Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 103
Date: Friday, 3 July 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 103
Friday, 3 July 1998
Today's Topics:
Colin
Carl Maria von Lloyd Webber
In a Nutella shell
Of Tangents, Turn-Ons, and Touching Moments
fuzzy warbles ramble on .....
Your Dictionary and such
F-U-C-K
Re: If-You-Like-XTC
Life begins at the hop
Dear God
Re: Gear Dog
informing MTV of Dave's leaving
yazbek @ lizard lounge, cambridge, ma 7/2/98
Hey, when's the party coming to Taiwan?
Re: Demos
Re: Big Express 1st 5 Songs
With my tongue entrenched firmly in my cheek!
secret xtc album etc.
Souvenir program
no perfect woman though
Have You Seen Jackie?
Goya and the guys
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Her hair still smells of salt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <85256635.00479F75.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 09:18:54 -0400 Subject: Colin Chalksters and Chalkettes; It occurred to me that there is scarce or little attention paid on this list to a crucial element of our favorite band: COLIN MOULDING!! Looking back over the last few months, I found that his name is only mentioned in passing once a week or so. Here we have the guy who still writes and sings some of the band's best songs, and who wrote most of the earliest hits. Arguably, if "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Generals and Majors" hadn't gotten so much airplay in the early days, we might not have this list at all because there is a chance the band wouldn't have survived. I find it ironic that long-winded posts about politics and/or religion rage on for days, and of course flamewars abound, but there is scant discussion of Colin's perspective on the world, his song-writing abilities, what's going on in his life, etc. So here's what I think might be interesting: when the list gets back from John's well-earned vacation, why don't "people in the know" (Mitch, Peter, etc.) give us some insight about Colin. To be honest, the last data I remember was a brief mention about him during the recording interval. I know he's contributed a few songs to the new album, and I thought I remember hearing that his wife was suffering from some sort of mild depression. Isn't there more to know or talk about? I don't mean we should spread gossip, but I don't feel I have an understanding about Colin like I do Andy or Dave (at least their public persona). Just my 2 cents (or pence). Mike
------------------------------ From: "David McGuinness" <dmcg@btinternet.com> Subject: Carl Maria von Lloyd Webber Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 15:00:02 +0100 Message-ID: <01bda5c1$b5b12ac0$LocalHost@default> Hello again - Got to reply to this from deuchars (is that a Scots name or what?). >I'm being identified as a Weber fan every time this subject rears it's >ugly head. >FOR THE RECORD- I agree, and have since the beginning, that Weber's >"music is Satan-spawned demonspew from hell. >I agree with Dom. Weber is garbage. Now, just hang on a minute. Andrew Lloyd Webber is derivative shit, but Weber is serious kick-ass knock-your-socks-off 'what music is all about' music. If you don't believe me, listen to his clarinet quintet, preferably in Alan Hacker's recklessly violent period-instruments recording from the 70s. Classical/Romantic music that's actually dangerous, and sounds like the instruments are just about to be reduced to their constituent molecules. That's all -David
------------------------------ Message-ID: <B82F8C4D16A0D1119FDC0001FA6A4BC9010FD95B@hfd-exch003.hartford.aetna.com> From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: In a Nutella shell Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 11:20:20 -0400 I gotta get me a better supermarket. I haven't seen Nutella around mine in ages, and never in the handy 4-serving (2-lb) jar except in Canada. Harrison, leave it to you to answer the question, "Which was the last entrepreneur not to go hat in hand to the government?" Dagny Taggart, of course! Adam Davies: "If XTC were good enough to achieve commercial success they wouldn't *need* to perfect an album so much." I don't think Andy harbors any illusions about how "just 6 more months" of studio will make a difference in any latest XTC release going boffo. Seems he just continues till he has what he likes, but in this case, does the first 10% of effort yield 90% of accomplishment? Will: "I have a strong, growing, and most excellent relationship with the big G." Funny, I was chatting with him yesterday and he said he'd never heard of you! This is gonna cost one of us. Cath Sweeney: "Also, if Lloyd Webber is a knight, Peter Gabriel sure as hell should be. Looking like a pig gets you knighted." Actually, that's *chipmunk*. He's looking like a chipmunk. Rounding up the usual suspects, Karl
------------------------------ Message-ID: <D9C99A2F013E0C00@c2smtp.onlc.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 11:32:00 -0400 From: Eric Brittingham <Eric_Brittingham@onlc.com> Organization: Online Consulting, Inc Subject: Of Tangents, Turn-Ons, and Touching Moments Greetings all, I'm not sure I agree that the list has gotten boring recently. But I can agree that some postings have gotten way off topic. As far as tangental discussions go, I much prefer the musical to the political or religious. I once lived with a guy who liked to search out Libertarians in our college town bars and pin them down behind the barricades with questions of inheritance and monopolies, and I am convinced it's all a matter of faith. Either you believe it works, or you don't, whatever your political/religious/economic bent. One exception to the above personal preference slipped through in the form Mr. Sherwood's Objectivist love scene. Creative fiction gets a thumbs up from me. Er, it was fiction, right? Speaking of which, I have found both Merely a Man (which was referenced in the aforementioned scene) and The Loving to attract the attention of non-XTCer folks in my generational strata (late 20's/early 30's). We were raised on guitars (at least in my part of the Mid-Atlantic), so the air-guitar potential with these songs works in their favor. Yacht Dance is what sucked me in, however. Garden of Earthly Delights scares the hell out of many people, but it really gets our parakeet going! And this reminds me of Dom's point about alleged narrow musical tastes. When I was a young'an, it was considered quite out-there to be into XTC. Along with Fishbone, B.A.D., PIL, Living Color to a lesser degree--a few friends and I would drive our other friends nuts wanting to listen to this 'weird stuff.' 'Look, man,' they would plead, 'It's cool you like this music, and I can hear that it's really interesting. There's a lot to it. But I just want to rock right now. And this stuff is starting to give me a headache.' I was one to become indignant (in Dom I hear echoes, faint echoes of those days), but my friend Tim, who turned me on to most of this 'weirdness,' including XTC, offered me this: 'You know how much they like Jimmy Buffet, but how much you hate it? Well, no one's ever going to change that, in either direction. So just deal with it.' I didn't, of course, at least not right away, but the moment was a touching one, and I remember it fondly. Lastly, I wish to throw my support behind Mummer in that discussion about buying BE or Mummer. I would buy both simultaneously. They each support different moods, I find. BE is summer-like for me. Mummer is more late winter or early spring. On the Mummer CD you get a bunch of b-sides, and I agree that Jump is great--although I have found it to be one of those turn-offs for newbies. Thanks for the time and space. E
------------------------------ Message-Id: <TFSNDAJR@ubk.net>> From: Jonathan Monnickendam <monnickj@ubk.net> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 16:34:42 +0000 Subject: fuzzy warbles ramble on ..... Mitch/Patrick FitzG Any ideas what the breakeven point is for this set ? How many they expect to sell ? I'm bemused because it must be difficult to sell 4 cd sets in sufficient quantities at a price to make it worthwhile. I hope Prince is there as an adviser because i'm not sure how well his crystal ball predicted the sales of his Crystal Balls, his own 4 cd set of old material. I would have thought that a very modest bond issue via a private placement secured by future royalties (of Firework) would have been easier (unless they are already pledged) and would have given them a guaranteed amount upfront. Will I buy it ? Especially if there is stacks of D&W stuff, my fav at the moment. In the meantine I shall continue to enjoy 'Days in the Life', Jonathon Green's oral history of the underground movement in the 60'sLondon. It is extremely funny and has a lot about Pink Floyd who see to have tapped into the scene very well. The Beatles, especially MCartney, get a mention, and the comments about Lennon are worth the price of entry. He comes across as being square beyond belief and thoroughly provincial, at least according to the first 100 or so pages and this bears out Stormy Monday's doubts a month or so back about about the artist being someone the fan might not want to know. It's not just about music but very successfully weaves in the numerous strands ; jazz, the beats, the poets, dylan, the rastas the whole lot. jon In the tape deck ' ; blow up by Television ; wow! * --------------------------------------------------------------- The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC. * ---------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19980702115512.009a6410@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 11:55:12 -0400 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: Your Dictionary and such Hi all, Todd Bernhardt said: >. . . I hope the band/management/record label realize >that "Your Dictionary" could be _the_ over-the-top hit for them. The >fact that he spells out naughty words could be the hook that initially >gets it played, but people will ultimately go for the raw emotion of >the song. Anyone out there knowledgeable enough about FTC regs to >comment on the possibility of "obscene" words being able to get played >on U.S. airwaves because they're spelled out ? Well, I'm not versed in the regulations book, but I have trouble believing that there are going to be too many mainstream commercial stations daring enough to touch a song that spells out "F-U-C-K" quite clearly. FTC (rhymes with "XTC") rules aside, however, I also don't really imagine the song capable of being the huge hit you seem to be indicating. I think it's a great song, mind you, but . . . well, I just can't picture it getting overplayed on the big stations the way, say, all those damn Matchbox 20 songs seem to be. Not to say that I wouldn't mind being wrong about that, of course, for the band's (should I just say "duo's" now?) sake. Also, Mark Archer-May asked if anyone other than Aussies knew of "Mental as Anything." Well, back in college, 1984-85-ish, I had an album or two of theirs, not too long after I had started getting heavily into XTC, actually. Can't remember the album title(s) or any of the songs, but I do recall that they were interesting and kind of quirky-ish, but I eventually ended up selling the album(s) to a used record shop. How's that for a vague recollection? And finally to Arndt, "Mr. Babelfish," all I have to say is this: I see which you meaning, Arndt -- the Site Babelfish, although maintain, could certainly lead to something disorders in communication Chalkhills, as if it gave not already enough. To understand clever idea, although and you believe you, or not, I could really, a good part of the translated text. Thank you and good night, Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199807021625.MAA09590@gate3.fmr.com> From: "Sawyer, Keith" <Keith.Sawyer@fmr.com> Subject: F-U-C-K Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 12:25:16 -0400 Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> muses: >I sincerely hope so. I hope the band/management/record label >realize that "Your Dictionary" could be _the_ over-the-top hit >for them. The fact that he spells out naughty words could be >the hook that initially gets it played, but people will ultimately >go for the raw emotion of the song. Anyone out there >knowledgeable enough about FTC regs to comment on the >possibility of "obscene" words being able to get played >on U.S. airwaves because they're spelled out ? Well, the Poster Children had a song called "If You See Kay" which didn't raise any hackles ... In reality, the FCC really isn't specific on much of anything. Individual radio stations decide how adventurous they want to get and set their own policy. Many FCC actions stem from listener complaints ... so if a radio station feels their audience won't complain about a certain lyric, they'll program the song. That being said, today's radio stations are extremely cautious. I remember back in the early 80's major rock stations were willing to play songs with curses ... these days they'll get a 'clean' version from the label. So to answer your question: we could debate about whether or not spelled curses make a song obscene, but in reality it doesn't matter because commercial stations are going to err on the side of caution and avoid playing any song that could foster complaints. But the independent stations will still play it ... keith "The music machine is a whore you can have a million times Dependably it makes you move too fast or slow" -Cardinal, 'If You Believe in Christmas Trees'
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359BDD41.9C@prtc.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 14:19:42 -0500 From: pancho1@prtc.net (pancho1) Organization: prtc.net Subject: Re: If-You-Like-XTC Hey All, not much to say but Arndt's recent contribution brought up an old idea I never did mention......he says that> > The idea: Different XTC albums for different musical geschmacksrichtungen! > If only the curiosity were waked, one can put then also different albums > (perhaps even White Music) to the victims forward. > > My suggestion: In a first step different taste directions and musical > interests collect, in order to then find appropriate songs for each taste. and I agree wholeheartedly that XTC is so wide in scope that it attracts lots of different people/tastes. The way I thought this could be handled was with an algorithm, sort of: If you like XTC and Billy Joel you might like Yazbek or Ben Fold's Five If you like XTC and the Beach Boys you might like Jason Faulkner or The La's If you like XTC and The Fall you might like Captain Beefheart or Can If you like XTC and Yes you might like Steely Dan Anyway. it would go something like that, the only problem with this is that someone would have to have a pretty encyclopedic knowledge of lots of different music as well as lots of time to play with, both of which I lack. The other problem is that many would disagree with the algorithms but the beauty is that anyone can chip in with their suggestions. I have followed a lot of suggestions for music on this list, lots that I like and lots that I didn't (BTW, thanks to all that spoke highly of The La's....great pop. There she goes and the intro of Then She Appeared seem to be kin). And even with this algorithm, I am sure we could not fully capture the breath of XTC but perhaps allow members to further categorize their likes and dislikes and thus be a bit more selective about what suggestions to follow. Oh well, them's my 2 bits. PANCHO PRXTCFAN PS for what its worth, I just got back from MIami where I spent some time with my 12 year old niece and got to listen to Lil Kim and JC and some song about Tyronne get off the phone and Bust a Rhymes and stuff, and I thought that all of these songs seemed to be about fucking. And I still don't get much out of it (except BustaRhymes which was pretty funny). But at least she is not a racist if we are to believe Doms paradigm of musical tastes. I am not a psychiatrist (yet) but his bit on "cool" musical tastes sounded like one big projection of white liberal guilt. Being Cuban/Puertorican I come from a culture that includes all kinds of afroantillean influences and go figure, I like XTC and shitloads of white bands and must admit to be a bit of an anglophille. Yet I also like Cumbia, Son Montuno, Merengue, Guaganco and all kinds of other stuff. Blanket generalizations are always doomed to failure, even when I make them or when Dom or whoever makes them. Anyway, enough soapboxing. Religion- Non (nary impossible to escape the God/not God dichotomy)...I guess I am a secular humanist. Drugs- Way more than any human being should have been allowed to consume and live to tell the tale.....I could be cocky and say "I have SPILLED more drugs than the lot of you have even SEEN" but the reality is that I am lucky to have survived a number of od's and seizures. Suffice it to say that I decided to not guild the lily any further and these days don't consume anything stronger than caffeine. Political Party- Really apolitical but vote democrat as the lesser of 2 evils. Work- Medical Student. Dreams- to have a good singing voice (I can recognize a thousand subtle variations of cringing whenever I sing in public) and to write memorable pop songs. (I am a mediocre songwriter but at least I think I have good tastes and a keen ear for talent, eg XTC). Oh well there you have it, if anyone has read this far sorry to take up so much time. Back to lurk mode.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359C0D68.4EE0A79@earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 16:44:56 -0600 From: Mark Middlemas <mmiddlemas@earthlink.net> Subject: Life begins at the hop This place is hopping! Anyone here? I just joined and really want to talk some XTC. For instance anyone know an exact date on the new album? Anyone know how many tracks it might have? Typical Patridge should have mega tracks. Very cool. Let me know! Thanks -Mark
------------------------------ From: Stroo@aol.com Message-ID: <18647b59.359c2f95@aol.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 21:10:44 EDT Subject: Dear God Misty Shock wrote: Well, I've been reading various Chalkers talk about their religious and political beliefs, their occupations and use of drugs, and I have a question for the religious minded of you all: What is your personal reaction toward the apparent blasphemies of "Dear God"? I consider religion to be an important part in my life, and that fact makes XTC that much more enjoyable (Peter Pumpkinhead, This World Over etc.). Anyone that writes songs like that I feel has some religious base. What then to make of Dear God? Perhaps Andy is expressing his frustration in the world through the eyes of a little child. Perhaps he is admonishing us for creating this mess. Perhaps Andy best expresses his feelings througha child so as not to come across as cynical. Or perhaps he really means it. Ah, the beauty and wonder of the music of XTC. A classic example of why Chalkhills serves us so well. Thanks J.R.! Bob
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359C3940.523F@bhip.infi.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 21:52:18 -0400 From: gregory <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Organization: InfiNet Subject: Re: Gear Dog Tschalkgerz! > God is whatever we decide it is; if you say "God doesn't exist," God says "Yes, boss" and goes out of It's way to prove you right. God reflects back to us whatever preconceptions and expectations we have.< What the heck does this mean? Again, another excuse for us not to see something that we're supposed to take for granted is there but can never, ever detect. It's like the alien abduction nonsense. Something much deeper and MUCH more interesting is going on than what some take at face value. Let's explore THAT angle. -Brian Oh - uhh... "Dear God"!!
------------------------------ From: STakesh@aol.com Message-ID: <bacc02ed.359c48e0@aol.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 22:58:39 EDT Subject: informing MTV of Dave's leaving Chalkies - Incredible as it seems, MTV hasn't said anything yet about Dave's leaving the band, so I sent the following press release to the News section on the MTV website: Subj: Guitarist Dave Gregory has left XTC Dave Gregory, guitarist and keyboardist in XTC since 1979, left the band March 16 in what amounted to creative differences with XTC frontman Andy Partridge. Dave has been a notable presence on every XTC release beginning with their seminal post-punk, New Wave pop album of 1979, Drums and Wires. On their landmark 1982 double album English Settlement, Gregory played the acoustic 12-string guitar that helped distinguish that album's signature sound. And in the mid-'80's, Dave Gregory's role in XTC as a musical jack-of-all-trades grew, thanks to his keyboard parts, string arrangements and even retooling a classic Moog organ the band bought for their neo-psychedelic work as The Dukes of Stratosphere. Although he's never written any of XTC's songs, Gregory's musical presence on the albums had been a crucial factor figuring into the band's cultish appeal to its many longtime fans. The news was leaked to Chalkhills, the official XTC website, but Dave Gregory has not made any official statements yet. Dave Gregory is currently writing theme music for a BBC television program, but is looking to either tour with or permanently join a band this year. ******************* Here's hoping MTV uses some of this info, and hopefully Dave will get the work he wants! (And it definitely won't be touring with REO Speedwagon and STYX; that was merely a very silly rumour of awhile back.) Stephanie Takeshita
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 00:54:24 -0400 (EDT) From: Brian Whitman <bwhitman@WPI.EDU> Subject: yazbek @ lizard lounge, cambridge, ma 7/2/98 Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.980703004708.25132C-100000@wpi.WPI.EDU> I think I was the only person there... the others were just ghosts, or Thatanoids, or something. Never seen Mr. Yazbek before, just played his 2nd record tons of times in odd places (crawling under a bed or replacing the intermission music in 2001 or cape cod traffic) and it was good. As I've said, no one was there. OK, there were 20 or so people there. What is wrong with this world, I will never know. I'm in a noise group that has had a bigger audience, we play feedback and don't advertise our concerts at all and more people show up. Things need to change. It was entertaining and happy and I laughed and my girlfriend liked them a lot and it was only 5 dollars!! I do genuinely believe that the songwriting transcends all in this situation, be it the lazy sound system or the loud transients (crowd, not acoustics) and that must be cherished now and again. Thank you messrs Yazbeks, brian Brian Whitman bwhitman@wpi.edu - http://www.netspace.org/users/bwhitman "What desk? In London, off some well-kept street, in a tidy House, there will be someone at a Desk, to whom you'll tell all you've seen."
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BDA685.A395B300@h163.s253.ts32.hinet.net> From: Don Rogalski <tonikuo@ms10.hinet.net> Subject: Hey, when's the party coming to Taiwan? Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 13:22:24 +0800 >From: nihilon@crisscross.com >Steve (MGV) The Right Reverend wrote: >Is it time for the third Tokyo XTC party? >Tokyo residents - e-mail me directly and we'll do something again. Hey, this isn't fair! I'm getting a little tired of this geographical prejudice consistently being displayed by party-organizing residents of North America, England, "Oz and Kiwiland", and now TOKYO!! You'd think there were no XTC fanatics anywhere else in the world. C'mon, have a heart. I mean, just because, say, a bunch of you live in or near Atlanta USA , does that mean you have to have the party in or near Atlanta? Sheesh.... Are there any chalkhillians living in Taiwan? I'm deeply curious. Am I the lone representative? That's rather sad, as I'm not even Taiwanese! Ah well. In the manner of a southern Taiwanese of a less refined bearing exclaiming his frustration, I submit to you, in the gutteral, whiny, Taiwanese dialect that is wholly unpleasant to the ear, this oft-used oath: "Gan!!!" I hope none of the neighbours heard that. Don
------------------------------ From: sfrankli@ECHG.ORG.UK Message-ID: <80256636.002C440D.00@Inet.echg.org.uk> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 09:20:15 +0100 Subject: Re: Demos Chalkhills 102 had a note from Gary asking for information about demos. I too would like to get hold of some. Is there a central source to get these and perhaps tee shirts and other goodies ? Please Email if anyone can help. Completly unconnected but I saw 'Walter Trout' at the Fleece and Firkin pub in Bristol the other night. Not really XTC music, but a great example of ' it kickin' R + B. Check him out if you can. Steve Franklin
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s59cac7a.093@parliament.uk> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 10:02:39 +0100 From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk> Subject: Re: Big Express 1st 5 Songs To Rich Bunnell... For what it's worth I've always rated "Big Express" as one of the best XTC albums. I suppose you could argue that it does have its weak moments - the three additional tracks on my CD are great, but maybe not THAT great - but one track stands out so much for me that I would recommend the album purely on its many merits. "Train Running Low On Soul Coal" represents everything that is great about XTC - in my humble etc - from the Gill-esque guitar chops and train noises through to the stunning melody and beautiful arrangement. Blimey, I actually sounded quite sincere there for a moment. Anyway, the aforementioned song is certainly one of the reasons why XTC mean such a great deal to me. It is also partly why I'm puzzled by this affection for "My Weapon". When Andy Partridge is on top form, there are few "tunesmiths" (bleurgh!) to compare (as if it needed saying) - his most exquisite moments easily a match for any Beatles song you care to mention. "My Weapon" on the other hand is a lame, cod-new wave atrocity. Mildly amusing, but that's about it. "Super Tuff" isn't much better. Obviously the rest of "Go2" is superb, but you can almost hear the cringing as Barry gets to do his thing. I know lots of you will disagree - oh, how BORING - so I'd love to hear some reasons why (rather than just slagging me off for being smug, or a hypocrite or whatever it is this week). Oh, and Todd Reinhardt, me old pedant! Yes, I have been inconsistent. I have already admitted it. Who isn't? I still never said I was "hip" or superior though. It's all very well to keep referring back to past postings and going "Aha! Caught you wanking in front of the mirror again!" but I really don't think anyone, least of all Mr Wright, wants to hear me defending myself YET AGAIN. So for the final time, yes, I'm a dreadful, smug piece of shit and I promise to kill myself at the first opportunity. Current Listening Matter: EC80R "World Beaters", Electric Wizard "Supercoven", Bog Shed "Step On It".... Dom (RIP)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BDA673.56768660@e2c6p38.scotland.net> From: Robert Wood <wobbit@bigfoot.com> Subject: With my tongue entrenched firmly in my cheek! Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 11:04:03 +0100 Matt waxed eloquently in 4-102... >> Thought I would delurk for just a second and chime in with my two inches...er, cents, on the recent (yet again!) deconstruction of that Barry Andrews classic, "My Weapon." French philosopher/historian Foucalt (complete with diamond studded doggy collar) once wrote about the sexuality of power, and "My Weapon" is a wonderful illustration of the current interpretation of post structuralism. <snip> Oh, you can count me in with the people who like the song. << Nah, it's just a purile, piss poor, nob song! <BG> And Red said Andy should write lyrics like... >> "Rook, rook, show me your tits" (this may already be a 'Bud' commercial) << No, that's silly. Tits doesn't rhyme woth Rook! It's not even assonant! And it would be show *us* your tits anyway! How about "Rook, Rook, fancy a fook"?! <G> Oh an one more thing, Peter Wright was magnanimous in slightly backing down over his "boring" assertions! But you did kinda contradict yourself, old chap! You said a list is for "ON-TOPIC" stuff, but then said "SAY WHAT YOU FEEL"! Er, we are doing! But maybe I misunderstood! I dunno! I know people who don't particularly like XTC who read this list *because* of its diversity! (sic)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s59cc745.004@4thestate.co.uk> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 11:53:52 +0100 From: Andy Miller <ANDYMILLER@4thestate.co.uk> Subject: secret xtc album etc. Hi everyone, >Someone asked recently what people thought of the two Nicky Holland songs, and he got no reply. That was me! Months ago! I'm still here!!!!!! (Validation - thanks Mark) >Is this because most Chalksters just haven't heard them? Judging from a quick canvass of opinion at the London meeting a few weeks ago, yes is the answer. >Anyone care to guess about the degree to which these songs are genuine collaborations? It sounds to me like most of them are Andy's songs... Yup - I think I said in my post that the 2 Nicky Holland songs sound like 100% Andy's work, bar the arrangements, which is Nicky's forte I believe. The melodies sound like nothing else on the album, and the lyrics... >This is Andy's most personal, intimate and confessional collection to date I don't know if Nicky is recently divorced, but let's assume she isn't. In which case, Paperchase is a _very_ personal song about Andy's divorce, and his alone. New York Inside My Head, lyrically, is a song written by someone who's been spending quite a lot of time in - yes! - New York, and melodically quotes from Chalkhills and Children ferchrissakes!!! Presumably this is deliberate, as the line in question is "Even I never know where I go when my eyes are closed..." - which very neatly fits the theme of the song. Chalksters - what I'm saying, and I presume to speak for Mark here, is - You need to hear these songs!!! >So what do we think of this virtual album? I don't say this is the perfect running order. It's a _great_ album. Having put this on a tape a while ago, this was my running order: Paper Snow/Am I the Kinda Girl?/Paperchase/I Drew a Lemon/In Hell's Despite/Cherry in Your Tree/The Good Things/Moon on your Dress/Blue in Paradise/New York Inside My Head But that's just my opinion. (You Are Here? Save it for a b-side...) >Have I missed any tracks? The Blegvad/Partridge collaboration on the recent Slapp Happy album - Child Then. I haven't heard this yet. However, I was under the impression that Peter and Andy had - surprise! - fallen out quite a while ago, in which case can we assume that both this track and In Hell's Despite date from around the time of King Strut ie. before Nonsuch? Or am I wrong? Does anybody have any info? I think I'm right in saying there was also a third Partridge/Holland collaboration for Nicky's album - Another Tale from the Riverbank - but it didn't make the final cut. Anybody heard this? One more thing:- Dom - far be it from me to simply AGREE with you about something, but you're right - Lizard Music are great! I'd really recommend their last single, (Theme From) We Are The Egrets. London-based Chalksters will be pleased to learn that you can buy this band's entire back catalogue for as little as #5, as it seems their albums make up the backbone of most music shops' "Sale" sections. They're an acquired taste, so acquire. Best Andy PS. Helter Skelter, who are publishing Neville's book in the UK, are a very cool company. It's a good home for the book.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359CC0D6.F799ED55@xpress.es> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 13:30:31 +0200 From: Imanol Ugarte <ix8494@xpress.es> Subject: Souvenir program Among the mountains of papers and music magazines I've got in the upper chamber I've found to my surprise an interesting XTC issue from 1980. It seems a souvenir program printed in U.S.A. from the Black Sea era. Green covered with cardboardlike pages with 26 black & white and color(serious and curious)photographs of the band ,some of them on stage, others taken somewhere in Japan...and a central poster. It also includes a set list ,a short XTC history and a list of favorite hobbies and things (like Favorite Sex Position) confessed by the members of the band. There is a page with Official XTC Fan Club joining information as well. Does anyone know this? Imanol Ugarte [ See http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/bstp/ -- John ]
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359CC156.DAC9699F@xpress.es> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 13:32:38 +0200 From: Imanol Ugarte <ix8494@xpress.es> Subject: no perfect woman though Alan Martin wrote : >and to those of you posting about meeting that perfect woman who >shares in your love of AP and the boys.... my wife LOVES XTC! My wife and my little daughters too. Although they haven't listened yet to the "Takeaway/Lure of Savage"tracks !!! Imanol Ugarte
------------------------------ Message-ID: <001401bda687$76e72ee0$84975ed1@nate> From: "Gineen" <natalia@javanet.com> Subject: Have You Seen Jackie? Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 09:35:36 -0400 ..................He's an odd odd odd little fish To fly around is his only wish Have you seen Jackie? She's a queer queer queer little bird Shy and quiet neither scene nor herd" Hi people. I was driving in my car yesterday and all of the sudden, on a regular ol' radio station, I hear a song begin that sounds incredibly familiar....then I realize it's the Dukes. What the hell? It was the song "Have you seen Jackie" and then they followed up with some other bands music that was quite psychedelic. I never ever hear them on the radio. Kind of put me in a trance. I guess It's always a treat when you randomly hear something. I must admit, I get afraid that XTC will become popular some day. I don't know, there's just this comfort in feeling like they have not been over played or taken for granted like so many bands. We have sort of a cult here.....I like it. With Most people that I have asked "Do you like XTC?" they will say "Oh did they did that song Dear God or Making Plans for Nigel?" Not that these are not great songs, just well, I think you know what I am getting at..........Theres SO much more OUT there dude! haha. Actually, one day while I was buying Waxworks on CD, some guy, about 45 years old comes up to me and asks "Where did you get that?" I told him, and he says to me "I love XTC, I love that stuff, and Skylarking is still the best on my list!" It made me thrilled to see someone who was into XTC in the way in which I was and had a clue as to what albums were out there. By the way......A good CD to get is The Sugar Cubes..."Life's too good"...Fun music. A great song called Motor Crash on it. It's not spiritual for me like XTC however. hehehee. Love you....gineen. Who shall email me next? Even I never know where I go when My eyes are Closed............
------------------------------
Message-ID: <01BDA65F.97C1B400.martucci@verio.com>
From: Dean Martucci <martucci@verio.com>
Subject: Goya and the guys
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 08:49:54 -0700
Wrapped in Goya Greys...a wonderful connection; thank you!
Maybe here's another one...
View Goya's "Manuel Osorio de Zuniga" at
http://www2.iinet.com/art/18th/spanish/goya/goya65.jpg
while listening to "My Bird Performs."
Italy - in the thick of it. Steady, consistent, classic play. This is their
year,
Dean
~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~
Dean Martucci San Mateo, CA USA
martucci@verio.com
~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-103 *******************************
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