[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 #484 July 6, 2003 In this issue: * The Move Online now has wallpaper! * Article: "Hot dogs with Mustard" * Review: "Mustard" * "Olympic Flyer" * Song Of The Week (week of 6/30): "Ella James" * Move cover band * Cruise of the Gods (w/"You're A Star") on DVD ============================================================== The contents of this digest are the copyright of The Move "Useless Information" Mailing List and may not be re-published or re-distributed elsewhere without permission and credit. 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: The Move Online now has wallpaper! Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2003 14:04:17 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins A Move Online exclusive: Move desktop wallpaper! http://www.themoveonline.com Click on "Downloads." Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always. (A special "thank you" to Ken Greenwell for his beautiful design work. Can't wait to see more!) ********** Subject: Article: "Hot dogs with Mustard" Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 13:50:12 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins To go along with all the recent discussion about "Mustard," George Mackenzie scanned a couple "Mustard" articles and sent them to me so I could transcribe them for the list. Don't know who wrote this first one, or in which publication it appeared, but it's great! ---- Hot dogs with Mustard "I've always wanted to do a drum solo, but I can't really play them, so I did a John Bonham special." Never mind, Bonzo - they say style is the capacity for parody. Roy Wood, relentless pasticheur of Brum, is talking about his new album, "Mustard," at a promo soiree in his manager Don Arden's Wimbledon mansion, a strange kitsch pile with a confusing variety of decorative styles. The album itself, to whose promotion Colman's Mustard ("A fortune from what people throw away") have donated 400 gallons of their Best English, is a Roy Wood Total Production, through producing, writing, singing and playing all the parts, down to designing the LP cover. Girlfriend Annie Haslam (she of Renaissance) and Phil Everly have cameo roles. The unassuming Roy's taste for taking off other artist's styles, evident on "Mustard" with nods to the Andrew Sisters, Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys, Ike & Tina Turner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Phil Spectorish productions, is perhaps explained by the fact that until recently, he had a contract which obliged him to write and deliver two albums a year to EMI as a solo performer, two a year to Warner Brothers for Wizzard, plus singles, plus 90 per cent of all their stage material. No wonder the guy uses take-offs. With this load reduced by half, Roy hopes he and Wizzard, who haven't played live for a year, will be back on the road before Christmas. Only one problem: Wizzard split up three weeks ago. But a new band is being put together. As Roy, still the despair of the Hairdressers' Federation ("A specialist told me I nearly lost all me hair through back-combing and dyeing it"), led the assembly to the garden for fireworks and a bonfire, there was some nervous speculation as to who would be the first martyr for critical objectivity. But there was no cause for fear. As Roy had said when the tape-player stuck, "I'm just playing for time, so everybody will get drunk and think it's great." ********** Subject: Review: "Mustard" Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 13:50:24 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins And here's the second one. If anyone knows which publication Bob Edmands wrote/writes for, let us know. The pictures that accompany the articles have come through too dark, so we're working on that. Thanks George, these are a terrific read! ROY WOOD: Mustard (Jet) Yet another breath-taking trip with the rockanroll Time-lord. Wood's no longer just content to recreate the '50s. Although after that inspired Wizzard album, "Eddy And The Falcons", he had every reason to be. This time, there's just a nod in the era's direction, with the cutesy singalong single "Look Thru' The Eyes Of A Fool". But the major songs here owe more to the late '60s. "Why Does Such A Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs" is not merely the ultimate Beach Boys pastiche. It builds upon their legacy, and shows what Brian Wilson could have achieved after "Heroes And Villains", if he hadn't got bunkered in that sand-box. Should have been the single. "Get On Down Home" is metal even heavier than "Brontosaurus", Wood's original pioneering effort. His idea of coked out drumming exactly captures the correct military style. This track is also remarkable for bringing the Everly Brothers' sound into the '70s. A spot of close harmony is thrust jokily up the middle of the song, and sounds remarkably like Phil and Don. The effect is cunningly achieved by the use of yer actual Phil hisself, who was somehow persuaded to croon along with Roy. If anyone doubts Wood's talent for melody, despite those many hit singles, then two cuts lavishly display it. To wit: "The Rain Came Down On Everything" and "The Song" both so tear-jerking they crust your speakers with salt. The only qualms about the album are to do with the songs which lean on the '40s: the title track and "You Sure Got It Now". Sure, they sound like the Andrew Sisters, but haven't the likes of Bette Midler already satiated the audience's appetite for such things? But maybe that's a personal quirk. One question deserves to be asked: Why isn't Roy Wood an international rock superstar, by now? One answer is that his working band is too cumbersome to stand either regular touring or musical evolution. Another is that Wood is too eclectic to be a monster success, and yet not weird enough for a cult following. If only Bernie Taupin would write him a lyric or two... - Bob Edmands ********** Subject: Re: Review: "Mustard" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:58:27 -0700 From: "Chris Roberts" George's copied Mustard review by Bob Edmands ends with: >....Another is that Wood is too eclectic to be a monster success, and >yet not weird enough for a cult following. How many members does this list have now? Do we qualify as a cult yet? Chris Cardiff, Wales ********** Subject: Re: Review: "Mustard" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 19:05:45 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins >How many members does this list have now? Do we qualify as a cult yet? Yes, we qualify as a cult! (Please don't make me count all subscription addresses. Gives me a headache...) Between this list and the ELO-Showdown list, if Roy were to sell a CD via the Internet, dare I say he'd be quite pleased with his "cult" sales figures! ********** Subject: Re: Review: "Mustard" Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 02:29:10 -0700 From: kakman1@juno.com Lynn Hoskins wrote: >Between this list and the ELO-Showdown list, if Roy were to sell a CD >via the Internet, dare I say he'd be quite pleased with his "cult" >sales figures! Rob should talk Roy into putting that to the test. Instead of an album, how about three or four song CD. Simple packaging, no fancy graphics, NO AUTOGRAPHS. Just a quick and easy release. "Spektacular"b/w "Kiss Me Goodnight, Bodicea", "You And Me" and the other number that he worked with Jeff about umpteen years ago. Make it a legit release at an affordable price. Sell it at FTM for a fiver. Make it available on iTunes on the Apple website, too. No record company in the way, easy cash, satisfied customers. Kevin Kunreuther Dallas TX ********** Subject: "Olympic Flyer" Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 01:44:06 -0700 From: Gmcorie the 45 down to zero came today. been trying to get some of the 45's of my favorite people. [anyone that had to do with Move] meanwhile back to down to zero the 45. there's this B-side Olympic Flyer never heard of it. can anyone tell me if this song has ever been anything but one of Roy's B sides. i know this is not the song of the week, but it could be. this is a really cool Woody instrumental. it's unique the way the instruments are arranged. the rumble of drums bring you into the horn's and cello. reminds me of early elo. Roy's name is the only name i see on the 45. need some help here. is this a solo, or does he have a little help. louisiana george ********** Subject: Re: "Olympic Flyer" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 00:51:35 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins >there's this B-side Olympic Flyer never heard of it. can anyone tell me >if this song has ever been anything but one of Roy's B sides. Hi George, I don't know a lot about "Olympic Flyer" but I'll tell you what I do know. It was never on an album. It's the B-side of a Roy Wood solo single that came out in 1981. The Helicopters played it live. Several list members have questioned why it wasn't on Exotic Mixture (along with its A-side "Down To Zero.") As to who plays on it, I don't know if any of the Helicopters helped out. Maybe someone else knows. I agree with you...it's a very good instrumental. Would be nice to have it on CD someday. ********** Subject: Song Of The Week: "Ella James" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 00:40:12 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Song Of The Week: June 30, 2003 "Ella James" from the album "Message From The Country" Possible discussion topics: Vocals Lyrics Songwriting Arrangement/Production Live performance Instrumentation/Musicianship Strong or weak points *********************** [These lyrics came from roywood.com a few years back... is "hasting to get me down" really correct?] "Ella James" (R. Wood) Sweet little girl's in the money Now she don't wanna know me at all, ooh ooh Who's she gonna use? What's she gonna lose? Been with Ella James too long Time to get up but I can't afford a cab To the job where I work not at all, ooh ooh Have you got a hand? Give it to me, man Been with Ella James too long - alright! Who's she gonna lose? What's she gonna use now? She was hasting to get me down Will she ever pass to another class now? And she's waiting to throw me down - alright! Sweet little girl's in the money Now you she don't wanna know me at all ooh ooh Who's she gonna use? What's she gonna lose? Been with Ella James too long - alright! Who's she gonna lose? What's she gonna use now? She was hasting to get me down Will she ever pass to another class now? And she's waiting to throw me down Sweet little girl came a running to the door When she told me he'd gone, ooh ooh I've just had a ball Not too bad at all Thank you Ella James - so long, so long ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Ella James" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 12:09:44 -0700 From: "Andrew Footman" >Been with Ella James too long Lyrics are 'Been without a change too long'. Ella James is not part of the lyrics! Nasville Teens also put this out as a single and made a good job of it. Thanks to Duncan Haig on the list i have a recording of that now too. I first heard this on the back of the Cally'man single and have loved it ever since. Took a year or two to get MFTC after i got this single. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Ella James" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:59:06 -0700 From: "Peter MANION" I remember well how difficult it was being a 'Move' fan during the period of Message, dreading the eventual break up of band and wondering if ELO could ever fill the gap that was inevitably going to be left by the passing of 'The Move'. Ella James, like (Chinatown and California Man) was a surprise gem that came from nowhere, temporarily bridging the gap and there for all to savour now. There was a lot of good material towards the end and 'Ella James' is a fine example of the period. The outstanding thing about 'Ella James' is that it is so typical Move but very different from anything else, driving bass, compulsory riff, and just Roy on vocals really letting rip. The lyrics make a little more sense than some of Roy's other female adventures and the guitar chord structures sound to me like they were the inspiration for what POLICE made their own trademark, soaked in resonance, overflowing and nicely timed for maximum effect. For me, one of the downsides when Jeff joined was the tendency to improvise and jam, on both 'Looking On' and 'MFTC, which got worse when Rick had gone. This became more apparent on songs like 'Words of Aaron', 'Message from the Country', and 'Do Ya' - 'Ella James' (wasn't it set to be a single release?) doesn't suffer from that at all, and that bit where Roy's voice synchronizes with the hi-hat symbol with Alright t t t t is one of my favourite 'Move' moments, sheer genius! The guitar solo that follows is spot on, pulling the notes from nowhere then into that great honking sax break, and there is something else in there which I am not sure what it is, it comes in on the riffs towards the end of the song? Jeff's piano is top notch and I could go on and on about this song but I think this will do, Great song, one of The Move's finest! ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Ella James" Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 19:05:14 -0700 From: Lisa Naysmith Strangely enough I was only listening to the opening few songs of Message From The Country album this morning, so this one is fresh in my memory. "Now Lisa," my music teacher would say, "what is the composor of this piece trying to tell us? "Well," I say (i drop the quotes or it gets tricky) he is trying to tell us that someone at EMI is making him record another Move album when all he really wants to do is to scrape away at various acoustic string instruments and blow wildly into a selection of brass and reed instruments, but to play a clever trick on them he will record songs that sound as little as possible like previous Move recordings and also will put in the minimum effort and the maximum larking about, and this goal will culminate in the song Ella James: a 3 minute track that seems to go on for 10, packed with stops and starts unexpected changes of time and scale, massed clangy trebbles, a tune that is neither pleasant, dramatic or interesting in any way, and topped with the most random lyrics he could think of at the time (remembering not to think too hard, due to the minimum effort clause). Oh well, I suppose it's E- again for me. Best wishes, Lisa (putting away horns and forked tail). ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Ella James" Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 02:32:26 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Lisa says: >"Well," I say (i drop the quotes or it gets tricky) he is trying to >tell us that someone at EMI is making him record another Move album >when all he really wants to do is to scrape away at various acoustic >string instruments and blow wildly into a selection of brass and reed >instruments, but to play a clever trick on them he will record songs >that sound as little as possible like previous Move recordings and >also will put in the minimum effort and the maximum larking about... Everyone has their likes and dislikes (and with Roy there's something for everybody), but I'm not so sure that this was a "minimum effort" song. Certainly not a "minimum effort" album, as "Message From The Country" is Roy's favorite Move LP. "Ella James" is raw and bass-heavy. The hard, grinding, weird guitar sounds cool. Or maybe it's the "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaall right!" that does it for me. Is the Nashville Teens version any good? By the way, the other day I posted this: >While Roy and Jeff did not do much collaborating, save for "My Marge,"... Where did I come up with "My Marge"? I got Marge confused with Ella, apparently. This is from the 1994 Goldmine interview: Goldmine: Do you have a favorite Roy wood/Jeff Lynne collaboration from your Move days? Roy Wood: Oh, dear. Basically, we collaborated on quite a few things but because of our publishing situation it usually went down on the sleeve as a Roy Wood or Jeff Lynne song. I don't remember any tracks that were written together. There was one of Jeff's called "The Minister" that I liked a lot, which we worked on together. "Ella James" was one of mine that we worked on together. ...as it was a Roy/Jeff collaboration, I'm thinking they both would have put a fair amount of time into it. Just a guess, tho. ********** Subject: Re: Song Of The Week: "Ella James" Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2003 00:10:38 -0700 From: Keith Fletcher One of those songs that would benefit from the excellent remastering that has happened for the first light series. Great song. Fingers crossed that Roy will finish off the sleeve notes for Rob before Spring 2004. ********** Subject: Move cover band Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:59:11 -0700 From: Tremelo7 If you were going to start a Move (or a Roy Wood) cover/tribute band, what would you call it?.........mike ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 17:59:46 -0700 From: Bob Coulter Mike wrote: >If you were going to start a Move (or a Roy Wood) cover/tribute band, >what would you call it?.........mike I would not want to deceive people into thinking the band was The Move, so It's Not The Move would be a good name to start. But I would then rearrange the letters of It's Not The Move to get the band's final name of Vomit's On Teeth. Bob Coulter Bobcaygeon, Ont. ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 19:05:10 -0700 From: unicorn1 "Move Over" ;-) ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 19:06:13 -0700 From: Richard Messum >If you were going to start a Move (or a Roy Wood) cover/tribute band, >what would you call it?.........mike "The Movies." "The Movements" "The RoyWeilers" "Supper Octave Wizz..Oh!" "The Murv." "The Electric Light Orchestra" -- oh, no, wait that's already been taken. ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 02:29:25 -0700 From: Lisa Naysmith >If you were going to start a Move (or a Roy Wood) cover/tribute band, >what would you call it? Wood yoo moove? ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 02:29:41 -0700 From: David Gofstein Hi All: I'm torn between the following-- (in no particular order) 1) Ben Crawley Steel Co. 2) Beautiful Daughter 3) Cherry Blossom Clinic 4) Mustard & finally 5) Jolly Cup of Tea! This is fun, Dave in Arizona ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 10:49:38 -0700 From: "Michael J. Cross" I always thought "Useless Information" had a nice ring to it. Mike Cross Rochester, NY ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 10:49:43 -0700 From: "Phil Redmon" My Roy covers band would be; "Roy Wouldn't" or "Roy Wood, Move over". That last one is actually a line by the Liquor Giants. All Woody fans should check them out, they do a very faithful cover of "Fire Brigade". ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 23:33:48 -0700 From: STEVE KLEMZ Phil Redmon wrote: >That last one is actually a line by the Liquor Giants. All Woody fans >should check them out, they do a very faithful cover of "Fire Brigade". and they do an even better version of idle race 'days of broken arrows' ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 10:49:32 -0700 From: "Jeff Cooper" The Cherry Blossom Fire Brigade. ********** Subject: Re: Move cover band Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 23:33:33 -0700 From: Tremelo7 although its a bit long, i like "it wasn't my idea to dance" ********** Subject: Cruise of the Gods (w/"You're A Star") on DVD Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 02:39:20 -0700 From: Lynn Hoskins Last December around Christmastime (when Roy was making his annual morning show appearances) George Mackenzie posted about a show he caught on BBC 2 called "Cruise of the Gods" that started off with Carl Wayne's "You're a Star." I've never seen it, of course, but I've HEARD it's a very funny program. It would be nice if BBC America showed something other than Ground Force, Changing Rooms and House Invaders in the U.S.!! (Although I do have to give them credit for giving us a solid week of The Office.) Anyway, fans (of both the song and the show) will be happy to know that "Cruise of the Gods" has just come out on DVD in the UK. I've included the BBC's press release below. ---- Worldwide Press Release http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/commercial/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2003/05_may/cruise_ofthe_gods.shtml 13.05.03 Cruise of the Gods DVD Release: 2nd June 2003 "The pairing of Coogan and Brydon Š something of a comedic dream team." The Independent Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan star in Cruise of the Gods, the highly acclaimed sci-fi comedy drama broadcast on BBC TWO over Christmas 2002, with special guest appearances from Brian Conley and Jack Jones Andy Van Allen (Rob Brydon), the former hero of a cult 80's futuristic TV show, 'Children of Castor', is now working as an hotel porter. In contrast, his ex co-star, Nick Lee (Steve Coogan), has since shot to fame in the USA starring in a blockbuster mini-series, 'Sherlock Holmes in Miami.' Things start to look up for Andy when an unusual offer comes along; the Children of Castor Fan Club has organised a fan cruise and invite him to attend as the principal celebrity. Once aboard however, a combination of Andy's cynicism, his fans' adoration, a misguided sexual encounter and an unexpected death ensure the paradise cruise is far from plain sailing. A Baby Cow Production, Cruise of the Gods is written by Tim Firth, directed by Declan Lowney, (Father Ted, Cold Feet, Happiness), produced by Alison MacPhail, and the Executive Producers are Henry Normal and Steve Coogan. DVD extras include: 30 minute video diary; deleted scenes with commentary; out-takes; commentary with Declan Lowney, Alison MacPhail and Tim Firth; Children of Castor sequence; Children of Castor script available to print from pc dvd rom; alternative ending; photo gallery; scene selection. Release date: 2nd June 2003 Price: £15.99 Cat. Number: BBCDVD1216 Certificate: 15 Genre: comedy Duration: 90 mins approx End of Useless Information #484 ******************************* [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.]