Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 268
Date: Friday, 15 September 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 268
Friday, 15 September 2000
Topics:
WRNR rolls a nice fat one
You fill up my nutsack...
Check out http://dadacasa.supereva.it/ginge/immagini/portiere.jpg
Belew and Drums and Wires
horse spotting
commercialization of beloved tunes
ank wotsit
Now Let Me Say This About That...
Sad songs could possibly stimulate the lachrymal ducts...
Booze, Drugs and Madness
Re: Sad Songs
contest
In Loving Memory of a Name
Those Pesky Mis-heard Lyrics...& Other Stuff
Season Cycle
Kraftwerk grammar
Sad Songs and Mummer
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Watch out for that revolving door!
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 00:38:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Ryan Anthony <hamsterranch@yahoo.com> Subject: WRNR rolls a nice fat one Message-ID: <20000912073838.11494.qmail@web120.yahoomail.com> John Peacock -- sounds to me like a nom-du-post Andy Partridge would use, but I'll assume there's really a guy named John Peacock --- writes in Digest 6-266: P.S. Sad songs - am I right in thinking only one person has mentioned a Randy Newman song? That man writes the saddest songs *ever*. Personal sobfests include Marie, Ghosts, Baltimore, I Think It's Going To Rain Today. And how about In Germany Before the War? Not most people's idea of a sad song, but it's *devastating*. As I read that, what came out of the cute little Bondi Blue speakers on my iMac? "Rollin'" by Randy Newman. Sad as all hell, even if you don't have alcoholism in your family. Which you do, of course. WRNR-FM in Annapolis, Md., is responsible for rolling "Rollin'" through my computer. The boys in the control room are in the second hour of an extended set of songs about marijuana -- or which might appear to be about marijuana if you happen to be stoned. The substance being abused in "Rollin'," for example, is whiskey, unless I'm missing something. Before "Rollin'," the boys played "Wake Up." I pulled out *The Big Express*, read the lyrics, and didn't find any drug references at all. Again, maybe I'm missing something. Please advise. Ohmigod! They're playing a song by Shel Silverstein I haven't heard since 1978: "The Smokeoff." And here's "Twigs and Seeds" by Jesse Winchester, which some would consider an extremely sad song, if we're still entertaining thoughts on that thread. "Willin'." Gotta love a song that mentions your home town. "Rainy Day Woman (insert some number here)." Isn't the line "Everybody must get stoned" a prediction that martyrdom is inevitable instead of a call to intoxication? Or is Zimmerman trying to have it both ways? Yes. Back to Randy Newman for just a second. He won an Oscar nomination in 1999 for plunking a sad song smack dab in the middle of the funniest movie of the year: *Toy Story 2*. And it worked, dagnabbit. Remember Cowgirl Jessie's lament for the girl who outgrew her? Genius. WRNR has shot its wad, dope-wise, and now is playing Dave Edmunds, who knew the bride when she used to rock and roll, and now, Long John Baldry, warning God, men, and hamsters alike not to lay no boojee-woojee on the king of rock and roll. Mighty goddamn fine. Thanks to the Chalkhiller who apprised me of this excellent station. The URL is: http://www.wrnr.com Ryan "the Hamster from the Ministry" Anthony An independent Internet content provider
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 11:49:44 -0400 From: "Todd Bernhardt" <todd.bernhardt@enterworks.com> Subject: You fill up my nutsack... Message-ID: <39BE5098.11096083@enterworks.com> Organization: Enterworks, Inc. Hi: Concertgoer Jill E. Anne Oleson asked: > But Where-0-Where was Chris Vreeland? Still waxing rhapsodic > about that Gabriel show in the Eighties? I was there too and > felt the lightning that can happen when an artist offers the > power to the audience and they feel his trust and they return > it with love and adoration. Reminds me of the time I saw PG at Merriweather Post Pavilion (north of DC) on the "So" tour. He did his usual thing during "Lay Your Hands on Me," and while he was getting passed back toward the stage, he passed about 10-15 feet away from me (I was about 10 rows back from the stage, slightly off-center ... yeah, yeah, I know, very little has changed since then). Things were going swimmingly until, as he passed, I saw a hand come up from the crowd and grab him very roughly by the neck and dig in. As you can imagine, Gabriel got a very concerned look on his face, and immediately reached down and disengaged his neck from the aggressor's grip, but you've got to wonder how often crazy shit like that happened during performances of this song. Unfortunately, Jill, it wasn't all love and adoration, but in a way it makes me respect Gabriel even more, since he was willing to take the risks involved to reach out to his fans. Either that, or he's a fucking lunatic for doing it. and: > They were selling five different kinds of CDs at the > California Guitar Trio's gig tonight. Three were CGT's, > including what they called a "bootleg" of one of their > previous shows (Question: Can a group really "bootleg" > their own material? I mean if the group is recording > it and selling it, how can it be a bootleg?), Robert Fripp and Co. have started several enterprises meant to cut the legs out from under King Crimson's bootleggers, whom Fripp despises as mercenary bloodsuckers. The principle of the King Crimson Collector's Club and Bootleg TV, according to Fripp, is this: "Turn a seeming disadvantage to your advantage. The greater the seeming disadvantage, the greater the possible advantage." This is one of the reasons why I wish Andy and Colin would get moving with the Fuzzy Warbles set, and why I was particularly disappointed to hear that they wouldn't be able to use any Virgin-era stuff for the set. It angers me to no end that companies and individuals are making money off third-rate and worse bootlegs of demos (the foremost example being the Extatic releases from Japan, but there are many more, as Chalkhills shows), with no compensation for the band. Fripp and his label, Discipline Global Mobile, are taking advantage of the direct-marketing possibilities of the Internet, and beating the bootleggers at their own game. Good for him, say I. And still, more Jill: > You know, the record companies made a huge mistake: > They never bothered to build up customer loyalty. They never > promoted the names of their companies so you would be > tempted to buy their entire line of products... they only > promoted the music they thought they could make the most > bucks from. Now that musicians are taking sales into their > own hands, we customers feel no loyalty to the music companies > at all and certainly no sympathy for those who promoted > cashflow instead of promoting talent. They shall suffer a > slow, cruel death for their deeds, I believe. And Napster > is only a small part of that picture. I raise a pint in > toast of such changes. This mistake may be even more costly when you look at the way the industry is headed and the fact that many of the labels are starting or considering "subscription" plans that would allow people to download music from a label's catalog for a fixed fee. When I first heard of this, I thought, "How stupid -- why would I restrict myself to buying music from a particular label's roster of artists?" Jill is right -- there is no brand loyalty. For the most part, the labels' interests have been completely venal and self-motivated. They haven't looked out for me or for the artists I admire ... why should I look out for them? Better to go directly to the source. Glad to see all the UCB fans coming out on the list. As a former sufferer of Little Donny Disease (magnimus-obliviophallocytis), it's warmed the cockles of my heart to see the support gushing from the fountainhead of fans out there in UCB Land. For those unfamiliar with the disease, it's a genetic deformity of the nether regions (often classified by scientists as a malady in the same family of afflictions as Buster Gonad Syndrome) that can only be cured by repeated, painful surgical procedures. But it's worth it if you want to ride a bike. For more info on the disease and the Little Donny Foundation, visit: http://www.uprightcitizens.org/donny/index.html Sax swing solo! -Todd
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 11:15:08 EDT
From: OMBEAN1@aol.com
Subject: Check out http://dadacasa.supereva.it/ginge/immagini/portiere.jpg
Message-ID: <13.aa34aba.26efa27c@aol.com>
Click here: http://dadacasa.supereva.it/ginge/immagini/portiere.jpg
In case y'all havent seen this----- The Moroccan goalkeeper. Thanx to Ten
Feet Tall in Italy
Roger
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 13:07:02 -0500 From: "Jan C. Harris" <wow@bluemarble.net> Subject: Belew and Drums and Wires Message-ID: <010a01c01ce4$65f74900$a2a6f5d0@janstrigem> William MeltTheGuns Loring writes: <<<<Adrian Belew with and without The Bears: several times in Bloomington, IN. He used to often launch his tours in Bloomington, as it was close to home, and a very receptive crowd. At least, that's what he told us. Hung out with him after the shows a couple of times.>>> Actually, I was told by someone who played bass - working on his MFA here at I.U., that Belew came here because of the music school. (where is home for Belew?) He did masterclasses, and often recruited from the ranks of the colleges. The school and locals thought highly of him, because he worked with the college kids significantly (and, from what I've heard, paid better than Maynard Ferguson), gave them a leg-up to being in the biz. Not easy to do, when you've graduated from a world class university, and every symphony or jazz band, or whatever, only needs 1/10th of your graduating class. I don't remember seeing him after 1995 or so. I think that was the last time he was here, but I could be wrong. I might have missed one in the past couple of years. Another one of those things that I keep meaning to catch, "it always comes around, I'll get it next time." I hear the painful memories here of people who had the opportunity to catch XTC and thought the same thing.... On another note - I finally gave Drums and Wires a first listen. I like the sound and feel of it. The vocals are *wayyyy* down in the mix, I can only make out one word in 10. Of course, of those words I've heard, it doesn't seem as lyrically significant an album as other, later albums, so maybe the muffled, fuzzy vocals serve a purpose. Some of it reminds me of the Talking Heads. Interesting melody works, on guitar and vocals. Very off beat. And - what are folks thinking of the "unreleased" Didn't Hurt A Bit? It is kinda sweet, but it sounds very dated to me. As if I were listening to a 70's demo, not a 90's (or ots) demo Jan"SuperSuperGirl"Carol.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 19:33:57 +0000 From: The Worrier Queen <myrone@tesco.net> Subject: horse spotting Message-ID: <39BE8522.2AF9E6F5@tesco.net> Gentle Chalkfolk can I send you in the direction of this URL http://www.swill.co.uk/images/newgods.htm If you like it, please let the artist know. Also while I'm plugging stuff can I mention "Green Man" by William Anderson & photos by Clive Hicks. Worth the money alone for the photos, which include Green Women as well, some of which show the less benign side of the Green Man. Jayne the Worrier Queen He Toi Whakairo He Mana Tangata Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity. Maori saying
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 14:09:09 -0500 From: "Jan C. Harris" <wow@bluemarble.net> Subject: commercialization of beloved tunes Message-ID: <015c01c01ced$494bb8a0$a2a6f5d0@janstrigem> WROTE: <<<<But I still can't get over the "jingle" versions of songs I already know (and enjoy). <snip> my aural memory is very persnickety - if a song is commercialized, I begin to feel like I'm listening to advertisements on my CD player rather than songs by bands. Such is my oversensitivity...>>>>> I think the worst of these for me was the taking of Generixis' tune "Tonight Tonight" and making it into a Miller Beer commercial. this happened at about the same time I went to the EVIL "We Can't Dance" concert that scarred me for life. The Miller Beer commercial just drove it home. Go for the money, guys, leave the musical integrity at home - in fact, discard any members who might have any musical integrity, and just "go for the gusto...." Rrrrrrgh. Jan"don't need another satellite"Carol
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 23:22:37 +0000 From: The Worrier Queen <myrone@tesco.net> Subject: ank wotsit Message-ID: <39BEBA90.873B2A9B@tesco.net> thank you, thank you to everyone who helped me with the anklung and the guitar strings, I am pleased to award all you good people (if you want it) with the Worrier Star. Wear it with pride. Jayne the Worrier Queen He Toi Whakairo He Mana Tangata Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity. Maori saying
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 20:26:40 -0400
From: "Neal Buck" <nealhbuck@earthlink.net>
Subject: Now Let Me Say This About That...
Message-ID: <200009130014.RAA11772@scaup.prod.itd.earthlink.net>
Molehills & Children of the Ministry,
Catching up yet again, I'll weigh in on some other threads:
First and foremost, "Wasp Star" -
I love it! I was afraid after AV1, that XTC would not rock anymore. Thank
God I was wrong! However, 20/20, blah, blah, blah... I think WS should've
been released first. Once people knew that XTC were just as good as they
remembered (and with the 7 yr. hiatus buzz), WS would've been more of the
smash it should have been. And then, by releasing AV1, XTC would have the
"Oh, and they branch out & play serious music, too" credentials. Oh well, as
long as the boys (and I) are happy, that's what matters.
Favorite tracks - "Stupidly Happy", "We're All Light", "You and the
Clouds..." Can you tell I need a dose of joy? Too much Korn in the diet, I
think.
Actually, I like 'em all, tho' "Wounded Horse" is my least favorite. I
appreciate it, but...eh.
Playing in the various stereos -
TR - "One Long Year". Todd doing what he does best, mining various musical
styles - and doing it better than most who only do one. Love his Hawaiin
version of "Bang the Drum All Day", complete w/"Lion Sleeps Tonight"
screeching.
Doors - "Complete Studio Recordings Box Set". Bought it 'cuz I'm a
completeist w/box sets. I hate "Best of..." ones, I only buy sets that
feature whole albums. I was never particularly into the Doors, but I figured
this was the best way to check 'em out once & for all (I know, I know...
it's just the way I am!). Well, luckily, I've really enjoyed them all so
far. No, Jim Morrison is not God (Hey, I'm a Todd fan - that space is
reserved! ;-}), but his lyrics are more interesting now that I have some
perspective, and the music's great, too! I just know there are Doors fans
out there ready to come out w/ the "Duh!" reply, well hey, it's progress.
Speaking of the Doors, I've got a question - Years and years ago ('74/'75)
WHFS used to play a short "medley" featuring an Alice Cooper snippet ("...
You can turn me off...") and then a song that I thought was by the Doors
that went, "I'm drunk, I'm lonely, I'm horny, I'm cold; Don't you know, life
ain't so easy when you're on your own..." Anybody know anything about this
song? Is it the Doors, or someone who sounded like them? Or was I just
stoned (see last post)?
Sad songs -
I don't know, when a band does nothing but sad/depressing songs (much of the
early Cure, Smiths/Morrissey, Korn, etc.) it's hard for me to pick anything
by them, probably 'cuz they have a numbing effect. A song is often sad to me
when I know that the musician/lyricist is capable of happiness, too. Once
again, I'm a geezer compared to a lot of you, so forgive some moldy
songs/artists.
"Talking Old Soldiers"- Elton John
"Parallel Lines"- TR
"For No One"- The Beatles
The whole "Green Thoughts" album - The Smithereens (they probably belong on
the above list, but there were extenuating circumstances - read on...)
OK, here's the other addendum: There are songs that aren't intrinsicly sad,
but because they were associated with a lost love, or other sad occasion, I
feel sad when I hear them. Actually, all the songs above, except the EJ one,
have those attachments as well.
More concerts -
Worst Weather: Grateful Dead, MPP summer '84 (?), I was never a DeadHead,
but a friend gave me a free ticket. I was working at Waldenbooks across the
street from the Pavillion, wearing my shirt & tie, etc. It started raining,
I (of course) got stoned, loosened my tie, rolled up my shirt sleeves & pant
legs, and pretended I was at Woodstock - I hardly saw the band. The only
problem was, that when it was all over at 11pm, I was wet, it was cold, and
I had to walk home. I had pneumonia for about 2 weeks afterwards - thought I
was gonna die!
Worst Supporting Bands: The Cramps, opening for the Police; and Mott (the
bastardization of The Hoople after Ian left), opening for KISS (it was a
3-band show, Styx was the opener. I know I should go to a 12-step program
for this, but I actually liked them at one point.)
You know what? The Mac version of Outlook Express 4.5 doesn't have a spell
check feature - huh!
Hey, I'm feeling more caught up all the time,
The poster formerly known as "New Town Animal",
Neal
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 02:32:21 GMT
From: Jennifer Geese <jlg@svsu.edu>
Subject: Sad songs could possibly stimulate the lachrymal ducts...
Message-ID: <200009130234.TAA09812@sgiblab.sgi.com>
Hello, Chalkers and Chalkettes!
Sorry if I'm beating a dead thread (or Wounded Horse), but
I'm catching up on my 'Hills and wanted to add my votes for
sad songs. Without further adieu, here's my list, bearing
in mind that it takes a lot for a song to make me cry, or
even feel sad:
Julie - Merril Bainbridge
He Went to Paris - Jimmy Buffett
Spilled Perfume - Pam Tillis (what can I say, country was
all my parents listened to, and I still like some of it!)
Something to Remember - Madonna
Close Every Door - Andrew Lloyd Weber from Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Say what you like about ALW - I enjoy his work, and I
get goosebumps every time I hear "Just give me a number
instead of my name. Forget all about me and let me decay."
Special thanks go out to whoever mentioned "Gethsemane"
from J C Superstar, too. It doesn't make my list of sad
songs, but it's definitely on my list of most powerful
songs written.
Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
And the #1 sad song on tonight's countdown:
Promise to Try - Madonna. This was the first song that
ever made me cry, and it still has that effect on me every
time I hear it.
In other news, I want to send big thanks out to everyone
who has recommended artists on the list in the past years.
I've picked up many of the recommendations because of
Chalkhills (Yazbek, Ben Folds Five, The Negro Problem (hate
the name, love Joys and Concerns), and most recently, Aimee
Mann) and have been very pleased. Next up: Kevin Gilbert.
It sounds like TSOTT is the universally recommended first
album, am I correct?
Finally, I had to share my "I am SOOOO stupid" concert
experience, in the hopes that someone will finally absolve
me. Shortly after Ben Folds Five released their first
album, they toured, as artists usually do. I was overjoyed
to find out that they were going to be at the State Theatre
in Detroit, which is only about 2 hours south of where I
live. So, I rushed right down to my local Ticketmaster
outlet and bought 2 tickets. Then I set about the more
difficult task of finding someone to attend with me. To
make a long story short, most of my friends do not share my
musical tastes, the one who does was either unable to go or
didn't want to (I can't remember which) and I chose not to
go because I didn't want to go alone. I've been kicking
myself ever since.
And, one last thread here (hey! Bear with me, I only post
about twice a year :) My goofiest misinterpreted lyric
ever has got to be:
I shot six holes in my freezer
-- Jimmy Buffett, Boat Drinks
That's how the lyric goes, no problem. The problem lies in
the fact that every time I hear it I think of Mr.
Margaritaville himself standing in an industrial sized
freezer *golfing*. My brother and I were listening one day
and I commented on it. He looked at me in shock for almost
a full minute then said, "With a gun, you idiot!" I love
my brother.
Jen
"Get the golf clubs, honey, there's a Little Caesar's down
the road I've been dying to try!"
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 06:14:12 -0500 From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net> Subject: Booze, Drugs and Madness Message-ID: <l03130300b5e510ac877d@[208.13.202.50]> >Soundtrack for Nightmare Descent Into Booze, Drugs and Madness: > >Most definite winner here: >Aladdin Sane, David Bowie. No, "Heroin," The Velvet Underground. The most eloquent song on the subject, IMHO, somehow managing to both glorify and repudiate the experience. For an interesting alternate take on the song, try covers by Roky Erickson and Maureen Tucker for contrast. Christopher R. Coolidge Homepage at http://homepages.together.net/~cauldron/homepage.html
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 06:26:48 -0500
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Re: Sad Songs
Message-ID: <l03130301b5e5138532da@[208.13.202.94]>
>John
>
>P.S. Sad songs - am I right in thinking only one person has mentioned a
>Randy Newman song? That man writes the saddest songs *ever*. Personal
>sobfests include Marie, Ghosts, Baltimore, I Think It's Going To Rain
>Today. And how about In Germany Before the War? Not most people's idea of a
>sad song, but it's *devastating*.
Oh G_d. I forgot about him. All those above are definitely weepers, but
he topped himself on his most recent, Bad Love, with "I Miss You," an
incredibly poignant one in which he actually writes about himself, which he
rarely does, it's apparently about his ex-wife "up there in Idaho" which is
where she moved with his kids after they split up. In the late 80's he
couldn't resist being savage and angry like any typical angry divorced
dad("I Want You To Hurt Like I Do"), but this time he's sad and contrite
and fully realises there's nothing he can do to bring her back, but he
can't help but be brutally honest.("I miss you/I'm sorry, but I do.")
Christopher R. Coolidge
"A Great law protects me from the government. The Bill of rights has
10 GREAT laws. A Good law protects me from you. Laws against murder,
theft, assault and the like are good laws. A Poor law attempts to
protect me from myself." - Unknown
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 19:18:44 +0900 From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp> Subject: contest Message-ID: <000a01c01d8e$5efeeae0$6b5791d2@johnboud> Konnichiwa Chalksters , Feel like having a little fun ... Will reward some unseen face out there in the mad world with a present of my choice ( music of course but NOT XTC I am afraid ) for firstly , naming the actor or actress who uttered the following lines in a 1950's movie , and secondly for naming the movie . The * second * correct answer wins ! Good luck ! >>" To those of you who do not read, attend the theater, listen to unsponsored radio programs or know anything of the world in which you live, it is perhaps necessary to introduce myself. My name is Addison DeWitt. My native habitat is the theater. In it I toil not, neither do I spin. I am a critic and commentator. I am essential to the theater -- as ants to a >>picnic, as the boll weevil to a cotton field." Sushiman
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 15:37:07 EDT From: Tomgriffin100276@aol.com Subject: In Loving Memory of a Name Message-ID: <be.94285c8.26f13163@aol.com> I just wanted to second Tom K (KINGSTUNES)'s mention of this song. I am normally not a big fan of XTC's slower/softer stuff, nor am I emamored with a lot of Colin's stuff, but this tune is severely under-rated. I find that over time this song gets better and better, regardless of how simple it may be, and how un-inspired the lyrics seem to be. And, it fits nicely into my sad song list. Finally, where's Molly? -Tom G.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 21:54:39 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Those Pesky Mis-heard Lyrics...& Other Stuff Message-ID: <20000913205439.29038.qmail@web1504.mail.yahoo.com> Hillsters Yes, time for me to contribute to this intermittent thread. Before I discovered the wonderful world of Chalkhills, and with the benefit of the incredibly informative booklet in AV1, I had major difficulty with Easter Theatre. OK: laugh, cry, point, but the best I could come up with was... (drum roll)... Enter Easter and she's dressed in yum yums Enough, already. Yeah, Mr Partridge is not at his most articulate in enunciating the words "yellow yolk". Catching up on Marriage & Divorce, I completely forgot to mention Dear Madam Barnum. Shame on me. Who asked? Joseph Easter, I think. Innit weird having no petrol? Sadly, my company has organised car pools so I still have to go to work. What's more annoying is that I have to get up even earlier than normal so the guy who gives me a lift can pick me up and the rest who're on his route. Bum. But only for a coupla days. Yes, I feel I now need to issue the obligatory holiday warning, and tell y'all that I'm outta here for a fortnight. So I won't be posting (much! I may catch up on the Hill from time to time) for a while. I'll be introducing certain denizens of the Southern Hemisphere (or at least the other tourists in the hotel room next to mine) to the delights of XTC, and some other bands I like (Midnight Oil & The Whitlams spring immediately to mind), played loud late at night. No, not going to Strylyer, but that other beautiful country, South Africa. Are there any SA 'Hillers? If so, mail me privately if you're in Cape Town or surrounds. Enough for now. At least it started on-topic. Rory "Hearing the dandelions roar" Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 23:38:27 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Season Cycle Message-ID: <20000913223827.8443.qmail@web1504.mail.yahoo.com> Hillfolk, In 6-253, Smudge Boy asked: "In fact, this has long been a bug-bear of mine - surely there's enough "seasonal/pastoral" related stuff by the boys to make a cracking "Best Of" type CD entitled something like "Seasons' Cycle"." Well, you know me (vaguely), I can't resist a challenge like that. Seems to me that XTC didn't really get into this kind of stuff until ES at the earliest c if anyone can contribute earlier stuff, go ahead! Some of these are REALLY tenuous connections! Where I've felt it necessary to explain, I've done so. Actually, that last sentence is entirely redundant, so here goes attempt numero uno: Pastoral (but not seasonal-specific) Yacht Dance (OK, not actually pastoral, more nautical. But the theme and melody are precursors of Mummer, IMHO. I think this song could easily have fitted on Mummer) Down In The Cockpit Love On A Farmboy's Wages Deliver Us From The Elements Season Cycle Earn Enough For Us Green Man Spring Jump ((really bad) pun- no other connection!) River Of Orchids Ballet For A Rainy Day The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead (Jesus/Easter theme) I'd Like That Easter Theatre Season Cycle Summer Melt The Guns (Well, it gets hot in summer. Everywhere except UK! ;-)) It's Nearly Africa (A continent renowned for hot weather!) Ladybird Me and The Wind Shake You Donkey Up (reminds me of A Midsummer Night's Dream) Summer's Cauldron Grass Humble Daisy Fruit Nut Season Cycle (hmmm...) Autumn All You Pretty Girls (dunno why. I always associate bad North Sea conditions with autumn) Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul (v. autumnal metaphorically) Sacrificial Bonfire (autumn is bonfire season) Wrapped In Grey (autumn mists) Harvest Festival Season Cycle (you can see where I'm going with this...) Winter Snowman Washaway (this could only be set in winter: steaming up windows, boiling cabbage) I Remember The Sun (for all you Scandinavians!) The Ship Trapped In the Ice Season Cycle (Duh!) Rory "Can't find the salt and pepper" Wilsher
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 09:12:59 +0200
From: jeffrey.thomas.jt@bayer-ag.de
Subject: Kraftwerk grammar
Message-ID: <0006800030975393000002L032*@MHS>
Hi Hillers,
I actually read a bit of #267 (wow!) and found this in an exchange between
D.V. and John:
>You realise, of course, that it's "Fahren, fahren, fahren auf den Autobahn"
>or grammatically correct equivalent ("Drive, drive, drive on the
>autobahn").
The grammatically correct equivalent would be:
Fahren, fahren, fahren auf *der* Autobahn.
"Den" is accusative for masculine nouns, "der" is *dative* for *feminine*
nouns (such as Autobahn).
Here in Germany, people who are so nit-picky about things like this are
called "Korinthenkacker" (look it up with the Babel Fish, maybe it'll come
up with a good translation...). So, with that:
Korinthenkackerische Gruesse,
- Jeff
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 09:04:19 +0000 From: Simon_Auger@mandg.co.uk Subject: Sad Songs and Mummer Message-ID: <0025695A.00314343.00@mailgate.mandg.co.uk> My nomination for Sad Songs would probably go to Soldier's Things by Tom Waits, mind you I could probably add a dozen more by the same man. Somehow he manages to get away with stuff that would sonud mawkish and sentimental if done by anyone else. As for Mummer, the talk recently prompted me to give this one another listen just last night. What a treat it was, I had forgotten how fab this album is. I remember buying on its day of release way back in 1983 and feeling a little Disappointed with it. I suppose it was something of an anti-climax after ES. Anyway, back to the plot, I listened to both albums back to back and was surprised to find myself enjoying Mummer far more than ES. It really does seem that, with the passage of time, ES would have benefitted from being a single album. As for Mummer, highlights for me are Beating of Hearts, Love on a Farmboy's Wages, Great Fire, Human Alchemy (spooky, atmospheric and disturbing in equal parts), Ladybird, In Loving Memory of a Name (love the drum fill towards the end) and Funk Pop a Roll. In fact, it seems like most of the album. I think this one is due for a bit of a run in my CD player. Cheers Simon
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-268 *******************************
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15 September 2000 / Feedback