Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 329
Date: Friday, 25 February 1994
Chalkhills, Number 329
Friday, 25 February 1994
Today's Topics:
"little lies"
Le Palais/Paris...Was this the final gig?
More Baloney.
Re: Chalkhills #328
Answers to various queries
Introduction
Pipeline records?
Toodles of bark...
hello
Runt, Charts, and More
Re: Chalkhills #328
introduction
Chalkhills #328
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: 21 Feb 1994 17:31:28 -0400 (EDT) From: Brookes McKenzie <RMCKENZI@smith.smith.edu> Subject: "little lies" has anyone ever heard of this song? according to the source from which i obtained it, it's a demo from _the big express_, but it sounds incredibly like jimi hendrix - in fact it sounds so little like andy that i find it hard to believe even as a parody (andy imitating hendrix - "pupil haze" is still recognizable). - brookes
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: lsweet@netcom.com (Lawrence Sweet) Subject: Le Palais/Paris...Was this the final gig? Date: Mon, 21 Feb 1994 14:51:48 -0800 (PST) Someone posted about this show, supposedly Andy's last on stage performance.. is this so? I have the video of this gig...and there is a interview before it in which Andy primarily is spoken with. He definitely seems keyed up and anxious... Respectable Street begins, and not long afterward, he literally appears as if he might collapse...he takes his guitar off and leaves the stage in a stumbling manner. A personal nightmare, to be sure. What happened to the tour afterward? How was it explained? -- Lawrence Sweet "Every wave is new until it breaks" San Diego, CA lsweet@netcom.com --Neil Young (1981)
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Date: Tue, 22 Feb 94 08:03:17 EST
From: u7b52@sunws78.bgm.link.com (Todd Elwardt)
Subject: More Baloney.
Fellow Chalkhillians,
1. Many thanks to Mr. Derek Miner (whom I give public credit to) for taking
the time to make a copy of his _The_XTC_Compilation_ video for me. I don't
mean to advertise or review publicly, but for a *slight exchange* Mr. Miner
was kind enough to make a copy of the video for me on a fresh VHS casette.
The quality is quite shabby in spots, but the material is well worth what
you'll fork over. The whole thing is particularly entrancing for those who
revel in O&L-era XTC (such as myself), and I would greatly suggest getting
in touch with Mr. Miner if you'd like to expand your aud/vid horizons.
2. On a somewhat more embarrassing note, I often note those of you who ask
about *other* bands. Now the embarrassing part for myself is that although I
cannot give references as to what meal the Swindonites had gorged themselves
on before writing "This is Pop," or anything like that, I can enlighten on
the *other* bands every once in a while. For example...
Mr. A.J. Green queries:
> Question: Who are The Tubes?
Perhaps this is more acurately phrased, "Who WERE The Tubes?"
Back in the late '70's and early '80's, The Tubes were one of those "New
Wave" bands characterized by their bombastic stage shows and a penchant for
gushing sexuality in their songs. The group was headed by a rather nose-
heavy fellow named Fee Waybill, and besides a few disco-influenced hits like
"Let's Make Some Noise," they cranked out some wonderful tunes like "Prime-
time" and "Talk To Ya Later." You may remember the time circa 1983, when
the song and video for "She's a Beauty" could be readily heard on your local
pop station and seen on Martha Quinn/JJ Jackson-era Mtv. I personally
haven't heard or seen anything of note by them since then, but hey, who
knows? In a year when there are rumors of The Beatle$ ("Will Julian fill in
for John? Stay tuned true believers...") and even The Eagle$ ("Don't let him
get back together with/Glen Frey!" - "Don Henley Must Die," by Mojo Nixon)
regrouping, ANYTHING can happen.
As for The Tubes-Dukes connection, I haven't a clue. Any help?
...And I've got quite some message for you...
Todd (NOT Rundgren)
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Tue, 22 Feb 94 09:17:56 EST From: dabl2@nlm.nih.gov (Don A.B. Lindbergh) Subject: Re: Chalkhills #328 > Is there demand for additional CD booklets? I could easily make a > booklet for _Drums and Wires_. > > -- John I like them alot. My D&W cd is pretty lonely looking in it's case with just the cover sleeve. It would be most cool to have a booklet for that one. --Don
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Date: Tue, 22 Feb 1994 10:51:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: SPB0377@ocvaxa.cc.oberlin.edu
Subject: Answers to various queries
Regarding Oliver's question about musicians on this list - I'm a
drummer. I wouldn't describe XTC's songs as being outrageously hard to
learn, although I imagine it would be more so for guitarists, but I do have
a lot of admiration for the drumming on English Settlement and Nonsuch
(as I've mentioned here before).
A.J. Green asks who the Tubes are. They were a rock band from San
Fransisco, infamous for their theatrical stage shows but, IMO, not very in-
teresting musically. They had a couple of AOR hits in the early 80's but
faded away soon afterwards. One of their main contributions to history is
drummer Prairie Prince, who has played sessions with a variety of people,
including XTC (which, I presume, is why you mentioned them).
Now, one query of my own - anyone have the complete info on XTC's
current recording activities? I mentioned a while ago that Brian Doherty
was playing drums with them in the studio, which, unfortunately, spoils
the hopes of several subscribers that they would enlist Dave Mattacks
again. Unfortunate.
Pat Buzby
Oberlin, OH
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Date: Tue, 22 Feb 1994 12:56:55 -1000
From: John Pescador FYI <johnp@hcc.hawaii.edu>
Subject: Introduction
Hello All!
I used to subscribe to Chalkhills three years ago for a short while. I
decided to subscribe again because I have time to read all the wonderful
XTC information. I also subscribe to 'The Little Express' which doesn't
come as often anymore. I did receive my copy of 'The Bull with the
Golden Guts' from TLE.
I've been listening to XTC since 'Drums and Wires.' I've tried to
collect as many XTC items as is possible out here in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean. I've introduced XTC to many people while attending the
University of Hawaii. If I had to chose one XTC CD as my favorite it
would have to be 'English Settlement'.
I also listen to: Shonen Knife, Kate Bush, Sarah McLachlan, Los Lobos,
REM, and Everything but the Girl to name a few.
Aloha for now -
>= john =>
johnp@pulua.hcc.Hawaii.Edu
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: Kevin Carhart <ukevc@mcl.mcl.ucsb.edu> Subject: Pipeline records? Date: Tue, 22 Feb 1994 17:08:05 -0800 (PST) Does anyone have an address for Pipeline Records, which published the new Martin Newell (w/AP) album? I want to find out where to send a copy of the review I wrote in my collegenewspaper the other day. Are there any other companies on anyone's copy? Kevin
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: 23 Feb 94 07:25:27 EST From: Kyle Skrinak <70702.3054@compuserve.com> Subject: Toodles of bark... re: OLIVER@slais.ubc.ca >>How many people on the list are musicians? Those who are, would you not agree that XTC songs are the hardest pop songs in the universe to learn? I'm not a professional musician. However, I've been playing guitar since I was 5, bass since I was 11, and keyboards since 16. I can't read music notation, but someday hope to. I've been in many bands, all obviously have been unsuccessful, but I had a hell of a lot of fun trying! That said, I overall disagree. As much as I hate mainstream pop, many of its performers are remarkably talented--and this is the critical point--technically. For example i hate: Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, among others, but, if you try to ear-copy their work as a technical excersize, you will have much difficulty. Now then, there's the rub. What's the point!? What good is flawless execution, when the song or the sentiment has no soul? Early XTC is a piece of cake; no surprise there. Dick Gregory seemed to change this, or at least represent a change in the band's focus. English Settlement on, there's some good licks worth trying to learn if you want to develope you ear. DIck Gregory is a master chopsman (if that's a word) but the beauty of XTC is their composition-- Colin's bass lines are always the only bass line for a given song. Andy's rather basic guitar playing, the same. I hate to say it, and the end of "Books are Burning" exemplify it, Dick is a masterful technician, but there's nothing significantly unique about it. It's a good performance as far as studio musicianship goes. Andy's solos in this song, however, stands out, even though it's technically more clumsy. But, this topic allows me to eludate on a fav pet peeve. I hate guitar noodling, such as bands like "Phish." The stuff they play is very difficult, it's also difficult to listen to!
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Date: 23 Feb 1994 11:20:13 -0500 (CDT)
From: AJFERRELL@life.uams.edu
Subject: hello
hi all,
my name is amanda (female for the question about XX XTC fans). i
have been a silent reader of chalkhills since early 1991. i only
wanted to give an introduction, albeit a late one.
i first heard XTC on MTV in '82 . i loved Senses Working Overtime.
however, since i was not a very adventurous 13 year old, i decided that
the tape of english settlement was too expensive a price to pay for only
one sure musical delight. it wasn't until i went to college that i finally
bought the tape. i never heard any other songs off the album, or heard
senses working overtime after 83 for that matter. since then i have
been a dedicated aficionado.
now the second reason for posting: i am a junior in medical school
in little rock arkansas. this is significant because very few people
down here, it would seem, have heard of XTC. so even fewer still like
XTC. and i don't have much time or many resources to follow XTC in any
other way than through chalkhills. so, what i am trying to say is, a new
issue of chalkhills is always a boon . i enjoy reading all the different
opinions and the information offered.
so, now that i have said my piece, i will retire to the back ground
where i like to be.
amanda
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Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 11:06:32 -0500 (EST)
From: "Jason C. Langley" <jlangley@nynexst.com>
Subject: Runt, Charts, and More
I believe Rhino has released everything Todd Rundgren has done on CD and
Cassette: Nazz, Solo, and Utopia. Over the years I've picked up most of
his stuff either cut out or used, so my motto with Rundgren (with a few
exceptions) is if you've paid more than $2.99 you've paid to much. In my
opinion, he's been extremly erratic over the years. If you run across
_Ballad Of_, _Something/Anything_ (worth dishing out for on CD), _Hermit
of Mink Hollow_, _Nearly Human_ , _Deface the Music_ (Utopia-Dukes fans
should like this they completly pilfer the Beatles Dukes-Like), _Oops
Wrong Planet_ (Utopia), _Adventures in Utopia_ (Utopia, In the pre-Oprah
years I saw them play stuff from this on the Mike Douglass show, does
anyone remember Merv or Dina?), or _Utopia_ in the cut out bin they're worth
checking out. I find little to recommend in most of his other stuff (and
there's a lot of it). I haven't checked out the Nazz but a friend of mine
swears by them.
I'm relatively new to Chalkhills, and really like the music chart
contibutions. I play guitar and have found it a challenge to try and
figure out the arrangements. Andy and Dave use lot of unusual chords and
voicings in their playing, not to mention trying to figure out the odd rhythms
and playing from _Drums and Wires_. It appears that _Nonesvch_ inspired
a lot of folks to contribute, but there's not as much from pre _Nonesvch_.
Sooo.. while we're all waiting for the next album, get out those
instruments and send them in (I'm working on All of a Sudden, know if only
I could afford a Rickenbacker 360-12). Does anyone know of any XTC music
books? I'd give anything for them.
By the way , I'm 28.
Ra Ra for Red Rocking Horse
Jason
_________________________________________________________________
Jason C. Langley (508) 370-1522
Member of Technical Staff (508) 370-3211 Fax
NYNEX Science & Technology jlangley@nynexst.com
350 Cochituate Road Room 206
Framingham, MA 01701
_________________________________________________________________
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 06:04:11 -0600 (CST) From: GOOSENMK@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu Subject: Re: Chalkhills #328 Hello fellow XTC fans! I'm a new subscriber to the digest, and have enjoyed reading the opinions of other XTCites for the past few days. Just thought I'd say a few things about myself, and offer up an observation for your further thought. Hope I won't touch on any previously worn-out threads, but I'm sure you'll tell me if I do. I first got into XTC in 1980, with _Black Sea_. I was 13 at the time, and making my way from radio crap to what would later be called "alternative" via the Clash. I really have no recollection of what led me to purchase an XTC record, though I'm sure it would have had to have been a review. Anyway, at first the trademark pop-song-with-slight-atonality approach of that era's XTC threw me for a loop on the first couple of listens, but by the third spin I was hooked. I went out and purchased the three previous XTC albums, and have bought everything subsequent as they've been released. Though I've noticed here and in echo areas on FIDONET and RIME, the consensus favorite XTC album appears to be _English Settlement_, my own favorite continues to be _Black Sea_, which strikes me as a more tightly-wound album than its successor, though I like _English Settlement_ (that fretless bass gives the whole album a liquidy sound, doesn't it?) quite well too. I'd rank ES, _Drums and Wires_, _The Big Express_, and the last two efforts right behind _Black Sea_. The only XTC album that leaves me cold is _Skylarking_--beautiful, but overly glossy and shows Partrige's misanthropic, mean-spirited side off too often. Second, I never have understood why American rock critics never mention the Kinks as an influence on XTC. In trying to describe the group's unique sound, they're always saying "Beatles," trying to explain the group's gift for melody and arrangement, and "Captain Beefheart," I suppose trying to explain that slight atonality that flavors most of XTC's work. While I freely acknowledge both of those groups as major influences on the band, I think you can't quite understand where XTC comes from without the Kinks. Perhaps the reason that American critics don't see this influence is that the better Kinks albums I would point to as influential on XTC--1966's _Face to Face_ through 1971's _Muswell Hillbillies_--were not very popular in America, produced no radio hits save "Sunny Afternoon" in 1966 and "Lola" in 1970, and remain unheard. Nevertheless, how could anyone familiar with these albums not make connections with Ray Davies social satires like "Well Respected Man" or "Ded- icated Follwer of Fashion" when one hears the VERY Kinks-like "Respectable Street"? Didn't the Kinks' retreat away from the summer of love and into the countryside of England on _Something Else_ and especially _Village Green Preservation Society_ presage, and influence, XTC's own turn in that direction on _Mummer_ and _The Big Express_ and _Skylarking_? I could go on, but I think I've made my point... Finally, though I know it's been somewhat publicized in THE LITTLE EXPRESS in the past (mainly because it was a LITTLE EXPRESS reader that got the two men together), you can find some very rare Partridge contributions on some of NJ-by-way-of-Tennessee underground legend R. Stevie Moore's mid-'80s cassettesm,like _R. Stevie Moore Is Worth It_, available from Stevie's cassette club (I'll post the address if others express interest). Later, Miles Goosens
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 14:55:55 -0500 (EST) From: Bruce Bielawa <pinoke@umich.edu> Subject: introduction Hi, I'm a doctoral student in musical composition at the University of Michigan. I fished Chalkhills out of The Internet Directory. I was introduced to XTC about ten years ago by college roommates, and have since become well-acquainted with all their material from English Settlement forward. I'm mostly interested to read other people's thoughts and opinions about the music...
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: d.zemel@genie.geis.com Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 04:53:00 BST Subject: Chalkhills #328 Oliver (is it?), If Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger can still play rock 'n' roll at 50+, I can still enjoy XTC at 42! Also, I got turned onto them when I was about 39 and long out of the university, but your point is well taken. Have you gotten a dub of the Golden Cleaners CD yet? If not, just send me your snail mail address and you can then dub it for everyone else who wants a copy <grin>! I, for one, will look for The Rheostatics. If I can't find anything by them, I'll be asking for a dub. (I know---then I can dub it for everyone else who wants a copy <sigh>! Ditto for Grapes of Wrath! Crash Test Dummies' latest was produced by Milwaukee native (and former Talking Head) Jerry Harrison. ---------------------------------- Brandon, Fertile Crescent, eh? (Maybe someone should put out a compilation of XTC influenced bands. We'd all buy it, right?) ---------------------------------- Lynn (from Madison), Also check out Strictly Disks on Monroe Street! They have an impressive selection of boots and have been known to have an XTC boot or two pass through their store (K-Rocking In Pasadena and Making Plans For Andy). I'm not a sister, but rather an sympathetic brother! ----------------------------------- Kevin, You know XTC swears that Grass has nothing to do with marijuana. Maybe so, but I'll bet Todd saw the double meaning, eh? ----------------------------------- To all: Any news about the next XTC convention. There was a rumor that it might be in Madison, Wisconsin but only a rumor. Don't get excited unless someone has more news...! Dean Zemel
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] For all administrative issues, such as change of address, withdrawal from the list, fan club addresses, discography requests (last update 15 February), back issues, FAQ list, etc., send a message to the following address: <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> The Chalkhills archives are available at "http://chalkhills.org/". The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Goodnight, sucker.
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