Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 150
Date: Friday, 8 August 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 150
Friday, 8 August 1997
Today's Topics:
Prophet V - be known!!
so *that's" what the fuss is all about !!
Mermaid Smiled/Dear God
The Good Captain
Studio or Live?
XTC heard & Dan's dilemma
odd Dukes mutterings
Too much matieral?
Oops
Wrongly-attributed quote
Virgin Global Challenge
Little Express 41 is out
This is the song that never ends, it goes on and on my friend
Respectable Sales
Garden of Anthony Burgess
DVD, TR, Ray Davies, Out like Flynn, XTC Soul Mate
The Increasingly Nonsensical Stories of a Certain Cap'n
RE: ZAPPA AND GRAND FUNK
First Floyd Album
so this must be the place.....
del amitri--no xtc content
New Guy
XTC Or Agony ?
Block on Idea
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
Administrivia:
Please, no more Prophet V or Captain Pugwash.
Arrr, matey, women and seamen don't mix.
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Everything new and upside down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: bob_prowse@sw2000.com
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 97 11:04:09 GMT
Message-Id: <9707058708.AA870804685@gateway.sw2000.com>
Subject: Prophet V - be known!!
Matt Keeley wrote:
>Anyway, what exactly is a Prophet V? It comes up in the liners to
>English Settlement a lot... am I correct in assuming it's a type of
>guitar?
No, its a polyphonic synth - and a really good, FUN one as well. Built
by Sequential Circuits (US), the appeal at the time (and probably
still so) was that you could _create_ with the damn thing - unlike a
lot of other synths around, which were a nightmare to try and
'program' to get a decent sound out. The Prophet V had knobs and
switches on which you could PLAY with and get an instant response of
what you were altering. Almost unlimited sound textures, from very
quirky, spikey, electronic sounds, to rich, warm, fat string/brass
textures. Dave Gregory loved them. Andy swore by them.
If I'm right, I think Andy also used 'The XTC Prophet V', (as it
became known) for lots of percussion/drum type sounds to great effect.
I remember being over at Tudor Studios, Swindon once, when Andy had
been in on his own demoing up what eventually became 'Human Alchemy'.
The engineer there at the time knew I was a fan and he would revel in
his bit of power, bless him, by saying as if he'd almost forgot to
mention it '..Oh, I just finished up an Andy P demo this morning.
Think I've got a bit on cassette, do you want to hear it?' Do I want
to hear it? - 'Oh, go on then, I've got nothing else to do.' Jeez!!!
It sounded really good fun - much, much quicker than when it
materialised as HA, but it had loads of interesting little hooks and
lines and bumps and squeeks, a little drum machine spinning out a
shaker type thing and the big low vocal rumbly part, some desperate,
measured, breathing sounds (as in Complicated Games), one quite
clipped sounding, D.I'd Strat chugging a choppy, almost reggae
'riddum', various snatches of vocal lines and a really groovy, off the
wall bass line. A lot of which never made it to the final record (of
course). A great deal of the sounds coming from the Prophet alone, as
I remember.
But, to bring this to a quick close, the Prophet was probably Andy's
real workhorse synth at the time.
No doubt, some others will be responding to this 'Prophet V' topic as
well...
For now,
Bob
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31510B652669CF11BA1D00805F38219E029D0049@DUB-04-MSG> From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Subject: so *that's" what the fuss is all about !! Date: Tue, 5 Aug 1997 04:37:04 -0700 you know when you discover something new and wonderful...you just have to share it with the world. Just got a copy of Martin Newell "The Greatest Living Englishman". (Thanks Wesley !) Woah !!!!!! Chills !!! So **that's** what all the fuss is about !!!! Peter
------------------------------ From: "Bryan Gillespie" <gillespie@netmcr.com> Subject: Mermaid Smiled/Dear God Date: Tue, 5 Aug 1997 11:00:50 -0400 Message-ID: <1341343442-9957045@netmcr.com> Greetings chalksters, I'm new, so... My copy of Skylarking seems to be different from those mentioned on the list. I have seen those posts with copies with 'Mermaid Smiled' and with 'Dear God'. Mine has 'Mermaid Smiled' listed on the case, but 'Dear God' on the cassette. Bryan * ----------------------------------- gillespie@netmcr.com http://ns.netmcr.com/~gillespie
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=GB%a=_%p=Benfield_Group%l=BENEXCHG-970805154006Z-6276@benexchg.benfield.co.uk> From: Gary Minns <Gary.Minns@benfield.co.uk> Subject: The Good Captain Date: Tue, 5 Aug 1997 16:40:06 +0100 Re: Captain Pugwash... >There was no Master Bates...There was no Seaman Staines. I was just about to get all stroppy and take a bet on the character names when further down the list came the back-up... >...there never was a Master Bates or a Seaman Staines... Oh bollocks! Alcohol induced dementia must be setting in already! >...And the producers of Capt Pugwash have been known to sue people who suggest in print that there were [characters named Master Bates and Seaman Staines]... Fuck 'em. If it weren't for the alleged sexual overtones nobody would ever talk about their shitty 70s cartoon! I'm going off to sulk for a couple of minutes... Gary
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=GB%a=_%p=Benfield_Group%l=BENEXCHG-970805160848Z-6296@benexchg.benfield.co.uk> From: Gary Minns <Gary.Minns@benfield.co.uk> Subject: Studio or Live? Date: Tue, 5 Aug 1997 17:08:48 +0100 >Live performance is the ideal. The next best thing is listening to a recording on equipment that most accurately simulates a live performance. Yes and no. I can enjoy listening to a lot of music live that I would never entertain on the CD at home but as XTC, Beatles et al have shown, live music has certain limitations. I have always thought XTC were better in the studio, even in the early days there was a lot of depth and layering to there music. If they had done a Nonsuch tour they would only have been able to do justice to a handful of songs. If you cook a big meal the trick is bot being able to produce roast turkey, stuffing, potatoes, peas and carrots but being able to produce them all at the same time. Gary
------------------------------
Message-ID: <33E72602.5D53@ns1.mindmagic.com>
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 1997 13:09:25 +0000
From: Brian Matthews <btm@ns1.mindmagic.com>
Organization: Ringling Multimedia Corporation
Subject: XTC heard & Dan's dilemma
Tschalkgerz!
Again, on the subject of public hearings of XTC music:
About a month ago or so, I was visiting the local music superstore (I'm
talking equipment here, not CD's) and immediately realized (after
quickly passing the drum room) that 'Black Sea' was playing over the
store's sound system ("Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)"). Apparently the
store manager is into XTC! The keyboard salesman there says they hear
XTC being played at times.
****
Dan Phipps is worried about whether or not he is losing interest in XTC
because it's taking them so damned long to release some new stuff... I
kinda know what he's talking about. After finally absorbing 'Nonesuch'
enough to know where it's coming from (I know, I know - can you really
do that with XTC?), I couldn't wait to get more.
And we all know the rest of the story.
Now, if it never happens, I'll probably get over it. Oingo Boingo is
another fave band that is now history, and, even though it still irks
me, I'm at the stage where acceptance of the truth is becoming more
commonplace. At least XTC is in a some position to potentially provide
us with new music. So, let's keep our fingers crossed...
-Brian
Eating future and shitting past
------------------------------ From: StereoPuff@aol.com Date: Tue, 5 Aug 1997 19:50:00 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970805194959_-53404742@emout02.mail.aol.com> Subject: odd Dukes mutterings sorry if this has already been brought up a few years ago, but... annyone else noticed the words etched between the fade-out grooves on the Psonic Psunspot LP? They're REALLY hard to see... i only first saw them by accident when the light coming through the window hit the album at a certain angle. Side A (the "In Side") says "LOOSELY FROM THE STIFF BEACH...", while Side B (the "Out Side") says "WITH PINK WARMTH". Any meaning, or just pure Dukeish nonsense? (the LP sleeve also thanks "Lilly Fraser, whatever you are"... heh!) My Bird Explodes, Mike Wood
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199708060150.SAA15619@mailgate31> Subject: Too much matieral? Date: Tue, 5 Aug 97 20:50:55 -0600 From: <aostermann@sprintmail.com> >Quoted: >"the main problem we had with XTC is that they had too much >material"< (Virgin representative)... >Can someone please explain to me why this would really be a problem? I >have a hard time understanding this what-I-think-is-a stupid remark... Especially considering it comes from the label that distributes the Smashing Pumpkins and who released a box-set of the aforementioned band's b-sides from a double-album, which in themselves make up another 2 albums or so. And allegedly, the NEXT SP album's gonna be a double, too. Too much matieral my arse. ;-) But I shouldn't complain; hey, I was a locla rep for Virgin for almost a year and got to meet Low, Ben Harper and David Gray so I can't complain. (Of course, the US division had nada to do with Our Favorite Swindonians, so I don't even feel guilty.) ObXTC ref: I was slumming around Milwaukee, WI today (hi Dave F.!) and I noticed the downtownish Exclusive Co. (a record store) had all four of the hjarder to find XTC stuff...that is, XTC BBC Live, Explode Together: the Dub Experiments, XTC Drums and Wireless (the Radio One session) and the XTC Jqapanese Demo Tracks. So lower WI XTC fans.....you have been warned, as it were. Adam J. Ostermann (currently listening to: Suede, "Filmstar" UK single part 2 b-sides are Neil Tennant out of the Pet Shop Boys signing "Rent" with the rest of Suede backing him up and Brett and Neil dueting on Suede's "Saturday Night"....in case you are wondering I am the biggest Suede fan you're likely to meet...)
------------------------------ From: gravity@loop.com Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970805224633.0069bed8@pop.loop.com> Date: Tue, 05 Aug 1997 22:46:35 -0700 Subject: Oops Dear Chalkobites, With head hung low,I do apologize. I was unaware of Virgin megasore's sale by one Richard Branson? I know not of the(I'm sure)wildly interesting world of high finance and record co. dealings. Alas I am but a lowly blue collar. My mails in the past have been loaded with the inaccurate idea that Virgin records owned Virgin megasnore. I stand corrected by an e-mail sent to me personally. I did want to relieve any of you who may be in distress over this faux paux. The logos are so identical. However I do stand by my excitement at seeing a "listening station"set up just for our boys.The fact that is was in a "Virgin" store seemed ironic to me...until now,of course. The wet blanket is in the dryer,the dolphins are in the jacuzzi. The Beatles are "bigger than Jesus".I love the whole IDEA! "Information is not knowledge.Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty.Beauty is not love. Love is not music.Music is THE BEST!" Frank Zappa All of a sudden......................John Murphy
------------------------------ Date: 6 AUG 97 16:12:20 AST From: PCulnane@dca.gov.au Subject: Wrongly-attributed quote Message-ID: <0000phrrlbpj.0000miiukkmg@dca.gov.au> In Chalkhills # 149, Ralphie [r.demarco@elsevier.com] attributed this quote to me thus: Pculnane@dca.gov.au responded: >Apart from the fact that some people simply don't enjoy what he does, >I think what has aggrieved some XTC fans is that there has been a >certain implication from some of the Todd supporters that Skylarking >lived or died by Todd's input alone, and that it is more his album >than XTC's. Hey, I *didn't* write that! I do have very strong views on TR, the production on Skylarking and the recent threads on these subjects appearing in 'Hills, but I have not expressed them in this forum. For what it's worth though, I largely agree with what Ralph has said in his post. But, phew!, attributing someone else's opinion to me almost got my panties in a wad!!!! ;^) Ooops, hang on, I don't wear panties - I'm a boxers man m'self.... Don't get me started on Rundgren - I am a long-term fan and love most of what he does - including his production approach. I will agree that many of his productions for other artistes are so idiosyncratic that they could arguably be considered "another TR album" rather than an album by the artist in question - but Skylarking is *not* in that category for me. p@ul-of-oz
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=GB%a=_%p=Benfield_Group%l=BENEXCHG-970806081843Z-6376@benexchg.benfield.co.uk> From: Gary Minns <Gary.Minns@benfield.co.uk> Subject: Virgin Global Challenge Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 09:18:43 +0100 >...Richard Branson has spent the last ten years or so spending all his >time...trying to fly around the world in a balloon Yes he has and I work for one of the idiot companies that sponsored him in this enterprise. So far it has cost about #250,000 per mile travelled (1st time he never got off the ground and 2nd time he managed to get from Morocco to just about into Algeria (next door). Such is international mega-business! Gary
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03007806b00e002a0cfc@[134.32.48.170]> Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 11:43:50 +0100 From: Stephen Varga <varga@ferndown.ate.slb.com> Subject: Little Express 41 is out Whilst scrolling through recent editions of Chalkhills, I couldn't see any references to the latest Little Express which arrived on my doorstep yesterday. I'm even more astonished because as a UK Chalkie, I would have thought that our friends in North America would have made oodles of comments on it by now. Although much of the news is "old hat" by Chalkhills standards, there are still snippets of information within it that were news to me such as not being given a leaving card by Virgin after nearly 20 years of service (and more importantly 20 years of financial contribution) For those non subscribers to the Little Express, the latest news on the Idea Records front is that distribution deals are currently being sought with the British label COOKING VINYL as the current favourite which has a long list of associates worldwide. The deal for North America has so far not been biased enough in the band's favour, but they're working on it. Andy is still keen on the double CD idea despite others saying it may make more sense to release an album now and another 6-12 months down the line in order to keep the momentum going. Finally two observations: 1. I could not find Chalkhills publicised in the Magazine. 2. The live interview for Microsoft took place in London. Andy is not online yet. A pity really because it could come in handy for him.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03020900b00e1dc1aceb@[141.212.142.135]> Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 09:22:05 -0400 From: Natalie Jacobs <gnat@umich.edu> Subject: This is the song that never ends, it goes on and on my friend Simon says, >Oh, I must just say that it anyone wants to revel in the sight of Natalie >accepting her "Smartest Monkey" award, *MY* "Smartest Monkey" award, oh memorizer-of-the Dukes'-entire-ouevre? Au contraire, mon frere! I only wrote down what you told me to write down, like the good secretary that I am. Don't try to blame me, buddy. :) Re. the Prophet V (Prophet Vic? Prophet Vinnie? A new book of the Bible is discovered, the Prophecies of Vinnie. . .) - so now we all know it's a synthesizer, but what the heck ramsey is an "anklung" (as used in "Yacht Dance")? A new species of fish? A type of African jewelry? Do tell. Re. new album action - I'm also of the opinion that XTC should release some sort of teaser or appetizer before the album proper in order to let the universe know they're still alive. Now that they *can* release material, they ought to release *something* as soon as possible - even if it's just a single. It would help get publicity for them, which they sorely need after 5 years in hibernation, and might earn them a little cash towards the new album. That's what I think. For the guy who has trouble with songs going through his head: XTC does that to you. When I was first getting into them, I was wandering around with bits of "Skylarking" endlessly cycling in my head and it was driving me nuts. So I walked into a record shop with the hope of banishing the ghosts, when I heard a familiar voice on the in-house stereo. . . "What is this?" I asked one of the clerks, with a sinking in my heart. "It's 'English Settlement' by XTC," said the clerk. AAAHHH!! THEY WERE FOLLOWING ME!!! I fled the shop in a panic. Fortunately I grew to love my affliction and now I only have trouble with Oasis songs going through my head, and I've found that XTC or Elvis Costello exorcise their evil quite nicely. Try singing "Accidents Will Happen" really loudly and hope for the best. (Even if you don't like Elvis Costello, it might work.) fine art never moved *my* soul, Natalie Jacobs Perdix: The Andy Partridge Appreciation Page http://www-personal.umich.edu/~gnat/perdix.html Part of the Chubby White Guy Web Ring (tm)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <AB38D92F01291300@ametsoc.org> Date: Wed, 6 Aug 97 09:53:00 -0500 From: dgershmn <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Organization: AMS Subject: Respectable Sales On the two "Respectable Street" versions, Josh said: >Compare the way Andy sings "the kind of folk who think >they're perfect!" on the two versions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it "the kind of look that says they're perfect"? On a more current note, does anyone have any information on how "Upsy Daisy" is selling? I noticed that it didn't jump into the charts at #1, much to our mutual surprise, I'm sure, and upon checking the Top 250 according to Soundscan, I didn't see it even in the far reaches of the chart. Are there any good sources for sales below that point? "You'll take an inch, but you'd love a mile" (name that tune -- not XTC), Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.1.16.19970806091305.2be7186c@cyber1.servtech.com> Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 09:13:05 From: Chaos Harlequin <harlequin@tmbg.org> Subject: Garden of Anthony Burgess >Anyway, I've found a surprising great place to pick up XTC CDs at a great >price! Circuit City has a great selection (at least the one I went to in >Phoenix, AZ)... I acquired most of my catalog (all the pre-Skylarking albums but ES) at Circuit City, in one fell swoop. They're not really "cheap," but they were at a pretty good $10.99, and with two discs selling at $4.99 (interestingly, these two don't have the Goldline marking, even though they were purchased at that price...) I got a good deal out of it... >A Clockwork Oranges and Lemons There's something about dystopic futures and this album, isn't there? First 1984, then this... >Well, the original idea was to translate "Garden of Earthly Delights" into >Nadsat, and have the song open with a bit of Beethoven... Now this is an interesting idea. "Just don't hurt nobody -- less of course, you *want* to..." Josh /---------------------------Joshua Hall-Bachner---------------------------\ | harlequin@tmbg.org http://www.servtech.com/public/particle/ | | "We all have our idiosyncracies -- maybe thinning hair, or gum disease."| \---- Kowanko, "Will You Come To?" ------ Thank You, And Goodnight. ------/
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s3e860a1.014@elsevier.com> Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 11:31:31 -0400 From: Ralph DeMarco <r.demarco@elsevier.com> Subject: DVD, TR, Ray Davies, Out like Flynn, XTC Soul Mate Dear One Armed Bandits and Affiliated Members: Note: In Chalkhills #149 I attributed a quote regarding TR and Skylarking to PCulnane when it was really from Matt Keeley. I apologize. Now to the posts: Dave Blackburn wrote: >One drawback with DVD is that any CDs that were mixed to DAT will remain >16-bit in resolution even after transfer. Those that were mixed to analog >tape (as most of the XTC stuff was) will sound better, as the masters can >be transferred at the highest new bit rate and sampling rate. There are >other radical new audio developments coming down the pike too which should >make the experience of placing yourself between a pair of speakers for >"true stereophonic sound" seem a cute thing of the past. Of course, it's >debatable whether Mr and Ms record consumer will really care: most people >seem delighted with CDs. I for one, am not 'most people' delighted with CDs! I do like them 'cause they are convenient and there's often less distortion (but as you know real sound has distortion in it!) However, CDs have always been an unfinished technology - they don't hold enough information to reproduce real analog sound. This is why I often laugh my pressed panties off when I read people debate back and forth about whether the new gold re-mastered CDs sound better than the original CD versions. Granted, they probably do. My brother-in-law bought me the new gold 'Shoot out the lights' by Richard and Linda Thompson and you know what I listed to instead..the original album! It just sounds better! People...wake up and find a vinyl copy of O&L, (or any XTC album in good condition!) toss it on a turntable with a decent sharp stylus (and a good stereo system) and you will be AMAZED - it will sound like live music - you can hear the subtle vibrations of the snare drums, the flick of the guitar pick plucking the strings, the strings vibrating off the frets, the voices will sound ambient and rich, the bass will have real punch! CDs sound flat and lifeless - no matter what they do to improve them. The supposed superior sound quality of CDs is the greatest corporate scam of the last 20 years! They told us that dynamic range is everything and that is just not true!! NOW, they are admitting this by trying to sell you Gold CDs at 2 or 3 times the price - and so now DVDs are supposed to fix the problem of digital sound reproduction? Maybe they will improve digital reproduction, I don't know. My advice to all you Chalkers who are obsessed by the Digital revolution - rediscover vinyl and then jump for joy. Erich Walther <enrico@fox.nstn.ca> wrote: >The only bone I have to pick with TR is his tendency to OVER-produce; he >seems to abhor (sp) a vacuum and has to fill every little space. Still, 'A >Wizard, A True Star' (he's soo humble), 'Something/Anything' and 'Swing to >the Right' are must-haves. I agree sometimes Todd does get carried away in the studio but...more often than not, it works! I also think that the underrated 'A-Capella' is one of his best (the song Blue Orpheus sounds like it could have been written by Andy P.- though I'm sure Andy's arrangement and production would be much different). The album 'Nearly Human' has some nice Motown/Gamble & Huff influences that I like and a great cover of Elvis Costello's 'Two Little Hitlers'. Erich: >Ray Davies is the man! His influence on both Andy and EC is pretty bloody >obvious. Check out EC's outstanding interpretation of 'Days'; of course, EC >makes even have a nice day sound like he's spilling his soul out at >you. How the Kinks got relegated to the delete bin of life is beyond me... Ray Davies is one of the best contemporary songwriters ever! He is very smart, writes lyrics that combine perfectly with his great melodies and often complicated arrangements. Andy P's addiction to the all important bridge (which often sounds like a different song) is a testament to the genius of Ray Davies. Sometimes I think the Kinks are often just..well..better than the Beatles - which is very, very difficult for me to admit. And, yes...they have been overlooked way, way too much! In regards to lyrical themes - Ray Davies is the true working class hero - not John Lennon (with all do respect to John). Erich: >Subject: Errol(y) We Roll Along >I checked with an uncle and a dad (and various trivia books) and 'in like >Flynn' seems to originally refer to how he'd invariably have a scene where >he'd swoop across the screen on a) a rope, b) a drapery, c) something >hanging off a tree...you get my drift. His kiddie-diddling scandal later in >his career gave the moniker a whole new spin... BUT, when you look at the >title of the song, doesn't 'flint' make more sense? Andy playing with fire >again...And when you look at the first line of this verse the >flynn/flint/fire pun fairly leaps to the fore with the mention of >juvenile'ing. Once again, Andy working on all levels; and we mortals just >shake our heads and say Wha?? Thank you for finally clearing the mystery up for me! Chalkhills rules! NEWS FLASH: Most of my friends do not like XTC. I found one who not only likes 'em, but loves 'em. We spent all last Saturday afternoon listening to XTC records (original vinyl of course) and bonding in a new way. We also listened to Nonsvch on CD (was it ever pressed on vinyl?? I would love to know). Life is good. Chow, Ralphie
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=GB%a=_%p=Benfield_Group%l=BENEXCHG-970806153159Z-6647@benexchg.benfield.co.uk> From: Gary Minns <Gary.Minns@benfield.co.uk> Subject: The Increasingly Nonsensical Stories of a Certain Cap'n Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 16:31:59 +0100 >>There was no Master Bates (it was Master Mate). >>There was no Seaman Staines. >>And the producers of Capt Pugwash have been known to sue people who suggest >>in print that there were. > >How right you are, I was getting mixed up with Captain Titwank (not as >widely shown). Thanks for that reply Simon. Could you put some warning ahead of all future comments in this vein so that you spare the rest of us splurting our coffee out over the screen in fits of laughter?! Gary
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 7 Aug 1997 00:09:34 +0700 (GMT) Message-Id: <199708061709.AAA02212@smtp-0.indo.net.id> From: Todd Steed <todzilla@indo.net.id> Subject: RE: ZAPPA AND GRAND FUNK Why did Zappa produce Grank Funk? I guess the both asked him and paid him. He probably took the proceeds and made a classic album like One Size Fits All or went on tour. Todd R. I can't speak for. He gets on my nerves, though his work on Skylarking is mighty fine. I think he shines with the right talent. I am an XTC fan who likes Zappa more than XTC. Anybody else like that? Todd of the short Forest
------------------------------ From: garyt@dna1.dnet.co.uk (Gary Thompson) Subject: First Floyd Album Date: Mon, 4 Aug 1997 18:28:20 +0100 Message-ID: <19970806171656.AAA7899@gt628.dnet.co.uk> Any of you who enjoy the Dukes' take on 60's psychedelia might be interested to know the first Pink Floyd album, 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' has been reissued in the original mono mix, and mighty fine it sounds. Also available, for a short while, is a CD EP with the first 3 simgles, plus b-sides.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 10:56:47 -0700 From: "pawnee q " <ribber@mailcity.com> Message-ID: <MEOCBCBMKNIPAAAA@mailcity.com> Subject: so this must be the place..... Organization: MailCity E-Mail Service Hiya, one and all. Me? I found XTC after,(I remember clearly) reading a review of "Drums and Wires" in Cream magazine. Their characterisation of the boys as hook masters sold me, and I've been "hooked" ever since. First off, I'd like to add mine to the list of those on the search for demos and outtakes. I am not a "collector" so cassette dubs are just dandy and I have a huge collection of oddball stuff of all persuasions to swap with. Question: What's the deal with the missing line in most later releases of "Life Begins At the Hop" ? It's great to hear that there's going to finally be some new stuff. I, personally thought that "Nonesuch" was absolutely the weakest thing they'd ever done and I'm glad they're not stopping there. Me??? I play in an acoustic trio here in Santa Fe NM called, "Phydeaux III". I'm really the only member that has any real XTC influence, but as I'm the guitarist/vocalist, I'm sure that there is a bit of Andy in there. You havn't heard the last from me, and I think it's "In Like Flynn", personally.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 14:57:49 -0600 (MDT) From: Eric Muller <EMULLER@UWYO.EDU> Subject: del amitri--no xtc content Message-id: <01IM4GC1WZN6000UWH@PLAINS.UWYO.EDU> A question from a once-upon-a-time poster, now lurker, on this list: I heard a song by Del Amitri on the radio the other day. It was catchy as hell. Is any of their disks worth owning? Which? Please respond to me directly; no need to clutter up the list with Del Amitri debates. Thanks- Eric Muller emuller@uwyo.edu
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970806144644.00695784@pop.cancom.net> Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 14:48:39 -0700 From: The Village Green <green@vis.bc.ca> Subject: New Guy Greetings, this is a long one so skip if it you don't want to hear from the new guy. I am, if my email name gives any clue, a *big* Kinks fan. I am also a big fan of XTC. And, .... I have everything from Todd Rundgren and Utopia. I have read a couple of your digests and am quite surprised at the nature of the hate that some people have for TR. I haven't read enough to know if this is the general attitude of the postings but let it go already. He produced an incredible album and Andy said in Rolling Stone that in hindsight maybe the situation wasn't as bad as they thought at the time. Maybe he has said other things elsewhere so please enlighten me; privately if you wish. As far as XTC goes I not too crazy about a lot of the stuff from the early releases (however Are You Receiving Me stills stands as a truly superb song). Starting with Drums & Wires they just got better and better. I'm not partial to any one album, but as a whole like The Big Express, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons, and Nonsuch. As for individual songs the following stand out (at this moment): Atom Age, Outside World, Nigel, Respectable Street, No Thugs, English Roundabout, Senses WOT, I Remember The Sun, Smalltown, Ladybird, Red Brick Dream, Train Running Low, Dear God, Another Satellite, Earn Enough For Us, Mayor Of Simpleton, Chalkhills, Scarecrow People, Peter Pumpkinhead, Dear Madam Barnum, Crocodile, Wrapped In Grey. etc, etc. I first discovered XTC with the release of Drums & Wires and, over time, became hooked. What I have found most annoying about the general response from critics has been that the band have been their own worst enemies with smart-alecky, nonsensical lyrics and quirky, inaccesible, all over the place melodies. (I've never used all those words in the same place before, never mind the same sentence). The music is intelligent and the musicianship first rate. It's sometimes a little too disjointed and the words are just that, words. I'm sorry that it doesn't fit a format designed for drones but it works better than the popular garbage that's been floated around the last number of years. My two cents on TR: his New World Order was a piece of garbage. There should have been a warning sticker on the front. He has had other 'bombs' with side two of Initiation, pretty much all of Healing, and some of AWATS. As a producer he hasn't had tremendous 'commercial' success other than Bat Out Of Hell. For a down-right excellent production of his check out The Pursuit Of Happiness' "Love Junk". In the big picture he has created some fine music, never bowing to the pressures of the marketplace. Personally I'd bet that he is annoyingly self-important. I am from Valemount, British Columbia, population 1,200. It's in the middle of three mountain ranges and only an hour from Jasper National Park. I play guitar in a few different 'groups' depending on who wants to do what and when. No pop, no pap. Any Kinks fans can find the Kinks Preservation Society through Neil Ottenstein at otten@tomco.net. Tell him I sent you. Sequential Circuits... I still have a Six-Trak, which I believe had the first on board sequencer of any synth. It's an antique but definitely interesting. All the best Bill Green What do you call that noise...
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199708062247.AAA03051@utrecht.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Thu, 7 Aug 1997 00:52:43 +0000 Subject: XTC Or Agony ? Dear Chalkers, Ed Miller had a problem with a tune that stuck in his head: > However, while skipping though the CD to get to 'The Disappointed", my > brain caught the opening guitar parts to "My Bird Performs." Now, > today, at work, it's the same problem, different tune. > > ARRRRGGGHHH! > > Any suggestions for therapy, drugs or references for a good shrink will > be greatly appreciated. Ed, the only drug that will cure you of this condition is more XTC. Of course this will only be (fossil) fuel for your addiction but there's no alternative... You just have to fill your head with ALL their songs and you will be cured ;) But seriously, did anyone know there's a lubricant (ARF ARF!) on the market called 'XTC Jelly' ??? bye, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse; the XTC website @ http://utopia.knoware.nl/~mmello ===> The Random XTC Quote <=== They never read that tattoo on his arm
------------------------------ From: dale.mann@juno.com Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 10:36:48 -0400 Subject: Block on Idea Message-ID: <19970806.103649.9342.0.dale.mann@juno.com> I'm a long time lurker from Atlanta, GA. I had the opportunity the see Jamie Block Sunday (8/3) night. I was not familiar with his music, but I had seen him recommended on chalkhills. I enjoyed the show very much. I highly recommend his CD (which I purchased from Block), or better yet catch him live. Anyway, I told him that I heard of him through chalkhills. He said something like, "Wow, Andy and I are good friends. Have you heard about his new label; isn't it great." He said he wants to release his next CD on IDEA. Again, he is a very talented (Andy agrees and he seems pretty stingy with the compliments for other musicians) friendly person. So now there are at least two IDEA releases I know I'll buy.
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Message-ID: <33E987F1.1549@ns1.mindmagic.com>
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 1997 08:31:47 +0000
From: Brian Matthews <btm@ns1.mindmagic.com>
Organization: Ringling Multimedia Corporation
Subject: BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
Tschalkgerz!
Having posted this before:
>Chris Ellerd asked about a copy of 'Skylarking' with both "Dear God" and
>"Mermaid Smiled" included... I don't have it in front of me, but I think I
>have a cassette at work with both on it ("Mermaid Smiled" was included with
>one other as *extras). I'll check and get back with ya.
Well, I was wrong. So sue me. :-)
-Brian
Eating future and shitting past...
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-150 *******************************
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