Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 159
Date: Friday, 29 August 1997

         Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 159

                  Friday, 29 August 1997

Today's Topics:

                          X-T-Si
                  My XTC Discovery Story
                      The Becki Show
                           USA
    nice and nasty comments about bands other than XTC
                    little XTC content
      North American source for Without The Beatles
        You and Kate Bush will still be beautiful
                          Demos
                     Becki's CD Party
                      JHB Yessiree!
                   As soon as I wake up
                       In Harms Way
                        dictionary
more demo talk AND albums of artists you don't buy anymore
       Hey, how come I didn't get the last digest?
                   Shake you donkey up
                    Canuck Skylarking
                         XTsCheme
              the case of the missing digest
             Name for tape of original songs
                          hello
             Amendment to Rook transcription

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Chalkhills is digested with Digest 3.4 (John Relph <relph@sgi.com>).

The captain's box of butterflies have all hatched out as lice.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message-ID: <c=GB%a=_%p=Benfield_Group%l=BENEXCHG-970826114254Z-269@benexchg.benfield.co.uk>
From: Gary Minns <Gary.Minns@benfield.co.uk>
Subject: X-T-Si
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 12:42:54 +0100

>Equis-Tay-Say

En Castellano: Equis-Tay-Thay

------------------------------

Message-ID: <3402D952.84CC8FF9@gate.net>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 09:25:44 -0400
From: Mark & Kim Irvin <mdirvin@gate.net>
Subject: My XTC Discovery Story

As far as growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, I was pretty fortunate to have
a great record store connection that had a terrific JEM imports
selection.  Here goes my story....

One day in June 1980 I walked into Homer's record store (at the time I was a
rocker, i.e. Led Zep, Hendrix, AC/DC, Kiss, etc.).  As soon as I walked in I
heard this music that I thought was awesome - raw and full of energy.  I
inquired to who it was.  The clerk told me that it was called Nevermind the
Bullocks by the Sex Pistols.  I bought the 8-track that day. And that's what
started it all.  I started looking for more.  The next album I bought was
Entertainment by the Gang of Four...totally different than the Pistols, but
it was great.  I was hungry for more of this second British invasion.  So, I
thought I'd check out a compilation record and bought This is New Virgin Pop
1980.  On this LP where bands called XTC, The Members, Magazine, OMD, Human
League (sans female vocals), Flying Lizards, the Ruts and a few others.
This compilation became very influential to my future musical selections.
The first track on side one was This is Pop by XTC...whatta tune!  The first
track on side two was Making Plans for Nigel.  This new found sound was
something else...never heard it played on the radio.  I embraced this
British sound and sold all of my rock and roll records to buy more.  I
bought a recording from practically every band that was on this compilation,
some on LP, some on 8-track (mobile music).  I bought Drums and Wires as it
was the current release by XTC.  Some of the others I bought that day were
Grin & Bear It by The Ruts and Real Life by Magazine.  Drums and Wires was
my favorite.  I wanted more XTC.  I had to get This is Pop.  So, I searched
and searched and picked up White Music on vinyl.  What a sound!  It stayed
on my turntable for a couple of weeks....but it wasn't enough.  Now I had
XTC's first and third releases....I had to complete my collection!  On a
trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa (still the summer of 1980) and found Go2 in the
cut-out bin....wahoo!  It stayed on my turntable for a couple of weeks too.

Soon Black Sea was released.  I bought it the first day Homer's had it
in their import section.  And I was not disappointed to say the least.

Well, now this 15 year old kid wanted more XTC and that's when the waiting
began.  The wait for English Settlement seemed like forever (pale in
comparison to our current wait), but finally this double LP was in my hands
and on my turntable.  The rest is similar history.  Although my music tastes
were evolving to jazz and other forms of music, I had to have my XTC fix.
So, with baited breath, I have awaited each release since then.  I have
since converted all of my XTC to CD (still got the vinyl if anyone's
interested in them).  It's difficult to say which is my favorite...they are
all so good.  Drums and Wires was my first full length XTC and it holds a
special place.  Never has a single band dominated my musical tastes the way
XTC has.  The only performer that comes close is Elvis Costello....I'm a big
EC fan too (also waiting for his new release).  If you have read all of this
- wow, thanks for letting me take up so much of your time.  And know I know
that there are at least two of us chalkies here in Florida (hey Brian!)  Any
more Floridians here?  Any chalkies in Nebraska?  hmmm.....

Take care & God bless,
Mark

------------------------------

From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com
Message-Id: <199708261534.AA241219698@elroy.corp.octel.com>
Subject: The Becki Show
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 08:35:02 -0700

Now, I'm not one to "want to like" an artist simply because someone I
know that I like is involved in the project.  For instance, as much as
I like and respect Robert Fripp and his body of work, I also think he
has been a poor producer and contributor on other people's projects.
I think that Darryl Hall, The Roches, Peter Gabriel and Matching Mole
(to name but a few) have all suffered by their  Robert Fripp
productions.

To that end I have to admit that I did a bit of eye-rolling when I
learned that Becki DiGregorio had Davi Gregorio sitting in.  I have
also learned long ago to keep an open mind about music.  This one paid
off!

I went to Becki's Santa Cruz show (as well as fellow Chalkies, Mitch
F., John Relph in Chalkhills regailia, Eric Day, Andy Kreyche and Dean
Martucci) last Thursday.  The live presentation was very nice
(Chalkhills even got a mention from the stage - while John Wedemeyer
plucked the muted intro to Jason & The Argonauts) and I really liked
what I heard.  A nice performance, nice instrumentation, good stage
presence and well crafted songs.  I bought the CD.

I listened to it on the way home.  It was then that I realized the
shortcomings in the live performance... the glistening production.
While the live show sounded excellent, the CD has a beautiful sound
and atmospheric vocal treatment throughout that adds a dreamlike
spaciousness that was missing in the live presentation.  I really
enjoyed the live performance (which obviously brings with it different
elements like onstage banter, a round of applause for mom,
contortionist facial expressions from bassist Andre that could put Jim
Carrie out of work and being in a room that you know has at least
seven (7!) other XTC fans) but I'm happier with the CD.

The added fun that I missed at the live show was to go back to Becki's
after the show and listen to the demos and other "unheard" XTC tapes
that Mitch brought... but SOME of us had to work in the morning so I
had to pass.   Grrrrrrr.

Cheers, Richard

P.S.  By the way, John Wedemeyer USED to be an excellent guitarist
when I last saw him play in 1989.  He's gotten much better.

------------------------------

From: Matt_Kaden/CAM/Lotus@lotus.com
Message-Id: <852564FF.00720F18.00@mta2.lotus.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 16:55:41 -0400
Subject: USA

>I had to jump on this one because I heard today that 50% of
>people living in USA didn't know who long it took for the Earth to
>revolve once around the Sun (1 year)

What is this USA? I've heard a lot about it.

------------------------------

Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=Fidelity%l=NORTHEAST1/IMC001/000180C2@msgbos100nts.fmr.com>
From: "Sawyer, Keith" <Keith.Sawyer@fmr.com>
Subject: nice and nasty comments about bands other than XTC
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 17:21:00 -0400

linda hall(particle@servtech.com) (aka JHB) prodded my ego thusly:
>The Mommyheads
>I've heard only one of their songs, "Monkey" (ironically enough, on the
>radio show of Keith "I hate the Mommyheads" Sawyer). I was not impressed.

Y'know, I'm trying to refrain about posting negative comments about
bands mentioned on this list (like the Mommyheads, whom I might
characterize as unforgivably bland), since the last time I
muppeted a comment about BF5 being 'cloying' their defenders came
out of the rough wielding the scimitars with a single-minded zeal.

Instead, I will agree with whomever recommended The Divine
Comedy, a wickedly entertaining loungey-pop act with whiplash
quick wit and a brazen sense of cruelty to match.  Lightheartedly
meanspirited, as compared to the brutishly nasty fun the Auteurs
dish out (check out After Murder Park from your local library for a
sufficient preview of songs portraying socially unacceptable
attitudes towards kidnapping and ritual suicide amongst other topics).

Also a big hip hooray to whomever pushed Eric Matthew's new release on the
list, not as crisp as the last one .. a bit more textured but still
thrilling orchestral pop.  And let's hear it for the High Llamas and their
Burt-Bacharach-Orchestra-fronted-by-Brain-Wilson sound.

Curtiss Hammock <curtiss@macbeth.com> bravely submits:
>The main reason I re-subbed to the list (I may have mentioned this
>before)was for recommendations of other music. In this, I have been
>quite successful, having found several new artists who I like quite
>a bit.

I concur and add my own yes indeed!  Anyone who wishes to swap
comp tapes of interesting *newer* material (since we don't seem to
be getting too much of that here) feel free to drop me a line.  I've
got more than enough fantastic material to fill up ... um ...
eight comp tapes?  Ten? I've lost count...

No obligatory XTC content (as usual),
keith

"I can't go back, I can't return
To a world I knew, to a world that's gone"
 -Trembling Blue Stars, 'For This One'

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 20:47:37 -0500 (CDT)
From: The Gottschalks <gotts@tenet.edu>
Subject: little XTC content
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.970826203003.7399B-100000@gaston.tenet.edu>

Hello all. I haven't written in a small while, but I sort of let my
Chalkhills get behind over the weekend.
	Neat coincidence about "Working Under Pressure" and "Under
Pressure." Or was it meant to be taken that Bowie and Queen heard of this
album name possibility and stole it when it wasn't used? Speaking of
Queen though, I was surprised to hear that "Another One Bites The Dust"
has a hidden message. I thought that the only hidden messages were in
Brian's songs, but I guess Deacon surprised us here and there over the
years (One Year Of Love). And one more thing about Queen. An XTC cover of
"Tenement Funster" would be the greatest... with, get this, Colin on vocals.
Don't ask me why. It would just be interesting as hell. (For the few of
you who know what I'm talking about, hm?)
	HI AMANDA CARYL OWENS. I was just going to ask where the hell you
went, but then you came back. Since you mentioned muzak, I'll share with
you a nightmare. The first muzak version of a song I like I have ever
heard was of Superman's Song, and it was at a grocery store. I wanted to
cry :(
	Anyway, not much more to waste everyone's time with here.
There's a little bitty review of Upsy Daisy Assortment in one of the most
recent Guitar Magazines, if anyone cares. It's short and sweet. XTC, I
guess, in a strong nutshell. And if my memory serves me well, the word
"quirky" might not show up in it, but don't hold me to that.

				Mark
(youngest Chalkhillian except for Gerardo Tellez,___________________________
________________________________________________who is a day younger than I)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19970826191423.00689e34@mcn.org>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 19:14:23 -0700
From: Jason Kirkman__Carol Kawase <jkirk@mcn.org>
Subject: North American source for Without The Beatles

Hi, everyone,

Without The Beatles is a German release containing Dave Gregory's (aka
Colin's Hermits) faithful rendition of "I Am The Walrus", Martin Newell's
version of "Baby You're A Rich Man", and (on the bonus 7" that comes with
the LP version) The Cleaners From Venus doing "Day Tripper".  If you live
in North America and would like a copy of this, you can order it from Music
Machine Mail Order, a reputable and reliable record and CD source.  (I'm
not associated with Music Machine in any way, except as a satisfied
customer.)  I got my copy a few months back from Jarmusic in Germany, and
it was a hassle and quite expensive to do so.  I just found out Music
Machine has it, and would highly recommend getting it from them instead.

The LP plus 7" is $22 and the CD (which I believe *doesn't* contain the five
songs on the 7") is $25.  These are good prices.  They charge $4 for UPS in
the US, $4.50 to Hawaii and Canada.  Music Machine Mail Order's address is
11459 Cronhill Drive, Suite O, Owings Mills, MD, 21117.  Phone number is
(410) 356 4567, fax is (410) 356 4693, website is www.musicmachine.com

Happy listening.

Jason K.

------------------------------

Message-Id: <v03010d02b02963bed443@[128.148.19.24]>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 01:27:07 -0500
From: Gene Yoon <Gene_Yoon@brown.edu>
Subject: You and Kate Bush will still be beautiful

>From: Cheryl <McGREGOC@regents.ac.uk>
>
>Mr. Mitch was able to give us an answer to who did the HOOing in
>Ladybird, does anyone have an idea on who did the WOO! in Rocket from
>a Bottle( I'm sure I got the title wrong but it's early morning and I
>don't carry my CD's to the comp lab, so shoot me!) off of Black Sea?
>It sounds female to me?

Title correct, but where's the WOO?  Do you mean the "I-- I-- I--
woo-oo-oo-oo" before the lyrics?  But anyway I don't hear anyone but Andy
on this track.  What a great song-- quintessential XTC optimism wrapped in
a pop gem.

Of all XTC albums, I probably listen to Black Sea the least often, and I'm
not sure why, since I like so many of the songs.  I think it's because
proportionally it has the fewest Colin songs.  Conversely I listen to
Skylarking and Drums and Wires the most often.  CM provides a needed sorbet
to the heavy-handed Andy tracks.

>From: Catherine Sweeney <Cather-s@selectst.com>
>
>How would Andy feel about doing a duet with Kate Bush?

WOW.  Andy is certainly a Man With a Child in His Eyes.  And Kate!  Brains,
beauty, and talent.  Andy would either be drooling at the prospect or
hiding behind a chair in intimidation.  There would be few musical pair-ups
that I would more want to hear than Andy and Kate.

On the no-longer-new demos--
Every time I hear "You and the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful" I imagine
Stevie Wonder singing it.  Vaguely soulful, definitely groovy, and a bit of
a mouthful, especially the chorus.  Maybe it's the "Unhhhhh".  Somehow I
can easily picture Mr Wonder swinging his head and tapping his toe to it.
Yes?  No?

No matter what the weather, (actually it's quite nice where I am, thanks)

Gene

p.s. I'm still wondering if anyone has heard The Dandy Warhols and what you
think of them.

------------------------------

Message-ID: <01BCB2CE.6C0E12C0@loc37.rsc.co.uk>
From: "Graham Stephen" <grstephen@rsc.co.uk>
Subject: Demos
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 09:42:18 +0100

I've been off the list for months and now I'm back I discover talk of demos
- can anyone tell me more? I thought the band were still withour a deal,
have things changed?  I know I should have been paying attention but we all
lose the plot sometimes. Sorry, it won't happen again...probably.

Graham

------------------------------

From: sunhouse@best.com
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 04:21:42 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <l03020901b0294f95ba5f@[206.86.6.87]>
Subject: Becki's CD Party

   Had a *wonderful* time playing at Becki's CD release party!! We only had
one rehearsal so it was a little rough around the edges (God..I made some
HUGE blunders!!), but overall I think that Becki rose to the occasion and
put on a great show! Thanks for the kind reviews that were posted in
Chalkhills #3-158!!
   Regarding Dave's solo on "Inside The Dream", my original idea was to
re-create it note-for-note. (I had been wanting to sit down and learn it
anyway, because I,too, think it is an AMAZING solo!!)So I stayed up extra
late one night figuring out this bit of Lydian brilliance. Then Becki
informed me at the rehearsal that she wanted to stretch out the end solo
since this was to be the last tune of the set. (That's a little like asking
me to scribble something with crayons on Picasso's easel!!). Anyway, i
opted to split the difference. Not sure if it worked, but it was LOUD.....

					I must say that the entire project,
from beginning to end, has been a pleasure indeed. Becki is a class act and
we had ball making the CD. The gig was alot of fun and I hope we get a
chance to play some more sometime...(hell, hire us for the next
convention!!!). And , because of Becki, I was able to meet and hang out
with Dave!! Never in a million years would I have predicted that!
   And it was great to meet John, Richard, and Mitch in person! Dean, thanx
for the Zenji and The Attractions CD! Very Cool.....Richard, many thanks
for the  copy of "Chalkhills Children" tape!! I really enjoyed it, and to
Eric Day: your version of "It's Nearly Africa" was, hands down, my favorite
track! Nice Job!!
   Apparently there were some of you there who I didn't get to meet but
thanks for coming. I know the Beck-ster appreciates it...Oh yeah, and the
Zeppelin medly thing was all Becki's fault. She requested it!! (Imagine,
Led Zeppelin at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center...).    ;-)
   Well, I'm off to re-read all of the "Chalkhills Children" reviews!
                        Regards;
                           John Wedemeyer (sunhouse@best.com)
 "You'll get no books for your dinner....sinner"

------------------------------

From: jason.phelan@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 97 08:52:35 CST
Message-Id: <9707278726.AA872697337@in2.mcmail.vanderbilt.edu>
Subject: JHB Yessiree!

     Hello Chalklines on the pavement,

     To JHB and your XTC windows theme, I say BRAVO. I love it. Here I am
     at work getting to look at the wallpaper and hear the sounds and
     constantly being reminded of the band. You have done an excellent job
     and I commend you.

     Everyone should download it. It's a blast.

     Ah well,
     Phelan

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 08:36:24 -0700
Message-Id: <v01510102b02a00ef164f@[194.128.83.69]>
From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher)
Subject: As soon as I wake up

>Some of you were wondering when XTC recorded the Ray Davies / Kinks
>classic Tired Of Waiting For You.

>They did record this track, as XTC,  during the 'CBS sessions' in
>January 1977. CBS did not sign the band and it was never released of
>course but it can be found on bootleg tapes.

I walked past Ray Davies in an Edinburgh cafe a couple of days ago (he's
doing some gigs on the Fringe), and I decided to play it cool and not say
anything to him.

Do I excommunicate myself from Chalkhills or will someone else?

- Mark
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~fisher/

------------------------------

Message-ID: <34047148.5BE1@sprintmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 11:26:16 -0700
From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com>
Subject: In Harms Way

Folxtc,

>From Ted Harms:

> I'd agree that much of Nonsuch is lyrically very good.  The two tracks
> that I think are so un-Andy and so un-sublte in there blatant message are
> (the aforementioned) 'Books are Burning' (complete with masterbatory and
> pointless guitar solos!) and I'll add 'Peter Pumpkinhead' to that list.

I've heard that some XTC "fans" have had a problem with "Books"
lyrically, (just ask one of the "smartest monkeys"!) but "pointless and
masterbatory guitar solos"!  It is called music.  Andy is a unique
guitar player in his approach", and Dave is peerless.  Listening to them
trade riffs at the end of "Books" is a treat that I savor with each
listen.  So few bands have anything to offer in terms of guitar work
these days, but XTC's guitar playing has always been some of my favorite
ear candy.

Andy is such a fine lyricist, that I dare say he is beyond reproach.  So
called "great" pop/rock lyricists often pale when their body of work is
held up against Mr. P's witty, literate, concise and poetic lyrics.

What I'd like to add though, is that I'm along primarily for the music.
I love John Coltrane and Miles Davis, and their music has no lyrics.
Beethoven's "Fur Elise" can move me to the verge of tears.  If XTC's
lyrics were written by Sting and Neal Peart, they'd still be one of my
favorite bands, but I'd be spending a lot more time defending them!  The
fact that XTC's music AND lyrics are consistently of the highest quality
is what sets them apart from the mere mortal super-groups like U2 and
REM.

> I mean, really, the grand metaphor approach of something like 'Another
> Satellite' or 'Human Alchemy' is totally thrown out the window with the
> hit-you-over-the-head approach of 'Hmmm, let me write a not-so-thinly
> veiled critique of Christianity (again) and right-wing, book-burning
> politics."  C'mon, give me a break!

I don't hear "Peter" as a critique of Christianity at all. There is an
obvious snipe at The Vatican, but I think Andy is more or less
complaining about power and corruption, and our inability to fight that
power, even when a "Christ-like" figure comes along to show us the
way.   And, it is a musically perfect pop song.

An obvious interpretation of "Books Are Burining" could be a complaint
against censorship, but I think there is more too it than that.  What I
see in this song is Andy's observation that the books are there.  The
ideas are available, but people aren't reading. I think he is saying
that "books may as well be burning because people don't read them, and
there in lies the crime".

I agree that "Another Satellite" is a textbook example of Andy's ability
to overwhelm us with his effortless phrasing and inspire us with his
witty and clever metaphors, but I don't see "Human Alchemy" as anything
but blatant.  But why criticize Andy for saying what he means?  I like
Andy's blatant lyrics.  As my lovely lady-friend has been quick to point
out, many lyricists are vague and subtle under the guise of being
clever, but really they have no clear vision of the point that they are
trying to make, and often may not even have a point.

I love Andy Partridge's lyrics.  He doesn't seem to care if his lyrical
vision doesn't fit in with what the pundits say good lyrics ought to
be.  He can be subtle, and he can be blatant, but with very rare
exceptions, he is always brilliant.

Stormy Monday

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 13:21:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dave Seaman <SEAMAN@A1.ISD.UPMC.EDU>
Subject: dictionary
Message-id: <C320ZWZOJ89QE*/R=EDISON/R=A1/U=SEAMAN/@MHS>

and now to delurk for a moment.... i can't believe some of you are panning
"your dictionary" - this is a great song! so what if it's
blunt/vindictive/etc - when does pure emotion and force equal bad music?  in
the case of this song, it's in your face, but in a creative and catchy kind
of way.  and i'm sure many of us have felt the way andy did in this song at
one time or another, only couldn't express it as masterfully as andy.
anyway, i love the song (in case you didn't notice...).  i hope its on the
album.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 10:25:45 -0700
From: "Macdonald, Robert" <RMacdonald@bcbc.bc.ca>
Subject: more demo talk AND albums of artists you don't buy anymore
Message-id: <BF4081FF169CD0118C4600805FBEEAE90AB454@BCBCMAIL>

Hello all.

".....further to Brian Matthews and JHB's comments"

"The Green Man"

I'm always surprised by Andy's synth heavy songs.  The first time I heard
"Poor Skeleton Steps Out", I thought "Oh, oh" But after a couple lines I new
I really liked it and that the use of keyboards on an XTC song scared me a
lot less than the schmaltzy "MOR" jazzyness of some other tracks. (Don't
flame me.....I didn't say which tracks.....and as I've aged and mellowed
they don't seem to bother me as much either!)  This track while different
again confirms to me that Andy can use keyboards in an appealing way and
that it is a direction that XTC could use on a new album along with straight
guitar pop.

>"I'd Like That"

A true pop gem.  Everyone I have played it for fans or not have loved it.
Andy's flamenco (sp.?)  rythm track is amazing.

>"Knights In Shining Karma" -

This song reminds me a little of Robyn Hitchcock.   I like it though
because the sound is different
for XTC

>"Easter Theatre"

You say tom ate o, I say tom otto...........I love this song.  The melody of
the chorus is beautiful and Andy's backing vocals singing "Stage Left",
"Stage Right" in that slightly strained, full of emotion voice of his.
Lyrics?  well they don't really make me blush too badly.

>"The Last Balloon" -

I've never really been able to make out these lyrics either (Josh, I'll
check them out on the Web Site...thanks) but it still sends shivers up my
spine.  Sad, defeated, but slightly hopeful?

>"Your Dictionary" -

I think it is incredibly interesting to hear some of this material but I
would guess that this track is more a form of therapy rather than an album
track.

>"Candymine"

Another track that I feel lucky to hear because it would probably never make
it on an album.  It makes me laugh out loud every listen.  "Andy having a
gas in the shed" ........visions of an PG-rated (or is it now 14A?) version
of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

   On another tangent........The other day I was thinking how XTC are one of
the few bands that I listen to that I have never felt that "Do I really need
another album by so and so, I already have so many (insert number
between10-25) albums and I'm not sure this next one is going to be that
different to make it worth getting.  I've felt this way a couple times about
Elvis Costello throughout his career, and have generally ended up buying
them anyway.  I love Robyn Hitchcock buy haven't bought his last few albums
after having bought his first five (plus b-sides plus all the Soft Boys
lp's.)  I think that part of this is that I have never felt that XTC were
treading on the very same territory that they did on earlier albums or maybe
it's simply that I like XTC a lot better.  Do any of you out there feel that
way about other bands?  Your thoughts??

   It feels like summer is over here.  Ugh, rain for the past week and
forecast for the long weekend!

	Rob Macdonald.
  	Victoria, BC Canada

	(Currently listening to the new Yo La Tengo which I love.
	A band that has covered The Kinks and The Beach Boys!)

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 13:11:42 -0600 (CST)
From: "DADDY'S GIRL" <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu>
Subject: Hey, how come I didn't get the last digest?
Message-id: <01IMXOKS83J68XKR48@jazz.ucc.uno.edu>

I'd like to add my .02 in the Colin vs. Andy thing, with one simple
sentence: Andy is the better lyricist, Colin is the better singer.

What's this I hear about Gregsy going bald????? Not that it matters,
anyways, I'm just oozing with curiosity. I haven't seen recent pics of
him. (Most recent being the ones in the latest LE.) Well, it is to be
expected at that age.  (Although my dad is 50 and neither bald nor really
all that gray......)

JHB: Over the summer I compiled a list of XTC songs I think would make good
MAGIC cards. Wanna read em? Say the word.

Well it's certainly nice to be back in the thick of things. Although I
pointed out to the Angel on my Shoulder that things seemed a bit too
quiet.....

Ciao for now,
Amanda

XTC song of the day-Young Cleopatra
non XTC-In the Summertime-Mungo Jerry

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 11:47:51 -0700
Message-Id: <l03102800b029c25bef87@[206.171.126.182]>
From: Dave Blackburn <dblack@access1.net>
Subject: Shake you donkey up

Dear all,
	As I am fairly new to the list I imagine this has been discussed
before considering the care and attention given XTC lyrics by many
listmembers, but I've never been able to get a handle on what "Shake you
donkey up" is getting at. Is it a Swindonian expression, a ribald joke that
I miss, or, incredibly, an address to a "donkey".
	I am prepared to be the laughing stock if everyone else has "got"
this one years ago but, go on, do tell...
	On the mono /stereo thread: all you have to do to hear any album in
mono is to get out of the sweet spot between the speakers, preferably a
good distance or listen from the next room. You will hear a summing of the
stereo channels that is effectively mono.

Regards to all, and thanks for the tips on other bands (think I might look
into some Kinks pretty soon...)

Dave Blackburn

Dave Blackburn/Robin Adler; dblack@access1.net

------------------------------

From: Kelly Nickel <nickel@SEDSystems.ca>
Subject: Canuck Skylarking
Message-Id: <SIMEON.9708271548.C@me-10.sedsystems.ca>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 15:08:48 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

 Good people of Chalk:

 I initially wrote:

>> Sorry to see the QOTW and SOTW die so suddenly, they
>>lived a short but meaningful existance. I pause in a
>moment of respectful silence...

 This was not a sarcastic stab; I liked them as well. I was
referring to the fact that the originator (Bill... that was
you...right?) didn't plan to continue for lack of support.

 I have a little treat for any of you collectors looking
for the Canadian CD version of Skylarking - it is still
available. If you will remember, that is the version with
Mermaid Smiled AND Dear God on it. I am willing to order
copies for those interested parties... email me privately.

 For those "worthies" who made it to Becki's party - I am
insanely jealous.

*----------------------
Kelly Nickel
nickel@sedsystems.ca

------------------------------

From: Monical702@aol.com
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 18:05:19 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <970827180139_753331558@emout13.mail.aol.com>
Subject: XTsCheme

It is incredibly cool, and I am working on an altar to JH3. (He is soooo
incredibly modest.)

The screensaver is the best.  At one point it looked like a blue laser beam
was emanating from AP's head.  It was very Dr. Who...I laughed all afternoon
long.

Thank you, again!

Monica Lopez
Houston, Texas

------------------------------

From: "KIMBERLY MARTIN" <KMAR0971@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU>
Organization: Gainesville College, Univ Sys of GA
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 13:16:04 EST5EDT
Subject: the case of the missing digest
Message-ID: <FFBE612101@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU>

    hey...
    just wondering if someone could do me a LITTLE favor....
    I went to print out my copy of digest 158, and it only had two
posts on it....
    did this happen with everyone's, or did I just accidentally erase
most of it?
    it said, after the end of the two posts, "end of ch 158"
    If anyone got the WHOLE digest, could they please send it to me?
    thanks!
    --kim

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 16:28:12 -0400
Message-Id: <9708282028.AA22771@notesgw2.cc.bellcore.com>
From: "Michael D. Myers" <mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com>
Subject: Name for tape of original songs

Chalksterz;

First of all, I want to add my name to the nomination petition for Sherwood
as the hoot of the year.  It really is terrific to read his posts; they give
me a good laugh each time.  Next, I want to ask Sherwood and anyone else to
help with a small task.

A few weeks ago, Fritz Stollenback told us that he had made good progress
putting together the tape he is compiling of original songs by Chalkhills
list members.  I thought it would be fun to ask everyone to consider a name
for the tape.  Maybe he should call it <Chalkhills' Evil Stepchildren>, or
to quote Harrison's recent epic post, <Sprung Forth Fully Formed From the
Forehead of Zeus> (well, maybe that's not an exact quote).  That's what I
think; what about everybody else?

Of course, I haven't consulted with Fritz before I launched this plan, so he
might veto it, but what the hey, let's hear those names, folks.

Mike

------------------------------

From: Nojbart@aol.com
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 17:56:00 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <970828175344_-865844128@emout18.mail.aol.com>
Subject: hello

hello everyone,just a short note to introduce myself.

my name is john bartlett,i've been a fan for something like17 years and i'm
pleased to discover i'm not the only xtc fan on the planet.however,the fact
that therextc/partridge/ moulding demo tapes floating around and i don't
have them fills me with dread(i thought i was alone you see ).i,ll write
some more when i've got the hang of this internet/e-mail lark properly,in
the meantime ,great to know that others love xtc,for the record,my favourate
album is ''black sea'',and the tab and chord section is an absolute god send

                                cheers,everyone

                                               john bartlett
    nojbart@aol.com

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 16:30:15 -0700
Message-Id: <199708282330.QAA20772@mando.engr.sgi.com>
From: John Relph <relph>
Subject: Amendment to Rook transcription

Greg Beecher supplied the correct chords to "Rook" up to the bridge
back in summer 1996.  He requested help with the bridge itself.
Dave Blackburn <dblack@access1.net> has contributed the remaining
changes to the tune, for posting in the transcription pages of the site.

You can find the updated chords in the Chalkhills Transcriptions Archive:

	http://chalkhills.org/charts/

Your humble moderator,

	-- John

------------------------------

End of Chalkhills Digest #3-159
*******************************

Go back to Volume 3.

29 August 1997 / Feedback