Good morning people, I write to you all today to offer an explanation as to my motivation for writing the article that has now caused a little bit of a stir, but nevertheless, prompted more of you to write to the Total Madness Mailing List more times this past 24 hours, that I can remember in this past few days, maybe even weeks.
If you haven't worked it out yet, it was I who wrote the article. Before I offer my reasons for putting pen to paper on this subject, I should like to make it clear that I have been a Madness fan for over two decades (I am 28), and in that time I have been ridiculously fanatical about them. I have spent hundreds of pounds on records and memorabilia, accumulated thousands of miles traveling to see them by plane, train, car and bus, and dedicated my life to "That Nutty Sound". I have two Madness tattoo's, one of which is Chas Smash's autograph! My credentials as a Madness fan cannot be questioned, and as such my commitment allows me to reserve the right to question, comment on, debate, praise, or just plain criticise Madness whenever I feel there is just reason to do so. This does not happen very often, as most of the time I am blinded by my passion for them and their music. Ok - now for why I wrote it. As a writer of short story fiction, magazine articles ranging from social comment to music and sport, I recently decided to do a 1,000 word piece on the up and coming Madness west end show - OUR HOUSE. As a true Madness fan, taking an impartial and un-prejudiced view on this matter would be an obvious challenge, and summing up the thoughts of what a lot of Madness fans are thinking, but afraid to say is one thing, but being brutally honest about it to your peers and fellow friends - is quite another. Thus my motivation was two-fold. Spark life into the TMML, and write an un-biased article on what Madness are up to. I believe I achieved that. I am not alone in my opinions, detached as they may seem to the fanatic or the anorak, but this is a country as proud of it's free speech record, as I am of Madness. Taking off the nutty-tinted glasses towrite this article, was certainly not easy. Jeff Young wrote:" As for the trashing of Wonderful, I think he needs to check the reviews again and re-watch his Jools Holland and TOTP tapes." I don't think I actually trashed the album in my comments, but I was trying to highlight the fact that for a comeback album, only one single made the top 10 (Lovestruck). JTH and DFF were conspicuous in their absence despite my, and plenty others, having rallies in Camden and Glasgow to promote the single. I think it is a superb album with many great tracks. But it should have been up there with the best. It should have been better. Madness have to realise that they can't rely on the past these days and that I think, is why it failed to make a significant impact, worthy of the Madness name. Jenny Payne wrote: "I'm surprised to hear it came from one of our own. I assumed it was from some bitter, failed playwright or something (haha) who knew nothing of the fact that Madness had very little, if in fact at al, to do with the re-releases of their material." I hope I have proved this is not the case Jenny. I am not a playwright, and I doubt I would be a bitter one :-) "Also puzzling to me is the theatre being called the "most sacred of arenas." The reason I said that is because the actors I know personally, do regard the Theatre as almost Church-like in its religious symbolism in their work. Over and above the TV and movie media, if you can cut it in the Theatre, then indeed you can consider yourself to be a great actor. Alan ?(madness_wonderful) wrote: "I'm mostly with Jeff on this. Agree about the boy band trash Mr G talks of, however Madness, still make great music now, in this I include Wonderful, even though I'd have put some b-sides ahead of some album tracks. I loved this record however, though would in the future like more songs to dance to, political songs, and love songs." "As for greatest hits packaging - this needs more input from the band, as Virgin are embarrassing - even their last attempt the re-vamped Divine Madness with JTH and Lovestruck, had tracks poorly edited, with the start/end of one song overlapping, and making a mockery of the counter display - on Michael Caine and One Better Day I think. Also the reissues could have had more features." "I also agree that it looks bad the many reformations (although no official split), and the 1 off album deal was a senseless move. Yet I've no doubt that with more commitment from the band, as a whole, in all ways from songwriting to promoting, and indeed Virgin or whomever that Madness could play a major part in saving popular music. " I totally agree mate - 100% with everything you have said here.... when my Madness fan hat is on. Writing impartially on the subject doesn't allow you to be quite so romantic. Yannick Pollet wrote: "Thought I give my thoughts about the article. LONG LIVE MADNESS !!!" Here, here!!! I hope this mail clears up the motivation as to why I wrote this article, but not that the debate has to end here. I have not turn-coated, and before anyone asks, I AM going to the musical, and I WILL be at the Newcastle, Glasgow and London gigs at Christmas. Perhaps I shall do a review of the show after I have been. Love to all! Let's keep on talking. Mr.G www.themagnificent7.co.uk www.mcmadmeet.co.uk ______________________________________________________________ Visit the Total Madness Mailing List website for: news, members section, madmeet info, list charter, competitions, & more... http://www.madness7.com Contact the TMML Moderators at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] and in the message body put: unsubscribe total-madness
