Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 119 Tuesday, 27 May 1997 Today's Topics: Ben Folds Five CD needed for survival! (Wanted)/ XTC MIDI Trom le Bone While I patiently wait... Really isn't worth the mention... sexuality, druguality, and demos A Mystery Solved Beware cut-out bin discs, Poi, Titles Colin, un tres bon homme One more parody for the collection plate Bass-ically speaking Demos/Bassists/Gregsy one more fan Hey, Hey, Hey. XTC MIDI Files Rykodisc etc. just had to say it... "Upsy" advance order Tribute Tape Update Wow, my posts sure have a tendency to be long... but then again, Dave encounter 10% My take on the Gold O&L Administrivia: Check out the newest songs in the Chalkhills chord charts and guitar tablature archives, including "Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)", "Towers of London", "Punch and Judy", and "Chalkhills and Children", at <http://chalkhills.org/charts/> To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command: unsubscribe chalkhills For all other administrative issues, send a message to: <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to: <chalkhills@chalkhills.org> World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/> The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Chalkhills is digested with Digest 3.3d (John Relph <relph@sgi.com>). If I could only be tough like him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 00:01:35 -0400 (EDT) From: "David O'Connell" <doconnel@eagle.ycp.edu> Subject: Ben Folds Five CD needed for survival! (Wanted)/ XTC MIDI Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.96.970522234825.29098A-100000@coyote> Hi! I forgot one thing. I know that people have been slamming Ben Folds Five lately as being not-such-a-good-group, but I really enjoyed their self-titled debut and I was wondering: Does anyone have a used copy of "Whatever and Ever, Amen" that they despise or merely dislike and would like to get rid of? I'd pay $7 plus $1 shipping and handling for it, which is more moolah than what you'd get at the used-record shop. I can't really afford full-price for it, so if anyone has a copy, please e-mail me! I'm open to trade suggestions too. Thanks! Dave O'Connell York PA P.S. To Brian the MIDI guy: Why don't you make a MIDI file of one (or more) of the new album demos that I will be sending you next week? It would give people a chance to hear a representation of Andy's new stuff, plus the regular MIDI-users would be able to use it for whatever you MIDI-users use it for.
------------------------------ From: gravity@loop.com Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970523013046.0068c53c@pop.loop.com> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 01:30:48 -0700 Subject: Trom le Bone mmmmm hello folks! Interesting reading lately. So we are bored eh? Talking about Mr. Gregory's sexual preference(or not) Gay could mean happy? Homo sexual, Homo sapiens, Home alone? Dave has brought me many hours of listening pleasure. Who cares how he gets his"as long as you don't hurt nobody,unless of course they ask you." In school i wanted to join the school band.I wanted the drums.All they had left was Trombone.2nd trombone at that( the harmony parts to you non-players).I found it a fun instrument,and a funny one. Never saw a french one,but you sort of have to FRENCH one to play it. Nothing but girls in my section,and they UNDERSTOOD the MECHANICS of FRENCH TROMBONIST.It builds facial muscle. I don't really know where this is going.I guess i feel a duty to trombonists every where.French,Gay,Straight,Happy-Go-Lucky.non-denominational.Be proud.Polish your bone,and play a HAPPY tune for these weary chalkhillians. Besides who doesn't know an english person. You might THINK they were gay,if you didn't know them better (even then?). Or maybe you thought they were at least a hairdresser or interior decorator(so much for manners eh?) With the exception of RINGO.Barbara Bach,come on lads! We really do need some new music eh? I know i do. Sorry to pick on this.It was fun(ny) to read.I really don't have anything to offer,just wanted to say hi! "Soldiers of the QUEEN all the HARD men that we've seen need the loving" Barry is also dead (rumor?) Mr.John Murphy.Bored Beyond Belief
------------------------------ From: Cheryl <McGREGOC@regents.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:20:11 GMT Subject: While I patiently wait... Message-ID: <ACCF31596E@asdf011.regents.ac.uk> Hi, Hello, Howdy! You'll have to excuse me I'm about to explode from anticipation. I doubt very much that I will get any kind of sleep as I patiently wait to attend the convention. Perhaps a medicinal amount of alcohol at the pub tonight might do the trick, you think?! ; ) Or it might just do me in! Never mind... I was thinking this morning about how much I absolutely.....HATE 'The Loving'. That is the one song that really irks me. I think I can understand why people think Mr.P whines, even though I don't think that. There is just something about this song that makes my stomach churn. It grates on my nerves. An "Oh PU-LEEZE" wells up inside of me each time it comes on. I don't understand this since I absolutely love and let me state this again, I absolutely LOVE his songs. No! I'm not going to swoon all over the place and declare my luuuuve for Mr.P. I'm just a great admirer of his talent. It's just this....song. Maybe I should discuss this with my therapist, hmmmm. CORRECTION- 'The Loving' is the only Mr.P song I HATE. I also loath 'My Weapon' but thankfully that is not either Andy or Colin who wrote it. I won't go into that song. I've mentioned my dislike for that one before. yuck. Oh! I was chatting with another member of this list and I had mentioned when I was 'growing' No! cultivating my passion for XTC, I used to put Drums and Wires on as house cleaning music. When I would listen to this particular album I could get the housework done in record time. Anyone else have a fav for doing the chores too? And my wonderful friend David asked about fav albums vs. fav songs. I, too, find myself in that dilemma. 'Nonsuch' is my fav album, and maybe this is for sentimental reasons, but I would have to say that 'The Big Express' holds the most of my fav songs. Someone else mentioned maybe it was the overall mood that was created. Was that you, Beth? Perhaps that is it. 'Nonsuch' is such a lush album. So gorgeous and grown-up. 'The Big Express' has these wonderful songs that really get my heart going, perhaps is all the tea I drink now.... Anyway, both are excellent albums ( as we all can testify too). I'm rambling here. Its those nerves again. I should go play since its actually sunny here in London! Gary wrote: >I shall be listening to Jason and his Technicolour Dream Coat >whilst you guys are listening to Jason and the Argonauts (I have >to take them to the theatre). Isn't this more your speed anyway, Gary? ; ) >Maybe this is some kind of latent parental punishment for me >playing Battery Brides in my bedroom at home with the bass >turned way up! Does this have something to do with Barbie and Ken?! And is your sister aware of what you were doing with her dolls?! Never mind.... Just being cheeky. ; ) I should stop. And thus ends a confused and rambling, jangly post from yours truly, Cheryl
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705231327.GAA00828@f40.hotmail.com> From: "Ben Gott" <xtcfan@hotmail.com> Subject: Really isn't worth the mention... Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 06:27:52 PDT All I can say, after finding out that "Didn't Hurt a Bit" almost appeared on Nonsuch, is that, if I ever meet Colin, I will promptly kick him in the shins while yelling "Why isn't it on there! Why? Why?!!" Then I'll apologize, and kiss his feet. [regarding Yazbek]: >Personally I cringe when I hear this guy sing, and he's so obviously >copping XTC it truly isn't funny. Couldn't disagree more. I'm a "Yazbek-head" if there ever was one. I think that, whether or not he "cops" XTC, his album is a sonic success. Cutting it short for lack of time, -Ben (Can anyone identify my signature quote?) * --------------------------------------- Ben Gott http://www.wp.com/58596 Our instruments have no way of measuring this feeling.
------------------------------ From: "kimberly lynn martin" <KMAR0971@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU> Organization: Gainesville College in Oakwood, GA Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 10:57:17 EST5EDT Subject: sexuality, druguality, and demos Message-ID: <3856E624A5@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU> Hello chalksticks... Ahh, I haven't posted in quite a while, and notice I will (hopefully) not be known as the new all-caps person (if my name's still in all-caps, forgive me, I'm a computer illiterate). Well, I got a copy of the new(est) demos a few days ago, and if anyone would like a copy e-mail me and we can work out a trade, or you can just send me a blank tape in the regular mail...warning, my copy's gotta be AT LEAST a 5th or 6th generation dub, but it's listenable though. (I hope I don't go to jail for so blatantly advertising my breaking of a copyright law!). And speaking of breaking copyright laws, I'm about to resume the publication of my "underground" fanzine (I got a xerox machine for my birthday 8] ). I haven't done one in over 3 years, but considering I have no other plans for how to spend my summer...I haven't thought of a new title yet (it used to be called "Sanity Sux"), but I have many ideas about the content (yes, much talk about the Swindon lads, plus other rants and raves about life, the world, politics, living life in North Georgia as a reclusive weirdo...). Copies will be $2 each (postage included) and well worth your money! The press date is slated for late june, cos I want to report on the Atlanta Chalkhillian gathering, plus arrange some interviews with some local bands. (remember all my bitching about rock critics?? Well, I'm an amatuer one, uhhhh, aren't I a hypocrite?? well, I have GOOD taste in music, unlike most of those SPIN/RS/etc schmucks...) Okay, well, on to the commentary... SEXUALITY: I, at one point, thought that ALL the members of XTC were gay, probably because homosexuals usually tend to be more creative and put out products that I find listenable/watchable, I mean, I hate COCK RRROCK and other macho/misogynist music. But, then, I read about Andy's (ex)wife and girlfriend, and changed my mind. HOWEVER--I could really care less about any musician/entertainer/public figure's sexuality. When I used to be a good little Southern Baptist girl, I also happened to LOVE the B-52's (this was when I was 12), and people would tell me they were gay and I was like, no way!! My mom likes Elton John but felt hesitant at first about buying any of his music ("oh no, I'm putting money in the pockets of a HOMOSEXUAL, I'm supporting his immoral lifestyle, blahblah), but, she eventually chipped in anyway, because, hey, he has good music (I mean, I'm not the world's biggest EJ fan, I'm just saying, for point's sake). I eventually got over the fact that most of the B-52's are gay (one of the founding members died of AIDS in the early 80's), and realized just what everyone on the list has been saying about DGregory--it's the TALENT, the individual, that matters! (note: I'm no longer the closed minded baptist girl, hope I didn't come across that way...) As far as Amanda's crush on DG--well, I wouldn't get too enthusiastic in the first place about being in love with someone I'm probably never going to meet anyway. So, no need for strong feelings concerning his personal life... DRUGUALITY: Ahhh, well, I think no one will ever know the true answer to this issue concerning XTC. If they DO use drugs, I'm seriously doubtful they'd admit it anyway. I'm a prime example of someone who's done a lot of drugs (just pot and LSD, but in larger amounts than I'd like to admit--oops, I just did) and who still has an intact, creative, and active mind...I had a 4.0 last quarter in school, have made the Dean's list numerous times, and still like GOOD music (I'm not sitting around, toking up, and thinking the DEAD or some horrid "pot" band like Cypress hill are great music). Yes, most drug users do tend to be unhygenic, lazy, unmotivated cretins. And, yes, drug use in excess can turn one into one of these people. Perhaps I'm just (as usual) the exception to the rule. Ahh, I'm not just sitting here saying "drugs are GOOD" though...they can be very destructive, money and time consuming, not to mention that they can get one thrown behind bars or digging ditches here in our wonderful land of the free. They do, however, have their uses, but are not for everybody, and are nothing to base one's life around. If XTC do or do not use drugs it will not change my opinion in the least. All I'm saying is that the Dukes of Stratosphear are absolutely (more) phenomenal while listening to with "heightened awareness"... DAMN AM I LONG WINDED!! you read it though, didn't ya??? WRITE ME, I LOVE MAIL, ESPECIALLY LONG MAIL!!! -Queen Kimberlina Ah, oui, J'oublie.... my home address (for demo and fanzine ordeurs) Kimberly L. Martin 3754 Kimberly Drive Gainesville, GA 30506 EAGERLY AWAITING WHATEVER COMES MY WAY :) :) :) :) :) (ad nauseum....)!!!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=BTG._Inc.%l=EXCH_SERVER-970523145604Z-29400@exchserver.btg.com> From: "Sherwood, Harrison" <hsherwood@btg.com> Subject: A Mystery Solved Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 10:56:04 -0400 Now that we've all had a good, long, sanctimonious scenery-chew over my brainless and naive Dave-is-Gay troll (and I'm highly gratified to learn, sometimes at lapel-shaking, spittle-flecked length, just how many of us have gay friends--goodness gracious, you'll all be letting them marry your sisters next!), only a couple of niggling issues demand resolution before we can put the whole distressing matter to bed. Preferably with a shot of sodium pentathol and a loaned service revolver. First: A French trombone, people, is a trombone from France. *Yeesh!* >And this, from "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: A lot of Brass >>[Harrison] My confident assertion that he is, er, left of center, >>was a deliberate and tasteless provocation. > >>> However, I'd never >>> heard "left of center", but as a left-handed left-winger, I'm >>> curious where that came from. Regard this long, slender object, here in my hand. It is a ten-foot pole. By no coincidence whatever, this is the very ten-foot pole I intend NOT to touch this topic with. >Harrison "So! How 'bout that Christian rock, eh?" Sherwood
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970523101647.006a2240@acton.com> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 10:16:47 -0500 From: Dave Ledbetter <dbetter@acton.com> Subject: Beware cut-out bin discs, Poi, Titles Chalkhillians, Recently there have been a couple posts regarding sitings of XTC cds in cut-out bins - very cheap - for $4.99, $1.66, etc.,. Most of the ones I found were the Geffen Goldline brand, their cheapie line. Anyway, in all the time I've been buyuing CDs (10+years), I've never bought a defective disc until I bought the Goldline Nonsvch for $4.99. It would not play in any of the three CD players I use. I've had similar problems with the Goldline Big Express. Because the record stores in my city don't really carry XTC, I eventually sent off for the Virgin release, which I've had no problems with. Most of the discs I see lumped in the bins anymore are Geffen Goldline (I occasionally check), however it is possible some non-Goldline CDs are placed in there. Before I knew about the "problem", I also purcahsed Rag n Bone and O&L from the same bins, neither of which are goldline and both of which work fine. I wonder if they were placed there by accident. >LaShawn M. Taylor wrote: >At this time, there are only four bands that I would drop everything to see: >XTC, naturally; PFR--a Christian group that broke up last year; Phil Keaggy, >quite possibly the best guitarist in the world (and yes, he plays Christian >music); and Poi Dog Pondering, Wow. I love Poi Dog Pondering. I wondered if anyone on this list listened to them. Fortunately, unlike with XTC, they tour. I'm thinking of going to Kansas City to see them. I'll follow XTC around this part of the country (midwest) if they ever tour again. >Matt Keeley wrote: >Before I leave, one closing thought: Anyone else think the song >titles are the best part of Explode Together? I agree. I just couldn't get into "The Dub Experiments". Dave
------------------------------ From: "kimberly lynn martin" <KMAR0971@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU> Organization: Gainesville College in Oakwood, GA Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 12:17:17 EST5EDT Subject: Colin, un tres bon homme Message-Id: <39ACE20229@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU> Hello once again.... It is I, the keeper of the fifth wind (the LONG one, that is)... Just thought I'd post my thoughts about COLIN. I love Andy's songs, but I have always had a special affinity for the compositions of Mr. Moulding. I gather that this is not a very popular opinion amongst my fellow chalkhillians. The first songs that just "grabbed" me by XTC were Colin's, especially "English Roundabout," "Wonderland," "In Loving Memory of a Name," and "Vanishing Girl". Since then, (since getting the DOUBLE version of ES) I have also fallen hopelessly in love with "Fly on the Wall" and, after more acquisitions of bonus tracks have really been digging "Limelight", "Washaway", "Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen," and "Smokeless Zone". I think Colin's contributions to "Skylarking" are superior to Andy's, which, IMHO, make up the less interesting material on the album. (OUCH!! OUCH!! STOP THE FLAMES!! HELP!!! :) ) I remember once reading comments that Colin's songs were hit-and- miss and that he had a sense of "skewered art." I (as someone was inquiring in the last digest) am an artist, so maybe this is why I feel the connection? I have been known to see the world in a bit of a "skewered" light. (some of the other bands I like, such as the Pixies, Christmas, and the Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 have been referred to as 'art rock', I guess meaning that this is stuff art school students may listen to...) Of course, I love most of Andy's songs also, but I just wonder what songs of Colins have not been allowed on albums by Mr. Partridge...maybe Colin should record on the side some as well??? Ah, well, just thought I'd have my say (once again)... Yours truly The happy pop-music lover Kim :)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BC6776.E2F489D0@port-10-5.access.one.net> From: Tony Nowikowski <tonynow@one.net> Subject: One more parody for the collection plate Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 12:43:13 -0400 "Making Posts To Chalkhills" We're only making posts to Chalkhills We only want to speak our piece We're only making posts to Chalkhills 'Bout XTC, whose wonders never cease And if they'd just sign with a label We would be happy We would be happy We would be happy and relieved We're only making posts to Chalkhills We love to talk of Andy, Colin and Dave We're only making posts to Chalkhills 'Bout all the things that make us rant and rave And if they'd just release those albums We'd have new music We'd have new music We'd have new music to discuss AMANDA is so outspoken She's in love with Dave And she likes Crash Test Dummies too (Who knew?) But she is gone for the summertime (We'll miss her(?)) AMANDA's gone for the summertime (We'll miss her(?)) We're only making posts to Chalkhills ... Toodles, tony
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BC6779.550DE910@port-10-5.access.one.net> From: Tony Nowikowski <tonynow@one.net> Subject: Bass-ically speaking Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:00:44 -0400 The recent comments by Stormy Monday and Matt Keeley about Colin's place in the Bass Players' Pantheon made me think about my own personal list of fave Keepers of the Bottom End. In no particular order, the top five: * Colin (natch!) Especially when he goes fretless ... * John Entwistle * Tony Levin (King Crimson) * Billy Talbot (Neil Young and Crazy Horse) * Bob Nyswonger (You've probably never heard of him. Played in two Cincinnati-area bands, the raisins and psychodots, neither of which (unfortunately) made it out of the bar-band stage. Also for a couple of years in the mid-80's was part of The Bears, with Adrian Belew. Check out http://www.cs.tulane.edu/www/Morris.Ashley/pdots.html for more info ...) Toodles, tony
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 12:54:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Andrew Notarian <apn@UDel.Edu> Subject: Demos/Bassists/Gregsy Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.970523123802.20546B-100000@strauss2.udel.edu> Dave Gregory said the new album would sound like Skylarking.. with all the tape quality and RealAudio warping, it sure does! (think of the beginning of grass) Thankfully we're a small enough group that we won't attract any lawyer's attention. The thing that's scaring the hell out of them right now is the MP3 format, which lets you send out a CD-quality track at 1 MB per minute. You could download all of Skylarking as 40 MB of files, and if you have a fast enough computer to run them at the highest setting, you really can't tell them from at least a professionally made cassette, if not a cd. My friends into game cracking tell me that trading MP3's is getting as popular as trading games. There are also web sites out there that last a week or two before getting shut down, but sadly they are mostly full of the Spice Girls, Metallica, Bush and the like. BASSISTS -- are we rating these people on pure talent, whether we like their music or not? If so, what happened to Tony Levin and Geddy Lee, or even Primus guy (Les Claypool?). Or perhaps Sly of Sly and the Family Stone who invented slap bass (so far as I understand). I'm sure you're all scoffing at Lee and Claypool, but go listen to King Crimson's Thrak or even Red Rain by Peter Gabriel and tell me Levin isn't in the top 5. Whenever I pay careful attention to the bass lines in XTC, they usually don't impress me. If someone would you like to tell me I'm wrong, go ahead and email me, maybe I'm missing something. I can't think of walking bass line in any XTC song, or even a really catchy repetitive Bruce Thomas keeping the song together in a neat little package type bassline. DAVE .. GAY -- Can you imagine the younger Terry Chambers in a band with a homosexual? On tour? From Chalkhills & Children it sounds like Terry was convinced Andy was the "pansy." Though in support of the theory are such things as the Skylarking photo session.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03102800afab92257758@[146.6.72.28]> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:30:50 -0500 From: jason garcia <h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu> Subject: one more fan WHOO-HOO! My girlfriend actually likes the AP demos! Says she: "they grow on you". We were bopping around to them on a three-day trip to the coast. There's nothing quite like "Dame Fortune" speeding down the freeway with the sun shining... Jason
------------------------------ From: jason.phelan@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu Date: Fri, 23 May 97 12:48:38 CST Message-Id: <9704238644.AA864417324@in2.mcmail.vanderbilt.edu> Subject: Hey, Hey, Hey. Hey there, I would like to comment on the individual a couple issues ago who commented that Andy's stage fright might have been a result of his being addicted to Valium. I in fact think it is the opposite. I think that he developed the worse stage fright AFTER he got off the Valium. And if that is the case, I say, order that man about 50 cc's of the good stuff and stick 'em back out on the road. I for one consider myself such a devoted fan, that even a drooling, catatonic Andy would be worth half of my hard earned wage packet. I can even imagine the set list... Opening Medely Garden of uh uhhhh tthhhhhh Peterpuhhhtthhhh thhh TTHHHHhhhhhthh bufthh and the Argghhhhuhnuthsss Anyway... you get the picture. Hey, in fact .... maybe this would make for a good opportunity for Colin to speak and sing some of his songs. Just a "Friday" post, From your pal, Phelan
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705231829.LAA15995@sgi.sgi.com> From: "JH3" <JH3@alternatech.net> Subject: XTC MIDI Files Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:20:55 -0500 Mark Strijbos wrote in Digest #3-118: >BTW: check out the excellent Midi versions of Bushman President and >Rook that are available somewhere on the Chalkhills site. >I think it was fellow Chalkhillian John Hedges who made these and >if you have a decent Wavetable soundcard (AWE/GUS etc) they sound >really good - a whole lot better than most of the Midi files around >on the Net. Actually, J.D. Mack did "Rook" (he's a much more talented keyboard guy, really); I did "Bushman President" and "Frost Circus." And thanks for the compliment (!) but I found that the mixes and voice assignments were a bit off when heard through an AWE32 -- I originally did them on a non-digital Sound Blaster 16. Someday I'll buy an AWE32 and fix them, unless someone else wants to (you have my permission, not that you need it). Anyway, you have to use the default General MIDI voice assignments or they'll be all messed up. Mark S. is also correct about publically-posted MIDI files technically being considered a copyright violation, but unless those individuals who produce them and post them are wealthy enough for it to be worth EMI's while to sue them, they (okay, *we*) have little to worry about. Now, if I were Microsoft and I did the same thing, that would be a different matter. But then, if I were Microsoft, I'd have about $100,000,000,000 to spend on lots of lawyers. Finally: I have to agree with the general consensus about Becki DeGregorio's CD: It may not sound like XTC, it isn't really pop even, but it does grow on you quite tenaciously after just two or three listens. I was surprised, because it's not the sort of thing I usually listen to. Also, Dave Gregory is completely salt-of-the-earth straight (not that there's anything *wrong* with that), so can we all please agree to just stop posting on this subject? Thank you very much. --John H. Hedges
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3385EEA5.2077@MCI.com> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:23:17 -0600 From: "Jeffrey Langr" <Jeffrey.Langr@MCI.Com> Subject: Rykodisc etc. 1. Suggestion, please go to Rykodisc's web page, as previously suggested in Chalkhills, go to their message board, and post a reply to the XTC message I already posted. Or post a new reply, whatever. A few hundred messages (or even 50) from Chalkhills subscribers would look nice. 2. Being of Slavic descent, a white male, and moderately religious, I know how to take a joke. I didn't see the joke from XTC about Jewish Beatles, but I'm not sure how it could possibly have had anything to do with Nazis. Sheesh, give me a break. Do I blanche whenever someone tells the joke about "cancelled Czechs" (for the historically unaware, the Nazis wanted to eliminate Slavs as well)? No I don't, and if you think about it, it's equally as offensive as any sort of anti-Semitic joke. 3. For all the whining and hatred thrown about, I've been tempted to unsubscribe from the list, but then I would have missed such great stuff as finding out about Becki DiGregorio's CD -- congrats on the fine work Ms. DiGregorio! 4. Mr. Pedretti-Allen, where's my Chalkhills Children tape? Jeff L.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:22:46 -0700 From: becki digregorio <ziglain@cruzio.com> Subject: just had to say it... Message-ID: <9705231313.aa24215@mail.cruzio.com> 'hillians: a note to brian matthews regarding his "barstool" comment in a recent post: you said that you don't shy away from saying "controversial" things. but let me say that i found this snide little dig against gay men to be _the_ most appalling and unnecessary comment i've ever read in chalkhills. your comment wasn't so much "controversial" as it was mean-spirited, and i kindly request that you refrain from such comments in the future of this fine mailing list. end of flame. now *please*, people, on to the wondrous music of xtc... --becki, one of the seven
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705232025.NAA21232@f51.hotmail.com> From: "Ben Gott" <xtcfan@hotmail.com> Subject: "Upsy" advance order Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:25:17 PDT To all those Chalkmonsters who regularly order from CDNow!: "Upsy Daisy" (The Assortment) is available, advance order, for $9.77! That's right, folks. Cheaper than a Mariah Carey tape! Order through my CDNow link, and I get money towards purchases. I still don't work for them, though. -Ben * --------------------------------------- Ben Gott http://www.wp.com/58596 Our instruments have no way of measuring this feeling.
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com Message-Id: <c=US%a=_%p=Octel%l=EX-CAMPUS1-970523221312Z-7938@ex-campus2.corp.octel.com> Subject: Tribute Tape Update Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 15:13:12 -0700 There has been a two day production delay. Factoring in the holiday, that means that I won't have cassettes until Wednesday. I will package them up on the weekend of May 31/June 1 and ship on Monday, June 2. I PROMISE! Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705232247.PAA29661@mail.eskimo.com> From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 15:46:24 +0000 Subject: Wow, my posts sure have a tendency to be long... but then again, Hello again! Just got the new Chalkhills (duh...) and I just noticed that my posts are usually really long. I should really work on that, neh? > From: Daniel Ray Phipps <phipps@3rddoor.com> >They had in the music section > there about 5-10 copies of the "Oranges & Lemons" CD and > they were selling it for (get this!!) $1.66 per disc!!!! Of course, if I was there, I probably would have bought them out. You can never have too many copys of O&L! I've got 2! Anyway, they might realise that XTC is a good band, and may actually be popular and stock more.... and they make really good gifts. > From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> > Guess what? Even Midi versions are protected by copyright. > And this is only logical of course; they are just another notation of > the original composition. That's really evil. I think they're more covers if anything, and I thought that copyright law didn't factor in, unless you were selling them. Just one more reason to hate FMs. > BTW: check out the excellent Midi versions of Bushman President and > Rook that are available somewhere on the Chalkhills site. I have to agree... they're in the Archives section, in the section with the chords/tabs/misc... I liked them so much, I made a comp. MIDI of all the XTC for when I play Tetrinet. It's a really good game if I get up to Frost Circus! > From: Julian Cook <siogo@sysnet.net> > I realize that I may be preaching to the choir here but I got > myself over to the XTC demos and I can listen to that song > "Everything'll be allright" over and over again. I'm in the same boat with you on that one. When I heard it, I thought "THEY REJECTED THIS?? Are they stupid or just dense??" My mother, who was in the room at the time, said that they prob'ly didn't want to make the other songs look crappy. After seeing the picture (which is great, BTW), I can see that. The songs weren't exactly the best songs written, if you catch my drift. Wow.... that was a short post. I'm getting better (all the time). Matt -=>Matt Keeley mrme@eskimo.com<=- I Have Learnt | Visit my home page the Value of | http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme Human Sacrifice| I used to be temporarily insane! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I'm just stupid! -- Brak Yeah.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705232255.PAA27219@sgi.sgi.com> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 14:55:54 -0700 From: hbmus047@email.csun.edu (Ian Dahlberg) Subject: Dave encounter Hi, Talk about your unexpectably memorable evenings: Fellow Chalkhillian, John Wedemeyer, who I had been corresponding with now and again, is now touring with blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. John was going to mail me a copy of "11 Different Animals" (a song book of early XTC stuff) but seeing that he was going to be playing in L.A. on Thurs. 22nd at the House of Blues we decided to meet in there in person and after the gig we'd hang and he'd give me the copy of the book. I get to the place, see John play (this guy is seriously burnin'!) and subsequently get invited up to the artist's lounge upstairs. I introduce myself to John and after we exchanged greetings he says "Look who's here" and points to my left where David Gregory standing. I literally walked by David, without knowing, to get into the room! Lyle Workman (gtr. for Bourgeois-Tagg, Jellyfish, also from San Jose) was also there and apparently is a long time friend of John's. I basically hob-nobbed with Dave, Lyle, and John for about an hour! I couldn't exactly talk shop about guitars with them but we also discussed XTC and related bands. I told Dave about my transcription project for English Settlement and if I could send him a draft to check for mistakes. He replied that he doesn't really remember what he played back then, it was so long ago! I also asked if he knew Jason Falkner and what he thought of him. He said he had met up with him that morning and that Jason gave him a copy of "Author Unknown" and was just getting into it. He said it sounded pretty good. I also asked him how the hunt for a new label was going and he was very pessimistic. Every contract they read through has money-grubbing corporate execs. all over it. "Here's a clause that gives us a good cut followed by one that takes it away! It's disgraceful!" (something like that) [sigh] Lyle was very nice as well, talked a little Jellyfish (he played on "Ghost at Number One", "Glutton of Sympathy") and a little Bourgeois-Tagg. He has a solo project coming out soon, I believe. Dave was in town playing on somebody's album project and Lyle was apparently his shuttle for the evening. I kinda feel like I'm "in" with the heavies now, yet I certainly don't have any business hanging with Pop musicians as much as I'd like to. It's funny how you can admire musicians on great pop albums like distant icons of greatness but when you meet them in person, they're just human beings like you and me and that's what they do for a living. Anyway, it was certainly an evening I won't forget! Thanks John! Ian Dahlberg
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 01:08:48 -0500 (CDT) From: The Gottschalks <gotts@tenet.edu> Subject: 10% Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.970524003425.23148A-100000@Joyce-Perkins.tenet.edu> of men in America, it is said, are gay. Think, if this is correct, of the large number of people who never come out and admit it. Da-a-a-mn. Now I don't know about elsewhere, but in my area of the country (U.S.) it is considered the worst thing to be openly gay. So, naturally, not all homosexuals are open about it, even to themselves. Some of them will live their lives depressed, blaming their unlucky stars, and they'll realize their sexuality. And for some of them who do, they'll be the only ones to ever know. So, anyone I know of who is openly gay, facing all the hell caught for it, has automatically gained a certain degree of respect in my book. (All of this is assuming that the figure is roughly correct.) So, my point still stands. I won't go way off on this, but I will say this: The Gigantes' condition of being with Elektra is pretty smart, because it is, let's admit it, by far a larger record label than Rykodisc. TMBG are probably looking to gain more fans, and staying with Elektra is a much safer bet for doing so. O%L for $1.66?!?! I find this disturbing and comforting at the same time. Disturbing because it puts into perspective that some of the most wonderful music out there is unpopular. We have bands like Bush and Marilyn Manson who are adored by thousands, and XTC have been shoved onto the cheap shelves. Such atrocities. But more comforting this is to me than disturbing because it shows that the number of truly musically-tasteful people (represented largely by us) is a small number. It's like we have something above everyone else, that we have the superior brains to appreciate the music we do. And I know all of you are now thinking of how stuck up I must be, but it's not that darn comforting to me when I think of how much higher I am to most of the people around me (I attend high school. Pardon me while I throw up.). It's like my mind lives in seclusion, but then I can write the list and hopefully talk to people like me. Or maybe not. I very much doubt that anyone agrees with me, probably because I've explained myself poorly (or maybe I'm wrong and I'm actually inferior to others for thinking I'm more intelligent than they are) I'll quit this right now. Sorry to drone, Mark I can't understand most of these Scissor Man lyrics. I bought this cd for six dollars. Also present on the crap rack was O&L. More money saved for people like me, that's what I say. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) Stare at these long enough and they'll look like sad faces.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03020700afac9f8c8135@[208.205.95.42]> Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 09:50:42 -0400 From: David Ferguson <dferg@www.dhol.com> Subject: My take on the Gold O&L >I'm at the stage right now where I've >actually bought the gold discs of "Oranges and Lemons" AND "Skylarking." Sad. >I've toyed with the idea of purchasing these. Are they noticably different >from their standard CD counterparts? What would you reccomend? Ok, so I bought the Oranges and Lemons Gold Disc. (I used a gift certificate so it was less painful). I listened to the original and the Gold Disc songs back and forth (I have a 5 CD carrosel, so I guess there is a 5-10 second wait as the new CD cues up). My first impression of the gold is that the bass overall is tighter and louder, and the noise floor is lower; in other words it is a quiter recording with more bass punch. But I still like the original better! The openness and the crisper highs make it a much better listen and knowning that the Gold is muffled sounding makes me want to turn up the treble too much! Plus, the packaging is the same. For what it is worth,a thumbs down from this Cub reporter. I guess if any one wants to buy the disc off me for, say $20US, plus postage, get ahold of me through email. ++++++++++++++++++ Boil that dust speck!
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-119 *******************************
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