Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 207
Date: Wednesday, 26 July 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 207
Wednesday, 26 July 2000
Topics:
Yard Devil
location, location, location!
Sick to my Stomach
XTC Music Videos
A little late, but...
OMD mani padme um
nadgers?
Simon & Garfunkel
Re: Grant's Tomb
Too Much Information
Off topic, but great news!
The List
I Missed Andy!!!! *thud*
Re: Prog rock, rap and sampling
Grandmaster Flash Colin M.
House on a farmboys.... wages....
Rap Sucks
Not-so-good news from Germany
Be it Let
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I got some lovely / In my yard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 14:17:44 -0700 From: Ed Kedzierski <ed.kedzierski@blvdmedia.com> Subject: Yard Devil Message-ID: <08B5DDC2BABCD311BFC6005004A884B013B772@mgcservices.com> In 6-202, Steve said: In 'My Brown Guitar' Andy sings 'in my yard'. Now AFAIC, given the context, that strikes me as an Americanism (I would never refer to my garden as a yard. A yard is three feet, pure and simple). Is this a regional variation thang?? Any Swindonians care to comment on 'yard' in local usage to mean garden (as opposed to a builder's yard, for instance)?? Is Andy's back garden concreted over (being the only state that I might countenance using yard in that way)?? Now, far be it from me to claim any kind of special insight into what he may have been thinking, but it seems to me that he'd have had plenty of exposure to this term, whether from TV, movies, etc. (note that the term didn't totally throw you, you knew it meant what you know as a garden) or the fact that he's been known to cross the pond fairly frequently. Also (of course IMHO, AFAIC, FWIW, M-O-U-S-E, etc.), just as he's always rejected urgings to tone down the Anglicisms for the benefit of the American market, I don't see why he wouldn't just view it as another available word that happened to work and fit into the song (too many syllables in "garden", as I'm sure you already noticed). Add to that the fact that the use of "inchworm" "football" and "yardstick" suggest he's playing with the "three feet, pure and simple" definition in a way that might not be as natural to someone who grew up with the definition of "yard" as "the area around one's house". You could almost imagine (not that I'd know, before I'm accused of the supreme arrogance of putting words in his mouth or head) something along the lines of "they call their gardens 'yards'! Do they play football in them? Are there lots of inchworms?" etc. in which case he's almost poking fun at the North American usage of the word... In the same digest, the wonderful Debora Brown said: Ed said- << I've lost plenty of logical arguments in my time, but I've generally been able to walk away unassisted afterward, usually better for the experience.>> Ed, I'd like you to meet Mr. Diablo.. Actually, I was reading & lurking back when that whole thing was going on, in fact I delayed my big de-lurk until it had all blown over (the only "war" on this list that I've read that's ever really been enough to put me off). Yes, that was in fact a conscious reference to the "logical argument" skirmish that went on (how anyone could say such a thing without realizing that it's the same as tatooing "please attack me" on one's forehead is beyond me). I was actually reluctant to include that line, as I didn't want to come off as Mr. Snotty-Goody or anything, but felt I still wanted to make the point that I welcome a good argument (as opposed to "fuck you" or "shut up"), and even if I'm not sprinkling everything with IMHOs, I'm usually aware of the possibility that I may be wrong about any number of things... Ed K. Life: One thing led to Another, and Before we knew it, We were dead. -the late, great Micheal O'Donoghue
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 19:24:02 EDT From: RblTrouser@aol.com Subject: location, location, location! Message-ID: <b8.8e302d2.26ae2a12@aol.com> as Ryan so eloquently pointed out: << Does anyone on this list live within 500 miles of me, or are the rest of you clustered in Delaware, Swindon, and Japan?>> We're all clustered in Delaware??? Then where's the rest of you? You'd think in such a small state I'd find SOMEONE else who knows what I'm talking about.... and also... <<What is the best Xtc album to listen to while very intoxicated?>> ah...don't know if this counts, but my only drunken XTC encounter that didn;t make me start crying was Transistor Blast....now THAT knocked me flat, both literally and figuratively. cheer's m'dears, Sarah D.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 16:39:15 -0600 From: Phil Corless <philco@micron.net> Subject: Sick to my Stomach Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.20000724163915.00a61630@pophost.micron.net> We've heard which bands you hate, or you think suck, but what about artists who literally make you sick to your stomach when you hear *anything* by them? I'll start: Journey - My own personal hell would include Steve Perry's voice. REO Speedwagon - Bad memories from early 80's high school. Kenny G - No explanation needed. These artists have no redeeming values in my mind. There are lots of bands, like Styx, Kansas, Smashing Pumpkins and Bruce Springsteen, which I strongly dislike but could probably find at least one song that doesn't provoke violent stomach reactions. Your turn....
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 19:20:11 EDT From: SLEDZNH@aol.com Subject: XTC Music Videos Message-ID: <bb.575e86d.26ae292b@aol.com> > New thread suggestion: > Has anyone thought about which WS song you'd like to see up on the little > screen? I'm talking about a music vid, guys. Which tune would you like to > see and how do you see it? Be as sketchy or detailed as you wish. Pepper > the digest with your ideas.. > Come on!.. I guarantee you'll enjoy yourself, or my name isn't Frank- XTC music videos I would like to see: >From Wasp Star: You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful Too difficult to describe... Non Wasp-Star: Seagulls Screaming, Kiss Her Kiss Her I have wanted to make this video since I first heard the song.... ~~Jim
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 18:58:42 EDT From: "Kevin Diamond" <kev_boy@hotmail.com> Subject: A little late, but... Message-ID: <LAW-F110FXBrQoK1MHF000055ec@hotmail.com> I meant to send this out a couple days ago, but now I guess I was a little late. Anyway, Monday at 7 o clock (in about 5 minutes, for me) and 11 o'clock there is (that should be was by the time you read this) a The List on The Best New Wave Band. I have a feeling XTC just might get nominated, because they are included on the online poll at vh1.com along with Devo, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and some more. Anyway, by now this is kind of pointless, I guess, but they will probably re-show this episode this weekend. Check the vh1 website for more info. Alright, it's almost on. Can't wait to see who nominates XTC. Ciao. Kevin Diamond
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 11:46:45 +1200 From: "Simon Curtiss" <s_curtiss@clear.net.nz> Subject: OMD mani padme um Message-ID: <002701bff5ca$70cdd600$2d64a8c0@emigre> Steve wrote: > > Bands that peaked with their first release < > > I would say the vast majority, especially when it comes to the punk > bands of my youth - but then most of them didn't manage to record more > than one or two albums anyway, so I guess that they don't count. Of > those bands that have a more significant back catalogue I'd nominate > Devo, Ian Dury, The Fixx, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark Oh gods no, the first OMD album was.... well pants - for the most part, the second was getting there and the third Architecture & Morality - hit the nail on the head. Then they started going downhill, funnily enough the last album which is really a solo effort by the lead singer is pretty good pop music - not up to their old stuff, but very hummable. cheers Simon
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 19:07:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com> Subject: nadgers? Message-ID: <20000725020724.6186.qmail@web115.yahoomail.com> Steve ? posted: "grabbed me by the nadgers and refused to let go" Can any Brits help out here? Does that mean what I think it does? ie: nadgers = tallywacker Bemused under the Ministry The Mole
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 18:13:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Benjamin Lukoff <blukoff@alvord.com> Subject: Simon & Garfunkel Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.10.10007241759460.15388-100000@locutus.alvord.com> SPitts@thesaurus-computers.co.uk wrote in Chalkhills 6-202 > > Simon and Garfunkle < > > I take it that you are referring to Bridge Over Troubled Water, and I > therefore have to disagree. Artie's production has always annoyed me, and > that record was the high (ie. low) point for me. Thank goodness Paul got > out from under him and went on to make some decent stuff thereafter Artie's production? AFAIK he was only listed as co-producer with Paul on the last two albums...the others were produced by Tom Wilson or Bob Johnston. Or do you mean Art's singing style? As for Paul getting out from under Art, it was more like Paul got out from under "Simon & Garfunkel"; Paul was definitely the senior partner in the group.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 19:05:18 -0700 From: David van Wert <mcknife@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: Grant's Tomb Message-ID: <p04320402b5a29cb1933f@[216.249.79.56]> At 10:14 AM -0700 7/20/00, fenboy wrote: >5. Who else hates Richard E Grant? I bumped into him on the street a couple of weeks ago and he said some VERY nasty things about you which I won't repeat here. I don't know what happened between you two (and I don't want to-- I don't need to be in the middle of this for Christ's sake), but honestly, stop behaving like children and talk this thing out! David van Wert http://www.davidvanwert.com/ "Is it hot in here or is it just me?" Richard Nixon, 1999
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 21:43:48 -0400 From: Harry Strole <hjstrole@earthlink.net> Subject: Too Much Information Message-ID: <397CF0C9.3D9469DC@earthlink.net> > While > his was a Best of Paper Lace (Apart from Billy Don't be a hero, did they > have any other hits?) Well, actually, (embarassed, he shuffles his feet) Paper Lace's big hit was "The Night Chicago Died" .(this next revelation could put me straight out of Chalkhills) "Billy Don't Be A Hero" was done by Bo Donaldson & the Haywoods and I saw them perform it on that pre-teen television haven "Wonderama" (anyone from New York at that time could tell you who Bob McCallister was) when I was but a child. Thinking back on it, hearing a teeny bopper band sing an anti-war song was sort of cool. Back to The Police content: Andy Summers was on "Rock -n- Roll Jeopardy" last week, heard he didn't do so well. That'll learn ya for hangong out with Eric Burdon all those years ago. I think my wife has a crush on Colin Moulding. Zoiks Harry
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 22:02:30 -0400 From: Keith Hanlon <keith@orchestraville.com> Subject: Off topic, but great news! Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.20000724215436.009d2ee0@rhino.he.net> I've gotta de-lurk to let everyone know about an upcoming webcast of a Chalkhills-inspired band. Well, it's my band... and I know this type of blatant self-promotion is annoying, but I'm really excited about this one. We are called Orchestraville. We played "1000 Umbrellas" on the Skylacking tribute tape. Here's what Mr. Relph said about us: "A dark, sparse, forboding musical landscape. Strange creatures wander through the desert at night. XTC meets Violent Femmes, Pixies, and Glass Eye." (in Chalkhills Recommends). The folks at Digital Club Network will webcast the show live on Friday night at 9pm. Pretty exciting, huh? If you're in New York, stop by and introduce yourself. If not, check out the webcast! All the details will be on http://www.orchestraville.com . Now... how about that Wasp Star, huh? Doesn't the real CD sound LIGHT YEARS better than those shitty MP3 files?? Take care! Keith
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 21:51:13 EDT From: "Kevin Diamond" <kev_boy@hotmail.com> Subject: The List Message-ID: <LAW-F216AzdaQYrVjYK00005367@hotmail.com> Well, I knew who was gonna nominate XTC as soon as I saw the first guest was... Thomas Dolby! That's right, the first nomination of the show was Thomas Dolby's number three choice: XTC. He gave a nice little speach, saying "I kept wishing that he keyboardist would be hit by bus so I could play take his space." Of course, the brilliant folks at vh1 decided to show a clip of an XTC video. So, seeing as the topic was Best New Wave band, you'd think they'd choose maybe This Is Pop or Statue of Liberty, but the choose to show the video for Peter Pumpkinhead! I have a hard time thinking of Peter Pumpkinhead as a new wave song! Anyway, even though XTC was nominated, I was overall disapointed. Almost as disapointed as I was when I saw the special one hour List where they discussed the most Groundbreaking Artist, and the girl from The Blair Witch Project's number one choice of Talking Heads was the first one to be taken off. Sigh... Peaceout. Kevindiamond.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 20:33:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly <mfanton99@yahoo.com> Subject: I Missed Andy!!!! *thud* Message-ID: <20000725033324.14236.qmail@web1306.mail.yahoo.com> I'm a total dunderhead. I forgot to watch/tape The List with Andy on it. I was so preoccupied with getting ready for my new job, that I forgot about it. Does anybody know if it'll be on again, soon? I know VH1 repeats their programs, but I have no idea when it'll be on, and I really don't want to miss it. A few days ago, I had a dream that Andy and Colin checked in to the Hyatt (where I work), and it was like the Davy Jones ep of The Brady Bunch. I was trying to be the one to deliver their room service order to their room, but my coworkers wouldn't let me. But one of the coworkers forgot something, and they were off delivering other orders, and I was the one who had to go up and deliver them what we forgot. Andy opened the door, and that's when I woke up. Now if this dream was real life, I would keep my cool until I got back on the elevator. Then I would have probably screamed. :P So far The Dave Mathews Band and Dr. Dre have stayed in the hotel, and I've only worked there since Thursday. :P Molly, praying that Andy & Colin come to Buffalo someday ===== AIM Name: MFanton00 Website: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html Fave Quote: "If your flight is going rough, your soul will lead you to the nearest exit" - Jump - XTC (A. Partridge)
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 21:23:23 -0700 (PDT) From: John Relph <relph@mando.engr.sgi.com> Subject: Re: Prog rock, rap and sampling Message-ID: <10007242123.ZM185632@mando.engr.sgi.com> Jim Allen <karnevil9@loop.com> asked: > >And where did Andy get those sounds for "River of Orchids" anyways? Did he >sample them off one of his old records? Buy them on a sample disc? Unless >he sat and recorded a string section and a bassoon playing those exact >riffs, he is no different from a rap producer in that regard, taking >pre-existing sounds, melodies and rhythms and coming up with something >new. Does anyone know where he got those sounds from? The demo version of "River of Orchids" (from "Homespun") was recorded using standard string samples from one of Andy's many keyboard/synth boxes. The album version, from "Apple Venus V.1", used real string and wind players recorded at Abbey Road studios. The orchestral parts, however, were heavily edited using Pro Tools or Radar. So they were not preexisting sounds, but they were sampled (in a sense). -- John
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 22:10:51 -0600 From: "Joseph Easter" <easter2000@earthlink.net> Subject: Grandmaster Flash Colin M. Message-ID: <002e01bff5ee$52edc900$16730a3f@default> So, I was chatting with Colin the other day and he told me this: JE: So, Col, what's the deal with Andy rapping? CM: Oh, that's something Andy has been bothering me about since "Walk this way" with Run DMC. On Nonesuch, he absolutely begged me to do a rap song with him. I let him have one. JE: The Ugly Underneath. CM: Yes. After that, it was all Rap this, Rap that. In fact, the original title for our last album was "WAaaaaaaSsssuuuuuP, Star?!" but TVT made us shorten it to Wasp. Andy was crushed. JE Really? What does he do when not recording with you? I mean, to get rid of the rap jones. CM: Oh that. He actually has been moonlighting in Seattle with Sir MixaLot on a few smaller locales. He wears this ridiculous get up so noone will recognize him. JE: Kind of like Humpty Hump? CM: That's who he got the idea from. Or rather who inspired it. Andy was the one who created the original character, Humpty. A friend of ours needed an alias in order to perform. JE: Who? CM: Peter Jennings. Alot of people don't know that. JE Get out! CM I'm out! JE So, what does Andy wear? Who does he look like when he's rapping? CM Well, I can't actually betray Andy's confidence and tell you, but let's just say, "Well I hear the blues a calling, tossed salads and scrambled eggs..." JE Sorry, I don't know what that means. CM Probably for the better. Look, I've got to go. My videos are due back at the store before 10. JE OK, that's cool, but one thing. CM What, mate? JE On "We're all Light," Andy raps near the end. Alot of people from the post are curious what the next album will be like. Rap? CM Count on it. JE And the title? CM What else? The Biggest Pouch... There it is Chalkers. Why would I lie? Joseph Easter Deb Brown is a Norwegian Batchelor Farmer.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 00:25:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Radios In Motion <radiosinmotion@iwon.com> Subject: House on a farmboys.... wages.... Message-ID: <384909265.964499120037.JavaMail.root@web185-iw> I am getting a house! Just thought everyone should know. If I do, it will be somewhere probably here in sunny southern California and I will probably have a house warming party. I expect to have one by January and will let all you know. John, maybe that will be a good time to do that whole get together thing? Anyway, I am just really happy to get a house. Hopefully I can find one at a good price so I can add all the cool stuff I want like a pool, studio and super entertaiment system. I can only dream....
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 01:24:56 -0500 From: "Joe Funk" <twosheds@mindspring.com> Subject: Rap Sucks Message-ID: <002e01bff601$0e132880$7721fea9@user> Rap Sucks........... Jim Allen <karnevil9@loop.com> wants an ELP hip-hop tribute... Sorry, Jim..No wonder us old proggers get a bad RAP! hehehehe... >>Rap!! Rap!! To quote a friend of mine: "It (Rap) creates no new >>music, just recycles old" >Yawn. What a boring, lazy thing to say. Nonsense..makes total sense to me. Lazy? Speaking of lazy! Rappers are artistically lazy: >So what! They >are buffoons---if someone takes the drum pattern from a totally obscure >70's funk record that only 9 people knew of in the first place, samples it >and then layers a new bass line, chords, melody etc. on top of it, so what? >Besides, is that any different from a guitarist finding a riff, changing >two notes and the rhythm slightly and voila! new riff? None of the music I like incorporates the above nonsense..INVALID POINT!!! Also.... At least they are playing an instrument, plus this is a cop-out!! Are you comparing Andy's riff (ala Keeff) on "Stupidly Happy" to the use of sampling on Rap? Preposterous!!!! We could argue about this all day... I just don't understand how someone who probably worships "Tarkus" can listen to talentless morons like Dr. Dre.. MY BRAIN HURTS!!!.. and it's not just this discussion........ It's the F$%&ing "BVVVVVVMMMM BVVVVVVVMMM" that I have to hear blaring out of these F%$&ing kid's cars !!!! Even if it was music, it is completely obliterated by these over-sized woofers they insist on having!!! IT'S LIKE THE FUCKING TELL-TALE HEART!!!!!!!!! uuhhhhhhhhh............. Joe "BOOM..BOOM" Funk
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 09:22:02 +0200 From: jeffrey.thomas.jt@bayer-ag.de Subject: Not-so-good news from Germany Message-ID: <0006800028075030000002L002*@MHS> Greetings, "Kreideberger", Just ordered all sorts of "Wasp Star" LPs and CD singles and such from my favorite dealer here, who is a big XTC fan, and received this message from him: >Ist sie [die neue XTC-Platte - JT] nicht grandios?? Leider verkauft sie >sich nicht so gut. Ein Grund dyrfte sein, das der deutsche Musik-Express >sich die Frechheit erlaubt hat sie zu zerreissen! Transl.: Isn't (the new XTC) fantastic? Unfortunately, it isn't selling very well. One reason for this is probably because the German "Musikexpress" had the gall to diss it in their review. (The review in question is available to all in the Chalkhills "Press" section.) Tja - so ist das Leben! - Jeff
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 01:29:51 EDT From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com Subject: Be it Let Message-ID: <60.553630c.26ae7fcf@aol.com> Talkin' Chalk, Best XTC album to listen to loaded - For me, Drums & Wires. Howza 'bout best one to hear, um, high? Or don't we do that sort of thing here? My vote, Skylarking. Who the hell is Richard E. Grant? Doorz - I totally agree with Dunks. Absolutely Free is one of the few great live albums ever. "You know you're in New York when the guys rush the stage!" Killer record. Is it available on CD? Anyone know? As for the rest of their stuff - I see them as a schizophrenic offering - their songs either kick ass or make you cringe. On a whole, The Doors and Strange Days were great. Their worst album by far was The Soft Parade. But every album had terrific, visceral performances, as well as horrendously unlistenable drek. But you expect that from someone as over the edge as Morrison. When I complete their collection on CD, what I'll do is leave out all the "Tell All The People"s and "Peace Frogs", and keep the "Moonlight Mile"s and "When The Music's Over"s. Or something like that. To each his own, as *they* say. I disagree about Abbey Road, however. It was their swansong, NOT Let It Be. Let It Be was abysmal as an album, but considering the sessions it was culled from, it is a minor miracle. Thank God most of the songs were good to great, in spite of the Spectorization stuck alongside the rooftop cuts, making for an uneven batch. I always felt that the whole rooftop thing should be released as it's own set. Abbey Road, however, pulled them together for one last hurrah! I really believe that it is their finest studio album, and they knew (consciously or not) that it would be their last, so they made it count. Sure, there's some dumb stuff (Maxwell, Octopus's Garden) but there's absolutely fantastic music as well. And vocally, I don't think they were ever better. Because stops me dead in my tracks to this day. Anybody hear the Anthology version sans instruments? Chills! Don't be so tough on Abbey Road! Sgt. Pepper's "concept" was the Beatles as a surrogate band for the Beatles. No story, really. They considered a Life in the Day thing, like the Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed, but that got messed up when they were force to release Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane as a Christmas single. As for the Sex Pistols, I was just trying to stir up some dust. But for me, I could take them or leave them, which I did. Musically, they were horrendous. But the spirit of what the were doing left a long worthwhile legacy. So I'm really wrong to list them with the ilk of REO Speedwagon and Paper Lace. BTW, I thought you folks would be jumping all over REO! Band peak period - The Kinks: Something Else, Village Green, Arthur and Lola. XTC content - It's in there! Lurkdom awaits.... Tom "When she started to play, Steinway himself came down personlly and rubbed his name off the piano!" - Bob Hope on Phyllis Diller
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-207 *******************************
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