Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 119
Date: Tuesday, 27 May 1997

         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

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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
*******************************

Go back to Volume 3.

28 May 1997 / Feedback