Mark King - Level 42
Mark King - Level 42
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Discussion

onyx39

Original Poster:

11,349 posts

179 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
The Mrs has kindly just purchased tickets to see Level 42 next year.
Just told a couple of colleagues, and mentioned that MK was one of the best Bass Guitarists in the world, and was told I was wrong...

Thoughts?

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

31,988 posts

264 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Is that permanent or wipe off hehe

TheHeretic

73,668 posts

284 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Big fan of Level 42 here. Mark King is superb on bass, (and it's not even the instrument he is best on, apparently). Look for Mr Pink live at the Jazz club. The guy is very good indeed.

Bebee

4,724 posts

254 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
'Mark' King is regarded as one of the best 'slap and thumb' bassists of all time, what always impressed me is how he does all that and sings at the same time. He’s very percussive and has a great sense of rhythm but then he would do, he is a great drummer too, and started off in life as a drummer!

I brought my 2nd TVR Griff back from the Isle of Wight to the Midlands in 2006, the chap I bought it off lives next door to MK and is his drinking buddy.

onyx39

Original Poster:

11,349 posts

179 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
TheHeretic said:
Big fan of Level 42 here. Mark King is superb on bass, (and it's not even the instrument he is best on, apparently). Look for Mr Pink live at the Jazz club. The guy is very good indeed.
I am also a huge fan, have seen them probably around a dozen times over the years, including at the Jazz Cafe (possibly that gig)

Just posted as I wondered if I was seeing the band through "rose tinted glasses!"

biggrin

anonymous-user

83 months

Friday 9th December 2011
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Saw them this Summer in Weymouth of all places (one off gig) and they were superb! Mark King is undoubtedly one of the best bassists in the world IMO and their new drummer Pete Ray Biggin is pure class!

onyx39

Original Poster:

11,349 posts

179 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Is that permanent or wipe off hehe
Just realised what you meant...

biggrin

rover 623gsi

5,230 posts

190 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
http://www.musicradar.com/news/bass/the-25-greates...

Mark King is rightly included in this list (at no. 19). Personally I think that Mick Karn (RIP) ex-Japan and Derek Forbes ex-Simple Minds ought to be in there as well, but there you go…

Baryonyx

18,280 posts

188 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Yeah, Mark is great. I must have spent hundreds of hours learning his tunes and playing along to them!

This was my pride and joy at one point, a 1987 Status Series II, just like Mark played.



As for the mention of Mick Karn there, I never liked Japan but I bought his solo record 'Titles' recently and I am very impressed with it. Really great bass playing and some nice tunes too, he was a great talent and is sorely missed.

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

178 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Level 42 - Level 42, that first album is a classic. I never get tired of it & it's what? 30 odd years old now?

Some of you may remember the keyboard player in Level 42, Wally Badarou had a solo hit in the eighties with a song called Chief inspector. In fact he had a bit of a solo career & was sampled by Massive attack & a few others.

On the subject of British bass legends, I have a lot of time for Norman Watt Roy. Anyone remember him?


Edited by Justin Cyder on Friday 9th December 21:06

TheHeretic

73,668 posts

284 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
rover 623gsi said:
http://www.musicradar.com/news/bass/the-25-greates...

Mark King is rightly included in this list (at no. 19). Personally I think that Mick Karn (RIP) ex-Japan and Derek Forbes ex-Simple Minds ought to be in there as well, but there you go…
The music clip for the Mark King bit is the Jazz cafe rendition of Mr Pink I mentioned earlier. Quality stuff.

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

178 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Baronyx, is that a zero fret on theh Status? Looks like a serious weapon.

kusee pee

1,021 posts

232 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
There is little doubt that he is one of the best. Have seen him a few times and I'm friends with his ex-drummer who used to tour with him. I'm also a big Derek Forbes fan and have the pleasure of owning one of his basses. Mick Karn was definitely very creative, one of a kind. I also rate Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo, great player.

Bebee

4,724 posts

254 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Justin Cyder said:
On the subject of British bass legends, I have a lot of time for Norman Watt Roy. Anyone remember him?


Edited by Justin Cyder on Friday 9th December 21:06
Yes, ever tried to play hit me with your rhythm stick?

I supported Wilko Johnson in 1992 and NWR was on bass, nice chap and an underrated bassist.

-Pete-

2,914 posts

205 months

Friday 9th December 2011
quotequote all
Great Bassist and great vocals too, I find it hard to believe that it's 29 years since I bought Level 42 - level 42, and listened to it on a portable cassette player whilst driving around in my parents car. It sounds even better in stereo!

TheHeretic

73,668 posts

284 months

Friday 9th December 2011
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My dad had 'Pursuit of accidents' on one of those old fashioned black vinyl disk things, and I used to listen on the headphones. Great album.

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

178 months

Friday 9th December 2011
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Bebee said:
Yes, ever tried to play hit me with your rhythm stick?
Well no, I'm from the six string fraternity, but I always rated the Blockheads rhythm section as one of the best around.

chevy-stu

5,392 posts

257 months

Saturday 10th December 2011
quotequote all
kusee pee said:
....I'm friends with his ex-drummer who used to tour with him. ...
Gary.. ?

I'm mates with Mark's brother Nathan, Level's guitarist, and know their sound guy.

(I shan't comment on the 'best bass player' issue..biggrin)

S7Paul

2,103 posts

263 months

Saturday 10th December 2011
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I've seen Level 42 quite a few times, and have just bought tickets for the next tour. Mark is definitely one of the best around. I'm no bass expert, so may have got the terminology wrong, but what impresses me when I watch him live is the seamless way he instantly changes from slapping to picking & back again. Roll on October 2012!

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

178 months

Saturday 10th December 2011
quotequote all
It's only got four strings, how hard can it be?rofl

He is right up there with the best of them.