Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 375
Date: Friday, 9 September 1994
Chalkhills, Number 375
Friday, 9 September 1994
Today's Topics:
Harold Budd's latest project
Random Thoughts
Re: Chalkhills #374
xtc on labour day radio
Random babbling
Re: Odds
Chalkhills and Children and the like...
Various Responses to Chalkhills #374
Re: Chalkhills #374
that kid who adresses Dear God:
New member intro
Amusing Story
from the street to the tree
Martin Newell....Greatest Living Englishman for sale
Introduction
hello recording club??
new RADIO 1 SESSIONS disc
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: m.mccormick2@genie.geis.com Date: Tue, 6 Sep 94 03:07:00 UTC Subject: Harold Budd's latest project Harold Budd already has a new post-Partridge album out.It is called SHE IS A PHANTOM, by Harold Budd & Zeitgeist. Look for it in the classical bins if this sort of thing is your cup of drano. The following is quoted without permission from a review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune by Tom Surowicz: "Zeitgeist is the premeir new-music ensemble of Minnesota, a veteran group with a healthy emphasis on mallet instruments and percussion. Budd is a respected contemporary classical composer from California .... Budd has done some moonlighting with such British rock figures as the Cocteau Twins and Brian Eno. There's an entrancing, nonthreatening accessibility to most of Budd's scores, and "Phantom" ... is no exception. Parts of the work could serve as background music for a David Lynch movie ...."
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Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 00:04:22 -0600
From: mad@interaccess.com (Michael De Bernardi)
Subject: Random Thoughts
I have a few dozen comments on "Dear God" and Blur ...
Actually, someone spoke up in defense of Colin a couple of issues back, and
I wanted to second that thought. While I really love pretty much
everything our boys do, I have to say that I consistently find Colin's
offerings to be the most rewarding on the albums. Granted, he comes up
with a dud every once in a while ("War Dance", 'nuff said), but more often
his songs are simply sublime. Without his beauty to counter Andy's
sometimes-neurotic visions, XTC would simply not be as effective as an
"album band". Of course, this is one man's opinion.
On the subject of "Through the Hill", I have to say that I quite enjoy the
disk and find myself putting it on more and more frequently, particularly
as background music while I do something like iron a shirt or wash the
dishes. What more of a compliment is there?
A question: Does anyone know exactly what is whispered between "The
Affiliated" and "Pale and Precious" on the Dukes' album? I must have
listened to it twenty times and still can't make it out. Also, I heard
(read) someone talking about having a tape of outtakes from the Skylarking
sessions recently and wonder if that person would email me to discuss a
completely unrelated matter :).
Michael mad@interaccess.com
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Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 08:42:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Derek Miner <ind00163@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu>
Subject: Re: Chalkhills #374
On Mon, 5 Sep 1994 Mr. Relph wrote:
> >Enough about what having a kid sing part of Dear God does - does anyone
> >know if the voice was really a kid's (and, if so, who and whose) or if it
> >was A,C, or D voice speeded up?
>
> Definitely a GIRL (not a woman). Not any of XTC, not speeded up.
> It's in fact one Jasmine Veillette, a ten year old American girl (see
> the FAQ for more details).
But one might wonder what kind of eighteen year old American
girl she is now! (At least I do...)
Derek
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: "Smith, Daniel R." <DRS@DC4.HHLAW.COM> Subject: xtc on labour day radio Date: Tue, 06 Sep 94 08:25:00 edt howdee howdee howdee. this labour day weekend, 99.1 WHFS (Washington/Baltimore) played, ahem "the top 500 modern rock songs of *all-time.*" i listened to it extensively because i had drive up to Wilmington, DE on sat, among other opportunities, but it was ok. they ordered it by "votes" and some other stuff like that. i heard "Senses Working Overtime" come in at 86 (which is my lucky number, FYI). Then we were up at Pentagon City shopping mall and we popped in at the Bass shoe store to hear "Dear God" playing. So we stopped and listened in shock. We listened until the end to see if it was some hip "store" tape, but it was the radio on 99.1; "Dear God" was number 44. "Generals and Majors," "Mayor of Simpleton" "Grass" and "Summer's Cauldron" among a handful of others get some decent play-time, considering they [xtc] don't sound at all like the overused pearl jam-nirvana-soundgarden crap they always play. I'm sure "G&M" and "MoS" placed, but I missed it. Anyone? Also, re: "Dear God": Yeah, the lyrics are cheesy, pretentious, but it got an atheist friend of mine to buy _Skylarking._ He's the one who always hacks on me for being an XTC fan (he's big on Depeche Mode). He called me the other day to tell me he just bought _Waxworks_ to get "Generals & Majors," and was pleased that it also had "Senses Working Overtime." He won't admit it, but I think he's getting in over his head. DM doesn't really stand a chance. But hay, more money for the boys...could go towards a new record, eh? Wait until I tell him the _ES_ version of "Senses" is better.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Tue, 06 Sep 94 11:44:32 EDT From: Pete Dresslar <PDRESSL@CMS.CC.WAYNE.EDU> Subject: Random babbling First of all, I want to say that the past week of my enrollment to Chalkhills has been a real pleasure. I'm learning things about Our Heroes that I never knew. And XTC is truly my favorite band. Concerning the Dear God issue, I think if people want to go on writing about it, well, let them. It's our list and we can all be nice and let other people say what they want to say. I have been so far really impressed by the restraint people are using. I think common courtesy is something increasingly lacking out there in the net. Anyway, I think DG is a really impressive song in its passion and conviction. The lyrics make absolute sense to me. But the song isn't about God! It's about organized religion creating a deity which, whether it exists or not, has tremendous effects on the world (mainly bad ones). Having come from a very religious and conservative corner of the world (Grand Rapids, MI, USA), and being married to a right-winger, the song rings very true to me. Well, I've said more than I want to say about that! To spark debate on other subjects, I give you this: The following is the song order I chose for my "ultimate XTC" tape. Perhaps some of you would like to comment on how good or bad my judgement was... Respectable street Love on a farmboy's wages Ballad for a rainy day 1000 umbrellas English roundabout Snowman Life is good in the greenhouse (I now regret this one..) Scarecrow people Travels in nihilon Yacht dance One of the millions Complicated game (flip tape) Mayor of simpleton Desert island No language in our lungs Smartest monkeys Jason and the argonauts Jump This world over Ten feet tall (another weak link, I fear) That wave The world is full of angry young men Dear god (c'mon, it has to be on the tape!) Books are burning The best transition I've ever heard is the one between Nihilon and Yacht Dance; try it sometime... I realize that the lineup has imperfections, but it works for me. Any suggestions? -pete
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: treleven@vms2.macc.wisc.edu Date: Tue, 6 Sep 94 12:57:52 CST Subject: Re: Odds Paul Myers writes: >...Listen, a friend of mine is in a group called the >Odds. Cool pop and interesting lyrics. Do any XTC fans know them. They >have two discs out on the Zoo/BMG label. They have the same management as >Toad The Wet Sprocket. Yes Yes Yes! I have both of their CDs -- great stuff, especially "Bedbugs." Took a harder edge on that one. I met all the boys backstage a couple of years ago at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, Wis. when they opened for/backed up Warren Zevon. I and my (then) girlfriend had a nice chat with Craig Northey and his wife for about 15 minutes or so. That show was pretty much the first I'd heard of them and I was immediately impressed, especially with Steven's version of (I think it was) "Spanish Eyes." Hilarious! Ed
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 16:31:16 -0400 From: "Paul Myers" <pmyers@cmrra.ca> Subject: Chalkhills and Children and the like... Hi, Paul here in Toronto. Now I really want to say something. I finally got a copy of Chris Twomey's book. First I want to warn everyone who hasn't got it yet. Sometimes Mr Twomey's writing style isn't as good as the info he covers, and he's too much into using exclamation points (!) Maybe it's a tribute to the artwork for the ARE YOU RECEIVING ME single with the question mark on one side and the exclamation on the other. But all in all it's a totally enjoyable read and I can't put it down. This brings me to a couple of questions for the digest. How much is the COLONEL single worth? , I have a copy of Too Many Cooks on vinyl 7' and it's in perfect condition. Does anyone know how to get a copy of "Saturn Boy" or any Helium Kidz tapes, or the original Virgin demo. Lastly, can anyone find me a copy of the BBC manor film that was shot around the English Settlement sessions. Some points of interest: In Twomeys book Mary Margaret O'Hara is portrayed as some kind of devout catholic crazy and Andy as a saint. I'm actually a friend of MMO'H and as such I have witnessness (her band etc)to the encounters of Andy and MMO'H and they said it all went down a little differently and that Andy was quite rude to everyone and didn't take Mary seriously. You know I kinda feel like it must be true, I mean Andy IS a genius and it's the Music that matters and you can't say anything to make me not like XTC records but I've heard more than once that Andy does not "indulge" others. Spoiled child etc. Still you gotta love a guy that could write both Ladybird AND Complicated Game. In closing, here's something that I read about Brian Wilson in Adam Currys Cybersleaze. * Ex-BEACH BOYS frontman BRIAN WILSON is making a television documentary. Wilson, the creative force behind 1960s hits GOOD VIBRATIONS and GOD ONLY KNOWS, has returned to the recording studio accompanied by a camera crew >From the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) OMNIBUS programme. The end result should hit TV screens early next year (95). (WNT/KK)
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 17:50:53 -0400 From: "Paul Myers" <pmyers@cmrra.ca> Subject: Various Responses to Chalkhills #374 >Dear God is like an essay. In my opinion, the War Dances and Books- >are-Burningses and Dear Gods that attack a relevant, topical area are >not nearly as interesting as XTC's flights through surreal, associational >words. Some songwriters don't have it in them to think in terms of "fruit >of sweating golden inca" and "striped awnings bright dismay", and the >senses working overtime! They are always going to crank out songs >about God and violation and faith, and devotion, and the policy of truth. >They don't take you places. XTC (especially Andy) are capable of "show, >not tell," using all the nouns and adjectives they know instead of the >same old fifty about love and weather. Imagery and sound that unfolds, >and transports. Yes Kevin, Hear Hear You've managed to eloquently encapsulate the dilemma I'm having with Andy right now. Oh and with regard to >MPL (USA) seeks Swindon lad for voice over on recording targeted for >lucrative children's market. I actually played a part in this. I work for a music publishing agency here in Toronto. One day David Bogart from MPL in New York called me. He is a huge XTC (and They Might Be Giants) fan and had read somewhere that Andy really liked the piece TUBBY THE TUBA. David B is a subscriber to Little Express and recognized me from the Simpletones cover band (I played Andy no less) so he asked me if I could get Pete Dix to call Andy and set up a conference. I last heard that they at least discussed it and that Andy was "interested" Here's one last question, does anyone know what ever happened to Erica Wexler or Debra Robertson?
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: KINDLEY@delphi.com Date: Tue, 06 Sep 1994 18:31:55 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Chalkhills #374 Paul Myers wrote: >Listen, a friend of mine is in a group called the >Odds. Cool pop and interesting lyrics. Do any >XTC fans know them. And I write: Didn't they do that song "Heterosexual Man", which had the Kids in the Hall in the video? Or was that another Odds? - evan.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: KB305@aol.com Date: Tue, 06 Sep 94 19:47:24 EDT Subject: that kid who adresses Dear God: is the then-10-year-old Jasmine Veillette, who indeed was an idea of Todd's. I had always thought, due to the particular inflections, etc., that it was Todd sending Andy's voice through a harmonizer. I find it interesting that this song still stirs people up...
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Wed, 07 Sep 1994 10:14:47 EDT From: GMYT51A@prodigy.com ( ROBERT W BING) Subject: New member intro -- [ From: Robert William Bing * EMC.Ver #2.0.P ] -- I have been reading your list now for about a month. I am a big XTC fan and have all their material. I am also a BIG Tood Rundgren fan. It is my opinion that Skylarking is BY FAR XTC's best recording. In recent interviews with XTC, they even admitted that Todd probably was their best producer even though there was a considerable amount of disagreement at the time of the sessions. I don't understand those of you out there that can't see the fact that Skylarking is the most complete and well contructed work that XTC has ever put out - and thanks to Todd ! After all, the concept of the album was Todd's idea. In fact, Todd still talks about XTC today as one of his favorite bands.I would love to see them work together again. I am interested to see what some of you think !
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From: Dames The Wonder Dog <SPXDLF@CARDIFF.AC.UK>
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 1994 12:44:11 GMT
Subject: Amusing Story
Hello All,
Firstly (it now seems tradition that Blur and/or Dear God get
mentioned in all mailings) I'm glad that opinions of afore mentioned
topics are subsiding (only 50% of the last listing mentioned the
above topics!) because I was beginning to think that we would have to
change the name of this listing to 'Dear' or 'God' or 'Blur' or
something!
I was in 'The New Ely' (a public house in Cardiff, Wales) last
night talking to a friend of mine and Making Plans For Nigel came on
the DUKE (of S) Box.
As normal I said, 'oh listen - XTC aren't they good.'
To this most people reply 'yeah. I like the song, but who are
ecstacy?'
To my surprise Lou said 'I like XTC and I have a compliation CD with
them on'.
Wow! I thought.
'Yeah ', continued Lou, 'its The Best of XTC and Godley and Cream'.
Odd, I thought, I've never heard of that one.
'It's because one of the members of Godley and Cream used to be in
XTC.'
Well, at this I was totally incredulous and expressed my belief in
the nicest possible fashion. Lou was adamant about the CD and
proceed to list a few titles, none of which were XTC. Then I
remembered a time when another of my chums had confused XTC with
10CC.
'You don't mean 10CC do you?' I asked.
'Oh yeah - that's it!', said Lou, 'I wondered why Making Plans For
Nigel wasn't on it.'
!!!!!!!
Has anyone else had experiences similar to this? The two names do
have a letter in common I suppose and if you were drunk and said them
quickly they might sound similar.
This seems typical of the fame that XTC have in Britain: 'Oh yeah,
XTC, they are the band that I got confused with 10CC once.'
One more thing - 'I'm going to take it out on her with my weapon' -
what kind of line is that?!!!
Oh, and another - I wonder if Andy, Dave or Colin have access to this
list and what would they think if they read it. I wouldn't be
suprised if they felt like that popularist writer of his times,
Shakespear, if he was ever to hear what people say about his books in
English classes! Music, and plays, are meant to be enjoyed by
immersing yourself in them, not by disecting them until they lie
around in their component parts. What does a beautiful tree look
like if you take it to pieces - a pile of wood shavings!
But that said, if you enjoy talking about why a certain chord change
or tinkly bell sounds better than another, don't let me stop you, and
I'm sure that I wouldn't have anyway!
Dames TWD.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: Karl J Knack <knackkar@student.msu.edu> Subject: from the street to the tree Date: Wed, 7 Sep 1994 12:56:55 -0400 (EDT) Bob G. wanted to know if anyone had seen the film with "Respectable Street". It is not on the "DOA" film (but that's a greatt documentary), but can be found on the videocassette of "Urgh! A Music War" (which I think is an A&M release). That was my first exposure to the band, and it always makes me sad to think I'll never get to stand in a sweaty crowd to see them. I also want to say that I think the tree locale for the "Dear God" promo is eerily reminiscent of the tree locale in the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" film, which also has similar cinematography. Thanks for receiving me, Karl J. Knack
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Wed, 7 Sep 94 13:02:46 EST From: Why does the sun shine? <JSOLAN@ucs.indiana.edu> Subject: Martin Newell....Greatest Living Englishman for sale I havce an extra copy of The Greatest.....Englishman that I would like to get rid of. I am asking $11.00 PLUS $2.00 for postage. If anyone is interested, please EMAIL me PRIVATELY (dont clutter the list) at: jsolan@ucs.indiana.edu or MrMe@aol.com Thanks, take care, Jason
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Wed, 7 Sep 1994 16:46:37 -0500 (EST) From: david bregande <dbregand@bach.helios.nd.edu> Subject: Introduction I'm hooking up with chalkhills again after a long (2 year) absence. I'm a large scale XTC fan and a small scale XTC collector. I'm most interested in any information on a new album, and if anyone has a phone number for the Little Express so I can restart my subscription. Also, I'd like to hear from any South Bend area fans that I might be able to trade rarities with (esp. the Bull with the Golden Guts, which I missed out on). I look forward to hearingh from chalkhills again, and hope that Andy, Dave, and Colin are hard at work in some studio somewhere.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: "Neil Oliver" <OLIVER@slais.ubc.ca> Organization: SLAIS, UBC Date: Wed, 7 Sep 1994 15:00:51 GM+5 Subject: hello recording club?? Did Andy's Hello Recording Club release ever come out? Would someone who belongs to the club tell me if any of the other releases are any good (I fear I have asked this before but maybe someone will answer) I hate to bring up Blur again but which Blur album was Andy supposed to produce, Parklife or Modern Life is Rubbish? Incidentally, after all the talk about Girls & Boys giving a misleading impression of the album, MLIR kicks off with a great opening track, "For Tomorrow", but then the rest of the album isn't so good; quite the opposite to the new album. For my part, I agree that Girls & Boys is more like early 1980's new wave than disco; the Pet Shop Boys remix, however, is certainly disco and should be avoided at all costs. One track that really sounds like early David Bowie to me is "Jubilee," and "London Loves" owes a large chunk of its arrangement, including the faux Robert Fripp solo, to Bowie's "Fashion." I think the only things that really sound like XTC are the woo-woo backing vocals on "Tracy Jacks" and the skronky, out of tune guitar on "Magic America." But we're not here to talk about Blur, are we? Another new album more pop-oriented fans might like is the new Barenaked Ladies, which includes four songs co-written by Andy producee Steven Duffy from the Lilac Time. It's called "Maybe You Should Drive," and there are some obvious XTC influences, like "Everything Old Is New Again" and the chorus of "Life, in a Nutshell," which bears a suspicious resemblance to "Mayor of Simpleton." It's not as self-consciously goofy as their first record, though its not deadly serious either. I don't know if it's out in the States yet. In the absence of any new XTC product I figure we may as well talk about other bands (though I'm surprised at the lack of discussion of Through the Hill). Many of the best purchases I've made in the last year (Aimee Mann, Martin Newell, Loud Family, Sam Phillips) have been a direct result of this list. It makes sense to me that a group of fans of one band would pass information around about other bands they think XTC-lovers would like. It's more interesting to me than the debate over Dear God vs. Mermaid Smiled, for example, which comes up every two months or so. Anyway, it's great to be back (though not back at school...)
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From: J Ross MacKay <ross@drumz.grdl.noaa.gov>
Subject: new RADIO 1 SESSIONS disc
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 94 7:40:30 EDT
Yesterday I received a flyer in the mail from Music Machine, of Owings Mills,
Maryland, USA. In a large bold font it announced:
==================================================================
XTC
priority customer information
released in England OCTOBER 5th ORDER NOW!
~XTC -THE RADIO 1 SESSIONS~
TRACK LISTING: Opening Speech, No Thugs In Our House, Runaways, You're The
Wish, Poor Skeleton Steps Out, Crosswires, Seagulls Screaming, Real By
Real, Into The Atom Age, Meccanik Dancing, Ten Feet Tall, Scarecrow People,
I'm Bugged, Dance Band, Jason And The Argonauts, One Of The Millions, Roads
Girdle The Globe.
BAND LINE UP: Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Barry Andrews, Terry
Chambers, Dave Grgory.
These songs have been hand picked by the band from the BBC Sessions and
chart their way through the early days of 1977's first album up until
1988's "Oranges and Lemmons"
WITH SLEEVE DESIGN BY ANDY PATRIDGE
IMPORT ONLY COMPACT DISC PRICED $18.00 EACH PLUS POSTAGE
postage and handling:
US - $4.00
Hawaii & Canada - $4.50
Overseas - rates vary
TO ORDER CALL CREDIT CARD HOTLINE 410-356-4567
or send check or money order to
Music Machine
11459 Cronhill Dr. Suite O
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 U.S.A.
==================================================================
BTW, I have *NO* affiliation with this company. I'm just a satified
customer. They're the folks I picked up that nifty biography and the super
deluxe Martin Newell disc from. I called for this one immediately, maybe
that's why I'm a "priority customer";-)
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Note new Web page below. To unsubscribe from the list, send a message to: <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> For all other administrative issues, send a message to: <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> The Chalkhills archives were once available using FTP from "net.bio.net". The Chalkhills home page is available at "http://chalkhills.org/". The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Next stop tower of Babel.
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