Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 99
Date: Wednesday, 16 April 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 99
Wednesday, 16 April 1997
Today's Topics:
Blur
the cd is here!!!
Andy Cole and the Commotions
Nigel cover. Producing Duffy. Blocked on Block.
Mummer, Mark, madness...
Re: New Baby
In loving Mummer-y of an album
Dewitt Henderson said in Chalkhills 3-98:
Spring theatrics
jim paints paul
incivility
Chalkhills' Children orders received by 13apr97
Tokyo Chalkhills Party
completing the circle
snooty?
appypollyloggies
human alchemy
Re:Amanda
off-topic
No XTC: Swindon, Cathy Dennis, life
Misheard lyrics and the usual fiddle faddle......
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Everything looks smashed and broken.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <6kV7$GADkRUzEwBk@emdac.demon.co.uk> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 18:33:55 +0100 From: Phil Hetherington <phil@emdac.demon.co.uk> Subject: Blur I can't find the quote, but whoever said that Blur's 'Song 2' was garbage - I say WTF? This is quite simply the *best* song Blur have *ever* done, and although the new album isn't _quite_ as good as Modern Life Is Rubbish, it's still a masterpiece. This is the album which rescues Blur (who were otherwise about to implode), and Song 2 is far and away the standout track. So there. Anyway, before this album, Blur basically said that they were doing this for themselves, and if anyone liked it that was a bonus. I like that approach - the alternative led to the half-baked commercial crap on the previous two albums, neither of which stand up to repeated listening. You're so great and I love you. ObXTC: I like Human Alchemy. (The song, not the concept.) -- Phil Hetherington
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 19:54:43 -0700 From: becki digregorio <ziglain@cruzio.com> Subject: the cd is here!!! Message-ID: <9704131946.aa00702@mail.cruzio.com> greetings chalkhills folks, well, the cd is finally here. as some of you may remember from an earlier post, i've had the great honor of having dave gregory contribute his wondrous talents to my new album titled "seven worthies... of the bamboo grove." his guitar and keyboard parts were engineered by andy partridge and recorded in the "infamous shed." my music might be described as "psychedelic middle-eastern rock/pop... with an edge" (!). the other musicians on the album include john wedemeyer (another huge xtc fan and fellow subscriber to chalkhills) on guitar, randy hayes on drums, rick walker on drums and middle-eastern percussion, and don lax on violins. i play 12-string and bass. there are nine originals, as well as a cover of "open my eyes," a big hit for "the nazz" back in the psychedelic sixties (this was todd rundgren's first band). dave's playing is *incredible* (of course), and his guitar solos simply shred (sorry, it was the first word that came to mind to describe them!!). if any xtc (or nazz) fans are interested in getting one (or two, they're small!) here is the ordering information: cd's are $13.00 each (u.s. dollars) plus add the appropriate shipping costs depending on where you are: europe/united kingdom $3.00 japan $4.00 australia $4.00 u.s. & canada $2.00 (these costs are for each cd) (these rates are for air mail -- and i promise to get them out to you within two weeks of receiving your money order) (if you live somewhere other than the countries listed, $4.00 ought to cover it) kindly send a money order (or equivalent) in u.s. funds. i've heard from *many* chalkhills folks directly, and other than kris and jason (your eddresses were too long for my system, why i don't know), i've sent you all a separate note. also, some of you were asking when my (other!) guitarist john wedemeyer would be playing on his european tour w/ well-known blues cat charlie musselwhite. last i heard this is his itinerary: 25 april mean fiddler -- london 26 april new morning -- paris 29 april den hague -- holand 30 april wuustweze -- belgium (but this is on a wednesday?!) 1 may oden -- denmark fest 2 may copenhagen -- denmark fest 3 may bergen -- norway fest john is an *incredible* guitar player, and if any of you dig the blues you might want to check him out. if you go, tell him you're an xtc fan. or better yet, wear one of phil's chalkhills shirts to the show... thanks to all who've inquired about the cd, and i hope you enjoy the music... peace to all, --becki
------------------------------ From: SLEDZNH@aol.com Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 08:16:32 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970414081632_49552426@emout07.mail.aol.com> Subject: Andy Cole and the Commotions Chalkhills.. The intial excitement of hearing about a possible Andy P. / Lloyd C. collaboration has now turned to apprehension. Don't get me wrong...I have been a huge fan of both for many years but these collaborations don't necessarily mean you get the best qualitites of both artists rolled into one. You may even end up getting less of what makes each artist appealing. Consider any "superstar" groups of years past or even if the Beatles had gotten back together in the 70's - it might have been scary. I don't mean to diminish the potential of what hasn't happened yet or that Andy & Lloyd could even create some great songs, just trying to lower my expectations.... "...and another thing!!...", he stammered, stop picking on AMANDA, I think it's pretty cool that someone who is 19 is into XTC like she is (myself being an ancient 33). Here is someone who is "carrying the XTC torch" for her generation". I remember being maligned by some of my friends when I was 19 for listening to Black Sea when the others were listening to REO Speedwagon (and look which band is still around today!). It is pretty commendable that she is willing to do the "tape-trading thing" for fellow fans as well.... thanks for listening... -James
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 11:29:39 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <199704141829.LAA00016@surf.com> From: martucci@surf.com (Dean M) Subject: Nigel cover. Producing Duffy. Blocked on Block. 1. The new Robbie (Take That) Williams single includes a cover of "Making Plans For Nigel". The music is quite good but Robbie's vocals are.....'something I guess you have to hear yourself' [Diplomacy feels good]. 2. Music Week has a note about how Andy is hard at work on the new Duffy cd. 3. Am I missing something on Jamie Block's "Lead Me Not Into Penn Station?" Is there some sort of multimedia file on the disc? All I find are audio tracks, about 35 minutes worth. I get the impression from all the computer lingo on the jacket that there is supposed to be a Quick Time visual?....[But I know one thing and that's I love you!] Dean <------------------------- Dean Martucci martucci@surf.com San Mateo, CA USA <-------------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199704141917.MAA03716@f31.hotmail.com> From: "Ben Gott" <xtcfan@hotmail.com> Subject: Mummer, Mark, madness... Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 12:17:02 PDT Good afternoon, Chalkhillers, I'll add my tuppence to the "Mummer" praise - one day, I listened to it (on repeat) for eight hours straight while doing a history paper. I still am most impressed with "Deliver Us From the Elements" (a wonderfully dark song), "Jump," the ending of "Gold," and a song I don't think anyone's mentioned, "Me and the Wind," which is my favourite song from the album. "Mummer" didn't start out being one of my top five, but it's weaseled its way in there. Yay. Mark - yes, the beginning of your first name is my last name, and I know it means "God" in German. At least it's not a long complicated German name - my best friend's last name is "Schaufelberger." Yikes. -Ben (Have I been such a fool?) * ----------------------------------------------------------- Ben Gott http://www.wp.com/58596 "We're pointing our wheels to tomorrow..."
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970414193727.006b6d4c@cmsnt> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 12:37:27 -0700 From: James McGowan <jmcgowan@cms.dbc.com> Subject: Re: New Baby In Chalhills 3-98, Mark <gotts@tenet.edu> wrote: > Chalkheads: > This is the youngster speaking. I'm fairly new to the list, and I'm > sixteen. Now I'm curious to know who the oldest list member is. How long has it been since we've done an age survey? I recall having started one myself a few hundred issues back, but my advanced age has dimmed my memory. Mark, I'm *39* dude. Check this out: I saw XTC in concert before you was born, son! Now, where's the Geritol? - Jim ----- James McGowan jmcgowan@cms.dbc.com CMS Corporation jmcgowan@wavenet.com Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------
From: Martin_Monkman@fincc04.fin.gov.bc.ca
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 12:37:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: In loving Mummer-y of an album
Message-id: <9703148610.AA861046710@FINSMTP1.FIN.GOV.BC.CA>
Joshua Hall-Monitor writes:
>Unfortunately, I have to rank Mummer second-last. It has good moments;
>Beating of Hearts and LoaFW definitely qualify. But it really falls short as
>a whole. Wonderland's bop-bass and cheesy nature effects do nothing to back
>up a rather half-hearted commentary from Colin. The good bits (like the
>bridge) in Human Alchemy even out with the bad bits, like the moaning.
>Ladybird is a good song where the production on the vocal really hurts it
>for me. Really, the album as a whole just seems lacking to me; there's not a
>single song I would consider a standout, and in the process of passing
>through three sets of hands the production was really mangled. Just my
>opinion, of course... hey, I love Nonsuch, so what do I know?
This comment rankled me, but rather than fire off a spur-of-the-moment
reply I thought I'd go home and listen to the album again a few times
to remind myself why I like it so much. So I did.
And now, a week later, I'm willing to admit the production could have
been better. But crappy production hasn't diminished my ardour for
Mummer (or any other XTC album, for that matter.)
About "Wonderland" ... yes, the bass is cheesy but I don't find it
offensive. It is, perhaps, the only sound on the album that sounds
dated -- a true '80s relic. The nature effects are just a precursor
to "Summer's Cauldron" and "Grass"; do they bug (pun intended) you
too? Please be more precise in your griping about the production of
the vocals on "Ladybird"; I hear nothing offensive.
You rank Mummer second-last ... and I suppose Mummer lacks the
frenetic energy of the first 4 albums, the cohesion of English
Settlement, and the musical and lyrical growth shown in the subsequent
recordings. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some critics of the
album crawl out of the woodwork decrying Mummer as the least among
giants.
But I'm beating around the bush. I have yet to explain what it is
about Mummer that I find so compelling, and it's here where I differ
most vehemently with Joshua. I think that the songs on Mummer are, to
the very end, top rank.
Let's start with Side One, shall we?
"Beating of Hearts" sums up what lies ahead ... this single song
defines the rest of the album, and now I think about it, the band's
subsequent career. Baroque arrangement, off-kilter rhythm, whacky
guitar noises, questioning lyrics ("Do you know what noise awakes you
..." -- is it the sound of the train running low on soul coal or the
Green Man?) Perfect Andy.
And "Wonderland" is the Perfect Colin Contrast; if you ever need to
summarise the differences between the two writers, these two songs do
the job perfectly.
"Love On A Farmboy's Wages" is one of the best songs Andy has ever
written, bar none. It's got that pastoral/longing for days of yore
aspect, but it can also be seen as a "why I just want to sit at home
and write songs in the shed" song. Perhaps Terry recognized that, and
that's why the song signalled his end with the band.
"Great Fire" ... you have to love the Adrian Belew-esque panicing
animal guitar sounds. The best of Andy's fire/fireworks-as-a-
metaphor-for-love songs.
"Deliver Us From The Elements" is perhaps my favourite song on the
record ... backwards cymbals and backwards guitars (or is it a
synth?), the choir, the way it adds layer upon layer at the end until
the big climax in spite of the fade out. The best ending to the first
side of a record since Abbey Road.
[The b-sides are a nice bonus, but don't add to the strength of the
album.]
Side Two
I've always heard the "moaning" in "Human Alchemy" as the sound of
either the slave owners praying for forgiveness (I can just see them
in hooded hairshirts [not too far removed from Klan robes!] strolling
through the monastery ...) or the slaves themselves packed like
sardines below deck, singing to remind themselves that they are human
in spite of what their owners may think. A very moving song.
"Ladybird" is just lovely, a sweet love song that I sing to my wife
each spring.
"In Loving Memory of a Name" is the only pop song I know of that deals
with a cemetery with the exception of "Eleanor Rigby", and this one is
up-beat and catchy. The churchy organ introduction, the bells buried
in the mix, another slippery Colin melody. Oh yes, the false ending.
The imagery, both musical and lyrical, of "Me and the Wind" is great.
First of all the chorus melody is like a windy day, swirling this way
and that, followed by the "Have I been such a fool ..." section coming
as such a contrast! And then the lyrics:
"Me and the wind are pulling kites and pushing trees"
"When you lured me into your syrup, all I could think of was what a
lovely way for me to go"
"I danced imprisoned in your drumbeat"
[the song then combines images of a dancing rabbit being hunted, and
ties it all together with]
"The strings of your instrument were strangling me inside their
snare"
[a snare being both a means of capture AND a type of drum ... clever!]
etc.
Finally the obnoxious up-your-nose noise of "Funk Pop A Roll" ...
"Quick, over this way, it's Hootie!" (I must say, that line was my
finest Chalkhills contribution!)
Although I think they've surpassed Mummer with every subsequent album,
for me the album is a defining element of their evolution ... if
nothing else, it demonstrated that the glory of English Settlement was
no fluke.
Martin Mummerman
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s35255dc.052@ic.si.edu> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 16:04:44 -0400 From: Beth Wojiski <WOJISBE@ic.si.edu> Subject: Dewitt Henderson said in Chalkhills 3-98: Dewitt Henderson said in Chalkhills 3-98: >-"what >is it about England that makes people think they don't have to drive?", and >Mark Fisher wrote a great, intelligent, eloquent response. And I'd just like >to add that it should be looked at the other way around: what is it about >the USA that makes people think they absolutely, MUST, always, be in their >own damn car, no matter if we spend stupendous amounts of money on building >and maintaining roadways, live in many many cities where the air quality is >below the EPA's acceptable rating, and cover an area equal to the size of >Georgia (!) with roads? ...How true! Oh, and I'll steer this back on-topic a bit: if anyone has ever ridden in a "roundabout", you'd be thankful they have such a widely developed public transportation system in Great Britain. (As an American who lived in Birmingham, England, I could sympathize *completely* with XTC in "English Roundabout". Truly terrifying bits of road! Thank goodness we don't have that many here in D.C./Virginia!) Beth ***************************************************************** Today's XTC words o' wisdom: "Don't let the loveless ones sell you a world wrapped in grey" -XTC *****************************************************************
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03010d00af785633af3a@[128.148.19.27]> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 17:26:01 -0500 From: Gene Yoon <Gene_Yoon@brown.edu> Subject: Spring theatrics >From: Erich Walther <enrico@fox.nstn.ca> > >Perhaps we ought to think >about starting an AMANDA group for these discussions (but what to call >it?). How about soc.we're-only-encouraging-her. >From: "Jason 'Buffy' NeSmith" <jnesmith@mindspring.com> > >Finally got a tape of the 'recent demos', and GEE-ZEUS! they're terrific. >The orchestral arrangement for Easter Theatre is incredible. >.... >"I'd Like That"s harmonies on the word 'sunflower' always make me think of >Van Gogh. Picked my two favorites among the recent demos. There's something very appropriately Aaron Copland about Easter Theatre... it's more of a modern symphonic feeling than anything specific. It would be something to hear the Boston Pops do an arrangement of that one, wouldn't it? (well, it would be quite something if they do anything XTC) Reminds me, I hope Andy Partridge someday scores a real production in musical theatre. It would be magical, I know it. That multilayered "SUNFLOWWWAAA" harmony reminds me of old Moody Blues. I know very well of all the Kinks, Beatles, 60's pop influences on XTC and the sonic similarities, but I've never sunk my teeth into the old originals (except maybe the Btls) as much as I enjoy hearing XTC do it anew. I adore 'I Like That' but nothing really on my borrowed copy of Lost Chord. I'm exactly clear why. You really got me. Finally, I'm overwhelmed at the overwhelming response to my timid query about the Roches. I'm bowled over and further encouraged that I'm in good company here on Chalkhills. I've been moving backwards, or "preceding" to use a Smart term, through the Roches catalogue, and the last time I experienced such joy in discovering a whole body of music was when I started preceding from Skylarking on through to White Music. Just bought the Roche's 1989 "Speak," and this album I can categorically recommend to anyone on Chalkhills. It's great. Gene ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GY BrU Bx6358 Pr RI 02912 Your karma ran over my dogma.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970414230207.00698984@pop.pipeline.com> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 19:02:07 -0400 From: David Pardue <dpardue@pipeline.com> Subject: jim paints paul Jimsmart@hula.net quoth: <I play "Paul" in an all beatle tribute band, so I could resist a few <contributions: Man, I wish I was in the Beatles, too... If anyone out there is considering starting up a Monkees tribute band, I can do a pretty mean Peter Tork... I can't play the banjo, though.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3352B703.29C1@mci.com> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 17:00:19 -0600 From: "Jeffrey Langr" <Jeffrey.Langr@MCI.Com> Organization: MCI Subject: incivility >"Not only are you a bitch, but you're an American bitch as well." Wow, I can't believe someone actually had the gall to say that. God save the Kinks. Even though there are disagreements surfacing on Nail Ottenstein's great newsgroup (witness the When I Turn Off the Living Room Light debate), I've never seen someone sink as low as to state this sort of garbage. Andy Partridge I am sure would be proud.
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com Message-Id: <c=US%a=_%p=Octel%l=EX-CAMPUS1-970414234342Z-16014@ex-campus2.corp.octel.com> Subject: Chalkhills' Children orders received by 13apr97 Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 16:43:42 -0700 Sorry folks... lost another hard drive and was disconnected for a few days. I was in Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters Conference last week where I met Peter Fitzpatrick (you all know who he is by now, either from drooling over his account of meeting Andy or by growling about his employer). It was great to meet another Chalky! Sorry about the physical length of the post... I will do my best to keep these seldom but when I start to receive multiple emails questioning whether I got their check (and the fact that I was disconnected) I have to shotgun the chickencoop to get the info out. Cheers, Richard I have received orders for the Chalkhills' Children tape(s) from the following: Jose Artecona Todd Bernhardt Ben Brand Jason Brown John Christenson Randy Christopher Phil Corless Andy Cuthbert Pune Dracker Bob Estus Mark Fisher Mitch Friedman Greg Gillette Ben Gott Scott Haefner John Hedges Tim Kendrick Simon Knight Jeffrey Langr Richard Leighton Ira Lieman Andrew Lippitt Steve Perley Troy Peters Randy Posynick Dave Ray John Relph Della & Steve Schiavo Tim Schreyer Harrison Sherwood Charles Silverman Thomas Slack J.D. Smelser Jeff Smith Ekram Soylemez Michael Stander John Wilkens Wesley Wilson I have not yet heard from the following list of people who reserved tapes: (If you ordered under someone elses name, please let me know) Keith Beck ericb@vip.solis.co.uk Martin Bell martinb@idg.co.nz D Carney dcarney@fc.net Miles & Gigi Coleman coleman@cougarnet.byu.edu Ed Dalkowski biged@interlog.com Eric Day ERICDAY@diamondmm.com Jennifer Geese jlg@tardis.svsu.edu David Gershman dagersh@gis.net Joshua Hall-Bachner Particle@servtech.com Keith Hanlon ad180@seorf.ohio.edu Stuart McDow snmcdow@arlut.utexas.edu Robin Myrick RLMyrick@aol.com (n/a) Kraig Olmstead kraigo@netcommcorp.com John Pinto John.J.Pinto@Hitchcock.ORG Bradley Preuss bpreus01@fiu.edu David Rubien rubien@concentric.net Jeff Scanlon, Jr. jscanlon@osf1.gmu.edu Chris Spillios cspillio@env.gov.ab.ca Andrew Stevens astevens@mail.cmact.com Wilkinson parrish.wilkinson@firewall.ipctechnic.com William Wisner wisner@gryphon.com Jim Zittel ZITTEL@aol.com ajyonda@students.wisc.edu crtsf8@sirius.com Foulger@cardiff.ac.uk KENMONK@aol.com rlh@fripp.ca.boeing.com Richard Pedretti-Allen Manager, GBS Phrase Development Octel Communications Corp. 1001 Murphy Ranch Rd. MS C1-2N Milpitas, CA 95035-7912 phone 408.324.4516 fax 408.324.6170
------------------------------
From: nihilon@crisscross.com
Message-Id: <v03007803af7909c4afa8@[202.217.215.223]>
Subject: Tokyo Chalkhills Party
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 10:32:59 +0800
Hi Chalkhillians,
Just a short one to let you all know that the XTC party in Tokyo is
definitely on. We are meeting in Shinjuku at 6:45 p.m. this Saturday
night. About 7 people are coming, and I've received enquiries and support
from other people with Japanese connections, people who live in other parts
of Japan and can't make it, and I thank you all.
For those of you who sent regards but are unable to make it, we will be
making toasts (in your names) to Andy, Colin, Dave and (of course) everyone
at Chalkhills.
We will have cameras there (we are in Japan after all) and will have some
shots in case anyone is curious as to what Tokyo Chalkhillians look like.
Let me know.
If you are still lurking out there, and can come to the party, e-mail me
and let's do it. Don't worry if you cannot speak English - I'm the only
Gaijin, and we plan to use Japanese most of the night anyway. My Japanese
is not so good, but it definitely improves with alcohol.
Minna san,
XTC no Party wa Shinjuku de April 19 (6:45 p.m. ni aimasu) shimasu.
Nihon-go dake hasanakutemoii, Watashi dake wa gaijin desukara Minna-san wa
Nihon-go hanasemasu.
Watashi ni e-mail shite kudasai.
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
Steve (MGV)
--
Don't ask me how I feel - I might really tell you.
(Terry Scott Taylor)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b01af797f916f14@[139.80.100.97]> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 15:57:59 -0300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: completing the circle >I love them - have done since 1980 or thereabouts when I bought the first >album, then "Nurds" then Seductive Reasoning by Maggie and Terre. > >Brilliant - I think I have them all now. Do you have any Roches on video>? >I saw them live on TV once, but that was years before I had a VCR. > >>From Todd, >> "Let me put this into perspective," I said, "On XTC's second last >recording they used TMBG's drummer."< > >If you mean Pat Mastellotto, don't you mean (one of) King Crimson's >drummer(s)? :^) to turn this post full circle, it is probably worth mentioning (if no-one's done so already - I'm only skim reading my posts at the moment) that the Roches were backing vocalists on Cromso Robert Fripp's amazing "Exposure" album, and he added one of the world's greatest guitar lead breaks to the Roches delicious "Hammond Song", on their marvellous self-titled first album. James Roche fan, Crimso fan, XTC flan. James Dignan___________________________________ You talk to me Deptmt of Psychology, Otago University As if from a distance ya zhivu v' 50 Norfolk Street And I reply. . . . . . . . . . Dunedin, New Zealand with impressions chosen from another time steam megaphone (03) 455-7807 (Brian Eno - "By this River")
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03102800af78aed324b5@[146.6.72.39]> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 23:14:18 -0500 From: jason garcia <h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu> Subject: snooty? Hey- Anyone remember that Chalkhills Originals tape that we sent things in for? Or was I just fooled into giving up my music for free? Whassup wit dat?!? And, for Chrissakes, STOP THE AMANDA-BASHING!! You'd think there were a bunch of 10-year olds on this list. Sorry, but it's true. There's no need to be snooty. I stumbled upon Geggy Tah live on my University campus the other day. They're not bad, for a three-piece. Most of their stuff has that funky thing that the Spin Doctors had, however, and that's just wrong in my book. Oh, and I checked out Sloan (without buying) - too '60s for me. "Everything You've Done Wrong" is quite a good little number though. Macca's "Young Boy" to be released worldwide April 28. Uh, sorry, no XTC content (flame away). Jason
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=AU%a=_%p=DPIEXCH%l=DPIEXCH/MHOEXCH/000C82F0@mhocrmexch001.mh.dpi.qld.gov.au> From: "McDonald, Rojer" <McDonaRF@prose.dpi.qld.gov.au> Subject: appypollyloggies Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 16:11:00 +1000 Dear Chalkhillians, Well, the war of nerves that amanda is conducting against some members of the mailing list makes Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons seem like some hopeless yet charming puppet show! However, having seen all these things I've said in the one place at the one time I can see that I have a case to answer, so I here now and forthwith apologise totally and unreservedly to amanda for all of my subtle (and not so subtle) jibes and to any other readers who have been offended by this too. Chalkhills is not the place to carry out this sort of vendetta and it won't happen again. However, I do feel I ought to take you to task over one serious allegation - I don't recall ever calling you, "an American bitch". That would be xenophobic and not quite the ticket in a chalkhills journal. Anyway, I always thought you were Canadian - like David Bowie! Perhaps you should have a nice lie down before sending off your next correspondence. I'm sorry if I upset you - I enjoy the frequency of your submissions and your witty rejoinders;) Alternatively you could take your friend's advice and use the page down button. He should probably take that advice too. I was quite amused by that statement about using the page down button - I mean it's tantamount to standing in Trafalgar Square wearing a top hat and announcing that all wearers of hats are queer - not that there's anything wrong with that! Don't tell us to use the page down button, mate! A less civilised person would probably tell you to stick the page down button in your bottom but I'm not going to say that. Stick your page down bottom in your button!! Quick, page down, page down! But I digress... Regarding the sometimes off topic nature of this newsletter, I feel for both sides. The above written drek is something I felt had to be said to the whole list and I normally wouldn't bog up the list with it. On the other hand if not for the odd musical digression I wouldn't know that Nik Heywood is still alive and producing perfect pop songs, or the complex pleasures of Robyn Hitchcock. And Martin Newell...well, Blimey! There I was the other day looking at my copy of Captain Sensible's "Revolution Now" and sink me if half of it isn't co-written with Martin Newell! Isn't it funny how everything is all connected together? Regarding a collaboration between Andy and Lloyd Cole - it sounds very interesting but I just can't begin to comprehend what the results will sound like - I mean Lloyd is so r'n'b slick and Andy is so rough sharp corners and angular (I mean that in the nicest possible way!) if you know what I mean. Or to juxtapose them another way - urban versus pastoral??? interesting.... I can see that I'm going to have to tape Mummer and listen to it to and from work for the next month before I dismiss it altogether. You see, I am unfortunately from that tribe that worships XTC phase one - White Music, Goto, Drums'n'Wires and arguably Black Sea (although blood has been spilt over its inclusion in this early triumvirate). While English Settlement stands alone I'm afraid Mummer has left me cold for years however I will persevere with my boot-like ears and see what happens... Anyway, I, like many others on the mailing list, am sorry you didn't get to go on holiday, amanda and a big hello and thank you to Kraig Olmstead - I haven't sold out, I'm just playing dead! I'll get outta ya way now, Rogerfromoz P.S. Amanda, how did you know that Stephanie was a cheerleader and that I represent the lollie-pop guild??? You silly girl!
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 11:13:44 +0200 (METDST) From: James Isaacs <jisaacs1@aixterm1.urz.uni-heidelberg.de> Subject: human alchemy Message-Id: <Pine.A32.3.91.970415111209.51235F-100000@aixub1.urz.uni-heidelberg.de> In our recent discussions over Mummer, no one has mentioned the video for "Human Alchemy", which (imho) is their best video. That thing is really creepy. James
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 10:31:32 +0100 (BST) From: Chris Clee <cmc@sanger.ac.uk> Subject: Re:Amanda Message-Id: <Pine.OSF.3.91.970415101510.10190A-100000@manta> Well what can I say....try english settlement side 2 track one followed by side 1 track 2, and side 2 track 2 (just because I really like the guitar work on that one)...take care and you really ought to spend some time doing college work too you know (helps with the bills later on in life..as well as improving one's quality of life) HAPPY DAY to everyone chris (oh now I know what the big key in the corner does....ho hum)
------------------------------ From: a.de.koning@bpa.vnu.com Message-ID: <C125647A.004AA7F1.00@bpa.vnu.com> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 15:49:43 +0200 Subject: off-topic April 27th the german tv (WDR) will repeat a Utopia concert from 1977. I know there are a few Todd Rundgren fans on the list, so I hope this is of any help. The Rockpallast program is on line: http://www.wdr.de/tv/rockpalast/termine.html (and XTC can be found there somewhere if you search long enough). If anyone wants me to record the concert (or an other) let me know. Andre
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3353A70D.4359@netwalk.com> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 09:04:29 -0700 From: Ian C Stewart <stewart@netwalk.com> Subject: No XTC: Swindon, Cathy Dennis, life Howdy all Just got back from two weeks in the UK, including a couple of days in Swindon. Seems like most UK natives think Swindon is the kind of place one should avoid at all costs; us Big Macs over here in McDonaldland think in our little fairytale dreams about what a neato kind of place Swindonium must be to give Our Boys so much material to sing about. I've been there twice now. I can tell you that it's not exactly packed with history. And scenery... forget about it. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed myself there both times and I can recommend it to any XTC fans who are planning trips to England. Don't go to Swindon for the scenery, go to hear that Wacky Accent spoken by children; go to see the Queen's Tap right across from the train station; find Ermine Street on a map. Send your two XTC fan friends postcards of the Uffington Chalk Horse from Swindon so it gets a Swindon postmark. There were no affordable hotels in Swindon last week so we wound up staying in the Marriott. They have a 5-foot model of the Uffington Horse outside their entrance; it's sort of spray-painted (or something) into a hill across from the front door. If you, like me, can't make it out to Uffington proper, check out the Marriott's little display. It's cute. We stayed in the Acton Barnes Suite. If I ever get around to writing an action novel, the lead character will be called Acton Barnes. No, I didn't have any XTC sightings in Swindon. Of course not. And dammit, I ALWAYS forget to take my copy of "The Big Express" with me to the GWR Museum. I probably spent half an hour videotaping the wrong damn engine. And I never seem to have my copy of Moulding's Map Of Swindon when I'm actually there. Poo. We did see Nick Drake's grave in Tanworth In Arden though. Awesome. I met an ex-Chalkie and lived to tell. And never let anyone tell you that Daniel Prendiville doesn't know his way around the lower portion of Ireland. Lovely chap. hey! Guess What! I found the new Cathy Dennis CD "Am I The Kinda Girl" in England. And guess what else! Sounds like flippin' "Oranges And Lemons"! It might just be My Initial Enthusiasm and my natural propensity to believe that Cathy can do no wrong, but I swear it's a great album. The Partridge songwriting bits are incredible. Intelligent and stupid at the same time. Guitar on the title track by Dave Gregory. Total career suicide for a former pop star like Cathy to go chasing XTC's tail, but... hey, it's great art. ....now I just have to get this "Bottom Live" video coverted to the US system... Ian C Stewart
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 09:32:54 -0500 (CDT) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Misheard lyrics and the usual fiddle faddle...... Message-id: <01IHQ92GPFBU8X32YL@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Okay, not actually a mishearing, but a question.....in the ending part of "The Loving", when there are about six different thigs being sung, what the heck is (Colin, I think) saying? Sounds like "strange trip"....... I recall Andy making fun of Lloyd Cole, I think it was during the 1989 convention interview when the interviewer asked him what he thought about he and Colin's appearance on some kids show in the early 80's. (Was it Saturday Swapshop? I think it was.) And Andy said something to the extent that you have to have fun with it, and added something about Cole's brooding nature..... Mark! Mark, my good buddy! Good to see you on here! Now there are two of us heathens (CTD fans) on the list.....so if the first part of your last name means "God", does that mean your name is Mark, God of Chalk? (Or Chalkhills?) >From Laurie... >And finally, I have no opinion of Amanda Oh-kay. >From Jim Smart... >(To this day I know very little about the band, I suggest this....go to the various websites maintained by Chalkhills subscribers/XTC fans. There is much info on them, especially in the printed articles. Or you could buy the bio, Chalkhills and Children. It's a good book, but the lack of Dave Gregory content does bug me. Seems whenever there's a book about a band I listen to, the band member that I follow the most always has the least written about him...... >It was like watching a beautiful, ornate flower turn back into a seed in slow motion. Whoa, break out the ecstasy! ;) >This album stands like a monument. Could any other group do this? Hell no! >MUMMER >A pretty uneven album, with some real gems... I have to agree with you on that. I think the general inconsistency has to do with the fact that...I think three producers were used on the album altogether, not counting the bonus tracks, some of which were produced by Andy. (Frost Circus, for instance.) I think the songs on the album are good songs, but the continuity wavers at times. >BLACK SEA >This must have been THE time to see them in concert...or am I showing my >ignorance again? Well, seeing as that I was a mere lass of two at the time Black Sea was released, and four when they stopped touring, I never got to see the band in what many consider was their finest form. I do have a few live performances spanning tyheir touring career, from the earliest days on to the very night Andy turned tail and ran off the stage in Paris, and IMNSHO, they were never as dynamic or as tight as they were during the Black Sea tour. Back to back, I have a concert performance they did in...Holland, I believe, during the Black Sea tour, and they were very energetic and punchy (except Colin, who's always a bit subdued.) Right after that I have their Rockpalast performance from around the time English Settlement was done, and I think you could tell Andy was nervous. There was just something about his mannerisms that led you to believe he was overcompensating for something.....but enough of that rabble. >DRUMS AND WIRES >Probably need to give this album more listens. It took me awhile to get used to it. See, I bought my XTC albums in no particular order. I bought Oranges and Lemons first because it was the only XTC album I could find in any of the stores I went to. After that I bought (in this order) Skylarking, Mummer, English Settlement, White Music, Black Sea, Rag and Bone Buffet, Nonsuch (got the last longbox in the store), Drums & Wires, and The Big Express. With the way they changed so much ove the years, I never heard a fixed pattern in their music, so every album I bought jarred me a bit. (Heavens, I forgot Go 2! I think I bought that between Black Sea & R&BB) I found that the sound quality was a bit lower on my cd, I had to turn the volume up more to get the big drum sound Steve Lillywhite helped them achieve. >GO 2 >This is the album where it suddenly dawned on me that Andy is not only a great >songwriter, but an awesome guitarist, since it's all him here. This has caused me to reevaluate the whole rest of the catalog, and to raise my estimation of his mana. Andy is indeed a fine guitarist. I find he and Dave are very different in their styles of playing. I find Andy adds a bit more distortion to his stuff, while Dave's playing is very clean. >WHITE MUSIC >I was suprised by how well I like this album. This is the only XTC album I have yet to listen to all the way through. I just can't get past "Heatwave". >From Erich... >Perhaps we ought to think about starting an AMANDA group for these discussions No, no please God NO!!!!!!! And finally, a funny story...... It was a nice day, had the windows open, I had English Settlement blaring very loudly whilst I cleaned my room, and the next-door neighbors threatened to call the cops if I didn't "Turn that shit off". (Funny, Yacht Dance was the song that was blaring when I received said threat.) Ciao, Amanda XTC song of the day-Rocket non-XTC song of the day-Am I the Only One? (Barenaked Ladies) Je me souviens du soleil
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-99 ******************************
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