Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 86
Date: Friday, 28 February 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 86
Friday, 28 February 1997
Today's Topics:
re: Grass Question
Rockpalast
<more info> Your Chance to Interview Andy
Omnibus
Craving fresh topics...
A Hodge-Podge collection
Grass
Grass lyric -- your mate
Terraces and majors...
things they did on "Grass"
The Great Compilation Debate
Where have all the Chalkhils go-oooonnneee????
Um, let's see...
XTC review their own singles!
Colin Cavorting
A few responses....
Sorry, I can't think of a good subject line
Re: Grass Question
the singer of grass
ok, now i'm embarrassed...
Farmgirls
Re: Grass Question
Re: Keeping the Dream Alive dept.
Who murders who?
the little details
Nonsuch
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The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
The way you slap my face just fills me with desire!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ERIC DAY <ERICDAY@diamondmm.com>
Subject: re: Grass Question
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 97 16:15:00 PST
Message-ID: <3313806B@mailgate.diamondmm.com>
"Sean Robison" <sean_robison@cpsmtp.CP.Disney.com> wrote:
> There's a lyric in the song, "Your mate has gone, she didn't want to
> be alone" that raises a few questions for me.
>
> Who is the singer? (Yes... I know Colin is THE singer. But who is the
> 'character' singing the song?) Since Colin is male, I assume the
> 'character' of the song is male. But...
I've always interpreted the lyrics this way:
The narrarator is a man obsessed with this particular woman, and although
he's being seriously rebuffed ("the way you slap my face..."), he's not
dissueded in the least ("...just fills me with desire").
He really doesn't understand that the woman has no interest in him, and
thinks she's just playing "hard to get." (Sadly an all-too-common male
tendency, methinks).
Anyway, the "mate" is the woman's female friend who has left the scene,
thinking that the guy is bound to steal her pal's attention away, thus
leaving her "alone". She has somehow misunderstood the situation and
believes the other two to have a mutual attraction. She's wrong, though,
and has left her friend vulnerable to the guy's potentially forceful
advances (she's "helpless now").
As always, I reserve the right to be wrong. Comments??
- Eric
------------------------------ Message-ID: <33139920.57A3@pop.erols.com> Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 21:00:00 -0500 From: RC <robertlc@pop.erols.com> Organization: Pink Palace Productions Subject: Rockpalast I'm looking for a MINT or near MINT copy (Video) of the Rockplast Show in 82, I already have this, I'm looking to upgrade. I have access to over 1800 videos, all types of Bands. Let me know! Thankx Rob Cosentino
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=msft%l=DUB-04-MSG-970225175737Z-59388@INET-05-IMC.microsoft.com> From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Subject: <more info> Your Chance to Interview Andy Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 09:57:37 -0800 The interview will take place at Andy's place next Wednesday March 5th. So , get those questions in ! (mail me with the subject line "AP Interview") I will do the best I can to get pictures for the Chalkhills site. >Peter Fitzpatrick
------------------------------ Date: 25 Feb 97 22:22:16 EST From: "K. Forster" <103124.351@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Omnibus Message-ID: <970226032216_103124.351_JHG65-2@CompuServe.COM> >I always thought Omibus was rather original( Yes! I know a majority >of you people do not like this song). Let me interject...I love this song, it's a great antidepressant! (So does my fiance!) It's such a perky horny little ditty! It gives me silly giggles! (Are those enough exclamation marks for you?!) No one ever accused me of not having any opinions... :) Kat
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03010d04af394ea65883@[199.171.191.82]> Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 19:32:27 -0700 From: Eb <gondola@deltanet.com> Subject: Craving fresh topics... Signing off...catch y'all later. Eb
------------------------------
From: nihilon@crisscross.com
Message-Id: <v03007801af39d5505f53@[202.217.215.222]>
Subject: A Hodge-Podge collection
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 12:39:44 +0800
Greetings all,
I've been going through withdrawal symptoms this week - with such a long
wait between digests, so I thought I'd better post long and hard so the
next one comes out sooner.
Firstly, I've been meaning to write to Ian. C. Stewart for quite a while
now, and have never gotten around to it. Thanks very much for the three
tribute tapes - they are great!! I listen to them often (More than A
Testimonail Dinner) and love them. My only complaint - I can't listen to
them on the way to work, as I use a discman, not a walkman - does anone
have a CD-R that could transfer them for me????
BTW, is there any news on the new Tribute tape "Chalkhills Children"?
Some comments:
>From: "Stuart McDow" <smcdow@arlut.utexas.edu>
>I was summarily dumped this week.
>Rather than go out and cry in my beer and listen to my housemate's C&W
>"She Done Me Wrong" music (it has its place),
I don't think there's any real need to mention where that place is, though
;-)
>I went home and belted out "1000 Umbrellas" and "Snowman" along with Andy.
But 1,000 Umbrellas and Snowman are good choices - my sympathies extend to
you.
>From: av578@lafn.org (James Dawson)
>I wish Martin would think about writing an entire book of prose.
Do you have his poetry books? There are four of them now.
>Also: I read in the "ICE" CD newsletter that "Greatest Living Englishman" is
>about to be re-released in the UK with two bonus tracks and new packaging.
Is this right? I know it was released on vinyl recently with extra tracks.
>From: RJCHRISTEN@aol.com
>I have a plan for XTC to conquer American Radio. They disguise themselves as
>the Dukes of Stratoshear, put out more wild, wacky, & weird tunes, but with
>a backwards nonsense parts, and we start spreading rumors on the Internet
>about "Satanic messages", "recipes for hallucinagatic substances", and
>"naughty lyrics". Dumb teenagers buy and request it, conservative social
>critics decry it, ministers burn it, congressmen vote to villify it, and it
>becomes a hit like like all those 2 Live Crew tapes of the 80's--- except
>this time the kids don't get stuck with crappy music....
Great idea! This might work!!! Actually, all we need is to stick those
Parental Advisory stickers on the front of them, and that would also do the
trick.
How about "Parental Advisory - Contains intelligent lyrics!"
>From: sunhouse@best.com (John Wedemeyer)
>Becki has every reason to be proud:she is a very talented singer/songwriter
>and has put together a great CD.
> And as for me, I was honored to participate! Thanks again, Becki, for
>letting me soil your tracks!!
Congratulations, John and especially Becki - and add my name to the list
of those who want a copy of this disc when it's released - Has anything
been organised about compiling a list of those who want one?
>From: "Sean Robison" <sean_robison@cpsmtp.CP.Disney.com>
> 1. 'your mate has gone, SHE didn't'... does this imply the 'singer' is
> cavorting with another guy?
> 2. Is the 'singer' female?
> 3. Does line 'your mate has gone' actually mean 'she's gone with me'
> as opposed to 'she's gone away'?
>
> Am I mishearing the lyrics?
It seems to me that he obviously met a girl (a longtime girlfriend or a
first encounter?) who was with another woman. The other woman felt
uncomfortable watching the two of them and left. I'm sorry, but your
interpretations never crossed my mind, and I still can't see them fitting.
I know that when I was dating (many years ago) that if I was getting
friendly with one girl, her friends would invariably leave us alone! (And
shortly after that she would leave and I would be alone - sigh -
Oh - another though - I'm not overly familiar with Americanisms, but where
I come from "mate" simply means friend, like "buddy."
>From: "H.Davies" <H.Davies@law.hull.ac.uk>
>
>Regarding Martin Newell, does anyone out there have or has anyone heard
>anything by the Cleaners from Venus,
Two best of collections are available on Tangerine records (UK label - I
have the address somewhere if you need it), "Golden Cleaners" and "Back
from the Cleaners".
Also, I've been given this address in regards to their complete back
catalog of tapes:
Joachim Reinbold
Jabel 6
29439 Luchow 9
Germany
I don't know if people are interested in misheard lyrics, but I'll add a
few of my own. When I first heard the Dissapointed, I thought it was
"Their blackhearts look the same"
And All you Pretty Girls, I thought it was (until very recently)
"Bless you, bless you, all of you pretty girls,
religious city girls, by the quayside!"
Doesn't really make sense, does it?
With greetings from Sin City (east),
Steve (MGV)
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------
But when we get all we need it's never enough.
(Terry Scott Taylor)
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3313B1FB.7AAF@macomb.com> Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 21:46:03 -0600 From: John Mietus <sirchuck@macomb.com> Organization: Uncle Twitchy Enterprises Subject: Grass Greetles, Sean Robinson wrote: > There's a lyric in the song, "Your mate has gone, she didn't want to > be alone" that raises a few questions for me. > > Who is the singer? (Yes... I know Colin is THE singer. But who is the > 'character' singing the song?) Since Colin is male, I assume the > 'character' of the song is male. But... > > 1. 'your mate has gone, SHE didn't'... does this imply the 'singer' is > cavorting with another guy? > 2. Is the 'singer' female? > 3. Does line 'your mate has gone' actually mean 'she's gone with me' > as opposed to 'she's gone away'? > > Am I mishearing the lyrics? Obviously, this song is a masterful > example of how the band's lyrics can be interpreted in a variety of > ways. Seems pretty clear to me. The "mate" referred to is the girl's friend who obviously felt like a fifth wheel and took a hike. Haven't you ever been unattached and tried to spend time with a friend when they'd just *become* attached? In the song, Colin's just noticing -- "Oh, she left. Hmmph." Fishy fishy, John
------------------------------ Date: 25 Feb 97 22:22:14 EST From: "K. Forster" <103124.351@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Grass lyric -- your mate Message-ID: <970226032213_103124.351_JHG65-1@CompuServe.COM> > There's a lyric in the song, "Your mate has gone, she didn't want to > be alone" that raises a few questions for me. Being American, I probably have no right to answer this question (and I may even be wrong)...but I believe this is "mate" as in a UK/Australian term for "close friend. I always interpreted the line as a whole as the kind of situation where three's a crowd -- "your mate has gone, she didn't want to be alone" means she saw what was brewing between her pal and the narrator and decided to push off rather than be a third wheel. And somebody correct me if I'm out of my mind, for goodness sakes. Kat
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03020706af395d10cbfd@[207.77.26.200]> Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 22:35:21 -0500 From: "Ira B. Lieman" <ira@myself.com> Subject: Terraces and majors... Howdy Chalkhillians. I would apologize to AMANDA for saying "AMANDAhillians" but sometimes it just seems like she's the most vocal...maybe it's a compliment. (Naah, doubt it.) Well, thanks to Brian Carter (wow...a real Swindonian on the XTC list! Maybe it's really AndyDaveColin in disguise...) for clearing up that thing about terraced houses. I might assume that in the US they would be called "semiattached" houses -- they are connected by a common wall to the next house. If it's in a row, then you could drop the semi- from that statement. I would assume that the fab threesome would have slightly more palatial accommodations than that though...would you happen to know where they live? Have you ever met them food shopping or in a music store or something? Now *THAT* would be cool. :) Too bad the only relatively famous person that I know of that (I think) lives in Hoboken is Freedy Johnston. And I've never bumped into him. -ira
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 22:46:33 -0600 (CST) Message-Id: <1.5.4.16.19970225224631.08d79694@mail.utexas.edu> From: "Jason \"Freak\" Garcia" <h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu> Subject: things they did on "Grass" Here's a thought: Re: "Your mate has gone she didn't want to be alone" I always read this to mean there WAS a female friend of the girl he's singing about WITH them, but she didn't want to feel like the "third wheel" so she left to go find her own action. And I wouldn't blame her. Yeez. Jason
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3313C376.6DEE@ix.netcom.com> Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 21:00:38 -0800 From: "Shawn D. Stone" <sdstone@ix.netcom.com> Subject: The Great Compilation Debate Well, I have finally decided to post something to this Digest instead of just sitting around reading it (though that is great fun). A couple issues ago, someone asked what would be the ideal XTC compilation (I believe that the stipilation was that it would be for a newcommer to XTC). Here is what I made for my girlfriend (so I could brainwash her into liking everything that I like, heh, heh). Here it is (I love parentheses): Mayor of Simpelton King For a Day Jason and the Argonauts Roads Girdle the Globe One of the Millions The Disappointed The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead Cherry in Your Tree The Good Things (From Testimonial Dinner) Brainiac's Daughter Vanishing Girl 25 O'Clock Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her You're The Wish You Are I Had This World Over This Is Pop Just my 2 cents. - Shawn D. Stone, The Frog Prince
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 08:19:47 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Where have all the Chalkhils go-oooonnneee???? Message-id: <01IFTQXFLDUE8X4UND@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> It's been almost a week since we've been graced with one. Maybe I'm just not posting enough ;) I just received a wonderful array of XTC stuff courtesy of Scott Haefner, thanks a mil to him. (I lost your email address, so I'm thanking you on the list.) I can now say, since I've seen every XTC vid thus far, except for King For a Day, that the Disappointed is my favorite XTC video. It's visually stunning with its costumes and concept. (And, you'd expect me to say this.... You Know Who looks visually stunning as well.) And I also took in the puppet show The Road to Oranges and Lemons. I can be proud to say that Andy's Richard Branson imitation was making my six-month old nephew crack up laughing. A new XTC fan? Wait and see...... I was disappointed w/Grass, though. Mainly because You Know Who is only seen twice, and it's just a goofy video. (Although I laughed when Andy was slapped in the face and nearly had his head crushed by a dog.) And now, I'll revert back to my usual tradition and say Later, Amanda XTC Song of the Day-Traffic Light Rock Non XTC song of the Day-Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?-Paula Cole XTC quote of the day-"I'm trying to kill myself in as many different ways as possible."-Andy imitating Richard Branson What's in my cd player right now-The Monkees 30th anniversary collection, The Big Express, KISS-Smashes, Thrashes and Hits; Jock Jams vol. 2, and Tuesday Night Music Club-Sheryl Crow. Thank you, and goodnight
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199702261315.FAA05151@sgi.sgi.com> Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 08:08:30 EST From: "Todd Bernhardt" <tbernha@columbiaenergy.e-mail.com> Subject: Um, let's see... Hiya, chalkies! Dean: Thanks for the AB updates. Enjoyed the story of his meeting with Andy and Dave. Too bad the tape wasn't running... Stuart: Never underestimate the power of music -- listenting to it or writing it -- to heal wounds of the heart. From: "Sean Robison" <sean_robison@cpsmtp.CP.Disney.com>: >There's a lyric in the song, "Your mate has gone, she didn't want to be alone" that raises a few questions for me.< I've always interpreted that line to mean two's company, three's a crowd. The singer's girlfriend's girl friend has left because the other two weren't paying any attention to her and had other things on their mind. Or not. From: Brian Carter <Brian.Carter@btinternet.com>: <story about terraced houses, Ball and Chain, and AP's current abode> > ...well I thought it was interesting!< Me, too! Now, if you could just supply me with an exact address for Andy's house ... ;^) ByeBye!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3314ABF0.1226@stokecoll.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 13:32:32 -0800 From: "lbedd1sc@stokecoll.ac.uk" <lbedd1sc@stokecoll.ac.uk> Organization: stokecoll.ac.uk Subject: XTC review their own singles! Evenin' all. In the February issue of the British free music magazine "Making Music" (available free in most music shops), there is an article by the band reviewing their own singles.Highlights include; SCIENCE FRICTION:C~"Definitely a case of band in the studio getting red light fever" A~"It's weird because you start to think did my trousers squeek on that take?" LIFE BEGINS...:A~"Our attempt at a modern Tamla Motown track" TEN FEET TALL :A~"I remember Chambers getting irate because the producer kept wanting to put timbale breaks in. I think he managed to slip them in while we were on tour and Terry wasn't around to nut him" SGT ROCK :A~ "The least favourite of all my songs" SENSES : A~"The only song we've ever done with crows on" ..FARMER'S BOYS WAGES : A~"This track did for Chambers. I wanted a sort of shuffly jazz rhythm and he put his sticjs down, said That's It, and walked out." WAKE UP: C~"I'm responsible but it's not much of a song" A~"It was on the jukebox in EasEnders" THE LOVING : A~"I wanted something like All The Young Dudes" Final quote: Andy "Singles collections are a bit like the desserts from all the meals - there isn't any spuds and meat. I think our best stuff tends to lurk atound in the corners of our albums" Making Music has a web site at http://www.cerbernet.co.uk/makingmusic/ but when I visited, February's issue hadn't yet been archieved - hopefully it will be soon. If not, I send the whole interview sometime in the near future. Cheers, Lee Beddow
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 15:14:03 +0000 (GMT) From: David William Lawson <dwl1@st-andrews.ac.uk> Subject: Colin Cavorting Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.970226150222.10195A-100000@langs> > 1. 'your mate has gone, SHE didn't'... does this imply the 'singer' is > cavorting with another guy? > 2. Is the 'singer' female? The word, tends rather to mean "pal" or "chum" in the UK, unless its being used to describe animals in wildlife programes. But then it doesnt rule out that the "she" in question is mates with a man, who colin procceds to cavort with.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 09:16:52 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: A few responses.... Message-id: <01IFV7648N4U8X7XXR@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Whoa, I only had two postings in the last digest. I'm slacking off! Ben: No, I don't find Dave very attractive with that beard. It's almost a shade lighter than his hair, it just looks funky. (Much like thw wonderful sideburns Colin sported circa 1975.) Jason: Uh.....a pleasure to be of service, I think. It's not the first time I've helped. One of my teachers who used to moderate the Quiz Bowl team asked us for band names and lead singers for the rapid fire round. (I'm not in QB, she asked us to help her pick names out B4 competition.) So I put forth both CTD/Brad and XTC/Andy. She late told me nobody knew who the lead singer of XTC was, but a few rang in when asked CTD. BTW-Bovine????? Brad doesn't sound like a cow! (Well actually.....ah forget it.) Jason Garcia-The only Beastie Boys I can tolerate is License to Ill from the early 80's. (Unfortunately, my ex was hooked on them. Try listening to nothing but Sabotage everytime you're around someone and see how tired of it you get.) Sean-THANK GOD SOMEONE ELSE BESIDES ME THOUGHT OF THAT! The first time I heard him say something about "Your mate has gone SHE didn't want to be alone", I actually wondered whether or not Colin was gay, either that or he was pining away after a lesbian. Maybe it stems from the fact that British (and some others) refer to their friends as "mate". Maybe he just meant that this girl had a friend with her, and when the girl and the guy started rolling around, the feriend didn't want to just sit there so she walked off. Then again, this is just my POV. BTW-Whoever asked quite some time ago, for a description of my Crash Test Dummies jacket, I got it yesterday. It is BEAUTIFUL. It's real leather, black, w/the band's logo and the title of the last album, and on the inside it says MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMANDA OWENS. I feel like a biker chick. All it needs is some zippers hanging every which way. One more thing for Ben-The CTD list IS getting rather silly. And inactive lately. There's nothing to talk about so everyone takes potshots at each other. I can't get enough of the video for The Disappointed. Everytime they show Dave or Colin (who both look absolutely magnificent), I have to punch slow-mo to...prolong the ecstasy/XTC ;) Later, Amanda Veni VD Vici-I came, I caught, I chancered
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 11:33:40 -0500 (EST) From: Natalie Jane Jacobs <gnat@umich.edu> Subject: Sorry, I can't think of a good subject line Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.970226102740.6286B-100000@qbert.rs.itd.umich.edu> Hey everyone, First off, the Michigan XTC party went smashingly, despite the narcoleptic video tape, and I'd like to thank the attendees for coming - I had a great time, and it was nice being able to speak the language of XTC fandom to other real, live people. Photos - including Kate's XTC-shaped pretzels - will be appearing on my web site some time soon. Miffed R.E.M. fan Josh Prolific responds to Andy's dissing of said band: > I will merely offer my opinion that Andy is either: > > a) Too snobbish to accept an alternate lyrical form (Abstract to Andy's > Realism), or > b) Just jealous 'cause R.E.M. have their new album out and he doesn't. > :) I propose an alternate answer c), which is: Andy's right. ;) Finally... more shameless plugging. I've been working my hinder off to transcribe a large portion of Andy's radio advice show, "Agony Andy," which is now on my XTC web site, Perdix (the URL is below). Here's a small sampling - Andy on what to do about a fickle boyfriend: "Well, Samantha, I think he's toying with you. You must play the same game with him. Tell him occasionally that you *can't* see him, as you're having the evening in to wash your excess elbow skin. Or turn up on a date with someone else in tow - like the crew of a Spanish submarine or something like that. Insist he take you to an expensive restaurant, and then once inside, suck the gravy stain from the edge of the tablecloth and say (falsetto) 'I knew we shouldn't have ordered those fourteen courses because now I'm rather full.' I'll tell you what, Samantha, if he was my boyfriend - I'd have him shot." There's lots more where that came from, unfortunately, and even more that I haven't transcribed yet... I'll do the rest if I get a positive response. (Money and Cadbury Creme Eggs are acceptable substitutes.) Mr. Relph, I'd like to request that you add Perdix to your list of other XTC sites. Thank you very much. That's all for now, folks. Natalie Jacobs, Curator Perdix: The Andy Partridge Appreciation Page (insert clever tag-line here) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~gnat/perdix.html
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 15:06:40 -0600 (CST)
From: Marshall Joseph Armintor <mojo@owlnet.rice.edu>
Subject: Re: Grass Question
Message-ID: <Pine.SGI.3.91.970226145032.12549A-100000@dory.owlnet.rice.edu>
I always interpreted the lines "Your mate has gone/she didn't want to be
alone" (I dunno if that's line or lines...anyway) as meaning that:
1. the singer, because he's trying to cajole the addressee of the song
into
the joy of sex al fresco, wants her to take note that "everybody else is
doing it" (including her friend, who's decided to hook up with someone
[presumably a man] for the moment)
2. which also means, of course, that she doesn't have any reason to say
no 'cos she doesn't have to feel attached to her mate, who's already
gone off with someone else...
3. Socially, the object of the singer's affections is a bit isolated
right now; she doesn't have to feel responsible for the friend she
came with, and this is more ammunition in the singer's favor.
This is a slightly menacing reading...correct me if I'm wrong, but
doesn't the line "You are helpless now" follow soon after this one? I
try to read this as innocently as possible (the working-out of adolescent
shyness through some friendly persuasion) but it is a little unsettling to
me...perhaps.
______________________________________________________________________
Marshall Armintor/mojo@rice.edu/Grad.English Dept.
Rice University/Sometime Systems Consultant x5779,
Blackadder on the Romantic poets:"There's nothing intellectual about
wandering around Italy in a big shirt, trying to get laid."
______________________________________________________________________
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00af3ad04cbd92@[139.80.228.155]> Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:47:21 +1100 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: the singer of grass From: "Sean Robison" <sean_robison@cpsmtp.CP.Disney.com> skazal: > There's a lyric in the song, "Your mate has gone, she didn't want to > be alone" that raises a few questions for me. > Who is the singer? (Yes... I know Colin is THE singer. But who is the > 'character' singing the song?) Since Colin is male, I assume the > 'character' of the song is male. But... > 1. 'your mate has gone, SHE didn't'... does this imply the 'singer' is > cavorting with another guy? > 2. Is the 'singer' female? > 3. Does line 'your mate has gone' actually mean 'she's gone with me' > as opposed to 'she's gone away'? surely it's the old story of two girls wandering home, one of them meeting her boyfriend and the other one leaving them because she didn't want to be the odd one out. The boyfriend being the singer. Remember mate simply means friend. That's how I've always read it, anyway... BTW - we had a list of XTC songs relating to nursery rhymes and childrens songs a while back - I don't think anyone mentioned ladybird! James
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 00:02:06 -0800 From: becki digregorio <ziglain@cruzio.com> Subject: ok, now i'm embarrassed... Message-ID: <9702262131.aa28457@bbs.cruzio.com> greetings ones of the 'hills, in response to john wedemeyer's post in the last chalkhills, i must say that it is *I* who is honored, not only to have the great talents of mr. dave gregory playing, but to have john contributing his amazing guitar playing to my music. and i think that he is now the one who is being a "tad modest" about _his_ talents. john, of course, neglected to mention that he is currently doing a world tour playing guitar w/ charlie musselwhite (the famed blues harp player and vocalist). some of the countries they'll be playing include italy, england, france, holland, belgium, norway, amsterdam, australia, japan; the list goes on and on. if any of you live in or near london, they'll be playing at a club called "the mean fiddler" on april 25th (if memory serves). might i suggest that if any xtc fans love great guitar playing (and blues in general), try to check out one of their concerts, hopefully coming to a town near you... knowing john, he'll sneak a little "dave riff" in at least one of his solos!! and john: you can "soil" my tracks anytime!!! (wink) --becki "a day without sunshine is like night."
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 09:49:42 GMT Message-Id: <v01510100af3b025b44a5@[194.128.83.69]> From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: Farmgirls This is probably very old news, but I finally got round to buying a copy of *Chantoozies*, the 1993 album by Scottish all-female folk group The Poozies, which includes a rather lovely cover of Love on a Farmboy's Wages. They change the lyrics from "I" to "he", as if it were being sung from the perspective of the farmboy's fiance. Otherwise it's fairly faithful, more folky, less guitary. The sleeve notes say: "Karen [Tweed, piano, accordian, backing vocals] would like to take the Poozies to Port Merrion but then she's slightly over-fanatical about XTC. It's an ideal Poozie song in that Sally [Barker, vocals, guitar] is both a farmer's daughter and married to a farmer." Further to the debate about how best to convert non-believers into the XTC cause, I wondered if anyone had ever tried putting together a compilation of XTC-related tracks and cover versions as a way of getting round the problem of people reacting against Andy's voice. On XTC's version of Love on a Farmboy's Wages, for example, Andy really sounds like he's straining to hit the notes on "wa-ges", whereas the Poozies take it effortlessly in their stride. Would anyone like to suggest a track-listing for such a compilation? I'd suggest that it could include significant contributions like Andy's tracks with Terry Hall, but not Peter Gabriel if the only reason was that Dave had added a bit of guitar down in the mix. It would probably include Sarah McLachlan's Dear God. But what else? - Mark http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~fisher/
------------------------------
From: hick@pobox.co.uk (gARetH baBB)
Subject: Re: Grass Question
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 08:05:57 GMT
Message-ID: <19970227.080557.67@pobox.co.uk>
Organization: Gink
In message <199702252228.OAA20773@mando.engr.sgi.com>,
sean_robison@cpsmtp.CP.Disney.com ("Sean Robison") wrote:
> 1. 'your mate has gone, SHE didn't'... does this imply the 'singer' is
> cavorting with another guy?
Erm, I've always heard it as 1 bloke and 2 girls and the 2nd girl goes off as
she doesn't want to play gooseberry while the girl and bloke pay with grass ...
... making daisy chains and discussing the argricultural basis of different
grass types, obviously ...
------------------------------
From: hick@pobox.co.uk (gARetH baBB)
Subject: Re: Keeping the Dream Alive dept.
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 08:11:58 GMT
Message-ID: <19970227.081158.76@pobox.co.uk>
Organization: Gink
In message <199702252228.OAA20773@mando.engr.sgi.com>,
david.mcguinness@bbc.co.uk (David McGuinness) wrote:
> see the XTC comparison, but for me it didn't have all the unexpected twists
> and turns that XTC have'.
>
> Proof positive that our brave lads are not forgotten!
XTC get mentioned quite a bit on Mixing It, and of course there were those
Andy Partridge interviews (one with Harold Budd).
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 23:40:03 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199702280440.XAA17677@cyber1.servtech.com> From: Joshua Hall-Bachner <particle@servtech.com> Subject: Who murders who? Chalkhills (the HTML kind) is down. Is this a bad omen? >And TBH, I'm not too amused with some people referring to us as >Amandahillians. Dearie me. If I can take it, so can you, O Mistress of the Hills of Chalk. >>And save for Bugalow, there was no musical experimentation, no new >>ground broken. >My chin hit the keyboard when I read that! What about Rook? Well, Rook is something XTC hadn't done before, but really, how many piano ballads are there? I have to admit that XTC haven't done much musically new in ten years. (With the new album that'll change, though!) >I always thought Omibus was rather original( Yes! I know a majority >of you people do not like this song). I never thought of Omnibus as especially innovative except compared to just other XTC stuff... but it is a great tune. Remember to take Andy's "Church of Women" remarks into account when listening to it. I love the lyrics -- "make your oyster pearl" -- precious! > There's a lyric in the song, "Your mate has gone, she didn't want to > be alone" that raises a few questions for me. Set your thinking cap to Brit mode, Sean. I always assumed that "mate" was in the "buddy" sense, not the "sexual partner" sense. >Also has anyone ever noticed that Andy Partridge is thanked in the liner >notes of Toad the Wet Sprocket's album In Light Syrup? In particular, on the liner note for the O&L-esque little ditty "Hobbit On the Rocks." Anyway, another band to stick on the "XTC fans" list. BTW: can someone out there help me get a dub of the Waxworks mix of Wait Til Your Boat Goes Down? I've got *every single B-side* except for that currently within my demesnes, and the tape tree isn't too far behind... if I can only get my hands on this dub. Please help -- for the good of Chalkhills! Josh Who thinks Andy hates REM because of all the weird REM/XTC parallels... /-------------Joshua Hall-Bachner-------------Chaos Harlequin-------------\ | particle@servtech.com 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: <v01510109af3ccff6c734@[204.188.80.187]>
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 1997 08:14:08 -1000
From: jimsmart@hula.net (Jim Smart)
Subject: the little details
Chalkabillies:
This from the Todd sight mentioned in the last digest:
>>Recordings you worked on that might be considered unique to the public
>>and >>unique to the
>>artists themselves were XTC's Skylarking and Hiroshi Takano's two LPs
>>from >>Japan.
>There are kinds of similarities. Takano has
>been very influenced by XTC as one of his
>favorite artists. That whole XTC thing had
>some bearing on me getting involved with
>certain artists. That XTC album was seminal in
>some ways. It was one of those things where
>the material suggests everything that happens
>beyond that. More than any other record that
>I've worked on, it was a record of details. It
>really kind of highlighted something that I've
>>always believed, and that is, it's not the
>grandiose kinds of things as the little details that
>go on in it that really define the lasting
>experience.
That's what XTC has, perhaps more than any other band. Particularly their
last 3 albums....every moment is filled and well planned and clever and
creative and take sthe idea to a higher level....maybe this is why the "the
early stuff is better" crowd gets a little turned off...
Mitch once told me that Andy P's favorite Beatle song is Hello Goodbye,
which also shows great attention to detail.....kind of fits.
BTW: ANdy's most attention to detail coudl be Pale and Precious....That
song must have took a lot of work to get every aspect of it just right.
Jim
Jimsmart@hula.net Honolulu, Hawaii USA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Anotherwords*
"In an ocean or in a glass,
Cool water is such a gas"
-Brian Wilson
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------------------------------
Message-Id: <v01510102af3cc312bfff@[204.188.80.187]>
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 1997 07:16:30 -1000
From: jimsmart@hula.net (Jim Smart)
Subject: Nonsuch
My 2 cents worth:
Nonsuch is one of the boys best. Not a difappointment in any way. To those
who don't get it, I say "awaken, you dreamers!"
Jim
Jimsmart@hula.net Honolulu, Hawaii USA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Anotherwords*
So I'm packing my bags for the Misty Mountains
LZ
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-86 ******************************
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