Gary Numan Digest Sun, 18 Aug 96 Volume 1 : Issue 254 Today's Topics: ADMINISTRIVIA Before I go on holidays... Comfort music comment and complaint Derek finally hears Techno Army It wasn't me! Live at the Roxy album Strange Charm (2 msgs) Strange Charm (briefly); Numan song in film Techno Army...my $0.02 The Fury & Strange Charm This and That ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 15:01:43 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: ADMINISTRIVIA To: numan@cs.uwp.edu THE VIDEO CONTROVERSY Let's put the "New Man Numan" video controvery to bed. I see Troy has tried to level headedly analyze the situation. I think you inappropriately lionized Phil Marsh by suggesting he enflamed the situation. I disagree. He just wanted to make sure he was not included in the group of "do-gooders" that Karl referred to but thanks for acknowledging the work involved in keeping this list going. In future, I will not direct non-subscribers to the Digest to sell Numan items. I will just reference their inital posts in newgroups to make the Digest subscribers aware of the opportunity and give them the detaisl they need to make contact with the sellers. I thought I was doing subscribers a favour because Karl had copies of "The Fury" and "Strange Charm" for sale. While I have had my own difficulties with Karl while trying to buy some items from him, I'd like to remind people to read carefully before criticising. Like Troy indicated, it appeared that some cottoned on to the $100 offer rather than the auction starting at $25. Just remember, perceived value is very individual. I personally don't care much about videos am happy with decent dubs but it is very important to me I have import pressings of CDs. I will pay over the odds for an import CD (my "Outland" and "Skin Mechanic" CDs are UK and my "New Anger" CD is Japanese) even though I could get a domestic or a tape for $10 or less. Some fan who has been searching for this tape for a long time, and has a good paying job may be willing to plunk down $100 for it which, from what Tony says, may not be an unfair price. Have you seen what copies of Disney's "Little Mermaid" sell for? You'll likely not see it for less than $80 and more likely up to $150 or even more. And that was far more common than "New Man Numan". As Robert T. implied, if Karl can get $100 for it, then clearly it was not an unthinkable amount for the buyer. Those not willing to bid or take part should just ignore it rather than let loose. While I personally wouldn't offer something for a set high price I'm not against auctions as first email first served on an international mailing list gives an unfair advantage to those who get the Digest earlier in their work day (e.g. Europe). So let's get back to normal programming. SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING Please use numan-request@cs.uwp.edu for all changes to your subscription not the Digest address. GARY'S QUESTIONS Please do not post your questions to Gary on the Digest. They should be emailed to me at dlangs@susntroke.sdsu.edu and remember to tell Gary your name and where you live. And remember, Gary does not read the Digest so asking him personal stuff as if he did seems very odd. OK, that's it. Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 10:11:23 -0400 From: "Richard V. Paiement" Subject: Before I go on holidays... To: "'Gary Numan'" I felt like putting my 2 cents (Canadian currency, so that's about 1.4 cents US) worth in this group concerning a few recent posts before going off for three weeks of well deserved time away from the office (and the computer boohoohoo!). First off, congrats as always to Derek for all the efforts in keeping the communications channels open between the fans and the Webb family. With that and Gary's Web pages, I do feel we are a bunch of spoiled (in a positive sense only!) fans, and it's great! Newman Numan Video ------------------ Numanfan1@aol.com suggests that: >In regards to the video for $100, sorry don't see it. I have been a fan for >17 years now and used to collect everything, but I would never pay that. >It's incredible that anyone would even consider paying $100.00 for a video. Well, I know I'm not the only fool on this list... I've been known to pay ridiculous amounts for certain items. I remember paying US$60 for a vinyl copy of Ghost about three years after it was released, and the Asylum Volumes I and II cost me about US$90 apiece the same year they were released. In revenge, I picked up the Dramatis LP (I forget the title) for only $2, and the Numan Newman LP for $6. There was a time in my life when I had few financial responsabilities and I could afford to not give a second thought to certain purchases, but that time is now long gone! And of course, now with the availability of CDs, all of our precious vinyl collections are virtually worthless on the market. A vinyl bootleg that could have been worth over $100 on the market some 15 years ago is now available on CD for $25! USA Le Tout Puissant -------------------- Numanfan1@aol.com tells us that: >(after all, if it wasn't for us yanks you [Gary] would be singing in >German and they name Numan wouldn't be anything special) This is a joke, right? Yet Another Tribute Recording ----------------------------- machman@interaccess.com told us about the GOAWFC Tribute Tape. Well this one seems more interesting. Are there any chances this might be pressed to CD? And has the Australian tribute album made its way in North America yet? A final note to Brian H., I should be done the Nash taping by the time I return in mid-september. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 22:35:32 -0400 (EDT) From: annagrey@sover.net (Dryad) Subject: Comfort music To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hey all- I was wondering if anyone else found themselves listening to certain tracks or discs when they were depressed or just having a rough time of it? Lately I've gone from listening to Enigma, 24/7, to Gary--in particular Replicas and The Plan (?!). I know I often break out Telekon and The Pleasure Principle, too.... Clea -- CASHP #25-95 Numanoid "Ugliness is nature's contraceptive" Duchovnik MPPB/MPEB Gergory Benford annagrey@sover.net **http://www.sover.net/~annagrey** ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 10:09:00 -0400 From: NIN1969@aol.com Subject: comment and complaint To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Derek: Just one complaint and then one comment. At the end of the past three digest's that i have downloaded, there are these annoying lines through every sentence!! It makes it very difficult to read the digest and i become frustrated because nothing i do rectifies the situation. Is this my computer's problem or yours? My one comment is about the fact that almost three, or is it four?, weeks later, people are still talking about the $100 video thing. Isn't this over already? I am sick of it and i am sure that i am not the only one. People misread what was printed and turned this whole thing into a kindergarten session. Congratulations people, you have reaffirmed my faith in the belief that we never really do grow up. Aside from these two matters, i love the digest and i love hearing about Gary and reading people's conversations on such a wonderful topic. Thank you! Ruthi ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 14:17:41 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: Derek finally hears Techno Army To: numan@cs.uwp.edu After being warned off by other subscribers I didn't get this CD so it was only last night during a Numan evening with local subscriber (and serious fan) Wayne Knisley that I heard this for the first time. I can understand the points of view of all who have commented on it. No, they're not like Gary's renditions of the songs, but was anyone really expecting that? If one can accept that fact, i.e. this is not a Gary Numan album, then it isn't completely unlistenable. The first 4 (AFE, Cars, We Are so Fragile, We Are Glass) tracks are not bad, despite rather cheesy symnth sounds used, especially "We Are So Fragile" which is where the first sign of a techno style actually appears. Then it clearly loses its way with "She's got Claws". IDYD isn't bad, but "Deadliner" is destroyed. Rather than use a dark techno style it's light and fluffy. What a waste. M&S could have been done in true techno style but alas no. Emotion doesn't improve on the original which shouldn't have been too hard, AQoF is OK but not powerful like the original and "U Got the Look" is dismissable. Why on earth did they pick a non-Numan song if this is an album of Gary Numan songs? Duh! The two cars mixes are pretty good and do actually sound like techno. I view this as an opportunity missed. A real full album of techno mixes could have worked but only 3 tracks here could be classified as such despite other songs lending themselves to the style. Some of the non-techno renditions are fairly decent but on the other hand some of the songs are so devoid of anything that requires your attention they could be played over loudspeakers in supermarkets. We joked that this is what Gary might sound like in 20 years if he plays Las Vegas :-) So this is a bizarre release. I'm not sure what market they were aiming for other than the Numan fan as word of mouth would ruin sales of this to serious dance fans. I could only recommend it to Numan completists, open minded numan fans and softcore dance enthusiasts (you know the type that listens to top 40). If anyone wants to sell me their copy for less than $15 including p&p, email me. I'm not spending the full $20+ for it! Cool artwork though :-) Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 13:23:03 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: It wasn't me! To: numan@cs.uwp.edu You may have seen in the news that 3 Professors at San Diego State University were fatally shot by a graduate student Thursday August 15 who discharged 20 rounds from a semi-automatic pistol. No, Derek didn't go "berserker" (had to get some Numan reference in this) and kill his Ph.D. committee members after being here so long (thanks for reminding everyone Robert :-) but the incident took place in the building next door to mine. I was, however, not aware of anything until I heard a helicopter hovering over the Engineering Department. While nothing shocks me anymore, the campus has been shaken by this event, the first deaths on campus since 1974. That's two headlines from San Diego on the same day (the other being the Republican National Convention, of course). I'll refrain from making any political comments even though I'm chomping at the bit to do so :-) Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 23:12:38 -0400 From: "Tony R. Boies" Subject: Live at the Roxy album To: numan@cs.uwp.edu This has been discussed before, but I have forgotten. Who owns the rights to that performance, and how can I get in touch with them? Tony R. Boies Check out the Nut Music Home Page: http://www.shentel.net/nutmusic/nutmain.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 96 04:05:29 -0600 From: "Joey Lindstrom" Subject: Strange Charm To: "Gary Numan" First, an apology: As anyone who has been around the Digest for a while knows, I have bragged incessantly about having been lucky enough to nab me a copy of "Strange Charm" shortly after its release and shortly BEFORE the demise of Numa Records (mark 1). I even managed to get it autographed by both Gary and Bill Sharpe during the Premier Tour. Now I hope I didn't put too many people off with that... it was intended VERY tongue in cheek. After all, those of us in North America, and especially us poor schmucks huddled up in our igloos here in Canada (yesterday's high temperature was 31C, or 86F), simply don't have access to 98% of what the UK Numan fans take for granted... ie: singles, vinyl, videos, etc. It just isn't available. So when I managed to pick off not one but TWO rare CD's (Strange Charm & The Fury)... well, suffice it to say I've long felt it was like winning a lottery. And for a fan in a position like mine, hey: it WAS a lottery win. But I didn't mean to rub anyone's nose in that fact, I was just really happy with my good fortune. Anyone who felt like I went too far... well, that's understandable and I apologize. Now, on to my review. I've been reading the other reviews and I find myself for the most part agreeing with most (not all) of the comments made. I, too, think that "I Can't Stop" ranks #1 on the "Most Lamentable Numan Releases" list, even ahead of the dreadful "Emotion". On the other hand, I don't feel quite so negatively about the rest of the album... I even really enjoy "Unknown And Hostile" and even "The Need". But of course (as I've also said too many times), this album includes (and leads off with) my all-time favourite track, "My Breathing". This track all by itself epitomizes what's great about Numan and everything he does. It has it all... "wailing" female vox (hey, some of us like it), excellent sax and other instrumentation, and lyrical pot-shots at the BBC. But here's the thing: I like this song SO MUCH that it has, in effect, put blinders on me. I "enjoy" the rest of the album (with the one exception) but the more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that I don't enjoy it AS MUCH as other works. I think an excellent indicator is which CD's I bring with me, and PLAY REPEATEDLY, when I go out and work a 12-hour shift driving my cab. Strange Charm is NOT one that gets played often - I think I've played EVERY OTHER NUMAN CD more often than this one... ok, well, maybe Outland's an exception. Maybe part of the problem is that the rest of the album doesn't QUITE live up to the standard set by the lead-off track. It's not "bad" in any respect (even factoring in "I Can't Stop"), but overall it's lacking a HARMONY that is Numan's usual stock in trade. The only other album that lacks this harmony is the US version of Metal Rhythm, "New Anger" - and that's because dickheads at IRS messed around with it. I for one am looking forward to seeing the reissue, hopefully with extended and/or alternate mixes *AND* with the inclusion of "Time To Die". I cannot for the life of me understand why this would have been left off the original CD in the first place... Suffice it to say: if you don't have Strange Charm, well, you've been well served with the various compilations out there that have included many of its tracks and you haven't missed out on a great deal. But the reissue WILL be worth buying, I guarantee it. :-) /--------------------------------------------------------- / Joey Lindstrom numanoid@netway.ab.ca lindstrj@cadvision.com / http://www.netway.ab.ca/worldwidewebb/ / "I view life as a big, desperate bear loose in the campground. I try / to avert its gaze, because if you make eye-contact, it thinks you want / to play, it doesn't know its own strength, and it starts beating the / living shit out of you... all in the name of good, clean kodiak fun." / - Dennis Miller ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 12:31:38 -0400 (EDT) From: MHDST4@vms.cis.pitt.edu Subject: Strange Charm To: numan@cs.uwp.edu probably one of my least favourite albums I bought it on vinyl around March of 1992. By that point I was still missing Berserker and The Plan. "My Breathing" starts the album off very well. I was very surprised. "U&H" probably one of his worst songs ever, that keyboard break in the middle is rehashed in "New Anger" "The Sleeproom" for some reason reminds me of his Warriors album "New Thing from Londontown" - nothign bad to say about this song not much good about it either, but the video is great "I Cant Stop" I totally agree that the backing vocals kill this song. Without them , IMO its a great song. My first exposure to it was through the Skin Mechanic and I liked that version very much. "Strange Charm" suprisingly, a favorite of mine, there is a modern song called Strike it up by Black box (if memory serves me right) that sounds just like the chorus of this song, which is my favorite part. "The Need" - my opinion of this song varies differently form people here. I think if Gary cut it down to a 3 minute song, it would be much better served. My problem with it is it is too drawn out "This is Love" a great song but I think he flubs the last line "Time to Die" a great song "Faces" another great instrumental "Survival" an ok instrumental I should also add I wasnt happy that there were only 8 songs on the album ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 12:03:47 EST From: "Kay Teel" Subject: Strange Charm (briefly); Numan song in film To: numan@cs.uwp.edu My thoughts on Strange Charm are pretty brief: The only songs I have ever played more than twice on this album are My Breathing, The Sleeproom, and New Thing From London Town. The rest of the album just didn't hold my interest. That being said, My Breathing is one my absolute favorite Numan tracks! My knee-jerk reaction was "*awesome!*" and I still feel that way. I just wish the rest of the album could've lived up to that. For the trivia-lovers, I've stumbled across another film which uses a Numan song on the soundtrack. The film is "A Night At Halsted's," c1981, apparently released 1982. I Die:You Die is used as the *theme* music. However, I doubt this film ever had a soundtrack album. It's a gay porn film. Thing is, a soundtrack album would have been great-- Numan as theme music, X, Dead Kennedys, Go-Go's... a veritable who's- who in early 80's pop! Sort of annoying that most songs (aside from Gary's) have that annoying "ohhh baby baby," umm, dialogue, overlaid. --Kay teel@is.nyu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 22:40:42 -0400 (EDT) From: annagrey@sover.net (Dryad) Subject: Techno Army...my $0.02 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Howdy all- Well, Techno Army is certainly......different. I'm still not quite sure what to make of it, all told. There are some songs that I really like (I think), others I can't stand. It's good dance music...but they've managed to trivialise Gary in an unsettling way. I can just picture the really crappy videos they could make out of this, and it makes me sick. I like the pure music very much, but when the vocals are added in--I dunno, it makes me almost uncomfortable. I think I would feel free to really like this had Gary done it himself...after all, I love Automatic, which is 80's pop music (mediocre Gary, great 80's). Confusedly yours Clea -- CASHP #25-95 Numanoid "Ugliness is nature's contraceptive" Duchovnik MPPB/MPEB Gergory Benford annagrey@sover.net **http://www.sover.net/~annagrey** ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 12:34:00 -0700 From: Pipe David Subject: The Fury & Strange Charm To: "'numan@cs.uwp.edu'" In the last digest, Ziggy Blum [zigi@teleport.com] wrote: > I have an annoying feeling they also had the CD, but I was CD-impaired at >the time, and didn't give it a second thought (I have a similar irritating >memory of happening across The Fury CD at another place in SF, which I >would now give at least the enamel from one eyetooth for). > I thought that "The Fury" and "Strange Charm" were not originally issued on CD, but are currently in the process of being re-issued on CD (according to NuWorld). Am I mistaken? Were these albums originally issued on CD? Sounds like I should spend more time poking around the used record stores here in my own hometown (S.F.). I'd like to replace the portion of my Numan collection that is on vinyl with CD's - since I rarely listen to vinyl anymore. I am most interested in: Warriors The Fury Strange Charm Berserker >From what I can tell, all of the above (except Warriors) can be ordered on CD directly from NuWorld. - David email @ work: david.pipe@bglobal.com email @ home: dwpipe@ix.netcom.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 10:24:41 -0700 From: m.r.p.@ix.netcom.com (Mike Przytarski) Subject: This and That To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Well, life has been very interesting on the system this summer. First off I bought the Numan Newman tape from Mr. Miller. I was bidding on it (like many others) and got it for $60.00. For those of you who went off on the $100.00 cost my advice is read the whole message next time. The starting bid was $25.00, IF it went to $100.00 then he would overnight it and such. For those of you who live on that isolated island of yours that Gary now calls home, it may be expensive for you because you get to see him every year and can buy his items locally, we cant. So we get what we can and pay what we feel is a fair price for the items we find. Second thing is did anyone in the US watch VH1 and MTV on the weekend of the 10th/11th. It was 'It came from the 80's' on MTV. They had a REALLY great 1/2 hour spot on TECNO music and bands from them with LOTS of Gary sound and video bits. Not to mention a 45 second shot in the whatever happened to section showing him flyinghis plane from both the external shot (cool plane Gary), and internal cockpit shots as he is flying. All in all a VERY nice spot. Also VH1 had a thing called 1 hit wonders where Gary is mentioned with the CARS video. The VJ was nice about it saying it was her favorite song from the 80's and she also mentioned that even though he never cracked the top 10 here since he has had dozens of hits in England and is still making music and flying. I also watched a segment on MTV about the 80's bands getting back and such (Adam Ant and such) and one had mentioned that several groups have talked about touring around the US in a 80's tecno tour where the hits and songs from the 80's and present would be played. I wonder if this is a wish tour or if it would happen, and would it be the spot Gary needs to get back in the US. I know I would love to go if he was in it. Heck if the Sex Pistols can tour again why cant Gary with Adam and a few others? Well, just my opinion. For today that is. Mike -- I'm told it's called 'The un-reality dream' I'm told its called 'The great american lie' I'm told that this is like the vengeance of God I can't believe that God would do this to me. ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ******************************