Chalkhills Digest Volume 10, Issue 56
Date: Tuesday, 30 November 2004
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 10, Number 56
Tuesday, 30 November 2004
Topics:
Hello from School for the Dead
Dog Day Afternoon?
the whole music experience in general
Verne Sketchbk/Mok's SMiLE
* January 24, 1980 DVD
Ahhh, The Trouble With Mervyn
smiley faces
Some recent topics of interest
Scottish Rite, or Scottish Wrong?
Altrok
XTC Video of a few years back
Xmas Prezzies
Re: Exit Stage Left
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 12:01:46 -0500 From: "Henning Ohlenbusch" <henning@schoolforthedead.com> Subject: Hello from School for the Dead Message-ID: <348b9f133d8c7d763cd86051866f8e81@goepp.net> Hello, Henning here from a band called School for the Dead. I was looking through your XTC site, as I do, and thought the following mp3 might fit in well with your sounds and midi list. It's not an XTC song but it IS a song based on many XTC lyrics and styles. It's called Thug and is littered with references to the band and to the songs. It's here: http://www.schoolforthedead.com/schoolforthedeadthug.mp3 Thanks for your time, Henning Ohlenbusch School for the Dead http://rockumentary.net
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 06:38:29 +0000 (GMT) From: Paul Culnane <paulculnane@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Dog Day Afternoon? Message-ID: <20041126063829.37434.qmail@web86904.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Here' s something cute from the "Random Notes" section of December 2004 issue of Oz "Rolling Stone" mag. Doesn't our Terry look magnificent? As is my custom, I helped facilitate this meeting. Enjoy everybody! At your service PORL [ http://chalkhills.org/img.cgi?images/press/RollingStoneOz0412.jpg ]
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 13:26:52 -0400 From: "Kevin Brunkhorst" <brunkhorstk@hotmail.com> Subject: the whole music experience in general Message-ID: <BAY15-DAV963C820E957B5346C0685B6BC0@phx.gbl> C'hillers, Discussions of Brian Wilson's heretofore abandoned Smile, of Andy's Fuzzy Warbles, and a mention of the Capitol Beatles box set. It brings up the questions: what is the nature of the artist's intent, and what good is it? Brian Wilson rescues his abandoned project after many years, Andy releases his unpackaged/uncommodified/unpolished demos, and Capitol releases their re-packaged/recommodified/altered Beatles recordings. (I find it fascinating how that product is defended, BTW: it was the way American kids at the time heard it, and it's the way they should hear it now. Ah, misrecognition! One could argue that they should best be listened to on cheap phonographs, with their speakers built into the lid.) Everything we listen to that falls under the category of 'recorded music' must by neccesity go through a process of some kind - done either by the artist, record label, engineer, etc. - that by necessity alters its content. The musical experience with the greatest degree of human 'aura' or physical resonance would be the live performance, which in the case of XTC, is not likely on the horizon. (But then I said that about Steely Dan, right up until I saw the first Madison Square Garden show in '93.) And those experiences are altered by the realities of the 'concert' industry. The 'recording', 'editing', 'packaging', and 'marketing' processes introduce other, foreign elements into the listening experience. It is always so. Today's Chalkhills reminded me. I say this not to freak anyone, but to point it out. It's all a construction job, and we have a choice as to the final assembly. (back to lurking, my guitar, Zizek, the laundry, etc) Kevin Brunkhorst professor, Department of Music St Francis Xavier University PO Box 5000 Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5 http://www.kevinbrunkhorst.com PS: and there's a store on Barrington Street in Halifax NS with the White Horse of Uffington on its sign.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 12:55:28 -0500 From: RSMko@webtv.net (Marston Moor) Subject: Verne Sketchbk/Mok's SMiLE Message-ID: <4983-41AA1110-149@storefull-3331.bay.webtv.net> and now for something completely indifferent, category A: anybody know if all jules vernes sbook songs are now officially out on Fuzzwarbs discs? surely by now it's completely covered, i haven't yet checked. am i lazy? or a foockin cornhole? (that mervsparks antipost was the ginchiest glitch!) twould be fun to digicompile the audiophile upgrade JVS, as it was meant to be, as nature intended (back in ye olde barrie ontariooo). i think i know now what i wanna do after lunch. category B: BBSmile aficianados, rejoice: there is finally a nearperfect fantape compile of all the original 6Ts versions, available cheaply here (best ever heard): http://earcandy_mag.tripod.com/moksmile.htm i'm a clockwork creep vs prince of orange, R
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 12:19:22 -0600 From: "Music Is Special" <musicisspecial@hotmail.com> Subject: * January 24, 1980 DVD Message-ID: <BAY20-DAV9750E4377B4F8CEC42616D5BC0@phx.gbl> Thanks for making this available Chris. If anybody does not have ability to download this and wants a copy, send me your trade list and mailing address ASAP. I will make a copy before taking off my hard drive. Eric "Chris & Melany" <ellaguru@comcast.net> wrote: > >http://www.easytree.org/torrents-details.php?id=15505 > >I put in quite a few hours cleaning this one up for you kind folks here. >Enjoy!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 16:59:06 EST
From: Telehead@aol.com
Subject: Ahhh, The Trouble With Mervyn
Message-ID: <9a.1a9c609e.2edba42a@aol.com>
I enjoyed the deconstruction's of Mervyns post, and it promts me out of
lurk mode for a minute.
Regarding Merv's allegations on Andy's unwillingness to perform: I have
been a working musician in one form or another for nearly *40* (gasp!)
years. There is not one, I repeat, one gig that I play that I am not
subject to some degree of nervousness. I know at least one other very gifted
writer/player friend of mine whose stage issues drove him to quit
performing. I know of one guy who was in a very popular band here in
Sacramento who told me one night that he throws up before every show. And I
got to a point, thanks to other issues at the time, where my nerves caused
me to quit live shows for a time in the mid-80's. Trust me, it was VERY hard
to get back on the horse and ride.
There was a time when all I could think about was seeing an XTC show. By
and by, I realized that the show was in the recordings ... why have "Wrapped
In Grey" fucked up by a tour weary throat or a sudden blast of monitor
feedback? That shit happens, and while I would always have the recording to
go back to, I would also have the unfortunate live glitch to think about
... much like I always remember Steve Howe fucking up the guitar part in
Going For The One when I saw Yes on that tour.
Nope, sorry Merv ... Andy did his time in the crap tour wars and he made
his decision on solid grounds. If he ever pulls a Brian Wilson and heads
back on the road in his late 50's I'll be there, but for now .... Just keep
writing. Partsy.
Different subject ... anybody buy the first set of lead figures? How do
they look? I'm thinking of buying a set (gotta fund the next XTC/Andy solo
record).
Another different subject ... I thought I saw some allusions to Colin's
wife being ill again. My ex-drummer just lost his wife a week ago, and I
hope nothing that drastic is in the cards for Mr. Moulding.
Pie and Punch to all,
Warren in Sacramento
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:56:54 -0800 From: ste7phen@cox.net Subject: smiley faces Message-ID: <78AC7CDC-41CB-11D9-9638-000393779CC6@cox.net> "Bram and Bill" wrote: >Fellow Chalk Folk, >For the past few weeks I have been reading gushing review after gushing >review of Brian Wilson's SMiLE. I have listened to it, and frankly, I don't >quite get it. I should say that I have never been a fan of the Beach Boys >or Wilson. Yeah they have nice harmonies, and Wilson throws in interesting >instrumentation here and there, but it's far from consistent. It doesn't >hold my ear and never has. ... snip >...I guess there is something wrong with me. There is, after all, no >accounting for taste. >JWSEED >(PS I do like "Good Vibrations". Good song.) Thank you Many of us I suspect have been patient with the Brian Wilson posts. We're safely past the initial infatuation period so a little criticism shouldn't be too hurtful. My personal favorite beach boy song has always been Back In The USSR : ) ...and quite frankly, XTC kicks "arse" on the beach boys. In these times of escalating atrocities some xtc lyrics with their superb rock have sustained me. Another Steve
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 21:42:06 +0000 From: John Morrish <morrish@dircon.co.uk> Subject: Some recent topics of interest Message-ID: <83EE343A-424F-11D9-A1E9-000A959D60D4@dircon.co.uk> Re: "mervyn.sparks" and Andy's Cornhole "I'm a troll, fol de rol, and I'll eat you up for supper." Danny Kaye, Three Billy Goats Gruff A sterling defence of Andy by Wes, but I think the silent treatment practised by most of the Folks Who Live On The Hill makes more sense when dealing with people so obviously cruising for a bruising. I did find this a winningly shaped phrase, however: > Your a cold-hearted prick and I hope like hell you > aren't in a position of authority somewhere. Andy *is* lazy, but he's also a veritable musical Stakhanovite (http://digbig.com/4ceta) when it suits him. He is large, he contains multitudes. Re: teaming up to buy Andy a copy of Smile for Christmas Well, it's true Britain is a bit crap, and Andy is not living in the McCartneyesque splendour he deserves, but Old Town Swindon is not quite the Third World yet. Andy and Dave went to the gigs: if they want the record - and I'm sure they do - they'll have bought it. I wanted it too, but I'm waiting for someone to buy it for me for Christmas. After all, isn't that when The Smile You Send Out Returns To You? Re: Professor Sherwood on Smile > A thousand years from now, theologians may well still ponder the > ineffable > question: Given that Brian Wilson is God, does it then not follow that > Carnie Wilson is Jesus? Wrong, wrong, wrong, you over-educated, under-worked twerp. It goes like this: Dad: Nasty one-eyed Murray is Joseph, the craftsman, handy with his mitts, who can't quite understand what it is he's fathered, but is overwhelmingly proud... yet jealous. Takes the lad around, shows him off, carries him on his shoulders, takes him to temple/McDonalds, etc. Then the boy grows up and has his own ideas. Mum: kind, feeble Audree is Mary, caring for the growing lad with the slightly obscure parentage. An angel! Tell that to the Marines. Her crime is that she cannot protect her son from his only too human father. Brian is Jesus, or rather, the only Christ we deserve, as the famous Algeria-born goalkeeper put it. He doesn't get physically nailed to a piece of wood, but he still suffers. His sensations and gifts are sufficiently powerful they scare everyone, himself most of all. Carl is Jesus's brother whose name I can't remember. Dennis will have to be Jesus's other brother. Al is several disciples. Which leaves Mike Love, inevitably, as Judas. So who's God? God, of course, with music as the Holy Spirit. It is for me, anyway. Re: Mashed Swedes A fine piece of writing cleverly discovered by Relph and midwifed by Versace. What a cast-list! I can take or leave The Cramps (mostly leave), but Messiaen aka Nessaien can be sublime. As for Paddy McAloon... In my not all that humble opinion, the half-blind County Durham Catholic is the only artistic equal of the half-blind Swindon armchair pagan. True, "I trawl the MEGAHERTZ" was slightly half-arsed, but so was Apple Venus I and II. My dream partnership is Paddy and Andy, believer and unbeliever in perfect harmony. Of course, neither quite *gets* the other. But that sounds like a promising start, now Colin has effectively swapped bass guitar for pipe, slippers and a range of pesticides. Ask yourself, which is the better record of demos, Paddy's "Protest Songs", or any one off the Warbles mountain? Re: Bush Did anyone see those posters that said "Why change horseman mid-Apocalypse?" That pretty much summed it up for me. If you have been, thank you for listening. John Morrish
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 13:50:15 EST From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Scottish Rite, or Scottish Wrong? Message-ID: <9f.5323ac5e.2ede1ae7@aol.com> Ol' Perfesser Hiner expostulates: > The Second National Bank was actually not dismantled during this time > period, although most Americans expected it after the election of > Jackson (champion of the common man my ass!). The Bank was not actually > up for rechartering until 1836, but its director, Nicholas Biddle, in > collusion with anti-Jacksonian Henry Clay, asked Congress for an early > reapproval in 1832.... [snip blatant Anti-Masonic Party slander] Oh, so mote it be, eh, Prof? I declare, I've never read such barefaced Anti-Masonic agitprop in all my born days! Why don't you just start yourself a blog, TheyWouldn'tShowMeTheHandshake.com, and be done with it! (http://www.rotten.com/library/conspiracy/freemasonry/) You are exposed, sir! In truth, if you have a quarrel with my absorbing and I believe authoritative retelling of the sequence and circumstances of the dismantling of the Second National Bank (known affectionately as "Natty Two" to its friends, among whom I believe both of us number ourselves the staunchest), then indeed you must lay your accusations at the feet of none other than the mighty Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson) itself, from which my conclusions were drawn -- cut-and-pasted, even! And if you doubt the Wikipedia (motto: "Open Source or Just Unsourced? You Say Po-tay-to, I Say Po-tah-to!"), you doubt the hard work and dedication of... well... of some faceless, unaccountable herbert who may or may not have some weird ax to grind in re. Natty Two and Wacko Jacko but we'll never know, 'cos the Wiki idea of "peer review" appears to be, "sling it up there and see if some other fungus-encrusted obsessive complains." I mean, that wacky Wikipedia and the tricky-wicky-wacky-woo!* Check their entry for "XTC" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XTC) -- one quick readthrough yields at least two immediate howlers, and I'm sure the gang of Official Discographers and other butthole-compulsives within the sound of my typing will come up with many another. But this is not a summons to the barricades: I truly don't think we should as a body rise up and crawl like avenging maggots over the body of the Wikipedia XTC entry. I think we should leave the errors in, as eternal evidence that the Wikipedia is as reliable as a red-aproned Scotsman (little Masonic humor, there, heh-heh: http://www.bilderberg.org/). And speaking of butthole-compulsives, what is *up* with the er, *cloacal* turn things have taken around this joint? I'm as skeptical as the next Mason, but when two succeeding Chalkhills posts, sent from disparate parts of the globe within an hour of each other, each uses the word "cornhole" in its title, I say it's more than a coincidence! I hereby declare an Astro-Glide Weekend and slip the surly bonds of earth! Make mine a mimosa! Harrison "33 Degrees of Separation with a Crowbar" Sherwood ----- *If you like Ukulele Lady, Ukulele Lady like-a you!
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 14:09:29 -0500 From: Steve Dockery <sdockery@mac.com> Subject: Altrok Message-ID: <5C6B4DCC-4303-11D9-BBAA-0003938AC4BC@mac.com> OK, shameless plug. My friend Sean Carolan has a great station up at live 365. I think you should check it out. It's what alternative radio used to be like. The latest grinders (power cuts) come from Interpol, A Girl Called Eddy, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, The Figgs, Bongo Jones, the 22-20's and The Adored (featuring Pete Shelley.) Website: http://www.altrok.com Live365 URL: http://www.live365.com/stations/233995?play Steve Dockery http://www.stevedockery.com
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 19:46:01 -0000 From: "Bluekahuna" <mikemacloughlin@btinternet.com> Subject: XTC Video of a few years back Message-ID: <000601c4d715$3f9fd160$7bb99c51@mike> Hello, I am trying to get hold of a copy of the singles video that was out in the mid 1990's, have you any ideas or suggestions? Would be most grateful.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 14:28:39 EST From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Xmas Prezzies Message-ID: <9f.53255b99.2ede23e7@aol.com> Jeff Thomas writes: > Does any one of you close-to-Andy types out there (Richard, Mitch, Wes, > Harrison, etc...) know if Andy has a copy of "SMiLE"? If he doesn't, maybe > a few of us could team up and buy him one for Christmas. He does not have a copy, but said he was expecting one for Christmas, so let's not duplicate A Certain Somebody's shopping-and-wrapping efforts, eh? I accused him of having worn out the grooves on the 20/20 version of "Cabin Essence," internalizing chord progressions and turnarounds. He did not work very hard to deny it. I mean, good god, "Light the lamp and fire mellow,/Cabin essence timely hello,/Welcomes the time for a change" -- Could you *get* more Apple Venusian? Do huge puzzle pieces fall into place or *what*? Or the entirety of "Surf's Up"? "Canvass the town and brush the backdrop"? Harrison "Losin' it all to an unbeliever since 1960" Sherwood
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 21:11:24 +0000 From: hangthedj <hangthedj@blueyonder.co.uk> Subject: Re: Exit Stage Left Message-ID: <a06110405bdd288e44865@[192.168.0.3]> >Mervyn wrote > >>Does anyone know another band/performer who refuses to go on stage? My nomination would be Scritti Politti, AKA Green Gartside and co. Stopped touring in 1979 before they released their first LP, (though I think they did some TOTPs and such?) Green sited as suffering a nervous breakdown, and a singing voice more suited to studio work put paid to touring. Infrequent but often commercially successful studio releases followed. He is now back with Rough Trade and working on new material and an RT retrospective. [via Scrittipolitti@yahoogroups.com] -- hangthedj@blueyonder.co.uk
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