Mark King (Level 42) interview and bass playing with Jazz FM

The one and only Mark King from Level 42 is here AND HE'S BROUGHT HIS BASS

[BruceLee-zdbw]

The thing that really make Mark King so very special is, ,

His ability, not only to play such complex bass lines, but to sing at the same time.

This is what puts him on a different page from most other bassists out there.

Total respect to the legend he really is.

🙏👏👏👏

[badger]

I have always liked Mark's professionalism and musical discipline, nothing sloppy here, the epitome of percussive bass and he's a normal guy who loves to play, and also one of the best bassists we have from the UK. There's not an ounce of bass snobbery about him and that's why he's great.

[TheCentralScrutinizerAgain]

Geddy Lee and Mark two of my favourite bass players ever.

[Happy-Me.]

Brilliant to hear Mark play Lopsy Lu by Stanley Clarke and mentioning all the jazz musicians that not many people have listened to or even heard of!

[flashtheoriginal]

This is a real bass player. Well done Mark. Still a superb band

[MyCovertNarcissism]

Such a nice guy, no ego, or celebrity bullshit about him at all.

[Macro-photographer]

As a bass player I still don’t know how he masters slapping to this complexity and singing at the same time! ❤

[martinplatt]

Fabulous musician....I grew up with Level 42..same birthday as me Mark 20.10.58!

[tho-mas]

i LOVE THIS MUSICIAN AND HIS PLAYER AND SINGER

[jonlate]

He's always top notch, and informative

[richardrichard]

Love his new bass, super thin jazz neck on that. Such a funny guy too,
😊

[MrMjp]

Although I’ve played bass for years, I could never get my head round the thumb/slap style. There are very many great exponents of it, but for me, Mark is the most naturally brilliant.

[jameswinspear]

This is not a human
This is a god 🙌🏻

[viewerabundzu]

when he says he wanted to be a drummer, he is, on the bass, tremendous rhythmical skill

[adhinugrahadsp]

Mr. Mark King, it's the legend😊👌👍

[ripley]

Who looked for "abe laboriel rise" as soon as you heard him say that love games came from that

[jameswhite]

Always enjoys a rendition of Love Games on bass and vocals on their own. Hard to do!!!

[brianshaffneraclc]

You can really hear that his road into bass was percussion, and not guitar. Completely different approach. How he can sing over some of that stuff I have no clue.

[richardrichard]

THE bass player I'd love to share a beer with, always such a laugh:)

[greatwhite]

I would love to see this full interview (if possible) as too many times all we get is a 4 to 5 minute section of any particular interview with Mark & it'd be great to see & hear what Mark & the rest of the lads have to say...

Mark & the lads aren't that much older than me so we come from the same era of less is more with regards to seeing or reading about them in interviews...

Were as today's society want to have access to everything about everyone but come on it's about time we see & hear (even the whole band) more than just a few minutes of any given interview...

I realise it was no doubt for a Radio Interview & I'm guessing Jazz FM with the signs in the background giving it away, but if ever a musician or band should be interviewed or shown more of their interview then it would be Level 42, as they are still going strong, albeit with different line ups through the years...

It was so sad to hear of Rowland aka Boon Gould's passing & my Condolences go out to Phil Gould/Family Member's/Closest of Friends & of course Level 42...

Boon had a very unique way of playing his lead guitar lines to the point that many of my friends who played lead guitar didn't or couldn't hear what he was really playing because they weren't listening & wanted to hear the usual let's blow the windows out lead guitar playing but Boon instead played intricate little fills & lines in between his rhythm chords & then solo's if needed within any given song...

A perfect example of what my friends always expected to hear was Boon's booming distorted lead guitar chords at the start of " Lessons In Love " but again Boon was very smart with what he'd put in & knew when to sit back & let everyone else have their say & play when or if needed...

The whole band was always like that & when you think of what they could play combined together it was just absolutely amazing but they also knew not to over cook their songs...

I feel sorry for quite a few generation of kids now who'll never know or see as many of these great solo acts or bands that were everywhere when we were kids & also into our 20s & 30s, as internet streaming basically killed what we knew to be the way to deliver modern music to fans...

As I've said I come from their era of not needing to know every little single detail about someone but if ever a UK band (ok Isle Of Wight) deserves documentaries made about them its these guys & their musicianship has always been up there at the very top...

Level 42 were never really fame seekers/like many of the bands around in the World at that time were/but if comes calling then go for it which they did/ & I believe later on this is why Phil & Boon left as it was getting all too commercial for them but again this is only chinese whispers as Level 42 didn't & still don't really give that much away...

I can live with not knowing every ins & out but give them some proper coverage as they are one of the best & hardest working bands still going strong to this day...

I'll always go & see them play Live when they come to my City & we are never slow of showing our love for them & their music & getting up to dance & sing along to all of their great hits & lesser known tracks that only true Level 42 fans would know from their earlier years...

Let's here it for Level 42 & Raise A Glass In Memory of Boon Gould & may we have many more years of Level 42 playing to a Live audience of their long time & new fans that they pick up on the way through the year's of gigging Live...

May they find new fans every day & conti use to build on their ongoing fanbase...


" Level 42 I Thank You for the Memories & they continue to still beat strong in my Heart "




Sadly Gone, But Will Never Be Forgotten
RIP Boon Gould

Sláinte