Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 171
Date: Friday, 16 June 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 171
Friday, 16 June 2000
Topics:
Huh?!
Where'd All The XTC Go?
um, it was an attempt at sarcasm
New Time
Mr. P's guitar
"Undigestable, that's what you are"
Wafers and Wine
WORST BAND IN THE WORLD?
It can't be, can it? Why yes, yes it is!
a boy and his dog
Looking for Footprints
DREAMSTARS
Future Collaborators for C & A
Making Plans For Nigel (Specifically, getting in his trousers!)
Next album title
Another Sondheim/Lehrer connection
Great big YES to We're All Light bumper stickers!
Czar For A Day / SIFJ mo
Re: flotsam & jetsam
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This is real life you're dreaming through.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 22:19:23 -0400 From: Harry Strole <hjstrole@earthlink.net> Subject: Huh?! Message-ID: <39483D25.BDB7F208@earthlink.net> You miss a few Chalkhills and you miss so much fun. ...that Middle Eastern countries all have cruel & barbaric prison >systems. >So if you're trying to provide a musical coda that suggests >a dungeon, you >probably want something with an arabesque flavor to >it. (Of course, >several Middle Eastern countries really *do* have >barbaric prison systems, >but that's probably beside the point.) "Arabesque" is actually a term describing a dance move in ballet. It can be used to describe a guitar playing style that could accompany such a move. I work for Arabesque Recordings; a jazz & classical music label. I happen to know the company was not named for the cruelty inside Middle Eastern prisons.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:43:32 -0700 (PDT) From: travis schulz <xtcisadarngoodband@yahoo.com> Subject: Where'd All The XTC Go? Message-ID: <20000615024332.8281.qmail@web1102.mail.yahoo.com> Hi y'all! At my local record store (Hastings Music, a nationwide chain comparable to Borders) nearly all of the XTC cds are gone. One copy of WASP STAR is all that remains in the old XTC slot that carried tons from their back catalogue for years. I seriously doubt that these albums were just purchased by a bunch of XTC fans here in rural Nebraska, cause their really ain't any. The prices were great though- 6.99 for Nonsuch, $4.99 for O&L brand new! The giant stack of XTC cds being gone instantly makes me wonder what happened. Any thoughts? Travis
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:25:54 -0700 From: David van Wert <mcknife@earthlink.net> Subject: um, it was an attempt at sarcasm Message-ID: <p04310100b56de5089090@[216.249.73.100]> a failed attempt, apparently... see, what happened was, I wrote: >What's next, a South Park musical?! to which KINGSTUNES@aol.com wrote: >Um, the movie was a musical. Blame Canada was up for an oscar. Schweeet. yes it was, Tom, and that was exactly the point I was trying to make for people who dismiss the entire concept of the musical itself as being unworthy of existence. Sorry the mock horror wasn't clear enough. And I'm afraid that a couple of posts down in same the digest where I got "corrected" about the South Park film, I sling quite a bit more of that mock horror around. I hope that no one thinks I really turn off the Simpsons every time they break into song. I also mentioned that Andy had roughed out some songs for the musical James & the Giant Peach, though the gig ultimately went elsewhere. What I'm wondering is whether there's a chance that Andy's songs will ever see the light of day...
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:48:19 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com> Subject: New Time Message-ID: <20000615024819.14280.qmail@web1303.mail.yahoo.com> The listening parties will be now held on Saturday afternoons. For more info go to: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/xtclisteningparty.html Molly ===== Molly's Pages: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html My Tribute to Talk Talk & .O.Rang: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/talktalkorang.html
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:50:22 EDT From: "Peter Sikoski" <cranick@hotmail.com> Subject: Mr. P's guitar Message-ID: <20000615045022.2906.qmail@hotmail.com> Hey ho. I finally have to post. You drove me to it. I took a peak into your world during the "hiatus" when I first got a computer. Then I watched closely for info when AV1 came out. I then felt compelled to go to the signing in Boston last year (I already missed basking in Zappa and Lennon's presence while they graced the planet. I felt I couldn't miss Andy Partridge. Now all I need is to meet Tom Waits, Danny Elfman and Elvis Costello). So now that WS is out I felt I should put on my Spock ear's and join the rest of you. What brings me out is the debate on Andy Partridge's guitar playing. I am not sure you naysayers fully understand his abilities. Twisting his chords around to come up with a unique way of voicing and composition is one thing. That is a respected venue throughout many musical landscapes. But now that he has had to step up to the lead role we can really see him shine. His style owes to many improvisational giants such as Charlie Parker and Thelonis Monk. He has said it before and if you track his guitar work from day one one you can see it. Now, I love what Gregory did for the outfit. But there are two different kinds of musicians. The one's that play really well and the ones that play really well while bending the rules. Partridge is of the second and more sophisticated camp. I am sure Gregory has done his homework. Of that there is no doubt. But Partridge has applied that knowledge with a wider spectrum. Style. Which is what makes his songwriting so compelling. Learning to play a diverse body of styles is one thing. Anyone with enough practice and aptitude can learn to do that. But creating a singular style is a whole other realm. If Partridge where 20 years Gregory's senior, Dave would be home transcribing Andy's solos. I hate to sound so negative on my first post. But the facts are there. I would love to see Gregory back. However, to be honest, I am waiting to see what Partridge does next as a superior guitarist. You could sell me the whole seat but I would only need the edge. Thanx for having me. Discuss...
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:06:03 EDT From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com Subject: "Undigestable, that's what you are" Message-ID: <d0.7296046.2679b02b@aol.com> Gonna squeeze one more in before big brother Relph goes running for the less chalky hills - Thank you, Joe Funk, for your post of the Pat Metheney interview!!! Pat has always been one of my favorite guitarists (he's on my famous list - remember?) He's so damn soft spoken, mellow and nice that to hear him unload like this is amazing! And on Kenny G! YO PAT!! YOU RULE, M***** F*****! I think that Pat should hire a hit man, send that sorry chump to sleep with the fishes, and record over one of his as a tribute! It could only improve it. Better yet, just erase KG's track and show him how it's done!!! >Weird.... It is just hard for me to picture Pat Metheny cussing!< Just think, it took Kenny G to do that! Relurking initiated now - Tom K.
------------------------------ Date: 14 Jun 00 23:53:17 CDT From: Mark <lollard@usa.net> Subject: Wafers and Wine Message-ID: <20000615045317.11647.qmail@nw171.netaddress.usa.net> first....wheel and the maypole.....tis truly a wonderful song...i find all of wasp star to be beautiful....but there is something about wheel and the maypole......wow....anyway, mom and dad got a new computer...came standard with a cd burner (as well as a nice program for art card work)...so i sat down last week end with all of my xtc stuff and made a personal XTC charm on cd....."my" greatest hits cd....none of this upsy daisy assortment stuff...(good attempt though and good for a new XTC listener)...lol....i made two cd's actually..one had something from each of my XTC cd's and the second had from black sea to wasp star .....i feel compelled to share my selections as i found them to (i guess) be my faves. first cd....no title....remember, i only had 74 minutes per cd to work with.....wasnt an easy choice...i wanted to get a cut from each cd i had on this one. very pleased with the outcome of both cd's. cd one: no title The Rotary I'm Bugged No Language In Our Lungs Wheel and the Maypole The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul Complicated Game Your Dictionary Shiny Cage Battery Brides Humble Daisy This World Over Scarecrow People Desert Island All of a Sudden (It's too Late) Super-Tuff Church of Women Dying The second cd is pretty much the same except nothing from white music, go2 and drums and wires (sorry barry and terry)...with a title as well: "Wafers and Wine"....(searched through some lyrics obviously)......did some nice cover stuff for the jewel box too...titled it Wafers and Wine because for me, it is heaven in a cd...such a wonderful blend....look: cd two - Title: Wafers and Wine The Affliated Church of Women Wheel and the Maypole Me and the Wind War Dance I'd Like That One of the Millions You and the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful Desert Island Shiny Cage Greenman No Language In Our Lungs The Man who Sailed Around His Soul I Remember the Sun Humble Daisy Human Alchemy Snowman Have a nice day. Mark in a house on a hill in Omaha
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 14:28:19 +0100 From: Warren Butson <Warren.Butson@getty-images.com> Subject: WORST BAND IN THE WORLD? Message-ID: <41BC73C88FDBD2119D2908002BB32B39036E96F4@lonexchg02.getty-images.com> Subject: Worst band in the world: Emerson Lake and Palmer I'm afraid I have to admit that I am possibly the only ELP and XTC fan on this website.I'm aware of all the bad press they got for being overblown, pompous, over-long instrumentals and ruining the "Classics", but the worst band in the world??!!!! COME ON!!! If you remove all the pre-conceptions (and instrumental solos!) and just listen to the music, some of it is fantastic and Greg Lake did some beautiful ballads. Most of all they were a fantastic live band to watch, with terrific showmanship and musical ability. Surely if you're going to site a really rotten band it would have to be ones that don't play thier own instruments,or write their own songs and sang crappy songs say Boney M or Boyzone or Racey etc. P.S I also like ELO and Wings, so maybe my tastes are crap, but I stand by what I said though I am used to them being slagged off!!!! It's a bit like the Phil Collins thing I suppose. The people who ridicule him most I believe are usually people who did like him until his talent left him and he became very uncool, then these people say " I never liked him, what a load of incipid shit", Truth is I loved his first two albums then he did a couple of iffy ones then he did two rubbish ones so now I say I hate him, probably moreso than if I never liked him in the first place. I'll stop now cause as I've lost the plot of what I was trying to say!
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 07:51:56 -0700 (PDT) From: me mine <it_girl00@yahoo.com> Subject: It can't be, can it? Why yes, yes it is! Message-ID: <20000615145156.20066.qmail@web3106.mail.yahoo.com> Greetings Chalkhillians: After a almost a year of lurking on this marvelous list, I thought it time to step out of the shadows. I've been following the debate over Wasp Star with great interest. I didn't have the demos and bought the cd on the day it was released. I tried not to form any preconceptions about it, but I've loved XTC since Drums & Wires. I like everything they've done, with varying degrees of passion. There are a number of artists that I've liked since, or before they came along, but I didn't buy all their albums. I'm not the kind of person who has to analyze every note, or wax poetic about guitar solos, bass lines and the rest. I'm not a musician - I just know what moves me. Listening to Wasp Star again last night, while cooking dinner, I was struck by how deceptively simple Andy and Colin make it appear, the creation of words and music that is. But it isn't. It's amazing and rich and clever and intelligent and funny and heartbreaking and uplifting and thrilling. Stupidly Happy, on first listen, didn't grab me, but I'd be disappointed if it did. If it was that easy to get, that accessible, it wouldn't mean as much and I wouldn't care about it as much. After several, dozen, hundreds of listens, their songs get better and better - there is so much there. I don't think there is a bad track on the album. Sure, I like some more than others, but my favorites change with subsequent spins. Last night, it was Stupidly Happy and there I was, just that, dancing around my kitchen to every last note of the song (doot and do, doot and do, doot and do....), only to press repeat and do it all over again. It was magic. On a completely different note: another hotly debated topic of late has been Napster. I'm including a link to a speech given recently by Courtney Love. Despite your opinions about her as an artist/actress etc., she had some interesting and valuable points to make. Check it out : http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2000/06/14/love/index.html. Till next time. it girl
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 07:57:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Brown <mb2@deltanet.com> Subject: a boy and his dog Message-ID: <200006151457.HAA00121@mail2.deltanet.com> Hey everybody! Ms. (lovely morning in) May wondered if the lads had dogs, and if so, what kind... I don't have the answer to that, but if I were to match them up with a breed, I'd choose- A German Sheperd for Colin... and I don't know why but I see Andy with a Yorkie (terrier)... What do you think? Debora Brown
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 16:53:42 +0100 From: "Davies, Huw (TPE)" <Huw.Davies3@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK> Subject: Looking for Footprints Message-ID: <7209B69A281BD4119EE50001FA7EA975AEAE1A@WOMAIL2> This may have been asked before, so e-mail me privately if it has, but why is Looking for Footprints not covered in Song Stories. Was it just a mere oversight on their part? I only just realised this when listening to Rag and Bone Buffet all the way through the other evening. (Listening to Rag and Bone Buffet all the way through is something I don't usually do). It was recorded during the Go2 sessions was it not? I'd be curious as to why XTC decided to leave it off the album. Huw Davies
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 00:16:29 +0900 From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp> Subject: DREAMSTARS Message-ID: <000001bfd6dc$b8877ee0$725791d2@johnboud> The charming Debora Brown wrote : >"This sounds like a new, and possibly annoying thread.. whose well-known >mug(s) have starred in your dreams, Chalkers? Remind me to tell you about >the one I had, involving Raymond Burr and a can of corn... Well , according to my DREAM RECORD FILE , besides AP there was : William Burroughs ( several times ) ; Jack Kerouac ( several times ) ; Allen Ginsberg ; Darryl Hannah ; Alistair Cooke ; The Animals ; Doris Day ; FDR ; Telly Savalas ; Jonathan Richman ; Leonard Bernstein ; Ringo Starr ; Ray Davies ( several times ) ; Beach Boys ; The Kinks ( several times ) ; George Harrison ; Miles Davis ; Morrissey ; Martina Navritalova ; Maria Sanchez ; Elizabeth Montgomery ; Monty Python ; Mick Jagger ; and Rush Limbaugh . Sushiman
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 11:29:54 -0400 From: Jeff Eason <eason@mountaintimes.com> Subject: Future Collaborators for C & A Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20000615112954.007c7100@mountaintimes.com> Greetin's Cretins! I'd like to thank all those who threw in their two cents on the "cool" music of the 80s. I didn't mean to exclude anyone's favorites--I was trying to make a point about how radio stations, movie soundtracks, and record labels try to package certain eras. Most of the time they seem to glom onto novelty songs like Thomas Dolby's "Blinded By Science" while ignoring the rest of his work. The introduction of the music video certainly has a lot to do with this trend, I think. I certainly wouldn't want XTC to be remembered solely for the songs that they put out in video form. Speaking of XTC, I'd like to put forth my wish list for musicians to help Andy and Colin on a hypothetical future release. Several of you have mentioned Richard Thompson as a collaborator. That would be fantastic! Has Richard ever met Andy or Colin? My list would include: Robert Wyatt on Vocals. In my 'umble opinion, he's the man. I love Schleep and everything else he's done. Ben Folds on Piano: I know, I know, many think he's just a pop poofter. But the boy can play the keys! Plus he's from North Carolina (like moi). Lili Haydn on Violin: This lady has been making the rounds in California, adding her brilliant and oftentimes gypsy-like sound to many artists' work. She also has her own fine album out. Sam Bush on mandolin: He's one of the only players who can go from bluegrass to jazz to rock and roll in about four seconds. Carla Bley on Organ: She's already worked with Robert Wyatt so maybe he can bring her along. Any other suggestions? Jesus is coming, look busy! (seen on a bumper sticker) Jeff in Appalachia.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 12:47:20 EDT From: StucoHomes@aol.com Subject: Making Plans For Nigel (Specifically, getting in his trousers!) Message-ID: <cb.6b0671e.267a6298@aol.com> In a message dated 6/15/00 11:43:01 AM US Eastern Standard Time, <owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes: > Gillian is on Nigel like a shot! > Consider "Who could resist her tender charms"; sounds > to me like Gillian is seducing Nigel rather than the > other way round and how many guys can resist a woman > who is blatantly coming on to them? (Be honest now!) > The number of people required to tango is greater than > one. Seems to me that it's just something that happens - neither of them were looking for it, it just BOOM happened. And is Nigel really wearing Joe's shoes? Maybe they're twins or something, if the shoes fit so well. - - - Reverend Jody L. Barnes http://members.aol.com/StucoHomes "May the baby Jesus shut your mouth and open your mind." - Don Vliet "He who hesitates is lost." - Andy Partridge
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 10:20:50 -0700 From: "Wes Hanks" <wes@iolvegas1.iolvegas.com> Subject: Next album title Message-ID: <200006151020.AA53412754@iolvegas1.iolvegas.com> Dear Andy & Colin, I know you have eschewed the 'naming-next-album-from-previous-album- lyric-content', but... next release: "And The Stuff Just Pours Out" Wes 'it came to me in a dream' Hanks
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 12:29:05 -0500 From: "Wiencek, Dan" <dwiencek@crateandbarrel.com> Subject: Another Sondheim/Lehrer connection Message-ID: <B697DB46B423D411BE970050DA793DE0342008@escorp1.crate.barrel.com> Apropos of nothing except the following from Stephanie: > Did you know Lehrer went to summer camp with Stephen Sondheim? He did indeed, though he is actually older than Sondheim and thus the two never hung out ... older boys have nothing to do with younger boys, as a rule. Then Bob wrote: However, regardless of how one feels about theater and musicals, anyone who loves the art and/or craft of songwriting owes it to himself to pay very careful attention to Stephen Sondheim for the simple reason that he sets the bar for himself higher than anyone ever has, and than anyone probably ever will. By that I mean that he simply doesn't cheat. His lyrics always scan perfectly, or he keeps on trying until he finds ones that do. His rhymes are always actual rhymes, or he keeps on trying... He's simply in a league all his own. Lehrer said of Sondheim (I'm quoting from memory) "He's the best lyricist the English language has ever produced. And that's not an opinion, that's a fact." I guess mathmeticians like certainties ... D Wiencek
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 10:34:56 -0700 From: Ed Kedzierski <ed.kedzierski@blvdmedia.com> Subject: Great big YES to We're All Light bumper stickers! Message-ID: <08B5DDC2BABCD311BFC6005004A884B013B6CB@mgcservices.com> In 6-169, WesLONG said: now all I need is a bumper sticker with the words WE'RE ALL LIGHT plastered across it. Anyone else think this is a damn good idea? I'd put one on my car. Hmmmm, or I'd buy a few hundred and spend a couple hours in the local mall parking lot on a Saturday pasting them to the bumpers of cars which have probably never experienced the thrill of having XTC ooze like napalm from their speakers and grills. Yes! Someone has to make these! If this song were to come out as a single (in a proper world there'd be about 4 or 5 singles off this album), this would be a great promo item to go with it (and of course make them available for sale as well...). I'd definitely buy one. Or two. Or several. I want to drive down the street with my "We're All Light" bumper sticker, bellowing "DON"T YOU KNOOOOWWW!" at confused passers-by! Whee! Ed K.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 11:23:59 -0700 From: "Steve Young" <sjyoung@hotmail.com> Subject: Czar For A Day / SIFJ mo Message-ID: <20000615182419.96911.qmail@hotmail.com> Picked up the "King For A Day" single in the used bin the other day - with the cheezy but strangely alluring "Czar" and "Versailles" remixes of said tune. Lots more drums and bass. Also has "Toys" and "Desert Island". I understand this is a fairly common single, but I *always* look and I've *rarely* discovered these sorts of hidden gems! I just needed to share with the group. Back to my folding chair... Ed Kedzierski queried: >Why should any other songs be exempt from the purifying white light of >meticulously literal interpretation? Yes, good call. SIFJ just isn't built to play the moralizing game - one of the reasons it works. We don't want a "latter-day-saints" commercial here; that would be "explaining the joke". Listen carefully: there's all sorts of regret coming through the cracks in this song. "And so the story goes.." "This actor he plays all the parts.." Those lines aren't founded on pride, it seems to me. I don't mean to sound patronizing, but the best lyrical constructions look (deceptively) simple from the outside. Writing "simple" songs is really, really hard. It's not my favorite song on the album, but I respect its intentions. ~~Steve (taking a break from "WS" after many weeks of consant play)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 15:31:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dorothy Spirito <spiritod@TECHMAIL.GDC.COM>
Subject: Re: flotsam & jetsam
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.00.10006151056110.10725-100000@esun2028>
Warren Butson remarked that Americans monopolize the World Series; don't
know if anyone else pointed this out ('cause I'm still catching up on
Chalks), but Canada -- which isn't one of these United States, last time I
checked -- plays in (& has won) the World Series. (Maybe Warren was
referring to North Americans, but I doubt it. <g>)
Also, the classical piece you're trying to think of, Warren, is "Jesu, Joy
of Man's Desiring" by Bach. Used to twiddle it on the ivories.
And I give a hearty "hear, here!" to Nicole's rant at those who launch
their butts from their cars. (Yes; I'm purposely feeding those of you who
engage in warped visual imagery. <g>)
Geez; I'm late to the party in realizing this, I'm sure, but "Stupidly
Happy" snowballs: as it progresses, another instrument is layered on, and
another, and another... What a cooool effect!
Giving credit where credit is due, it is *not* the fault of Christianity
that scientific discovery was squelched during the times of which Brian
Matthews speaks. One of the exhortations of Christianity is to *obtain*
"learning", "knowledge", and "wisdom". Nowhere did Christ say that if
someone disagrees with you, beat the sh*t out of him. No; not the rise of
Christianity, but the spread of Roman Catholicism, which at the top was a
political movement used as a cudgel on the masses.
Haven't seen anyone mention that the long delay between "Boarded Up" and
ITMWML could have been a ploy to get people to turn up the volume,
thinking they were missing something -- and then the music explodes in
their ears!
IMHOtep: demigodfather of medicine, according to the Egyptians. <g>
Regards,
--Dorothy.
(Buckeye by birth; Southern for a time; Yankee currently)
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-171 *******************************
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