Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 15
Date: Wednesday, 30 October 1996
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 15
Wednesday, 30 October 1996
Today's Topics:
XTC music "sighting"
Toys
Have a Cigar, Boys
Getting Others Hooked on XTC / $$$
Re: Song of the Week
tmbg
A Lurker jumps in with a REALLY long post...
Andy's shed
XTC on video
Pop songs say so much
Dave Gregory played cricket for Australia
The pop is fallible
Andy on BBC Radio 1 - Thursday 7th Nov @ 9pm
Re: No Recorder
The Who; General stuff
Re: Big Day
Here we go again.
"Natural" progression?
Todd
Administrivia:
Remember: if you don't give your message a Subject, I will!
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.
Breathe 'em in until my head goes spinning around.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <3274E7F8.2840@sirus.com> Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 12:06:16 -0500 From: Peter Dresslar <pdresslar@sirus.com> Subject: XTC music "sighting" I was shocked and delighted to hear "King for a Day" played at our local Steak and Shake restaurant here in Holland on Friday night. Sadly, none of the other restaurant patrons seemed enlightened or elucidated to the fact that they were listening to music by such an elite troupe of musicians. There were no knowing winks, no children clapping, no dancing in the aisles. But, none of the other patrons seemed to mind when my friends and I sang along. "well the way that we're liv-in! is all taking and no givin!..." -Peter Dresslar Holland MI USA
------------------------------
From: kraig olmstead <kraigo@netcommcorp.com>
Subject: Toys
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 96 11:52:00 PST
Message-ID: <32750FCA@msmail.netcommcorp.com>
>>
though I think "Toys" could well have stayed in the box
<<
Boy, just goes to show ya!!
I _LIKE_ "Toys" - he walks and he talks in a commanding voice but
sexually he's not there (ever seen G.I. Joe naked?). Alot of cute little
jokes in there.
On the other hand I never figured out what _anyone_ sees in "Bungalow",
but it's among some people's favorites. I always disliked "Leisure" as
well. And I thought Barry's stuff on Go 2 was fairly memorable...
BTW someone vented some time ago about us skipping the songs we don't
like ("there are no bad songs"). I can't speak for the rest of you, but
I _don't_ skip the songs I don't like. I never like an XTC album the
first time I hear it and keep hoping to find the bits on those songs I
don't like that will suck me in.
Lastly someone mentioned a "song of the week" concept. I like the idea
(even though I'm a newbie and this is my first post - started loving XTC
with ES and rediscovered them around 1990). In this vein, I would humbly
propose that the song of the week be "Bungalow" so I can figure out what
it is I'm missing.
I suppose some centralized authority will have to step forward to decide
what the song is going to be. Any takers? They would probably be
deluged with e-mail from Chalkhillians requesting a song to be
discected...
Kraig
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 11:09:01 -0700 (MST) From: Miles or Gigi Coleman <coleman@cougarnet.byu.edu> Message-id: <0DZZZQXZX00OUT@ACS2.BYU.EDU> Subject: Have a Cigar, Boys Kathryn Burda wrote: >I feel like I'm one of the 'Silent Majority' of those types who like >all those peppy fizzy songs like "Life at the Hop, Generals & Majors, >Mayor of Simpleton, Supergirl, Senses Working Overtime" etc., but get >too embarrased to admit it. I know we're supposed to like all the >songs with heavy symbolism in them, but dammit, sometimes a cigar is >just a cigar.... Absolutely! As I have perused one digest after another I often get the idea that you are a different kind of fan if you enjoy those innocuous tidbits listed above without trying to throw in some interpretation for good measure. >I assume that this is supposed to be a comma, as I somehow don't see Todd >Rundgren producing an album for $150. :) BTW, JHB, that information may have come from one of our overseas friends where the period is used in monetary values instead of the comma. On the "have you ever heard ____ in that XTC song," thread, I remember someone asking what was being said on "Towers of London" at the beginning and I'm not sure if it got answered, but it sounds to me like the are getting ready for another take of the song. The first voice is one of the boys asking if the take was "Okay?" Then the engineer and says something like, "Let's have number three." The next two voices may be Colin and Andy mocking the engineer by saying something like "Number three" and "Okay three." I don't pretend to know exactly what they are saying but it reminds me of how I might respond when my brother or sister said something I didn't like and I wanted to mock them. Possible? Miles Coleman Miles and Gigi Coleman Provo, Utah http://www.byu.edu/~coleman Family Home Page http://www.byu.edu/~coleman/guatenor Guatemala City North Mission Alumni Page http://www.mission.net Index for Alumni of LDS Missions
------------------------------
Message-Id: <9610281729.AA03999@cnpsm.condenast.com>
Subject: Getting Others Hooked on XTC / $$$
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 96 12:35:16 -0500
From: weasel <weasel@condenast.com>
I've read a number of postings about failed attempts at getting a friend
or lover to get 'hooked', and I think I have come to find the best
method.
At first, when introducing someone to XTC, I'd start right out by saying
"you've got to hear XTC" or "they're the greatest, ever, of all time", or
something, and throw a CD on right then and there...That works with
ALMOST nobody. People don't like to be forced into a band, especially if
you oversell them before they get a chance to hear them!
Recently, I've had multiple successes by working XTC into a mix tape or
at the end of a tape of another band. Don't even make mention of them on
the tape cover. That way the unsuspecting convertee gets hooked without
knowing it, and usually comes back to you asking "who is this singing
this song? have they done anything else?" Then you've got them, They'll
buy the entire XTC library.
I've seen the same thing happen to myself; REM being an example of a band
that somebody pushed to hard on me, and even though I like everything
I've heard from them, I don't own a single album. I just didn't get to
discover them for myself.
--------
On another subject altogether, I've been trying for some time to find a
way to get actual cash-money to "the lads". I just can't stand it anymore
to hear stories about part time painting/rental car company jobs, and the
only way we have to support these guys is 20 cents at a time by buying
CDs? There must be a better way that doesn't benefit a record company.
Perhaps I could finance a new guitar or a really good microphone or
something for the bootleg album? Even to help finance some of the legal
costs of getting a GOOD contract with another label. I agree that 'People
are greedy and suck" is a good reason not to have a middleman, and I
don't have Andy's address either, but there must be some way.
Any suggestions?
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.16.19961029005840.4b7fc8c8@cic-mail.lanl.gov> Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 17:58:40 -0700 From: DeWitt Henderson <dewitth@lanl.gov> Subject: Re: Song of the Week Hello XTC-philes - About the idea of having an XTC song of the week, or whatever - hmmmmmm. Look at the discussions about "Life Begins at the Hop", and previously on "The Smartest Monkeys". We seem to disagree mightily on just what the heck IS a good XTC song. By the way, both of those songs are GREAT. Makes me wonder what songs some of you DO like, eh? Anyway, to me, it seems that every time someone brings up a song, there begins a little war about it. I agree with whomever responded (to the group) on the initial slam - yeah, so what songs do YOU like by them, so we can slam THOSE? Actually, the point is, we all like XTC, but we obviously disagree (more than I'd think, actually) on what's cool. It's like we all like the same restaurant, but we don't order the same stuff. Comprende? Peace in the Neighborhood, folx - Thanks to whoever it was that gave us Andy's quote on rap (the "C" is silent"). In summary, life begins at the hop, and maybe we're NOT the smartest monkeys. Thank you, and good evening. * ---------------------------------- | DeWitt Henderson | | Los Alamos National Laboratory | | CIC-13 MS P223 | | Los Alamos, NM 87544 | | 505/665-0720 | * ----------------------------------
------------------------------ From: "Mitch H. McGlothlin" <mhmcglot@icdc.delcoelect.com> Message-Id: <199610290303.WAA22544@koicps01.delcoelect.com> Subject: tmbg Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 22:03:03 -0500 (EST) In reply to a message replied to by Joshua: >>But the best CD of all my recent acquisitions is by far "Factory Showroom" >>by They Might Be Giants. A bit shorter than is usual for Them, meaning >>"only" 13 songs, but every single track is strong. Actually, there are 14 songs on "Factory Showroom". You just have to find the extra one. ;) >I quite like it. IMHO, XTC Vs. Adam Ant falls a bit short of muster, >unfortunately, but the album in general is very strong and well-done. Yes, I agree, it is an excellent album. Mitch
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3276253C.6D46@earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 07:39:40 -0800 From: Herne <herne@earthlink.net> Subject: A Lurker jumps in with a REALLY long post... Greetings everyone. This is my first post to this list although I have been following it for several months. I go by the name Herne but my real name is Ken. I'm 30 years old going on 31 in December. I've been an XTC fan for almost 17 years. I think they are my all time favorite band. Information on them was the first thing I went looking for when I finally got on the Net this summer. I grew up in Rhode Island but I now live in Manhattan Beach, CA. I work for a movie studio in a dues paying job while I try to get some form of writing career going on. Although film and tv is what I always wanted to do, I think more about music than almost anything else. I've written more songs than screenplays but I don't consider myself to be a musician. I first heard XTC in 1980. I heard Generals and Majors on the radio and loved it. I rushed out and bought the single...which was on RSO records!...Ever since then I have been fairly obsessed with them. Needless to say I'm happy Chalkhills exists because the lack of new things from XTC or any info about them is depressing...and it's great to talk about them with anyone because as you all know...finding other people into the band is a daunting task indeed. Well now that you have a vague idea about who I am...I'd like to add my bits to some recent threads... 1.)Demos---I've been reading about demos here and elsewhere for sometime but I posses NONE of them. I would really like to hear them so if there's anyone out there who's willing to make a tape for me, please e-mail me and maybe we can work something out. Maybe I have something to trade or whatever. Most of the XTC things that I posess are official releases or imports or promos that I suspect you all have but I have access to a lot of Hollywood things (posters etc.) that might be of interest. 2.)West Coast Chalkhills get togethers---If one takes place within reasonable reach of the L.A. area I would love to attend and meet some of you all. 3.)Re:Songs they shouldn't have recorded---Well I would maybe change that to "Songs they shouldn't have released to the public" but ANYWAY... As I stated before, XTC is my favorite band of all time and I pretty much love every song they have made including the ones I don't care for as much BUT I will say there are a few weak areas for me. a.)the political songs---not all of them but many of them seem...dare I say it...trite. At least lyrically anyway. Someone pointed out in the last list that it's lyrics that can get in the way for songs he/she were less fond of...and I would have to agree. Some examples of this are Here Comes President Kill Again and This World Over...which I can barely sit through these days. I always have a problem with British songwriters going on and on about American Cold War politics or any other american politics for that matter. The most annoying example being U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky". (I wanted to slap Bono for that one.) I'm not against people criticizing the USA but it just seems that so many British songwriters have this attitude about America. Deep down they want us to worship them but at the same time there's this level of disdain. (Not so much XTC but many of their ilk) I mean nobody here looks at Britain with disdain. You don't see many American songwriters going on about what Parliament's doing now do ya? I don't mean to go on about it because I'm so non-political it's funny. And I love the Reign of Blows...but I guess I'm just happier when the lads are singing about how 1000 umbrellas open and spoil the view. b)the instrumentals---the Homo Safari Series...Processions towards A Learning Land or whatever. I find it odd that none of the instrumentals have been able to invlove me emotionally in any way. I don't think I've ever listened to them more than twice. These entries in my opinion are their musical achilles heel...at least the ones I've heard. I know a lot of them were probably goofs...like all of Go Plus and Take Away but I just can't get into them. c.)As for songs that don't fall into the above two categories I'd have to say...MUMMER. It took me a really long time to get into this album. I got into individual parts of it over several years but one song remains...Wonderland. I know it's supposed to be ironic, and I appreciate that...but it has always annoyed me. Colin's one weak song...besides the Smartest Monkeys...which is probably worse lyrically but I haven't heard it enough to have strong feelings about it. 4.)Life Begins at the Hop---Probably the 2nd XTC song I ever heard. I really liked it but didn't know it was them for quite some time. I was shocked when I found out it was them...I was then bummed to discover it wasn't on an album. All those different versions of Drums and Wires. I actually have five separate copies of that record on over four different labels. I bought a canadian version because it contained a lyric sheet for all songs of the first three albums and all the singles to that point...which back then was a HUGE find. 5.)On Not Liking an XTC album on the first listen---Yeah...all the time. Besides the aformentioned Mummer... The Black Sea---I remember thinking all the songs were SO LONG. Later of course...that didn't matter. The Big Express---It seemed real loud, crashing and uninvolving. I heard All you Pretty Girls and I was like...what? Skylarking---I thought oh no...another Mummer...and set it aside for nearly a YEAR before I went back to it. 25 O'Clock---didn't hate but it took some getting used to...unlike Psonic Sunspot which I loved immediately and which I think is the best thing they've done since Skylarking. Mummer---I know I already mentioned it and this post is already really long but GOD you just don't know the pain. English Settlement was so huge for me and then to get this as the next offering...plus being told they had broken up. I mean augh! Gradually as time passed I got used to it. then I got into parts of it. And now I pretty much like it. But it took years. Nonsuch---I didn't hate it but I didn't get really whipped up about it. It remains the only XTC album I never really got that into. It's the only one I don't know completely by heart. Some stand out songs of course but...their weakest offering in my book. Even their song about my one big issue (the 1st amendment), Books are Burning seems somewhat lacking...not majorly lacking...but lacking. Drums and Wires and White Music I got into fairly quickly. English Settlement and Psonic Sunspot I got into really fast. And the fastest one I got into of all time was oddly enough...GO 2. That's right GO 2. Voted least favorite XTC album in a Little Express Survey some years back but I've always had great fondness for it. 6.)Discuss individual song thread---Great idea! Shall we start at the beginning? Is Science Friction the beginning? If it is...I've always liked early XTC. I can't think of any other band from that era or any other era that sounds like they did then (or now for that matter although you can make a case for some bands...Beatles,Steely Dan,they Might Be Giants). A great spaztic pop song. Sort of tips you off to what you'd be getting in the future. Catchy pop songs. Great lyrics and a unique sound which is blessing and a curse to them. Okay that's it. Sorry for the length. I'll be shorter in the future but understand I've been dying to talk about this stuff for years!!! Feel free to e-mail me, Herne
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199610290522.QAA00128@warchives.riv.csu.edu.au.> From: "Simon Knight" <sknight@warchivegw.riv.csu.edu.au> Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 15:32:42 +0000 Subject: Andy's shed Tim Kendrick wrote this a while back: >The "Live in Andy's Shed" video is (IMHO) fantastic ! Yes, there >are some songs out of tune, and some that are only half-done, but >overall it is wonderful ! I first saw it at the XTC convention in >Princeton back a few years ago and loved it immediately. They do >"Where Did the Ordinary People Go" twice, and it literally sent >chills down my spine. After seeing it, it became my favorite Colin >demo of all time. I've always wondered about this: could anyone who's seen this tell us what "Andy's legendary shed" looks like? I've often tried to imagine the place where he spends his time crafting his songs. Is it full of Beatles posters, lava lamps and shag rugs where in any sane world there would be loads of gold records and awards? Has Andy ever been nominated for that English songwriters award, what's it called, something like the Ivor Novello award? (I mean if Damon and Noel can win it....) Actually, have the XTC guys ever won *any* awards? Please someone tell me they've gotten SOMETHING. I personally think they don't mean anything but i guess you could feel like someone was recognising your work...
------------------------------ Message-ID: <32755964.3FA4@bitstream.net> Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 01:09:56 +0000 From: IAN ACES <ianaces@bitstream.net> Subject: XTC on video Hey- Does anyone out there have ANY XTC on video? I'm willing to beg and grovel if need be. I have a video list that is free reign to anyone out there that has any live shows, music videos or whatever. Please give me a write directly if you have any.... thanx- IAN
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199610290823.DAA17112@answerman.mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 03:18:39 -0500 From: Matthew Jason NeSmith <jnesmith@atl.mindspring.com> Subject: Pop songs say so much There are many issues of taste arising on the list as of late. That's cool, though because everyone throws their two cents in. And now, here are mine. "Life Begins..." I've always loved that song. It successfully evokes the innocence of a junior high (or its UK equivalent) dance. It's written like a 50's or 60's dance number. "Jump" Nice subject, but I really don't care for the song. Maybe it's those pseudo-jazzy forced-sounding chord changes. Same goes for "Toys". And "War Dance" I agree with John E. Daly. To me, a song like _Earn Enough for Us_ is more _meaningful_ than a big message song. I think that's possibly their biggest weakness: too many message songs. They don't usually pull them off flawlessly, either. It's an interesting challenge, and when it works we get things like _Scarecrow People_ (one of my favorites). However, I would preferr more _fizzy pop songs_ . BTW, thanks to this list, _Bungalow_ is no longer my most-hated XTC song. I really like it now. Hey, Cory W. Smith, I'm in Atlanta. If you're ever in town, e-mail me and lemme know. We can sit around and listen to some music. If we have any groups in common. Do the dwarf, Jason wubba wubba wubba, Orange Hat How's your hand? Orange Hat hevvy rotation on the Brain: Stevie Wonder "Race Babbling" www.mindspting.com/~jnesmith We're all made of Jello, Orange Hat
------------------------------ Date: 29 Oct 1996 15:45:00 -0000 Message-ID: <19961029154500.5530.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "G.M. Quinn" <lovechunks@hotmail.com> Subject: Dave Gregory played cricket for Australia Now that I have snatched your attention (HA!) with promises of colonial intrigue, be warned: THE XTC REFERENCE IS A CHARMING COINCIDENCE It is amusing in itself, with a lovely XTC time-warp thrown in: >In 1878, Dave Gregory led the first official Australian side to >England. Dressed in distinctive butcher-striped jackets and >peakless blue and white caps, they bore and unfortunate resemblance >to convicts, albeit nattily-attired ones. The tour was never >consummated with a Test match, for despite the 1877 win in Melbourne, >England remained unconvinced about the quality of cricket in the >colonies. Ah, what a delight it is to look at the Ashes records now, after that last statement. And that is what must be one of the strangest XTC coincidences, as well as one of the worst costuming/publicity schemes in history. Yours with microphone in one hand and a cricket bat in the other, GM Quinn Melbourne, The Land of OZ T.E. Lawrence - "All right! I'm extraordinary. What of it? 'Lawrence of Arabia' Screenplay by Robert Bolt * --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com * ---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19961029185946.0069cf44@mail.sonyinteractive.com> Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 10:59:46 -0800 From: Bob Estus <bestus@sonyinteractive.com> Subject: The pop is fallible But not in this case. Sir Simon of nonsuch@dircon.co.uk penned: >I think "Toys" could well have stayed in the box, but that's mainly because >of the lyrics. The same fate could befall Funk-Pop-A-Roll for the same >reasons. I like the lyrics to Funk Pop A Roll for their possible religious overtones. I may be the only one hearing this, of course. Suspend your disbelief for a moment, please. Even the pope's opinions can evolve. The main theme seems to be copious consumption and the music industry. But the lyrics have a subtle thread of a religious nature: >Gulping in your opium so copiously from a disco Religion the opiate of the masses >But swallowing is easy when it has no taste Subtle reference to holy wafers >They can fix you rabbits up A possible slur directed at over-breeding catholics >Funk pop a roll for fish in shoals fish being the christian calling card, schooling mindlessly >Funk pop a roll beats up my "soul" Could read as: the funk of the music industry batters the thing I had held as dear to my heart as others would hold religion. Yet the industry, or church of music is as corrupt as any other. Of course this is my interpretation. You may now unsuspend your disbelief. -Bob
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Oct 96 19:54:51 GMT Message-Id: <9610291954.AA003ry@apowell.demon.co.uk> Message-Id: <072c9fe03276b56a13ashley@apowell0> From: Ashley Powell <ashley@apowell.demon.co.uk> Subject: Andy on BBC Radio 1 - Thursday 7th Nov @ 9pm Says it all really. BBC Radio 1, Thursday 7th November at 9.00pm on the program Soundbite. The blurb hails Andy as "the creatively indulgent uncle of Britpop", but doesn't say what he's doing on the program.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 18:46:06 -0500 (EST) From: J_ARTECONA@rcmad.upr.clu.edu Message-Id: <961029184606.22200283@rcmad.upr.clu.edu> Subject: Re: No Recorder Hello all, since the subject of songs that XTC should'nt have recorder came up.....I am a die hard fan, love just about all of their work. I agree with whoever said Barry Andrew's stuff shouldn't be included. There is one song I absolutely detest. I have never regularly skipped any songs until this one......Bungalow....what the hell is that piece of crap about? My personal spin on the thing is that Colin probably wrote it because he was pissed at Andy, just to spite him since he probably gets a quota of songs per album. My loss I guess. I would love to hear if anyone feels as I do, and if not to at least give me a few reasons to even reconsider that abomination. Nonsuch isn't by far their best effort but that song just takes the cake.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199610292334.PAA09306@dfw-ix8.ix.netcom.com> From: "Mark G. Cuevas" <litserv@ix.netcom.com> Subject: The Who; General stuff Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 15:33:07 -0800 Dear Chalkolates: I'm happy to report that The Who, those Mod men of yesteryear, still have it. I saw them on October 2 at The Forum in L.A. What a great show. Zak Starkey, Ringo's boy, was on drums. Despite the baddish review in the "Daily Variety" I thought he was quite good -- much better than his father anyway. Billy Idol was part of the show, as was Gary Glitter (whom I could have done without, thank you very much). All in all, a Rockin' (oops) Mod show. Now, to the other stuff. Just a few general comments and observations from Vol. 3, No. 13: From box@nemesis.com.au: > Simon, once again you have filled my life with a luminous brilliance. > I love you and I want to have your babies. This quote goes on my wall. :-) From klburda@umich.edu: > Does anyone else out there think that Life Begins at the Hop is one of > the dumbest songs they've ever heard? No, just you. :-) Seriously, I tend to agree with Mr. Daley. I genuinely like the song -- especially the ending where the bass line and the rhythm guitar fade out. It goes without saying that this is not one of XTC's deeper songs, but I like it for what it is. "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" indeed. lalalalalalala From our esteemed Chalkmaster, Mr. Relph: > Chalkhills is now OFFICIAL! Clearly hearty congratulations are in order. A large toast to you oh esteemable one (and bacon too). I imagine it's quite a lot of work doing this labor of love. Thank you. Please continue. From the same Mr. Relph: > Yes, many thanks to those of you who noticed that I've got a new son. > The Pink Thing. Heh heh. Congratulations again. I'm not sure which is bigger news. :-) From the same Mr. Relph: > _Bang, The Earth is Round_ is now one of my favorites. _Radio Jejune_ has > some good tunes, but didn't grab me like _Bang_. Me too. But did you happen to notice that on Radio Jejune, on a cut called simply Arizona, the following line (I think): ". . . Sit back and watch me crack what Mr. Moulding's done before. . ." Am I hearing this correctly? * --------------------------------------------------------- Don't be a negative vibe merchant . . . * ---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: Keith Hanlon <ad180@seorf.ohiou.edu> Message-Id: <199610292336.SAA24459@big.seorf.ohiou.edu> Subject: Re: Big Day Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 18:36:14 -0500 (EST) Some others wrote: >I won't tell you what I heard, but I will say that if you have any rhythmic >sense you might be shocked. Try this little experiment on your stereo if >you dare: Cue up "Big Day" and either pan the music all the way to the left >or turn off the right channel completely. A wonderful trick for sure! Try this when listening to U2's "Who Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses." Completely different song, either way you go. Has anyone gotten the Beatles' Anthology 3 yet? "Cry Baby Cry" is brilliant! Lastly, something has been bugging me for a while. Since the Kinks are being mentioned now, I think I can get away asking this... I just barely scraped some XTC content in this post to do it! What Kinks album has "Fancy?" (The original album it appeared on please, not a collection.) Thanks! Keith
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19961030002828.00700c74@dave-world.net> Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 18:28:28 -0600 From: Eric Adcock <eadcock@dave-world.net> Subject: Here we go again. Me: >>This reminded me of descriptions of Rundgren's production of "Skylarking"... Don Lindbergh: >Um, isn't this topic in some doc somewhere (or shouldn't it be) saying >no god please don't start this shit again, 'cause there will always be >someone to rebut in the following fashion (which I'm gonna, 'cause >you're/they're wrong of course): >Andy admitted long ago that Todd kicked ass on the album, productionwise. >Todd *did* in fact kick ass on the album and made XTC's best record >EVER, hands DOWN, period; one they could have made with NOBODY ELSE. >Yes, Todd has a funky old school-totally-unique-seat-of-your-pants, >whacked out-31-band-graphic-eq-on-every-channel-engineering approach >but by god we love him so shut up! >Look, they made the record, it's history, it's wax, love it or leave >it but don't diss Todd without mentioning Andy too. He's the one who >insisted the god damned song not be released as a single! (that's FACT >look it up.) You are putting words in my mouth. I did NOT say: "It is my opinion that the production on "Skylarking" is poor." I did NOT say: "Dudz! Rundgren sucks!" _I_ said that the movie review reminded me of descriptions of Rundgren's production MADE BY OTHER PEOPLE, including this line in particular from the Twomey book, page 147: "XTC were also worried by Rundgren's occasional slapdash approach." _I_ DID NOT SAY _ANYTHING_ ABOUT RUNDGREN OR HIS PRODUCTION! My apologies to the list in general for taking your time on an off topic subject. Further replies via e-mail. Take care, Eric Adcock Mr. What Bloomington, IL, USA mailto:eadcock@dave-world.net http://www.dave-world.net/~eadcock/
------------------------------ Date: 30 Oct 1996 02:11:54 -0000 Message-ID: <19961030021154.18038.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "JEFF STARR" <grackles@hotmail.com> Subject: "Natural" progression? Point of discussion for XTC lovers world wide: A fellow XTC lover and I were discussing our favorite releases from the band recently, and an interesting argument ensued. I had mentioned that 'Oranges and Lemons' was one of my least favorite releases from the boys because of the heavy handed jazz influence and the overly-slick production values. But he said that it was a necessary and natural progression for the band. Yet, looking back over the band's catalogue, I see no "natural" progression at all. In fact, I think XTC's most artistically advanced and mature releases to date have been "Mummer" and "Black Sea". Don't get me wrong, I've loved everything the band has put out (with the possible exception of "Bungalow"). But if you ask me, "King for a Day" can't hold a candle to "No Language in our Lungs" or "Deliver Us from the Elements". Am I nuts? Confused in San Francisco * --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com * ---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: box@nemesis.com.au Date: Wed, 30 Oct 1996 13:27:14 -0500 Message-ID: <TCPSMTP.16.10.30.13.27.14.2156250573.1768778417@nemesis.com.au> Subject: Todd #> From: dabl2@nlm.nih.gov (Don Lindbergh) #> there will always be someone to rebut in the following fashion #> (which I'm gonna, 'cause you're/they're wrong of course): #> Todd *did* in fact kick ass on the album and made XTC's best #> record EVER, hands DOWN Erm, calm. Nobody's wrong, it's a matter of opinion. For the record _Skylarking_'s one of my least favourite XTC albums. Anyway, Eric Adcock <eadcock@dave-world.net> was only drawing parallels to a film review he read. Nothing scandalous. Adam
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-15 ******************************
Go back to Volume 3.
31 October 1996 / Feedback