Chalkhills Digest, Volume 11, Number 60

                Wednesday, 2 November 2005

Topics:

                        Sound guy
                    Jim parades a toy
                       Sunday Times
             4 disc XTC bootleg DVD on ebay !
                          Say It
                New Ones = XTC Circa 2005
                        Apple Box!
   Maybe a bit early to be "decking the halls", but...
                       Free Spiral!
 Of course the Apple Box is worth every pound & penny...
                    Captain Pug-Walsh

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All through the winter time / When wood was worm and splintered.

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Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 09:14:46 +0200
From: jeffrey.thomas@bayercropscience.com
Subject: Sound guy
Message-ID: <OF05AA6B8B.6822A117-ONC12570A7.002724BD@bayer.de>

Hi all of you people of the collines de craie,

In #59, Ozzie Paul reported on TC's comments re. The Meeting Place and asked:

>He was thrilled that his brother Dave made it along, and the sound-guy (was
it Steve Warren, Jeff?).

Yes, it was Steve Warren!  I really have to start doing something about my
senility -- I am soooo bad with names, it's horrible.  But yes, it
definitely was him.  He was a *very nice* guy, great to talk to him.  Very
communicative, very upbeat.  Very proud of having been a part of it all.
And those tapes he brought... you wouldn't have believed it.  Hearing XTC do
the Ramones was an experience even the wildest collectors of XTC memorabilia
won't have experienced, unless of course they were there.

Au revoir!

- Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 08:49:05 +0100
From: Adrian Ransome <Adrian.Ransome@tsi-ltd.co.uk>
Subject: Jim parades a toy
Message-ID: <497FEA72C392D3118AE700508B7311770D311823@nt4server03.tsi-ltd.co.uk>

Jeffrey Thomas wrote:

>If I am not mistaken, the name of that television show
>was "Crackerjack".  I am sure someone amongst the
>British 'Hillers will be able to confirm this.

I'm pretty sure that I read a remark by Colin that he knew he had "made it"
as a musician when he saw Don McLean and Peter Glaze performing "Nigel" on
Crackerjack.

A few years earlier they did a pretty mean version of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Simon wrote:

>4) The other possibility is the guys *did* put [their studio] to use
>and slipped out an album under a pseudonym that nobody's
>picked up on yet.

That would be fantastic! Imagine an ambient Andy confection rubbing
shoulders with the Aphex Twins, Squarepushers and Boards of Canadas of this
world and receiving critical acclaim from the blissfully ignorant, uber cool
style mags. (Of course, the whole Dukes of Stratosphear thing was ruined
when the mongs working at my local Virgin stuck 25 o'clock in the Xtc
section rather than hiding it away in the Ds).

ade
"Who were Wings? They were only the band the Beatles could have been!"

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 09:09:59 +0100
From: "Michael Martin" <m.martin@added-value.com>
Subject: Sunday Times
Message-ID: <C1D863C101433E45AC33F88E901F685BB7BF9D@LON0EX01.added-value.com>

Ahoy hoy!

XTC list in last weeks' Sunday Times - good to see Our Heroes getting some
meeja airing, so would be chirlish to cavil at the iffy selections, is just
one person's point of view, after all...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2101-1832689,00.html

PS when was the last time there was a poll of favourite XTC albums?
Couldn't find one online anywhere, but didn't look that hard.  Am happy to
do one if there is interest...

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 14:43:14 -0500
From: Ken VanTassell <kenwvt@gmail.com>
Subject: 4 disc XTC bootleg DVD on ebay !
Message-ID: <647737520510301143u54ad0757k9e6a501965f09b86@mail.gmail.com>

http://cgi.ebay.com/XTC-RARITIES-Andy-Partridge-4-DVD-SET_W0QQitemZ644658814
8
 Anyone have this set, or would anyone like to chip in to buy and then share
freely ?
 -Ken

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2005 05:39:10 -0800 (PST)
From: "Par" Nilsson <pbgn@yahoo.com>
Subject: Say It
Message-ID: <20051101133910.59044.qmail@web30203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

... is playing right now, and I won't even try to
describe how good it feels to hear some new XTC music
again. Definitely worth the price of admission. Is
there any information out there about when and how Say
It and Spiral were recorded? All instruments by Andy
and Colin?

Incidentally, the Apple Box is a very nicely designed
package.

Cheers!

Par

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2005 12:28:03 -0800 (PST)
From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com>
Subject: New Ones = XTC Circa 2005
Message-ID: <20051101202803.18503.qmail@web30809.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Colin Moulding - Say It
Andy Partridge - Spiral

Both of these could be really great tunes....... If only......

(fill in your own reasons)

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 01 Nov 2005 14:03:01 -0700
From: "Thomas Vest" <tvtwo@hotmail.com>
Subject: Apple Box!
Message-ID: <BAY109-F31274142571FCFDA5CF62FA16F0@phx.gbl>

Hello devoted XTC friends!

About ten minutes ago, I was handed the daily mail delivery.  Much to my
delight, I noticed the strangely familiar "BY AIR MAIL par avion" sticker on
a package that was also bearing a Royal Mail stamp.

Hooray!  My Apple Box is here!

The box itself was lean and beautiful in its compact white design and paper
obi.  Inside, again to my surprise, was a small peacock feather.

Everything looks great and Apple Venus is sounding great on my stereo.

Now lately, there has been some talk from some of us wishing... DEMANDING
that Andy and Colin get moving on some new material.  While I am an XTC
completist collector and I had to have this version of the AV material, I
can tell you that the smile on my face is indeed quite big.

Andy and Colin, I thank you for issuing this set.  It will do nicely until
you are ready to give us more.

Still a big fan.

Thom

PS> I did not order the Apple Set with the T-shirts.  I am curious to know
what the free item was that was to be included.  Did anyone get theirs yet?

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 05:47:43 +0000 (GMT)
From: Paul Culnane <paulculnane@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Maybe a bit early to be "decking the halls", but...
Message-ID: <20051102054743.88185.qmail@web86902.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>

Hey Chalkies and Hollies and anyone waering a quite silly hat

If I've erred (and lordy, I've done that), I hope you people will
forgive me for transgressions and remember those small bits where I
tried to be good.

These Chalky hills are a great place to wander and explore, and you
never know what kinda Druid dude you might run into.  All to a
soundtrack of mummery nonsuches, munching an apple while venus
whispers your name-

Thank you everybody for cushioning my rough '05.  I wish you and yours
all "the good things" over the forthcoming festive season, and well
beyond.  XTC is a pretty good little pop combo, (don't you think?).
And Chalkhills is a great place to meet people with the superior taste
to like this band.

Three cheers then, for John Relph: "hip hip; hip hip; hip hooray for
Johnny Pumpkinhead"!!!
Love and peace
Paul-of_Oz

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 08:17:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com>
Subject: Free Spiral!
Message-ID: <20051102161714.49449.qmail@web51707.mail.yahoo.com>

Pitchfork has a review of 'Spiral', one of the bonus
downloadable tracks from the Apple Box

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/tracks/05-10-31.shtml

It's a pretty poor review, to be honest. But what's
more interesting is that there's a link that leads to
a free download of the song!

I agree with their assessment that it sounds like a
Wasp Star leftover track, but it's not as bad as the
review makes out. It's pretty good, actually, even if
it can't compare to XTC's best.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 20:03:36 +0100
From: "Jan Bletz" <jan@xs4all.nl>
Subject: Of course the Apple Box is worth every pound & penny...
Message-ID: <HIEFIPHAGIMOFMAEABEDOENIEHAA.jan@xs4all.nl>

Colin's new song Say It is priceless!

Jan Bletz

--
The praise is never enough and the criticism always bites deep

Jan Bletz
Internet: www.janbletz.nl ('Homepage, sweet homepage')

Abonneer je nu kosteloos op mijn re-zine Vers Geperst
Deze week: Vers Geperst 40: Niet door naar de volgende ronde
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jan/Vers%20Geperst/aanvragen%20nieuwsbrief.htm

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2005 03:45:47 +0000 (GMT)
From: Paul Culnane <paulculnane@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Captain Pug-Walsh
Message-ID: <20051103034547.23176.qmail@web86902.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>

Of course, it's beyond brilliant.  I am referring to the brand new
Pugwash record, "Jollity".  Thomas Walsh and his trusty team of clever
ruffians have fashioned a beautifully recorded set of songs,
displaying, by turns, his skill with a killer melody, playful sonic
invention and technicolour instrumentation, and a rather alarming
diversity of musical styles.  And ohhh, that voice!  "Master Bates"
and "Seaman Staines" indeed.

As if this heady brew of Fabs-meet-Falkner-meets-ELO-meets-Beach Boys
over a Guinness or two (or might that be some acid spangles?) in the
funky end of Dublin, the listener is also treated to the regular
presence of one Mr Dave Gregory, who not only graces the majority of
songs with various guitars and keyboard contributions (including
"Imagine"-esque grand piano on "I Want You Back"), but he also
arranged the strings.  These, delivered with delicate dignity by The
Section Quartet, were recorded in Studio 2 of Abbey Road, and you can
just tell that a splendid time, guaranteed or otherwise, was had by
all.

But wait!  Just when you thought it was safe, here comes the final
track, "Anchor", and it's a co-write with Andy Partridge.  While he
doesn't play, AP's stamp is all over it, in his stately Brian Wilson
punning pomp guise.  This is a killer song, and a fitting denouement
for these jolly proceedings.  Well, "jolly" is not an adjective I'd
necessarily apply to the tenor of this album, but it's called Jollity,
so who am I to argue?

An unimpeachable friend, fellow Chalkster and all-round nugget, Peter
Fitzpatrick, sent me a free copy of the CD, on his and Thomas Walsh's
behalf.  I want to declare how much Peter's frequent gestures of
generosity floor me every time.  Thanks so much mate!

Peter, at this early stage, the two numbers that really grab me most
(apart from "Anchor"), are the two you nominated in your letter:
"Black Dog" and "I Want You Back In My Life (for Mam)".  The latter's
beauty and poignancy defies further description.  It had the very same
effect on me that it had on you (but you knew it would, didn't you?)

Recently I have been talking up Sufjan Stevens' "Illinois" album, as
being the release of 2005.  Well, sorry Suf, go back and ponder your
pom-poms, you've just been pipped by the Pugs!

You simply MUST buy "Jollity" by Pugwash.  I refuse to take "no" for
an answer.

I'm just a fan.  Wanted to share something cool.  More info at:
www.pugwashtheband.com

All good and goodness
PAUL

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End of Chalkhills Digest #11-60
*******************************

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