Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 11
Date: Tuesday, 21 October 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 11
Tuesday, 21 October 1997
Today's Topics:
XTC aren't vile enough
Must think clean thoughts....must be a good girl....
Admission And Apology
Vinyl XTC!
Bumpers, Colin, and those solos...
synchsynchsynch
Devastating Torture
re: Into the ear of the beholder
UDA: No busses skidding on black ice?
A coupla small responses....
Gotta love it live...
Nietzche Pops: Bring out der Uebermensch in you!
New album
"Sabine, Sabine, Sabine" b/w "Bogey Music" [no XTC]
GIG REVIEW: Yazbek at Arlene Grocery
FORBIDDEN SUBJECT: GUITAR SOLOS (But everything else is OK)
Wires and drummerless ?
The Solos--The Final Word, Todzilla solves the debate, we can
Re: Michael Bland
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=SELECT_Software_%l=SELECT_OX_MAIL-971020121711Z-318@select_UK_mail.select.com> From: Catherine Sweeney <CatherineS@selectst.com> Subject: XTC aren't vile enough Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 13:17:11 +0100 <This, IMO, just furthers the feeling that XTC have never gotten the credit they so richly deserve. Are they not cute enough? Do they not have a good enough image? Did they come out too SOON after the Beatles broke up?> Re your comparison with Oasis and why XTC earn less attention....apart from the fact that they do not tour, which has been to their detriment, and which we all know about, I've come up with some observations. So if they want fame, here's what I think they've done wrong so far, followed by some advice. By the way, I think their failure to be anything like Oasis is commendable, but it's unfortunate that in the current superficial atmosphere pervading the UK, people like them (i.e people with a set of bollocks, basically) have no place in this anodyne new world of ours. 1 XTC have made the mistake of not being complete bastards who blatantly copy everyone else and then call themselves original. 2 None of them have gone out with Patsy 'my ambition is to be famous' Kensit. 3 None of them are mouthy or ill mannered enough to draw attention to themselves - that is, attention which relates more to their behaviour than their music 4. Rather than being seen at New Labour love fests, they put their politics in their lyrics. My advice to them is to do a minor tour and then do the following. Smash a hotel to smithereens, say something sexist and then stick two fingers up at a photographer (my, my, Liam Gallagher, how original of you). They should refuse to shave for three days, and then emerge from their respective houses with a simpering minor actress on their arms. they should then visit the Chancellor of the Exchequer and arselick their way through a dinner which has been thrown in honour of the music industry. I don't see it happening, somehow. They're clearly doomed.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 09:39:45 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Must think clean thoughts....must be a good girl.... Message-id: <01IP0WMV8KWG8ZFPM0@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Well whoever brought the interesting image of Dave up, I must say that I cannot at all see Dave doing any of that, seeing as how reserved he is. (Although I CAN say what I could see him doing with his tongue....but not on THIS list. ;) Somebody smack me and get my mind OUT OF THE GUTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm seeing some interesting little..anagrams, I think the word is the list. Let me add my own... Go hang a salami! I'm a lasagna hog! (Or are those called palindromes....I dunno, this ain't English class...and "ain't" ain't a word.) Should BUmper Cars be on the next album???? No. It's a good song, but not one of Andy's better ones. I will say this....if they leave "Easter Theatre" off, I will scream. This might be Andy's best song to date, IMNSHO. The lyrics, the music, Andy's voice, everything about it. I would love if they could alter it the least amount they could. That along with You & the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful. LE had conducted a poll about XTC right before the release of Oranges & Lemons awhile back, and some of the answers suprised me, with regards to worst XTC songand stuff like that. But since then we've seen two more albums and a flurry of b-sides, compilations, and demos come out. I wonder what the general attitude would be these days.....(No, I'm not taking another poll, collective sigh of relief.) Funny moment...watching the stupid kids show Andy and Colin (and WHERE was GREGSY????) appeared on, what it Saturday Swapshop?? Anyhoo, I was watching that this morning, and my father walked into the room. Andy was talking about a video they'd just reviewed. I was engrossed in it when I hear my dad "Who is the geek holding the horn?" Should I have hit him???? ? Ciao for now, mi amigos, Amanda Daemon est deus inversus XTC song of the day-the "Andy's Recording Shed" version of "Dear Madum Barnum", complete with Andy singing a completely off-key note and crying "Oh My God!" in the middle of the song. non XTC-Mexican Radio-Wall of Voodoo
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19971020163115.006c8eb8@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 17:31:15 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <nonsuch@dircon.co.uk> Subject: Admission And Apology As a quick follow up to my recent "chat with Andy" post and the mention of the Busted Amp, please ignore that line (I thought I'd edited it out but realised with horror that I'd left it in) because _I_ have claimed it for myself. Sorry, but I simply couldn't resist it. I shall of course take it to the next convention for people to stroke. Oh, and for those that don't know, the Microsoft Rifff project is no more. Simon -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/bungalow.htm (http://come.to./bungalow) -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- An XTC resource - "Saving it all up for you..."
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19971020164714.0093f3c0@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 16:47:14 -0400 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: Vinyl XTC! Hi all, Just wanted to let you know that I have a couple of XTC items that I'd like to find good, loving homes for. I've listed one of these in the Chalkhills Classifieds, but I haven't placed the other one yet. 1) Vinyl "Skylarking" LP, original American pressing, with "Mermaid Smiled" rather than "Dear God." It's in excellent condition. 2) Vinyl Dukes' "25 O'Clock" LP, also excellent to near-mint condition. This is the one I haven't put in the "classifieds" yet...just thought I'd see what response I got here before posting it there. E-mail me privately with any questions or offers. Thanks! Your own personal vinyl vendor (at least for these two items...I have nothing else to offer), Dave Gershman
------------------------------ From: "Bob Prowse" <bobprowse@mcmail.com> Subject: Bumpers, Colin, and those solos... Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 22:10:13 +0100 Message-ID: <01bcdd9c$8ebb2f80$0100007f@localhost> Chalksters, I've been saving a few things up: TBERNHA@columbiaenergy.com wrote: >>All this talk about Bumper Cars got me wondering: >>If everyone agrees it doesn't belong on the new album, how come every time I >>read about it I can't get its melody out of my head for the next hour or so? >>Huh? Well? Well I for one don't agree that it doesn't belong on the album (ooh err, double negatives already!). Its *dead* catchy. Its a great little song. Nothing 'big' or 'heavy' but still pure Andy P. OK, so it probably won't make it on to the new record and sure there are 'better' songs in abundance (more so since this collection was put together no doubt) but a definite B-side contender, surely? (do we have b-sides anymore?). Rather this than pinch another track from the album I'd say. Prince of Orange I also really rate. Damn, thats gone and done it. I expect I won't get *that* out of my head for the rest of the night now! (Sorry John Relph, I don't see the 'King of the Road' connection at all!). The only thing that grates me about this track is the rinky-plink piano part. Andy seems to be looking for something to extend the song (for structural balance sake) before the big 'up' major-key outro section (brilliant, IMHO) and just needs coming back to with some fresh ears. Perhaps Amanda, you could 'thought transfer' some inspiration to your beloved Dave G to have a go at something sexy :-) Oh, I've just thought. Maybe it is Dave playing that part? Sounds like Andy though. Correct me someone. And while I'm on the outlook for the new record, someone find out what Colin has been up to p-l-e-a-s-e??? Surely with a 20 song album Colin's got to get a look in with more than 5 or 6 songs? Anyone heard any demos he's put together yet? Simon S, the next time Andy 'phones you up', get some info about Colin's output/input for me, for us? And, I've asked this once before without luck but I'll try again. Anyone know if it is Colin playing the bass part on 'I'd Like That'? Its fab whoever - especially the outro. Oh, and Sherwood (or 'Sugarhips' - great nickname!) just you keep those fingers tapping away my man! I love it. I mean, what about this for a sentence from the last digest: >>I think the "Books Are Burning" solos, while not self-aggrandizing in that >>way, are a cheaply manipulative and cliched attempt to end the album on a >>valedictory note, along with a "la-la-la" singalong that attempts to >>invoke a communal spirit that the weakness of the song's subject matter >>doesn't deserve. Phew! Tell me/us. On occasion, has anybody ever remarked that you speak really fast, in real life? Just curious. But wait, there's more: >>And worst of all, they're not even faintly original--I mean, come on: >>squeals and Floyd Rose dive-bombing--on an XTC record? It's not a guitar >>passage, it's a mid-life crisis. Hee, hee, hee-ee!! The guitar solos on BAB? I think it would be true to say they both had fat smiles on their faces when they played them and then consequently spent a long hard time desperately trying to convince themslves that they really *can't* get away with this, - can we?? They're just a bit of fun and a bit brave of them to pull it off - which they j-u-s-t manage to do I reckon. Whoever made the decision that 'we're gonna keep it, boys' made a good decision. All the intellectualising thats been going on about this recently has made the section far more of a big deal than it deserves. Now, anyone know of a location for the recording yet? I think this will be more crucial to the final sound than who's producing somehow. Lets face it. They just wouldn't let the Bobby Brown's or Quincy Jones's of the world get anywhere near it, right? (The money would last a day!) The budget constraint may be a blessing in disguise. I don't want another Nonsuch sounding record - big, bright, shiny, good and cohesive though it is, I'm looking (hoping) for some character in the sound this time round. Got to get up for work in, oh shit, three hours!! (gulp!) Night,night, Bob P
------------------------------
From: "Kevin Keeler" <insanity@underworld.net>
Subject: synchsynchsynch
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 19:19:16 -0400
Message-ID: <01bcddae$959eedc0$93abf4ce@hobbes>
Well, I wasn't going to post this time around...but i was persuaded
otherwise.
My friend just messaged me on IRC that his coworker had given him this movie
and that he had to watch it. what movie, you ask? 'In Like Flint.' I bout
shat myself. Told him I practically already know the whole damn plot from
chalkhills. how odd (note: neither he nor his coworker are xtc fans).
damn synchronicity. always trips me up.
also, I finally got my copies of the demos. I like. That man had a *lot*
of time on his hands (if I were in his hands-around-ankles position, I would
too :p ). I like them. I like green man. And 'your dictionary'--tho
repetitive and odd--does have an odd personality all its own.
oh, and a public thanx to jason. you're my boy!
I'm putting them all on CD as we speak (well, not *right* now (parallel to
SCSI has a tendency to munch CPU), so if anyone doesnt have them yet or
would like a digital copy (cash or trade (reasonably cheap, too--less than
$5)), feel free to contact me.
And I do so love Simon's inside scoop. Its so neat to get a first hand
account like that. Always informative, always appreciated--the wonderful AP
fone calls.
>To quote Flanders and Swann - "wonderful national anthem they have -
>'German, German overalls'"
I was talking to A german exchange student I know. She said they're all
afraid to even know the nat'l anthem cuz they dont want to look like nazi's.
kinda sad. also, she said they took that line out (yes, I *did* get the
pun) and why am i so non-relevant? i think its that damn radiohead list
having some effect on me. if any of you ar eon it, you know what i mean :p
MUST HAVE XTC CONTENT!!
>In other Buffy news, I just got a CD burner, so if anyone's got a really
>good copy of any demos, I'd love to send you a five-or-so-inch shiny
>aluminum disk for your troubles.
heyheyhey--ive started a trend :p
And the cool thing last issue seems to be: analyze harrison. He started out
strong and true, but started waning. While arguing against the definitive
'goodness' of a piece, he ended up attempting to define it in his own,
biased terms. He was on the right track, but with a few wheels hanging off
to the side.
then of course, Mark Stevenson lept in, and--while shouting loudly and
poining and gesticulating like a baboon--declared: 'hey! some of his wheels
are off track!' The problem being no one takes a spastic baboon-no mater
how accurate they may be--seriously.
off
Kevin Keeler
insanity@underworld.net
"quoteless"
------------------------------ Message-ID: <344C11AF.77A2@bhip.infi.net> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 22:21:49 -0400 From: gregory <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Organization: InfiNet Subject: Devastating Torture Tschalkgerz! (*pound-pound-throb-throb*)... >>I think there are exceptions to this rule: William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have both recorded albums, remember?<< >Hey, careful now. William Shatner's "Transformed Man" is *good*, no question about it. His interpretation of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is simply *devastating*.< "Devastating" being the key word here. It's interesting, this, because a co-worker just picked up a copy (on CD, no less), and has been torturing us at work with the opening few moments of "Lucy" every chance he gets. This stuff - God, I can't even think of a word - what the hell was going through these people's heads?!? Reading the liner notes is a real hoot, too. You'd think that this was the greatest idea since sliced bread or somethin'... Shatner should have stuck to acting (!), and left the music to those who have some kind of a clue. Like XTC. -Brian Eating future and shitting past...
------------------------------ From: Gary.Dean@manor.ch Date: 21 Oct 1997 09:12:07 +0000 Subject: re: Into the ear of the beholder Message-Id: <00030E0C00000004*@MHS> Johnny Rotten did in fact receive vocal training. Take a look at "The great rock 'n' roll swindle". Gary Dean, Basel Switzerland BTW: The last issue was my first, is it always this pretentious?
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19971021210427.006d0fd8@pop3.unsw.edu.au> Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 21:04:27 +1100 From: Jeff Cotter <j.cotter@unsw.edu.au> Subject: UDA: No busses skidding on black ice? Friends and Chockstones, Why do I keep thinking that the line "and busses might skid on black ice" is missing from Senses on the Upsy Daisy Assortment? I can't figure out why and where I remember hearing this line. Any clues? Also: any tips on XTC promo appearances forwarded to e-mail address below would be greatly appreciated. * ------------------------------------------- Jeff Cotter Photovoltaics Special Research Center University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia I'm not the same now... * -------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 08:14:08 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: A coupla small responses.... Message-id: <01IP28AP7DUQ8ZHB0I@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Simon-I'd been wondering for the longest time why XTC hadn't considered Ian Gregory as a permanent drummer. I guess Andy cleared that one up. Todd-ROTFLMAO!!! But I don't think I said "we", did I???? OH WHO CARES??? To pick something out of South Park "And here we have a four-assed monkey..." I say pit any of Dave's solos against anyone else's and the clear winner is obvious. (Then again, I do have an excruciatingly biased opinion on Dave's talents.) Ciao, Boober Fraggle (This has been my nickname since I was about 4 years old.)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <344CAD35.424F@myself.com> Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 09:25:09 -0400 From: Ira Lieman <ira@myself.com> Subject: Gotta love it live... Hey XTiCians... (I'm going to keep calling us this. Tzschalgerz just doesn't do it for me. ;) It was a good evening. Sure, I had to make a round trip back home beforehand, and I was about 30 mins late, but it was still good, and the cat is fine. Met Chris Van Valen and his wife at a Mexican dive called "Hat" and the margarita (and company) was good. Andy Partridge with a beard? Naah. But the Chalkhills shirt gave him away. Afterwards we headed over to Arlene Grocery...what a funky little setup. And Yazbek was just great. Late, but great. We won't be calling him the late great Yazbek though. It wasn't his fault. Yazbek's new album, Tock!, will be released right after the New Year. He said so himself. He also said he hated the movie "Boogie Nights" but I reserve judgment until it comes out on video. I'm going to drink my a.m. coffee....talk amongst yourselves. -ira, who is Gerry Rafferty's latest fan. Gotta love the internet.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199710211342.GAA29749@mail.eskimo.com>
From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 20:04:32 +0000
Subject: Nietzche Pops: Bring out der Uebermensch in you!
Hi... Ah, for those wondering about the subject line, it's from a
animated short I saw on Liquid TV about a cereal ad for Nietzche
(probably misspelled -- sorry) Pops... I think that was the ad
slogan, but if it wasn't, well it should have been! Anyway...
> From: Wesley Hanks <whanks@earthlink.net>
> Pals,
> Well then why didn't Shonen Knife incur the wrath of Mattel with their
> song "Twist Barbie"?
Well, I think that the reason for this one is that SK's song wasn't
that popular... was it released as a single in Japan even? I think
it was just a standard album track (was it on Yamo No Attachan?
Can't remember... I know it was on Let's Knife over here and in
Japan... different version or re-issue of the same mix?). Aqua's
song, on the other hand, got scads of radio play, and probably even a
bit on MTV, providing they found some place between Singled Out and
the Real World... feh.
>From: adamette@juno.com (Patrick M Adamek)
> of the first four, I'd say Go2 epitomizes the quirkiness, energy and
> imagery the best.
Hmm... I'd have to go with _Drums and Wires_... (although I wouldn't
really include _Black Sea_ in this group so much... it was more
later-sounding, I thought... ah well... D&W just seemed a little
more refined than the earlier releases, and just a bit, well better.
A close runner up, though is _White Music_ for me...
> Of the next several, I'd say the Big Express represented the more mature
> song crafting and move away from dance-club stuff
Ah, I'd go with English Settlement here.. Big Express seemed a bit
harder sounding than the other surrounding albums. English
Settlement put a large focus on the music, and the only thing I could
see that could be in a dance-club was the Cockpit Dance Mixture, and
even that's iffy...
> The latter part of their output I'd nominate Oranges and Lemons for it's
> move to a bit lighter, imaginative lyrics (certainly the latter part of
> XTC's work is more palpable).
Yeah, I'd go along with this one...
> OVERALL: The Big Express for maintaining some of the energy (Your the
> wish....) and some of the more palpable, easier going but smart songs
> (Liarbird, Seagulls), and the ready-for-radio (in a perfect world) hit
> (Smalltown).
Ah, I'd have to go with ES or D&W here... But I just never really
loved BE as much as the other albums... It's a great record, but
XTC's done better, I think...
> From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com>
> Subject: Hmm... I finally put my 2 Yen in on the Solo mess...
Oh yeah, I apologise for the extreme length of the last one.. sorry.
> From: "Jason 'Buffy' NeSmith" <jnesmith@mindspring.com>
> For any Zappa fans out there, Ryko, the world's coolest record company, just
Well, I think the coolest major label... but that's just my bias.
For minor, probably either Oglio, Bar/None or Idea... well,
technically I shouldn't include Idea yet, but, well, I have faith in
our boys!
Ah well, that's this world over...
Matt
-=>Matt Keeley mrme@eskimo.com<=-
Living Through | Visit my home page
Another | http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme
Cuba -- XTC | I used to be temporarily insane!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I'm just stupid! -- Brak
(ICQ UIN: 1455267, Name: MrMe)
Yeah.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <344CCA9E.5D9F@tmbg.org> Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 08:30:38 -0700 From: Chaos Harlequin <harlequin@tmbg.org> Organization: Nil Subject: New album Well, after reading the last few digests (had a backlog of over ten issues...) I shall once again be forced to spew my opinions out to all for consideration. It's good to be back. New album: Oh yes. This is good. I am rather disappointed in part of the news -- the band having to lop off 7 songs from the album due to budget considerations. At this point, with the large number of demos floating around and the sheer length of time since the last album, we need every song we can get! Personally, I'd suggest that the band hit the shed and record the other seven songs there... Anyway, though, hopefully we can get ahold of some of these other songs, either in demo form or as honest to goodness recordings, either on the *next* next album, or as B-sides... Ben Gott: >Where is the calming influence of Josh Hall-Bachner? Josh -- >show yourself! Where are the mystical incantations and altar sacrificies of bad CDs? Come on, you can do better than that! :) > And now for something completely different -- a man with three buttocks. "Oh no, this monkey has only one ass! He is of no use to me! I'll have to burn the lab!" Simon Sleightholm: >There are 21 songs sheduled for the sessions and these are split between >those we almost all know (the Virgin-era demos) and the newer demos >(Playground, Wheel And The Maypole,etc.) that virtually no-one has heard. Hmmm. That means that we probably get around eight or nine of the "old demos" for this album. There are fifteen of them; that means we'd have to cut six. If it were my painful choice, I'd have to lose Knights in Shining Karma (interesting but *way* too slow and quiet), The Last Balloon (ditto), Some Lovely (my least favorite demo), Church of Women (fun but just a little too fluffy) Bumper Cars (we know about this one) and Your Dictionary (too vindictive.) No matter what, I'd want to make sure that River of Orchids, You and The Clouds, I'd Like That, Easter Theatre, Dame Fortune, and I Can't Own Her were on the album. -- Joshua Hall-Bachner Chaos Harlequin harlequin@tmbg.org http://www.servtech.com/public/particle
------------------------------ From: jssimmons@mail.biosis.org Message-Id: <9710218774.AA877443677@mail.biosis.org> Date: Tue, 21 Oct 97 10:20:53 -0500 Subject: "Sabine, Sabine, Sabine" b/w "Bogey Music" [no XTC] Another brief resurfacing from an inveterate Chalklurker...and for an XTC-less post, no less! Jason 'Buffy' NeSmith mentions McCartney II (and 'Temporary Secretary' in particular), then goes on to confess his pre-VW Trio fandom...now HERE'S a guy whose record/CD collection I'd like to see (except that it's probably exactly like mine -- any Woodentops, Vapors, or Wire in there?). OK, I admit this was kind of a pointless posting -- was just struck by all the Trio talk. Back to the depths of lurkdom... -Jon in Philly
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 11:05:10 -0400 Message-Id: <v01510102b07235963121@[128.122.161.36]> From: vanvalnc@is2.nyu.edu (Chris Van Valen) Subject: GIG REVIEW: Yazbek at Arlene Grocery Hi all We had a great night last evening. My wife and I met up with Ira Lieman for some Mexican food and Margaritas and walked down the block To Arlene Grocery for the Yazbek show. They was scheduled to go on at 9:00, but the previous band went off at about 8:59 so they had to quickly break down and set up. To compound the delay, they had cable troubles. But the show began and the trio kicked serious ass. The show was a mix of songs from "The Laughing Man" cd and the new one "Tock", due out in January. He also commented on Siskel and Ebert giving two thumbs up to "Boogie Nights" which he saw that afternoon and said it blew. So he did a song which had audience participation with a chorus that went: "Siskel and Ebert. 1-2-3 SUCK!!!". On another song, "Kill the Lawyers", he had his attorney on stage reading a disclaimer during the song. During the show, Sean Altman was filming the band with his camcorder. After an energetic albeit brief 45 minute set, they were hurried off stage. David was very cheery and approachable before and after the show as I went up to shake his hand after the show and say goodbye, what should come on the p.a. but "Peter Pumpkinhead". He said to me(wearing my Chalkhills shirt), "I wonder who this band is?". Again, a vert good night. CV If you have an unpleasant nature and dislike people this is no obstacle to work. -- J.G. Bennett Catch "Forever Knight" on the Sci-Fi Channel every Mon-Thurs at 9PM and 1AM EDT. -- Lucien LaCroix
------------------------------ From: "Stafford, Dave" <dstaffor@tradesvc.com> Subject: FORBIDDEN SUBJECT: GUITAR SOLOS (But everything else is OK) Date: Tue, 21 Oct 97 07:33:00 PDT Message-ID: <344CBEC4@dilbert> What a baffling post from "The Kid" ! >>In reference to the previously written statement: > >>Anyway, you Chalkoids who wonder why some people are violently opposed >>to the guitar solos in "Books Are Burning" have got to understand: There >>are some of us who have deeply distressing memories of the Seventies, >>who consider the extended guitar jam to be the emblem and incarnation of >>lazy, time-filling, clock-punching, beer-sucking, fog-brained Seventies >>POOP. The point is: the solos in Books Are Burning are concise, intelligent, musical and in no way shape or form do they resemble the drugged-up ramblings of the Ly*rD Sk*nD style bands. THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO. For which I thank God. >>It just makes us nervous when we hear a great band, a band that stuck >>more than one bayonet into the bleeding corpse of that weed-sodden >>southern-fried aesthetic, a short, sharp, shocking band that in its >>youthful, nightclubbing incarnation would rather have chewed their own >>fingers off than do a guitar solo of more than eight bars, suddenly in >>its studio maturity sounding for a brief, unguarded minute like they >>might be gearing up for a Big Concept Album where Side Two is all one >>song that condemns war or something controversial like that. So, concept albums, the concept of peace and maturity are all to be condemned as musically undesirable. And if we go back to the Beatles analogy that so many have made (re: Books Are Burning as compared to the end of Abbey Road) I would guess "The Kid" would have preferred that the Beatles stay stuck in a three chord rut, making endless versions of "Please Please Me" for fifteen years over ten albums. >>Don't you geeks have anything better to do than microanalyze a 20-something >>second guitar solo? Since I spoke in defense of the solos, which I personally find to be very beautiful, very musical and not wankerish at all, I assume that I am one of the "geeks" that "The Kid" speaks of. Since he has offered this unsolicited insult, I feel I can reply freely with no fear of recrimination from the group. > I wasn't sure if you were talking about the solos in >>"Books are Burning" or "Freebird" from your melodramatic diatribe. I am sure I have clarified this by now. Anyone who can even make a connection between Books Are Burning and "Fr**b*rd" obviously can't be listening very carefully. >Is it >>against some sort of pop songwriting convention to have a solo, god forbid >>played by more than one person, that lasts longer than, say, 5 seconds??? Having criticized us geeks (those of us who listen carefully to music; study music; perform music; create music; discuss music) "The Kid" then turns around and DEFENDS lengthy solos. Very confusing for all of us I'm sure. >>Perhaps it's time to liberate yourself from the parameters of "the perfect >>3-minute pop song." So, somewhat longer solos on Books Are Burning do not accomplish just that? I have no idea what >>- The Kid is really talking about, but I feel it is rude and uncalled for to call anyone a geek (and there are several mature, thoughtful people here that posted in favor (read=positive) of the solos and their quality. Perhaps other people have other interests than you. Perhaps some of us sometimes like to explore, analyze LEARN about a small focussed aspect of an XTC song. Sometimes it's the way it's produced. Sometimes it's the way it sounds. [Sometimes it's a great guitar solo. = FORBIDDEN SUBJECT. ALL CHALKIES: CEASE AND DESIST. YOU ARE MAKING THE KID NERVOUS] Sometimes it's a great vocal. Sometimes it's just "this song makes me feel good". So it's alright to all of to discuss these variants, but it's not alright to discuss a brilliant guitar duet admired by many of us. Maturity sucks; if a band begins to sound like they are into a concept, or have a message, they suck. Let's all just endlessly repeat a formula, say fifteen albums of remixes of "Super-Tuff" for ten years. Talk about burying your head in the sand. The notion that matiurity, long guitar solos, or adopting a concept would "ruin" a great band is ridiculous. It would mean the death of growth, the death of learning and the death of change. XTC are what they are, right now, precisiely because they HAVE changed so much. Bring on the concept album. Bring on the 20 minutes guitar solo. AT LEAST IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT than the last album. I for one, am not a "geek", and I doubt if "The Kid" would call me one to my face. I'm sure no one else here deserves this rudeness. So, how do we all feel about this? Tired of negativity Tired of rudeness Offer no violence Dave at 17
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 11:18:00 +0100
Message-Id: <000A2B10.3111@paribas.com>
From: "Patrick_BOURCIER"@paribas.com (Patrick BOURCIER)
Subject: Wires and drummerless ?
Mes hommages, Amis Crayonneurs des Collines,
No news about the chosen drummer for the recording session ?
And about the studio where XTC'll record the new jewel (Chris
Difford's studio, ...) ???
Just wondering ...
--------------------- Bonjour chez vous ! -------------------
----------------- Lumiere : Patrick Bourcier ----------------
---------------------- pbourcier@hol.fr ---------------------
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 23:21:24 +0700 (WIB) Message-Id: <199710211621.XAA17628@mx-0.indo.net.id> From: t <todzilla@indo.net.id> Subject: The Solos--The Final Word, Todzilla solves the debate, we can OK, I will now solve the debate about the Books Are Burning solos. The solos are good. They are not the best they have done. >From now on, just use my opinion if you aren't sure of your own. Thank you, don't mention it. Todzilla di Kota Hujan ps. GOOD to hear 200 motels in on CD. I am a zappa fan of major proportions. Of course I am here in HAZE-filled-plane-crashing-shitdog record store-good food but not many good cd's- Indonesia. Where in the HAY-ELL am I going to get a copy? Can somebody HEP me? Got cool shit to trade. Let's talk! Let's DEAL! I am tired of my kerosene-powered record player. Help this third-world lost soul, increase your karma.
------------------------------ From: kraig olmstead <kraigo@netcommcorp.com> Subject: Re: Michael Bland Date: Tue, 21 Oct 97 11:53:00 PDT Message-ID: <344CF98F@msmail.netcommcorp.com> Having seen Michael Bland play many times in his bar band "Dr. Mambo's Combo" (actually it wasn't "his band", he was in it) I can tell you (me being a drummer) that the man is an absolute monster drummer. XTC would be very lucky to get him. He is a very powerful drummer. There is no Language in our Lungs to describe the many magical ways that he and the rest of Mambo's Combo (it takes a steady hand at the helm) could twist something like "Proud Mary" into a powerhouse R&B tune with many interesting sidetrips as you take a journey with them. At Least twice when I was there, Prince was in the audience watching off from the distance until he finally poached Michael from the band. I had never thought of XTC using someone like Michael for their drummer. He would add a seasoning that has here-to-fore never been included in the XTC stew. I for one really look foreward to hearing something like that. He has the skills, sensitivity and artistic vision to help propel XTC into a powerful new stage of their careers. KO P.S. He's also one hell of a nice guy and humble to boot.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-11 ******************************
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