Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 50
Date: Thursday, 5 February 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 50
Thursday, 5 February 1998
Today's Topics:
Thanks for Chalkhills' Children '97
Reverse the order, man.
Separation Anxiety
Arf Arf
Money to XTC
wish I'd said that
Fan $upport-- count me in
Hmm... Dangolinnesallarounditellyouwhut
Celine to XTC
verboten!
The odd boy laid down by the football field...
more blasphemy?
Demos n' Nonsuch
Some good ideas indeed...
CC'97 - my two cents worth
"Sacred" Pop
Raising $$$ for XTC
Don't tell me what NOT to post, okay?
Help the band?
Re: Top 20 British Guitarists, Plus a Few
Money for Somesuch! - Yes
celine dion
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Chalkhills is digested with Digest 3.5b (John Relph <relph@sgi.com>).
I say it really doesn't matter where I put my finger.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <3.0.32.19980204160548.00941100@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Wed, 04 Feb 1998 16:05:48 -0500 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: Thanks for Chalkhills' Children '97 Dear Chalk(hills)-Full-o'-Nuts, I just wanted to give a hearty (and slightly belated) thanks and congratulations to Richard Pedretti-Allen for a fantastic job on the "CC '97" project! (And I'm very sorry to hear about events concerning your father.) The contributors' CDs are particularly astonishing...it's no small thing for me to hear my contribution played through my CD player! I only wish now that my 4-track had been behaving better when I was recording it, so as to better appreciate the song's digitization! (See the CC'97 contributors' recording summaries that I believe will be appearing in a couple of weeks here for a further detailing of my 4-track woes, if you're wondering.) In any case, I'm proud to be a part of the compilation. If I may echo what has been said on the list several times already, the quality of the performances throughout the CD are very impressive. My favorites? I'd have to say they would be all the ones that have been mentioned here by others. I'd do my own track-by-track review of the CD, as I did with "CC '96" (which I did not appear on), but I feel a bit of a conflict of interest since I'm on it this time. (Speaking of which, thanks to Mark for the positive comments on my cover of "One of the Millions" -- I was happy just to get any feedback, so the fact that it was positive made my day!) Suffice it to say that there's really not a bad track in the bunch! (Thinking about it, now, though, I reserve the right to come back with a few, more specific remarks...) Anyway, thanks again Richard (and Peter Fitzpatrick, for the fine mastering job)! And please keep us posted on any remarks Andy, Colin, or Dave may send back your way...I'm sure I speak for everyone involved when I say: I'm all ears! :) Dave Gershman
------------------------------ From: Rhoblidnen@aol.com Message-ID: <fc6232e0.34d8e1c9@aol.com> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 16:46:46 EST Subject: Reverse the order, man. > Andy thought it was a shame that > everyone had heard most of the demos because he thinks a good part of the > surprise of a totally new batch of songs is now lost. In addition he's > concerned that those of us who have been listening to the demos for quite a > while may not like the studio versions if they veer even a little bit from > the demo versions which they surely will in several instances. I have a suggestion for those of us who don't currently own the demos: wait until the album comes out and then get the tape. That way, you can love the produced versions of the songs and hate the demos. Also, Andy is going to do himself in (again) if he worries about pleasing the fans. Making music should just be about presenting your art to the world as it is. Never should you consider changing this in any way just to suit those who you think will like it. That's the problem with commercial music: it doesn't stay personal, when that's exactly what it should be. This is Andy's, Colin's and Dave's take on life. If we don't like it, then it's our tough shit. On a different note, I apologise to those members of the list for my fatuous comment about the youngest member of the list, particularly Michael Liquori, and find it very comforting that not everyone under 18 only likes what they see on MTV/BET. Marvellous. Robin Holden
------------------------------
Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=BTG._Inc.%l=EXCH_HQ-980204222928Z-81772@exchserver.btg.com>
From: "Sherwood, Harrison" <hsherwood@btg.com>
Subject: Separation Anxiety
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 17:29:28 -0500
>From: "MARK G. CUEVAS" <MGCUEVAS@phjw.com>
>Subject: CC '97: The Comment on the Review
>
>What you're actually hearing is Jeff's amazing *guitar* part.
>This is not midi. Jeff played this throughout. It's so stinkin' clean!
The grapevine has it that Jeff lost 47 pounds tracking this guitar part,
and his hair is now snowy white. He sits in his bare room wearing only a
pair of ancient red drainpipe corduroys that are three sizes too small,
rocking autistically and reciting distractedly to himself, "Three times
seven is sixty-eight/four times twelve is a carrot/five times eight is
ninety-two/And I am Sydney Barrett." Sad, really.
>I emailed the wrong Steve Clarke recently
Yes, you emailed the Steve Clarke who submitted a jaw-harp and
toilet-plunger version of the second act of "Narciso" to the Domenico
Scarlatti Tribute Tape ("Soli Deo Gloria '97!"), at the climax of which
he defenestrated a Boston terrier, thereby scandalizing all Naples. Easy
mistake to make.
The _real_ Steve Clarke is hereby put on notice that his
dead-solid-perfect take of "Toys" still--weeks later--enjoys
heavy-rotation status in my fevered brain, and I love his vocal delivery
and I wish I could do that accent. And he's got friends who play real
horns!
Seventeen? Screw that noise! I'm only twelve, but you won't catch me
strutting around some Internet mailing list with my chest all puffed up
like that Benito Whatsisname from that World War...was it Four? Five? No
sir, soon as I grow me some pubic hair and a pair of sideburns I'm off
to the drugstore to whistle at girls! And I won't be back for dinner!
Stick that in yer chillum and smoke it, Mom!
Am I the only prepubescent musicologist on this list who feels that
demos are interesting only _after_ you've absorbed the official songs?
Would John Lennon's famous series of false starts and blind alleys be
even remotely compelling if you didn't know he was working toward
"Strawberry Fields"? Or consider Lennon's often-bootlegged, extremely
tentative jottings for the song that would eventually become "She Said
She Said": By themselves they're virtually worthless crap, but watching
the song take form and texture--and most importantly, *knowing where
he's going to end up*, is a humbling, damned nearly numinous experience,
not unlike looking over Botticelli's shoulder as he's doing sketches for
"Allegory of Spring."
>From: "J. Brown" <ringostr@u.washington.edu>
>Subject: Six degrees of XTC
>Elvis Costello wrote 11 songs with Paul McCartney who was and Harrison
>Sherwood covered the Lennon/McCartney son Hello Little Girl on the Butcher
>Covers tribute tape and our harrison also has covered Reel by Real and
>Living in a Haunted heart on CC97 and CC98.
I see the Duck's been hard at work.... So, um, "J." if that _is_ your
real initial--which I doubt--did _saki_ put you up to this? Huh? Bob
Stahley? Bruce Dumes?
See, some people have written to me implying that "Real By Reel" is some
sort of comedy song, that I can't possibly be _that_ paranoid.... But
folks, here's Exhibit A, huh?
Well.... Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't
sometimes just being nice when they take note of the stuff you do. Thank
you, "J."
The Third Verse, Which I Was Coerced Into Suppressing By Black-Clad
Representatives of UUNet and InterNIC:
In this jacked-in time-ah!
Your footprints are ev-er-y-where
You can't talk online-ah!
The DejaNews follows you there
You can't post to alt.sex or to old r.m.b.,
a.f.u., rec.arts.books., or mac.advocacy
They can archive it all till you don't know what's real....
So all you teenaged Chalkmunchers, here's today's lesson: If you stay in
school, listen to your teachers and parents, keep the reefer intake down
below a pound a week, and work real hard at your smart-assed repartee,
one day you too can grow up to be...a Degree of Separation.
Harrison "OK, _two_ pounds a week" Sherwood
>
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199802042301.AAA28344@mail.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 00:12:09 +0000 Subject: Arf Arf Dear Chalkers, Some threads just never die... Usually those are the nastier ones but this Six Degrees game is fun! Last issue a couple of terrific links were laid bare: > > I'd be interested to see anyone tie Whitney Houston, Yes, me too! And please gag her as well ;) > Stevie Wonder appears on Houston's "We Didn't Know" on the album > "I'm Your Baby Tonight" (thanks to my wife for owning that gem!) > Wonder also appears on the Eurythmics's song "There Must Be An > Angel". Dave Stewart of Eurythmics produced Tom Petty's album > "Southern Accents". Petty was in a band called the Travelling > Wilburys, along with George Harrison. Harrison produced and played > on parts of Badfinger's album "Straight Up"; other tracks on the > album were produced by Todd Rundgren, who also produced XTC. > *Tracey Ullman* > (not too hard) Paul McCartney worked with her on > one song (did some singing, as I recall). Paul also wrote the > Badfinger hit, "Come and Get It." Aimme Mann did a cover of > Badfinger's "Baby Blue" on a recent tribute album. Former Cavedog, > Brian Stevens, has played with Aimee's touring band. Finally, Dave > Gregory played on Brian's solo disc, "Prettier Than You." But it can be done by a much shorter, albeit less scenic, route! Both Macca and Harrison played in band called the Beatles and several of their albums were engineered by Gus Dudgeon who went on to produce XTC's excellent Nonsuch album. And of course this also includes Costello through his connection with Paul McCartney BTW: Both Todd and Gus come in very handy with this game; they've both worked with almost everybody who is anybody. But I'd like to know if it's possible to link XTC with Brian Wilson or Ray Davies. Any takers? yours in xtc, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------
Message-Id: <34D916F5.9D87AE2@iname.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Feb 1998 20:34:14 -0500
From: Ben Gott <loquacious@iname.com>
Organization: Loquacious Music - http://www.wp.com/58596
Subject: Money to XTC
Chalkhills,
I would definitely be willing to send money to Mitch, and to contribute
to the Boys' next album. Someone had brought it up before, and it would
be cool if it actually happened.
Sounds like a plan, Mitch. Let me (at least) know where to go next.
-Ben
XTC SONG OF THE DAY: "Day In Day Out"
RANDOM XTC THOUGHT: Couldn't Morrissey spare some hair for Andy?
VOTE "NO" - MAINE WON'T DISCRIMINATE!
* ----------------------------------------------- *
B e n G o t t :: Bowdoin College
(207) 721-5142 :: Brunswick, ME 04011
And I've cancelled your subscription to my life.
* ----------------------------------------------- *
------------------------------ Subject: wish I'd said that Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 01:43:41 +0000 (GMT) Message-Id: <E0y0GLt-0006QY-00@sunx1> From: Mandy Taylor <mandyt@central.susx.ac.uk> Michael, re: driving me loco - you said just what I wanted to say, only much better. Mitch, I think you said just the right things to Andy on the phone, glad he had you to talk all that sense to him. Though I always did feel guilty about hearing the demos. I for one would pay to hear more songs recorded. (When I think of the money I've spent with anything with XTC written on it..) Count me in! And does anyone know why the end of all my postings get cut off? My feelings are getting hurt.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19980204221057.0082bb10@pppl.gov> Date: Wed, 04 Feb 1998 22:10:57 -0500 From: Tobin <tmunsat@pppl.gov> Subject: Fan $upport-- count me in Mitch Friedman wrote: >Howdy Ho!!!!!!! then wrote: >what does everyone think of the idea of me collecting however >much ... and then when it reaches a nice tidy sum, sending it as a gift >to XTC to help them pay for whatever they need it for? Count me in! There's not much I'd rather put my money towards than supporting these artists. XTC's freedom from the evil overlabel provides us with the perfect opportunity to show our support. Just make sure that video-tree scammer weasel guy isn't in charge of the cash. -Tobin
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199802050304.TAA06318@mail.eskimo.com> From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 19:04:20 +0000 Subject: Hmm... Dangolinnesallarounditellyouwhut Hmm... anyway... > Please! Enough with the Six Degrees of Separation. This topic > is hereby declared dead. Thank you. While I'm glad to see it go, I'm surprised no one did any going through the movie _JFK_..8) (Don't try, dammit!) > From: Andrew Lippitt <andylipp@snet.net> > > Bonzo albums are hard to come across these days, so I'm not even going > > to try. > If you mean vinyl, Amanda, maybe you're right. Plenty of CD's > available, though. One-Way has reissued most of 'em, and they are > available at Tunes.com and CD Now, and probably at yer fa-vor-ite music > type shoppe. Actually, recently I found a ton of them at my local used record shoppe, where I'm happy to say that I found the TMBG Guitar Single! Didn't buy any Bonzos though... probably should have... > Now if they only carried a certain CD of cover tunes... Try under various artists... that's where most/all are found... 8) > From: keone@ix.netcom.com > SOLUTION: Stop listening -- NOW! > You've had a taste of what the songs are, now put the tape away and hum > them from memory for the next six or so months. When "Firework" > arrives, the tunes will seem like old friends dressed up in new > clothes. And you won't be disappointed... Been there, done that... Only listened to the demos once... haven't gotten around to listening to them again... And I wasn't even really listening very well, since that was the time of the evil headache, so.... The half I paid more attention to I liked more though... BTW, too bad "Nicely Nicely Jane" isn't on anything... that song is hella cool... Ok, my two cents on the whole Non-nonsuch-firework-andy-listening-to-us thing... I dunno.. I vote that he should do what he wants to do, but if it were me (and if this post is printed out and given to him, I wouldn't mind if this is marked out in black marker... not that I have delusions of grandeur thinking Andy will read my tripe...8): While I like the orchestral thing OK, I'd prefer a sparcer sounding album, ala White Music through English Settlement... Y'know, not a lot of stuff in there, mainly just Andy, Colin, Dave and Not-Terry playing their songs and being all XTC about it... I wasn't a big fan of Nonsuch, but it was OK... but anyway, it's XTC's record, not mine... well, it will be mine, since I buy just about anything with the "XTC" name printed on it that's on a musical medium, but you get the idea... Ah well, that's this <marker> over, Matt Living Through | (ICQ UIN: 1455267, Name: MrMe) Another | http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme Cuba -- XTC | I used to be temporarily insane! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I'm just stupid! -- Brak Yeah.
------------------------------ From: Jdmack01@aol.com Message-ID: <aab29846.34d93a9c@aol.com> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 23:05:46 EST Subject: Celine to XTC On Celine's last album, some of the orchestrations were by Andrew Jackman. Andrew Jackman also provided them orchestrations on Chris Squire's "Fish Out Of Water ( Yes bassist solo album). The drummer on "Fish Out Of Water" was Bill Bruford, of King Crimson fame, etc., ectc. Actually, the first link knocked me for a loop when I first read the credits. I'm a huge Yes fan, and not only did Andrew Jackman do the orchestrations for Chris's album, but he played in a pre-Yes band called "The Syn" with Chris Squire and Peter Banks (Yes's first guitarist). How did he end up getting the Celine Dion gig??? J.D. Mack http://members.aol.com/jdmack01 MIDI, music, and more
------------------------------
Message-ID: <34D9393F.167B0A02@MCI.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Feb 1998 20:59:59 -0700
From: Jeffrey Langr <Jeffrey.Langr@MCI.com>
Subject: verboten!
CRIPES, this digest is getting tough. To be PC (postingly
correct), none of:
a) criticizing XTC, especially Nonesuch
b) doing the 6 degrees of separation bit
c) listening to demos.
So I'll just resort to a different tired Chalkhills formula for
my post; namely, the "what influenced what Dukes songs" bit.
My quick question then: I recently heard an early Traffic song
that features a little girl's voice talking about an
albatross. Very much like the Psonic Psunspot stuff. Anyone
able to name the tune? I can't recall anyone on this list
specifically mentioning Traffic as a Dukes influence.
*J*
PS - After 5 years+ of no new XTC product, people are surprised
that topics get beaten to death? Suggestion: compare the
relative stability of this list to others -- subscribe to
the Radiohead list: awesome music, awesomely stupid and
painful posts.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19980205075639.006a277c@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 01:56:39 -0600 From: "Jason 'Buffy' NeSmith" <jnesmith@mindspring.com> Subject: The odd boy laid down by the football field... The talk on the hill turns to things Bonzo in nature, and Buffy has an outburst... >Ms. Plum seemed to think: >> Bonzo albums are hard to come across these days, so I'm not even going >> to try. Andrew Lippitt replied: > >If you mean vinyl, Amanda, maybe you're right. Plenty of CD's >available, though. One-Way has reissued most of 'em, and they are >available at Tunes.com and CD Now, and probably at yer fa-vor-ite music >type shoppe. > >Now if they only carried a certain CD of cover tunes... Okay, I give up trying to not promote my new tape. If this is any hint at what it's like, the only cover song on it is of the Bonzo Dog Band's 'Sport (the Odd Boy).' I recorded it in the hopes of being the one unknown lucky bastard to get on the yet-to-materialize Bonzo Dog Band tribute album. If this had happened, I might have shared diskspace with none other than George Harrison, Negativland and XTC. I'm not kidding. My cover did actually get as far as Gus Dudgeon & Larry 'Legs' Smith's ears, so I consider it a success as it stands. If anyone wants more information on obtaining the whole cassette album for $8 ppd (Casper Fandango & his Tiny Sick Tears "How's Your Hand?"), e-mail me privately. I didn't contribute to the CC97 tape, but I might next time. I have yet to find the right masterpiece to butcher. I did, however, contribute to the long-forgotten Chalkhills Originals' tape, which seems to have suffered the same watery fate as Atlantis. I hope and pray that the orchestral stuff makes it on the new album. Pop music is constantly in need of innovative composing and arranging. Van Dyke Parks' 'Song Cycle', anyone? If anyone can have fun with a bunch of oboes I bet it's XTC. >From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> >On a different subject altogether, I know this idea has been brought up >several times in the past but has never been acted on however this time I >think maybe it should be. Since XTC is now in the position of having to >shell out their own money to make and distribute their music and since that >money seems to be hard to come by and since there is no evil demonic record >company in the way of them receiving a cash gift and doing with it what they >like . . . what does everyone think of the idea of me collecting however >much money anyone thinks is appropriate to send (along with a list of who >contributed) and then when it reaches a nice tidy sum, sending it as a gift >to XTC to help them pay for whatever they need it for? It would be >my/their/and ultimately your pleasure. Send along more details. I would love to be part of the group of people that helped put the next XTC record out! And BTW, Jason Garcia, I'm still listening to 'Resort' now playing: The High Llamas 'Hawaai' Lookit Meee! rekkids... http://www.mindspring.com/~jnesmith
------------------------------ From: ERA1970@aol.com Message-ID: <35991a5.34d96fae@aol.com> Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 02:52:12 EST Subject: more blasphemy? i have an issue i would like to raise which i fear i will get a lot of flak for,but here goes: some months ago i had asked if anyone knew where i could get a copy of the demos that everyone was talking about/discussing/reviewing, etc. I was given an e-mail address to write to. When i did,i was promptly told that the cd would cost me $16.00 plus s&h! Am I the only one who thinks that is a bit exhorbitant to charge for work that is not your own? I know for a fact that the actual cost of materials is only 1-2 dollars! Is Andy Partridge seeing any of this money? Many thanks go out to Bob from Cleveland who was nice enough to send me a free tape of the demos,and also to Amanda,who sent Bob his tape. I don't mind paying a little,but I just think this was a little outrageous? Does anyone agree with me,or am I just being petty and cheap? "Music is the best" --F.Zappa T.T.F.N. Chris W.
------------------------------
From: sean_robison@freya.CP.Disney.com
Message-Id: <9802048866.AA886619048@cpsmtp.cp.disney.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Feb 98 18:03:33 -0800
Subject: Demos n' Nonsuch
From Mitch --
Andy thought it was a shame that everyone had heard most of the
demos because he thinks a good part of the surprise of a totally
new batch of songs is now lost.
On a selfish note, I'm happy I never succumbed to the little voice
buried deep in my cerebellum pestering me to ask for the demos. Maybe
once the album is out, I'll think of something I can trade for the
unreleased demos.
In addition he's concerned that those of us who have been
listening to the demos for quite a while may not like the studio
versions if they veer even a little bit from the demo versions
which they surely will in several instances. I assured him that
hardly anyone has heard more than half of the songs that will be
on the album and had the demos not become available the interest
in the band may have waned a bit more than would have been
healthy at this point and either way all the real fans will buy
the album no matter what.
Exactly! I doubt we would have been the beneficiaries of such a
wonderful catalog of songs had Andy et al actually followed through
with record company execs' ideas and suggestions. While it might come
off as arrogant, Andy shouldn't really worry about what we think. By
this point, most of us trust his musical instincts. Besides, if he DID
veer from the demos, that would give the people who have heard the
demos a chance to be pleasantly surprised by the new disc.
Andy also noted that he thought some of the orchestral things
might really piss people off and he based this on some of the
Chalkhills printouts he has been reading from the past few years
in which Nonsuch was not as well liked as he thought. I mentioned
that XTC has never made a bad album and I'm sure there have
always been people who have had a hard time adjusting to the new
directions the band has taken with each new release and this one
should be no different but maybe the fact that people have heard
some of the demos beforehand will make this album a little easier
to accept and get used to.
From this fan's perspective, Nonsuch was a great album. Dispite a weak
lyric here and there, Nonsuch was the most polished, mature sounding
album they've ever released. Plus, any band that doesn't challenge
themselves and their sound over time are bound to become stale,
leaving only the die-hardest of die-hard fans wanting the next cd.
There's something wonderful being able to discover new sounds and
elements and hooks over several listens instead of having the same old
thing thrust in one's face from the start.
Sean
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19980205100024.00935210@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 10:00:24 -0500 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: Some good ideas indeed... Just a few short comments... Mitch suggested: >On a different subject altogether, I know this idea has been brought up >several times in the past but has never been acted on however this time I >think maybe it should be. Since XTC is now in the position of having to >shell out their own money to make and distribute their music and since that >money seems to be hard to come by and since there is no evil demonic record >company in the way of them receiving a cash gift and doing with it what they >like . . . what does everyone think of the idea of me collecting however >much money anyone thinks is appropriate to send (along with a list of who >contributed) and then when it reaches a nice tidy sum, sending it as a gift >to XTC to help them pay for whatever they need it for? It would be >my/their/and ultimately your pleasure. Excellent suggestion and, coming from you, who can truly offer us a clear path from our wallets to the band's, a very realistic one as well. Count me in! Just let us know where to send it... keone@ix.netcom.com suggested: >So hearing Andy's demos will spoil the effect of the new album? Sure, >but ONLY if you imprint every note into your memory by listening to them >over and over and over... > >SOLUTION: Stop listening -- NOW! > >You've had a taste of what the songs are, now put the tape away and hum >them from memory for the next six or so months. When "Firework" >arrives, the tunes will seem like old friends dressed up in new >clothes. And you won't be disappointed... > >Come on, use some will power! Now why didn't someone think of this earlier? I should point out that I have *not* been among those worried that, due to hearing the demos, the new songs wouldn't thrill me the way they should (I know they will, more than I can even imagine), but from this point on, I'm going to make it a point NOT to listen to the demos until after the song comes out. Not only will this achieve the "old friends" thing mentioned above, but it will also make me feel like I'm doing something to help speed the album's release, sort of a Gandhi-like fasting, if you will (or even if you won't). I can just hear Andy now: "My god, boys, we simply MUST get this thing in the racks by August! Dave Gershman hasn't heard our bootlegged demos in nigh over 6 months! Let's MOVE IT!" And finally, Mandy Taylor mused: >It's one thing I've learnt, and it seems to be v.common with other >fans judging by the constant remarks about it, is the uncanny way XTC >grow on you, or else sneak up behind and bloody grab you by the >throat. (Church Of Women -not a particular favourite- happened to >enter my head, so I went to listen to it, and whadda you know but I >could hardly breathe as I was listening to it, it was that honest and >sweet..that sort of thing, you know?). So anyway, what I wanted to >and should have just said in the first place, is that after all this >experience of listening to XTC, is that I just have faith in them. Beautifully put, Mandy...I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you. Till we meet again on yonder 'Hills, Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199802051510.PAA26693@pip.maires.co.uk> From: "Stephen Clarke" <S.Clarke@nopres.co.uk> Organization: NOP Research Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 15:09:09 +0000 Subject: CC'97 - my two cents worth Firstly a big thanks and slap on the back to Richard P-A and Peter Fitz on doing a fine job on the tape and CD . to anyone who's been trying to contact me - I can be reached at s.clarke@nopres.co.uk (yes i'm the english steve clarke). yes I *do* sound a bit like thomas dolby as a result of an obsession with david bowie in my vocally impressionable youth. (I'm over it now though). for those of you that haven't yet got your copy of CC'97 - here's my capsule review. REAL BY REAL - Harrison Sherwood harrison turns in a manic slice of electro-thrash staying true to the spirit of the original while adding his own slant - I love it. SUMMER GRASS - Simon Knight simon and linda have performed drastic surgery stitching together two skylarking tracks and created a duet with light poppy synth and campfire guitar. EASTER THEATRE - Jason Garcia mr. garcia is a very brave man to attempt this song, it is bastard difficult - he does a nice job though - the walrus was jason. DOWN A PEG - Randy Christopher beatley guitar chops, jangling 12 string, dave gregory style lead breaks, fine vocal harmonies - this is a real gem (I haven't heard the song before - good isn't it). BLUE OVERALL - Eric Adcock eric's done a grandiose orchestral arrangement of the bluesy big express track - just him and a soundblaster card (why doesn't my pc sound this good ?) DEAR MADAM BARNUM - Ira Leiman just ira accompanying himself on synth and conjuring up images of the monty python organist. a good minimalist solo effort. SEAGULLS SCREAMING KISS HER, KISS HER - Naoyuki Isogai sung in japanese with ukelele, accordian, recorder and sexy backing vocals from tomoko - this is my favourite track on the album - george formby on acid. TRAFFIC LIGHT ROCK - Marshall Armintor kind of iggy pop / nick cave vocals and the guitar defies description - better than the original. DEAR GOD - Jennifer Geese jennifer very bravely does the whole song acapella. eat your heart out sarah mclachan (oh and jen, if you need a backing track next time give me a call). TOYS - Steve Clarke I've heard the bloody track too often now - it was fun, though, phoning up phil, the trumpeter and playing him mixes of his solo with distortion, flange reverse gate and all manner of other silly effects. THE BALLAD OF PETER PUMPKINHEAD - Ed Miller ed gives this a laid back latin folk treatment with a bitchin' cabasa part (no really). LIFE IS GOOD IN THE GREENHOUSE - JD SMX. a kind of avant garde go+ / lure of salvage treatment - like those it grows on you. WRAPPED IN GREY - Peter Fitzpatrick the most professionally produced track on the album - stunning digital clarity (you must do a song at the next fan convention, peter). PUNCH AND JUDY - Randy Posynick shame the great drum part of the original is missing but good vocals, trombone and power drill (you'll just have to buy the tape and see). THE MOLE FROM THE MINISTRY - Christopher Moll I take it back, the walrus was Chris - very close to the original, which is no mean feat. ONE OF THE MILLIONS - Dave Gershman after a note perfect intro (twiddly bit), slips into a kind of joy division treatment. SNOWMAN - Mark Cuevas wow, another ambitious choice and it's perfect, even down to the frosty reverse gate vocals (gets a bit ruben blades on the fade out too). OVER RUSTY WATER - Richard Pedretti-Allen richard, you are brain eno in disguise aren't you - go on admit it. I had a lot more to say but I'm conscious of hogging a whole digest to myself with this marathon post I'll send more details about my own recording to ed miller as requested soon. thanks for your patience - buy the tape Steve Clarke
------------------------------ Message-ID: <34D9CC44.5607@yha.attnet.or.jp> Date: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 23:27:17 +0900 From: Colin <cseditas@yha.attnet.or.jp> Subject: "Sacred" Pop AP DEMOS In response to anger that we should be discussing AP's demos (Chalkhills 4-49, "Driving me loco." Sorry to have caused offence. Here are my reasons for being interested in what people have to say about the demos. 1. "Please can we stop this. Andy gets to read some of this stuff." "Andy" is a big boy now. I'm sure after 20 odd years in the business, he has the confidence to make his own choices as regards his new material without bothering about what any of us should say. 2. These are DEMOS. It's like an appetizer. If I read the text of a play, it's not going to spoil an actual performance, is it? I KNOW it's not XTC and I know it wasn't intended for the general public. But, after all, we aren't the general public (see below). 3. "Who are we to judge what is on or not on the new album?" Well, I don't think anyone is 'judging' because surely no one assumes that our opinions REALLY matter to the men making the record. I don't see the band scanning our print outs and thinking, "Oh people are slagging off 'Nonsuch', lets try this instead. . ." And, actually we are among the most 'XTC literate' group of people, so yes, I think we are entitled to talk about ANYTHING that we come across, even in its undeveloped state. What else is this list for? It seems a legitimate conversation topic for a starving, XTC hungry crowd. After hearing AP demos, I can hardly talk about them to my work-mates (XTwho?). 4. If you haven't heard the demos, nothing that is said about them by the likes of me can possibly spoil your enjoyment of hearing the finished product. Furthermore, if you don't want to read about the demos, don't. It's simple. If you're not interested, fair enough. Don't listen. If you "just want to hear new music by XTC, when XTC is ready for us to hear it" then don't get the demos. Painless and simple. 5. THIS IS POP! Why talk about this like it's a "sacred" matter? I would have thought that taste and opinion is pretty hard to be so absolute (religious) about. COLIN S.
------------------------------ From: suzanne_cerquone@stercomm.com Message-Id: <9802058866.AA886695740@mail.autocatalog.com> Date: Thu, 05 Feb 98 11:19:57 -0500 Subject: Raising $$$ for XTC >>what does everyone think of the idea of me collecting however much money anyone thinks is appropriate to send (along with a list of who contributed) and then when it reaches a nice tidy sum, sending it as a gift to XTC to help them pay for whatever they need it for? It would be my/their/and ultimately your pleasure.<< Mitch, I think this is a great idea, so count me in. Recently fans of Marillion and their mailing list "Freaks" (yes, it was me mentioning Marillion and Dave Gregory before...) raised a whopping $60,000 for Marillion to tour the States, as they often can't afford it or don't have label backing to do so. The band was very overwhelmed and made it an extra special tour. I think we could do the same for XTC to help speed along their studio album. Maybe as a thank you back they could thank us in the liner notes! On a similar note, I've seen mention that some Chalkhillers have heard the demos to XTC's forthcoming album. I would LOVE to get a copy of these demos, if possible. Please respond off-list. Thanks! --Suzanne
------------------------------ Message-ID: <211D4A0926D2D011859E0060972D88482B22CA@azmail.rjconsult.com> From: "Miller, Ed" <emiller@rjconsult.com> Subject: Don't tell me what NOT to post, okay? Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 09:28:38 -0700 Michael Kerns wrote: >PLEASE.. can we stop this? Apparently Andy gets to read some of this stuff. >Of course he's way above all this pointless discussion. Who the hell are we >to judge what should be put on/left off the upcoming album? I've heard some >of the demos. So what? Wait until you buy and hear the finished product, >then judge! Until then, I don't care to be one of, or hear from, the >so-called "in-the-know" people. Actually I don't mind reading posts from >those who have talked with members of XTC, but 'the situation regarding >what's in/out/undecided?' PLEASE STOP!!!. No, Michael, we can't stop this. First of all, this list is not for Andy. It's for Andy's biggest and most dedicated fans. Whether or not he's above the discussion on this list is irrelevant. I don't feel any of us should judge what's on the next album either, but who am I (or you) to dictate this to the other 1200 or so members of this list? As long as the discussion relates (rather loosely sometimes) to XTC, I think it's fair game. You also wrote: >I just want to hear new music from >XTC, when XTC feels it is ready for us to hear it. Sorry, but this is sacred >to me. This is kind of creepy to me. And, if you have to apologize in advance, maybe you already know that this is YOUR problem, not everyone elses. Ed
------------------------------ Message-ID: <n1325455080.23474@mac.aaos.org> Date: 5 Feb 1998 09:03:00 U From: "Wiencek, Dan" <wiencek@mac.aaos.org> Subject: Help the band? Mitch: I remember the last time passing the hat for the band was discussed, someone said that a gift like that would be a tax nightmare for the guys. I don't see that their current situation is any different, but if it is, I'd happily contribute a few bucks. Who's in the know on this? And if they ever officially release the album demos, I'd want them to call it ... "Wick." Dan/IL
------------------------------ Subject: Re: Top 20 British Guitarists, Plus a Few From: wwilson@mail07.mitre.org (Wesley H. Wilson) Message-Id: <980205124730.7023@mail07.mitre.org.0> Date: Thu, 5 Feb 98 12:47:32 -0500 Glad to see Andy made the list of Top 20 British Guitarists. Steve Hillage should have made that list! Ever hear "Motivation Radio"? Guitar fans, keep an eye on the guitarist of The Seahorses. Check out their LP "Do It Yourself" for some nifty riffs and nice guitar runs reminiscent of Jimmy Page's style in early, early Led Zep. Good news for Stephen Duffy fans that the LP "I Love My Friends" will finally be out. I'm also looking forward to Nick Heyward's new one, "Apple Bed." Wes
------------------------------ From: "Trent Turner" <trent.turner@mci.com> Subject: Money for Somesuch! - Yes Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 11:42:22 -0700 Message-Id: <19980205184257.YLCV452@tturner.cos.mcit.com> Our good buddy Mitch said: Since XTC is now in the position of having to shell out their own money to make and distribute their music and since that money seems to be hard to come by and since there is no evil demonic record company in the way of them receiving a cash gift and doing with it what they like . . . what does everyone think of the idea of me collecting however much money anyone thinks is appropriate to send (along with a list of who contributed) and then when it reaches a nice tidy sum, sending it as a gift to XTC to help them pay for whatever they need it for? It would be my/their/and ultimately your pleasure. I like this idea! I'll send some. I also think it's important this is seen as a gift. Let me know! Respectfully, Trent Turner ichat: trentturner
------------------------------ From: "KIMBERLY MARTIN" <KMAR0971@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU> Organization: Gainesville College, Univ Sys of GA Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 13:57:48 EST5EDT Subject: celine dion Message-ID: <1FBAFA0119C@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU> chalk-mongers! Tis me, Kimberly, who hasn't posted in quite a long time... so, no fewer than 6 degrees between xtc and celine dion? This isn't exactly according to the rules (no musician/producer/etc links) but I just couldn't resist: celine dion is from canada, canada was settled by the british, the british are from england, and so is...xtc! small world, eh?? AHHHhhhhahahah...so, anyway, part of my long absence was spent AMONGST the british...for 10 days in mid-December I was privileged enough to be flown to england, stay in london, travel the english contryide, all courtesy of scholarship money from my school. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the Uffington horse. I got to see West-Kennett Long-Barrow, Avery, a DIFFERENT chalk horse (about 30 minutes south of Swindon), and other west-country sites, but I could not talk my host into driving me to xtc-land!! Oh well. Next time. I won't bore you with any more details of my visit, except that I LOVE THE U.K.!!!!!!! ahh. Swinging London. I fell in love!! well, gotta go run errands, but I'll be back soon... Kimberly L. Martin
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-50 ******************************
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