Mike joins at the Numan Arms as part of a Cedric Sharpley special, on his time with working with the great man and of course Mr Numan. www.justgiving... few.studio/ Join me at FB Living Ornaments www.facebook.c...
I was so lucky to meet Cedric when I was collecting a returned ticket at an Ipswich concert in the early 90’s. I asked if I could meet Gary. But, he was in the top of the theatre doing a sound check. We went up to get my ticket signed. I didn’t meet Gary but I met Cedric. Lovely guy. Well done Liquid Engineers raising all that money, too. 👍
Another fabulous conversation, thanks Mike and Steve. Great memories of Ced, and the thoughts around Gary’s journey through Berserker to M+S, the whys etc, is spot on. I think a lot of fans do feel the same way, but we don’t speak as well as you guys. And Mike was there! From my perspective, I absolutely felt that each album he did, WAS the right image, the right sound, the right style, At The Time. Some would say an artist should lead not follow, or be doing what everyone else is doing, but hey if you want a modicum of success, and if those sounds (Janet’s rhythm nation etc), sax (who can resist Dick Morrisseys playing), funky guitar work etc, is what people are listening to, then stop kinda what you do. or you’re out of step with music of that day. Tears for fears and others were treading that similar crunchy bass sequencer path, and many others were too. Yes, as you say, in hindsight, it feels like a series of mis steps from Warriors to M+S…. Then the sparse, un fussy sound of Sacrifice was Numan finding HIMSELF again, and not being over Produced…. But At The Time I’d still maintain those albums were the right thing. And cos it was Numan, there were usually two or three outstanding songs on each album, where his writing shone through. And of course Mike and Ian’s sounds and style really did sound great. And I play those songs today, quite often rather than anything done post Pure, as it’s somehow still fresher and more interesting to me. Yes of course the absolute hey day was Replicas, TPP, Telekon, we all agree, and we see that the Jagged to Intruder sound is Gary’s sound, what he loves, the fans love it, etc… some of us Like it…but don’t….Love it? That’s me, and Steve says similar. Mike too said he couldn’t do anything with that kind of sound. But really, it’s all good, what a journey. What a story. Every phase of the Numan career has plenty to say, and is peppered with good music. And hearing you guys talking about what some see in hindsight as the wilderness years, is great to hear. It had its place. It Belonged. And at the time, it was Now, it was Fresh, it had that Gary sound, it had brilliant soundscapes from Mike and Ian. It’s all good. Thanks chaps, si
Brilliant! Great insights, thoroughly enjoyable
I was so lucky to meet Cedric when I was collecting a returned ticket at an Ipswich concert in the early 90’s. I asked if I could meet Gary. But, he was in the top of the theatre doing a sound check. We went up to get my ticket signed. I didn’t meet Gary but I met Cedric. Lovely guy.
Well done Liquid Engineers raising all that money, too. 👍
Another fabulous conversation, thanks Mike and Steve. Great memories of Ced, and the thoughts around Gary’s journey through Berserker to M+S, the whys etc, is spot on. I think a lot of fans do feel the same way, but we don’t speak as well as you guys. And Mike was there! From my perspective, I absolutely felt that each album he did, WAS the right image, the right sound, the right style, At The Time. Some would say an artist should lead not follow, or be doing what everyone else is doing, but hey if you want a modicum of success, and if those sounds (Janet’s rhythm nation etc), sax (who can resist Dick Morrisseys playing), funky guitar work etc, is what people are listening to, then stop kinda what you do. or you’re out of step with music of that day. Tears for fears and others were treading that similar crunchy bass sequencer path, and many others were too. Yes, as you say, in hindsight, it feels like a series of mis steps from Warriors to M+S…. Then the sparse, un fussy sound of Sacrifice was Numan finding HIMSELF again, and not being over Produced…. But At The Time I’d still maintain those albums were the right thing. And cos it was Numan, there were usually two or three outstanding songs on each album, where his writing shone through. And of course Mike and Ian’s sounds and style really did sound great. And I play those songs today, quite often rather than anything done post Pure, as it’s somehow still fresher and more interesting to me. Yes of course the absolute hey day was Replicas, TPP, Telekon, we all agree, and we see that the Jagged to Intruder sound is Gary’s sound, what he loves, the fans love it, etc… some of us Like it…but don’t….Love it? That’s me, and Steve says similar. Mike too said he couldn’t do anything with that kind of sound. But really, it’s all good, what a journey. What a story. Every phase of the Numan career has plenty to say, and is peppered with good music. And hearing you guys talking about what some see in hindsight as the wilderness years, is great to hear. It had its place. It Belonged. And at the time, it was Now, it was Fresh, it had that Gary sound, it had brilliant soundscapes from Mike and Ian. It’s all good. Thanks chaps, si
Glad there’s another chat with Mr. Smith. Long may they continue. Please get one with Mr. Herron as well, if he’s still with us.
Great memories of Ced..👍
Superb
Cedric was such an underrated drummer along with Paul Gardner what a rhythm section just amazing
Interesting hearing about the writing and procedure on The Fury songwriting….👍
Great interview. Disagree regarding Numans success with the industrial noise. Outland sold more copies than Intruder. 79-81 pure class.
Would be great to hear the original (1st take) of the outland album.
@3:41 I played that bit 5 times! So funny, hahaha
Mike's stories are so funny! ...had me in stitches 🤣🤣🤣
Totally agree still love the 79/80 numan music!
I was thinking how he's aged, yet then remember that it has been over 30 years since I last met him 😳
Very interesting and would love to hear more from him about The Fury process.
Gary new sound doesnt necessarily appeal to a younger crowd. My daughter is 13 and much prefers the early years.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Best interview yet. Ced really IS as much the Numan sound as Numan himself.