Chalkhills Digest Volume 8, Issue 31
Date: Monday, 27 May 2002
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 31
Monday, 27 May 2002
Topics:
OT Ben Folds
Trashing Moby? Um, why?
Sing along with Andy
The last issue
STARPARK.....NEWS
Red Box
Dolby
Lazy Susan Revisited
Wayne
OT: Peter Blegvad in L.A.?
Headline: Millions of Westlife fans buy "Coat..."
Behind the Red Lion Demos
XTC Albums All Year
Nothing especially important, but...
XTC vs C&C Music Factory mp3
Another Coat...
Conspicuios Articles of Ostentation
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I'm stupidly happy / I'm coming unscrewed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 16:50:14 -0400 From: "Molly, the New Wave Queen" <mollyfa0000@worldnet.att.net> Subject: OT Ben Folds Message-ID: <004b01c1fead$a66dde20$4a01590c@vogmudet> Organization: AT&T Worldnet I just wanted to let those fellow Chalkhillians who live in the Western NY/Southern Ontario area, that Ben Folds will be doing a FREE concert here in Buffalo on June 6th. It's part of the Thursday in the Square series. Just wanted to let you know. Molly
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 14:30:43 -0700 (PDT) From: Jeff Eby <jeffaeb@yahoo.com> Subject: Trashing Moby? Um, why? Message-ID: <20020518213043.28532.qmail@web11606.mail.yahoo.com> I'm no big fan of Moby, I have two of his CD's and find half of them enjoyable, but half of them bland. But why the adamant, viscous and often personal attacks on him suddenly? Eminem disses Moby in his most recent single, but it's constructive criticism compared to what I've been hearing here. Yes, I know you're basicly responding to the overzelous praise by a recent poster but there are so many more deserving people that deserve your scorn. Why pick on a moral, humble man who BTW has admitted to being as confused about his success as most anyone? ===== That which does not kill me can only make me whinier
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 20:24:55 EDT
From: OMBEAN1@aol.com
Subject: Sing along with Andy
Message-ID: <64.1f49da8c.2a184ad7@aol.com>
Sup?
On Sleepyheads, do you find yourself singing Andys backup instead of
Colins lead? Thats funny, me too.
"Us Being Us" STILL F' ING ROCKS!!!
I'm 41 years old ,driving around in my truck like Wayne & Garth listening
to Bohemian Rhapsody.
Tis all for now. Roger
If you havent seen comedian Brian Regan, you must. Funniest guy out there.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 06:48:10 -0400 From: "Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt" <toddjenn@erols.com> Subject: The last issue Message-ID: <NABBKDAOLCDJBNEFDNLLCECECKAA.toddjenn@erols.com> Hi: Interesting issue, that last one ... the two B.'s, both new to the list, presented us with a fine example of the spectrum covered by XTC fandom, a spectrum that continues to surprise and amaze me. If I had to pick one concrete example of XTC's greatness, it would be their ability over the years to attact such a wide variety of fans -- younger and older, caring and callous, positive and negative, contemplative and contemptuous, clear-eyed and cloudy. Welcome, Bess. -Todd
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 05:11:57 -0700 (PDT) From: starpark live <starparklive@yahoo.com> Subject: STARPARK.....NEWS Message-ID: <20020519121157.46594.qmail@web21506.mail.yahoo.com> Just a reminder,the web site's up and running www.starparklive.com ,you can even win a pre-release copy of the new E.P BREATHINGSPACE just by signing the guest book. Catch the guys live at SJ's Hotle Beaumont st Hamilton Wednesday May 22nd @ 10:45 pm or @ Newcastle uni's bar on the hill May 27th 8:45 pm. Also our new range of t-shirts will be on sale at the uni gig. Feel free to contact as at any time and do treat www.starparklive.com as your own. cheers for now from STARPARK
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 17:04:28 +0100 From: "David Seddon" <D.Seddon@btinternet.com> Subject: Red Box Message-ID: <002201c1ff4e$dc9a0d60$6a49073e@default> Jim and John are on about 80s music: >I'm still waiting for a complete CD remaster of >U2's "Boy" complete >with the "hidden track" >John, I'm with you. This (ok and English Settlement and Kilimjaro and Talk Talk Talk and Sound Affects - ok I'm sadly stuck in the early 80s, this I know) is seriously my favorite album of all time and I CAN'T STAND that it doesn't end like the LP did. If only U2 >made more money, they could do it... :) Well, yeah, you guys, I like some of it...certainly Talk Talk and anything to do with Julian Cope. I'd like to get hold of a copy of The Circle & the Square by Red Box (1986?), however. as I have fond memeories of listening to that band when I was living in Bath and going to Moles night Club. There were three fun singles from that album, with some pretty good rhythmic drumming...For America, Lean on me and Saskatchewan. I remember thinking that I'd buy it at the time, but didn't. Now alas, it's out of print and I've only ever seen the singles second hand. Anyone got it and is prepared to do me a copy? Email me if you have. As for COMC. Most folk here seem to have it or want it, and there's maybe less than 20% of us who've openly said that we don't. I haven't bought it and doubt that I will. It's pretty expensive and I have Transistor Blast, which though not the same, has similarities and I don't play that more than 4or 5 times a year. When the demos of unreleased tracks form the bulk of a set, I will be interested. For the same reason, I never bought the demo versions of Apple Venus Vols 1 and 2. If I had them (and I have heard them via a friend), I'd hardly ever play them. That's not to say that COMC isn't any good, but it just doesn't have much appeal for me bar, perhaps, a handful of tracks.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 18:43:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com> Subject: Dolby Message-ID: <20020520014345.71518.qmail@web13406.mail.yahoo.com> Kevin asked "I wonder what has happened to some artists. Thomas Dolby would be high on my list." Well Kev To follow the career of old TD I suggest you pop over to the Flat Earth Society and check it out. Www.flatearth.com I think. Sumptin like that. Anyway Thomas now runs a successful software development corp. They do Audio over the web kinda stuff. Beatnick is the name of it I believe. Anyway he has done some ST and stuff recently but no real LPs. He did do an official bootleg thing last year which I picked up. Him and another guy at Whistler ski resort, pretty tasty. Strictly Limited Edition. I think he has pretty much andyised himself now. He is too happy being a real person to go back to the Stick and Carrot of the biz. To the best of my knowledge he does not currently have a deal. Cheers Mole PS Oh and Messr Dolby was once considered as a replacement for Barry. He wanted the gig but they already really knew they wanted Dave.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 12:09:58 -0500 From: "Richard" <rjpa1@attbi.com> Subject: Lazy Susan Revisited Message-ID: <03e601c200ea$56ab2840$04081fac@verisity.com> It just occured to me that people outside of the US might not know the term "Lazy Susan." I was not making a derogatory or editorial comment about Becki's music. A "Lazy Susan" is a platter that can spin to allow access to a wider variety of things. These are probably most common at group tables in Chinese restaurants where the center portion of the table can be spun to allow all diners to get at all the dishes in the center. On an XTC related note... It seems rather funny to have enjoyed the song Punch And Judy only to buy COMC and hear the other version that was never released and like it much better! Also... I just read Chris Twomey's "Chalkhills And Children" and, while XTC may find a great deal of fault with the way things are delivered in the book, it sounds like "Liarbird" Ian Reid was more the slimy bastard than Virgin. Virgin supposedly helped out XTC numerous times by renegotiating their contract to get them through the legal mire against the Liarbird. Granted, the renegotiation resulted in a less advantageous deal for XTC, it was a choice that THEY made to get fast cash (not out of naivety). I've yet to corroborate this with Andy. It seems that there is a fair amount of Virgin-bashing on Chalkhills but, while they may have been opportunistic, they might not be the bad guys they are painted to be. I said _might_. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 21:47:29 -0400 From: Ben Gott <bgott@rectoryschool.org> Subject: Wayne Message-ID: <B911C271.6721%bgott@rectoryschool.org> Hey, Need a new CD this week? Check out "Music on Plastic" by Wayne. Go here to find out more about 'em: [ http://www.waynemusic.com ] Imagine Toad the Wet Sprocket meets Jason Falkner meets Harrison Sherwood. (Well, maybe not the last one...) My favorite songs at the moment are "Shooting at the Stars" and "Whisper." You'd like them, too. -Ben
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 18:08:02 -0700 (PDT) From: John Relph <relph@sgi.com> Subject: OT: Peter Blegvad in L.A.? Message-ID: <200205240108.SAA10005@mando.engr.sgi.com> Folks, If Peter Blegvad were to come to Los Angeles, how many of you would be in a position to go to the show? How many of you would want to go? Reply off list to relph@tmbg.org. Thank you. -- John
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 09:50:20 +0200
From: jeffrey.thomas.jt@bayer-ag.de
Subject: Headline: Millions of Westlife fans buy "Coat..."
Message-ID: <OF449D1B17.C22F18CF-ONC1256BC3.0026E9CD@bayer-ag.com>
Hi there "Kreideberger",
It must be spring -- I just can't seem to stop posting. But it's Friday and
I'm in a weird mood, so:
Bert wrote in #30 re. "The Essay":
>Sorry to burst your bubble, but I doubt many people
>beyond we few afficionados here will make it beyond
>the first hundred words. Few people would read such
>verbose liner notes unless they were as fanatical
>about the music as we all are.
Bert, sorry to burst your bubble, but who do you think is buying this
expensive, 4-CD set of alternate versions and strange home demos compiled by
an obscure, elitist, cultish, intelligent band that never had a worldwide
top 10 hit, and who only very few even know? 14-year-olds? Britney Spears
fans? "Us" afficionados will make it beyond the first hundred words,
because "us" are... us. Who else will ever see the essay? "Us"
Chalkhillers are proud that one of "we" was actually chosen to do the job,
and did it well.
>You should have loosened up and not worried about posterity so much
This would seem to me to be an entirely different point. I actually could
agree with this in part, since, as good as the essay is, I think there would
have been room for more of Harrison's usual verbal jousting without
sacrificing quality. The enthusiasm, which definitely comes across, could
have been heightened.
But I enjoyed the essay anyway. And its length, too.
On different tacks:
1) I am *really* looking forward to hearing Becki's and Mitch's new albums.
Go, "guys", go! I have their respective first outings in my collection, and
they don't disappoint!
2) I was checking out the lyrics to "Didn't Hurt a Bit" in the lyrics
section of the site, and there are a few bits that aren't right. I compared
the lyrics to the demo from the "ITMWML" single, and then to the new
"Coat..." version. With respect to the single, it would seem that there are
differences in the refrain:
And if you see the gang
Say I'm a free man
Be sure to tell *ME*
It didn't hurt a bit
This is curious wording, but it sounds much more like "me" than "'em", and
it is repeated several times later in the song, as notated.
In the middle eight, it would seem to be:
Lots of rumours flying 'round
*MEANT* to decieve
This would seem to be confirmed by the new version. Towards the end, there
is a mention of "the king":
And if you see the _king_
Say I'm a free man
But be sure to tell me it didn't hurt a bit
I would say this is, again, the "gang" from the first refrain. And, most
confusing of all, I can't hear the lyrics in the first part of the 2nd verse
(neither in the demo, nor in the final version), but I'm pretty sure they're
*not* the words listed at the site:
Just a bit of fun
Didn't alter a thing
Didn't hurt a bit
That's an end to it
Anybody have any idea of what Colin's actually saying?
Other than that, there are a number of changes in the final version as
compared to the demo, most notably in the first verse:
Just a casual thing
Not really worth a mention
Didn't hurt a bit
*That's an end to it*
But if you didn't mind
Can we change the subject now?
*It's history*
*Anyone can see*
Again, the phrase "but if you didn't mind" sounds strange to these ears. I
would say, "But if you wouldn't mind." Is the use of "didn't" in this
context some sort of local Swindonian subjunctive, or is it standard British
wording I wasn't aware of? Somehow, it reminds me of "What do you think to
that" in ITMWML.
3) And Kevin Wollenberger: Your post started so well, and then I just
couldn't continue reading. Please! use the "Return" key twice between
paragraphs! It's impossible to read something that long without some sort
of optical respite between the paragraphs. (I must be gettin' old.)
Mine eyes couldn't see the glory...
- Jeff
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 16:51:46 -0500 From: "Jamie Lowe" <jamielowe@msn.com> Subject: Behind the Red Lion Demos Message-ID: <005501c2036d$3468d7c0$24cc2a3f@unlpm> Chalkholders, Back in 8-28 Ryan Anthony wrote: Extreme trivia time. On the *Red Lion Demos*, "Shaving Brush Boogie" is credited, not to "AP" or "CM" or "DG," but to "XTC." I realize this isn't "official," but regardless, is this the only time any XTC track has been credited to the band? For which I do not have an answer. What I do know is this... Way back in June of 2000 I hosted a Chalkhills gathering in Chicago at a Brit Pub called the Red Lion. As a party favor I made the "Red Lion Demos" compilation of B-sides and rarities for all who attended. The track listing of 23 songs went like this: Shaving Brush Boogie XTC Cherry in your Tree AP Down a Peg CM My Bird Performs CM Living in a Haunted Heart AP Blue Beret AP Space Wray AP I Don't Want To Be Here AP Shipped Trapped in Ice AP Didn't Hurt A Bit (instrumental) CM Blow You Away AP+ Didn't Hurt A Bit CM Wounded Horse AP Tin Soldiers DG Because DG..... I credited the song with the author's initials, and since S B Boogie is an improvised jam giving the entire band credit seemed to be the only logical approach. The Dave Gregory tracks while not his own. He most certainly is all over them are from his Remoulds project. The Shaving Brush Boogie I downloaded from Vee Tube and his friend Sir Demon Brown. The rest came from my collection I have been working on since White Music and by trading with the esteemed Wes Long. If you are interested in trading for a copy contact me off list. Cheers, Jamie
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 May 2002 03:03:18 EDT From: GnXn282@aol.com Subject: XTC Albums All Year Message-ID: <30.27529f8d.2a209136@aol.com> I never claimed to be a math whiz, but I recently realized that there are twelve XTC albums (not counting the Dukes albums and "Rag n' Bone Buffet," of course). There are also twelve months. I tried to see if I could make each XTC album fit a different month, and I think I might have come up with something. Let me know what you think: http://members.aol.com/GnXn282/rant5-25-02.html (something tells me this theory has already been exercised in the past but I'm going to ignore that little voice for now) Did XTC plan this? Is it just a coincidence? Or am I just a fool with too much time on his hands? Everybody's Pal and Old Sparring Partner, Justin L. Abrotsky PS: Finally found a copy of "Song Stories." Great stuff. Makes me appreciate every album THAT much more. Except for "White Music," which I will always regard as merely decent.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 May 2002 02:33:28 +0000 From: "Paul Culnane" <paulculnane@hotmail.com> Subject: Nothing especially important, but... Message-ID: <F175GoagFe4Kh1ZU3IR00007b7a@hotmail.com> Hi folks Another XTC "sighting": While checking my emails this morning, I had the Sunday footy show, "Boots 'n' All" on TV. Lo and behold, one of the snippets of music they used to go to a commercial break was "Life Begins At The Hop". I thought that was cool. Always good to hear XTC being selected. Makes one wonder who the behind-the-scenes character is who picks these things. NP (yet again): "Maladroit" - Weezer (replete with opening "Nigel" drum pattern and all). I can't think of another group, at least recently, who have fired such an impressive double-salvo (last year's "green" album and now this). Both albums have served heavy-duty time in my CD deck, and will continue to. Can't say that for much other stuff out there at the moment. Recommended to afficionados of crunchy guitar-pop! Another thing: I distilled "Coat" for a friend. Eschewing the album tracks and the previously released singles, I could fit it comfortably onto two 80-min CDs. It misses "Wanking Man" and "Shaving Brush Boogie" but that's not such a loss. I called the set "Shirt Of Many Sleeves". Ain't I a duffer? Paul
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 May 2002 17:22:26 +0000 From: "andy&tina miller" <millersoflondon@hotmail.com> Subject: XTC vs C&C Music Factory mp3 Message-ID: <F84AkTR60oVexDAeys80000920e@hotmail.com> Point your browser at: http://boom.phink.net/approved/stark_effect_-_gonna_make_you_stupid.mp3 There you'll find an mp3 of one of these awfully trendy soundclashes that are all the rage at the minute (eg. Freak Like Me by the Sugababes). It features Stupidly Happy mixed with early 90s dance smash Gonna Make You Sweat by C&C Music Factory. Get it while it's there. There's a link to it - and many, many more of these sometimes-genius, sometimes rubbish remixes - at http://boomselection.n3.net/ Andy
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 07:18:59 +1000 From: "Paul Haines" <prhaines@optushome.com.au> Subject: Another Coat... Message-ID: <000e01c204fa$f3feeaa0$41e231d2@vic.optushome.com.au> Chalkhillians, Finally picked up my 'Coat' (on sale in Paris while on my honeymoon - I'm living in Oz so I gave up waiting to see whether it would be stocked in shops over here - shipping is expensive!). Initial reactions (and I've been following EVERYONE'S comments about this): 1 - not enough new tracks (I already have 5 cds worth of mp3 demo material - particularly stuff not on 'Coat', I was hoping for more of these so I'm hoping 'Fuzzy Warbles' may provide) 2 - Mr Sherwood is too verbose (sounds like he's trying to write like Mr Partridge would, though when he's not doing that it's good reading) 3 - the bloody glue has started peeling off my book too. 4 - I still get a stiffy looking at it, holding it, playing it, loving it... Haines PS Sgt Rock? (ie Culnane) You still lurking out there? Drop us a line - long time no hear.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 08:44:05 -0500 From: "Jamie Lowe" <jamielowe@msn.com> Subject: Conspicuios Articles of Ostentation Message-ID: <005b01c20584$a6028480$01cc2a3f@unlpm> Chalkholders: I am now the proud owner of a Jet Black 330xi and I need your help in selecting a number plate that conveys what a big fan of XTC I am, but without the ecstasy (drug) connection. Something that if you saw it you'd say hey! that guy must be a XTC fan. Illinois law prohibits the intermixing of letters and numbers, or punctuation, or obscene or offensive combinations. yadda, yadda , yadda... But you can get as few as 3 and as many as 7 letters and or numbers. And you must start with letters i.e.; XTC 330. Your ideas are most welcome.... On the plate now are WASP STR, and WAKE UP. Seeking Vanity in Fandom, Jamie Lowe NP: Super Furry Animals "Rings Around the World". If you love XTC you will like this band's music a lot....
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #8-31 ******************************
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