Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 444
Date: Thursday, 8 June 1995
Chalkhills Digest, Number 444
Thursday, 8 June 1995
Today's Topics:
Baby XTC-o-phile needs answers...
Phrygian Cap, Producer, Hallucinations
Quit dissing The Beatles
Beatles
Re: Chalkhills Digest #443
Putting the XTC-Fab 4 thing in Perspective
Phrygian Caps and more!
Re: Chalkhills Digest #443
Frisian cap.
Fab Foursome At Philly. NOT!
Alpha Omega w/ Beatles
Hello
Dear god lyrics...chunky soup???
Yet Another Beatles Fan Surfaces
Beatle bashing
Phrygian Cap
Re: Chalkhills Digest #443
Meanwhile, lurking by a stone in the woods
Administrivia:
A few copies of the XTC Acoustic Radio Tour tape, compiled from
XTC's appearances at radio stations across North America in 1989,
are still available. Send e-mail to <relph@presto.ig.com>.
If you're interested in the Exon/Gorton Communications Decency Act,
read this page: "http://idiot-dog.com/~relph/exon-gorton.html".
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe chalkhills
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Chalkhills Archives not available using FTP.
World Wide Web: "http://chalkhills.org/"
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Apples and cherries / Are varnished in water.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LittleAbby@aol.com Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 17:17:10 -0400 Subject: Baby XTC-o-phile needs answers... Hello fellow XTCites, I amd not the obsessive fan/scholar that many others are here, I know, so forgive the basic nature of my questions: 1) Does anyone have the lyrics for "My Train is Coming"? I'd like to cover it but can't quite make out the words from my bad bootleg. 2) What is the address/number to order the Martin Newall disc? I am an obsessive fan/scholar of the Beatles (they got here first, y'see), so I'd be happy to trade tapes, info, insight for things XTC-ish if anyone is interested. And to offer my .02 about the Beatle/XTC issue -- the leap from one group to the other is small, though I do quite agree with the person who saw a strong connection to the Kinks -- the pure "English feeling" and lyrical content of the Kinks music has only been seen in one other group since: XTC. Thanks, Abby Dees
------------------------------ Subject: Phrygian Cap, Producer, Hallucinations Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 19:47:43 -0500 (CDT) From: "Michael Faulkner" <hotspur@mcs.com> In response to Scott's query about a "phrygian cap.."...I don't have much of a clue, but the phrygian mode, in music, is a mode based around the 3rd note in the major scale. It is a minor mode made distinctive by the half step between the 1 and the 2. It's sound has been over-used by spanish composers (such as Roderigo) and as such it has come to be associated with Spanish/Flamenco sounding music. As to what a Phrygian cap is? hmmm...well, all the modes were originally named after tribes of greeks (as the legend goes), and I wonder if the Phrygians were known for a particularly bizarre headgear they wore into battle? =) Or, for that matter, "cap" coming from "capo", which, to continue the musical metaphor, means "the top" (da capo)...I haven't listened to Nonsuch in a while...but I don't remember the song having a particularly Phrygian beginning...Don't have my lyric sheet either...does any of this relate to the context of this particular lyric? On to other subjects: My vote for Producer: Brian Eno. Listen to what he's done for the Talking Heads and U2. Also, his solo work (Burning Aeroplanes give you so much more, and, with Byrne, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, not to mention Music for Films) is all extraordinarily well produced. I find some Dukes influence in Burning Aeroplanes as well. Finally: A fellow XTC fan came up with this theory a while ago, and I thought I'd submit it to everyone to get opinions. I tend to agree with him on most points...his hypothesis is that our boys started experimenting with drugs just after Black Sea and before E.S., his idea centering on the "Senses Working Overtime," the non-sequitor lyrical form (Clouds are whey...etc.) which could easily be descriptions of hallucinations, and the chorus/title, which seems to be a pretty fair description of any hallucinogenic trip... "Trying to take this all in I've got 1,2,3,4,5....senses working overtime." I think anyone can tell that the music takes a turn on E.S. that is a departure from their earlier work; Black Sea being the last truly post-punk power-pop album. And the drugginess just get's crazier thereon... with "Deliver us from the Elements" on Mummer hinting at the Duke's fun with a mellotron and Stereo manipulation ending, culminating with the Dukes of Stratosphere's first release. What say, folks? Is my friend only half baked or is he totally lost to humanity? He goes on to ascribe particular drugs to each successive album, and I refuse to follow him on such snipe hunts, thinking they may turn up a woozle (Winnie the Pooh reference...remember?). Ahhh...I've cramped too many fingers and tired too many eyes (not only my own) to continue... Interested to hear what each of you have to say. Mike hotspur@mcs.com
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 17:58:34 -0700 From: Riches@Cyberstore.ca (Michael Riches) Subject: Quit dissing The Beatles >By the way, I dislike the Beatles, and find it an insult when my favorite >band, XTC is compared to them. I much prefer vintage Kinks as a possible >influence (See Big Sky) I've been reading a number of these anti-Beatles comments lately, and I must say it displays a gross amount of ignorance to just make this kind of blanket "Beatles sucked, XTC is better" comment. If you don't really like The Beatles, fine. But keep in mind that Mr. Partridge himself found them a big influence, so I hope that gives you pause for thought when you say it's "insulting" that XTC should be compared to The Beatles. For instance, I'm not that big on Sgt. Pepper. But at least I realise that impressionistic albums like English Settlement and Skylarking carry the resonance Pepper had left on all of pop music. Andy and Colin had a number of influences. From The Beatles and Brian Wilson and The Kinks... and a number of other 60's groups... to Captain Beefheart. If anything, groups like XTC should be widening our appreciation of diverse types of music. I absolutely hated Captain Beefheart until a wiser friend of mine pointed out all the similarities and direct influences on XTC's early work. Now I at least have a greater understanding of what Beefheart was all about. Even if I don't like his music, I would never say it was "insulting" to have a band I liked compared to him. Wise up fellas! If you don't like The Beatles, don't deny that your favourite musicians were inspired by them.
------------------------------ From: CVreeken@aol.com Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 23:30:10 -0400 Subject: Beatles In #443 James Dignan asks "am I the only Beatles fan on this list?" Given the latest anti-Beatles postings, I thought I'd let James know that he is not alone. Despite the enormous hype they received, the Beatles wrought enormous change upon rock n' roll. I'm sure I'm not going to change any minds, but for those who are interested, read a new book called "A Day In The Life - The Music & Artistry of The Beatles" by Mark Hertsgaard. This book focuses on the music, how they wrote their songs, how they played them, and how they recorded them. It is very informative and a good read. It also explains how the Beatles were pretty medicre separately, but together, something wonderful happend. If you hate the Beatles don't bother reading it; it won't change your mind, but even if you have a passing interest, I'm sure you'll enjoy the book. It's published by Delacourte Press. PS: Ringo was (is) a great drummer. Craig Vreeken - Sacramento, CA
------------------------------ From: IERANO_J@DD.PALMER.EDU Date: Tue, 06 Jun 1995 22:33:46 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #443 No, James Dignan, you are not the only Beatles fan on this list... I love 'em. Joe Ierano
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 21:24:48 -0700 From: rimshot3@ix.netcom.com (ERIC ROSEN ) Subject: Putting the XTC-Fab 4 thing in Perspective >From: AMANION@rex.mnsmc.edu >In order to do the appropriate comparison between the Beatles and >our boys, we must take a scientific approach and analyze member by >member. >So there you have it. A 40% similarity between the two bands. And >half of that constitutes former members, leaving only the drummer >link. There was a time where I swooned for all things Beatle. Then, there was a time when I got sick of it all. Then came more mature ears and a fresh perspective. Their accolades are well deserved but that does not mean that they are deities (ditto for any other individual or group of human beings). >From: XTCMatt@aol.com >OK...so it may not have changed my life but it truely is one of my Top >50 of all time."No Language in our Lungs"...absolute brilliance! >"...but nobody can say what they really mean to say and the impotency >of speech came up and hit me that day and I would have >made this instrumental but the words got in the way..." Me too. Somehow, it has a Beatlesque, Abbey Road quality and that's no insult!! >From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James) >Subject: Chalkhills in Aspic/Lord Deliver Us From Bungalow Bill >Re: Beatles. The Beatles were, and still are, undoubtedly one of the >biggest single influences on rock music. It is inevitable that any >group that has what you could call 60's rock sensibilities will be >continually compared to them. This doesn't mean that XTC are any less >of a band because of it. Accept the fact that there will be Beatles >comparisons. You can't do >anything about it, and let's face it, if >XTC are being *favourably* compared with one of the most consistently >popular groups of all time, surely this is a compliment, not an >insult! >PS: am I the only Beatles fan on this list? Far from it. Couldn't agree with you more. >From: silva@pc110.ccrc.uga.edu >Subject: The KrImsoN FaBs... > > I think it would be silly to put a hell of a lot of >distance between XTC and the Beatles stylistically. As a >font of many pop things to come, the Fabs are an unquestionably >severe influence in Andy's and scores of other pop artists work. >xTc would probably sound unrecognizably different w/o the... >ahem...Fab foundation underlying their work. I mean look at >the note someone posted about Adrian Belew and Pat M. visiting >Andy for a quick sendup; Adrian's solo records are so fab- >saturated that the bond betwixt them all is more than >obvious. Although I own no Belew material save for his appearances with T-Heads or Zappa, I know what you mean. I saw Belew and the Bears in '86-'87 at the Bottom Line in NYC and was surprised at how blatantly Beatlesque a proceeding it was!! I believe it was Mr. Sherwood several issues ago who put the Beatle-XTC threads in best perspective when he described the state of affairs in the late '70's i.e. XTC, with tunes like "No Language in Our Lungs," reminding us of how great the Beatles were at a time when their solo careers ran out of gas. There definitely is a difference between healthy respect for one's roots and outright derivation. XTC, even in their most Beatlesque moments never sounded contrived, derivative or lazy. They take their influences and bring them to new heights by infusing them with innovations of their own. It made total sense that they do the Dukes thing so as to have a forum in which they could address their many faves. XTC's toolbox of styles and studio tricks has grown enormous over the years so, each new record is eagerly awaited to see which ones will be brought to the fore and what new ones will emerge. Although it is pure speculation on my part, I think Sherwood's estimation of John Lennon as domesticated bread baker was ephemeral and that he would have returned to form in the '80's. Songs like "Clean Up Time," "I'm Losing You," and "Nobody Told Me There Would Be Days Like These" made clear that he was out to reclaim some turf. At the time, a 5 year layoff from recording seemed like an eternity after a dozen years of continuous releases. Has anyone read the Fenton (?) Bresler (?) book on Lennon's assasination? I hear it does not achieve complete closure but that it makes some pretty cogent arguments that US intelligence along with Japanese capital elements were behind his untimely exit. You know, in retrospect, Lennon and the '80's seemed so incompatible a pair. Many thanks to the educated nay sayers on Martin as an XTC producer. I shot from the hip in saying it was long overdue but that was based on a Martin that no longer is. Quite saddening to hear that he can't hear beyond 15kHz. Having heard that the next XTC release will feature a good deal of orchestration, it seemed, a natural. Now that I'm back down to earth, I quite like some of the suggestions out there... Eno, Lanois, Fripp, etc. Hard to believe that more time has passed since Nonsuch than between Oranges & Lemons and Nonsuch. May a recording contract with dignity come their way immediately! Eric
------------------------------ From: GYMnIF@aol.com Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 02:27:17 -0400 Subject: Phrygian Caps and more! Hello again! I have no doubt that this will be mentioned a dozen times in this issue, but what the heck... A Phrygian Cap is a symbol for Liberty. The origin is Greek, but I have seen it on some of the first coins from the USA (1793-18whatever) and paintings from the French paintings from the Revolution of 1840 when such images really struck a raw nerve..but anyways and as far as Then She Appeared being about the birth of Andy's daughter.. I could take it as a possibility, but by the time Then She Appeared was written, his daughter was already 4 or 5 years old.. Anyways, the Art Historian in me wanted to see the song as being about a painting or such.. but hearing the demo has really made me go back and try to fit some other possibilities into the song.. nonetheless, it is one of my favorites, whatever the meaning -Jim
------------------------------ From: BIFIDUS1@delphi.com Date: Wed, 07 Jun 1995 02:34:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #443 Just a question. John Relph? In the credits in "The Rutles" movie?
------------------------------ From: DAMIAN The Wonder Dog FOULGER <SPXDLF@cardiff.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 10:15:09 GMT Subject: Frisian cap. Simon Wilson <simonw@praxis.co.uk> writes: > Finally, does anyone know what a 'Phrygian (sp) cap' is? I always thought that it was 'Frisian cap' and refered to some sort of hat made of Frisias. Erik D. Dahlin asked about the Budd/Partridge album. I finally got around to parting with my (hard?) earned cash a week ago and bought it. It being 'Through The Hill' by the messeurs mentioned above. In Britain the cover is Marroon with a contour plot of a hill on the front. I must say that it is good, but not great. Erik was correct in thinking that it leans in the quiet direction, it is mellow with quite a lot going for it but it certainly isn't a MUST. Dames TWD. (Life is good in the greenhouse:XTC) (You told me you saw Jesus, but I could only see a tree: Amber)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 09:28:13 -0700
From: John Relph <relph>
Subject: Fab Foursome At Philly. NOT!
I was just checking the track listing of the _Fab Foursome At Philly_
bootleg CD, and I noticed that there is no way that this CD was
recorded in 1979, as claimed on the label. Checking my references, I
find that it is most likely another recording of the Emerald City,
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, show from April 17, 1981. The track listing
matches up with the list I have. The person who reviewed the sound
quality of the CD (sorry, too lazy too look up attributions, my
apologies) said it was "soundboard or broadcast". The Emerald City
show was in fact broadcast on radio WMMR, as many of you undoubtedly
know.
So, for your infomaniac satisfaction, I present this corrected listing
from the discography:
XTC: Fab Foursome At Philly
bootleg, ostensibly recorded live in Philadelphia, 1979, but
more likely at Emerald City, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, April 17,
1981, via radio WMMR. sound quality: good, trebly, soundboard
or broadcast. Reel By Reel (5'08); Life Begins At The Hop
(3'58); When You're Near Me (3'44); Respectable Street (4'21);
Sgt' Rock (3'59); No Language In Our Lungs (5'00); Ball And
Chain (4'07); Paper And Iron (4'24); Love At First Sight 3'29;
Roads Gobble The Globe [sic] (4'41); Scissor Man (5'50); Towers
Of London (6'28); Burning With Optimism [sic] (4'41); Making
Plans [sic] (4'52); Living Through Another Cuba (5'26);
Generals And Majors (4'23).
+ CD, Home Italy, HR 6005-3, 1994.
Thank you, and good night.
-- John
--
GCS/MU d(++) H-- s !g p? au+ a w+ v-(++) C++(---)$ US P++ !L !3 E++ N
K- W(---)>! M+ V-- -po+(---) Y+ t+@ 5- tv- R- G? b++(+++) D B- e++
u+++(**) h--- f+(-) r+++ !n(+) y+++(*)
------------------------------ From: MENTE@aol.com Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 14:05:26 -0400 Subject: Alpha Omega w/ Beatles Chalkheads, XTC has more in common with the Beatles than the Kinks or any other major British band. Despite all the clamoring to the contrary, I think that Kurt Cobain was correct when he said that Rock 'n Roll began and ended with the Beatles. Listen to the White Album and Abbey Road to refresh your memory. Sgt. Pepper's ain't bad either. So comparing XTC to the Beatles is sort of like comparing the Wizard of Oz to Jesus or the Buddha. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, D. Strickland Austin, TX
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Jun 95 14:24:00 EST From: "Craig Hicks" <chicks@nas.edu> Subject: Hello I have been lurking on the list for some time now and thought I'd step out of the shadows for a brief moment. I'm currently playing bass guitar in a Washington, D.C. area band that draws inspiration from sources such as XTC, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Todd Rundgren, Jellyfish, et al. Like XTC, our only constant membership is in the guitar and bass departments. We're looking for a like-minded drummer and possibly a keyboard player to round out our lineup. (If you know anyone who might be interested, let me know!) We hope to begin performing soon. I first bought a vinyl copy of Drums and Wires when it was first released. The next XTC album I bought was English Settlement, which I consider one of their best. When I finally bought a compact disk player, a major reason was to hear the CD version of "Complicated Game" -- without the LP crackles. Since those early years I have bought every album in the XTC catalogue. I like them all for different reasons. Some of my all-time fave songs include: Complicated Game Roads Girdle the Globe No Thugs in Our House Jason and the Argonauts No Language in Our Lungs This World Over It's Too Late Then She Appeared Humble Daisy &c., &c. I think that Chalkhills is a really cool list, but if there is one thing that gripes me it is the excessive number of flames directed at Colin Moulding, a brilliant bassist who has written some very good songs. Okay, I'll admit that I'm not too keen on "Bungalow" but I suspect that the relatively small number of songs he has contributed to XTC albums invites greater scrutiny -- hence greater critcism -- of each of his compositions. In terms of sheer numbers alone, Andy Partridge's hit-to-miss ratio is bound to be higher.
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 95 13:26:23 PDT From: "Patricia A McFadden" <pamcfadden@EFANW.NAVFAC.NAVY.MIL> Subject: Dear god lyrics...chunky soup??? Hi, my name's Patricia, and I'm a recovering Catholic....there I said it. SO you can understand my liking of "Dear god". As far as the lyrics go, I always thought it said... "believe that junk is true" I had never heard chunky soup and don't see how it would fit. There was the earlier debate about the diamond blue reference in "Dear god" and the first thing that came to my mind was the Hope Diamond....you know it was supposed to be cursed and everyone that owned it died horribly or became republicans. Excuse my politics showing. (Aside...I think Michelle Pfieffer just modeled wearing the Hope diamond on some mindless cosmo-esque mag) Just my cents worth, pat
------------------------------
From: N0T0P40@aol.com
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 16:40:39 -0400
Subject: Yet Another Beatles Fan Surfaces
Okay, so here's my two cents worth...
I can't understand how anyone who likes XTC can say that they don't like
the Beatles. The Beatles sent a whole new standard for pop music, one that
has evolved over time. XTC are, obviously, part of that evolution. Clearly,
they've been influenced by others as well, but, I mean, COME ON, it's an
established fact that Andy used to pick up chicks when he was younger because
he resembled Peter Tork of the Monkees! If he can acknowledge that, then
surely everyone else can acknowledge that there's not a damned thing wrong
with the Beatles...
Except, perhaps, Ringo's ego...
WILL
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Jun 1995 14:27:29 -0800 From: Michael Giammatteo <mgiammatteo@Getty.Edu> Subject: Beatle bashing Hi, all. I've been lurking for some time but this Beatle bashing is killing me. Yup, I'm a Beatle fan as well as an XTC fan since I first heard "Life Begins at the Hop" (and it's cool UK b-side "Somnombulant") and saw the "Nigel" video. If you don't like the Beatles that's cool (whatever), you're allowed. XTC & the Beatles don't HAVE to sit next to eachother on your CD shelves. But, I must admit, I have a tough time with being "insulted" by a comparison. I would think that a comparison to the Beatles would be (at least) a small compliment to any writer who aimed toward a memorable melody. But, I'll admit to a bias as my fave XTC tunes are the one's I've always considered most Beatle-like: "Earn Enough For Us", "Mayor of Simpleton", "Wonderland", "Senses Working Overtime" and the most unjustly bashed XTC tune: "The Disappointed". (I've just destroyed my credibility with a bunch of you). But, what floored me was the member by member comparison. Where do I begin? While I cannot agree that Lennon was a "pseudo-intellectual" I concede that what is brilliant to one is drek to another so I'll not argue, but I think it is unfair not to mention two important similarities between JL & AP: they are both poets and striking tunesmiths. Yup, Paul wrote some "Junk" :) but so has Colin and Andy (oh, boy am I in for it now), but Paulie also wrote "Hey Jude", "I saw her standing there", "We can work it out" and "Yesterday". And while "Ebony and Ivory" is no one's idea of poetry, "Eleanor Rigby" stands pretty well on paper without any musical support. Maybe Harrison isn't Fripp but he wrote "Here Comes the Sun", "Something" & "While my guitar gently weeps". Not too shabby. What has Dave Gregory written lately? Forgive me, I certainly don't mean to belittle the talents of the individual members of XTC. It is my feeling that their best is of the same quality as the Beatles best (not Pete) and vice versa. Don't be insulted. Comparing the Beatles to XTC is a compliment to both.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 14:45:43 +1200 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James) Subject: Phrygian Cap Simon Wilson <simonw@praxis.co.uk> queried: >Finally, does anyone know what a 'Phrygian (sp) cap' is? It's a soft felt hat with a peak that curves or points forwards. I think it's also known as a liberty cap. They're often shown in ancient Greek art as typical headgear in Phrygia (part of modern Turkey). The same area/people gave us a musical term "Phrygian mode". It's NOT an ancient contraceptive, although looking at someone wearing one might be a big turn off ;) Well don't blame me - you asked! James James Dignan, Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Ya zhivu v' 50 Norfolk St., St. Clair, Dunedin, New Zealand pixelphone james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz / steam megaphone NZ 03-455-7807 * You talk to me as if from a distance * and I reply with impressions chosen from another time, time, time, * from another time (Brian Eno)
------------------------------ From: HShea@aol.com Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 16:35:06 -0400 Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #443 I read that "Holly Up on Poppy" is about Holly riding her rocking horse. =)
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jun 95 18:07:24 EDT From: Melissa Reaves <MREAVES@KENTVM.KENT.EDU> Subject: Meanwhile, lurking by a stone in the woods Two eyes looked to see what I was. And then something spoke--and this is what it said to me... Hi all! I've been on a little mental vacation for a while now (some say it's permanent), but I got posting withdrawal so here I am again. Since it's been so long (what's that I hear you say? Not long enough?) I've got some old stuff to dredge up. But I won't take long. On "This World Over" and whether the fears expressed are irrational in this post-Cold War world, I say that the song simply gives voice to that general fear that's always in the back of people's minds, i.e. what kind of world are we leaving for our children? It's an age-old feeling that the world is going to the dogs and there'll be nothing left for our kids. It's also a very vague feeling that grabs onto whatever solid thing there is at hand to blame it on. Nowadays it's probably the environment. I loved what Andy was quoted as saying about how he could hardly sing it at first without choking up--I can't either. On Patty Haley's question # 20 about women on the Net, in particular about women being harassed, I was one of those who spoke out when some jerk asked for "young white females" or some such to write to him. The main thing that bothered me was the "white" part. For an XTC group of all places this comment was particularly ignorant. Omnibus take all of us and all that. On the other hand, why females in particular? It's hard enough to find someone who shares this particular passion to chat with. So for the record, I welcome any and all who like good music to dial up my e-mail address and we'll have a right good time! Myself, I haven't had any trouble with harassment, but I do notice that I get more responses when i use my pseudonym "Jenny St. Croix" (get it? Je ne sais quoi?) than when I use "Mel"(although a young Jenny did answer a a recent post to the Twin Peaks group under Mel). But anyway all this brings me to wonder about the overall demographic makeup of this group. Patty's results had us very predominantly male, mixed in age, but I want to know about race, country of origin, native language, sexual orientation etc. I'm no sociologist and I have no interest in doing all the work involved in compiling such a survey so it will probably remain a minor curiosity. About the American contingent of King Crimson visiting with the Partridge, Messrs. Fripp, Bruford and Levin (all right just _most_ of the American contingent) were conspicuous by their absence. I don't fancy Mr. Fripp as a producer for our boys. He's got some funny ideas about discipline and I think there would be a Todd-esque power struggle about 10 times magnified. Adrian Belew however I could definitely see working with the band. Or would it simply be the Battle of the Quirks? At any rate I imagine Andy getting _severely_ on Fripp's nerves. Ever notice how many musicians seem to like XTC? I can't think of any more off hand, but everyone always has high praise for them. There seem to be a high proportion of them on this list, although I suspect that's true for many musical mailing lists just 'cause musicians are the most passionate people when it comes to music. I'm no musician myself, but I think I have the soul of one (or is that of a groupie? Nah.) I just loved whoever it was's XTC sampler tape. The categories were brilliant! I've toyed for some time now with a list in my head of songs which seemed to share the same theme or metaphor, but this brought them all together into just a few thingies. I am humbled. Guess that's all of my ramblings for now. As soon as I log off there'll be something I've forgotten, but I'll save it. Promise. Wishing you all Parrots and Lemurs (and Oranges and Lemons for that matter.) (Not to mention Chalkhills and Children) until we meet again. Don't let the loveless ones sell you a World Wrapped in Grey! --Melissa (no pseudonyms here. Just me.)
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #444 *****************************
Go back to Volume 1.
8 June 1995 / Feedback