[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 #458 March 26, 2003 In this issue: * Song Of The Week (week of 3/17): "The Carlsberg Special" * Wizzard and Spike Jones * Who's in the gorilla suit? * Harold Wilson postcard * Song Of The Week (week of 3/24): "Chinatown" * All this and WW2 * Hollies review in Birmingham Evening Mail * One Year Ago... Super Bilston gig * One Year Ago... Roy rocks the Robin! ============================================================== 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: Re: Song Of The Week: "The Carlsberg Special" Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 11:54:23 -0800 From: Pickfordmansions Just for reference (and boasting) I was one of those fans who rang the telephone number on Carlsberg Special within a few days of Ball Park Incident coming out. Aha - the advantages of being quick because it was still connected - must have been the first Sunday after it was released. Hearts thumping, fingers crossed and expecting anything. Anyway, surprise and delight when it turned out to be a real number with a real person on the end who just happened to be Bill Hunt. What a lovely chap he was, happy to talk, friendly and helpful - put us in touch with the infamous Don Arden and Aquarius Management when we mentioned we would love to be involved in a 'Wizzard Appreciation Society' (note - not a fan club - as over-inflated teenagers we were far too precious for something as teeny-bopper as that) although he did say he thought that one Edgar Broughton was being lined up to do it (and that's a cult name from the past, youngsters). Never found out if this was an example of Birmingham humour or not but the Appreciation Society thing and me never happened. Still, via Bill I met the rest of the band when they were playing around the West Country and they were all really great guys - no prima donnas at all. After reading recent postings about Roy's recent gig and the possibility of alcohol affecting his performance all I can say is - before one gig I went out with the band and the roadies while they were waiting for the show to begin after the sound check. Everyone bought a round of drinks for themselves (and ME) which must have made a grand total of 10 pints before the show - luckily they had to go back for the gig before it was time for my round - which was lucky. Even luckier, I was underage to be buying booze in a pub at the time. Luckier still - there was no way I had enough money at the time to buy drinks for all of Wizzard. While I was back at the venue one of the roadies appeared with a crate of bottles of Newcastle Brown which he hid under some instrument cases, implying that was for Roy and him to share later on. Despite the large quantity of alcohol my memories are still crystal clear - I think the boys had (very sensibly) made sure I didn't get too many rum-and-blacks that day. So, in answer to the question, does Roy drink before a show, I can vouch for the fact that, 30 years ago at least, he certainly could - and the show seemed fine afterwards. Oh yes, a few years ago, my friend who's Dad had paid for the initial phone call met up with someone who, I believe, turned out to be Bill Hunt's sister - and she was very pleasant too. Mind you, the details in this part of the anecdote are a little bit less certain, so don't take it as gospel - I'd had another drink when I was told it so I may have misheard something. Yours from the wonderful world of cider. Neil Pickford p.s. Carlsberg Special was what really hooked me into Wizzard - I'd loved the Move and ELO but Ball Park Incident had taken a bit of getting used to - it was a really mushy sound when I first heard it. But the humour in the 'B' side made me think 'there's some really good stuff comin' from this lot - stick with it.' And I think I was right, don't you? ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "The Carlsberg Special" Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 15:40:05 -0800 From: "Martin Kinch" Bill told me in an interview I did with him that he didn't know the band were going to put his home phone number on the record until it was released. The interview can be found at http://martinkinch.members.beeb.net/bill.html ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "The Carlsberg Special" Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 19:25:11 -0800 From: "Steve Graham" Some interesting comments about Wizzard B-sides...I think most of them are indeed magnificent, however they never got the exposure they deserved in England because the A-sides were aimed directly at the teenybopper charts...and all the kids wanted to hear was See My Baby Jive.....so the B-sides maybe got played once out of curiosity and then never again. Time for a new compilation I think? ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "The Carlsberg Special" Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 18:25:48 -0800 From: "Jeff Cooper" Richard Kenworthy wrote: >The Carlsberg Special (Pianos Demolished Phone 021 373 4472) > >When I tried to telephone for a piano to be demolished the phone >number had been withdrawn from service. I rang that number in around 1979 / 1980 when I got hold of the LP Compilation entitled 'See My Baby Jive' (which was an A & B Sides thing that also quoted the number). It was still out of service....! Out of sheer curiosity I have just this minute called 0121 373 4472 (0121 is the new B'ham code). Yep, the number is still out of service! :-) ********** Subject: Wizzard and Spike Jones Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 01:06:16 -0800 From: Richard Messum Kevin wrote: >Was Wizzard rock and roll's answer to Spike Jones and his City Slickers? Interesting point, i'd never considered it before. I'd have to respond in the negative, though. In spite of the similarities, extraordinarily virtuosic musicianship etc., S.J. and his C.S's were first and foremost performers of "novelty" songs, and while Wizzard had their share, it wasn't their primary raison d'être. Spike had his serious moments, but their (i.e., Wizzard's and the City Slickers') respective proportions vis-à-vis novelty songs are inverse, IMO. I think i shall have to now go and listen to my entire Spike Jones collection -- two CDs -- and reassess the situation. (And split a few infinitives along the way!) ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard and Spike Jones Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 15:40:00 -0800 From: PrimoChuck The comparison between Spike Jones and Roy Wood was made back in the 1970s (I think I remember reading this in a book that was at the public library here in California----in possibly one of those books glossy picture books from Hong Kong). I think the book pointed to Going Down the Road in the comparison---weren't there sound effects in Going Down the Road? Does anyone know the book I am thinking of? I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Wizzard live or on TV, but from the description on the list, a Gorilla playing an instrument is very Spike Jones. The recently mentioned "little person" that was in Bev's drum with the Move also has the Jones touch. Spike did something similar in the 1950s with Billy Barty coming out of a fake stand up bass. There has been much talk on the list about a Move reunion. I would be happy if Wizzard would reform and just play marvelous B sides like "The Carlsberg Special." Were any of the Wizzard B sides performed live in concert? Charlie Long Beach, California (birthplace of Spike Jones) ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard and Spike Jones Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 14:14:27 -0800 From: Richard Messum Charlie wrote: >I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Wizzard live or on TV, but from >the description on the list, a Gorilla playing an instrument is very >Spike Jones. And then of course there was Captain Sensible's video in which he looned about in a pink gorilla suit. (What song was that? "Say wot?" Someone help me out here.) ********** Subject: Re: Wizzard and Spike Jones Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 15:09:07 -0800 From: "Bill Liman" Richard wrote: >And then of course there was Captain Sensible's video in which he looned >about in a pink gorilla suit. (What song was that? "Say wot?" Someone >help me out here.) I think it was just called Wot! The Captain had a variety of outfits - in the early days he preffered a nurses uniform, but the best one I heard about was a Tyrannosaurus Rex outfit, the tail of which got grabbed by the crowd which caused a tug of war between roadies and the fans with the Captain in the middle. I remember when Wizzard were on Top of the Pops a few weeks in a row and they seemed to get crazier every time. Does anybody remember the life size cardboard cut-outs of politicians mixed in with the members of the band? ********** Subject: Who's in the gorilla suit? Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 14:17:13 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Charlie from Long Beach wrote: >I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Wizzard live or on TV, but from >the description on the list, a Gorilla playing an instrument is very >Spike Jones. One of the great Wizzard mysteries: Which roadie wore the gorilla suit? No one seems to remember. Roy mentioned it in the 1994 Goldmine interview: Goldmine: A lot of people described Wizzard as being like a traveling rock 'n' roll circus. Roy Wood: It was a bit, yeah. We had the roadies dressed as gorillas, that was pretty good (laughs). But no names. I don't know why this is important to me... ********** Subject: Re: Who's in the gorilla suit? Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 15:09:16 -0800 From: John DeSilva Lynn Hoskins wrote: >One of the great Wizzard mysteries: Which roadie wore the gorilla suit? Was it Phil Copestake? Or was he strictly ELO at that point, and never worked with Wizzard ... JD San Jose, CA ********** Subject: Re: Who's in the gorilla suit? Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 16:58:08 -0800 From: "Martin Kinch" In Rick Price's Q and A he mentions the time when Bob Doyle custard pied him on TOTP. That pie came from a 'gorilla' so Bob could have been one ... Any relation Joe? I suppose thinking about Custard pies and roadies dressed as gorillas helps to take our minds off things for a few minutes at this difficult time ... ********** Subject: Re: Who's in the gorilla suit? Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 16:58:26 -0800 From: kakman1 >One of the great Wizzard mysteries: Which roadie wore the gorilla suit? First Gorilla suit sighting: 1970 TOTP The Move, "Brontosaurus", Bev Bevan was wearing the suit. Roy, of course, was a wearing a black and white version of what became his more colourful Wizzard garb. Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Re: Harold Wilson postcard Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 15:35:23 -0800 From: kakman1 Any luck finding the blamed thing yet? BTW, I have it on good authority if the actual item or any facsimiles are made available for sale on ebay or any other auction site or any other public estate offering, The Trust in charge of the Wilson Estate will intervene and have the item or items removed and confiscated and destroyed. Of course, some arsehole has to tip them off first. Well, I'm for making bootleg T-shirts myself featuring the postcard and distributing them for free (or at most, costs only, when did T-shirts get so dear all of a sudden?). And you know what? No one would know or care until the Trust was tipped off. Here's a fantasy: Roy has a gig somewhere in the vicinity of Harold Wilson's old constituency (somewhere in Liverpool, right?) and two busses full of fans show up sporting tees with infamous postcard on their fronts and backs. They roam around before the gig, visiting shops, pubs, restaurants, chippies, whatever, and don't say boo to anyone about the significance of the shirt except to say they're with a tour group and they're off to see Roy Wood play that night. What are the chances some geezer will actually catch on and object? less than zero? I'd think so. Of course at the gig, who knows what Roy may think, once he sees this lot and realises what's on all those tees? He may burst out crying, have a heart attack, or lead a cheer of solidarity. Personally, I'd like to imagine him announcing to the audience, "Now, now, I appreciate your support, but we musn't upset the Estate of Mr Wilson, so let's a have a pint to Mr. Wilson ...(boos from audience) and then go piss on Tony Secunda's grave afters! (huge cheers)" Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Song Of The Week: "Chinatown" Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 14:10:58 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Song Of The Week: March 24, 2003 "Chinatown" by The Move Possible discussion topics: Vocals Songwriting Lyrics Instrumentation Arrangement/Production Strong or weak points *********************** (Thanks to Bill Millay for his help with the lyrics. When you sing along, they do sound right!) "Chinatown" (R. Wood) Bury a jar of shao-sing when the girl is born Surely enough, the wine will age till she's fully grown Don't fade into the night, soon enough the world will end While the lantern is bright CHORUS: I could find a good-time girl in Chinatown, Chinatown, Dancing in my shoes See the Eastern ladies walk in Chinatown Chinatown, chain me down, Chinatown, ah... Maybe I'll drink your jasmine tea, then I'll hurry home Surely you know the likes of me should be left alone Why'd they like 'em before? Soon enough the world will end If I answer the door CHORUS (repeat) Look at the tall pagoda through to your window pane Watching you fly your dragon-kite on a go-go day You discover the white orchids in my humble home While the lantern is bright CHORUS (repeat) ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Chinatown" Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 00:53:39 -0800 From: "Peter MANION" I was so pleasantly surprised when this song popped up after 'Tonight' and brought Roy's gift for writing an instant hit to the fore. This is one of those Move songs that I suddenly get the urge to play and play over and again, hearing something new each time (Ella James is another one!) Tremendous vocals. harmony, slide guitar with cheeky Chinese riffs and every thing percussive that was available at the time - Bev had a ball on this one. Love it! It also has that suggestive 'Omnibus' feel lyrically, as Roy goes off in search of his Eastern Lady, dancing in his shoes! ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Chinatown" Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 17:08:24 -0800 From: Richard Messum So here's how it goes. My copy of "Chinatown" is on the "Split Ends" LP (vinyl). The first song on side one is "Do Ya." The Move at their riff-rock finest (it's a Jeff Lynne song). Then comes "The words of Aaron," The Move at their eccentric finest and recent SOTW (it's a Jeff Lynne song). And then there's that GONG! announcing the arrival of our Roy Wood and "Chinatown." It really is an exquisite pop song, with extraordinary slide guitar and, as Peter already mentioned, Bev pulling out all the stops. Rather a weak ending, though, don't you think? It just sort of runs out of steam, there's no logical conclusion. Contest: name some other songs with the title "Chinatown." I can think of two just off the top of my head, by Thin Lizzy and by Siouxsie & the Banshees. I'm sure there are lots of others. The winner will receive a sock full of used kitty litter (hey, we spare no expense around here). ********** Subject: Re: All this and WW2 Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 00:53:44 -0800 From: "Andrew Ralph" I DID see the film once, or at least part of it. It was on TV on a Sunday afternoon many years ago. It consists entirely of b&w WW2 clips strung together - some newsreel and some war films. And over the top is the soundtrack album. Notice it's a double album, which lasts about the whole length of a feature film. I turned the film off halfway through because it was boring. I too, like someone else on the list, bought the album for Peter Gabriel's contribution, as well as Roy and Jeff of course. Unfortunately, PG sounds like Kermit the Frog on Strawberry Fields, but it is one of his first solo efforts. I think Roy's Lovely Rita is the best track on the album, but that isn't saying much! ********** Subject: Hollies review in Birmingham Evening Mail Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 09:01:49 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins Val B was nice enough to type up this brief review of the Hollies' concert in Birmingham last Friday. Rob tells me that Richard Tandy and his wife went to the show and had a fantastic time watching their old friend. Thanks, Val! "Here We Go Again" THE HOLLIES at Symphony Hall Birmingham Evening Mail March 25 2002 By Tony Collins Huge thanks are undoubtedly due to the surgeon who ensured that the Hollies finally kept their Birmingham engagement. Ex-Move singer and city-boy born and bred, Carl Wayne, has returned better than ever, following a successful throat operation last year. The surgery led to last November's planned Symphony Hall concert being cancelled. But the Hollies' 40th anniversary tour is now firmly on track with a flourish. Carl, who replaced Allan Clarke three years ago, was in splendid voice from the opening Long Tall Woman in a Black Dress and Here I Go Again. Other hits continued to flow throughout the next two hours, from lesser known offerings such as Listen to Me and The Baby to number ones I'm Alive and Can't Let Go. Special cheers were reserved for the likes of The Air That I Breathe, Bus Stop, and He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. © Copyright 2003 Birmingham Post and Mail Ltd. ********** Subject: One Year Ago... Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 20:06:16 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins An idea... with so many people joining the Move List each week, I thought it might be fun if over the next few days I re-posted some of the New York reviews for those who weren't able to make it. I know that some new list members were at the VU shows (March 21-24 2002) so maybe they'd like to post their belated comments. I'll start with reviews of the Army's warm-up show in Bilston on the 13th. ********** Subject: One Year Ago... Super Bilston gig Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 20:07:19 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins [Re-post] Subject: Super Bilston gig Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 14:05:43 -0000 From: "chris roberts" Hello all, I went to see Roy and the Army at Bilston, Wolverhampton last night and thought a short report to whet the appetite of New York bound folks might be in order. It was good to meet up with Lynette, Colin and Dave Woodier for an 'all too quick' chat before the show and that settled me down after a tearing two hour drive from my home in Cardiff, Wales. We were all especially excited as we had heard there would be a debut for a new song, and we weren't to be disappointed. 'Big Girls Blues' was delivered with rip roaring aplomb and features the horn section whose catchy melody gives the song the hook line which sets it apart from 'standard blues' to my ears. A semi duet with Shelly Naylor was a surprise too. The well known set list was stuck to faithfully with the introduction of BGB (oooh I think I'm the first one to use that) thankfully not signalling the dropping of another song to accommodate it. The band were in really tight form; I don't know how often they rehearse but one would suspect that 'very frequently' is the answer if their delivery style is anything to go by. Roy appears to have worked on the arrangements still further since I last saw the Army play at the Un-Convention gig last Summer. His own guitar work has been embellished with 'more twiddley bits' in the breaks (hey, I'm not a 'mueso' so forgive the technical expressions), the backing vocals of the Naylors have been added to by the gorgeous Penny Hughes when not honking here sax and the Main Man's own vocals now appear higher in the mix. Personnel wise, the Army were without a few regulars who will not be making the American trip but their replacements had obviously studied the 'having fun' attitude embodied by there fore runners and there attention to musical detail belied the fact that they had just come in 'off the subs bench' so as to speak. Trombonist Sue Shepherd was the most notable absentee except that she wasn't!! The screaming and whistling encouragement of 'The Group Captain' from just behind us in the audience will see the horn section sent well on their way and drew the attention of Woody who dedicate the closing number to 'herself' by way of thanks (or was it to shut her up -only joking!). To all those of you making the trip to New York from near and far, I know you will have a fabulous time. ENJOY you lucky things!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Wishes Chris (Cardiff, Wales) ********** Subject: One Year Ago... Roy rocks the Robin! Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 20:07:33 -0800 From: Lynn Hoskins [Re-post] Subject: Roy rocks the Robin! Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 11:44:41 EST From: John Collins Sorry could not resist the subject title! Well, what a night in Bilston last night, my ears are still ringing, as Roy and the Army were not only loud, but on form and enjoying themselves. This was supposed to be a warm up, but it was more like a melt down as Roy and the Army gave a brilliant performance for the loyal Woody fans braving a cold night in Bilston. Roy went through the usual favourites but the big treat was Big Girls Blues which, although Roy was a little nervous about I think, he need not of worried, as the song probably got the biggest cheer of the night. A catchy little Blues/Jazzy number it was too. I think fans will like it. I was pleased to see the fans really get behind Roy last night, there was cheering and singing (half of Blackberry way was sung by the audience) and Roy commented as he and the Army took their bows at the end, as he thanked everybody for giving him a good send off. In fact the impossible was attempted as the shouts of more went up!!! Those of you going to the gigs in New York are in for a real treat, as Roy and the Army are bang in form. I only wish I could be there!! End of Useless Information #458 ******************************* [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.]