Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 96
Date: Wednesday, 17 June 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 96
Wednesday, 17 June 1998
Today's Topics:
Vitals
1984
Irresistable force
XTC on 120 Minutes
The La's - XTC
XTC Rolling Stone Review
Let's not open this old, dead debate, okay?
Dominic Lawson -- short sharp shock
Politics? EGAD!
Summer School Ambush!
Re : Cheryl's Favourite Memory
Re: O & L
Me
Cry Hypocrite! ;-)
Never Say "Why Ask Why" & Other Musings
Memories...
Re: Another aural surprise
Late stats and stuff...
ConneXTCions
Danglers
Subject: re-cycle of XTC
Taste And Flavour
Administrivia:
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So we're working every hour that God made.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <0143041F00B7D011B7C500A0C900515114095A@IMA_NT1> From: "BOB O'BANNON" <BOBANNON@IMAweb.com> Subject: Vitals Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 10:10:56 -0500 Back on the list after a long absence, I can't resist this opportunity: Religion: Christian who loves Reformed theology (John Calvin, Jonathon Edwards). Christ is King. Life is meaningless otherwise. Political party: ultimately of little importance; most parties are driven by naive motives. Drugs: music and basketball. Job: desktop publishing/editing. Dream: To be in the first respectable Christian band, and/or teach/preach the Gospel to those with ears to hear (no, I'm not kidding). XTC Content: Disturbed by Dave's departure; can't wait for new album; was honored to meet Andy in 1985; currently teaching my wife how XTC is the most eclectic band since the Beatles; would love to see Van Dyke Parks or Mitchel Froom produce an XTC album; filling the XTC void lately with the latest from Michael Penn, Ron Sexsmith, Fountains of Wayne.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35868D96.74538BCA@xpress.es> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 17:21:59 +0200 From: Imanol Ugarte <ix8494@xpress.es> Subject: 1984 Hello,Chalkers : This is about how I knew XTC's music. In the spring of 1984, I give away Mummer to a cousin of mine, we loved music and play guitar as well ,so we used to do it to each other on our birthdays. In that time I only knew some of White Music. During that summer we did a trip to Yugoslavia,there this cousin of mine bought a -cheap- copy of English Settlement LP. That was the really beginning ! In autumn my cousin and me joined a group, and we were astonished and amazed by the richness of ES'songs. What a coincidence! I fell in love :-)) and also listen a lot to Mummer and English Settlement,it's not easy to explain those links between sounds and emotions; some feelings became very very strong to me. I specially remember `Runaways' and `Jason-' The surprise was a bunch of new and precious things: clean guitar sounds, perfect guitar chords,wonderful bass lines, natural and weird tunes,insisting drums, magnificent voices- I recognize myself that initial listening was not easy,but after several times they remained caught within my guts and soul. I can't say anything special about the lyrics,because I didn't understand too much, I just had a little idea, so it was mainly music's energy and magic. And then ? I have followed their trajectory faithfully, I have obtained all the discs that I have been able until 1992's great Nonsuch. The silence that came after that -was a mistery and answerless questions very long period,then I bought a PC,Internet came ,found THIS LIST, and now ,for my surprise, I become XTC fan once again. I don't have a favourite clear album,perhaps ES has been the most stirring for me,but I have to admit I've found a lot of new surprises and appealing things on each album I've heard, perhaps O&L (barring some remarkable tracks) has been less inspirated than the others PS: Associations Most of ES with late summer/early autumn's light . Hooray for Colin,Andy,Dave,Terry and Barry ! Imanol Ugarte
------------------------------ Message-ID: <B82F8C4D16A0D1119FDC0001FA6A4BC9010FD8F4@hfd-exch003.hartford.aetna.com> From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: Irresistable force Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 11:45:11 -0400 What the hell, I wasn't gonna do this, but who am I to resist: Religion: Recovering Catholic. Political party: Isn't there only one left in the USA? Drugs: Caffeine daily, random alcohol. Job: Quasi-advanced Computer Technician who still does at least one "any key" fix each week. Dream: When it's not actually World Cup time, to be able to say "World Cup" in the US, without having to immediately follow "...of soccer". (Notice it's not "US winning the Cup in my lifetime." I'm listing a dream, not outright drop-dead fantasy.) Mark Fisher: Yeah! Greggsy picks up the Rick, strikes "Hard Day's Night", opens "Mr. Tambourine Man" (?), and one more (perhaps "Ticket to Ride"). A history of '60s rock in 15 seconds! I think it was part of the "Play at Home" special which included the Andy & Dave "Train Running Low" in a bandshell in Swindon. Tonino: Who knows Nutella? I've almost been shot for smuggling vast quantities of from Canada back to the USA. And yes, I'm all for a little shindig in the Boston area. Eric W: Brazil for the cup? When was the last time a team from the Americas won it in Europe? No pick, but my wild guess is Germany. And all the world is football-shaped, Karl
------------------------------ From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <ae6223a1.3586e2dc@aol.com> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 17:25:47 EDT Subject: XTC on 120 Minutes Chalkers, I just wanted to let you guys know that XTC is going to be on 120 Minutes this coming Sunday at 1am EST. It's going to be on a thing called Flashback. I think it's one of these things they have before they go to commercial. I found this out because I wrote to 120 Minutes complaining about how they haven't played any XTC in a while. Molly
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19980616213025.006e7864@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 22:30:25 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <nonsuch@dircon.co.uk> Subject: The La's - XTC Hi, Sorry if this is old news but I've been brimful o' busy recently and only had time to skim the list... I saw the name of the La's crop up regularly and no-one seemed to mention that the La's drummer, Chris Sharrock (ex-Icicle Works and presently with the Lightning Seeds), was the drummer on Terry and the Lovemen's "Good Things" track for A Testimonial Dinner. That's quite a track record for the diminutive tub-thumper; how many other non-names could claim that kind of pedigree? The man is a minor pop god! Simon -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- http://www.nonsuch.dircon.co.uk/bungalow.htm (http://come.to/bungalow) -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- An XTC resource - "Saving it all up for you..."
------------------------------
From: Iain_Murray@hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au
Message-Id: <4A256625.00775E7B.00@ncc-notes.hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 08:02:02 +1000
Subject: XTC Rolling Stone Review
The following is XTC's entry in the 1992 Rolling Stone Album Guide (in case
you haven't seen it). Bear in mind that this review relates to the American
releases, so some albums have different running orders to Australian and
British versions.
XTC : This British combo took it upon itself to blend art-rock
experimentation with factory-stamped pop hooks - at the height of punk, no
less. Robot beats collide with short-circuited electronics on *White Music*
; guitarist Andy Partridge gulps his way through shifty, intricate ditties
like "Radios In Motion" and "This Is Pop". The latter title is sincere, or
at least more so than "Dance Band". XTC flashes a real knack for crafty
chrouses on the nagging refrains of "Spinning Top" and "Statue Of Liberty".
Partridge and bassist Colin Moulding share the songwriting chores ; early
on, Moulding's less-frequent work tends to be more precious and less
compelling, though he eventually catches up. Keyboardist Barry Andrews
swamps *Go 2* in a sea of synthesised effluvia ; only the telegraphic "Are
You Receiving Me?" reaches dry land. With second guitarist Dave Gregory
replacing Andrews, XTC tightens up its high-strung sonic constitution -
almost to breaking point - on *Drums And Wires*. A delicious tension
results ; rather than busily herky-jerking around the room, the carefully
packed sound pulls you into the group's cleverly skewed perspective. The
songwriting is sharpened up, too ; Moulding weighs in with two arresting
uptempo highlights : "Life Begins At The Hop" and "Making Plans For Nigel".
If *Drums And Wires* is all just a "Complicated Game", as Partridge insists
with particular urgency and eloquence at one point, then it's an endlessly
fascinating one.
XTC steps back from the pop-fashion rat race after that ; beginning
with *Black Sea*, the influence of the psychedelic Beatles and the
nostalgic Kinks looms imposingly large over the proceedings. Somewhat
turgid, *Black Sea* finally gets over on the strength of politically
charged observations like "Towers Of London" and "Generals And Majors". The
next three albums are cluttered and fussy affairs, however, with only the
occasional hook rising from the intellectualised din : "Senses Working
Overtime" on *English Settlement* raises the standard, but Partride sounds
woefully cynical (and nasal) on *Mummer*'s "Funky Pop a Roll". After
*Mummer*, XTC retired from live performing. With "The Everyday Story Of
Smalltown", from *The Big Express*, XTC nails one of its attempted Ray
Davies-style set pieces and points the way toward a more approachable form
of studio wizardry.
Producer Todd Rundgren sweeps up the loose ends on *Skylarking* - far
and away the most immediately likeable XTC music. Under his watchful eye,
the group takes some of the failed motifs from the previous albums
(especially the rustci acoustic touches of *Mummer*) and applies them to
less self-involved, more traditional song forms. Both songwriters reveal a
far warmer side than ever before ; Moulding on the sly and sexy "Grass",
Partridge on the hopeful "Earn Enough For Us". The acoustic-meets-electric
epic "Dear God" posits XTC as the Great Lost Classic Rock Band ; in a world
in which Moral Majority boycotts didn't exist, this cutting agnostic
diatribe might've even become the group's first hit. Ah, wishful thinking :
see what '60s-fixated rock albums from the '80s, even definitive ones like
*Skylarking*, can do to your thought processes? In keeping with that
authentic spirit, perhaps, the next XTC album (*Oranges And Lemons*) is a
rambling, full-barrelled return to witty indulgence. *Rag & Bone Buffet*
delivers a groaning board of "rare cuts and leftovers" - either a treasure
trove or slow torture, depending on your taste.
Strangely, *Nonsuch* doesn't rate a mention in the review, although it
was one of the albums mentioned in the preamble to this writeup. Comments?
Suggestions? (It's probably better to E-Mail these straight to me).
Iain
------------------------------ Message-ID: <211D4A0926D2D011859E0060972D88484A6C1F@azmail.rjconsult.com> From: "Miller, Ed" <emiller@rjconsult.com> Subject: Let's not open this old, dead debate, okay? Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 17:14:38 -0600 Chalkbuds... Jeepers, Molly! Did you really mean this? >I thought this digest was about the discussion about XTC and things >relating to XTC. I know that XTC won't have an album out until next year, >but there must be something to talk about them. I pass over stuff about >Sterolab (even though they're great) and any other bands. If you want to >discuss other bands start another mailing list. First of all, you are correct in thinking this list is about XTC and things relating to XTC. That's fairly evident. You then state that you pass over things you're not interested in. Good. However, you are WAY off base if you expect to restrict the content of this list to things that in some vague, arbitrary way meet YOUR criteria of proper content. This is an old topic of discussion here in Chalkland, so may I suggest you peruse the Chalkhills archives to capture the spirit of this digest. I have personally enjoyed being exposed to new artists like The Sugarplastic, Martin Newell, Yazbek and, for that matter, The Dukes of Stratosphear as a result of what I've read in Chalkhills. I enjoy the eloquent ramblings, errrr, contributions of many of the gifted writers we enjoy as members, even if they do occasionally stray from the strict definition of "XTC content". And, if memory serves me correctly, I recall that you yourself mentioned some other band you liked not all that long ago. So, get down off your soapbox and relax, okay? The list is about XTC, people who love XTC's music, and even OTHER music. Let me ask you a simple question. Let's say you were talking to a friend whom you knew because he liked XTC's music. Maybe you met in a record store while flipping through the XTC section. One day, he happens to mention that he likes the music of Radiohead or REM or whomever. Would you cut him off and say that you don't feel discussion this is an appropriate topic? I doubt it. So, Miss Molly, welcome to Chalkhills. You now have 1250 new friends who like XTC. Regards, Ed
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3586FFFE.E431DD37@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 16:30:06 -0700
From: Steven Graff <slapdash@earthlink.net>
Organization: SLAPDASH
Subject: Dominic Lawson -- short sharp shock
Hey Chalkhillers...
Couldn't help noticing the well thought out and lucid reply by Dom
Lawson. This phrase will now be added to my auxillary staple of
witticisms:
"Ranks of the Terminally Self-Satisfied"
I agree with Dom as well that, while noted for train-of-thought
posts from the past, Harrison can get a bit over-the-top and
long-winded. This is of course coming from someone who spoke too bluntly
about a favorite songwriter of ours.(grin)
I have a degree too, and because of it, I'm stuck working in a high
school with a small segment of the faculty that are all alumni from the
ranks of the terminally self-satisfied.
Personally, the self-satisfied set their goals too low. It's sort
of a passive-aggressive stance against life.
Glad to see you returned Dom. Welcome back to the family circle.
(By the way...I'm a tunnel-visioned anglophile when it comes to
pop/rock music, so...)
Steven
------------------------------
Message-ID: <35870102.9936606F@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 16:34:26 -0700
From: Steven Graff <slapdash@earthlink.net>
Organization: SLAPDASH
Subject: Politics? EGAD!
Hey folks,
I just wanted to voice my great dissatisfaction when in the last
post, CCooli9575 ranted on forever and dissected Libertarianism. Please,
next time,e-mail the person you have contention with directly...or send
a flier or something.
Geeez!
XTC song of the day: Millions
Non XTC song of the day: Wasteland by the Jam
Steve
------------------------------
From: DBMEIER0@wcc.com
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 17:53:47 -0600
Message-Id: <000ACA6B.1586@wcc.com>
Subject: Summer School Ambush!
Have I been unwittingly enrolled in a politcal science summer
electronic correspondance course? Ralph Nader? Libaterryans? Nazi
mass transit?
Dom, congratulations on the degree man.
Dan, anxiously awaiting a delivery from Ian, Meier
------------------------------ From: Iain_Murray@hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au Message-Id: <4A256626.0003AC2A.00@ncc-notes.hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 10:49:07 +1000 Subject: Re : Cheryl's Favourite Memory In response to Cheryl's question about some good memories connected to XTC tracks : I was driving from Canberra to Melbourne (actually, just west of Melbourne) a couple of years ago to visit my sister and (then new-born) niece. As it's about an eight-hour drive, I'd packed the car with various tapes, but after about an hour, the cassette player literally fell apart. As I was in the middle of nowhere at the time, I had to make do with local radio stations (largely, but not limited to, AM country music stations). Over the next few hours, I heard more Kenny Rogers than I ever want to hear again, but I finally found a half-decent FM station near Albury (on the New South Wales/Victoria border) - to my eternal gratitude, they were playing "Generals And Majors". As luck would have it, they were in the middle of a "Classic Rock Triple Play", and followed up by playing "Senses Working Overtime" and "The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead". This simple act of imaginative programming not only saved my sanity, but put me in a better frame of mind for the rest of my trip. Unfortunately, I haven't heard *any* radio station in this Top 40-fixated country ever play more than one XTC song in a row since then (although I understand that Triple J, the national broadcaster, ran a special on XTC just recently - pity I missed it, but anyway....) ; I must have made a strange sight, driving a clapped-out Datsun through the quiet streets of Albury with "Senses Working Overtime" blasting out of two open windows. It doesn't get much better than that.
------------------------------ From: Jdmack01@aol.com Message-ID: <c6d8d5f6.358733fc@aol.com> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 23:11:54 EDT Subject: Re: O & L "Gineen" <natalia@javanet.com> wrote <<Does anyone else agree that Oranges and Lemons is a masterpiece?>> If Mitch Friedman, or anyone else who knows Andy personally is reading this, would you please tell him that "ORANGES AND LEMONS" IS NOT OVERPRODUCED!! It is produced perfectly!! There are no overly dense segments - the density of sounds on each song is perfect! It is as close to a pop masterpiece as I have ever owned! Here's my story: I got "O & L" in 1989 and played it. And played it. And then I thought, "Gee, today I should listen to something else," but played "O & L' out of addiction. This went on for over a year! I have lots of albums that I listen to a lot, but "O & L" truly stands out as the album I just couldn't stop playing. And now, since John hasn't forbidden this yet: Religion: Once a Catholic, and I still go to mass when I visit my family. Jesus is basically who I pray to when my plane hits severe tubulence during the landing approach. Politics: I'm part of what I once heard described as the "radical center." I try to ignore national elections, and stay on top of the local ones. See "drugs" for additional info. Drugs: Yes. And you can all come out of your closets now! Either this list is squeaky clean, or some of you fear the consequences of confession. I have every intention of lighting up after I go off line, and if this posting is used as evidence against me someday, then we have bigger problems than my drug use. As an addendum, I will be much more likely to vote for the candidate that says "Hell yeah, I used to smoke the stuff all the time!" Dream: To meet Bill Bruford . . . wait, I did that two months ago! Nyah, Nyah!! NP: Genesis Archive 1967-75 (boy, did Phil Collins' time used to stink in concert) J.D.
------------------------------ From: Melsta@aol.com Message-ID: <7a9d50a9.35874588@aol.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 00:26:47 EDT Subject: Me Religion: none (don't consider atheism a religion) but I'm liking what I'm reading about the Buddha and the Dharma Politics: Libertarian (glad to see y'all out there!!) Profession: Translator (German -> English) Job: Office Manager Drugs: no thank you, but I'd rather they were legal all the same Age: 31 in August Dream: To have a cool house in Montreal and three kids and to be supporting myself practicing my profession Favorite color: purple Instruments played: vox melisana Current obsession: the song "Sinner" on the new Neil Finn disc. When I first heard it, my ears pricked up as they have not done since I heard Yazbek's "Welcome to My World" and every time I hear it I just close my eyes and am caught up. Can hardly speak, just mutter "shit" and "fuck" under my breath. (Don't know if anyone else understands what I mean) I am moved. XTC content: AOL members, join the listening parties Tues nights! It's fun! If I owe anyone out there a tape or anything, let me know!! I am moving into the manic phase of my cyclothymia right now. Yours in XTC, Melissa Reaves
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 21:28:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J. Brown" <ringostr@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Cry Hypocrite! ;-)
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.3.95b.980616211938.50768B-100000@dante36.u.washington.edu>
Molly wrote:
> I thought this digest was about the discussion about XTC and things
> relating to XTC. I know that XTC won't have an album out until next
> year, but there must be something to talk about them. I pass over stuff
> about Sterolab (even though they're great) and any other bands. If you
> want to discuss other bands start another mailing list.
Now i find this complaining odd coming from you Molly. For the last day
or so have you not joined me in turning the Squeezefan list into an XTC
one? To me this list is about a buch of people that like XTC and what
ever topics come up are fair game. If harrison wants to rant about the
Tyrrany of the Hip then i'm game. If Relph wants to talk about the
glories of Stereo lab thats cool with me. If Dom wants to discuss
Metalicca vs. Slayer, well i draw the line there (just kidding Dom). In
short this is an open forum and as long as things don't turn into a flame
war anything is up for discussion in my book.
Jason Wilson Brown
History & Canadian Studies Major
President- GEEK The Secret Society of the College Bowl
ringostr@u.washington.edu geekbowl@u.washington.edu
P.O. Box 45822 Seattle, WA 98145-0822 (206) 632-4905
"Thought I knew all the steps quite clearly, I don't have a clue"
-Elvis Costello
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35877770.789B@sirius.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 00:59:45 -0700 From: Eric Rosen <elr@sirius.com> Subject: Never Say "Why Ask Why" & Other Musings Hi everyone, It's funny. The times I talk about XTC, no one replies. The times I get a tad political / philosophical, things stir! <caveat> The content of my replies are not aimed at the individuals to whom I am replying but rather the content of their remarks. Please do not take any of this personally. Thank you. </caveat> All: My original question was never answered (nor attempted). "Why would anyone making less than $200,000/year align themselves with the republican party" or "what did the republican party ever do for anyone making less than $200,000/year?" Ira: You're the token East coast Jew. I'm the West coast token (although I used to live in Madhattan. :) Amanda: You're right, I do get a sense (more often than not) that politics and Chalkhills don't mix but I say this common interest we have in XTC is a starting point for discussion, not an ending point. Forgive me, but whenever someone says "why ask why" I start feeling ill. I am genetically coded to ask why. I can never kill off that childish curiousity about the world and what makes it tick. Deep down, I fear that as soon as people stop asking why, they begin accepting things that just a short time ago would have roused them to riot. For example, the JFK assasination (a subject which XTC addresses with great clarity in the Pumpkinhead video = 3 guns, 2 bothers, conspiracy (3rd gun for MLK, anyone?). He's shot in 1963 and all of the witnesses except a blind, deaf mute are dead by 1966. Insurance actuarial tables say the chances of them all croaking in such a short time was less likely than snow in July where you live. Still, a frighteningly large proportion of the populace thinks Oswald did it. Nov 22 comes around every year and interest in the crime of the century wanes and wanes. No one asks why. Chris: >>I hold no brief for government bloat but just because something is done >>by government does that make it wrong or inefficient? Have any of you >>worked at a corporation that was inefficient? There's no magic to the >>labels "public" and "private" (contrary to what Libertarians and >>Republicans would have us believe). Lately, I take a train that is run >>by government (CALTRAIN a division of AMTRACK which the Republicans >>would gleefully cut in heartbeat) that is on time, comfortable, reliable >>and reasonably priced. >The trains ran on time in Nazi Germany too. 'Nuff said about that one. C'mon Chris. You're responding to the least salient aspect of what I said. All I was trying to do was to get people away from stereotypes. Away from lame conventional wisdom. I tried to do this by pointing out how labels are nothing more than labels and that our own life experiences bear this out. How many times have you flown with a private airline only for them to screw things up so bad that you lost your luggage or you lost an extra day to traveling, etc? In that context, getting trains to run on time is a feat not to be snickered at. As for what determines whether an enterprise is successful, I think it has as much to do with the personalities that are attracted to that type of undertaking as it does with the way in which they are organized. BTW, I think you meant Italy's Fascists. The real deal is that it was Mussolini's non-Fasicst predecessor who accomplished that. Under Mussolini, the trains ran on time only in major downtown areas where the foreign journalists hung out. Now, allow me to make one thing very clear (which I did not the first time). My remarks about Libertarianism were not aimed at its ideals. I agree with much of what it stands for ideologically. What I'm focusing on is how its implementation plays out in our rotten 2 party system. In fact, I would consider myself a "pragmatic socialist." That means we need to be ever-vigilant with respect to the power we entrust to government yet we must realize that it's unrealistic to shrink the role of government to what it was in the 19th century as we head into the 21st. The reason is that we live in a more inter-dependent world than ever before. In Jefferson's time, people grew their own food, made their own clothes, were not distracted by advertising trying to create wants that were divorced from the necessities of everyday life, and family (nuclear & extended) structures (at all levels of society) were more cohesive. There was less need to be concerned with the goings on in places remote to one's own existence. Self sufficiency was practiced. In today's world, we depend on electricity from elsewhere. Travel in today's common vehicle is far more risky than it was with horses. Our populations are more densely situated. Mass communications brings the world into our homes. Family structures are constantly being redefined. Technology is moving faster than most of us can contemplate. Just as you say "err on the side of freedom" one has to consider that "erring on the side of freedom" may play out as anarchy especially in a more inter-dependent world. If nature abhors a vacuum and governemnt steps out of our lives in a big way, give thought to what fills the void. If recent history is any guide, it's corporations that will fill that void. When they do so, the "social contract" gets replaced with "cost benefit analysis" and social darwinism rules. This is the defining feature of Fascism (Mussolini's one word definition of Fascism - "corporatism"). Before Germany's Holocaust kicked into high gear, they were killing off Germans who were frail, old, retarded, sexually deviant, etc. These people were referred to as "useless bread gobblers." This was the push towards a master race, i.e., eugenics (think of the lyrics to "Toys"). So, watch very carefully whenever you hear talk of "privatization." It usually means the public gets shut out of decision making and benefit sharing while windfall profits accrue to those who already got (a lot). We must not confuse private and less governmental with "free and fair." Also, never look upon "the government" as a monolith. It always has philosophical differences within (just as you say is the case with Liberterians). Finally, realize that of the world's 100 largest economic entities, more than 50 are private corporations, not nation-states. The implications could not be more real.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35879B7C.5F30B5F2@erols.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 06:33:32 -0400 From: Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt <toddjenn@erols.com> Subject: Memories... Hi: My ultra-mega-cool friend Cheryl asked: >What is your most favourite memory attached to an XTC song?< Like you, my fave memories are attached to travelling in England/Scotland, set to an internal soundtrack supplied by the world's greatest pop band (mostly songs from Mummer or Big Express, depending on if the location were rural or urban). The top two moments that immediately come to mind are: * Discovering by chance -- it wasn't on any map we had -- a tiny 14th-century church nestled in the countryside, and walking around its graveyard reading century-spanning stones while "In Loving Memory of a Name" played in my head; and * Stepping out onto one of the rooftop vantage points in York Cathedral and looking out over the town while "Red Brick Dream" slithered through my mind. Gawd, I want to go back. Her nephew said: >This stuff is weird he tells me then walks out of the room.< Yes! Ain't it GREAT? :^) --Todd
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3587C2E2.782E@staff.prodigy.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 09:21:38 -0400 From: Jim Samuelian <james@staff.prodigy.com> Subject: Re: Another aural surprise > Wes "He doesn't quite bend so much as he audibly cracks" Hanks > recently wrote: > > >PS - Heard "The Disappointed" last Saturday on the P.A. at the "Wet N > >Wild" water park. cool > > Hey cool, I heard "King for a Day" at Burger King. Nearly choked on my > Whopper with glee... I once heard "Vanishing Girl" in a Sizzler. Almost fainted onto the salad bar sneeze guard... -Jim
------------------------------
Message-Id: <l03130303b1ad6eed14f6@[200.250.246.146]>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 10:21:03 -0300
From: Paulo X <paulox@bastecnet.com.br>
Subject: Late stats and stuff...
Hello everyone,
I'll play it too:
Religion: Agnostic.
Political party: Used to be an Anarchist, now I'm Marxist (as in Marx Bros.).
Drugs: bourbon, love.
Job: English teacher/freelance translator
Dream: Not attainable, yet.
RE: Echo & the Bunnymen's EVERGREEN -- I humbly disagree with Ian McCulloch,
who said it is as good as OCEAN RAIN. Never in a million years...
XTC OC: Did you know DG played in Marc Almond's ENCHANTED?
Paulo
ICQ# 12293876
"Once you know, you can't go back from knowing.
Once you've seen, you can't deny it..."
David Sylvian
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 09:59:12 -0400 (EDT) From: Thomas Slack <tgs@telerama.com> Subject: ConneXTCions Message-ID: <Pine.BSI.3.95.980617095344.24676A-100000@frogger.lm.com> In #4-94, Cheryl quite insightfully stated: > Having become a fan of XTC has changed my tastes in > music some what. Well, maybe that's not it. I > search for more in the other bands I listen to. I > pay closer attention to the lyrics to see if I can > find...something that catches my imagination and > attention the way XTC does. [snip] I search for > that intensity of emotion that Mr. P and Colin seem > to serve up so effortlessly. Yeah, now that you mention it, I guess I have become even more picky than I used to be, in just the same way. A nice set of chords, an interesting rhythm, and/or clever lyrics alone cannot quite satiate me. But if one or more of these elements are presented in just such a way as to create a deeper expression of an important thought or emotion, at least one that seems important to me, the song becomes a kind of companion - like a discussion you had with a close friend that you often think back to because it seems to encapsulate some sort of life lesson. Not many songs have reached me thusly; Andy P and Colin M have managed to create a slew of them. *** Warning: Shameless Self-Promotion to Follow *** On a completely unrelated and self-serving topic, Billboard Talent Net has made a horrible mistake and devoted a page to me with a few song samples. At the very least, the photo is worth a laugh (they made me come out of my shell) and, if you turn up the volume all the way, you may actually be able to hear the song samples (it requires RealAudio for the 2 min. samples). If at all interested, access www.billboardtalentnet.com/indexhome.html click on New Arrivals, and search for my name under T (go figure). Yours in XTC, Tom Slack
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=SELECT_Software_%l=SELECT_OX_MAIL-980617142546Z-216@selectmail.selectst.com> From: Catherine Sweeney <CatherineS@selectst.com> Subject: Danglers Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 15:25:46 +0100 Molly, thanks for the clarification, but I think I need more info on this. <<If you want to discuss other bands start another mailing list.>> Do you mean at all, or just slightly. Can I mention other bands so long as it's in sentences of less than 5 words, or is 3 the limit - or more, or less? I suppose a paragraph is completely out of the question? I wish I knew what to do for the best and I apologise to you all for having mentioned Japan and Julian Cope in previous digests. Just to make sure I include some XTC material - I still think Colin would look great in platforms and I refuse to back down on this matter. Hope that's enough to be going on with.
------------------------------ From: RiknBkr@aol.com Message-ID: <184110f3.3587d2db@aol.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 10:29:46 EDT Subject: Subject: re-cycle of XTC Cheryl wrote: >> I'm sure this question has been asked ,maybe recently? But since there seems to be a bunch of new people posting to the list, What is your most favourite memory attached to an XTC song?<< One good and one bad. The bad: A breakup in a 4 yr. relationship at the time English Settlement came out. I lived and breathed "Snowman" and "All of a Sudden". I can still feel the bitterness when I hear these songs, but being Sicilian one enjoys these feelings. The good: Hearing "Mayor of Simpleton" for the first time in the foyer of HMV (or was it Virgin?) on Oxford St. in London on my honeymoon.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19980617190609.006f6510@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 20:06:09 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <nonsuch@dircon.co.uk> Subject: Taste And Flavour From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk> >I've got a degree too, but I rarely leave it hanging out of my trousers. Hee-hee! This line turned my drab morning into joyous spring. Mind if I steal it from time to time? This musical taste argument comes around time and again and there's no possible settlement. We're a pretty together bunch on this list and I'd imagine "hip" only comes into our musical tastes when they start swivelling to the beat - XTC are terminally unfashionable and I can't see any XTC fans feeling the urge to latch on to any acts because they're the current flavour, what's their motivation? We are all voluntary subscribers to this excellent forum, this indicates a certain obsession with music, and one band in particular, which most people lack (they are, perhaps, instead obsessed with the theories A.R. Wallace, the plays of G.B Shaw or the sub-plots of 'Friends'). That fact would, I think, preclude the majority - if not all - of us from being easily smitten with things just because they're trendy. >From my ol' pal Cheryl >What is your most >favourite memory attached to an XTC song? There's so many! Driving through a misty Scottish morning to the sound of Skylarking, my wife snoring like a coffee machine in the passenger seat; my daily walk to my first proper job - I'd just bought Mummer and, if I timed it right, I was walking through the lushness of the golf course border to "Ladybird" and the glum churchyard for "In Loving Memory"; "Through The Hill, because I was listening to it when Andy first called me, and finally "Senses Working Overtime" and "All You Pretty Girls" for affirming that - on the whole, if you grit your teeth and set your shoulders to the onslaught - life can be just fine. Simon -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- http://www.nonsuch.dircon.co.uk/bungalow.htm (http://come.to/bungalow) -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- An XTC resource - "Saving it all up for you..."
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-96 ******************************
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18 June 1998 / Feedback