[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 #473 May 13, 2003 In this issue: * ELO 2 * Move records/hits/chart positions in Denmark (cont.) * Gerry Levene and the Avengers * Let It Rock exhibition * Roy Wood Goldmine interview online * XTC's Andy Partridge cites Roy as major influence * "Super Active Wizzo" (cont.) * The Busy Mr Wood.... update on TV show * Song Of The Week (week of 5/5): "Nancy Sing Me A Song" * (SCORE!) Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders ============================================================== 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: ELO 2 Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 02:26:36 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Ricardo Amaral wrote: >By the way, I got the ELO II a couple of weeks ago and it is indeed one >of the best reissue editions ever. I still prefer ELO I, if only for >the incredible video, but this one is clearly in the same level as the >first edition of First Light. Keep on going, Rob, you're doing many >fan's dreams come sound. > >I was just intrigued by one thing: is Roy playing in any track? >Apparently yes, but there is no credit for him in any of the bonus >tracks, right? Hi Ricardo, Yes, Roy plays cello and bass guitar on "From The Sun To The World" and "In Old England Town". There's an ELO 2 feature story on The Move Online (www.themoveonline.com), that includes a link to FTM's dedicated ELO 2 website (www.ftmusic.com/elo2). If you haven't visited the ELO 2 site, you're in for an amazing treat. ********** Subject: Re: Move records/hits/chart positions in Denmark Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 13:33:28 -0700 From: "Micke" >Rob just phoned from the studio and has asked me to put a query out >on the list. > >What Move records (albums & singles) were released in Denmark / >Scandinavia? > >What were the hits? > >What were the chart positions? In Sweden The Move had just one hit on "Tio I Topp" (top ten), a list based on votes, not record sales. It was Blackberry Way which went to no. 5, 1 March 1969 and stayed on the list for four weeks according to http://hem.passagen.se/sandgren/los/a4.htm. Swedish Radio made a live recording of The Move in 1968 I think which they broadcasted the same year and about 10 years ago. They performed I Can Hear The Grass Grow, So You Wanna Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star and a couple of more songs. /Mikael from Sweden ********** Subject: Gerry Levene and the Avengers Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 13:34:47 -0700 From: marc haines jim onslow schrieb: >could you please tell me why when anything is mentioned on early ROY >WOOD Gerry Levene and the Avengers are rarely mentioned. They were >the first band he recorded with, the band also featured GREAME EDGE >(MOODIES) & MIKE HOPKINS (IDLE RACE). The record was called DR >FEELGOOD (DECCA). just trying to put the record straight as it was >the start of a lot of history. Myself and Roy were featured on >backing vocals. > >http://www.jimonslow.bizland.com Hello Jim, don't know if you are aware of the E.L.O. book "Unexpected Messages", but we wrote the whole story from the early days up to Move, E.L.O., Wizzard etc. including all of the early band and off-spins. Gerry Levene & the Avengers were obviously mentioned too, as was their record listed in the huge discography. I heard that along with the released single (which I luckily own a copy of!), Decca recorded five more songs, called "Without you", "I just wanna make love to you", "Please say yes", "Twist & Shout" and "Do you love me". Can you tell me more about these sessions or the songs itself? All the best, Marc ********** Subject: Let It Rock exhibition Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 16:59:41 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Perhaps our Brummie list members can check this out and let us know if there are any photos of The Move or ELO... City's rock and roll hall of fame Birmingham Evening Mail (UK) April 29, 2003 by Tony Collins THE biggest names in rock are gathered under one roof in Birmingham for a once-in-a-ifetime music experience. Let It Rock, launched yesterday by ex-ELO and Move guitarist Bev Bevan, sees some of the music industry's most celebrated legends rubbing shoulders together at the city's Symphony Hall. And fans of stars ranging from The Rolling Stones to David Bowie even have the chance to take a slice of their heroes home with them. Symphony Hall's Broad Street Gallery is playing host to a collection of photos of rock legends spanning the 60s, 70s & 80s. The Let It Rock exhibition, which is free, opens today and continues until Saturday May 31. The 40 pictures are taken from the fabulous Getty Images Collection, one of the greatest photographic archives in the world. Pictures include such gems as David Bowie in concert in 1973, Cliff Richard hanging up his socks to dry in his kitchen a decade earlier, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger sharing a train journey in 1967, Jimi Hendrix at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival and Led Zeppelin at the Bath Festival. The exhibition is open to the public each day from 10am to 5pm, and during concert evenings. Copyright © 2003 Birmingham Post and Mail Ltd. ********** Subject: Re: Let It Rock exhibition Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 23:52:12 -0700 From: "Tim Emerich" Lynn quoted: >Let It Rock, launched yesterday by ex-ELO and Move guitarist Bev >Bevan, sees some of the music industry's most celebrated legends >rubbing shoulders together at the city's Symphony Hall. yeah... Bev Bevan played guitar and Kelly Grocutt wrote all the songs. yeah. ********** Subject: Re: Let It Rock exhibition Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 23:52:17 -0700 From: "Andrew Footman" Er, Bev was the guitarist in the Move and ELO. Shame on them, its a Brum paper too! ********** Subject: Roy Wood Goldmine interview online Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 00:50:20 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins By popular demand, the infamous (and very long!) Roy Wood 1994 Goldmine interview is now online. Just visit the "Archive" section of The Move Online - http://www.themoveonline.com. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to do this. I don't seem to have much spare time these days. I started formatting the interview two weeks ago, and after receiving a heartfelt plea from a new list member today, I finally attacked it and got it done. I even threw in a 1971 Message From The Country review, and a 1969 interview with Carl concerning his pet pig. I'll next be adding Mendelsohn's "Shazam" review. There's so much to be added to the Archive. Greg Weatherby's NME early Move bits, for instance. Just send me what you have, and I'll be a lot quicker. Now that I've finished the Goldmine mega-article, everything else will be a piece of cake. ********** Subject: XTC's Andy Partridge cites Roy as major influence Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 09:43:15 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" I've been meaning to post this for quite some time. It's from the June 2000 edition of Pulse. Here is an excerpt from an article written by Andy Partridge of XTC fame: WHY I'M AN ENDANGERED SPECIES by Andy Partridge "I'm an endangered species because of the chords. I'm an endangered species because of the fences , the gates, the walls of verses. The dead paths and manicured crazy golf green strips that lead to bridges and middle eights. I'm trapped by the five bar gates and eight bar sections that steer me bleeding slowly around the tiled abattoir corridors of the song. From my throat life stuff leaks out like colored jam, and still I trudge, grinding out "the songs". If I grind out more songs, the reward will be....to grind out more songs. Around I go, around the perfect pathway of Disneyland after dark. Locked in and stumbling on, past the tweaked topiary lyrics. Form a line here for the approach to chorus land, where I get to ride downhill toward the exit for a bit. Rest my legs maybe. How did I get caught here in melody Auschwitz? Songs make you free. Hear me, I'm an endangered species. Help, I'm a prisoner in a hard days night hell camp." "I'll tell you who lured me into the tar. The smell of bubble gum and her mother's perfume. The tactile twitch of her white rubber back as my skinny fingers strummed impotently on her bra strap. I jammed with The Move's "Fire Brigade" pecking at the pit of my stomach. How do they do that passion play alchemy from inside a dansette? The kitchen of the Methodist church youth club became ten billion tons of limestone pressing on me, a trainee fossil. Roy Wood wanted me to become an endangered species." Well, it goes on & on but I thought the list might enjoy the reference to Roy. Quite a commentary on the songwriting process, though. Wonder if Roy feels this way about it? Wizzards, Tyler ********** Subject: Re: XTC's Andy Partridge cites Roy as major influence Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 15:30:34 -0700 From: Mike F Yes, he cites Ray Davies as a big influence as well. You can read the whole thing here: http://chalkhills.org/articles/Pulse0006.html ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 10:24:47 -0700 From: "vellini" I have a copy of Supper Acrive Wizzo on vinyl. It's in great shape, played maybe twice. I believe it's the U.S. release but will check on that for certain. I'd be willing to part with it if anyone wishes to make an offer. I'll try here 1st before going to ebay. Let me know if anyone is interested! ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 01:43:07 -0700 From: Richard Messum From: vellini >I have a copy of Supper Acrive Wizzo on vinyl. It's in great shape, >played maybe twice. I believe it's the U.S. release but will check on >that for certain. I'd be willing to part with it if anyone wishes to >make an offer. Why on earth would you want to sell it?! Outside of The Move, "Super Active Wizzo" was the best album RW ever made (in my not-so-humble opinion). Its lack of commercial success baffles me to this day. It's very demanding, but so what? So are "Looking on" and the first ELO album. It's one of my most treasured LPs. ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 00:38:39 -0700 From: "vellini" Richard Messum wrote: > Why on earth would you want to sell it?! There's no accounting for taste I suppose. I much prefer Boulders, Eddie and the Falcons, and Mustard. I even enjoy Main Street. But SAW never did it for me. Perhaps I'll give it another listen. It's been on the shelf since it was released way back in 197?. Just thought someone may like to have it that appreciates it more. Besides, I need the money............... ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 11:26:39 -0700 From: "George Mackenzie" I have a WHITE LABEL vinyl copy - is it worth more than the U.S copy, anyone tell me? thanks ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 01:10:31 -0700 From: "Andrew Footman" Sadly even being so rare, it is worth around £20. If a few die hard fans chase after it it would push the price up. Strangely this lp is overlooked, it is a great album but it is not a pop album. This really was the last first class band Roy played with. Main Street was not released at the time and this was received by a luke-warm public. I think this album was the start of Roy's slide into the lost and all but forgotten era. This album is better than Eddie And The Falcons and Mustard. But alas Jazz Rock got lost in the Punk Rock boom. I myself was into punk but still got Roy's records but alas a lot of his fans were not buying his stuff by then. A few more LP's failed and Roy retired to his Army. After his last 4 lp's failed i can see why he will not release another one. ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 01:10:44 -0700 From: Gmcorie i thank i got Super Active Wizzo off of ebay, but it hasn't got here. i give it a week if it's not here. [i WANT IT.] i've never even heard it. my feet want to dance. can't wait! i can't get enough of Roy. yesterday Roy's autograph picture came in. today the Discovery Lp [ELO] came in. has all of their autograph. Wow, can sit back and enjoy now. if only had got them in person. i Thank all the Listmer's [list members] for your help. louisiana george ********** Subject: Re: "Super Active Wizzo" Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 05:47:52 EDT From: BudrickFBundy Can you send me the link to the ELO discovery that you bought and which seller. I'd like to see if it is the same seller that has been selling a lot of obvious fakes recently. If it is the same people that have their feedback and bidders hidden I'd like to see you get your money back. There have been a couple of sellers that are regularly flagged up as selling fakes. I'd hate to see one of the list members get ripped off. All the best. Andrew Codd ********** Subject: The Busy Mr Wood.... update on TV show Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 09:43:44 -0700 From: Peter Grenville Hi everyone! You may remember that a few days ago I sent a note about Roy Wood appearing on a pilot for a TV show. Well, from www.brianmaynews.com here's an update for you... ROGER SINGS AT TV PILOT The SAS Band TV Pilot "In Session" went ahead on Tuesday Night, in front of a live audience. The proceedings kicked off with Spike explaining why he had come up with the concept... namely that there just seems to be nothing worth watching on the regular TV shows, apart from the excellent Mr Jules Holland... and this was aimed at being in a similar vein. The house band were introduced... SAS regulars including Jamie Moses, Johnni Marter, and Steve Stroud, and Suzie and Zoe, and first up was Chris Thompson with 'Davy's On The Road Again' which Spike pointed out Chris had sung on the very first SAS show.... 10 years ago. Tony Hadley was the next guest. An area of conveniently appointed comfy sofas was provided to the left of the performance area, where Spike could interview his guests. Tony was asked about Reborn In The USA, and what was Sonia really like... and also the early days in his career... a snatch of Spandau Ballet videos was shown. Then he took to the stage and regaled us with Tie Your Mother Down and Through The Barricades. Madelaine Bell, in find voice, did a wonderful Lady Marmalade. When Roy Wood arrived on stage, he wrestled Spike (and his clip board) to the ground, and then went off and had another stab at an entrance. He talked to Spike about his career and past bands up to the present day - showing a collage of video clips... and Roy entertained us with how he achieved a white beard for I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day - after an unsuccessful attempt with clouds of talcum powder, he used Meltonian Shoe Whitener. He now performs with 13 lady trombonists and had brought along 4 of these ladies, and they joined him on stage for Blackberry Way and California Man. There wasn't time for the 21 Riff Overture, but during a technical hitch (with a drum mike) Jamie launched into his famous 'Beer Song'. Roger Taylor was Spike's final guest, clad in bright white jeans and white collarless shirt, with side slits - he wore sunglasses but took them off briefly. His west country upbringing was the first topic of discussion, although he wasn't born there, and when Smile was mentioned, Roger said 'We won't go into that - it'll take too long' or words to that effect. Jimi Hendrix's influence was mentioned Interesting eh? I'll keep an eye out for any further info.... Shoe whitener eh? I'll have to try that one. All the best! Peter Grenville ********** Subject: Song Of The Week: "Nancy Sing Me A Song" Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 23:52:07 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Song Of The Week: May 5, 2003 "Nancy Sing Me A Song" from the Roy Wood album "Boulders" Possible discussion topics: Vocals Songwriting Lyrics Instrumentation Arrangement/Production Strong or weak points *********************** [I've taken a wild stab at the lyrics. I'm hoping someone on the list can do a little better!] "Nancy Sing Me A Song" (R. Wood) Hanging here _____ the birds away I'm no good today Till you open the door Waving my arm, though it's filled with hay Will you walk away Here I am waiting for you Nancy, Nancy sing me a song Something to make my hair grow long Nancy, Nancy sing me a song Something to make my hair grow long Sparrows pass by _____ _____ Till you open the door Stand there and sing in your pixie hood If I only could I would squeeze you so tightly Nancy, Nancy sing me a song Something to make my hair grow long Nancy, Nancy sing me a song Something to make my hair grow long If I have powers to sing and play I feel good today When you open the door Hold you and keep you, I really would If I only could Here I am waiting for you Nancy, Nancy sing me a song Something to make my hair grow long Nancy, Nancy sing me a song Something to make my hair grow long... ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Nancy Sing Me A Song" Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 15:30:22 -0700 From: "Andrew Clark" I've always thought that the missing lyrics were as follows Hanging here _____ the birds away (Hanging here cawing the birds away) I'm no good today Till you open the door Waving my arm, though it's filled with hay Will you walk away Here I am waiting for you Sparrows pass by _____ (freely eat the seed) _____ (don't pay any heed) Till you open the door Stand there and sing in your pixie hood If I only could I would squeeze you so tightly ********** Subject: (SCORE!) Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 15:30:41 -0700 From: "Tim Emerich" went to San Francisco for the first time in two years yesterday for my birthday which is actually today. got to Amoeba Records on Haight Street and found a strange 1983 release; Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders - Birmingham Beat.. on vinyl. tracks are- side one: No Other Guy Tell Me What Youre Gonna Do Please Mr. Postman In Love Brand New Cadillac A Thing Of The Past What a Sweet Thing That Was side two: Fabulous Here I Stand Lonely Weekends (Mike Sheridan's Lot) Take My Hand Make Them Understand Stop Look And Listen Don't Turn Your Back On Me well, i was so damn happy (not to mention the fact that it was only $7.95 and in great condition) that i walked straight to the counter, paid for it and came back home to Merced! it's on the Edsel label. really really neat insert included with great pics of the various lineups of the band with liner notes from Dave Pritchard and Mike Sheridan. there's a pic of Roy and the band sitting next to Little Richard. cool accidental birthday gift! ********** Subject: Re: (SCORE!) Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 10:44:30 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Tim wrote: >got to Amoeba Records on Haight Street and found a strange 1983 release; >Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders - Birmingham Beat.. on vinyl. I'm jealous!! >side two: >Fabulous >Here I Stand >Lonely Weekends I'm not as knowledgeable about Roy's work with Mike Sheridan as I should be, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Didn't Roy sing backing vocals on "Here I Stand"? >(Mike Sheridan's Lot) Take My Hand >Make Them Understand >Stop Look And Listen >Don't Turn Your Back On Me Also, I know that "Make Them Understand" was Roy's first songwriting effort. How old was he then...17? 18? What were his contributions on the other three "Lot" songs listed above? Tim, had you heard "Make Them Understand" before? ********** Subject: Re: (SCORE!) Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 11:36:23 -0700 From: kakman1 >Also, I know that "Make Them Understand" was Roy's first songwriting >effort. How old was he then...17? 18? What were his contributions >on the other three "Lot" songs listed above? Roy had to be more like 16 going on 17 when "MTU" was recorded. I first heard song dubbed from a copy of 'The Roy Wood Story" about twenty years ago. Very Englebert Humperdink or very bad cabaret! Sounds barely produced. The engineers must have just set up the mikes, balanced the levels and let the tape roll while they went off and had a cuppa! In retrospect, it may have done better if it was given to Tom Jones or Englebert or even Georgie Fame. Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: Re: (SCORE!) Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 17:41:22 -0700 From: "Richard Kenworthy" Kevin wrote about Make Them Understand....... >Very Englebert Humperdink or very bad cabaret! >Sounds barely produced. The engineers must have just set up the >mikes, balanced the levels and let the tape roll while they went off >and had a cuppa! In retrospect, it may have done better if it was >given to Tom Jones or Englebert or even Georgie Fame. Mike has since apologised to Roy for singing flat on this song. If I recall correctly this apology was in his sleeve notes on this LP. Great photo on the sleeve as well. Richard Lancaster UK ********** Subject: Re: (SCORE!) Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 01:09:00 -0700 From: "Tyler C.Sherman" Hi Lynn, What I know of Roy's stint with the Nightriders is that he joined rather late in their existence, maybe early-mid '65. They had been around Birmingham since '63, with the earliest recordings on this CD done in '64. Roy's guitar work and background vocals can be clearly heard on many tracks on this CD, most notably a tune called "Take My Hand" and his first recorded composition, "Make Them Understand". On "Rock Family Trees: Birmingham Beat", Mike Sheridan apologizes to Roy for singing the song off key! He also tells of the time Roy announced to them he was leaving to form a band he called The Move. Mike says they "all fell about laughing" because they thought it was a stupid name. End of Useless Information #473 ******************************* [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.]