Chalkhills Digest Volume 12, Issue 38
Date: Wednesday, 30 August 2006
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 12, Number 38
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
Topics:
I am new to the list!
Re: masters
Trainspotting in Vegas
Loads o' Stuff
Re: Todd kudos XTC
Not feeling so Fuzzy about the upcoming Warbles
Re: Getting Pre-orders straight
XTC set to release nine-disc box of rarities
Re: Reuters
XTC and Kenny
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:45:32 -0400 From: "Rosie De Lise" <rdelise@gmail.com> Subject: I am new to the list! Message-ID: <85bdaaf30608231345g3429834cqdac5c9d8d021b426@mail.gmail.com> Hi Everyone-- I just joined the Chalkhills list, and just wanted to send a post to say hi! My boyfriend introduced XTC to me last year, and now they're one of my most favorite bands! Where have they been all my life! I'm very interested to read the upcoming posts and discuss all things XTC with other dedicated fans. Parrots and lemurs, Rosie Cambridge, MA
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:53:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Steve <ste7phen@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Re: masters Message-ID: <20060823235335.22921.qmail@web53302.mail.yahoo.com> Mark Fisher replied and wrote: >> And crikey, weren't the recent remasters such a wonderful revelation? >> They were pretty good! How much more do we really need? How >> empowered is the human ear? >Is this true? I've never listened to them, assuming that only audiophiles >would notice the difference. Am I missing out? Just baiting us right? I guess it wouldn't make a difference if we're listening through only 4" speakers, or we only listen quietly. The XTC remasters make a huge difference to me... and I have hearing loss. For example... I started with English Settlement (my personal fave) and got all snotty that Snowman on the remaster had now become a song about a big bass drum. I got used to it. I got so used to it now I turn the bass up! Most remasters have much more defined treble range... you can actually tell its a high hat, or an "s" sound, not just a little burst of white noise... etc etc Another Steve
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:29:44 -0700 From: "Ken Leicht" <ken_leicht@hotmail.com> Subject: Trainspotting in Vegas Message-ID: <BAY101-F3025465D2DE7FD29CEDA36EF470@phx.gbl> Hey folks, Haven't posted in years I think. Anyway I was in Las Vegas working at a wretchedly bad Star Trek Convention. One night while I was doing some low roller gambling at a nearby casino(the name of which alludes me but it may have been Palace Station), I took a break to go to the rest room. As I was standing at the urinal, I gradually became aware that a familiar tune was on in the background(yes there's music in the rest room...there's music EVERYWHERE in Las Vegas). It was "King for a Day". I was quite surprised to hear XTC at all in such an environment but I guess maybe it was all part of some subliminal scheme to make you gamble more. Like if you won you'd be "king" for a day. Who knows. At any rate, I thought that it would amuse to pass it on. You never know where you're going to hear our lads. Cheers, Ken
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 09:54:44 -0400
From: "Ben Gott" <bgott@rectoryschool.org>
Subject: Loads o' Stuff
Message-ID: <5D5C24A6F6FBA04F9C937B65A81EAE584AD6D4@INET.rectoryschool.org>
Chalk-heads,
Yikes! It's been a long time since I posted to ye olde liste! There's no
excuse but a busy summer, increased responsibilities at work, and the usual
family-related chaos. But I do have some musical tidbits that I'd very much
like to share with all of you. And, yes -- some of them do have to do with
our band!
I have XM Satellite Radio in my Jetta, and my two favourite alternative rock
stations are Lucy (mostly modern) and Fred (mostly 80's and 90's). Both
stations play great, obscure stuff -- Cocteau Twins, PiL, Siouxse, Oingo
Boingo, and the like -- and I rarely listen to anything else while I'm
driving around town. A few days ago, Fred put a station I.D. in between two
songs ("Drums of Heaven" by Midnight Oil and "Are Friends Electric?" by Gary
Numan), and I was pleasantly surprised to hear the opening of "Making Plans
for Nigel" in the background. Yes, folks, it's true: when you want people
to think that your radio station plays good music, you use XTC in your
promos. (On a related note, the XTC selections on Fred have been rather
unusual: in the past two weeks, I've heard "Snowman," "Generals and Majors,"
"That Wave," and "All You Pretty Girls." Not too shabby, eh?) Is anyone on
the list a programmer for XM? If so, keep up the good work.
This summer, while I was teaching a middle school writing course, I asked my
students to start the day off by writing for 20 minutes. While they were
writing, I would put iTunes on "Shuffle"; it is sadly impossible for today's
youngsters to do anything surrounded by silence. I was surprised, however,
that my students -- all metal or hip-hop heads -- found some of the songs on
my Mac good enough to comment on. The biggest surprise was the class
consensus that I should play "Regret" by New Order *again*. They also
enjoyed "Oh My God" by Michael Franti & Spearhead (how could they not?),
"Back in N.Y.C." (the live version) by Genesis, "Human Behaviour" by Bjork
(does anyone else here love the new box set?), and "Lee and Molly" by Ziggy
Marley and the Melody Makers (one of my personal favourites). One morning
was designated as "XTC-only playlist," which netted a few compliments for
"Books are Burning" and "English Roundabout."
You can hear samples from the new Robyn Hitchcock album, which contains the
Robyn and Andy co-write, at the Yep Roc site:
[ http://store.yeproc.com/album.php?id=11418 ]
You can also download the fantastic tune "Adventure Rocket Ship." Man, this
album is going to rock!
Speaking of albums that rock, now-defunct Boston new wave band The Atlantics
are posthumously releasing their second album (Bostonites may remember them
as having penned "Big City Rock," "Lonelyhearts," and "Pop Shivers," three
of my faves, and having played with Roxy Music, The Ramones, and other
folks). If you're interested in obtaining a copy, e-mail me off list. I
have connections!
Finally, doesn't Ric Ocasek's song "Rockaway" knock your socks off?
-Ben
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 12:52:19 -0700 (PDT) From: jose artecona <partecona@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Todd kudos XTC Message-ID: <20060824195219.88153.qmail@web52312.mail.yahoo.com> Hey Hillers, I recently read a Todd interview on Amazon where he recommends a bunch of albums. Here is what he said about XTC (recommending Skylarking, of course), "You know, in that sense that's why XTC is so easy to recommend, because you're starting with the most important thing of all--which is world-class songwriting. The best kind of songwriting, the kind we associated, of course, originally with the Beatles. But, I would say a more contemporary standard is somebody like Elvis Costello, who from my standpoint never writes a throwaway. And so in that sense I heartily recommend the record. It's kind of power-pop. And the songs are, you know, fun and interesting and about great things" for the full interview go to http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=973201 Now that Andy has acknowledged Todd's influence on Skylarking and Todd has acknowledged Andy's superior songwriting skills, perhaps a reunion is in the offing? If so, one can only dream that Gregsy will join them in the recording studio!! Time to wake up, end of Spilt Milk....or is it the beginning.........? Pancho PRXTCFAN
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:28:51 -0700 From: "Thomas Vest" <tvtwo@hotmail.com> Subject: Not feeling so Fuzzy about the upcoming Warbles Message-ID: <BAY109-F10ED092D50EF720B4F70AA1450@phx.gbl> Fellow Faithful Chalkfriends Is anyone else hoping, HOPING that Ape House makes the upcoming Fuzzy Warble set available in a way that allows you to buy it sans discs 1-6? I want to be able to get all the goodies, last two discs & extra disc without having to shell out the cash for the entire thing. Let's pray that Ape & Andy see the light as this may make me go Ape S*** as well as reconsider future purchases from the site. Crossing fingers in the desert, Thom
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 01:33:06 +0100 (BST) From: PAUL RODGERS <pledge7@btinternet.com> Subject: Re: Getting Pre-orders straight Message-ID: <20060827003306.71789.qmail@web86602.mail.ird.yahoo.com> "No new album by my other favorite, Madness, but a) they just had one last year or so, and b) it was too much to expect a trifecta." Maybe correct, but the only reason you can't pre-order Madness's new album is that they are still in and out of the studio recording it. Unfortunately relations between the various seven original members make it impossible for them all to be in the studio (or on stage, or in a room) at the same time, however they are making a new album, and it will almost certainly be better than last year's dreadful covers album (one of the reasons all seven members no longer agree!). It'll be interesting to see how it turns out as some members are more keen on getting all seven original members on it than others, but I've heard that the material is not "barrel scraping desparation" as one of them called their last album shortly before he left the band! XTC wise does anyone know why are FW6 and 7 on Amazon.co.uk, but not on Ape House's shop to pre-order? Pledge
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 05:47:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Kzincat <kzincat98@yahoo.com> Subject: XTC set to release nine-disc box of rarities Message-ID: <20060829124735.73625.qmail@web52108.mail.yahoo.com> http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060829/music_nm/xtc_dc_2 XTC set to release nine-disc box of rarities By Greg Prato Tue Aug 29, 4:04 AM ET
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 05:56:17 -0700 (PDT) From: jose artecona <partecona@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Reuters Message-ID: <20060829125617.40167.qmail@web52309.mail.yahoo.com> Hey, XTC in the news headlines! EVERYTHING WRITTEN ON CRAPPER! ONLY DEATH PENALTY WILL STOP PARTRIDGE! BARRY ANDREWS RETURNS! Step inside to find out. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060829/music_nm/xtc_dc_2 PRXTCFAN
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:18:22 +1000 From: "Simon Knight" <homefrontradio@hotmail.com> Subject: XTC and Kenny Message-ID: <BAY109-F1294C0B5D24C5CAFB74B11D0390@phx.gbl> Was surprised last night during a tedious dinner at the Hog's Breath Cafe, (embarrassing, overpriced 'forced-Outback Aussie' style revhead / cowboy / restaurant chain), to hear 'Generals and Majors' come booming out of the Jukebox. Given I live in a small Australian Country town, I've got to officially class this as my first 'out and about' XTC sighting ever. Is this the longest gap between becoming a fan and hearing them in an unexpected context in wider society ever? Also curious to know if, given the cultural time frame, XTC ever recorded any performances for 'The Kenny Everett Video Show'? Anyone have the footage? Are Hot Gossip throwing glitter in the background behind them?
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #12-38 *******************************
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