Chalkhills Digest Volume 2, Issue 64
Date: Monday, 5 February 1996
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 2, Number 64
Monday, 5 February 1996
Today's Topics:
Barf Folds Five
Black Grape
Drugs
(none)
Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-63
Should I check out Blur live??? Quick!
Meeting place lyrics
Aimee minus Dave
Meeting Place Lyrics
the blue up?
Dishwashers
Calling L'Affaire Louis Trio fans
Covers
T-Shirts Update
Living In A Haunted Heart
Yazbek Reply
2 Daves and a Martin
Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-63
new and trade
Wrapped in Grey
RE: Chalkhills Digest #2-63
Chalkhills #2-63/Picture discs
Is Geffen getting nice?
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The impotency of speech came up and hit me that day and...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 2 Feb 96 16:34:23 EST From: patty@gdb.org (Patty Haley) Subject: Barf Folds Five O.K., I had seen this band mentioned before, and I held my tongue, but knew that any further posts would drive me over the edge. And here we go (warning--keep your sense of humor intact while reading, or go out and buy one beforehand, otherwise the intent of this will do you no good). >From Melissa Reaves: 3) A couple of my favorite purchases of 1995 were _Finn_ and _Ben Folds Five_ >From James Robert Campbell: Just picked up an album by a group called Ben Folds Five (self-titled album). *VERY* Jellyfish-ish for those interested. The current track on the radio called 'Underground' would make you swear that Andy Sturmer or Roger Manning was in the band, but there was no connection evident in the CD liner. At least I *finally* found an album I could sink my teeth into as we await the next bone tossed our way by our favorite lads!! 8^) I definitely recommend it! >From Scott Taylor: And while you're waiting for them to come to a venue near you, track down the Ben Folds Five. They're as near to Jellyfish as anyone I've heard yet (and I'm going to drive 50 miles through sub-zero weather to see them tomorrow night -- I won't repeat the "why bother going out to see Jellyfish tonight? They'll be back around again in six months" mistake I made two and a half years ago.). I've seen BF5 mentioned here occasionally, but I can't believe their debut CD didn't make ANYBODY'S 1995 top-ten list. It's right atop mine. ENOUGH! I cry. ENOUGH! To hear the Barf Folds Five mentioned in the same list as the magnificent XTC and the super-groovy Jellyfish is bad enough, but to hear them recommended as being close to Jellyfish is something I cannot take. Why? WEll, the big problem is that the singer sounds like he doesn't have any ba...that he didn't make it through puberty properly. I have heard good things about their stage show, to be fair, but I honestly cannot sit through more than 3 seconds of this band without changing the dial. The first few times I heard their stuff, I thought the piano was O.K., provided you could make it past the vocals, but even if you *can* make it past the vocals, there is no real oomph to anything else, either. With Jellyfish and XTC you get *music*--listen to _Split Milk_ via the headphones a couple times (I've done this a couple of hundred times), and you'll hear the work that has gone into this album. Everything finely crafted. With the BFF all I hear is whining and lots of piano. Not that the piano playing is bad, but as far as laboring over the nuances of a song, they're nowhere near the blood, sweat and tears level poured into the work by XTC or Jellyfish. I really did try to listen to them--the first four or five times I heard them I actually listened and didn't just go "Yuck," and change the dial like I do now. Closed-mindedness doesn't help. If this is what we've got to call the Next Best Thing, it sure as Hell explains why I've been buying so few new albums lately. I want a crafted song. I want a song done by someone who knows what they're doing with a lyric. The new Loudon Wainwright III shows an artistry that I consider above and beyond the write-'em-by-numbers crapola that is getting churned out by the truckload these days. I keep going back and buying older albums these days because there's so little of late worth the money. OK, my standards are high, but I would rather listen to an older XTC or Billy Bragg record and have to wait for new material from them than listen to the Barf Folds Five. *Nothing* personal meant against anyone on the list--different strokes for different folks, but just as you're on the list in praise of them, I'm going to warn those who might buy this CD to take it to the listening booth first (and do so on an empty stomach :-)). I may wind up being the only anti-BFF member on this list, and if I am, I do so with pride, and will attend all anti-BFF conventions proudly by myself. Last but not least: It's a *sad* day when I see Alanis Morrisette praised by an XTC fan. The woman couldn't sing in tune if you held a gun to her head, and it's a downright shame to see that she inhabits the same planet as Joni Mitchell. I like singing, not screeching. And that all-important songwriting factor is there! Melissa, my good woman, hast thou partaken of some Joni? Add her to your listening diet asap. You'll hear *worlds* of insight about life in her lyrics that go beyond having a temper tantrum. Yes, I'm having fun writing all this, so don't get all bent (or go ahead, if you insist), but bejasus, I'm going to have to go home and knock back a bit of _English Settlement_ and some _Split Milk_ while I cry over what people are recommending on this list. -Patty P.S. If Mr. Folds' voice ever drops about five octaves, then I will fold and give him another listen.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 14:17:50 -0800 (PST) From: Laura Parent <laura@geosun1.sjsu.edu> Subject: Black Grape Uh, does anyone else think that the guy on the black grape cover looks like Andy P. with a dye job? I did a triple take when I first saw the CD, I thought Andy had come out with a solo album that I didn't know about. Of course that would be impossible with all you wonderful chalkhillians to keep me informed. P.S. Now I'm sorry I lagged so hard and never got a chalkhills T-shirt. Any chance for a second printing?
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 22:35:18 +0000 (GMT) From: Kevin Donnelly <kevin.donnelly@st-hughs.oxford.ac.uk> Subject: Drugs XTC the band name has NOTHING AT ALL to do with Ecstasy. The drug did not make it big here until the late 80s (recall Jarvis Cocker of Pulp talking about the appearance of E in 1989). I am most surprised to hear that Andy was prescribed Valium at the age of 12; this seems very unusual. It's not the usual thing to give to a child for "signs of anxiety". I have been struck down by this for years and no doctor has prescribed me a thing :-) Also I thought I'd mention that a lot of provincial English towns in the seventies got narcotic kicks out of extreme use of household drugs (viz. Ian Curtis) and heroin as well. Not that this is important in any way. Today is 2/2/96. It is 4 years to the day since I first heard the boys on the radio. A superb reason to celebrate. Cheers! dance to the radio Kevin
------------------------------ From: Ricky Kreitman <RICKY@vhf.org> Date: Fri, 02 Feb 96 14:40:00 PST re:" "Subject: Ben Folds Five >Just picked up an album by a group called Ben Folds Five (self-titled a>lbum). *VERY* Jellyfish-ish for those interested. The current >track on the radio called 'Underground' would make you swear >that Andy Sturmer or Roger Manning was in the band, but there was >no connection evident in the CD liner. > >At least I *finally* found an album I could sink my teeth >into as we await the next bone tossed our way by our >favorite lads!! 8^) I definitely recommend it!" Just 1 Jellyfish song- "Underground"- in my opinion. I bought this hoping for some Jellyfish sounds- sounded more Joe Jackson to me. I listened to this album 8 times in a row and got sick of it (my personal listening test).
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 18:48:42 -0500 (EST) From: Ian Williams <ecstasy@email.unc.edu> Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-63 James wrote, of Ben Folds Five: > *VERY* Jellyfish-ish for those interested. The current > track on the radio called 'Underground' would make you swear > that Andy Sturmer or Roger Manning was in the band, but there was > no connection evident in the CD liner. The guys in the band are friends of mine (Chapel Hill is indeed tiny - I lived with the Archers of Loaf, if any of you know their amazing oeuvre) and are almost always *not* included in Chapel Hill's finest bands, since nobody in this town appreciates pop music much. The style here is much more suited to the aggressive sounds of Superchunk, Polvo, and the aforementioned Archers. Which is too bad - it will take a hit single from BF5 for anybody to give a damn. Darren Jessee, their drummer, is the finest percussionist I've ever heard, played with, watched live, anything, and is a damn fine guy to boot. I wouldn't play up the Jellyfish connection too much, unless you take it with dollops of the current "lo-fi" ethic. Another old roommate, Caleb Southern, produced the album and is much more interested in the sound of Squeeze circa "East Side Story". Detractors decry BF5 as the unholy reincarnation of early Billy Joel, a complaint I share every other song or so. For other great pop music, check out another Chapel Hill band - Dillon Fence. Their album "Outside In" is quite wonderful, as is "Living Room Scene." I got Greg (their lead singer) a copy of "Skylarking" and it has stuck with him since. -ian
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 19:22:41 -0500 From: Spawn Ranch Disciples <pete_srd@mindspring.com> Subject: Should I check out Blur live??? Quick! Hey Chalkhillians, I have the opportunity to see Blur this Tues. in a very small club in Atlanta. I haven't really heard too much about them (I'm new to the list, but I've seen a few postings - XTC fans will most likely like Blur). I talked with a friend last night and he said that in their early years they were 'shoe-gazers' (like Jesus & Mary Chain or something like that), but they changed and have become 'British pop'. If I want to get a record of theirs, which one would you recommend? Thanks for your input - if I go to the show, I'll post a review. Pete
------------------------------ From: steve@expersoft.com (Steve-O Lutz) Subject: Meeting place lyrics Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 16:30:20 -0800 (PST) I always thought it was "Don't let smoke get in your eyes". -- Steve
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 21:55:12 -0500 (EST) From: "Tom X. Chao" <tqc8542@is.nyu.edu> Subject: Aimee minus Dave I attended Aimee Mann's show at Irving Plaza last night in NYC. No sign of Dave Gregory on stage. For some reason, she did not introduce the band line-up during the concert, but Dave was definitely not there. (She was also on Conan last and if you saw that you can verify my assertion.) Sadly, I didn't find her new songs that strong, but _Whatever_ is still a great disc--run out and get it, right after you get some Jane Siberry discs. (Melissa, "Everything Reminds Me of My Dog" is on _Bound By The Beauty_ (reprise). Tom X. Chao
------------------------------ From: produce@magicnet.net Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 23:00:52 -0500 Subject: Meeting Place Lyrics Someone @ somewhere wrote: >Hi. Can someone out there tell me what the back-up singers are singing after >Colin sings the line "Strolling under grimey skies..."? It's something like >"[indistinct] smoke get in your eyes". It's the word before "smoke" that >eludes me. I've checked the Chalkhills lyrics archive and this line is >mysteriously omitted. I always thought it was "Don't let smoke get in your eyes" Listen to it closely..I think this is it! AJ The Quality Music Page ---> http://www.magicnet.net/~produce/ (ultra-enhanced...Netscape 2.0 or later ONLY) "Skylarking is like a summer's day baked into one cake" - Andy Partridge
------------------------------ From: Stillted@aol.com Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 23:17:09 -0500 Subject: the blue up? Is anyone else familiar with this band? They're Minneapolis based, pretty good, not brilliant. They've got a song on their first major label release, "Spool Forka Dish" called "Blasting XTC". Nice little tribute piece. Just curious if anyone else knows. k
------------------------------ From: BugRoom@aol.com Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 00:16:10 -0500 Subject: Dishwashers I don't know... it seems to me that many people would simultaneously EXPLODE if say... Andy were to sing a Colin song. I wonder if Andy, Colin, and Dave know about this singer=songwriter law. Somebody should tell them quickly so they don't deviate from that and then have to face many, many lectures, not to mention lawsuits for all the outstanding therapy fees.
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 00:09:32 -0800 (PST) From: A Sattler <ahs@nevada.edu> Subject: Calling L'Affaire Louis Trio fans Anyone out there familiar with the band L'Affaire Louis Trio beyond their very wonderful "L'homme aux milles vies" CD (which would be wonderful with or without Colin's contributions) ? There is a complete lack of information on them on the Web and I'd like to find out more about them and their other albums. Please e-mail me privately. Thanks very much. (And yikes, that was the sound of my librarian's stripes being torn from my shoulders: yes, it is L. Frank Baum, not Frank L. Baum -- I blush in humbled correction.) cheers to everyone, Annie
------------------------------ From: ZITTEL@aol.com Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 12:46:42 -0500 Subject: Covers I was trying to make a list of all the XTC covers that have been released, besides those which appear on Testimonial Dinner (also excluding the two XTC fans tribute cassettes). Can anyone tell me about any covers that might be missing from this (short!) list: Primus- Making Plans For Nigel Giant Ant Farm- Shiny Cage Poosies- Love On A Farmboy's Wages Cleaners From Venus- Pearl (Andy demo) Trash Can Sinatras- Senses Working Overtime Der Eiserne Vorhang- Franzi (Making Plans For Nigel) Crash Test Dummies- Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead Verve Pipe- Blue Beret Saeko Suzuki- Happy Families Barbara Gaskin and Dave Stewart- Roads Girdle The Globe
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Feb 96 14:41 MST From: philco@micron.net (Phil Corless) Subject: T-Shirts Update The final batch of Chalkhills t-shirts has gone out in the mail this morning. Everyone should have their shirt by mid-week, except for the overseas people.... Those of you in Australia, Sweden, and England should have your shirts in about two weeks. Thanks for all the nice comments I've been receiving.... If there is enough interest, I may do another batch of shirts later this year... Maybe in the summer.... I need to recover from this one first! :) By the way, the final count was 95 t-shirts. *-------------------------------- Phil Corless Boise, Idaho philco@micron.net *-------------------------------- http://www.lookup.com/Homepages/53541/home.html
------------------------------ From: 7IHd <ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk> Subject: Living In A Haunted Heart Date: Sun, 4 Feb 1996 05:15:49 +0000 (GMT) No, I can't stand it any longer... I've had the "Mayor Of Simpleton" 3" CD single in my posession for nearly a week now, and this song, this... this work of pure genius... is just the best 'new' thing I've heard for years... wow. Why oh why oh why didn't it make it to the album? Don't rate "The Good Things" much mind, though I've yet to hear the TD version. "Skeletons" is a far superior song IMHO. Sorry for waffling. Useful message to follow in due course. _ |_)|_ *| | | )|| http://http2.brunel.ac.uk:8080/~ee92pmh/ ========
------------------------------ From: David Yazbek <yazbek@pipeline.com> Date: Sun, 4 Feb 1996 12:37:54 -0500 Subject: Yazbek Reply In reply to a posting on the last Chalkhills- I'm sorry it's been so hard to find my record, "The Laughing Man". The newest and (to the best of my knowledge) actual, no bullshit release date is March 19th on W.A.R. records. Also-- I just want to put in my two sents about Ben Folds 5. I heard his demos about two or three years ago and really flipped. The album is even better. I haven't seen him live yet. Chalkhills people might be interested to know that I introduced him to Partridge at a session back then, and Ben was pretty silent. I think he was nervous. He seems pretty outgoing on the record, though-- great vocals and great pianoing. Buy his album-- well first buy mine. Oh- We're playing at the Mercury Lounge in NYC on Wed. Feb 7th at 8:30. Yazbek
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 16:05:20 +1200 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: 2 Daves and a Martin well, for those of you that haven't seen it (which may yet be most of you), the first single off Martin Phillipps and the Chills' new album is out: "Come Home", with messrs Gregory and Mattacks on bass and drums on the "a-side". This is the only one of the four catchy pop tunes on the CDsingle that they appear on. The tune is very simple, very catchy. Drumming is little more than a rhythm track, but Dave Gregory's contribution is one of those basslines that at first listening seems pretty straightforward, but when you listen more closely wanders all over the place. Pretty fun, not a bad tune (hardly "Heavenly pop hit", but still pretty good). 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)
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 04 Feb 1996 23:29:44 -0600 From: shonniet@interaccess.com (LaShawn M. Taylor) Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #2-63 >From: Natalie Jane Jacobs <gnat@umich.edu> >I had a look at the "Front Man" column in this month's (?) "Musician" >magazine concerning our Andy. (snip...snip) The accompanying photo shows >Andy pulling a face which reminded me strangely of Joel Hodgson (of MST3K >fame). All right! Another MST3K fan! >From: mikem9@ix.netcom.com (Mike Martis ) >If it's true that our guys' contract mess is close to being wiped up, >hallelujah! It's about time. And there was great rejoicing. . . (insert your own monty-pythonish cheer here). >From: jenny@next.com.au (Eliot Fish) >We all know that the composer of the song is the singer... however... does >anyone really know what Dave Gregory's voice sounds like? (more snipping here. . .) BUT BUT BUT... on Bike Ride to the Moon, even though at times >you can hear Andy's vowel delivery... the accent is unlike either him or >Colin. Maybe.... just maybe we're hearing Dave Gregory singing here? That's what I thought of at first. But then again, it could be just Andy doing his weird vocal tricks again. Dave is quite satisfied singing backup, focusing more on musical arrangement than his vocal chords. Can't remember who said this one: >>Andy can't distort his voice as well as Colin can [look >>at Grass compared with The Meeting Place]. > >Uh, I don't get your point... Colin is the vocalist on both these tracks. I don't think Colin's distorting his voice on Grass as much as just singing in a lower register than we're used to hearing him. He does that also with Dying and Ten Feet Tall. And what do you mean Andy can't distort his voice? Ever listened to It's Snowing Angels? Believe it or not, it's him, country-hick voice and all. >"Burning with Optimism's Flame" never sounded so good! > >Agreed! That one always sounded great live! Nah. Battery Brides. Much, much better than the studio version. Also, someone mentioned something that though the composer always is the lead singer, the backup singers are disputable. I highly, highly agree, because I have a couple of questions: * On Hey Goosey, Goosey, is that the entire group singing or is it just Andy up to his recording tricks again? * Just what is the story with Ella Guru? On the Demos 4 CD, there's just the instrumental track, but I have another track with the boys (or is it just Andy again?) singing all sorts of weird nonsense. Any ideas? LaShawn M. Taylor *-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, my head is spinning like the world | shonniet@flowbee.interaccess.com at the kind of beasts I've seen | Watch for my brand spanking new Let me put my bag down and I'll tell | home page coming soon to an URL about it from the start. . .xTc | near you (knuckle down!!) *--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Feb 1996 01:16:56 -0800 From: Horst Schwager <horst.schwager@Hamburg.NetSurf.DE> Organization: Private (Hamburg.NetSurf.DE) Subject: new and trade Hi, i'm new on this list and wanna get rid off some of my xtc-items.i will trade them with other records,cd's(not only xtc!,prefer independent/rock/pop).tell me what you want and what you give therefore.the best bid will get it! details:all in picture sleeves,D=german pressing,UK=United Kingdom,from every single i have only one copy,so hurry SI/XTC/All you pretty girls/Virgin/D SI/XTC/Great fire-PVC Cover/Virgin/UK SI/XTC/King for a day/Virgin/UK 2SI/XTC/Love on a farmboy's wages/Virgin/UK SI/XTC/Love on a farmboy's wages/Virgin/D SI/XTC/Major of simpleton/Virgin/UK SI/XTC/Senses working overtime/Virgin/UK SI/XTC/Wait till your boat goes down/Virgin/D SI/XTC/Wonderland/Virgin/UK bye for now! Horst
------------------------------ From: for248@abdn.ac.uk Subject: Wrapped in Grey Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 13:17:11 +0000 (GMT) First off I hope I've sent this to the write place..... Hello all, I,ve subsribed for a while now but have had no reason to write anything until now. Apparently the Wrapped in Grey cd is v rare (50 copies), I was wondering if anyone knew this for sure as yesterday i brought one for 2UKPs which isn't very much I guess. The dealer at the record fair said that it was common and so I was wondering if anybody knows if the story about only 50 existing is true???? all the best Darren Keeping
------------------------------ From: "Gavin O'Hara" <gohara@dow.on.doe.ca> Subject: RE: Chalkhills Digest #2-63 Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 08:24:13 -0500 Melissa Reaves wrote... 4) Tom X., glad to hear someone mention Jane Siberry. Why I remember her >from "Waitress" in 1985. Hadn't thought about her much since, but recently I keep hearing snippets of her and want to buy something of hers now. Does anyone know what CD "Everything Reminds Me of My Dog" appears on? It was 'Bound by the Beauty'. Gavin O'Hara Senior Computer Consultant, Informatics Branch 416-739-4811 (voice) Environment Canada 416-739-4999 (fax)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 10:25:12 -0500
From: vanvalnc@is2.nyu.edu (Chris Van Valen)
Subject: Chalkhills #2-63/Picture discs
Dave Haakenson writes:
>I'd been careful to buy everything as it was released and had
>NEVER heard of a pic disc release.
The 7" version of the single "Wonderland" is a picture disc.
Cheers,
CV
If you have an unpleasant nature and dislike people
this is no obstacle to work.
--J.G. Bennett
------------------------------
From: Ben Gott <BENG@hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us>
Subject: Is Geffen getting nice?
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 96 11:34:00 est
Here's the scenario: CDnow!...Search for "XTC"...under the heading, "NOT
AVAILABLE":
THE BIG EXPRESS
Geffen Goldline 2066 24054 2
Future Release: March 12, 1996
NONSUCH
Geffen Goldline 2066 24474 2
Future Release: March 12, 1996
ORANGES AND LEMONS
Geffen Goldline 2066 24218 2
Future Release: March 12, 1996
RAG AND BONE BUFFET
Geffen Goldline 2066 24417 2
Future Release: March 12, 1996
Who feels like explaining this one to me?
Ben
XTC SONG OF THE DAY: Dance Band ("Slow, slow...")
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #2-64 ******************************
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