Chalkhills Digest Volume 2, Issue 82
Date: Friday, 8 March 1996
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 2, Number 82
Friday, 8 March 1996
Today's Topics:
A Dumb Ten Best List
VIDEOS
The loving
This & that
re: ANDY / BEACH BOYS CONNECTION
Re: XTC-Beach Boys connection
Re: XTC/Beach Boys Connection
Bellybutton plug
Tribute Tape Titles
Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-81
Strange tales, stranger still
RE:Subject: XTC/Beach Boys connection
RE: Send Andy Money
Assorted pop geniuses
I guess there's 3 "Skylarking" CDs
Digging for fire
Video update
Producers, Beach Boys
Unlurking
(none)
RE: Making Plans for Blur
Tribute tape name
My billet...
XTC Articles, new home page...
20/20 and Dear God!
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Blue dog is barking to be fed!
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Benjamin Woll <bwoll@abacus.bates.edu> Subject: A Dumb Ten Best List Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 22:47:42 -0500 (EST) I have not written to Chalkhills for a few issues because I have been so busy writing my thesis so I can search the world for someone who wants to hire a BA in Religion. Don't worry though, I'm not about to bomb a radio station in Florida. One of the aspects of this list that I like best is that it tunes me into music that I otherwise would not have listened to. So, in the name of encouraging the expansion of that which gives us listening pleasure, I think a bunch of us should list their ten favorite LPs of all time. One rule - no more than three selections from any single band - and yes, that includes XTC. So, in no particular order, here we go... 1. XTC - English Settlement. 2. XTC - Skylarking 3. XTC - The Big Express 4. The Beatles - Abbey Road 5. Steely Dan - The Royal Scam 6. Pete Himmelman - Flown This Acid World 7. Robyn Hitchcock - Birds In Perspex 8. The Replacements - Pleased To Meet Me 9. Possum Dixon - Self-Titled 10. (tie)The The - Dusk and The Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall Since everyone on this list knows the Swindonites and the boys from Liverpool, I'll reserve my comments for the other bands. Steely Dan - the greatest studio band ever. Period. Some people might prefer Katy Lied or Pretzel Logic, but the swing in Hatian Divorce and Kid Charlemagne is hard to pass up. Himmelman struck gold with the first track here, and he keeps getting better. This record shows that you need not be a great player to write something beautiful. Robyn's work has always been inconsistent, but on Birds...he finally gets everything right. The intricate hidden bass licks remind me of Dave's AMAZING guitar work on English Roundabout. The Mats make me want to swill beer wearing overalls with no shirt on. The Kinks are a poor man's Replacements. Possum Dixon is everything the Violent Femmes ever wanted to be. Sparse, ecclectic, loud, and brash, they could teach the fudgepackers who call themselves Oasis a thing or two. The The is music that should carry a warning that reads, "Getting stoned to this CD will permanently alter your life." I know it is pathetic, but hey...try it. The Jayhawks used to be great, then they released a so-so LP Tommorrow The Green Grass and broke up. Waiting For The Sun and Nevada, California from HTH is, however, country rock. Gram Parsons and Uncle Tupelo are proud. Looking forward to learning more, Ben.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 07 Mar 1996 22:48:30 -0500 From: "Brian T. Marchese" <btmarche@student.umass.edu> Subject: VIDEOS I'm a bit bummed that my Little Express hasn't come yet, but I'm wondering if in the latest, a guy named Brian Steffen from San Diego advirtises in the back (he has in the past) that he has XTC videos for sale or trade. If he does, it's definitely worthwhile. He's got like 20 hours of EVERYTHING (tv appearences, interviews, Paris 1982, complete concerts, and videos, 1977-92). I suggest writing to him (he doesn't get Chalkhills) if vids are what you want! He asked me to inform y'all last time I sent for a video. OK, bye.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 17:21:55 +1300 (NZDT)
From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan)
Subject: The loving
>On an unrelated note, what are the backing vocalists singing during the
>second chorus of "The Loving"? ("Strange Trip"?)
I can't hear anything but "The loving's coming - straight to ya". Is it the
"straight to ya" bit that you're talking about? Or are there some other
backing vocals that are unintelligible?
James
------------------------------ From: 7IHd <ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk> Subject: This & that Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 04:44:47 +0000 (GMT) Hi - this is very very very very long, sorry... # From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) # Subject: Strange tales, stranger still # # The line in Strange Tales is not 'scribbled on a uni...form', as someone # suggested, but "cuneiform", a reference, according to my dictionary, to # "the old Hittite, Babylonian, Assyrian and Persian writing, of which the # characters were impressed by the wedge-shaped facets of a stylus. - n. # cuneiform writing." Thanks - now it even makes sense. :-) # Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 07:29:44 -0800 # Subject: Fast N Bulbous # # Greg Kuchmek and others have been asking about the Beefheart tribute. I'd say # get it if you can find it and have an open ear. A lot of the tracks are quite # inferior to the originals but XTC's 'Ella Guru' stands out as being the most # true to the Magic Band; in fact it's uncanny. Vinyl copies are relatively easy to find around London - hell, if anyone wants it and can produce a "Wrapped In Grey" CD I'll give you it *and* pay for the CD :-) I don't have it myself mind, I have "Ella Guru" on the Mayor Of Simpleton 12" and CD single. Not knowing the first thing about Beefheart, I have to say that "Ella Guru" doesn't do anything to make me find out more, but there you go. Can't win 'em all. "All Along The Watchtower" is how covers should be done, in my opinion. Various people said things along the lines of: # I've always heard it as "stand clear", as in "The Loving's # coming...(stand clear!)" Hmm. I think there were 4 votes for this and 1 endorsement for my interpretation of "Straight to you" (with the "to you" slurred). Well, I've been back and listened to it again - with headphones mind, this is the only way you'll hear it clearly - and it is definitely *NOT* "Stand clear". I stand by my interpretation, and I also think it makes more sense. So there. :-p <In the following section, "you" is generalised> # From: "John Christensen" <christej@vrinet.com> # Subject: Mona Lisa Face-lift? # # Somebody wrote: # >>...once an artist releases a song, he no longer owns it. It now # >>belongs to everybody to do with as they will. Firstly, I don't agree with the above statement; I agree that the listener should be free to interpret things as they wish, but the assertion that the artist should have no control over this is, to my mind, ludicrous. If you read an engineering textbook and it tells you a=b, and you insist that, no matter what the book says, what it *means* is that a=c, and you then go and design a bridge with this in mind, don't be surprised if it collapses. Stupid analogy. What I mean is, if AP writes a song like Another Satellite, for example, about some woman giving him unwanted attention, but you, upon hearing it, interpret it as being about nuclear physics, then fair enough. But if, then, AP comes out and says "no, you're wrong, it's about some woman giving me unwanted attention", then I think you really have to accept this fact. Sure, it might mean other things to *you*, but that doesn't give you the right to go around asserting that AP meant anything other than what he said he meant. He might have very strong views on nuclear physics and be deeply offended by your interpretation, for all you know. # We're talking about personal analysis of finished art. Art which is based # on the life experiences of the artist alone -- and that NO other individual # on this (or any other) planet can understand exactly. # <Think how Andy hears Another Satellite> # Obviously you can't. You can only think about how you might feel if someone # like you -- who had been through all the things you've been through -- was # ever in that situation. You relate the satellites to the women you have # known. But you can NEVER hear the song as Andy hears it. You're right that nobody can ever hear the song exactly as Andy does, and that in order to feel the song and find it relevant we have to put our own spin on the events described, but this is not the same as saying "I don't believe he meant x, I say he meant y". What we are listening to is, invariably, the artist describing some of his personal views or a personal sequence of events, and we have to respect these views and events for what they are, not what we would like them to be. Of course it is perfectly possible that the artist will disguise what they really mean by wrapping their message up in words which suggest something else to 99.99% of the people who hear the song (hell, I've written songs like that myself before now), and this is the beauty of the art - making people think. But that doesn't mean that all feasable interpretations are "right". They are valid, certainly, as personal opinions of your own, but they may be completely barking mad. I was bored of this discussion until I contributed to it. :-) # From: StrawB@bitstream.mpls.mn.us # Subject: great producer for xtc # # a great producer for xtc would be bill botrell. producer/engineer for sheryl # crow, toy matinee, rusted root, thomas dolby (aliens ate my buick). any # comments? Ailiens Ate My Buick : The one major glitch in an otherwise glittering career. # From: mwicks@gol.com (Michael Wicks) # Subject: Re: on techonology and dance music # # From: jrsnipp@interserv.com on 4 Mar '96 at 4:16: # # >When asked if improved technology made # >making albums easier, Andy said, # >"In some ways technology makes things tougher. The thing about # >technology is its only machines and machines are only any good when # >they are in the service of man. They're not any good as machines. # >You can't just poke them and say 'be wonderful for me, machine.' # >Because it won't." This is probably not the time to mention my synth + drum machine destruction of "Big Day"... # Lastly, a question: Does anyone out there have the Wrapped in Grey CD? Yes, apparently, but not me. If anyone feels like parting with one... # From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) # Subject: Go ahead and jumper # # The latest edition of Q magazine has a feature about readers' rock-related # T-shirts. One of the contributions is a hand-knited Drums and Wires jumper # submitted by Brian Harvey who says his mum knited it for him. It looks a # good deal more wearable than the whole page of Elton John T-shirts. But still nothing like as bad as the Who t-shirt. which looked like it hadn't been washed since it was bought in 1968... # From: "Kendrick, Tim" <tken@dictaphone.com> # Subject: Ideas about Tribute Tape # # But why stop with one 100-minute tape ? # Why not two 60-minute tapes (for a total of 120 minutes) ? # # I really think that ANYONE and EVERYONE on this list who # wants to contribute a song should be able to do so. ... # I don't think there should be limitations. If we need to go # to a second or even a third tape, we should do so. # # That's my opinion. What does everyone else think ????? In principle, yes, but in practice - give the guy a break. He's giving up a lot of his free time to run this project, and he has to stop somewhere. Are you offering to run the show for volume 2? That's all. Oh yes, almost forgot. Latest news from World Domination Records is that the new Shriekback song "Terribly Swolen" will be released on a compilation CD called "The Crash Baptists Present..." (or something, don't have the details to hand), which they are hoping will also feature a new song from Carl Marsh! It's to be an ambient/trance CD apparently, so I suspect the Shriekback song is somewhat untypical of their current style. Hard to say though, I haven't heard it. Carl Marsh, for the uninitiated, was Shriekback's guitarist until 1985. That really is it. Sorry this has been so long. If it's any consolation, typing it has kept me up until almost 5am... :-) _ |_)|_ *| | | )|| http://http2.brunel.ac.uk:8080/~ee92pmh/ ========
------------------------------ From: gimhoff@bmgmusic.com Date: Fri, 8 Mar 96 5:28:12 ''' Subject: re: ANDY / BEACH BOYS CONNECTION | For sometime now I have been haunted by Andy's vocal phrasings, reminding | me very much of Brian Wilson's, especially the falsetto. I haven't seen | anything in writing to confirm that Mr.Partridge has indeed been | influenced in some way by Mr.Wilson, leaving me with an empty and | unfulfilled feeling. I need to have my great insights confirmed and | validated to feel completely worthy as a person. Help me. | -- | Bill Godby I don't think there is any doubt that Andy has clearly been influenced by Brian Wilson. One listen to "Pale and Precious" (which sounds more like the Beach Boys than the Beach Boys) or "Humble Daisy" should confirm it for you.
------------------------------ From: michael dallin <dallin@CS.ColoState.EDU> Subject: Re: XTC-Beach Boys connection Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 23:32:08 -0700 (MST) On We, 06 Mar 1996 Bill Godby wrote... > For sometime now I have been haunted by Andy's vocal phrasings, > reminding me very much of Brian Wilson's, especially the falsetto. I'm > anything in writing to confirm that Mr.Partridge has indeed been > influenced in some way by Mr.Wilson, leaving me with an empty and I'm sure other like-minded Chalkhills folks have replied to this, but what the heck. The more praise the merrier, right? For the past 6 months, I've had the joy of getting addicted to the Beach Boys. A few weeks ago I picked up their box set, and was absolutely amazed at the simularity to XTC, particular the harmonizing vocals. The Pet Sounds tracks are good, but if you can find them, the Smile tracks sound even more XTC-ish. Last week I played the box set version of the song "Wind Chimes" for a friend, and he (at first) thought it was either an XTC or Martin Newell - penned song, sung by a different singer. Another friend of mine, who is a big XTC fan, asked me today what I have been listening to lately, and I told him the Beach Boys... and he promptly wondered why I listen to surf music. But, the Pet Sounds era is not surf music. If you don't own Pet Sounds, buy it, memorize it, enjoy it. Of course, the Dukes nodded their heads toward Brian Wilson with the very Beach Boys-esque song "Pale and Precious". Other similar songs include "Chalkhills and Children" and "Wrapped In Grey." Just to name a few. --Mike
------------------------------ From: Randy Watkins <randyw@sisna.com> Subject: Re: XTC/Beach Boys Connection Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 22:57:17 -0800 I've been away for so long, I forgot how to type! As for the Beach Boys/XTC connection, yes, the BBs influence can be heard on several songs. The most blatant is on the Duke's "Pale and Precious." It even has the trademark Brian Wilson jingle-bells. I have also read somewhere (maybe here in Chalkhills?) that Mr. Partridge has in fact heard the _fantastic_ BB "Smile" session tapes, or at least a part thereof. Nonsuch's "Humble Daisy" has a backing vocal VERY similar to Brian Wilson's backing-vocal-used-as-percussion sound on the unreleased versions of "Heroes and Villains." And the trailing end of "Humble Daisy" reminds me a lot of the unreleased "Wind Chimes." I've always thought that when Brian Wilson's mind got so screwed up in the mid-sixties, some deity somewhere gave us Andy Partridge to make up for the loss. (Please, no flames from BB fans. I'm a terrific fan, but the point is the man is fried, and can't ever tie "Good Vibrations" or "Smile." Sad, and it's a great loss, but true.) Rando "I can never think of a good quote." ...Rando, 1996
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 23:12:34 -0800 (PST) From: Laura Parent <laura@geosun1.sjsu.edu> Subject: Bellybutton plug Alex wrote: >but really didn't >like Jellyfish's 'spilt milk', 'cause I just can't stop thinking I'm >listening to Queen (not my favorite to say the least). Try their first, "Bellybutton". It's much lighter on the Queen influences, much poppier and less fussy. I hate Queen too (but must admit that "Crazy little thing called love" sounds good at Candlestick Park). Anyway, it's absolutely brilliant. How come my Camper Van Beethoven "Key Lime Pie" did not make it to the Desert Island Discs? Perhaps my message got lost...if so there would have been two votes for Crowded House's "Temple of Low Men"
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 01:14:08 -0600 From: JH3 <jh3@cencom.net> Subject: Tribute Tape Titles Tim Kendrick writes: >I suggest that we call the tribute tape: "Remembering Guernica." C'mon, Tim, what're you talking about? Sure, it was an interesting thread, but...Guernica? Actually, I've been thinking of potential trib-tape-titles over the last couple of days. Here are the best ones I've come up with so far, in order of preference: 1. "Are You Recycling Me?" 2. "I'm in the Audience" 3. "Instant Tributes" 4. "Fanses Working Overtime" and... 5. "Living Through Another Tribute" The last one, I'll admit, has no chance, but I thought it might be good for a larf. I agree that there shouldn't theoretically be any limit to the number of tribute tapes, but remember that putting these things together is a lot of work! If Richard P. only has time to do one, well hey, we should hardly vilify the guy -- it's up to somebody else to volunteer to do another one. (Hopefully somebody with similar-quality mastering gear.) I would, but, well, you know how it is. Anyway, the "Garden of Unearthed Delights" rarities tape tree is beginning to look more likely, though I still don't know the final track listing and I can't say when I'll know anything for certain. Thanks to those of you who have already written me to show interest in the idea -- watch this space for more details... Maybe I'll write a book entitled "Melt the Puns"... --John H.
------------------------------ From: DAMIAN FOULGER <SPXDLF@cardiff.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 10:02:57 GMT Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-81 Dave Yazbek wrote: > song-order. Also-- we're playing at Brownie's in NYC on Wed. March 13th at > 10:15. Thanks for putting up with the self-promotion. > Yazbek If Dave were crap then we might get upset, but I have his CD and it is excellent. Go out, buy it, and lap it up.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 08:48:26 -0500 (EST)
From: James Poulakos <engjcp@gsusgi2.gsu.edu>
Subject: Strange tales, stranger still
Mark Fisher wrote:
"I'm amused by dictionary's choice of the word "stylus" - this song was,
afterall, pre-CD - but surely Andy's puns aren't quite *that* clever .
. .Any thoughts?...."
I wouldn't put it past him. He's indeed that clever, though this case may
be a happy coincidence. I'm ready to give him credit for it, at any rate,
judging from the rest of his excellent wordplay work. Them's my thoughts.
*-------------------------------------------------------------------
. o O (where'd I put that darn .sig file?)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
James Poulakos
------------------------------ From: "Burgess, Christopher (msx)" <BURGESSC@linelnt1.light.ge.com> Subject: RE:Subject: XTC/Beach Boys connection Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 08:56:36 -0500 >> I need to have my great insights confirmed and validated to feel completely worthy as a person. Help me. Bill, I don't know if having one/some of us second your opinion counts, but Andy's appreciation of the Beach Boys is tremendous, methinks. I have a copy of the "Hello" stuff, and as Andy explores new ways of presenting "pop", there are several that smack of "Pet Sounds" and "Smile". The baroque, layered vocals, the propulsion of the songs by melody as opposed to rhythm, the "inner-child" (cough,cough) lyrical bent all owe bows, not nods, to Mr. Wilson. Andy even does a "1910 Fruitgum Company" takeoff in "Candy Mine", albeit with his filthy mind running at full steam (no pun intended!) It's rare when a true pop genius comes along who has no influences whatsoever. I think it's better to think of them as carrying the torch. Chris
------------------------------ From: "Burgess, Christopher (msx)" <BURGESSC@linelnt1.light.ge.com> Subject: RE: Send Andy Money Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 09:12:36 -0500 >> Where should I send this money? Help (he needs some money). Great idea! I'll be happy to send some cash, if only I knew where to send it. This may have been covered before, but how can one contact da boys? Is there anyone in Swindon that will lend the band an email address and their computer for a couple of hours a week? Do they even have ANY interest in being part of Chalkhills? If Andy has this stud setup of stuff in his shed, surely he must have a computer. Any plans for "Little Express" to go online? Or, is it already? Sorry if this is all old news . . .
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 14:20:32 +0000 From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: Assorted pop geniuses Bill Godby writes: "I have been haunted by Andy's vocal phrasings, reminding me very much of Brian Wilson's, especially the falsetto. I'm thinking of the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" in particular. I haven't seen anything in writing to confirm that Mr.Partridge has indeed been influenced in some way by Mr.Wilson." The terrible thought crosses my mind that Bill Godby has never heard *Pale and Precious*, for surely no-one could hear that and doubt Andy's Beach Boys influence. Bill, if you really haven't heard Psonic Psunspot (or Chips >from the Chocolate Fireball on CD), switch off that computer this very moment and head straight to your nearest record shop. And don't come back without it. Speaking of pop geniuses, I saw The Trash Can Sinatras last night in Edinburgh where they performed a fine set made up of material from their utterly brilliant second album, *I've Seen Everything*, and their imminent third album. The new stuff sounds very promising indeed. Love them and cherish them, they are very special. (No XTC covers in last night's gig, by the way, which is probably just as well because they're a lot better at playing their own stuff). I forgot to mention the other day that my own favourite suggestion for an XTC-related band name was Animal and Panicking (I can't remember which of you Chalkies suggested it, but wouldn't you just love to hear what a band with that name sounded like?) Mark Fisher (fisher@easynet.co,uk)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 10:44:14 -0500
From: vanvalnc@is2.nyu.edu (Chris Van Valen)
Subject: I guess there's 3 "Skylarking" CDs
Hi all
Concerning the audio differences between the gold "Skylarking" CD versus
the original version, I have another observation. I too have two versions
of the "Skylarking" CD--but not the gold one. I bought one when it first
came out. I don't remember if it was an import or not. This version still
had "Mermaid Smiled" and not "Dear God". I find the sound quality on the
first one noticably crisper and cleaner to the American version(which I
received as a gift). But I suppose once I save up my shekels, I'll buy the
gold one as well.
bye,
CV
If you have an unpleasant nature and dislike people
this is no obstacle to work.
--J.G. Bennett
Help us save "Forever Knight"!
http://members.aol.com/CuznJamiMR/SaveForeverKnight.html
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 10:51:58 -0500 (EST) From: Natalie Jane Jacobs <gnat@umich.edu> Subject: Digging for fire (not the Pixies song but a metaphor for song interpretation...) In the ongoing arguments about what XTC's songs mean or don't mean, I've noticed a couple of lit-crit no-no's that keep cropping up. Not that these things should be forbidden, but they can make the process of interpretation much more difficult. 1. The Intentional Fallacy. "What did Andy/Colin mean by this?" I.e., what was their intent? According to many schools of criticism, the author's intent doesn't matter - even if the author says right out, "I meant this to be about [blank]." The author is not the final authority on his/her own work, and any attempt at figuring out what Andy REALLY meant when he said "I resign as clown" is doomed to failure. This might not make a lot of sense at first, but think about it: how can we KNOW an author's intent? We're not mind-readers; few of us are actually personal friends with the folks we're discussing; and even if an author makes a formal statement of intent, he/she could be lying, or not revealing everything, or simply unaware of the levels of meaning in his/her work. Mary Shelley persistently claimed that FRANKENSTEIN was only a horror story, but it's clearly far more than that (it's the first work of science fiction, for one thing). To interpret a work, then, the author's stated intent can be taken into account, but the ultimate authority lies in the text itself. 2. "The 'I' is not me." "Another Satellite" is not about Andy. Neither is "Earn Enough for Us," "Summer's Cauldron," or "1000 Umbrellas" (just to name songs from the same album). The speakers in these songs are not the author. They may have experiences similar to the author, but they are no more Andy himself than James Joyce was Leopold Bloom. Authors speak in voices; they channel the thoughts of others. To take every song as autobiographical is to greatly simplify the author's art (and makes Andy into even more of a massive egotist than he already is :). How do I know these songs aren't autobiographical? Well, I don't - and that goes back to the intentional fallacy again. I don't know if these songs are autobiographical because I'm not intimately familiar with Andy's life (and many of his songs describe very intimate experiences). I'm not a mind-reader. Some songs (like "I Bought Myself a Liarbird") are very obviously autobiographical, but again, the "I" is not Andy; he didn't literally buy a bird that said "I can make you famous." (Or maybe he did - how do I know?) At any rate, to be on the safe side, I try always to refer to the "I" of the song as "the speaker" rather than whoever wrote the song. It makes things less complicated, I think. (It's "straight to ya," dammit!) Natalie Jacobs ************** "Are we not proof that the universe is a drooling idiot with no fashion sense?" - Mr. Nobody
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 10:37:02 -0600 From: Erik Anderson <Erik.Anderson@city.saskatoon.sk.ca> Subject: Video update Just a quick note to inform all those who have mailed me recently asking about their copy of the Video. I've had some more VCR problems, namely I can't get the SLP function to work. I took it into the shop last week and should have it today. Please be patient and understand that I can't reply to all the mail I receive over this one. If you sent your money order in, I've got it and just haven't made your dub yet. Hang in there. EA
------------------------------ From: Martin_Monkman@fincc04.fin.gov.bc.ca Date: Fri, 08 Mar 1996 08:38:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: Producers, Beach Boys StrawB@bitstream.mpls.mn.us writes: >a great producer for xtc would be bill botrell. producer/engineer for sheryl >crow, toy matinee, rusted root, thomas dolby (aliens ate my buick). any >comments? Hmmm ... interesting thought, and a name that didn't crop up in the "who should produce the next album?" thread of a few months ago. But what with all rumours about a signing to Columbia, we may be one step closer to seeing T Bone Burnett as producer ... he is on the Columbia roster (at least, he was for his last two albums), which may encourage the decision-makers at the label to hire (foist?) him on the XTC job. And of course, Colin has worked with Burnett and his missus, Sam Phillips. Bill Godby writes: >For sometime now I have been haunted by Andy's vocal phrasings, >reminding me very much of Brian Wilson's, especially the falsetto. I'm >thinking of the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" in particular. I haven't seen >anything in writing to confirm that Mr.Partridge has indeed been >influenced in some way by Mr.Wilson, leaving me with an empty and >unfulfilled feeling. I need to have my great insights confirmed and >validated to feel completely worthy as a person. Help me. Now some people are going to tell you to listen to "Pale and Precious" >from the Dukes of the Stratosphear album "Psonic Psunspot" (on cd, look for "Chips From The Chocolate Fireball") as Andy's Beach Boy homage. Pah, I say ... "Pale and Precious" is, like most of the rest of the Dukes songs, just another Beatle thing (cf. the middle section of "Back In The USSR", the part that begins with "those Ukraine girls really knock me out"). Martin
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 11:30:42 -0600 (CST) From: moebius@prairienet.org (Bruce D. Buckingham) Subject: Unlurking Hello one and all, Longtime reader, first time writer. First, a few responses to some recent posts: >Subject: great producer for xtc > >a great producer for xtc would be bill botrell. producer/engineer for >sheryl crow, toy matinee, rusted root, thomas dolby (aliens ate my >buick). any comments? I had been thinking that EITHER members of Toy Matinee might make a good producer. Pat Leonard (Third Matinee, Roger Waters) or Kevin Gilbert (Keith Emerson, himself) would be my american choices. Probably Gilbert would be better. From: ROMER THOMAS J <romer@cooper.edu> >Subject: Gentle Giant: Freehand >A friend of mine got me really into one GG album called Freehand. I have >no idea about any other ones and we never really picked up on any from >there, that was back in 93 I think (not the album, but when we liked it). >From: Jon Leslie Davis <jon@compumedia.com> >Subject: Gentle Giant >A former lurker comes to the surface... >I'm a long-time (and current) Gentle Giant fan. The album mentioned in the >post from Anthony Ciarochi is Power and the Glory, a great album from The best are probably Power and the Glory, reissed with the title song actually on the album (left off the original release), Octopus ( or 8 opus's) and Freehand. I'm also partial to Interview and the live Playing the Fool which is due to be re-released on March 19th. Later! Bruce -- \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Bruce Buckingham, Urbana, IL\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ----------------"The modern day Zappa refuses to decompose"------------------ /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
------------------------------ From: JakeKristy@aol.com Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 13:42:54 -0500 On 7 March, Paul Culnane (Canberra, Australia) wrote about some of the video appearances by XTC. Paul, et. al., I wrote to Channel Four Television (60 Charlotte Stree, London W1P 2AX, phone: 071-631 4444, telex: 892355, fax: 071-631 1495, minicom: 071-927 8403 [cup-n-string: styrofoam + fishing line]) late in 1993, asking about two of XTC's video appearances. Here is the letter they sent to me: In response to your enquirey, we have to advise that _Whatever You Want: XTC Play At Home_ is not commercially available on video and we do not have the resources to produce one-off copies from our master originals on to domestic tape format. On the 1st January, 1993, we screened _The Laughing Prisoner_, they synopsis reads as follows: Jools Holland's surreal spoof. After resigning as a TV presenter, Jools is drugged and taken to Port Merrion in company with Patrick McGoohan. The programme features original clips from S Unwin, Stephen Fry and Hugh Lawrie, Siousxie and the Banshees, XTC and Marillion. An edited repeat _Tube_ special and new introduction. Video enquiries should be directed to the following television company: Tyne Tees Television Ltd, The TV Centre, City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2AL, tele: 091-261 0181, fax: 091-222 0013. We are sorry we cannot be of further assistance on this occasion but thank you for your interest in Channel Four. So, It looks as though Chalkhills simply needs to enlist a UK member who will contact Tyne Tees Television and ferret out _The Laughing Prisoner_. Does anyone know what the "originl clip" from XTC was on _Prisoner_? Perhaps a comedy sketch about fish slapping or something? Maybe it was a song performance? --XTOTX p.s. I also found a copy of a letter I wrote to "Play At Home, P.O. Box 4000, London W3? 6XJ," asking about the XTC episode. The letter from Channel Four, detailed above, is probably the reply to my letter to "Play At Home."
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 14:14:51 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Johnson <steve-j@teleport.com>
Subject: RE: Making Plans for Blur
As I recall, Andy was originally hired as producer for PARKLIFE (or
perhaps it was MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH) and that after a few weeks of
production had been done on the album, they took a vacation for a
few weeks. When they came back from vacation, Blur decided they
didn't want Andy to produce it anymore citing (I believe) that Andy
wanted too much control over things (i.e. wouldn't let the band do
things they wanted to do if it didn't agree with his vision). Gee!
Isn't that the SAME thing that drives Andy nuts about XTC's
producers??? <grin>
I remember one magazine mentioning this story with the quote
(paraphrased), "Blur have decided to continue without Andy, probably
using a lot of his ideas."
Steve Johnson Email: steve-j@teleport.com "People will always be
or steve-j@genie.com tempted to wipe their
or stevej@europa.com feet on anything with
or ukds36a@prodigy.com 'Welcome' written on
or stevej429@aol.com it" -- Andy Partridge
Steve's lame-ass Web page: http://www.teleport.com/~steve-j/
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 17:20:22 +1005 From: comlit2@pppmail.nyser.net (Computer Center Lab) Subject: Tribute tape name Tim Kendrick writes > I suggest that we call the tribute tape: > "Remembering Guernica" > It could be a tribute dedicated to the families > and friends of those who suffered in Guernica. I'd like that. How 'bout another one: Monumental Luncheon in rememberance of "TD" Any other ideas? Chuck
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 18:17:50 -0500 (EST)
From: SPORTO <wood0910@mach1.wlu.ca>
Subject: My billet...
Chalkhillians,
Cast one vote for "Remembering Guernica" as the title of the
tape. I just wish that I had thought of it.
Until the gingham swirls,
Sporto
* The present is something that binds us.
* We create the future in our imagination. Simone Weil
* Only the past is a pure reality.
------------------------------ Date: 08 Mar 96 19:18:11 EST From: Simon Sleightholm <101477.1611@compuserve.com> Subject: XTC Articles, new home page... I doff my hat you all you Chalkhillers and crave indulgence while I pass on some info about my *brand new* home page (what kind of trumpet is that you're blowing there, Simon?) The Furnished Cage which can be found at:- http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/ Amongst other things there will be a section called Bungalow devoted to XTC and to which I will be transcribing the texts of many XTC articles I have collected over the past few years. The other pages are for publishing contributed writings (prose, poetry, song lyrics, conspiracy theories, reviews and recommendations, in fact anything good that we get sent we will put up on the page). I know there are some good brains reading this (Nat. J. Jacobs are you paying attention?) so if you want to send something... A link to Chalkhills is of course included. End commercial. I'm sure I read in Melody Maker or NME last year that Andy was working on music for a film project based on the Gormenghast novels of Mervyn Peake. Has anybody got any info on this? Or was it all a dream? My wife's system of throwing my magazines out when the floor is no longer visible means that I can't check back. I can imagine he'd be just the guy to do it; the books are a truly great work which I've read several times and, oddly enough, the last time I read them I could "hear" bits of Through The Hill in certain scenes. Simon.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 23:20:17 -0500 From: aym@j51.com (Angry Young Man) Subject: 20/20 and Dear God! Can not believe what I'm hearing! On tonight's episode of 20/20, in a segment about Charles and Diana's Nanny, the beginning of Dear God (where the little girl is singing) was playing! :) Aah. Happiness is... -ira
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #2-82 ******************************
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