Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 300

                 Monday, 1 November 1999

Today's Topics:

Coprophiliacs Of The World Unite, You've Got Shit To Lose
          On These (Chalk)Hills Of Ancient Times
                 The long road to Hejira
                    Being John Linnell
                    Partridge & Belew
                Hey, Joe, whata ya know??
              Gender (no XTC content, sorry)
                Simpsons and Andy's B'day
        John Linnell and other interesting things
                   POP Update 31.10.99
                    So, nobody knows?
                      Kill Mike Love
                     demos and stuff
                     Sting comparison
                      Spinning Home
                      Fuzzy Thinking
                  Wilson: Dead Or Alive?
       Bike Ride To The Moon (On My White Bicycle)
                 RE:Q for the gear heads
            A Grammy for XTC- I'd Like That!!!
                  Looking for Keith Beck

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And we know more than our brains can hold.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 02:29:32 +0200
Subject: Coprophiliacs Of The World Unite, You've Got Shit To Lose
Message-Id: <19991031002828.5BCA8A6CE5@mail.knoware.nl>

Dear Chalkers,

Kerry Chicoine (also lovingly referred to as Kompost) said:

> P.S. Check out my Andy Partridge 'tribute' song entitled 'I'm Not Fit
> (to Eat Andy Partridges' Shit)'

Now i'm not going to argue with that, you're probably right.

yours in xtc,

Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
 http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
     or http://come.to/xtc

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991031011802.51013.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com>
Subject: On These (Chalk)Hills Of Ancient Times
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 18:18:01 PDT

"England, The Great Island", by Bob Crain

The White Horse is made of little white chalk pebbles,
As is the Beach in Brighton, although the pebbles are brown and grey.

Dom did not murder me in my sleep, confirming my expectations,
As the Cardiacs are intensely joyous in a sinister way.

A used "Homespun" was only 6.99 pounds thanks to Belinda's hot tips,
Incidentally, many women have large boobs in England.

Many Blur songbooks can be found in London but none of XTC,
At least not at any of the stores I looked in.

Swindon is all it's cracked up to be; I drank Arkell's bitter,
In a pub where a Gregory-less band slaughtered "Summer Nights".

England Swings!

------------------------------

From: fheaney@erols.com
Message-ID: <008201bf2342$ab35b2a0$b4dca4d8@default>
Subject: The long road to Hejira
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 21:53:00 -0400

I was going to wait to post anything until my damn CDnow order (which will
include Homespun, David Bowie's "hours" and Joni Mitchell's "Hejira",
much-discussed recently, and much-looked-forward-to here, since I love Jaco
Pastorius) arrived, but it's *still not here*, grr.  Should've been here on
Wednesday, by my reckoning, and now it's Saturday, but never mind.  Too much
tempting stuff this time around to keep waiting.  No attributions today, I'm
feeling lazy.

> Helicopter-Artie Pye (Your Pye in the Sky)

One of my favorite Simpsons gags was when Arnie Pie announced from his
helicopter: "This is Arnie Pie with 'Arnie in the Sky'!"

> Billy Bragg (one of the few artists who can actually make an overtly
> political statement whilst still sounding good)

True, although his best album, for my money, was actually his least
political overall ("Don't Try This at Home").  His b-side collection,
"Reaching to the Converted" (out now!) is very good...but where's "Seven and
Seven Is", from "Rubaiyat"?

> P.S.  Another great lyricist almost nobody's heard of: David Thomas (at
> least for most of his work; I won't argue about "My Hat")

David Thomas *is* brilliant, but somehow I can never quite convince my
girlfriend of this fact.  "I've got these arms and legs, they flip-flop,
flip-flop."  "George had a hat, but it wasn't where it wasn't at."  Maybe
they don't sound so good out of context.  They're great, I tell you!
(Although his tendency to repeat himself from one song to another gets on my
nerves.)  How lucky for you that all the solo albums he recorded between
Pere Ubu incarnations are available in one convenient box set, "Monster" (if
it's still in print...is it?).

> First, I'm sure that John Linnell's "State Songs" has been mentioned on
the
> list, but I want to echo the (I'm sure) positive comments.  It's fun, the
> songs are quite catchy (especially "Montana" and the song about my
state!),
> and I like the concept.  So, there.  Does anyone know if Linnell's solo
> stint means that TMBG is breaking up?  Or what?

Oh heavens no.  TMBG is still going strong, having just released the
available-online-only "Long Tall Weekend", with a new studio album in the
works.  Solo projects by TMBG shouldn't make anyone nervous since
Flansburgh's been doing his side project, Mono Puff, for years with no
adverse TMBG-related effects.

> In my last note I asked if anybody had any thoughts on the new releases of
> High Llamas & Stereolab. Add to that the latest from Canada's Sloan.
> Worthwhile bands, I assure you.

My pleasure.  The new High Llamas is nice.  It's not a great leap forward or
anything; it sticks pretty much to the sound you expect from them, except it
sounds even more like Stereolab than it used to (especially since Mary and
Laetitia from Stereolab contribute some vocals).  But I don't have any
complaints about it.  I already mentioned my semi-disappointment with the
new Stereolab, but did I mention that I love the b-sides to the first
single, "The Free Design"?  Better than most of the album.  And Sloan: for
power-pop lovers who've bought Jason Falkner or the Grays or Jellyfish or
whoever from Chalkhills recommendations and been disappointed, don't be shy.
I like Falkner, the Grays, and Jellyfish, but Sloan blows them all out of
the water.  Their hooks shame all other bands with their catchiness.

-- Francis

"Lift that fork, eat that snail."
  -- John Linnell

------------------------------

Message-Id: <199910310354.XAA17978@nantucket.net>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 23:49:03 -0400
Subject: Being John Linnell
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>

>P.S.  Another great lyricist almost nobody's heard of: David Thomas (at
>least for most of his work; I won't argue about "My Hat")

And Wendy's is great... Oh, you, you wern't talking about him? The OTHER
dave thomas?? Oh, right, he's great. I loved Strange Brew... he was great in
that... what?... Not him?...you mean... there's yet ANOTHER Dave Thomas????
Oh, my god...

RE: john Linnell's Solo

I must agree with you that It's an excellent album. Incredible would be the
right word, actually. And no, TMBG are not breaking up. they did the the
them to Austin Powers 2 (Dr. Evil... on the second soundtracki) They were
just thefirst artists to release a full album MP3 only, and they have
several songs recorded (Although no record deal, which is too bad) But yeah,
they're definetly still together. (I'm going to one of thier concerts on the
13 at Amherst College. I can't wait.)

By the way, In case you didn't know, John Flansburgh has two albums out by
his side project, a group called Mono Puff, who are really good, kind of a
more funky TMBG.

Kevin Diamond

_____________________________________
"The universe does not have laws, it has habits, and habits can be broken.
               -Tom Robbins

------------------------------

From: WESnLES@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.6417f9c7.254d159e@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 23:46:38 EDT
Subject: Partridge & Belew

The God's discuss chords, and hair loss...

wesLONG

	[ See http://chalkhills.org/misc/PartBelew.jpg ]

------------------------------

Message-Id: <199910310421.AAA20399@nantucket.net>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 00:16:53 -0400
Subject: Hey, Joe, whata ya know??
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>

HEY

Has anyone checked out Joe Jackson's "Symphony No. 1"? I know his "Heaven
and Hell" has been talked about a lot here (Not without good reason) but I
havven't heard anyone mention this (It was just released)... any word on how
it is? Does it have lyrics, or is it just music?

Kevin "Answer Me" Diamond

_____________________________________
"The universe does not have laws, it has habits, and habits can be broken.
               -Tom Robbins

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991031045208.2517.rocketmail@web1304.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 21:52:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com>
Subject: Gender (no XTC content, sorry)

May wrote:
<<Oh, dear.  It's bad enough that someone mistook
me for a man in a
previous posting, "That May, whoever HE or SHE
is......"

?????!!!!!!!!!!!????????  I'm starting to get a
complex here.  This is
the third time someone has questioned my gender!

When was May ever a man's name?????  Please
someone fill me in if there
is something I'm missing!

(Peering down her shirt.)  Yup, I'm still a girl.

Now, back to the point of my post.  I LOVE Laurel
and Hardy!

And I'm a girl!  I swear!
Help me out oh yee someone of my same gender!
Please help me dispell
the myth that women are humorless saps bent on
romantic flicks!>>

Hey, who said that women can't like Laurel & Hardy or
the Three Stooges are really really bad.  I LOVE both
too, and I'm a woman.  I grew up watching them both.
I actually hate those romantic movies.  I'd rather see
a good slap stick comedy movie myself.

Molly, who knows May is a woman

=====
Check Out My Craig Ferguson Tribute Page:
http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/mrwick.html
Molly's Page
http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991031050546.18516.rocketmail@web1301.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 22:05:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com>
Subject: Simpsons and Andy's B'day

Someone mentioned (sorry, I deleted the digest going
by memory)
<<My Weapon-Sideshow Bob>>

Hehehe, that would be interesting hearing Kelsey
Grammar singing this song. :)

Oh and for a correction Andy's not going to be 48,
he's going to be 46.  He was born in 1953.  Just
wanted to straighen things out.

Molly

------------------------------

Message-ID: <381BD06E.778DB938@airmail.net>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 00:15:26 -0500
From: Danielle Gaither <redips76@airmail.net>
Subject: John Linnell and other interesting things

> First, I'm sure that John Linnell's "State Songs" has been mentioned
> on the list, but I want to echo the (I'm sure) positive comments.

I've just ordered a copy myself.  Can't wait! :)

> It's fun, the songs are quite catchy (especially "Montana" and the
> song about my state!), and I like the concept.  So, there.  Does
> anyone know if Linnell's solo stint means that TMBG is breaking up?
> Or what?

In this case it would be "what."  I just saw TMBG at a Dallas club in
September, and in interviews, they keep talking about upcoming projects,
so it doesn't look like they'll be breaking up anytime soon.  *big sigh
of relief*

Also, thanks to everyone who answered both of my questions.  As for O&L,
one man's "overproduced" is another's "richly textured." ;)  Seriously,
I think the production techniques used on O&L work for that particular
album.  Trying them on something like, say, "Love On A Farmboy's Wages"
would have been disastrous indeed.

This riddle is the work of my little penknife,
Danielle Gaither

------------------------------

Message-ID: <003501bf2381$f86e6140$d67f74cb@default>
From: "Kevin Mathews" <mathews@cyberway.com.sg>
Subject: POP Update 31.10.99
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:24:37 +0800

Latest on the Power of Pop site at http://members.xoom.com/powerofpop

Interviews

Long discussion with High Llamas' leader Sean O'Hagan

Top Ten

Gary Pig Gold (Ghost Rockets)
Jeff Shelton (Spinning Jennies)
Jim Slade (Nixon's Head)
Joe Mannix
Marine Research
Michael Carpenter

Reviews

Mannix - Pretty Strange
High Llamas - Snowbug
Ocean Colour Scene - One from the Modern
The Rooks - A Wishing Well
Michael Carpenter - Baby

Comments, as usual, please...

Cheers

Kevin Mathews
Touched by the Power of Pop
http://home.pacific.net.sg/~popland
http://members.xoom.com/powerofpop
www.mp3.com/artists/12/popland.html

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991031115701.83965.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Brian Young" <raggedglory57@hotmail.com>
Subject: So, nobody knows?
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 06:57:01 EST

Dearest XTC nuts,

So, nobody, not even Mark with the great website or Wes or Dom or Harrison
knows where these songs come from?

Susan revolving/Nicely nicely Jane
Cheap perfume
I overheard
Primal gallery
Little lies
Holding the baby/monkeys in humanskin suits
Aqua dream
Jacobs' ladder (now we're all dead)

and the Allan Burnstyn radio promos

The Susan Revolving song sounds like Syd Barrett to me, and Nicely nicely
Jane sounds like Nick Drake.

Help, please.

Brian

------------------------------

Message-Id: <l03130303b440b23b83af@[208.13.202.8]>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 09:42:53 -0500
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Kill Mike Love

>>Brian Wilson is God
>>Mike Love is the Anti-Christ
>
>Amen, my brother!! More and more, I look at old footage of the Beach Boys,
>and Mike Love creeps me out there, too. I think the impression stems from
>several things. A) He's not playing an instrument, like the other guys. B)
>He looks distinctly older than the other guys. C) He's blatantly hamming it
>up and hogging the spotlight (wow, foreshadowing!).  D)"Smarmy" comes to
>mind... and E) He looks hunchbacked. Not that I'm making a blanket
>statement about hunchbacks here... Mike Love just did not look like he
>belonged in the Beach Boys at the time.

  Ben Vaughn used to do a cover of "A Teenager In Love" in which he changes
the title to "Kill Mike Love." God speed, sez I. That said, Love does
deserve credit for co-writing "Good Vibrations," and being a quite capable
cowriter with Brian on other well-known Beach Boys songs. Whoever gave him
the idea of being a bandleader though is an idiot. He's good at helping
Brian flesh out his unfinished songs, and that's about it. Some guys who
called themselves the Beach boys played the Champlain Valley Fair within
earshot of my inlaws' house this summer, they should have called themselves
Johnston and Love and had done with it. Al Jardine, to his credit, was
doing his own tour with a couple of his kids and Brian's daughters and
mostly doing more obscure Beach Boys material that hadn't been performed in
a while. Much more integrity there in my opinion. As for Brian, the guy's a
walking miracle. Hopefully his next album will be better than Imagination
now that he's sued to get out of his current production deal with a guy
who's mostly known for his work with Chicago and Survivor. Brian can do
much better.

Christopher R. Coolidge

Homepage at
http://homepages.together.net/~cauldron/homepage.html

"A Great law protects me from the government. The Bill of rights has 10
GREAT laws.  A Good law protects me from you.  Laws against murder, theft,
assault and the like are good laws.  A Poor law attempts to protect me from
myself."  - Unknown

------------------------------

Message-ID: <000201bf23b9$6fe713c0$5354883e@pbncomputer>
From: "chris browning" <chris@boodle.fsnet.co.uk>
Subject: demos and stuff
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 15:57:15 -0000

i'll level with you folks, i'm new to this computer mullarkey. i am at
heart a technophobe and a luddite, a self confessed bibliophile and vinyl
junkie who at teh tender age of 23 already bemoans the bygone years of
yesteryear - but now - good grief! i am so converted!

many thanks to this ian stewart bloke's demo and live stuff HEAVEN! i
decided this lazy sunday afternoon to be brave and try gthe new technology
that my 'pooter may be capable of and tentatively downloaded some stuf. oh
my word. why hasn't this man been given the NOBEL PRIZE FOR HUMANITY! i
mean everytrhing is already one of my favourite xtc songs - and - oh my
life! teh helium kidz! white music is my favourite xtc album by a long shot
- my second favourite ever after bryter layter - and to hear them in this
early stage - oh. fantastic doesn't even begin to express it. this si going
to cost me a fortune youknow, spending my life on that page.

good grief! i knew the lads were godlike, but this is like finding seven
new nick drake albums hidden behind joe boyd's sofa! i am in seventh
heaven.

thank you thank you thank you. this is a great service to humanity. you now
realise my lust for new xtc stuff is going to sodding insatiable now...

thanks doesn't even say the half of it...

cheers

chris

------------------------------

Message-ID: <002901bf23ba$659f6f60$6a99fea9@user.msu.edu>
From: "Kate Burda" <burdakat@pilot.msu.edu>
Subject: Sting comparison
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 11:10:05 -0500

Well, not a direct comparison...but doesn't "Big Lie Small World" from
Sting's latest (Brand New Day) remind you of The Man Who Sailed Around His
Soul?  Must be that funky space-age bachelor pad rhumba tone beat.  It made
me drag out Skylarking for another go-round.

Haven't been much of a Sting fan since Dream of the Blue Turtles, but Brand
New Day isn't half bad.

Kate

------------------------------

From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 18:44:09 +0100
Subject: Spinning Home
Message-Id: <19991031174254.DD0E0A6CEE@mail.knoware.nl>

Dear Chalkers,

Regarding the AV1 and Homespun vinyl:

> >Both albums are available CD and LP from POPLIFE in Germany,

Why not get them directly from the friendly folk at Cooking Vinyl?
They have a wonderful mail order department
(mailorder@cookingvinyl.com) and take all forms of payment.

If you join the CV Club, you'll get a very interesting discount on all
items plus a free CD sampler every year. Collectors take note: this
year's sampler features 'Harvest Festival'

yours in xtc,

Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
 http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
     or http://come.to/xtc

------------------------------

From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 18:44:09 +0100
Subject: Fuzzy Thinking
Message-Id: <19991031174255.CEF97A6CF0@mail.knoware.nl>

Dear Chalkers,

Our friend Wayne asked:

> Something for Mark Strijbos--(or anybody that can answer this) what's
> the deal with Jules Verne, Bull, etc., and Andy's reluctance to
> release these on CD?
As far as i know (perhaps Mitch can back this up?) the material from
Jules Verne, Bull and Window Box is to be included _in part_ on
Fuzzy Warbles, the forthcoming(hah!) demos box set.

I must admit that i'm totally baffled by this. The only people who are
going to fork out hard earned cash for Fuzzy Warbles are the die
hard fans like ourselves. And we don't want a selection, we want
_everything_ !!!

The reason for F.W. was to outdo the bootleggers and give the fans
a chance to get a good clean copy at a realistic price.
If they are going to leave off some of the tracks, they are missing
the whole point they were trying to make in the first place. there
would still be a demand for bootlegs of the missing tracks.

So Andy, please listen... give the people what they want.
Or think of posterity; the original tapes will one day turn to dust and
all would be lost. Now that would be criminal neglicence so please
reconsider... all those songs should be preserved and studied and
analyzed for years to come.

yours in xtc,

Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
 http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
     or http://come.to/xtc

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991031195651.5744.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "rob allen" <prefab11@hotmail.com>
Subject: Wilson: Dead Or Alive?
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 11:56:50 PST

I know this is a place to discuss XTC, so please forgive me as I venture
into this response about Brian Wilson. If it makes you feel any better, the
Beach Boys's have greatly influenced XTC (especially since "Skylarking").
But you already knew that....

>Here's what Brian had to say recently about the whole "Mike Love is evil"
>thing. (Interview from All-Music magazine,
>http://allmusic.com/zine/bwilson_set.html)
>
>Q: Hard-core Brian Wilson fans tend to view Mike as the villain. In the
>film
>preceding the concert, whenever your mom came on the screen, there was
>cheering . . .
>A: . . . and when Mike came on, there was booing, I know. I think that's
>silly. People are being silly. Nobody boos Mike Love, he's one of the best
>singers in the whole world. How can you boo him?
>Q: I guess people feel that he took advantage of you in some ways.
>A: Well, even if he did, I still think booing is inappropriate.

Were you there at the Wiltern Theatre? Did you see me booing? I didn't boo.
Not my style. Booing IS silly and childish. Mike was an integral part of the
BB's success.

>Now, the LAST thing I want to do is defend Mike Love: Not only is he
>strange-looking, terrifyingly conservative, a ham, and completely lacking
>in
>the ability to know when to leave well enough alone, but his stubborness
>and
>middle-brow tastes had a tragic effect on Brian's creativity and mental
>state.  Even a little support from him could have been enough to help Brian
>finish Smile.  I could never understand how he, or anyone else, could have
>listened to the Pet Sounds tracks and NOT fallen at Brian's feet in
>dumbstruck awe, instead peevishly complaining that the songs were too weird
>and no one would like them.  And I entirely failed to understand how he
>could bitch about everyone adoring his cousin's genius while, at the same
>time, shirking him of credit for producing a number-one hit himself ... to
>wit, the ghastly excresence of "Kokomo."

Can't argue with any of that. You're right on the money!

>So I thought about it.  And I realized it simply comes down to this: Mike
>Love is an entertainer, pure and simple.  He gives people what they want,
>or
>rather he tries to.  A good record for him is a record that people like and
>that, therefore, sells a lot of copies.  He thought that Pet Sounds was too
>far a departure from the Beach Boys' formula, and he was right; Pet Sounds
>sold poorly compared to the band's previous work.  That it was a stunning
>advance in Brian's art was, for him, beside the point; what did innovation
>matter if nobody liked it?

What if the Beatles had a member who constantly attacked every advance
attempted by the band? At least that particular Beatle wasn't the only
songwriter. Of course, with the Beach Boys, it was Brian and pretty much
nobody else. It was all on his shoulders. Mike Love knew how sensitive Brian
was. He knew that he could make Brian feel bad & guilty about his art. He
wanted "Fun, Fun, Fun" in the sun and screw the melancholy/introspective
stuff. Because, he was/is shallow. So let's not fully blame Love for
stilting Brian's growth (Brian had inner demons galore). Rather let's heap a
good portion of blame directly on his head. There. That's better. I can't
defend Mike at all.

>Again, I really don't mean to defend Love per se, as I do find his
>continued
>re-exhumation of the Beach Boys carcass personally offensive--it'd be
>different if he'd written at least a FEW of the songs he keeps degrading
>night after night--but I balk at calling him malicious or cruel because I
>just don't know enough about what really went on; I don't think anyone
>does.
>Every account of the Beach Boys' career I read turns into a cartoon where
>Brian is the victim and the Beach Boys are the Four Evil Bastards, and I
>personally don't believe anything is that simple.

My stepmother was the BB's secretary from the mid-60's to the early 70's.
Here's some insight: the other band members would do virtually anything that
Brian wanted. Until obnoxious Mr. Love began believing HE was the reason for
their success, not Brian. Mike was the four evil bastards rolled into one.

Brian loved (loves) Mike. I understand that. But if any man was responsible
for "Smile" not getting completed, it is Mr. Love.

>Buteveryone wants to
>bend over backwards for him: "Sure his keyboard wasn't plugged in, and
>sure,
>his backup singers hit most of the high notes for him, but come on -- it's
>Brian!  At least he was there!"  When people are willing to make those kind
>of excuses for an artist, you're not going to get anything like a
>disinterested view of what really happened.

Were you there? Here are some excuses that hold water: Brian feels awkward
standing on stage without an instrument. In that regard, he's using the
keyboard as a prop. He's also tapping his hands on the keys to keep rhythm.
Is that a crime? He's 57! Can you sing falsetto like Brian did? Do you think
you could when you turn 57? Does this mean Brian should not be allowed to
perform because his voice has lowered? What gives?  I agree with a lot of
what you've said, but Jesus!

Were you there to hear the absolutely heavenly harmonies of "In My Room",
"God Only Knows" and many more? Brian was right in the thick of the magic.
At the beginning of 2-3 songs Brian came in at the wrong pitch, but quickly
righted himself.

And fuck yeah, he does deserve a standing ovation for the gifts he's given
us and for just surviving. But he was ALIVE & ALERT October 23rd in L.A..

And if you think his writing skills have eroded.... check out his sessions
(bootleg) with Andy Paley.

BTW, still digging "Homespun"

Rob
Carson, Ca

------------------------------

Message-ID: <381CC5B0.6D3A51C1@zfn.uni-bremen.de>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 23:41:52 +0100
From: Erich Sellheim <sellheim@zfn.uni-bremen.de>
Organization: Zentrum =?iso-8859-1?Q?f=FCr?= Netze Universitat
Subject: Bike Ride To The Moon (On My White Bicycle)

Hello everyone,

just a few bits and pieces:

First of all, thanks to Imanol Ugarte for enlightening me on the Keith
West subject. So he was in Tomorrow? I've read several Andy Partridge
interviews in which he mentions "My White Bicycle" as an influence, so
now I have another reason to check out this band.

Olof Hellman asked about "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" being
by Saeko Suzuki. As far as I know this is a cover of the Wizzard song
(I've never heard the Suzuki version). Wizzard were one of two
follow-up bands of the fantastic Move (the other one being ELO with
Jeff Lynne), starring the genius Roy Wood who wrote all of their hits
(they were big in Great Britain). The band had a very brassy and
overproduced sound, and while I wouldn't rate them as highly as The
Move, they're definitely worth checking out (I'd recommend a Greatest
Hits package by either Wizzard or Roy Wood).

And Mark Kirk wondered about the origin of "Silver Machine". I could be
wrong, but I think it's by a band called "Hawkwind" and dates from the
early 70s.

Rereading my post, perhaps I should have done these things off-list,
but we've seen more irrelevant posts before, haven't we? :)

Best wishes to everyone,

Erich

------------------------------

From: RiknBkr@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.486ebf2b.254e229b@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:54:19 EST
Subject: RE:Q for the gear heads

>Question:

>I'm about to set aside the cheap-assed acoustic I've been playing for the
>last 5 years and purchase a new(or old)one that is a dramatic improvement.
>I've got about a grand to spend & am looking for some sugestions.  I do not
>like Ovations...every one I've played has a very thin sound to it.  Help me
>out here folks....what's the best deal for the money?

Try out a Guild.  Specifically the F30 at about a grand or the JF30.  Check
out www.elderly.com, Elderly instrument's web page.  You can order from the
internet, but try one of these guitars out at your local guitar store, if
they have one.  Martin has some lower priced (under a grand) acoustics.  I
have not tried them, but as I undestand it they use laminated woods as
opposed to solids.  They have some good reviews, though.  Gibson's are
overpriced, except if you can find a J-100Xtra.  This is a great guitar and
I've seen them for a grand and under, used.

Hope this helps,
Phil

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991101000731.17389.rocketmail@web1105.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 16:07:31 -0800 (PST)
From: travis schulz <xtcisadarngoodband@yahoo.com>
Subject: A Grammy for XTC- I'd Like That!!!

Hi everyone! A good day to all the Chalkies. First
off, another XTC song for a Simpsons character- "Too
Many Cooks In The Kitchen"- Lunchlady Doris.
Secondly, having noted that there are other John Hiatt
fans here, you might be interested to know Mr. Hiatt
hosts a nifty live music show called Sessions On West
54th. Check it out Saturday nights if you're fortunate
enough to get PBS!!!
On the Grammy topic brought up by Wes in Digest 299, I
also have wondered how to push for an AV1 nomination.
I'm not a Grammy buff by any measure- but the
recognition of it all would be awful nice, not to
mention that good surge in album sales that can come
with it. Nonsuch (my favorite much of the time) was
nominated in 92; I think in the alternative category,
and if I remember correctly, Tom Waits won (The B52s
and The Cure were also contenders?). AV1, in my
opinion would stand a better chance this time around-
it just seems like a perfect example of an album that
should get such recognition (gee, I'm not biased!)
because it's so different from anything else out
there. Apple Venus 1 is just so damn good, as I'm sure
you already know. I wonder what Andy/Colin's
acceptance speech would be like if they won. That is,
if they would care enough to show up.

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991101001256.36528.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "* Hobbes *" <hazchem25@hotmail.com>
Subject: Looking for Keith Beck
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 16:12:52 PST

Any artist will probably know what i'm talking about - my life is just full
of tiny pieces of paper with hurried ideas jotted down on them.  I'm about
to move, so spend the weekend sorting these things out, and happened to come
across an old email from a Keith Beck, email address ericb@vip.solis.co.uk.

Are you still on this list Keith?  I couldn't get a message through but am
hoping your email might have changed.  In November 1996 i swapped you some
xtc demo tapes from 2 video tapes.  Unfortunately they've since been stolen
from me by a contemptible pr@t on this list and i'd like to replace them if
i could.

The two tapes were:
1) The disappointed.  Peter pumpkinhead.  Books are burning. Sgt Rock.
Senses working overtime. The man who sailed around his soul. Radio's in
motion. Science friction.  Andy interview on good morning britian.
Disappointed. XTC at the manor.  XTC play at home.  Rockpalast in concert.

2) Rockpalast in concert. Appledorn live.  XTC on the oxford road show.
Wonderland.  Mayor of simpleton. The meeting place. Yacht dance. No thugs in
our house. All you pretty girls.  Banter with Keith Chegwin.  This world
over.  Answering kids phone calls.

I obviously can't offer you any demos since you've got them, but i'd be
willing to pay, the tapes were worth it.  Get in touch mate!

* -------------------------------------------------
My Favourite Records of the Nineties
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~hazchem25/90sfaves.htm

------------------------------

End of Chalkhills Digest #5-300
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2 November 1999 / Feedback