Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 110
Date: Monday, 1 March 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 110
Monday, 1 March 1999
Today's Topics:
I got it, and listening party times
Reviews, reactions, and replies
Wire, AV and unknown songs
Cooking Vinyl and TVT efforts to promote Apple Venus
Andy a no show on Much Music
How dare him
Boston
AV1 (what else?)
R.Stone review
Meeting The Lads in NYC...
a request for you San Franciscans
Making New Friends
Oh, Happy Day!
Japanese lyrics
Don't Forget Jason Falkner's New One!
Man Bites Partridge??
MP3 Thanks...
The BAD thing about AV-1
My brush with Greatness
Andy on XRT (Chicago) next week and other stuff
Oh. My. God.
moved to tears...God bless you all!
The song formerly known as Prince of Orange
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Causing fanfare to those listening / Now!
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 13:22:34 -0500 Subject: I got it, and listening party times Message-ID: <19990226.132701.2678.5.MollyFa@juno.com> From: Molly E Fanton <mollyfa@juno.com> I just got my copy of AV1, and I'm listening to Your Dictionary. This album is so great. I myself LOVE River of Orchids, but to each his/her own. Does Colin sound a little more throaty, or is it just me? I think this album is going to be #2 after Skylarking. I'm not kidding, but that's just my opinion. I'll give my review of it after I've heard it a few more times. I know I'm going to drive my neighbors crazy, but who cares. Okay, I was wondering what would be a good time to have a AV1 listening party. I want to accomidate everybody. I was thinking sometime next week, but not on Thursday at 7, because I'll be at the XTC chat on AOL, and Wednesday, I'm in a chat about Whose Line discussing the show. But I can always miss that day. So let me know what would be good for you. Thanks. Oh the listening parties are on AOL and IRC. I'll post the times on my web site and the details when I get a time in mind. That's all for now. Molly
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6d6a4b9.032@chemonics.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 13:39:33 -0500 From: Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> Subject: Reviews, reactions, and replies Hi Chalkbuddies: David Friel <davidjf@sirius.com> said: >Personally, I think the songs on the '95 demo tape were in their most pristine, perfect form and shouldn't have been tinkered with.< The only one where I think they came up short is on "Your Dictionary," which IMO lost its anger and pain during the transition from the demo to the album. But otherwise I think they improved on all counts, esp. on "I Can't Own Her" and "The Last Balloon." and: >I invite all comments and ridicule.< Comments, yes, ridicule, no. You're entitled to your opinion, even if it _is_ wrong. ;^) and: >P.S. I find the melodrama on Chalkhills regarding AV1 quite hilarious. Did someone actually say he/she cried when he/she first listened to it?< Aw, c'mon Dave, we're _sensitive._ *sniff* >From Janis: >Wiccans and other pagans on Chalkhills will no doubt recognize this phrase on the back cover of Apple Venus 1 as the Wiccan Rede. "Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: If it harm none, do as you will". I stared at the back of the CD for a long time this afternoon as I sat in the car outside the record shop. It was so fitting, so perfect, to see those words there.< I agree -- wonderful sentiment. Catherine S. also pointed this out, and said it was one of three pagan "rules" or guidelines. What are the other two? and: >This goes WAY beyond make- out music -- I believe they're the sexiest songs I'll ever hear in my life.< You're right there -- Harrison Sherwood and I were talking about the album the other day, and he (correctly, IMO) pointed out that this is XTC's first "concept" album since Skylarking. So, what say, kids? What are your opinions about the concept and the reason for the song-order? Find the hidden concept, win valuable prizes! Rick said: >Still waiting on my copy of AV1 to arrive - I preordered it, and now I'm waiting for it in the mail while it sits in the stores. What an idiot! What was I thinking?< Well, if you're like me, you were thinking, "I'm a cheap bastard and I'm willing to wait in return for $10 off from MusicBoulevard.com." Molly said: >I'm sorry for the other posts I've been writing about not seeing Andy. I just noticed I sounded a bit desperate. I'm so sorry.< Don't worry about it, dearie, you weren't the only one. You should have seen me sending out desperate messages trying to figure out if they were doing a signing in Philly or DC. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Mike Myers rightly said: >Before I close, I suggest that you listen closely to Colin's bass playing on "Greenman". It is fantastic. I don't mean to get into another long debate over the best bass players in the world, but this piece reveals his technique to be tasty and melodic.< Man, ain't _that_ the truth! His playing (and the phat double-bass sound) on "The Last Balloon" also gets my panties all moist, to paraphrase Mr. Lawson. His playing is stunning throughout, and has been one of the nicest parts for me of hearing the finished album vs. the demos. But Jason said: >3) Some of the songs I didn't really care for before are growing on me now, like "I'd Like That". Always thought that was a bit of fluff, but in the context of the album it's a bit of fluff that makes sense as the second song. The ending of the demo was better though. I like the high harmonies he did in the demo at the end, the "iiiiiiiiii'd liiiiiiiike thaaaaaaaaat..." (and the bass playing was better !)< I know what you're saying, and I agree w/your other points, but I just hear those parts as _different_, not one as better than the other. Colin plays some tasty shit on the album, but does it with his fingers and approaches it as a bassist would, while Andy's fast bass part at the end of the demo is played with a pick (so it sounds cleaner and more defined) and strikes me more as a guitar player playing a bass part. I also love hearing Colin sing the "What would you like?" background vocal. Jon Holden-Dye pointed out our hiphopcrisy: >So, I've lost count of the number of you who seem to have had your first listen whilst driving away from the wrecka stow. Presumably, y'all started with Track 1 (ROO) ? (Big Cheesy Grin, BTW.)< Dude, I tried listening to it while pushing my car, but I couldn't hear the music over the sound of my own blood pounding in my ears (and, of course, over the sound of my uncontrolled weeping...) --Todd
------------------------------ Message-ID: <001601be61c4$638fb800$ba1017d4@default> From: "Stephen Jackson" <smj@zen.co.uk> Subject: Wire, AV and unknown songs Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 19:57:33 -0000 Jason Garcia wrote <My response was an enthusiastic, "Thanks!!" Upon finding that THIS was XTC's new album, he added, "how the mighty fall hard." Ouch. Of course, this was the guy who chastised me for being a big R.E.M. fan and not owning a single Wire album, > Well your flatmate may be wrong about AV1 but he is certainly right for about you not owning any Wire...There '79 single "Map Reference" is amongst the most divine songs I have ever heard. With respect to AV1, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a much more *consistently* good record than either Nonesuch or O&L, and "Greenman" is brilliant, but, that said, there is nothing on the record that is as good as say "Crocodile" or "One of the Millions". As I write this, I wonder if such comparisons are fair, as this album was never to be a 'traditional' guitar affair. I'm surprised at the positive reaction to Colin's songs, as I think they are the weakest songs on the record, which is particularly sad as I regard "One of the Millions" to be the best song on O&L and "My Bird Performs" a highlight on Nonesuch.....I'll keep listening. BTW, "River of Orchids" is fantastic as is "Easter Theatre." On a different note, reading through the unreleased demos section in theChalkhills archives, I remembered a tape of Nonesuch demos from one of the old Conventions. There's a song by Colin, that goes on about a "car out of control" and a "man out of control". I could find no reference to this song anywhere. What is it? I really like it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Two steps forward, six steps back.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902261500.PAA001.56@GATEWAY.TIRERACK.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 12:53:02 -0600 Subject: Cooking Vinyl and TVT efforts to promote Apple Venus From: "William Loring" <bloring@tirerack.com> I'd just like to thank CV & TVT for the efforts they're making to promote Apple Venus. There certainly has been more publicity for this release than any I remember with Virgin. The excitement level appears to be quite high. I just went to the Chicago Borders signing, and thought they did a very nice job. Many thanks to TVT and Borders for setting that up. The Q&A session was _great_! Andy said he was quite nervous, but it was obvious that after a few minutes he was having quite a bit of fun, and really didn't want to stop. This despite the Borders people trying to get him to get started on the signing. Andy looked great, even though he claimed to be getting about 5 hours of sleep per night during the tour. He was friendly, and _very_ funny. I've read the transcripts of other interviews, and I never thought his humor translated well to the page. However, in person he is absolutely hilarious. My only quibble with the Borders event was with how they handled the transition from the Q&A to the signing. Their method really didn't seem fair to those who had gotten there early. I didn't leave the joint until 11:15pm, which is 15 minutes after they close. There were about 300 people there, and I was 275 in the line. Aarrgh. But hey, I got quality time with a bunch of previously unmet XTC fans. There are certainly worse ways to spend your time. An observation: I meant to bring this up to Andy, but when the time came I was too rushed by the tired Borders staff... I thought there were an amazing number of fans with goatees. You know, the little circular moustache & beard combo-deals. It seemed like about 45% of the males there had them. I didn't get a count on the females. So, to be a true XTC fan, do I need to start growning some facial hair? I've always been a bit "challenged" in this department, so I'm not sure if I can pull it off convincingly. Another thing I thought of while standing in line: They had laid down this piece of yellow tape on the floor, which was where the line was supposed to go. It wound all around the perimiter of the 3rd floor of the store. I felt a little like Dorothy (or perhaps the Cowardly Lion). Here we all were, following the yellow tape road, on the way to meet the Wizard of Oz. I'm not sure I came away with any more courage, but it was a nice trip anyway. Thanks Andy, Colin, CV, TVT, & Borders!!!! William (I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore) Loring
------------------------------ Message-ID: <EB3FE924F73DD11187E400805FEA8E81010A679B@bcbcmail.bcbc.bc.ca> From: "Macdonald, Robert " <RMacdonald@bcbc.bc.ca> Subject: Andy a no show on Much Music Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 11:52:50 -0800 Andy was supposed to be appearing on Much Music about half an hour ago but it appears as if he was a no show? A screen came up saying XTC in Studio Next on Much Music...then they cut to a commercial break. After the commercial they played the video for Making Plans for Nigel, then they cut to the VJ who said that the appearance of Andy Partridge was cancelled. Then he asked the director/producer (whoever off camera) if it was going to be re-scheduled and they said no. Then he held up a copy of Apple Venus and said that XTC had a new disc out and if you were fans of the band then you should head out and buy it. Cut to New Radicals video. That was it. It struck me that the VJ was caught off guard that the interview didn't happen? Who knows what did happen? Ah well. I had the tape rolling and everything. Rob (who loves Harvest Festival and who had Fruit Nut stuck in his head earlier today.)
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 14:32:59 -0500 Subject: How dare him Message-ID: <19990226.143545.2710.0.MollyFa@juno.com> From: Molly E Fanton <mollyfa@juno.com> I was watching MuchMusicUSA today, and I was waiting for Andy to be interviewed, but the man canceled. I was anticipating it, since I won't be getting any near them. I was thinking maybe he and Colin got caught in that snowstorm on the East Coast. But I was postponed doing my laundry to watch it. At least I got to tape Making Plans for Nigel. That video is funny. Colin is way off sync. And I have no idea what Andy was doing in it. I was laughing my butt off watching it though. Well, I can add this to my XTC videos I have now. Molly
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 15:17:02 -0500 (EST) From: Brian Whitman <bwhitman@WPI.EDU> Subject: Boston Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.4.10.9902261509011.17782-100000@wpi.WPI.EDU> I met Andy Partridge. I shook his hand. I said, "I like your music." I asked him if the AV2 would sound like G02. He said no. I listened to the new Jason Falkner CD while waiting on line, and I wasn't nervous until I was at the head of it, and I realized, heck, wihtout this one guy sitting here, there'd be no Sugarplastic, Eric Matthews, or Jason Falkner, and what would I do with myself? (Of course, there probably would be these musicians, but they'd be much different.) Then I went up there and just babbled and drooled. Oh well. AV1 is wonderful. Stage right... Brian Whitman - bwhitman@wpi.edu http://www.netspace.org/users/bwhitman crudites: http://www.crudites.org
------------------------------ From: ElizaS33@aol.com Message-ID: <8eec548b.36d7035d@aol.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 15:26:05 EST Subject: AV1 (what else?) Being an employee of a record store, and being scheduled to work on 2/23, was a very happy experience. "Yay! Almost time to go to work!" How often does THAT happen? Excitement compounded when I arrive to see multiple copies of AV1 stacked on the prestigious "Now Playing" feature. My store rocks. Ironic moment comes later when I have to turn it off and put on another CD because I can't possibly do my job while hearing the new XTC for the first time. I listen to it all night, so I'm prepared to hear it at work the next day. What a gorgeous-sounding creation it is. There's not a song I don't like (and usually one or more of Colin's takes that honor for me, sad to say). And the cover is beautiful; incredibly striking on the display unit. I hadn't heard the demos (not by an active boycott; I just... well, didn't) so it was a whole new thing for me. Easter Theater is far and away my favorite track at this moment. I was also surprised (based on advance notices) how much I like Your Dictionary. On the first listen, I found it intensely personal to the point of discomfort; once I got past that, I was just awed. On about the tenth spin, it occurred to me that the intensity of the lyric is accentuated by the abstract, esoteric nature of the lyrics of many of the surrounding tracks. Which, if I had a complaint about the album, would be it; I've always been a huge fan of Andy's ability to write incredibly precise lyrics that perfectly capture a situation, and there aren't many of those songs on here (or maybe there are, and I just haven't realized it because of the absent lyric sheet?). But the whole thing is so damn beautiful that doesn't distract me much. Don't know if anyone has any insight on this, but my man, who's an arranger/conductor, was struck by the percussive usseveral small black communities in North Carolina, and that he's been looking for recordings of music in this tradition ever since (unsuccessfully). Any possibility that that's the inspiration here, or is it merely a coincidence? Question for the person who found it "hilarious" that people cried upon hearing this album: did you find it odd that *music* would make someone cry, or just this album in particular? I laugh and cry and have other varied emotional responses to music all the time; that's, um, kind of why I listen to it. And on a totally unrelated topic, my friend and hero Andy Prieboy's musical about the 1980s music industry, White Trash Wins Lotto!, will be featured at the Aspen Comedy Festival next week, and I understand parts of it will be televised on HBO. Keep an eye out for it; anyone who has ever resented the music industry on his/her own behalf or that of another (which I assume includes most XTC fans) will find it hilarious and cathartic. Elizabeth The Gallery of Indispensable Pop Music homepages.infoseek.com/~popgallery www.frigidisk.com \ the coolest cds on the Internet
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 12:30:00 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <199902262030.MAA12581@mail2.deltanet.com> From: DCB-MBB <mb2@deltanet.com> Subject: R.Stone review hi everyone! If this has been mentioned/pardon me-- there is a short review of AV1 in Rolling Stone mag (issue 808, page 66)...they gave it 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)...don't know if i agree or not...STILL have not received my copy..bloody postal service... (more grumbling heard off camera).... oh, and in digest 5-104, someone asked what the difference was between the terms, anal and rectal... the rectum is the distal portion of the large intestine... it ends at the anus, which is the actual orifice.... -al means pertaining to... later, Debora Brown STILL WAITING FOR MINE--
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 16:19:55 -0500
From: Dorothy Spirito <spiritod@techmail.gdc.com>
Subject: Meeting The Lads in NYC...
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.00.9902251329530.618-100000@esun2028>
Your indulgence while I regurgitate my excitement onlist:
How encouraging to see the large turnout! We were standing behind a guy
who seemed to be an autograph hound rather than a devotee -- he
apparently comes to signings at Tower Records often --, and he remarked
that the turnout was larger than he'd seen for many "big name" acts.
As you've heard, it was very cold outside. I was clenching my toes and
rapping my knuckles together to keep digits from becoming frostbitten.
I'd do it again, you bet -- but I'd wear arctic glove/sock liners!
Colin and Andy were *very* nice. Their gracious behavior was much
appreciated. This is an experience I will treasure always, along with the
autographed mementoes and the photograph.
And that's all I'm going to say about meeting them! <g>
The following day, I combed used record & CD shops in East Village and
Greenwich Village, and came up with the Carmen Sandiego CD (for those who
don't know, it was produced by David Yazbek and contains XTC's "Cherry in
Your Tree"), the "Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down" b/w "Ten Feet Tall"
single, and the "Dear God" b/w "Mermaid Smiled" single.
--Dorothy.
("Color me happy!")
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990226212254.4151.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Jason Garcia" <hhname@hotmail.com> Subject: a request for you San Franciscans Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 13:22:54 PST HEY CHALKHILLS! Will someone in San Francisco, Mr. Relph perhaps, say "hi" to Andy for me when he comes to the Virgin Megastore? Ah, I remember that store- I was standing in it almost a year and a half ago. Tell him the guy who did "Dame Fortune" says hi! I'd like that! Thanks, Jason Garcia of TOP 40 non-fame http://www.angelfire.com/tx/top40
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902262147.QAA28389@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> From: "RoadKill" <csberry@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 15:53:30 +0000 Subject: Making New Friends XTC Content: AV1 has proven to me to be a fantastic album! I have had it playing nearly nonstop since I bought it (home, car, Discman while walking). I wish it was a bit more durable so I could just carry it with me in my wallet. ROO - Somewhere I got the impression that it was going to start out more like a small brook instead of the leaky faucet dripping that it has - but it seems to work with the staccato beginning. I'd Like That - it's being added to the music playing during my wedding reception in a couple of weeks. ET - final version seems to be sung from the clouds. KinSK - this will definately be used as a lullaby for my children. Frivolous Tonight and Fruit Nut - I didn't have either of these songs on my copy of the demos. They certainly seem like a Beatles and Beach Boys collaborations. On first listen they seemed severely sugary. FruitNut is growing on me. I'm beginning to see a certain charm w/ Frivolous Tonight. Greenman - If the end didn't seem as repetitious, I might call it the best song. Your Dictionary - like it better than demo's but I still slightly squirm when I hear the end. I Can't Own Her - Best Song on the Album Harvest Festival - I like the chronological relationship between ET and HF on the album. I don't think I'd like HF as much if that wasn't so. The Last Balloon - sweet song, but it always puts me to sleep. Non-XTC Content: Can I get the attention of those of you that live in, near, or travel through: Chicago; Columbus, OH; Boston; Denver; Portland, OR; Philadelphia; or Minn/St.Paul? My wife (to be in 2 weeks) is applying to some graduate schools around the northern US since there isn't one here in Nashville that has her field. Please email me privately call letters to some of the radio stations in these towns in which you enjoy listening or are of good quality. I thought it might be nice to find a job at a station in which I would enjoy working. Send your suggestions to csberry@bellsouth.net or roadkill@997wtn.com whenever you can. Thank You Cory
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03007800b2fb3ed540d1@[137.186.208.142]> From: Erich Walther <enrico@fox.nstn.ca> Subject: Oh, Happy Day! Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 17:49:57 -0500 AV1 has arrived in Ottawa, but you have to search a bit. The box stores won't have it for another week, but CD-Warehouse had a copy (sorry, it's MINE), and by the cash it's highlighted on the new release list, so there may be a few more tucked away. I can't get to Toronto for the sign-fest but I'm hoping they'll do a MuchMusic interview Friday or Saturday morning, and my daughter's volunteered to go down and stand in line with my Chalkhills shirt on and my vinyl offerings if I pay the train fare; anybody up here heading that way??? I'm not going to jump into the track by track vivissection (sic) of what's become my domestic wallpaper, but what stands out to me are Colin's beautiful bass lines, improving the demos, augmenting the strings. Back to the headphones, back to the River - I'd like that!!
------------------------------ From: fheaney@erols.com Message-Id: <199902262306.SAA00924@smtp1.erols.com> Subject: Japanese lyrics Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 17:57:31 -0500 Mark wrote: > BTW: i have just uploaded the new, improved and corrected version of > the Apple Venus lyrics to my site. Thanks to John B. for supplying us > all with the Japanese cd that _does_ include the lyrics. > And lots of lovely pictures too! Well, I don't know if you want to trust Japanese CD lyrics...they apparently include lyrics with everything over there, and if the musicians didn't send them the lyrics, they'll just print their best guess. I hear their rendition of Cocteau Twins lyrics are particularly amusing. -- Francis Heaney "I'm okay, I feel good; why do I swim in blood?" -- Stereolab
------------------------------ From: WWi8064839@aol.com Message-ID: <723ebb47.36d72e4d@aol.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 18:29:17 EST Subject: Don't Forget Jason Falkner's New One! There, I said it. I know, I know, lots of exciting XTC news, BUT - Jason Falkner's name's been bandied about on this list, SO - (why am I writing this way, anyway...?) Probably because I've got "Can You Still Feel?", Jason's second solo album since 1995's "Presents Author Unknown." I've got it. I like it. I like it a lot. There's the straightforward crunch pop of "Author Unknown," the Costello-ish (circa 1979) "Holiday", the dreamlike "See You Again," the catchy riff in "My Lucky Day," the snarling "I Already Know," the cascading, dissonant vocals and chords in "Honey." Falkner displays a Nick Lowe-like knowledge of pop music's jingles, jangles, nooks, and crannies. He takes apart pop's conventions and then glues them together in pleasing compositions. And, he's American to boot! Finally, we Yanks have a savvy pop hero the like of Andy and Elvis Costello, who's not doing the grunge-by-numbers thing or or (c)rap and hip-hop. Wes Wilson
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 18:37:56 -0500
From: Steve Pitts <Steve_Pitts@compuserve.com>
Subject: Man Bites Partridge??
Message-ID: <199902261838_MC2-6C05-E897@compuserve.com>
Chalkfolks,
In 5-101 Leslie retorted:
> I gotta go get a towel for this puke now <
<LOL> How refreshing to see a humourous reply rather than a reactionary
flame. I can't help feeling that such a low-key response is more likely to
achieve a positive result than some manic rant.
In 5-102 Harold Grey asked:
> Anyone know if the lyrics will be posted on the TVT site? <
You can find them on the Chalkhills website (www.chalkhills.org). I too was
disappointed not to get a booklet with the lyrics, but in the grand scheme
of things I guess I'll learn to live without it :))
(Cooking Vinyl peeps, if you are reading this and FWIW) I for one would
happily pay a couple of quid for just such a booklet to slide into the
jewel case. Any chance??
John Voorhees revealed:
> There is a copy of the 1913 Webster Dictionary online, lest anyone think
the use of "impact" as a verb is somehow a new Madison Avenue type deal <
OK, we'll just have to agree to disagree and accept this as one of those
'two nations divided by a common language' things. FWIW it ain't in any of
my English dictionaries (paper or electronic), so I guess this counts as an
Americanism
Leslie noted:
> They are displaying the AV1 cover sideways, by the way, turned one notch
clockwise.... when did all these online retailers become so coy? <
The way they show it (which is one notch counter-clockwise IMO) is the way
it is oriented if you hold the CD 'normally', so they aren't being coy at
all
Ben Gott wondered:
> Do we think we could reserve the "bashing" until we've heard the album a
few times? <
Why?? Surely initial impressions are just as valid as any other reaction to
the new album, especially if they are presented as such?? I've seen
numerous comments here about particular XTC albums taking some time to sink
into people's consciousnesses, and this one may well be no different. That
doesn't invalidate the feelings on first hearing, nor does it preclude
anyone from posting them. Besides, who decides how many 'listens' are
enough before negative comments can be posted??
For instance, I am still not sold on 'River Of Orchids', despite having
listened to the whole album at least a dozen times. Others seem to feel it
is a masterpiece, but my (relatively short) time on this list (and others
for other musos) suggests that such disparity of opionion is the norm
rather than the exception. We all react differently to 'art', and just
because the list consists of XTC 'fans' doesn't mean that we are going to
concur on anything much
and then quoted AP as saying:
> I'm destroyed by that! <
Aw come on! I am not so precious as to believe that my opinions, expressed
here or via any other means, make any real difference to Mr. Partridge, nor
do I believe that he and Colin are so precious as to take any of this
personally. If you perform your art in public then you have to take the
brickbats with the plaudits, and we should not feel constrained from
dishing out either praise or opprobrium just because Andy and Colin might
be 'listening'
In 5-104 Harrison stated:
> That should be "High Church," capitalized, don't you think? <
Depends (and I'd lean towwards no, personally). It seems more likely to me
that the lyric refers to a 'high' (as in tall) 'church wall' as opposed to
the wall of a 'High Church' (which is not a logical concept, since 'High
Church' refers to a faction within the C of E rather than to a place of
worship)
and quoted from elsewhere:
> John Barleycorn - celebrated in song - shows the same themes of death and
rebirth <
and indeed beer!! <g>
> Somebody was mentioning Jethro Tull...? <
Funnily enough my first thought was to Roy Harper rather than to Tull. 'Sir
John Barleycorn' gets a mention on last year's RH album 'thedreamsociety',
and indeed Roy has dealt with such subjects more frequently (and more
consistently, over a longer period of time) than Ian Anderson, who seemed
to me to simply go through a 'green' phase in the late 70s ('Heavy Horses',
'Songs From The Wood', etc.)
> what's the difference between "anal" and "rectal"? <
Oh, come on, you're just buggering about now
;)
Cheers, Steve
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6d6cbac.024@tcwgroup.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 16:27:58 -0800 From: "Dane Pereslete" <peresd@tcwgroup.com> Subject: MP3 Thanks... Since no one has mentioned this... Heartfelt gratitude goes out to Cooking Vinyl for providing the source files, and especially to Mark Strijbos for the exper- tise in presenting the vastly superior MP3 versions of the AV1 previews!!!! I enjoyed every one of them...please keep up the excellent work! *------------------------------------------------------- Logging in from beautiful Glendale, CA USA "Hurry up Andy & Colin!!" daneperes@aol.com -or- bramage64@aol.com
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6d6fd8b.001@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 14:59:28 -0600 From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Subject: The BAD thing about AV-1 The unfortunate thing about Apple Venus vol. 1 is that it makes even more clear, how shallow, amateurish, and dull, most efforts by other recording "artists" are. Bummer, guess I'll have to listen to it again! :-) Steve Oleson Austin, TX
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990227025906.29771.rocketmail@attach1.rocketmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 18:59:06 -0800 (PST) From: Cheryl <cxtc@rocketmail.com> Subject: My brush with Greatness Hey there chalkpeople! I have no idea how many times I have listen to the new album since I purchased it after work on the 23rd. Many times... What a thrill it was to actually tell Andy Partridge how much XTC's music meant to me. It was such an honour! Waiting on line to meet him passed swiftly chatting to other fellow fans. By the way it was a pleasure to meet you Jennifer! I hope to meet up with you again. And it was great seeing both Dave and David once again. Thanks for making a great night out even more pleasureable. : ) My meeting was on par for what everyone has experienced. I am so shy that I thought I would desolve into a big puddle of blush when my turn came. I nearly did, but managed to walk away from the table still standing and autographs in hand. Oh AV1, how I love thee! I am utterly in love with this album. I feel stupidly happy(as my good friend Todd B. described) each time I listen. For me, I can't say that listening to the demos affect me in a bad way. On my first listening to the actual album, I felt as if the songs suddenly lept into 3-D. Like looking at a black and white photo of a loved one for years only to turn around and have the actual person standing in front of you. Nothing can compare! I am throughly enchanted with these songs. I love how the anticipation builds for me listening to the beginning of "River Of Orchids". The single drop of water to the song finally piecing it's self together. *sigh* Brilliant! It amazes me how well both Mr.P and Colin manage to catch a feeling of pure joy in songs like "I'd Like That" and "Frivolous Tonight". That is a feeling that is so hard to come by in life. I suppose that is enough gushing for now. Walking on clouds, Cheryl
------------------------------ From: joel@kenlaw.com (Joel Flaxman) Message-Id: <9902262112.ZM645@custer> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 21:12:02 -0600 Subject: Andy on XRT (Chicago) next week and other stuff -Andy will be on XRT's Sound Opinions (a surprisingly cool show) next week. The show is on Tuesday's from 10-12 pm. Chicagoans, check it out. This week they reviewed AV1 and said that it was pretty good, but that Andy has to much freedom. -Andy at Borders in Chicago was the greatest! He answered a few questions. I can't believe how witty and clever he is. He complained a couple of times about being nervous. Has Andy ever sought help (e.g. a psychologist) about his stagefright? When he signed my record cover of skylarking (he drew flippers on the woman) he first wrote Sean, which was the name of the guy in front of me. He realized his mistake and was very embarrassed. I assured him it was alright. He also told me that Fruit Nut was not about him, aparently all Englishmen have sheds. I was very impressed with how nice and outgoing he seemed. The guy who had his CD signed after me told me that Andy was still embarrassed about signing the wrong name. Wow. -AV1 is damn good (best since Skylarking). Does anyone else hear the first note of River of Orchids and think that they are about the hear Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side? Also, the guitar on Knights in Shining Karma reminds me of some REM song (maybe Man on the Moon?). I agree with whoever said that the lyrics to Your Dictionary are a little tired. It's so mean and obvious. Overall this CD is wonderful. -Having had the demos for about two or three years I am having no problems loving the actual recording. I miss a few tracks, but I don't enjoy anything less than the demo version. Joel "what a long post I made" Flaxman
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 21:41:46 -0600 (CST)
From: Marshall Joseph Armintor <mojo@is.rice.edu>
Subject: Oh. My. God.
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.990226213146.18095A-100000@is.rice.edu>
AV1 arrived in my mailbox today, and like most of you, I'm a bug in
brandy in a big bronze cup. "River of Orchids" is utterly heart-stopping,
"Easter Theatre" puts a lump in my throat like "Dear God" never could, and
"Harvest Festival" is heart-breakingly gorgeous.
I think it's incredibly ballsy for XTC to do this record at this
time...or any other time. There isn't a great deal of continuity
between this record and anything else they've done -- there's no way of
saying this without being stupid and pretentious, but XTC have moved into
a phase where they've shed their old artistic selves and done something
unexpected, oddly personal, sometimes cryptic, and strangely affecting...
and I somewhat doubt they'll ever do something else like this again.
Actually, it brings _Mummer_ to mind...
marshall
np AV1
------------------------------ From: weslong@usa.net Message-ID: <19990227040145.14173.qmail@www01.netaddress.usa.net> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 04:01:45 Subject: moved to tears...God bless you all! David Friel <davidjf@sirius.com> wrote: > I find the melodrama on Chalkhills regarding AV1 quite hilarious. > Did someone actually say he/she cried when he/she first listened to it? I'm not the he/she that said he/she cried when he/she first listened to AV1, but I must tell you that there are people in this world who are capable of being so moved by a piece of music that they actually shed tears.....hard to believe? I've done it many times. I'm actually sorry that you haven't experienced this yourself...it's an amazing feeling. Suddenly I'm feeling soft and pretty like the delicate petals of a flower..........will someone please hold me? Wes
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902270409.UAA21150@hawk.prod.itd.earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 22:08:29 -0600 Subject: The song formerly known as Prince of Orange From: "Bob O'Bannon" <batchain@earthlink.net> Forgive me if I'm bringing up a dead thread, but whatever happened to the song, "Prince of Orange," from the demos? I see no mention of it in "Song Stories," and it's not on the new album, and worst of all, it was my favorite of all the new demos. And it doesn't seem appropriate for AV2, so I'm lost. Bob
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-110 *******************************
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