Chalkhills, Number 249

                Tuesday, 17 November 1992
Today's Topics:
                     Chalkhills #248
                   Re: Chalkhills #248
                      This and That
                  Thomas Dolby's system
    New Live CD & Andy Interview In _The_Big_Takeover_
                    Rembrants Forgery
               Re: drums and wires, sort of
                     Re: Merely a Man

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Subject: Chalkhills #248
From: <rickd@sco.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 17:43:43 PST

>Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 23:34:37 +0100
>From: hanneton@magbio.ens.fr (Sylvain HANNETON)
>I recently purchased Peter Blegvad's King Strut and Naked Shakespeare.
[some stuff]
>Can anyone tell me if others Peter Blegvad albums are good ?
[some more stuff]
>Emmanuel.

Yep, Naked Shakespear sure _is_ a great album. You may be interested
in hearing PB's contributions to the Golden Palominos. I saw them on
the first album tour, and they performed the Naked Shakespear. Nice.
The GP recordings don't deliver PB's songs quite like PB's recordings
do. Also, PB plugs into the Henry Cow scene via his work in Slapp Happy.

I suggest you check out Blegvad's contribution to Jakko's "A
Grown Man Immersed in Tin Tin." Jakko, who appears on many Dave
Stewart (you know, the one that covered "Roads Girdle the Globe,"
produced PB's "How Beautiful You Are" and writes for Keyboard mag, ie
the _real_ one, not the Eurythmics one) records, is yet another
tangent you might want to follow.

I heard that PB performed the "Tin Tin" vocals over the phone while he
was ill in bed. A very beautiful, dark piece indeed. Does anyone remember the
name of the band Jakko was in when this piece was recorded? I recall
the album being more Jazz than Jakko's solo work. Was it Dysrhythmia
(Virgin? Geffen?)?

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From: leo@ph.tn.tudelft.nl (Leo Breebaart)
Subject: Re: Chalkhills #248
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 9:11:57 MET

Ray Sherrod <rsherrod@ecst.csuchico.edu> writes:

> Subject: Merely a Man

> All Andy is saying is that he has complete faith in the human animal
> for getting the human animals out of all the problems and pre-
> dicaments we have managed to create over the last several millenia
> or however long it's been.  My question is this; why would a person
> choose this way of thinking at all?

I think you should be careful not to accept any lyrics, and especially
not any XTC lyrics, so unquestioningly at face value.

"Oranges & Lemons" is, from cover to melodies to arrangements, a spoof
of the (psychedelic) hippie era, and many of the lyrics ("Garden of
Earthly Delights" e.g.) are parodies of the typical 'all you need is
love' lyrics of the time.

I have always assumed that 'Merely a Man' falls in the same category
of tongue-in-cheek over-the-top writing.

--
Leo Breebaart (leo @ ph.tn.tudelft.nl)

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Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 06:23:38 PST
From: Wes Wilson @PKO3 - 223-3413  13-Nov-1992 0908 <wilson@pharos.enet.dec.com>
Subject: This and That

Good to read in Chalkhills about interest in Peter Blegvad. I, too,
have The Naked Shakespeare and King Strut.

>From "The Naked Shakespeare" the two stand-out cuts are Weird Monkeys
(which thematically reminds me of The Smartest Monkeys), and Karen.

Honestly, I think I have listened to King Strut more than The Naked
Shakespeare. I think of songs like the title track, Gold, The Northern Lights,
Not Weak Enough...these are excellent songs! Well written and well
produced. I honestly can't understand why Blegvad doesn't get
more airplay in the U.S., with all the crap that does get airplay.
Must be because he doesn't have a hot MTV video. Blegvad is truly a
poet.

The CD of King Strut I have is from Japan, and includes the lyrics
and drawings - does the UK version have this? There is a cartoon
of Peter (a joke, really) thinking about why he isn't popular, and it
really gets him down, until he finally decides to write a song
about it. Pretty funny!

- - - - -

While listening to English Settlement the other day, it suddenly
occurred to me that I've grown to like the song "Leisure." ("They
taught me how to work but they can't teach me how to shirk correctly,
whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa...") The song has a number of little
different parts in it, and clever lyrics.

Speaking of this album, I've order a CD version of this out of
Japan which has 13 tracks (yes, it's actually missing some of the
tracks). So, why would I want it? Well, it's got a very cool
photo of the band and some neat artwork of animal-man-like creatures,
the kind you'd see on a crest or something. Can't wait to get this.
I think this CD is a direct copy of the album as it was released
in Japan originally.

- - - - -

Finally, if someone sees the 12'' Mayor of Simpleton for sale
anywhere, drop me a line. This is the one with the demo tracks
on it ("Haunted Heart" and "The Good Things").

Thanks!

"If you think I'm clowning I assure you that I'm dorwning here
in leeeeee-iiiisure!"

Wes

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Date: 14 Nov 92 10:59:51 EST
From: Steve Levenstein <70750.1117@compuserve.com>
Subject: Thomas Dolby's system

   Ray Sherrod was asking about Thomas Dolby's "Astronauts and Heretics"
in the previous Chalkhills. I don't have the album/CD, only the CD single
called "I Love You Goodbye". This 4-song single contains the title track,
"Windpower", "Europa And The Pirate Twins", and "Eastern Bloc (sequel to
Europa and the Pirate Twins, 1981)". This last track has been getting
lots of airplay on Toronto's CFNY-fm recently, although they're playing
a slightly more extended version than the one on my CD. I think it's a
great tune, and I hope Dolby puts out a Europa part 3 some day!
   An interesting thing about Thomas Dolby product is that the versions
of "Radio Silence" are different on the album and CD "The Golden Age
Of Wireless". The CD's version is slower and has some vocals by Akiko
Yano (wife of Ryuichi Sakamoto) on it. This is the same person referred
to in another Dolby song "She Blinded Me With Science", wherein the
professor says: "Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto, you're beautiful!".
The "Wireless" CD also does not include "Leipzig" or "Urges", yet the
album does. Don't know why, they had the room on the CD!
   The original version of "Radio Silence" appears with "Europa..." on
the promo album called "The New British Invasion", details of which
appear in the better XTC discographies.
   I have not seen any new XTC releases of late, but the wife and I will
storm the stores today in search of Wrapped In Gray", etc. CHARGE IT!!!

"...the wallpaper will be shattered by his shout..."

---> Steve

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Date: 15 Nov 1992 20:46:19 -0500 (EST)
From: BHOCKING@delphi.com
Subject: New Live CD & Andy Interview In _The_Big_Takeover_

I just received the new live CD entitled _XTC_Live_In_Concert_ on the Windsongs
label, (WINCD 026).  The tracks are as follows; "Life Begins At The Hop",
"Burning With Optimism's Flame", "Love At First Sight", "Respectable Street",
"No Language In Our Lungs", "This Is Pop", "Scissor Man", "Towers Of London",
"Battery Brides", "Living Through Another Cuba", "Generals & Majors",
"Making Plans For Nigel" and "Are You Receiving Me?".  The running time is
approximately 57 minutes and the sound quality is great!  This is the same
concert that has been around in several different formats including the
_This_Is_Live_ bootleg CD.  The booklet features a track by track analysis
by Andy in addition to his recalling a rather sucessful foot massasge.  One
curious note; the picture of the band looks like it's from a BBC TV appearance
performing "Senses Working Overtime", one can gather this since Dave has his
Rickenbacker strapped on and is tapping a tambourine, Colin is fretless and
Andy is strumming his acoustic!  This appears to be the only faux pas to
an otherwise excellant CD.

I also picked up the most recent issue of _The_Big_Takeover_, (issue number
32).  The cover story is of course, XTC.  I've never heard of this mag, but
my favorite record store saved me a copy.  The article is the first of two
parts and was conducted back in June of this year, (same day he was on
MTV's 120 Minutes with Dave Kendell).  The interview is a particularly good
one since it was conducted by three genuine XTC fans and covers nine pages,
with more promised in the next issue!  The interview tended to stay away from
the usual, (ie; no touring, no touring, no touring).  I would offer to
trancribe, however, the article is much too long.  One itme of interest,
Andy mentions that the next batch of demos to be released through The
Little Express is complete.  It is entitled _The_Bull_With_The_Golden_Gut_
and Andy promises that "it's happening very shortly"!  If anyone is
interested in obtaining a copy of this article, please drop me a line.

Thanks,

Brooks

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Date: 16 Nov 92 16:55:48 EST
From: John.J.Pinto@dartmouth.edu
Subject: Rembrants Forgery

Has anyone else had the mistaken impression that they were hearing "Dear God"
on the radio only to find a song called "Johnnie Have You Seen Her? by The
Rembrants? This is no mere coincidental similarity. They have lifted the
somber cello passage off Dear God. If imitation is the highest form of
flattery then The Rembrants are big XTC fans or stupid enough to plagiarize.
While I"m at it, Extreme has a song called R.I.P. on their new album that
sounds a lot like XTC in parts, but I have only heard it once.

While visiting in NYC last week one record shop said they expected to receive
the BBC Hammersmith CD anyday.
Also- Peter Blegvad has a new 7" out on SOL Records (Singles Only Label,
little records with big holes). King Strut (not the Andy one) from the album
of the same name and a live B-side.
-an excellent and very long interview with Andy (part one) in a magazine
called Big Takeover issue #32.
-one page piece in Details, October issue. XTC is listed on the cover.

IS THERE ANYONE with a copy of "Peter Who?" who will send me a tape?

John Pinto

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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 15:10:11 PST
From: "John M. Relph" <relph@presto.ig.com>
Subject: Re: drums and wires, sort of

Tom Glaab <TGLAAB@nccs-evax.navy.mil> queries:
>
>i don't know how i ever missed this before, and i'm sure it's come up
>on this list, but what's with the virgin uk cd of drums & wires?

There are two different CDs and three different sleeves for this CD.
The first CD was the original Virgin UK release, which listed only the
songs from the original LP on the sleeve, but in fact also contained
the songs from the original bonus single, "Limelight" and "Chain of
Command", and does not contain "Life Begins at the Hop".  The second
CD has the same songs, but lists "Life Begins At The Hop" as well as
the bonus songs, on the sleeve.  It is also a Virgin UK release.  The
third CD also includes "Life Begins At The Hop" and can be found in
Japan, the USA, and in the "Collectors Edition 3 Limited Edition
Picture Discs" box from Virgin UK.

	-- John

P.S. This seemed like a good question for the FAQ, so now it's in there.

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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 15:10:21 PST
From: "John M. Relph" <relph@presto.ig.com>
Subject: Re: Merely a Man

Ray Sherrod <rsherrod@ecst.csuchico.edu> is a pessimist:
>
>    I was recently listening to "Oranges and Lemons" and particularly the songs
>"Merely a Man" and "Cynical Days"
[...]
>  In "Merely a Man" Andy Partridge writes , "and you know it's true, that
>with logic and love we'll have power enough to raise consciousness up and
>for lifting humanity higher".  All Andy is saying is that he has complete
>faith in the human animal for getting the human animals out of all the
>problems and pre- dicaments we have managed to create over the last several
>millenia or however long it's been.  My question is this; why would a
>person choose this way of thinking at all?  I believe it's fairly evident
>that if mankind has done what it has done so far on the earth, it will most
>likely continue to.

Yes, but if you allow yourself to believe that mankind will continue
to do bad things, then sure enough, mankind will continue doing so.
What Andy says is "with logic and love", mankind will get itself out
of its own mess.  However, "logic and love" are sorely missing from
much of mankind's doing.  But if each one of us tries to put a little
good into what she or he is doing each day, that's one step in the
right direction.  And if we're all taking those little steps every
day, eventually it will add up.

It's a neverending struggle.

I think the point here is that it really depends on your point of
view.  Some of humanity will continue to treat other people and the
earth with a lack of respect.  If you concentrate only on that, then
of course it looks hopeless.  But if you concentrate on those people
who really try to treat other people fairly, who try to be aware of
their effect on the environment, and try to work for the "greater
good", then you might see that there is a positive future in store.

>for the most part folks
>have shown themselves to be fairly corrupt, and sometimes due to no fault of
>their own;  it's just the way we are

I disagree with you.  If "for the most part" were true, then we would
not have civilisation.  We might still be in a feudal society.  The
idea of "rights" would not exist (except perhaps "divine right").
Granted, corruption pervades society, but the ideal is still there,
and many people work towards the ideal.  If that weren't the case, the
United States would have collapsed many years ago.

>    Colin Moulding at least is on the right track in "Cynical Days" when he
>writes,"my faith in human nature's getting pretty thin". For him, it's just
>a "passing phase"

As I have said, it's a neverending struggle, and depending on your
frame of mind, you either see the world in terms of "The Loving" or
"Merely a Man", or you see it in the terms of "Cynical Days".  I have
to admit I see it both ways fairly often, but I make it my goal to
try to be positive, to be the best person I can be (despite my many
faults).  In fact, I identify with many XTC songs because I believe
that my point of view is also shared by Andy, Colin and Dave.

	-- John

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