Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 456
Date: Thursday, 20 July 1995
Chalkhills Digest, Number 456
Thursday, 20 July 1995
Today's Topics:
Re: Chalkhills Digest #454
Re: Chalkhills Digest #455
XTC Fab foursome in Philly
Random thoughts from a random mind.
Re: Several Chalkhills Digests
Re: Chalkhills Digest #455
What is the Hello Recording Club
Martin Newell's new album
Making Plans for Nigel (chords)
another slathering female fan
Desperately Seeking XTC Videos--1st Generation!!
Re: Cast Aside Your Human, Be Free
Re: Chalkhills Digest #455
what we call ourselves
Bay Area Chalkhillians
Skeleton Steps Out
Who is Andy?
Dave Gregory Appears
Musings
XTC in the charts!!!
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 12:13:17 -0400 (EDT) From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <ccoolidg@moose.uvm.edu> Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #454 Ah yes, Gilbert O'Sullivan; he's the guy who did "Clair/The moment I saw you, I swear/I threw up all over my chair..." We had a lot of fun with that song at camp in Northern Ontario, I think summer '73. Gilbert would have had his songs all over the radio then. Typical silly 70's pop. He had three hits in Canada I know of; the afore-mentioned, "Get Down" which I actually liked that summer at the age of eleven, which rocked almost as good as Ringo Starr (I'm being ironic), and that unintentional '70's navel-gazing mantelpiece I mean masterpiece, "Alone Again(Naturally)." I enjoy having a good laugh at people who take themselves too seriously; hack pop songwriters who think they're serious artists. You can also include Peter Sarstedt(remember him, Americans excluded?), for example, and more recently the likes of <gag>Simon Lebon. That's what I love about XTC; Andy especially is unrelentingly seri- ous a lot of the time, but side projects like The Dukes provide welcome co- mic relief, though a lot of the time the humor is too subtle for people not hip to the British sense of humor. The British are good at finding something funny in, say, a doorstop;(Check your Monty Python's Flying Circus reruns, for example)you try to make a joke about a doorstop with a mainstream Ame- rican used to Regis and Kathie Lee and he'll go "huh?" Growing up in Canada I got hit by detritus from both cultures. Canada was supposed to be the best of three worlds: British government, American technology, and French culture. Instead we got French government, British technology, and American culture.
------------------------------ From: Catnips@aol.com Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 17:13:42 -0400 Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #455 as a female, i think andy's sexy- thick or thin.
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 15 Jul 1995 00:09:29 -0400 (EDT) From: bradley e preuss <bpreus01@fiu.edu> Subject: XTC Fab foursome in Philly The sound quality on the CD is pretty good and it's definately something to get your hands on. Regarding whether or not it was actually recorded in Philly...dunno John, that's what it says. I was wondering about the different videos that I have seen advertised for. Look look for one, and there are several others out there....info anyone? Brad Preuss
------------------------------ From: AngryYngMn@aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Jul 1995 14:17:32 -0400 Subject: Random thoughts from a random mind. Howdy all. Firstly, I urge u all to *STOP DISSING SUPERTRAMP!!!* XTC is still my favorite band, but Ray Davies and his boys have written some of the most intense songs in history! Take The Long Way Home brings me to tears sometimes...(and sometimes the Lite music station at work plays it, and i can't STAND lite music..) and their musicality ranks well above any other '70s band. Another band who make great complicated tunez is Toto...their arrangements are some of the best I've ever seen. Of Course, that brings me to the next point... WHY CAN'T I EVER FIND XTC Sheet music?!?!?!?! I'd *LOVE* to geet my hands on a Skylarking or Black Sea sheet music book (who cares what instrument it's for, but I play piano) and give myself and my Chalkhillbillie (tm) frenz a little concert in my living room. If anyone (hey you Brits, listen up!) ever has seen or can tell me where to find any XtC sheet music, LET ME KNOW! I'd be a very happy boy. A little aside...for a recent long trip, I taped Drums and Wires and Black sea onto a tape for my car. I felt I needed those two albums, which I haven't listened to in a little while, to keep me company as I traveled through New Jersey to my friend's house near Philly. I have come to the conclusion that Black Sea (save Travels in Nihilon) is a friggin' GREAT album! I never gave it that much credit, but the consistency of the album is so superior, I feel it's now my 3rd favorite (after Skylarking and O&L). Drums and Wires, on the other hand, fades quickly after "Nigel" and "Heli". Ten Feet Tall makes me stop the tape. I'm so sick of that song. Oh well, what do the rest of us think?? -AYM
------------------------------ From: FINB@aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Jul 1995 16:42:55 -0400 Subject: Re: Several Chalkhills Digests Howdo Chalkabillies! 1 - John Relph's claim that it's "watch out here comes bony boy" is (i think) correct. As a matter of fact, for the longest time I couldn't figure out what anyone was talking about when they were suggesting "roll you lazy bones" - huh? - and how about that cool bone-rattlin' sound at the end when it sounds like the drummer drops his sticks!? 2 - Stevieskeg - I see Dear God as an admittal of the existence of a higher power, and an indictment of those who have done the MOST damage to the definition of what that power is. Also - I was channel surfing on the TV the other day, and fell across the video to this song which I have somehow missed altogether on emtpyVee. The show was a "christian" infomercial called "The John Ankerberg Show" and they were showing the video and blah-blah-ing about the dangers of rock and roll for christians everywhere. The funny thing is that Dear God is a giant swipe at the kind of smug charlatain-buttholes (excuse me, I get carried away) that put these kind of sell-you-a-video-to-save-your-souls' people are. Andy believes in God (imho) - just not THAT one. And John Ankerberg will rot in HELL for his bad hair if nothing else! 3 - JP Nicholls - Justing Hayward! get outta here - small UK! 4 - Mike McCormick on "Rundgren - we were wrong" - Right, unh ...yeah, I mean I agree! Skylarking has Rundgren's mark on it, definitely (at times it sounds like he sings on the darn thing). But it's probably (imho again) one of the higher points of his (Todd's) career, and his devotion to pop (not a dirty word) songwriting makes him a worthy foil for the band. If any of yall out there heard the Utopia three sided album and the "Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect" from Todd (who I am not a particularly huge fan of), you'd FREAK at the sonic similarities - especially the drum sounds. No use bashing Rundgren - but I'd rather not see it happen again. This place is so cool! I don't even KNOW any of you, and I still have the urge to shoot my mouth off. Till I get back to my mail, DIK \:)
------------------------------ From: David Yazbek <yazbek@pipeline.com> Date: Sat, 15 Jul 1995 19:04:31 -0400 Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #455 Hi. Here's the deal with my god-forsaken album (that Partridge appears on) in response to Wesley-- It is doing quite well in France and also well in Japan, but that doesn't help you much. It will finally be coming out here in September on W.A.R. (What Are Records). You can also order it direct from the British label (Humbug) by calling them at 011-44-171-226-2616. I encourage this approach. FYI- The long postulated XTC tribute will be finished by beginning of August and released (barring any screw-ups) in October on Thirsty Ear Records. The roster-- Crash Test DUmmies (Pretty Girls), They Might Be Giants (25 o'clock), Sarah Mclachlan (Dear God), Joe Jackson (Statue of Liberty), Freedy Johnston (Earn Enough For Us), Space Hog (Senses WOrking...), Rembrandts (a very nice version of Nigel). Ruben Blades (a truly amazing salsa version of "The Man Who Sailed..."), The Verve Pipe (Wake Up), P.Hux (ANother Satellite) and one or two surprises. Also- I will be touring FRance in Sept. and the U.S. most likely in October with a Mr. Dave Gregory playing guitar in the band. Come say hi. Thank you and good night.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 15 Jul 1995 19:13:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: A Sattler <ahs@nevada.edu>
Subject: What is the Hello Recording Club
Greetings to All,
as this is peripherally related to the content/subject of this digest, and
since a number of people have queried on it, here is the "definitive" word on
Hello. (Okay, boring nerdy disclaimer over.)
The Hello Recording Club was founded and is run by John Flansburgh (of They
Might Be Giants) and Marjorie Galen.
John Flansburgh sez:
"Since '93 the Hello CD of the Month Club has been releasing
brand new recordings by both established alternative artists and great
up and coming musicians. If you want to experience the best of the
contemporary music scene, where a healthy range of musical styles are
explored, Hello is the place for you.
Hello provides recording artists a forum for side projects that a
commercial record company might find too left of center to release, as
well as a chance for new groups to find a larger audience. Hello does
not release demo recordings, lame cover versions, or disingeneous tribute
records.
For just $46 you'll receive ten CD ep's this year. Each month a
performer creates four or five new recordings exclusively for our Hello
subscribers. We mail them out in pairs, starting in '95 in March-April.
It's easy to order Hello by leaving your info at 1-800-HELLO-41. Of course,
mail orders via check or charge are always welcome at Hello, P.O. Box 551,
Palisades, NY 10964. Our back catalog of '93 and '94 are also currently
available for just $43 apiece."
Outside of U.S. please add $12, N.Y. residents add 8.25% sales tax.
FYI: Andy's disc was included in the 1994 subscription. As far as I
know they will not sell separate discs. Let us know if they ever do!
Hope this info. helps.
cheers,
Annie
------------------------------ Date: 16 Jul 95 05:14:12 EDT From: Daniel Manners <100637.2212@compuserve.com> Subject: Martin Newell's new album Martin Newell's latest, "The Off-White Album", will indeed be out in a month or so. I have heard a few tracks which sound great. It's a little more natural sounding than "Greatest Living Englishman" perhaps - less keyboards, real drums, a string section, and Dave Gregory on guitar. The record is produced and arranged by London-based French singer/songwriter Louis Philippe, who plays along with Dave in Martin's occasional backing band, most recently for a few July dates in Germany. Louis has brought out about ten albums of his own and was on El Records (brainchild of the semi-legendary Mike Allway) for several years. He's also working with ex-Young Marble Giants main man Stuart Moxham. Together with Weekend guitarist Spike, they are considering forming a musician-run label. The truth shining out like sun / On an average English winter's afternoon
------------------------------
From: AngryYngMn@aol.com
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 1995 14:37:05 -0400
Subject: Making Plans for Nigel (chords)
For all whom are interested, I think I've come up with the "Making Plans For
Nigel" chord scheme...it took me a full afternoon to figure it out. If
anyone lives in the eastern US and has put up with this heat (Yeow, 102
degrees in NYC!) you'll understand why I sat down to do this. My house has
working A/C.
It's pretty hard to explain the chord changes unless you play it to the song
(try that, it would help immensely.) But the way I'm doing it, if I group
two chords together, that would constitute one measure. Those are the chords
as best as I can figure it, it's up to you to place them correctly. And I
play *KEYBOARD* not guitar, so this was done at the pianner.
Verse goes like this:
Gadd2-G Emadd4-Em Bm7-Bm6 Bm7-Bm6
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
Am G
And if young Nigel says he's happy
G/F
He must be happy
Em7
He must be happy
D
He must be happy in his work
<solo> G Em Bdim-Bm Bdim-Bm
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has a future in a British steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
E
Nigel isn't outspoken
C
But he likes to speak
G6 D/G G
And he loves to be spoken to
F? C G
Nigel is happy in his work
<verse>
<solo 2x>
There. Enjoy! Feel free to add suggestions...I'll try to do a few more
songs soon. (If i have time)
- Ira Lieman
(AngryYngMn@aol.com)
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 16 Jul 1995 19:01:14 -0700 From: Christie Byun <cbyun@ocf.Berkeley.EDU> Subject: another slathering female fan Okay, I've got to toss in my two cents worth. Couple of issues back, someone asked if anyone else thought Andy was sexy. And then a couple of issues later, someone else commented that due to what seemed to be lack of response to this question, that the conclusion would be that no one else thought Andy was that cute. Well, I did write to the first female poster and we exchanged pleasantries about how groovin we both thought Mr. Partridge was. But I didn't post anything since I guess I kind of felt silly about my adolescent pop star adulations. Anyway, here goes: I think Andy Partridge is the sexiest man alive! And Colin and Dave run neck and neck to be second. Okay? (Gosh, I'm so embarrassed.) Anyway...any other females and/or male willing to speak up? Christie
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 1995 08:54:50 -0700
From: rimshot3@ix.netcom.com (ERIC ROSEN )
Subject: Desperately Seeking XTC Videos--1st Generation!!
Hello Chalkhillians,
Yours truly is developing an interactive XTC exhibit as a final project
in "Authoring on Director" class. Needed most is good quality video
footage of the band. I already have "Play at Home" and "XTC at the
Manor," but these are 3rd generation at best and will look even worse
as Quicktime movies.
Perhaps, the UK contingent of Chalkhills will recognize the following
postal addresses. I imagine these PO Boxes have changed many hands
many times since but nevertheless, these appeared at the end of the
Play at Home video:
Play at Home
RPM Productions
PO Box 4000
London W3 6X1 or Glasgow G12 5Q
For what it's worth, Play at Home was produced for Channel 4 in 1984.
Also, does anyone know how to find recent XTC videos... Mayor of
Simpleton, Peter Pumpkinhead? "Look, Look" may be used as an exclusive
source since it is 1st generation but being more up to date would be
wonderful.
In the words of AP, "Thank you and good night."
Eric
------------------------------ Subject: Re: Cast Aside Your Human, Be Free Date: Mon, 17 Jul 1995 11:44:40 -0700 From: Bill Wisner <wisner@gryphon.com> >Does anyone know what AP is saying at the end of "Skeleton Steps Out"? >Something like "roll you lazy bones". "You'd better watch out, here comes bony boy." w.
------------------------------ From: KufPu@aol.com Date: Tue, 18 Jul 1995 11:32:13 -0400 Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #455 Dear fellow Chalkhill***(insert your own thing here), I am a new subscriber to Chalkhills, so forgive me if i go over ground that has been trodden flat before. I would very much like it if someone could inform me about any new release from the lads, what the title is, who produced it, etc. I would like to render a couple of opinions. someone mentioned that Oranges & Lemons was not good!? Actually, it is my 2nd favorite of all the XTC albums. 'Merely a man' is a wonderful paean to secular humanism; 'Mayor of simpleton' is a great pop number, and every red-blooded male has to love 'Pink thing.' I am also (have been for years) a HUGE Todd Rundgren fan. It is partly for this reason that I think Skylarking is the best of the lot. It is, after all, the closest they've come to a concept album, and Andy himself said how he appreciated the wonders Todd worked in focusing the band. I would appreciate any comments. Kuf
------------------------------ From: Mark Colan <Mark_Colan.LOTUS@crd.lotus.com> Date: 18 Jul 95 16:48:52 EDT Subject: what we call ourselves >1. I vote for The Affiliated as the name for us XTCers. In view of the poor opinions of their last album, how about 'The Diffapointed'? ;-) ==mtc==
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Jul 1995 14:47:30 -0700 From: Christie Byun <cbyun@ocf.Berkeley.EDU> Subject: Bay Area Chalkhillians Hello out there...are there any XTCers that live in and about the bay area? It's so frustrating not having any fellow XTC fans around here to talk to. I only know of one other fan nearby. Anyway, if you are nearby, please write. And heck, even if you aren't nearby, write anyway. It would be cool... Christie (I have a a summer roommate, from England, and he's never even heard of XTC. Shocking!)
------------------------------ From: DFerg@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Jul 1995 07:07:06 -0400 Subject: Skeleton Steps Out >Does anyone know what AP is saying at the end of "Skeleton Steps Out"? >Something like "roll you lazy bones". Sure, I know. He says, "Watch out, here comes rolling bones." Love the drums sticks dropped on the floor like, uh ...bones. PS Hey Andre got your email but still can't write you back! Question: What is Battery Brides about? I can't understand most of the lyrics and those I can confuse me. Opinions and lyrics please.
------------------------------ Date: 19 Jul 95 13:19:37 EDT From: Todd Bernhardt <73364.1601@compuserve.com> Subject: Who is Andy? Salutations, all: I was listening to The Big Express the other day and marvelling at what a brilliant lyricist Andy is, and it suddenly struck me that I should post a question I've been wondering about for some years, and perhaps we can kick it around for a while. Okay, here goes: Obviously, Andy is the reincarnation of a 17th-century poet -- I mean, the way he introduces a conceit (the central idea) and plays with it, develops it, wrestles with it, and sometimes turns it into something else altogether. What I want to know is, which poet is he? John Donne (early 1600s, very spriritual) or Alexander Pope (late 1600s/early 1700s, more whimisical)? I see both sides in his writing (Rook vs. Pink Thing, for example). Is he both? Is he the reincarnation of some other poet I haven't mentioned? Are there other people out there trouble (or bored) enuf to ponder this weighty question? By the way, I had a flash of inspiration for "XTC: The Movie": James Wood as Todd Rundgren. Also, perhaps we could persuade Jeremy Irons to play the evil head of Virgin Records. Also Craig Canevit recently wrote: >5). Everybody who thinks about it will agree: the only person who >could pull off playing Andy in a movie would be the grownup actor >who played "Oliver" on the Brady Bunch. I'm going to admit my ignorance here (esp. since ignorance of The Brady Bunch is, IMHO, not much to be ashamed of) and admit I have no idea who you're talking about. Is this the series or movie? Can we get a name? Bye for now ...
------------------------------ From: MrTomServo@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Jul 1995 16:20:55 -0400 Subject: Dave Gregory Appears Not sure if everyone knew this already, but Dave Gregory contributes a guitar solo to Jennifer Trynin's album Cockamamie, which is an album you should not be without, regardless of your position re:XTC. The Aimee Mann connection strikes again.
------------------------------ From: Algae99@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Jul 1995 22:45:02 -0400 Subject: Musings Some random thoughts that have been going through my random mind. The local college station here in my town (WRFL 88.1 FM) has a prome featuring Andy. He says, "This is Andy Partridge of English group XTC and you are listening to WRFL in Lexington. Yes Lexington, a nice town..." He says this over the opening of "Melt the Guns", and his voice fades at the into the song before ending. I once saw at a record store in Louisville a book about the life and times of XTC. Unfortunately, it was in Italian, so I did not purchase it. I really wonder just who in Louisville is both fluent in Italian and a big fan of XTC. That is so typical, however. My only glance ever at an XTC book, and I cannot understand a word of it. Some ding-dong at MTV really needs to organize an XTC unplugged concert. I feel this is necessary since I heard "Train Running Low on Soul Coal" acoustically, and it became a new song altogether. If I do not get some new music soon from these lads, I shall be forced to buy a weapon and go into a post office. James Isaacs
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Jul 1995 17:19:58 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James) Subject: XTC in the charts!!! A friend on another mailing list recently sent me the results of a poll on station WHFS (no idea whereabouts in the states that is, sorry) to find the 500 top alternative songs of all time. Thumbing through the list I noticed not one, but 5 (!) XTC songs: > 44. XTC Dear God > 86. XTC Senses working overtime >149. XTC Mayor of simpleton >262. XTC Making Plans For Nigel >337. XTC Generals and Majors Good to see that at least one station's listeners appreciate our favourite Swindonians! --- I never did enter the debate about songs that you hate when you first hear them, but love later. I realised this morning, listening to Skylarking, that The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul is like that for me. Couldn't stand it the first time I heard it, a firm favourite now. 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)
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