Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 89
Date: Thursday, 27 April 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 89
Thursday, 27 April 2000
Topics:
Ultimate Fan?
Albums
Kubrick and XTC
Listening Nonsuch from Apple Venus
midwestern pornography
I won't be around to do the Listening Parties
Men have gargoyles 'round their hearts....
Dunks=Dork
The Ecstacy Police
Napster & hbsherwood et al
Re: XTC - It's All Good
Please do this one thing.
A glass of lemonade?
Re: Weak
re: you choose poorly
My opinion can beat up your opinion
Chalkhills posting
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 13:29:29 -0400 From: "Lieman, Ira" <ilieman@lernerny.com> Subject: Ultimate Fan? Message-ID: <D0980C8EF8F1D311979200508B950CCC1B6331@lny-d-exchange.ltd.com> Chalkaholics, I'm delurking for a moment because the Ultimate Fan Test from #6-87 caught my attention. Thomas, you get the gold star. Let's make it a special Wasp Star for you. By my calculations I score 137 1/2, which I know is a lot less than a lot of diehards here (but my first post was some time in early '95, so there. Nyaah.). The "37 1/2" is because my son's middle name is Andrew. Technically it's for my wife's grandfather, and there's no way we were going to name him Amos. We need a "Six Degrees of Separation from XTC" here though. I was on one of the Chalkhills' Children compilations, so presumably Andy, Colin, and maybe even Dave have heard my vocally-challenged minor variation of Dear Madam Barnum. Would that make me 1 1/2 degrees away? I mean, I think Richard was the one in touch with 'em so they never met me but they heard me sing (if that's what you want to call it). <soapbox> My two cents on Napster: It's a classic example of catch-22. Although I found the book annoying and unreadable, the gist of it is that the musicians want people to listen to them, but a lot of people don't want to pay for something they don't know from yet. I believe Napster is a good thing for everyone. If you get turned on to, say, XTC for instance, there's a good chance you'll buy the album with the songs you like to listen to more often. And you might then buy the greatest hits compilations, and then maybe a live album, and maybe the back catalog or something -- I think the sky's the limit, and Napster is just the catalyst for that. The music industry is NOT wondering where they're getting their next meal. If Napster becomes the "grand Internet music convention" then so be it, and I think in the end the artists are the beneficiaries. </soapbox> That, and I think Elian Gonzalez would make a great major league pitcher. Just keep him in Cuba until he can defect on his own free will at age 18 or something... Vaya con huevos, -ira
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 19:51:49 +0100
From: "David Seddon" <D.Seddon@btinternet.com>
Subject: Albums
Message-ID: <00ba01bfafb0$7b9f3700$d89c01d5@default>
Brian asked about fav XTC. Here's my take on it:
1) Nonsuch ... it has the more songs that are up to Lennon/McCartney
standard than any other XTC album. I love it. Passionately. I'd marry it
if I could.
2) English Settlement... a classic (especially on vinyl) with great rhythmic
songs and the best drumming on any album I've ever heard. Sod the
neighbours, crank it up!
3) Black Sea ... the best of the early albums (ie 70s). Full of verve, it
really rocks. They were at their best live around this time, too. I saw
the tour at Liverpool.
4) Drums and Wires ... a close second to the above. Some great dance and
trance grooves.
5) AV1 ... the awesome Harvest Festival is worth the admission on its own.
Some gorgeous ones and one or two I can skim over.
6) Oranges & Lemons ... always seems very 60's sounding to me. Parts of it
could almost be the Dukes. Some great tracks, but some right lemons, too.
7) The Big Express ... I enjoy this one, esp the lyrics and some of the song
titles.
8) Mummer ... has its moments.
9) Go2 ... has some good early stuff.
10) Skylarking ...doesn't sound much like XTC. Sanitised/overproduced? (an
unpopular opinion that correspondence says maybe 10-20 per cent of
Chalkhills agree with)
11) White Music ... not so keen on this in hindsight, but it still has a few
good ones.
I suppose some of this relative, but i expect E.S. would come out top if we
all voted.
"When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour,
it seems like a minute.
But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute--
and it's longer than any hour.
That's relativity."
Einstein
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:56:03 +0000 From: David Schneider <dnschneider@earthlink.net> Subject: Kubrick and XTC Message-ID: <B52C898F.139C%dnschneider@earthlink.net> > Okay, now the theatrical trailer for Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" starts > playing and I'm like "Huh?" and it keeps going and I figure out quickly that > that's the catch - you have to watch an advertisement before the segment and > this must have come out when the Stanley Kubrick boxed set was released last > year which I bought the very first day at Best Buy for $99 which saved me > $50 off the price later. Anyhoo . . . Wow, I had my own "The Shining"/XTC moment a few months back. I'd bought the Kubrick box set for my friend for x-mas, and of course promptly borrowed several of the DVDs. I popped "The Shining" in, and must've accidently hit the play button on my stereos cassette player along with the DVD play button, because simultaneously to the film starting, the soundtrack is "Vanishing Girl". Now, of course, I know "Vanishing Girl" is not played over the opening credits of "The Shining". But still, there was that split second of "What the --?" It'd probably been fifteen years since I'd seen the film, before I'd even heard of XTC, so there was that moment of "My god, I didn't know this song was in the film! How cool!". Then of course, neurons started to fire, and the realization that the film was made years before the Dukes recorded set it. Oh well. Still, I let it play as Jack and the family made their way up the mountain, and it worked pretty well. Anyway, it was an odd moment I'd probably never have mentioned here if someone else hadn't had a Kubrick/XTC connection. Oh, and I for one didn't know about the XTC dvd you mentioned. Thanks for the info! I'll head out and find it... Dave
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 16:47:12 -0300 From: "=?iso-8859-1?B?U2ViYXN0aeFuIEFk+nJpeg==?=" <sebasaduriz@movi.com.ar> Subject: Listening Nonsuch from Apple Venus Message-ID: <009201bfafb8$8f8a1de0$d5750ac8@sebasaduriz> Hi: My little bit to the "overrated" Nonsuch debate. I think the key word here is transitional. Coming from Oranges & Lemons as the obliged last reference, my first impression when listening to Nonsuch, was that of a soft and a bit unfocused album. Although it had some great songs in it -The Disappointed, for example, continues since then to dispute the first places in my personal top five of the whole XTC catalogue - , couldn't put Bungalow and Omnibus in the same bag and expected, also, more of those punching and aggressive guitar based pop songs, that made XTC unique. Listening to Apple Venus (and getting older perhaps) gave me a much better perspective to pieces like Rook, Humble Daisy and even Wrapped in Grey ( I continue, eventhough, experiencing difficulties with Bungalow and it's weeping chorus). To sum up, dividing waters as it was done with AV I and Wasp Star, has made things a lot easier for me ( and this perhaps has nothing to do with transitions and aging but with a square sensibilty). Again from Buenos Aires, Sebastian
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 15:51:31 -0400 (EDT) From: "May O'Mahoney" <may5272@gte.net> Subject: midwestern pornography Message-ID: <387701614.956778692392.JavaMail.root@web25.pub01> In response to Harrison's previous posting, I propose the following for bands sinking in a turbulent financial sea: Start pornographic websites!!! ****** Yesiree Bob - just $19.99 a month will get you all the smut and songs you could possibly wish for!! If insipid Midwestern wives can do it! So can you! *********** (Did I hear correctly when it was announced "Porno For Dummies Version 2.8" will be out this summer?) Noooo.........I'm just kidding. I haven't a clue what the solution is to this troubling subject. I do have a clue about one thing. I'm glad that I haven't heard Wasp Star yet. Yes, truly glad. I can stay out of all the arguments, all the spoilers and just sit back and wait. It's like when I was a kid and I'd get loads of Christmas candy. I'd watch my little sister inhale it and get sick and I would stash mine away for a later date. Ah yes, that chocolate buttercream sure was tastier when I savored it. Spoil away Chalkies, spoil away......!!! Yours Truly, May
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 13:20:59 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com> Subject: I won't be around to do the Listening Parties Message-ID: <20000426202059.11472.qmail@web1304.mail.yahoo.com> I won't be at the listening parties anymore for now, because I had an accident and broke my ankle. I'm at my parents' house right now recovering. But if you feel like it you can still have the parties. So just a reminder of tonight's party is Rag and Bone Buffet, and next week's will be Nonsuch. I hope I'll be around to do a Wasp Star listening party after I get back on my feet. I hope you guys have a great time, and I'll be thinking of you tonight at 10pm EST. Molly ===== Molly's Pages http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 16:50:57 -0500 From: "Robert Kulick" <kulicro@auburn.edu> Subject: Men have gargoyles 'round their hearts.... Message-ID: <s9071e7f.016@groupwise1.duc.auburn.edu> Ok...its trite, but could I get a poll started of your favorite XTC album, and the reason why.... "I like XTC" is not a valid response.....I'm looking for a technically specific reason why, such as...."the way Ballet for a Rainy Day folds neatly into 1000 Umbrellas makes Skylarking my favorite...." respond if you care to...I've got a major XTC woodie since hearing some new songs, so I thought it might be idle fun.... Rob
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 17:52:21 EDT From: Robeach11@aol.com Subject: Dunks=Dork Message-ID: <44.317d48d.2638bf15@aol.com> Dearest Dunks, I'd like to address this comment about me in #6-86; << I wouldn't waste the rope, you ungrateful wretch. I thought about using it on "Robbeach" or whatever his name is. But on further consideration, I realised that anyone who has the temerity to criticise "English Settlement" deserves a death far crueller and more lingering than mere hanging could provide. >> Look in the mirror. Now THAT'S a wretch. Exactly what was it that I said about ES that kept you tossing and turning and losing sleep? I thought I made it clear that I enjoy "English Settlement". Just because "Melt the Guns" -and a few other tracks- are a little lengthier than I would like, doesn't take away from the overall brilliance of the CD. Didn't I say that only XTC could produce a piece of art like that? So what if it's not in my personal top 5 XTC albums. So frickin' what!!! Don't like opinions that don't match yours? Call your mommy. What gives? Haven't gotten laid in a while? Feelin' down? Can't push anybody around face-to-face so you have to fire off "safe" rude e-mails to XTC fans? How sad. You know, I've always respected other's opinions here. I've treated Chalkhills with class. I put in my two-cents when I feel I have something worthwhile. I've had many great e-mails from Chalkers... indeed some even suggested songs for my January wedding. Then, there's you.... Dunks, I am a very low-key kinda guy. But as soon as I stopped laughing at your latest missive, I knew a reply would be in order. If you have a problem with me, e-mail me personally. Threaten me with a hanging then you bastard. The thing is, I AGREE with you that from "Drums & Wires" on, XTC have been unbelievably consistent. For 21 (!) years now. Fabulous. What is not to like, indeed! (BTW, my least fave XTC CD is "White Music" and then "Go2"). Yet your anger and attempted sarcasm towards me and others is below weak. I wish we all could be as "insightful" and "brilliant" as you!!! Tell us all your secrets! You're King Chalkhill in my book! In the meantime, I hope you don't lose anymore sleep because of what I wrote. Maybe you need to find Jesus, Buddha or the Wizard Of Oz. I'll leave you now to the care of your parents. Nighty-night. Rob Carson, Ca
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 14:22:31 PDT From: "Edward Sizzorhends" <skylar_king@hotmail.com> Subject: The Ecstacy Police Message-ID: <20000426212231.44440.qmail@hotmail.com> Dear Chalkhillions, ones of the millions, I don't think it's a compliment when people mistake XTC for Sting. What it means is that anything sappy, watered down and english sounding must be our man Sting. Now before you click those little things that spark the blowtorches you are going to flame me with, listen. I DON'T think that some of the new XTC stuff is sappy. The non-initiated might. We are fans, we'll smilingly eat whatever is put on our plates. We may not always think it's the best tasting meal, but our plates will be clean. I am sorry to have the feeling that this album (Wasp Star), just as the other one (AVI), won't be the dinner bell that makes the strangers come to eat. But as a fan, can I just say "*Burp*" (insert lip smacking, tummy rubbing and button popping sounds here). But back to the Sting thing--- He sucks. The straw that broke this camel's back was the one-two punch of seeing "Stink" singing with Puff Diddly-Daddy and singing with The Backstreet N'Sync Boyz (I can't tell the difference). Granted it wasn't completely broken with the release of "The Soul Cages" but that's when the load (of crap) started getting too heavy to handle. ANd that was QUITE a few albums ago. If the last Great Album Stink put out was "Nothing Like The Sun," does that mean that he can only make great albums when he has awesome musicians playing for him? Does that mean the musicians he has now suck? Or does it mean that he has just lost any of the spark and beauty he once held? Oh well, there are those who are now whining "This is an XTC list, not a Stink list." Well it's related - is this what's going to happen to XTC? Discuss. The Skylar King "I would have made this instrumental but - D' Doo Doo Doo, D' Dah Dah Dah is all I've got to say to you" - The Ecstacy Police
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 00:02:17 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Napster & hbsherwood et al Message-ID: <20000426230217.12954.qmail@web1504.mail.yahoo.com> Hello Chalkies Right, time to have my tuppenceworth on this. Check out amazon.com. You may have heard of them. In this wonderland of digital downloads they still manage to sell thousands and thousands of good, old-fashioned BOOKS (very few - and I'm guessing here - for burning) EVERY SINGLE DAY. So, I fear, the days of the total abolition of the record company are a long way away. Btw, I work for a financial institution with a big wwww presence - and yet, our customers still want to go into branches. What can you do, eh? I think people are going to be buying musical product, for whatever reason (cf people who still buy vinyl - no disrespect, that's just what you do). Also btw, anyone got details of UK ITMWML release? Cooking Vinyl's site is notoriously bad for giving UTD info. Thanks for listening. Rory "A bad quote in the middle of your name is worse than silence" Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 00:25:25 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Re: XTC - It's All Good Message-ID: <20000426232525.2024.qmail@web1506.mail.yahoo.com> Hello Again Chalkmen Sorry, getting very frivolous tonight. I've been a fan of XTC since the 70's - since Making Plans For Nigel, to be precise. And I'm sorry, but I still don't get White Music, Go2 or Drums and Wires (previously mentioned track excepted - the high (indeed only) point of the album as far as I'm concerned. Can someone please explain them to me? please? Incidentally, I have similar problems with other bands that I like - frequently their so-called "early work" - is really development that happened to get a recording contract before they found their (allegedly) real sound. Everything that they have done since (including the vastly underrated Mummer, and frequently slagged Big Express) is absolutely top drawer. Nonsuch was a refreshing "Back To Basics" return to "Good Old-Fashioned XTC Values" after the pure exuberance of O&L. And I love them both. OK, you can shoot me down in flames now. Rory "No, I can't think of a quote right now" Wilsher
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 19:32:20 CDT
From: "vee tube" <veetube@hotmail.com>
Subject: Please do this one thing.
Message-ID: <20000427003220.3415.qmail@hotmail.com>
Go To...
http://www.alternatech.net/jh3/xtc
Look around,have fun, and then download...
XTsCheme
What happens if you install this? (you may ask)
Well,bunches of stuff but, my favorite(s) are (is) the sounds
you get when you empty the trash,use norton,hit a dead link,etc.
They're all XTC sound samples! Cool,eh?
}---:)
P.S. BEWARE THE SCREEN SAVER! Remember last year? They (?)
ran a Pokemon in Japan and a bunch of kids spazed out!
Same here! You may want to adjust the speed.
Maybe not!
TROUT!OUT!
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 20:27:51 +0000 From: Scott Barnard <gforsche@videotron.ca> Subject: A glass of lemonade? Message-ID: <"000801bfafbd$e4f367a0$736ac818"@oemcomputer.videotron.ca> Oh, poor, pitiful, put-upon Nonsuch. What have you done to deserve this? Still, I can't resist an opportunity to regale you all with my ill-considered opinions on this, XTC's very own "Metal Machine Music". I tend to agree with F.A. (6-87) that this is an inconsistent album with some spectacular "highs". However, we manage to disagree on exactly what these highs are. As for some of the choices made by F.A. (and many others, I'm sure)..... "Pumpkinhead": Overlong and a little obvious, but most of all forever tainted by that fucking basso-profundo/over-medicated-chick Dummies cover. "The Disappointed": Like "Dear Madam Barnum" (and "I'd Like That"), this is a song that AP could have written in his sleep. The (over?) production brings to mind the radio-ready-but-substandard "King for a Day". It also has a tendency to plod, a problem which would become manifest on AV1. "Books are Burning": Ace guitar, but not quite the epic it would like to be. And that "not unlike human hair" line.... But I wouldn't want to give anybody the impression that I dislike this album (heavens, no). "My Bird Perfoms" (Colin's best since he was Red), "Humble Daisy", "That Wave", "Then She Appeared" and "Wrapped in Grey" are all quite brilliant, really. But for me the key songs are: "Holly up on Poppy": Two minutes of sheer idiot bliss, IMHO one of AP's two or three finest moments. And I hate kids. "Crocodile": I suspect that this is a bonus track which only I have, such is the lack of commentary on the 'hills. Makes me pine for Gregsy in not entirely healthy ways. This could be on "Black Sea" (there is no higher compliment). "The Ugly Underneath": Probably missed by many people who mistakenly believe that they're skipping over "Bungalow". Great lyrics and a rather nifty Lennon/Wilson splice, I think. All in all, then, not a perfect album (it'll come) but "Skylarking" and "O&L" also suffer from "White Album Syndrome", n'est-ce pas? S.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 00:18:13 EDT From: Nudeants@aol.com Subject: Re: Weak Message-ID: <a4.38f538a.26391985@aol.com> Liarbird and Reign of Blows weak songs? Reign of Blows is one of his most majestic, strange songs, and the end of Liarbird always tugs at the heartstrings... Black Sea and English Settlement are NOT perfect. A good number of songs on English Settlement do go a bit long, lets be honest, folks. What's more, Living Through Another Cuba and Sgt. Rock are not songs that would be on any perfect album in my book. Whatever matt mitchell
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 01:07:24 EDT From: Powerpop10@aol.com Subject: re: you choose poorly Message-ID: <46.48c6493.2639250c@aol.com> In chalkhills digest 6 - 88 Lovely Mr Wes Long wrote: < SHUT YOUR WRETCHED PIE TRAP YOU RIDICULOUS PRICK> I do apologise Mr Long for my thoughts on xtc and for upsetting you so. What was I thinking of? After your incisive criticism (see above) I have learnt that XTC are the best band in the world ever ever. They are really great, ace, wizz, brill, super duper, out of this world man, excellent really excellent. I mean like wow, man wow. And every single track they have ever ever deigned to record is a work of genius. And it was bad of me, ( im a bad person) to even dare to suggest otherwise. Thankyou Wes for making see the error of my ways. I am now on a 12 point "See the XTC light" programme. I suggest that others of you out there who have the temerity to not like the amazing "War Dance" or the gob smackingly stupendous "Smartest Monkeys" should follow suit and book yourself in. Im am healed Mr Power de poop poop
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 15:30:54 +1000 (EST) From: Mud Shark <mudshark1944@yahoo.com.au> Subject: My opinion can beat up your opinion Message-ID: <20000427053054.8868.qmail@web1704.mail.yahoo.com> >>From : "Christopher R. Coolidge" >><cauldron@together.net> >> >>Different strokes for different folks. Can't argue >>with personal taste. >>From : "Smith, David" <David.Smith@tfeurope.com> >> >>...beauty is very definitely in the eye (or in this >>case the ear) of the beholder. >>From : WESnLES@aol.com >> >>SHUT YOUR WRETCHED PIE TRAP YOU RIDICULOUS PRICK! Which of these things is not like the others? MS ===== "I rail against God because I was told to stop eating paste in Sunday school" - P.J.O'Rourke
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 02:11:38 EDT From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com Subject: Chalkhills posting Message-ID: <b4.485d85d.2639341a@aol.com> Happy hunting, Chalkhillers! I have been subscribing to Chalkhills for over a year now (right about when AV1 came out and I went on line). I've generally been to busy or tired to join in (I check my mail late, and I have 2 jobs). I felt compelled to do so now only because I'm taking personal time and, of course, I'm getting geared up for the release of Wasp Star (please! That name! What was he thinking? Damn eccentric artist!) This is my first posting, so exuse me if I'm nervous while trying to be pompous and arrogant. First, I want to say that It is thrilling to see so much intelligence and heart felt opinion in one place! Figures it would be like that with XTC fans. XTC (Xcuse me while I waX poetic) is like a multi-faceted gem, everyone seeing something differently shine, and being impelled to listen and talk about it. The postings on this list are clear proof. They are indeed special and rare! I feel thankful to have known their music and to have lived long enough to hear more! Enough being maudlin. Being new to this, I would like to introduce myself as a musician and a music lover who has spanned a few years. Born in '56, I am as old as Rock 'N Roll. As a toddler, I grew up listening to big band & Bing Crosby (my father), Eddy Arnold and show music (my mother), and Elvis, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys and later British Invasion (my older brother). When I was 8 I watch the Beatles first performance on Ed Sullivan. My first record purchase was the Monkees 'Headquaters' (I highly reccomend to all of you, by the way. It has survived nicely!), followed by everything then available by Simon & Garfunkel. S & G hit me as hard at the age of twelve as hard, if not harder than Metallica or NIN does to first timer teenage headbangers. I now own over 1500 vinyl recordings, over 2000 CDs & countless tapes, tapes, tapes. (Now I own a CD burner, God help me!) I went on to learn to play (guitar, of course), performing in numerous rock, pop & show groups as well as earning a degree in classical guitar. I currently play middle age yuppie bars and occasional folk fests as an acoustic solo. Andy Partridge is only 2 years older than me. XTC are my peers, my age group. They arrived in what could be the most important year of the 70s (as far as rock / pop), 1977. Important in that was the year that the aesthetic of the punk revolution was finally commandeered by the songwriters. (Fashion didn't always stop a good song!) Think about it. Elvis Costello. Talking Heads. Graham Parker. Devo. The Cars. The Police. Souixsie & the Banshees. Blondie. Joe Jackson. The Pretenders. The B52s (cut them a break! they made great records!) The Clash. Patti Smith. The Squeeze. Peter Gabriel going solo. The re-re-invention of David Bowie. The death of disco. I could go on. Scary, isn't it? The last great blossoming of Rock. Not even Seatlle could compete with this tremor (it's interesting to note that Nirvana would have fit right in!) This is the background for XTCs arrival and formative days. I was there. The first song I heard by them was 'Millions', from D & W. A friend turned me on to them by including this in a birthday mix tape. It was all over. I was hooked. I have played 'Ten Feet Tall', 'Towers of London', 'Senses Working Overtime, 'All of a Sudden', 'Burning With Optimisms Flame', and 'No Thugs in Our House' in various bands. I have performed an acoutic arrangement of 'Rook' at a Unitarian service. Now that I have given my credentials, let me offer some brief opinions. XTC is the greatest underrated rock band in history. Ever. Period. As for this Nonsuch nonsense, lighten up, all of you! Nonsuch is a brilliant album, no matter how it flows. For me, the low side of the album is that it showed the deepest downward spiral in Colin's writing. 'War Dance' is a cringer, most especially because of the subject matter. Protest songs suffer the most when they lapse into stridency tied to specific events. (Same problem with 'Here Comes President Kill', which is brilliant musically, but suffers for the subject). Dylan sidestepped this problem by keeping unspecific, allowing him to be universal and open to poetic metaphor. Hence, 'Blowin' in the Wind', a timeless classic. But National Service? Bringing Churchill back? I don't think so. Nontheless, Nonsuch naysayers, Nonsuch is filled with great music. Don't forget 'Dear Madam Barnum', you song listers! And 'Rook' is the most incredible lyric Andy has written. I was in pieces when I first heard it: "If I die and I find that I have a soul inside, promise me that you'll take it up on it's final ride". Ohhhhh, Man! All of the albums are great, to some degree. None of them are perfect, although I think that Black Sea and Skylarking are the closest to being so. Don't forget that Skylarking was released originally without 'Dear God' and with 'Mermaid Smiles'. I bought it like that as soon as it came out. I think the inclusion of 'Dear God' ruins what otherwise was just about a perfect album. But whatever perfect is or isn't is irrelevant. Their entire body of work is a must! I find that astounding. Very few other artists are like that. So if you are a true fan, stop making a mountain out of a molehill and just enjoy them! I detest the placement of the extraneous material in the middle of the CD reisssues. It should be at the end. That's probably an ancient issue here, but I had to get that off my chest. Penultimately - I refuse to download or otherwise beat the gun to hear Wasp Star. Maybe I'm older and not as crazy, but I prefer to be patient. Besides, our local Philly Station (WXPN - University of Penn) will air ITMWML at least a week before release. They are quite hip. Finally, I wish to add that I procured a copy of Andy's demos about a year ago. This is the first time that I have gone into a new album knowing most of the songs. I guess I'll find out whether it was a good idea or not after I've heard the final release. I find it fascinating to see other peoples descriptions who have heard it. Very strange. I am most disappionted that 'I Don't Wanna Be Here' was exlcuded - it's just an astounding song! I hope Andy eventually goes to the studio with it. I did do one interesting thing, though. Not knowing which ones were going to make the cut, I made for myself a tape of all the non - AV1 demos (contenders for AV2) and put them on tape. The great thing was I nailed the opener and closer! I started it with 'Playground' and finished with 'The Wheel and the Maypole' (although it seems an obvious choice). I'll post the play list for that tape, just for fun, on a later entry. I did something similar with the Beatles a long time ago, where I took different early solo stuff and made a tape I called 'The Beatles Last Album' Anyway, thanks for your patience. I promise to be much more concise in the future. I lift my glass to XTC, those incredible middle age screwballs! Later, Tom
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-89 ******************************
Go back to Volume 6.
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