gets into your bed So give me back my comb Makes perfect sense to me... :) ********** Subject: Re: "Come Back Karen" lyrics Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 19:20:04 -0700 From: Richard Messum Well, i seem to have explained myself badly -- not for the first time! :-& #1, i think that KBC is one of the best songs on a great album #2, no, of course i don't think that lyrics need to make sense, or even be decipherable, for a song to succeed -- one of my favourite RW songs is "Wear a fast gun" and i have no idea what it's about and it doesn't matter My point was that the lyric i quoted, "I'll mend your broken heart / just like the one you gave to me," while it does make sense if you think about it, is awkward. Not a complaint, just a comment! ********** Subject: What are words worth? Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 19:20:11 -0700 From: Plastic Ono Dream oh this is a great thread! i used to be so OBSESSED with lyrics, i would neglect all the other elements of a song. now older & wiser, i focus on the drums & bass. with "come back karen", as lynn pointed out, the lyrics are pretty literal, and sweet. and there's no falsetto vocal in that song either by the way. now onto the words lynn laid on us: "the law came down took hold of my daddy so i had to send him all my dough when a real cool guy with an old school tie came over on the radio" wow! what are these from, the latest song by "jah rule"? what? these are from "buffalo station"? thud! sounds to me like...the singer's dad gets arrested, he's gotta wire him some cash for bail, and he hears an old kool tune on the radio, maybe at "western union"...like an "elvis", "little richard", "chuck berry", or "jerry lee lewis" tune. makes sense to me! and the singer is a good guy because he's helping out his dad. as for our list brother in new jersey, "tyler 'crazy jeans' sherman" deciphering "rock n' roll tonight", from both the "cheap trick" & "wizzard" versions...good luck! i did get the revelation after hearing both versions of the opening line that has eluded me since 1974... "well i pulled into that parking lot for a bad time keeper i was on the dot" whoa! "roy wood" with words, like instruments, is nothing short of amazing! ********** Subject: Songwriter of "Something Else" dies at 62 Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 23:57:34 -0700 From: kakman1 Songwriter Sharon Sheeley who co wrote the song "Something Else" for Eddie Cochrane, later covered by The Move on their wonderful live E.P., died in a Los Angeles hospital of complications following an aneurysm, a statement released Saturday said. She was 62. for complete story go to this URL: http://www.msnbc.com/news/754413.asp?0dm=N27QL Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Mike Sheridan singles Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 02:21:18 -0700 From: "Punto K" Does anybody help me??? I have got a couple of Mike Sheridan singles in my personal collection of ELO related. In fact I have got two singles of Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, and one of Mike Sheridan's lot. The first ones contain the same songs. "Please Mr Postman/In Love." the different between them is that the first one has got a yellow label from "Liverpool Sound" and the second one is a promo from Columbia records. White label on both sides. The A side has got a big A on red color in the middle of the label and with a factory cover as well, So, my question is, which of them is the older??? Thanks Luis Mi ********** Subject: Re: Tell us the news about yourself... Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 13:22:13 -0700 From: George Mackenzie > Your name, age, location, occupation. George Mackenzie, 45 years old, Inverness, I am a school caretaker & part-time D.J / Radio presenter > How long have you been a Move and/or Roy Wood fan? I became a proper Move fan in 1970 and have followed Roy Wood since 1973 > What was your first Move related experience? Seeing The Move on T.O.T.P singing Brontosaurus and I remember my father saying "what the hell is that". That happened to be Roy Wood dressed up like something I had never seen before and doing a war dance. I went out and bought the record the next day and became an instant fan. > Tell us about your top 5 favorite Move related tracks. 1. Brontosaurus 2. Blackberry Way 3. See my baby jive 4. 10538 Overture 5. Givin your heart away (Helicopters) > What's your favorite Move related album, and why? Has to be Roy Wood On the road again as that was given personally by Roy Wood (more details to follow later) > What topics would you like to see discussed on this list? Why Roy Wood hasnt't released any new material in nearly 15 years. > If you've seen the Move or any member of the Move in concert, tell us > about that show. Wizzard in 1974 and Roy Wood Big Band/ Army 5 times in the past 10 years. 1974 Glasgow Apollo was were I first saw Wizzard in fact it was the first time Id ever been to a concert and to be honest I was bemused to see my idol, standing there on stage in front of me. To hear Wizzard singing all my favourites like Ball Park incident, Angel Fingers, Forever, etc, was hard to believe, for me it was a wonderful experience. > Tell us about an amusing or interesting situation that has happened > as a result of you being a Move/Roy Wood fan. In 1980 I went to visit Roy when he lived in Stourport and I was approaching his house he was passing in his car, and he stopped and took me into his car as he was going shopping then, he took me to his home and cooked a meal, talked a little about his musical career, showed a few of his instruments such as his guitar, cello and some brass. Then he gave a copy of his album "On the road again", which he signed. He then thanked me for coming and appoligised for not being able to spend more time with me as he had an engagement to attend. It's a day in my life that I will never forget. > Who are some of your other favorite artists/bands? Oasis Stereophonics, The Corrs, Enya > Which Move related song do you wish one of your favorite bands > would cover? I would like Oasis to cover Until your mamas gone. When you listen to that song, you can actually picture Liam Gallagher singing it. Would like The Corrs to sing Blackberry Way. > What is the one burning question that you have never had answered > in relation to Move/Roy Wood history or music? Why hasn't Tim Rice asked Roy Wood to write a song with him? > Are you having trouble finding any Move related music on CD? No. ********** Subject: Can cook, will cook Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 13:59:44 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins George Mackenzie wrote: >> Tell us about an amusing or interesting situation that has happened >> as a result of you being a Move/Roy Wood fan. > >In 1980 I went to visit Roy when he lived in Stourport and I was >approaching his house he was passing in his car, and he stopped and >took me into his car as he was going shopping then, he took me to his >home and cooked a meal,talked a little about his musical career, showed >a few of his instruments such as his guitar, cello and some brass. Hi George! Please forgive my inquisitiveness, but would you mind telling us what Roy cooked for you? And...was it any good? ;) ********** Subject: Re: Can cook, will cook Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 14:24:41 -0700 From: "Leigh Woolford" Hi George! Great to see you on the list. A stalwart of un-convention day!! Did Roy cook using that cauldron from the cover of Wizzard Brew? Cheers, Leigh ********** Subject: Re: Can cook, will cook Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 17:15:06 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" Hey George! Remember me? We used to write each other back in the 80's before all this internet stuff happened. Great to hear from you and welcome to the list. What ever happened to Steve May and Neil Hardie? You were all such a great help to me back then as it was nearly impossible to get info about Roy here in the states. And you told me all the details about your encounter with Roy back then. Wasn't there an injured animal involved in this or was that another story you told me? Was it "road kill special" Roy cooked for you? Really good to hear from you. Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: LIGHT!Fest East Coast (ELO/MOVE fanfest) planned for August 17 & 18, in Baltimore!! Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 22:39:34 -0700 From: Steve Rifkin Tell all your ELO/Move/Orchestra/etc. fan friends: LIGHT!Fest East Coast is back! Our latest ELO/Move/Orchestra-and-related-artists fan get-together will be held Saturday & Sunday, August 17-18. 2002 in Baltimore, Maryland. The format will be similar to the previous LIGHT!Fests held in Baltimore and the mid-west U.S. area. All the LIGHT!Fests have been very successful, and with so much ELO-related activity going on now, this one is sure to be the best! If you've never been to a LIGHT!Fest, you're in for a treat. If any of you have been to one, what did you think of it? We hope to see you there again! Sponsored by LIGHT!, LIGHT!Fest is open to all ELO/MOVE/Orchestra/Idle Race/Jeff Lynne/etc. fans. You don't have to be a member or LIGHT! to attend. For more details, call or e-mail me, or check out the LIGHT! website (address below). Thanks, and hope to see you there! Steve Rifkin, Coordinator of LIGHT!, the North American ELO fan club http://www.erols.com/steve410/elo/light steve410@erols.com 410-486-7552 End of Useless Information #357 ******************************* [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.]