Chalkhills Digest Volume 8, Issue 12
Date: Tuesday, 5 February 2002
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 12
Tuesday, 5 February 2002
Topics:
A Coat of Many Cupboards
Singring Drummers
Badfinger
singing drummers
Kidz & Maypole
i'm stupidly random...
Re: Commercial Murder
Re: The Ryan Problem
Neil Finn
RE: Ahhh, the great Dylan vs Caruso debate . . .
Andy Baggins?
Images Express
various comments
Heaven is paved with ....
Beauty in Bondaglass
Kid's Songs
Drummer/singer/songwriters
Coat track list
The Bears! ('n stuff)
Twinkle Twinkle, Little Intellectual Property Violation
hee hee, jumping with glee
Roger and Brian
Administrivia:
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to:
<chalkhills@chalkhills.org>
World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/>
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is compiled with Digest 3.7d (John Relph <relph@tmbg.org>).
Hope you enjoyed your flight in one of our new straw aeroplanes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002 21:40:12 -0800 From: "Victor Rocha" <Victor@pechanga.net> Subject: A Coat of Many Cupboards Message-ID: <002c01c1abac$15e469e0$44548218@we.mediaone.net> Should I buy "A Coat of Many Cupboards" from the Idea Records web site when it comes out? Will it be for sale on the site? Victor Rocha www.pechanga.net [ Yes. And yes. -- Ed. ]
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 08:29:47 -0600 From: "Toby Thomas" <Moonsilver@prodigy.net> Subject: Singring Drummers Message-ID: <005301c1abf6$174532c0$13dada40@silvermoon> Organization: Prodigy Internet let's not forget that great Utopian Willie Wilcox! In fact, Andy should most definitely recruit Willie for the next XTC album... now that would be funny.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 10:24:26 EST
From: Stroo@aol.com
Subject: Badfinger
Message-ID: <13e.8b3cde6.298d5eaa@aol.com>
Derek wrote:
I may have missed it, but I dont think anyone on Chalkhills has mentioned
the new/old Badfinger issue. "Head First", the 1975 final album before Pete
Hams death has been properly and righteously released after a 25 year wait
and what a GEM! it is.
I know all you XTC/Beatle/Badfinger fans out there will love that this great
lost record has finally been released. Also worthy of mention is the book
"Without You, the Tragic Story of Badfinger" which contains a CD of rare
music recordings, interviews and other things. It's a terribly sad story of
a cruel recording industry and it's effect on people.
I haven't seen much on Chalkhills about Badfinger but Pete Ham and Tom Evans
were musically very much like Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, not to
mention the obvious Beatle connection. It was and is a tragic loss for us
all. Get the CD, in fact if you haven't already, get them all. Badfinger
were a GREAT band and Pete Ham was a true talent.
Thanks for that info Derek! I really don't like long non-XTC threads, but
anything with Pete Ham on vocals is worth looking into, including his 2 CDs
of demos released in the late 90s. That is the last book I have read in its
entirety also--what a waste. My dislike for Joey Molland--his songs, his
manipulations of the music with his wife, his retaining the rights to the
band name when he tours--peaked when I saw him holding a gold record for
Mariah Carey's remake of "Without You", not only not written by Molland, but
written by Ham and Evans before Molland was even with the band! Argh! And
Ham's songs were often so uplifting, including the eerie "Constitution" ("so
listen to my song of life"), a real gem. If Ham's vocals are on it, I also
recommend this CD without even hearing it myself.
And to really mess up the "Best Song on Wasp Star" thread: one vote for
Playground.
Bob
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 02 Feb 2002 11:14:26 -0500 From: Michael Kearns <mikearns@voyager.net> Subject: singing drummers Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20020202095238.00a01660@pop.voyager.net> >From: Ryan Anthony <hamsterranch@yahoo.com> <snip> >Successful solo singing drummers are a select club. ><snip> Two names come to mind: ><snip> Levon Helm <snip> Ringo Starr... ...to name two of the greats. And how about that Buddy Miles? (Not sure if he went solo though.) What a powerhouse he was on that Band of Gypsies album! Two more off the top of me head (not sure about the "solo career" part though...) - Dave Clark; Karen Carpenter. Paradiddley, Mike Kearns "Buddy Miles gonna do this thing he wrote called 'Dem Changes'..."
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 09:38:54 -0700 From: "Angie Kelson Packer" <nick@aros.net> Subject: Kidz & Maypole Message-ID: <004f01c1ac08$1ae95660$0b19adcf@x4e8i1> Ms. Setler says: < I think I'm looking forward to Harrison Sherwood's liner notes most <of all You, me and countless others! :-) Worth the price of the ticket alone, our beloved Mr. Sherwood's words-o-wisdom! In the XTC and small children thread, I agree with our beloved Mr. Bernhardt about combining games/activities with songs. Why, my kids *love* to jump on the bed singing "Peter Pumpkin Head." And the boys (3 & 6) alter the lyrics of "Scarecrow People" to "We have got some planes and we have got some trains" when they play with their cars. Of course, there was the near miss last year in kindergarten with Your Dictionary's F-U-C-K incident. Sudden thought: Since Mr. Bernhardt and Mr. Sherwood are both beloved and comprise The Deuterium Kidz, does that mean us girlz get to throw underwear at them in sobbing, bosom-heaving fits during their sold-out concert? Radiohead: Gone off 'em. Don't know why. Haven't even *opened* Amnesiac, despite purchasing it when it came out. < Let's Active, "Big Plans For Everyone" is still up there on my all-time favorites. Yes, mine too. Now mouldering away with other old vinyl in the basement. Mitch Easter has another distinctive voice. As for the "Wheel and Maypole" debate, the two *must* go together to make a whole! One isn't complete without the other. Ain't that the whole *idea* of the song? Life's going along, fine and dandy and perfect. Wham! Suddenly the wheel of life turns and you're at the maypole where everything decays. Then the wheel turns again, out of chaos comes order, and life is perfect once more. Of course, many girls agree we have a certain affinity for the pole. Oh, stop it. I didn't write the song, and you can't say Mr. Partridge shies away from sexual references in his blushing innocence. "I've got the rabbit" indeed! We'll conclude services by turning towards Swindon and bowing... Angie KP
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 02 Feb 2002 12:16:25 -0800 From: Gregory Sandoval <greg@drbeat.com> Subject: i'm stupidly random... Message-ID: <B8818919.6C85%greg@drbeat.com> Denizens of the chalken hills... >Track List: Like everyone else, I am really looking foward to the Coat of Many Cupboards released, though I have to wonder...no "Young Cleopatra"? No "Prince of Orange"? I really liked the demos I heard of these...maybe they'll make a future release. >Remasters Finally got around to The Big Express remaster and, wow, my impression of this album actually diminished greatly as I had never heard it without "Red Brick Dream", "Washaway" and "Blue Overall" tucked in the middle. I read a review that mistakenly said this was not a theme album - I always figured it was all about the death of a railroad town (aka Swindon) and these middle tunes fit right into the pastoral, claustrophic, small town themes. Without them, TBE seems much less focused and weaker...at least to me. Thank god for players with programmable memory. Purists will balk, but I *much* prefer TBE, Mummer, and D&W with the demo tracks tucked in the middle. >Best releases of 2001 Maybe not the "best", but I was glad to see the many releases from Jason Falkner, including set of tunes from the "four track years" and both of the Beatles compilations he did - very nice. >Singing drummers... A VERY BRIEF comment on the Phil Collins talk. For those of you who don't "get" why he is so reviled, let me put it to you this way. He took a band noted for their musical craft and originality and, under his stewardship, turned them into an unremarkable pop group that closed their set with a second-rate Motown review sung by Phil. Come on. "Whodunnit". "We Can't Dance", these songs are absolute c**p and it's unfathomable they could be released under the same name as "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" or "Selling England By The Pound". Listen to the early music, expand your ears if not your mind, and the reasons why latter Genesis is so insulting will become readily apparent. (Not that I'm a Rush fan, but I read a good perspective on this where someone wrote - try to imagine Rush morphing into Hootie and the Blowfish. 'nuff said.) Yours in chalky repose, dr. beat
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 15:44:42 EST From: Telehead@aol.com Subject: Re: Commercial Murder Message-ID: <d0.21b48105.298da9ba@aol.com> In a message dated 2/1/02 9:35:32 PM, <owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes: Jeff from the land of vegemite and great six-eight bald lead singers sez: >Am I the only one who doesn't have a problem with "The Man Who >Murdered Love"? Fabulous power pop, if you ask me. Commercial? Sure it >is, and in a perfect world it'd be all over the radio. It shoulda, coulda, and woulda ... I've been kind of ignoring the slagging on this tune, but I think it's a high point on an already great rock (yes, dammit I said "rawk") album ... the ersatz "arabic"solo doesn't hurt a bit ... and awww c'mon, you Brits can't picture a bunch of football hooligans bellowing "Yeah!" on the chorus .... pulllleeeze! I shall be interested in seeing how U2 fares in an arena full of drunk Amur-ican football fans in Naw'lens tomorrow ... for his own safety he better tone down the foreign debt rhetoric and learn to yell "fuck yeah!" (oops! maybe not ... national TV and all) ... Peace, out ... Warren
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 15:49:15 EST
From: Telehead@aol.com
Subject: Re: The Ryan Problem
Message-ID: <9f.22193ba7.298daacb@aol.com>
In a message dated 2/1/02 9:35:32 PM, <owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes:
Megan sez:
>I may have the female equivalent of the Ryan Problem. I'm a 33 year old
>Megan. Seems like every girl under 10 is named Megan, Ashley, or Britney
>(and choose your various spellings). When I was a young Megan, I was the
>only one I knew. Now I hear some woman screech "Megan!" and I wonder what
>the Hell my mother is doing showing up unannounced.
>
>Megan the Elder
I know what'cha mean ma'am .... in any public situation when I hear
someone call "Hey Warren" I automatically look back ... not many of us
around, y'know. I once worked in a place where there was three of us; a very
strange situation for all concerned since we would all answer at once.
See ya,
Warren (currently the only one in the room)
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 18:56:27 -0800
From: "Sughosh Varadarajan" <aqualung@hotpop.com>
Subject: Neil Finn
Message-ID: <000301c1ad53$abe532a0$1629c5cb@SughoshVaradarajan>
With so many people naming Neil Finn among the best of last year, I just had
to go out and by 'Try whistling this' - it's been lying there in the record
store for ages, almost as if it had my name written on it! Lovely album,
every bit as essential as the four Crowded House LPs (Although Woodface
might win by a small margin, I really can't pick a fave). I found this album
a lot like "Temple of low men".. rather ponderous and moody.
Also picked up "A secret history : The best of the Divine Comedy" out of
sheer surprise, 'cos I never expected that to show up in local record
stores. I notice no one speaks much of them out here. Delightfully quirky
British pop, rather like XTC, though perhaps a little more theatrical and
'propah'. Anyone else into them? I was absolutely hooked the first time I
heard "Gin soaked boy".
XTC content - also bought the book "XTC song stories" by Neville Farmer.
Promises to be pretty interesting.. but will also, no doubt, cause heartburn
for all the songs I don't have...
Cheerio!!
Sughosh.
--
"Live your life a jigsaw - it goes back in the box in the end."
- Paul Heaton
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 20:47:43 -0000
From: "David Smith" <David.Smith50@virgin.net>
Subject: RE: Ahhh, the great Dylan vs Caruso debate . . .
Message-ID: <LPBBJEPFIGBHBJHFDMILAELOCCAA.David.Smith50@virgin.net>
Hi all
Couldn't let this go un-mentioned.
"Mary" <humdrum2@libero.it> said the conversation re
"great" singing voices vs "distinctive" singing voices:
> made me recall a comment that Dylan made in the documentary
> "Don't Look Back", "I don't sing like Caruso, I'm a
> BETTER singer". In my humble opinion, he was right.
Now hold on there jest a cotton pickin secund! Gotta disagree
with ya there.
First off, Dylan's comment was typical Dylan mischievous bullshit
('scuse my language). Mr Zimmermann may be better at delivering
HIS songs than Caruso - and, to that end, any song in that style.
But if he seriously thought/thinks he is a better singer than
Enrico was, he's just about proved he's as mad as a box of frogs!
Personally (and this is just me) I concur with the school of
thought that thinks Dylan should have stuck to WRITING and the
odd witty soundbite (like the one above).
And as for:
> It takes
> feeling to be a great singer, and if someone's got the airbag,
> the chops and the breathing down, fine. But when the emotion
> transpires, that's something that really only a few people
> have been able to do
The implication of this is that trained singers/musicians
immediately lose all sense of emotion? Well we all know that
only pop/rock singers show true emotion, right - so those opera
poseurs have to make up for that their of emotion by simply
learning techniques. No, sorry, that's twaddle.
There's a reason why - even today - just about all male opera
singers look upon Caruso as "the great one". Plain and simple, the
man had a voice that could kill at a hundred yards. And remember,
in his day, Caruso was the great "pop" singer.
I'm fortunate enough that my dear ol' Mum has a couple of scratchy
LPs featuring Caruso. Now I'm not really into opera, I'm not really
into tenors etc - but I've listened to these albums again and again
and the technical perfection of his voice (and it is just about
technically perfect) is eclipsed by the raw emotion and spirit. It
really does send shivers up and down yer spine.
Whilst I agree with your fundemental point - that the quality of the
voice is SOMETIMES less important than the style of the vocal delivery
- you've picked a terrible example and made an even-worse generalisation
from it.
While nobody could deliver "God Save The Queen" like the Sex Pistols,
I reckon I'd still call Placido Domingo ahead of John Lydon if I
wanted to hear La Traviata sung with emotion!
If you're going to bin Caruso's contribution to music because he
was "trained", you'd better widen the lid of that can dramatically,
because you've got to find room for Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner,
Robeson, Sinatra, Ellington, Miles and a host of other geezers who
*only* had "the airbag, the chops and the breathing down".
And, I believe that list would probably include Dave Gregory. (I
stand to be corrected on that one).
Phew, deep breaths . . . I s'pose, summing up, I agree with your
ultimate point: "I think there's much to be said for vocal character
over vocal perfection." but vocal (or any other musical) perfection
in the right place can be . . . well, perfect!
Oh, BTW, a few posts ago I seem to have wakened a monster by saying
I liked one of the "Man Who Murdered Love" demos over the final
release. Oooops - I should have known better.
I'm really very sorry - I should have included the following caveat:
"Of course, I still like the version on Wasp Star - a lot!"
There, I feel much better now.
Sughosh Varadarajan said:
>
> We in India would appreciate that song as much as anyone else, especially
> the line "Test matches we might win..."! Heaven knows the Indian cricket
> team finds it as tough, if not worse than England. (Nasser Hussain and his
> boys are really giving us a hard time right now!)
Well, there's a first time for everything! Interesting how both sides
conspired to lose games they should have had in the bag - now we can't
even get a decisive result in a one-day series! Am I the only one who
would have welcomed a seventh "decider" match?
Wayne said:
>how many singers have improved as they've gotten older?
Could I just peep above the parapet and add Michael Stipe to that list?
Although it's a little muddied by how far back in the mix he was when
REM first started out, I do think that a dose of confidence and some
wonderful songs helped him come through tremendously.
Right, this Brit is off to see whether he can stay awake throughout
the Superbowl. Considering it doesn't start till midnight over here
and I have a cold (sniff . . . see, told ya), I'm not hopeful.
Smudge "Yet ANOTHER singing drummer, but not as good as Todd" Boy
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 16:59:43 -0500 From: "Michael Versaci" <mwversaci@att.net> Subject: Andy Baggins? Message-ID: <000001c1acfe$171ece10$9200a8c0@atl430nb> Folxtc, Sometime last century, Dunks digressed: >May I digress on that subject? I was somewhat skeptical about LotR at first, although I think Peter Jackson is an excellent choice to direct - apparently he would only take it on if he could do it as three films. But over the weekend I read a really interesting Q&A with Jackson, about his ideas and intentions, and I'm starting to think that it could turn out really well.< This may be old news for some people, but I don't get out to the movies that much anymore. I just saw it, and it was brilliant. Andy would have made a GREAT Bilbo. Michael Versaci
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2002 22:02:36 +0000 From: The Worrier Queen <myrone@tesco.net> Subject: Images Express Message-ID: <3C5DB37C.EDF938C0@tesco.net> all the images from Big Express Day and a couple of extras can be found at http://salmagundi.0catch.com/BE1.htm btw the way does anyone know what's happening with the Muttonbirds? The website hasn't been updated for about a year I think. highly recommended - "Resist" by Kosheen Queenie This has been An Uffington Pony Goddesses production, powered by the beating of hearts.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 19:49:10 EST From: JEWELSROCK@aol.com Subject: various comments Message-ID: <62.1a50ffd2.298f3486@aol.com> <<<Last comment: Anybody heard the latest Eels CD, "Souljacker"? Worth having? I liked Daisies of the Galaxy a bunch.>>> yes, I shelled out the $25 for the import back in September. One of those weird issues where the CD is released overseas months before being released in the states. Honestly, I was disappointed. He seemed to go towards a more rockier sound....Fresh Feeling, Friendly Ghost, and Souljacker Part 2 are vintage eels, but the rest is a little hard to swallow in my opinion... No Wooden Nickels or It's a MutherFucker or Jeannie's Diary here. Any others out there have the record? As for the Flaming Lips. The Soft Bulletin is a truly amazing record. Hearing someone say their new material is in the same vein is awesome. I knew them as the "She Don't Use Jelly" band, but after hearing the Soft Bulletin, I gained a new respect. It's one of my top ten faves ever. I did pick up their hits record from a few years ago, I find the older stuff a bit of a difficult listen. But the new direction is awesome. Pick up The Soft Bulletin. It's great. Death Cab for Cutie. I've looked to this list for recommendations regarding new music, and so far you're all 2 for 3. Owsley was a home run. Incredible record. I found the Wondermints to be uninspiring. Sugarplastic I'll call a neutral at this time, still giving it a shot. But Death Cab for Cutie is great. I know at first someone suggested Something About Airplanes, but I wound up picking up The Photo Album, and it's great. I picked up the older 2 records too, and they are growing on me, I find The Photo Album more "accessible" to the ear, they'll reach a wider audience with the new one, and the recording is far superior than the previous records. Looking forward to seeing them live with the Dismemberment Plan in March. I know I need some XTC comment in here. Two things.... Anyone here into The Residents? I have liked them for years, can't say love, but I find them interesting. I remember hearing they were XTC fans years ago, can anyone substantiate this? I know they are an extremely hard listen for any ear, but they are neat. Wormwood was one of their most dulcet records, in my opinion. But I remember hearing an XTC connection years ago. Also, I recently found an old cassette I have of the acoustic radio tour, it was a comp someone sent me of 5 or 6 of the 3-song performances, and the interview bits. I remember Andy stating how I think Great Britain in general never embraced XTC or their music. Anyone have a good theory as to why? I know audiences vary widely across the globe, and a band may hit at the right time somewhere, and not in another locale, each country may have a style that is big at a given time. But I find a lot of XTC records timeless, and the song-writing clever. We hear the whole songwriting phenomenon over seas with bands like Travis and Coldplay, and I know XTC is over 20 years old, but were they ever embraced at all in the UK? I've been wanting to get all that off my chest for a while, thanks for the eye-time. Miller.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2002 05:01:25
From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com>
Subject: Heaven is paved with ....
Message-ID: <F246ZbLAX3cf3ednHM30000a65e@hotmail.com>
Megan wrote:
>I haven't posted my list and I can't speak for everyone here, but we >own a
>record store. Whee!
Grrrrr! Even worse!!
(gnashes teeeth and pines for misspent youth working in record shops)
>From: Bob.Muller@fluor.com
>Subject: Various & Sundries; Andy's Spelling Bee
>If YOU were God, wouldn't YOU take Peggy Lee before Kenneth Lay?
I am reminded of the famous anecdote attributed to long-serving (40s-60s)
Aussie PM Robert Menzies. Out on the hustings one day, Bob was heckled by a
voter, who yelled:
"Bob Menzies, I wouldn't vote for you if you were God!"
Without missing a beat, Menzies replied:
"Madam, if I were God, you wouldn't be in my electorate."
Likewise, if Kenneth Lay were to be taken ('tis a consomme devoutly to be
wished) it would not, I imagine, be God doing the taking.
>Peggy did what Andy couldn't do, that is squeeze more deserved income >from
>the Disney money machine for her contributions to "Lady & The >Tramp".
>Andy's great "James & The Giant Peach" songs got flushed >because they
>wouldn't pay him his due, right?
FYI I heard on the weekend that the relatives of A.A. Milne are currently
suing Disney over their commercial exploitation of Pooh Bear. If the Milnes
win, Disney stands to lose a massive amount, since Pooh is reported to bring
in more revenue than Mickey Mouse, and if memory serves me the report said
that Pooh accounts for some 1/5 of Disney's total income. I hope the Milnes
wins.
Re Radiohead:
>It's not about lyrical brilliance, it's about musical texture, at least for
>me anyway. I love all their stuff but would only offer a >shrug if asked
>what Thom is singing about. We have Elvis & Joni & XTC (and many others)
>for lyrical brilliance. Listen to Radiohead at that level, and see if it
>helps.
Well, isn't that Muzak? Oh no I forgot, it's "Ambience". Seriously - if
you're writing a song, what's the point of having lyrics people can't even
understand? As you said, we have Elvis Joni and co. -- so why should I waste
my time on Thom? He's shite IMO. And apart from anything else they're so
f***ing DEPRESSING.
On another trivia note, "Space Ghost" has just made its way here via cable.
I love it .. almost as much as Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law. Now THAT is
one bent cartoon.
Dunks
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 00:05:43 -0600 From: Brown <i.sundog@verizon.net> Subject: Beauty in Bondaglass Message-ID: <20020204060543.PPPC11372.out004.verizon.net@cyclops> >From digest #8-11, Mr. Steve "Zodiac" Oleson hath proclaimed: <<I remember Fireball XL-5. Loved it!>> <<Maybe it was Venus the marionette of XL-5 that inspired Andy? She was SOOOO sexy! ;-) My Heart would be a Fireball, a Fireball!!!!>> No, no, no, Steve..ya got it all wrong! With the exception of a couple of parishes in Louisiana, *everyone* in the English-speaking world knows that Gerry Anderson's most righteous marionette babe was, without question, Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward from the Thunderbirds! See for yourself: http://www.thunderbirdsonline.com/0401/character_frame.jhtml Or better yet, start here (the intro is F.A.B.): http://www.thunderbirdsonline.com/0401/index.jhtml Thunderbirds are go! Debora Brown
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 01:28:51 EST From: WTDK@aol.com Subject: Kid's Songs Message-ID: <12f.bd986ec.298f8423@aol.com> >>I may have missed it, but I dont think anyone on Chalkhills has mentioned the new/old Badfinger issue. "Head First", the 1975 final album before Pete Hams death has been properly and righteously released after a 25 year wait and what a GEM! it is. The original playlist is on disc 1 and disc 2 has demos and outtakes a la "Homegrown". It is available at CDNOW and HMV.com.<< Didn't Head First come out in 2000? Anyway, I would definitely add it to the list although I think it's far from Badfinger's best album. Still, it has some real gems and Tom Evans finally broke through his writer's block. The second disc is interesting. It's a pity that Pete Ham didn't have more faith in his ability as a songwriter towards the end. Without You is a great book and highly recommended. It's well researched and the bonus CD is quite interesting with a Ray Davies produced demo of the band when they were still The Iveys. Phil Corless lamented: > These stories of toddlers bouncing around the room to XTC songs is making > me sad..... My 3 1/2 year old will only sing "C is For Cookie," "Twinkle > Twinkle Little Star," and the "Veggie Tales" theme song. Todd responded- Hey, "C is for Cookie" is good enough for me! And ain't nothin wrong with "Twinkle, Twinkle...", which features a melody that, of course, does triple duty supporting that song, the ABC song, and "Bah Bah Black Sheep." I consider myself lucky that my daughter loves Peter Pumpkinhead, Green Man and a handful of other Xtc songs (and The Beatles as well). Then again she's 8 (going on 20). My 3 year olds have been singing All You Need Is Love and Yellow Submarine (along with the catchy chorus to Bye Bye Bye). Don't know if I mentioned this before but there Andy is credited as having written Big Day on the Skylarking UK reissues. So much for accuracy. A couple of good reads to recommend: Power of Babel by James McWorter; the latest novel by Dan Simmons (can't remember the title for the life of me); Darwin's Ghost by Steve Jones and Writing With Hitchcock (for the film buffs) by Steven DeRosa. Regards, Wayne
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2002 07:28:05 -0500 From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net> Subject: Drummer/singer/songwriters Message-ID: <B883698F.2430%cauldron@together.net> on 2/1/02 11:26 PM, da9ve, who can't carry a tune in a bucket, wrote: > Nick D'Virgilio plays drums in Spock's Beard, (and with Mike > Keneally), and has a solo album out now. . . . > > . . . and I can't think of any more right away. . . but I'll > be awake late tonight. Grrrrrrrrr. A couple of others: Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil, who while not their lead singer does very strong backup vocals and writes the lions share of their lyrics, and has a solo project or side group Aussies on the list may be more familiar with than this Yank, though I hear it's good(forget the name of the project, unfortunately). Neil Peart, who I personally am not a fan of but write's all of Rush's lyrics and is a well-read and intelligent guy. Roger Taylor of Queen, who sang lead and/or wrote one to three songs per Queen albums, who I'm waiting to form a band with Dan McCafferty of Nazareth, Dave Davies of The Kinks and John Entwhistle of The Who; the combination of those four sets of lungs would blow a stack of Marshall amps in seconds flat. An obscure one: Will Birch of The Records, who was the main songwriter, drummer and singer for the band on all three of their albums in the late 70's-early 80s(though for the last album they hired Jude Cole to front the band, pushing Birch into more of a background role).
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 13:33:25 -0000 From: Warren.Butson@getty-images.com Subject: Coat track list Message-ID: <2BDAE71C765ED511A4B200508B5DC8133F5481@lonexchg00.getty-images.com> Is anyone confused at the inclusion of some completely normal versions on the new "coat of..." release? I can't work out why they should be there. Anyone fan enough to buy a 4 cd set of out-takes has surely got these already. I can't believe it was through lack of meterial as there are quite a few mummer/english settlement demos missing amongst others. also what outtakes were andy and colin allowed to put aside for their own out-takes release and are there any tracks that virgin didn't choose to go in this new box set that xtc still can't have and thus will never see the light of day? Are andy and colin still going ahead with this project? so many questions, still it beats lurking as I have done for about 6 months! Warren - in a tower in London
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 11:23:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Tom Getter Slack <tgs@telerama.com>
Subject: The Bears! ('n stuff)
Message-ID: <Pine.BSI.4.02.10202041114030.20142-100000@frogger.telerama.com>
Chalkladies and Chalkgents,
Breaking a long silence to rave about a rare and incredible show touring
at this very moment. Adrian Belew and the Bears passed through my town last
Thursday, playing at a nice small venue and, while I found out at the last
minute and it was sold out, I did tune in to WYEP to listen (and tape) the
simulcast. It was absolutely awesome - as exciting a performance as I've
ever heard, from a band that certainly propagates the XTC vibe and rivals
our heroes in excellence. Here is the tour schedule:
01/30 CANAL STREET DAYTON, OH
01/31 CLUB CAFE PITTSBURGH, PA
02/01 MAGIC BAG FERNDALE, MI
02/02 MARTYR'S CHICAGO, IL
02/07 BLUE CATS KNOXVILLE, TN
02/08 MUSIC ZONE ASHEVILLE, NC
02/09 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE ATLANTA, GA
02/10 12TH & PORTER NASHVILLE, TN
02/14 LYNAGH'S LEXINGTON, KY
02/15 PHOENIX HILL LOUISVILLE, KY
02/16 SOUTHGATE NEWPORT, KY
02/17 BEACHLAND CLEVELAND, OH
02/19 MIDDLE EAST BOSTON, MA
02/20 HIGHER GROUND BURLINGTON, VT
02/22 NORTH STAR PHILADELPHIA, PA
02/23 MERCURY LOUNGE NYC
02/24 MERCURY LOUNGE NYC
Check 'em out - you won't be sorry.
While I'm here, a couple of notes re: the last 500 Chalkhills:
Music in commercials: the topic is visited alot in the excellent book
Behind The Muse: Pop and Rock's Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their
Work and Inspiration (www.tinyripple.com), recommended by Mr. Relph,
thank you very much. While Sir Partridge was not asked this question,
many others were and most of them personally objected to it for
their own songs, with the caveat that they can *afford* to object to it,
and completely understand the need for exposure for lesser known or
underfed songwriters. (Personally, I *like* the VW commercial with
Pink Moon.)
Gilmore Girls: the producer knows what she's doing with music. Read the
Amplifier interview (www.twomp.com/amplifier/_024/024_gilmore.htm),
where the question "What if because of the show, there was a huge XTC
revival and they suddenly started selling albums?" is asked.
XTC the jazz band: haven't seen these mentioned yet (but might have missed
them): English Roundabout, Miniature Sun, I Remember the Sun, Ladybird.
Wouldn't mind this being the 'focus' of the next XTC album, because I
think both songwriters excel in this venue.
Over and Out,
Tom
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 11:44:47 EST From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Twinkle Twinkle, Little Intellectual Property Violation Message-ID: <124.b3f4377.2990147f@aol.com> >From: Todd Bernhardt <beat_town@yahoo.com> >Subject: Various > >Hey, "C is for Cookie" is good enough for me! And ain't nothin wrong with >"Twinkle, Twinkle...", which features a melody that, of course, does triple >duty supporting that song, the ABC song, and "Bah Bah Black Sheep." ...And that was copped from a French nursery song by no less a luminary than Wolfgang Amadeus "Il Plagiarismo e mi name centrale" Mozart. The original song, titled "Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman," went like this (you can sing along-two-three-four): Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman, Ce qui cause mon tournment? Papa veut que je raisonne, Comme une grande personne; Moi, je dis que les bonbons Valent mieux que la raison. Translated: Ah! Let me tell you, Mother, What's the cause of my torment? Papa wants me to reason Like a grown-up. Me, I say that candy has Greater value than reason. That translation, while certainly workmanlike, lacks the punch and pith of my own updating, reproduced below. Wolfie Mozart probably wouldn't bother with stealing its timeless melody, but it's radio-friendly in any century: Candy on the beach there's nothing better but I like candy when it's wrapped in a sweater Someday soon I'll make you mine Then I'll have candy all the time I want candy! (Je m'en fiche du Mozart; Aaron Carter est DIEU!!!!!) Research Guaranteed Internet-Reliable: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/twinkle.htm Harrison "Aaron et mon Droit" Sherwood
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2002 13:10:43 -0500 From: James Michael Isaacs <jmisaa00@uky.edu> Subject: hee hee, jumping with glee Message-ID: <1012846243.8363ca00jmisaa00@uky.edu> Hello again! Glad to see some Kinks and Lips fans out there. Here is another one for ya- There is a Chicago-based label called Minty Fresh, and they have a slew of power pop bands, perahaps too many to mention here, that have a very strong relation to our Swindon Sweethearts. One that does not, but deserves a listen, is Komeda. They are from Sweden, and have a song on the "Powerpuff Girls" soundtrack that is not quite completely unlike their other stuff, which is far superior. "What Makes it Go? is a fave here. On the singing drummer note- I just don't like Don Henley. I do agree on Dave Grohl, but perhaps my question was just stupid anyway. I retract it! And, on the Kinks front again, firing another salvo- I like a lot of their individual "songs" after 1972 or whenever, but on the whole, they just lost it. (I like the song "Heartbreaker" by the Stones, too, but let's face it, most of "Goat's Head Soup" is Turd Soup. Five good songs in 30 years is not really much to hang your hat on- That's about how many Emerson Lake and Palmer have had in the same amount of time- but I digress) Whatever magical thing they had that made Ray as well as Dave produce such genius was somewhat absent afterwards. their 60s albums were entirely "English". A lot of their albums, even though done in a sort of opera or music hall motif, sound more "american". Was it drugs? Touring? Ego trips? Spinal Tap-ish changes in the band? I dunno, and I don't like it. Anyway, the "Jumping the Shark" reference, to the non-Americans out there, comes from an episode of "Happy Days" where Fonzie, somehow able to afford a trip to Hawaii, jumps a shark on waterskis. (Will Fonzie become chub? thought a rather gullible 8-year-old version of myself.) It changed the focus of the show to Fonzie, and it went downhill from there. So anytime someone or something jumps the shark, it means the beginning of the end. Can an artist "jump back"? Not usually, I opine, but perhaps an argument could be made that U2 did. I am sure there are others. One more thing. I am going so see Adrian Belew and the Bears next week in my own hometown of Lexington! What a Valentine's Day treat!! Oh, the little things... James
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 20:18:58 -0500 From: Rodney <rodneye@inspiracy.com> Subject: Roger and Brian Message-ID: <a05001904b884e33a3b37@[24.50.212.244]> I'd forgotten about the fox-hunting thing; that is indeed reprehensible. I wasn't especially clear in my previous post to the list, though. The "others" who "drunkenly went through the motions" I alluded to previously were not meant to implicate the remaining members of Pink Floyd, but rather the (mostly American) stadium rock acts (and, by extension, their audiences) who made popular music a poor parody of itself in the 1970s. Warren.Butson@getty-images.com asked: > One debate I've always wondered is Smile by the Beach Boys - overrated > Myth or lost pop genius. And does anyone know if the versions that > ended up on subsequent beach boys albums were re-recorded or the > actual originals? "Cabinessence" and "(Our) Prayer" as subsequently released on 1969's 20/20 are based on the original BW sessions. SMiLE tracks that appeared on Smiley Smile were "reimagined," as it were. There are elements of the original "Heroes and Villains" sessions in the eventual single version. "Surf's Up" is pieced together using some original SMiLE session material. An unsurpassed resource on SMiLE: http://www.thesmileshop.net/.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #8-12 ******************************
Go back to Volume 8.
5 February 2002 / Feedback