Chalkhills Digest Volume 12, Issue 40
Date: Monday, 4 September 2006
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 12, Number 40
Monday, 4 September 2006
Topics:
Once Again Faithful
Absolutely Wizard!!
Warbles Box/Three XTC Tracks
All You Need Is Cash
Re: fuzzy set
not raped at all
Completists rule!
Re: Wo ist der Rag und Bone?
PHILATELY (lick it with beer?)
** RAPED ** by fuzzy warbles??
Administrivia:
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to:
<chalkhills@chalkhills.org>
World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/>
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is compiled with Digest 3.8c (John Relph <relph@tmbg.org>).
We all grew and we got screwed and cut and nailed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 10:39:50 -0400 From: KEVIN.WOLLENWEBER@jpmorgan.com Subject: Once Again Faithful Message-ID: <OFFE3A9360.C3521315-ON852571DC.004FDEEA@jpmchase.com> To jeffaeb@yahoo.com: You said: <<It seems they're still working on a separate package for those who've already bought the albums and once all is revealed, it won't disappoint.>> Whew, I was really starting to angrily turn against all things reissued, and I'm as big an obsessive as one could get!! But, for now, I'm back on board. I just couldn't see having to sell off all my autographed copies of the FUZZIES that I already had shelled out all that much money for, although having 'em all in one set did sound somewhat inviting, especially if other cuts were added on to the already long track list of each disk, or something like that. Again, though, I have to stress making some of those RAG AND BONE tracks available, even if remixed or given to us as a demo. I rather like "Always Winter, Never Christmas", for example, and expected it to show up on the Virgin reissue since it was merely just a B-side of a single, along with a couple of great demos. Since the whole Virgin reissue thing is a moot point, I will only say that, if the guys have any control over that material as yet, certainly at least those little odd tunes should be issued somewhere, somehow. Oh, and I hate to sound nagging, but please, someone slip me the correct link to the APE site, once again? Kevin
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 11:00:14 -0400 From: KEVIN.WOLLENWEBER@jpmorgan.com Subject: Absolutely Wizard!! Message-ID: <OF3C87CB4C.3C48F906-ON852571DC.0050EDD1@jpmchase.com> To blukoff@alvord.com: You said: <<Anyway, I was the interviewer, and it was great talking to Todd, and great to hear what he said about XTC. Was trying to get him to say more but he *does* always mention them and he had Esquivel and Space Ghost to plug...>> I'll tell ya, I was astounded to hear Todd give a head's up to Frank Zappa & Mothers of Invention album, WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY. At one time, I considered Todd Rundgren and Frank Zappa to be the major producers of the decade because absolutely *NO* one was doing what they were doing, sonically. Can't say whether the mutual society would have been felt by the late Mr. Zappa, but I know that I miss Zappa's musical presence and know that many musicians turned out to be closet fans. Both he and Mr. Rudgren have specific ways of recording that amaze and still delight me today. I am and always will be an extreme fan of A WIZARD, A TRUE STAR, despite what critics back then said about it. Since all the songs on that album seem to segue nicely into the next, it proves that, perhaps, Todd was listening intently to what Frank Zappa was doing with his music and concepts, while inserting his own sensabilities to the mix as he went along. Zappa is one individual who, while he would be feeling that reissuing stuff again and again might seem a bit pretentious, would definitely see the avenues of surround sound as another cue to reissue all his classic albums with his multi-channel stuff finally being issued the way it was originally conceived!! Of course, this would all hinge on whether or not all such masters still exist on some of these things as the various labels, especially Verve, did not treat the source material all that well. But, as I listen again to the most recent reissue of WIZARD by Todd on Sanctuary/Castle, I could hear this and, perhaps, INITIATION, as dual disk or CD/DVD combos with the surround sound experiments intact. I'd never heard an album that so utilized the headset than WIZARD. It's brilliant! Which brings me to the FUZZY WARBLES collections. I'd said it once on this list already, but I'll say it again--I liked the way these demos and rareties are strung together as if they were like those Zappa-esque concepts or like Todd's WIZARD album, not entirely taking itself too seriously and always keeping the ears awake! Good job! Kevin
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2006 10:07:32 -0500 (CDT) From: John Holcomb <jcholcomb@verizon.net> Subject: Warbles Box/Three XTC Tracks Message-ID: <2988263.800711157123254204.JavaMail.root@vms070.mailsrvcs.net> As yet another fan who has already purchased six authographed volumes of the Warbles from APE (ordering each one of them as soon as they were available), I, too, SINCERELY hope that there is a way to buy the next two voumes AND get the bonus track disc/booklet, etc., without having to buy the whole box. In fact, if I have no choice, I WON'T buy the whole box. Enough is enough. That said, I have not kept up very well on these last three XTC tracks and how to obtain them, as I am bummed out by crappy mp3 downloads and Apple Venus being issued over and over again. What is the best way for me to get "Spiral", "Say It", and "Where Did All the Ordinary People Go?" on CD, not mp3 downloads? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE XTC/Andy/Colin. But all this repackaging has gotten me dizzy. Best, John
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2006 13:13:00 -0700 From: "Wayne Klein" <wtdk123@msn.com> Subject: All You Need Is Cash Message-ID: <BAY108-F19157073CB414DBF823815F93C0@phx.gbl> It's nice to see the newsletter pick up more activity. I'm also glad to hear that Andy will be offering the ninth disc separately for those of us who have bought the previous 6. I've got 7 and 8 on order at amazon.com. For those who are fans of Squeeze the Difford & Tilbrook album has finally been issued in the U.S. on CD by Hip-O select. There aren't any bonus tracks, rarities and/or demos :( but at least we can finally have this terrific album and NOT pay an outrageous price (it's $12.99). Also available is a long sought after item "All This and World War II" which features Beatles songs performed by Bryan Ferry, Peter Gabriel and many other worthwhile artists. It's worth it just to hear Peter's "Strawberry Fields Forever". Again this is available from Hip-O Select which is increasingly replacing Rhino for me. Ever since Rhino release "Brick" (the Talking Heads boxed set) and the defective Dualdisc version of "Fear of Music" (also included in "Brick") and failed to take responsibility for their screw up (it won't play on computers nor will it play on a lot of CD players)by reauthoring the disc and replacing it, they've lost my respect. Even some of their Rhino limited edition releases have had problems. I was quite upset at them for licensing out the Judee Sill albums AFTER many of us paid extra to get the deluxe editions. It's not that I'm not in favor of Judee's music being heard by others but release it as an internet exclusive non numbered set for Christ's sake! I've also had problems with a pair of other limited edition releases where they've had glitches on the discs (the Jimmy Webb set and Fanny set). It's too bad really because Rhino seemed to be the one company that cared about their customers. I guess Ape takes the top slot followed by Hip-O with Rhino a distant third. So whatever happened to the new XTC rarities disc that Virgin was planning on putting out? Oh and Ben excellent interview with Todd. I've always liked his music and the fact that he can still be a fan of XTC and promote them even after the conflict he had with Andy (and vice versa) says a lot about him as a musician and person. I also doubt he would ever work with them again just because it could bring up some bad experiences. As a Badfinger fan I was hoping he discuss his work with them on "Straight Up!" (and the revamped tracks that showed up on "ASS"). I also keep hoping that Apple will get their stuff together and finally remaster the back catalog. I've got the gold discs for "Straight Up" and "No Dice" and they put the regular CDs to shame. XTC in 5.1? I'd love it as long as they don't put it out on a dreaded Dualdisc. Wayne Klein
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:01:36 -0700
From: Steve <ste7phen@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: fuzzy set
Message-ID: <44F8ADC0.1070107@yahoo.com>
Jude wrote:
>want to continue to support the band, but this bonus 9th FW cd - on the
>heels of having to buy the Apple/Wasp box set for 2 tracks last year - >is
>really too much. (I've bought every incarnation of the Apple/Wasp cds >so
>far, by the way, but I'm going to draw the line at the series of 13 7"
>singles that comes out this fall.)
It's great to have fans that are such rabid completists, huh? :-{
I agree.
The 9th CD needs to be available to those who've bought *everything* up
to date short of the upcoming duplicated set. ...and I admit I only
bought the apple box for the downloads (silly me)... and there the box
sits with the enclosed download card scratched off.
Another Steve
still listening to xtc after all these years
(just like my grandpa listened to big band!)
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 10:54:04 -0400 From: "jude hayden" <jude.hayden@gmail.com> Subject: not raped at all Message-ID: <cfe8e1c00609010754h29c807fak2cffc6f0fe4afe13@mail.gmail.com> I humbly eat all my words from the last digest, and am tickled pink that the final 2 volumes will be available with the packaging and the bonus disc. My prayers are answered - thanks, Andy! Jude
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 10:32:48 -0700 From: Don Pennington <mrp@telus.net> Subject: Completists rule! Message-ID: <6247e86c14d0426f4508a207aea1ab91@telus.net> I'm casting my vote for not making fans buy yet another cash heavy release of FW. I too have the XTC needle sticking out of my wallet (are you an XTC fan or just happy to see me?) and couldn't be happier to be able to wade through my copies of the permutations of each release ... I'd prefer to complete my signed set with the hope of also enjoying the bonus, 9th FW. Mr.P
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 08:33:35 -0400 From: Christopher Coolidge <cauldron@together.net> Subject: Re: Wo ist der Rag und Bone? Message-ID: <3CB38B28-0126-426B-97A1-8C57C3E927A6@together.net> On Sep 1, 2006, at 9:22 AM, Kevin Chalkhills wrote: > > Eegads, and where *IS* the RAG AND BONE BUFFET material? Now, those > would be well worthwhile to add to my selection. When I heard of yet > another collection of XTC rareties being offered in a box set, I > thought that, surely, RAG 'N' BONE was going to be among these, along > with live material and other things not yet given to us, but *NOT* > this! I think Virgin has ownership of the Rag and Bone Buffet material, so Andy has no responsibility for that nor any desire to make them any more money off him than they already have. Besides, Rag and Bone Buffet has already been released on CD(I have it in that form), though it wouldn't hurt for Virgin to rerelease it(I'm sure they have more material in the vaults).
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 04:57:06 +0100 (BST) From: Paul Culnane <paulculnane@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: PHILATELY (lick it with beer?) Message-ID: <20060902035706.3608.qmail@web86901.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> 1) Off topic but I know quite a few of you will be agreeing with me once you hear it: SCRITTI POLITTI: "White Bread Black Beer". Heavenly stupendously deliciously good! Even better, IMO, than "Anomie & Bonhomie", if that was at all possible. 2) On topic. Someone in this forum was wondering whether the Stamp Album would mean you have to re-purchase the whole lot of Fuzzies. Well, according to the APE website, you have choices: buy the whole lot, or get the additional stuff in various combinations, or if, like me, you've got Warbles 1-6, you can buy the box with the bonus (number niiiiine) disc and all the extras along with FW 7 & 8 , which is the way I think I'll go. So, you DO have a choice. Go to the APE House and find out more. 3) Who wrote "Song Of Joy" and what is the definitive version? Something about Pier Jesu? 'Scuse my ignorance. An acquaintance who's still on this list (the one who whinges all the time, about seemingly everything going, from revheads to cowboys) was telling me about it one time and I just don't remember, but it's such a pretty tune. You see, my best friend just rang me to say his Mum passed away. Her name was JOY. He was crackin' up of course, poor guy - what do you say a times like this? I gather she was a special kinda Mum. I want to make him a CD to comfort him or something, but all I've got is the Wendy Carlos vocoder version from the "A Clockwork Orange" soundtrack and I'll have to dig it out of my detritus. Any suggestions or recommendations please? Didn't someone have a hit with a vocal version of it in mid-70s? Any help appreciated. 4) Don't expect too many of you outside Oz will clock the significance of this, but, last night I witnessed possibly the most fantastic live rock & roll extravaganza I think I've ever seen & heard. Right up there with things like Bowie, McCartney and Supertramp. It was THE COUNTDOWN SPECTACULAR. "Countdown", I guess was the Oz equivalent to "Top Of The Pops" (only far superior). This concert was a reunion of many of the main protagonists. They couldn't do DRAGON, 'cos most of them are now dead for various reasons. So, for that, they displayed some great old footage on the humungous vid-screens from said band's hey-day. Well, who should show up, grinning like a cheshire cat on the tubs? Why, our Terry Chambers! For it woz him wot played in Dragon for a while. As if everything else didn't send shivers up me spine, seeing Felix Rex O'Tels 20 foot high sure did!!!! Do yourself a favour Your white bread boy PORL "A bare toe is a device for finding a chair leg in the dark" - anon Paul Culnane ICE Productions Australia
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 13:01:35 -0700 From: "Pastula Aaron" <pastula12@hotmail.com> Subject: ** RAPED ** by fuzzy warbles?? Message-ID: <BAY109-F5514500C6A6E71AC282BEA2320@phx.gbl> Really? Raped? If you've been "raped" by this latest effort to provide you with a unique offering by XTC, then what do you call what happened to Andy & Co. under the watchful monacle of Virgin records for all of those years; years for which Andy is now trying to pay himself back? Just curious, AP PS -- I hear that after the FW box set comes out, Andy is going to release the *demo versions* of the demo collection as a 27-disc, ultra-rare collector's edition which will include Andy's previously unpublished children's book "Snarky McSnark-Snark and the Purple Whales of Fallum-Butter;" a hardbound, 500-page liberetto/expanded liner note/recipe book which will include several pages of fake XTC tattoos and technical recording schematics of Andy's shed throughout the years; a DVD of Andy making funny faces and voices in the mirror; and X-ray reproductions of Andy's injured hand and a vial containing microscopic fragments of his broken eardrum. All packaged in a faux-fur carrying case worthy of the "fuzzy" namesake. Pre-order yours and start bitching today!
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #12-40 *******************************
Go back to Volume 12.
4 September 2006 / Feedback