Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 233
Date: Thursday, 15 July 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 233
Thursday, 15 July 1999
Today's Topics:
This Is Pop?
Homespun
In those days they were called walking birds....
Missing link
Andy's Songs for Kidz
Apple Venus Vol 1 PART 2!!!!!
XTC on Lexicon
The The/O.Rang/XTC, Space Ghost
hip
The Death of Rock
The Rain
The Natural Connection
The Oracle disdaineth XTC (but any PR is good PR!)
Stream of Subconsciousness
Sick, Dude! (minimal XTC content)
Duffy doffs his hat...
Putting *The Move* on XTC
Apple Venus Volume 1 Version 2 and a Harvest Festival collection
A Bit Of A Shower
Joe's Jive was Jumpin'
Andy Partridge interview
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What on earth is bringing up this stream?
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <19990713040942.99875.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "damian marley" <damian5a@hotmail.com> Subject: This Is Pop? Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 21:09:34 PDT Men, Women and Children of the Chalkhills, Dan wrote:- >alot of new pop or "alternative" music i hear nowadays just >doesn't sound that fresh or interesting or even offensive to me. maybe >its all about hip-hop? is that where the new ground is being broken now? A highly interesting point. Let me ramble on. What is the answer? Are we just a pack of old fogies who stick to what we know? Or is it true that innovation has gone out of rock? Well, there is no answer; it all blends into grey (but don't worry, I'm not trying to sell anyone a world wrapped in grey). My Dad, for example, firmly believes that rock n roll died in the plane with Buddy Holly. He thinks The Beatles suck. I could have gone down the same path and made myself believe that rock n roll (and a lot of other things) died with Frank Zappa - but how could I do that, when we still have bands like XTC and albums like AV1 . . . XTC, of course, now being a "veteran" band. Some bands grow old and get stale. Other bands mature along the way (in my humble opinion, XTC albums keep getting better). I think bands can be old, grey and fat and still be innovative, and still be rockin'. That's why teenagers (such as our 13 year-old friend) are still finding XTC exciting. As for the new "alternative" stuff - I agree that a lot of it seems dull, tedious and uniform. The "expected" guitar sound. The "proper" laid back vocal. The "trademark" gritty lyrics. Alternative to what? Maybe it's an alternative to INTERESTING. It's not in the interests of radio stations and record companies to have too much divergence from the alternative norm (a classic contradiction), because crikey, they have to get their mass consumption. Thank the Greenman for XTC. They sound astoundingly fresh and different. They make a habit of breaking ground. Some people are content with their back catalogue of Buddy Holly LPs. Others need to keep abreast with what's hot and new. Still others delve into the past while keeping an ear out for the new. Aaah, who cares - we should all follow our noses. We all have one life to seek out and listen to the pop which turns us on (among other things). Damian, Melbourne
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19990712215629.006a02fc@mail.clemson.edu> Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 21:56:29 -0700 From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@clemson.edu> Subject: Homespun I was perusing http://www.sirencd.com/ tonight and came across a couple of interesting XTC releases. We've all known about the AV1 demo project for quite some time, but this is the first I've seen of a title & release date. (Apologies if this has already been posted; I'm on vacation and haven't had time to read the digest as thoroughly as usual.) XTC Homespun (Apple Venus Vol. 1 Version 2), 2LP $21.99 Release Date: 27-Sep-99 Homespun (Apple Venus Vol. 1 Version 2), 2CD $23.99 Limited special release of XTC's brilliant 1999 album "Apple Venus Vol 1". This special double cd will feature "Apple Venus Vol 1" in its original form, while the second CD includes demo versions of all of the tracks. Release Date: 27-Sep-99 -Adam
------------------------------ Message-ID: <010b01becd11$170e3de0$ef3d883e@atidy> From: "Adrian Ransome" <ade@ruhruh.freeserve.co.uk> Subject: In those days they were called walking birds.... Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 10:20:44 +0100 In "old music for young people" (#5-231) Dan wrote :- >I'm just curious if there is still such a >thing as truly underground, alternative, independent music that a 30 yr >old could hear and scoff & say "why, that's not even music!" Hip-hop/jungle/ambient/trance/trip-hop/drum'n'bass (and suchlike other variants) symbolise todays 'New Wave' of music IMHO. It has the same 'DIY' element as Punk/New Wave; it can be thrown together at home (on a half decent PC), you don't have to be technically proficient (musically) to play it, and it mostly appeals to those under 25. (No doubt at this point I've upset Chalkhills' sole 45 yr old LTJ Bukem fan). To those over 25 it sounds like a steel mill at full pelt. What baffles me as a thirty-something music fan is the continued rise of what is now known as R'n'B.(think PuffDaddyAnTiChrisT as opposed to BB King). I can't see how someone rapping about "chillin' wi' ma homies on da El Bee Zee" (or whatever) can connect with a disaffected Kappa-clad teenager on a rainy street corner in Rhyll, let alone a grizzled old fart like me. It says nothing to me about my life and perhaps it's not meant to. I don't go out much anyway, what with beer tuppence a pint and Zeppelins bombing London. I'll just sit in my comfy chair wit ma Horlicks chillin' to Harvest Festival thank you very much! Expanding on the slender XTC related content, can someone please shed light upon Mr Moulding's 'Washaway'; "But a thousand Yorkshire Puddings couldn't make his business boom"? I don't get the connection between frozen milk-based dessert and the impact upon its sales made by a Northern England baked batter product. Enlighten me please. Ade -------------- Goodbye Damon --------------
------------------------------ From: "Peter Jarrett" <PJ2@soas.ac.uk> Organization: S.O.A.S. Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 14:01:07 GMT Subject: Missing link Message-ID: <7DF4253376@soas.ac.uk> Seeing Martin Newell and Robin Hitchcock's names coming up on the list so often (quite rightly) I couldn't help thinking it was about time Captain Sensible got a mention (no seriously - for those who only know Happy Talk and Wot). Newell and Hitchcock have both been co- writers on his records and I'm pretty sure he's done some kind of musical somethings with Andy too. Anyway, just to say: if you like the pure pop end of the XTC spectrum (something like The Disappointed) you're almost sure to benefit from listening to his stuff. Although it can be dangerous to make assumptions about what people are getting out of music even if they like the same group. Did I really read someone claim that Ball and Chain was their favourite a while back? Is this possible? Surely that was just an intentional wind-up. But then again I think "The Last Balloon" is the perfect ending for AV1... Bye for now - PJ
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s78b07c5.052@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 09:32:21 -0600 From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Subject: Andy's Songs for Kidz In an interview on Austin's KLBJ FM (during the O&L tour), Andy was teasingly chided about his apparent happiness, given the general tenor of his O&L compositions, and asked if it was because of his familial bliss. Andy said something to the effect that: no, he was not going to get all sicky, like some recording artists do when they have kids. He then launched into a parody of one of those songs. Quite funny! But then he said (seriously) that he didnt intend to write those kinds of songs, but that the kids: "...do creep in there, don't they." He cited Chalkhills & Children as an example. and that you cant help but be influenced by major changes in your life, kids being a major change. My question is this- Who was Andy singing Mayor of Simpleton to? Marianne, or Holly? I had originally thought that it was to Marianne, but after I learned to play it on guitar, and began playing it to our baby daughter, I became convinced that it was written for his daughter. Projection? Maybe, but if seen in that light (the acoustical version played live on radio stations during the tour) Mayor of Simpleton is a really sweet, touching song. Andy- sing another one for the Utes! Regards, Steve "Daddy" Oleson Austin, TX
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BECD8D.2BD7D340@p072.cobweb.com.au> From: GRAY PACKHAM <gpackham@cobweb.com.au> Subject: Apple Venus Vol 1 PART 2!!!!! Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 00:07:12 +-9-30 Fancy the Apple Venus Vol 1 demos on CD or double vinyl? My mate at Big Star Records in Adelaide advises me he has sighted these very gems on an upcoming release schedule for Cooking Vinyl (and he's pretty reliable). The release date is sometime in September and they will be know as APPLE VENUS VOL 1 PART 2. Has anybody else heard this? Let hope its true. Cheers, Gray Packham Adelaide, Australia
------------------------------ From: mollyfa@juno.com Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 15:18:47 -0400 Subject: XTC on Lexicon Message-ID: <19990713.153031.2894.1.MollyFa@juno.com> I just wanted to let people know that there's an article about XTC in the current issue of The Lexicon. I'm not sure if anybody mentioned this though. If anybody did I'm sorry. Here's the URL: http://www.80s.com/VIP/Lexicon/current/xtc.html. I'm not sure if you have to be a VIP or not. Molly
------------------------------ From: mollyfa@juno.com Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 15:30:21 -0400 Subject: The The/O.Rang/XTC, Space Ghost Message-ID: <19990713.153031.2894.2.MollyFa@juno.com> I've never heard The The, but I know Matt Johnson has worked with O.Rang (spin off band of Talk Talk). Maybe I should ask Lee Harris (a member of O.Rang) if he's ever thought about working with XTC. That would be interesting an O.Rang/XTC combo. Hehehehe. I'm also curious about when Andy and Colin are going to be on Space Ghost. I keep checking the web site, but no luck yet. Does anbyody know. Molly
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990713202156.17804.rocketmail@web1.rocketmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 13:21:56 -0700 (PDT) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: hip In response to: From: "Drew MacDonald" <drewmacdonald@mediaone.net> Subject: Oh well that's this world over >>hip-hop has decisively supplanted "rock" as the pop music of the Now and of the foreseeable future.<< Dude, I don't agree with you. I will bet it will be a return to the non-new-wave 80'sish sound like debi gibson... hey, maybe its britney spears do you think? Hip hop has too much to it for the general public to accept. New Kids on the block = Back street boys... its like capri pants. >> Hip-hop, along with its various substyles and offshoots, is by far THE music of choice of rebellious teenagers as well as the rest of the core popular-music-consuming public. << Lots of "rebellious" teens listen to Korn or Tool, too you know. And then theres Goth and then theres this electronica stuff, etc. Hell, Country is becoming more popular. Why don't we just say that Country is the new pop. >>It is also maturing into a true artists' medium (Lauryn Hill is NOT just hype -- listen to her record, Chalkhillers, and be expanded!).<< This IS a really good album. >>But so what?<< yeh. >>Rock has had its day -- an artificially extended day at that, thanks to the huge size and clout of the baby-boomer population segment. << Ahhhh, no. It will always be around, in some form. Puffy does "rock". Puffy... now THAT'S an appropriate name. - Nicole === Nicole's internet music station: http://www.imagineradio.com/mymusiclisten.asp?name=phoenixyellowrose Why was I born with such contemporaries? -- Oscar Wilde
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990713210124.92480.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Will Lewis" <will356@hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 21:01:24 GMT Subject: The Death of Rock Drew; Your comment, "...hip-hop has decisively supplanted "rock" as the pop music of the Now and of the foreseeable future." has inspired me to strongly dissagree with you. Hip-Hop belongs to a family of which Rock is the nucleus. Just as Young Country (blech) is a member of the Country and Western Fam. Rock will always exist (at least until the next ice-age) and it will inspire many children and grandchildren. But I'm afraid your comment is like saying that grizzly bears will replace mammals. They are on two different levels of existence. Will in Dallas will356@hotmail.com
------------------------------ Message-ID: <378BAC99.52E8@ix.netcom.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 14:16:09 -0700 From: Rich Bunnell <cbunnell@ix.netcom.com> Subject: The Rain >As the song came to a close, I noticed how the hypnotic drum beats >departed and were gradually replaced by a sort of dribbling, static, >white noise. I was impressed not only by the distorted sounds >symbolising (to me) rain sputtering out of a dirty gutter in a sort of >winter wasteland, but also impressed by how ahead of it's time this >'outtro' (reverse of intro?) was. Nope, nothing that profound or anything--it's just a recording of Steve Lillywhite's shower head, according to Song Stories. >Think about it......when you listen to 'Black Sea'....doesn't the music >and the production sound like it was just recorded yesterday? I'm >always startled at how fresh this album is. The music isn't layered or exuberant enough to sound truly like it was recorded these days but it definitely has the best production of any pre-Skylarking album. * ---------------------------------------------- Rich Bunnell or "Taoster Man"--No, it's not a typo "Some albums that come out today only have ten songs, or less! This makes us angry. But instead of cursing the darkness, we've done something about it. We put out an album with 19 SONGS. And that's why OUR album's better." --They Might Be Giants http://members.xoom.com/taoster/ * ----------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990713223928.7011.rocketmail@web708.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 15:39:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Susperia Five <susperia5@yahoo.com> Subject: The Natural Connection Megan wrote: well, I hadn't thought about it in terms of Andy's religion-- since, tomy knowledge, he doesn't really have one-- but I do know what you meanabout the pagan themes. Greenman, Easter Theatre, Harvest Festival-- lots of cyclical nature themes in there. I've practiced witchcraft for aboutnine years now, so I was pleased and surprised to hear these themes. Ididn't directly connect it with "religious" beliefs, though. Frankly, when Iwas in the Wiltshire countryside a little last year, it made me feel particularly connected with nature and things wiccan, etc. Maybethat's just me, though. Having had contact with with many folks in the British Isles, particularly the rural areas, and being Wiccan myself, I've learned that the Old Ways just seem naturally ingrained in the people. Call it ancestral memory or simply local traditions that span centuries, but it's definitely prevalent. I noticed the spiritual or Traditional leanings of Andy when I listened to my first XTC purchase, "Skylarking." Since I had just started learning in the Craft, the album became a sort of soundtrack to my lessons. It may be of note that the Rede on "Apple Venus" is more Wiccan and less traditional Pagan in nature, coming from more modern sources. Just a thought to ponder when contemplating Andy's path. Peace, Angelina === The value of anything is how much it hurts ~~ Shriekback
------------------------------ From: STakesh@aol.com Message-ID: <69f4845.24bd1df2@aol.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 18:55:46 EDT Subject: The Oracle disdaineth XTC (but any PR is good PR!) Hi, Chalkers, The Internet Oracle [TM] is a feature where people submit idiosyncratic queries of various degrees of silliness or, uh, quirkiness, and get a reply, usually in kind, from their fellow seekers. It's all rather collective, although there are moderators to help cull for quality Q's & A's. Get very silly at: http://www.pcnet.com/~stenor/oracle/ Anyway, here's what popped up in response to a search on "XTC", which I include here for your doubtful amusement: *********************************** The Usenet Oracle has pondered your question deeply. Your question was: > Oh great Oraclo, whose hair could outsmart even Albert Einstein, yowza > yowza yowza unto thee. The thought of squash makes me sexually excited. > Zucchini is pretty intense also, watermelons turn me on, but butternut > squash is *it* for my sexuality. Is this bad? Should I get a sex > change? And in response, thus spake the Oracle: } I hate it when people don't give me enough information. How can I } tell if you need a sex change if I don't know what kind of sex you } are? What do you expect: a multiple choice answer? Oh well, it's } been a slow afternoon at Oracle Central today, so what the hell: } } PRESENT SEX DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT } ----------- --------- --------- } None Penis Envy Radical "Mayonnaise" Liposuction } XX Horny Come to Oracle Central sometime } XY Incurably insane Massive doses of Vitamin C } XTC Tone Deaf Massive doses of rock groupies } X11 Nerd Massive doses of bitblt's } V8 Vegetable Juice Pound Hand Against Forehead ************************************** Apparently, the Oracle doesn't care for Andy's experiments in "open E" tuning -- presumably, it favors the Aeolian scale? Enquiring minds stick with entrails-reading, Stephanie
------------------------------ Message-ID: <005701becd83$ac7dfba0$09558218@we.mediaone.net> From: "Victor Rocha" <wstsidela@mediaone.net> Subject: Stream of Subconsciousness Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 16:01:42 -0700 RE: the water sound at the end of Travels In Nihilon after giving it some more thought I've come to the conclusion that the water sound at the end of Travels In Nihilon is Religion and Fashion pissing on our heads........or maybe it's us pissing away the time? Victor Rocha www.pechanga.net Travels, travels in Nihlon we've seen, no Jesus come and gone
------------------------------ From: Iain.Murray.70428176@army.defence.gov.au Message-Id: <4A2567AE.00191602.00@stagemaster.army.defence.gov.au> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 14:42:17 +1000 Subject: Sick, Dude! (minimal XTC content) >>Victor Rocha writes: > >>> What's that sound at the end of Travels in Nihilon? > >>> is someone taking a leak? >>(Chuckling) >>Interesting! Never thought of that, but as I had 'Black Sea' next to my stereo I had to pop it in to listen to the end of the song. Yes, it could definitely be a urine 'sample' (ha ha) looped over and kind of distorted.....or.....you could just be a real weirdo. (grin) Early CD pressings of the album "1977", by Irish group Ash, had a "secret track" tacked onto the end of the album, and there can be no question as to what *that* noise is. Basically, it's about ten minutes' worth of the band members getting drunk and vomiting (perhaps they got the idea from "Black Sea" and decided to put their own spin on it....). Revolting, but strangely amusing at the same time - I think EMI (?) have since re-issued the album, and sadly, "Sick Party" has been omitted. FLINTstones, MEET the Flint....oh, goddammit!! Iain
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jul 99 14:44:58 AES
From: Paul.Culnane@dcita.gov.au
Subject: Duffy doffs his hat...
Message-ID: <0000hbjtllpn.0000ecawkumk@dcita.gov.au>
Chorx
Stephen Duffy, with whom Andy has worked in the past, has reconvened his old
group, The Lilac Time and they've recently released a new album, "Looking For
A Day In The Night". Its simple, pastoral beauty and overt Englishness is
bound to appeal to those of you who admired these same qualities in AV1.
In a recent interview given for a Japanese music magazine, Duffy had this to
say about Andy:
*___________________________________________
Q: And by the way, Andy Partridge, has also recently released a new XTC
album. Have you listened to it yet? What do you think about it?
I think he is one of the few geniuses, really, of English music.
He's an amazing writer but beyond that he has a musical
ability, and a singing voice that is far better than most people
in England. He is incredibly talented. I think that people are
used to far more inferior talents than what Andy has. I think
that he's just dazzlingly brilliant.
Q: Are you still in touch with him at all?
Well, yes, occasionally. I mean we worked together on "I
Love My Friends", which was a kind of year ago, we are both
on the same label over here.
*_____________________________________________
...the full interview can be found at:
http://www.bekkoame.or.jp/~marimari/duffy.html
~p@ul
------------------------------ Message-ID: <378C251A.8EB2E7DD@earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 22:50:18 -0700 From: Yoshiko Yeto <beaudrillard@earthlink.net> Subject: Putting *The Move* on XTC Fellow Chalkhillians: Greetings! I've been quite reluctant to reveal another musical predilection. However, John Riordan's recent posting regarding ELO prompted me to make another admission. I absolutely adore The Move. I'm particularly fond of "Hello Susie", "Cherry Blossom Clinic", "Fields of People", "What?", and "Open Up Said The World At The Door". All of the aforementioned songs boast incredible hooks and wonderful, yet distinctly skewed musicianship. My beau, who is a huge XTC fan himself, is distinctly horrified by this obsession because it veers me towards the heretofore largely uncharted territory of progressive rock. Although, I was a great fan of King Crimson in my late teens. Is anyone else remotely or vaguely interested in them, meaning The Move? Regarding the Monkees movie, "Head", it was lovely jaunt to revisit at the American Cinematheque. I hazard to guess that I saw the movie at least 20 times in my teen years in ye goode olde 80's. It truly is a cohesive, brilliant film, which has some startling parallels to such "Marxist" Godard films as "Two or Three Things I Know About Her" or "Weekend". Mr. Dolenz, who participated in a dialogue with the curator of the film series, sported a serious comb-over combined with a Steven Segal-esque ponytail. He seemed a bit embittered by the Monkees experience, but was genuinely proud of their only cinematic endeavor. Here's a question to all you Californians: Do any of you hear Ray Davies sing "God bless Huell Howser" in "The Village Green Preservation Society"? That's it for the incessant ramblings of a madwoman! Ciao- Mlle. Malady "hey you, fuzzy wuzzy" Nelson "Insect bomber Buddhist droning" ---the only XTC content of this posting
------------------------------ From: a.de.koning@bpa.vnu.com Message-ID: <C12567AE.002B3F5C.00@bpa.vnu.com> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:51:38 +0200 Subject: Apple Venus Volume 1 Version 2 and a Harvest Festival collection Hi! Last week I pointed my browser to www.cdparadise.com to find out that "Apple Venus Vol 1 Version 2 (Double Album)" is due to be released in september 1999, for the Discount Price of #128.45 (according to yahoo that's about US$ 211 or 196.83 Euro). And it looks like there will also be an lp version for the same price. Now I don't know about you all, but for me that is a big amount of money. For that amout I expect the items to be at least hand-numbered and signed, packed in a big hand-made box, including high quality pictures and a big book with all the lyrics and who plays what on which song. And I hope Andy and Colin are collecting their nail-clippings and facial hair to be included somewhere in there too ;-) I didn't put it in my shopping bag, yet :-( To end with a more upbeat message: the label Harvest has a collection out to celebrate that they're around for 30 years or so. The good thing is that it's called 'Harvest Festival'! Don't know much about the artists that are included but you can be sure XTC is *not* one of them. Andre
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199907141155.NAA02842@mail.coss.nl> From: "Mark R. Strijbos" <mast@coss.nl> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 13:58:38 +0200 Subject: A Bit Of A Shower Dear Chalkers, First things first: > What's that sound at the end of Travels in Nihilon? AFAIK this one is answered in the Song Stories book also but anyway: it's supposed to sound like rain but in reality it's the multitracked and 'doctored' recording of a shower - think it was the shower from the apartment the band were staying in during the B.S. sessions. > Just wanted to congratulate Mark S and Duncan K. These two have > shown everybody how to have two differing opinions of something and > to have a friendly discussion about it, without ripping each others > heads off. Thank you... i always try to avoid mutilating my honourable opponents on this forum. I've said it before but i'll say it again: in this cold and darkened world we xtc fans are too few and far between; we need each other to keep the fire burning. And truth is that if i had known that Duncs' doubts about this release were for a large part financially motivated i would've kept my gob shut - there's no arguing with an empty wallet. While we're on the subject of personal finances and xtc releases: Looks like the AV demo double cd extravaganza that is scheduled for a November release is going to be just a tad expensive... I'm not sure at all if this is true or just an ugly rumour but a "street price" of 180 Pound St. (gasp!) was mentioned so we'd better all start saving right away. yours in xtc, Mark Strijbos @ The Little Lighthouse http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Jul 99 10:35:51 EDT From: Jeff Rosedale <rosedale@columbia.edu> Subject: Joe's Jive was Jumpin' Message-ID: <CMM.0.90.4.931962951.rosedale@aloha> Last night I heard Senses Working Overtime, played live. Joe Jackson on piano/vox (playing choppy brief little riffs that were either supposed to emulate guitar string plucking or hearken back to Barry Andrews' staccato style); Graham Maby on bass (did a very respectably loopy Colin imitation); Gary Burke on drums (ordinarily very creative but left me hankering for the dearly departed Terry!). In his intro, Joe named XTC as one of his favorite groups and specifically Andy as one of his favorite songwriters. It was great fun. By the way, the rest of Joe's show was sublime; catch the August performances at "Joe's Pub" (Public Theatre, Lafayette Street, NYC) in August if you're in the neighborhood. Who knows, he may play Statue of Liberty! --Jeff
------------------------------ From: ix8494@xpress.es Message-ID: <378D05EB.34D2F0EE@xpress.es> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 23:49:31 +0200 Subject: Andy Partridge interview Hi all, An exclusive interview with A.P appears in the summer issue of "Factory" Spanish music magazine. Most of its content was already known for me, but there are some bits of little revelations, which I'll try to translate here: (...) We chose Cooking Vinyl because they were happy letting us doing just what we wanted. (...)In the past Virgin refused whole albums because they didn't see them good enough, without hits, or just because they contained too many songs : Mummer, Nonsuch, O&L . (...)Ray Davies was one of the biggest influences, I think he's sensational.(...) It's curious but I don't know him in person. (...)What is your favourite album? Oh my god ! I think Skylarking is a good album, and also ... I have a special affection for The Big Express , but definitely the last four are my favourites. We've been making better albums each time, I really didn't expect this. I thought we would go getting worst until our total disappearance, but now I think just the opposite thing. (...)Do you have any intentions of bringing The Dukes of the Stratosphear back to life ?No, but I want to record different kinds of music as anonymous. I enjoy working that way, it's like lying... and ,artistically meaning, lying is funny. (about A Testimonial Dinner) ...some of the covers are splendid, even better than the originals although I must confess that other versions are awful. Sarah McMachlan's Dear God is excellent, and Ruben Blades' TMWSAHS is marvelous.This song just push me into driving and run (and I haven't driver's license !) (...) Drugs aren't creative, I'm against them. Just wanted to share it with you, Regards Imanol Ugarte
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-233 *******************************
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