Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 411
Date: Friday, 17 February 1995
Chalkhills Digest, Number 411
Friday, 17 February 1995
Today's Topics:
Re: Eno/Cale/Dolby
Re: newguy/re: bassmaster Colin
Peter Pumkinhead
Re: w3 page with links to Chalkhillians...
Greetings
colin on fretless/crash test dummies
More Bass Notes
fretless?...Don't fret!
Video
New girl in town
hello to chalkhills folks
Look Here
newguy/re: bassmaster Colin
Re: Chalkhills Digest #410
Brief intro and a couple of questions
WXCI and XTC
Re: Chalkhills Digest #410
Sound Quality of "Unofficial" XTC Recordings
Snip My Cord Off
XTC on Muzak!
re: Wes Wilson
El Maestro Moulding
Re: newguy/re: bassmaster Colin
Re: Brotherhood of Lizards disc?!?
XTC video, Los Hermanos Lizardos
Ryko to the rescue?
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How coloured the flowers all smelled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 95 9:46:18 PST
From: John Relph <relph@presto.ig.com>
Subject: Re: Eno/Cale/Dolby
James Kosmicki <kosgcom@cccadm.cccneb.edu> writes:
>
>Let me be the first to second the recommendation of the Brian Eno/John
>Cale collaboration "Wrong Way Up."
And I'll add my voice to the chorus. This is an excellent record.
Definitely one of my favourites in the last few years.
Pat (PTomek@aol.com) writes:
>>
>>Orthoboog : Did Andy Partridge play harmonica on Europa?
>>
>>DolbyTalk : Yes indeed. And he played some great guitar on a
>>new song I've done, which may be on the next LP.
Actually, the Andy's guitar part didn't make it to the record.
By the way, does anybody else think the main melody section of "Prince
of Orange" is reminiscent of "King of the Road" by Roger Miller?
And if you are looking for a copy of _Chalkhills and Children_ (the
book), Steven Reule <steven.reule@24stex.com> has a copy available (I
know, I saw it).
-- John
------------------------------ Subject: Re: newguy/re: bassmaster Colin Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 13:44:40 EST From: Michael Murphy <mjm@cis.ufl.edu> In the Chalkhills Digest #410, BassPlayrJo@aol.com wrote: > To my knowledge and thru my > research...Colin has never used a fretless bass.....epiphone's....fender > short scale.and now a fretted Wal...... I suspect your research is just a LITTLE incomplete :-) -- on the English Settlement album, for each song it gives very detailed credits of who played what (along with the lyrics), and it credits Colin with "fretless Fender bass" on several (maybe half). Other than that, though, i have no info in whether he had ever used a fretless on any album before or since. > but....he can sure make it sound like > one..which is a true testimony to his ability as a bass player. There was an > article in bass player mag..over a year ago on colin....no mention of a > fretless... I agree, he can. I've always thought his parts were some of the most tasty i've ever heard. Just his work on ES alone was probably a significant influence on me picking up the fretless. I had been going along for years thinking he was still using fretted & fretless basses, ever since reading those credits in ES. But then i read that Bass Player interview last year, too, and was surprised to see no mention of any fretless basses. He also mentioned that he had been using the Wal for several years now, or on the last several albums, or something like that. I guess he's abandoned his old basses.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Feb 1995 12:52:23 -0600
From: "Cecile Bellamy" <cecile_bellamy@students.mcad.edu>
Subject: Peter Pumkinhead
From: Cecile Bellamy
When Andy gave a national radio interview on June 1, 1992, he brought up
the subject of the Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead. He made a long list of what
people thought the song was about but when he said that Pete was actually a
pumkin he decided to tell the story during the commercial break (Urgh!!!). I
just wanted to know what this fantastic story was.
Thanks,
Cece
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 19:11:43 +0000 (GMT) From: William HamBevan <whambeva@jesus.ox.ac.uk> Subject: Re: w3 page with links to Chalkhillians... Hylo. I'd be more than willing to include a web page on my server with links to Chalkhills subscribers' home-pages. Let's say, for the time being, that it will be found at: http://jesus.ox.ac.uk/~whambeva/xtc.html To have details of your home-page included here, mail me at: whambeva@jesus.ox.ac.uk It might be a nice touch if you were to include your favourite xtc track with the mail - important indicator of personality! William HamBevan Jesus College, Oxford.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 13:21:02 -0700 (MST) From: "Mr. Wizard's little helper (Bones)" <barneson@GAS.UUG.Arizona.EDU> Subject: Greetings Hello, I'm a new chalkhillian! I just want to say thank you to all XTC fans for knowing SOMETHING about real music. I live in Tucson, Az (Univ of Az), and it is a black hole for music- al creativity. There are no radio stations that have even heard of anything XTC. Well, I used to have most of XTC's albums & several rarities, but, my ex took them when she moved out. I'm trying to rebuild my collection to it's previous glory. I did recently hear XTC on the radio in Phoenix Az. In December, I was visiting my parents & the "everything" station, KZON, played "Mayor of Simpleton". It was strange to hear it wedged between two blues songs, rather than the rest of O&L. The only "moving" XTC I've seen was the "Senses Working Overtime" video on MTV Latino's show "MTV Classico". South America loves XTC! Talk to you all later... Bones
------------------------------ From: OLIVER@slais.ubc.ca Organization: SLAIS, UBC Date: 15 Feb 95 13:41:29 GM+5 Subject: colin on fretless/crash test dummies To the fellow who stated that Colin never plays fretless bass; check out the credits for English Settlement. He's listed as playing fretless bass on nearly every song. Does anyone else think the Crash Test Dummies' Peter Pumpkinhead is pretty lame? I don't know why they just imitated the XTC version. I was expecting a more folky version with the usual deep vocals. That might have been annoying, but at least it would be different. It irks me that they'll have a hit with the song when it's an inferior copy of the original; it shows you the power of a name.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Feb 95 17:30:33 EST From: "Gene (Sp00n) Yoon" <ST004422@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU> Subject: More Bass Notes >To my knowledge and thru my >research...Colin has never used a fretless bass Actually, Colin is fretless on almost the entirety of everybody's favorite, English Settlement. Check the excellent liner notes on the sleeve. The sound is evident on Heaven Is Paved With Broken Glass, which was recorded at the same sessions as EngSet but didn't make the final cut--quite a shame especially considering it was a double album and would have surely fit on side three somewhere. There's probably very little bass-wise that Moulding hasn't done. I think. Gene
------------------------------ From: IERANO_J@DD.PALMER.EDU Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 16:56:31 -0500 (CDT) Subject: fretless?...Don't fret! Thanks to newcomer "BassPlayerJo" with an interesting discussion on Mr Moulding's bass antics. I would hesitate to state that the bassmaster has "never" plucked the fretless bass. First have a listen to "All of a Sudden" from the brilliant English Settlement. If that isn't a fretless, I'd believe it because ol' Col in his genius could get a harp sound out of this thing if he desired... But, take a look at the "Look, Look" video compilation (that's what it was called in Australia) and you'll see in the film clip Colin playing a defretted beauty. I may be wrong, as I haven't seen the clip (of All of a Sudden) for a while, but from memory this is what is was. See if you can get a look at it. I'd also like to read that interview with bass-king Col. Wouldn't we all? Cheers, Joe Ierano.
------------------------------ From: IERANO_J@DD.PALMER.EDU Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 17:01:40 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Video By the way folks, Is there a more up to date collection of XTC clips on video, beyond "Look, Look" ? And if not, what do we do about it? Years ago I saw a whole night of clips up to "...Simpleton", including an animated short depicting the bands history, on a Music Video show back in Aus. It was great. Ciao, Joe Ierano.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 18:50:46 -0500 (EST) From: Lou Fox <fox@panix.com> Subject: New girl in town Hi all. I tried to post an intro before, but I don't think I sent it to the right place. (It was late, I'm using the Boyfriend's computer, other lame excuses) So, anyways, I am actually a great friend of Kiersten and like she, I got my start listening to XTC on WXCI in Danbury CT. I can't believe the number of responses she got about it! I didn't know there were so many proud Nutmeggers that were XTC fans. I remember seeing a video for "Making Plans for Nigel" about a million years ago on Nightflight on the USA network. Am I alone? Jennifer @ Casa Lou Billy Burg, Brooklyn
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 16:00:25 -0800 From: Dr13@ix.netcom.com (Terry Burke) Subject: hello to chalkhills folks My name is Terry Burke, I am 30 and live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I first heard XTC in 1980 on WBCN-FM in Boston, MA. The radio station was playing "Making PLans for Nigel", I was hooked. That X-mas my older sister Sue gave me a copy of "Drums & Wires" as a gift. I think that XTC are one of the best bands on Earth. I used to collect all XTC related material (zines, videos, buttons) but have stopped collecting objects in the last three years. I can only hold onto so much junk you know. My version of The General's "Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen" appears on the cassette of XTC fans covering their fave tunes. I record as HISTATIC CHARGE and have two home recorded tapes available for TRADE ONLY. I also publish a zine called SCREED, it's about the Cincinnati music scene. Other things that I enjoy: My wife(!), our cats Okra, Rootabaga, and Cherimoya, music, and weird films. XT-See ya later!
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 16:34:00 -0800 From: mallard@uclink.berkeley.edu (Chong Hyun Byun) Subject: Look Here I was just perusing the catalogue of CDNow, this online catalogue of CDs for sale and I saw the video compilation "Look Look" listed. It's a bit pricey, at $69.30, not including tax or shipping, but I thought people would like to know. Just type telnet cdnow.com to get in. Hope this isn't old news or anything. I'm not affiliated with CDNow, but I wanted to pass on info regarding video to you. By the way, I once passed up buying a copy of "Look Look" (at $40 it seemed too expensive), and I'm still kicking myself over it. This is just a bit of advice... Christie Byun
------------------------------ Organization: Brooklyn Psychogeographical Association Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 22:04:45 -0500 From: dmandl@panix.com (David Mandl) Subject: newguy/re: bassmaster Colin >From: BassPlyrJo@aol.com > >HI! new member here, I'm a bass player and XTC fan for 15 years and just >signed on in Feb. RE: Joe Ierano's comment on >Colin Moulding the "Bassmaster"......To my knowledge and thru my >research...Colin has never used a fretless bass He used one all over "English Settlement." Says so right there in the liner notes (as if it wasn't obvious). Listen to "Yacht Dance," for example. --Dave. -- Dave Mandl dmandl@panix.com
------------------------------ From: hotspur@mcs.com (Michael Faulkner) Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #410 Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 21:59:09 -0600 (CST) My line got interrupted, and I don't know if this went out the first time, so excuse me if it appears twice.... Speaking of CASH COWS, does anyone else remember the anti-war compilation entitled: LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE which had songs on it by not only our boys but The Specials, The Jam, The Stranglers, The Au Pairs, The Beat (yeah, the english one..), etc. At the time, I was wearing a parka, riding a Vespa Rally 200 and singing in a ska band called Speciall Guest in the San Francisco bay area under the pseudonym of Mike Skankersore. Naturally, any of you that recognize the above sub-cultural associations will understand why I bought the album on it's release, and though I've told this story before to the Chalkhillian crowd, it is "Living Through Another Cuba" that piqued my interest, from the aforementioned recording, and I ran out and bought White Music (because it had black and white checks and they had arrows on their pants), loved it, and worked my way through the entire catalogue, which at that time was only up to (mmmm....let me think) 1983...Mummer? I was a senior in High School when Skylarking came out. Damn near shit in my pants from the suspense. What could they do after the Dukes? Our boys dominated my musical development after the mod/ska phase, since I went next to psychedelia (partly because I started *doing* "love bombs", and partly because the Dukes of Stratosphear's first hit me over the head like a ton of daisies). All this and I wasn't even 17! I shall never turn back
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 00:44:56 -0500 From: bk985@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Craig A. Marciniak) Subject: Brief intro and a couple of questions Since I made my first post to Chalkhills without an introduction, I thought I'd take a few seconds and do that now. I got into XTC when "Oranges And Lemons" came out and couldn't believe that something great as this wasn't being played on Cleveland radio (then again, I guess it wasn't a surprise). I didn't start going back in their catalog until "Nonsuch" came out only because I didn't know they had been around before hand. My friend got me into "English Settlement," "Skylarking," etc. The rest as they say, is history. =) Now for the questions : Its the "Dukes" CD out of print? I got mine today at Best Buys for $7.88, but we have had a hard time trying to get it back in stock for the store I work at. The version I got was the standard Geffen pressing. Any suggestions? I also picked up (actually a friend picked it up for me) the Andy Partridge solo record "Take Away/The Lure Of Salvage" on tape today for $2.99 He also got the British version of Skylarking for $2.99 as well). The Partridge record is interesting nonetheless. I was curious to know what some of you that have heard thought about it. Lastly, outside of "King For A Day" and "Mayor of Simpleton," are there any other XTC videos? I remember VH1 playing these videos quite a lot (note VH1, not MTV) when O&L came out and I could've sworn that XTC were even VH1's Artist of the Month because before every video they ran like a brief interview segment with Andy who would then I think introduce the video. I wish I would have got these on tape when I had the chance. Also, if there are more videos, has there ever been a video compliation? Thanks! Craig
------------------------------ From: JC214@aol.com Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 03:30:31 -0500 Subject: WXCI and XTC Wow! I guess there are more XTC fans here in Danbury CT than I thought, judging by all of the recent posts about our town's pride and joy WXCI-FM. They do continue to play XTC pretty regularly, especially considering the lack of recent material. Sunday AM I heard "Collideascope" ,which was followed by a plug for my band (Sans Cherubs) at the Towne Crier Cafe. Stephan must have known I was listening! Then this afternoon I heard "Earn Enough For Us"! Twice in 4 days is pretty good considering I only listen an hour or so a day. If any Chalkhillians in the area are interested in getting together and trading tapes, videos,etc... e-mail me- I have a pretty extensive XTC collection. Chuck
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 12:56:48 +0000 (GMT)
From: David William Lawson <dwl1@st-andrews.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #410
Andy Nouraee wrote,
> Can anyone help me get video or film of XTC at a decent price?
> I'm going batty with curiousity!!!!!
Well yes, in #407 (I think) I said that a video compilation called
"Look look" was released but had probably been deleated.
This is not so. A flick through a video book in my local "Virgin
megastore" (150 miles away) reveals that apparently it is still on sale.
I've only seen it on sale once (when I bought it) but if your desperate to
see the full extent of XTC's early eighties fashion disasters (Andy's hat,
Dave's beard, Colin's "white trainers and black trousers combination" and
Barry's baldness) you could do worse than writing to Virgin and asking
them if they do mail order.
If this fails anyone truely desperate for a "copy" of my one can e-mail
me.
I also belive that a video of a concert they did for Radio one in 1981
was also released, but dont quote me on that.
Dave. dwl1@st-andrews.ac.uk
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 11:30:27 -0700 From: John.Wilkens@Colorado.EDU Subject: Sound Quality of "Unofficial" XTC Recordings A lot of talk has floated by regarding various XTC bootlegs. Has anyone thought of collecting "reviews" of the various product out there, so that when we run across these rare items in our local record store we know what we are getting for our 25 bucks? A bootleg "Consumer Reports" so to speak...
------------------------------
From: MENTE@aol.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 12:31:17 -0500
Subject: Snip My Cord Off
XTC was my door into a whole other musical universe.
I first heard them in 1988 while attending a language school in Monterey, CA.
A local high school, Robert Louis Stevenson, would broadcast before and
after school, alternative mostly. A friend and I were cruising down PCH,
checking out another infinite Big Sur sunset when we heard "Dear God." He
said, "I've always thought that this song was really an affirmation of God,
in a strange sort of way." I bought the CD the next day, played it to
complete exhaustion. That same friend, a big XTC fan, begged me to buy
another XTC disc, that I was ruining it for him. I did. I never did figure
out if that song was an affirmation or an agnostic plea.
In the last seven years I've turned countless friends on to Andy, Colin and
Dave. Random memories...a friend at Brown who I sent a tape of *Skylarking*
to played it exclusively for over a month...a friend and I sang "Big Day" to
our buddy on his wedding day (he divorced after two years)...listening to
Nonsvch while riding the train in Europe...introducing a beautiful Spanish
girl to XTC, her response to "Orange and Lemons", "Wow, its
really...colorful." She hadn't heard of them or even seen the album cover...
A friend playing Primus' version of "Making Plans for Nigel" who had never
heard of XTC--a situation which was quickly remedied...seeing Dave play with
Aimee Mann in Scotland...putting "Hold Me My Daddy" on a mix tape I gave to
my father...eating ice cream and listening to *Skylarking* in the park with
an old girlfriend who just got married two weeks ago.
XTC has been a constant companion these last seven years. I can't imagine the
thought of the guys not making more music. My vote is for American, since
Cope and Medicine are two other artists in my personal musical pantheon.
"This is your life and you be what you want to be/ This is your life and you
try it all/ Just don't hurt nobody/ 'Less of course they ask you."
Dan Strickland
Austin, Texas
------------------------------ From: ChgoPix@aol.com Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 14:16:35 -0500 Subject: XTC on Muzak! My day, 16 February 1995 begins much like any other day, except that I have enough time to stop at the East LA *Food 4 Less* to get something semi edible to eat before heading into work. It's 7:44 and I am standing in the breakfast food aisle with the vague knowledge that Eric Carmen's loathsome "Hungry Eyes" is drilling it's way into my subconcions via the store's Muzak system. Eric thankfully fades out and a familiar plinky sound fills my head. I am lifted out of my haze and my brain retrieves the information that I am hearing "King for a Day"!! In a really crappy East LA grocery store!!!! At 7:45 in the morning!!!!! Oh, it's really a remarkable planet, isn't it? Cheers! Carole
------------------------------ Date: 16 Feb 95 20:11:48 EST From: Steve Levenstein <70750.1117@compuserve.com> Subject: re: Wes Wilson Hi gang. In the previous Chalkhills, long-time contributor Wes Wilson mentioned that he had ordered The Buggles' CD "Age of "Plastic". Good move, IMHO. I've had that CD for a long time. If one likes "Video Killed the Radio Star", be assured that the rest of the tracks on this kinda short CD are produced in a similar vein. I was just listening to it in the car today. Their follow-up album, "I Am a Camera" (I think), must be very rare, I haven't seen it for years & years. CFNY used to play the title track and "Vermillion Sands" a fair bit back in '82ish. Lushly produced, pomp-pop sound. Wes also was wondering about the sound quality of the "Helium Kids" demo CD. Not good at all, until you get to the Drunken Sessions material. Lotsa hiss & clix on the early stuff, but still a better sound than the dubbed-to-the-max tapes I traded for. Cavett Emperor, or something like that ;-} ---> Steve
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 15:24:15 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: El Maestro Moulding Chiming in to agree with Joe here... Colin is indeed a bassmeister, up there with the best of all styles: Tony Levin, Jaco Pastorius, Danny Thompson, Jon Entwistle... (yeah, I know, but I did say all styles!). For those of you who don't agree, I have just four words to say: Roads Girdle the Globe. No? Try: Earn Enough for Us. No? Then try: Holly Up On Poppy. Four words too many? Try three: The Smartest Monkeys. Two? Desert Island. Or maybe Summer's Cauldron. Just one? OK: Omnibus. He's worthy of his entry into my list of favourite bass players for his work on Holly Up On Poppy alone. The rest is a nice bonus :) James James Dignan, Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Ya zhivu v' 50 Norfolk St., St. Clair, Dunedin, New Zealand pixelphone james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz / steam megaphone NZ 03-455-7807 * You talk to me as if from a distance * and I reply with impressions chosen from another time, time, time, * from another time (Brian Eno)
------------------------------
From: nilsson@etek.chalmers.se
Subject: Re: newguy/re: bassmaster Colin
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 95 08:59:17 -0100
BassPlyrJo@aol.com wrote:
> To my knowledge and thru my
> research...Colin has never used a fretless bass...
Er, there's plenty of fretless bass on ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, isn't there?
*------------------------------------------------------------------------
Par Nilsson * nilsson@etek.chalmers.se
"The future's no problem / We don't care / 'Cause wherever we're
going / We'll soon get there." - Terry Adams, NRBQ
*------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: J Ross MacKay <ross@drumz.grdl.noaa.gov> Subject: Re: Brotherhood of Lizards disc?!? Date: Fri, 17 Feb 95 8:56:59 EST Here's the ordering info for Newell's _Lizardland_ reissue from Long Play: > Yes, _Lizardland_ came out this week on Long Play. We remastered it, added 2 > songs (one is hidden), and re-did the art with liner notes by Martin. If you > can't find it at stores, you can order it by mail for $12 plus a buck or two > for postage from: > Long Play > POB 55233 > Atlanta, GA 30308 > We'll include a catalog with your order. Or if you'd like to see the catalog > before you order, e-mail me your address and I'll send it right out. As previously posted, Long Play's email address is LongPlay22@aol.com. Man-oh-man, this *does* make me a happy fellow. The search for this disc has been a burr under my saddle for over a year. At last there is a light at the end of the trail. 8-) - Ross, Master of the Mixed Metaphor
------------------------------ Date: 17 Feb 1995 13:30:16 -0500 From: "Russell Shaddox" <Russell_Shaddox@quickmail.cis.yale.edu> Subject: XTC video, Los Hermanos Lizardos In CH410, Andisheh Nouraee <scotsman@wam.umd.edu> wrote: > I've never actually seen a moving picture of any of XTC's > members. I seen photos, but I've never seen a music video, > concert video, nothing! I remember videos on then-fledgling MTV for "Towers of London" and "Generals and Majors." "Towers" was early-80s, band-dances-around-amid-funny-camera-angles fare, and didn't do justice to one of XTC's best all-time songs. "Generals" had some little funny dramatic things with the band members as scheming military types. Unlike other smart-rock mavens like Peter Gabriel, the Happy Swindonites don't seem to go as much for pushing the video envelope. How you can get hold of these videos is another question, but I do remember seeing "Generals and Majors" on at least one music-video compilation. For those interested in "Lizardland" featuring Martin "I reckon I'd die if I was like you are" Newell, I e-mailed Long Play Records and got this prompt, courteous response: > The Brotherhood of Lizards CD should be available in stores > with a little hunting, or you can get it by mailorder for > $12 plus a buck or two for postage. The address is: > Long Play Records > POB 55233 > Atlanta, GA 30308 > We'll include a catalog with your order, or you can e-mail > me your address and I'll send you the catalog first. Oh, and to all the Connecticut USA people that seem to be cropping up here, I was nearly floored when, shortly after "Oranges and Lemons" came out, and while standing around getting annoyed in a computer repair shop in Waterbury, I heard "King for a Day" play on some normally banal waste of megawatts out of Hartford. Seems no matter how much the world (and Connecticut) remain intent on maintaining uniformly low standards, XTC, like cream (the liquid, not the band, although they were good too), just keeps rising to the top. Russell Shaddox ;B?' You close another door, break another law ...
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Feb 95 15:12:01 EST From: patty@gdb.org (Patty Haley) Subject: Ryko to the rescue? > From: JohnL16506@aol.com (John Lisiecki): > The point I'm getting at is that XTC hasn't sold well anywhere in quite a > while. As lackluster as their sales has been in the United States, so far, > that is as good as it gets. They are thought of as has-beens in most of > Europe (for shame!). Of course the non-touring bit doesn't help, but I don't know if their sales in the States can be called lackluster. Seems to me that they're hanging in there sales-wise. Look at their back catalog! There's so many chances for someone to hear them on the radio and go searching. Their sales would be *greatly* improved if their record company would go all out in promoting them. > As a label, Ryko is a great idea. If you could convince the members of the > band to keep prodution costs for the recording of the record to a minimum, > everyone could probably earn a living at it, too. Well, it isn't like XTC have to budget in money for cocaine! :-) Ryko did a bitch of a job promoting the latest Sugar LP--Bob Mould's face was on every magazine I saw in England when the CD came out there and then the U.S. mags all featured articles on him/Sugar. I really think Ryko could be the perfect match. Their reissues are always good value--you get your money's worth. From Phil Bradford: > This from A&R at Rykodisc: > > > I just spoke to Andy Partridge the day your note came. I guess > >they're halfway through getting out of their deal with Virgin, and they are > >looking for a good new home; hopefully Ryko will be it, although it sounds > >like there's a lot of interest elsewhere. Strangely enough, they thought > >they were going to instantly get picked up by Geffen for the world, but of > >all the people they've approached, Geffen are the only ones who told them > >no flat-out. Hah Hah! she cries. See, there's other record companies smart enough to realize that XTC's day is not done. I guess Geffen was too busy throwing their money away on The Stone Roses. Hell, over 5 years in between albums one and two--at least XTC puts out "product" worth the wait! From John Relph: > >> Check out REAL TO REEL, the XTC Recording History: > >> > >> http://chalkhills.org/rrintro.html > > > >Cheez, I get all excited, click on various links on the page, Colin's > >name for example, and get thrown to the bottom of the page. This page > >is still under construction. > > So what do you want to SEE on that page? I don't know what I would > want to see on such a page myself. In fact, I'm thinking of getting > rid of it, unless you can think of something worthwhile. Since my last gripe a lot has happened on this page. It looks good! My only wish now is for a page of erm, rare live recordings on video and audio. > >"Your heart is a big box of paints." - You Know Who > > For a second I thought that said "Your heart is a big box of panties". > > -- John John is obviously overdue for another trip to Idaho. More from John: > Is there any interest in creating a Web page with links to Chalkhills > subscribers' home pages? Yes, there is, which is why I sent mail as instructed to: whambeva@jesus.ox.ac.uk Do ye likewise. > From: Melissa Reaves > Going back a couple of issues, I want to respond to Patty Haley's > assertion that the song "Pink Thing" is not about Andy's infant son but > about his ... male part. > > I say, and I stand firm on this one so to speak, that the song is very > clearly about BOTH! It is a brilliant work of double entendre. Each > and every line can be read both ways and never fails to make me laugh. > The author of the _Chalkhills and Children_ biography missed the joke > as well. You CAN have it both ways. This has been discussed at length and is in the FAQ. My point was made because of the whole Andy-is-a-horny-guy thread. I also remember someone in a previous digest blushing deeply when someone said to him their sister thought he was a pervert (or something to that effect) because he wrote a song about his penis. He then wrote her sister something that said, "It's about my son." But we know better--it *is* double entendre time. Thanks to Andy for the Martin Newell news! Keep it coming--I *still* have to write him and thank him for _The Greatest Englishman_. -Patty "How coloured the flowers all smelled." Catherine Wheel World Wide Web Home Page: http://gdbdoc.gdb.org/~patty/CW/CW_home_page.html
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #411 *****************************
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