Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 348
Date: Wednesday, 22 December 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 348
Wednesday, 22 December 1999
Today's Topics:
The Beatles knighted?
Knighthood
Yeah, that goosey bumpy thing
fraying at the edges
re: goosebumps!?
Re: the Irony and the XTC
AV2 News
Re: Symphony in C minus
My Christmas List
Stuff. (kind of general, but...)
Mill and I am
fav's of 1999
Six degrees of separation: XTC and Andy Kaufman
bitch slaps working overtime
Stuff for swap, Fuzzy Warbles question, bonus tracks, and more
harming none
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That longing look / More than enough to keep me fed all year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JStrole@aol.com Message-ID: <0.c758c24a.2590e6ac@aol.com> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 09:20:28 EST Subject: The Beatles knighted? << n fact, all four of them were knighted at the same time. Then John gave back his knighthood in the early 70s (I think) to protest about something that the UK government did - but more probably because he felt awkward being a pot-smoking, long-haired baronet. >> Actually, The Beatles were not knighted. They were given the title of MBE or Members of the British Empire. It is an honor bestowed upon them for there contribution to the British economy. Several MBEs gave their honors back when The Beatles got theirs. In 1969, John Lennon gave his title back due to British support of the USA in the US participation in the Vietnam War. This honor should not be confused with knighthood, since it is much lower on the rungs of honors. In fact, Sir Paul McCartney is the only Beatle to be knighted. George Harrison, MBE was recognized by Billboard as being artist of the century a few years back and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey, MBE) made a Christmas album. Hope that clears everything up on the Mersey side. Harry
------------------------------
From: Tomgriffin100276@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.6717785d.2590e9ac@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 09:33:16 EST
Subject: Knighthood
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is writing this, but I wanted to
correct something that Giovanni wrote.
The 4 Beatles were not actually knighted. They received something called
the MBE I believe (Member of the British Empire). This is apparently a level
or two below knighthood. Perhaps our British Chalkhillers can shed some light
upon this. John wasn't so keen on being a "member of the British Empire" for
understandable political reasons (After all, Lennon is an Irish name!), and
he returned his. Only recently was McCartney knighted.
By the way, the Queen recently said that she would have knighted Ringo
too, but she hated the drum solo on Abbey Road.
-Tom
------------------------------
From: Writetolife@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.85fd64fc.25910cfb@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 12:03:55 EST
Subject: Yeah, that goosey bumpy thing
John Boudreau in Chalkhills #5-345 asked:
>Anybody else get goosey bumpy all over when listening to the intro of
>"Then She Appeared?"
A big resounding YES. As a matter a fact I call that thing you mentioned
an EMOTIONAL NOSE PUNCH. A song so good either lyrically, musically or the
combination of both that it evokes a rush of adrenalin and pushes a tear to
the eyes. Only once before in my life did a song do that to me. Jon Anderson,
Yes lead singer made a solo album named 'Song of Seven'. The title track, an
11 minute epic of a song did the emotional nose punch thing to me. No other
band since then has ever hit me so hard except for XTC. I was so moved by the
question that I would like to start a new list for all to join in on.
Something beside 'turn of the century' lists.
My Emotional Nose Punch Songlist:
- Senses Working Overtime
- I Remember The Sun
- Little Lighthouse
- Ballet For A Rainy Day
- 1000 Umbrellas
- The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
- Another Satellite
- Dear God (Being an athiest, this one hits me the hardest)
- Sacrifical Bonfire
- King For A Day
- Chalkhills & Children
- Rook (So strong that when I'm alone writing at a forest preserve and hear a
crow caw out it still zings me)
- That Wave
- Then She Appeared
- Wrapped In Grey
- Books Are Burning
- Easter Theater
- Knights In Shining Karma
- Greenman
- Harvest Festival (Especially the line, "The longing look you gave me. . .")
Also, for the Chicago folks who saw Andy at Border's earlier this year, I
too was there. I had my portable tape recorder going during his Q&A session.
It turned out great except for the missing minute in between side A and B of
the cassette. Earlier that day he was on WXRT and I recorded that too but I
lived in Rockford at the time (poor me) and the reception was lousey. Dare I
offer a copy to those interested?
Jeff Azara
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000701bf4bcf$65df26e0$f2763cc7@monkman.coastnet.com> From: "Martin & Jamie Monkman" <monkman@coastnet.com> Subject: fraying at the edges Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 08:20:02 -0800 Threads everywhere. The top ten of 1999--which was a pretty good year, with some bordering-on-the-classic albums. The best of the bunch, alphabetically by album title, thereby putting XTC first: XTC: Apple Venus 1 (and the spin-off Homespun) Randy Newman: Bad Love Julie Miller: Broken Things Beth Orton: Central Reservation Buddy Miller: Cruel Moon Matthew Sweet: In Reverse Richard Thompson: Mock Tudor Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band: The Mountain various: Return of the Grievous Angel (Gram Parsons tribute) Pretty good albums by Ricky Skaggs, Van Morrison, Bruce Cockburn, Guy Clark, John Prine, Amy Rigby, Beck, Owsley, Wilco and Kelly Willis also came out last year. You can find reviews of these albums (and more) written by yours truly and one of my good friends at http://come.to/backbeat or http://www.coastnet.com/~monkman/backbeat/backbeat.htm (which avoids the annoying popup window). For all you alt.country fans, there's now a lengthy list of links to useful articles and sites on the web (and a power pop links page is in the works). The only really disappointing album I heard this year was Kim Richey's "Glimmer". Her first two records were really quite good country-pop, not Nashville slick at all. "Glimmer" was produced by Hugh Padgham--Richey said she chose him because she likes "English Settlement". Instead we get a latter-day Sting-ish record, all smooth edges and AOR burnish. And in the "better late than never" category, I bought the following, all of which I listened to frequently: Willie Nelson: Spirit Terry Callier: Essential Bill Frissell: Nashville Which brings me to the country music thread: Merle Haggard, kids, Merle Haggard! A brilliant singer, a great writer, and still making decent records (although it's been about 10 years since a really good one). And for you alt.country fans, it's Buddy Miller--he's made 3 albums, each one as splendid as the others. The newest is "Cruel Moon". I won't enter the "melt the guns" thread, other than to suggest that you read a fascinating review of a history of the culture of guns in America. Seek out the article in the July 3 1999 issue of _The Economist_ titled "Guns in America: Arms and the man". http://www.economist.com/editorial/freeforall/library/politics/index2_sf8740 .html The central thesis of the article is that the American obsession with gun ownership has its roots in the Civil War, and not the Revolution as the Constitution might suggest. And finally, like many other things associated with the end of the current year, the December 22 full moon is another subject of millennial hype: it's not such a big deal. Read more at http://www.cnn.com/1999/TECH/space/12/17/moon.show.ap/ Enjoy yourself. Martin The Monkman homepage: http://www.coastnet.com/~monkman
------------------------------ From: Seecarriego@aol.com Message-ID: <0.6b2a4a1f.25911c53@aol.com> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 13:09:23 EST Subject: re: goosebumps!? the sushiman (yummm, i'm getting hungry here) asks: << Anybody else get goosey bumpy all over when listening to the intro of " Then She Appeared " ? >> GOOSEBUMPS? are you kidding me? i get huge volcanic welts of anticipation and excitement! and the best part is that the song actually lives up to the intro, it's not like a great trailer for a crappy movie or something... running away now... carrie
------------------------------ From: Seecarriego@aol.com Message-ID: <0.6c588a99.25911ae4@aol.com> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 13:03:16 EST Subject: Re: the Irony and the XTC yarg! she comes out of hiding again! this time lured by the words of simon who, in reference to an article about irony said... << It also touches on the inability of many of our colonial cousins to "get it" >> to which i feel compelled to reply... BOY I'LL SAY! best article i've ever read about california (and i was born and raised here!) was called "irony deficiency". ouch. anyway, that's all... sigh... carrie "my cure lies in monty python videos" becker formerly "carrieroks", now "seecarriego"... here i go... whee.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03007803b4859a34b4d0@[165.121.66.122]> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 16:09:23 -0500 From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> Subject: AV2 News Hiho, Yes I've just done the improbable and spoken to Colin. Believe it or not, XTC has 2 or 3 days of recording left and then they are ready to mix AV2 on January 11th. It will be done at Rockfield with Nick Davis (like AV1) and then mastered by Bob Ludwig in NYC in February. Release is still scheduled for April. Colin says that it sounds very up and fun and very electric. Chuck Szabo's drums are used on about 7 songs, some of Prairie Prince's work can be found on about 4 tracks and a guy that Nick knew was brought in to program some nice little percussive touches to several of the songs which supposedly really sound excellent. By the way Chuck Szabo played on Madonna's "Ray of Light" album and has toured with her. As far as packaging/cover art is concerned, they are trying to do something to the peacock feather design of AV1 and convert it to a neon/electric version of the same image. We'll see. The album still has the same 11 songs as previously mentioned: (though not necessarilly in this order) Playground The Wheel and The Maypole We're All Light Wounded Horse Stupidly Happy I'm the Man Who Murdered Love Church of Women You and the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful (all by Andy) and Boarded Up Standing In For Joe In Another Life (by Colin) To further clarify sales for AV1 worldwide, it sold about 100,000 in the USA, 75,000 in Japan, 15, 000 in Italy and about 36,000 in the UK. At your service, Mitch
------------------------------ Message-ID: <385FAA64.4C0F@bhip.infi.net> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 16:27:18 +0000 From: Brian <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Subject: Re: Symphony in C minus Tschalkgerz! >Except the millenium is actually 1001-2000. 2001 is the beginning of the next millenium. Speaking of which, weren't we supposed to be travelling to Jupiter by then?< In FICTION, maybe. But we have travelled to Jupiter. You didn't specify in what form we've done so. >Great idea Mr. Clarke, but we can't even land unmanned craft on Mars!!!< Yes we can. Gee, I remember a couple of Viking landers and that wonderful little Sojourner that rolled around and gave us a lot to look forward to. >I know this is due to budget constraints, but as a youngster reading a miriad of Sci-Fi, including 2001 A Space Oddysey, I thought for sure we would at least have had a manned landing on Mars by now! Oops! I've wandered!!<' Yes, you have... right into my area of interest. And you don't KNOW any more than the NASA guys what caused the latest problem. If you DO know, do them (and the rest of us who care about the space program) a favor and call 'em and tell 'em why. -Brian Matthews http://www.angelfire.com/fl/sapringer XTC is ecstacy.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991221205508.17117.qmail@web125.yahoomail.com> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 12:55:08 -0800 (PST) From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com> Subject: My Christmas List To: Messr: S. Claus North Pole Rural Route #1 From: The Right Honorable Mole The Ministry December 21st, 1999 Dear Santa, Not looking for much this year, wondered if you could pull off one small miracle for me. 1.) Across This Antheap with Terry on the drums. Thanks for your gifts whatever they are and I have put out 2% milk this year as you were looking a little uncomforable last year in those pants. Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all mankind. Especially Chalkers. With love always The Mole
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199912212334.SAA17264@nantucket.net>
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 18:33:17 -0800
Subject: Stuff. (kind of general, but...)
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>
>that's enough. let's put this to rest.
>
>dAVe
I just have to say this, I don't respect anyone who speaks his mind on a
subject, and THEN tells everyone else to quit talking about it... AFTER
they've gotten their comments in. If you really wanted to stop these
discussions, don't post YOUR comment. It just seems extremely hypocritical
to me. Sorry.
And this has nothing to do with the content of these recent drug posts, and
it has nothing to do with DAVe in particular. I see this a lot, and I don't
like it.
Personally, I'm in the middle of the road on these posts. At first, I
completely aggreed with Tom, but many people have brought up good arguments
against him, and pointed out things that I hadn't thought about. All I know
is that I'm never going to do drugs, drink, smoke, whatever, and I'd prefer
it if no one did. But that's obviously not going to happen. What's the
answer? Is it making the drugs illegal? That obviously hasn't worked. Is it
education? I don't think so. I've sat through essemblies on drug education
where the students just goof off in the audiance. It doesn't seem to do
anything, and the school just wastes money that they could've spent on new
books. If you make drugs legal, than there won't be a problem. But there
will be terrible consiquences, not to the masses, but in personal
situations. Maybe it's just something everyone has to learn for themselves.
Maybe it's the parents fault. But I'm not sure. I know that my parents
experimented occasionaly with drugs, but that's not why I don't do them. I'm
not the typical teenager who goes against what his parents say just because
I want to be independent. That doesn't show anything.
Shucks, I don't know. This is too much to put in the hands of a kid who
can't even drive legally yet. I'm going to listen to some accustic XTC. Bye.
"Did you make disease,
and the diamond blue
did you make mankind
after they made you
...and jimmy swaggert too!"
-Andy Partridge
Kevin Diamond
P.S.
>...and so it came to be that Tom's ignorant post begat Dom's more
>reasonable reply which begat Megan's enlightened comments:
do we have to resort to name calling? Please. don't do this.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199912212335.SAA17332@nantucket.net>
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 18:33:39 -0800
Subject: Mill and I am
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>
>>For those who don't know, the millenium
>>doesn't end untill the end (january 31)of the year 2000, in over a year.
>>(The reason this is is because there was no year 0, it started with 1, so
>>the year 1001 is a millenium, as is 1001-2001.
>
>It works the same for the Century ( and in every other deca-based system! ).
>
>Except the millenium is actually 1001-2000. 2001 is the beginning of the
>next millenium. Speaking of which, weren't we supposed to be travelling to
>Jupiter by then?
Sorry, I ment the begining of 2001, or rather, the end of 2000. I didn't
want people to think that I meant 11 days from now. (meaning the first of
january... today is the 21). O.K. I think everyone's really confused now,
lets just stop talking.
____________________________________________________________________________
"To emphasize the afterlife is to deny life. To concentrate on heaven is to
create hell."
-Tom Robbins
------------------------------ Message-ID: <384868377.945821752895.JavaMail.root@web39.pub01> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 19:15:52 -0500 (EST) From: "Beth O'Neil" <bethoneil@mail.com> Subject: fav's of 1999 Since these lists seem to be popping up pretty regulary I thought I'd add mine to the roster. My beer buddies of the year! 1. XTC-Apple Venus I Back with a wonderfully produced and written pop dics that I feel is their best all-around disc yet. 2. Minster Hill-Minster Hill Thanks to this list I was turned on to this mega fab cd and I'm happier pop fan for it. I think they are taking pop where it needs to go in the new millenium. This seems to flip flop with Apple V but I think XTC has flipped just a slightly bit more. 3.Flaming Lips-Soft Bulletin Thought there previous music was average sometimes above and soemtimes peeking at the greatness they have achieved hear. These top 3 could be number one at anytime with me. 4.Owsley-Owsley Dont get me wrong, I love this record I was just expecting more considering the greatness achieved on the Sematics disc.. but as I said, I love this! 5.Jason Falkner-Can You Still Feel -Jason is Jason and another quality achievement. 6.Ben Folds Five - Reignold Messner I listened and listened to this until I had to love it. I think it was around listen number 7. Now I think it is enjoyable as there others. Yes, I am not embarrased to say that! 7.The Apples In Stereo-Tone Soul Evolution If this was a full disc with equivalent songs this may be near number one. Just fantastic! 8.Matthew Sweet-In Reverse Matthew is back! Another grower but well worth it. 9. Guster-Lost and Gone Forever. As good as the last record. 10. Sloan- Between the Bridges Not Navy Blues but then again what is? Many other wonderful releases, inluding Guided By Voices, Ice Cream Hands, Flora Pop,Promise Ring,Outrageous Cherry, muse, You Am I, Gomez and so on Now go and get'm Love you all Beth o'luv - - 0 0 < \--/
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 18:49:00 -0600 From: LAG2471@ACS.TAMU.EDU Message-Id: <991221184900.204e84ec@ACS.TAMU.EDU> Subject: Six degrees of separation: XTC and Andy Kaufman Hello everyone, I thought of the Chalkhills gang today when reading Roger Ebert's "On Movies" website, at http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert.html. If you'll go there and click on the link labeled "Andy Kaufman; killer popcorn," you'll see an interesting reflection on the influence Norman Wexler, our Andy's girlfriend's father, had on the comedy of that other "Andy," Kaufman. I found it interesting, and of course Ebert's reviews are always enjoyable to read. Happy Holidays to everyone! And Jill, if there's a Chalk-by-Chalkwest festival in Austin in the spring, I am *so* there! Lore
------------------------------ From: WESnLES@aol.com Message-ID: <0.25099b12.259175be@aol.com> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 19:30:54 EST Subject: bitch slaps working overtime When lain.Murray wrote: >> I'm tired of trying to express myself on this forum, and having >> what I write misconstrued as either personal abuse or humourless >> churlishness. I followed with: > Not sure what occurred to cause this reaction, shame on you > heartless bastards!!!...but my immediate response is...I'M TIRED OF > READING IT! If anyone wants to leave, then leave. Never much >cared for someone that hits and runs(oops, attacks like this are what >caused ya to leave in the first place...right?)...hey, why am I asking >you a question?....you're not even here anymore!!! (humOrless) Which caused Mud Shark to comment: >Huh? I'm having a bit of trouble with "hits and runs" What I meant is that it showed a "remarkable level of bravery" on his part to attack everyone on the list only to say that he would no longer be here to read any defending comments by us Chalkgeeks. He bitch slapped us then ran. Mud Shark also spewed this: >I must say, it shows a remarkable level of bravery on >your part to attack someone who is in no position to >defend themselves. You must be so proud. Uhhhhh, that's my point exactly. I jokingly commented on lain.Murray's flame, since it's fruitless to do so when lain.Murray isn't going to read my own. I, on the other hand, am here to fight back if the need should arise. So, although I'm quite unsure as to the level of my bravery, I was not attacking someone that could not defend himself...I was attacking someone who not only refused to defend himself, but kicked us all in the teeth just prior to doing so. I (the not so brave knight of the Hill) was merely attempting to defend the honor of all the other Hillians........and this is what I get for my effort! Well, I think I'll take my once trusty, now rusty sword and depart this chat list once and for all. You're all a bunch of sons and daughters of motherless goats, and not one of you has the sense it takes to rub two sticks together. You all suck! Don't bother to comment, because I won't be here to read it you ignorant bastards. (I'm obviously joking...but now do you get the point?) Why can't we all just get high and worship the devil? wesLONG
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 03:40:15 +0100 (MET) From: Martin <rappard@dds.nl> Subject: Stuff for swap, Fuzzy Warbles question, bonus tracks, and more Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.90.991222031053.25774A-100000@fatima.dds.nl> I recently found out I have extra copies of Rag & Bone Buffet (still sealed) and Mummer, and of course I'm happy that I put some extra dough in Andy's and Colin's pockets (and Virgin's, unfortunately). If anyone's interested in either one (cheap), please contact me off the list and we'll work something out. A Fuzzy Warbles question: is it going to contain formerly unavailable/ hard-to-find B-sides and compilation tracks as well? All I know now that it is going to contain most (if not all) of the demos so far. If not, is another R&BB/Beeswax in the making? And I'll thrown in my stuiver (Dutch equivalent of $0.02) here: since I never owned any XTC vinyl, the bonus tracks do not disrupt the flow of the albums as much for me as for the old geezers on this list. But yes, I've had a hard time getting into Mummer and Black Sea because my ear immediately detected a break upon first listening, and this persisted. The Big Express and English Settlement bonus tracks are very slight and forgettable, and the 15-track Drums And Wires sounds great to me. So in chess terms it's +1-2=2, not a very good score. Oh yeah, great records of 1999: Sonic Youth - SYR 4 Mogwai EP XTC - everything (I think I got their entire catalogue except Drums And Wires this year) Primus - Antipop (finally a good Primus record again) Built To Spill - Keep It Like A Secret It pains me to say that I've only converted one person this year: my friend Chris, on whom I've foisted Apple Venus and Nonsuch. Given the fact that he's a huge Britpop fan he doesn't really count, and I'll solemnly promise I'll try harder next year. Finally happy holidays everyone, especially Dom, Harrison, Mark, Mitch, John, The Mole, Steph and Sheridan. Pheew! I've resisted the temptation to join in the drugs debate, even though I'm from the hash capital of the world (Amsterdam), and put in some XTC content. Back to lurking, Martin
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199912220154.UAA27839@nantucket.net>
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 20:52:58 -0800
Subject: harming none
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>
I just stumbled across something while listening to O&L. I happaned to be
packing some CD's away for a trip to Boston I'm taking tomorow to the Museum
of FIne Arts, and I was listening to O&L at the same time. As I packed Apple
Venus, vol. 1, I read the qoute on the back while Garden of Earthly Delights
was playing
I Read:
Do What You Want, But Harm None
I Heard
This is your life, and you do what you want to do
just don't hurt nobody...
These are essentially the exact same qoutes! What does this mean???
Absolutely nothing! I just never realized it before!
Kevin Diamond, Doing what he will, but harming none (except his little
sister when she gets annoying)
P.S.
>How about a XTC Desert Island Disc?
there's only one way to choose one XTC song for a desert island... which
one's longest?
____________________________________________________________________________
"To emphasize the afterlife is to deny life. To concentrate on heaven is to
create hell."
-Tom Robbins
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-348 *******************************
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