Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 128
Date: Wednesday, 11 June 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 128
Wednesday, 11 June 1997
Today's Topics:
Settlement liner notes
Take Away
Re: Brian Wilson
Royal Newell Peach Jelly
A moment in XTC
Bass players and TAFKAP (*some* XTC content)
thanks
Power Macs & Miniature Sun
Fab Four In Philly
Colinisation
Thoughts on hate
GUILTY!
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys, etc.
Gaps
Deeeep Meaning
Drowning here in Summer BOREDOM'S Cauldron.....
Oh but I just had to get this in......
Threads & Bass Players (apologies to JR)
Last post, I PROMISE!!!!!!!!!!
RE: Chalkhills' Children
Deep withdrwal
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <199706092256.AAA09339@utrecht.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 00:03:04 +0000 Subject: Settlement liner notes Chalkers, In the last Digest Daisuke Nakai said: > I seem to have a recollection that when I first layed hands on the > vinyl Edition of English Settlement, there was all kinds of recording > data listed on it, song by song, including who used what instruments, > etc. But, this data is nowhere to be seen in the CD booklet You are only too right... But the info you request can be found in the Chalkhills Archives. Check the Lyrics section and download the English Settlement file. Every songtext includes the information you mention... IMHO Virgin really messed up the re-release of XTC's back catalogue on CD Most have no lyrics included and they put in the bonus tracks right between the original album sides. Arggh!!! Totally ruins Black Sea if you don't program your CD player And from what I've heard, the infamous "gold cd's" are also packaged rather dull with nothing extra added... I know XTC doesn't have any control left over all the "Virgin stuff" and this probably means we'll never see any of these CD's reissued as they should be; with extra liner notes instead of none! yours in vinyl, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse http://utopia.knoware.nl/~mmello ===> Mark's Random XTC Quote <=== There's no youth culture only masks they let you rent
------------------------------ Message-ID: <339C3215.5E02@ix.netcom.com> Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 17:40:55 +0100 From: Jonathan Christensen <jon9091@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Take Away Does anybody else have an LP called "Mr. Partridge 'Take Away'"??? Just curious. And by the way . .I do have a copy of English Settlement with the lengthy liner notes, but it would take me from now to the end of the year to re-type them all. It's Virgin/Epic ARE37943. I suggest some used redord stores. I'll bet you could find this rather easily and for a minimal investment. SeeYa, Jonny
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01530501afc250c2b9d3@[208.155.130.162]> Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 18:00:49 -0700 From: debernardi@nmhu.campus.mci.net (Michael De Bernardi) Subject: Re: Brian Wilson J_ARTECONA@RCMAD.UPR.CLU.EDU wrote: > >About Brian Wilson's Smile, I just got turned on to him and am totally >amazed! Now I know where a lot of people got their ideas eg the >beatles for one. The guy was truly gifted. Can anyone tell me what >happened to him? Did he suffer the fate of SYd Barret and go nuts or >did something else happen. I remember a 60 minutes piece on him a few >years back and he sounded sort of loony. Brian is still around and apparently doing better now than he has in many, many years. While his drug use in the 60s and 70s did contribute significantly to his past problems (a la Syd), Brian also has a long history of mental illness dating back to the mid-60s, when he simply couldn't handle the pressure of touring and live performance any longer (sound like anyone else we know?) Not to say that Andy's difficulties constituted a "mental illness" per se or were anywhere near the level of Brian's problems, which eventually escalated into full-blown schizophrenia. Years of therapy and medication have finally made a difference for Brian and he is apparently happily remarried and recording a new solo album as we speak. For more info on Brian, check out his controversial "autobiography" from a few years ago, "Wouldn't It Be Nice", or Timothy White's book, "The Nearest Faraway Place." Also, there is a feature documentary called "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" which you should be able to find at most video stores that will give you a peak into Brian's past and present history. Finally, if you REALLY want to find out more than you could possibly imagine about Mr. Wilson, subscribe to the pet-sounds mailing list (pet-sounds@ftp1.primenet.com), which is every bit as fanatical and entertaining as chalkhills. I envy you for just getting turned on to Brian and the Beach Boys as you are guaranteed to continue being "amazed" for a long time to come. Dominique (y9d62@ttacs1.ttu.edu) then wrote: >One thing I have >noticed that XTC have in common with many of today's headliners is their >respect and integration of styles from the past. It seems that throwbacks >are in vogue, but reinterpretation is not. Zep might very well have made >a tune like "Highway Love Song" by Stone Temple Pilots, but I don't think >Brian Wilson would ever do anything as complex as "Humble Daisy." Are you mad?? Brian Wilson invented complexity within the pop format and if you listen to anything from Pet Sounds, SMiLE, Sunflower, Friends, Surf's Up, etc., you will see that he is the master by which others should be judged. Don't get me wrong, I have adored XTC for over 15 years and often get that same warm feeling from Colin's and Andy's compostitions (in that order) that I do from Brian's, but I think it's fair to say that our boys from Swindon owe an awful lot to Brian. It is true that Andy's lyrics are far more complex and interesting than any that Brian wrote on his own, but in terms of musical complexity, Brian takes a back seat to no one. XTC does ride shotgun a lot, however. now off of my soapbox michael
------------------------------
From: StereoPuff@aol.com
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 22:39:43 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <970609223647_488402453@emout15.mail.aol.com>
Subject: Royal Newell Peach Jelly
<delurking-for-the-summer noises!>
Howdy all!,
I finally got around to buying a copy of Chris Twomey's XTC biography; very
interesting reading, although one paragraph made my jaw drop...
"A while later there were plans for a Dukes rock opera, or concept album at
least, tentatively entitled 'The Great Royal Jelly Scandal'. It concerned the
robbery of vast quantities of honey, wax and Royal Jelly from bee-hives
across the countryside and the bees' attempt to retrieve it and punish the
perpetrators!" [p.160]
... mainly due to the fact that over the past year I've become a big fan of a
Toronto-based group (or rather, a massive musical ensemble) called "Jaymz Bee
& The Royal Jelly Orchestra", who exhibit absolutely no sign of
XTC-inspriration... their music consists entirely of big-band-style swingin'
versions of classic rock songs, old-school adult standards, and a few
originals... does the whole bee/royal jelly thing perhaps exist in some
even-older form, which perhaps even XTC were borrowing from, or did the Dukes
invent the term?
regarding "James & The Giant Peach", Matt Keeley wrote:
>Andy sub'd some demos, and the execs decided they weren't
>right for the movie. My hypothesis: They were too good
My guess (assuming that there may be more than the 4 we've heard) is that
perhaps some of them seemed a bit too freakish & off-kilter for the film,
which is odd since I EXPECT "off-kilter" when I go to see anything by Tim
Burton. Just compare Andy's "Stinking Rich Song" to anything sung in the
film; all of the film's songs are obviously more drab. Swallowable.
Digestible. Ignorable. Exactly what the Disney folks seem to be striving for
in their past few outings. Apparantly, Disney wasn't too thrilled with much
of the viewer response they recieved over Burton's "Nightmare Before
Christmas" and the accompanying Danny Elfman score & lyric... lines such as
"kidnap the Santy Claws, chop him into bits" didn't agree with very many
people. :> So, it's understandable that they'd want Peach to be much more
subdued & palatable. (i heard a rumour that Mr. Elfman was quickly offered
and then un-offered the chance to score it... =p)
I just (luckily!) found a used copy of Martin Newell's "Off-White Album", and
bought it pronto. It is absolutely wonderful; one of the most enjoyable &
fresh-sounding albums I've gotten in a LONG time! Has anyone else gotten
ahold of this gem?
[from the shameless-promotion-department:]
I'm heading down to New York soon to see JB&TRJO perform at the World Trade
Centre's club ("The Greatest Club On Earth", or something) on June 18th...
should anyone here care to attend, look for ME, the tall lad in the Super
Mario tie. =}
Cheerio,
Mike Wood
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00afc2797d0020@[208.211.100.94]> Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 22:29:56 -0500 From: kmarkman@netwestonline.com (kris) Subject: A moment in XTC Hello boys and girls! Wow, I was out of the loop for a month or so, and look what happens! But anyway... Well, I had an XTC moment today, sort of. The NPR program Fresh Air did a review of a recent TMBG concert and led of the segment with...XTC versus Adam Ant. I had kind of hoped they might explain the song and thereby give our guys some exposure, but no such luck. It was a good review, though, and I dubbed our tape, so if anyone wants a copy you can drop me a line (but please don't tell Terry Gross ;-) ). Oh hey - Jason G - do you still have my tapes? :) Later, Kris P.S. I got as copy of Drums & Wireless in a used cd store in Lubbock, TX, so I'd think there have got to be some more floating around in the US. I don't know. I don't even suspect anymore.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <339CCC2F.4C96@geocities.com> Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 23:38:23 -0400 From: Troy Peters <troypeters@geocities.com> Subject: Bass players and TAFKAP (*some* XTC content) On Sunday, Dominique wrote: > I wonder why the same group of bassists keep coming up. I bet Mssrs.Mac, > Thomas, Levin, Lee, and the lot are great. I'd be willing to concede the > Squires, Entwhistles, Mouldings, Wilsons, and any poppers you'd care to > name. But I guess nobody here listens to jazz, or doesn't hear anything > outstanding in the work of Charles Mingus. I love him. I wonder if you > guys don't, or just don't listen to him. I have been studiously avoiding jumping into the bass fray, but I had to chime in here. Of course, Mingus is remarkable -- you must all check him out. If you are an Elvis Costello fan, you might turn to "Weird Nightmare: Meditations on Mingus," a 1992 tribute on Columbia, featuring E.C., Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell, Dr. John, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and many more. And it has these amazing Harry Partch instruments (anybody remember the old "Papersnow" Petaluma thread last fall...) Of course, one should check out the real thing too. I am fond of "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" myself. But if you want to hear a bass god, please check out Christian McBride. He's sort of midway between Mingus and James Brown. He has two very strong albums as a leader on Verve, and he has been busy on more than 100 jazz CDs in the last few years. I really think he may be a better bass player than Mingus (sacrilege!), although he's not the composer Mingus was. If you want to check it out, buy his second album, "Number Two Express." Or if you're really desperate, e-mail me and I might be able to put together a tape for you... And one mustn't forget Prince has put down some pretty *remarkable* bass playing on occasion. Which brings me to XTC: I heard a rumor (from somebody I don't completely trust) that Prince played "Dear God" live a couple of times at some point in the late 80s, around the time of "Lovesexy." Supposedly, it was a soulful piano ballad version. This I would love to hear. Anybody got a line on this one? I am sceptical. Okay, I gotta go listen to Chalkhills' Children. ByeBye Troy Peters troypeters@geocities.com
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 15:49:36 +1200 (NZST) Message-Id: <v01540b10afc32841feaf@[139.80.228.142]> From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: thanks Thanks to everyone who wished me well for the op. I've tried to answer to everyone personally, but one or two messages bounced. Be back Monday, with a bit of luck! James
------------------------------ Message-ID: <339D1090.3EED@ix.netcom.com> Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 01:30:09 -0700 From: Eric Rosen <rimshot3@ix.netcom.com> Organization: ELR Subject: Power Macs & Miniature Sun Given the immense collectivity of musical talent & insight that is this Chalkhills community, perhaps, someone can help me understand why my brain gets triggered into "Miniature Sun" mode every time I power up a Power Macintosh. Something about the harmonic, chordal tone it makes...
------------------------------ Message-ID: <BoNPSAA9q8mzEwGg@pcd001.demon.co.uk> Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 10:19:57 +0100 From: Stone <STONER@pcd001.demon.co.uk> Subject: Fab Four In Philly How good is the sound quality of the "Fab Four In Philly" bootleg recorded in 79 on Home records ?. comments please ... Stone
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=SELECT_Software_%l=SELECT_OX_MAIL-970610102743Z-254@sst.star.co.uk> From: Catherine Sweeney <Cather-s@selectst.com> Subject: Colinisation Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 11:27:43 +0100 I've been pondering over what my first real contribution to this list should be. The best I could come up with are these 2 stunningly vacuous offerings. I'm sorry. I am crap. 1. In 1980 or thereabouts, a friend of mine at school told me she'd spotted a picture of Colin Moulding in a music mag called "Smash Hits" (not something I want to own up to reading, I hasten to add). I decided to skip school lunch in order to use my lunch money to buy the mag. COLIN, IF YOU'RE OUT THERE, I WENT HUNGRY FOR YOU, OK???!!!! Anyway, it was just a small pic of Col, with his top 5 songs of all time listed. I can't remember 4 of them, but his favourite was "Autumn Almanac" by the Kinks. It was at that moment that I decided it was my favourite song too. Ahhhh. 2. In 1992, the day after another Labour election defeat, I took the day off work because I was so depressed. Tuning in to lunchtime tv, I witnessed XTC performing on a dreadful programme called Pebble Mill at One. For those of you who don't know what this programme is, it's a lunchtime show which is watched by people who are so old they can remember Queen Victoria's DAD!. When the presenter said "Here's XTC with a song off their new album", I nearly collapsed. They sang "The Disappointed", which just about summed up a large part of the British population. The audience of grannies looked indulgent and applauded politely. You could almost see the words "what nice young boys, who the hell are they?" on the tips of their tongues. What I want to know is this. Was I hallucinating? Were they really on Pebble Mill or was I still drunk? I saw them with my very eyes, but it's such a crap programme it was hard to believe what I was seeing. And if they were on Pebble Mill, I'd just like to say this to them. Don't EVER, EVER do that again. Go on the Jools Holland show or something and blow his mind with your magnificence. Or perform on the White Room, if they ever bring it back. But not VH-1. Even Pebble Mill is better than that. End of crap.
------------------------------ From: Cheryl <McGREGOC@regents.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 13:23:36 GMT Subject: Thoughts on hate Message-ID: <A304DD4974@asdf011.regents.ac.uk> Hello chalkies! Just wanted to respond to a few things here. DeWitt said: >"The Loving" - sorry, Cheryl, but I LOVE that song. I don't know >why (not picking on any individual here) people feel compelled to >inform us all of the XTC songs they hate - it's more fun to talk >about the ones we love. But inevitably, the ones some of us love >are the same ones that others hate, and there's the cycle. Good point made here. I was just rambling at the mouth actually that day and the reason I mentioned it is because it boggled my mind that there was a song I just had such a strong reaction to in that way. MOST of the time I am just in complete awe of the songs I hear from XTC, I can usually find something in his songs that appeal to me. I think its interesting also to find out what songs turn people off. What's wrong with that? It intrigues me to find out about the emotional reactions people have to songs, good or bad. Its like art. It IS art. I think of it in an artistic point of view, meaning paintings and the such. Everyone has different reactions and that's okay and like you said, the songs that some hate are someone else's favourite. That, to me, makes it interesting to discuss music. Finding out what others think. DeWitt, I didn't take what you had said personally, I just wanted to express what I thinking about this subject. My Weapon- >Well, like I've said in the past, people are stupid, especially when >it comes to controversial issues. I resent that! People are NOT stupid when it comes to controversial issues. People have feelings and its not fair to just dismiss them as being stupid for being sensitive to an issue like rape! I absolutely hate this song! sorry DeWitt but I have to say this! And I DO understand that it is meant to be taken in a satirical way but it fell flat on me. Josh mentioned Toad the Wet Sprocket's Hold Her Down. I don't see how you can compare this to My Weapon. The intent of that song was to give people a big slap in the head to what the issue was. My Weapon certainly was not trying to inform or enlighten people to the issue at hand. I'm sorry it was just plain horrible, that song. Maybe I'm being TOO sensitive here but I just don't find anything funny about rape. End of rant, Cheryl
------------------------------
From: jason.phelan@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 97 08:40:48 CST
Message-Id: <9705108659.AA865958484@in2.mcmail.vanderbilt.edu>
Subject: GUILTY!
Hello Chalkodiles,
Just wanted to say that I was assimilated into the MicroSerf Network
last evening for the sole (soul?) purpose (Porpoise?) of playing the
Rifff show.
And here is my verdict (As if anyone cares......)
GUILTY - of being totally cool and impressive and beautifully put
together.
GUILTY - of being insightful. There were actually real quotes that I
found interesting and were burned into my subconcious (ouch?)
NOT GUILTY - of having any earth-shattering new material but hey, to
be able to explore an interactive interview with my hero, was cool in
and of itself and the pictures were pretty cool.
I will be there for the chat. I am so excited that someone would take
the time to show to the regular world that this man and his band are
beautiful genuine people.
Reading over above review, I use the word cool alot. Cool.
Hey yeah and on bass players, I saw "Let It Be" last night and
I have to tell you, that even though they were falling apart and blah,
blah, beatle, blah,.... that band rocked and Paul was all over that
bass like syrup on a big stack of flapjacks( you'll have to excuse me,
it's the morning, I am at work, and I have had no breakfast.)
But you know what I am saying....
I live to play like Colin McCartney and Paul Moulding.( I am a bass
player too.)
Another CC tape for 97' eh? I am already set to contribute as I felt
so jealous that I didn't and it was reviewed by one Mr. Partridge.
I plan to do a "drum and bass" version of Love on a Farmboy's Wages or
Bumper Cars. Partly because I have never ever dreamed of trying to do
a Drum and Bass song and partly because I am sickly curious as to how
that would sound. By the way, for those of you who have the new demos
but don't like "Bumper Cars" take another listen because I think those
crazy harmonies and off-kilter keyboards are kinda frighteningly cool.
Also the lyrics are cool.
There's that word again....my grasp of the english language has been
Beavis-and-Buttheadized.
Kewl,
Phelan
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 10:36:30 -0400 Subject: Brian Wilson, Beach Boys, etc. Message-ID: <19970610.103631.9646.2.jpartyka1@juno.com> From: jpartyka1@juno.com (Jeffrey J. Partyka) Hi everyone! I'm new to Chalkhills, and I'm just as big a fan of Brian Wilson as I am of our heroes in XTC ... so I wanted to add my two cents to some comments made in the last digest. Fritz Stolzenbach/HNS <Fritz_Stolzenbach@notesgw.hns.com> wrote: > >Give a listen to most anything on the blissfully tripped out (and seriously >weird!) "Smiley Smile" album, or just to the "Good Vibrations" single, and >you may learn a few things about musical complexity and the genius of Brian >Wilson. Indeed! In fact, Andy (excuse me ... Sir John Johns) wrote and recorded one of the very few spot-on evocations of the unique "Smiley Smile" sound, namely "Pale and Precious" (listen especially the verses). (Another interesting "SS" tribute is Pete Townshend's home recording "Goin' Fishin," from his "Scoop" collection.) >Or, come to think of it, just check out the track "Surf's Up" from >the album of the same name (watch out, though -- the album as a whole really >stinks). Right there, in that one song (a tune from the "Smile" sessions >that turned up on the Surf's Up album many years later) is every bit of >acoustic evidence I could ever trot out to buttress my case. Nuff said. I agree wholeheartedly ... that album does stink (apart from "Til I Die") but IMHO "Surf's Up" is one of the five most beautiful songs ever created by anyone (what a coda! Some of the best singing I've ever heard). Matt_Kaden/CAM/Lotus@lotus.com wrote: > >The mystery lies in the extraordinary atmospheres you find yourself >in while hearing SMILE. There's much more going on in there... Andrew Lippitt <andylipp@snet.net> wrote: > >Listen to the 'Smile" stuff, as well as 'Pet Sounds' and >'Good Vibrations' and I think that you may change your opinion as to >Brian Wilson's complexity. >'Humble Daisy' is wonderful, and quite Smile-like, especially in the >background chanting about 1'50' into the song ... Andy and Brian are >both fond of intricate, ingenious arrangements, which >is one of the reasons I love 'em both. To say one is more or less >complex than the other serves no purpose. Again, very good points (from first listen "Humble Daisy" ALWAYS reminded me of "Smile" and "Smiley Smile"). I VERY strongly urge any XTC fan who isn't familiar with The Beach Boys' "Smile" material to seek it out and give it a listen. More than thirty minutes' worth of it turned up on the "Good Vibrations: 30 Years of The Beach Boys" boxed set a few years ago, and much more is available on what certain stores like to call "import" releases. So much of XTC's recent work suggests to me that Andy, at least, is a big fan and devotee of "Smile"-era Beach Boys. (As an aside, real Beach Boys fiends should also seek out Domenic Priore's book "Look! Listen! Vibrate! Smile!," which features a short essay on "Pale and Precious.") Andrew Lippitt <andylipp@snet.net> also wrote: > >... [Brian] also did a true Stereo mix of Pet Sounds which is to be >included in a 4 CD Pet Sounds boxed set. The release has been delayed >several times, but is supposed to eventually appear later this year, but >don't hold your breath. (Sort of like waiting for a new XTC release.) Unfortunately, sources at Capitol Records say the "Pet Sounds Sessions" boxed set is on hold "indefinitely." Apparently, The Beach Boys have major problems with the stereo mix and want it redone; also, they object to some of the liner notes for the booklet, which they feel focus too heavily on Brian and his "genius." I've been lucky enough to obtain a promo CD featuring the full stereo remix of "Pet Sounds" as well as a bunch of additional sample tracks from the boxed set. It's really exquisite. There are some notable differences from the original mono version (for example, the lines in the middle of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" originally sung by Mike Love are here sung by Brian for some reason), but overall it's fantastic. Let's all hope this boxed set does see the light of day. (At this rate, though, we may very well see the new XTC album first ... I can't wait for that one, either.) Sorry so long ... 'til next time ... ... Jeff P.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 10:05:09 -0500 (CDT) From: Marshall Joseph Armintor <mojo@owlnet.rice.edu> Subject: Gaps Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.970610095054.28859A-100000@long-eared.owlnet.rice.edu> In response to Fritz's message about gaps between albums...how about: 1) Brian Wilson (197- whatever the last Beach Boys album he had a hand in to 1988(or 89?)'s self-titled 'debut'?...It's actually quite a good record, although I found my taped copy in the $.50 bargain rack at Walgreen's. Seriously.) 18-17 years 2) Walter Becker (Steely Dan's 1980 "Gaucho" to his solo 1994 "11 Tracks of Whack") - 15 years 3) Donald Fagen (1981 "The Nightfly" to 1993's "Kamakiriad") - 12 years 4) Peter Gabriel (1986's "So" to 1992's "Us" [unless you count the soundtrack Passion...not a proper "pop" album, is it?]) - 6 years marshall
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BC757E.76D60D80@trent.turner@mci.com> From: Trent Turner <trent.turner@mci.com> Subject: Deeeep Meaning Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 09:12:44 -0600 Organization: Business Markets Product Development Dewitt, my newfound chalkbuddy wrote: Trent, my man! You misunderstood (and it was probably my fault) my comments on 'deeper meaning is crap'. I didn't mean that it was silly or stupid to look for deeper meanings, but I don't think they exist in every single song. And what I was mainly talking about was reviewer's occasional tendencies to write an album review that reads like it was lifted from someone's PhD thesis on comparitive 19th-century English literature. I just think the *reviewers* are sometimes way, way over the line, and *they* are full of crap. Trent responds: Oh, was that you? One of these days, I should really pay attention, but... I too think that reviewers (and for that matter, the occasional Lit Prof) tries to assign deeper meanings as if their opinion were the only one in the world which didn't stink. My point was, that any song can hold a deeper meaning for any given listener. A song that may be obvious and blatant to me & thee can be wonderfully & sublimely subtle to some other yahoo. To suggest that because one chooses not to look for or can't find a deeper meaning in a song that it doesn't exist, chaps me like brand new boxers! It's like Pooh says: "Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits." Sometimes I listen, cogitate & scatologize and sometimes I just listen. BTW, comparative is spelled with 2 "a"s & 1 "I" and 19th-century lit (esp English pretty much stank) with the exception of Twain & Shelley (the woman not the man) and there's not much to compare there is there? Finally, for some obligatory XTC, I have always loved Ladybird. The entire Mummer album moved me back in 84, (and still moves me today) but Ladybird was one of the songs I loved singing to my newborn son back in 1986, as I rocked him to sleep. For some reason Mummer seems to be skipped over by most folks on this list and I have an idear about that. The older folks, like me & Dewitt & Langr! (The oldest person on this list) started with D&W,BS,ES and the younger folks probably got their start with O&L or Skylarking. Whereas Mummer is that middle child, a transition element, which is overlooked and unappreciated. Keep in mind this is only my opinion, and opinions are like (the 7th planet from the sun) everyone has one, but polite people don't vent them in public! Thanks, Trent Turner 800-427-0783 voice, fax, page 622-4431 vnet Is this a great time, or what? ;-) Do you know what noise awakes you? Every morning from your bed? Coming from the farthest hillside, Coming from inside your head?
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 10:16:02 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Drowning here in Summer BOREDOM'S Cauldron..... Message-id: <01IJWJHMTNE890WT04@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> I feel the need to apologise for bringing up YOUKNOWHO & his YOUKNOWWHAT. I feel terrible for ever even thinking about doing it, but as my colleague in Puerto Rico pointed out, it was due to the fact that I lost an email address & though (Oh well, I'll just post to the list." You think I would've learned my lesson by now, eh?" Anyways, it's none of our business whatsoever, and the thought of offending YOUKNOWWHO makes me feel like trash. Then again, the topic was kept alive whilst I was offline.......... But I meant every word of what I said about belonging...sadly enough, you guys are like my second family. Just like it hurts when a family member snaps at you, it hurts when a random member throws off a snide comment like it's no big deal. Well to some people, it IS a big deal. So LAY OFF ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!! And on a few lighter notes..... To whoever called CTD combined testicular disorder, I was ROTFLMAO!!! That was hilarious! I really don't listen to them at all anymore....maybe the novelty has worn off or something...maybe it's the fact that Gregsy has replaced Brad Roberts as God in my polytheistic life....... Thanks a mil to everyone I had the pleasure of trading with this year. I've accrued some great XTC stuff, but I have to register my feelings of empathetical embarassment for Dave after listening to the KROQ in Pasadena acoustic performance. I would've loved to slap the DJ, Dusty, across her face. YOU DON'T CALL A 35-YEAR OLD GUY "HONEYBUNNY!" You just don't! If she would've been any more sugary sweet with him, she would've sent him into a diabetic coma! And on that note, I think I'll close this one off. I'm probably not gonna be online again till school lets back in, so..... "So long, farewell, auf weidershen goodbye!" OH WAIT! I almost forgot something....let me put in my choices for the best bassist.... 1.Dan Roberts (no contest, IMNSHO) 2.Colin 3.Gene Simmons 4.Geddy Lee 5.Nikki Sixx 6. Melissa Wolbrette (A friend of mine in high school, she played bass in the school band, but hell, she was DYNAMITE!) And....I never liked "The Loving"...so there! Ciao, Amanda Je me souviens du soleil XTC song of the day-This Is Pop? non XTC song of the day-Nietzche's Eyes-Paula Cole
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 10:49:19 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Oh but I just had to get this in...... Message-id: <01IJWKOLMAAQ90WT04@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> I will now say that I am insanely jealous of anyone who went to that damn convention. I should've gotten a job earlier so that I could've paid mt way over there....it sounds like fun. Then again you know me, the Outsider.....I know quite a bit about the boys, I bet I would've done good on the quiz. That's all from this end of the spectrum. And now, I must say that THIS is now my pick for the best quote I've ever heard from Andy's mouth...... (This was said after XTC's acoustic "Mayor of Simpleton" on...some radio station, when Andy forgot one of the lines.) "If you know the missing line just send it in on the back of a $50 bill and you can win a night of illicit sex with Dave Gregory." To which God replied "Oh no you can't!" Ah wishing......hey, at least I'm not like one of these people who has themself convinced that they're married to their fave celeb. I'm not like that woman who called herself Billy Jean Jackson and said that she and Michael Jackson had twins in the early 80's. Doug-Words aren't going to go as far as the gratitude I feel for all the stuff you've sent me. Becki's cd, the XTC stuff, the comedy stuff, (That guy is hilarious!) I have a question that I posed to the Angel On My Shoulder (That's Mark Strijbos for those of you who don't know.) that I'm gonna pose to you all now. I've noticed that XTC's albums, up to The Big Express and including Nonsvch, all have this "Englishness" to them. But that "Englishness" seemed missing on Oranges & Lemons and Skylarking, at least to me. You think that the environment that surrounds you has any affect on how you sound? (IE, records made in England produced by Englishmen sounded "British", those recorded in America produced by an American and Turd Runtgreen, sounded poppy and American.) Just curious........ And two more questions....anyone know when the next Little Express should be out? I've just subscribed, and I'm awaiting my first issue..... And on a non-XTC, yet still musical note....am I the only one who wished that the Spice Girls and Hanson would drop off the face of the Earth? Ciao, Amanda
------------------------------
Message-ID: <339DA5A7.7EB6@sprintmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 12:06:15 -0700
From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com>
Subject: Threads & Bass Players (apologies to JR)
Folxtc,
(Call the OTP {Off Topic Police}, or for an alternative solution, do a
"find / search" on Stormy.)
All this talk about Brian Wilson and "Smile". I know that some of the
original "Smile" sessions were released on the wonderful and
comprehensive boxed set entitled "Good Vibrations", but has Capitol
since released a "Smile" CD? I have "Smiley Smile", but this was not
the original "Smile" sessions.
While "Pet Sounds" was an innovative and beautiful album and the
inspiration for "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band", (Paul said
something like, "Oh man, what are we going to do now?"), I don't believe
that any Beach Boys' albums should be placed in the same class as any of
The Beatles' albums, but that may be because Brian's creative genius was
probably inhibited and even discouraged by his overbearing father and
conventional band mates.
> Can anybody think of excessive lengths inbetween albums by a group (not
> breaking up and getting back together) or a solo artist (not working on
> other major projects).
Donald Fagen put out "The Nightfly" in 1982, released "Century's End" (a
song for the movie "Bright Lights, Big City) in 1988, and "Kamakiriad"
in 1993.
Incidentally, for a lot of us "Blue Hairs", Steely Dan was like XTC in
the 70's. They stopped touring and concentrated on making pristine
studio albums, merged jazz and reggae rhythms and chord structures with
pop melodies, had an avid cult following (but sold more records than
XTC), and had quirky lyrics. Dave Gregory once listed "The Royal Scam"
as a favorite record, and Andy was quoted as saying "I quite like
them". For me, there is The Beatles, XTC, Steely Dan, and then everyone
else.
For those of you who really aren't into the bass, take it from someone
who is: Colin Moulding is a brilliant bass player. We're not just
saying it because he is a member of our favorite band. His parts are
melodic, often introducing melodies that are sung in one part of a song
as a musical passage in another part of the song. He is easily one of
the most underrated (unknown) bass players going today.
> *Colin Moulding - Though not well known as a great bassist, a few
> examples of XTC will convert the unbelieving. He takes Paul McCartney?s
> ball and runs with it big time.
Absolutely.
> * John Entwistle - one of the best power rock bassists. One of the best
> drum-bass teams ever: Moon and Entwistle.
Add Pete Townsend and say "rhythm sections".
> * Noel Redding - there was a good reason why Hendrix chose Redding
> (and Mitchell)
Not exactly true. I've heard that Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell were
chosen by (The Animals' keyboard player who's name escapes me that
launched Hendrix's solo career). Redding was a guitarist prior to
hooking up with Hendrix. I don't agree that he was great, although he
certainly was good.
I know many would argue the point, but I think that Mitch Mitchell was
mediocre at best, riding on Jimi's coat-tails so to speak. He
overplayed all of the time. Hendrix's records were good in spite of the
fact that he was playing with one good player and one "geezer".
Keith Moon and Ginger Baker were seminal rock drummers that played a lot
but didn't overplay, so it can be done.
Who else thinks that Carl Palmer was the all time over-playing drummer?
I bet that we can agree that Hendrix was one of the best rock guitarists
(and innovative artists) ever, and died way too soon.
> * Jaco Pastorious -
Oh yes! Check out his work with Joni Mitchell on "Hejira" and "Don
Juan's Reckless Daughter". One can never tell, but I would guess that
Colin was influenced by this psychotic genius.
Flea...
Never mind all the BS that surrounds him and his band, the man can play!
I want my,
I want my,
I want my XTC!
Stormy Monday
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 11:10:37 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Last post, I PROMISE!!!!!!!!!! Message-id: <01IJWLLZDH8290WT04@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> I was sifting through my snailmail, and a fellow Chalkhillian (who we'll call Sir John Johns, for the sake of a better alias) stated how brutal you guys could be sometimes. And he made an excellent point....do those of us who are regular posters realise how many lurkers there are? And do you ever stop to think that there are probably quite a few of these lurkers who never post because they're afraid that whatever they say's gonna get slammed and slagged? People, for THEIR sake put your knuckles down and respect everyone's opinions/ words/thoughts/ideas/views/preferences/etc. and so forth and so on. (Hell, I try, but, as you know, it's a damn hard thing to do when people like Cheryl exist. "Diarrhea at the mouth." Girlfriend, God gave me my mouth for a purpose and I am not about to let it sit there and collect dust, or spit, or whatever. If I post alot it's because I'm interested in what's being said on the list, so you might as well get used to it!) Th-th-th-that's all!
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 12:25:45 -0400 From: J_ARTECONA@RCMAD.UPR.CLU.EDU Message-Id: <970610122545.22804b18@RCMAD.UPR.CLU.EDU> Subject: RE: Chalkhills' Children CC review, just bought myself a snaredrum and I am thinking of contributing for the next compilation. On the whole, good show lads and lasses. It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so ANdy should definitely be. Colin is well represented as well. I would have liked just a BIT of editorial control, I don't know what actually constitutes a "song", but real minimalism is quite an art ( refer to Bone Machine by Tom Waits). Oh well. Love this list and I am glad we survived our little conflict awhile back.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 12:55:20 -0400 Message-Id: <v01510103afc2f920440e@[128.122.161.36]> From: vanvalnc@is2.nyu.edu (Chris Van Valen) Subject: Deep withdrwal Hi Hills This delay is starting to get to me. I just plunked down $14 for that Carmen Sandiego CD for only two and a half minutes of "Cherry in Your Tree" which I have playing on repeat as we type. A friend of mine recently interviewed King Crimson's Trey Gunn and the topic of problematic audiences came up. He had a little anecdote that related to Herr Partridge. It seems that certain nasty audience members near the stage at some UK shows would count off songs loudly to throw Andy's timing off. He would turn around thinking that Terry had counted off, but no, he hadn't. Who knows if this led to what followed. By the way, John, could I get an iced mochachino and a croissant when you get a chance? Thanks! CV If you have an unpleasant nature and dislike people this is no obstacle to work. -- J.G. Bennett Catch "Forever Knight" on the Sci-Fi Channel every Mon-Thurs at 9PM and 1AM EDT. -- Lucien LaCroix
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-128 *******************************
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