Chalkhills Digest Volume 7, Issue 9
Date: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 7, Number 9
Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Topics:
me gusta tu cinturita
A Couple of XTC Sightings
As Tears Go By
...but there's something missing in the middle.
Lost Chord?
Re: XtC sightings
Let's Make a Din
Re: Your Name Is on a Lot of Quotes in this Book
Responses, dropped in diamond disarray
How 'Corvair Baby' Came To Be
XTC has made it into game show fame!
french fat bassman n'est pas mort....
Colin Connundrum
Re: Samantha's critique of The Orchid Show...
The mall is alive with the sound of Muzak
Stew, Song Stories, The Origininal Brothers...
Colin's Pink Thing?
Dimming the Lighhouse
Through The Hill
Re: Midwest XTC fans
Re: This and That
Welcome Lisette !!!!
Dave Gregory / Porcupine Tree
Lets Us Vote Someone Like That In
12 Step Programme
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 18:51:41 -0800 (PST) From: pancho artecona <partecona@yahoo.com> Subject: me gusta tu cinturita Message-ID: <20010208025141.98345.qmail@web10409.mail.yahoo.com> Allright, I know this is cheating but I figured I could use the brainbank that is chalkhills. I need to answer the question, 'what will it take for Donald to go back to Annandale?' I can win a little book if I get it. BTW, I have decided that 'arpeggios 'r' us' is not a very nice thing to say, a bit cruel methinks. Thanks Pancho 'pero que bonito y sabroso bailan el mambo los mejicanas, mueven la cintura y los hombros igualito que las cubanas' -Beny More
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 22:15:34 -0500 From: Molly <mollyfa0000@worldnet.att.net> Subject: A Couple of XTC Sightings Message-ID: <3A820F53.9113E890@worldnet.att.net> Organization: AT&T Worldnet I was up early Saturday morning, and I heard NPR's The Environment Show (I think that's what it's called), and they played part of "Train Running Out of Soul Coal". I almost fell off my bed when I heard that. At first, I didn't know what song it was. The second "sighting" was my sister and brother-in-law sent me "Guinness Rockopedia", and I saw a very old address to Chalkhills. It blew me away when I saw it. I don't know when the book was printed, but the address was really old. Molly
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001 18:07:00 +0900 From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp> Subject: As Tears Go By Message-ID: <000501c08f82$7b7d3ee0$7e5791d2@johnboud> Harry Strole wrote : >As George W. Bush starts his second week in office it should be noted that >the election reform he is looking into deals with camaign finance, not the >electorial college, which, for those not in the US, is the means by which >someone without a majority of popular vote can become President of The US. >It's an archaic system originally intended to make states stronger, but now >seems to work for the rich. What rubbish . If Bush had won the popular vote and Gore the electoral do you honestly think we would have seen the biased media and Hilary beating the drums for the end to the electoral college ? What if Hilary ( not poor - especially after the book deal - and neither are her " friends " ) won the electoral vote in 2004 but lost the popular vote ? Would the left in the media shed tears for her opponent on national tv and then cry for the end of the electoral college ? Give me a break , Harry ... Sushiman Harry [ Please take this discussion off the list. -- John ]
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 21:39:07 -0600 From: "Richard" <rjpa1@home.com> Subject: ...but there's something missing in the middle. Message-ID: <002201c09180$b12afdc0$02081fac@mckiny1.tx.home.com> I noticed that there are copies of Wasp Star on half.com (no endorsement... first time I ever wandered onto the site) that list the condition of the CD as "...hole in barcode..." Has Wasp Star hit the "cut-out" bin already?! Whew, it is tough to maintain momentum in this disposable world! Richard
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 21:43:21 -0600 From: Steve Schiavo <schiavo@home.com> Subject: Lost Chord? Message-ID: <3A8215DA.FFC96F54@home.com> From: Peter Fitzpatrick: >I wish I had taken some notes - he mentioned a bunch of songs that he and >Colin had found (including his original guitar (!) demo for Rook....I had >phoned him to ask for a lost-chord). I figure Andy's got THE lost chord somewhere around his place. Probably keeps it in a box. - Steve
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2001 14:44:18 +1100
From: "Iain Murray" <halfmanhalflager@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: XtC sightings
Message-ID: <F96ogkJXrRjbDt3HvoF0000abf1@hotmail.com>
>From: "*SUPER SPANGER*" <superspanger@hotmail.com>
>Subject: XtC sightings
>
>Um...One for the Aussies... The other morning while I was trying to >come
>to terms with the fact I was A) back at school and B) awake >before 12:oo
>pm on a Saturday morning. I flicked over to channel 10 {video hits...I
>don't know why!} There was an ad for "Double shots of >rock"- an album with
>"17 great artists and 34 great tracks"... I >nearly had a stroke... XTC
>was one of those "great artists". One song >was 'Senses working overtime',
>I don't know what the other was.
The other one was the old favourite "Generals & Majors" (in all honesty, it
was always going to be either that or "Making Plans For Nigel" - the record
companies who release compilations like this one have dick-all imagination).
>Also... I'm sure most people would have known this but 'Peter Pumpkin
> >head' or a cover of it is used in the movie "Dumb and Dumber"
Was that the Crash Test Dummies' version?
>From: duttonj@mpx.com.au
>Subject: My pilgrimage
>
>Well, not so much a pilgrimage, but I will be passing through Swindon
>on my way to Cardiff in late June. I am in the process of compiling a
>list of places to visit (time will be in short supply), and was
>wondering if anyone could suggest:
>
>1) any buildings or locations of significance to XTC's history
I was in Swindon about 18 months ago, and missed out on a trip to the John
Holmes Organ Centre. To be honest, I'm not even sure if it's still there,
but if it is, I'd love a photo.
Iain
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made." - Dan Quayle
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 02:07:40 -0500 From: mitch friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> Subject: Let's Make a Din Message-ID: <v03007800b6a7f5bfc406@[165.247.45.170]> Yup, I've heard the Skylarking in progress tape. Let's Make A Den was thankfully abandoned. The incomplete version I heard had been mutated into a Bo Diddley type strumming riff/drum machine beat. It didn't sound good, trust me.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 05:39:23 -0500
From: "Tim Kendrick" <tim63@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Your Name Is on a Lot of Quotes in this Book
Message-ID: <000f01c091bb$67b1eec0$86083e3f@tim63>
Thanks Harrison for your thoughtful insight
on the running order of "Skylarking".
Two other songs you didn't mention are "Extrovert",
which Todd apparently wanted on but thought that
Andy was taking it in too "weird" a direction, and
"Little Lighthouse", which they also made an initial
stab at recording in the sessions but ultimately
gave up on. This supports your theory, Harrison, that
the "booked tape" thing is truly just a myth.
Tim K.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2001 11:44:21 -0500
From: "Todd Bernhardt" <todd.bernhardt@enterworks.com>
Subject: Responses, dropped in diamond disarray
Message-ID: <3A82CCE5.4EE33E85@enterworks.com>
Organization: Enterworks, Inc.
Hi:
Lisette asked:
>Why do I like it so much ? Is it that good ?
Mais, oui! Don't worry about your fanaticism. You've discovered
something great, and obsession is a natural first step in dealing with
it. Your ardor will become more temperate after a while, even as it
deepens.
Monsieur Hedges wrote, about perceived inequities of the Electoral
College:
>And low voter turnout usually means
>that poor, mostly ethnic voters don't vote as much as
>rich folks who support the so-called establishment.
It seems to me that ideology is what drives voter turnout, rather than
socioeconomic status. Apathy is a pretty classless phenomenon. I want to
heed our esteemed moderator's advice and not stoke the political fires
here, but I will say that IMO voting is a *personal* responsibility --
not the responsibility of a class, state or institution. No matter what
your ideology or your income is, if you want change, you've got to work
for it. Unfortunately, America is the Land of Short Attention Spans, and
too many people are unwilling to do their homework (or to even show up
for class). We get the government we deserve.
And, about Colin songs that sound like Andy:
>"Collideascope"! Or else one of the earlier tracks, like
>"I'm Bugged" or "I Am the Audience." They sounded
>a LOT more like each other back in the old days, and
>not just in the vocals.
Well, remember that "Collideascope" and "I'm Bugged" are both Andy
tracks (though, before I read the credits, I was certain that it was
Colin singing "Collideascope"). I'm with you on "I Am the Audience" --
that sounds like it could easily be an AP song. As you say, in the early
days there were a lot more similarities -- back then, IMO, they were
more of a band, and there was more creative cross-pollenization.
Harrison asked:
>Can you actually *hear* "Dear God" coming between "Ballet for a Rainy Day"
and "Season Cycle"? What a *strange* place to put it! Loss of religious
faith in between celebration of earth and pantheistic ecstasy? *Surely*
that's a Side Two song, an Evening song, a Decline-and-Death song, from the
get-go!<
Actually, I can see a case for it on Side One, in between those two
songs. Todd could have viewed rejection of the "Big Guy up in heaven
watching over all of us" philosophy as part of the process of growing
up, just as much as first sexual encounters ("Grass," "The Meeting
Place") and betrayal ("That's Really Super...") are.
Also, I don't view "Ballet..." as merely a celebration of earth.
Consider some of the lyrics, and a darker interpretation of them:
I push my paintbrush
To conjure a new world
While this one is slowly washed away
and
Ballet for a rainy day
Silent film of melting miracle play
Dancing out there through my window
To the backdrop of a slow descending gray
"While this one is slowly washed away" could refer to the dawning
realization that it's time to move on, to be a grown-up and accept the
realities of life -- and the responsibility to push your own paintbrush,
to create your future. "To the backdrop of a slow descending gray" seems
to me a nice segue into a song about the stark realization that there is
no paternal overseer who is going to take care of us, that we're on our
own. Then, to provide some dynamic/counterpoint to that somber thought,
there is the upbeat realization that we don't need to:
join [a] religion, get to Heaven
I say, no thanks, why bless my soul,
I'm already there!
The unfettered "pantheistic ecstasy" of "Season's Cycle" is to me a
logical extension and resolution of disillusion with the Big Guy theory
of religion -- if the world *isn't* shaped by Someone Else, and yet "all
this life stuff's closely linked" in a "verdant spiral," well then,
*that's* a miracle worth getting excited about!
Also from Harrison:
>I think we should track down this Dominic Van Abbe person and buttonhole
him on this topic. You don't suppose his "Skylarking in Progress" CDR has
this object on it, do you?<
If it's the stuff that I've heard, it's drawn from the tape as it stood
while it was making its way to San Francisco, and would have been what
Prairie Prince listened to as he laid down his drum tracks. It's
essentially -- and I'm working from memory here, so excuse me if I make
any mistakes -- instruments, guide vocals, and Todd's rhythm
programming. The drums, percussion and orchestration, and final vocals
were laid down in S.F., I think. I don't remember if "Dear God" is part
of the group of songs (I haven't listened to the tape for a while), but
hopefully someone here will.
-Todd
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2001 20:57:19 -0600
From: "vee tube" <veetube@hotmail.com>
Subject: How 'Corvair Baby' Came To Be
Message-ID: <F125byABeBJZL4tB8000000b456@hotmail.com>
Long,long,ago. In a digest far,far,away.
A lonely,desperate Chalkster offered to do
the most unspeakable acts in exchange for
an MP3 of Paul Revere and the Raiders' doing
"Corvair Baby"
Never being one too refuse such an observ-
ation,I immediately ran to my 'secret' closet
and found the song in question.
Fins dripping in wet anticipation, I uploaded
an MP3 to my local idrive. As an additional entice-
ment,I also up't a copy of 'SS 396' What did I get
in return?
A BIG FAT......
THANK YOU!...
...SUCKER!
No unspeakable acts were performed. Bummer!
Flash forward.
Two months later I up't some 'Dukes' demos
to the same idrive. I posted this idrive on the
'hill but forgot to delete the hot rod songs.
The rest,as they say is.....
}---:)
P.S. What I find most curious is, why hasn't SS 396
made it to the Napster 'Dukes' demos?
Va-Va-VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!OUT!
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 04:05:12 GMT
From: Jennifer Geese <jlg@svsu.edu>
Subject: XTC has made it into game show fame!
Message-ID: <981691512.464jlg@svsu.edu>
While this may not be the most exciting news of the
millenium, I was pretty hyped! This afternoon, my family
was watching Game Show Network. I wasn't paying a whole
lot of attention - I was studying for a test & don't
particularly care for the show in question, but anyway -
all of a sudden I heard the question:
What group had a hit with "Mayor of Simpleton"?
Of course I jumped off of the couch screaming "XTC! XTC,
you idiots!" Luckily, the contestant listened to me and
got 100 points or something.
Until next time.
Jen
"I may be the Mayor of Simpleton"
Oh, the game show? It was Mall Masters - set in the Mall of
America. The contestants have to guess the most popular
answer out of 3, then answer a question that's related to
one of the stores in the mall. There you have it.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 17:54:41 +0100 From: fsolans@carat.fr Subject: french fat bassman n'est pas mort.... Message-ID: <OF52408A18.C2B5FCDF-ONC12569EE.00599AB4@carat.fr> ...but too busy to escape from my lurking mode. Hope all is well in this new year for all of you around the hill. Hope all XTC treasures anounced will find the way to France but I'm afraid. J'en ai ras la casquette de passer des plombes a me tripatouiller les meninges pour bricoler des phrases a peine potables en anglais, alors je vous le fait en francais. Pas le temps de detailler tous mes achats 2000, mais je n'ai vu aucune mention dans aucun top de fin d'annee du seul disque en rotation lourde par chez moi depuis 4 mois : le dernier Teenage Fanclub, Howdy. Excellent. Le dernier Frank & Walters (Glass) est un peu surprenant a la premiere ecoute - Depeche Mode ? OMD ? is it reasonnable in 2001???? - mais en insistant un peu, il y a quelques merveilles sur cette galette. Stop here, sorry for you, members of the anti-frog league Fat bassman
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 10:33:51 -0700 From: "Angie Kelson Packer & Shaun Packer" <nick@aros.net> Subject: Colin Connundrum Message-ID: <002e01c092be$8f9ac3e0$9419adcf@packer> Michael Myers asked: What Colin Moulding song sounds most like an Andy Partridge song? The recent songs of Colin's songs that most remind me of Andy are: "Frivolous Tonight" and "In Another Life." It's not so much the music, but the lyrics. I still can't figure out the tone of "Frivolous Tonight." When I thought it was Andy's song, I thought it very cynical and caustic, then I caught Andy some slack and decided it was a combination of light cynicism, observational humanism, and affection for people he knows. Then, when I realized it was Colin's tune, I thought it much less cynical, and more an affectionate observation. But, I'm still uncertain...is he lamenting, or celebrating people's penchant for small talk? Or a combination? No conversation between friends is frivolous. All of our actions and interactions define us and affect others. If I'm just shootin' the breeze with a good girlfriend, "talk about husband's hairy backs" and I say "Yeah, my husband's back is really hairy" I have, first of all, indicated a level of intimacy with my friend wherein I've demonstrated that I'm comfortable talking about my husband's body with her. (Guys, don't fool yourselves. We gals talk about our men all the time. Women talk about sex a lot more than men do, and in great detail) Next, I can indicate disdain, love, admiration, disgust, awe, or merely state a fact with the same words, "my husband's back is really hairy," by altering my tone of voice. I could agree or disagree with my friend on the topic. I could go on and on with the myriad texts and sub-texts of the hairy back conversation. My point is, hairy backs and conversations with good friends are never trivial. Now, the song "In Another Life" has such playful, double-sided lyrics, that I first thought it Andy's work, also. The lines: Or maybe a chippendale/On girls night out Make mine the biggest pouch/In another life It's how we're built love/Don't let it wilt love are reminiscent of Andy's sexual imagery. I'm not nearly as adept at analyzing the musical content. Words/lyrics are more my strong point. "Really, you don't say?" They all asked <G> I've been wondering what Colin's music would sound like without Andy's influence, and what a solo Moulding recording would be like. Odd though, I can't think of a Partridge song that I've thought was a Moulding song. And I do think Colin's work is often underrated, his contributions underappreciated. I'm not trying to start a popularity contest, or a discussion on who's the better musician. As in any relationship, each has different strengths and different qualities they bring to the partnership. Hey, if they were both on "Survivor," which I pointedly refuse to watch, who'd be voted off first? Who'd eat the lizard guts, or whatever it is they do? Okay, I'm bordering on obsessively creepy here. I mean, what would the rest of you all think if you -knew- somewhere, people were dissecting your work, your life? Your chances on bad TV shows? Eddie K-Sundance Eddie: Lost your e-mail address. The DDH re-configured our computer and blew out all kinds of stuff. My brother already made all the dirty jokes about that phrase. Re: University classes in arts. Higher education can be useful, but it ain't the golden key to the universe. Harrison: Keep the faith <G>. We need someone with wit, intelligence, good musical taste, and an extensive knowledge of mythology at "AOL Time Warner (the media megalith)." If you live where it's warm, be thankful. If you're where it's cold, keep warm! Ahh, to have gone, pirate, parrot, pineapple and all to Jamaica. A little sun, a little sea, a little rum..... A serious thanks to John R. for all he does, and the large field he gives us to roam. Here's hoping I'm staying within 'hill boundaries <G> Angie
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 18:30:39 -0500 (EST) From: Dorothy Rutherford <spiritod@techmail.gdc.com> Subject: Re: Samantha's critique of The Orchid Show... Message-ID: <01Feb9.121619est.239205@inet-gw.gdc.com> For the benefit of all you newbies out there, I'm replying to the list. Those of us who saw the *original* Orchid Show last year can tell you that it was chockablock with XTC songs. The Wasp Star promotional postcards in the lobby helped sell XTC CDs to people previously unaware of them, and the show exposed XTC fans to Neta-and-Co's talents. It was a mutually beneficial pairing, and I hope the world tour that followed was a big success. I'm glad Jason (who is one of the dancers) let us know about the latest show. I'm sorry to hear it now only contains one XTC song, but I understand the dance troupe's desire to keep growing their art. Perhaps they will make the original show available on video? Regards, --Dorothy.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 15:14:31 EST From: Jxnsmom@aol.com Subject: The mall is alive with the sound of Muzak Message-ID: <40.73df69f.27b5a9a7@aol.com> I was strolling the local mall today here in Averagetown, Midwest, U.S.A., and heard something vaguely familiar coming through the overhead speakers. It took me a minute, but I realized it was "King for a Day" in Muzak form. I've heard some Muzak versions of good songs before that weren't all that bad, but this one was AWFUL! Very blah, zero character, and nearly unrecognizable. It was practically unlistenable, too, except that next to "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which followed, it was heaven. Amy
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2001 16:35:11 -0800 (PST) From: Cathryn Myers <cathrynmyers@yahoo.com> Subject: Stew, Song Stories, The Origininal Brothers... Message-ID: <20010211003511.23320.qmail@web3905.mail.yahoo.com> Greetings Chalksters: Thought I'd give a quick review of the Stew show in NYC last Friday. There is little more than to say that it was a little slice of heaven. Although Stew complained about the airline hanger feel of the BAM cafe, I thought it was a lovely place for a night of Musical Stew. He did lots of interesting new arrangements of both Negro Problem and Stew songs and played a few songs that I had never heard before. If you have a chance to catch him live, don't hesitate. I say all of that in order to set the context for a little whining-It is one of the greatest musical tragedies ever that XTC has decided to stop touring. Seeing Stew was an amazing opportunity in that very few of the bands I enjoy are accessible to me in the way he was on Friday. After years of listening to this anonymous voice amusing me, and being thrilled by some amazing music, it all became tangible. As much as I enjoyed being entertained by Stew, I couldn't help but think that I would never get the opportunity to experience XTC in the same way. The blow of losing Dave Gregory hit hard, but somehow, as a newish XTC fan (post '85) I never had the opportunity to hear XTC and thus proceeded to enjoy the band knowing that concerts were not a possibility. I guess I never really missed what I knew I couldn't have. But, boy oh boy did seeing Stew wet my appetite and prompt me to imagine just how good it could be. Yes, I have Transistor Blast, but I want to hear the newer stuff live and I want to hear a live show put on by middle aged men who have been around the block a few times and realize that playing live is about more than playing loud. Perhaps if we all channel our energy, Andy will be seized with a new outlook on performing. (But then again, that candle I lit to bring Andy and Dave back together doesn't seem to be working, so I won't hold out much hope for our efforts.) Oh well, seeing Stew also got me thinking again about my bias toward the west coast. Two out of the five bands I spend 99% of my time listening to are based out there. (TNP and Sugarplastic). The other three aren't even in the same country. Lets see: one has performance anxiety. Another may be a witch who is afraid to fly over water, and Prefab Sprout has apparently given up on making it big in the States. It's lean out there for me in concert land. Again, I know I am whining. This is how it must have felt when the Beatles broke up - A senseless tragedy. In other news, I finally bought Song Stories and must say that it has left me wishing that some one would take the time to write a follow up book, perhaps entitled Music Stories. I was very disappointed that there was not more discussion of the music and its inspiration. I know the emphasis was the Songs, but I thought a full discussion of a song included lyrics AND music. A random reference here and there to recording techniques is not enough. Yes, I know that Andy is a great lyricist, however, I think there are lots of great lyricists writing songs today. I don't think there are many great Musicians out there in the world creating interesting, complex, melodic, and innovative music and I believe Andy needs to be celebrated for this. When reading about Paper and Irons, I was dumfounded that there was no discussion regarding the beautiful guitar work that begins the song. What kind of music journalism it that? What a bold, brave, whimsical inclusion given to an otherwise straightforward tune. It's like a little kiss that stays with you throughout the song, although the band never returns overtly again to that melody for the rest of the track. I never read the Little Express. Did it include intelligent MUSICAL discussion of the band? I don't need a bunch of musicians carrying on an alienating discussion of major sevenths, and arpeggios, but some discussion about how a song "Sounds" as opposed to what it "Means" would be appreciated every once and a while. Boy, don't mean to be so negative, but I hope you will indulge me one more criticism. I was listening to Testimonial Diner again the other day and was reminded about how disappointed I was in the musicians who participated on that Tribute. When dealing with a band as accomplished as XTC, I would think that a musician intent on honoring them might put forth a little effort into interpreting the songs in a manner befitting of Andy's contributions to musical innovation. Boy, what a bunch of lazy covers, with the possible exception of Ruben Blades and the Rembrandts (of all bands-but hey, that doo wop at the end of Nigel brings a smile to my face every time. What a beautiful Americanization of an intensely British song.) As talented as I think Yazbek is (and I just found out he is a fellow Brown alum!), I think he should have insisted on putting together something "bigger". The boys deserve that. But on a kinder note-I was introduced to a new band recently that seems to have a lot of talent and promise. Due to a mix up with an order of mine getting lost in the mail, Stew's record label, Telegraph, gave me a choice of any cd from their current line-up of bands. I went to their site, read the descriptions and chose The Original Brothers and Sisters of Love. I think they are out of Ann Arbor, MI, and apparently are very young. Their song arrangements show much promise, even if their production is a little light. Perhaps they aspire to the keep things simple ala the Billy Brag low key approach, but their songs can support a lot more than the treatment they were given on this first album (I think it is their first, I`m not sure). Anyway. I would love to see Dave Gregory work with them to give their guitar work a little more "sophistication" and perhaps Stew could even give them a few tips on how to add a little "fun" and "funk" up into the mix. It gets a little serious at times. However, for admittedly not being much of a lyrics person, I find the lyrics on "The Bird Song" to be quite hilarious. The song made me listen to find out what it was all about. Here is something else funny: I have been referring to track 6, (which is how I am most intimately familiar with the selection) as "the bird song" because I tossed the case somewhere on my desk and the cd (which does not list the song title tracks) has not left my cd player since it arrived. The song is about an "aspiring" family of birds and because I was too lazy to look up its real name, "the bird song" seemed as good a way as any other to describe the song. Turns out the real title of the song is "the bird song". I knew I had a good feeling about this band. Now it turns out I'm on the same wavelength as one of the song writers. (Should I be proud of our shared lack of creativity?) I mentioned to someone at their record label that a lot of their songs reminded me of The Sugarplastic and I think he thought I was a little crazy, but I maintain that "Little Feet" could easily be at home on the TOBASOL album just as The Bird Song could fit quite nicely on Bang the Earth is Round. I highly recommend them. Word is their next album is an amazing progression. I am looking forward to hearing it. That's it for me gang. Sorry about the length. Mike Myers: to answer your question as to which Colin song sounds most like an Andy Song, I'd agree with you on your choice of "English Round About". But I'd also throw in "I remember the sun" and "My bird performs". What do you think? Cathryn P.S. Did any other list members make it out to the NYC concert?
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 13:45:31 EST From: WillJ4comm@aol.com Subject: Colin's Pink Thing? Message-ID: <10.8aeb634.27b9894b@aol.com> Harrison Sherwood wrote regarding a Colin song that sounds like an Andy song: <<Pink Thing. Definitely. So when I heard all that foofaraw claiming that it was about Andy Partridge's tallywhacker, I just about liked to go blind.>> Woah, slow me down here -- isn't Pink Thing an Andy song in the first place? Am I wrong, or was Harrison joking? I refuse to believe the honorable Harrison would be mistaken! ;D Best, Will
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 22:16:44 +0100
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Subject: Dimming the Lighhouse
Message-ID: <20010212210737.121DF390C1@mail.knoware.nl>
Dear Chalkers,
With much regret i have to announce that i'm going to dim the Little
Lighthouse in the very near future (next month) Don't worry: the best
bits will be preserved and incorporated into a new site that is in the
making (but not by me)
To avoid any speculation i'd like to explain that my sole reason for
doing this is the fact that i want to spend more time exploring my
own music.
These past six months i've invested a lot of time and money
creating my own homestudio ( http://synner.datablocks.net )
and now i want to start using it as well. But i'm already down to just
5 hours of sleep every night so i will have to drop some other
projects - or drop dead.
Anyway, i'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who
visited the site, made suggestions or even donations, cheered me
on (or off) or responded in any other way to my humble efforts.
Thank you for being there and being who you are !
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 17:17:41 +0900 From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp> Subject: Through The Hill Message-ID: <000001c095ac$31e3cc60$645791d2@johnboud> All , Have a spare copy of Partridge/Budd's " Through The Hill " for sale . $ 20 inc. postage from Japan . Ciao , Sushiman
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 08:28:09 -0500 From: "Brian" <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Subject: Re: Midwest XTC fans Message-ID: <007001c09689$f984f4a0$c20bffd1@Brian> Tschalkgerz! >Hey all...Presently I live in the midwest (Indianapolis, specifically) >and I was just wondering if there are any XTC people around here. It's >very lonely being a fan of XTC, or really any other 'off the beaten path' >groups or music here in Indiana, so it would be nice to get in touch with >some like minded folks..... anyone out here? Email me at saxd00d@aol.com >if you're anywhere near Indianapolis, or the midwest in general. By the >way, the Oh's are zeros.....Kenny Kipp I'm guessing you can't find any fellow fans up there because of ALL THE INDIANA TAGS I'M SEEING DOWN HERE IN FLORIDA!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What's keeping you? ;-) -Brian Matthews http://www.stonetrek.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 09:18:21 -0600
From: chris vreeland <vreecave@realtime.com>
Subject: Re: This and That
Message-ID: <3A8AA1B4.CC95EAC2@realtime.com>
Fellow Humans,
This and That.
This:
Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Writes:
>Funny you should say that. I saw that credit too and have been toying with
>the idea of calling Andy to ask him.
>Spoke with him a couple of weeks ago ....He spoke a little about the deal
>they did with Virgin regarding their demos and the box set that has been
>put together. The guy who did the original mastering of their Virgin
>albums has completed the remastering of the re-issue albums. And no, he
>hasn't even had a 'courtesty cdr' of the new albums yet (are we suprised
>???)....Etc
>from Dublin with stuff
>From Austin with thanks...
This is the type of "stuff" that's kept me reading every miserable word
on Chalkhills for over two years, just in case.
That:
I returned home from the recording studio last Friday night, in a
state of euphoria, clutching tightly to the final mixes of two songs
we'd just finished for RP-A's King for a Day tribute compilation. I
spent Saturday in a celebratory mood, certain we'd achieved what we'd
set out to do, then by Sunday, self doubt and apprehension set in, and I
was unable to listen to it for two days, sure that it just wasn't up to
snuff. Well, I snapped out of it yesterday, and have resumed feeling
like we got a pretty good product, here. Fortunately my vocals, which I
would classify somewhere between mediocre and serviceable, are
overshadowed by stellar performances on the part of the other
participants, including really solid rhythm guitar parts by our own Joe
Funk, and an absolutely astounding and beautiful guitar solo by a friend
of mine named Brian Harmer. It's probably the moment of recording which
I am most proud to be associated with over the span of my studio career.
(although that fretless track I recorded years back on Iain Matthew's
The pure and Crooked ain't too shabby) Let me say, just to prime the
pumps here a bit, he channeled Dave Gregory like a man possessed. Stay
tuned.
Feeling like a proud papa,
Chris "can we duck that?" Vreeland
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 10:08:20 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: Welcome Lisette !!!! Message-ID: <20010214180820.21388.qmail@web2104.mail.yahoo.com> Welcome to Chalkhills Lisette Here are my questions to your questions Is there any way out of this addiction and if yes, how long does it takes to get rid of it ? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!! There is NO escaping this addiction. You belong to Andy and Colin now! Which other kind of music should I listen to, in order to slowly help me come out of this fanatism ? I suggest some Gyorgi Ligeti choral works, or maybe the Bartok string quartets. But there's a very good chance you'll never 'come out of this fanatism'. Why do I like it so much ? Is it that good ? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I even need to answer that? How come, besides my husband, I never find other listening partners. When I start playing it to friends, they talk, joke, do not listen and think that I am just a old Beatles melancolic... The world sucks that way. I'm sure that almost everyone on this list feels the same. Are we, my husband and I, the only french canadians who like this music. ? (S'il y a sur ce chatgroup d'autres quebecois, n'hesitez pas a me contacter ) Can't answer that one. I'd assume that there are others out there. Tyler
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 11:02:01 -0800 From: "Cerquone, Suzanne" <suzanne.cerquone@umusic.com> Subject: Dave Gregory / Porcupine Tree Message-ID: <0D276A818C6BD311848A0008C70890E202BE6B8C@USINTEX02JFK> >>Anyone care to enlighten me on Daves angle with these guys and any other xtc related connections >> Dave has recorded and toured with "h", Marillion's lead singer, Steve Hogarth. Marillion's last album was largely produced by Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree vocalist. The two bands are pretty tight. Hogarth very well may have given Wilson Gregory's name. But I could be wrong. ~~ Suzanne
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 15:20:18 -0500 From: "Michael Versaci" <mwversaci@att.net> Subject: Lets Us Vote Someone Like That In Message-ID: <000301c096c3$8d38e880$0a01010a@tornbmv> Folxtc, I have always liked "Here Comes President Kill Again." I never took offense to the lyrics, and I love the arrangement, especially the "game show a la Herb Alpert horns" and Colin's punctuation of the line "taking lives with a smoking pen..." >From an 1989 O&L promo interview: "When I walk the dog, I get ideas, and the pace I walk determines the tempo of the song. This one's like people chanting a nursery rhyme. As for the lyrics, well, I didn't vote. I feel it doesn't do anything because the people you vote for climbed up the ladder like in 'King For A Day.' When you vote, you hand over power to them and so then they can kill in your name. It becomes ironic that the scum rises to the top and your vote keeps them floating up there. You vote one out and get in another." -- Andy Partridge While I don't completely agree with his sentiments, I can relate to them. Politics can be frustrating. Still, I try to keep things in perspective. At least I don't live in Iraq. I also think that the line "Here comes President Kill again, from pure White House to Number 10" implicates England as well as the US of A. Michael Versaci "Meet the new boss - same as the old boss!" -- Pete Townshend "They misunderestimated me." -- Geroge W. Bush, November 6th, 2000. "Wake up, wake up King in a catholic style With your man With your man make up And your big money business smile Cut 'em up, cut 'em up Crucial to every child With a mind With a mind made up And your main man confidence smile" -- Daly/Johnson/Lundon (China Crisis)
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 21:15:26 +0000 (GMT) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: 12 Step Programme Message-ID: <20010214211526.13123.qmail@web1506.mail.yahoo.com> Hillers Firstly I'd like to welcome Lisette to the Hill. Lisette, you are an XTC-holic. Fortunately for you, there is a twelve-step programme to help you to overcome this addiction: Step 1: White Music Step 2: Go 2 Step 3: Drums And Wires Step 4: Black Sea Step 5: English Settlement Step 6: Mummer Step 7: The Big Express Step 8: Skylarking Step 9: Oranges And Lemons Step 10: Nonsuch Step 11: Apple Venus Volume 1 Step 12: Wasp Star Once you have completed this simple programme, you can officially consider yourself cured of XTC. Unlike other addictive diseases, however, XTC-holism has a number of strange side-effects - these have been documented elsewhere: see the literature by Doctors Relph, Tube, Strijbos et al. Conditions commonly associated with, or mistaken for, XTC-holism include Stratosphear Syndrome, Dub Disease, Anticipation Anxiety, Fossil Philia, Warbler's Wait, and influenza (but see note below). (Note below: both the release of a new XTC album and influenza have been known to cause the sufferer to take 3 days off work.) The Surgeon General has issued the following advice: "Listening to XTC whilst pregnant may cause your child to have good taste in music" "XTC causes warbles" "XTC seriously damages your appreciation of the Spice Girls" It is my firm belief that these warnings should be printed on every packet of XTC sold. Secondly...aaah, there is no secondly. Thank you, and good night Rory Wilsher
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #7-9 *****************************
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