Chalkhills Digest Volume 8, Issue 23
Date: Friday, 12 April 2002
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 23
Friday, 12 April 2002
Topics:
XTC on MD
"Hidden track, hidden track, I'm under house arrest....."
COMC thoughts
re: Remaster This
Gathering of the Faithful
Mother Hubbard's Cupboard is bare no longer!
Too Short
OT: re Rall v Hellman - a nasty business
Look Look Q.
Burning With Optimism's Flames
cheap coat
My Cupboard Spilleth Over
Re: Where is the box set?!?
Re: Roy Wood's Army attacks NYC
Thoughts and a few questions...
Rag 'n' Bone, No Beggar's Banquet This!
Worth every penny
For all you music snobs out there ...
My First Post
Jacket with lots of Pigeonholes
White horses
Thugs in Lungs
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 10:56:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com> Subject: XTC on MD Message-ID: <20020407175654.61292.qmail@web13409.mail.yahoo.com> Thomas Vest asked: Just curious to know if anyone has ever seen any of the Swindon boy's material on the minidisc format? Sharon replied: I've never seen anything on pre-recorded MD, I doubt it exists. Mole says: It sure does. Nonsuch was released on MD in the European market and is the only XTC MD. It is impossibly rare, I myself have only seen it for sale a few times and looking for XTC stuff for my collection is pretty much my full time job, er hobby (feels like a job somedays though) If you can find one expect to pay about $50 for it. Cheers! Oh and Harrison, I am not worthy! Truly inspired! I mean it man, top drawer all the way! Mole
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 15:09:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Jay Gillespie <marsilies@yahoo.com> Subject: "Hidden track, hidden track, I'm under house arrest....." Message-ID: <20020407220953.45511.qmail@web13301.mail.yahoo.com> I've gotten several thank yous for providing information on how to access the Hidden Tracks on "Coat..." as well as a request for a list of other CDs that have such tracks. The ones I have are: They Might Be Giants - Factory Showroom "Token Back to Brooklyn" Mono Puff - It's Fun To Steal "Hidden Track" X-Files - Songs in the Key of X A Nick Cave song and "X-files Theme" demo This trick has been around since at least 1996, when the Factory Showroom and X-Files CDs came out, soany CD after that might have such a track. Some might have a clue, like in the liner notes of the X-files album, there's a note saying "Nick Cave would like you to know that "0" is also a number." The back of the CD also has a warning that states: "This compact disc does not fully conform with Phillips' "Red Book" specifications, in that the "pre-gap" may not play on all CD players." I'm also requesting that if anyone else has info on other CDs with the pre-track one hidden tracks to please email me so I can compile a larger list to post later. Note that these should be only the hidden tracks that come BEFORE track 1, and not the more typical "hidden track" that comes after the last song on the CD, which are relatively easy to find. -Jay
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 15:32:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Jeff Eby <jeffaeb@yahoo.com> Subject: COMC thoughts Message-ID: <20020407223248.73323.qmail@web11606.mail.yahoo.com> I've had a few days to listen and figured I'd throw out a couple of my praises and observations. Album tracks-I think I figured out a reason why these single recordings were included, it's kind of a teaser built into the set. It gives us people who haven't gotten the remastered CDs a sample of what the reworked songs sound like, they definitely make me want to get the remastered discs of the early stuff. The rough demos- I'll probably end up skiping alot of these in the future, but they're a great insight into the creative process. Alot like the home---- stuff, some of it is just messy versions of the finished product, but also a couple real gems that definitely deserved to be heard. Great liner notes, I haven't read the essay yet. in particular: 1.- probably have listened to this the most, it's such fun! Science friction- great for a first demo, though it still sounds like "He put a wig on me!" Live tracks-these early live ones are fantastic! Let's have fun- definitely should be the intro to a cartoon. Barry's songs- this is the most I've ever enjoyed Barry's songs, I can see why Andy was worried. Sleepyheads- Awesome! I always thought "looking for footprints" was pretty boring, but it polishes up very nicely. 2. Atom medley- yes this definitely rocks I LOVED ALL THESE UNUSED SINGLE RECORDINGS! Life begins at the hop(US single)- What does "Skanking" mean? I don't know about Andy, but I loved the twelve string, I'll probably never be able to hear the song from now on without hearing it in my head. Tower's of London- IMHO, better than the original, slowed down beautifully. Great guitar buzz. Ball and Chain- maybe too much of a good thing, I think I prefer the original. extra tracks- funny, defitely the right place to place 'Wanking Man.' I was kind of hoping for a complete Drunken Sessions in Fuzzy Warbles though. And who decided to censor the two nastiest parts? Let's find 'em and wank 'em til they bleed. 3. -I Will probably end up skipping alot of this one, messiest home demos that don't veer far from finished. Punch and Judy- Just as great as the R&BB version. I'm sure others will say it's better. Let's Make a Den- great to have this on an official release, but it's not much improved over the one I got off of Napster a couple years back. Wish they had given it the "Didn't hurt a bit" treatment and worked this out more. Dear God- This is a nice demo, a couple altered lyrics, I prefer the album version but the full band sound is nice too. 4.- The best discs for demos, very accomplished. Mayor of Simpleton Demo- Here's a gem of a demo, great variation. Didn't Hurt a bit- IMHO, this finished version and the testimonial version of "The Good Things" make me think the picked the wrong songs of Colin's for Nonesuch. "Burning Books"- what a half-assed treatment they got on this late show, couldn't even get the name of the song right. If you listen behind the crappy mix though you can see how great they'd be live today if they decided to do so. I did have one immediate detraction when I got my copy. David Smith wrote: >>Heck, it even SMELLS nice. Did Idea records spray theirs with perfume? I got mine from CDUniverse (cheaper) and it smelled like Ass. "A flock of blue fying things grinned down on us, they were half heifer and half dressing table."
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 18:38:15 -0400 (EDT) From: "" <radiosinmotion@iwon.com> Subject: re: Remaster This Message-ID: <20020407223815.5B40E27C61@email.iwon.com> Mark, great post. I too have heard people complain about the Who reissues, but one thing I noticed is that someone will always complain about something. For example, if a boot comes out low quality, people will complain about that... We have to decide whether we want good quality or bad. I personally don't care as long as I get the music! I can just remaster it myself (though it wont be as good as a direct master-remaster). I understand the arguments against remixing old stuff, but remastering is a different process completely. It mostly consists of eq'ing and compressing the music. It really depends on who is doing the remastering. Some remastered albums that I have heard sound really crappy in my opinion. Others on the other hand make it worth spending the money to buy the stuff all over again. For the most part however, if there is no additional tracks, you don't have the money you can always remaster things yourself with a good software program.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 23:44:18 +0100 (BST) From: David Lister <david.lister@wadham.oxford.ac.uk> Subject: Gathering of the Faithful Message-ID: <E16uLOU-0005jS-00@wing2.herald.ox.ac.uk> Hi guys. I've been a chalkhills subscriber for sometime now but never posted till now. All I want to say is that I definitely want to come to the chalkhills gathering in May (having missed last years) - who's organising and what info can you give me? I'm actually at university in oxford so i'll be around anyway - keep us all informed. I'm sure we can make this years event memorable! Cheers Dave Lister (david.lister@wadh.ox.ac.uk)
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 18:02:12 -0500 From: Brown <i.sundog@verizon.net> Subject: Mother Hubbard's Cupboard is bare no longer! Message-ID: <20020407230211.UMDU8115.out016.verizon.net@darkstar> It sho' is a sweet, sweet time to be an XTC fan, innit, darlings? Hello every good body: As some of you Chalkers who have the misfortune to suffer me on a daily basis already know, I am just mad for the Cupboards boxed set, and I can't stop singing its praises! Between the elegantly clever packaging, Harrison's breathtaking, spot-on essay, the lads' entertaining liner notes, and the music..sh*t howdy! THE MUSIC!..why, this baby packs more bang for the buck than just about anything I've purchased in quite some time! So on that breathless note I would like to chime in with Diamond Dave Smith and the resta you crazy, wunnerful kidz, and urge, nay, INSIST that those of you who have not yet picked up a copy of Cupboards, get yer lazy arses in gear and do so... and DO IT NOW! You *will* be happy that you did! And while we are on the subject of A Coat Of Many Cupboards, just who is this 'Wanking Man' we've heard tell about? I've got a hunch as to his true identity, but it's just a theory at this point, mind you. . . ;o) Hugs and strawberry jam, Debora 'by Jove, it does smell nice!' Brown
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 20:14:14 -0500 From: "eriC draveS" <zoom98@mindspring.com> Subject: Too Short Message-ID: <000e01c1de9a$bd63f8e0$4d3cf843@XLZOOM> I listened to Coat of Many Cupboards, enjoyed it thoroughly. Then I copied ONLY the new songs into my Windows Music Player (WiMP). I also added "Blue Beret" from The Adventure Club Sessions CD because it was getting lonely and... 28:53. That's IT???? Not enough to make a single album! (What is the shortest non-EP album of all time anyway?) Plus, with Rag 'N Bone Buffet we have a good patchwork of songs that work well with each other. Here it's Barry Andrews rejects followed by pastoral acoustics. Not that I hate any of the new stuff-- it all sounds great, even Terrorism, which I was sure would disappoint me but hasn't. Plus, "Things Fall to Bits" and "Us Being Us" have some great riffs, etc. etc. But come on, only 25 minutes of new stuff on COMC? And it doesn't fit together quite right?!? At least we can wait for Fuzzy Warbles, that should make up for it. And now I have a new favorite lyric quote to end these posts. ---- eriC draveS "Bits and bits and bits and bits and bits and bits and bits..."
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Apr 2002 01:43:34 +0000 From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: OT: re Rall v Hellman - a nasty business Message-ID: <F266SzpduG0QwLkD25C00007d3a@hotmail.com> >From: Sylvan <psiogen@hotpop.com> >Subject: Re: Rallicious >Heh. As much as I admire Mr. Rall's comics, I just can't feel to sorry >for >him on an issue like this. This is the man who is currently suing a fellow >cartoonist for zillions of dollars in damages for making fun >of him in a >joke email... > >Info on that pile of horse manure is at: >http://www.speranzastudios.com/freedirtydanny/ > >Books are burning... >-- >Sylvan Well, there are two sides to every story. Regrettably, it wasn't quite as simple as Hellman "making fun of him in a joke email". You can read Ted's version at: http://www.tedrall.com/news.htm and following pages. While I'm not *fully* conversant with the facts yet, I tend to agree with Rall's stand on this. Although I think he *might* be making a poor decision by pursuing legal action, I can understand that he has valid reasons for doing so. Clearly, he had an axe to grind with Art Spiegelman, as evidenced by his original Village Voice article, but hey, that's editorial journalism for you. Hellman's reaction to Ted's article could have been dealt with in a number of ways, but regretably Hellman chose this path: (a) he impersonated Ted Rall and various of Rall's employers in a series of spurious emails spammed to more than 30 people, including Rall and his employers, via a specially created mailing list on OneList. Hellman claimed it was a private list available only to members, but this was later shown not to be the case. How damaging these emails really were to Rall's reputation is not for me to say, but I can see why Ted would have been outraged by them. (b) According to Rall, Hellman also "made public postings on the Web offering a $500 bounty to someone willing to assault him and encouraged readers to vandalize his car. After one of Mr. Hellman's friends posted Ted's home phone number and address to the Web, Ted and his wife received threats at their home." [nice one, Danny] (c) Ted's lawyers commenced legal action ONLY after two cease-and-desist letters were ignored by Hellman. At last report, the legal costs to Rall for this suit are now over $30,000, all of which he has covered out of his own pocket. Hellman, on the other hand, is whining about having spent about $15,000 -- of which $7000 came from the proceeds of a benefit concert in his "honour". All of which could have been avoided if Hellman had done the decent thing and apologised in the first place. Was Hellman exercising his right to free speech, as he has claimed? Had he signed the emails "Danny Hellman" the answer would obviously be "yes". However, by impersonating Ted Rall and others, he has made a serious error of judgement, one which I fear will cost both parties a great deal of money and bring neither of them any credit. Ted finds himself in an invidious position. If he backs down, he tacitly endorses Hellman's attack on him. So he has committed himself to seeking legal redress, which will potentially compensate him for the "damage" he feels that his career and reputation have sustained. However, if he beats Hellman and gets a pile of money, he's going to come off as the bad guy and he'll make Hellman into a "free speech" martyr to boot. Did Ted overreact? Quite possibly. The wise thing to do would have been to ignore it all. Was he libelled? That's not for me to decide. If Ted feels he was, if his lawyers agree and if he can present a prima facie case that the courts will accept, then he has a right to seek legal redress. The sad thing is that as always, it's always the lawyers who win. Dunks
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 22:19:19 EDT From: Jdmack01@aol.com Subject: Look Look Q. Message-ID: <146.c7d4638.29e25827@aol.com> Was the "Look Look" video compilation ever released on laser disc? I've searched the web to the extent that I could, and found no mention of such a thing. J. D.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 19:42:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Wes Long <optimismsflames@yahoo.com> Subject: Burning With Optimism's Flames Message-ID: <20020408024203.95967.qmail@web14910.mail.yahoo.com> Currently Burning @ www.optimismsflames.com - The latest portions of Todd Bernhardt's nifty chat with Ian Gregory, Dave's younger Dukes of Stratosphear drumming bro, are available now on the site... free MP3's for you all. Also available are the first 9 portions of the chat with the Duke of Drumming. If you're a fan of the Dukes you'll dig all sorts of exotic hells outta this audio. Here's a list of the segments you can now down - 1. How Ian Gregory got "drum malaria." 2. Influences and ambitions. 3. Why Ian could never be a record producer. 4. On the importance of performing. 5. How the Dukes came to be. 6. Why the drummer has the hardest job. 7. The search for vintage drums. 8. Reviewing 25 O'Clock 9. Reviewing Psonic Psunspot (side 1) 10. Reviewing Psonic Psunspot (side 2) 11. "It's so nice to be totally anonymous." 12. Being "the brother of a named musician." The final two segments - Playing on XTC's videos & "I was very lucky, wasn't I?" - will be available May 1, 2002. Coming soon - thanks to Dave Gregory - the most detailed list of XTC gigs ever compiled... Set your screen res to 1024x768 and pay the site a visit - if you don't have a quick computer, and connection... you may have trouble viewing the site, sorry... may take some time to load, but good things come to those who wait. Since Jan there have been more than 125,000 page views at Optimism's Flames... Keep burnin'... wesLONG
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 20:56:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: cheap coat Message-ID: <20020408035636.18144.qmail@web14207.mail.yahoo.com> Hi everyone I just ordered a copy of 'Coat of Many...' from the Cheap Cd's website http://cheap-cds.com/surf/home They had it the cheapest I've found it, $47.99 U.S. I would have bought it from Idea's website, but I just bought a house that won't repair itself and am sinking tons of money into it. New roof, lots of electrical work, etc. plus a bunch of furniture I need to buy as well. So, with NO extra cash at the moment, I had to go for cheap over supporting A&C directly. MAybe next time. Thanks to whomever posted about the hidden tracks. I keep forgetting to check for them on my cd's.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 15:04:00 +0100 From: Dom Lawson <dom.lawson@emap.com> Subject: My Cupboard Spilleth Over Message-ID: <F1C32CD48B89D411AD2B00D0B78EC38904FD35D4@MAPPINMAIL01> Hail fucknuts! I've missed the last few digests - so many pints of beer, so little time - so this will all have been discussed previously. Or not. Not that I give much of a shit, so here's my fourteen pence worth on the subject of our favourite objet d'art... 5 reasons why 'A Coat Of Many Cupboards' is fucking ace... 1. The packaging...ooh baby! Have you ever seen such a gorgeous box set? Er, possibly. Either way, this goes some way to letting Virgin off the hook after that disgraceful re-issues debacle. I particularly liked the little flappy door things. Sadly they will be f**ked in a couple of years but until my grubby paws do their worst it's a feast for the eyes. 2. Harrison's sleevenotes...ooh baby! Far be it from me to play a tune on the old pervert's sackbut, but I have never enjoyed reading something like that to anything like the same extent. I laughed - and it was real laughter, rather than the usual mean-spirited cackling that I use when children fall and graze their knees - and I very nearly shed a tear. When I reached the end, I felt like I'd actually learnt something about XTC, and that's a pretty damn good result. He hides it well, bless 'im, but that Mr. Sherwood sure wields a mean biro. 3. The music...ooh baby! Whether it's the tried and tested studio versions, the numerous out takes and unused versions, or the uniformly great live stuff, these lovingly-crafted cupboards are simply magnificent. (Even the couple of tracks which are, if we're honest, a bit shit, are well worth the admission fee. Andy's clumsy stumble through 'Mayor Of Simpleton' had me clutching my sides, tears streaming down my leg...and you can give me as many versions of 'Wonderland' as you like. It's still rubbish.) Hearing the band give it some live-and-plugged-in action on 'Books Are Burning' - or 'Burning Books' as the cretinous tart from The Late Show would have it - sent shivers up, and indeed down, my spine. 4. I got my copy for free. Sorry. 5. Since starting work as a "rock journalist" (stop sniggering at the back, f**kwits!) I have spent the vast majority of my time listening to either rock or metal stuff, with very little spare time to contemplate the slightly more beauteous side of music. The one exception throughout this fraught period has, of course, been XTC. This new cavalcade of sonic fun has prompted a sudden re-investigation of the entire back catalogue, much to the apparent delight of my better half and trusty lodger. Don't worry, I will be playing the new Dio album at top volume very soon - preferably when the neighbours are trying to get some well-earned kip after a hard night on the disco biscuits - but it doesn't hurt to change pace once in a while...don't tell anyone I said that, though. Right, I'm off to celebrate the fact that my band are supporting Napalm Death in London on Friday night. Hurrah! Th**k you and good night. Do(o)m Lawson. www.matter666.com
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Apr 2002 11:08:38 -0500 From: "Johnny Daytona" <johnnydaytona@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Where is the box set?!? Message-ID: <F148IeSOm3WsTiaqi660000144c@hotmail.com> Hey all, >In Chalkhills #8-21, Sharon wrote: > >I'm going crazy, where is the box set?!? I want it! I need it! It's now >4 days since supposed release date, but nothing. No word from Idea, >nothing on the website. Has anyone received their copy yet, any word from >the record company? If anyone out there is having problems tracking the set down, here's some info. Apparently there has been some problems with the slightly more technical than normal construction of the box, and the manufacturers are runnng behind. Alot of box sets are out there, just not as many as there should be, yet. I work at the big Tower Records in Chicago, and our order of twenty sets still hasn't arrived. We transfered four over from one of our other stores (so I am very happy this weekend), but our twenty are presumably still being made in Holland. But there still are a lot of sets out there, as all the positive reactions on the list indicate. - Darren
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Apr 2002 17:08:55 +0000 From: "Roger Blass" <rogerblass@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Roy Wood's Army attacks NYC Message-ID: <F218VotCmY6iR9mzLnw00004343@hotmail.com> Ah, Andy and Roy would be quite a match! Something tells me Andy's got a copy of Boulders sitting around. - Roger
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Apr 2002 16:56:22 -0700 From: "Thomas Vest" <tvtwo@hotmail.com> Subject: Thoughts and a few questions... Message-ID: <F276s3mJNbK5Hb6ttAb000195c2@hotmail.com> Hello in Chalkland! I received my copy of the box set last Thursday and I am very pleased. I read the booklet in one sitting that evening. I started listening to the discs the next day. WOW!!! great stuff. Mr Sherwood's essays were excellent. some answers and another question or two: Mick Casey said: Firstly, I'd like to mention that I was one of the lucky few who attended the 1st Annual gathering in Oxford last year. A bloody good time was had by all (how could it not have been bearing in mind the kind of folk on the Hill?), friendships were forged, beer was consumed and chalkhorses were almost viewed (Foot & Mouth restrictions were rife at the time). Any of you out there in two minds about coming down this year, please dispense with all doubts and contact spagyric_2002@yahoo.co.uk now. Satisfaction guaranteed! Unfortunately, some of us in the states cannot make this event. I would dearly love to and I know fun will had by all. I am curious to know if there is any chance of some sort of gathering in the states? San Francisco/New York/Los Angeles? John, do you have any thoughts on this? Sharon said: I've never seen anything on pre-recorded MD, I doubt it exists. But if it was out there, I would buy it in a flash. I have a full collection of XTC on minidisc, everything I own. I even have a specific brand of minidiscs, Axia slim-case, that I use exclusively for XTC. XTC on MD, nothing better than that. WOW!! This is kind of scary, but I recently bought a 5 pack of the Axia slim case MD's for XTC recording! Really weird. I get mine at Minidisco.com in Berkeley. Shame about no pre-recorded MD's. Thanks for answering. Jay Gillespie said: I stuck discs 2 and 3 of the box-set which I just got today into my CD player, pressed play, pause, and then REVERSE SCAN from the start of track one, and low and behold, the two hidden tracks start BEFORE track one. Thanks for the tip Jay. I forgot about the hidden track sneakies that can be at the front. John Greaves Said: Does the Atomic Medley not KICK some ASS! (The further we get away from the White Music - GO2 era, the more it seems I get a new appreciation of those songs, and what it may have been like to experience LIVE). Yes it does an then some. I agree that the early stuff has been totally unappreciated (i count myself heavily in that category). My early favorite for best cut on the set is All You Pretty Girls from disc 3. It makes me have a total new appreciation for the Big Express. Thank you to Andy & Colin for agreeing to autograph these sets for us. Also, big thanks to Idea for getting these out pretty quickly although seeing the email about the damaged sets and the delay for others is sad. As a really funny "extra bonus", when I pulled the 3rd disc out of the tray, I discovered to my horror and then later laughter, that a stray hair is stuck underneath the plastic tray!!!! Manufacturing at its finest! Could this be one of Andy or Col.... oh, I am so not going there. Bobby Guthrie!! Are you out there? Please respond if you are. Cheers!!! Thom
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:06:59 -0400 From: KEVIN.WOLLENWEBER@jpmorgan.com Subject: Rag 'n' Bone, No Beggar's Banquet This! Message-ID: <OF476E1FD8.C230FA05-ON85256B96.004FF087@notes.chase.com> Hello, fellow XTC-files. I'm new to this mailing list and just wanted to make an initial post. The first XTC album I'd ever bought was BLACK SEA, produced by Steve Lilywhite; I found I liked everything on it, so I knew I'd be a committed XTC fan. The same goes for the follow-up, ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, oddly issued on vinyl here in the States as a *SINGLE* platter. I opted to purchase the import double, but was saddened when I bought the full first CD pressing of the album because it didn't have the full lyric print-out that was on the record sleeves of the vinyl album. At any rate, I have always felt that XTC is one of the U.K.'s most diverse bands! They began in the late 1970's as a new wave/punk band, moved on to experiment with Third World rhythms and, as they aged and became a mere duo, changing their backup musicians as frequently as our own Steely Dan, they've matured and continuously leave me speechless with each new package. Like Joni Mitchell, Andy Partridge has expressed his distaste for touring and the music business in general, wanting his music seen as the work of a painter, who doesn't have to tour the country to justify his creation. I'm in full agreement; I mean, if you don't find joy in getting up there onstage and playing your tunes again and again, why do it? The albums, for me, have been enough. I'm also fondest of the collective wit of the duo. I howled at Andy's sendup of John Peel at the opening of TRANSISTOR BLASTER, and I am sure he's poking good fun at the twisted names that pop bands were giving themselves in the 1960's. I recently bought a box of "nuggets", some of which never saw release, called THE TRASH BOX, and the names of the bands and the names of the songs would truly puzzle you, but Andy and colin nailed 'em on that fabulous 25 O'CLOCK and SONIC SUNSPOT albums by their alter-egos, the Dukes of Stratosphere. I also liked how XTC thanked their session guests, the Dukes, on the BIG EXPRESS album. At any rate, most of you have probably gone through the same impressions of these albums; so I won't bore you with details, but I think my dismay over the minimal packaging that was given the first CD release of ENGLISH SETTLEMENT is the main reason I'm looking forward to the sonically upgraded versions of all their albums, even with mini-LP sleeves. When I met the lads at a rare record signing at Tower Records, here in Manhattan at West 4th Street and Broadway, I felt foolish asking Colin all kinds of questions about when this or that project is going to be completed. After all, it has been seven years since we'd seen new product from them, and the last thing I wanted to sound like was some record company type screaming at 'em to "get the stuff out there, snap to it!" I also didn't want to leave a bad taste since that particular night was a *BITTERLY* cold one and one that I'm sure *THEY* did not really want to be out in! So it is with deep appreciation that I acknowledge the new box set and forthcoming upgrades of *ALL* their albums, including an import of the combined CHIPS FROM THE CHOCOLATE FIREBALL Dukes collection. I cannot wait to get it! I am totally blind, but I'll bet the COAT OF MANY CUPBOARDS set is a stunning package (and I hope that Andy succeeded in getting his way when he expressed wishes that the set's title not be put anywhere on the box, leaving only the initials, XTC placed prominently on the book-binder set's elaborate cover. And I hear that they're finishing a brand *NEW* album? Whew, these artists have done *MORE* than their share in recent years and proved their versatility thrice over. I'll admit that I've wished that they'd at least perform a gig or two at a small club here in town, like the Bottom Line with some of Downtown's finest musicians, but I'd only want this if both Andy and colin were truly up for it and as excited to entertain us as we are to be entertained by them, kind of like the atmosphere of Elvis Costello's week-long stint on Broadway where each night was a new set of songs, sometimes unpredictably done and mixed with incredible covers. I, for one, am glad they're back and will wait forever, if need be, for a project well done! Kevin
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 09:07:27 EDT From: OMBEAN1@aol.com Subject: Worth every penny Message-ID: <113.fafa115.29e5930f@aol.com> Hillites, For those who havent bought " Coats" yet, The unreleased version of " Life Begins at The Hop " is worth the price alone. It is so goddamn good. I laughed for five minutes of how delightfully different it is. Throw in "Science Friction" ,"Punch & Judy", Barrys two songs and Andys comment that "Omnibus" is from the musical "Stop the Girls, I Want to Get On" and you got yourself a winner. Like I said, worth every penny. Another note. Even though I saw them live in 1981, they still astound me how friggin tight they were in concert. Terry was just a fantastic drummer. Thats all. Roger p.s. ---Ton Kingston. O' brother ,where Art thou?
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 13:46:34 -0700 (PDT) From: Ira Lieman <ilieman@yahoo.com> Subject: For all you music snobs out there ... Message-ID: <20020410204634.56583.qmail@web11204.mail.yahoo.com> Chalkpeople, I have to declare my hysterical love for The Onion. Check out this: http://www.theonion.com/onion3813/record-store_clerks.html -- "37 Record-Store Clerks Feared Dead In Yo La Tengo Concert Disaster" I might believe there are individuals in this wide world that might think the same of us -- trumpeting the accomplishments of a band that has a niche audience (sad, but true). Naah. I have NOT yet bought "Coat" yet as I have basically spent my next six or seven biweekly checks prior to having received them. But I'm living vicariously through the record reviewers. :) Hasta, -ira, snipping snipping snipping.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 17:37:11 -0500 From: "John Sarappo" <greasyslikmo@comcast.net> Subject: My First Post Message-ID: <008c01c1e0e0$41958a60$13876b41@nxlkhost.com> This is my first ever post, so please be gentle... 1. As far as remasters go, I think that they are both a revenue generator and a sonic improvement. I am involved in record engineering and essentially a re-master is when the Original 2 Track (Stereo) tape (that was used to produce the record and then the original CD) is re-transferred into the computer. Since the advent of CD technology 20 years ago, there have been significant improvements in HOW the audio from the original tape is converted into Digital (those pesky 1's and 0's). Analog to Digital Conversion is the key here, and that part of the equation has really improved over the past 20 years. Originally, the audio word was 16 bits, now it is 24 bits. For those math geeks out there, this simple addition of 8 bits allows the audio to be 256 times more "precise" than the fist time it was converted. For those of you with the original LP and $1000 worth of turntable, you will no doubt be saying that the original LP sounds better, and you would be correct. Because analog is what our ears hear in the end, not 1's and 0's. Still, most of us do not have $1000 worth of turntable and love the convenience of CD. So, the record companies are simply trying to make the CD sound "more like" the original LP. The advances in Signal Processing also make the re-mastered CDs more in line with the original LP. For those of you who poo-poo the notion of re-mastering, grab a listen to any of the "Full Digital Recordings" of the mid 80's like "Brothers in Arms" or Sting's "Nothing Like The Sun" and tell me how they sound now. They don't even come close to today's technology! Now, in the end, the CD ends up being 16 bits at the lowly sample rate of 44.1 KHz, but it is what is done in the computer that makes or breaks the re-master. Here, too, technology has advanced. So, I think that a re-master is well worth the money if you like to listen to music through a kick butt Stereo. If you join a CD club, and find a place to buy back your old CDs, you can get into re-masters for about $5 or $6 a disc. Finally, please know that once the DVD-A vs. SACD was is over, you will need to re-buy everything again (as well as the players to play them on)... Some truly spectacular re-masters include The Clash Catalog, The Jam Catalog (their box set is great), Pet Shop Boys and (dating myself) Queen, Zeppelin, Creedence, and the Who (actually much of the Who catalog is Re-mixed, whereby the original Multitrack tape was used to create the new CD). Anyway, I ramble... 2. Am I the only one who thinks that "Mummer" and "Big Express" are essential XTC? Listen to Side 1 of "Mummer". Every track is brilliant. Ditto side 1 of "Big Express". I remember when these LPs came out. With "Mummer", I was expecting another "Settlement". It took me a few listens before I really got into it. Then, with "Big Express", I was expecting another "Mummer" only to get bushwhacked with "Shake You Donkey Up". IMHO, I think "Mummer" and "Big Express" outrank "White Music", "Go 2", "Skylarking" and "Nonsuch". Only "Drums", "Black Sea", "Settlement" and "Oranges & Lemons" are better. Just so you know where my XTC tastes lie, I think "Oranges and Lemons" is the Ultimate XTC release. 3. Coat of Many Cupboards will win XTC a Grammy for best Box Set Design. Wonderful. Especially Andy's discussion of the Go 2 "Vinyl Solution" to limit Barry's contribution to the LP. I also like the fact that some LP tracks are included so that you can get an idea of what they were really doing in the studio while you listen to the outtakes. I would have chosen different LP cuts, but I can live with what is there. 4. I wish XTC would do a "Fossil Fuel" treatment to their "B-Sides". I think "Beeswax" rocks. I always wanted to continue in the "Beeswax" vein and do a 2 CD Set of B-Sides. What we got was "Rag and Bone Buffet". I like "Rag", but I also love the sequence of songs on Beeswax. 5. As far as I know, the only B-Side that was released on LP that is not on CD is the Andy Partridge mix of "Heaven is Paved With Broken Glass" which appeared on the B-Side of the "Ball and Chain" 12". That is all for now.... Greasy Slikmo
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 14:24:07 -0600
From: Kirk.Gill@equifax.com
Subject: Jacket with lots of Pigeonholes
Message-ID: <OF0632459D.DD9987EF-ON87256B98.006B821D@fin.equifax.com>
Regarding the remasters, Gary wrote: "I still vouch that it's primarily a
revenue generating technique...I don't fault Andy and Colin for this, since
it seems they were denied the opportunity to make any money on these things
the first time 'round." Of course, he's right about it all being a revenue
generating technique, but one has to wonder exactly how much revenue XTC
the band is getting out of the whole thing. I would have loved to have been
a "Fly on the Wall" for those negotiations..........
Received my copy of COMC, and I'm delighted. The packaging is, natch,
top-notch, and the booklet illuminates the band and the songs in a most
readable way (THANKS, Mr. Sherwood, et. al). I, too, missed the commentary
of Dave Gregory, which might have been interesting, and I, too, wonder at
the inclusion of so many album tracks, but the collection is so listenable,
and so interesting to the fan(atic), that it was eminently worth the
poundage paid. Like many, I have yet to hear the bonus tracks, as none of
my cd players will find them. I'm going to keep trying,
though..............
But as someone said here recently, all this collection does is heighten my
desire for new material. Which brings me to my next subject - the
long-discussed recording project of Andy Partridge and Robert Schneider of
Apples in Stereo.
I happen to be from Denver, Colorado, where Apples In Stereo originated,
and there is an article in a local paper this week about the impending move
of Mr. Schneider and his family to Lexington, Kentucky. In the last
paragraph of the article it says: "Schneider is working on a solo album,
and he and Sidney (his wife) are also getting ready to record an album with
Andy Partridge of XTC in England this summer; that effort will be released
under the name Trombone Or. ("In French it means 'golden paper clip,"
Schneider adds mysteriously.)"
Just thought y'all might like t'know............if you want to read the
entire article, go to
http://www.westword.com/issues/2002-04-11/backwash.html/1/index.html
k?
"I'm Bugged"
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 16:04:01 +0100 From: The Worrier Queen <myrone@tesco.net> Subject: White horses Message-ID: <3CB6F760.DB2FFFED@tesco.net> Came across this the other day and thought I'd share. "The horse too was sacred. Under the goddess Epona the horse cult was widespread; represented by a white mare it symbolized - like the king of a tribe - fertility. The carving of the white horse at Uffington is well known, and the white mare figures in the description given by Giraldus Cambrensis of an inauguration of a king in Ulster - a region where Celtic tradition still remains and whence comes most of its literature. Before an assembly of people a white mare is led in. The King-Elect then emerges on his hands and knees. Declaring himself to be a beast he enjoys, in pantomime, sexual intercourse with the mare which is then killed, cut into pieces and cooked. The King-Elect then sits in the pot with the pottage, eats the flesh and drinks the liquid. He is then proclaimed King. 'Here,' writes Anne Ross, 'we seem to have a description of a rite which is both genuine and archaic. sexual vigour and fecundity are characteristic of the horse, and in this scene we supposedly must visualize the animal to be symbolic of the powers of fertility, very important to a king, whose own potency was believed to affect the fecundity of the entire tribe and stock possessed by it. By imitating the stallion mating with the mare, the king invokes these powers.' The king, as James Laver remarked, was the personified penis of the community, while the insertion of his head into a crown was a symbolic coitus. In some cases a tribe could be ruled by a Queen - Cartimandua*, Queen of the Brigantes, for example; her role was no less symbolic." * Cartimandua means Sleek Pony Philippa Pullar "Consuming Passions - A History of English Food and Appetite." Queenie This has been An Uffington Pony Goddesses production, powered by the beating of hearts.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 12:06:40 -0400 (EDT) From: RSMko@webtv.net (Marston Moor) Subject: Thugs in Lungs Message-ID: <10640-3CB70610-1264@storefull-2235.public.lawson.webtv.net> F Y I = "Coat of Many Cupboards" UK promos (discs 1 & 2 only) on eBay! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=856885340 RSM www.rsteviemoore.com
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