Probably not, but it's borderline. There is a case to be answered.
Lord Levy was responsible for bringing Alvin Stardust to stardom through Magnet Records when he was plain Michael Levy.
I've heard worse lyrics than those of Alvin Stardust's "My Coo Ca Choo". His second hit "Jealous Mind" was approaching a decent record.
Peter Shelley was the writer and producer behind the Alvin Stardust hits. Mr Shelley himself had some hits on Magnet records. It is to his records we can look for some fairly incriminatory musical evidence against Lord Levy.
"Gee Baby" was Shelley's first hit. Crikey. Does anyone in this country use the word "gee"?
But the real incriminating Magnet record was Shelley's "Love me, love my dog". I feel the will to live sapping away from me, just thinking about it.
However, Magnet Records did issue a record by the Buzzcocks and discovered Bad Manners. Both superb bands. And Chris Rea, another product of Magnet records, isn't bad.
So, I think Lord Levy can be released from the dock without stain on his character on the grounds of crimes against music. Not Guilty. But, we will have to wait to hear about the other areas he is involved in.
There is an excellent summary of Lord Levy's music business career on Cafe80s.
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'Lady In Red' is by dreadful balladeer Chris de Burgh - not Chris Rea!
ReplyDeleteSinger and guitarist Chris Rea did 'Fool (If You Think It's Over)', 'Road To Hell' etc.
He has recently released 'Blue Guitars' - an 11CD anthology of different styles of blues songs.
Thank you Neil. For some reason I always get them mixed up even though one is streets ahead of the other. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to Shane Fenton? Indeed what happened to his biographer, George Tremlett.
ReplyDeleteLove the Buzzcocks (another Pete Shelley I s'pose) and also get the two Chris's mixed up.
Ah, a big issue to get my teeth into - was Chris de Burgh ever any good? The answer is yes, and if Rea is ahead, it's by a couple of Drives and Closes rather than Streets.
ReplyDeletede Burgh's failing is that he used to come up with big concepts but trite results. A notable exception is "Spanish Train" where God plays the Devil at cards and chess and loses. I believe the song was banned in 1970s South Africa for blasphemy In fact the album "Spanish Train And Other Stories" is pretty good overall.
Another good song of his was "The End of The Perfect Day" which really is a good ballad. As for "The Lady in Red" - well, I've heard worse.
I like Chris Rea as well , and overall he clearly outranks de Burgh - but I'm sorry, I quail at the thought of a 11 CD guitar compilation.
Ah, a big issue to get my teeth into - was Chris de Burgh ever any good? The answer is yes, and if Rea is ahead, it's by a couple of Drives and Closes rather than Streets.
ReplyDeletede Burgh's failing is that he used to come up with big concepts but trite results. A notable exception is "Spanish Train" where God plays the Devil at cards and chess and loses. I believe the song was banned in 1970s South Africa for blasphemy In fact the album "Spanish Train And Other Stories" is pretty good overall.
Another good song of his was "The End of The Perfect Day" which really is a good ballad. As for "The Lady in Red" - well, I've heard worse.
I like Chris Rea as well , and overall he clearly outranks de Burgh - but I'm sorry, I quail at the thought of a 11 CD guitar compilation.
Chris and Peter - thanks for your very interesting comments. Talking about music is a lot more fun than politics isn't it?
ReplyDelete"What ever happened to Shane Fenton?"
ReplyDeleteOr, indeed, Bernard Jewry?
Bernard/Shane/Alvin were/was on the TV last night in the BBC2 documentary about Lord Levy. He was looking very well.
It is fair to say that Chris de Burgh's output was generally a lot better than 'Lady In Red'.
ReplyDelete'Don't Pay The Ferryman' was quite catchy, 'Patricia The Stripper' amusing, and 'A Spaceman Came Travelling' - well - no Christmas compilation would be complete without it!
The tracks I have heard from Rea's blues collection are very good though. I guess you don't have to listen to it all in one go!
Peter Shelley and Pete Shelley are two different artists. The first is the writer and pop singer of Gee Baby, Love me Love my dog, the second one should be (should?) the ex Buzzcocks. I can't believe there is still this mistake around...
ReplyDelete