& Strangeness and Charm

This is an interview with Mike by Andy. It was recorded by Pete for Wakefield Music Collective's website and for a month it was broadcast continuously on a loop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortly after recording with Holyground in the 1970s, Brian emigrated to Australia. We asked him to contribute to the podcasts and he recorded his contribution in the form of answers to questions that Pete later edited in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the Bretton concert Chris Coombs, Pete Taylor, Nick Dew and Margaret Duke recorded and played live as Quizzinglass. Mike started to write new lyrics with Pete Howells of 'Blue Epitaph' writing the music. Mike, Chris and Pete continued to work on a new album to be called 'In and Out of Time' which was nearly completed before Mike's untimely death in 2011. Sadly few of the tracks could be rescued.Tracks played: 'Driving into the Wind' - Quizzinglass'Barkston Heath' - Pete Howells'Same Land' - Mike, Chris, Pete, and others'Best Foot Shoes' - Mike, Chris, Pete, and others Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Bretton Hall finally closed its doors in 2007 it was felt that the past association with students should be celebrated. A concert in Music Block was arranged on the 5th May, the final weekend, with musicians coming across the world to take part in a Holyground concert. A CD and DVD of the event was released. Tracks played: Kirkgate Blues - Mike Levon, Chris Coombs, Pete Taylor, Nick Dew, Clive CollingThe Shipper - Dave Holland, Dik CadburyOde - Pete Howells, Jim GordonWild Mountain Thyme - Jenny Tarren, Jan Williams and audience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new control room was built enabling a permanent set-up for the equipment. A retrospective series of CDs were released called 'The Works' including 'Electrotype', Bill Nelson's early recordings. Chris Coombs' 'Up to McGills' CD was released as a singer-songwriter album. 'Joint' was released featuring many musician friends of Holyground over the years.Tracks played: 'Nothing Rhymes with Lonely' - Chris Coombs'Heart of the Storm' - Steve Channing'So' - Mike, Chris, Pete and others Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1999 release was a limited edition with a poster with words and credits. The 2006 release was with a booklet instead of poster. '67 Skies' is nearly 20 minutes long. It reflects personal memories, the past, the present and the future and possibility of change.Track played: '67 Skies' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike, Chris Coombs and Pete Taylor were collaborating on writing new songs, based on ancestry and where you come from and on Time. Mike was investing in new equipment, and using Midi. Other musicians, including classical musicians were involved.Tracks played: 'The Hiding Places''Desperate Manoeuvres''Silence on the Wires' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The collectability of Holyground records led to many albums being re-released, first as vinyl then as CDs, at first licensed through Magic Mixture, then through Kissing Spell. New music was being recorded with Pete Taylor, Chris Coombs and Steve Channing. Loose Routes CDs were released.Tracks played: snatch of 'Tears on the Console', 'Save the Big Jam Roll', from Gagalactyca, 
'Snowcloud' - Skybird, 'Alice D's Electric Outlaw Band' - Lazy Days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike was recording Lazy Days, a Leeds-based band and continuing to record Steve Channing. They collaborated for a new album 'Tears on the Console'. Mike moved out of Cass Yard, and joined a group of independent producers at Aim Studio in Doncaster for a short time.Tracks played: 'Wait for Me' - Lazy Days, 
'Tears on the Console', snatch of 'Play it Like a Band', 'Peach of a Love' - Steve Channing and Lazy Days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Legend of the Kingfisher' was recorded by Gygafo, a well-known Leeds-based band, memories of recording by band member Eddie Stringer. 'Ode' by Blue Epitaph, was recorded and released, memories of recording it by Pete Howells and Jim Gordon. Mike was experimenting with effects, including a new phaser.Tracks played: 'Solid Man Song' and 'Waiting for the Rain' - Gygafo'I Never met You' and 'Diane' - Blue Epitaph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.