Chalkhills Digest Volume 15, Issue 26
Date: Sunday, 6 December 2009
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 15, Number 26
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Topics:
"My Brown Guitar" is the MySpace song of the week
XTC T-shirts
This anecdote might make you Smile
The Duchess shines at Beckipalooza
Atl tribute band details
Lighterthief's "Hard Listening"
Nonesuch playing cards and the Dukes Hippie Bag
Dave Gregory Update
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So pale and precious like the sun as it climbs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:43:36 -0800 (PST) From: Todd Bernhardt <beat_town@yahoo.com> Subject: "My Brown Guitar" is the MySpace song of the week Message-ID: <289016.20046.qm@web32001.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi: Over at the XTCfans MySpace site (http://www.myspace.com/xtcfans), the song of the week is "My Brown Guitar." If you want to know what "ah-beep" writing is, or which new band Andy is now in and when they're releasing their album, check out the XTCfans blog site at: http://blogs.myspace.com/xtcfans You want some lovely I got some lovely, in my field... -Todd
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:15:57 -0800 From: Phil Corless <phil@pkmeco.com> Subject: XTC T-shirts Message-ID: <25c035ea0911221715k514521c9rada54911a82c42d5@mail.gmail.com> Most of you might remember me as the t-shirt guy from years gone by. The sad truth is, for numerous reasons I probably won't be making any more of those Chalk Horse t-shirts for quite awhile. However, I'm not completely out of t-shirts it seems. I found two "XTC Logo" shirts in a bag in my closet. Brand new, never worn. They feature the cool XTC logo from the English Settlement album. Not the horse, but the letters. I have an XXL White and a Small Ash. Both with silk-screened green ink. If anyone is interested in buying these, just email me. - Phil
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:03:02 +0100 From: jeffrey.thomas@bayercropscience.com Subject: This anecdote might make you Smile Message-ID: <OFCC6178D3.4C306208-ONC1257677.00505669-C1257677.0052AD2F@bayer.de> Hi "Kreideberger", Wow, I think I have been lurking for *over two years* now, things sure have changed since the boys stopped providing much in the way of output. Nevertheless, I am a bit ashamed of myself, since I used to have plenty to talk about anyway. But I suppose I have, long ago, joined the official lurkers' club -- and it has a lot of members! So many former big-time contributors have gone silent. Good thing we have people like Todd, Ben, and Ryan who keep the Chalkhills flame lit. Good thing we at least had the New Year's get-together at John Relph's to keep some contact! But I have a good story to tell today, I think. My gf (Netti, whom some of you know) and I were at home this weekend doing Christmas baking (stollen and fruitcakes) and I had to ensure we had a steady supply of music. Now, she is a music fan in the sense that if she likes something, she will play it a million times, learn the lyrics, etc., the latter being no small feat for a non-native speaker. She loves the Lillywhite/Padgham era stuff, "Skylarking", and the AV records, and has all of them on regular rotation in the car. What she *doesn't* do is obsess on any other details -- i.e., don't bother to ask her about an album title, or who sings which song, or even what the names of the principal players in XTC are. I'm happy she even knows the Beatles' names. Anyway, there we were, baking away, and a record was playing in the other room, the sounds wafting into the kitchen as the aromas wafted out. After about a half-hour of this one record, she asks me: "What is this?" I answered, "'Smile'." To which she replied: "Are they fans of XTC or something?" Wow! How cool! So I said, "No, it's the other way around," explained to her that "Smile" was not a "they" but rather the record, and that Brian Wilson was a Beach Boy, and then I showed her the backing vocals credits for the Beech Avenue Boys on SL, etc. But what a compliment to her ear for music that she picked that up, and what a compliment to our boys from Swindon that the connection they make to their heroes is so true that it can be heard by the uninitiated! Have a happy holiday season, all! - jeff
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:50:33 -0800 (PST) From: Ryan Anthony <hamsterranch@yahoo.com> Subject: The Duchess shines at Beckipalooza Message-ID: <451808.68066.qm@web51407.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Beckipalooza was a regular European Union of sound. The girl with the Italian name and the boys with the Dutch and Scottish names achieved a synchronicity the Eurocrats of Brussels can only imagine. It was a show worth driving 1,750 miles (RT), and worth missing B.B. King (performing in Tucson that same evening), to see. Thank you, Becki DiGregorio, for reminding me for nearly a decade, here on the pages of the Relphington Post, that I needed to catch your act. You were right. And thank you for heeding my posted request to hear "Supplication" and "Susan Revolving," working up guitar-and-dobro versions of those songs, and adding them to your playlist. Your brother and mine, both drummers (as I learned at the show) and both gone too soon, had to have been nodding their heads and tapping their toes in approval. Chalkfolks, save up a few pounds, euros, dollars, large wheel-shaped stones, or whatever it is you use for money, because Becki is talking about releasing a psychedelic album. When she made that announcement, I blurted out, "The Duchess of Stratosphear!" Becki favored me with an I-get-it smile, but just about everyone else in the room reacted with "Huh?" Even in hip li'l coastal California teahouses, XTC is more obscure than we'd all like to think. I did my evangelistic part, pulling up YouTube and playing "Complicated Game" on my MacBook Pro before the show, and Becki did her part, performing "Susan" and brandishing a big white-on-green Uffington Horse sticker on her guitar case, but even in the rarefied air of Santa Cruz's Asana Tea House, Pswindon's Pfinest are unknown. If Becki can rechristen her accompanist, Geoff Van Maastricht, "DobroCat," I can dub her the Duchess. Geoff, by the way, has a comfortable teddy bear build, and I think "DobroBear" fits him better, but we know Becki has a thing for felines. Rumor has it she sneaks cats into large screened-in enclosures where only birds should be (is there a word for such structures?) -- that's the message I get when I play one of her songs backward. Becki did allow me to buy her a bottle of free-range sake, but then the tricksy minx coerced me into drinking part of its contents. Luckily, I only had 17 miles to cover that night, to Watsonville, which is as close to peachy-beachy Santa Cruz as I could afford to stay. Chalkhills is ASCII-only, so I can't post photos, but if anyone wants to see some, shoot me an email. Now, my appetite for fine alternative music whetted, how'm I going to get across the Pond to see Dave Gregory? Ryan Anthony An independent Internet content provider and, pardon the cliche, happy camper
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:59:57 -0500 From: Rob Leary <rleary@gmail.com> Subject: Atl tribute band details Message-ID: <EFD7E37B-5F72-4D7F-AA85-D1609D4FEE6B@gmail.com> The tribute band Nigels With Attitude played at The EARL last night in Atlanta. Here's the full setlist: This is Pop? Respectable Street Generals and Majors The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead Vanishing Girl Brainiac's Daughter Ball and Chain Love on a Farmboy's Wages Making Plans for Nigel Living Through Another Cuba Statue of Liberty Season Cycle That's Really Super, Supergirl Senses Working Overtime Earn Enough For Us Funk Pop A Roll No Language in Our Lungs Mayor of Simpleton Life Begins at the Hop Encore: No Thugs in Our House They're playing again on Saturday night at The Loft in Atlanta, opening for Riggs. The band asked the audience at one point if they'd like a future show to be a full Dukes setlist or all of Black Sea instead. Thanks, Rob Leary
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:08:11 -0800 (PST) From: Tinhuviel / Tracy Angelina <susperia5@yahoo.com> Subject: Lighterthief's "Hard Listening" Message-ID: <345486.46308.qm@web52001.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi Everyone, Please pass this review of Lighterthief's new EP to any possibly interested or relevant parties. This is excellent music that needs and deserves as many ears as possible! Peace, tA Lighterthief's Hard Listening Hard Listening, the latest offering from Swindon-based music collective Lighterthief will fill you to overflowing with sonic wonderment while leaving you craving for more. The EP features three songs, none of which have any similarities or common ground except for the presence of Lighterthief mastermind Stuart Rowe, of Future Sound of London/Amorphous Androgynous fame, and XTC's Andy Partridge, whose APE label is fortunate enough to carry the collective. "My Dream Sea" features APE vocalist Jen Olive on lead vocals starting the listener out gasping for breath as Jen instructs you to "just breathe in and out." You're then blanketed with an ocean of sound that swirls and plays with your senses, and incorporates everything from 30s-styles vocalizations from backing vocalist Andy Partridge to Gregorian-style chants. An overall Trip-hop feel is enhanced by Jen Olive's delightful vocals, her style being sexy, solid, and confident enough to experiment and play with the music. "Running with the Mothmen" throws the listener into the mad world of Barry Andrews, ringleader of another music collective Shriekback. Stuart Rowe's quirky and infectious guitar riff is the gentle glue that holds the song together, as swanky sax and electric rock guitar vie for the listener's attention. Typical of an Andrews song, the lyrics engage the music, merging flawlessly with it, yet still demanding a certain attention of their own. The chaotic percussion serves only to augment the lyrics, prompting the listener to go "mad as a bag of cats" and "do what the voices say. The more mainstream offering on the EP is "Shining Surface." With both Stuart Rowe and Andy Partridge pulling guitar duty, the engine of this song is revved from the beginning few notes. Sam Bates shows us exactly why he's part of the Lighterthief Live Band with his strong, unwavering voice. The bridge is reminiscent of the Psychedelia that came out of the 80s. The song is so powerful, it literally has to be geared down before it can come to a conclusion! Both fans of XTC and Foo Fighters would definitely find this song on all their favourite playlists. Should you buy Hard Listening? It cannot be more strongly suggested that you do. In the wasteland that the music business has created producing vapid music with little substance and a pretty face, this is indeed a lighthouse for people who love genuinely good and original music. Stuart Rowe's production is flawless and serves only to enhance an already delightful auditory banquet. The only problem is you're left wanting much more from Lighterthief. Be prepared to wear out the repeat function on your players. You can find Hard Listening available at the Ape House, and be sure to check out Lighterthief's other EPs while you're there. - Tracy A. Evans
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 10:04:53 -0800 (PST) From: Page Tuminello <ptumine@yahoo.com> Subject: Nonesuch playing cards and the Dukes Hippie Bag Message-ID: <240413.44094.qm@web52205.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hello all, my first post so an introduction may be in order. I'm male, age 48, living in Memphis, Tennessee. I became aware of the band while in college in the early 1980's, Drums and Wires was played heavily by fellow students and it remains my favorite XTC album. Over the years I've collected other items in addition to the vinyl and CD's, now I care more about having their music than these other items. Two items that may be of interest are the Nonesuch playing cards and the Dukes Hippie (Hippy?) Bag with the patchouli, bell, buttons, and rolling papers, would like to sell them. If no one here is interested, what would be reasonable listing prices on Ebay? Thanks, and hope this is welcomed and not considered spam-my...
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 12:23:45 +0000 From: Rob Crawford <kilby.cta102@gmail.com> Subject: Dave Gregory Update Message-ID: <adbe833d0912030423g3b3b8145id3ac74ff0d1c5bc1@mail.gmail.com> Happily Mr Gregory seems to be getting busier, not only are The Tin Spirits doing some gigs but he is also on Big Big Trains new album The Underfall Yard http://www.bigbigtrain.com/ It also features Francis Dunnery for all you It Bites fans Theres a 23 minute track available for download at the minute, although I mostly disliked so called prog rock, I like the free track and am considering buying the album myself.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #15-26 *******************************
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