Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 47
Date: Wednesday, 23 December 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 47
Wednesday, 23 December 1998
Today's Topics:
XTC and Jazz
"Oranges and Lemons" Poetickal Origins
XTC v. Wife
Best of '98/The Artist Formerly Known As Declan
oranges and lemons
almost better than the real thing
semi-spoiler
Re: Bigger than Cheeses
Re: Andy & Van Dyke Parks
Listening to drums
Unknown MIMEs Unite!
Re: The great Lennon debate
Re: Converting wives
Top 10 (appended)
And a Happy Gnu Year...
Re: Transistor Blast Neon cases.
Re: next XTC producer
Best of '98
Utensiltown Rebellion
Release Date?
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <0143041F00B7D011B7C500A0C9005151206F3D@IMA_NT1> From: "BOB O'BANNON" <BOBANNON@IMAweb.com> Subject: XTC and Jazz Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 16:27:47 -0500 I am repeatedly fascinated to find that other XTC fans enjoy a variety of other bands that actually have very little in common with XTC. For instance, I have noticed that our boss, John Relph, runs a Minutemen Web site, and many of my personal XTC friends also greatly enjoy bands in the so-called "No Depression" movement, which includes folks like Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, etc. Funny thing is that the similarity is quite minimal between XTC and bands like Minutemen and Uncle Tupelo, and yet many XTC fans seem to enjoy both. This alone could launch quite an interesting thread, but I'd be more interested right now to know what kinds of jazz artists XTC fans find themselves enjoying. I've been dabbling in John Coltrane, Dave Brubek and Joshua Redman, but need more guidance from people I can trust. Bob
------------------------------
Message-ID: <36801AC7.6AB64751@intermetrics.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 18:18:51 -0400
From: Harrison Sherwood <sherwood@intermetrics.com>
Organization: Intermetrics, Inc.
Subject: "Oranges and Lemons" Poetickal Origins
> From: PAR NILSSON <VCC2.PARN@MEMO.VOLVO.SE>
> Subject: Oranges and lemons question
>
> I'm forwarding this query from my girlfriend.
[Snip]
> I'm a Swedish translator seeking some wisdom, and figured
> Chalkhills would be just about the right place to look for it.
I don't know what made you think you'd find it around here, but we'll try to
live up to the challenge! Whaddya need, the 289,764 Amazingly Great Yet
Totally Unaccountably Obscure Albums of the Last Three Weeks? We got that!
> In a translation I'm currently working on, I've come across the
> expression 'Oranges and lemons' (as in, '...say the bells of St
> Clement...'), and it occurred to me that it can be found in the
> XTC mythology. My question is, What does it mean? I mean, I know
> it's a nursery rhyme or something that kids sing in the school
> choir -- but for a native English speaking person, what comes to
> mind when s/he hears it? What does it stand for, or imply? What
> kind of feelings does it bring about?
It's a nursery rhyme, certainly, but I think for your purposes it's
important to be aware of the _game_ that goes along with it. From "The
Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes," Ed. Iona and Peter Opie, Oxford
University Press, 1951, 2nd ed. 1997:
"This renowned song is known to young children even when they have never
played the game which accompanies it. In the game (played in the manner of
'London Bridge' and 'Through the needle's e'e, boys') two of the bigger
players determine in secret which of them shall be an 'orange' and which a
'lemon'; they then form an arch by joining hands, and sing the song while
the others troop underneath. When the two players who form the arch
approach, with quickening tempo, the climax of their recitation,
Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
Here comes a chopper to chop off your head,
they repeat ominously 'Chop, chop chop, chop *chop*!' and on the last CHOP
they bring their arms down around whichever child is at that moment passing
under the arch. The captured player is asked privately whether he will be an
'orange' or a 'lemon' ... and he goes to the back of the player he finds he
has chosen, and the game and singing recommence. As now usually played, the
end comes when every child has been lined up on one or another side of the
arch, whereupon there is a tug of war to test whether the 'oranges' or
'lemons' are the stronger. The execution formula has been seen by some
folklorists as a relic of the gory past, and origins of the nature of those
linked with 'London Bridge is falling down' have been suggested. The days of
public executions have been cited, when the condemned were led along the
street to the accompaniment of the tolling of bells. It has also been
suggested that the words refer to Henry VIII's many marriages and the speedy
demise of some of his wives...."
A footnote to this excellent article in this indispensable book notes that
in George Orwell's _Nineteen Eighty-Four_ the quotation of the forgotten
song "Oranges and Lemons" is used to symbolize the unattainable and
desirable past.
> In the book, this tune is the score in people's dreams of
> the world's end, so I figure it's important to know why the author
> would use that particular song.
Not knowing the work you are translating, it is idle to speculate, but I
don't think it's a great leap of irony to connect a children's game that
metes out arbitrary symbolic death to its participants to "dreams of the
world's end." I can tell you that when I played this game as a youngster, it
was extremely thrilling in a nightmarish sort of way, and even at the age of
six or seven I felt a psychic connection to a much earlier time when violent
and capricious death was commonplace.
Another note: in the earliest written versions of the song in its present
form (ca. 1744) the axe-murderer aspect did not appear. The rhyme seems to
have evolved from a square-for-eight dance called "Oringes and Lemons" from
1665. "It is a common practice to give words to the chimes of bells, and
there are a number of local rhymes similar to 'Oranges and Lemons." In
Shropshire there is an old and lengthy jingle [sic!] beginning, 'A knut and
a kernel/Say the bells of Acton Burnell'...and in Derby they used to say,
'Pancakes and fritters,/Say All Saints' and Peter's/When will the ball
come?/Says the bell of St. Alkum...'"
Dig it! It's 1678, you can't read, your entire universe extends maybe five
miles from your front stoop, you wouldn't know what to do with a map even if
anybody could figure out how to draw one, you're twenty miles from home on
your annual trip to market, and YOU'RE LOST. Panic begins to set in, when,
wafting over the gentle wind from the east, there come six notes from a
distant village church bell...ding-ding-dong-ding-DING-dong...and, because
your auld gaffer knocked that rhyme into your head, you can connect those
six notes to a mnemonic device--"A knut and a kernel"--and hah! That's Acton
Burnell over there! Ah'm on me way 'ome, Mither!
There's no evidence, by the way, that Andy had any of the foregoing in mind
when he chose "Oranges and Lemons" for the album title. According to "Song
Stories" the record was originally going to be named "Songs of Sixpence."
Says Andy, "I like nursery rhymes. But because the album was coming out so
shiny and fluorescent and so sleek and so fast, the title _Oranges and
Lemons_ seemed about right. In L.A., they are the colors you see
everywhere. This bold color comes off the music and it fitted the criteria
of an album title."
I found the most complete version of "The Bells of St. Clement's" at
http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/various/mayor.html. Scroll down to
"6. Rhyme."
> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net>
>
> Colin looks exactly like the singer for the Crash Test Dummies in the
> packaging for Nonsuch. does he in real life?
I think you're thinking of the guy at
http://www.slam.ca/JamBooksReviewsN/nureyev.html. I've still got serious
Separated at Birth questions about the Nureyev/Moulding Connection.
Harrison "Col looks like Rudy/Say the disabells of Sue Faludi" Sherwood
Glad Jul!
------------------------------ From: Thynk2much@aol.com Message-ID: <e65c3992.36802ec1@aol.com> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 18:44:01 EST Subject: XTC v. Wife << I think it was a bad idea for me to so loudly claim victory as I did. >> << My first defense was to point out >> << Then I proceeded to have a short listening lesson >> << She humbly stood corrected. >> I honestly don't intend a slam on Bob specifically, but since he posted most recently..... maybe the fellas who are trying to convert wives to XTC should make a note here... Nobody, not even a woman (maybe especially not a woman), likes to be "logicked" into liking something. We are the intuitive sex, remember? This is not a trial or a seminar course -- it's music! Maybe an approach less lawyerly or didactic might help? My last fella had extremely different musical tastes than I when we met, and he got me to like different things (1) by maintaining an indefatigable enthusiasm [me: "this sucks!"; him: "no way, this RULES!!!!"] and (2) by subtly slipping the music in here and there until I couldn't deny that sometimes I craved Danzig or Sugartooth. No joke! The car is a good place to do this because (1) you have the captive audience element and (2) it can be nice and subtle (as long as you don't turn it up too loud to prohibit conversation or say "shhh shut up and listen to this!"). [I used the car environment to convert him to XTC, by the way -- he's a drummer and adores Prairie Prince so I started with Skylarking.] humbly submitted to the court -- Leslie
------------------------------ From: Iain.Murray@hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au Message-Id: <4A2566E3.000A3754.00@mta.hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 11:59:13 +1000 Subject: Best of '98/The Artist Formerly Known As Declan I think there's something wrong with my E-Mail ; all sorts of rubbish is getting in, but I can't send any (rubbish) out. Let's see how far this gets..... A few randomly chosen albums for the whole Best of '98 thing : Billy Bragg & Wilco - "Mermaid Avenue" The Fauves - "Lazy Highways" Bob Dylan - "Time Out Of Mind" (I know it was released in 1997, but I only bought it this year, so it counts) Marcy Playground - "Marcy Playground" Barenaked Ladies - "Stunt" (not as good as their earlier stuff, but still okay) Luka Bloom - "Salty Heaven" (this guy's fantastic in concert) The Move - "Looking Back : The Best Of The Move" (a mid-price compilation) Rory Gallagher - "Photo Finish" (a re-release of his 1978 album - the man kicked bottom most groovily. RIP R.G.) I haven't yet heard the Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach collabaration (but I am going to see Mr Costello in concert in Sydney next month - maybe he'll bring Burt with him). : ) An album that might be worth seeking out is an Australian compilation (I think it was released last year) of Australian artists performing Bacharach/David songs. It's worth buying for the title alone - "To Hal And Bacharach". Iain "If the world is 12,000 years old and the Bible covers it, how come nobody mentioned dinosaurs?" - Bill Hicks.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b03b2a617db8d6e@[192.168.0.72]> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 16:46:04 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: oranges and lemons Hi Molle, It's an old children's nursery rhyme, based around the rhythms and sounds of the different bell chimes at some of London's main churches. It was also traditionally used in children's playground games (skipping games, in particular). XTC have more than once referred to different nursery rhyme chants in their songs: "Oranges and lemons" say the bells of Saint Clement's, "I owe you five farthings" say the bells of St Martin's, "When will you pay me?" say the bells of old Bailey, "When I am rich" say the bells of Shoreditch, "When will that be?" say the bells of Stepney, "How should I know?" says the great bell of Bow. James James Dignan___________________________________ You talk to me Deptmt of Psychology, Otago University As if from a distance ya zhivu v' 50 Norfolk Street And I reply. . . . . . . . . . Dunedin, New Zealand with impressions chosen from another time steam megaphone (03) 455-7807 (Brian Eno - "By this River")
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 14:27:05 +0000 From: Sebastien Maury <MAURY.SEBASTIEN@a2.abc.net.au> Subject: almost better than the real thing Message-Id: <E701ISC3D2B2*/R=A1/R=ABCNET/U=MAURYS6G/@MHS> Bien chers habitants de la colline de craie, It seems for a change that I'm not the last on this list to fall prey to a serious 19C disease...I held off for a good 2 weeks after my first sighting in a local import shop that's very cool but nevertheless (or should that be therefore) home to complete rip-off merchants. A$107 (however puny our crazy dollar is at the moment, that still makes a hell of a lot of money). Thankfully, sanity was restored on Monday, and they were carrying (the same) said CD for $79, which, although expensive, was too good to pass up. I'd never heard the '79 show, but am loving Baz's keys-the lines are often similar enough to the album versions to give lie to the nonsense that he couldn't play. I think what people mean is that he sounds as if he couldn't play. What a genius. Speaking of which, in the course of my employment here at Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, I came across a program that we may sell to PayTV which used not one but TWO Shriekback songs, "Pretty Little Things" and "The Reptiles and I". These alongside "Paranoima" by The Art of Noise, Yello's "Bostich", and some Philip Glass excerpts. I'm not familiar with Shriekback's stuff at all, but it was a change from all the mood music and pop classics people usually use in these sorts of programs. I was lucky enough to see a sublime Neil Finn show a few weeks ago in Sydney, just in time to restore my faith in gorgeous songwriters. He performed quite a "rocky" set; at one stage, 3 guitars were vying for attention, one of whom was played by the talented and smashingly cute Liam Finn, Neil's teenaged son. Liam is so shy, he played most of the set with his back to the audience...Despite the hard-edged nature of much of the show, he still performed some wonderful solo stuff, and a sublime "family" duet. I'm glad to see he hasn't let the mantle slip-he's still one of the best performers around, and this gig rivalled Radiohead earlier this year as the best live experience I've had thus far. Now for Elvis in 99! Prince: basically if you don't like his approach, or his music, I certainly won't be convincing you with these words, but those who trash him on the basis of Batdance and other sad moments are, it has to be said, not getting the whole story. His gift for delicious melody, harmonic unease and pumping rhythm are undeniable, and his prolific writing skills, acknowledged production expertise and instrumental virtuosity are beyond doubt. Ultimately, though, the man himself can get in the way of the music; many people who are ambivalent about him are just that: ambivalent about HIM. Which is fine. But as someone who owns all of his output on CD (or close to it-the "authorised" Black Album on CD released some years ago is not complete...), the breadth of musical styles, from the hilarious disco tragedy of "Soft and Wet" and "Just as Long as We're Together" (one of my all-time favourite songs), through heavy guitar based angst of Bambi, the ass-kicking bass thump of Gett Off (go the flutes), and the tension filled squall of Thieves in the Temple amaze me. I'd be more than happy to list songs at a later date for people that I think are worthy of the over-used moniker "genius". I guess it was too much to bear to see him getting written off, although the subsequent semi-retraction and other various support was funny. The only reason I have time to mount any sort of spirited defence of Prince (he will always remain so) is because work is so damned quiet! Can anyone confirm that Skylarking was XTC's most commercially disappointing album in the UK? I read this in a music tome recently. Also many thanks to those people who recommended Francis Dunnery at various stages this year-I now own 3 albums, and find his big, generous and commercial sound quite engaging. Great tunes! I intend to take Dom's Cardiacs recommendation ASAP in the new year. And One Week by the Barenakeds looks to be certain of a top 100 finish in Australian national radio station 2JJJ's annual "Hottest 100, billed as the biggest independent music poll in the world (ie independent being as voted by listeners). Sadly, cause the boys have done nothing up to the release of the object which got me writing this post in the first place, it'll probably be too late for them to figure. I'll vote for something off the boxed set anyway, as it WAS released this year, so it qualifies. E-mail me privately if you want info on how to vote from outside Australia (hint: JJJ has a website). Australians: Latest word on Apple Venus locally from a reputable import store is: don't hold your breath for Jan (I wasn't)-try March or April. Sigh. Happy silly season, Seb.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981223052747.20827.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Catherine Piazolla" <notangos@hotmail.com> Subject: semi-spoiler Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 21:27:45 PST My father, who works as a session musician and arranger in Nashville, had the opportunity to hear 3 tracks from Apple Venus recently. One of his coworkers was sent a promo CD with the tracks. My dad has never heard XTC, and did not remember the names of the tunes. I had recommended the band to him, so he asked his pals if they'd heard of the band, and one produced the forementioned promo. He told me that the songs were "amazing," and that XTC has "used the orchestra like an orchestra" rather than simple "ELO-styled" piano-chord translations," and that the tunes were often "quite dissonant." I don't know of that helps anyone, but perhaps we can really look forward to a great piece of work from the band soon. Catherine
------------------------------ From: Nudeants@aol.com Message-ID: <21c99f97.368087c4@aol.com> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 01:03:48 EST Subject: Re: Bigger than Cheeses Kudos to Ryan for not wearing his Lennon/Christ article as a badge. I was genuinely intrigued by what you wrote and it made me think about it, and thanks for having an open mind with what I wrote. To John, in his response to what I wrote, just to clear up a couple of things that don't quite translate well over the internet since tone of voice is not applicable: 1) I merely was 'arguing' the point for the fun of it, not to imply that I have problems with people who use drugs or stuff like that. I just meant that what he did didn't seem too 'Christ-like'. I wasn't really saying what I said as a judgement call; it was more for the sake of argument. 2) With respect to the statement I made concerning 'growing out' of my stance on Christ figures, I didn't necessarily intend any facetiousness. After all, its possible I may see that viewpoint as naive or youthful 10 or 20 years down the road. After all, I'm 23; I certainly don't profess to have definitive stances on such things just yet. 3) I also wasn't necessarily taking a Christian apologetic stance either. I don't even really consider myself a Christian at this point in my life. I indeed resonated with your remarks concerning the Inquisition (or they resonated with me..?) and, to Don, w/r/t the Charlie Parker statement. I'm a jazz musician myself; its what I have worked on intensely for the past 11 or 12 years now, and I completely agree with you. I own well over 800 CD's, and not one of them is a Charlie Parker CD. This is partially because I'm a pianist, and didn't undergo the Bird rite of passage that many saxophonist, for example, go through. To be fair, though, his way of playing defined, melodically, a common practice that has become the rule or tradition for a certain kind of jazz playing, one that has held for a long time. As masterful and visionary as he was for coming up with what he did back then, I personally don't enjoy listening to it. For me, the Miles quintet of the '60's represents the be-all and end-all for how to play small group acoustic jazz of that sort, and most of what comes out today under the title of 'jazz,' in its 'straightahead' form, completely misses the point and has not a pinky toe's hangnail worth of the vitality, originality, and conception of that Miles music. To make a long point longer, I and many other jazz musicians I know agree with you. Sorry for the excess verbiage, but I got inspired. Thanks to those who waded through it. matt mitchell
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03110700b2a66028432a@[209.112.136.56]> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 00:54:13 -0900 From: Michael Travis <mdt@pobox.alaska.net> Subject: Re: Andy & Van Dyke Parks John A Lane <jal@iastate.edu> typed: > Random idea: > The next producer for XTC's follow-up to "Apple Venus" should be > Van Dyke Parks. I tend to wonder how/what the chemistry between > Andy and Van would be... As much as I appreciate VDP's influence on Brian Wilson during the legendary _Smile_ sessions of late 1966, I find Mr. Parks' solo work competent yet uninspiring. I don't think he would be bad, but I don't he would be particularly good either. On the other hand, if I was doing one of those big budget documentaries on some aspect of American history on PBS, he'd be the first person I'd call to do the soundtrack. My quick list of unusually good new releases I've bought this year: Smiling Pets (Various Artists) - This is a Sony Japan release of an unusual amalgam of Japanese & American artists doing covers of Pet Sounds-Good Vibrations-Smile-Smiley Smile era Brian Wilson. There are a few failed experiements here, but all-in-all this is the best tribute disc I have ever heard. All Done With Mirrors, A Le Grand Magistery Compilation (Various Artists) - Most record label samplers suck. This one certainly doesn't. XO (Elliot Smith) - Despite (because of?) all of the hype about this guy in the American media, I wasn't expecting much from this album. Boy, was I wrong.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <008801be2e70$797554e0$921017d4@default> From: "Steve Jackson" <smj@zen.co.uk> Subject: Listening to drums Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 12:20:31 -0000 Nross said....<I think it was Molly and another person... I can't remember and I am not going to go back and search through the digest, but... Yuns had the view of the great drum debate as being I suppose somewhat silly, with a "who really pays attention to the drums anyway" sort of attitude!> Not listening to drums is tantamount to saying "I've played Drums and Wires and English Settlement, but I haven't listened to them" The drums are of paramount importance on both albums...you CANNOT listen to "Roads Girdle The Globe", "Making Plans For Nigel" "It's Nearly Africa" or "Ball and Chain" without listening to the drums as in each case the drums are an integral part of the MELODY rather than merely there to provide a backbeat....I think I said TC was not 'technically' the best XTC drummer, but I didn't say he wasn't the most exciting...I have said before that he (along with Magazine's John Doyle) was the reason why I started playing in the first place.....Maybe Molly and others meant that they never listened to the drums in isolation, to which I would say listen to the start of "Nigel" which is pure drums (albeit with a lot of flange and reverb) Perhaps the drums are of less importance on the later albums but 'technically' the drumming on both TMWSAHS and 'Jump' are both beyond Mr Chambers but the drumming on Nigel, Roads,Paper& Iron, Travels In Nihilon (Shit, how do you not listen to the drums on that one), Senses et al is more exciting and, for me, more inspirational (although those cymbal crashes on TMWSAHS still make me swoon!) Merry Xmas SMJ
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3680FAE6.682F@bellatlantic.net> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 09:15:02 -0500 From: John Irvine <jirvine@bellatlantic.net> Subject: Unknown MIMEs Unite! Is anyone else offended that unknown mimes are OMITTED form this list? I hate mimes as much as Shakes the Clown, but I can't stand by and watch this pogrom unfold. Where is the outrage? -John I
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199812230934.JAA048.30@GATEWAY.TIRERACK.COM> Subject: Re: The great Lennon debate Date: Wed, 23 Dec 98 09:34:53 -0600 From: William Loring <bloring@tirerack.com> RE: The whole Lennon/Christ/Phil thing: I think the point here that people seem to be missing (by a country mile, I might add) is this: You may think Lennon is Christ. This is okay. You may think Lennon is Crap. This is okay too. You may (like me) think that he was a reasonably cool guy who wrote some great stuff, and some not-so-great stuff. And it really sucks that some tragically unbalanced individual had to go and kill him. It sucks when anyone does that, doesn't matter who. Killing is bad. This of course, is the only real correct answer, because I said so. ;-) You may think something entirely different, and think I'm full of shit. While I may not like it, this is _still_ okay. But the point is this: (I said I was getting to the point, didn't I?) So, you come over to the XTC list, make a few obviously baiting and imflammatory remarks about someone that we all _know_ is very close to the hearts of many people who frequent this list (to deny this would be ignorance in the extreme), and then when people react vehemently to your little pet theory, you say "Christ/John/Ozzy/Phil! What the hell are you people all so worked up about?!? AFTER ALL, HE WAS JUST A SONGWRITER." I mean, really. What did you _expect_ to happen? "Oh you're so right. My favorite artist of all time, and the guy who I've been modeling my life after, is JUST A SONGWRITER, and not a very good one at that. Thank you for showing me the way, oh enlightened one." I think not. So, while I think it is worthwhile to discuss these related artists intelligently on this list, as their influences on XTC are undeniable, and worthwhile, I would ask that people try to limit the purposeful flame-throwing. Or at least don't sound so damned surprised when the flames start moving your way. Sermon mode off, lurk mode back on. Happy Holidays to all! William Loring
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981223152336.12261.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Doug Terrell" <terrell@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Converting wives Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 07:23:35 PST >I've had the same experience. I have been trying to convert my wife to >XTC for the last four years, and her reaction has been less than >enthusiastic. I have, however, caught her humming "Pumpkinhead" before, >but judging from the fact that I haven't heard her hum it again since, I >think it was a bad idea for me to so loudly claim victory as I did. So >don't force anyone to admit a growing affection for our heroes. I guess I'm lucky: My wife was hooked as soon as I played "Skylarking" for her while we were still dating. Haven't quite got her thinking that a "Transistor Blast" purchase is the right thing to do, though!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 10:44:54 -0500
From: keith@orchestraville.com (Keith Hanlon)
Subject: Top 10 (appended)
Message-ID: <19981223154325315.AAA217@max1-74.columbus.megsinet.net>
In case you care... my Top 10 Records of 1998 (with appendices).
I feel like I'm forgetting something. Before I started to compile my list I
thought it would end up much smaller than it is. I usually have one record
that I'm positive was my favorite, followed by a few great records, some ok
records, and some reissues. For me, 98 turned out to be a goldmine without
a clear favorite.
1. Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach - "Painted From Memory"
2. Girl Brothers (Wendy and Lisa) - "Girl Bros"
3. Beck - "Mutations"
4. Diamanda Galas - "Malediction and Prayer"
5. Belle and Sebastian - "If You're Feeling Sinister"
6. Pulp - "This is Hardcore"
7. Sean Lennon - "Into the Sun"
8. Page/Plant - "Walking into Clarksdale" (really!)
9. PJ Harvey - "Is This Desire?"
10. Robyn Hitchcock - "Storefront Hitchcock"
Honarable mentions:
Babe the Blue Ox - "The Way We Were"
Joey Baron - "Down Home"
VPN - "Smallwire"
Sex Mob - "Din of Inequity"
NPG - "New Power Soul"
Townies - "Plurperfect"
Reissues and Collections:
Miles Davis - "Bitches Brew Sessions"
Miles Davis - "Quintet 1965-1968"
Bob Dylan - "Live 1966"
Prince - "Crystal Ball"
The Pixies - "At the BBC"
Yoko Ono - "Plastic Ono Band"
Stuff from 97 that I discovered in 98: Broadcast, Apples in Stereo, Beekeeper
Stuff from 98 that I haven't heard/bought yet: The Divine Comedy, Chris
Isaac, Momus, John Lennon Anthology
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keith Hanlon
Web Designer - http://thewebpeople.com
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------------------------------ Message-ID: <C4D3F9980FD4D111892B00805FBBF5D1012A2324@mailsvr1.lernerny.com> From: "Lieman, Ira" <ilieman@lernerny.com> Subject: And a Happy Gnu Year... Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 10:57:28 -0500 Chalkholio, Cooking Vinyl said about the flimsy neon cases, "they cost a fortune to make!!! We thought they were very special(:" Yes, they were special. And it's really sweet you thought of us in such a special way. But for next time, please spend less money on the cases which are going to break anyway and expand the liner notes! It's a great set and your collective heart is in the right place, but money can be better spent. Now that I've said that, whatever you release I'm going to buy so my point is probably moot. Also, I really want to get Neil Finn's album but I'm too busy buying baby clothes. This year I basically bought older albums. Although the George Michael greatest hits set isn't half bad... Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy remainder of the holiday season and for the New Year... -ira, late for yet another meeting
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From: nsps@usa.net
Message-ID: <19981222213104.10326.qmail@www0s.netaddress.usa.net>
Date: 22 Dec 98 14:31:04 MST
Subject: Re: Transistor Blast Neon cases.
>>>>Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 09:28:45 -0500
From: Cooking Vinyl <Cooking_Vinyl@compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: Transistor Blast
Message-ID: <199812210929_MC2-6459-2A38@compuserve.com>
>From: "Damian Foulger" <damian@imclaser.com>
>
>> :) The flimsy neon cd-cases are very cheezy though. One would expect
>> slightly sturdier construction for $40+, but I'm glad I have it
>
>I must have a different version of the above mentioned set. I
>thought that the flimsy neon cd-cases were great value for the $23
>that I paid for TB.
they cost a fortune to make!!! We thought they were very special(:
<<<<
I think they're very cool, especially the silk screening. The box is
cool too. Besides, $40 for the set is $10 a CD and it's certainly
nicer than a regular case.
Picks for '98:
XTC- Transistor Blast
They Might Be Giants-Severe Tire Damage (I'd rather have a new studio
album, but this was good and brought some obscure
classics back to the stage for the tour. Also some
cool new stuff.
Yazbek-Tock (The man is a genius)
NSPS- Those Wacky Crazy Canadians (let me have my fun)
Moxy Fruvous-Live Noise (The perfect band to put out a live album)
There are some others, but those are the real standouts. Plus the MF
Canadian CDs that just came out in America, but I already had them.
-Jeremy Mathews
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199812230444.UAA08925@sgi.sgi.com> Subject: Re: next XTC producer Date: Tue, 22 Dec 98 22:44:35 -0600 From: steve <schiavo@home.com> John A Lane wrote: >The next producer for XTC's follow-up to "Apple Venus" should be Van Dyke >Parks. If they're pretty close to starting on Volume 2, I wonder if it will be the first self produced XTC album. - Steve
------------------------------ From: SeamusII@webtv.net (Nanette & Phil Smith) Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 22:00:12 -0600 (CST) Subject: Best of '98 Message-ID: <15863-368078DC-3183@mailtod-272.iap.bryant.webtv.net> Thanks to everyone who's been posting their best of '98 lists - it's the only way I get to hear about new music nowadays (The Wondermints & the Apples are definitely going on my wish list!) Thanks also to everyone who's given advice on how to handle introducing my wife to XTC. I think I'm going to go the route of making a mix tape & subjecting her to it in the car. Wish me luck! Incidentally, my wife is convinced that the correct pronunciation of XTC is 'ecstacy' not 'ex-tee-see.' When I pointed out to her that I have NEVER heard anyone pronounce it 'ecstacy,' she refused to concede. How can I prove her wrong? Phil's Best of '98: 1.) Elvis & Burt: Painted from Memory - Seems like this made everyone's list! 2.) Songs of Elvis Costello (Rhino) - But somehow this hasn't made anyone's list? 21 covers of Elvis tunes ranging from pop to country to jazz to acapella to Celtic...with Robert Wyatt, Ruben Blades, Tasmin Archer, Til Tuesday, Chet Baker, etc. 3.) Jeff Buckley - Sketches for my Sweetheart the Drunk (also on some other lists, I see - ) Reading about Dave G. leaving XTC was one of the disappointments of the year, but it pales in comparison to the permanent loss of Jeff Buckley. A distinctive voice & a great songwriter. If you haven't heard him, pick up his first album, "Grace."... 4.) Mike Keneally: Sluggo - Former Zappa sideman & XTC fan's newest; as always an incredibly tight band, but MK shows off his considerable talents on grand piano as well as guitar & voice. Great stuff! 5.) Mayfield - Mayfield New project from ex-Tears for Fears Curt Smith. Not nearly as self-indulgent & boring as TFF has now become. 6.) Benjamin Britten - The Complete Folksong Arrangements (Collins Digital) The true roots of British music. Folksongs, mostly from the British Isles, in arrangements for voice & piano, voice & guitar, and a few other combinations. Mostly sung by the best tenor I have ever heard, & a Britten specialist, Philip Langridge. If you hate operatic singers, you might just like the way this man sings. Biggest disappointments of 1998: 1.) Barenaked Ladies: Stunt Probably could never have met my expectations after "Rock Spectacle," one of the best live albums I've ever heard. 2.) High Llamas: Cold & Bouncy I'd bought 'Hawaii'last year & loved it - now I know more is not always better. 3.) Ben Folds Five: Naked Baby Photos Half of this album is great - but it probably should have waited a few years until there was a full album of b-sides & rarities worth releasing... 4.) Dave Matthews: Before These Crowded Streets FINE
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Message-Id: <9812231446.AA07821@axtx0060.scent.mccaw.com>
From: steve mcallister <steve.mcallister-next@attws.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 98 08:46:38 -0600
Subject: Utensiltown Rebellion
Well, I think it's just great that someone from Cooking Vinyl is
paying attention to the list as this allows us to keep informed about
what is rumor and what is fact.
I will second the motion that TVT tries not to delay the release
of "A.V." as it will, indeed, prompt lots of import orders, rather
than domestic ones (let's hope TVT has a mole in the 'hill).
I have no list of ten for the year, though I was quite impressed
with releases by Beck and Rufus Wainwright. If anyone has info on
J.Falkner's new release, would you please e-mail me privately? I'd
like to know the "when", especially.
enjoy yourselves
sm
Karl wrote:
Oh boy! some useless old utensil,
(just the thing I need, how nice.)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <E936F9674805D111BCED0000F87889809A79EA@svr02.bclc.com> From: Neil Oliver <NOLIVER@bclc.com> Subject: Release Date? Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 08:43:50 -0800 The Internet site "Music News of the World" has announced the release date of Apple Venus as Feb. 16, 1999. This is usually a pretty reliable source of news. http://www.addict.com/MNOTW/hifi/
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-47 ******************************
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