Chalkhills Digest Volume 2, Issue 19
Date: Wednesday, 1 November 1995
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 2, Number 19
Wednesday, 1 November 1995
Today's Topics:
That picture on TD...
What Ruben REALLY says...
Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-18
TOAD MENTION
TD II - dream coverers
XTC/Hitchcock like groups
TD: Only 45mins?
FAQ15addition
Re: "Dear God"
Bring to a Boil and Cover
XTC songs I *don't* like
STING/DRUMS AND WIRES
Drums and Wireless
Cleet Boris
Andy & Blur
How 'bout a shirt?
Yeah Kinks!
An open 'Thank You'
More TDII Suggestions
Miles and Miles of Files
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: GusMach@aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Oct 1995 21:41:04 -0500 Subject: That picture on TD... In a message dated 95-10-30 20:14:58 EST, Jeff Rosedale wrote: >The band "photo" on the back is a scream. >Colin looks frustrated; Andy is looking down his nose at the world in >true respectable street style; Dave is the only guy who manages a real >smile with some warmth for the world... Agree! Poor Colin looks like he doesn't want to be there at all... check the Aug. '94 issue of Little Express to verify his continuous grumpy expression in another picture from the same session... It's kept me wondering for more than a year now. Why? Was there a discussion right before the shutter went on? Too bad it was chosen for TD (probably because it's the most recent available picture of the three of them)... --Gustavo
------------------------------ From: GusMach@aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Oct 1995 21:41:29 -0500 Subject: What Ruben REALLY says... In a message dated 95-10-30 15:33:20 EST, a fellow Chalkhillian wrote: > P.P.S. Did anyone else notice that it sounds like Ruben Blades says "I >> hate that XTC" in the last 10 seconds of his song? WEIRD! In actuality: "De Ruben Blades y Son del Solar para ti un abrazo, pa' la gente de XTC" Meaning, "From Ruben Blades and Son del Solar (his band for the last six years) a strong hug for you, the people of XTC". It made me smile the very first time. Still does. --Gustavo
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 1995 18:51:26 -0800 From: kevbob <kevcol@teleport.com> Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-18 Charles Grace <76460.3232@compuserve.com> wrote: > >The singer or author or fictional character relating "Dear God" may, by >his words, not believe in God. But addresses him directly. Sorta like: >"Hey, I don't believe in you." Who? You? You talkin' to me? >I take the song to mean belief coupled with disbelief. He has a bone to >pick, and knows who to pick it with... >A very clever song by a very clever songwriter. I think AP has mentioned very decidedly that he does not believe in God. When the song came out, I remember him saying as much and saying that (paraphrased- it's been awhile): 'we are all worm food in the end and that's about it, really'. So, I think he was not directing it at the old man in the sky, but towards us humans who all argue and kill over different concepts of what doesn't exist (in AP's opinion- I haven't the foggiest- I'm still getting over the Santa thing). Cheers! ____________________ Too much information driving me insane.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 03:56:18 EST From: VAVZ69A@prodigy.com (MR BROOKS B HOCKING) Subject: TOAD MENTION I just picked up a copy of "In Light Syrup", which is a "new" CD from Toad The Wet Sprocket. It's kind of their version of "Rag & Bone Buffet", since it contains assorted B-sides, soundtrack tracks, fan club tracks, etc.. Anyway, I was reading the booklet, which contains a short blurb about each song. One of them, "Hobbit On The Rocks", has the following comment; "We were particularly proud of the faux orchestral break and the whistling over the chorus. Thanks to Andy Partridge for the inspiration..." What's the connection here? Did Andy have anything to do with this, or was this merely a tip of the hat? Makes me think they should have been on Testemonial Dinner. Toad would have done a great version of "Love On A Farmboy's Wages".
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 16:31:48 +0700 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: TD II - dream coverers >David.Criddle@cinsycfs.rcc.org (David Criddle) inspires: >We were listening to A Testimonial Dinner the other day and we came up >with a list of artists and suggested covers for ATD II: I don't care who's on it, as long as: - Robyn Hitchcock warbles his merry way through The Loving... - Billy Bragg pounds happily through, hell, any of a dozen things, from Chalkhills & Children to Earn enough for Us to, hell, even Books are Burning! - Shriekback are brought kicking and screaming into the studio to do "Great Fire"... - King Crimson's there doing "Travels in Nihilon"... - and Eno gets to have a go at "All You Pretty Girls"... dreaming in the S. Pacific, James
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 16:51:31 +0700 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: XTC/Hitchcock like groups Okay - someone mentiuoned the Jazz Butcher as someone to listen to if you like both XTC and Robyn Hitchcock. I'm going to chip in another name for you to hunt for (if you can find it - they're a New Zealand band, but have made small ripples overseas). That name is the Muttonbirds. Don McGlashan, a long time stalwart of NZ's pop and multi-media performance scene formed the Muttonbirds about three years ago, and they have put out two great albums, especially the self-titled first. Incredibly catchy pop hooks, intelligent and vaguely weird lyrics (often telling stories that leave you wondering "what happened next???"). Some of the songs are a little rough around the edges, but that's the weay music should be IMHO. Definitely worth checking out. Go for it! James "Dominion Road is bending under its own weight Shining like a strip cut from a sheet metal plate - 'cause it's just been raining" (The Muttonbirds, "Dominion Road")
------------------------------ From: "Dave White" <DWHITE@king.kingsedge.windsor.ns.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 10:35:52 AST/ADT Subject: TD: Only 45mins? I haven't read any comments on this, but it struck me as odd that the TD CD is only 45 minutes long, yet in the credits there is a comment thanking people who recorded songs that could not be included because there was not enough room on the album. Is this a nice way of saying some recordings were not up to snuff? Whose recordings and of what songs were left off anyway? David White
------------------------------ From: markus gruber <h9150394@obelix.wu-wien.ac.at> Subject: FAQ15addition Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 12:38:42 +0100 (MET) Klaus Bergmaier - the greatest XTC-fan of Austria says Hi! This letter deals with the FAQ15 - cover versions of XTC-Songs: There is one cover version which is not in the list of the FAQ15-answer. It is a German (respectively Austrian) cover version of "Making Plans for Nigel", which was a minor hit in Austria in 1982. The group who performed it was called "Der eiserne Vorhang" which means "The Red Curtain": The Song was called "Franzi" which means "Frankie". The story told in the song is almost the same as in "Nigel". Franzi's parents want him to be good at school and steal away his childhood. The whole thing ends with the suicide of Franzi. The song is now available on CD again: on the Sampler "Flieger - Flug 2", Reverso 660805, released and ditributed by GIG-Records / BMG Ariola Austria 1994. The credits of the song are (Moulding/Fleischmann). There is no other information about the artists available. The music is a bit more new wave than the XTC-version, although it is not played so well (vocals & drums are poor). If anyone wants to know more, I'd love to help you! Best wishes! Klaus
------------------------------ Date: 31 Oct 95 07:54:02 EST From: candl <70004.2001@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: "Dear God" Charles Grace <76460.3232@compuserve.com> wrote: >>The singer or author or fictional character relating "Dear God" may, by his words, not believe in God. But addresses him directly. Sorta like: "Hey, I don't believe in you." Who? You? You talkin' to me? I take the song to mean belief coupled with disbelief. He has a bone to pick, and knows who to pick it with... A very clever song by a very clever songwriter.<< "We made You...and the Devil too". I always got the feeling at the end of the song, that the final "it's YOU" was being addressed to us, the audience, maybe for not taking a stronger role in addressing the problems of the world. That "dear god" at the end is not meant as a final address to God, but almost as an oath of disgust. How do you feel when someone does not believe in you? "Stars are laughing at us as we crawl on and on across this antheap..." "But with logic and love we'll be lifting humanity HIGHER!!" With a little help from my friends, Isaac Samuel, "Sam"
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 95 09:09:56 EST
From: "John Christensen" <christej@vrinet.com>
Subject: Bring to a Boil and Cover
Well, the horse has picked out his glue bottle and is leaning at the
refractory gate . . . so here's a hastily compiled TD2 vote:
Elvis Costello Funk Pop A Roll (or anything/everything)
The English Beat Yacht Dance
Billy Bragg Love on a Farmboy's Wages
The Smiths/Morrissey 1000 Umbrellas
Blues Traveler English Roundabout
Nirvana oops . . . too late
David Sylvian You're the Wish You Are I Had
The B-52's Take This Town
Michael Penn One of the Millions
Pearl Jam Reign of Blows
Sting I Remember the Sun/This World Over
I N T E R M I S S I O N
Paul McCartney Grass/The World is Full of Angry Young Men
Ringo Starr Procession Towards Learning Land
Matthew Sweet My Love Explodes
Fishbone Outside World
Smashing Pumpkins Little Lighthouse
Mormon Tabernacle Choir I'll Set Myself on Fire
Bad Manners Limelight
Oingo Boingo Punch and Judy
Madness Red
Nine Inch Nails Heaven is Paved With Broken Glass
Dave Matthews Band Burning With Optimisms Flames
Someone get me a bucket -- I've begun to drool.
Never mind . . .too late.
Jasper
------------------------------ From: Ben Gott <BENG@hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us> Subject: XTC songs I *don't* like Date: Tue, 31 Oct 95 10:05:00 est I don't mean to open a Pandora's Box, but I'm wondering if there are any XTC songs that people *don't* like. Even though I like almost every XTC song ever written, I don't like "Fly on the Wall" and "Big Day" (notice that my dislike is equally balanced between Andy and Colin...) Anyway, do any of you have XTC songs that you just want to like, but can't? Ben
------------------------------ From: BARBER@emuvax.emich.edu Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 12:15:07 -0500 (EST) Subject: STING/DRUMS AND WIRES One quick tid bit of news and one quick question: -I saw on VH1s news caption one morning about 2 or 3 weeks ago that Sting is losing his hearing from some degenerating disease. Anyone else hear that? -My copy of Drums and Wires (which is an import) has a (some) flaw(s). On the insert, 12 songs are listed. On the CD, 15 songs are listed. And when you put it in the player, 14 songs are indexed. ???????????????????????????Can you say MISTAKE??????????????????????????????? John BARBER From Michigan
------------------------------ From: Martin_Monkman@fincc04.fin.gov.bc.ca Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 09:29:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: Drums and Wireless I finally broke open the piggy bank and bought a copy of "Drums and Wireless", the 1977-89 BBC sessions. Can someone enlighten me on the nature of the recording sessions? (I haven't been able to find anything about it in the Chalkhill archives.) Were the songs recorded in one take with no overdubs, or was a more elaborate process employed? I suspect the former, given that the scant liner notes indicate that up to three songs were recorded in a single day (e.g. the 1989 session has "Poor skeleton", "Scarecrow people", and "One of the millions", all recorded March 16). So far I'm enthusiastic about the collection, but I haven't had it long enough to offer a definitive review. Maybe later! Thanks ... Martin ******************************************** "I hate quotations" -- Ralph Waldo Emerson ********************************************
------------------------------ From: BARBER@emuvax.emich.edu Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 12:42:38 -0500 (EST) Subject: Cleet Boris This is a response to Nick Brown's posting in Chalkhills #18. He discusses a CD called "L'homme aux mille vies" by Affaire Louis Trio. This CD features Cleet Boris (Andy) singing in French as well as Colin playing bass on 4 tunes. He was referred to the CD by an American reader of Chalkhills who wished to remain anonymous to avoid a flood of requests for dubs.... My message to the anonymous American reader of Chalkhills: First of all, thank you for sharing this with us! Second, this CD sounds very interesting. I hope (for the sake of the health of the listening ears of our fellow XTC fans) that you please figure out a way to post the necessary info needed to obtain the CD. If you ask John Relph to post your message anonymously, he would probably gladly do so in order for the MANY interested fans to DIG IN to the french trio. Thanks again....won't you help us?? -Barber from Michigan
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 14:46:20 -0500
From: produce@magicnet.net (Arthur James Virgin)
Subject: Andy & Blur
COUNTESS CHOCULA <PALM1624@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu> wrote:
>Somebody said something about wanting to see Blur do an XTC song--I love
>Blur, but I don't know if they like XTC. I guess I could go back over to
>the obnoxious and annoying Blur mailing list and ask, but I highly doubt
>that the 15 year-old spastic females on the list have any idea who XTC are
>(and a lot of the people on the list are British, too).
I have just the answer for you.....{excerpt from Select Magazine July 1995}:
"Modern Life is Rubbish" was to be produced by Andy Partridge of XTC, both
Food (Blur's label) and Blur thought he would be ideal. Omens were
inauspicious. Damon (lead singer du jour) told Partridge he was a big fan
of the old XTC hit "Making Plans For Nigel", a song written by Partridge's
rival, bassist Colin Moulding. They recorded 3 songs and loved them, then
dramatically changed their minds. The songs were scrapped and Stephen
Street was brought in to produce.
Very interesting............!
:)
AJ
"How can I be pleased when I'm handed the keys
to a town they call Misery" - Andy Partridge
Visit my Quality Music Page! http://www.magicnet.net/~produce/
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 17:30:07 -0500 (EST)
From: COUNTESS CHOCULA <PALM1624@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu>
Subject: How 'bout a shirt?
Organization: SUNY at Plattsburgh, New York, USA
Well, I don't know if anybody mentioned this before (I just got on here a
couple of days ago), but seeing as XTC shirts are near impossible to find
nowadays, what say we make our own Chalkhills shirt? I haven't the
slightest idea how to silkscreen things, but surely somebody out there
knows how or of a place, or something. Some of the other mailing lists I'm
on have made shirts in the past, so I thought it'd be a neat idea if
someone were to do it for this one. Like I said, I don't know if somebody
has already done them, because there's nothing on the internet that says so
. What does everyone think? To the person who was looking for the They
Might Be Giants mailing list--I have the addy if nobody's given it to you
yet; e-mail me and I'll give it to you. I was thinking about getting back
on it myself, but I don't think I'm ready to get a million messages from
Giants worshippers (and there are LOTS of them on that list--they even
saved the band's used coffee cups--with the coffee still inside <yuk> ). Oh
well, someone's gotta worship TMBG, I guess...
--Tracy
"Start the world, I want to get back on"
--Carter USM
------------------------------ From: ToddT8@aol.com Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 20:31:37 -0500 Subject: Yeah Kinks! In a message dated 95-10-30 20:23:05 EST, Jeffrey Langr <0005392548@mcimail.com writes: >Also note that this classic Kinks period occurred at a time when the >Kinks were not playing live in the US (due to a ban from either skipping >a tour date or not paying dues, depending on who you talk to). So, like >XTC, Ray was able to sit back and write songs from his heart about the >English life that apparently touched him most. I think the reason they did not tour in the U.S. is because of a union strike. Ray writes about this in a song called "Get Back In The Line". If you listen to the words (I forget which album this is on, maybe Preservation Act II) it pretty much explains it. I have an old Kinks concert from the early 80's where Ray actually tells the story before he plays the song, so I think that is fairly reliable info. I agree about the many parallels between XTC and The Kinks, probably the most striking is the pure Britishness of these bands. While other bands were selling their souls to sound an act American, XTC and the Kinks celebrated being born in the 'land of hope and glory-a, land of my Victoria". BTW, if you know of a recording of Ray's acoustic live stuff, let me know. Todd
------------------------------ From: VervePipe@eworld.com Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 17:58:27 -0800 Subject: An open 'Thank You' Hello to all at Chalkhills, We are The Verve Pipe and we hail from the beautiful land of Michigan - but enough about us. The purpose of this letter is to openly thank XTC, David Yazbek and all at Thirsty Ear for the opportunity to be involved with the Testimonial Dinner CD project. We consider it a true honor to not only be included with the other fine artists but to also have a chance to pay homage to a band we consider to be the pinnacle of pop music today. You all have our thanks and gratitude. Sincerely, The Verve Pipe
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 23:56:13 -0800 From: Dean Martucci <martucci@ix.netcom.com> Subject: More TDII Suggestions -Jude and Dave's suggestions are great. Here's a few more ideas for Mummer tunes (which will have to be included on the sequel!). Feel totally free to disagree... Beating Of Hearts Ravi Shankar Wonderland Steve Forbert Deliver Us From.. Pop Will Eat Itself Human Alchemy Terry Hall Ladybird Ron Sexsmith In Loving Memory.. Sinead O'Conner Me & The Wind Los Lobos the CD extras: Frost Circus Tom Waits (instrumental!) Toys Victoria Williams Procession... Jazz Passengers Desert Island Nick Lowe Dean ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dean Martucci martucci@ix.netcom.com San Mateo, CA USA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 10:13:41 -0800
From: relph (John Relph)
Subject: Miles and Miles of Files
7IHd <ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk> asks:
>
>John, is this an evil attempt to confuse everyone the way you did me the
>other day, or something? :-)
Yes. Evil I live.
jlamy@ruby.ess.harris.com (Joe Lamy) writes:
>
> Adrian Belew, _Here_ - I mentioned this earlier on the list, but it
An excellent rekkid! As good as _Mr. Music Head_ or better.
Nick.BROWN@DCT.coe.fr (Nick BROWN) (Tel (+33)88.41.26.74) says:
>
> I have bought the CD by the Affaire Louis Trio
>mentioned in Vol 2 #9 and #10, "L'homme aux mille vies".
I looked all over Los Angeles for a copy of this CD last weekend. No
luck. I did find slots for L'Affaire Louis Trio in a number of
stores, but all were empty. Sad, sad day.
JK1Carp@aol.com writes:
>
>Ok. If 'Brian' ala 'Andy Paints Brian' is Brian Eno, and he once
>considered joining XTC and declined producing (this I have from the
>Chalkhills FAQ) then why not a collaboration of Partridge/Eno or has such
>there been?
Now, that's a good question. Perhaps we should write the two of them
and suggest just such a collaboration!
>And, catching up, is this Jules Verne Sketchbook on CD available? I guess
>the cassette is out of the question...?
Yes, the cassette is long out of print (and who in their right mind
would want to get rid of theirs? Of course, if you're off your nut, I
still don't have an original...). The CD is a pirate/bootleg, and
apparently has abysmal sound quality. And good luck finding it anyway.
>No mention of The Spys? I have a single: The Young Ones b/w Heavy Scene
>that IS the lads, from White Music era.
NOT. But they do sound like XTC, just a bit.
>Other Pseudonyms? Johnny Japes and His Jesticles has Andy. Was there a
>completely pseudonymous release by 'The Three Wise Men' of Christmas songs?
Yes. From the XTCography:
The Three Wise Men: Thanks for Christmas
Thanks for Christmas; b/w Countdown to Christmas Party Time.
XTCs Christmas single.
+ 7", Virgin UK, VS 642, 21 November 1983. matte or gloss p/s.
"C.L. Wood" <u9400576@muss.CIS.McMaster.CA> writes:
>Subject: Dear God
>
>When the song starts building towards the climax, Andy's energy grows and
>grows, where as it seems Sarah can't keep it up, she isn't quite there.
Oh, I beg to differ. Sarah has a nice growl in her voice, surprising
really.
Good to see so much discussion generated! Almost like a new XTC
album! David Y.: thanks for stirring things up.
-- John
--
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------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #2-19 ******************************
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