Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 8
Date: Thursday, 16 October 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 8
Thursday, 16 October 1997
Today's Topics:
Only a lad (or a lass in this case)
Haydn Bendall: a compromise?
English Settlement
Lyrics?
100% of the US RDA of XTC
Hayden Bendall and Magazine
Stirring the Shit
Guitar solos...
Hello
Those horrid, HORRID guitar solos...
Oasis has turned out to be just more desert for me
Osaka Meeting Notes/Red Hot Chalkhills
Say Hi to Yazbek
if macca can, andy can
Haydn Bendall
Demos to be on new album?
Dave's Subject Lines Are Kewl
Inflammatory Posting
Smelt the Guns Is For Real
This is really interesting
DAT'S IT! I'M IN XTC!!!!!
Ueber, unter, durch und um
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Cheryl <mcgregoc@regents.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 20:44:17 GMT Subject: Only a lad (or a lass in this case) Message-ID: <187C37DFB@regents.ac.uk> Hey! >Ok, Cheryl, it's a deal. You take Andy to the offy, I get to stay >in with Dave and the Kettle Crisps. GREAT! Now which way was the offy? You mean the one in North London, right? No matter, I'll find my way. : ) There I was thinking again, and I stumbled on the thought of... what if Mr. P did a full out, go to town, don't stop at GO symphony. Would that not be a treat for the ears? This of course was fuelled by the release of Sir Paul's Symphony, Standing Stone. Todd B. and I reckon Mr. P could do a better job of it. Any thoughts? You know I have never sniffed any of my CD's, which consist mostly of XTC, when I have purchased them. Is that really recommended to get the full affect of THE NEW CD? I might just give it a go come May. Is there a special way to approach the sniff job? Any comments appreciated. : ) Mr. Brian commented: > but if she's as young as I get the impression of, good for her that >she's even bothered to come to enjoy XTC like the rest of us. I >can't people probably twice her age to give a shit. And if anyone >here had half a clue, you'd know how wrapped around what interests >they have gals this age are - there isn't anything wrong with it. >So, lighten up. So age is a good reason to overlook bad manners and temper tantrums? Yes Mr. Zibin( lover of XTC and all things cheeky), it was you I mentioned in my previous post. Hee hee! Does anyone know where the recording of the new album will take place? England? US? Take care everyone, Cheryl
------------------------------ From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <85256531.006BD4AC.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 15:52:26 -0400 Subject: Haydn Bendall: a compromise? Chalkies and Chalkettes: Interesting news about the new choice for producer of the next record. I wonder if this isn't some sort of major internal band compromise. We've heard that Dave and Colin don't want to turn the production chores over to Andy because his influence would overwhelm the sound of the record and therefore an external prodocer is a must. But Haydn Bendall's primary role in the industry has been as an engineer except for a few outings. For instance, he is listed as engineer for Let's Active, who of course have a very strong/dominent force in Mitch Easter. Hard to imagine Mitch turning over the production reigns to a relatively unproven guy like Bendall, so choosing him for XTC sounds like a low-budget, compromise selection. Also, he probably will play a big role in preproduction activities which concentrate on several levels including orchestration and arrangement. What I will be looking for is his involvement in song selection and track order which a strong producer takes a big role in. If we hear that he is not a player during this phase, then I think that Andy's really in charge and Bendall is just a producer in name only. Also, I might have missed this, but was an engineer selected or announced? Or will Bendall play both roles? Bottom line is, I can't wait for the new release, and I think it will be great. Maybe we should all start bombarding the music trades with strong requests for them to review and publicize the new XTC record. After all, they're a real treasure and the fact that they're still alive and kicking should be told to the world at large. Mike
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 15:35:03 -0500 (CDT) From: Matt John <mjohn@richland.cc.il.us> Subject: English Settlement Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.971015152746.16119A-100000@mail.richland.cc.il.us> Almost bought English Settlement last night but opted for Beck instead. D'oh! I don't know which of the *old* XTC albums would be great. I have Black Sea and it's awesome, and I got Waxworks(?) the singles and well, some of them are as good as Black Sea (not only the ones which are from Black Sea). Maybe I'm dumb for not buying it. I did pick up the Dukes tape a few months back though. I never read my digest anymore because I dunno why. If I did I might know better than to post such chatty messages as this. Maybe I'll start. Anyway, if anyone wants to email me and instruct me to kick myself for not getting that disc you can do it. MJ
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 16:48:15 -0400 (EDT) From: Jason Legacy <jlegacy@ultrix.ramapo.edu> Subject: Lyrics? Message-Id: <Pine.GUL.3.96.971015163526.15343A-100000@ultrix.ramapo.edu> This will be nice and mercifully short(I hope). I stopped listening to They Might Be Giants a few years back (something definately changed in their music once they started using real musicians more, though I love Tony Maimone's bass work, in particular). Therefore, could someone please print the lyrics to this "XTC vs Adam Ant" song? They've probably been printed here before, but one more time wouldn't hurt, would it? As a fan of both XTC and TMBGs I've been curious for some time. Thanks. Oh yeah, some of you must remember that a few months ago (see, I lied about the length..) there was all this talk about the Mummer album. After a month or more someone threatened to start a Rag and Bone Buffet movement as well and I think it ended there (thank God). Well, as far as I can tell, I was was the one who started that whole thing. Which digest it was, I have no idea, but it was during the spring. And I have to tell you how happy I was to find all those Mummer fans out there. Anyway, 'das it.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03110700b06aea85f5ed@[128.83.103.33]> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 16:15:18 -0600 From: jason garcia <h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu> Subject: 100% of the US RDA of XTC >[Haydn] should do a very fine job, especially on the more sparse, upbeat >songs such as You and the Clouds or I'd Like That. I'm very interested >in the treatment that Easter Theatre or the chorus in Wonder Annual >will receive... Rock. I'm really looking forward to this album. I want it to have a lot of PRESENCE, something which I think XTC's albums have been leading up to but have never fully achieved; Andy instead preferring to hide behind vocal tracking and dense production. Of their most recent, "Oranges and Lemons" was probably the anti-presence: a great album, but it always sounded to me like I was listening to it from behind a sheet of glass. "Nonsuch" was a lot better, especially on things like "Humble Daisy" and "Rook", but overall the album sounded the way it was recorded: DAD. Andy's new songs as a whole sound very warm to me and deserve a warm treatment. I want this album to reach out and envelop the listener with a very full sound that isn't marred by the electronic effects that gave "Nonsuch" its cold edge. While the coldness suited that album perfectly, these songs are about renewal and rebirth, and I'm sure Andy's eagerness to record will help lend them that fresh energy. This'll be an album that will be difficult to remove from the player, I'm sure!! P.S.- I LIKE the "Books Are Burning" guitar solos! Obviously, Dave is a "guitarist" in the snotty sense, but to listen to Andy solo is always a treat, because you can tell he really doesn't know what he's doing. It's like listening to Peter Buck of R.E.M. do solos. The guy wouldn't know the first thing about a scale or the how-to of it all, but it sounds good anyway BECAUSE of that. It's different...I don't know shit about playing guitar technically, but it's fun BECAUSE I'm clueless. And sometimes you get cool little accidents that sound good! Living as a nanny in Manhattan, Jason
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 14:46:52 -0700 From: Stephen Larson <MereBrian@larson4.demon.co.uk> Subject: Hayden Bendall and Magazine Message-ID: <876951865.1011747.0@larson4.demon.co.uk> After the flurry of Hayden Bendall postings, I dug out my copy of _Real Life_ by Magazine and Hayden Bendall (that's how it's spelled on the record sleeve) gets credit as "Assistant Engineer at Abbey Road". It's interesting to note that the Producer and Engineer is none other than John Leckie. BTW, it's great to be reading Chalkhills again after a six-month lapse (computer in transit). It's great to be back in England, too, even if an "average English winter's afternoon" of late has been anything but sunny. Oh yeah, it's not winter yet, but I'm hardly drowning here in summer's cauldron either. Cheers, Steve L.
------------------------------ From: J_ARTECONA@RCMACA.UPR.CLU.EDU Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 18:28:07 -0400 Message-Id: <971015182807.2120ec65@RCMACA.UPR.CLU.EDU> Subject: Stirring the Shit For Roger the masturbator, I agree with you about CTD, STD, LSD and IUD but please don't flame my underpants, BVD's. They are quite comfortable and well, kind of close to the family. So Amanda is back, the shit has been properly stirred and all is well with the world. BTW, John Denver has died and no one has even mentioned it. Unbelievable. Moment of silence for the departed.
------------------------------
From: "James D. Schreiber" <joshuacrime@earthlink.net>
Subject: Guitar solos...
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 16:41:53 -0600
Message-ID: <01bcd9bb$88b66da0$05ce2399@jamessch>
I am not a regular poster on Chalkhills, but I believe that the time for
action is now. I have seen multiple posts on here regarding Dave's
"extended" guitar solos in such songs as "Books Are Burning" and "Church Of
Women". Hmmm...I may just have a few things to say about this.
It was proposed that "endless noodling" guitar solos were an abomination
of the 1970-era "southern fried" bands who just had nothing better to create
for us. Well, in the studio context, a 15 minute solo such as the one found
in the Skynyrd song "Free Bird" was certainly uncalled for. It WAS boring
and self indulgent. But, how can you draw a parallel to "Books Are Burning"
to THAT? It's almost an insult. Dave's talent is manifest in many areas,
among which are his technical abilities and his creativeness. So what if he
extends one for just a few seconds longer? I am glad that Andy decided to
throw Dave a bone and let him play around a little. No harm done. Sounded
really brilliant to me, and it takes you away if you let it.
And what about the people who play guitar solos for melody in songs? You
certainly wouldn't complain about brilliant masters such as Allan
Holdsworth, or John McLaughlin or Al DiMeola. Sometimes you just can't say
it in 8 seconds. What about the brilliant Dave solo in "That's Really Super,
Supergirl"? Sure, it's not at long as "Books Are Burning", but it wasn't a
concise statement.
I would also like to point out that in a concert, most pop bands will
only play for about an hour to an hour and a half. Most "noodling" bands
(such as the former Greatful Dead) played shows that lasted well into 3
hours. The reason being is that they used improvisation as a musical form
and explored. That's called entertainment. And well, if you can't just
listen and hear what the man has to say with his music, then perhaps one
would have to attune one's attention span to accomodate it. You wouldn't say
that Steve Howe's amazing solo on "Starship Troopers" in the Yessongs triple
album was "endless noodling". It was very cinematic and very melodic.
Well, enough said. Guitarist LOVE to play solos. It's our way of
composing on the fly, and it is challenging and fun. Not to mention
rewarding to the listener if the improviser is good. And how do you get
good? How do you see what people will get and what they won't? Practice,
man, practice.
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joshua Crime
joshuacrime@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~joshuacrime/
Crime wouldn't pay if the government didn't run it.
*----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199710152243.PAA09209@mail.eskimo.com>
From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 15:38:00 +0000
Subject: Hello
Hi... first off, I'd like to apologise for the probable more
incoherent nature of this post... I'm writing it under the influence
of my migrane medicine, so I'm basically stoned, and it's very heard
for me to think or anything.. and I'm making more typos.
> From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu>
> Query-After watching the version of Peter Pumpkinhead shown in Australia
> and the one shown in the US, do you think MTV would still show the censored
> versin today, or go all out and show that toothpick of a woman's backside?
> (Not that it's ever been a great pleasure to see a woman's read end.)
Ah, what exactly is the difference? I think I've seen the UK
version, but I'm just a bit curious...
> From: "Joseph E. Short" <jshort@flash.net>
> Can anyone clue me into the meaning of "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead"
> I have a friend who believes it is about JFK, I personally do not think
> so, any help would be appreciated. thanks
According to Andy (I originally typed 'accordion') the song is about
any martyr..."It's about JFK, Jesus Christ, John Lennon... whoever"
(actually that's a paraphrase, but the gist is there... and those
were the people listed, possibly sans one...) Anyway...
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: <34454C01.4890@bhip.infi.net> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 19:04:41 -0400 From: gregory <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Organization: InfiNet Subject: Those horrid, HORRID guitar solos... Tschalkgerz! (Is the aspirin helping?) To David Friel: >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.< David, are you angry that somebody who can play a guitar did? >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.< David, you are angry! And you seem to be a decent writer, too! Good combination... >Don't you geeks have anything better to do than microanalyze a 20-something >second guitar solo? I wasn't sure if you were talking about the solos in >"Books are Burning" or "Freebird" from your melodramatic diatribe. 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??? Perhaps it's time to liberate yourself from the parameters of "the perfect 3-minute pop song."< Since most all of XTC's music does not delve into this territory much at all, I think we (including you) can forgive our heroes if they felt that that's what THEY wanted to say in THEIR piece of music that THEY decided to put on THEIR album. And since we've all been dealing with the absolute dearth (well, besides the demos) of anything XTC to go on about, some of us find what we can in order to fill these pages with communication and insight that we are all here for. I don't think it's fair for you to belittle these 'geeks' because they found something to talk about. Hell, I hope I'm not asking the question after next spring: "Where AM that noisy guitar?" -Brian Eating future and shitting past...
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 18:00:32 +0100 Subject: Oasis has turned out to be just more desert for me Message-ID: <19971015.184049.10894.1.adamette@juno.com> From: adamette@juno.com (Patrick M Adamek) Any Oasis fans out there? >From the time they came out, they have been compared to the Beatles, even (unbelievably) getting something close to a recommendation from Paul McC (on VH1's special with John Fugglesang -sp?-). I am a long time Beatles fan and when a group is so strongly compared to the Beatles, of course it grabs my attention. I have picked up some english rock rags and newspapers and all I see is that they absolutely LOVE them. They're consistenty on the charts long after the state's lists, and are thought of by some to be the torch bearers for the Beatles. My problem with this? It has already been done (maybe not in the popular music media, but still...nonetheless) by XTC. Andy (at least) is a confessed Beatles fanatic, and anyone with ears can understand the scope of their influence on XTC. 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? Anyone need evidence?...take the material included on "Chips from the Chocolate Fireball" (a masterpiece of its own standing). I have often regarded this as the best effort by anyone to capture the magic of Sgt. Pepper's and explore its possibilities. XTC are able to give a nod to their mentors and have the balls to improve on themes and recording techniques in the process. This is the work of people who genuinely care about their craft and respect from where it was that they came. Hence, they carry the torch of the Beatles. I don't dislike Oasis (I think some of their stuff is alright), but I certainly wasn't blown away like I was when I finally understood what XTC was doing. I just can't see putting on" What's the Story (morning glory)?" ten times in a row (like I did when Oranges and Lemons came out). Oasis seem whiny and fragmented. One last point: IMO, XTC's % of weak songs (songs you need only listen to 2-3 times to hear ALL of it) is MUCH lower than that of Oasis. I'd like to know if anyone else has shared in this frustration, or maybe do I need to listen more closely to Oasis?! P
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 09:56:07 +0900 (JST)
Message-Id: <199710160056.JAA01797@japan.co.jp>
From: mikewix <mikewix@japan.co.jp>
Subject: Osaka Meeting Notes/Red Hot Chalkhills
Greetings Fellow Chalkies!
Here in sunny Osaka, our second Osaka meeting was held last Thursday, with
myself and five others in attendance, those being Kenichi Takemura, Yukihisa
Yoshihara, Naoyuki Isogai, Megumi Fukuda, and Miwa Tateoka. We held the get
together at a local skewered chicken place (not only did they serve fried
chicken, but many other kinds of chicken and an assortment of Japanese and
Western food; quite a delicious Testimonial Dinner-Type Feast!)
Naoyuki brought his ukelele (!), Kenichi brought his small woodwind
instrument, and the rest of us sang along to the warm, pleasant tunes of
Peter Pumpkinhead (a wonderful performance!), The Mayor Of Simpleton, Then
She Appeared, Wrapped In Grey, Senses Working Overtime, and a couple of
Dukes songs thrown in for flavor. We talked about Many Things XTC, as well
as some Japanese new wave/modern alternative (whatever!) bands...Naoyuki
even played a King Crimson (!!) song, and a YMO (Yellow Magic
Orchestra-Ryuichi Sakamoto) picture/tour (?) book was passed around for all
to see. Naoyuki gave us some compilation tapes (I received "The Adventure
Club Sessions", with XTC's Blue Beret as one of the performances) and in
return I gave him a copy of The Little Express. We all received a button,
which at first I thought was a relic from '79, black with "XTC Go2" in white
lettering, but it actually said "o2" as in Osaka 2nd meeting.
We were there for four short hours, then we had to leave because 1) the
last trains were soon to depart and 2) the restaurant staff - finally -
kicked us out!
A fun time had by all...(Thanks Naoyuki "Pete Sampras" for coming to Osaka!)
Considering all the verbal/written sparring I've been "page-down-ing" in
the past few digests, frantically searching for , you know, XTC-related
stuff, last weeks' meeting was really cool, very fun, and something I wish
we 1000 or so here on the list could do in the future (BTW, any news/info on
the next XTC Friends Convention? Where and when will it be held? Next year
in the spring?)
Every time I read the pointless put-downs and rude behavior that,
strangely enough, never used to be part of this mailing list, two
conflicting feelings pervade--on one hand, freedom of speech and all that
(as long as it relates to XTC or this list--whoops! am I being redundant?);
on the other hand, common sense courtesy (not over-politeness, but, you
know, respect) should also be followed. Hey! Think before you write;
look it over before you send it out...
Personally, I'd much rather read about: Haydn Bendall and what he
might/can do as "producer", what Colin sang (or didn't sing) in Heatwave,
and new members of the Go2 Society, etc etc. Heck, at least we all agree
on one thing:
XTC is _STILL_ the BEST FRICKIN' BAND (still!) AROUND, and WE LOVE 'EM!
Estatically yours,
Michael
"...and I believe the printed word is more than sacred,
Beyond the gauge of good or bad.
The human right to let your soul fly free and naked,
Above the violence of the fearful and sad..."
(lyrics soon followed by that Guitar-Dueling Duo....aw, hell, fade out! :-)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v02140b00b06b1a5e8e8b@[166.84.204.104]> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 21:16:07 -0400 From: yazbek@panix.com (David Yazbek) Subject: Say Hi to Yazbek Hey, We, my band and I, played New York, New Haven and Providence last week, opening for the Samples. In both New Haven and Prov., I spotted at least one guy wearing a Chalkhills t-shirt. What I want to know is-- why no post-show "hello"? Make yourself known damnit! We're playing Arlene Grocery in NYC on Oct. 20th at 9 p.m. Say Hi you Chalkhill bastards!!! Don't be shy! Yazbek
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19971016031524.006648e8@pop.pipeline.com> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 23:15:24 -0400 From: David Pardue <dpardue@pipeline.com> Subject: if macca can, andy can Having read about Paul McCartney's successes recently in the world of classical music, I think Andy P. should give it a whirl. After all, Andy P., just like Macca, is a self-taught musical naif who has always wanted to branch out into things other than the 3-minute Pop egg. The Dub Experiments, work with Harold Budd, etc... I think Andy would be a natural at classical or "serious" composing just as he is at songwriting. In Macca's case, they just pointed him in the direction of the right music composition software, aided and abetted him here and there, and voila! I've heard some of "Standing Stone" and its not bad at all, and is certainly the most creative thing he's done in a while. I think we should send Andy a copy of Cakewalk, an old 486/66, a pint or two, and let him have a go at it. And even if he doesn't write a "Swindon Oratorio" maybe he'll overcome his computer illiteracy and drop in on the chat @ Buzzcity.
------------------------------ Date: 16 OCT 97 14:39:30 AST From: PCulnane@dca.gov.au Subject: Haydn Bendall Message-ID: <0000bdfhxjzz.0000amciomyi@dca.gov.au> I think somebody mentioned this in 'Hills recently: If you consult the liner notes to "GO2", there you will find Haydn Bendall credited as an engineer. What goes around comes around..... p@ul
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 23:53:41 -0500 (CDT) Message-Id: <199710160453.XAA29154@thor.inlink.com> From: jims@inlink.com (Jim S) Subject: Demos to be on new album? Keith, talking about the producer for the new XTC album, wrote: >He should do a very fine job, especially on the more sparse, upbeat >songs such as You and the Clouds or I'd Like That. I'm very interested >in the treatment that Easter Theatre or the chorus in Wonder Annual >will receive... Are we sure all of the demo songs we have are going to be recorderd for the album? I like all four songs you mentioned above. Let's see, the demos of Andy's number 15, right? That would leave 5 for Colin. Sounds about right. Surprisingly, a previous Chalkhills message said they would only be *recording* 20 songs. I know that Andy wants to make a CD of about 20 songs as well. It would be very unusual for every song recorded to make the album. There are almost always leftovers. I would be disappointed if any of the demos other than Prince of Orange or Bumper Cars didn't make the final cut... Jim S. <jims@inlink.com> Serious fan of: *St. Louis Rams *Michigan Wolverines *"JAWS" *St. Louis Cardinals *XTC *MST3K Movie buffs: Check out Jake Gove's excellent "JAWS" homepage. Video, sound, reviews, trivia and more from the 1975 classic! http://www.winternet.com/~tandj04/jaws.html
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3445AF14.984F1B7F@bowdoin.edu> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 01:07:23 -0500 From: Ben Gott <bgott@bowdoin.edu> Organization: Loquacious Music Subject: Dave's Subject Lines Are Kewl "Dude! Don't say 'pigfucker' in front of Jesus!" OK. Now that "South Park" is out of my system... I will do some checking into Phish's version of "Melt the Guns." My old math teacher had over 350 tapes of concerts...He should know, right? If Haydn produced a Pat Metheny album, he's alright with me. Yes, yes, we've already had this discussion -- "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls" is a masterpiece. (My brother is going to see the Group in Houston in November...He's hoping to get backstage...) Hmmmm. Looks like certain Chalkhillians are being angry again. That's not good! Where is the calming influence of Josh Hall-Bachner? Josh -- show yourself! We've got to prove to Chalkhills that all teenagers aren't idiots! I...um...read books on a regular basis! And I haven't watched a TV show since August 31st! It's "English Settlement" season! Does anyone else drive around all Fall with "ES" blasting in the car, the sunroof open, and beautiful leaves surrounding the roadway? How loud can *you* sing "Yacht Dance"? I don't have to prove that I am creative... -Ben "Can We At Least Agree that We Don't Mind XTC?" Gott -- * ------------------------------------------ * B e n G o t t :: Bowdoin College Telephone :: (207) 721-5142 Internet :: http://www.wp.com/58596 ...The more you ignore me, the closer I get... * ------------------------------------------ *
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 06:10:39 -0400 From: Mark Stevenson <MRS@OVUM.MHS.compuserve.com> Subject: Inflammatory Posting Message-ID: <199710160615_MC2-2415-B0A5@compuserve.com> I have been lurking on this list for a year now. Why? Because I love XTC of course. But more than XTC, I love music - in all it's forms. Music is my career, my one true love and it *annoys me* (hence this posting) to see people indulging in petty, divisive and inflammatory bickering about the merits or de-merits of CTD/ guitar solos and so on. All music is good. Even Tales From Topographic Oceans and the latest Oasis album are good. Maybe I don't like them but it doesn't stop them being something that *brings people pleasure*. In my particular opinion, for my taste if you will, then XTC are particularly good, they bring *me* a lot of pleasure, not because they are *anti* any particular genre or ethic of music but because they *embrace* so much. NonSuch is one of my desert island discs for sure. Hard though some of you may find this to stomach - David Gilmour is one of my favourite guitarists - because there is melody and beauty in his notes (for me). The guitar solo anti-lobby are not listening to the music, they are listening to an internal prejudice. "Oh no! A guitar solo. EVIL!". The solos on the end of Books are Burning are quite stunningly beautiful. They are *music*. And if XTC decided to produce a concept album with all one side made up of a single song then I'd buy it as would all of you. So, be less exclusive and be more inclusive. That is what I believe XTC do - you only have to *listen* to their music to understand that. Regards, Mark Stevenson mrs@ovum.com "Minds are like parachutes. They work best when they are open"
------------------------------ From: MARKROCKS@aol.com Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 06:55:34 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <971014161611_827651751@emout06.mail.aol.com> Subject: Smelt the Guns Is For Real Richard Pedretti-Allen wrote: << I have a Phish-head that works for me that has informed me that Phish << covered "Melt The Guns" in April 1987. << I checked the website and couldn't find any info to this effect... Well, Richard, I checked too, and according to the Phriendly Heling Book, Phish covered Melt the Guns on April 29, 1987 at a show at Nectar's in Burlington, Vermont. The show features some other interesting cover tunes, including The Cars, Led Zepplin and Duke Ellington, to name a few. Let me know if you get your hands on that tape. I'd love to hear a copy of it. For those who don't follow Phish, they have an interesting habit of playing an entire set of someone else's record on Halloween. Their version of wearing a costume. Last years costume was Talking Heads _Remain In Light_ a very impressive feat! The year before was Quadrophenia, not too shabby either! Maybe I'll suggest English Settlement for this year's Halloween costume. Mark Brown
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=SELECT_Software_%l=SELECT_OX_MAI-971016115341Z-1210@select_UK_mail.select.com> From: Catherine Sweeney <CatherineS@selectst.com> Subject: This is really interesting Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 12:53:41 +0100 La la la la, dum de dum de dum, la la la la la la la, Zzzzzzzzzzz This is how interesting I have found a lot of the mails I've spotted on the mailing list in the last 2 digests. Boring, isn't it. If I had a baby, I'd take this opportunity to tell you what the contents of her nappy (diaper) looked like. Oh, hang on, that's what some of you are already doing. I think I'll switch to the nappy mailing list. It's interesting there. They talk about XTC and, occasionally, about other groups. Funny, that, because it's off the point - they really ought to be talking about baby's backsides and poo, but that seems to happen here. Some of you do talk about interesting things. Thank god for you. Can you do it some more to drown out the other crap and stop me from unsubscribing, please? Thanks. Ps Slag me off for this all you like. I won't respond anyway.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 08:23:09 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA CARYL OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: DAT'S IT! I'M IN XTC!!!!! Message-id: <01IOV8YBUJQ08ZDZZ8@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Oh rapture, oh joy, oh sheer MADNESS!!! I'll get to that in a minute....... Mitch-Amen brother! RogerFromOz-How many times have I told you to watch your fucking language? ;) Say all you want, I'm in such a good mood today I'm going to be totally and utterly SARCASTIC! Bwahahahaha!!!!! Brian-Amen # 2. BTW-I'm rapidly approaching 20. Too young to drink, yet old enough to join the army, fight, and die. Where's the logic in that??? Matt-:* (That's a kiss in your direction, boo. You can vomit later at how nauseatingly sweet I'm being right now.) For MY sake, won't you put your knuckles down boyz? (and girlz) Now onto my rapture...... Yesterday I threw open my mailbox, and lo! My back issues of the Little Express were in!!!!! I had the package ripped open and strewn about the post office before I could even get past the door. 15 glorious issues sat before me, along with a personal note from June and Peter asking if they could put the letter I wrote in the next issue. (Some of you who subscirbe to LE might want to skip past it...it mentions CTD.....just a warning.....and how the hell do you subscirbe??????) Oh the pictures of Dave!!!!!!!!!!!! I never realised how photogenic he was. I loved each and every one of them. (Except of course, for the one when he and Aimee Mann were hanging all over each other....sort of made me feel a bit blecch.) Ciao for now, oranges & lemons, Amanda Daemon est deus inversus XTC song of the day-Melt the Guns non XTC-(You're going to REALLY throw up at my choice of song, but I just bought the cd, and I'm hooked.....) Da Da Da-Trio
------------------------------ From: Melsta@aol.com Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 13:19:20 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <971016131430_966402934@emout14.mail.aol.com> Subject: Ueber, unter, durch und um Hello. I'm writing in response to myself really. In my last post a coupla weeks ago, I gave my own little AP demo review and said this: > I Can't Own Her: Beautiful and sad. I like Natalie JJ's assessment. But as sad of a song as it is, and as sympathetic as he makes himself out to be with the soaring violins etc., lyrically I can't feel sorry for him. It's a case where the sound of the words is nicer than the meaning. To me, he's contradicting himself. Making us feel sorry for him when his words don't deserve it. Sounding sad and sensitive when his words make him out to be a brute. But that's what the bridge is trying to counteract I guess. It's okay, Andy. I'm sure someone will be glad to be your chattel. And even though I qualified myself with the following: > No, really, I like this song, just until I think about it too much. Bad habit. I really feel I must issue a retraction. I was just talking to be talking and every time I hear the song I feel sorry for having said what I did. It's a beautiful song. So what about the words. I believe in his intentions "I merely want her in my arms forevermore". I was just being nitpicky. Now what I don't regret saying is that I think Bumper Cars can safely be left off the next album. A couple people have e-mailed me personally to defend this song and I've listened several times since then, but it's still last choice as far as I'm concerned (which isn't very far, I'll admit) for the new album. But I wouldn't mind seeing it on a "Demos Revisited" tape I guess. Lyrically it's a sort of rehash of River of Orchids. And while it has some of the whimsy of the D&W era, it doesn't have the energy or the in-your-face-ness to be very compelling. And so instead of being whimsical it comes out silly. I dunno. Just doesn't float my personal boat. Now about flame wars. Every time one comes up I swear to myself that I'm going to keep quiet, because it's partly everyone putting in their little opinions that perpetuates these things. But I'm really sick of all this. So I'm going to perpetuate it just a little bit by sharing with you my own thoughts. These sorts of things, especially when they involve personal attacks, are what scare people away from lists. I'll never forget when I first got internet access and subscribed to half a dozen music mailing lists just to see what was out there. The Genesis list was having some sort of constitutional crisis and everyone was badmouthing everyone else and it was just extremely off-putting. So I promptly unsubscribed. C-Hills is the only list I have remained on, and I have the confidence to weather these little storms because I know it's the best list around, but think what people must think scanning the web or just getting their first issues & stuff. I think personal e-mail flames are best. And yes, I'm prepared to receive my share. Just don't post them to the list. >From AMANDA: > James-Raspberry in your direction, babe. :p (jokingly of course, tongue planted firmly in cheek.) Now that's a good trick, doing a raspberry whilst your tongue is in your cheek! >From Dave Stafford: > I'm afraid that this is a direct result of Saturday Night Live. They did a skit about "Uberman" sort of a German Superman. The next day at work, I told my German-speaking boss that I was going to use some "Uberglue"(superglue) to glue something that was broken. >He corrected me, explaining that "uber" wasn't good German in this context, and that the correct word for superglue is "ultraklebestoff". So based on this bizarre exchange, I should have probably said "Ultrastar". But it just didn't seem the same... Don't worry. Ueberstar was quite correct. It was actually, did you but know, a play on Nietzsche's Uebermensch, or superman. Just because super didn't translate to ueber in one instance doesn't mean you want to replace all your uebers with ultras. And if you're wondering, ueber has the extra e because we can't make the umlaut with basic ASCII. It's the little dot-dot you get over so many things in German and so many heavy metal band names, like Spinal Tap. Or Kellog's Mu:eslix, which, if I'm not mistaken, would be pronounced Meeeslix. But when you can't (or don't feel like) make an umlaut, you just put an e after the letter. And now that I've gone hopelessly off-topic, I'll sneak out, with What's the Buzz as my outtro. -Melissa "Wondering if Uebercalifragilistikexpialidoschlich is a Word" Reaves
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-8 *****************************
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