Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 278
Date: Friday, 29 September 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 278
Friday, 29 September 2000
Topics:
RE: Do ray me fa so la ti D'oh!
Plagiarism
UK SF 7"
Controversy ah sweet controversy, I know it well
Connecting to Frank
Remembering John
BBC, NYC, NIGel, Annamarie
XTC Posters...
Sinatra to Partridge
Re: A Cure for Gravity
Sighting / sighting / next album
"Duck!" "Where?"
Six degrees of Andy Partridge
employee of the month
You Say it's Your Birthday?
We Have A Winner!
CS Angels
Ooooh! Zinger!
Gold! Gold! Gold!
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 13:05:57 +0100 From: "Smith, David" <David.Smith@tfeurope.com> Subject: RE: Do ray me fa so la ti D'oh! Message-ID: <4BBE67B71C1DD411A23600508B65F71E6862C6@tfsecmsg04.tfseur.co.uk> Ello ello ello, woss all this then? In Tom Kingston's (otherwise) wonderful dissection of the protagonists in the Joe / Barrytown / Tell Me What You See saga, he said, at one point: "I don't know the keys to these tunes off the top of my head, and movable do allows me to compare relativley without concern for key." Sill boy Tom, everybody knows that all three of these songs are written in the key of "A Genius Major"! At least, they do now! Smudge "Standing in for Barry" boy E-Mail: david.smith@tfeurope.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 13:56:00 GMT
From: "Bert Jones" <sillysalami@hotmail.com>
Subject: Plagiarism
Message-ID: <F176Dk4JdxVHYEuZFkT0000620d@hotmail.com>
Harrison Sherwood wrote:
>>>Once again, put the two songs next to each other. You'll find that the
similarity lies in exactly seven notes--half of the beginning phrase:
Though your heart desires the things that money can buy ("The Good Things")
I get high when I see you go by, my oh my ("It's Only Love")
There is no other similarity between the two songs whatsoever. They don't
share a tempo, a feel, a riff, or a chord sequence, and in lyrical content
in
fact are diametrically opposite.
Seven notes in sequence do not a lift make, in a legal, moral, ethical or
even artistic sense.<<<
They can sometimes. I'm not familiar with "It's Only Love" so can't comment
on that, but to give another example, Texas' "Say What You Want" pinches a
phrase from Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing". It's only six notes, so that's
not really stealing, right? Cobblers, because it's the most important hook
in the whole song. The rest of the song, while bearing no resemblance to
Gaye's song, is hinged around that one hook. As a songwriter myself, I know
that if you come up with a killer hook then the rest of the song, while not
exactly writing itself, does come a heck of a lot easier. Saying that seven
notes cannot constitute a lift is taking an artlessly quantitative view of
music.
For an example of a songwriter "borrowing" a phrase without actually being a
thieving get, listen to "Church of Women". That ten-note riff lifted from
Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" is the ultimate in ironic counterpoint, a
musical joke. It's very clever, but the song would stand up just as well
without it.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 23:33:53 +0200 From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Subject: UK SF 7" Message-ID: <20000927212656.D6009A6D04@mail.knoware.nl> Dear Chalkers, There's a copy of the infamous "Science Friction" 7 inch single WITHOUT THE PICTURE SLEEVE on ebay right now at just 10 GBP. Here's the URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=451323556 PS: i am not selling this and am in no way connected with the seller. yours in xtc, Mark S. @ the Little Lighthouse www.come.to/xtc
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 20:03:29 EDT
From: NORDIC68PJ@aol.com
Subject: Controversy ah sweet controversy, I know it well
Message-ID: <e1.a3696c1.2703e4d1@aol.com>
Chalkhillians,
This is where it all starts getting good.. I've been waiting here for
ya like I said I would.
Thread combinations.
Skylarking. Where does one place "Dear God"?
First XTC album memories.
What we all know.
"Dear God" US album version smack dab between "The Man Who Sailed Around
His Soul" and "Dying".
What I feel compelled to say.
Let me take you back in time, back to the year 1986. I'm standing
(standing in for Joe) {Ahem}. I'm IN the local record shop, looking for
something different, something new to listen too. Grey matter sparkles and
whines at the sight of a newly released XTC album (Skylarking). Where have I
heard that name before?! "Ah, what the hell" says me young brain, "try it
out, what're you chicken?" Nobody calls George McFly CHICKEN!... I buy it.
The cover has a pagan flavor to it and my oh my is that a naked woman on the
cover?! Won't the others think it's too cool? I'll be a music listening
genius, BMOC, a hot shot, tops in town.
Never one to wait, I listen to my purchase in the car on the way home.
"WoW!" I says to myself and my sparkling grey matter. Everybody is gonna want
this, I can feel it. Gotta go faster. Gotta get home and make copies in case
this one wears out.
Nearly a month later I can't even explain why noone else wants to buy
this. I play it everywhere I go, especially while mowing the lawn. My walkman
screams above the noise of the lawn tractor. My ears, begging for more, close
off my mind to everything around me. My neighbor sneaks up on me and nearly
gives me heart failure. Damn noisy mower!
All through the summer I listen intent on knowing every song, melody, and
lyric. By the end of the summer, I'm singing every song in my head as it
appears on the album. Damn I love good music.
The time: September 2000 The place: Chalkhills Digest.
I can't believe what I've been reading. Why would anyone think "Dear
God" should be placed at the end of Skylarking?
"The Man Who Sailed.." is a song of past accomplishments, of deeds, of
someone who through life has struck out. The line "When he found his self
revealed ugly and cold" gives the listener the impression that not only did
the songs protagonist fail as a human being but he (the "Man") also has come
to a self-realization about himself. It was too late, but the life he had led
was now laid open to him.
"Dear God" starts up and self-realization now turns 180 degrees and the
Man now looks to blame someone for his actions and deeds. Who else would he
blame but God? The "Man" has led a shameful life but won't or can't take
responsibility for it. He's looking for a scapegoat for the evil that he has
wrought upon others. He finds it in abundance by taking it out on the one
entity that doesn't talk back to him. He will never get the answers he is
looking for even in his waning life. Emotions run high as he sings "That my
hearts here upon my sleeve, If there's one thing i don't believe in.."
Powerful stuff.
"Dying" then begins and it's almost as if all the wrong the "Man" has
done catches up with him. The singer (Colin) now says "But I don't want to
die like you". Letting the listener know that the "Man" had a horrible life
but his death might have been the final payback. A wretched old man, who
lived a loveless life, dies alone and all that family or friends (I use that
word loosely) can muster up is "I don't want to die like you".
And some of you out there want to put "Dear God" at the end of
Skylarking!
Addendum: I have read what Andy has said about "Dear God" and I know
his intentions were not to have the scene play out as I have written.
However, if you listen without prior knowledge or put it aside for a moment
you might just agree with me. If you don't agree, then, oh well (that's this
world over).
"Two good left shoes do not make a right" Nor
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 23:02:56 EDT From: WTDK@aol.com Subject: Connecting to Frank Message-ID: <ea.b4a54f3.27040ee0@aol.com> >Let's see who can come up with the strangest connection! Anyone connecting XTC to Frank Sinatra wins a special prize! Jim here's what I've got-- Let's see, Xtc worked with Todd Rundgren on Skylarking. Rundgren produced Badfinger's Straight Up and interacted with George Harrison when he remixed George's tracks. George wrote Something which Frank Sinatra performed in concerts and used to call " one of the greatest love songs ever written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney." Additionally, Frank (he also made fun of the fabs when they first appeared) met the Beatles on at least one occasion. That's the best I can do. Does it quality me? Regards Wayne
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 23:11:16 EDT
From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com
Subject: Remembering John
Message-ID: <f6.31d2d83.270410d4@aol.com>
The Chalkhills are alive, with the sound of Julie!
>Mind you, Mr Kingston, you have on your conscience the fact that 99.99% of
>the people on the list are now stuck with Julie Andrews singing in their
>subconscious.
I know. I can be such an evil bastard at times! :=) (Hitler smiley face)
Really, thank you for your kind comments. Just trying to shed some light.
BTW, after I sent my post, I realized something else. The third measure of
SIFJ is a dead melodic repeat of the second. If you remove it, the whole
phrase would sit right on top of Barrytown. The end cadence of the phrase is
quite similar. That increases the similarity. (Sorry, just felt I should
finish the job.)
**********************************************
Just read Paul Culnane's entry on John Lennon. Read the article.
If that poor imbecile Chapman ever got released; I mean, he's gotta know that
someone's going to try to off him. Why don't we just hand him a belt and let
him figure it out? He may as well do it himself instead of making someone
else.
Chapman's mentally ill, it's that simple. He's incabable of coherent
thought, as that would probably reveal to him the reality of what he's done.
He's also living proof of what can happen when weak minds get hung up on the
metaphors of Christianity.
Whatever there is to say, only one thing stands true; we've lost John Lennon.
This may be a delicately macabre thread idea, but maybe a good cartharsis and
a good tribute to Lennon's memory for the anniversary. (60 years! It makes
my head spin! The Beatles turning 60!) Anyway, maybe those of us who
remember that horrible night could relate their tales. You know, where were
you, what were you doing, how it affected you. It could get heart wrenching,
but it can also put us back in touch with what Lennon and the Beatles and
rock are all about on a deeper level, and enhance our appreciation of it all.
Or something like that.
Here's my tale.
I was teaching at a music store 4 nights a week and taking odd jobs playing.
The day before Lennon was shot, I was driving back from a rehearsal for a
school musical that I was hired to play. I had a '71 Chevy pickup with just
a radio, so I carried a small mono tape player with me that ran on batteries.
(Ah, my salad days!) I kid you not, I had a mix tape of John Lennon in the
deck. The batteries started going, and the tape started slowing down until
it was unlistenable.
The next night, (It was Moday, right? Oh yeah, Howard Cosell.) I had taught
at the store and went to another rehearsal. I was on my way home about
11:00. As I approached my apartment, I saw a friend of my roomate
hitchhiking. As he got into the truck, he said, "Aw, Tom, did you hear?
John Lennon's been shot!" I freaked, and floored it to get back. As soon as
we opened the door, my roomate was standing there in tears, and said they had
just announced his death.
We spent the night stunned, watching the news reports, cursing, crying,
drinking.
The next day I woke up sleepless and hung over, and unbelievably sad. I had
to go teach guitar lessons all day. As I sat there trying to keep my wits,
each student started asking me about John Lennon. It was too much, so after
the third one I cancelled the rest and went to my parent's house for dinner.
When I got there, the local news broadcast was playing a tribute montage of
pictures. The song was In My Life. I just fell to pieces for the first
time, went into a bedroom and cried myself to sleep. (This is getting hard,
sorry).
The next day I was better rested, so I went to work, steeling myself for the
students questions should they arise. Before I left, I took my poster of
Lennon at the piano from the Imagine album. When I got to the store, the
owner gave me permission to put it up for the week as a tribute. I took a
piece of paper and wrote the final words to God, then taped it to the bottom
of the poster.
'The dream is over, what can I say?
The dream is over, yesterday
I was the dreamweaver, but now I'm reborn
I was the walrus, but now I'm John
And so dear friends, you'll just have to carry on
The dream is over'
Miss you, man. Thanks for the music! And thanks for making life better!
And I'm carrying on. :)
Tom K
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 22:17:07 -0500 From: Paul Brantley <pebrantl@mailbox.syr.edu> Subject: BBC, NYC, NIGel, Annamarie Message-ID: <39D166B1.FFD48078@mailbox.syr.edu> Organization: Syracuse University Hey, thanks for the leads already coming in to HELP ME FIND A PLACE TO LIVE IN NYC!!!!! Did I mention that I'm STILL LOOKING?!! !! And a special thanks to Annamarie for calling me "dahling" -- god, it was almost worth it just for this. Put me on repeat. By the way, was there ever mention made of an article in BBC magazine (some months back) about the violinist, Nigel Kennedy, who, if I remember correctly collaborated with Stephen Duffy (leader of The Lilac Time, whose Andy Partridge/John Leckie produced album, "& Love for All" , is probably the best album XTC never made). Anyway, the title of this article in perhaps THE classical music periodicle around was, "We're Only Making Plans for Nigel". Or maybe a punny version of this. Anyway, some classical music jounalist has rather good, if old, taste in pop music. Well, I continue my search to find a place to live in NEW YORK CITY!!! Paul http://web.syr.edu/~pebrantl/
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 21:03:23 EDT From: SLEDZNH@aol.com Subject: XTC Posters... Message-ID: <96.a250665.2703f2db@aol.com> Hello, Andrew wrote: >Also, are there any XTC posters in existence? I got a nice AV1 promo poster from a local record shop for free since the tattooed, nose-pierced, Eminem look-a-like working behind the counter had no idea who they were... you may want to try asking there. ~~Jim "I have nothing against tattoos & nose piercings..." White (an XTC poster himself of the Chalkhills variety....)
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 19:35:19 -0500 From: "Will Kreth" <wkreth@austin.rr.com> Subject: Sinatra to Partridge Message-ID: <NDBBLGAJCLCEJKAIPCONCEOLDIAA.wkreth@austin.rr.com> Jeff Eason <eason@mountaintimes.com> averred: >>Anyone connecting XTC to Frank Sinatra wins a special prize! Do they come any easier? -Bono sang on the Sinatra "Duets" album -U2 was produced by Steve Lillywhite (Boy, War, October) -Lillywhite produced XTC Save the prize. Give us something really difficult. cheers- _wk-
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 08:00:34 -0400 From: "Duncan Watt" <dwatt@fastestmanintheworld.com> Subject: Re: A Cure for Gravity Message-ID: <200009281202.IAA30954@gilgamesh.nh.ultra.net> White-hot Jill Oleson <Jill_Oleson@kurion.com> riffed hard and loud on Joe Jackson's new-ish autobiography "A Cure For Gravity". I'd like to back up Jill's excellent riffing: It's great book. Plenty of insight into what exactly you have to be willing to give up(or never have) to be a competitive one of these dingdongs the pundits like to call 'musicians'. It's like the old sawhorse says: You can't *want* to be one, you have to *need* to be one. Too bad the book stops when he gets his first contract, would've been nice to dig some dish... Instant plus: for all you dingdong musicians out there, it's the perfect pick-me-up the morning after a real stanky what-the-hell-am-I-doing poop of a gig. His gigs were worse than yours. Your Pal Duncan Watt ps well, there was that one high-society wedding I played at where there was RAW SEWAGE leaking out of the punctured main onto the lawn and under the stage... anybody want to ghost-write a bestseller about 7 years in the life of a wedding band? -- email me: dwatt@fastestmanintheworld.com surf me: http://www.fastestmanintheworld.com
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 10:54:10 +0200 From: Johan Ekdahl <johan.ekdahl@programbyran.se> Subject: Sighting / sighting / next album Message-ID: <E1FE4AE1AF2DD111885A00A02479F442150199@sofia.programbyran.se> Now hear this - Debora, Todd, Smudge and others: I was looking at a TV-program covering the flooding in northern Sweden this summer (bringing with it houses and bridges). To the pictures of two men sitting in a row-boat in a flooded river something familiar was playing... Frost Circus. Kind'o'odd. I've always heard FC as a rather humorous, and "bagatelesque", kind of tune. Not the kind of music You would play to pictures of a natural disaster (albeit w/o casualties). Still, in some strange way, it worked. -- There was an (telephone) interview with AP in the September issue of the swedish periodical "MusikerMagasinet". Nothing new, but AP seemed happy and was described as a charming person (At one point AP says "Look, I have another interview booked now, but this was really pleasant. Can You call me up in half an hour, and we'll continue?" or something like that. -- Well, it was just a matter of time before someone would start the thread "what lyrics from WS should be used as the name of the next album?", and Sylvan did it in #6-276. I seem to recall AP in an interview saying they won't do that anymore, but I'll toss these anyway: Bruised by the Bullies Extra Proof Naked For You Come Down From London Way Sugar Head Love and Milk a Plenty --Johan Ekdahl
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 07:16:34 -0400 From: "Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt" <toddjenn@erols.com> Subject: "Duck!" "Where?" Message-ID: <NABBKDAOLCDJBNEFDNLLCELKCEAA.toddjenn@erols.com> Hi: John (jbkxtc@ev1.net) just got back from England, where he did the obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca, er, Swindon: > Plus, we did drive by Andy's current residence, but I just didn't have the nerve to knock on the door. I did consider it for a moment, but all the curtains were closed and I just didn't want to chance having an encounter with Andy go badly so that I had to carry the memory of pissing off the man whose music still means so much to me after 20+ years. Can you blame me?< NO!!! Good for you, mate. Better to leave The Man with his privacy. Swindon may not be the most beautiful town on the planet, but as John says, it's interesting to see the context in which this music we all seem to like was created. Plus, for someone looking to see the many, many beautiful sites of SW England, it's a great base of operations. >then it was off to Bristol and a top secret tour of Aardman Animation - home of the fabulous Wallace & Gromit and the more recent "Chicken Run". We had to sign confidentiality agreements just to get in and so I can't tell you anything or else I would have to kill all of you. But it was way cool and we got to see them in production on their current show "Rex the Runt" which is only seen in the UK.< Okay, NOW I'm jealous ... go ahead, tell me -- I'll take my chances. -Todd
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 20:43:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: Six degrees of Andy Partridge Message-ID: <20000928034332.4582.qmail@web2105.mail.yahoo.com> RE: Does anyone else have a way of connecting XTC to bands that one would not normally think of? Let's see who can come up with the strangest connection! Anyone connecting XTC to Frank Sinatra wins a special prize! Well, ever one to rise to a challenge: Frank Sinatra worked with Nelson Riddle Who also worked wth Linda Ronstadt who has made two albums with Emmylou Harris Emmylou's brilliant 'Wrecking ball' cd was prouced by Daniel Lanois lanois has co-produced several U2 records with Brian Eno who once considered joining XTC Wht do I win? Tyler the Font of Useless Knowledge
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 07:08:16 -0700 From: "Wes Hanks" <whanks1@earthlink.net> Subject: employee of the month Message-ID: <001101c02955$93065a80$34d0bfa8@default> Memo to all staff. Re: October Employee of the Month Please join management in congratulating fellow employee, Deborah Brown, who has been selected as October's Employee of the Month. Deborah has worked tirelessly of late promoting the Mummer product line. Sales of Mummer product has increased by 6%. As you know, the Mummer product has traditionally proven to be a difficult product line to sell, requiring special attention and additional effort to close sales. Join us in the employee cantina this Friday at noon where Deborah will receive: her certificate, photo for the lobby, 2 for 1 gift certificate to Mr. Softi frozen yogurt, use of the employee of the month reserved parking space for the next 30 days and a 15% reduction off of her lunch bill for that day. We salute Deborah in her efforts and the example she sets for us all.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 10:48:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com> Subject: You Say it's Your Birthday? Message-ID: <20000928174832.4000.qmail@web108.yahoomail.com> Belated Birthday Wishes to Mr. Dave Gregory who added another ring to the tree, last Thursday the 21st of September. Congratulations Dave Hope it was a good un. Cheers The Mole
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 14:05:26 -0400 From: Jeff Eason <eason@mountaintimes.com> Subject: We Have A Winner! Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20000928140526.0085fe80@mountaintimes.com> Wow, When I asked if anyone could connect XTC to Frank Sinatra, I had no idea how quickly a reply would come. We're closing down the phone lines 'cause we've got a winner! Two winners, actually. Wayne wrote: Let's see, Xtc worked with Todd Rundgren on Skylarking. Rundgren produced Badfinger's Straight Up and interacted with George Harrison when he remixed George's tracks. George wrote Something which Frank Sinatra performed in concerts and used to call " one of the greatest love songs ever written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney." Additionally, Frank (he also made fun of the fabs when they first appeared) met the Beatles on at least one occasion. And Gary McBride wrote: How about Frank (more or less) did a duet with Bono of U2, whose early albums were produced by Steve Lilywhite, who also produced some of XTC's early work. Impressive work guys! Send me your addresses off-post, and I'll mail you a prize! Cheers! Jeff Eason (no relation to the Mr. Eason who had to give up his Bronze Medal in Olympic Cat-Juggling due to banned substances found in his urine)
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 20:52:41 +0200 From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Subject: CS Angels Message-ID: <20000928184547.64420A6D15@mail.knoware.nl> Dear Chalkers, My old friends the Comsat Angels keep cropping up again > ... could it be that 'comsat,' which seems to me a > rather generic shortening of 'communications > satellite,' is actually trademarked? Bizarre." but true! This was the reason the C.A. had to change their name, at least while working in the States. Not sure, but i seem to remember this: it was a really huge company (General Electric?) who actually owned the rights to the trademark CommSat (with extra _m_ ). But they sued and they won. How they convinced a judge that a musical group would or even could infringe on any space-based operation is beyond me... And i think it's probably fair to say that this couldn't have done their career much good. yep, there's no business like show business yours in xtc, Mark S. @ the Little Lighthouse www.come.to/xtc
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 15:01:45 EDT From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Ooooh! Zinger! Message-ID: <44.78c8ff6.2704ef99@aol.com> >From: andrew sneddon <andrew_sneddon@yahoo.com> >Subject: Apple Star? >Also, are there any XTC posters in existence? One or two, but everybody else seems pretty bent on critiquing some Dome or another. Harrison "Rimshot!" Sherwood
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 15:15:23 GMT From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: Gold! Gold! Gold! Message-ID: <F222vkRkZ6mPfinvh7u00007a65@hotmail.com> Hello my dear Chalkleteers, First off - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Iain "Mr Olympics" Murray!!! * * * Second off, an Olympics digression (Indulge me John -- it's the last time I promise!) Andrew Gowans -- I hate to say this, but there was nothing to escape FROM. Far from being the logistical fiasco many (me included) expected, and in spite of months of the worst public transport f**ups in living memory ... thewhole Olympic shebang has gone off more or less as smooth as silk. Driving around Sydney, which is generally a nightmare at any time, has been a delight - it's like Boxing Day every day. There's just NO-ONE on the roads. It's amazing. Half the population seems to have left town. Everyone took the train, everything worked. Apart from a little rain over the last two days the weather has been incredible, and the atmosphere around the city is great. No disasters, no terrorist attacks, lots of happy people. What can I say? As probably the most non-sporty person in the entire country, I agree that it's been quite enjoyable, with some great moments, good and bad. Our local coverage has been pretty good and delightfully free of the "me me me" talking-head egotism of past years. We actually get to see the sport, rather than some blabbering boofhead . I only wish that everyone around the globe could share in the undoubted highlight: "The Dream" with Roy & HG. It's a 90-minute late night TV satirical commentary with actor/comedians John Doyle (aka Rampaging Roy Slaven) and Greig Pickhaver (aka H.G. "Immortal" Nelson). They started out in 1984 on Sydney radio 2JJJ with their hilarious three-hour, adlibbed sports/comedy program called "This Sporting Life" (which is now national and is still running). They have long been a cult fixture, but "The Dream" has sent them through the roof. They featured on NBC Nightly News last night and also in the Wall St Journal. Athletes and celebs have been queuing up to have the piss taken out of them on live TV. (Example - Roy asked swimmer Gary Hall Jr if he had had a chance to sample any of our local ganja!) Their "highlights" packages include stuff like the edited-out underwater shots of the water polo players "going the grope", and close-up groin and buttock shots of the Greaco-Roman wrestlers, to an accompanying soundtrack by Barry White. Their calls of the gymnastics are especially hilarious, and feature their own newly-coined terms for the various moves: The Dutch Wink, The Hello Boys, The Crazy Date, The Battered Sav, and my personal favourite The Flat Bag (i.e. a male gymnast doing the splits). But by far the biggest success has been their 'alternative' Games mascot, Fatso The Fat-Arsed Wombat, who has totally stolen the show. It has been carried by the athletes at several medal ceremonies (much to the chagrin of the Australian Olympic Committee); the exclusive "Fatso" gold pins given to guests are already valued at over $2000, and the original Fatso stuffed toy which they use on the show it is being auctioned off for charity tomorrow night - as of 1AM Saturday the internet bidding stood at an incredible AU$85,100! It's just great, hugely funny and a wonderfully irreverent Australian edge to the whole proceedings. Hats off lads, hats off Channel 7. * * * Fuzzy Warbles - -WTF is happening? When? * * * XTC peaked a few years ago?? Who said that - Exsquezze me???? Are you mental?????? * * * Confession: Having driven myself to distraction with Steely Dan's sublime "Two Against Nature", I have now fallen utterly under the thrall of Donald Fagan's unbelievably cool 1993 solo album "Kamakiriad". What the hell took me so long to discover this album?? It's just a total stone groove. Get in your car, whack it on, crank it up and go to the Zone. "Tomorrow's Girls" is the most fabulously funky thing I've heard in a month of Sundays. Earthmen have no defence, indeeed! Stay cool, won't you? Dunks -- "DRUG (noun) -- Any substance which, when injected into an albino rat, produces a scientific paper." - Dr Dale Atrens
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-278 *******************************
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