Chalkhills Digest Volume 2, Issue 65
Date: Wednesday, 7 February 1996
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 2, Number 65
Wednesday, 7 February 1996
Today's Topics:
Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-63
Feb 7 96...
whosungit?
Who feels like explaining this one to me?
Shriekback
Bad news for XTC fans?
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds FIve what?
Public XTC
Our Troops in Bosnia
the blue up?
Re: Where do they come from?
Skylarking interview disc
Harold Budd, Dub Experiments
Captain Beefheart (Ella Guru)
Choose your dispute: Oasis/Blur or BF5/Jellyfish
more.
Beefy Tees
Posies/XTC connection
Re: Wrapped in Grey
under the covers
Beefheart: Great Lost Influence
Covers update
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I would have made this instrumental...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: dougs@sybase.com (Doug Smith) Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-63 Date: Mon, 5 Feb 96 11:48:24 PST For what it's worth: At random, I heard 2 XTC songs in one day: "Mayor of Simpleton" and "Dear God". After the Mayor of Simpleton, the DJ said that "Dear God" wasn't included on the original, but came out as a B-side on another single. I know for sure it was on some of the vinal albums and not others. What's the real story on this ? XTC seems to still get airplay in San Francisco, on KFOG (104.5). Although this station is considered to be Classic Rock (as opposed to molten ?), it's great to know that songs like these are still on the air. *-------------------------------------- Doug Smith, Sr. Curriculum Consultant Sybase Learning Products Group dougs@sybase.com (510)-922-8507 (voice mail) *--------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 21:11:29 -0500
From: aym@j51.com (Angry Young Man)
Subject: Feb 7 96...
Yay! Finally I'm going to be able to see Yazbek and his crew at the
Mercury Lounge...If anyone else is going, wear your Chalkhills shirt! I'll
be wearing mine. Come by & say hi!
-ira
< - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > "He's been stabbed in the back
_/_/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/ Ira Lieman He's been misunderstood
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ Angry Young Man It's a comfort to know
_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ aym@j51.com His intentions are good"
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ http://www.j51.com/~aym - Billy Joel
------------------------------
From: Saints3Den@aol.com
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 21:38:07 -0500
Subject: whosungit?
In reference to #62 & #63,who sing what songs on 25 O'Clock and Psonic
Psunspot...
My feeling is this- It doesn't really matter as long as the songs come out
as good as they do! Having said that, here is how I interpret this particular
ball of yarn...
#1 regarding "check out Grass vs. Meeting place" the writer Knows this is
colin, and is saying that based on those two songs , you can guage the
differences in his singing styles compared to andys. I would have chosen
different song to make this point,say,
cross-wires/one of the millions. I aiso think it is a pretty weak point ,
colin sounds like colin~hyper~high range or colin~mellow~low range, but
colin none the less. Andy , however is much more able, at least in my ears ,
to change his singing style... Bike ride to the moon...obscene
procession...Collide-a-scope
#2 This leads to mole from the ministry, I think they both sing it , Andy
does the "narration" part , Colin Does the "I'm the Mole from the Ministry"
part.
#3 As a whole, based on what little I have seen of XTC speaking,( well,its
kind of a lot, actually), but I would say Andy is always "on", and he is a
world class mimic! Colin is not ,by any means! Andy can"t get through an
interview without doing impressions,accents etc. Colin sounds like colin,all
the way through.
Agood place to hear Dave sing is, I think, Happy Families where he sings
those exact words. Jules vernes version,at least.
#4 I don't know why someone should be angry that someone else isn't sure who
sings what ,when. And what a thing to say, that if you want to be on
chalkhills then you should at least know who sings what... I got on this
mailing list to LEARN more about XTC, not because I KNEW everything! There
is a lot to learn,if we all knew it all ,then would there even BE a
Chalkhills?
I have never received a response about my shared lyrics Query, But these hit
me the other day.. Andy- Other lands became a larder full of all The Good
Things
Colin -Let me tell you about The Good
Things
Any others ? Finally, About Peter Blegvad.. The Rolling Stone
Mentions him as A Connecticut Native... Can any one tell me From Which Town?
I'm a Conn Man, and would be interested to know,We don't have too many CT
singer/songwriters that I'm aware of( NO, I DON'T COUNT Michael Bolton)
Bye, Ed St.
------------------------------ From: KB305@aol.com Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 22:22:34 -0500 Subject: Who feels like explaining this one to me? > "NOT AVAILABLE": >THE BIG EXPRESS >NONSUCH >ORANGES AND LEMONS >RAG AND BONE BUFFET > Future Release: March 12, 1996 >Who feels like explaining this one to me? My guess is that they are being relreleased at a lower price. That happens semi-regularly with catalog titles. I bet they go to $11.99 list price. kevin
------------------------------ From: 7IHd <ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk> Subject: Shriekback Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 03:27:32 +0000 (GMT) Hi, Slightly strange request, but I've just heard from Dave Allen (Shriekback's former bass player, currently running World Domination Records) that he's got his hands on a *new* Shriekback song, entitled 'Terribly Swolen', and is thinking of releasing it as a CD single (probably also featuring some older / previously unreleased material too). He's asked me to try to guage the likely demand for such a release, so can *everyone* on the list who'd be interested please email me to say so, and I'll collate and forward the replies. For the uninitiated, Shriekback is Barry Andrews' band... if this gets released, it'll be the first proper new Shriekback material for about 3 years, so get mailing away... I'll post any more info to the list as and when I get it. Blatent plug, don't forget to check out the Shriekback + offshoots Web site at http://http2.brunel.ac.uk:8080/~ee92pmh/shrkindx.html. Note that Dave Allen's soundtrack to "The Harvest" (released under the name The Crash Baptists) is now on sale in the US, and highly recommended. Also his new Elastic Purejoy album 'The Clutter Of Pop' is out very soon... Thanks, _ |_)|_ *| | | )|| http://http2.brunel.ac.uk:8080/~ee92pmh/ ========
------------------------------ From: s.reule@genie.com Date: Tue, 6 Feb 96 06:40:00 UTC 0000 Subject: Bad news for XTC fans? Fellow XTC fans... Those rumors about XTC's back catalog being deleted may be more than just rumors. I own a record store and we got a new catalog today from our main US CD and cassette distributor. The following four titles are missing from the XTC section: The Big Express Oranges And Lemons Rag And Bone Buffet Nonsuch This distributor prides itself on it's massive inventory and normally caries pretty much everything that is in print. I hope it's not a fact but I'd say if anyone doesn't own those four titles they may want to buy them soon... Why these four? Nonsuch is their latest US album! There IS no justice... Steven Reule Obsessed With Music --- It's such a complicated game ---
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 03:17:22 -0500 (EST) From: Matt Mondlock <mmondloc@indiana.edu> Subject: Ben Folds Five To the person who so ignominously insulted the Ben Folds Five, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm drunk right now. But I honestly believe I would write this same message to you sober. What I have just read was the most painful thing I have ever read on Chalkhills. I actually responded to this message before I read anything else on the list. Ben Folds Five doesn't really sound like Jellyfish in that they don't use nearly the same instruments but for you to complain about the pitch of the singers voice: >(P.S. If Mr. Folds' voice ever drops about five octaves, then I will fold and give him another listen.) when you like Spilt Milk, how can you claim any consistancy? Do you think either Andy Sturmer (or Andy Partridge for that matter) is a bass singer? Are you looking for another Eddie Vedder (puke)??? Anyway, I saw Ben in concert, and although I never got to see XTC or Jellyfish in concert, it was the best show I ever saw. I realize we all have our opinions, but I think of XTC, Jellyfish, and BFF as my 3 favorite. I have to at least voice my disagreement. P.S. One thing I do completely agree on is anyone's dislike for Alanis Morissette. Matt Mondlock mmondloc@indiana.edu "You take any dumb rock band and start playing their songs on piano and watch their eyes light up." -Ben Folds
------------------------------ Date: 6 Feb 1996 09:25:07 -0500 From: "Ken Salaets" <ksalaets@itic.nw.dc.us> Subject: Ben Folds FIve what? >> ENOUGH! I cry. ENOUGH! To hear the Barf Folds Five mentioned in the same list as the magnificent XTC and the super-groovy Jellyfish is bad enough, but to hear them recommended as being close to Jellyfish is something I cannot take. [Etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah.] My, my. Waxing a might bit phlegmatic, are we? Anyone with a penchant for melody, harmony and toe-tapping stereophonics can find enjoyment in these chaps. There most certainly exists a pinch of Jellyfish in them, as well as other notable flavors. Absolute stark-raving originals? Of course not. All music is derivative, even that made by our deific XTC. I echo the recommendations of fellow Chalkhillodites: these guys are great! Well worth the parting of a few pence.
------------------------------ From: DAMIAN FOULGER <SPXDLF@cardiff.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 14:43:56 GMT Subject: Public XTC Cor-blimey guv'nor! I just heard 'Making Plans for Nigel' in HMV (British music shop). Wow I thought, is this shop so unhip and uncool that they are playing Drums and Wires in it's entirety? Of _course_ they weren't, but I found that it's on a new compilation called 'Our Friends Electic - "The Sound of the 80's"'. That'll be another 66 pence for Andy then. It's advertised on telly and everthing, XTC don't feature on the advert though. Anyway, for the discography it's released (and I hate to admit this) on TELSTAR!!!!??!?!?! TCD2814. Bee happy out there. Dames TWD (Life is good in the greenhouse:XTC) (You told me you saw Jesus, but I could only see a tree: Amber)
------------------------------
From: Ben Gott <BENG@hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us>
Subject: Our Troops in Bosnia
Date: Tue, 06 Feb 96 11:58:00 est
I was thinking of Andy and Colin's war songs today - "War Dance," "Here Comes
President Kill Again," "Generals and Majors," &c - as I was writing an e-
mail to the troops in Bosnia. If anyone else is interested in supporting our
troops in time for this Valentines Day , please send your message to
sos@netcwi.com.
Thanks,
-b
XTC SONG OF THE DAY: Cynical Days ("Another secret scheme...")
------------------------------ From: StrawB@bitstream.mpls.mn.us Date: 06 Feb 1996 17:20:33 GMT Organization: Bitstream Underground Subject: the blue up? Is anyone else familiar with this band? They're Minneapolis based, pretty good, not brilliant. They've got a song on their first major label release, "Spool Forka Dish" called "Blasting XTC". Nice little tribute piece. Just curious if anyone else knows. yes... the blue up has a song with lyrics comprised only from xtc song titles. the band is comprised of three young women and was produced by x-prince drummer bobby z rifkin. they were dropped as soon as the album was released. -john strawberry fields
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 13:04:23 -0500 (EST) From: ROMER THOMAS J <romer@cooper.edu> Subject: Re: Where do they come from? One of you guys keeps putting up Xtc songs of the day that I have never heard of. Where do they originate. Obviously bootlegs, but are they clean sounding or rough like the Verne Sketchbook recordings? And are they really good, like could some be Xtc song of the month or are they really Xtc song of the minute? THOMMHAS RHOMMHER
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Feb 1996 11:29:38 -0700 (MST) From: PARTRIDGE PATRICK <partridg@mscd.edu> Subject: Skylarking interview disc I'm brand new to the list but have been an XTC fan for a good seven years now. I've only got two questions: 1) I've got so many copies of Skylarking in different formats that I'm hesitating to buy a disc I found @ a local store yesterday. It has the first side of Skylarking (maybe the whole thing but I couldn't examine it closely) plus an interview with Andy and some paper that Geffen released on one typed letterhead sheet that was a *brief* press release concerning the band. I'm pretty sure the thing dates back to 1986 or 1987 and would be a nice little collectors item, and for $5 how can I go wrong. But still... I'd like to know if it's worth the interview if anyone's heard it out there on the 'Hills. 2) Of course, WHEN IS THE NEXT ALBUM COMING??? I heard a few reports about new material on the Internet a few months ago and then most people seemed to stop talking about it. Seeing as how I'm new to the list, could someone provide me with an update as to the band's current activities? Thanks Patrick "That IS my real last name!" Partridge Song for the Day: "Burning With Optimism's Flames"
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Feb 1996 11:46 -0700 (MST) From: Miles or Gigi Coleman <coleman@cougarnet.byu.edu> Subject: Harold Budd, Dub Experiments Howdy Chalkhillians! Much to the displeasure of my beautiful wife, I spent $40.00 on CD's the other day. I picked up the AP/Harold Budd collaboration and the Dub Experiments. Re: Through the hill, I thought it a very interesting sound. Not familiar with any of Budd's work, I had no idea what to expect. It is a very relaxing album, great for studying or as a background for conversation. BTW, my wife really likes it. Lucky for me, eh? Now, about the Dubs. Could someone give me a little more history on them? I can obviously hear the elements of different studio songs on many of them, but how did they come about? And finally: >Last but not least: It's a *sad* day when I see Alanis Morrisette praised >by an XTC fan. The woman couldn't sing in tune if you held a gun to her >head, and it's a downright shame to see that she inhabits the same planet >as Joni Mitchell. I like singing, not screeching. And that all-important >songwriting factor is there! Melissa, my good woman, hast thou partaken of >some Joni? Add her to your listening diet asap. You'll hear *worlds* of >insight about life in her lyrics that go beyond having a temper tantrum. Amen! Miles
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 12:46:53 -0600 (CST) From: kimw@rice.edu (Kim E. Williams) Subject: Captain Beefheart (Ella Guru) In Chalkhills 2-64: From: shonniet@interaccess.com (LaShawn M. Taylor) * Just what is the story with Ella Guru? On the Demos 4 CD, there's just the instrumental track, but I have another track with the boys (or is it just Andy again?) singing all sorts of weird nonsense. ----- Ella Guru is a song written by Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) and released in the late '60's. Captain Beefheart has a 4 octave vocal range and has put out some extremely strange stuff (albeit kinda neat...I love his Trout Mask Replica!) Andy has made quite a few references to the Captain, (for instance in The Rotary) in his music. The weird nonsense isn't really Andy's doing...it came from the original version by the above mentioned and His Magic Band! Hope this explains what's going on with it a little. Kim
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 13:48:39 -0600 (CST) From: Scott Taylor <staylor@sky.net> Subject: Choose your dispute: Oasis/Blur or BF5/Jellyfish >ENOUGH! I cry. ENOUGH! To hear the Barf Folds Five mentioned in the same >list as the magnificent XTC and the super-groovy Jellyfish is bad enough, >but to hear them recommended as being close to Jellyfish is something I >cannot take. Why? WEll, the big problem is that the singer sounds like he Sorry Patty, that was a typo. I meant to say they sound like Beatnik Beatch. My fingers slipped. Thanks for catching it. (To everyone else: I stand behind the original posting.) >From: Stillted@aol.com >Subject: the blue up? > >Is anyone else familiar with this band? They're Minneapolis based, pretty >good, not brilliant. They've got a song on their first major label >release, "Spool Forka Dish" called "Blasting XTC". Nice little tribute >piece. Just curious if anyone else knows. I learned of them from this list about a year ago and subsequently found the CD at Best Buy for $7.99 (that's their price for it new, just like most of the XTC catalog that remains in distribution). It is a good occasional listen. I certainly don't play it every day though. And do you know who they remind me of? Loudon Wainwright. JUST KIDDING PATTY!!!!! No, really, they are pretty good. The XTC influence is not particularly evident, except in that tribute track, but they are very similar to Kate Bush in places. The track "Shine" sounds like an outtake from _The Dreaming_. They contributed a track to the Minnesota Modern Rock CD (from 93.7 FM, Minneapolis) called "Frovarp" as well. While we're on Minneapolis bands, though -- who here has heard Rex Daisy? I'll refrain from comparing them to Jellyfish here, but, well.... They're pretty damned good. staylor@sky.net
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 17:07:56 -0500
From: ssumm <ssumm@flagulf.com>
Subject: more.
If you like XTC, Jellyfish, Elvis Costello and the like... Then you NEED to
check out "more." These boys from Nashville (Nash Vegas, if you will) are
guaranteed to blow your mind.
Check them out on the Smoky Treat Records Home Page at:
http://www.flagulf.com/smoky.html
Let me know what you think! Im sure you wont be disappointed!
Cory Smith
SSUMM
-----
Sunny Side Up Multimedia
* Come Visit our Home Page at: *
http://www.flagulf.com/ssumm/titlepage.html
>Members of the Barter One Network<
------------------------------ From: Bob Thomas <BobT@cait.wustl.edu> Subject: Beefy Tees Date: Tue, 06 Feb 96 16:14:00 CST My T-shirts are here! Let me join John and Todd (see below) in thanking Phil Corless for his effort on our behalf. The shirts are tasteful, high-quality, and unique. If the temperature was higher than 150 below zero, I'd be wearing mine everywhere. Phil, I wish you a new XTC studio recording this year. John said, then Todd said: >>Hey, many hosannas to Phil Corless, who made up one bitchin' Chalkhills >>T-shirt. I am now the envy of my neighborhood. >Couldn't agree more. I must admit I was a little apprehensive sending my >money to a total stranger for a shirt I had no idea of what it would look >like. It is amazing!! My wife who is an XTC fan only by osmosis thought >it looked great. Great color, great graphics. I only hope that I don't >wear it out too quickly! It really makes me feel better about this world >when things like this work out so perfectly. I wish I had said that. Maybe one of us will spot that shirt in a crowd sometime. Best Wishes Bob
------------------------------
From: joel-virge@genie.com
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 96 02:23:00 UTC 0000
Subject: Posies/XTC connection
Hi there.
As always, pardon me if I've missed someone else posting this
information previously.
Nick Launay (engineer of Black Sea) is the producer of the
Posies current (unreleased) LP.
The Posies do have a home page. I don't have the address,
but found it by searching from www.yahoo.com. You will find
relatively up to date information about the band and a few mentions
of xTc, as well.
I hope your interested.
---
|diot
---
------------------------------ Subject: Re: Wrapped in Grey Date: Wed, 07 Feb 1996 18:31:08 +0900 From: "Naoyuking Iso." <a01512@cc.hc.keio.ac.jp> Hello! All you Chalkhillians! I'm "Naoyuking Iso." and this is my first writing here. > From: for248@abdn.ac.uk > > Apparently the Wrapped in Grey cd is v rare (50 copies), I was > wondering if anyone knew this for sure. I've thought I'd write about this. A few years ago, I saw "Wrapped in Grey" single-CD in a record shop, without knowing it's "rarity". To my sorrow, I was not so interested in XTC at that time and I didn't bought that. If "Wrapped in Grey" is not really rare, can I get it? I love that song very much!!! SO SORRY FOR MY POOR ENGLISH!!! From "Naoyuking Iso." at the department of economics in Keio Univ.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 10:18:54 +0000 From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: under the covers The Trash Can Sinatras also covered Love on a Farmboy's Wages (as well as Senses Working Overtime). Mark Fisher (fisher@easynet.co,uk)
------------------------------
From: BObannon@aol.com
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 15:38:37 -0500
Subject: Beefheart: Great Lost Influence
>>Just what is the story with Ella Guru? On the Demos 4 CD, there's just the
instrumental track, but I have another track with the boys (or is it just
Andy again?) singing all sorts of weird nonsense.<<
This question has probably already been answered, but in case it hasn't, I'll
take this opportunity to plug one of music's great underappreciated
performers.
"Ella Guru" is an old Captain Beefheart song, from his album "Trout Mask
Replica," from around 1969 or so. Beefheart was a big influence on XTC; all
you hear about today is how much the Beatles influenced XTC, but you rarely
hear about the Captain's contribution, which is too bad because XTC's sound
up until about "English Settlement" was virtually built upon the Beefheart
sound. All of those dissonant chords and herky-jerky rhythms (evident most
glaringly in tunes like "Crosswires") are right out of the Captain Beefheart
songbook.
For those interested in the Captain, I would highly recommend his albums "Bat
Chain Puller" and "Doc at the Radar Station." They are his most tuneful
collection of songs ("Tout Mask Replica," in my opinion, is virtually
unlistenable, as "Ella Guru" is by far the most accessible song on the whole
album), but they still feature the most unpredictable and outlandish song
structures and rhythms you will ever hear. These albums were a major
revelation for me, because they enlightened me as to where XTC came up with
some of their most crazy songwriting ideas.
As for the Captain, he got fed up with the music business and took up
residence in Arizona to paint and watch basketball. He hasn't recorded
anything since 1978.
------------------------------ From: ZITTEL@aol.com Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 19:16:38 -0500 Subject: Covers update Hello. I posted this list of XTC covers in the last Chalkhills and thought I would update it with some of the additions I got. Thanks to those who wrote. If anyone knows of any other XTC covers not on Testimonial Dinner or the fans tribute cassettes please let me know. Primus- Making Plans For Nigel Giant Ant Farm- Shiny Cage Poosies- Love On A Farmboy's Wages Cleaners From Venus- Pearl (Andy demo) Trash Can Sinatras- Senses Working Overtime Der Eiserne Vorhang- Franzi (Making Plans For Nigel) Crash Test Dummies- Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead Verve Pipe- Blue Beret Saeko Suzuki- Happy Families Barbara Gaskin and Dave Stewart- Roads Girdle The Globe Ira Davies and Icehouse- Complicated Game Burning Heads- Making Plans For Nigel Cone Of Silence- No Thugs In Our House Shonen Knife did a song called 'Making Plans For Bison' that was influenced by Nigel but is not a cover version. I have also heard that Trash Can Sinatras might also have done a cover of 'Love On A Farmboy's Wages'. Can anyone confirm this? Also any details on the Burning Heads cover is appreciated. John Relph has written me that there is now a Chalkhills/XTC FAQ covering cover versions.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #2-65 ******************************
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