Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 134
Date: Monday, 14 September 1998

         Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 134

                Monday, 14 September 1998

Today's Topics:

                    Help Neville & XTC
                   Re: Keneally Speaks!
                Prodigal son has returned
                        REAL LIFE
                    Re: Jam and Elvis
           Re: Cotton Mather / Wannadies / La's
                      Costello news
                   All You Do Is Smile
                   Open Your Window Box
               FYI: Song Stories in America
                    American Bandstand
                         Abba???
            RE: Elvis (Hardly any ATC content)
                   box sets, book recs
                Get-togethers and breakups
                      Auction page!
                     A quick question
                       Re: Ambrosia
         My last word about the 80s music matter
                    Testimonial Winner
                     XTC Book Update
                        Fire wood
                        XTC in NYT
                 Sorta related to XTC...
               Something sounds familiar...
                         The Book
                   Surprise Demo Outfit

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

Message-ID: <B9B4268C8F87D11195DC0000F840FABE04A4D53B@DUB-MSG-02>
From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com>
Subject: Help Neville & XTC
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 21:50:17 +0100

Hi,
just got off the phone with Neville Farmer.

He is a little disappointed with the media coverage / promotion by for the
new book.

Here's the deal :
he has asked if you would call, fax, write, or e-mail appropriate
publications, magazines, newspapers, radio stations, TV stations (and so
on....)  ask about the book - "when are they reviewing it ?" and then tell
them the detail printed below.

Be polite and choose appropriate "targets" (there's no point in calling your
local classical-only station eh?)

Here's the detail on the book
XTC Song Stories. The Exclusive Authorized Story behind the Music by XTC &
Neville Farmer.
US Publisher : Hyperion Original
UK, Europe Publisher: Helter Skelter
More detail on the Chalkhills website
http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/product/exclusive.html
Neville will gladly go to the US to help promote.

Get this : Andy will do phone-interviews : so here's your chance to get Andy
& the band into the media ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

We've complained for so long that we never hear anything about the band on
Radio/TV/in-print.
Now we have a chance to do something about it.
Do it.
Just do it.

Peter

one note : Neville has mailed me to clarify that he's more than happy with
the work that Helter Skelter are doing, its Hyperion that are being less
than, uh, proactive.
So a lot of work needs to be done in the US and Canada.

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

From: Aaron Pastula <apastula@pepperdine.edu>
Message-Id: <199809080709.AAA09923@pepvax.pepperdine.edu>
Subject: Re: Re: Keneally Speaks!
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 98 0:09:56 PDT

> Thanks, Harrison! I went there and started wandering around and ran
> across a reference to XTC in the Adrian Belew interview at:
>
> http://www.moosenet.com/keneally15.html
>
> Y'all might wanna check it out.

Yes yes yes!  Keneally is not only an "alarmingly good guitarist" (Andy P's
exact words) but a superb songwriter, huge XTC fan and all around nice guy.
At one of his gigs here in LA I sat with him before showtime and he told me
all about hanging out with them during O&L sessions...incredible.  One of the
songs on his first album (hat) even uses part of "Mayor" in it.

Do check him out.  He rox.

Aaron.

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

Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 11:49:28 +0200 (MET DST)
Message-Id: <l0313030ab21ac2c6686e@[10.1.0.20]>
From: Jonas Lind <jonas.lind@student.mm.se>
Subject: Prodigal son has returned

Dear Chalksters,

about two years ago, I joined the list for the first time. Now I've joined
it again. I'm home.

I'm pleased to learn that new XTC material is on its way, as well as
compiled old BBC stuff. I had almost (almost!) given up on the guys... I
had a nightmare about the year 2035; rumours of that new XTC album were
still going around, while the band itself (last sighted sometime before
1999) were hiding somewhere in Swindon.

Sometimes it's quite nice to be wrong.

Regards,
Jonas Lind
Lund, Sweden

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

Message-ID: <35F434AB.75561678@dial.pipex.com>
Date: Mon, 07 Sep 1998 20:31:55 +0100
From: Andrew Donkin <a.donkin@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: REAL LIFE

    Just briefly - I assumn that you have seen the full page interview
    with Andy P. in the REAL LIFE section of the Indepentdent on
    Sunday (6th Sept 98).
    If not I have it.
    Cheers,

    Andrew

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

Message-ID: <002201bddb5f$c70f80e0$6e0417d4@default>
From: "Steve Jackson" <smj@zen.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Jam and Elvis
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 19:56:41 +0100

I believe Bruce Foxton is bass player for Stiff Little Fingers these days.

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

Message-Id: <v04003a00b21af3db73bf@[208.240.250.142]>
From: Ken Herbst <ken@bamadvertising.com>
Subject: Re: Cotton Mather / Wannadies / La's
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 15:00:37 -0600

Greetings all....

Thanks again for all your (extra) XTC recommendations.

Cotton Mather's "Kontiki" is a terrific cd with interesting Byrds and
B-----s underpinnings.

Also, I can't remember if anyone's mentioned the Swedish power pop band,
The Wannadies. Their 1997 U.S. release "The Wannadies" is an excellent
introduction to the band, and one of the best cd's release last year. "Hit"
sounds like the great lost Pixies song. Should really please Chalkers. (If
you like The Wannadies you should also check out Flop, one of the most
underrated bands in America -- absolutely great power pop-- should be able
to find them in budget bins everywhere).

Do any of you remember The La's (See 1988's "The La's")? The reformed band,
Cast, have put out a couple of very good Brit-pop discs. What do you folks
think of them

So, who else are you listening to that we haven't mentioned here before?

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

Message-Id: <l03130300b21b3a09a129@DialupEudora>
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 15:04:19 -0500
From: Jason Garcia <h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject: Costello news

>>	Hey, anybody know what's going on with Elvis Costello? Seems
>>he's been silent longer than usual.

My dad told me he did an album with Burt Bacharach.  Too bad Sinatra's
dead;  I could see him and Costello getting together.  (help I can't
get this tongue out of my cheek)

That's all I know.

a-dios
Jason

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

Message-Id: <199809082107.XAA06149@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 23:11:07 +0000
Subject: All You Do Is Smile

Dear Chalkers,

This has got to stop!
After Dan's glowing report of our meeting Paul of Oz wrote:

> Yes, Mark Strijbos is indeed a splendid fellow, I think it would be a
> blast to meet him, and check out his vast collection of XtC records

then Mick Casey went on:

> Whilst acknowledging Mark's phenomenal knowledge of all things XTC,
Oh please... i'm starting to blush here :)

> there was something about this last quote that got me thinking.
> Didn't they used to play Bushman President as a kind
> of intro/segue thing going into Living Though Another Cuba?

Mmm... i think you could be right here; I think they did play a few
notes from the Bushman theme hidden in/as the LTAC intro a couple of
times. But i'll have to dig deep into my archives to check.

But they certainly did not play the song as such during their
concerts. There's an extensive and detailed list of all their live
performances (compiled by Martin Fuchs) and i've checked.

Now, on to more serious matters:

> "Life Begins At The Hop" isn't a non-LP song, I have it on my LP
> version of "Drums and Wires".  maybe it isn't on the British
> version.
There, you answered this yourself!

Let's all agree that we consider the original Virgin UK releases as
XTC's body of work. Those are the products XTC were directly involved
with, everything else is derivative at most.
So, when we talk about the ES album we are talking about the original
double LP with 15 tracks. And Skylarking does not include Dear God.

In the early years in particular XTC always tried to release
non-album tracks as singles to give us fans our money's worth
The fact that Virgin added the 'bogus tracks' to the CD re-releases
does IMHO not make an album track out of a single (b-side)

The Great Mummer Debate rages on:

> However, my all-time favourite XTC LP is _Mummer_.
> Their first album after quitting touring (and their first sans Terry)
> it marked a dramatic maturing [snip snip snip]
> The drumming was vastly superior to that on their previous long-players

Get real, mate... Terry rules!

No matter what Andy says, Terry was instrumental to the unique sound
of XTC, particularly the XTC live animal. And part of XTC died when
he left. In fact, at the time many did not expect XTC to survive his
walkout exactly because he was so much more than just another drummer
(as most drummers are) Not totally unlike the late great Keith Moon
in that respect

And finally:
> The Thought(any Dutch members of the list remember this one?)
Yes

yours in xtc,

Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
 http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
     or http://come.to/xtc

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

Message-Id: <199809082107.XAA06179@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 23:11:07 +0000
Subject: Open Your Window Box

Dear Chalkers,

Thsoe of you who were wondering what the rare Window Box fan
club cassette tape looks like should surf along to
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/trove.html for a nice, animated
picture.

yours in a box,

Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
 http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
     or http://come.to/xtc

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

Message-ID: <35F5AFC3.5A6A@heraldonline.com>
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 1998 17:29:28 -0500
From: BPeschel@heraldonline.com (Bill Peschel)
Organization: The Herald
Subject: FYI: Song Stories in America

Greetings,

This day (Tuesday 9/8), I received a copy of the finished XTC: Song
Stories from Hyperion, confirming that the book is now available on this
side of the pond.

As editor of the book page at a small circulation newspaper (32,000), I
took advantage of my position to run a long review of the book at the
end of August, based upon the reader's copy Hyperion sent. I won't
reproduce the review here, as that would be a massive case of preaching
to the converted. Anyone who is interested in XTC would love this book,
and you lot should seriously consider buying it. It will tell you about
every song they've recorded, with the exception of "I Bought Myself a
Liarbird" from "The Big Express." To quote: "Due to a legal arrangement
with their former management, XTC is unable to discuss the lyrical
content of this song!"

Great wads of information about the band, not to mention the band photos
-- including a shirtless, long-haired Andy at age 18 -- Andy's sleeve
ideas, Andy's video ideas, Andy's lyrics, and some stuff about the other
band members as well.

The book, in trade paperback format, retails at $14.95.

Between the time Neville Farmer wrote it and Hyperion published it, Dave
Gregory left the group. Considering that the book was already typeset,
paginated and ready to go, this news must have caused multiple heart
attacks between author and publisher. Farmer was able to insert a
two-page postscript describing the breakup, and offering the positively
latest word on their new album(s).

Well worth looking at.

-- Bill Peschel
Book page editor, Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald

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

Message-ID: <19980909001711.1781.qmail@www0l.netaddress.usa.net>
Date: 8 Sep 98 17:17:11 PDT
From: Fred Tucker <fptucker@netscape.net>
Subject: American Bandstand

Hello Chalkhilians...
     Just picked up "Black Sea" on disc (I've had it on
album for years..), and a memory came to me. I remember
being thirteen years old, over my aunt's house watching
American Bandstand with her (I was young, forgive me!),
and I actually saw the song "Generals and Majors" on the
"rate a record" segment of the show.  Imagine that, an
XTC record on such a pop show as that.  It was funny
hearing Dick Clark talking about XTC, and if they were
going to be a success in America. The song clicked for
me, and a friend got me really into XTC about two years
later. That's a good friend!
     I love reading about Talk Talk lately. They were a
great band in their time. Somewhat similar to XTC--creativity
first.
     Can't wait for next year,   Fred

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

Message-Id: <v01540b01b21b9f98e5ba@[139.80.53.158]>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 15:09:30 +1200
From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan)
Subject: Abba???

>  "Knowing Me Knowing You" is one of the bleakest breakup songs ever
>written, a work of true genius, and their last album The Visitors was a
>near- masterpiece besides the one song sung by one of the men. A mostly

favourite Abba moments (I can't believe I'm writing this!):

* The swirling backenveloped vocals on "The Visitors (Cracking Up)"
* The change in dynamic and slamming down of any reverb in the bridge of
"The name of the game". The only song which has ever gone "from concerthall
to cupboard in sound quality in zero" better is "A day in the life"
* The bonkers percussion to "Sitting in a palm tree"
* The sheer tackiness of the disco sound of "Does your mother know"
* The early, unexpected songs that defy the "abba sound" - "Watch out",
"Suzy hang around", and "The King Kong song"

Well, spring is here, and what better soundtrack to spring that The Big
Express - now it's...

Smalltown,
blasting through the speakers,
drifting round the sneakers and across the floorboards.
Springtime,
summer round the corner,
Days are getting warmer (can you tell that I'm bored?)

yada, dumdedumdedumdum...

James

 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: <E1FE4AE1AF2DD111885A00A02479F44204D36C@sofia.programbyran.se>
From: Johan Ekdahl <johan@programbyran.se>
Subject: RE: Elvis (Hardly any ATC content)
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 10:39:24 +0200

De-lurk.

>From Chalkhills #4-133:

> >	Hey, anybody know what's going on with Elvis Costello? Seems
> >he's been silent longer than usual.
>
>  He put a few new songs on a recent best of package; I heard one that had a
>sort of ambient-techno sound to it, intriguing; like nothing he's done
>before.  After that and The Juliet Letters, maybe he'll do an album of
>Newfoundland fishing songs next. :-)(No fish today, no fish anywhere, not
>even a little fishy-wishy...)

Nope, but a new record "Painted From Memory" IS due i late september. It's
EC and BURT BACHARACH. Not "Newfoudland fishing songs" , but you're close
(-:

For more on EC:
1) Go http://east.isx.com/~schnitzi/ec/index.html. Excellent site!
2) Join the EC mailing list (info on above site)

BTW: The EC list recently featured some minor flaming when our Swindonian
friends were discussed as it was considered off-topic. (We wouldn't have any
of that here, would we?).

Re-lurk.

  /Johan

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

Message-Id: <s5f66b51.064@4thestate.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 11:45:06 +0100
From: Andy Miller <ANDYMILLER@4thestate.co.uk>
Subject: box sets, book recs

Two things:

1.The release date for the BBC box has been set by Cooking Vinyl for
Monday October 26th

2. Go to www.amazon.com and write a review of XTC Song Stories
which the whole world can read. Which chalkhillian will be the first? (not
me, but I will if you will etc.)

Best
Andy

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

Message-ID: <35F66832.8A4F9351@erols.com>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 07:36:18 -0400
From: Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt <toddjenn@erols.com>
Subject: Get-togethers and breakups

Hi:

The Baltimore Kate said:

> anyone interested in having some sort of informal XTC gathering in the
> MD/DC/VA area?--todd bernhardt and myself are trying to "organize"
> something...e-mail me so we can try to come up with place/date/time,
> etc...

Yes indeed we've been talking about it, and Kate was kind enough to
post this while I was travelling. But now she's got only sporadic
access to e-mail, so MD/DC/VA-area fans (I _know_ you're out there),
let me know at the above address if you're interested in getting
together. Once we find out how many people are interested in a
mini-convention/get-together/whatever, we can make the appropriate
arrangements.

Also wanted to say that the newest issue of _The Little Express_
arrived, and once again it's proved its relevance. Great, raw-nerve
interviews with Andy, Colin and Dave about Dave's departure.

--Todd

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

Message-ID: <35F57C3D.99FBAAC8@netverk.com.ar>
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 1998 15:49:36 -0300
From: Bernardo Sagastume <sagas@netverk.com.ar>
Subject: Auction page!

Hi there! I've updated my auction page with new CDs and
other articles at low, low prices.
If you are a brit pop or RocknRoll fan, you
can't miss it! CD's from  $1! Magazines, T shirts, etc.
Check it out at: http://members.xoom.com/Ness/auction.htm
Bernie

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

From: LadyCPlum@aol.com
Message-ID: <3051b2a7.35f73699@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 22:16:57 EDT
Subject: A quick question

Does anyone happen to know exactly how the Little Expresses are sent
out? B/C MGF Jim Zittel got his, and I still haven't. Are they sent
out by how long people have been subscribing or something, or is it
random?

in any case, I want mine, b/c my picture is in it, darnit! So you can
all see just what this crazy, Dave-obsessed 20-year old chick from
Louisiana looks like. (And I know you're all jumping for joy at the
prospect of that.....note the intense sarcasm.)

Ciao,
Amanda
XTC song of the day-Millions
non XTC song-The Sun Does Rise-Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart

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

Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 11:55:11 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <199809101855.LAA29109@mando.engr.sgi.com>
From: John Relph <relph>
Subject: Re: Ambrosia

Hi,

Y'all were talking about Ambrosia lately.  Silver Moon music has a
couple of Japanese CDs available, including *Life Beyond LA* and _*one
Eighty*.  http://www.silvermoonmusic.com/

	-- John

(Standard disclaimer applies: http://reality.sgi.com/relph/disclaimer.html)

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

From: MFa2707621@aol.com
Message-ID: <1bdb3039.35f82cc2@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 15:47:14 EDT
Subject: My last word about the 80s music matter

The wonderful Dom wrote:

"How very true, and why not. People are often way too polite when they're
commenting on other people's tastes. If I say your favourite band is shit
(not XTC, obviously!) I'm not calling anyone a wanker. Part of the fun in
being a music fan is the strong reactions we have to things we like and
dislike. If we're all going to pussyfoot around being nice, when we're
really thinking "Duran Duran suck cocks in hell" then it's both dishonest
and pointless. I certainly learnt my lesson, as far as inappropriate
comments go, but I will defend to the death my right to call Andrew Lloyd
Webber a talentless schmuck and Duran Duran a bunch of pretentious,
big-haired, tune-free, tax-dodging pieces of shit. Which they are. Now I'd
like to hear what you all think of Napalm Death. Go on, I can take it."

I am I the only one who gets upset when someone attacks their favorite
artists.  Dom, my dear, I've never heard of Napalm Death, so I can't
criticize them.  Music to me is very personal.  Certain groups have helped
me get through a lot of bad times, and I get a little offended by people who
say bad things about it.  I understand what your saying, and maybe your
right, and I'm the idiot.  If you know what I've been through maybe you
would understand.

Okay, that's enough of the non-XTC content.  Now the XTC content.  When will
the US release of the new book be?  I pre-ordered it from amazon.com.  It
says September, but when?  I want it now!!!!!!!

Bye for now.

Molly

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

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 12:16 +0930
From: "VanAbbe, Dominic" <dominic.vanabbe@faulding.com.au>
Subject: Testimonial Winner
Message-id: <01J1OGNVID8M001G73@faulding.com.au>

I've recently been reacquainting myself with Testimonial Dinner.  Terry and
the Lovemen notwithstanding, the highlight for me is still Sarah
McLaughlin's version of "Dear God".  Call me a heretic, call me what you
will....  Full marks also to Reuben Blades for his "The Man Who Sailed...".

Both SMcL and Blades do what few other folx on the album do, and that is
make the song their own.  She reinterprets it in her way whilst retaining
the inherent anger of the lyrics.   I'm not familiar with much of her own
material, but if this is any indication of the scope of her musical vision
then I'm intrigued.   Besides which, I seem to remember Partridge saying
that he also approved of the arrangement (how's that for endorsement!!!)
  Blades makes his rendition more Latin than ever- it grooves!!!

IMO, too many of the artists suffer by treating the songs too reverentially,
and failing to exert their own personality on things.  Case in point is
TMBG's "25 o'clock", it is a reasonable enough rendition, but just too
faithful, likewise the Rembrandts' "Making plans for Nigel" (though the
doo-wop ending is kinda cute).

No marks whatsoever to Spacehog for not only starting "Sense Working
Overtime" halfway through the song, but also for inflicting the vocalist's
Axel Rose-esque voice on proceedings.

For mine, skip the first 3 tracks and take it from there, and you're left
with a reasonable enough album.

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

Message-Id: <v0401170ab21eda178156@[134.32.48.63]>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 15:14:15 +0100
From: Stephen Varga <varga@ferndown.tt.slb.com>
Subject: XTC Book Update

Those of you who placed orders for the UK edition of the XTC Song Stories
book direct from Helter Skelter expecting them to arrive for the weekend,
may be a tad disappointed.

I phoned Helter Skelter last Friday morning and they told me there was a
small delay in waiting for the latest consignment to arrive. So instead of
the 10th (the date promised as late as Monday 7th), it now looks like being
Monday 14th September at the earliest as the date those books will be
despatched for a midweek delivery.

I hope those few lucky sods who are fortunate enough to have a copy already
are feeling really smug in the knowledge that the agonising wait for the
rest of us is excruiciating!!!

Don't forget to check the latest sales count of the book on Amazon's web
site. Advanced orders are looking very good from 3,003 two days ago to over
7,229 today. Check it out on:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786883383/002-5625152-1646201

Stephen Varga

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

Message-ID: <EB3FE924F73DD11187E400805FEA8E81010A6701@BCBCMAIL.bcbc.bc.ca>
From: "Macdonald, Robert" <RMacdonald@bcbc.bc.ca>
Subject: Fire wood
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 14:01:17 -0700

		Hi all.  Haven't emailed in a long while, but I thought that
I would throw a few odds and ends onto the fire.

		I read this quote from Rufus Wainwright on the downside of a
music career. "Being the only friggin' person in the whole money-making
scheme who doesn't have a salary."
		It could have easily come from the mouth of Andy....

		My wife and I were out on a day trip to one of our favourite
west coast beaches and we stopped in at the Salvation Army store in Sooke
(Log Sports Capital of the World).  I couldn't believe my eyes as I walked
in the door straight into a massive 4'x4' lovingly hand painted reproduction
of the Drums and Wires cover!  I asked the lady how much and she said they'd
be happy if I took it away.  Only rub was that I couldn't fit it in our
small car!

		Headed over to Vancouver last weekend and hit my favourite
used/import store called Zulu Records where I picked up a used copy of
Spookey Ruben's Modes of Transportation Vol. 1.  This guy has definitely
spent some time listening to XTC.  A couple tracks particularly.  Others
sound nothing like XTC.  I've only listened to it through once....great
variety...some great ideas.  I also picked up Duffy's I Love My Friends.  I
have always found him to be a little light, but I can't deny that many of
the tracks are catchier than hell.   Andy's tracks are great.  I
particularly like the driving backbeat to You Are.  Also picked up the first
Luna cd (used),  the new Liz Phair (which is still growing on me), and a new
cd by a  French band called Autour de Lucie (good alternative pop with
female vocals).

		Talk of Elliot Smith last issue.  I am a fan.  I loved
seeing him sing Miss Misery at the Academy Awards...just him and a guitar
right after Celine Dion!!!  Poor guy must have been scared out of his wits.
I've seen a couple of interviews with him and he seems like a nice
guy....very humble, very sincere.

		For you crazy collectors out there.  I was in my local
used/alternative store Ditch records here in town and noticed that they had
two DJ promo 12" singles in plain covers and labels for Mayor of Simpleton
and King for a Day.  I can't remember how much, but email me if you are
interested.

		Not trying to restart the whole debate, but back when the
Dear God fuss was going on I kept thinking about an interview that I have on
tape from Much Music (Canada's music station) back when Skylarking came out.
Andy is asked directly about  what the song means and of course gives a good
answer.  Does anyone know if this interview has been transcribed anywhere or
would it be worth it for everyone if I try and dig it up?

		Finally.....Four weeks today and my wife and I will be
wondering around Boston, and then to New York for a week.  Any suggestions
out there for record stores, book stores or clubs?  Thanks in advance.

		Cheers.

		Rob Macdonald
		Victoria. B.C.

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

From: STakesh@aol.com
Message-ID: <b9581661.35fa8204@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 10:15:32 EDT
Subject: XTC in NYT

Dear Chalkies,

The Sunday 9/13 New York Times, in the "Art and Leisure" section, has an
article "Hard Rock to Rap, the Trend is to Blend," listing the critics'
picks for upcoming musical events and albums to watch.  And rounding out the
listing for January is the following:

XTC: The great English pop band's first album in seven years, still
untitled, has been described by the band's main brain, Andy Partridge, as
"orch-oustic"; it includes a 120-piece orchestra.  January.  (TVT)

Snipping, snipping, snipping...
Steph

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

Message-Id: <35FAD9C3.CA5CCD26@bowdoin.edu>
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 15:30:02 -0500
From: Benjamin Gott <bgott@bowdoin.edu>
Organization: Loquacious Music
Subject: Sorta related to XTC...

Hillers,

An impromptu Chalkhills gathering? In Maine? Sure! If you're going to make
the pilgramage to the Barenaked Ladies concert in Portland on October 6th,
let me know...I scored sixth-row seats only because my friend Marissa lined
up 4 1/2 hours before the tickets went on sale. If you'd like to go to this
unlisted concert, call the Cumberland County Civic Center at (207) 775-3331.

Any Indianians out there? Have you ever heard Michael Kelsey? If so, e-mail
me privately.

Everyone here NEEDS to go out and buy David Rice's major label debut,
"Greenelectric." Why? Because of his gorgeous 12-string guitar and raspy
voice, appearances by David Rhodes, King Crimson's Trey Gunn, Page/Plant
bassist Charlie Jones, and hurdy-gurdy player Nigel Eaton, production by
David Bottrill, and recording at Peter Gabriel's Real World, to name a
few...It is a really thoughtful, gorgeous, poppy album.

YAY! Recording is done! But where can I buy an XTC bumper sticker?

-Ben

+------------------------------------------------------------+
    Benjamin Gott :: Bowdoin College :: Brunswick, ME 04011
        http://www.bowdoin.edu/~bgott :: (207) 721-5513
    You had to sneak into my room, just to read my diary...
+------------------------------------------------------------+

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

Message-Id: <3.0.32.19980913165415.00763f7c@acs-mail.bu.edu>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 16:54:17 -0400
From: Craig Sherman <csherman@bu.edu>
Subject: Something sounds familiar...

Hello my fellow chalkies,

Would you believe that my latest XTC album purchase was English Settlement?
Yup, this has been my order of ownership thus far:

1. Oranges & Lemons
2. Nonsuch
3. Rag & Bone Buffet
4. The Big Express
(the above were on sale as part of a Geffen Gold Line promotion, I got each
CD for 6 bucks. This revitalized my interest in the band)
5. Chips from the Chocolate Fireball (Dukes, yes, but I had the cassette of
Psonic Sunspot and couldn't find 25 o'clock anywhere, and it's a lot of
fun, so...)
6. Skylarking
7. Mummer
8. Waxworks
9. English Settlement

First of all, which should be my next purchase, Drums & Wires, Black Sea,
Go 2, White Music, or something else? I don't plan on getting Upsy Daisy
Assortment, or The Greatest Japanese disk, so ixnay on those two.

So, as I was enjoying ES for the first time, some thoughts occurred to me:

1. Did Tori Amos steal the melancholy sound of "don't cry/don't cry/don't
cry" in Runaways directly, or was it an accident?
2. Of course, the title line of Knuckle Down sounded familiar, I heard the
same tune behind They Might Be Giant's song, Turn Around. But,
3. Where have I heard the other tune in KD before? The one where the lyrics
are,
	"take them by the arm and run to the street,
	take a little drum to supply the beat,
	soon the whole world will be up on it's feet"
I know it's probably from long ago when I first heard this song on the
radio or on my brother's cassette, but just in case, is there another XTC
tune, or one by a band influenced by them (e.g. The Sugarplastic) that I
might have heard, which makes it all sound so familiar? I realize I'll feel
really stupid if it's out of O&L or Skylarking or any of the other albums
which I love, but I figure this would be the only place where I can feel
confident that somebody would have the answer for me.

Bless you, Bless you, all of you Responders,

 , ,
craig
 ___/

P.S. What I want to know, man, why oh why, was Snowman never a radio-played
single? It's fantastic, one of my ES faves! Just curious.

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

From: MFa2707621@aol.com
Message-ID: <c7706de.35fc8fe6@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 23:39:18 EDT
Subject: The Book

Chalkers,

I got a notice from Amazon Books today, and my copy is in the mail.  I can't
wait to read it.  Now if only I could get the box set.  :)

Molly

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

Message-ID: <35FD030F.AD9F2D5F@revealed.net>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 06:50:40 -0500
From: John Courtney <jccourtney@revealed.net>
Subject: Surprise Demo Outfit

Hi from a newcomer.....

Anyone have any idea where I can get a copy of the subject
item?   I am completely at a loss, but am willing to pay
some substantial cash for a copy.   I understand it's quite
rare.   Oh well, any assistance is very much
appreciated......

Thanks,
John Courtney
Bettendorf, Iowa, USA
jccourtney@revealed.net

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

End of Chalkhills Digest #4-134
*******************************

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14 September 1998 / Feedback