[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 #370 July 7, 2002 In this issue: * Ace Kefford interview on BBC Radio WM * Friday's show on Radio WM * The Day I Met The Wizzard * Song Of The Week (week of 7/1): "Keep Your Hands On The Wheel" * Tony Blair in a gorilla suit? ============================================================== 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: Ace Kefford interview on BBC Radio WM Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 19:09:01 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins First of all, let me just say to all of you who have written to me expressing your frustration about missing these great radio interviews... don't worry. They'll be transcribed, and taped copies will soon make the rounds. I talked to Rob this evening about the Ace Kefford interview and he said it went extremely well. In fact, Ace was barrel of laughs! The BBC got a few phone calls from people who were offended by the totally frank and candid way in which Ace talked about his life. Some of his experiences have been quite harrowing. His re-telling of these experiences was completely uncensored and unrestricted. Carl and Ace weren't able to get to a lot of your questions, but Ace wants to answer ALL of them. In fact, if you have more, he wants to answer those, too. I've included the questions I've received so far at the bottom of this post so you can see what's already been asked. I need all additional questions by next Friday, July 12. Also, Ace is happy to autograph items for fans. Rob will be meeting with him in about a week and a half, so if there's something you want signed, you need to get it to Rob ASAP. Please don't forget to include return postage. If you want it returned via Registered mail, be sure to cover all additional postage. If you're overseas, you need to send IRC's instead of stamps. Rob can't do anything with stamps from outside the UK. Send your package to Rob Caiger at FTM: P.O. Box 718, Esher, Surrey, KT10 0YF, England. If you have any questions, drop me an e-mail. By the way, Wednesday's Danny King interview went very well, also. Danny treated the listening audience to a song he says no one has ever heard. He answered some questions from the Move List, so I look forward to hearing that interview as well. A re-cap of guests and music are on The Move Online website - http://www.themoveonline.com ---- Playlist for WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY: Work It Out (Jim Horn / Jeff Lynne) - intro music Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics Kilroy Was Here - The Move I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock & Roll Band) - The Moody Blues (new live version with orchestra) I Can Hear The Music - Danny King (very rare never-heard song written by The Fortunes) Tell Me When - The Applejacks Eight Days A Week - Alma Cogan Dreamboat - Alma Cogan Since You Stayed Here - Liz Callaway (Carl's favorite song) Birmingham - Laurie Hornsby (from "Wallop Mrs. Cox," a new musical by Laurie about the history of Birmingham) Playlist for THURSDAY, 4 JULY: She's So High - Tal Bachman Starman - David Bowie I Can Hear The Grass Grow - The Move Night of Fear - The Move Softly As I Leave You - Matt Monro Dreamer - Ozzy Osbourne Questions for Chris "Ace" Kefford: Q: Ace, I'd like to know how many bands you were in, or how many sessions or jams you were in, and with whom, after you left The Move. Your name comes up a lot in the Nuggets II box set... Q: I understand that you went into the Recording Studio a few years back with members/associates of the group Fairport Convention. What happened to those sessions - are they ever likely to be released? Q: What, exactly, is a Gravy Booby Jam? Q: Did the Ace Kefford Stand do any gigs? If so, were any of the gigs taped? Q: How did you join the Vikings? Q: Did you write songs regularly when you were with the Vikings or the Move? I think William Chalker's Time Machine is a good song. Was there any talk of recording it as The Move? Q: Do you know there is an enthusiastic fan in Japan who runs a tribute website for you? Q: Author Nik Cohn once wrote this about you and The Move: "Ace Kefford was the singing skull itself, his flesh eaten away, his jaws clamping endlessly on gum, his face set rigid in infinite boredom. So they were the nastiest looking bunch you could hope to meet and they sang well, they made a big noise"... How did you feel about being referred to as "The Singing Skull"? Q: I read in an interview with you some time ago about a powerful conversion experience you had involving being enveloped in a bright light, much like St. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. You said you subsequently got involved in a cult (happens all too often to new believers) but at that time your faith was unshaken by that detour. How are you doing these days in your spiritual life? Q: Other members of The Move have said in interviews that your departure marked the beginning of the end of the band. Do you agree? Q: Your singing on "Yellow Rainbow" is spot on! Did you ask to sing lead on that one? Q: Word is that you recorded an EP's worth of Christian music six or seven years ago at Cropredy studios, Oxfordshire (Home of Fairport Convention's current recorded output.) Has this EP been released, and if so, where can I get it? Q: You've said in interviews that The Move were doomed from the start because it was a band of egomaniacs. You also said you were suffering from paranoia at the time. Paranoia aside, did you really feel that The Move were doomed? Q: Is that you doing the "whistle" bit in "I Can Hear The Grass Grow"? Q: There was a very interesting piece in The Guardian a couple years ago where you're quoted as saying the reason you had to leave The Move was because your "head had gone." You also said, "Don't bother trying to Make It, because when you do there's nothing to Make." Did you have a fear of success? Q: You were rumoured to have been in rehearsal with Syd Barrett's new band. What happened with that? Q: Please tell me what your current music activities are. Q: What did the 60's mean to you? Q: Please record some new music, Ace! ********** Subject: Friday's show on Radio WM Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2002 22:24:24 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins For those who didn't get to hear the show (and I think that's most of us, unfortunately!) I just wanted to let you know that the interviews with Richard Tandy, Trevor Burton, Dave Morgan and Graham Gouldman went extremely well and you'll be happy to know there were no complaints (that we know of) from regular BBC listeners. ;) As soon as Rob has a few spare moments, he's going to post a wrap-up to the Move and ELO-Showdown lists. He's faced with the monumental task of transcribing the interviews to go up on the Web - he's working on them now so we have that to look forward to. Carl played some great music on Friday. Let's hope the BBC invites him back very soon! Playlist for FRIDAY, 5 JULY: Work It Out (Jim Horn / Jeff Lynne) - intro music Magical Mystery Tour - Cheap Trick (from "The Greatest Hits") Dancing Days - Graham Gouldman (from his new album "And Another Thing") You Stole My Love - Graham Gouldman (from "And Another Thing") Something - The Move (written by Dave Morgan) God's Good Time - Dave Scott-Morgan (from "Call" - song produced by Jeff Lynne, backing vocals by Jeff) California Man - Nancy Sinatra (from her new album "California Girl") Vote For Me - The Move (featuring Trevor Burton on lead vocals) Mississippi Nights - Trevor Burton Band (from the album "Blue Moons" - song written by Richard Tandy) Grieg's Piano Concerto In A Minor - Electric Light Orchestra (from "Flashback") Evil Woman - Electric Light Orchestra ********** Subject: The Day I Met The Wizzard Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 14:34:29 -0700 From: "george mackenzie" It was a very hot July in 1980 when I set out from a small town in the North of Scotland called Alness (24 miles north of Inverness.) My destination,Stourton. I caught the last train heading south to Inverness at 10 o'clock to catch the all night sleeper to Glasgow. Arriving in Glasgow at 6am, I then took a train to Birmingham arriving there about 1pm. Next it was on to train number 3 and this time the next stop was Stourbridge Junction, next train took me to Stourbridge (nearly there.) A different form of transport this time, a bus. At last I arrived in Stourton, but where do I go from here? As I was walking through Stourton, not really knowing where I was going, I saw a post office. I asked a nice lady in the post office did she know where Roy's house, Gothersly Hall was. She pointed me in the right direction, but warned me it was about 3miles away. So, I started on my trek towards Gothersly Hall along a little country road, when all of a sudden a white Range Rover approached and all I could see was a big mane of hair and a straggly beard behind the wheel. Here was Roy Wood approaching me as I was walking towards his house. I flagged him down and as he approached me he wound his window down, I introduced myself and told him where I had come from. He said "Blimey, you have come a long way! Jump in, I'm just going to the shops." Here I am sitting in a Range Rover next to my hero, I thinking I'm dreaming. Roy had clogs on (the last person I saw wearing clogs was a nurse at the local hospital) and odd socks, a pink one, a lovely green one. When we arrived at the shops Roy left me sitting in his car and I was sitting there,in dreamland. On the journey from the shops, I decided to ask Roy a few questions about his musical career, and on reply he said that he was about to launch a new band called Helicopters and a new single called "Rock City." He also said he was hoping to release an album but we know that never happened. When we finally got to Gothersly Hall I was gobsmacked to actually be entering the house that belonged to a superstar. Roy actually asked me a question, he asked was I hungry, and considering I had left home 18 hours ago, hungry was a understatement. I think I told you before what Roy had actually cooked for me, but just in case you missed it, it was a good old fashioned English breakfast (at 3 o'clock in the afternoon) consisting of poached eggs, sausages, bacon, mushrooms and beans! With plenty bread and butter and cups of coffee. To be honest I was too much in dreamland to do a interview but I did ask him some more questions, about E.L.O., The Move and ex-members of Wizzard and what they where doing now (1980). Roy actually apoligised to me (can you imagine it Roy Wood actually apoligising to me!!!!!!!) as he could not spend anymore time with me as he had a business arrangement to attend, and would not be back until Monday. (I forgot to mention that today was Saturday.) However before I disappeared from dreamland Roy took me to a room were he showed some of his instruments,including a cello, a couple of guitars and a french horn. Back into Roy's car again and into the town of Stourbridge where I managed to get myself a hotel, Roy thanked me for coming so far just to see him and to end it all he gave a signed copy of the album "On The Road Again" on which Roy wrote, "To George - thanks for coming all this way just to visit me. Best wishes Roy Wood." was all like a dream come true for me spending 2 hours in the company of Roy Wood in his own home. It's something that will live with me forever and I can't thank Roy enough for his hospitality and his kindness on the day I met the Wizzard (sorry I didn't take a camera.) George Mackenzie PS. I would've written this sooner but with having 3 teenage children in the house it is very difficult to get on the computer. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Keep Your Hands On The Wheel" Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 04:13:56 -0700 From: "george mackenzie" K.Y.H.O.T.W Roy certainly used a lot of imagination writing this brilliant song (a bit late for Eddy & the Falcons). 50's style bubblegum pop which could've been written for Bobby Vee or even Jan & Dean, and just to confuse things Roy adds heavy drums (John Bonham), an evil sounding sitar and typical Roy Wood saxophones. Carl vocals are heard very clearly and could've even been a Move song. Overall it's a great peice of work from Woody which must go down as his finest album, but the big question is, when is the damn thing coming out on C.D.? ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Keep Your Hands On The Wheel" Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 17:39:51 GMT From: Kevin Kunreuther Whoa! KYHOTW (SMTTD) is one of the great Woody solo singles, very Beach Boys/Jan And Dean; John Bonham's heavy loud drumming and Carl Wayne's very distinct backup vocals on this production are fave highlights on this, too! Actually prefer single 45 r.p.m.version over L.P. version with longer intro from "OTRA" . Also the single instructs you to PLAY LOUD! (Does anyone from vinyl days remember when some of their 45's had that printed on the label? I remember "The Stroll" had that and maybe a couple of Strangler singles and Who releases.) I put this song on several mix tapes for driving and trips, played it loud on jamboxes in the street, everyone nearby would look up and say, "Who's that? It's not the Beach Boys?" I loved this playing this over and over and over. Drove the family nuts. Should have been a hit in UK, how did Warner brothers mess that up? Oh yeah, punk and disco and new wave was happening. A likely excuse, no promotion from WB A&R or radio program directors is more like it. Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Keep Your Hands On The Wheel" Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 17:59:55 -0700 From: Richard Messum What a peculiar choice for "song of the week." I like it well enough, but it's not exactly a classic, is it. Or is it? In fact, it's several years since i played "On the road again," and i'd like to thank Lynn for sending me back to it. Time for a re-evaluation. One thing i'd completely forgotten: the drummer on KYHOTW is none other than John Bonham, and backing vocals are contributed by some geezer named Carl Wayne.... It's pure pop and a very complex song simultaneously: worthy of The Move for sure. The backing vocals seem to come straight out of the Beach Boys songbook, although i'm not certain the likes of Jan & Dean could have coped with it (as Kevin suggested). How many modulations are there? And where did that ridiculous (but fabulously appropriate) electric sitar solo come from? Do you know, i've noticed that "On the road again" generally appears very low on most peoples' lists of fave RW albums, but i've listened to it twice in the past two days (in order to develop some informed opinions about KYHOTW and the LP in general) and it's (as Tony the Tiger would say) G-RRR-EAT!!! p.s. to Kevin: i can't say i remember any 45's which included the instruction "PLAY LOUD," although i certainly have vinyl LP's with that adjuration -- a brief trawl through my collection revealed no examples, though. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Keep Your Hands On The Wheel" Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 02:26:59 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" I recall in 1978 whilst digging thru records at a wonderful store in New Brunswick NJ called "Cheap Thrills" finding with great delight this spiffy single by Roy, not aware at the time that anything new was available. I thought, "Wow, a new Roy Wood record I've never heard about". Took it home and played it to death for a while. Didn't know at the time that John Bonham was the drummer...sounded like Roy to me! I agree with Kevin, I like the single mix better than the LP mix. Maybe that's because I listened to it for a long time before the "...Road..." album came out. And, yeah, George I'm with you. A CD release of "OTRA" is way overdue Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: Re:Song Of The Week: "Keep Your Hands On The Wheel" Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 02:27:02 -0700 From: "David Fatta" I had not hought about this song in quite some time. It has the dubious distinction of being the last piece of Roy Wood material I bought before I lost track of him. Certainly a good song, and amusing enough. Not one of my favorites, but I like it. Everyone is saying they hear the Beach Boys or Jan & Dean, but I just don't hear it. Good harmonies, but not in Brian Wilson mode. I think this is much less derivative than most Roy Wood/Wizzard singles. This is a good example of Woody's own unique sound, certainly taking some elements of classic rock and roll, but producing a sound that is truly his own. I never realized Bonzo was playing those air-chambered drums. Cool! ********** Subject: Tony Blair in a gorilla suit? Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2002 12:32:06 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins It's a quiet weekend on the list, so I thought I'd entertain you with this recent article from the Birmingham Post. It's just barely on-topic - Roy gets a mention in paragraph 10. I considered posting just that one paragraph, but then it wouldn't make a great deal of sense. By the way, which member of Wizzard wore the gorilla suit? ---- Big world of rock: So many saints, but you picked Mick Open letter to Tony Blair, Prime Minister of Rock Birmingham Post Birmingham (UK) June 20, 2002 by Andrew Cowen Dear Mr Blair, I am writing on behalf of my mate, Keith Richards, to express my dismay at the recent knighthood bestowed upon Mick Jagger. How could you! I have been a Rolling Stones fan since the turn of the 1960s, and I worship every inch of Keith's gnarly body. It's Keith who deserves the honour, not that prancing Peter Pan of pop. Unless you rectify matters, I'll be voting for the other side next time. Keith (or Keef as we all know him) has been the driving force behind the Stones since day one. He was England's first modern rock star, a guitar hero for all time. And since Wyman left the band, he's been the babe magnet too. I know the Masons probably still have sticky fingers in high places, but do you really want a fully paid-up Satanist on your books? There are plenty of other rock stars who are sympathetic to causes other than the Devil. I can only assume that you have run out of ideas about which towering figures of popular culture you can ennoble in order to sway the popular vote. Since I think you're probably a pretty groovy guy at heart, can I suggest a few other rockers who are worthy of a gong and, incidentally, might cop you a few votes at the next election. I'm assuming that the Keef cock-up was an oversight so I look forward to that being corrected next time around. So how about giving a sainthood to David Bowie? You honoured Danny la Rue, so Bowie shouldn't prove too controversial. After all, this is the 21st century and we're all chilled out now about cross-dressers. Bowie has worked tirelessly for Britain and I know you are a fan. There's the slight embarrassment about the Nazi salute at Victoria, but this was at the height of his Columbian-sponsored madness. Surely there has been no greater living Midlands ambassador than Noddy Holder. With his mirrored topper and kipper ties, his service to the fashion industry is inestimable. Don't mess up though and give it to that guppy Dave Hill instead or you'll have the wrath of the darts team from the Trumpet in Bilston to deal with. I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice, but many voters are women. With this in mind, why not give lovely Sinead O'Connor one? She's virtually a saint already and another title would do her career no harm. As a singer, there is no-one more capable of reducing me to a blubbering wreck and as a person she combines the best qualities of Mother Teresa, Felicity Kendall and Mo Mowlem. I'm sure she'd appreciate the attention and you could even make her ambassador to America. Billy Bragg's been dropping some not so subtle hints of late too. You might think that his 'stuff the jubilee' single was the work of some rabid Marxist, but really it was a desperate cry for attention from a man who feels justly slighted. Make him Sir Bill of Barking and you'll soon find the leftist tendency pulling in behind you. I suspect that as Britain's first glam rock PM, you're as disappointed as me the weird-looking bloke out of Sparks with the 'tache is an American, as is ballsy Suzi Quatro. Most of Sweet have snuffed it so there's not a lot of choice left. I imagine you cried with the rest of us when Bolan's Mini hit that tree in Richmond but, hey, Roy Wood's still around. With his backing you could soon have a great party anthem and you'd look great on Top of the Pops in a gorilla suit. Moving on to the 80s, there are a raft of megastars who you could choose. Alison Moyet's a down to earth type with a dirty laugh; Boy George - now there's a thought! It would also be satisfying to see some of those old punk rockers brought back into the establishment. 'Sir Johnny Rotten' has a certain ring to it don't you think? Finally, is there any minimum age for knighthoods? It might be a bit early in the day to think about dobbing Pop Idols' Gareth and Will, but what about the detritus from Take That? I always thought that Gary Barlow had the look of a young Disraeli about him, or maybe an older Winston Churchill. However, if it's the youth vote that you really, really want, why not go the whole hog and get the Spice Girls round? I know that you share my view they are at the very cutting edge of youth culture with their Union Jack hotpants and chunky trainers. Surely it's time they had something to show for their success? I enclose a copy of my favourite Dean Friedman bootleg and look forward to your reply in due course. (c)2002 Birmingham Post and Mail Ltd. ********** Subject: Re: Tony Blair in a gorilla suit? Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2002 13:42:58 -0700 From: "Lynnette Cannell" Lynn said: >By the way, which member of Wizzard wore the gorilla suit? Wasn't it one of the roadies? Thanks for that article, a good, well-written read. I seem to recall that us ordinary type folk can nominate people for awards, too. So why not let's start a "Give Roy a Gong" campaign? He deserves one more than old rubber lips - he has helped the BCH, has been the writer of three number ones, with three different bands - and - oh, you all know the reasons......(just dont mention "Flowers in the Rain", whatever you do!!!) End of Useless Information #370 ******************************* [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.]