Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 107
Date: Saturday, 27 February 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 107
Saturday, 27 February 1999
Today's Topics:
Gotta tell someone!!!
Brevity sullied
A Difficult Birth?
My meeting with Andy and Colin
Re: stunt
Popeye's Harvest Festival
No lyrics?
This Could Be Our Finest Hour
Towering with Andy
My brush (or is it inappropriate contact) with greatness
The Loving.
Re: WHFS 99.1 Interview
One (or two) more thing(s)...
Easter Theatre/AV comments
Impressionists, I'd Like That(autographed, please), and Ravel
Who's pushing the pedals?
Lyrics & photo booklet
Lyrics
RE: davidoh's anger w/ dallas folks
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <36D5BDCB.5AA3@snet.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 13:17:07 -0800 From: "R. Cris Palmer" <crisp@snet.net> Organization: Brookside Farm Subject: Gotta tell someone!!! I just got a call from my good friend Kate in Boston... Even though she's not especially a big fan of XTC, she does enjoy their music and I had "suggested" she brave the elements at Tower Records yesterday to get Andy Partridge's autograph. I live in Connecticut, incidentally, and could not make the 200-mile trip to be there myself. I guess she must have explained to Andy about my lowly status as an underappreciated musician, for this is what he wrote across the peacock-feather artwork (adorning the new CD cover): "Hail Cris... I love your music! Andy Partridge." My feet may never touch the Earth again! That holy relic is going under glass, in a frame, and will enjoy pride of place on the wall of my home studio! Sorry... don't mean to gloat, but I positively HAD to share the good news... Ten feet tall, Cris
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6d54cdb.042@chemonics.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 13:12:29 -0500 From: Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> Subject: Brevity sullied Hi: Good gawd! These digests are flying off the press since AV1 came out, so I'll be brief. The Relphmeister said: >Yes, you *can* make a difference!< Between my purchases for myself and for gifts for friends and family, and the recommendations (and info about Music Blvd.'s $10-off coupon) that I've given to others who have expressed interest or who I think will buy the album, I'm probably directly or indirectly responsible for moving 10-15 units. Think of the album sales if each one of us could do this! Let's go for it, Chalkies!! Nicole said: >Afterward... they played.... DEAR GOD.< Thank you, WHFS, for living down to my expectations. Kristin said: >I'll go back to lurking I suppose.< Don't do it! There's nothing wrong with differing opinions and good, healthy arguments. That's the lifeblood of this list. Keep contributing -- it's great seeing so many posts from new people. That's what we want, right? To spread the XTCreed and help the band find the success (and that means a wider audience, folks) they deserve. Eric Brittingham said: >And as a dyed-in-the-wool Beatles fan, this album whips my cream. Colin's Fixing a Hole bass on Frivolous Tonight ... The little Julia guitar and vocal part on Knights in Shining Karma (around the 'jealous winter sun' bit).< I also love the Beatlisms throughout the album, but the bass line in FT struck me as more of a nod of the head to "A Little Help from my Friends" than FaH. And while the overall feel of KiSK also reminds me of "Julia," I also love the little lift from "I Will" (the little pattern he plays before singing the title line later in the song). And thanks, Eric, for the info you shared as we scrambled to find out if they'd do an in-store appearance in Philly. Ben said: >Laurie doesn't much like "Frivolous Tonight" because it reminds her of a circus (and she's scared of clowns).< Who isn't? But tell her it's a drinking song, not a circus song. and: >I remember reading in the Art Dudley interview (the best XTC interview I've read, next to Todd B.'s)< Why, thanks! That $20 I sent you was money well-spent. and still: >Does the drumming on "Greenman" remind anyone else of Manu Katche's drumming on Peter Gabriel's "Us" album? Prairie really outdoes himself this time!< That triplet he plays before the vocals come in just kills me. It's that world-music feel thang ... but you're right, his drumming is outstanding throughout the entire album. Very subtle, very precise, very humble -- it serves the music and adds to it without calling too much attention to itself. And ain't that what it's all about? Oops, this wasn't so brief after all, Todd
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D5A60C.D8F06FF3@kc.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 11:35:40 -0800 From: "Jeffrey W Wall M.D." <wally@kc.net> Subject: A Difficult Birth? Chalkers: it is 2:30 in the morning, and I am laying in the physician call room in Labor and Delivery waiting for Mrs. Blah! to finally deliver her baby. It has been a long day for me and a long hard labor for her. I know I should get some sleep but I can't. I'm not even tired. The songs of Apple Venus keep swirling around in my head. Finally at 5:30 am she delivers - Easter Theater happily spilling around my neurons as she does - nice - and it's a boy too. XTC have meant alot to me over the past 20 years - it is just so nice to finally hear master Partridges's and Moulding's voices again. I hope they make boatloads of money off this. Any chance XTC might stop off in Kansas City? Am I truly the last fan here in K.C.? Jeff www.animavitae.com
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03007800b2f9191d17f4@[204.178.130.245]> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 23:27:28 -0500 From: "Tom X. Chao" <txc@echonyc.com> Subject: My meeting with Andy and Colin Venus Apple in the Big Apple (no, that's lame) Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding Tower Records In-Store appearance E. 4th & Broadway, NYC Tuesday, February 23, 1999 PRE-SIGNING CRAP (you can skip) All day long I couldn't concentrate at work. I kept thinking that today would be the day I finally meet my childhood idols! Even though I've gotten autographs from Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach and also John Cale in recent months, not even they could match meeting Andy and Colin (because I've gotten Costello's and Cale's autographs before). I called the store several times during the day to see if anyone was lining up and at 3pm, no one was foolhardy to start standing outside in below-freezing temperatures. However, I left work early at 4pm to insure that I got a good spot in line for the 6pm signing. When I got to the store, I saw there were about 30 people in line. I ran into a nearby drugstore to buy a blue Sharpie, which Jeff Wong had said would not fade and discolor like the black ones. I got in line at 4:45, an hour and 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of 6pm. Slowly people began to trickle into the line behind me. As usual, passers-by would stop and ask what we were waiting for. They thought the line was for the Roots, who were scheduled for the next day. When we said "XTC" they looked baffled and walked away. At first the people in line around me seemed a bit reticent, but as I knew would happen, as soon as people started talking XTC, everyone jumped right in with various bits of information, me not the least, boasting of my Reader phone interview with Andy and also my encounter with Dave at the Aimee Mann gig in LA. They guy behind me was on the Chalkhills mailing list, and said he recognized the "Chalkhills Entrance Exam" that I had written many years ago and is still on the Chalkhills website. (I did not print that out to give to the boys!) Although none of the store personnel had mentioned it to me when I had called, some people in line were saying that you had to buy the "Apple Venus" disc before having it signed. Of course I knew that they weren't going to insist that you only could have that item signed. However, as a precaution, I went into the store and bought the disc ($13.99). I didn't really want them to sign it, as I had brought my only rare item to make it out here with me, the Nonsuch-era CD bin divider card that had all the XTC album covers printed on it with little blurbs written by Andy about each. (I had gotten it from Rhino in West LA, when, on a whim, I took it up to the counter and asked how much they wanted for it. The clerks looked at it, at each other, then at me and said: take it and get the hell out of here.) Back in the line, I told people that the TVT office was at 23 E. 4th St., as printed on the back cover of the CD, and someone went down the block to see if Andy and Colin were in the offices. No such luck. The line began to stretch around the block. More people walked by, wondering what the hell was going on. At around 5:50, my friend Jeff Wong, whom I had met after numerous Elvis Costello shows, showed up with his bag full of early XTC vinyl discs for signing. At that point everyone around me had been standing in the cold for over an hour and started to really feel the effects. I had all my cold-weather gear on but I was really getting chilled feet and hands. 6pm came and went and everyone began to get very punchy and restless. Finally around 6:30 someone ran up and said Andy was spotted going into the store! I didn't hear any explanation for the delay. Eventually we were able to see through the windows Andy and Colin coming down the stairs from the second floor and everyone was energized by that. However, it readily became apparent that the line, when it finally began to move, was going to go extremely slowly. Someone reported that Colin and Andy were giving each person 2 or 3 minutes of their undivided attention for chat, autographs, and pictures! However that meant the line was crawling and I was really freezing my ass off. Fortunately everyone was in a good mood and making idiotic jokes about Andy getting "autograph-signing fright" and cancelling the event. It wasn't until 7:05 pm that my part of the line got into the store, and we were shuttled into the aisle that had been blocked off for the signing. We unbundled their coats and began to warm up a bit. I nervously prepared the bin divider card, the blue Sharpie, and the photocopy of the Reader interview that I intended to give to Andy, although I knew he would not remember anything about it. As we inched closer to the desk with Colin (left) and Andy (right), the fact that I was actually going to meet my childhood idols began to sink in and I felt extremely self-conscious and nervous, even more so than I feel in preparing for my one-man show, which is happening this month. What would I say? How would they react? The usual questions flowed through my mind. When I saw that people ahead of me were all asking for photos with the boys, and they were granting the requests, I quickly gave my camera to Jeff and asked him to take a picture of me with them at the conclusion of my signing and discussion period. THE MEETING Andy was wearing a brown leather baseball cap, while Colin's head was uncovered. I may have been mistaken, but it looked like there was a bit of gray in Colin's hair now. When the couple ahead of me stepped away from the table, I approached and smoothly set the bin divider card on the table in front of Colin, saying I had been a fan since "Drums & Wires." I gave him the blue Sharpie and tried to explain the thing about how the black ink discolors. He probably thought I was a loony. I slid the interview in front of Andy and said that I had once interviewed him on the phone for "Through the Hill." He didn't make any attempt to pretend he remembered, but he did look at it and asked if he could keep it. (What could I say to jog his memory? "Do you remember me, the guy who kept saying 'I see' and 'Exactly' a lot?") I said that the copy was for him to keep and he said he had never seen it and placed it on the platform behind him with his signing beverages (juice and water) and a slowly-growing pile of presents. Colin signed the bin divider card and said he had never seen it before. When Andy spotted it, he looked at it and said, "Ah, the Bible in miniature," as he signed it. I tried to fill in the gap by saying "I've got all of your albums" which is goddamn stupid if you think about it. Andy went further by asking me where I got the divider card and I repeated the anecdote about getting it from Rhino, which I thought was hilarious, but, in retrospect, perhaps they thought the bin divider card should still be where it belongs--in the bin encouraging people to buy more XTC discs! No, I could always pretend I had gotten it many years after it would have been reasonably expected to serve that function. I then asked them for a picture and scooted around the table so that I could be photographed by Jeff. Andy said something funny which I partially missed: "I should stop saying 'fire away.'" I was too excited to reply with something witty. After Jeff took the shot I shook both their hands and told Andy I was glad to finally meet him. I also told Colin to keep the blue Sharpie and he must have (again) thought I was some kind of maniac. Then I stepped throught the cordon gingerly holding my new prize. AFTERMATH I paused to watch Jeff getting his stuff signed and Andy and Colin agreed to sign all of his vinyl discs, including the import English Settlement, and 2x copies of Black Sea with the green outer bags intact! Colin even accidentally signed his own name on the Dukes album, and Andy pointed out that he had never slipped up and done that before! I briefly regretted not bringing more stuff for them to sign, but what is the point, really? Jeff returned my camera to me and I used it to take a shot of the guys just sitting at the table by themselves. Jeff and I were giddy with excitement and went up to the second floor to pack up our stuff, in particular Jeff had to put the plastic sleeves back on his vinyl LP's (do you remember that?). Then we went back down to the main floor and stood off to the side to watch other people getting their stuff signed. A guy came up to me and asked me about the thing that I had gotten signed. Man, he had sharp eyes to recognize it was a rarity. He started talking to Jeff and me and it was readily apparent that he was a true fanatic, as he knew minute details about obscure releases. Then the 3 of us stood there checking out the stuff that other people had brought for signing, and coolly evaluated all of the odd 12" and 7" items that were laid before Colin and Andy for inscription. As Jeff pointed out, every person who met them was grinning from ear-to-ear--they were all like us, boggled by the fact that they were meeting their musical idols! At one point, Andy stood up on his chair and started waving to the people outside, as if to encourage them to stick out the cold! It was fucking hilarious! The word was that the duo was going to stay and sign for everyone in line, and I almost felt as if I should stand there for the entire duration, but Jeff and I left the store. Outside, I turned to the line (which still stretched down the block) and screamed "XTC rules! Yeah!" which got a laugh and then we went to get a burger and reflect on the almost-unbelievable fact that we had just met Andy and Colin. TXC By the way, Colin's signature looks like "CL. Moulding" and Andy's is an angular, illegible scrawl that scarcely looks like "Andy Partridge." Jeff suggested that I should have duped the cassettes of the interview for Andy, which I had considered, but I have no gear for doing that now. Presently listening to "Drums & Wireless" right now--going to wait for a quiet moment to absorb "Apple Venus" on phones. What if I hate it? THE RESIDENTS are coming to Irving Plaza in April!!!!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03110706b2fb4dc5ba1e@[206.173.208.41]> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 11:25:15 -0800 From: Eb <gondola@deltanet.com> Subject: Re: stunt >From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp> > >>I don't like "River of Orchids" much either, to be honest. It's certainly >>ambitious and compositionally impressive, but it feels more like a "stunt" >>to me than an actual song. > >I respect your privilege to like or dislike whatever tunes you choose (that >said still flummoxed by your dislike for - of all the tunes on this disc - >River Of Orchids , though ) , however I must ask : what in the hell is >wrong with a song being "ambitious and compositionally impressive " ??? >You spelled out two very good reasons why probably 90% of XTC fans around >the world are blown away by this tune! So, I'm guessing you're a big prog-rock fan? The more complex the playing and time changes, the better the song? ;) Anyway, "dislike" would be too strong a word. I just don't like the song *much*. I may dislike "Fruit Nut," however. Weak song, and the clumsy singing and tacky synthesizer licks make it even worse. A real clunker, sorry to say. Eb PS I heard the album of the year this week, and it ain't AV1...it's the upcoming Tom Waits disc, Mule Variations. Wooooooow.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990225194608.5264.qmail@www0p.netaddress.usa.net> Date: 25 Feb 99 11:46:08 PST From: Brian Wysolmierski <bwysol@netscape.net> Subject: Popeye's Harvest Festival **I'm re-posting this because I don't think it went throught the first time around. I'm sorry if its posted twice!** OK, you all are going to think I'm nuts I think Harvest Festival is a wonderful epic, but there's one thing that keeps getting in the way of my enjoyment... At the end of the song when the recorder/flute solo comes in, I cant help but think about Popeye. I picture Popeye sitting there tooting his pipe to the song. Also, I imagine him playing the Popeye theme song with the music. Its gotten so bad, that whenever I hear Harvest Festival, I imagine Popeye as a child. I imagine Popeye contemplating the loves he missed out on. He's not cynical though... Popeye still has fond memories of that girl who gave him those longing looks from across the canvas chairs. He wishes the two who got married well (even if its Bluto). Anybody else have this problem??? -Brian Wysol http://www.angelfire.com/wy/bwysol/index.html
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D5D6BC.5232@schoollink.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 15:03:24 -0800 From: Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> Organization: CIC Subject: No lyrics? You know, it's kinda sad that the new disc doesn't have any lyrics printed, but after waiting for more than 7 friggin' years for this new material, I don't give a damn!!! This stuff is fucking AMAZING!!!! :-) Was well worth the wait, guys! Thank you Andy, Colin (and you, too!) Dave for once again coming through with flying colors! Life is good... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> "Imagination like a muscle will increase with exercise." (Peter Blegvad)
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199902252035.VAA19144@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 21:46:22 +0000
Subject: This Could Be Our Finest Hour
Dear Chalkers,
Our help is needed... according to Cooking Vinyl, the current
uk midweek chart position for Apple Venus Volume 1 is 31.
(gasp!)
All UK residents: buy another copy today! We simply must get this
album into the Top 30 to give it some momemtum. We could be on the
verge of that long overdue comeback.
To set an example i've decided to fly to the UK this Saturday, go
all the way up to Swindon and buy that extra copy.
No, i'm not kidding!
BTW: do you remember the days when it was bloody hard work to find
the new (or any) XTC album in the shops? Not anymore!
I'm seeing stacks and stacks of AV1 in the 'right' shops here in
Holland, and even some TB boxes. that's an essential first step
towards succes of course.. distribution!
In the meantime:
Ask not what XTC can do for you, ask how many extra copies of
AV1 _you_ can afford to buy for your friends and family...
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D274C8.95F57AFA@pobox.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 04:28:41 -0500 From: Dave Gershman <dagersh@pobox.com> Subject: Towering with Andy Woohoo! Apple Venus is incredible, even having known the demos beforehand! I have to admit that I wasn't enthused with Colin's songs at first, especially "Frivolous Tonight," but on repeated listening, they've really grown on me -- I think of the two that I like "Fruit Nut" better, but they've both been running through my head as much as Andy's songs, which I take to be a good sign. This is my first time hearing "Harvest Festival," but it's easily among my favorite on the album. "Favorite" status goes to "Easter Theatre" for at least the time being...the studio version has made it even better, in my mind, though I've read that some of you feel otherwise. Hey, to each their own, as always. To add to all the excitement, last night (Wednesday), I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Andy Partridge at Tower Records in Boston! Things got rolling about 40 minutes late (I think he got on a late plane out of NYC, as he also missed a radio appearance on WFNX -- he apparently was able to keep his appointment with WXRV, "The River," though, by calling in from the plane). Upon his arrival at the signing table, Andy seemed in good spirits and immediately went to work on anything and everything that was brought to him. Several lovely Chalkhillers were in evidence -- Cheryl MacGregor, David Pardue, Jennifer Strom (? -- sorry if that's wrong, Jennifer...I seem to be having a mind-seizure of some sort about your last name), Gineen "Natalia" Salvini (who has informed me by e-mail today that, in a post to this list, possibly to be found in this very digest, she has mistakenly referred to me as David "Grisman" but she means me), Chuck (didn't catch your last name), and a couple of others I noted by their T-shirts but whom I didn't have the chance to meet. Another fine fellow in line in front of me, named Matt, had thought ahead enough to have a camera with him. He offered to take my photo with Andy if I would do the same for him, and he'll be sending it to me in exchange for some taped demos. Cool! :) Among the items I brought to have signed were two copies of AV1 (one of them for Wes Hanks -- you're going to love it, Wes!), my copy of "Song Stories," my A.P. "Hello CD of the Month Club" CD, and my "Chalkhills Children '97," which I appear on. Upon my approaching the table, Andy immediately commented, "I like your shirt," referring to my Chalkhills shirt (did you hear that, Phil?). So I said, "Speaking of the mailing list, I have here my copy of CC'97, which I did a track on." Says Andy, "Oh really? Which one? I have all these, you know." I pointed out to him on the disc that I did "One of the Millions," and he said, "Oh, yes, I know that one...that's a pretty good version." Well, let me tell you, to have one of your musical idols KNOW a recording you have done and say what he said, even if he was just being polite and really thinks it's crap (which may well be the case), is simply the thrill of a lifetime! I got an immediate adrenaline rush and stammered out something like, "well, it's pretty low recording quality, home 4-track and all that," as he signed it, but he pooh-poohed that and moved on to my Hello CD. As he signed it, adding a little gold marker to his nose on the sleeve's picture, he pointed to the song listing and told me, "You know, we're going to be putting "Some Lovely" on Volume 2," which I know will please many of you, as it did me. This made me think to ask, "Will you be putting "You and the Clouds..." on as well?" His response to the affirmative was yet another high point of the exchange! Volume 2 is going to be as great as Volume 1, I suspect! After adding a hat to his head on the cover of the book (as well as his autograph), we shook hands and I thanked him for everything, and he said, pointing to the Chalkhills Children CD, "Keep up the good work...you never know where that might get you!" What a nice guy -- so relaxed and patient with everyone -- just watching the people ahead of me in line getting things signed was a pleasure. My line-mate Matt, who had snapped a photo for me from the sidelines, then suggested I stand next to Andy for a quick photo, to which Andy kindly obliged. Can't wait to get those photos! :) Afterward, Cheryl, David, Jennifer, and I made our way to Small Planet for a post-signing dinner and beer, and unwound from our respective adrenaline highs, comparing Andy's handywork on our respective CDs, etc. Thank you all for a fine ending to an excellent evening! Well, I'm off to listen to AV1 yet again...just can't get enough! Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-ID: <618F91505D89D21185330001FA6A4954229A1B@HFD-EXCH008> From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: My brush (or is it inappropriate contact) with greatness Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 16:37:20 -0500 I was one of the lucky few (okay, several) Chalkies in NYC for the autographing. Nobody's fibbing on the cold: I lucked out with my skiing socks, as standing out there took its toll on many a toe. First I bought the artifact. Then I wandered around in the store, coat open, to find some Chalkhillers. Well, I did meet Stephanie, and her take-charge 'tude found us the line. I recognized my buddy Tim and, warmed by cocoa, waited out the sunset. I then trolled for other Chalkhillers by pacing the line a few times with my coat open and the famous chalk horse visible (with a turtleneck underneath). (Hi Jules!) Sorry to read that I missed so many others who were there. The cruelest part was the 30mph venturi blast of cold air one got in the doorway just before getting inside. There was time inside to warm up and get my vocalizing parts back functioning. At last, there they were! Andy asked me how I was & I took some 3 sec. to splurt out "dumbstruck" and shake his hand. My fashion sense was complimented by Andy--hope he sees lots of 'em on tour. Then I couldn't open one of the CD cases (how starry-eyed of me), but Colin took over and I mentioned my relief at having someone in the music business to handle things beyond my capability at the moment. I did remember to have Andy sign Ira's with a little personal message (look for it soon, Ira). Here Colin & Andy were on display, putting quite the effort into making ME feel welcome! And, as others said, they chatted and signed up a storm for those who wished. I was just giddy to bask in the glow of genius. Next time there's a NYC party of Chalkies I have to be there! A bit of a shower, Karl
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902252146.WAA07073@mb06.swip.net> Subject: The Loving. Date: Thu, 25 Feb 99 23:52:20 +0200 From: Per Aronsson <per@aron.pp.se> I was six years when I bought my first record. It was "She Loves You" with The Beatles. Since then I am crazy about music. I have around 1 800 albums (mostly vinyl, of course) and I have a special room for just music. When my family is away I can sit 10 hours a day and just listen. The Beatles have a special place in my heart. But XTC owns my heart. Every record they have done is a masterpice. No other artists make music that is so interesting, funny, beautiful, surprising... Now to my point. I have spinned Apple Venus five times today - and my feeling right now is that it is the best album I ever have heard. Andys songs is so brilliant, as usual. And Colin is better than ever. I love his way to sing on this record. Okej, I stop there. This is starting to get to tearful... Per.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990225214834.4107.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Cary T" <carytip@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: WHFS 99.1 Interview Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 13:48:33 PST << While driving to Tower's to buy her copy of AV1, Nicole as listening to WHFS, 99.1 in the DC area. Nicole screamed with delight to hear the words "in a few minutes... XTC". She decided to drive up and down 355, so that she could continue to listen... it turned out to be an interview. 10-15 minute spot of Andy talking to Lou Brutus about (yeh) not touring and about space ghost. Nicole was elated. Afterward... they played.... DEAR GOD.>> I heard this interview, too (and got home in time to record it, if anyone here wants it), and I was also angered at the fact that Dear God was played instead of...I don't know...something new, maybe? Lou Brutus had even said in the interview how great he thought the album was. Oh well. It's tough to hear XTC on the radio around the DC area anyway, so I guess I'll take what I can get. When will XTC come down here to DC? Or have they already and I just missed it? It's too long a drive from here to New York, and I want to see Andy and Colin! Cary (de-lurking and enjoying it)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19990223053901.007a86d0@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 05:39:01 -0500 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: One (or two) more thing(s)... I forgot to mention this in my last post... Leslie said: >They [Music Boulevard] are displaying the AV1 cover sideways, by the way, >turned one notch clockwise.... when did all these online retailers become >so coy? As you may have noticed by now, the image is actually oriented that way in the unopened CD, so either they changed it at the last minute to make it less suggestive, or it was never intended that way and we're all just a bunch of filthy-minded little pervs! ;) I really like the metallic look of the image, in any case, though I'm quite disappointed with the lack of a booklet. If you're reading this, Cooking Vinyl/TVT, I think it would be great if you could include something a little more "interactive" in the AV2 package. Speaking of which, that makes me think too that it would be very cool if there was some sort of interactive computer thingie on the CD, as more and more CDs seem to have these days (maybe something designed by Andy himself?)! As I type this, AV1 is #4 on Music Boulevard's charts! One more song comment: I've noticed that the bit toward the end of "Greenman," where Andy layers the line "Lay your head," reminds me a lot of the "melt the guns, melt the guns" part in the song of the same name. Just a thought. Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19990225140930.0069acf4@mail.halcyon.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 14:09:37 -0800 From: "Lynn S." <nemaliand@halcyon.com> Subject: Easter Theatre/AV comments Hey all, I got it today! I love it!! It makes me soul happy. Just a few comments. My favorites so far are River of Orchids, Easter Theatre, and Your dictionary (at least the first part, I'm uncomfortable with the ending, I wish it had kept its angst and ended in more of a fury, but who am I to tell Andy how he's feeling?). The Last Balloon is a beautiful song too. I also like Colin's songs, they're cute, and well contained. I wish there had been a little less Beatle influence in some songs, I'd really like to hear something more original behind the melodies. Re: Easter Theatre Dan Wiencek said: >The frustrating thing is that it could very easily >have lived up to the demo, and beyond (River of Orchids exceeded my >expectations, which were very high). I think what I miss are the string >phrases that introduce the last two choruses: on the demo, after the "Stage >leeeeeft [pause]" bit, the song suddenly swoops back to life with a burst of >string (and I think some wind) samples, and these are repeated on the next >chorus. I hadn't heard any of these songs until today, but I heard this too, it poops out right when it is building towards the final choruses. There's an awkward pause. This seems like an unusual slip for Andy, who is I think, the king of transitions. Perhaps it will seam over with more listenings. Anyway, AVI is a very, very beautiful work. I am on the whole so pleased. Yes, another thank you to XTC. Lynn S.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6d5677f.010@tcwgroup.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 15:08:14 -0800 From: "Dane Pereslete" <peresd@tcwgroup.com> Subject: Impressionists, I'd Like That(autographed, please), and Ravel I've had my glorious day off from work on RELEASE DAY! Believe it or not, I initially went to Tower for my purchase only to find out that it hadn't been stocked yet!...so I hurried off to Virgin Megasaurus where they had 20-or-so copies. Much to my consternation, all of the other new releases were conspicuously displayed on the "new release" rack, while I had to trudge back to the "X" section to find AV1...ah, well they're still getting no respect. First impressions on the album: it's Impressionism! It is going to take much scrutiny to fully appreciate the technique. Andy paints bold landscape swaths across the aural canvas while Colin depicts the tranquil, pastoral scenes of the ordinary folk. Immediate favorites: River of Orchids - what an opening! It starts out at ground level and then lifts you along its swirling whirlwind before dropping you off in another world. Welcome to XTC-land! Easter Theatre - probably my favorite of all. Not having heard the demos, I have no previous basis for this track. The orchestrations are perfect! I'd Like That - I can't stop this infernal involuntary toe-tapping and dancing about! It's embarrassing as hell in public, I tell you! The Last Balloon - being a devout Jazzbo, this piece calls to me! The chords are gorgeous, and the horn is heavenly. Their best closer since "Chalkhills and Children" for sure. Frivolous Tonight - What is all the row over Colin's voice? Sure, it's a little gruff, but isn't that appropriate for the mood? I break out in a huge grin listening to that Wiltshire drawl, and I can't wait until he comes to L.A. to hear it in person!! Knights in Shining Karma - Excellent guitar work, Andy!!! It makes me shiver. Harvest Festival - The perfect melody to set the changing mood through- out the song. Lyrics are top-notch. Festival into best of all...incredible!!! The segue from naive childhood into adulthood...all highlighted by wed- ding bells...genius! I Don't Get (or, one that will grow on me): Greenman - nice, but to me a little too repetitive. Maybe because my jaded ears hear real Middle Eastern and Armenian melodies practically every day (an artifact of my neighborhood demographic), it's just not that much of a novelty. The orchestrations, however, are great (I agree Andy, it _is_ sort of "Vaughan Williams") and Colin's bass line is superb. An interesting note: My wife, on first hearing of "I Can't Own Her" said, "It sounds like Sting"...AAAARRRGH!!... On second thought, she does have a point there. And in the misheard lyrics department: I can't help it...my perverse mind keeps transforming "Peckham rose" into "pecker-nose". (apologies, Belinda) :-> CAN'T WAIT for the publicity train to rumble our way! I'm so happy to hear that Andy and Colin are doing their best to accomodate all of the fans. I just hope that they aren't too exhausted by the time they arrive on the left coast.... It was recently suggested on Cahlkhills that "River of Orchids" was like "Bolero". Well if "River of Orchids" is Andy's "Bolero", then "Easter Theatre" is his "Rite of Spring"!! OK! enough mad dog rambling and tail-chasing! *------------------------------------------------------- Logging in from beautiful Glendale, CA USA "Free at last" daneperes@aol.com -or- bramage64@aol.com *-------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: cncwyeti@cwnet.com Date: Thu, 25 Feb 99 16:47:52 +800 Subject: Who's pushing the pedals? Message-id: <36d5ef38.6a35.0@cwnet.com> I feel compelled to add my first impressions of AV#1 to this list of raptures. Having bought it here in Sacramento Ca. only an hour ago, I'm half the way through my second go-round, I bought it at a small record shop owned by another XTC fanatic who kept my spirits up(and sometimes let them down with news of delayed release dates) but ahhhh. Finally! First of all the album is great! I also have had to let some of thier stuff grow on me a bit before really connecting with it,ie, "Skylarking" but this one is already there!! I feel all the anticipation is well rewarded. I will definitly be smiling as I'm pedaling along some California backroad, with "The Last Balloon" playing in my headphones,(my early favorite). I do have to air my one gripe. Why did we have to wait so long?? I heard a little about record co. buisness and crap, but 7 years? oh well Colin and Andy and ex-Dave are well worth the wait and maybe they will make up for it by getting V2 out to us XTC sponges on time? 4 thumbs up and a pink thing to boot!!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D5EF44.EC76C46E@chiba.dic.co.jp> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 09:48:04 +0900 From: Takashi Ikeda <t-ikeda@chiba.dic.co.jp> Subject: Lyrics & photo booklet For those frustrated with the simplicity of the cover art: the first pressings of the japanese release of AV1 include a full color over-20-page booklet with all lyrics printed over photographs of Andy and Colin (in a circus setting!). The "feather sheet" is included separately. It's beautiful and I wonder why they didn't do this with all other pressings. I know the japanese imports aren't that cheap, but it's worth considering. ikeT
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990226012557.13492.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com> Subject: Lyrics Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 17:25:57 PST >From: "Harold Grey, ITC" <hgrey@interport.net> >Subject: Tower Records-NYC > >The album is amazing, but I was extremely >disappointed that there was no lyric sheet, <snip> Anyone know if the >lyrics will be posted on the TVT site? While the vocals are pretty clear on >most of the cuts, I would really have liked a lyric sheet. My guess is that with the very fine (yet undoubtedly expensive) printing on the CD cover, they were saving money. Perhaps it was an artistic decision, to let the songs stand on their own. -Bob Crain
------------------------------ Message-ID: <001d01be6129$9f18ab20$9d4eba8c@home.empire.net> From: "Steven A. Thurber" <stevet@empire.net> Subject: RE: davidoh's anger w/ dallas folks Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 20:44:55 -0500 New contributor here, although I've been reading the digest for quite awhile now. I'm too lazy to download updated Real Player updates so I didn't bother to listen to the comments that got davidoh's gander up. However, I found this rather long and opinionated piece in their recent archives. Thought some of you you might want to check it out. http://www.dallasobserver.com/archives/1998/021899/music1.html?query=xtc Went to Tower Records in Boston last night to see Andy; had many items for him to sign and came away with a very pleasant feeling about life in general. Andy looked a little tired but seemed very pleased with all the good vibes coming his way over the last couple of days. He certainly had his sense of humor intact. He affirmed the work being done on a series of budget demo cd's. I also had a chance to talk to the TVT rep and reinforced our interests in all things XTC. I would imagine that they have a pretty good idea of what kind of sales consistency there is in the band's fan base. While a career-long fan (my collection consists of almost all the main US and British releases bought at the time of issue) I have not heard the bulk of the demos floating around. AV 1 is certainly typical in that it gets better with every listening. My vote for single is Easter Theatre; the Brian Wilson influences are rampant throughout the album. Here's wishing continued enjoyment to all. steve
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-107 *******************************
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