Chalkhills Digest Volume 2, Issue 6
Date: Monday, 2 October 1995

          Chalkhills Digest, Volume 2, Number 6

                  Monday, 2 October 1995

Today's Topics:

                      Martin Newell
      Re: The disappearing, discounted XTC catalog?
                  Additional information
           Distributor for Testimonial Dinner?
                       BNL / Virgin
                          (none)
                          (none)
               RE- XTC and Blur/Hot Albums
               P. Hux on Testimonial Dinner
                       RE: Bee Gees
          Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-4: covers???
                  Re:  "Outside" (sorry)
                    Blurring the lines
                    Not New Yet Newall
               Signed "Through The Hill" LP
                       Hello-songs!
                     Bits and pieces
    Jules Vernes Sketchbook/ Bull With The Golden Guts

Administrivia:

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... music that jangles, basically, but specifically Martin Newell,
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The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.

Darling don't you ever stop to wonder?

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

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 95 13:07:14 EST
From: ldsteve@MIT.EDU (Stephen Gilligan)
Subject: Martin Newell

Hallo,
 I've just purchased "The Greatest Living Englishman" and Newbury Comics
at MIT after having looked at it for two months wondering if I should,
(money being tight and all).  I'd never heard it nor of Mr. Newell until
seeing it appear at the store.  What a joy!!  English pop is by far my
favorite music as long as it's not too smarmy if ya know what I mean.
The more involved the better.  Must be why XTC is my "fave" (how fab!).
 Can anyone give me some background on Martin?  He appears to have been
around for awhile (two books and all).  Should I remember him from
somewhere?  Does he have any other recorded material.  Some of it sounds
a bit like Michael Penn first album (Christmas in Suburbia).  Anyhoo,
any thoughts or is this so old news that I'm boring everyone?

Stephen
P.S. It's almost October!! What a great time of year!!! So many COLORS!

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

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 12:26:36 -500 (CDT)
From: Lars Schubert <larss@scisoc.org>
Subject: Re: The disappearing, discounted XTC catalog?

In the last Chalkhills, hedblade@aol.com wrote concerning the possibility
of Geffen dropping the XTC catalog:

> Now, please understand that this is just a radio rep for Geffen and
> probably doesn't know what is happening with the catalog, but the words
> had a profound effect on me.  To be safe, I suggest you grab those
> titles you don't have ASAP.

Now, I don't want to add to any panic, and I certainly don't want to
cause a stampede, but if you've been putting off buying copies of those
CD's you already have on vinyl (or you never got around to buying in the
first place), I have seen the entire Geffen catalog reduced to $8.99 and
$7.99 (you heard right-- on CD!) at Best Buy.  Hopefully, this is useful
to people outside of Minnesota.  My guess is that you may see similar
price cuts at warehouse/superstore type places, so keep your eyes
peeled.  Best Buy also had the 3 oft mentioned Kinks CD's for $7.99,
along with similar discounts on Yello CD's.

I'm not affiliated with Best Buy in any way, but I thought you might like
to know.

I don't know anything about the alleged discontinuation of the XTC
catalog, but I was wondering why all those great CD's I already owned
were just $7.99... actually, I got to flesh out my collection with "White
Music"!  Too bad there's just no way any of this money will find its way
back to the band... Perhaps we could all chip in and send them a nice
check? (:

-Another former lurker

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

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 12:45:20 -0500
From: kimw@rice.edu (Kim E. Williams)
Subject: Additional Information

From: relph (John Relph)
>
>jims@inlink.com (Jim S.) writes:
>>
>>I saw a 'new XTC album' planned (or is that rumoured?) to be released
>>IN 1995 ON the Virgin label! 21 tracks!

>No way.  It's only a rumour.  Maybe 1996.  If we're lucky.

On Virgin?  I thought that they left Virgin in response to shabby
treatment, a matter of principle, etc.  Did they really have to waive
their rights to the back catalogue if they were to leave?  That's a
pretty powerful "inducement" to stick around.  Getting shafted by
record companies seems to be the rule more than the exception which
makes one wonder how our Swindon heroes have endured it this long!!

Re:above---it's not Virgin who shafted them with the loss of the back
catalog, it was EMI.  They did ask to renegotiate their contracts with
Virgin before all this and when those fell through, Virgin released them.
Geffen was pretty easy to get out of their commitments with too.  EMI, (I
think that's Virgin's parent company), told them that if they wanted out,
they would have to give up their back catalog.  And all this started when
Ian Reid shafted them the first time!  Hope that explains a few things!

"This is a place of friendship.  Anyone, young or old may come and visit.
If you are honest and of good heart, no matter 	what the season our door is
open to you.  Please feel free to visit anytime you pass this way." - Brian
Jacques (Martin the Warrior)

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

From: Alex.Stein@turner.com
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 11:26:13 -0400
Subject: Distributor for Testimonial Dinner?

I know the tribute album is coming out on Thirsty Ear Records, but can
anyone tell us what company distributes Thirsty Ear?

Thanks.

Alex

	[ Last I knew it was Chaos / Sony.  -- John ]

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

From: 7IHd <ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk>
Subject: BNL / Virgin
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 20:11:27 +0100 (BST)

# From: st004422@brownvm.brown.edu (Gene "Sp00n" Yoon)
# Subject: Some other funk and pop to roll
#
# October 10 sees our overripe Canadian friends in BARENAKED LADIES with
# "Born On A Pirate Ship".  When they're not annoying, they're very talented.

Last I heard this one has been put back until February.

I don't recall their annoying song, and I have both albums and all 5 singles
and I've seen them live twice. Have I missed something? Where is this
annoying song and where can I get a copy? :-)

Someone whose name I accidently deleted said:
# On Virgin?  I thought that they left Virgin in response to shabby
# treatment, a matter of principle, etc.  Did they really have to waive
# their rights to the back catalogue if they were to leave?  That's a
# pretty powerful "inducement" to stick around.  Getting shafted by
# record companies seems to be the rule more than the exception which
# makes one wonder how our Swindon heroes have endured it this long!!

I get the impression Virgin are masters at screwing artists in this manner.
In their early days, OMD suddenly realised that although they'd sold over
a million albums, they were still in debt to the record company (Virgin).
And look at them now. Still on Virgin. Sound familiar?

And on a completely unrelated note, as to which XTC song(s) I'd do a cover
of, a quick scan through my collection has produced the following list:
Crowded Room, Super-Tuff, Human Alchemy, King For A Day, New Broom,
Punch And Judy.

I'd like to hear the song that New Broom started out as (does anyone have
a demo of it?). And I'd change 'Punch And Judy' around a bit. And one day
I might actually do this, you never know. :-)  It's sort of hard trying
to form a band when the other members are at opposite ends of the country
and none of you have any time, money or transport...

Upcoming London Shriekback (i.e. Barry Andrews & friends) gigs:
  3rd October - Water Rats, Grays Inn Road (Kings Cross tube)
  23rd November - Upstairs at The Garage (Highbury & Islington tube)
And apparently featuring some brand new songs!

ttfn,
Phil
  _
 |_)|_ *|
 |  | )||   http://http2.brunel.ac.uk:8080/~ee92pmh/
 ========

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

From: Ben Gott <BENG@hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 95 01:17:00 PDT

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can turn members of my high school
community on to XTC?

Ben Gott
The Hotchkiss School
Lakeville, CT

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

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 14:55 -0600 (MDT)
From: "Daryn C. Tufts" <tuftsd@cougarnet.byu.edu>

I am looking for two albums Andy has done called "Jules Vern Scetchbook" and
"Bull with the Golden Guts" I have no idea where I can get these.

Does ANYONE know how I can get my hands on these?

Also is there any other XTC material in general that I can buy(besides, of
course, the albums that are available in stores everywhere) Let me know.
Maybe we can work something out.

Daryn

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

Date: 29 Sep 1995 15:46:16 -0500
From: "Wesley Wilson" <Wesley_Wilson@iegate.mitre.org>
Subject: RE- XTC and Blur/Hot Albums

There was a real-life connection between XTC and Blur a few years back
when Andy did some work as producer on Modern Life is Rubbish, Blur's
second album, and a departure from the "Manchester" sound of their
first. Andy's work is not credited on the album notes. Sources say the
tracks he worked on were "Chemical World," "Sunday Sunday," and one other
nonalbum track. Stephen Street is credited as the "official" album
producer.

Andy didn't think the Blur songs were very good after all. Sour grapes?
Maybe not. Blur's best album, in my opinion, is Parklife. I recommend it
as a sampler (almost a catalogue) of various British music styles:
technopop in "Boys and Girls"; synth rock in Trouble in the Message
Centre; punk rock in "Bank Holiday" and "Parklife"; The Jam and XTC in
"Tracey Jacks"; Syd Barrett in "Far Out." I have Blur's latest and think
it's not up to par with Parklife, but that would have been a daunting task
indeed. I don't _regret_ owning it, however.

Recent CD album purchases I can wholeheartedly recommend: Duffy by Stephen
Duffy (ace!); Going Blank Again by Ride ("Making Judy Smile" alone is
worth the price of admission!); Floored Genius by Julian Cope; Some
Friendly by The Charlatans (UK); Anthology by The Vapors...these should
keep you all broke for a while...but happy.

Wes

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

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 17:37:09 -0400
From: Tobin Munsat <tmunsat@pppl.gov>
Subject: P. Hux on Testimonial Dinner

>Does anyone know anything about P. Hux, Verve Pipe, or Space Hog?

My guess is that P. Hux is Parthenon Huxley, formerly known as Rick Rock
(formerly known as something else, I'm sure).  His name has showed up on
the last couple of XTC albums.  Years ago he used to play (Rick Rock, that
is) around in N.C. and the southeast US, and had a 'hit' (in a real
stretch of the word 'hit') with a fun song called, I think, Boodah Boodah.
-Tobin

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

From: seanbe@microsoft.com
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 95 14:39:21 PDT
Subject: RE: Bee Gees

re: ChrisMezzo@aol.com
Subject: Re: Chocolate Fireball stuff

	>>no flame here! the Bee Gees 1st is a great album (i have it on
lovely black scratchy vinyl) even if their later ones slid inexorably
into commercial blather.  "Red Chair Fade Away" is indeed terrific.
"In My Own Time" was nicely covered by the Three O'Clock (as well as my
own hopelessly obscure band Walk Don't Walk) in the '80s. I haven't
heard their even earlier (Australian-released) material but it could
provide more of the same...

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

From: motero@digital.net
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 21:37:53 -0400
Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-4: covers???

	Hello, all. I'd be torn between 1-Peter Pumpkinhead (I love the
sound, I'd even plug in my Strat with the amp on for that buzz at the
start...& my daughter & I have sung it many times...); 2-Mayor Of
Simpleton (just love it...  but hell, I love almost ALL of 'em...) or 3-
No Thugs In Our House (awesome message song, GREAT yell...)
	Anyone have guitar chords for English Settlement stuff? Or know
who, if anyone, publishes XTC sheet music?
	ANYone gonna cover Pink Thing???

	Take care, and peace.

			Mike
			Melbourne, Florida, USA

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

From: BugRoom@aol.com
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 1995 01:30:42 -0400
Subject: Re:  "Outside" (sorry)

Bowie's new single is my favorite song right now.  I can't WAIT for the
time when I have enough money to buy his new CD.

Sorry to holler that here... but the subject did come up.  I have not the
time to read Bowie digest, nor the memory to withold it.

I also CAN'T WAIT FOR XTC'S NEXT!!!!!!

Oh lord... when will it come?  Mommy?  Someone please help me... I hear
about it... I hear about demos... but I haven't HEARD new XTC.  Please XTC
release your thing SOMEHOW!!!  NOW!!  (relax, John...) (okay).

For the time being... I'm pleased as Judy's punch to play what I have
now...  over... and over... and....

John Neil

ps - Everybody buy "Beasts I've Seen" from Bizarre Depiction!!
(plug-plug).  XTC fan tribute cassette.  Contact Ian C. Stewart c/o Bizarre
Depiction, PO Box 151378, Columbus, OH  43215.  Other OBSCENE tapes
available... including an upcoming tribute to "Skylarking" in which I'm
working on "Summer's Cauldron" and "Grass" for possible entry.  Wish mee
luck.  Musical ARTISTS Worldwide:  get in on it.  Send your interpretation of
ANY Skylarking song to above address.  Cheers.

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

Date: Sat, 30 Sep 1995 01:38:37 -0500
From: Gene_Yoon@brown.edu (Gene Yoon)
Subject: Blurring the lines

>From: ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk
>
>So I don't know if 'The Great Escape' is out in the USA yet, but for
>those of you in the UK or wherever or who have got it, answer me this:

It's everywhere!  On Virgin Records for the states.

>Is Blur turning into XTC?

Not really; they sound less like XTC on the new album than they did on
Parklife.  Maybe a result of their parting of ways with Andy Partridge and
their failed collaboration attempt.  The Great Escape, though, seems to
have an XTC-like coherent theme throughout, mostly songs that are societal
commentaries about suburbia, overachievers, yuppies, the rat race, in the
same vein as Respectable Street, Happy Families, and Leisure.

Their sound is closest to the Drums and Wires era--somewhat edgy and
disjointed, but melodic at the same time (with the Beach Boys howling and
falsettos).  They sound even more English than XTC, with a pronounced
accent.  The best tracks, IMO, are the single 'Country House' and 'It Could
Be You', which sound like XTC, and 'Stereotypes', 'Entertain Me', and 'Best
Days', which don't.  The comedic 'Dan Abnormal' and 'Ernold Same' sort of
remind of the Dukes, but with 90's instrumentation.

But Blur don't deserve to be pidgeon-holed; they're a good band in their
own right with their own sound.  They show some XTC influences in spots,
but they also seem to have some David Bowie, and a bit of OMD, Blondie (!)
and Japan in their bloodlines.

Recommended!

Gene

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

Date: Sat, 30 Sep 1995 14:54:50 -0800
From: mf@well.com (Mitch Friedman)
Subject: Not New Yet Newall

'Ello Folks,
While sleeping the other night I remembered a whole Martin Newall album that
he hasn't written or recorded yet. For you big fans, here it is:

                Martin Newall   At Whit's End

                The Man Who Nearly Bloomed
                Rucksack and Lace
                Eventually Genevieve
                Bouquet of Nettles
                Empire for Sale (Ray Davies/Newall)
                Often I Saunter
                Hail the Tinsel Maiden
                Do as Trevor Says
                She Lives in Sepia
                Creeping Fog of Ipswich
                The Porcupine Wears Twill
                Jessica Dreams
                Exeter (instrumental)
                A Pint of Summer Caterpillars
                She Sleeps in Trolleys
                The Shopboy's Boots
                Geraldine by the Fountain
                Bicycles on High Street
                The Counselor Caught Betwixt
                Sweet Loretta Modern
                Mandolin Ducks

                released Boxing Day, 2006

                                                Cheeriolio!

                                                   Mitch

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

Date: Sat, 30 Sep 1995 20:36:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: A Sattler <ahs@nevada.edu>
Subject: Signed "Through The Hill" LP

Earlier this year (late spring-ish), the All Saints Bugle (publication
of All Saints Records) offered, by mail, a limited edition vinyl pressing
of "Through The Hill."  As it says in the Chalkhills discographies, the
tracks are the same as those on the Japanese issue of the CD and the
label on the plain white cover says there were 1500 copies pressed.
  According to the ad, both Mssrs. Partridge and Budd were to have signed
the sleeves.  My copy (no. 1254) is, alas, unsigned.  Does anyone out
there have a signed copy (what number is it?), or know if any part of the
run was actually signed?
  thanks to all,
  Annie S.

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

From: Pelle Jansson <Pelle.Jansson@abc.se>
Subject: Hello-songs!
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 1995 11:53:21 +-100

I keep reading about these four Hello-songs....
Is it possible to get hold of this record?
Could anyone tape them for me?
I can swap with Acoustic Tales or World War Three.
Greetings from Pelle in Sweden
(Holly, I=B4m listening a lot, thanks!)

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

From: ZITTEL@aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 1995 08:41:23 -0400
Subject: Bits and pieces

The latest I have heard is that we are going to be in for a long wait
before a new XTC album is released. They are still trying to finalize
their release from their Virgin/EMI contract. One of the big concerns
right now is that Virgin/EMI is trying to claim ownership of the new demo
songs Andy has written. They are claiming that since they were written
while under contract to Virgin/EMI that they own the songs. This, of
course, has Andy kind of freaked. It could be a year or two before we see
new material come out.

On a different note, it is amazing that a number of old XTC concerts
continue to surface on audio tape. Their show from Los Angeles at the
Whiskey A Go-Go on 2/23/80 has circulated for years. It turns out that
they also played the same venue on 2/21/80 and 2/22/80 and that tapes of
both shows exist. It is hard to imagine how many shows and bootlegs would
exist if XTC had been touring for the past 13 years!

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

Date: Mon, 02 Oct 1995 10:27 -0600 (MDT)
From: "Daryn C. Tufts" <tuftsd@cougarnet.byu.edu>
Subject: Jules Vernes Sketchbook/ Bull With The Golden Guts

I have tried everything to get a copy of "Jules Vernes' Sketchbook" and
"The Bull With The Golden Guts," but have had NO success.

Is there ANYONE who would be willing to dub me a copy of either of these
albums? I would really, REALLY appreciate it and would send you a little
bit for your troubles. Let me know! Thanks!

Daryn

"I've been this explosive since you lit me."

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

End of Chalkhills Digest #2-6
*****************************

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