Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 80
Date: Thursday, 6 February 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 80
Thursday, 6 February 1997
Today's Topics:
Dead Sprouts
dave gregory LIVE in the UK with "H"
XTCers anti-religion?
More religion.
Spiritually Skylarking
Becki Goes to Smalltown
Fab Foursome in Philly
" Help...I need somebody...."
Re: XTC on MTV
NO SUBJECT
Dear Todd
Interesting turn of events we have here!
My Love Explodes
The mystery of the XTC Video and other random thoughts
King for a Day
Andy Partridge side projects
pink thing
Funk Pop a Whack
XTC Shareware?
Too Weird to be true
Rooftops
Videos: The Downfall of the Modern Age
XTC Phases
Tids n' Bits
White Horse Wounded
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Who cares? You might be dead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 19:06:18 -0500 (EST) From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <ccoolidg@zoo.uvm.edu> Subject: Dead Sprouts Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.91.970204190523.35510H-100000@elk.uvm.edu> Especially for Amanda: You know, sprouts aren't really dead until till you chew on 'em. :-)
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 17:58:03 -0800 Message-Id: <199702050158.RAA05251@barley.adnc.com> From: studio seventeen productions <ambient@adnc.com> Subject: dave gregory LIVE in the UK with "H" This just appeared in the Marillion digest: >To promote the CD, H tours Europe this month, but with what line-up? >'Richard Barbieri will certainly come along, as wil Dave Gregory, >unless XTC hits the studio again. Should that happen, I'll take Aziz >along, a guitarist who also played in The Stone Roses. But I'm quite >positive they'll all come along. first show (in London) at the GARAGE 2/9/97! So it looks like DG really will be on the Hogarth tour........lucky Brits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thought you'd want to know :-) dave & dawn at studio seventeen * * * * * * * * * * * * you can't teach ducks to dance (Consequences/Godley & Creme) visit: http://www.adnc.com/web/ambient/index.html seventeen: the ambient music page
------------------------------ Date: 04 Feb 97 21:20:47 EST From: "K. Forster" <103124.351@CompuServe.COM> Subject: XTCers anti-religion? Message-ID: <970205022047_103124.351_JHG73-2@CompuServe.COM> >Are most Chalkhillers >non religious? I guess I sort of assumed that, since I feel this song, one >of the best and biggest hits, is so anti-God/religion (That, and the way >Peter P. showed the Vatican what gold's for) Well, for my two cents, I'm certainly not anti-God or anti-religion; I have a certain amount of skepticism about the questionable activities human beings get up to when they convince themselves one way to live (theirs) is the only way. And that's not God's fault. Organized religion is a human construct, after all, and we are eminently and inevitably fallible... I appreciate "Dear God" because it's painfully poignant for me. It rings with those (mercifully rare) moments when I lose faith in humankind and wish Someone overhead would just reach out and smack us. But (I think) God, or at least some abstract force of the "good" we're capable of, is in us...and the responsibility for the good and bad things in this world is all ours. I think perhaps Andy appreciates that. But what do I know? Kat
------------------------------ Date: 04 Feb 97 21:24:01 EST From: "K. Forster" <103124.351@CompuServe.COM> Subject: More religion. Message-ID: <970205022400_103124.351_JHG73-3@CompuServe.COM> > If you are comfortable with your religious beliefs, why would Andy >Partridge's opinion (or anyone else's for that matter) be of any >consequence? Precisely my thought, although I know when something is important to a person it's very painful to hear it seemingly denigrated... Ah well, it's a big strange world and we can only do our best. Kat
------------------------------ Date: 04 Feb 97 21:37:59 EST From: "K. Forster" <103124.351@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Spiritually Skylarking Message-ID: <970205023759_103124.351_JHG73-4@CompuServe.COM> >But, seen in a larger context, what about the sentiments of Seasons Cycle, >where our beloved AP expresses great wonder at hills ayonder, the baby and >his umbiLIcal etc. I have always heard that as a spiritual song, clearly >there is wonder and amazement at the beauty of life in AP You know, it's funny, but listening to the first side of Skylarking is almost a mystical experience with me. Right from Summer's Cauldron I'm soaking in joy...although, truthfully, I don't care that much for Grass or The Meeting Place, I'm just waiting to giggle my way through That's Really Super, Supergirl and then *really* get happy with 1000 Umbrellas (which is ridiculous, it's lyrically a life sucks song! but I simply luuuuve the tune!) and of course Season Cycle, which I turn way up and my soul just dances along. Side 2 I don't always listen to, although it completes the circle the first side began...I'm one of those annoying optimists who's not so into sad songs unless I'm in the right morose mood. Enough rhapsodizing, I guess. :) But sometimes I just can't help myself! Kat
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 16:18:22 +0900 (JST) Message-Id: <199702050718.QAA07559@japan.co.jp> From: mikewix@japan.co.jp (Michael Wicks) Subject: Becki Goes to Smalltown At 7:55 PM 97.2.4 -0800,Tim K. wrote: > Has anyone out there been able to figure out what Colin > is singing during the last chorus of "Smalltown" ??? > > It's around the point when Andy is singing "crouching in the > valley". I know the second line Colin sings right after that > is "If it's all the same, to you" but what is he singing before that ??? > (This has been bothering me for years ... well, not bothering me, > I love listening to it, I just wish I could make out the line.) I've always heard it as either "searching 'round for things to do", or perhaps "such a lot of things to do". Cool vocals, though. Adds so much to the song! A very perky Colin, there! And a great big Kudos and Congratulations! to becki , for her "Dream Team" Session with Senors Gregory y Partridge.Wow! To us Chalkhillians, I guess it would be like that guy who kicked that $1,000,000 field goal at the NFL Pro Bowl last weekend...damn! Reserve me a copy of that one! -Michael W.
------------------------------ From: a.de.koning@bpa.vnu.com Message-ID: <C1256435.002F4F1E.00@bpa.vnu.com> Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 09:50:15 +0200 Subject: Fab Foursome in Philly Chalks, Last sunday I picked up a copy of 'Fab Foursome In Philly' at a record fair. I already have a copy myself so I picked it up to make someone on this list happy. It's a 74 minutes bootleg CD, with good sound (a bit trebly). If you're looking for this, send me email with your trades (it doesn't need to be obscure stuff). Andre de Koning a.de.koning@bpa.vnu.com
------------------------------ Message-ID: <32F85E69.534D@virgin.net> Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 10:20:38 +0000 From: peter.wright2@virgin.net (peter.wright2@virgin.net) Subject: " Help...I need somebody...." Dear All, Looking back on my two ( so far )contributions to 'Chalkhills' in #76/#77 , I would forgive you all for for thinking " poor guy - what a loser ". But honestly, I'm a very happy and well-rounded individual. Well almost.... For years I've been (blasphemy !) a simple XTC fan , as opposed to you guys who I would describe as 'devoted' XTC fans. And let me tell you, since subscribing to the Digest, I am a very jealous man. You see , my total commitment to the band was to buy the albums on day of release. I thought this was all there was. Until one day last year , that is. Purely by chance, I found a copy of the XTC biography in a second hand bookstore in London. Once I began to read I found it hard to put down until it was all gone ! Suddenly I needed to get deeper into the band. Then I got " internetted-up " and discovered Chalkhills Digest and you lovely people . Thats when the inadequacy kicked in . I realised I was a mere baby compared to you devotees . You all have demos and videos of the band . Some of you even chat to Andy and Dave ! I have a long,long way to go and I am hoping you will help me out . Can anyone out there find it in their hearts to somehow let me get some copies of the demos and/or videos ? I really wouldn't know where to start otherwise. From the response I got to my Dukes question in Digest#77, I know there are some really generous individuals out there and I hope some of you will take the time to bring me up to speed on XTC. Heres hoping, inadequately , Pete.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <s2f84cad.061@dictaphone.com>
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 09:03:33 -0500
From: Tim Kendrick <TKEN@dictaphone.com>
Subject: Re: XTC on MTV
Mike W asked:
> ANYWAYS, the performance itself seemed live;
> no lip-synching as far as I could tell.
> Of course, it was taped for AL's show, and, at the end,
> there was this wild (canned, of course) applause,
> with Weird AL shrieking, "Let's hear it for X-T-C!".
> That's where my snippet of the tape ends, only
> to be segued to a video for Mayor of Simpleton.
> Does anyone else remember/know of the above performance?
Yes, it was originally for an MTV show called "The Big Show",
later to be called "The Yahoo Serious Big Show". I have it on
tape as well. And that wasn't canned applause - it was a live
audience of about 100 people. Andy said afterwards that if he
had known there were going to be that many people there, he
wouldn't have agreed to do it. This was recorded live during the
time of the O&L radio tour.
I wish I had known sooner that they were going to be on ... I would
have hopped on a train to NYC to see them. It was just luck that
I was watching the begining of the show and they said XTC would
be their musical guest. I went wild and immediately put a tape into
my VCR for taping. It was a great performance by the guys !!!
Tim K.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199702051428.GAA03823@sgi.sgi.com> Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 09:20:52 EST From: "Todd Bernhardt" <tbernha@columbiaenergy.e-mail.com> Subject: NO SUBJECT From: mikewix@japan.co.jp (Michael Wicks) >I have this video, don't know if any of you have seen it (or remember seeing in in '89), where Weird Al had this show/segment on MTV. He sat behind this desk a la Leno/Letterman. Like a spoof on late night talk-show hosts. Anyways, he introduces XTC while holding up a copy of Oranges and Lemons... <snip> at the end, there was this wild (canned, of course) applause, with Weird AL shrieking, "Let's hear it for X-T-C!". < Mike, is this for real or RU yanking our chains? I seem to remember seeing one of his "AL TV" shows on EmTeeVee and didn't remember any performances by other musicians. From: Alex.Stein@HBO.com >Obviously, he'd do "Dear Todd," in which a music fan addresses the once-popular artist, decrying the state of modern pop, while millions of "Todd is Godd"-heads wait in vain for a response from the SKYLARKING producer. This would give Al the chance to spoof different musical genres that are currently in vogue.< I think we have a winner.... From: becki digregorio <ziglain@cruzio.com>: <incredible, awesome story about the accessibility and musical generosity of Mssrs. Gregory and Partridge> Wow. Completely cool. Put me down for a CD. Something tells me, after a story like that, that you may have 1,000 or so orders on your hands... :^) BTW, Becki mentioned The Little Express (and yes, I remember that picture!) -- anyone know what's up with TLE? June? Pete? Are you out there? No hurry, just concerned that we haven't seen one of your excellent issues in a while... From: varga@ferndown.ate.slb.com (Stephen Varga): >Several times every day on Talk Radio UK, they advertise the Freephone number 0500 105389, and in the background you can hear Terry Chambers classic drum intro for Making Plans for Nigel.< How long does the bit run? If I'm not mistaken, you're allowed to nick about 7-10 seconds of a song without having to pay the artist (or ASCAP or BMI) for it. Anyone else know the details? From: tonikuo@ms10.hinet.net: >Hey, I AM a critical bastard, I admit it. Spewing as I have in this posting clearly shows that this Swindon band's got some meat to it, huh?< Careful with those mentions about meat, Don! Just ask AMANDA what can happen when you touch on that subject... :^) From: sharedon@bmw.mbcc.mass.edu (Don): >i've heard from quite a few folks who had money taken from them by Erik Anderson supposedly to receive dubs of XTC videos - myself included.< I've also seen a bunch of posts about this, but feel compelled to admit that Erik sent me my video a couple of months after I sent the check. Who else received theirs? I remember seeing posts from Erik saying that he was working on it -- perhaps he's run into hard times and been prevented somehow from completing the orders. I somehow doubt that someone looking to pull off a money-making scam would choose to fleece hapless XTC fans for, what was it, $13 each? Anyone heard from Erik lately? Finally, John Thomas' brother Bob ( ;^) suggested Bob Mould for producer. Verrrry interesting. As I slipped Workbook into the tape deck this morning for the drive to work, I was reminded how similar I sometimes think Bob M and Andy P are. I think this is actually a partnership that could work -- he has the sensitivity to produce the acoustic CD and he could help the band really kick some reality up the arse on the electric one! That's it. Time for work. ByeBye!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <32F8D2E2.62BA@sprintmail.com> Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 10:35:14 -0800 From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com> Subject: Dear Todd Folxtc, >> Which XTC songs do you think he could poke fun at? >Obviously, he'd do "Dear Todd," Great! Definitely an inside joke, but I could just hear him: "Dear Todd, sorry to disturb you but, I feel that I should be heard loud and clear We all want a new XTC CD this year And all the groups that you produced in your image See them dying on the vine 'cause the music is so sublime From Todd Did you choose the songs and the sequences? Did you disrespect Andy after he disrespected you? And the "Gregsy" too?" Mike "Every XTC Record, From 'Science Friction' to 'Books Are Burning' is great." Stormy Monday , circa 1993
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 10:24:52 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Interesting turn of events we have here! Message-id: <01IF1XJ4OA608WXNV4@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Okay, here's the deal. I tried to forward a real nasty letter I got from Rojer directly to the list so that you guys could see what I have to put up with. (Actually, I'm glad I didn't because my snappy response to Rojer seems to have triggered some respect on his part.) ANYWAY, I was informed by John Relph that it is impolite to forward w/o permission. All I have to say to that is oh well, oh hell. Strange Weird All stuff we're getting, eh? Man does Mark Strijbos seem like the angel on my shoulder right now. Video observations....... Now that I look at it, it DOES look like Colin's doing a bit of tossing off for the camera. (Well not REALLY tossing off, but you know what I mean.) I'm very glad Dave decided not to keep the beard circa 1980. It doesn't look right when your facial hair is more than a shade lighter than the hair on your head. (See Respectable Street) Later, Amanda TODAY STARTS A NEW TRADITION! I will start putting funny taglines instead of songs and lyrics. These are all not controversial and I find are pretty damn inocuous. Death is God's way of telling you not to be such a wise-ass. You have the right to free speech, as long as you're not dumb enough to try it.-The Clash Nietzsche is dead-God. Puberty is when you separate the men from the boys....sometimes with a crowbar. God is perfect, man is not. Man made liquor, God made pot. "A Canadian? What's that?" "Sort of like an American without a gun."
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=KPS_Group._Inc.%l=KPSINF-NT040-970205165138Z-994@kpsinf-nt040.KPSGROUP.COM> From: "Purnell, Vernon" <VePurne@kpsgroup.com> Subject: My Love Explodes Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 10:51:38 -0600 Folks, my crime was making a civil plea for courteous behaviour on the list. (Definition of courteous: "characterized by gracious consideration towards others." That does not translate into being PC.) Response? Shrieking scorn and sour ridicule. Chalk it up to naivete on my part -- the shrill will, unfortunately, prevail. XTC song of the day: Cut It Out Love and kisses, Vernon (from the woodwork)
------------------------------ From: McGREGOC <McGREGOC@regents.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 17:30:26 GMT Subject: The mystery of the XTC Video and other random thoughts Message-ID: <7EDBEF6B5D@asdf011.regents.ac.uk> Hello! Michael Wicks mentioned XTC doing a performance on Weird Al's show in '89, I think. Well, When I was in Boston I went to this great second hand record/CD shop called The Myster Train that also sold videos. As I was purusing the Videos I came across an XTC compilation video at that moment my eyes glazed over and suddenly I was standing out in front of the shop(I'm going somewhere with this, be patient) with video in hand! when I got to do a proper run through of the tape, there was the band performing on Weird Al's show. I have the full length of their appearance on the show on said video. The bad thing is I'm now in the UK and the tape is at home in the states, sitting in my footlocker waiting to come here, which I found out is useless on the VCRs here anyway,*sigh*. I've seen it. I have to admit I was rather shocked at the response about the Prefab Sprout song that was going through my head. Thanks for all who responded. The funny thing is, is that I was kinda making fun of the ones who list out songs for the day! I just was being silly. Nothing new there! I was singing along to The Big Express and stumbling through it as normal, when I realized I kept trying to change the lyrics in some songs. It was as if I expected either Colin or Andy to sing something different. Have you ever been singing along and expect to hear a different lyric than what is used? For example, everytime I hear "You're the Wish (You Are) I Had, when he is doing the descriptive part of she had your eyes , hair,etc. I keep wanting to sing "She had your nose your eyes your lips, etc. I guess I'm doing a full discription like for the police! It makes me laugh everytime. I do it with other songs too. I get myself all geared up "I'm not going to mess it up this time (like my career depended on it!)" and I still manage to mess it up. Oh well. I suppose I have muddled around here enough....... BUT before I end this post, since you all seemed to enjoy the challenge of "name that song"...... Can you name the group that had a song on their album called "I Kissed a Spikey Fridge"? I had the tape in '85 but I some how lost the tape and forgot the name of the band as well. Its been dancing in my thoughts lately. So as not to clog chalkhills with this trivia, just e-mail me privately if you plan to respond. The challenge is on! And thus ends another baffling post from yours truly, Cheryl
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=Tencor%l=EXCHANGE/HUB/000F9664@milxbh01.tencor.com> From: "OEHLER, ALAN" <ALAN.OEHLER@tencor.com> Subject: King for a Day Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:04:00 -0800 Mike W.-- Not that it helps you track it down or anything useful, but I remember seeing that segment. I used to have this job where I'd be in all sorts of places to do some three-day trainings and the only thing there was to do for entertainment was watch TV in the hotel room. This was my only chance to see MTV since I didn't (and still don't, for that matter) have cable at home. I would usually watch it while getting dressed for work in the morning, sometimes before or after a HBO movie or guitar practice in the evening, and when lucky I would occasionally catch the odd interesting bit in a sea of stultifying mediocrity. Well, what to my wondering eyes should appear one day but Andy, Colin, and Dave, strumming acoustic guitars and singing "King for a Day?" I don't recall what program it was part of but Weird Al's show rings a bell (gaawd, was that show dreadful!!!) I remember being a bit disappointed in the performance -- seemed awkward, maybe under-rehearsed, and a little out-of-tune, like a bunch of guys who hadn't played in front of people for a decade and were trying hard not to try too hard. I did hope it was the precursor to a real tour one of these days, a hope which sputtered for a while and then died away again. --Alan Oehler
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 11:31:02 -0700 From: Craig Larson <Craig_L@TSJC.CCCOES.EDU> Subject: Andy Partridge side projects Message-id: <01BC1358.11EFA8A0@LarsonC.tsjc.cccoes.edu> I'm really enjoying the discussion on this list. As a result, I've been listening to my XTC CDs a lot more frequently than I sometimes do. Plus, all this discussion of new product and demos has me salivating for more. I'd like to toss out a question for all you list members: what do you think of Andy's side projects? I guess I'm thinking of his collaborations with Harold Budd and Martin Newell. Are they worth my time? Would they help to fill the void until a new XTC release? Are they totally, completely different? And on a side note, could anyone tell me of a source for demos from the new album(s)? Thanks, Craig Larson Trinidad, CO
------------------------------
From: Sarah_Diamond@email.rhinorecords.com
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 11:01:43 PST
Message-Id: <9701058551.AA855169131@email.rhinorecords.com>
Subject: pink thing
From: Natalie Jane Jacobs <gnat@umich.edu>
I can't defend "Bungalow," but again, I'm curious about what you found
objectionable about "Pink Thing." Too crude? Too silly?
From: tonikuo@ms10.hinet.net
I'm tired of penile topics as well.
I remember reading an interview with Andy back when Ping Thing came
out, in which he stated that, contrary to overwhelming belief, the
song was written about his new-born child (son?). If you check out
the lyrics, it all makes sense. I certainly prefer to think about the
song in this manner.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <v01510104af1e71059b56@[204.188.73.172]>
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 09:23:45 -1000
From: jimsmart@hula.net (Jim Smart)
Subject: Funk Pop a Whack
I just heard Funk Pop a Roll for the first time, and it was like being
electricuted! I had been listening to Mummer a lot, but because my life is
so hectic, I had never made it all the way to the end! When I finally did,
I did a complete double take, turned up the volume, stopped what I was
doing, and played it three times in a row.
<<W H A C K ! !>>
There, I've head butted my computer monitor, to punish myself for living
without this song for so long.
Ouch.
BTW, if you like Funk Pop a Roll, you should get some old Adrian Belew
stuff...
Ah HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Jim
Jimsmart@hula.net
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Anotherwords*
"Very funny, Scotty. Now beam me my clothes!"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------------------------------ Message-ID: <32F907DA.39C7@myself.com> Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 14:21:14 -0800 From: Ira Lieman <ira@myself.com> Subject: XTC Shareware? Trent Turner had a good idea: > The other half of that is, if one possessed a demo/release/bootleg > recording and a mechanism was in place for legitimately obtained > 'share-music', then because of the kind and gentle nature of most if not all > of XTC's listeners, the band could also receive remuneration for that as > well. Yeah, and monkeys might fly out my butt. :) I don't think there's anything legal or possible about that. We'll look at that as if they were software developers. They're really not worried about an individual person copying someone else's copy of "Program X," but they get worried when a COMPANY or such distributes a copy through illegal means to a whole bunch of people. That's where they make the bulk of their money. So, because XTC recorded or performed the music I don't think they're losing sleep over individuals who get a demo recording or what have you, it's when it's bulk-posted that makes it get hairy. Now, if the Little Express was to strike a deal with the band to distribute more stuff... -ira "If toys are quarreling amongst themselves, What hope is there now for the world?"
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=AETNA%l=AETNA/AETNA/00350C25@aetna.aetna.com> From: "Witter, Karl F" <witterkf@aetna.com> Subject: Too Weird to be true Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 14:37:00 -0500 Weird Al & XTC: Al can't parody the "today's smash single" for XTC. I can imagine a take-off *about* the band. Some ideas in good, yet twisted, fun: >[Alex Stein says, "How about 'Dear Todd'"] Good idea, mine was similar: A new lyric praying for enough commercial sales & airplay that XTC can leave Swindon. (Considering the song's notoriety in the USA, Skylarking as their 1st gold record here, and how his name rhymes with the Almighty, "Dear Todd" practically rolls off the tongue.) "Senses Working Overtime" recreated, about how all the other pop acts are so thick and mediocre by comparison, but wallow in undeserved fiduciary reward and chart placement. Or, a song directing the listener to their Gutenberg bible, a scrip of The Canterbury Tales, and an original Kama Sutra (not English translation) to get the obscure literary, historical, artistic and sexual references. Maybe for "Peter Pumpkinhead"? Think I'm going *north* for the winter (to strap on the skinny skis), Karl
------------------------------ Message-Id: <032FE32F8E70B001*/c=no/admd=telemax/prmd=dagbladet/o=/s=Erlandsen/g=Egil/@MHS> Date: 05 Feb 1997 21:01:15 +0100 From: "Egil Erlandsen" <Egil.Erlandsen@dagbladet.no> Subject: Rooftops Somebody wrote in Chalkhills: While we're at it, I seem to recall that Andy was very impressed by the >first Blue Nile LP, "A walk across the rooftops". I read in an interview >that they were among his favourites. If you happen to come across their >records, give 'em a try, they contain incredibly simple and deep pop songs. Right you are! Andy Partridge was interviewed by Norwegian state broadcast rock frontman Harald Are Lund in his programme "Radioscopet", concerning the newly released Skylarking - it must have been in 1986. I still remeber Andy's exact words about Blue Nile's "A Walk Across the Rooftops": "They have made one of the best records, ever!" (stressing the last word, evvvah) Asked by Harald Are Lund whether he had been listening a lot to the Beach Boys while making Skylarking, Andy admitted this, and replied: "If we're stealing, we're stealing from the best!" Harald Are Lund still makes great radio programmes. I wonder when Andy's going to make another great record? Greetings from Oslo, Norway egil.erlandsen@dagbladet.no
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01550102af1e9a593be1@[146.6.72.30]> Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 14:40:29 -0600 From: h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu (jason garcia) Subject: Videos: The Downfall of the Modern Age Well, well, well. >He and I agree, then. I can't stand videos. Amen, brother. These days, people seem to be pushing for a greater melding of the two media (music & video) and saying that soon, everything will be on laserdisc and we'll be reading along in 50 page booklets while we listen to the music, for the COMPLETE audio-visual experience...hogwash, I say. As far as I'm concerned, a video exists for the sole purpose of familiarizing the audience with the artist's looks and mannerisms (some people would call this "hype"). That's why I hate videos that don't feature the artist prominently. R.E.M.'s "Orange Crush" comes to mind here. Videos to me are and should be no more than an advertisement for a song. Seen any of the Beatles' "film clips"? Those are *perfect*. > I'd like to end on this note- C flat. Aha! But as anyone who reads music knows, C-flat doesn't actually exist-- it's B! This, obviously, renders your entire argument invalid! (You realize, of course, that I'm Kidding, with a capital K). >Perhaps "Making Lunch For Nigel"? And if young Nigel says he's hungry... And to Ms. Digregorio-- Rock On, and know that I, for one, am deeply jealous. BUT, we must continue to dream... Jason
------------------------------ Message-ID: <32F8F3B4.28D4@swipnet.se> Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 21:55:16 +0100 From: Ulrika & Magnus Fredholm <fredholm@swipnet.se> Subject: XTC Phases I've done a little thinking (not much, mind you, just my usual one thought of the day) while catching up on chalk. The idea goes like this: How many phases have XTC passed through? In my humble opinion, there are only three, White Album to Drums & Wires, Black Sea to Oranges and Lemons and finally Nonsuch. I'll not try to name those, but I'll try to explain the differences. When listening to the early albums, it's like being a kid again. I can actually remember smells and emotions present when I first heard the record. Funny, it's always summer and I'm never happy;-). Anyway, the big stretch from Black Sea to Oranges and Lemons can be argued on many levels, but for me they fit together. All these albums have been like glue, holding the years togeteher. (Oh no, I'm slipping...) Hard to explain, but it's like "Whatever happens, there'll be a new XTC album to look forward to". Finally, there's Nonsuch. That is just a brilliant record right now, but I'm pretty sure we'll hail it as one of the most important albums of this century. (Please don't give me any crap about The Beatles, because given the choice I'd go XTC 10 out of 10). Any thoughts? One more thing... I saw Steve Earle live yesterday. Just a man in his forties, with no band, looking like Elvis in -77 and playing his own songs. What a rush! Goose bumps for 2 hrs! Anyone interested in great songwriters should check him out. And if you say "Man, I hate that country shit" I can only relate what SE said: "If Garth Brooks plays country, I don't." 'Nuff said. Good night, suckers
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Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 10:44:37 PST
From: "Sean Robison" <sean_robison@cpsmtp.CP.Disney.com>
Message-Id: <9701058551.AA855189893@cpsmtp.cp.disney.com>
Subject: Tids n' Bits
I faintly remember someone mentioning the following album. This little
blurb is in the Feb 97 issue of ICE:
"In 1980, former Mott the Hoople keyboardist Morgan Fisher assembled a
who's who of avant-garde artists to create Miniatures. The album,
which boasts 51 tracks all clocking in at 60 seconds or less, features
participation by eccentrics such as The Residents, Robert Wyatt, Neil
Innes (of Bonzo Dog Band and Rutles fame), Robert Fripp and XTC. Also
making an appearance are The Ramones. Resurgence/Caroline reissues the
disc on February 11."
It's comforting to know we enjoy such an eccentrically avant-garde
band...
As for Yankovitching XTC.... "We're only drinking tons of Nyquil/To
help us get a stunning buzz..."
Sean
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19970206021433.006b8990@mail.sonyinteractive.com> Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 18:14:33 -0800 From: Bob Estus <bestus@intergate.sonyinteractive.com> Subject: White Horse Wounded Kind chalkfolk, On the subject of video nuances. There was a performance of "Ball and Chain" on some unknown to me video variety show circa 1982-83 (tape labled xtc vol.2), where our list's hallowed horsey was, for lack of a better word, emasculated. During the E.S. tour the Uffington Horse was displayed prominently on stage at all performances. This lip sync of "Ball and Chain", expressing sentiments of pro preservation, was supported by a backdrop of large cardboard horse renditions. My problem = the way the horses were reproduced for this show. All the cardboard horses were running the wrong way and had their eyes gouged out, but this was not the worse offence. The original designer of the White Horse showed masterful economy of brush stroke when describing one of two hind legs and the horse's phallus in a single stroke. This limb(s) was redrawn for this show robbing it of it's original potency. It's hard to believe that this ancient work would need to be sensored to fit some BBC standard. I'd've thought Andy with his heightened design sense would have noticed the castration of his favorite artifice, a symbol he considers his home town emblem (the horse that is). Maybe I'm being to sensitive, you be the judge. I've sent John a video grab pastiche for the archive (see figure "Wounded Horse"). Save our british heritage, -Bob
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-80 ******************************
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