Chalkhills Digest Volume 11, Issue 16
Date: Tuesday, 12 April 2005
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 11, Number 16
Tuesday, 12 April 2005
Topics:
Re: April 1
Last Issue of Chalkhills?
Eight thumbs (and one claw) up for Purple Burt
John Fields Forever
Jimmy Webb and XTC
Fuzziest Warbles
Re: band to band/gang of four
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2005 12:54:13 EST From: FuquaTrego@aol.com Subject: Re: April 1 Message-ID: <1a2.30a4c6b5.2f7ee4c5@aol.com> In a message dated 4/1/2005 9:34:05 AM Pacific Standard Time, owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org writes: Administrivia: This will be the last issue of Chalkhills. This is an April Fool's Joke ... right ...??????? I hope so ...!!!!! Keith
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2005 13:26:46 -0500 From: Gary Glauber <gigwords@optonline.net> Subject: Last Issue of Chalkhills? Message-ID: <6.2.0.14.0.20050401132613.02637ea0@mail.optonline.net> John: Is that an April Fool's Day joke? Hope you are well. Best, Gary
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2005 13:07:36 -0800 (PST)
From: Todd Bernhardt <beat_town@yahoo.com>
Subject: Eight thumbs (and one claw) up for Purple Burt
Message-ID: <20050401210737.83755.qmail@web41123.mail.yahoo.com>
Hi:
Having now had my copy of Mitch Friedman's Purple Burt for a couple of
weeks, I can say with confidence that this is a very fun album for the
entire family. My two kids love it, and my wife and I happily hum along in
the car as they demand to play it AGAIN, because it's got something for
everyone -- kooky concepts and loopy, inventive rhymes for the kids,
delivered in a quirky-yet-straightforward style that that is perfectly
suited to the subject and that doesn't overwhelm the grown-ups with the
saccharine production too often found on kids' records.
I'd say this is Mitch's best album to date. The songwriting and melodies are
very strong (and sticky -- you'll find yourself humming them for days after
listening to them), and the playing and arrangements are really
good. Special props, of course, to our boys Andy and Dave, and to
Chalkhillian R. Stevie Moore, who contribute in their own inimitable
ways. Dave's playing on the lovely "Color Feel" is especially fantastic, all
the way from the Todd Rundgren-esque piano intro, to the snippets of
backward guitar, to the late '60s soft-psychedlic orchestration.
So, if you're looking for something downright unDisneyfied to play for your
kids (and you), run right over to
http://www.mitchfriedman.com/purpleBurt.html or
http://cdbaby.com/cd/mitchfriedman3 and grab your copy today.
Oh, the one claw in the subject line? That's from our hermit crab named
Purple Herbert. He has a purple shell and used to have a brother named
Purple Burt, but Burt joined the choir invisible, if you know what I mean.
-Todd
"Of all nature's gifts to the human race, what is sweeter to a man than his
children?"
Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman, orator, writer (106-43 BCE)
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2005 22:23:57 -0500 From: Benjamin Gott <bgott@rectoryschool.org> Subject: John Fields Forever Message-ID: <04082e03a78c8ed88b341f2387a74cda@rectoryschool.org> Gang, Glen Phillips, formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket, has just released "Winter Pays for Summer," an album produced by John Fields, formerly of Chalkhills. (As you may recall, John also produced the Mandy Moore album that contained a rollicking version of "Senses Working Overtime.") Glen's new album is impeccable and contains a hefty chunk of guest appearances from Jon Brion, Ben Folds, Andy Sturmer, Kristin Mooney, and Dan Wilson (from Semisonic); Pete Thomas plays drums on all tracks. John's production is flawless and it gives the album a shimmer and shine that has been missing from Glen's recent work (and, indeed, from the entire Toad catalog). I'm not too keen on the single, "Thankful," but I love the rest of the album, especially "Clear Eyed," a haunting anthem written by Glen and Dan and mixed by Bob Clearmountain. According to an interview on Glen's site, "Phillips says the musical inspiration for Winter Pays for Summer was a handful of albums 'that really ripped my heart out as a kid' - classics like the Waterboys' This Is the Sea, the Replacements' Let It Be, Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden, XTC's English Settlement and Peter Gabriel's So. 'I guess I wanted in some ways to make an '80s record that had aged really well,' he says." He has succeeded in his quest. This album is not to be missed. -Ben
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 02 Apr 2005 19:46:50 -0800
From: "Wayne Klein" <wtdk123@msn.com>
Subject: Jimmy Webb and XTC
Message-ID: <BAY3-F6309AA3736CE34F9BA4BAF93A0@phx.gbl>
Althought it might not appear apparent on the surface, I've found a lot in
common between Jimmy Webb and XTC after listening to "The Moon's a Harsh
Mistress". The devotion to songcraft, unusual melodies and just the general
"feel" of some of the material reminds me of "Apple Venus Volume 1".
New releases that mattered to me (and they are becoming few and far between
I might add):
1. Jimmy Webb-The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
For Nilsson fans there's a duet of "Love Hurts" between Jimmy Webb and
Nilsson (they were close buds for awhile during the 70's and drinking
buddies). It had never been released and it's kind of fun to finally have
this as I've been a long time Nilsson fan as well.
2. The Doves-Some Cities
A fine third album from the Manchester trio. Not a perfect album but one
that departs from the previous two. Love the opening track.
3. Soundtrack of Our Lives -Origin 1
These guys remind me of Oasis expect that the song lyrics are actually
decent and it doesn't sound as if every melody was ripped off from someone
else. In reality, they remind me more of The Dukes.
4. Dogs Die in Hot Cars-Please Describe Yourself
Thanks to the folks on this list for recommending this fine album. I like
the XTC reference ("Apples & Oranges"). They sound to me like DEVO crossed
with XTC and Talking Heads. In other words, very new wavish- Hard to believe
that we've come so far that new wave is, well, so old wave.
5. The Futureheads-The Futureheads
Lots of XTC references, new wave again. I like it. I don't know if I'll
nominate it for my best of yet.
Am looking forward to the Kirsty MacColl reissues as well. Now if they'd
only finally upgrade the Talking Heads back catalog, The Beatles and various
older acts I'd be a happy camper.
Favorite DVD of the moment: "Sideways". The soundtrack definitely needs an
XTC theme song penned by Andy or Colin or--something unusual--both!
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 21:45:57 -0500 From: Bill Sherlock <bdsherlock@sbcglobal.net> Subject: Fuzziest Warbles Message-ID: <4259E4E5.1020102@sbcglobal.net> Hi all, Thought I'd add some XTC content (however tenuous) here. I've now got the complete, up 'til now, set of FWs and realized there is a fair amount of dross on them, so I set about making a Best of FW to avoid the inevitable skipping that occurred whenever I gave them a listen. So, without further adieu, here's mine: Dame Fortune Born Out of Your Mouth Goosey Goosey I Don't Want to Be Here Young Marrieds Ship Trapped in the Ice My Train Is Coming Lightheaded When We Get to England Bumpercars The Art Song (Somthing Good with Your Life) Where Is Your Heart? Young Cleopatra I Defy You Gravity Broomstick Rhythm I Can't Tell What Truth Is Anymore The Tiny Circus of Life Prince of Orange There you have it...3 from each of the first six, chosen mainly to suit my conception of what an XTC tune should sound like, and with a wistful wish that the boys from Swindon will end soon what has now become their second work stoppage. Bill Sherlock -- They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty. Ben Franklin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 10:09:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve <ste7phen@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: band to band/gang of four
Message-ID: <20050411170957.89187.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com>
> http://www.bandtoband.com/
Richard said:
>I spent most of a morning playing at this site!
>Every link from XTC
>goes through Barry and then Fripp
>- and then you would think Eno >because he has worked
>with so many, but they only consider a link if that
>person was an official member of the band. They also
>don't list
>solo artists, so Fripp isn't listed but
>The League Of Gentlemen is.
Worth mentioning here is an "band to band"
link through Barry Andrews which oddly isn't on the
bandtoband site: Shriekback to Gang of Four
(through Dave Allen).
Gang of Four was on the most recent desert island list
posted by R Groovi. "Solid Gold/Another Day Another
Dollar" as CD continues to be a favorite of mine.
Another Steve
Steve
"mend your missing links... I think trust could be the glue"
A. Partridge
(.)
(.) > |
http://www.bltresearch.com/
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #11-16 *******************************
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