Chalkhills Digest Volume 9, Issue 56
Date: Saturday, 22 November 2003
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 9, Number 56
Saturday, 22 November 2003
Topics:
At least Mandy Moore has made one puppy happy
Greek Slang for Scrotum
Sweatin' to the XTC Oldies
Let me clarify...
Beanz Meanz Fartz
The Wish List Cd
New Andy Partridge interview in Real Audio
the famous sheds
Okay, San Francisco...it's your turn.
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Brass robinettes!
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 20:17:44 -0800 From: "WAYNE KLEIN" <wtdk12@msn.com> Subject: At least Mandy Moore has made one puppy happy Message-ID: <BAY3-DAV122YmXvmmKt00001260@hotmail.com> >From Happy Puppy: I'm going to stick my head above the trenches and say that Mandy Moore's "Coverage" is pretty good. In a year that a lot of new albums have left me severely disappointed (Elvis Costello, I'm looking at you), Mandy's actually surprised me and happily caught me off guard. Moore's album has some nice covers of bands I really like. It's pleasant listening and doesn't offend me as much of the crap on the radio does. Hey, it got my daughter asking about John Hiatt (she was already an XTC fan). As to EC's latest, well it's an acquired taste. My impression was the same as yours at first. I gave it a little rest and tried it a couple of weeks later. Whenever he jumps genres it seems to strike folks this way. Is it a great album? Hard to tell. It's lacking Costello's characteristic witty word play, no guitar riffs (for those who don't know it falls into kind of the Tony Bennett -Jazz -thing). Curiously, what is appealing is that he appears to be singing lyrics straight from the heart. Yes, I know it's part of the genre but it's refreshing to say the least. I miss the old Costello but, well, we all move and try different things. I'll applaud him for that at least. As to the album--it's interesting and I've enjoyed it but it's not as compelling as This Year's Model, Imperial Bedroom or Blood and Chocolate. To expect that, though, would be a little unrealistic this late in Costello's career. Just as it would be a bit unrealistic to expect Andy and Colin to remake White Music, English Settlement, Skylarking or Nonsuch. I'll admit to being a bit surprised when I first heard Apple Venus Volume 1 but also recognized it as part of their continued growth as musicians. That said, I don't expect anyone to love or embrace the album. It's too different from what from his defined style. Give it a couple of months and try it again. Or not. A tangent from Dunks: Big Geoff has come up with what I humbly regard as the best theory of consciousness and brain function yet devised. I heartily recommend his book "The Remembered Present". An easy read it ain't, but you'll come out the other end knowing more about the brain than you ever knew before ... plus it will give you great ammo to use against all those ninnies who argue for the laughable "brain as computer" theory. Thanks for the great book recommendation I'll have to check it out. I've had a long time fascination with the way the brain works (or sometimes doesn't). Happy belated birthday Mr. Partridge! Hope you did something nice for yourself. You've done plenty for us and we, despite our bitching and backbiting, love you for it. >From Roger-- There are two albums out that even though they don't have the greatest of lyrics , are catchy as hell. The first is from Rooney. Some real good pop music. I hear some Cars & Cracker in there. I asked for an opinion on Rooney some time back and posted my response when I picked up the CD a couple of digests back as well. I concur that it's a nice power pop record. Yep, I hear The Cars (particularly in the single I'm Shakin'), ELO and a number of other bands. It's got a couple of power pop gems but lyrically has as much substance as cotton candy. Occasionally I like cotton candy but I've gotta have something with substance now and again. As to the Crash Test Dummies well I thought they ruined Peter Pumpkinhead but was grateful the song got airplay. Any cash and exposure is better than none at all.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 10:14:15 EST From: Hbsherwood@aol.com Subject: Greek Slang for Scrotum Message-ID: <a6.3faf455b.2cea3fc7@aol.com> Dunks malaprops: > I do however have an abiding interest in neuroscience, thanks in large > measure to marvellous writings of Olive Sacks Ah yes! Memory stirs... Wasn't she the neurobiologist whose groundbreaking work in the area of unintentional final-consonant-dropping as indicative of closeted fondness for Eighties Norwegian boy-bands was published in the bestselling popularization, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for A-Ha"? Little-Known Fact: The movie about Olive Sacks, "Awakenings," was scored by none other than that well-known distaff Dada-rocker, Fran Zappa. Harriso "The brain *is* a computer, but its spell-check is broken" Sherwoo
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 12:43:40 -0800 From: "JK in L.A." <jbkxtc@sbcglobal.net> Subject: Sweatin' to the XTC Oldies Message-ID: <00d201c3ad4b$7d6417d0$2360fea9@johnjulie> Just wanted to relay a bizarre moment at the gym last weekend when all of a sudden "Mayor Of Simpleton" came over the gym's speaker system. The gym subscribes to some music service, or something, and they usually play a lot of '60's-'80's typical radio shite, but last Saturday they had gone through some good '80's "New Wave" stuff, Talking Heads "Once In A Lifetime", a really old REM track that I forget what it was, but it wasn't any later than "Reckoning" and then - BAM - there was XTC. It's always such a thrill to hear the lads make a surprise appearance! Hey, has anyone heard the new Dukes track? What's the verdict??? JK
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 17:38:46 -0600 From: "Richard" <rjpa1@comcast.net> Subject: Let me clarify... Message-ID: <000801c3ad63$faff2aa0$04081fac@verisity.com> "They" weren't angry but surprised and a little disappointed so, for those who don't know... King For A Day is a tribute to XTC to comes on _one CD._ There are 134 tracks on the CD encoded in _MP3._ MP3 files can be played on your computer and on some DVD players. As a regular audio CD, it takes up over 5 GB of memory. This would amount to about seven audio CDs. While I would love to be able to offer seven CDs packed with music, in jewel cases, with artwork and postage all for $6.00 (using the domestic example), it simply can't work. I'm not trying to insult but a few people have ordered the "whole set" and then ask me why I only sent one or ordered "all three" and then complained that they are all the same. There is only one. Hopefully, that clears up any misconceptions that are lingering about. As always, if you have questions, ask them. Andy, Colin, Dave and Terry have their copies. Andy called to say that he had received the package but was neck deep in Milk And Honey and wouldn't get to them very soon. BTW, he says The Milk And Honey Band CD will be an enduring classic. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 05:35:59 +0000
From: "Paul Culnane" <paulculnane@hotmail.com>
Subject: Beanz Meanz Fartz
Message-ID: <BAY7-F51zUSxvjPkQTG000193e1@hotmail.com>
Just got this new Multiple Sclerosis charity elpee, "The Wish List" - it's a
decent listen I must say. Steve Somerset who put it together, and features
twice with his band The Shadow Kabinet, has done a fine job, congrats Steve.
There's something here for everyone I'm sure.
However, scrutiny among us Chalkies must obviously focus on the lead-off
track "Open A Can (Of Human Beans) by the 're-formed' Dukes Of Stratosphear.
Well, I don't wanna spoil it for others; see for yourselves. But for me,
it's quite a disappointment. Sure, most of the Dukes elements are there
(fantastic lyrics, backwards guitars, mellotron and such). And Dave does
some lovely things. But it's bereft of soul, it really does sound like each
member has "flown in" his part. The mix is untrue to the original Dukes
ethos, or were they trying this time to replicate, sonically, latter-day
Fabs? ("Let It Be... Naked", I posit?) I for one am a Dukes purist, and
this ain't pure Dukes. Too much Andy for a start. (Okay flame me for such
perceived blasphemy, but I always thought the main singer in the Dukes was
Sir John Johns which is an entirely different proposition). Not the Dukes'
finest moment by a long, er, chalk!
Still, there's much to recommend this CD besides the natural tendency of a
rabid XtC fan to collect the DoS track. The Duffy/Lilac Time thing is a
delight, as are contributions from (former XtC engineer) Phil Thornalley and
fellow-traveller Martin Newell.
To buy this CD would be to support a worthy cause, and my, how quick were
they to send it???!!! Check it out, really, but don't expect anything quite
so bright as, say, "25 O'Clock" from our favourite psychedelic alter-egos.
Burp and brrrrpfffphhhttt! Ah, that's better.
p@ul-of-oz
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 10:45:31 -0800 (PST) From: travis schulz <xtcisadarngoodband@yahoo.com> Subject: The Wish List Cd Message-ID: <20031119184531.37111.qmail@web12301.mail.yahoo.com> I ordered my copy shortly after it was brought to our attention here and still waiting for it to arrive. Can't wait obviously and hoping to get some reviews on it....does the Dukes track stand up to their legacy? I'm sure Martin Newell is in fine form too. Just wondering how long it will take it to arrive from the UK??
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 10:58:19 -0000 From: "Daniel Garrett" <daniel.garrett@bbc.co.uk> Subject: New Andy Partridge interview in Real Audio Message-ID: <05CA5D9F69E8FB49A5A0376A389DD07538F839@bbcxue801.national.core.bbc.co.uk> 20 min Real Audio clip from his recent interview with BBC Radio Swindon's Dan Chisholm. He talks about The Wish List and XTC. Would be great if you were to mention it on your mailing list and in your news section. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/going_out/music/andypartridge.shtml Thanks in advance. -- Daniel Garrett Broadcast Journalist (Online) http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire Tel: 01793 440131
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 15:18:08 -0600
From: William D Sherlock <bdsherlock@juno.com>
Subject: the famous sheds
Message-ID: <20031120.151809.-16518147.0.bdsherlock@juno.com>
Hi all,
http://www.readersheds.co.uk/readersheds/share.cfm
Surely the Swindon lads have something to contribute to this page. Maybe
one of our Wiltshire readers can sneak a picture or two and post them.
Bill Sherlock
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Ben Franklin
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 11:31:55 -0800 From: "Pastula Aaron" <pastula12@hotmail.com> Subject: Okay, San Francisco...it's your turn. Message-ID: <BAY7-F36wbVGkJmiWGx0000239f@hotmail.com> Greetings all, but to all Bay Area C'hillers in particular- If you've been wondering why the UK and L.A. should get all the fun, wonder no more. Clan MacPartridge, San Francisco's best and only XTC tribute band (and the only one named after the bottles of Clan MacGregor whisky that got us through many a rehearsal) is finally ready to hit the boards and make some noise. The gig is Tuesday, December 9th at Kimo's, on the corner of Polk and Pine in San Francisco. Cover is a mere $3, doors open at 9pm, and we should be playing by 9:30 - 9:45. Tunes include a fair selection from Black Sea, English Settlement and Skylarking, among others, with a few unexpected surprises thrown in for good measure (is that redundant? Can surprises be anything but unexpected by nature? And if I mention them, do they then cease to actually be surprises?). It's going to be fun, and we rule. Seriously. You should stop by. Questions? You can email me (Aaron) if you'd like. Otherwise, Hope to see you at the show... Cheers, Aaron, Christopher, Mike and Will
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #9-56 ******************************
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