Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 12
Date: Wednesday, 19 January 2000

          Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 12

                Wednesday, 19 January 2000

Today's Topics:

                     That Wexler Name
              A musical recommendation, etc.
                  Because They're Young
                    Different Animals
                          yawn!
                   travels in my nippon
                       AV2 News 4U
                    XTC Trainspotting
            for all you completists out there
                Keyboard Magazine gets it
                   Apple Venus Volume 2
                  Re: Loseable arguments
                 Knights In Shining Karma
              Who wants to be a yen-ionaire
                       the VH1 list

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I saw your writing on paper landing.

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

Message-ID: <130CB597E04ED211B2A400104B93AAC47DF7DB@ESCORP1>
From: "Wiencek, Dan" <dwiencek@crateandbarrel.com>
Subject: That Wexler Name
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 09:10:31 -0600

David Oh wrote:

> that wexler name:
>
> i read in "song stories" that erika wexler's father is involved in the
> movie industry (also that erika had a small role in "saturday night
> fever",
> opposite one john travolta, even!). now, i've seen the name of haskel
> wexler in the credits of several movies in the past - i believe he's a
> director of photography, but i could be, and probably am, wrong - and i
> was
> wondering if anyone knew if this was her
> father/uncle/brother/grandfather/whatever or if indeed they are even
> related?
>
> in other words, does anyone know who her father is and what he does within
> the film industry?

Sadly, screenwriter (and Erica's father) Norman Wexler died a few months
ago. Here is his bio from the All-Movie Guide (http://www.allmovie.com).

"Academy award-nominated screenwriter Norman Wexler was not necessarily
prolific, but he was responsible for the screenplays for some very popular
films. Wexler began his professional career as a journalist, after having
earned a degree from Harvard University. His film career began with Joe,
which earned him his first Oscar nomination. From there, he added Serpico
and Saturday Night Fever to his impressive resume, the first of which earned
him a second Academy award nomination. He also managed to earn a
cinematographer credit for the film, The Kids Are Alright. Later in life,
however, his professional career suffered due to his manic depression. To
further exacerbate matters, in 1972 he was arrested by the FBI after
announcing his plans to assassinate President Richard M. Nixon. In August
1999, he died at the age of 73 from a heart attack."

The following Q&A appeared recently on Roger Ebert's website:

Q. In Bob Zmuda's book about Andy Kaufman, he mentions how he worked for a
famous screenwriter, whom he would only call "Mr. X." He tells us of the
wildly eccentric things Mr. X would do and how the tales he would tell led
to his and Andy's collaboration, and how these stories led to Andy's form of
"comedy." Do you know who this bizarre screenwriter is? -- Scott Boudet,
Tallahassee, Fla.

A. I referred your question to Bill Zehme, author of the just-published
Lost in the Funhouse: The Life and Mind of Andy Kaufman. He replies:
"Before he came into Andy's life (May 1974, a full year later than
claimed), Zmuda worked odd jobs for the renegade screenwriter Norman
Wexler ("Serpico", "Joe", "Saturday Night Fever") who died this
year. Wexler, as I point out in my book, was a legendary kook "whose
supposed eccentric furies and quixotic adventures had makings of further
inspiration for [Kaufman's fictional lounge lizard character] Tony
Clifton. Andy's creation of Clifton pre-dated Zmuda, but Zmuda's stories
about Wexler's sociopathic and oblivious behavior certainly thrilled
Andy. Clifton's abrasive demeanor was largely based on that of comedian
Richard Belzer, well-known for heckling an audience before it had a chance
to heckle him."

Dan W.

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

Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.20000117145644.00858a50@mail.infohouse.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 14:56:44 -0500
From: Gary Glauber <gary@freelanceadvancers.com>
Subject: A musical recommendation, etc.

Fellow Chalkies:

I de-lurk rarely, but when I do, it's for a good reason.  I was the one who
sent the Owsley/Cotton Mather stuff to Wes, and have also turned many
others on to fine pop music.  If I had a nickel for every person I've
managed to introduce XTC to, I'd be comfortable...

So here's the scoop.  Do check out the pop stylings of one David Mead,
whose CD is called "The Luxury of Time."  I think it's on RCA, though I'm
not positive.  With repeated listenings it becomes apparent that this guy
is a keeper - nice arrangements and very nice pop songwriting, especially
from a young guy on his first CD.  Parts of it are very McCartney-like, but
hear for yourself.

Another one that seems to have escaped recommendation here is Andy Bopp of
the group Love Nut, who has released solo efforts under the name of Myracle
Brah.  I highly recommend his first CD "Life from the Planet Earsnop."

Lastly, I give a thumbs up to Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers CD "Falling
Into Place."  Viola was the voice of the Oneders in "That Thing You Do" -
though the songs were penned by Adam Schlessinger of Fountains of Wayne.
Nice pop, and you can even dance to it (ha).

On an XTC note, I had a great time meeting Mssrs. Partridge and Moulding
back almost a year ago in NYC at the AV1 signing...but from what I've heard
of the possible AV2 songs (and love them I do), none seem to strike me as
the hard-rocking songs one has been led to expect from pre-release
publicity.  Is it just me?  Sure, Playground will offer some fine
guitars...but what else?

Happy to share fine pop with people,

Gary G.

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

From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 23:16:43 +0100
Subject: Because They're Young
Message-Id: <20000117221406.9AF64A6CF2@mail.knoware.nl>

Dear Chalkers,

>  it seems that it's only 12-15 year old girls who are
> buying singles.  That can't be so,

Why not?
Go to your neighbourhood record store and look who's buying
singles: a few dj's and the people who can't easily afford albums
(= kids). Any record company exec will tell you this is true and
believe me: these folk know their markets; they have to or they
starve.

Of course there also a small bunch of fans and/or completists, but
even a band like U2 wouldn't "shift many units" if they only sold
singles to their dedicated followers.

The total number of singles being sold has been dropping steadily
since the late 70's in almost every country of the world.
And this is reflected by sales of individual "hits" as well.

An interesting side-effect: here in Holland (and other places) this has
led to a lowering of the gold standard: nowadays a single has to sell
a mere 50,000 copies instead of 100,000 to be dipped in gold.

Another side-effect: the charts are much more fickle.
A new record can reach the top 10 overnight based on pre-sales
alone, if it's a major act, and then disappear without a trace within a
fortnight.

Where does all this leave XTC then?
Nowhere i'm afraid... to play the teen market effectively you need a
good and costly video and the proper channels to promote it
(=enough money to buy some slots on MTV).
It ain't fair, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Unless Andy and Colin can find some way to attract young girls in
the age of 12 to 15 _and_ stay out of prison, the odds of them ever
scoring an actual hit would seem pretty low.

"Hold on! I think i've got it... picture this: we'll hoist him into an
Armani suit, give him a bit of a tan, put him on a catwalk with dozens
of gorgeous Latino ladies, and let him do his shit in front of a big
crowd that's going nuts... can you see it?
Huh? It could be huge, i tell ya!"

"..."

"You're kidding, right?? You mean, like, there's actually two of
them? Shit..." "No, no, no... i'm cool, no problem.
Now how about this: two guys in a red Ferrari, cruising along the
boulevard... Hello? Operator, the line just... hello?"

PS: please remind me not to inhale before i post

yours in xtc,

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

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

From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 23:16:43 +0100
Subject: Different Animals
Message-Id: <20000117221409.E58F4A6CF2@mail.knoware.nl>

Dear Chalkers,

An amazing discovery:

> Well, I decided to show you what the
> Pagan names of XTC were.
> Andy Partridge - Kinky Panther
aka Rubbery Shark

> Colin Moulding - Treehugging Pebble

Or these 'names' Pagan or Pythonesque?

> Dave Gregory - Fluffy Mule

But that can't be right, now can it?
Mules aren't fluffy at all, they're much more horsey leathery like
And i know for a fact that Dave's not fluffy at all; a bit hairy perhaps
but not fluffy and most definetely not leathery

> Terry Chambers - Sun Twinkletoes
I bet our Terry (ooh, how i miss him!!!) would give you one around
the ears if you called him Twinkletoes.

> There ya go.
indeed...
>
> Molly
Ah! now i understand.
Great to have you back in good form, Mol!

yours in xtc,

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

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

Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.20000117224150.00719938@pop3.passport.ca>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 22:41:50 -0500
From: David Oh <davidoh@passport.ca>
Subject: yawn!

did anyone watch that pathetic display called the american mediocrity
awards on tv tonight (00-01-17)?

i tried - i really did try - to not watch it, but it was kinda like seeing
a car crash; you know you shouldn't look, but you just can't help it!

actually, i was surfing 'cause there's 57 channels and nothing on and i
kept coming across this show. everytime they announced an award, i always
"picked the winner". i know it's easy to say that, but it was true because
it is so predictable! it's not about how good the music is; it's about
sales and style and looks and popularity. it's pathetic.

britney spears, shania twain, the backchute boys, garth brooks... gmafb!
again!

what a bunch of crap! sorry, but i gotta say it again:

the music business circa 2000 a.d. is in a really sorry state.

long live xtc and c'mon "apple venus volume 2"!

 peace & xtc,

 davidoh

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

Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.20000117154617.00715a50@pop3.passport.ca>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 15:46:17 -0500
From: David Oh <davidoh@passport.ca>
Subject: travels in my nippon

i had a little xtc moment on christmas day that i'd like to share.

christmas was a very busy time for me, as i'm sure it was for many of you.
not only did i have a guest arriving on the 26th, but i also visited
friends for a couple of days prior to christmas day. this involved a
journey to sudbury, ontario, which is about 350 kilometres (about 200-or-so
miles) north of toronto, a 4-hour-plus drive under normal conditions. on
christmas day, i returned to toronto to have dinner with my family.

i have made this journey many times on christmas day - and at other times,
too -  and although it is a long drive, sometimes it can be quite
enjoyable. before i continue, though, a little background information is
necessary. it is a little bit technical, so bear with me. or skip the next
paragraph.

i drive a 1994 honda civic si coupe (red, of course, as i have a fetish for
anything red - especially cars and guitars!) with a 1600cc, twin-cam,
16-valve, vtec (variable valve timing) engine pushing out around 130 ponies
through a 5-speed trans-axle. it is very quick and nimble. the only options
i added to it were a/c, a rear spoiler and a 10-disc cd changer. the honda
am/fm/cassette stereo is quite good and the 6 factory-installed acoustic
research speakers are exceptional.

so, on christmas day, i drove from sudbury to toronto. 4 of the 10 discs in
the cd player were xtc; disc 2 of "fossil fuel", "nonsuch", "o&l" and
"black sea". the highway i was travelling is two-thirds 2 lane blacktop,
with the remaining 1/3 (immediately above toronto) being multi-lane. one
thing about driving on christmas day is that the roads are virtually free
of traffic.

i was about 100 kms north of toronto, where the highway is 4-lanes and
divided by a grass median. the speed limit is 100 km/h, but i was doing
more than that <grin>. "black sea" was nearing its conclusion as "travels
in nihilon" was playing.

i came around a right-hand bend and onto a straight section, about a
kilometre-or-so long. it was as straight as an arrow except for a couple of
gentle undulations a few hundred metres down the road. there was no other
traffic on the road - in either direction.

the stereo was at about 70% maximum volume - in other words: VERY LOUD!
terry's relentlessly pounding drums and colin's ascending/descending bass
runs egged me on. i pressed the go-faster pedal hard against the firewall
and kept it there for as long as i dared. my little honda responded
wonderfully, roaring appropriately - but never sounding strained - and as
steady as a rock!

with a few hundred metres left before the next left-hand bend, i figured
that that was about as much as i should tempt fate and so i took my foot
off of the accelerator pedal. i looked down just as the speedometer needle
was dropping below 180 km/h!

now, i certainly don't condone wreckless driving and i would never do this
with passengers in my car or with other vehicles around, but the thrill was
terrific. all the conditions were perfect for this; no traffic, no police,
no passengers, clear roads, good weather, great driving music (double
meaning intended)!

listening to "travels in nihilon" really loud while driving really fast is
serious fun. i'm pretty sure andy would be appalled at this behaviour and
would urge me to "push [my] car from the road", but i just couldn't help
myself from pushing my car _down_ the road while listening to this song.
it's all your fault, andy, for writing such a song as "travels..."!

i'm also very lucky there weren't any police patrolling that stretch of
highway at that time, either, as that kind of speed can be classified as
dangerous driving in these here parts. which means serious demerit points
and/or suspension of licence, a very heavy fine and a serious insurance
hike! (btw, i did the drive in 3 hours 15 minutes - and that included a pee
break!)

maybe i should take "black sea" out of my car's cd player and leave it out?

 peace & xtc,

 davidoh

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

Message-Id: <v03007802b4a9c9089277@[165.121.67.221]>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 02:45:59 -0500
From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com>
Subject: AV2 News 4U

Hi,

So I spoke with Andy today and so far 5 songs have been mixed and he's
extremely happy with them. He says the album will sound like a friendlier
and more tuneful "Black Sea" with some really groovy (as in the drummer
creating some nice grooves) drumming. As far as a song order goes, he
would like to start with "Playground", then "Stupidly Happy", then "In
Another Life" and eventually end the album with "The Wheel and the Maypole".

Fuzzy Warbles is still being worked on but recently Virgin has called to say
that they are making a definitive XTC box set and would Andy have any
demos around? He said no and expects there might be some dispute over
Fuzzy Warbles because of this. I was incorrect with the earlier news that
it will only contain unreleased songs. In fact it will be half unreleased and
half demos of songs from earlier XTC albums.

That's all for now.

Mitch

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

Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 12:05:00 -0600
Subject: XTC Trainspotting
From: William Loring <bloring@tirerack.com>
Message-ID: <B4AA076C.B3F%bloring@tirerack.com>

Just a little silly XTC sighting for you all:

I just bought a new car stereo from Crutchfield. I also ordered some front
speakers to replace the original equipment crap in my old Honda. In order to
fit the new speakers, I must remove some material from the back of the door
panel. To protect the new speakers, Crutchfield recommended some "baffles"
which mount behind the speakers and keep water from getting in.

Well, I got the new system today, and when I unpacked it, I checked out the
baffles. In a large serif font are the letters XTC, right in the center of
each baffle! The invoice reads "XTC Baffle 6 1/2 inch/pr.

Silly, but kinda cool knowing my XTC baffles will protect my speakers while
I play XTC through them.

...bill

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

Message-ID: <20000118172514.7532.qmail@web2102.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 09:25:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com>
Subject: for all you completists out there

I was browsing around the Forced Exposure website the
other day http://www.forcedexposure.com/index.html
When I saw a listing for a cd reissue of the infamous
'Miniatures' album.

Here's the listing from the Forced Exposure site:

VA: Miniatures: 51 Tiny Masterpieces Edited by Morgan
Fisher CD (BP 159 CD). 1994 CD reissue of this
compilation, originally issued in 1980 by Cherry Red.
"The brain-child of renowned keyboard player
Morgan Fisher, Miniatures is probably the most
interesting and  original compilation album ever made.
Forty-seven of the most  inventive and innovative
musicians were intrigued enough to contribute to the
project." Features contributions from: The Residents,
Robert Wyatt, Andy Thunderclap Newman, Fred Frith,
Maggie  Nicols, Joseph Racaille,  Lol Coxhill, Robert
Fripp, ANDY PARTRIDGE,  Ron Geesin, Alejandro Vinao,
Ralph Steadman, Trevor Wishart, Ivor Cutler, Bob
Cobbing and Henri Chopin, Metabolist, 1/2 Japanese,
Mark  Perry, David Cunningham, Etron Fou Leloublan,
etc.  $15.00

A lot of interesting names there, a few of which have
been mentioned on this list from time to time. Andy's
piece can also be found on Rag & Bone Buffet, but this
sounds like a pretty entertaining cd in its own right
(I ordered a copy, not because I'm an XTCEcompletist,
but because I've heard parts of this record, and it's
pretty cool).

Oh, I don't work for or have any monetary interest in
Forced Exposure. I just think its one of the best
sources for finding experimental music of all sorts.
If you're into techno, '60's psychedelica, prog rock,
punk, contemporary classical, 'new music'(whatever
that is), avant-garde jazz, etc. they are definately
worth checking out.

Tyler

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

Message-ID: <3884697B.AE2@bhip.infi.net>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 13:24:13 +0000
From: Brian <mattone@bhip.infi.net>
Subject: Keyboard Magazine gets it

Tscahlkgerz!

I was pleasanely surprised on my weekly trip to the bookstore to get my
usual assirtment of reading material, namely Keyboard Magazine.

 From the January 2000, 25th Anniversary Issue: pg. 10 - "In Review"
section:

XTC
Apple venus - Volume 1
A beautifully crafted, often Beatlesque pop outing that features lots of
keyboard work - either by Dave Gregory, who has since left the band, or
by co-producers/engineers Nick Davis and Haydn Bendall. Standouts in key
work include the Mellotron flute in "Easter Theatre," the tack piano
that appears throughout and brief Mellotron strings in "Frivolous
Tonight," and the sampled-and-sequenced bassoon line that kicks off
"Greenman". The strangely metered opener, "River Of Orchids" could haunt
the soul, and begs the question: Is that real orchestra or is it
sequenced? No matter, it's all brilliant." - Mark Vail

Just thought you'd like to know.

-Brian Matthews
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/sapringer

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

Message-id: <fc.000f4ca3002edf083b9aca00e51ae23e.2edf6c@cfrb.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 14:26:49 -0500
Subject: Apple Venus Volume 2
From: rgreenham@thebear.net (Rich Greenham)

Since it's minus 50 Celsius (with that bastard windchill) in Ottawa today,
my thoughts have wandered to warmer things -- like Apple Venus Volume 2.
Anyone have an idea what the cover's gonna look like?  Here's what I wanna
see...  A circuit board with different coloured diodes, transistors, LEDs
and capacitors in the shape of a peacock feather -- it's an "electric"
album, right!  Or maybe the feather done in multicolour neon!  Or just to
keep it simple -- the peacock feather with a volume knob in its center!
Oh -- the mind plays strange and wonderful things on ya when ya live in
the Great White North!

Gotta go -- the sled dogs are calling!  Mush!  Mush!

Brrrrrrr....

Rich

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

Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 14:23:01 -0600
Subject: Re: Loseable arguments
From: William Loring <bloring@tirerack.com>
Message-ID: <B4AA27C5.B5D%bloring@tirerack.com>

Ryan Anthony wrote:

> I will not challenge your choice of how many abortions
> and firearms to have. I agree to acknowledge, however
> grudgingly, that the numbers you have selected are
> right for you.
>
> And you, however grudgingly, do the same for me.

Sorry, I can't do that. I can agree that we disagree, but I cannot sit on my
hands and watch people die because the United States is obsessed with
firearms. I will continue to support gun control legislation, and will
continue to support non-violent conflict resolution. Guns are not the answer
to our insecurity, communication and education is. In the meantime,
legislation will do.

When we can all agree that the general population doesn't NEED things like:
handguns, plastic guns, teflon coated bullets, semi-auto guns that can
easily be "converted" to full auto, and all the other crap that the NRA has
fought tooth-and-nail to protect over the years... Then I'll gladly give up
gun control. Because we won't need it.

I have to admit that my feelings on this issue become more selfish over
time. Each time I hear about another shooting, I wonder: When will it happen
at my wife's place of work? When will it happen at my seven-year-old
daughter's school? Will I be the one on the news, collapsed with grief
because some _child_ picked up a gun from his dad's closet, and shot my
daughter, along with a dozen others? Should I be willing to give up my
daughter's life, so that we can all exercise our 2nd Amendment rights?

Melt the guns, and never more to fire them.

I'm sorry for going a little over-the-top at the end there, but I do feel
quite strongly about this.

William Loring

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

Message-ID: <000c01bf61f3$e14c89a0$3568883e@oemcomputer>
From: "David Edwards" <david@awed.fsnet.co.uk>
Subject: Knights In Shining Karma
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 20:37:45 -0000

 Dear Chalklings
Is Knights In Shining Karma more than a play on words, the bastard son of
Robert Plant's 'Now and Zen'? Has Andy just made the concept up? The song
clearly refers to guardians "with love for armour" who will "remain - ever
by your bed, guarding" while we sleep - if we "tend" our "flame" and
"shield" our "soul from this rain" and "this heat". He also mentions
"Dharma". As we know, Andy is a major fan of mythology and this, I would
suggest, is the key.

In Buddhism, 'bodhisattvas' (literally 'great-hearted/great-minded beings')
are people who, over many years (and many rebirths!) have developed their
love and compassion to a level where they devote every thought and every
action to the well being of other living creatures. In a formal ceremony,
The Bodhisattva Vow, people who aspire to this level of kindness commit
themselves to working for the welfare of all other beings in the universe
until every last one has been freed from all suffering into perfect bliss.
In other words, they choose to become the guardians of all beings. They are
knights in that they are noble, fearless, selfless, heroic and their armour
is indeed love - without love they are said to be powerless to do any good
at all.

Now to the issue of karma. Good karma is described as thought and action
motivated by the desire to benefit others, whereas negative karma is thought
and action motivated by the desire to solely benefit ourselves. According to
Buddhists, moments of good karma - kindness really - constitute 'merit'
which can be stored and collected but can also be destroyed by selfish
thoughts and actions: anger can destroy love, but compassion can also cure
hate. If we store up enough merit - if we tend our flame of love, protect
our souls from the love-annihilating heat of hate and the rain of sadness
and bitterness - then our 'merit' enables the bodhisattvas to help us, to
"remain" by our side to protect us. They will, for example, be with us to
dry our tears at the sink when our heart lies in pieces amongst the wreckage
of our broken family; they will warm away our winter jealousy "cold as
Vichyssoise" soup with the stellar heat of their unconditional love.

With best wishes

David Edwards

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

Message-ID: <3AE4C7B8CC1BD31194140008C7B14DE8012DE46E@hfd-exch008.aetna.com>
From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com>
Subject: Who wants to be a yen-ionaire
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 15:49:30 -0500

Sure, you can take Sushiman out of the Nutmeg, but you can't take
the Nutmeg...out...I'll finish this later. At least I've learned
from Sushiman not to run contests for mere "bonus points", but
that this crass and commercial crowd wants actual prizes. Oh,
the folly of my ways!

The answers:

"I hate my generation. I offer no apologies."
David Lowery and Cracker. Congrats to first respondent Phil
Corless, and others.

"One is supposed to be gay and cheerful, and have a good time."
"How? By being stupid?"
The second line comes from Dominique Francon. You Objectivists can
go grit your teeth, relinquish those fantasies of her, and give
your fortunes to charity. (We remaining non-obs will just flog
ourselves for our disbeliefs.) This is from The Fountainhead by
Ayn Rand. (I won't swear it's 100% verbatim, but pretty damn good
from an 800 page book I haven't laid eyes on in 7 years.)

Dom, your rants about UK music are welcome here in the USA. How much
money to take back Robbie Williams and that uncatchy, tuneless song
of his? And is there any hope for future oldies radio playing better
music of today than today's radio, in the future, does today?

"The lunatic said, don't let it go to your head,
I'm gonna make you a star",
Karl

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

From: WESnLES@aol.com
Message-ID: <99.5c17a7.25b644dc@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 17:36:12 EST
Subject: the VH1 list

Chalkites:

Ryan Anthony wrote:

"Speaking of arguments neither winnable nor loseable,  Chalkhiller "wesLONG"
recently pronounced "a load of shite" [sic] VH1's list of the Hundred
Greatest Rock
and Roll Songs.  WesLONG, could you be more specific about what you don't
like?"

Well....first of all, I fully understand that a list such as VH1's isn't
going to please everyone, or possibly anyone, but there are some rather
glaring holes in it.  I ran copies of the list for a good many friends and
co-workers.....we had a blast dissecting it into itsy bitsy pieces.  One
chap
I work with went so far as to compile his own list, this man is in dire need
of a life......wish I had a bit of his free time.

What's up with:

#64.........."London Calling," The Clash? (and I'm a Clash fan)
# 95........."Jump," Van Halen? (in the top 100 rock songs of all time?)

This song:
#41.........."Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana (hate to start this up
again)
comes prior to these songs:
#57a|a|.."Twist and Shout," the Beatles
#59a|a|.."She Love You," the Beatles
#60a|a|.."Space Oddity," David Bowie
#61a|a|.."Strawberry Fields Forever," the Beatles
#62a|a|.."Kashmir," Led Zeppelin
#68a|a|.."All Shook Up," Elvis Presley
#71a|a|.."Heartbreak Hotel," Elvis Presley
#72a|a|.."God Only Knows," the Beach Boys
#79a|a|.."A Hard Days Night," the Beatles
and some other pretty damn good songs

Anyone think Pink Floyd deserves a spot on the top 100?a|.they didn't get a
mention.

"Wipeout," anyone?

Lot's more Stevie Wonder & Jimi would be nice.

I, like most (I'm guessing herea|though it's not a long shot)  XTC fans am a
Beatle-heada|.and can think of far too many Beatle tunes that deserve a spot
here.a|.Blackbird was the song that made me pick up a guitar for the first
time(didn't make the top 100).  I think the Beatles deserve a spot higher
than their entry at #9, "Hey Jude," and I'm not sure that I would've picked
that as their best songa|..then #10 is "Imagine," by Lennona|..which I love,
but it's not deserving of a spot prior to a lot of Beatles tunes.

I hate the Stonesa|.but can't really argue with "Satisfaction" being
#1a|a|ya
gotta pick something #1.

Ahhhha|a|to create a list of this sort is pure crap in the first place and
designed to create ratings for VH1, it's absolutely meaningless
otherwisea|a|.but it sure is fun to bitch about it.  What else is missing
here?

WesLONG @ Optimism's Flames:
http://members.tripod.com/~The_Last_Balloon/index.html

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End of Chalkhills Digest #6-12
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19 January 2000 / Feedback