Mark King & Level 42

derrenleepoole · #1 10-07-2006, 03:24 AM

Watched Level 42 last night at the Lowry in Manchester, UK. Good show, if a tad short. I must admit I know very little L42 stuff, but the opportunity to see old 'thunderthumbs' live was not to be missed. They did the usual hits to please the crowd concert, which was a shame, no real stand out mind blowing bass solos etc. The dominate elements of the group where bass (obviously) keys and drums. I got to thinking that a trio gig, without any 'hits' or singing even, would be a really exciting thing to watch. Mark King must get bored of doing 'running in the family' etc.

Baryonyx · #2 10-07-2006, 11:22 AM

I'm going to see them tomorrow night. I can't wait!

Lazylion · #3 10-07-2006, 11:23 AM

Wasn't he doing his new album? I would think Sleep Talking and Dive Into The Sun would be rippin' live!

Baryonyx · #4 10-07-2006, 11:42 AM

I would kill to see them play "The Essential" live. That track is just silly.

derrenleepoole · #5 10-08-2006, 02:16 AM

Stuff off the new album was good for sure, and I did enjoy the concert. But it would of be even better if they had not done all the crowd pleasers. IMHO. But saying that I'm no L42 expert.

Baryonyx · #6 10-08-2006, 04:32 PM

I've just got back now-what a show!

First of all, the support act was alright. Kenny Tomas, never heard of him, but his bassist was using a headless Hohner jack bass, which was nice to see.

Level 42 were just bombastic. Mark was on top form, and his Status Kingbass sounded amazing. Now I HAVE to get one! He also has had a new bass made for the tour, called the Retroglide bass, which I'm sure will show up soon. It was in the tour program, looked very nice. It was also great to see Mike Lindup back in the fold, he was great, smiling all night!

The setlist was amazing. It read like a "perfect" list for me! They started off with Dive Into the Sun and then Hot Water, that got everyone up dancing. It was amazing! They played a rather epic Leaving Me Now, with a spotlit outro from Mike which was actually very emotive! They played Rooted and Retroglide from the new album, which was cool to hear. Kansas City Milkman went down a treat and was drawn out with some cool improvised sections. World Machine was also a hard hitter, and the light show was excellent as Mark boucned around the stage.

The real heavy hitter, setlist wise, was the medly. Mark announced that they would be playing a few songs in a row and that we should all sing along.

Cue The Sun Goes Down, Running In The Family, Lessons in Love and Something About You, all complete, in a row. Never heard anything like it!

They said their thanks and left, but the encore was a given. Cue Sleep Talking (amazing track, even better live!), The Chinese Way and Bass solo seguing in Love Games.

I counted 8 bass solos in all, I think. There were 6 where he played in the middle of the song, and two true "solos" where he had no accompaniment. My jaw was on the floor, especially in the second one where he borrowed licks from Dune Tune, 88 and Mr Pink and also led a blazing run of harmonics down the board. I also noticed that after every tune he seemed to play with the Bendwell between songs.

All in all, I havn't seen them have this much fun in years. If there are any gripes, it is that A) they didn't play any songs from Guaranteed and B) it ended, but given how good the show itself was, I can't complain.

I LOVE LEVEl 42!

Papersen · #7 10-08-2006, 04:39 PM

Thanks for the review.
I´ve recently rediscovered Level 42 after buring them in late 80´s.

clavefa · #8 10-08-2006, 04:56 PM

Mark King is awesome to play the way he does and SING!
Lead! Vocals!
He's one of my influences. Glad to see he's out playing live still

labgnat · #9 10-08-2006, 08:22 PM

i love slap bass, but just something about mark king that i just can't get down with, obviously has talent, but just not my taste.

derrenleepoole · #10 10-09-2006, 02:26 AM

Sounds like Chris2112 saw a similar set to me live. I recognise some of the song titles. Retroglide was a good tune, as was Dive Into the Sun. The encore tune Sleep Talking was excellent though I must admit. I went to the concert with a devout Level 42 fan who has seen them many many times live, and he thought they were pretty average that night compared with other concerts he's seen. The stand out part of the concert for me was when Mark King did a bass and saxophone duel off with no other accompaniment. That was cool.

Baryonyx · #11 10-09-2006, 09:33 AM

I met an absolute fanatical Mark king fan there (owns both Alembic Mark King basses and Status Kingbasses, seems to know every line note for note!), he said it "blew his ******* head off!"

derrenleepoole · #12 10-10-2006, 01:49 AM

Perhaps I'm just very fussy

britrit · #13 10-10-2006, 02:15 AM

I'm seeing them in 11 days! I can't wait, front and center at Royal Albert Hall!