Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 72
Date: Friday, 29 January 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 72
Friday, 29 January 1999
Today's Topics:
Recent Changes on Chalkhills
WHFS... THERE IS AN XTC FAN AMONG US
Nonsuch Apples
Muzak versions of XTC on "The Weather Channel"?
LMNOP
Apple Venus, baby!
band name poll, TB and BOOKS?!
Band Poll - Modifications
hey, that's my photo
Apple Venus
Apple Venus Demos
Hoorah Sir Wonders
guitars/Paula /airplay
Tyranthesaurus Rex
Is this any kind of idea?
The wrong three letters on your Wheel Of Fortune board
I contacted my local stations, and thank you
Intro and question.
Re: Lou Bangs? Lester Reed?
Cyber-slaps all around!
Advance orders, and a poem
Schoolgirl giddiness
the kinks.
TB in CA
Bits and Bits, Bits and Related Bits
Administrivia:
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to:
<chalkhills@chalkhills.org>
World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/>
or: <http://come.to/chalkhills/>
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is compiled using Digest 3.6b (by John Relph <relph@sgi.com>).
Let's reveal our childlike nature.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 14:59:20 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <199901292259.OAA12225@mando.engr.sgi.com> From: John Relph <relph@engr.sgi.com> Subject: Recent Changes on Chalkhills Hey folks, It was good to meet those of you who attended the San Francisco Bay Area XTC Gathering last Wednesday. I had a great time. I hope y'all did, too. New features on Chalkhills this week include: * New promo piccies (courtesy TVT Records) * Matt Kaden's reviews of "Skylarking", "Psonic Psunspot", "Oranges and Lemons", and "Nonsuch" * Kees Pouw's chords for "Red Brick Dream" * A SPINonline interview with Andy Partridge * The Portland Oregonian review of "Transistor Blast" Keep up the good work! -- John
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990126162414.25582.rocketmail@attach1.rocketmail.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 08:24:14 -0800 (PST) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: WHFS... THERE IS AN XTC FAN AMONG US Today, Jan 26, 1999: DC AREA, WHFS 99.1 Around 8:30 am... while driving the long drive to work/school, I heard the DJ talking to some artist... who turned out to be Brad, the MMM MMM MMM guy (I can't remember the band name, losing my memory) and they were talking about Andy Partridge and XTC and how so so very clever Andy is, etc. Needless to say (if it is so needless, why say it?) I am hopeful that they will play the new music soon. Did anyone else hear that morning show? Who are the DJ's then? I rarely listen in the mornings. I just got a copy of the demos for AV... wow! I was afraid it would be an entire cassette of Rook's. I like Prince of Orange the best. It is not to be included in AV 1 or 2, now is it. This saddens me. well. === "... It takes all sorts of in and outdoor schooling to get accustomed to my kind of fooling" -R.Frost Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes. -- Thoreau
------------------------------ Message-ID: <002f01be4948$24e03920$0b4e97d0@ginsim> From: "Simon Deane/Gina Chong" <ginsim@netvigator.com> Subject: Nonsuch Apples Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 00:22:59 +0800 A propos absolutely nothing, I was browsing my dictionary just now (as I am wont to do-I'm a really interesting person you see) and happened upon the following: Nonsuch (noun): A variety of apple (and pear). Also attrib. 1676 Worlidge Cyder (1691) 210 The Non-such [apple] is a long-lasting fruit, good at the table. Ibid. 216 The Non~such, Dionier,..are all very good winter-pears. 1846 Mrs. Gore Eng. Char. (1852) 112 With lustrous, rosy, and whiskerless face, round as a Nonsuch apple. 1859 F. G. White Addr. Cape Town Fine Arts Exhib. 13 No man in his senses would eat sour crabs when he could get ribstone pippins or nonsuch apples. It would seem that Mr Partridge had more than one reason for choosing the words "apple venus" from Nonsuch for the title of the new album. I personally have never knowingly tried a Nonsuch apple even though I also hail from the West Country, but judging from the above quotations it was (and maybe still is) a particularly tasty fruit. (I also noticed that you can now order the CD from Amazon.com and CDnow for $12.99 but not yet from IMVS) All the best Simon Deane
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 12:22:04 -0600
Message-Id: <v02110100b2d35cf1eeea@[144.92.180.206]>
From: jhackney@facstaff.wisc.edu (John M. Hackney)
Subject: Muzak versions of XTC on "The Weather Channel"?
Chalkhillians,
I was in S. California over Christmas and swore that I had heard a
muzak version of "Broomstick Rhythm" during several of the local-forecast
segments played on "The Weather Channel". I first heard it while in
another part of the house and couldn't remember where I'd heard the tune
before, nor could I get the tune out of my mind. I heard it several more
times that same day (Christmas Eve) and on subsequent days and am pretty
sure, though not positive, that it was some mutated version of "Broomstick
Rhythm". But, a couple of problems here---I don't think it was copied
exactly as it exists on my cassette version of the song (which I didn't
have along with me for purposes of comparison) and it seems unlikely that a
Muzak version of the song would even be in existence, since the song only
really exists as a bootleg, right? They kept repeating the song every time
that they featured the local forecast thing, probably because the chorus
has a somewhat bouncy, Christmasy feel to it. Has anyone else heard the
same thing in weeks past, or am I the only one who wastes time watching
that channel? I was in southern Orange county----I think the local
forecast segments differ from one another around the country.
As always, this topic may have been discussed several times
already, I'm really behind in my reading of the Digest.
Because so many members listed "Try Whistling This" as a top album
for 1998, I went out and purchased a copy. I was going to anyway, because
I'm already a big Neil Finn/Crowded House fan. I think it's really a great
piece of work!
John
------------------------------
Message-Id: <9901269173.AA917375383@ccmgate.carat.fr>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 99 19:17:32 +0100
From: fsolans@carat.fr (SOLANS, Frederic)
Subject: LMNOP
Bonjour a tous et a toutes
Constantine wrote :
<When I was in law school a classmate and I schemed to form a band
<called LMNOP, except we planned to spell and pronounce it
<Ellomennopee. You're welcome to it,
????
In the late 80's, I bought in Paris a CD called "Numbles" from a band
called...LMNOP, issue from New Rose label. The only credit was :
LMNOP is Stephen M. FIEVET
No coment about quality (...) but I bought it after an XTC's mention
in an obscure chronic.
Same band ?
Fredo Fat Bassman
------------------------------ From: weslong@usa.net Message-ID: <19990126194327.24475.qmail@www06.netaddress.usa.net> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 19:43:27 Subject: Apple Venus, baby! Chalkheads: I write music reviews for a local rag called The Music Monitor, which is also online at www.musicmonitor.net. I was lucky enough to receive an advance cd copy of AV 1 to review for next months issue, I'm more than geared up at the chance to review the lads, and, allow me to add, that they are in top form here. Anyway....not sure if anyone is interested, as it is only about a month now before it's released to all, but I'd be happy to make a taped copy for anyone who wants to trade me something for it, (audio/video/memorabilia....anything XTC) If you are interested, email me. Also, as always, I've got many originals, and shloads of 1st gen copies of all of the hard to find LE releases, as well as lots of demos, videos, and live gigs...and more, to trade. Check out my list; Optimism's Flames, "http://members.tripod.com/~The_Last_Balloon/index.html" If you want to trade for a taped copy of AV 1, I only ask one thing of you....you must, that is MUST, still purchase the real deal when it comes out. I'd love to make that damn thing chart! Wes
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199901262000.UAA08785@mailhost.dircon.co.uk> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 20:00:32 +0100 Subject: band name poll, TB and BOOKS?! From: "peter cunliffe" <clock@dircon.co.uk> Greetings from the North West of England! Having enjoyed reading the digests, particularly the last few, I decided it was time to pitch in. It was the request for band names that was the catalyst - My younger brother, nomadic rock bassist that he is, had a list of potential names for his current band, one of which was "Free Beer and Topless Barmaids". Guaranteed to draw the punters in, but you'd have to be a class act to keep them entertained, I reckon. They're currently gigging under the name "Slide" , btw, but are still not convinced, as several people have pointed out that that's how a Midlands citizen would pronounce "Slade" (like Noddy Holder....) The list has also inspired me to re-listen to various XTC albums in the light of fresh information about guitars, lyrics, etc and I've picked up on stuff I'd previously missed. I bought "Transistor Blast" (#18.99 from Virgin Megastore, for the irony, although it's possible I was the only one who understood it, and probably helped finance Branson's latest inflated head or "Bestselling" book "Tessas, Pensions and Peps", or whatever).... anyway, I digress.... TB is great, having missed "Drums and Wireless" (too expensive at the time) and not that familiar with the band prior to "Black Sea" which was the first XTC album I bought, inspired by "XTC at the Manor", I found myself LOVING stuff like "Battery Brides", "The Rhythm" etc. and "All Along the Watchtower" is KICKING! Now I can't wait for "Apple Venus"! Without wishing to ramble too much, be accused of egotism, get slagged off a la DavidOh & Molly (up for it though they were, to some extent) my fave albums recently have been: Word Gets Around by Stereophonics (energy, lyricism, TUNES) Smithereens by Nick Harper (humour, guitar virtuosity, great arrangements, TUNES) http://www.nickharper.com Baptist Hospital by Boo Hewerdine (see above) and of course, Transistor Blast. If you're a bookworm, I've really enjoyed "Complicity" (thriller) "Whit" (modern social story about a religious sect in the modern world - in a nutshell) - I can't say "In a nutshell" without thinking of Austin Powers - and "The Bridge" (surrealm, dreamlike, poetic) all by Scottish genius Iain Banks, and surprisingly, "Time for Bed" by David Baddiel is very funny. All for now Pete. *---------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.S. If by some bizarre chance you like XTC *and* Roy Harper, check out the Harper archives at http://www.clock.dircon.co.uk *----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199901262122.QAA08726@smtp-gw2.vma.verio.net> Subject: Band Poll - Modifications Date: Tue, 26 Jan 99 16:22:57 -0500 From: Constantine Pappas <locp@clark.net> Hiya Chalkfolks, Thanks to all of you have that have already sent in your list of top ten BEST band names. Some of you were creative enough to also include your list of top ten WORST names. GREAT IDEA! So email me both lists (or either) by Feb. 1 and I'll post the results here on Chalkhills soon thereafter. Here (again) are my guidelines: 1. You do NOT have to like the band to like their name, thus you can HATE Phil and LOVE the name Genesis, for example (bad example, but you get the picture). Likewise, for your WORST name lists, you might LOVE the band but HATE their name. 2. I don't think proper nouns should count by themselves. Sorry, Yazbek. The name may CONTAIN a name, however (e.g. Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians). 3. You may NOT include XTC, Star Park, Helium Kidz, Terry and the Lovemen, The Three Wisemen, The Dukes, etc.... no XTC and no XTC noms de plume. I won't count them. 4. Please put the words 'Band Poll' somewhere in the subject/title of your email. (example: Hey Shithead, here are my Band Poll submissions <----perfectly acceptable, albeit rude) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-= XTC Content: I like XTC a lot. --Constantine Pappas
------------------------------ From: Catnips@aol.com Message-ID: <497692dd.36ae5283@aol.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 18:40:51 EST Subject: hey, that's my photo so i get this phone call from a friend of a friend and i find out my XTC photograph is in " Song Stories" so off i run to Borders and what to my wondering eyes appears on page 118-MY PHOTO. I thought these had made it into the hands of the fab three but apparrently not. I guess they've been placed in some Virgin records file cabinet and they bring them out for Virgin publicity. well if you're interested in seeing more, i've just built a little website. http://www.ctphoto.com/pushpin happy viewing ciao, cathy
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990127012347.21514.rocketmail@send101.yahoomail.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 17:23:47 -0800 (PST) From: Veronica Kyle Robertson <veronicakr@yahoo.com> Subject: Apple Venus As some of you may have already noticed, many of the online stores now have Apple Venus v.1 ready for advance orders. I found it on both CDNow and MusicBlvd for about the same price. I could not find any info, however, on the TVT site about it. Has anyone seen any evidence of it on TVT's website? I do hope TVT proves me wrong to worry about the quality of their services. I went ahead and put in an advance order. I would like to do it the old fashioned way- walking down to my local music store- but my local stores rarely make it easy to find ultra-new releases and the prices are usually 10-25% higher than I pay online. By the way, I went cosmetics shopping the other day and found a new shade of nail polish by M.A.C. titled "X.T.C.". It's sort of a shimmery translucent beige. As much as I like the name they gave it, I think any number of other colors would have been more exciting. It's so sheer, you can hardly see it at all. Veronica
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990127032820.14033.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Andy Carlton" <andy_carlton@hotmail.com> Subject: Apple Venus Demos Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 19:28:19 PST Hello Chalkers, I just wanted to let you all know if your looking for the Apple Venus Demos on CD, I suggest you contact this guy robertlc@erols.com.He has them in the best quality I ever heard!!! No Hiss!!! I'm just so happy about them I had to post.Even if you have them already, get them from him, you wont regret it! Andy Carlton
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36AE9D43.9CF89589@mediaone.net> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 23:59:47 -0500 From: Don & Sue Parker <DonSueP@mediaone.net> Subject: Hoorah Sir Wonders Apologies for brief essentially XTC-less post, but I couldn't resist this . . . Harrison Sherwood Had Heroin Sorrows Near Whorish Odors Harsher Wino Odors Whose Dronish Roar Shed Iowan Horrors His Honored Arrows Shreds Narrow Ohio Ideas Shown Horror Has Wordier Honors Harsh Word Erosion Rash Weirdo Honors Hoorah Sir Wonders Yeah, somebody else here will probably have JUST posted a much better one, but what the heck? I don't think I'll truly believe that there even IS a new XTC album until I see it. It still seems unreal... Don
------------------------------
Message-ID: <19990127060501.8938.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com>
Subject: guitars/Paula /airplay
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 22:05:00 PST
One more sleep until Elvis and Steve Nieve. Eeeeek!
Eric - good call! I want to know more about the guitar parts also, for
both live and studio work. I've assumed as a rule that, live, the fiddly
bits are probably Dave, especially when Andy is singing, given that for
anyone less gifted than Hendrix that usually precludes playing complex
fills and solos at the same time. (I don't doubt he can do it, but
that's what Dave was there for, after all)
Also -I would love to know more of the techno stuff - what guitars, amps
and effects they used, etc. I can usually pick a Strat when I hear one
('cos I own one), and I can sometimes recognise the odd Rickenbacker,
but I would find it very interesting to know more.
God, I'm turning into such an anorak-wearer ... or at least I thought I
was ... until I read Phil's experience of falling asleep in front of
Star Trek [surprising? Not really] and dreaming about buying AV in
Tokyo. Whew! Next stop - Anorak Central! THAT was funny.
Amanda - thanks for defending Paula Cole. I think she's a fine singer
who richly deserves her success. Paula of course had stepped *more* than
ably into the breach left by the sudden and dramatic departure of
everyone's favourite anti-papist, Skinhead O'Connor, during the American
leg of the Secret World tour.
I had the great privelege of meeting her after Peter Gabriel's Sydney
concert (now who's bragging?). I can report that (besides being a mighty
singer) Paula is a *very* charming and pleasant person, who took time to
meet and talk at length with all the people waiting for PG, even though
it was nearly 1 am and after a long performance. A lovely person, and
good luck to her. Oh and did I mention that I met PG and got his
autograph on the set list and he even recongised me from the concert
(... no wonder, cos I was in the front row screaming like a teenager).
That's my last ever brag, I promise. In fact it's the only one I've got.
re: AV airplay
- this is getting a bit exciting. Sounds like some of the American
stations are actually interested. I hope they pick it up and give them a
go. I hold out little hope for Australia, although there's always a
chance JJJ will pick it up.
Australian commerical radio? Yeah right ...
Dunks
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990127063046.5256.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: Tyranthesaurus Rex Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 22:30:46 PST Your powers are strong, young Sherwood - use them wisely. Amazing post, Harrison - I'm printing this out to take home and read at length - it clearly requires more than the cursory glance I gave it this arvo. And I'm TERRIBLE at anagrams, so I'll have to get out the paper and pencil and nut it out the hard way. I don't know what is more frightening - the fact that anyone actually knows that many words - or the prospect of finding out that he probably tossed this one off (ooo-eer missus) in a few minutes during his teabreak. Dug the Chthulhu reference too. Nice touch. Surely you scribble for a living? If not - why not? And fare ye well, Steve Franklin (you tinny bastard) - aren't you glad you didn't bottle out after all. I personally don't imagine having the nerve to walk up to Andy's door and knock. But what a story to tell the grandkids. Good luck, mate. BTW - does anyone ever knock on Colin's door? He must be feeling a bit left out? Dunks
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990127063914.3410.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: Is this any kind of idea? Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 22:39:13 PST Being also a member of the Move list (hello Movers), where they do a such a thing already, I vaguely wondered in a quiet moment ( i.e. while I should have been working) if this might be an idea appealing to Chalkhillers: - viz: how about setting a "Song of the Week" for comments on lyrics, production, performance etc. The lyrics bit appeals to me especially, as there is so much there to explore. OK Im a newbie. Has this been suggested before? Does anyone else think this might be something we could do. Is it too dicky? Look forward to comments in favour and/or smacks upside the head. Dunks
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l0313030db2d463bdc3eb@[207.180.218.25]> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 02:25:30 -0500 From: Rodney <rodneye@inspiracy.com> Subject: The wrong three letters on your Wheel Of Fortune board I am loathe to enter the debate over this filthy resurrection of Jim Morrison as a eunuch, Michael Stipe, because it's akin to debating Scientologists or any trendy cultists. Eloquence and evidence can't penetrate them. A few things need to be said, however. No matter how many times Stipe sells out, he'll never matter to anyone outside of the cult of initiates who hang on his every mumbled word. The only time he's edgy is when he's insulting the Beatles, and the people who are still moved by them. His petulant foot-stamping over the fact that REM aren't considered in the same league would be funny if it weren't so blasphemous. For all the special pleading on his behalf that his lyrics and delivery are "moving" not one person can instantly recall the melodies to dozens of REM songs, because the songwriting is so appallingly weak (and their supporters are the same people who bitch about rap!). Oh, but they sell out football stadiums around the globe... selling you a world tour wrapped in grey. Bill Hicks had a term for whiny little people like Stipe: fevered egos. The reality is this: the support for hack touring bands who catered to a contrived, conservative "alternative" movement in the 1980s (read: REM) was financially detrimental to pure pop bands like XTC, who actually deserved the success. There was a time when a record could chart purely on its own merits, without any smoke and mirrors, and those songs hit the heart like adrenaline. They wore their politics and spirituality in their hearts, not on their sleeves. Andy didn't need to pontificate on the urgency for voting Democrat in a Coke-Pepsi election (thereby ensuring one of the major supporters of music censorship in the US was a heartbeat away from the presidency) or support some bizarre anti-sex movement (thereby shoring up conservative politicians and religious leaders while openly pretending to be their opposition)... need I say more? I can think of no further opposites in rock than REM and XTC. One sucks the joy out of the most significant art form of the 20th century, while the other breathes life into it. -- "Living well and ripping your enemy's still-beating heart out with your bare hands is the best revenge." - Michael O'Donoghue
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199901270756.XAA01699@law-f70.hotmail.com>
From: "Molly Fanton" <mollyfa@hotmail.com>
Subject: I contacted my local stations, and thank you
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 23:56:15 PST
Chalkers,
I contacted my local radio stations to play "I'd Like That". I
have the luxery of having two alternative stations The River 101.1 from
Niagra Falls, Ont and 103.3 The Edge from here in Buffalo. I haven't
heard from them whether or not they have the song, but I'll keep
listening.
Also, I wanted to thank Nicole for her nice the she said about me.
I almost felt like crying when I read it. It was so kind. Thanks
again.
Molly
------------------------------ From: "Kraeg MacKenzie" <ia1hp@fastlink.com.au> Subject: Intro and question. Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 22:15:07 +1100 Message-ID: <000001be49e6$4c34ff80$a90523cb@CS?.fastlink.com.au> Hoping this gets thru (are you receiving me.....) Quick intro.... My name's Kraeg (or Craig or Kraighe or Krayg), and I am from Sydney, Australia. XTC is in my top 6 favourite bands (along with the Pixies, Ratcat, Nirvana, INXS and Radiohead; but no particular order (oh except the Pixies are pretty much first)). However, being broke all the time, all I have is the Fossil Fuel double CD (but I am working on getting everything else eventually). But their stuff (the little I have) is fucking brilliant. I also play guitar, write songs, hoping to start a band blah blah blah...... Anyway, from what I can gather (please excuse my ignorance), there are releases of XTC stuff happening at the moment. Is this new stuff, a compilation or a mix? And what about Down Under?? I'll be asking at the local record shop if they can get them in (esp. on vinyl: I have just got a new needle). Can anyone be kind and forgiving enough to e-mail me with any details (I am pretty much a hermit and so know fuck all) re: these releases, at ia1hp@fastlink.com.au (mailto:ia1hp@fastlink.com.au). Maybe I should check out web sites too for info...... Kraeg (looking forward to building up his XTC collection..... next major task in life) "As I start to realise, just where my future lies; I keep my secrets hidden, I dress them in disguise. As for all the opinionated public and the press: I promise to believe in me and forget that you exist. Truth, or lie..... good buy."
------------------------------ From: CCooli9575@aol.com Message-ID: <5d3d4ed8.36aef62f@aol.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 06:19:11 EST Subject: Re: Lou Bangs? Lester Reed? >something tells me Lou would have approved of XTC's >noisier stuff, like, say, "Train Running Low On Soul Coal" or "Travels >In Nihilon." Sorry, that should have been Lester as in Bangs, not Lou as in Reed. Lester would have understood. Chris
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990127172300.12944.rocketmail@attach1.rocketmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 09:23:00 -0800 (PST) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: Cyber-slaps all around! Todd: Hand up... arm cocked backward... ready for that quick, slick move to the face ...ah..ah... No. I don't have it in me to slap today! :-) ... hey, I actually got a variant of the comment I was ready to throw your way. No blood, though. Jason Hauser: >Is his name Jonathan or Mikey?... does he say "Yo" a little too often?< Are you from Philly? Yo... Adrian. Actually, he has a cool cool name and is British by origin... and actually by citizenship... hasn't gone American yet. He likes Jamoriqui (uh... spelling help here...) so he's got some taste, in my ESTEEMED opinion. I've got many comments this time WOW! cool beans awesome, is there anything else I can say.... uh, Ya'll and Yuns and gumbands and pop and soda. Neal... everything that passes is seen again! Damned! I was TRYING to be clever... but it comes through as that and so it sucks... oh well. Hey! Embrace your "regular" status!!! === "... It takes all sorts of in and outdoor schooling to get accustomed to my kind of fooling" -R.Frost Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19990127125408.0099e7e0@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 12:54:08 -0500 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: Advance orders, and a poem Hey Chalklates, For those of you so inclined, Music Boulevard is now taking advance orders for Apple Venus, for $12.88! They list the release date as currently being February 23. Me, I'm with those who feel that there's nothing like picking up a CD in person and ripping off the wrapper as soon as possible, the SAME day! Whatever your mode of purchase, I've written a little poem to commemorate this seemingly interminable wait. I've entitled it, "The Minutes Seem Like Hours, The Hours Seem Like Days, When Will It Be Over, This Transistor-Blasted Haze?": How slowly pass the days between us While wishing on an "Apple Venus." >From Seattle, Wash., to Wash., D.C. We crave the latest XTC. And over 'cross the great Atlantic All the fans are getting frantic. They'd sacrifice a small canary Just to hear "Your Dictionary." Thank you. Thank you very much. May your weeks pass quickly, Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199901271812.KAA07133@sgi.com> Date: 27 Jan 99 13:14:40 -0500 From: Jennifer Ralston <jennifer_ralston@tbwachiat.com> Subject: Schoolgirl giddiness AAAAAAAAAA!!! OmigodOmigodOmigodOmigodOmigodOmigod OmigodOmigodOmigodOmigodOmigodOmigod!!!!!!! Forgive me (though I'm not really sorry); I thought it was time to give the list some unadulterated, blissfully naive joy. Last Friday night I was in a car with some friends and I heard something on the radio that sounded uncannily like XTC. After a moment or two I realised that for the first time in years, it conceivably *could* be them, playing a song I did not yet know! After listening a little more I was sure, though I had no idea what song it could be from AV1. I cannot TELL you how excited I was! It was not until JUST THEN that the realisation dawned on me - **there really is a new XTC record coming out!!!** The last time that happened, I was just out of high school and took it for granted! Please understand that since then, I have not gone out of my way to hear demos, sound clips, anything. So it's truly been 8 years since I have experienced the splendour of new XTC. And now...NOW...I have just received my own advance copy in the mail! (very cool packaging eh?? -sorry) I am listening to it now and it's only because I'm at work that I'm not yelping and running around like a lunatic. But rest assured I will do so when I get home and listen to this thing over and over again. So the song I heard in the car? I'd Like That, of course. WOW. WOW. What utter brilliance. Sonic bliss. I want to cry. OK time to go concentrate on the rest... Be not jealous, be *ecstatically overjoyed* that our years of waiting have not gone for naught!! OUR TIME HAS COME!!!!! I'd like *that*, jennifer. P.S. Don't worry, I will pay $$ for the real thing too.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 09:26:07 -0800 (PST) From: Stephen Mahoney <stephenm@nethost.multnomah.lib.or.us> Subject: the kinks. Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.02.9901270920500.5250-100000@nethost.multnomah.lib.or.us> I spent the whole morning listening to the villiage green preservation society, arthur, and everyone's in showbiz and I have now come to the conclusion that the kinks are my new favorite band ( next to xtc, of course) with lyrics which have acute social awareness and a broad range in sound- which other albums should I hear next? there are so many it overwhelms me.... Stephen Mahoney Rockwood Clerk 248-5396 stephenm@nethost.multnomah.co.lib.or.us "The world is divided into people who think they are right" -anonymous
------------------------------ From: ElizaS33@aol.com Message-ID: <f4a94274.36af5eb2@aol.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 13:45:06 EST Subject: TB in CA Brian wrote: >>I am with you man - this is the reason I don't have TB yet. I have visited every record store within 20 miles - (I am in Southern Calif for heaven's sake!) and haven't been able to hold it in my hends yet. When I do, it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine!<< Are you perhaps within 20 miles of the quaint seaside community of Santa Monica? In the section of that town known as The Promenade exists a small shop decorated in tasteful earthtones known to all by the moniker of Hear Music. It is in this shop that your humble correspondent ekes out her meager living. It is also in this shop that a shiny new copy of Transistor Blast sits forlornly, waiting for someone to claim it as his own. Elizabeth The Gallery of Indispensable Pop Music homepages.infoseek.com/~popgallery www.frigidisk.com \ the coolest cds on the Internet
------------------------------ Message-ID: <2D26BA632106D21192E100805FA7059B0116B123@xch-rtn-17.ca.boeing.com> From: "Rader, John M" <John.Rader@PSS.Boeing.com> Subject: Bits and Bits, Bits and Related Bits Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 10:50:36 -0800 Hello all, It's been a long time since I posted but I have been diligently reading- even some David Oh. Analog versus digital - The old debate is raging again, and will be fueled by the release of AV1 in both formats. Is there anyone who has heard both who thinks that the CD version of English Settlement is truer to the master tape than the two disc LP? I thought not. The fidelity (to the master) of an LP or CD is the result of care taken in the mastering chain. That's why both MFSL gold discs are truer to the master tape than the aluminum versions. Whether you sonically prefer one to the other is your taste. Both analog and digital consumer media are capable of a good reflection of the source, although the things that each does well is different. Harrison, you old curmudgeon, have you actually tried the Green Magic Marker on the edge of your CDs? I can hear a difference, but of course I have golden ears (and a bit delusional). The actual analysis is that laser light reflects and refracts at the polycarbonate and aluminum surface of the CD. Some of it exits the CD at its edge and winds up back at the diode photoreceptors trying to read the bits. End result: distortion. The green color provides absorption at the frequency of the laser used in CD playback. Someone asked a few digests back about why the additional blue laser light in his YBA CD player might help the sound. The blue laser dampens optical resonances thereby purifying the signal. The makers of a green marker, Audio Prism, also have a glow in the dark CD mat (called the Cd Blacklight) which provides this, static removal and mechanical dampening. You place it on top of the CD. Yup: better sound. Will I go to the store to buy AV1? Yes, but I will buy the LP online. While I'm at the store buying AV1, I'll also pick up JASON FALKNER'S "CAN YOU STILL FEEL?" because I can think of nothing better than getting two long awaited discs on the same day. (Jason's is scheduled for Feb. 23rd). What better rock album to tide one over til AV2? Much anticipated 1999 releases (and some from 1998 that I haven't gotten yet): Blur, Robyn Hitchcock, Lloyd Cole, Gene, Babybird, Boo Radley's, Velvet Crush, Martin Phillips and the Chills demos, more from the Divine Comedy. Wow - this could be a great POP year. These are the discs that spent time in heavy rotation this year: Pernice Brothers "Overcome by Happiness" Morcheeba "Big Calm" Lightning Seeds "Dizzy Heights" (1997) Grant Lee Buffalo "Jubilee" Monaco "Music for Pleasure" the Divine Comedy "Casanova" (1996), "Short Album about Love"(1997), "Fin de Siecle" Roddy Frame "The North Star" Robyn Hitchcock "Storefront Hitchcock" Tim Keegan and the Homer Lounge "Long Distance Information" The one called "The Green Magic Marker Man", John
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-72 ******************************
Go back to Volume 5.
29 January 1999 / Feedback