Chalkhills Digest Volume 10, Issue 10
Date: Tuesday, 2 March 2004
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 10, Number 10
Tuesday, 2 March 2004
Topics:
Shopping with Andy & Colin
New Music
BLISS DESCENDING, The Start of Something Great?
How did I get into XTC?
Re: How did you get into XTC?
Re: how he got into XTC
How I got into XTC
The American music scene
Dave Gregory + Pugwash
We lost the arizonachalkhillwives
See the Wonderfalls Music Video!
Re: Volume 10, Number 9 generally
Chalkgratulations
Re: BBC6
Jaccuzi Juicies
Fine, you want a band to check out...?
Bobbing Along in Our Barrel
Idiot
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 09:27:49 -0800 (PST) From: Kevin Collins <kevin@kcollins.com> Subject: Shopping with Andy & Colin Message-ID: <Pine.BSI.4.58L.0402270926140.22487@vp4.netgate.net> Organization: ACME Regarding this.... >From: Steve Dockery <sdockery@mac.com> >Subject: I'd Like That...and that and that. > >Heard "I'd Like That" playing on the speakers at Giant Food last night. >:) Funny- I heard it in a supermarket a couple weeks ago myself! __ The Internet doesn't always work.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 09:19:26 -0800 From: Phil Corless <phil@pkmeco.com> Subject: New Music Message-ID: <6.0.1.1.2.20040227091608.01b9b3b8@pop.mindspring.com> "Amen brother to the Chalker who said that the only place to find out about good new music is on Chalkhills." Let's not forget Fufkin.com and NotLame.com as sources for good new music. In the past five years, most of my music purchases have been based on reviews and recommendations I've read on Chalkhills, Fufkin, NotLame, and Amazon.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 12:28:52 -0500 From: KEVIN.WOLLENWEBER@jpmorgan.com Subject: BLISS DESCENDING, The Start of Something Great? Message-ID: <OFEC7A94B9.EFD51A3F-ON85256E47.005D9AEC@chase.com> Folks: Ah yes, I'm enjoying the reports on the Stephen Duffy album, I LOVE MY FRIENDS. I bought this fantastic disk upon official release at the Other Music store here in town, and perhaps even gave it an honorable mention here in one of my contributions when first joining. It is fantastic, and if anyone knows if he's done a follow-up since, let me know. Some grand new albums are starting now to flood the shelves, so much to enjoy and too much to keep up with--Jason Falkner's new e.p. is being sold at Not Lame!!! I haven't gotten mine yet, but I just found out about it this morning! Can't wait for the full-length. What I have gotten is a surprisingly delightful disk from Chris Difford, with slight shades of HOLLAND-era Beach Boys with those rich piano chords; and on a related note, Jules Holland's third SMALL WORLD, BIG BAND disk has also dropped here as an import. Yeah, I know that next year it will bea a domestic item, but I so love these wonderful gatherings of musical talent, and so miss the "NIGHT MUSIC" show of a similar kind, sometimes co-hosted by Holland on New York's WNBC-TV affiliate, that I just had to plunk down the import prices to get the goods *NOW*! Other soon-to-come wonders and stuff already here-- Jules Sheer is coming with a disk of covers, including a wonderful take on Todd Rundgren's "Be Nice to Me", and there are two great Lamb Chop albums with the greatest titles I've heard on two simultaneously released disks thus far this year, AW C'MON and NO, YOU C'MON! Can't wait to get these. On the reissue end, I did buy the box of George Harrison's DARK HORSE YEARS, at first dismayed as to why the remainder of the Apple catalogue was glossed over to get to the finale. Did someone at Capitol mix up the chapters in this fantastic musical book? Needless to say, I know that some have reservations on Harrison's solo stuff, but I'd been eagerly awaiting this for some time and just had to snag it. Yet, I'm puzzled to note that it doesn't contain that flip side of the single, "I Got my Mind Set on You". Strange! Oh, and one other point I'd like to make, regarding a fellow contributor's note about a possible forthcoming box from Virgin on XTC singles, wouldn't this be a great way to get all missing B-sides, originally compiled on RAG AND BONE BUFFET or the missing B's of the single of "Peter Pumpkinhead"? If any of you know a complete list of XTC singles over the years, both import and domestic, along with their rare or widely available B-sides, please list 'em here or drop me a line off-list. I might welcome an XTC SINGLES COLLECTION box, even though such things can be quite pricey. And, also, will someone please reiterate just what Orphius is? I don't have access to the internet and, so, cannot log on to the APE website for updates. Is this a full Andy Partridge project? Where else is it available? I'd seen nothing about it on the Sirendisk Updates that I get from that mail order list. Thanks and let's keep enjoying the music while the world around us continues to de-evolve. Bring on the smarter monkeys. Kevin
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 12:43:32 EST From: Coelocanth23@aol.com Subject: How did I get into XTC? Message-ID: <8b.4835ded.2d70dbc4@aol.com> In a message dated 27/02/2004 17:10:03 GMT Standard Time, <owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes: > Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 20:31:52 -0700 > From: "Thomas Vest" <tvtwo@hotmail.com> > Subject: How did you get into XTC? > Message-ID: <Law10-F58lT3XIhFTN600008b6a@hotmail.com> > > I watched "Magpie". They did "Science Friction" with what I remember as an extraordinarily large drum kit and many flashing lights. Large drum kits and flashing lights were all i needed back in those deeply impressionable times.... Mmmmmm......flashing lights.....
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 12:33:03 -0500 From: <jim@groovedisques.com> Subject: Re: How did you get into XTC? Message-ID: <200402271733.i1RHX3Bu006218@mail1.atl.registeredsite.com> I'd liked a number of the band's singles from Drums and Wires and Black Sea thanks to an early video show I used to watch in high school, Rock World (!). When I got to college, I befriended an older guy who had a great stereo system, a great record collection, and an even better can of the finest buds of pot. The day XTC FULLY clicked for me, we'd gotten done smoking some tight, purple buds, and then he cranked up the newly released English Settlement for me. I was blown away and haven't recovered from that album since. The buzz from the purple buds cleared up long ago. Jim http://www.groovedisques.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 15:45:53 EST
From: Telehead@aol.com
Subject: Re: how he got into XTC
Message-ID: <86.6542642.2d710681@aol.com>
Hey Chalkies,
Always reading, rarely posting ...
In any case, I liked Thomas' account of how he got into XTC. Here's my
story.
I worked in a record store in Orange County, Ca. called Music Plus. I
was a confirmed pro-rock snob at the time and was given the odious task of
maintaining the punk/new wave bin. I was undergoing a period of self doubt,
because (unknown to all my muso friends) I really liked the Sex Pistol's
"God Save The Queen."
One day an odd looking album arrived, covered with a long typewritten
message for cover art. I read it, and thought "now this is one odd but
effective cover." I filed it away for future reference, but didn't actually
buy the record.
A couple of years later, I am a confirmed fan of English "New Wave" stuff
and living in Sacramento, Ca. Huge on Elvis Costello, Rockpile, Joe Jackson,
The Pretenders ... you have the idea. On the same day as I pick up my second
album by The Jam, I decide to take a fly at this XTC band; I choose the
current one, which is inside a paper bag with the title "Black Sea." I
arrive home and spin that one first ... it took me two days to get around to
the Jam's "Sound Affects."
I've never looked back, and every XTC album is like a special little
gift. I wish they were a little more prolific in the release dept., but they
are an indie act now and it takes money to get the product out. I just wish
Caroline would be a little more pushy with Tower and such; the same two
leftover discs have been in the XTC been at Tower, Citrus Heights for
months.
A plug, if you could humor me ... my new CD, "Gearhead" is now out and
will be available on CDBaby.com by the time you read this. My stuff has been
described as "Tom Petty if he were English"; if you feel like it, check it
out!
Cheers,
Warren in Sacramento
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 14:50:50 -0500 From: "Brad Dietz" <sometimeseptember@hotmail.com> Subject: How I got into XTC Message-ID: <BAY7-F92ceuuaeO1jax0001a81d@hotmail.com> Add one Tower Records listening station. Add some free time. Add "Apple Venus Volume 1" in the bin next to the headphones. Check out said album via headphones. Voila. Hooked for life. Simple as that. Brad www.sometimeseptember.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 15:01:46 -0800
From: David Gershman <dagersh@pobox.com>
Subject: The American music scene
Message-ID: <6.0.1.1.0.20040227090356.021bf5b0@mail.comcast.net>
It was written:
> "the Superbowl halftime entertainment was 'Superbad'.
> Janet J has nothing to do with this analysis though.
> The greater whole of the program involved re-treads
> of music long gone by that sold their million copies
> and since should have been retired. What has
> happened to the term 'fresh'?"
>
>However, I do not expect the Super Bowl half time show
>to be fresh. It could have a jazz theme or "music of
>the civil war" or whatever. I don't even really expect
>it to be good. I guess I just don't expect it to be
>THAT bad. It was the worst collection of awful crap I
>have ever witnessed, and I count the episodes of
>American Idol that my family has forced me to watch in
>that assessment.
>
>It's really just a manifestation of our current music
>scene's lack of, well, everything. I wouldn't be
>surprised if next year's super bowl half time show is
>much worse.
Not to pick on anyone in particular, but I've been following this thread in
the past couple of digests with a bit of, well, I don't know, call it an
"Uh-duh!" reaction, for lack of a more eloquent term. Basically, since when
does anyone expect the "Top 40" (although I guess that term might be a bit
outdated these days -- is there still a weekly Top 40 show?) to be a
reflection of what's going on in terms of good, original music? As I'm
certain we here on the list all know too well, it's mostly a reflection of
what the industry foists upon us, with the rare, anomalous true talent
slipping into the mix. The 1960s probably had the highest proportion of
truly great music on the charts, but even then, there was much forgettable
crap (you know, that stuff you forgot about). And of course, only the
biggest-selling acts have any chance of appearing on half-time shows and
the like. Those things don't define "the music scene" (at least not the way
I would think of it) -- the scene is as much about the music that's out
there that you'll never see on shows like that.
To use what you see on the Superbowl half-time show or most of the awards
shows as evidence that there just isn't any good American music anymore is
to be falling for the music industry's commercial interests hook, line, and
stinker ("typo" intended). As is almost always the case, you've got to dig
deeper -- listen to the truly alternative radio stations (for one of the
best non-college stations, listen to KEXP, online at www.kexp.org, or on
the radio at 90.3 if you happen to live near Seattle -- it's
listener-supported, commercial-free, and not subject to the usual
corporate-parent pressure to play only what sells). Even watching the
"Subterranean" show on MTV2 is a good and easy place to start. Read the
good music mags -- Rolling Stone isn't one -- and good online music sites
-- www.pitchforkmedia.com is, among others -- for the reviews that might
point you in the direction of the best new stuff. Learn which reviewers you
agree with on the stuff you know, and then assume that their
recommendations about stuff you don't know might be worth following. Take
those recommendations and plug them into the All-Music Guide or Amazon.com,
read the reviews there, follow the links to other artists that people who
liked this one or that one liked -- pretty soon you'll find yourself
delving into singers and bands you had never heard of, and you'll marvel at
all this talent that has been just waiting to be discovered. As much as I
appreciate the recommendations I get through Chalkhills, that only accounts
for about 5% of the music I discover each year and enjoy. You've got to be
a bit aggressive in your hunt for the new, unusual, and amazingly talented,
but it's worth every moment of it when you hit upon a CD that you love
every minute of and never would have heard if you had just waited for it to
come to you.
The American music scene (or any other, for that matter) doesn't
suck...just most of the garbage that the industry decides it can make money
on does. Get out there and discover! Love the search!
Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 21:30:07 -0000 From: "Shabbyroad Media" <peter@shabbyroad.com> Subject: Dave Gregory + Pugwash Message-ID: <000401c3fe42$0b440690$847ba8c0@shabbyroad01> Organization: Shabbyroad Media For anyone who is interested : Dave has agreed to score strings for two songs by my buddy Pugwash (http://www.pugwashtheband.com) that will feature on the next Pugwash album. Plan is to record these two tracks in Abbey Road Studio Two (yes.. **that** one) in early April with the good people of The Section (http://www.thesection.net). We're looking forward to Dave's demos and he has very kindly agreed to attend the recording session. (yes.. There'll be photos and videos !) If you're interested in things Pugwash then you might like the new Pugwash Fans group http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/pugwashfans/ If you've no idea why you'd be interested in Pugwash then you gotta buy 'Earworm'. You won't be disappointed. You won't. After all , the first Pugwash album was titled after a comment by Andy. That's all really. -Peter, somewhere in Dublin, Ireland
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 18:25:13 -0800 (PST) From: Ryan Anthony <hamsterranch@yahoo.com> Subject: We lost the arizonachalkhillwives Message-ID: <20040229022513.63857.qmail@web10103.mail.yahoo.com> We Arizona Chalkhillers are a small tribe, but even though one of us has dubbed Phoenix "hell" and is heading for the Carolinas, there are still two or three or four of us left. In case you were wondering. Why so few of us? We lost the arizonachalkhillwives. We don't even remember what they look like. In your trampings across Chalkhill-earth, dear Chalksiblings, have you seen the arizonachalkhillwives, perchance? Speaking of friendships which this Vast Relph-Wing Conspiracy has engendered: A couple of years ago, I thought I was going to make a Chalknymph into a bona-fide arizonachalkhillwife, but she got away. I owe her for many kindnesses, including gifts of music: several CDs of XTC/Partridge/Gregory rarities. If she remains in Chalkhill-earth, I hope she will contact me. Entering the 21st Century hesitant step by hesitant step, I have begun to download music from iTunes and to burn CDs. The very first music to grace my new iBook's 40G hard drive was the soundtrack to *Monsoon Wedding* (which I recommend to everyone, music and movie both), but now I'm importing my entire XTC library along with other favorites. I'm taking the opportunity to listen to every song, or at least a portion of each, as it makes its curious binary journey from CD to HD, and I am renewed in my devotion to Our Heroes. I weep for their sacrifices. And it occurs to me ... maybe the reason Colin has written a mere four songs in the past decade is that his stigmata have not yet healed? iTunes' music library has gaping holes -- no Marshall Chapman, no Howard Shore movie scores (I was looking for both *LOTR* and *That Thing You Do!*), no *Silent Running* Soundtrack by Peter Schickele (I want the two Joan Baez vocals), no Emerson Lake & Palmer (I want "Fanfare For the Common Man"), no Beatles to speak of, no Shel Silverstein other than his kiddie verses (I want "The Smoke Off"), and very little XTC -- but our Chalksister Becki DiGregorio is represented, albeit by one song on a compilation, not either of her own albums. So far I've spent five bucks at iTunes, because it does have some gems, such as "'39" by Queen and lots and lots of Los Lobos. Ryan Anthony An independent Internet content provider P.S.: The lyrics to Shel Silverstein's "The Smoke Off" are here ... http://www.banned-width.com/shel/works/smokeoff.html
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 08:49:17 -0500 From: "Tim and Steph Schreyer" <tsschreyer@comcast.net> Subject: See the Wonderfalls Music Video! Message-ID: <004001c3feca$d3ce56f0$0200a8c0@D733S021> Resplendent with "25 O'clock"-style cut art in portions! Click "Watch the Music Video!" http://www.fox.com/wonderfalls/ Go, Andy! Tim
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:30:38 +0000 From: "Chris Mullin" <chrismullin@email.com> Subject: Re: Volume 10, Number 9 generally Message-ID: <20040301003038.2C0B63740AA@ws3-2.us4.outblaze.com> Hello to you all, All this talk about coming out and generally de-lurking has finally forced me to participate. So here goes - be gentle it's my first time. >> Shabbyroad Media BBC R6 29/02/04 Thanks Pete this would've passed me by without your info. I'm listening to it now. It's hardly surprising I love xtc when most of the tracks andy played have a special resonnance (or even strike a chord..) for me too - must be my age. >>Benjamin Gott Yes Stephen Duffy really got to me with his last few albums - must try harder and buy ILMF too! Cummon, there's only 24 hours in a day - and so much good music out there. This seems to be confounded by a requirement from the most rewarding songs to be listened to a good few times - btw what is that number of times? Can you overdo it and 'use-up' a song before it's emotional expiry date? Further is there a period after which that fave track will sound new and fresh again, and for how long? god knows - who cares. >>Superfly - annoying woodblock on King for a day Isn't there another track like this? Wish i could be arsed to check it out but i'm sure there's another relentless woodblock sound that annoys the hell out of me - oh for the innocence of dansette. >> Benjamin Gott again - finding xtc Wish I had your luck mate, a female actually recommending xtc! I would think that xtc women are few and far between - rocking horse shit etc. I'm probably biased - by the sad fact that my wife has always hated xtc. Perhaps she resents them in a jealous way, perhaps it's me she can't stand, but it has always slightly reduced my 'listening pleasure'. It makes me evangelise more earnestly about the merits of particular tracks - I play them too often too loud and it does'nt help my (our) cause. In fact since I lost contact with an old friend (keith anderson from South Shields where are you?) - I have absorbed and been moved by xtcs' music in 'splendid isolation'. So a special thanks (and i mean this most sincerely folks), thanks to you all for just 'being there'. my own 2003 (now pronounced 'twenty oh three' - BBC R4 - and rightly so) in no order:- elbow,stephen duffy,mull histoical society,lemon jelly,arthur lee,eels,colin blunstone,incredible string band,athlete,damien rice, super furry animals,flaming lips,jerry springer the opera. Regards Chris Mullin - actual size is of course relative - just ask TMBG. 'something wonderfully witty and relevent' ....... unfortunately by someone else. Please do not associate me with the adverts that will, no doubt, accompany this mail.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 02:31:13 +0000 From: "dunks58" <dunks58@milesago.com> Subject: Chalkgratulations Message-ID: <200403010240.i212e7LF1887183@els.sgi.com> Off topic, but it looks like I'm first, so hearty good wishes to our friend, Canberra Chalker Iain Murray and his partner Louise, on the birth of their new baby girl, Genevieve. In the words of a great Aussie football coach: "Played strong, done good!" Dunks
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 10:39:19 -0000 From: "Richard Hall" <rhall010861@btinternet.com> Subject: Re: BBC6 Message-ID: <01b801c3ff79$73f86450$5da78051@Den> Thanks for the heads up - I shall set my Sky+ to capture it for a CD..... Richard >From: "Shabbyroad Media" <peter@shabbyroad.com> >Subject: Andy on BBC6 this Sunday Feb 29th > >Andy will be on BBC6 (available on ye olde internet) this Sunday morning. > >It's at 9:00am GMT but BBC6 usually have the shows available online for a >couple of weeks. > >Link here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/presenters/tracey_macleod/
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 14:00:43 +0000 From: "Paul Culnane" <paulculnane@hotmail.com> Subject: Jaccuzi Juicies Message-ID: <BAY7-F51nWwAeRaNgEp0002c8f9@hotmail.com> Hey, I am not prepared to divulge any further sordid details about fun in the tub with Terry. The rest of it remains (heh heh) under wraps, okay? But thanks for your vouyerism... However, while far be it from me to try to embarrass anyone, and keeping in mind how cool a lot of Chalkie-people are, I just want to declare this: Mark Kirk from Canada RAWKS!!!!!! (Big-time) Some XTC-related news. Peter Fitz said I could now spread this news (and *he* hasn't so far, so): Dave Gregory has been commissioned to score and arrange some orchestral parts for the next Pugwash record. It is soon to be recorded in no less than Abbey Road! If you like Jellyfish/Jason Falkner, Beck, The Move, ELO and, ahem, XTC, give Pugwash a listen. More details at: www.pugwashtheband.com ...you won't be disappointed. Everything is very nice. Made nicer by a fantabulous record by The Dissociatives, called "Somewhere Down The Barrel". Brilliant! Seek it out... Oh, "Dunder" still rates for me too. Goodnight. p@ul-of-oz
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 10:39:26 -0800 From: Evansky <evan@cheshirecousin.com> Subject: Fine, you want a band to check out...? Message-ID: <4043835E.5070705@cheshirecousin.com> I don't often write and I seldomer (yes, that's not a word) hear bands that I like or feel are worth recommending. Well, I heard these guys last nite and they're pretty cool, so I hereby formally recommend... The 88. http://www.the88.net Turns out these guys are from my area (trendy, artsy Silver Lake, in Los Angeles.) They sound very mid-to-late 60's Kinks-ish. There's 3 full songs to download from their site, all of them good (SURPRISE! Usually, a band has one good song and the rest suck.) No, I'm not in the band and I'm not getting paid. I don't even know these guys. I just SO rarely hear new stuff that I like that I thought I'd share. Hope y'all like 'em too. Peace, Love and Understanding, Evan Currently in CD player: D&W Remastered. Sweeeeet!
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 14:22:41 EST From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Bobbing Along in Our Barrel Message-ID: <1cd.1ad623a5.2d74e781@aol.com> No doubt I'm the 85th person to post this, but you can hear Andy's theme song from the Fox show Wonderfalls by going to http://fox.com/wonderfalls. It's not the Wings-y anthem thing that they've been playing in the show promos (that's Prefab Sprout). Instead you have to click on the "Watch the Music Video" link in the northwest quadrant of the Wonderfalls home page. It's a real cute li'l song, highly Partridgean in its quirk-a-liciousness, the chorus is catchy as hell, neat-o guitar playing, fabboo middle eight. Backwards guitar! Well done Andy! The fadeout is an absolute catalog of Andean vocal gymnastics: It'd be a fun competition to name all the original XTC songs where first appeared all the scatting and voice-roughening and slow chromatic swooping that you hear from about 2:00 on. And yes, I'd do Caroline Dhavernas. Definitely. Harrison "Thanks for asking" Sherwood
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 14:33:15 EST From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Idiot Message-ID: <12e.3c6a2cdd.2d74e9fb@aol.com> Polyphonic Spree, not Prefab Sprout. Pedicular Split Pederastic Splot Polymorphous Sprat Peripatetic Splat Harrison "Can't imagine how I could get the two mixed up" Sherwood
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #10-10 *******************************
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