Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 412
Date: Wednesday, 22 February 1995
Chalkhills Digest, Number 412
Wednesday, 22 February 1995
Today's Topics:
re: buggles
(none)
Man, I am old/A challenge
Urghh!
Hello
Lame Dummies/Bassmaster
Van Dyke Parks and stuff
RE: Chalkhills Digest #411
ok...finally I am a little miffed.
XTC videos
A Simple Survey (please respond by e-mail).
New member background
Quizzing on Their juke-box selection
Go2
official uses of XTC
Dave Gregory Spotting
Frets and God
introduction
Hey! I'm old, but I'm new
New on Chalkhills
Favorite Colin Riff #9,017
That Dave Gregory Interview
An XTC evening
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Look at these hands...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sean Bentley <seanbe@microsoft.com> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 95 15:57:16 PST Subject: re: buggles Steve Levenstein <70750.1117@compuserve.com> wrote: Hi gang. In the previous Chalkhills, long-time contributor Wes Wilson mentioned that he had ordered The Buggles' CD "Age of "Plastic". Trivial Plate o Shrimp, to paraquote Repo Man: as i sit here winding down the workweek i'm listening to "The Mole from the Ministry" and thinking -- damn, this sounds like a Buggles song. Although i'm pretty sure it's not from "Age of Plastic" i don't know any of their other output. unrelated non XTC-specific rant: having just subscribed to fegmaniax, i became painfully aware of the wealth of robyn hitchcock material on the CD reissues. this isn't even bootleg material, damn it. here the loyal old followers, who have shelled out for the albums over the years, are suddenly expected to buy the same album again (for twice the price, adding insult to injury) because it has five new songs on it. naturally it makes econmic sense for the record company to do this, as opposed to simply issuing a rarities album. but i say it sucks. so there. sb
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 16:48:18 -0600 From: keeks@maroon.tc.umn.edu (Tom Keekley) >Pat (PTomek@aol.com) writes: >>> >>>Orthoboog : Did Andy Partridge play harmonica on Europa? >>> >>>DolbyTalk : Yes indeed. And he played some great guitar on a >>>new song I've done, which may be on the next LP. > >Actually, the Andy's guitar part didn't make it to the record. Who is Dolbytalk????? Is this HIM? I love Dolby. And to second the other motion, I, too, own Eno/Cale and I is GREAT!! Very good summer tunes!!
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 18:21:14 -0700 (MST) From: Big Earl Sellar <splitred@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca> Subject: Man, I am old/A challenge In the last digest, hotspur mentioned "Life in the European Theatre". I have this compilation too. Either I was desperate to be hip when I was young or I just carry around too many lps. :-) Actually, my point in this case is that, at least to my ears, the version of "Living Through Another Cuba" on it sounds remixed or a cheap mastering. The drums sound really sharp and crisp compared to the original. Can anyone offer any answers? (I could just be going deaf too...) I vaguely remember another various artists lp of swinging hot new wavers that came out about the time of English Settlement that included "Senses Working Overtime", as well as tracks by the Jam and the Police. Anyone know what I'm talking about? There was also the soundtrack to the flick "URGH! A Music War" with a live version of "Respectible Street". So here's the challenge: how many compilations can we all name that our beloved boys appeared on? Something new to talk about, anyway. :-) Later...
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Feb 95 19:00 EST From: Jeffrey Langr <0005392548@mcimail.com> Subject: Urghh! Regarding the queries for XTC videos: "Respectable Street" appears on my Urghh! double-LP set; does anyone have the Urghh! video and if so is XTC on it doing this song? I've been looking for XTC videos at a reasonable price lately as well; it's depressing to go to Suncoast or wherever and see people like Bryan Adams and the like with video collections, but no XTC.
------------------------------ From: KelcieTV@aol.com Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 21:37:36 -0500 Subject: Hello By way of introduction. . always into British rock. Beatles, of course. .then the Who, Yes, Genesis. . and was turned on to XTC in the fall of 1984...so I had a lot of back albums to catch up with. The music never fails to amaze me. .if these guys would tour, they would be major. .but...well...we know.... I truely believe that this band is the successor to the Beatles in craft, melody, harmony, hooks... the sound is theirs alone, yet varied enough to keep us with them. Recently purchased the BBC sessions on a trip to London.. a happy find. Don't yet know if there's another cd in the works, but....it's time... Thanks for the subscription..looking forward to reading more... k.
------------------------------ From: JimmyDugan@aol.com Date: Sat, 18 Feb 1995 14:23:17 -0500 Subject: Lame Dummies/Bassmaster Oh, Yeah! Oliver, that Crash Test Dummies version of Peter Pumpkin head is the LAMEST OFFERING from a very lame band. Also, is it just me? When I heard that CTD were going to do a song by XTC for the movie DUMB & DUMBER, I just naturally assumed it would be Mayor of Simpleton. And speeking of SIMPLETON... Bassmaster, you're preaching to the converted: I don't even know what the song's about any more, I'm too busy listening to Mr. Moulding. Now try, YOU'RE MY DRUG. Fellow enthusiasts: Have you ever had an XTC song that you absolutely hated, suddenly do a 180' turn and become your favorite? Here are some of my most cherrished songs that I initially overlooked: Rocket From A Bottle No Language In Our Lungs Helicopter Pale And Precious (one of the best) Ballet For A Rainy Day Season Cycle Then She Appeared Sadly, there are some songs I've just... Well, never liked: Sgt. Rock You Blame The Weather You're the Wish You Are I Had I Remember The Sun Train Running Low On Soul Cole Small Town Garden of Earthly Delights Cynical Days War Dance Best Albums: Drums & Wires, Black Sea, English Settlement, Both Dukes (LOVE both Dukes), Skylarking, Nonsuch Worst Album: Oranges & Lemons (Unlistenable)
------------------------------ From: DFerg@aol.com Date: Sun, 19 Feb 1995 07:11:06 -0500 Subject: Van Dyke Parks and stuff After reading more than a handful of chalkhills: I hope the XTC boys got *plenty* of money from the CTD version of Peter Pumpkinhead, even after finding out just how unfair the pay structure of the music industry is for the players themselves. > Terry (the master of COMEDY drumming) Now, THATS funny! Regarding the rumor: > Van Dyke Parks was going to be the producer for XTC's next album. Van Dyke > Parks worked with Brian Wilson in 1967 on the Beach Boys' "Smile" album, he > wrote the lyrics for that album, and they are interesting and somewhat > similar to Andy's lyrical style. Andy has a love (preoccupation?) with 60's music, especially the Beach Boy layered vocal style, and this would be perfect for him to make the (presumed) last XTC masterpiece. Uh... OK two masterpieces, including Skylarking. Interesting to find out what inspires Todd R. (cough, cough, snort, snort) My vote for Producer is Paul Fox again. I guess I am a sucker for that jangly pop guitar sound. My advice to Colin and Dave......Kid, stand and snap your cord off.....'nuff said. 2/3 of XTC playing live is damn tempting, plus you KNOW they would perform some old stuff on tour.... I am somewhat disappointed (don't congregate at my house) with the Hello disc. It is shorter than some of the discs (Check out the Jickets) a repeat of Snowing Angels, (I shouldn't complain but I did so there) , and althogh I like Prince of Orange the sobbing at the end gets old fast. Not to mention the cost. yipes. LOL quote: "...(playing a) defretted beauty..." from Joe Ierano. I think I did that once in college. "My mojo is in an operable condition but its efficacy has yet to be demonstrated upon you." - Blues With A Feeling: Steve Hackett Look at these hands.....
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 1995 13:10:40 -0500 (EST)
From: "Some assembly required." <HNR_443854@emuvax.emich.edu>
Subject: RE: Chalkhills Digest #411
OLIVER@slais.ubc.ca writes:
>...
>Does anyone else think the Crash Test Dummies' Peter Pumpkinhead is
>pretty lame? I don't know why they just imitated the XTC version. I
>was expecting a more folky version with the usual deep vocals. That
>might have been annoying, but at least it would be different. It
>irks me that they'll have a hit with the song when it's an inferior
>copy of the original; it shows you the power of a name.
Sad. I've not heard CTD's version yet but it's nice to know that I'm
not missing anything. It never fails to irk me when a band will do a
paint-by-numbers cover of a song; don't they care enough about it to
add anything to it? Reminds me of how excited I was when I first heard
about Primus' cover of "Making Plans For Nigel." I got even more
excited when I heard about the Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel and Residents
covers all on the same EP (MISCELLANEOUS DEBRIS.) Then I bought the
disk and actually heard them all ... what a disappointment ...
This next bit has absolutely nothing to do with XTC but while we're on
the subject of covers, does anyone else think Gary Numan might be able
to do a really interesting cover of "I Am the Walrus"?
Also, thanks to George Gimarc for that ADVENTURE CLUB CD I received in
the mail. "Blue Beret" by XTC alone made it worth the cost but add those
acoustic sessions from The Cranberries, Catherine Wheel and His Name Is
Alive and this CD definitely becomes a keeper.
-- Stewart Tame
(HNR_443854@emuvax.emich.edu)
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Feb 1995 23:30:34 -0600 (CST) From: "Jason M. Phelan" <m_c_0015@frank.mtsu.edu> Subject: ok...finally I am a little miffed. Hey people-who-love-xtc-as-much-as-me, I have finally come to the conclusion that I am pretty dissappointed about the latest XTC product I recieved. I got 'Drums and Wireless' delivered from Cdnow.com (excellent SPEEDY service by the way...Kudos). Well, reading the list of songs I was pretty excited...a lot of oldies... a number of current songs also....even the inside drawing led me to believe that there would be some acoustic cuts from O&L..... No dice.... What I got was a note for note readings and performances straight from the recorded album versions. They might as well have called it 'Favorite Songs' collection..(although MY favorites weren't on there...) My advice....although I hate saying this....If you already have all their albums,tapes,cd's, what have you....Don't get your hopes up that you are going to be getting a NEW product. If you just want to add it in with your collection...do so. It's interesting but not at all enough. It sounds very good and of course nowadays I am happy if ANYTHING is released with XTC on it...(including the elusive Super-Soaker 2000). BUT.....it really was not worth it except to add in with the collection. oh well. If someone can open my eyes a little more (or my ears) PLEASE do so. "I'll sing about you if nobody else will" Phelan.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Feb 1995 23:41:10 -0600 (CST) From: "Jason M. Phelan" <m_c_0015@frank.mtsu.edu> Subject: XTC videos I have two , Two, TWO videos of our favorite Swindonians. I will GLADLY make copies because I have access to video dubbers. HERE's THE CATCH..... I want any other video performances or live acoustic performances of the band and most of all A COPY OR THE DISK FROM THE HELLO Recording club of ANDY PARTRIDGE. E-mail with your address so we can decide on a swap. THE TWO VIDEOS One is a copy I believe of "LOOK LOOK" because it just says XTC on the cover and it has videos up till "SENSES WORKING OVERTIME" (some are CHEESEY!) Two is a recorded Concert of them in Germany for the 'English Settlement' Tour.After it there is a long Documentary and interview with all three THEN after THAT is some more videos and footage from 'Mummer' and their working in the studio on it. Both Videos are B++ quality and I would love to share. I found them on a trip to New York. I do want to swap for them though. thanks "She has escaped from the world where they bake beautiful girls" Jason Phelan.
------------------------------ From: ECBANKS@delphi.com Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 01:56:34 -0500 (EST) Subject: A Simple Survey (please respond by e-mail). Here's a few questions that I am personally interested in to determine what the average Chalkhillian is like. After enough responses have been returned & compiled, I'll post the averages and perhaps the interesting or unusual responses. I hope nothing like this has been done recently; I didn't notice anything in the digest index along the lines of a survey *recently*. Please respond by e-mail to the signature address. 1) What XTC album/CD do you expect *never* to own? 2) What is your most prized piece of music (XTC or otherwise)? 3) Why is it so highly prized (rarity, signed by Colin, etc.)? 4) Other than XTC, what musical groups or individual musicians do you particularly enjoy or admire (please do not limit yourself to rock)? 5) Rank your 3 favorite XTC songs, and explain your top pick if possible. 6) In light of XTC's age and Mr. Partridge's divergent musical interests (i.e. _Through the Hill_ with Harold Budd), what do you expect musically from the next couple of XTC albums? 7) In your opinion, if the XTC members went their separate ways, could they produce (solo or in bands of their own) music that is comparable to what they did together as XTC? Thanks for your time... Ethan Banks ecbanks@delphi.com
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 1995 23:10:34 -0800
From: alanzman@halcyon.com (Alan Zeleznikar)
Subject: New member background
Hello!
I have been an XTC fan for at least 12 years now. I was introduced to them
by a friend who thoght that I might enjoy intelligent, quirky
funk-pop-a-roll with a decidely English bent.
He was right.
I should add that this friend had driven up to Los Angeles to see XTC the
night Andy called it quits just hours before the show. Bummer! :-)
I would say that Black Sea is probably my favo(u)rite XTC record (CD),
followed close behind by English Settlement and Skylarking. I also believe
that the lack of touring has caused the "band"-ness of XTC to suffer, with
a corresponding decrease in the ability of Andy to write great albums,
although he still manages to come up with several great songs per disc,
even today.
I learned about "chalkhills" by crawling around the WWW, using akebono (or
maybe konishiki).stanford.edu as the leaping-off point.
I am looking forward to many interesting postings about this most
infuriating of bands (Oh, come now Andy, touring isn't so hard! You even
did a radio tour a year (or maybe a little more) ago, with an MTV (!) stop
along the way).
Burning With Optimism's Flames,
Alan Zeleznikar, alanzman@halcyon.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 95 01:47:11 EST
From: "Gene (Sp00n) Yoon" <ST004422@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
Subject: Quizzing on Their juke-box selection
Hope this wasn't already mentioned, but I thought I should report that
They Might Be Giants will be covering "This Is Pop" on the upcoming
XTC tribute album, according to B. Kulak at Duke U who interviewed the
duo yesterday. TMBG say they will "personalize the song instead of
trying to recreate the original." Can't say I'm very enthused about the
choice, especially considering the depth and quality of the XTC treasure
trove. I rather envisioned a whirling rendition of Wake Up or SensesWOT
or Sgt. Rock. Oh well, I suppose TMBG is creative enough to make any
old song interesting.....
--"What do you call that noise that you put on?"
Gene
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 14:30:31 +0100 From: a16d@zfn.uni-bremen.de (Andreas Jaeger) Subject: Go2 Hello! Go2 is the first XTC record I bought personally.Actually I heard about Chalkhills from a friend who is an absolute XTC freak!I have a mail box in this university so I tried the address.I'm not really as mad about XTC as him but I like them a lot.I just have 4 records so far,I admit! If anybody needs XTC guitar notations,no worries!He'll write them out for you! Okiedokie!Thanks. Andreas.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 95 9:34:02 EST
From: Jeff Rosedale <rosedale@columbia.edu>
Subject: official uses of XTC
OK, this is a good one. I go to pick up my office mail, among which is
a copy of the National Seciruty Archive's Document of the Month Club
selection. It's always amusing to see what these guys glean from US
Government publications, but this one topped them all.
Seems that late in 1989, when General Noriega had taken refuge in the
Papal Nuncio's residence in Panama City, the US Army set up loudpeakers
in an attempt to "blast him out". For a short while, the military took
requests from the troops, and many songs were broadcast at Noriega with
the intent of senmding him a message ("I fought the Law and the Law
won", and so on).
This is just to let all of you know that XTC was proudly represented
with a high-decibel bombardment of "Mayor of Simpleton". To my
knowledge, it is the only recorded official use of XTC as a barrage in
an international incident.
Rock on
--Jeff
------------------------------ From: mgooch@novalink.com (Marshall Gooch) Subject: Dave Gregory Spotting Date: Tue, 21 Feb 95 11:55:06 EST Organization: NovaLink Interactive Networks (800-274-2814) Hi XTC folks, Marsh Gooch from Seattle here. Just picked up a CD by Jennifer Trynin called "Cockamamie." It's on Squint Records and Dave Gregory plays "the soloist" (guitar) on a cut called "Everything's Different Now." The music is kind of a cross between Matthew Sweet and Liz Phair, real chunky power pop. I recommened it highly, though not for DG's appearance, as short and relatively uneventful as it is. This disc is going to be big, I think. It's getting heavy airplay at KCMU here in Seattle; I know, I'm a DJ there. Anyhow, it may be hard to find, so here's the address: Squint, c/o Q Division, 443 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118 (617) 522-2289. Tell 'em Marsh in Seattle sent ya... | Marshall Gooch - P.O. Box 23217 - Seattle, WA 98102-0517 USA | | mgooch@novalink.com |
------------------------------
Date: 21 Feb 1995 09:32:25 U
From: "Bob Sherwood" <Bob_Sherwood@cpqm.saic.com>
Subject: Frets and God
Ha ha ha ha. My instincts regarding letting others do the responding to the
"Colin doesn't play fretless" thingie proved right, I see. _Four_
corrections! Yeh, he's had priceless fretless moments right through- "Holly
Up On Poppy", "Cynical Days", "Ladybird", "Me and the Wind", all kinds of
non-fretful instances. Now, everyone realizes, of course, that Dave _never_
plays 12-string, and that all XTC songs were written by Beckett.....
Hey, Dan Strickland- nice post. I've been getting blank looks from
XTC-heads for _years_ when I maintain that "Dear God" could be interpreted as
an _acknowledgement_ of God's existence on Partridge's behalf. That was
always one of the things I found most interesting about that song. There's a
poignancy to it that comes from Andy repeatedly calling God to the mat the
way he does. He seems to be saying, "yeah, you might be there, but I don't
believe in you. You prick."
Now to set the matter straight on "Pink Thing"- it's not about Andy's
weenie or his kid. It's about the strife and upheaval in Northern Ireland.
Or something.
"The hunt is on to find the fox..."
------------------------------
From: Todd_Wilkie_at_ICOS-Science@smtpgate.icos.com
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 95 13:19:58 PST
Subject: introduction
Hello fellow giggling crew. I first heard XTC via some Seattle pop
station playing "Dear God" in '87. I picked up Skylarking, grew apart
from "Dear God" but locked onto the lyric genius of the rest of the
album. "Man Who Sailed..." and "Summer's Caldron" stand out. My next
XTC album was Nonsvch. I have been working backwards ever since. I
now have all the commercial stuff. I was stuck on English Settlement
for months, but have wandered back to Oranges and Lemons of late. I
learned most of my bio info and about this BB from a guy I used to
work with (thanks John.) Too much to digest, not enough time!
-Todd.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 15:15:20 -0800 From: dswan@path.org (Doug Swan) Subject: Hey! I'm old, but I'm new Hello Chalkhillians. I am new to the net, but one of the first things I starting looking for was music-related information. Particularly, anything having to do with MY newest discovery (yes, I've always been a bit retro)--XTC. Imagine my surprise when I found out that there are quite a lot of fans. I guess we could be called the many few. My taste has always been somewhat eclectic, but bands like 10cc, Oingo Boingo (especially the newest iteration--Boingo), and XTC have always appealed to me. I wonder how many others on the net are also 10cc fans. It has always been a source of frustration to me that in the states, finding releases by 10cc and XTC are particularly difficult. For instance, has Godley and Creme done anything lately? Who knows. Certainly no one in the states. Anyway, moving back to XTC. I discovered the group because I was burned out on everything that was being released and was looking for something new (old?). I had read a review in Rolling Stone once that had uncategorically stated that Oranges and Lemons IS the greatest pop release of all time. I happen to agree (although there are literally thousands of releases that are very very close). I have now worked my way through three of XTC's albums (I know, kinda of mere neophyte by most standards). I cannot wait until my next purchase. Any suggestions (I have Oranges and Lemons, Skylarking, Nonsuch, and their collection of out-takes know as Bones and ???? Anyway, my question to all of you is: Am I the only one who thinks that Moulding deserves a bit more credit for his contribution to XTC? Also, has Moulding ever done or does he plan on doing a solo recording? Thanks to John for his hard work in putting this stuff together. Thanks to all of you for caring when no one else did. *----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doug Swan EMAIL: dswan@path.org
------------------------------ From: BENTSEN TERJE/3MO <BENTSET@novell.oih.no> Organization: Oslo College of Engineering Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 14:28:01 MET-1 Subject: New on Chalkhills Hi, I'm Terje Bentsen and I'm from Norway. I've been to this list before, allthough I wasn't to active on mailing any questions or request or whatever... (maybe this time?) I first got into xtc around the 'Oranges and Lemonds' release, at age 16; which makes me 21 by now, and have been one huge fan ever since (re: sad they don't tour, and all that...). Have all their albums on both vinyl and compact-disc, have a big interest in their videos (please give me some info about other releases than 'Look Look'; I'm desperate), got some bothleges and live-albums, and got some real collectors buff... No need to say xtc is pure xtc; these discusions according ecstasy- the-drug nowadays is nothing in comparision with 'The Real Thing' (know what I mean)! The Swindon guys are heaven sent; music has brought a new meaning to life, literlary (spelling-may-be-wrong), and all other music is only for stating that Andy and Colin are the greates songwriters ever. Okay, a bit over the far-hills perhaps; but nevertheless I know there is an enourmours roar out there, and it seems to be equal all over! Other stuff I'm into at the moment: Pere Ubu, Kingmaker, Alice Donut, NewOrder, Bauhaus to mention a few. And the allways not-forgotten: Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Pixies, Talking Heads, Midnight Oil which all seems to be-forgotten with the ever growing pile of records and cassettes...I need more time to listen!!! Tramm-Ta-Da, and So-Long Terry the very
------------------------------
From: BarryR7704@aol.com
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 09:18:41 -0500
Subject: Favorite Colin Riff #9,017
Hey, did Colin ever play fretless bass anywhere....? (Sorry, couldn't resist.
Chalkhillians are nothing if not forthright and forthcoming with
information.)
Glad to see the persistent thread of praise for Colin Moulding's musicianship
lately. There's never enough said about the guy's songwriting (most
underrated XTC tune this week: "TWFO Angry Young Men", banal lyrics but great
melody, great harmonies, nice counterpoint between jazzy rhythm track and
bluesy guitar), but it's nice to see the praise for his bass playing. I
particularly like "Chalkhills'" 2nd verse, where Colin starts off by playing
the melody line that Andy just sang ("Even I never know, etc...) on the
bridge. Of course, since I have this picture of Andy as the evil
Svengali-arranger type, I wonder whose idea it was to play that.
Final bit of hero worship: don't you think James Dignan is the revelation of
this mailing list (as they say about new riders in the Tour de France)? How
about a "Dig James Dignan" internet site where we just throw out our kids'
homework questions to him?
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 95 14:48:03 GMT
From: John Nicholls <nicholls@case.co.uk>
Subject: That Dave Gregory Interview
============================
The First XTC 'Net Interview
============================
As promised before Christmas (Chalkhills 396) , I will be
interviewing Dave Gregory on Tuesday next week. A month later
than expected, but when I got back from my month in South Africa
there was a pile of work THIS big for me <--------------------->,
and I'm only this big <>. You know how it is; every time I blink
I'm accused of sleeping on the job.
I've got a list of about 25 questions for Dave, all of which I
hope to get an answer to. If you've thought of any more
quesions, mail them to me DIRECTLY TO THE ADDRESS BELOW before
Tuesday 28 Feb and I'll include them. Think of something off the
wall...
'Pologies for the delay, you will definitely get your answers
within the next fortnight!
JP
################################## nicholls@cray-communications.co.uk
####################################### Tel: (UK daytime) 0793-546383
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Feb 95 11:48:18 EST From: patty@gdb.org (Patty Haley) Subject: An XTC evening Hi all: I went to a friend's place on Saturday and we saturated ourselves with XTC. And an enjoyable evening it was. We began by watching the puppet show (and hey--on the intro bit "Hair" was credited to a Mr. James of Baltimore as one of four stylists) and then switched to an unnamed, unspecified concert that I'd appreciate help identifying. Andy was wearing one of those *huge* black ties that Little Lord Fauntleroy would wear. There were a doodooload of overhead shots of Terry's drum kit. The band was, erm, tight as the proverbial 10-year-old. Andy showed no signs of any stage fright and jumped about admirably. Terry sweated buckets. His drum kit seemed huge from the overhead shots. Here's the set list: Outside World Life Begins at the Hop Generals and Majors (_Black Sea_ is touted by Andy as the new album) Respectable Street Language in Our Lungs Meccanik Dancing Love at First Sight Paper and Iron Scissor Man (mic goes out on one line of the lyric) Tower of London Reel By Reel This Is Pop I Have Difficulty Battery Brides Helicopter Are You Receiving Me? Making Plans For Nigel encore: Into the Atom Age Statue of Liberty The venue itself was huge (and packed). I have no idea if this was a stateside venue or not. Any help identifying appreciated. My friend then goes digging about and finds *another* tape of XTC goodies a friend sent to him. A lot of it was older-generations of their early videos--some of it being pretty funny to watch. Then comes more live concert footage--this features Barry on keyboards!!!! They all look about 19 on this video--look at the hair Barry still has, and Andy would weep of late to see the hair he used to have. Youth! This time the place has a balcony and both it and the floor are packed. The band really knew how to *play*--once again a very tight set, and of course this was an earlier time. Here's the set list: Radios in Motion Crossed Wires Statue of Liberty I'll Set Myself on Fire Newtown Animal This Is Pop I think Andy mentions a couple of times the fact that they're being broadcasted on TV between songs. Once again, who can time/date stamp? It was such a thrill to finally be able to see them in action as I've been wanting to see footage like this for a *long* time. Then it was more of the standard video fare--videos for "Grass" and their other more recent stuff. I don't do cable so I'd never seen these, either. And then, lo and behold, what's at the end of the tape but the MTV 120 Minutes with our man Partridge as the cohost!!!!!!!! I just about screamed. Last week I'd been going through some of the back issues of Chalkhills and was very delighted by the fact that some kind soul whose name I don't recall now had posted most of the transcript of this show. His tape ran out after a certain point, and he asked if anyone had a transcript of what happened after that. Basically it was just them saying goodbye. Lewis Largent was telling folks where to write in if they had any comments about the show, and Andy said, "If you still can," and then Lewis made a comment about folks spending too much time watching MTV--you could tell even *he* agreed with Andy on this one. The other highlight of the show was Andy telling folks that the best way to watch videos was to turn the control button wayyyyyy down so that all they had was a dark screen so that the true meaning (or something like that) of the music would come through. He then went onto slag off videos, much to the chagrin of Dave Kendall (not Lewis Largent, as I have erroneously reported in this paragraph). One thing I must say in Dave's favor: He did a decent job of keeping up with Andy's nonstop patter (not easy as Andy can really spew) and is 1,000 times better than that Lewis Largent. I cringe thinking about how Andy would have torn him apart. There were a couple of occasions at the beginning of the show where Andy came off like a jerk -- I don't know if it was nervousness, but he came off as pretty obnoxious -- the class punk. After that, he calmed down somewhat where he was still pretty damned ascerbic but not so snide. I liked the fact that he has strong opinions and will let them show (OK, OK, so do I), even if it means slagging off videos on a video show. One last point about the MTV show: Watching it 2-1/2+ years after it first aired gave an interesting twist to a comment he made. He and Dave were in a toystore, and Andy was moaning on about the soldier figurines and how wonderful they were: "This is better than sex! Don't you feel sorry for my wife?" Well, now that they're divorced I hope those soldier figurines keep him adequate company. No *wonder* she left him for another man. :-) And then to top things all off, my friend found a few concert tapes he had lying around, including some from the Oranges and Lemons acoustic tour. Whadda night. -Patty Catherine Wheel World Wide Web Home Page: http://gdbdoc.gdb.org/~patty/CW/CW_home_page.html
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #412 *****************************
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22 February 1995 / Feedback