I have loved this track since I was 20 (I'm 49 now) and Level 42 is still one of my favorite bands ever. Mark King's bass is just ridiculous and funky as hell!
Phil is a VERY good drummer. It always sounds different with him in the line-up, I don't know how, but just so much better. Maybe that's because of the planned little time delay with the snare, or maybe because his playing is so accomplished all around - it's filled whenever it seems right and timid otherwise.
The best band for the best time in rockn'n'roll history, perfect timing. They were PERFECT. And they should've kept performing this sort of late '70s-early '80s electric piano driven funk-rock FOREVER. Unluckily the '80s and drum machines were about to eat it all up and we all missed some sweat............................... but they were PERFECT. Never to be made again. :-(
I think Phil Gould was the innovator of what became modern groove drumming and developed into the clean crisp attack we hear in drumming these days - many drummers were playing groove back then but Phil distilled it and was economical with what was required to inject groove into the track. Often overlooking in those greatest drummers lists but in my top 5 drummers anyday
Around 1985, JAVA JIVE BAND Is One Of The Bands From The Flower City Of Bandung City In West Java INDONESIA Always Sings Of LEVEL 42, That is : LOVE GAMES And LESSONS IN LOVE.
What a song and what a performance! Goodness me! Find anyone to copy that. Only four musicians yet each plays at least for two. The lead guitar is jest perfect, drums unbelievebly rich and yet efficient, keboards fantastic, and bass - let me remain silent. Mark King needs no recommendation.
Top band, tightest line-up, funkiest song; Mark King's 'love-games' riff was what every bass layer was trying to master in 1986/7: poppin' and slappin' that low-E while keeping the octave harmonic muted ... And those ultra-hip guitar voicings. Absolutely love it ! great post thanks!
This is my favorite live version of Love Games, so when I got here today I immediately got happy :) Then I caught of glimpse of Boon playing, and immediately I got sad :( RIP Boon; TCOY
Great band. I became a real fan after hearing the Physical Presence album in '86. Saw them live at Wembley in '87. Sure that was the one where Mark was on the kirby wire. Saw them again Xmas '90 at Hammersmith. Allan Holdsworth played with them then.
@@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931 - their earlier work certainly says that they were a jazz/funk fusion band. That much is undeniable. But what made the band so awesome is that they fit so many boxes in their time. Versatility is the hallmark of all great music groups.
@@blackromulan I absolutely love their earlier work. I would just never call Level 42's music jazz, but genre discussions are useless so let me not get drawn into that. I just don't see why one would want to call it jazz. As if that somehow validates it as good music. Nonsense. EWF was also a great band, but not jazz even though those musicians actually were mostly jazz-musicians (check out Maurice White's early career).
By far the best live version of the song. Also, they increased the tempo a bit to make more funky. The original line-up of the band was way the best. The later versions can be good but they just don't stand the comparison.
@ unlikeanyotherhuman, sorry I don´t slam him, Phil is one of the greatest Drummer and a phenomenal musician!!! That´s why I call him a beast !!! R G France
Phil Gould, a brilliant and underrated drummer. I love Phil at 3.44. No disrespect to Gary Husband but Phil was the better drummer (in my humble opinion of course!)
Ofcourse someone of Mark King's status can surround himself with the best musicians around BUT Level 42 was never better than when Phil and Boon was there. Incredibly tight sound and more 'minimalistic' than later with too much guitar and sax! Who needs that when you have Mark!!!!
I love this song so much but I kind of liked it when they had less equipment like in '81; the sound was cleaner. Now, with all of the extra keyboards and stuff it just sounds a little over baring but I still love everything about L42! Mike Lindup sounds like he had voice lessons or something; he seems like he lost his funk. I won't buy an album of L42 without Mike in it. He added a spice that made L42 to me.
Phil Gould. So much of why this is so clean, so in the pocket, so tight....is down to that man here. So disciplined, so tasteful. A lost art.
I totally agree!
Exactly right
Yes
Phil Gould's hi-hat work on this is just sublime 😎
its bar none
This is the best line up. Phil Gould is a brilliant drummer
Phil's snare is incredible... what a perfect mix on this show!!
Best version ever, no one will beat Phil Gould and that lineup.
I have loved this track since I was 20 (I'm 49 now) and Level 42 is still one of my favorite bands ever. Mark King's bass is just ridiculous and funky as hell!
I was there. Where's the time gone? Great band. Great live.
Me too! Great gig.
Phil is a VERY good drummer. It always sounds different with him in the line-up, I don't know how, but just so much better. Maybe that's because of the planned little time delay with the snare, or maybe because his playing is so accomplished all around - it's filled whenever it seems right and timid otherwise.
Very good live performance of a wonderful group of musicians
The best band for the best time in rockn'n'roll history, perfect timing. They were PERFECT. And they should've kept performing this sort of late '70s-early '80s electric piano driven funk-rock FOREVER. Unluckily the '80s and drum machines were about to eat it all up and we all missed some sweat............................... but they were PERFECT. Never to be made again. :-(
JD bass, best sound Éver...
I think Phil Gould was the innovator of what became modern groove drumming and developed into the clean crisp attack we hear in drumming these days - many drummers were playing groove back then but Phil distilled it and was economical with what was required to inject groove into the track. Often overlooking in those greatest drummers lists but in my top 5 drummers anyday
Phil Gould the beast, original and fantastic line up...
R G France
Phil Gould and company all day long. Best live version ever of this song
Mark King Wow. Don't forget the Boon Bro's This is Level 42.
Around 1985, JAVA JIVE BAND Is One Of The Bands From The Flower City Of Bandung City In West Java INDONESIA Always Sings Of LEVEL 42, That is : LOVE GAMES And LESSONS IN LOVE.
Up on my feet grooving away!!!!!!!! Thanks, you guys!
What a song and what a performance! Goodness me! Find anyone to copy that. Only four musicians yet each plays at least for two. The lead guitar is jest perfect, drums unbelievebly rich and yet efficient, keboards fantastic, and bass - let me remain silent. Mark King needs no recommendation.
my 2 favorite drummer jeff porcaro and phil gould
Definitely,......hard to find "music" like this these days!!!
Q bestias esos tipos sensacionales
Hoy lo bailamos x dios
this is one of my fav shows :) !!!
Absolut phantastisch bravo Level 42 ! Die beste Performance die ich von euch gesehen hab. Unverwechselbarer Sound !
Top band, tightest line-up, funkiest song; Mark King's 'love-games' riff was what every bass layer was trying to master in 1986/7: poppin' and slappin' that low-E while keeping the octave harmonic muted ... And those ultra-hip guitar voicings. Absolutely love it ! great post thanks!
So good times. Great performance.
Mark King in the 80s 😍😍😋😋
uhhh Mark and Boons faces at 3:47 is soo priceless
So glad to see them make it to Wembley but I guess a few of them couldn't handle the fame. We understand
This is my favorite live version of Love Games, so when I got here today I immediately got happy :)
Then I caught of glimpse of Boon playing, and immediately I got sad :(
RIP Boon; TCOY
Simplemente brutal... Son lo mejor de lo mejor.
Great band. I became a real fan after hearing the Physical Presence album in '86. Saw them live at Wembley in '87. Sure that was the one where Mark was on the kirby wire. Saw them again Xmas '90 at Hammersmith. Allan Holdsworth played with them then.
AWESOME !!!!!!!!
King can play his ass off!! What a musician!!
I have the DVD of this show.
Level 42 doesn’t often use female backup vocalist. It adds so much more depth to the performance.
Woah...
that is simply put, amazing music. Can't believe the stadium crowd!! They must get a real kick from being on that stage
People don't understand me when I calssify Level 42 as a Jazz band.
But the truth is that they are.
No they are not.
@@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931 - their earlier work certainly says that they were a jazz/funk fusion band. That much is undeniable.
But what made the band so awesome is that they fit so many boxes in their time. Versatility is the hallmark of all great music groups.
@@blackromulan I absolutely love their earlier work. I would just never call Level 42's music jazz, but genre discussions are useless so let me not get drawn into that. I just don't see why one would want to call it jazz. As if that somehow validates it as good music. Nonsense. EWF was also a great band, but not jazz even though those musicians actually were mostly jazz-musicians (check out Maurice White's early career).
3:44 the bass and drum fill work togeter so well!!!!!!!!!
defo the best live version
Sounds good live
Perfect,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
@areid73 he is an amazing drummer, his hi-hat skills are very unique.
Who is the dude at the keyboards? That guy is fucking awesome whatever he touches. Don't know his name, seen him live, genius.
The guy on the keyboards is Mike Lindup
Mark king is the king
The REAL Fab4 !
Mike's back mate :O)
Try the Rockpalast Festival, Germany version, i think it was 1984.
You can find it here.
Peace
By far the best live version of the song. Also, they increased the tempo a bit to make more funky. The original line-up of the band was way the best. The later versions can be good but they just don't stand the comparison.
Best white funk ever.
@
unlikeanyotherhuman,
sorry I don´t slam him, Phil is one of the greatest Drummer and a phenomenal musician!!! That´s why I call him a beast !!!
R G France
2:34
As a DJ,
I just feel like cranckin' up the Level,
You know ...
What are your thoughts on 42?
Its a shame that Phil Gould left the band...I hope he's doin well tho.
Co-front man, Mike Lindup!!
Quelle ''patte'' ce Phil Gould !
Anybody hear Herbie Hancock's Rock It during the keyboard solo?
Phil Gould, a brilliant and underrated drummer. I love Phil at 3.44. No disrespect to Gary Husband but Phil was the better drummer (in my humble opinion of course!)
I love Phil's fill at 3:25!
I totally agree, Gary Husband good, Phil was fantastic.
He's so relaxed, timing is sooo good! What a drummer.
Ofcourse someone of Mark King's status can surround himself with the best musicians around BUT Level 42 was never better than when Phil and Boon was there.
Incredibly tight sound and more 'minimalistic' than later with too much guitar and sax!
Who needs that when you have Mark!!!!
I love this song so much but I kind of liked it when they had less equipment like in '81; the sound was cleaner. Now, with all of the extra keyboards and stuff it just sounds a little over baring but I still love everything about L42! Mike Lindup sounds like he had voice lessons or something; he seems like he lost his funk. I won't buy an album of L42 without Mike in it. He added a spice that made L42 to me.
Mike Lindup
once, they flled the wembley, and now... sad, the music generation of nowadays just sucks!
stop