Chalkhills Digest, Volume 2, Number 126 Wednesday, 26 June 1996 Today's Topics: Look Look Length of TD misc Commercial Success drumming on Terry's head New Album, Bungalow, English Settlement, Nonsvch, and Cheap Yazbek, Divine Comedy... Pinocchio's Nose leave 'em Laughing A blast indeed! Smartest Monkeys? XTC Connections tickets for the front row seats So much for the Megastore... Some odds and ends Re: the next producer Drummers we'd like to see... RE: Theater Majors Administrivia: 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> Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to: <chalkhills@chalkhills.org> World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/> The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Well you have to admit...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <v02110104adf5ab0695f3@[134.32.48.176]> Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 16:09:52 +0100 From: varga@ferndown.ate.slb.com (Stephen Varga) Subject: Look Look Now that XTC's contract with Virgin-EMI has been terminated, it's about time a new compilation of videos was released. The original Look Look video compilation is rubbish. The sound quality is poor because it lacks a Hi-Fi soundtrack and the picture quality isnt up to standard because it was recorded on a video using 1982 technology. We've come a long way since then. The presentation and editing in my opinion is very tacky. This is what we need. Anyone who disagrees, please say so: 1. All the video singles ( + the Mummer videos shown on Play At Home) in chronological order including all the Look Look videos 2. A video still showing song title, year and picture before the start of each and every song. 3. No cutting the end of the video prematurely such as the Making Plans For Nigel one. Let each video fade out naturally at the end. 4. Put any snippets of the band members talking either at the beginning or at the end of the tape or not at all. The way it was done on Look Look was utterly amateurish. 5. Finally let's have a Dolby Surround soundtrack on the tape to do the music real justice. When are Virgin going to release this video? Next Week? Next Month? Next Year? Next Century? When for goodness sake? When?
------------------------------ From: "Dave White" <DWHITE@king.kingsedge.windsor.ns.ca> Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:42:45 AST/ADT Subject: Length of TD Message-ID: <B8F05C203E@king.kingsedge.windsor.ns.ca> >From: RLDK23A@prodigy.com ( ROBERT J O'CONNELL) > >What ever happened to those rejected Testimonial Dinner tracks David >Yazbek was telling us about in The Little Express 39? In the article >he mentioned a version of "The Troubles" by The Cheiftains as well as >a "fairground" version of "Making Plans for Nigel" by Al Kooper as >well as another 'Nigel' by the Dave Matthews Band. Have they surfaced >on any of those artists' recent singles? Anyone? > > -Dave (York,Pa) From one Dave to another, I share your curiosity. But moreso I wonder why these songs were not included on the TD album. It has a running time of only 45 minutes - short by today's standards. Yazbek says that there was not enough room for all the recorded songs, but this seems clearly untrue. I sent him an e-mail shortly after TD came out asking why it was not longer, but I never received a reply. So Dave (Yazbek, that is), as a fellow Dave and a fellow XTC fan, could you clear up the mystery here once and for all? David White
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199606251911.NAA07122@mailhost.lanl.gov> Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 13:13:28 -0600 From: DeWitt Henderson <dewitth@lanl.gov> Subject: misc 'ello, Chalkonauts! Or should I say - hello to the Squeeze - McCartney - Colin's bass playing - Jane Siberry (?) - Elvis Costello - etc. - discussion group??? Just kidding, but it does seem that since our boys haven't been able to put out a new record lately, that our topics have gotten more and more far-reaching. Speaking of those topics: one more comment on the issue of Difford & Tilbrook's latest - I disagree completely with those who think they haven't done anything good since "the early 80's" or "since 'East Side Story'". Yeah, East Side Story is great, but I think most of their material is. The latest is a goodie. No, it doesn't have Jools Holland or Paul Carrack, which would've made it better, but it's still really good. And yet another comment on this whole thing of why more people don't listen to XTC, Squeeze, E.C., etc., and whether they're "too British, too literate, and too old", and why don't they get more airplay. Well... 1) Here in New Mexico, and in Austin, where I used to live, they all got decent airplay. That's how I came to love 'em. BUT - I realize that most big city "rock" stations are far too heavily programmed for our guys. 2) I think that lots of people who DID listen to these people when they started are A) now listening to "oldies" B) now listening to country (?!@?) C) quit buying CD's, as someone suggested D) don't even know these artists are still producing (seriously!). I've seen examples of all of these!!! 3) And here's the biggest reason... most people are not very adventurous, and their movies/music/clothing/books/you-name-it are dictated by "the most popular", "the latest", "the coolest", whatever. Think For Yourself seems to have become an outdated concept. Look at what the most popular TV shows are!? Why do you think the term is called the LOWEST common denominator??? Thanks for listening to today's rants. DeWitt Henderson "Don't bury me 'cause I'm not dead yet" - Elvis Costello
------------------------------ From: BObannon@aol.com Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 17:42:03 -0400 Message-ID: <960625174201_224887797@emout17.mail.aol.com> Subject: Commercial Success I've always found fascinating the way in which commercial success as eluded such great artists as XTC and Elvis Costello. One of the big hindrances I think is the sheer complexity of XTC's and Elvis' songwriting -- radio programmers simply don't have the time to wait for angular and unpredictable melodies to sink in the brain of the average listener. This explains why U2 and REM, both of whom were at one time commercial equals to Andy and Elvis, have been able to find the success that has ignored our heroes: both U2 and REM are unchallenging, predictable, and frankly, BORING bands that haven't grown artistically one smidgen over the years. So while REM and U2 rake in the bucks, let it be noted that their CDs are currently gathering dust in my collection, while XTC and Elvis still bring consistent enjoyment. I know that doesn't put food on their tables now, but maybe someday it will. "If you do not believe I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." -- Jesus Christ.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 19:27:17 -0600 From: heggej@ipcsun3.den.mmc.com (Jonathan Hegge) Message-Id: <9606260127.AA04687@arls030.den.mmc.com> Subject: drumming on Terry's head >I'd also love to hear a Terry/XTC reunion, but I fear Terry doesn't have >the subtlety or technique to play with XTC's most recent stylings, which >cover a lot of ground musically. Did I mention that Pete Thomas would be >perfect? I don't understand the attitude toward Terry Chambers. I have not been around to catch the reason that Terry even left the band in the first place. I have heard many times about Barry Andrews and his further adventures but never about where Terry went or why. I simply started listening to these favorites of mine after Balck Sea / Live & More. The four of them were the band I knew and admired as such. I am not a musician but I thought I heard great work on Settlement. It's Nearly Africa, Yacht Dance, and my personal favorite, Runaways come to mind. I guess for me that is great without any more or less required. Times change and people reach to different to levels of ability, but did he really show limits? I am interested to hear if others feel he was falling behind Andy, Colin and Dave. I was quite worried when I saw only three in the LP sleeve of Mummer. I thought it was the end of all my sonic pleasures and a drum machine was the new 'player'. Two listens to the album and I was blissfully wrong. Anyway, no matter who follows along I still wouldn't take anything away from Terry since Settlement is an album that will never find an equal in my ears and he was an 'instrumental' part of it. Sorry, it was an unintended pun. Johnathan Hegge "Life's like a firework, you're only lit once and you must stand and radiate correctly" -- Andy Partridge
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 22:44:04 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <199606260244.WAA24873@cyber1.servtech.com> From: Joshua Hall-Bachner <particle@servtech.com> Subject: New Album, Bungalow, English Settlement, Nonsvch, and Cheap >"tricolor and phrygian cap"* >* from Then She Appeared, definetely my choice as next new album title... I dunno; if you mean Tricolor and Phrygian Cap, it's a bit too long (and too similar to Oranges & Lemons). Just "Phrygian Cap" could work, tho. Anyway, here are my choices for the next album name: Vintage Wine (from My Bird Performs) Nature's Sunken Wreck (from Humble Daisy) Whispering Chimneys (from Rook) Countless Cathedrals (from That Wave) Cloud Eleven (from That Wave) Pale Atlantis (from Then She Appeared) The Big Box Of Paints (from Wrapped In Grey) Any other suggestions? Maybe we should set up a betting pool. :) Anyway, "Pale Atlantis", "Cloud Eleven", and "Nature's Sunken Wreck" are my favorites, and the ones I think have the best chance of being picked. Also. I love Bungalow. I used to hate it, but on one listen I realized what an awesome song it is. Anyway, there's one thing: I remember someone posting that they thought it was Colin's ode to, ummm, using the back door. I can see one reference (think: Beavis and Butthead, and the name of the song) but I don't get the rest. I must not be sick enough. :) Also. I just (about a week ago) got English Settlement, on the urging of Mark Strijbos. (Thanks Mark!) I must say, it is awesome! I love almost the whole thing (I don't especially care for It's Nearly Africa, and I can only laugh at Down In The Cockpit). I'd say that the standout from the album is probably Jason And The Argonauts. First off, the music is great, and Andy sings it really well. From the "Ohhh, my head is spinning..." it has me enchanted. Secondly, the lyrics are really amazing. It's yet another XTC song about how horrible people are, but it's really insightful and well-written. The wordplay in the bridge (buying shoes, buying sweets, and buying knives; buying time, buying ends to other people's lives...) is really clever, and some of the other attacks in the song (like the bit about the make-up veils) are right on target. I also like Colin's bass part, especially the bit he plays right after Andy sings the slow "Human Riches I'll Release" bit...it's simple but effective. And then there's Nonsvch. This is my second-favorite of the four XTC albums I have (ES, O&L, SL, and Nonsvch). When I bought it, I knew and really liked about 1/2 of the songs on it. Listened to it, couldn't stand the others. In the time that I listened to it, though, these other songs started to grow on me, and now I love the album! (There's still two songs I don't like: like INA on ES, I can take or leave Rook, and I absolutely *detest* The Smartest Monkeys; IMHO it's got horrible music, absolutely unoriginal, hackneyed, construed, and silly lyrics, and a dumb premise. The vignette is nice, though. :) Two things in particular strike me about the album. First, especially compared to O&L, an energetic, "let's-have-fun" record, much of Nonsvch is much more, well, "adult" and darker. Even the poppy songs are darker. Second, I see a lot of great descriptive stuff from both Andy and Colin, and a lot of metaphorical stuff. For Colin, look at My Bird Performs ("A different kind of tinsel decorates my tree" or "1000 Cheshire cats grin inside of me") or Bungalow. Unfortunately, his other two songs are somewhat lacking in this department. For Andy, check out That Wave ("Through the greeny-grey pebbles and countless cathedrals arriving"), Humble Daisy ("Ragged Rug unbound, tangle trip the lovers, Royal barge aground") or Then She Appeared ("Apple venus on a half-open shell", "brittle shooting star that dropped in my lap"). I really like the way both their lyrics have matured on this album, and hope to see this trend continue on the next album...whatever they call it. :) Oh yeah, and to the guy who found O&L for $5.99: they're not leftovers or anything; they're on the Geffen "Goldline". It means, basically, that they're cheap. Everything from TBE forward (including R&BB) is on this line now. If anyone can't find them nearby, there's a website (http://www.musicblvd.com) which has them at this price. Happy hunting. :) /----------------------------Joshua Hall-Bachner----------------------------\ | particle@servtech.com http://www.servtech.com/public/particle/ | | "Life is like a jigsaw. You get the straight bits, but there's something | \------missing in the middle."--XTC, "All Of A Sudden (It's Too Late)"------/
------------------------------ From: myke <jerk@execpc.com> Message-Id: <199606260330.WAA03416@earth.execpc.com> Subject: Yazbek, Divine Comedy... Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 22:30:33 -0500 (CDT) > From: "Simon Knight" <sknight@warchivegw.riv.csu.edu.au> > Subject: Elemental lyricists > Oh, since i'm from Oz, can can someone fill me in on who on earth > David Yazbek is and what's with all the hero worship? With all the > constant references you'd think he was Andy's twin brother or > something. Maybe someone should start up a mailing list for him! :-) He's a very good American singer-songwriter who had a track on his LAUGHING MAN album (What Are Records? 1996) produced by Andy Partridge. > From: Combray2@aol.com > Subject: Album of the Year > It's by kindred soul Neil Hannon, a.k.a. The Divine Comedy. It's called > "Casanova", and it's intelligent, urbane, witty, grooving, melodic, > symphonic, harmonic, and spellbinding. > > And it's not available in this country, due to American laws against concept > albums. Wrong. Setanta says it will be issued in the US in August. I got a promo in the mail today. There'll be a Divine Comedy interview in my online zine in Aug as well, http://execpc.com/ ~jerk/...
------------------------------ From: smcdow@arlut.utexas.edu (Stuart McDow) Message-Id: <199606260406.XAA10273@mamba.arlut.utexas.edu> Subject: Pinocchio's Nose Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:05:59 -0500 (CDT) >From fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) > ...does anyone hate Yazbek's *Pinocchio's Nose* as much as I do? No, I quite like it in fact. The tone of the song goes with the lyrics. It's pissed off music for a pissed off song. And it stands out rather nicely between _Surface Tension_ (my fave of the album) and _The Wind_. Whoops - "pissed off" means "angry" in America, as opposed to drunk. The lyrics to _PN_ are wonderful. Having worked in coporate America, "I see a fat little brat in executive clothes" is now one of my all-time favorite lyrics. I bet it's wonderful live. I really like the bit where the quiet eletric piano states the theme followed by the loud, crunchy guitars. I dunno, the song really works for me. I don't want to go on and on about Yazbek's album on the XTC list, but it is one of the best things I've heard in a long, long time. The guy's a genius. -- Stuart McDow, MS Year 0 The University of Texas smcdow@arlut.utexas.edu Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
------------------------------ From: kinterkn@winternet.com Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:19:59 -0500 (CDT) Message-Id: <199606260419.XAA23487@parka> Subject: leave 'em Laughing Hi there fellow Chalkhillians! I've been a lurker for far too long, time to come out from hiding. I've never written before - my free time never seems to coincide with a new Digest issue. My responses would be lagging far behind... But I just had to answer Melissa Reaves' question regarding "The Laughing Man": <Anyone have a negative opinion they're trying to keep quiet?> Let me preface my comments by saying that I've really, really enjoyed Yazbek's album. I don't find it quite as engrossing as XTC, but then, what is? The songs are all very listenable, and they get better the more you hear them. Instant hit. So anyway, 'round about my third or fourth time through, I noticed something naggingly familiar, perhaps annoyingly so, about "Tomorrow." I tried to just listen to the song, ignore whatever was bugging me about it, but I just couldn't. I obsessed about it for a while, and then it finally dawned on me. You know the repeating phrase that starts the song off, that "da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da?" Doesn't that remind you of the theme song from "Green Acres?" You know, fun and hilarity on the farm with Eddie Fisher and Eva Gabor? What was the pig's name? Anyone remember? Wasn't it Ferdinand, or something similar? I don't know how negative a negative opinion you find that, but there it is. While I'm here, allow me a moment to be sycophantic. It's been just great finding out that I'm not the only living, breathing XTC fan on the planet. I can't think of anyone I know, outside of this group, who is any better than ambivalent about them. My husband loates them. I take that back. Rather, he says they're much too innocuous to actually hate, which I find to be a rather harsh insult indeed. But then, I've been mad about Andy P. since the first time I saw the video for "Senses Working Overtime" way back when, in the days when MTV used to be commercial free and cool. Mad about Andy, mad about the music, mad mad mad. I'm also glad that Jane Siberry has been mentioned here. She's another sadly neglected artist who doesn't get near the attention or credit she deserves. I guess that would be all for now. Oh yeah, just one more thing....I'd have to agree that "Nonsuch" is an absolutely fantastic, beautiful piece of work. Can't wait until the next release..... --Priscilla in the sunny City of Lakes
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31D0F495.6BF5@interpath.com> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 01:28:05 -0700 From: "Charles Lee Lovingood, Jr." <lognsdad@interpath.com> Subject: A blast indeed! Brian.... I am glad to hear that my little sermon on the values of English Settlement on WVVV's (Rock 105) top 300 countdown in the early nineties did not fall on deaf ears. Although my script was read by John Peterson, who apparently thought Andy Partridge was a member of the Partridge family the way he chuckled, at least the message got across. Yes, I am the same Lee Lovingood who, along with my dear friend Chris Cummings hosted the morning show on WVVV. Outrageous! I really miss those days. Remember the bi-daily adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle? The live breakfast broadcasts from a listeners house? The seven o' clock wake up calls? Sadly, the station is now satellite driven hot hits. Chris and I still stay in touch. He is the Godfather of my son. I am glad to hear that it wasn't all in vain; my attempt to educate people as to what good music was. As Ren and Stimpy would say..."Memories...." All of a sudden we find the cupboard bare...... Lee lovingood, purveyor of fine music world (or at least country) wide!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31D0AFB6.5C80@earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 03:34:14 +0000 From: Thomas White <oedipus@earthlink.net> Subject: Smartest Monkeys? >>contains some wonderful songs - "The Smartest Monkeys" is my particular fave<< Come on Sean, give me a break! I'll give you the bassline -- it's definitely one of his best. But "wonderfully sarcastic lyrics"? Sarcastic maybe. There is certainly no "wonderfully" to be found. This song is so hokey, sometimes I just have to skip over it completely (even though I like the music). Also, how can you use the word "fave" with a straight face? Maybe it was all curvy at the time, I don't know. --Tom
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 10:22:08 +0100 Message-Id: <199606260922.AA27647@felix.dircon.co.uk> From: nonsuch@dircon.co.uk (Simon Sleightholm) Subject: XTC Connections From: "J. D. Mack" <jdmack@nicom.com> >Actually, there is a link between Celine Dion and XTC. One of the >orchestral arrangements on Celine's latest album was done by Andrew Pryce >Jackman, who did the orchestral arrangements on "Fish Out Of Water" by Chris >Squire, which had Bill Bruford on drums, who now drums in King Crimson along >side Pat Mastelotto, who drummed on "Oranges and Lemons." So don't be so >quick to dis Celine! How the hell did you work all that through? I am impressed. I still find no merit whatsoever in the "art" of Ms Dion, though. There's also a Mike & The Mechanics link I never thought about until I read your posting - according to Limelight, Pete Phipps drummed on a Mike Rutherford track for the B-side of a Phil Collins single. It just goes to prove that a complete collection of XTC related material would contain 90% rubbish. An obscene procession indeed. That is, of course, IMHO, but Mark Fisher has raised much the same point just recently. How about a new thread; the most depressing XTC connection? Maybe someone out there can provide a link from XTC to Rod, Jane and Freddy (one for the UK Chalkies there), or XTC and The Goombay Dance Band. Any takers? Peter Pumpkinhead/Dwight Strut. Anyone ever seem them both in a room at the same time? Thought not. Simon * --------------------------------------------------- http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/bungalow.htm * --------------------------------------------------- No Thugs In Our House, only XTC.
------------------------------ From: fisher@easynet.co.uk Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 10:27:13 +0100 Message-Id: <v01510100adf76532732c@DialupEudora> Subject: tickets for the front row seats I have no evidence that an interest in theatre and an interest in XTC naturally go together, but if anyone feels like conducting a poll, count me in as a professional theatre critic. You could also add a friend of mine who does a lot of theatre music (sometimes with deliberate, not to say obscure, XTC references) and also the literary manager of the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre. So that's three of us . . . Mark Fisher (fisher@easynet.co,uk)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31D1581C.171A@intercall.com> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 08:32:44 -0700 From: Ira Lieman <aym@intercall.com> Organization: Not in this lifetime... Subject: So much for the Megastore... Hi folks. Someone mentioned the Carmen Sandiego LP and XTC's "Cherry In Your Tree" ... well, I searched and I searched and I searched some more and I can't find the blasted thing ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!! I work in Midtown Manhattan and I'm considered fortunate that the best music stores in the free world are located within 10 blocks of me. Monday night I finally went to visit the "Virgin Megastore" on 45th street with one album in mind -- the Carmen Sandiego soundtrack album. Alas, it was nowhere to be found and the dorky cashier didn't even know what I was talking about. (Then after that I wandered over to the "Virgin Cafe" -- insert "Pink Thing" reference here.) Yesterday, I spent the better part of an hour surfing all the cyber-CD stores trying to find it; to no avail. I'm getting a little upset! Is this record out of print? Will I ever have a cherry in my tree? Someone please help! Do any of you guys know where I can find this album? I know, I know, most of you probably have it and might want to initiate an exchange, but I actually want to purchase this! TO the Fellow Chalkholio that doesn't like Yazbek's "Pinocchio's Nose" -- obviously you haven't seen it played live. He and the band do a great job on it live, something you might not glean from the recording. When they did it at HMV in NYC in April, they had to turn the energy level down as to not disturb the non-cool customers who weren't watching the show. I'm anxiously awaiting Yazbek's latest project...(producing XTC? Aah, I wish. Although Ric Ocasek sounds like quite an interesting choice...) One last thing. Everyone's putting their two cents in -- someone must be getting quite rich off of this list. Senor Relph? ;) -ira
------------------------------ Message-ID: <D5EBD62F01291300@ametsoc.org> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 96 09:07:00 -0500 From: dgershmn <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Organization: AMS Subject: Some odds and ends To my comment about McCartney's wondrous bass line on "Rain," Stuart McDow countered: >take a closer listen to Colin's bass on "What in the World?". Again >bass creates second melody, and Colin's line is much more interesting. >Not only that but it's got a real _groove_. IT ROCKS!! Don't forget that Colin had an extra 20 years to absorb the lessons of McCartney when coming up with the bass line for "What in the World?" Not to discredit Colin's playing in any way, of course, but picture McCartney's bass playing (in the song "Rain," in this case, to continue the example) in 1966, compare it to most other bass playing of the time, and then tell me it's not utterly impressive. Here's an XTC-producer suggestion to mull over: Tom Waits. Can you imagine? I can't say I know offhand if he's done much production other than his own stuff, but when I hear the great musical sounds he comes up with for his own music, I just drool (pardon me) at the thought of how good he could make an XTC album sound. And a drummer suggestion, to boot: I know Charles Lee Lovingood mentioned him as an interesting choice for producer, but it seems very clear that Stewart Copeland would be an excellent choice to handle any beat Andy and Colin could throw at him. Finally, Mark Fisher wrote: >Subject: rhymes with egg bad >Damn! I've just read a review that says that Peter Blegvad played live last >night in Glasgow, Scotland (about an hour from where I live) supporting Tom >Robinson. That's the first time I remember hearing of Blegvad playing live. Sorry you missed the show, Mark...I can attest to the fact that he actually does play live, because I saw him this past winter right here in Somerville, MA, at a great local club called Johnny D's. It was just him and his acoustic, and all I can say was that he was absolutely great and thoroughly entertaining. I dragged a few friends with me who had never even heard of him before, and they all left with a Blegvad CD in their hands. He's one heckuva songwriter, a fine guitarist, a very funny and intelligent man, and boy is he tall [what is it...6'7"? (according to "Peter Who?")]...he nearly scraped the low ceiling above the stage. I don't hold out much hope that I'll be lucky enough to see him so conveniently again, but if he plays anywhere within reach again, I'm there. I hope you get to see him eventually (and anyone else who has a chance to do so, do not miss out!). Over and out, Dave Gershman "She says she's found a way to make her own light"
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199606261328.GAA22412@sgi.sgi.com> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 09:23:00 -0500 From: Dik LeDoux <dik@ICON-INC.NET> Subject: Re: the next producer How do chalkholios! >From #2-125 Sean Robison mentions: My suggestion for the next producer: How about Rick Rubin? So far, he's managed to produce ... the best albums in both Mick Jagger's and Tom Petty's careers... YES, YES - that's it. Only he forgot to mention the Chili Peppers' best album ever as well. Rubin has the knack to make the band sound as if they're playing live-n-relaxed, which may help to alleviate all of our XTC-Live! joneses. It'd also be nice to hear the newer music with less over production. - IMHO sometimes the production is a bit over the top as evidenced in skylarking (which is nonetheless a killer disc). Come to think of it - maybe Rick Rubin could produce Todd Rundgren's next work and teach him to lay off the overblown effects. Rundgren's a great songwriter, but his production/arrangements are just TOO. "and if you listen quietly you can hear them shooting from grave to grave" Adios Dik \:)
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 09:17:33 -0400 Message-ID: <1D13B870.@messaging.tfn.com> From: barkerw@messaging.tfn.com (Welton Barker) Subject: Drummers we'd like to see... How about Dave Weckl? --Welton
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s1d1026e.053@DICTAPHONE.COM> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 09:23:52 -0400 From: Tim Kendrick <TKEN@DICTAPHONE.COM> Subject: RE: Theater Majors >> Anyway, in the course of the conversation, the guy >> told me that when he was in college, all the XTC fans >> he knew were theater majors and didn't I find that >> to be the case as well. Well, I don't find that >> to be the case, so I want to ask you all whether a >> preponderance of Chalkaholics are theater majors >> (not that I think you are) or if you know theater majors who >> are XTC fans, 'cause I imagine them to be among the least >> likely group of people to be computer jocks. Well, actually, in college I majored in Computer Science and minored in Theatre Arts. And I currently have 2 jobs - one as a computer programmer and the other as an actor/director with the Siochain Theatre Co. in New Haven, CT. So it just shows you that there's no sense in generalizing about groups of people - there's always someone who doesn't fit the mold ! Some of my theater friends love XTC, some don't. And some of my computer friends love XTC, and some don't. I don't think your career/occupation really makes a difference. ************************************************************** OPEN NOTE TO THOSE IN CONTACT WITH ANDY: Do you think that Andy would be interested in our opinions of his demo's ? I know he was "freaked out" about so many people owning them, but now that he knows many of us have them, is he interested in knowing what we think of them, which one's we love, which we don't care for, etc. etc. Or would he rather not know ??? Later ! Tim K. XTC SONG OF THE DAY: "The Green Man"
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #2-126 *******************************
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