Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 386
Date: Wednesday, 19 October 1994
Chalkhills Digest, Number 386
Wednesday, 19 October 1994
Today's Topics:
Re: Ultradisc of ES, not Skylrk
Bungled Oh - pening
Hello to you all
Isn't the new (old) stuff almost out?
Greetings!
Newbie fan
RE: What is a "hook?"
Re: Chalkhills Digest #385
Hooks
Bungalow
Bungalow
the covers game
Intro....new subscriber
Bungalow
introductions & salutations
Intro
XTC - Drums & Wireless (new XTC release)
black sea cd quirk
playing hooky
cds for sale
introduction
undercover
XTC/ecstasy
Re:What is a hook?
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Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 10:08:20 PDT
From: John Relph <relph@presto.ig.com>
Subject: Re: Ultradisc of ES, not Skylrk
Brandon K Snavely <bksst6+@pitt.edu> writes:
>
> ES is in GREAT need of remastering; the Geffen USA release
>is full of hiss and the recording level is low. You can especially hear
>this on Waxworks, as the recording quality decreases and the hiss
>increases from "Sgt. Rock" to "Senses WO".
Let's get something straight between us: the versions of "Sgt. Rock"
and "Senses" used on the _Waxworks_ collection are the SINGLE
versions. They have been edited (missing two of my favourite lines in
"Senses") and thus are at least one more tape generation removed from
the original album masters. I would be willing to bet that THAT is
the source of the additional noise.
-- John
------------------------------ From: Tim Szeliga <tim@snow.nohrsc.nws.gov> Subject: Bungled Oh - pening Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 12:33:48 CDT Other than that really horrid opening "Bungggggg gallow", repeated toward the end, its not a bad song, merely horribly arranged. Don't know whether the blame goes to Moulding, Partridge or Dudgeon. The chord progression is quite nice, leading to "saving it it all up for you". Maybe an Unplugged version would be better. Tim Szeliga
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:12:55 -0600 From: phawley@wri.com (Patrick Hawley) Subject: Hello to you all I'm very happy to be a part of the XTC group. Any carrying on about them from me would be quite redundant, I'm sure, so just let me say that I look forward to every "Issue" of Chalkhills and to your stunning insight and attention to detail- as well as very objective discussions. Thanks, Patrick
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 14:06:15 EDT From: Pete <PDRESSL@CMS.CC.WAYNE.EDU> Subject: Isn't the new (old) stuff almost out? Didn't someone say the new CD would be out in October? Or was it November? Forgive me, I forget, and I would rather not miss it... even tho' it's just gonna be old stuff. On an unrelated note, the one non-standard non-album XTC item I have ever purchased (I being rather miserly in character, I suppose) is the CD single of Peter Pumpkinhead. To be honest, I was dissapointed, as the CD had only one track I hadn't heard - Always Winter Never Xmas (demo), which was ok but hardly enough to justify 7 bucks. There was also the demo of My Bird, and the album version of Smartest Monkeys (I was hoping for the Jam & Lewis remix ;) , but again, I wasn't quite thrilled. I am assuming that it is about the least rare piece of material by XTC (and thus the least valuable trade bait). As such, I have not bought other singles. Still I feel unfulfilled. What else is out there that I _must_ acquire? What songs am I missing big by owning only the albums? And how do I get 'em? Boy, let's face it, I'm dying for some new material by Our Heroes... I'd probably pay 25 bucks for the next new album. Oops, I hope they aren't reading this... -pete dresslar pdressl@cms.wayne.cc.edu wayne state university in the heart of detroit, michigan *zing* whew, that bullet was close...
------------------------------ From: KLEEDAWG@aol.com Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 14:39:26 -0400 Subject: Greetings! Greetings from Oakland, Cantaffordyuh! I just joined Chalkhills so here's my intro letter. I first heard of XTC in 1982 when from some friends of mine in Montana (where I grew up) had a band that played Respectable Street. I was intrigued by Black Sea's and Go 2's album covers. I took a while, but I fell in love with GO2, then the rest. They've been my favorite band ever since (and I'm certain always will be) Perhaps this is a controversial suggestion, but in a way I have some hopes that XTC would call it quits. You know, quit while they're ahead. Don't get me wrong, I like O & L and Nonsuch, and I like how they've "grown" over the years, but they have put out a few less than brilliant songs (Bungalow, Rook) and tend to be too "clean & perfect" as to lose some of their soul . I'm sure I'll love them forever and continue to buy everything they put out but I like the fact that they are exploring side projects more than ever. I really like the Martin Newell thing. I just don't want them to become tainted like Gang of Four or The Clash have been for me.
------------------------------
From: ST67S@Jetson.UH.EDU
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:59:25 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Newbie fan
Hello from a citizen of Simpleton:
I hope this little message comes as no intrusion, but in
case it does, I will try to keep it short. I read about Chalkhills
in a book called the NetGuide, which hypes itself as a TV guide to
"what's on in the net!". So far, few of the addresses I've tried
are still in service I haven't tried that many yet).
(I haven't tried that many yet).
I am very happy that this one is, since I have little or
no access to info on the group and can't seem to find any bootlegs
out where I live (not surprising, I guess, considering AP's refusal
to play live, but nevertheless, I can't find any old stuff either).
I became fascinated by XTC after hearing (Horrors!) Dear God.
I realize that to many casual listeners, this is the only bloody
song likely to be associated instantly with the band. But hey,
It doesn't matter whether you get to heaven on a crowded bus or
by taxi, the point is, you still get there.
Thanks for reading my windy intro. I look forward
to sifting thru the digest and getting to know my new comrades.
-gary
------------------------------ From: BSHIPKIN@cornell-iowa.edu Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:21:49 -0500 (CDT) Subject: RE: What is a "hook?" Sir Greg: A "hook" is a repeated series of a couple notes, over similar, identical, or completely different harmonies. (Who's the music major ;) ) In XTC-esque terms, listen to "Life Begins at the Hop," and early (and fairly rudimentary) example of a "hook" or "riff." The beginning lead guitar is only three notes, but it's genius. "No Thugs in Our House," "My Bird Performs," and frankly, most of Andy's songs, use hooks. Hope I could be of help. -Brian Shipkin bshipkin@cornell-iowa.edu "And how they'll be jealous of both of us..."
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 14:29 EST From: Jeffrey Langr <0005392548@mcimail.com> Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #385 From: Steve Levenstein <70750.1117@compuserve.com>: SL> It's an elaborate production for a 7-inch single (VS 490), SL> and on the Bee side you get "Chain of Command", "Limelight", and SL> "Over Rusty Water". Ahhh, those were the days... XTC has put out SL> more neat singles then any other band, am I wrong? That's one of my favorite 7" packagings. I wish they'd release all these 7" singles as CD-3's (or even CD-5 singles), though, with as close to the original packaging as possible. Maybe a great idea for a "boxed set"; I'd certainly pay top dollar. The Senses Working Overtime CD-3 was a nice start but looks to be one of only a few of its kind (along with The Loving, Mayor of Simpleton, and the O&L cigarette pack). Another favorite is the Sgt. Rock foldout sleeve with poster of XTC on one side and Sgt. Rock cartoon with lyrics on the other. The Stranglers are another group who spent a lot of time on their 7" packagings. I had to give up when they started issuing the picture discs in the shapes of things; it got way too expensive ($10 and up per disc). But, some of the best Stranglers stuff came on the B-Sides of these 7", just like XTC. "Strange Little Girl" is perhaps the best example of such. Anyone belong to the SIS? P.S. -- I stopped listening to the Stranglers a while ago after "10" came out. I know they came out with an album after that, but was it any good?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 17:38:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Paul Pearson <pearsonp@elwha.evergreen.edu>
Subject: Hooks
A hook is just a recurring musical passage that reappears throughout a
popular song. It's not an "official" musical term. It's called a "hook"
because it's supposed to be the part that listeners remember the most.
Usually it refers to the chorus or refrain of the song, if it's catchy
enough. The term "hook" was basically an invention of Tin Pan Alley or
Brill Building songwriters, who wrote hooks for money. The term isn't
used as cynically as it used to be.
Easily graspable ideas of hooks in XTC's music (well, I remember them
anyway) would include the chorus of "You're the Wish You Are I Had,"
where Andy sings the song title. "Making Plans for Nigel" as well--
except in that case, the hook actually exists in the "verse" right off
the bat ("We're only making plans...for Nigel."). It isn't actually in
the chorus of the song ("Nigel," in fact, doesn't really have a chorus).
Since it's a subjective term there's no set definition for a
"hook": it can be a restatement of the title in a chorus or just an
attractive melody designed to be remembered and to bring it all together,
like the phrase in "Pumpkinhead" that begins, "But he made too many
enemies...". Generally, it should suffice to say that a hook is just the
most memorable refrain or melody in a song.
Hope this helps. God but I feel so much clearer myself...bye.
Paul KAOS FM Olympia washington
------------------------------ From: treleven@vms2.macc.wisc.edu Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 18:19:01 CST Subject: Bungalow Pardon me if this was already sent... John Pidgeon asks: >Does anyone else like "Bungalow"? And Bil White said: >Bungalow always brings back happy memories of going to the beach in >the springtime when it's chilly and a bit damp. Plus it's got a lovely >melody, and groovy sound effects. And it's short. Y'all need to go to >Delaware in March sometime--then you'll love Bungalow. I know I do. Well, let me add my name to the list of sentimental fools rising in defense of "Bungalow." Frankly, I think it's about the only listenable thing Colin Moulding wrote for "Nonsuch." But beyond that, it reminds me of a time that has come and gone, and of regret. A few years ago, I had a girlfriend whose family had a wonderful log cottage on a lake in northern Wisconsin. Her father had built it himself, and it was packed full of their very precious memories. The place had electricity and a party-line rotary dial telephone, but running water only in the summer. It was heated by an old fuel oil stove and a wood-burning stove. The fact that her father died of cancer not long after I started seeing her made it all the more plaintive. It was a wonderful place to spend a weekend -- rustic and quiet. She's gone now, but I still miss that bungalow. Ed Treleven
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 19:40:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Pearson <pearsonp@elwha.evergreen.edu> Subject: Bungalow When I first heard it I thought it was E.L.O. all grown up. But if you listen closely to it (subscribers from U.K. back me up on this), it definitely sounds like a recording you'd hear on a soundtrack album for a tacky, melodramatic British soap opera miniseries, like the original "She-Devil." Colin's singing is way too over-the-top, especially on the bridge, for it to be serious. I always thought it was a semi-parody; not complete buffoonery but satire I guess. It also reminds me a little bit of Burt Bacharach so that might tell you something about the social context (bored suburbanite husbands and housewives). It's slight but it's not as empty-headed as it might seem upon first hearing. Beats the living hell out of CSN's "Our House." But then most everything does. Paul pearson kaos olympia
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 01:02:51 -0700 From: Kevin Carhart <ukevc@mcl.mcl.ucsb.edu> Subject: the covers game Who should cover XTC? I will put into this game... lets see.. The Cocteau Twins should cover When We Get to England Elvis Costello should cover Another Satellite the Moody Blues should cover The Good Things (Justin should sing) The entire White Music CD should be covered by the Toy Dolls Swoon-era Prefab Sprout should cover that Playground Empire song (you'll never da da da unless you do as you're told , you wouldn't understand it being 14 years old....) The Golden Dawn, or the Field Mice, or just about anyone from Sarah Records should cover Wonderland Lois should cover Let's Make a Den What if Duran Duran recorded Mayor of Simpleton? there are more but I can't think of them
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 04:28:34 -0500 (CDT) From: Dusti Renee Worley <worldur@kaos.aum.edu> Subject: Intro....new subscriber My name is Dusti Renee Worley, writer and college student in Montgomery, AL. I'm 18 and discovered XTC when I was about 13, but I have to be honest and say I don't know THAT much about them. Others I'm into are Tori Amos, Pop Will Eat Itself, This Mortal Coil, good techno, ambient music, and Erasure. Hope to learn about XTC beyond "Oranges and Lemons" here.
------------------------------ Date: 18 Oct 1994 08:27:30 U From: "Wesley Wilson" <Wesley_Wilson@iegate.mitre.org> Subject: Bungalow In the last thrilling installment of Chalkhills, John Pidgeon asked if maybe anyone else likes "Bungalow." YES! Once again Colin flatly exposes the emptiness of today's work-obsessed crowd. The arrangement reminds me of something from a radio soap opera from the 1930's. "Yes, folks, welcome once again to another episode dealing with our favourite dysfunctional British middle working class family: Bunnnnnngalllow...(insert cheesy keyboard chord). This week we'll find out if Charles really meant it when, on last week's episode, he told Diana he never loved her." By the way, over the weekend I sent away for the XTC BBC Vol Two, a mere $22.45. Wes P.S. Psssst! If any fans of the band, uh..."Rulb" (yeah, that's the ticket!) want to trade tapes (B-sides, bonus tracks) let me know what you have. "JUPITER RADIOS EARTH FOR HELP!" - Weekly World News, August 1994
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 09:58:22 EST From: Alan_F._Cunningham@learnlink.emory.edu (Alan F. Cunningham) Organization: Project LearnLink - Emory University Subject: introductions & salutations Hello OK here is the humble intro of a bio major trying to get into graduate school(why do you think I got E-mail). I'm from the Atlanta area, my favorite things are my bike, certain local restaurants, landscape ecology, animaniacs, XTC, Tom Waits, Prince(or 0(->, but I just read it "prince")and Macs(I'm addicted, by god) I first was introduced to XTC by a friend of mine I was in a band with in high school(he played drums & guitar, I was lead mouth and girly scream). Our favorite album of the year came to be Oranges & Lemons, with my absolute favorite track being poor skeleton steps out. This was the same guy who introduced me th Tom Waits, but I digress. My musical ability has declined through college(a couple of colds and I couldn't even scream properly anymore), but my appreciation of XTC has grown, especially from the mid eighties with Big Express and Skylarking. The list already has clued me in on some things I didn't know of, so I thank you. Alan F. Cunningham -- /========/ LearnLink: Expanding Educational Horizons !! !! !! Internet/Telnet: bbs.learnlink.emory.edu !! !! !! For information, mail Info@learnlink.emory.edu /========/ "Minds are like parachutes, they must be open to function."
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 14:57:59 +0100 (BST)
From: "W.J. Jillians" <W.J.Jillians@newcastle.ac.uk>
Subject: Intro
Hello Chalkhillians,
I just wanted to say hello after having lurked anonymously reading
the newsletter for the past month. Any prizes for anyone who has been
into XTC the longest? It won't be me but I did here them in session on
the John Peel show late nights before or about the time that "White
Music" came out so I feel like one of the elder statesmen of the conference.
I've been a fan on and off for a few years since, but seeing this listing
just got me going and wanting to find out what had happened to them in
the years since. My last contact was buying "Oranges and Lemons" and
I haven't heard about them since.
Thanks for getting me back up to date. I'll look out for "Nonesuch"
if people say its a good album.
Bill
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Jillians Dept. of Marine Tech.
W.J.Jillians@ncl.ac.uk Univ. of Newcastle, U.K.
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In absence of a tag-line this space is left intentionally blank.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 15:11 BST-1 From: joeo@cix.compulink.co.uk (Psion plc Joe Odukoya) Subject: XTC - Drums & Wireless (new XTC release) Stop press- I've just bought the XTC radio sessions CD Here is a complete track listing 1. Opening Speech 2. No Thugs... 3. Runaways 4. You're the wish... 5. Poor Skelton... 6. Crosswires 7. Seagulls Screaming 8. Real by Real 9. Into the Atom Age 10. Meccanik Dancing 11. Ten Feet Tall 12. Scarecrow people 13. I'm Bugged 14. Dance Band 15. Jason and the Argonauts 16. One of the Millions 17. Roads Girdle... (I presume you can all fill in the dotted bits yourselves). Only cost £10.99 - fairly cheap for the UK. However I can't help wishing they had gone for a doublr CD and thrown everything on it. Still, I haven't listened to it yet so I shall have to see what delights await me. Regards - Joeo -
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 11:49:23 EDT From: Peter Dresslar <PDRESSL@CMS.CC.WAYNE.EDU> Subject: black sea cd quirk First of all, forgive me for posting again, and second of all, forgive me if this is a long dead and forgotten issue, but... Has anyone noticed that the back cover of their _Black Sea_ CD lists play lengths for all the songs except Travels in Nihilon? Kinda strange, as you would think someone would have noticed, since it looks so unbalanced. Although it did take me a year to notice myself... For the sake of clarity: my copy is the 1987 US re-release (I think). "Uni Distribution Corp. (c) 1987 Virgin Records..." GEFD-24376 Hardly important, I know, but what the hey... :-) pete
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 12:00:40 EST From: stacy@trc.com (Robert Stacy) Subject: playing hooky > This is a term I'd like to be able to use. It seems handy. Is it a > technical musical term? It's a part of most pop songs, usually in the first few bars, intended to set itself in your brain and reel you in. Like those four, thick chords in Fine Young Cannibals' "She Drives Me Crazy," or (sorry, what was I thinking?) -- more close to home -- the intro guitar line to "Generals and Majors," or the opening (dis)chords to "Respectable Street," or the bendy-line to "Towers of London," or that power guitar intro to "No Thugs" that plays its anger and frustration out against the aaaghs. Andy and Dave are masters at this sort of thing. To broaden into analogy, it serves the same purpose as the opening sentence of a good short story. Snag the reader's interest and don't let go. The songwriter must make the listener implicitly believe there is nowhere else her attention would rather be than listening to that song. --RSt
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 20:39:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Anthony Tanael <tanael@husc.harvard.edu>
Subject: cds for sale
hi there! ive got a few cds that id like to sell to anyone interested:
1) king for a day cd single (4 tracks: czar mix, versailles mix, toys and
desert island) (20:44)
2) xtc acoustic tales (16 tracks (some are medleys of 2 or 3 songs) (62:39)
3) xtc this is live (12 tracks at hammersmith odeon, london, feb 1981)
(51:28)
if you have any questions about these or would like a track listing or if
youd like to make me an offer, then just email me. thanks!
tony
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 22:29:27 EDT From: John_Pidgeon@eyenet.north.net (John Pidgeon) Subject: introduction Hello to Everyone at Chalkhills, I am very excited to be on this digest. I have been a XTC fan for a long time. In fact, Drums and Wires was the first album I ever had (and it was a birthday present.) take care John Pidgeon Toronto, Canada
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 22:32:41 EDT From: John_Pidgeon@eyenet.north.net (John Pidgeon) Subject: undercover I can't quite think of anyone doing covers of XTC. But how about this as a thought...On the next Frank Sintara duets record, good old blue eyes is accompanied by Andy Partridge. Any suggestions on what might be a fitting song? John Pidgeon
------------------------------ From: CurtissH@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 06:34:43 -0400 Subject: XTC/ecstasy It should be pointed out that when XTC started in 1978 or so, the drug Ecstasy did not exist, so don't go thinking the band is named after the drug. Curtiss Hammock
------------------------------ From: CurtissH@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 06:35:06 -0400 Subject: Re:What is a hook? You'll probably get a couple of replies to this, but just in case: A hook is the "catchy" part of a song, usually the refrain. Many XTC songs are "interesting" (musically speaking, and meaning less accessible) during the verses, then quite catchy during the refrain. If a song doesn't do anything for most people, it is said not to have a hook. A poor job of explaining, but I hope it helps. Curtiss Hammock
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #386 *****************************
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