Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 105
Date: Tuesday, 7 July 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 105
Tuesday, 7 July 1998
Today's Topics:
XTC
Mayors of Simpleton
Mummer vs The Big Express - Thoughts From A Recent Buyer
Observation that's all I can offer.
Demos - New Zealand?
their creative process? geeze...
XTC music for modern dance
F-C-C, R-I-P, L-Y-N-N-E
Re: The Big Express (side 2)
Colin
The Lion Vanishes Tonight
Him Upstairs
Paul McCartney
Listening Collection & Such!
Help please??
No essay: Chai tea
Fano Guitars Website Update
Melt Your Weapons
The Unicorn And Lion Sleep Tonight
Black Sea chat and Pagan Themes
Re : Your F*%#ing Dictionary
Colin Seditas Concern
Administrivia:
_XTC: Song Stories_ is an excellent read. Order yours today!
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People gossip on the doorstep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 5 Jul 1998 17:31:35 -0400 From: Peter Melsom <Pete_Melsom@compuserve.com> Subject: XTC Message-ID: <199807051732_MC2-5236-2546@compuserve.com> Hi Everyone I have been reading the digest thoroughly, from top to bottom, but never thought about sending a message, as I haven't really got a great deal to say - however, I will let you know the following:- I live in Swindon (have done all my life)! I regularly see Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory strolling along the High Street in Old Town, Swindon! Saw Colin Moulding shopping last year! My boyfriend was in the same class at school as Terry Chambers! ! I work with Ian Gregory (Dave's "drumming and other musical instruments - EIEI Owen" brother ....... OK, OK, I know you know who he is, just thought I'd explain). I get snippets of inside info from him re Dave, he told me all about his leaving the band, etc. I am the proud owner of the "Drums and Wires" Gold Disc, awarded to Colin by the Canadian Music Industry. It is hanging on my lounge wall. Had to pay lots for it at Christie's Rock and Pop auction last year, but it was worth it!! Don't live very far away from Uffington White Horse Hill (English Settlement chalk horsey type thing on the cover). That's about it really. Fav recordings are varied, and I love all of them, however, do like "The Loving" and "Then She Appeared". Also love "Summer's Cauldron" and "All You Pretty Girls". Used to love "Helicopter" when I was at school, all the other girlies thought I was mad, they were into Duran Duran, etc, etc .......... (Who I hear you cry). Plus always get the "Three Wise Men and Thanks for Christmas" out at Xmas time. Broke my original copy, mentioned it to Ian Gregory in passing, and, hey presto, he brought me in a spare copy!!!! Best be off - I've bored you enough. Debie Edmonds <Pete_Melsom@compuserve.com> Swindon
------------------------------ Message-ID: <008801bda86e$be0e0260$f13cedc1@default> From: "Edward Percival" <edward@surfshack.demon.co.uk> Subject: Mayors of Simpleton Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 00:42:53 +0100 I've just spent 2 hours going through the amazing volume of digests. Nobody picked up on the observation that the Mayors of Simpleton were playing the hope & Anchor- When???Who??? Enjoyed my Tape swap buddy Pancho's contribution on the survey, though not so sure on the armpit issue. I hear echoes of XTC in lots of CDs- Blur, Crash Test Dummies are well documented, but how about Grasshow- something smells good in Stinkville. I finally got around to buying the Byrds and the beach Boys greatest hits CDs, just to check the influences and to be honest I think XTC do it better. Was supposed to sit next to Chris Difford at a celebration of Charlton Athletic's promotion to the Premiership (Soccer for those of you in far flung places) as my company are their shirt sponsors and he wrote their official song. But he didn't show, so I didn't get to hear his side. Religion: Atheist (This is not a rehearsal!) Politics: New Labour Drugs: Food, Wadworths 6X Job: Head of Sales & Marketing for a PC manufacturer (Special discount for XTC fans! www.meshplc.co.uk) Dream: Ring Ring Me: Hello AP: This is Andy Partridge. Were about to tour the world and Dave's gone, so how about joining us...
------------------------------ From: Iain_Murray@hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au Message-Id: <4A256639.0009DA17.00@ncc-notes.hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au> Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 11:54:58 +1000 Subject: Mummer vs The Big Express - Thoughts From A Recent Buyer As my XTC collection is considerably smaller than most Chalkhillians, I've been very interested in the discussions comparing Mummer to The Big Express - chances are I'd only have money for one of them, and I wouldn't want to get the wrong one.... As it turned out, I was in Sydney last weekend (at the HMV Megastore in Pitt Street - thanks again to Mark Archer-May), and was confronted by more XTC albums than I'd ever seen in one place. A forum like Chalkhills came in very useful here, as I had no idea which albums were "good" and which ones were of a slightly lesser quality. The "Mummer vs Big Express" debate entered my mind at this point, and true to the recommendations, I bought them both simultaneously (as well as "Skylarking" and "Chips From The Chocolate Fireball" - I had more money than I thought). I've just finished listening to them, one straight after the other. IMHO, "Mummer" comes out in front by a long way. "Wonderland" is a bit wet and "Funk Pop A Roll" is just annoying, but the rest of the album comes across as a (very slightly) lesser version of "Skylarking" .... at least to my ears. "The Big Express" wasn't bad, but it didn't grab me as much as "Mummer" or the other albums I've heard. Thanks to all of you who have emailed me to make suggestions about what to get, what to avoid and where to get them. Iain
------------------------------ Message-ID: <8191BF798BAFD111817B0001FA0E3A574ED96F@ZSCED004> From: "ARCHER-MAY,Mark" <Mark.ARCHER-MAY@deetya.gov.au> Subject: Observation that's all I can offer. Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 12:27:24 +1000 I have no problem with the apparent boredom, that this page has been inspiring in some poor people lately, as long as I find it interesting boredom, if it's not I skip it. As far as I can see almost any subject is XTC content especially when things are so quiet. We have songs who's subject matter rages right across the sprectrum of human experience so most discussion seems fitting, so far, to my eyes. The subject matter of all this songs that are so much loved in this page range from the trivial to somewhat earth moving or least an effort in that direction. Love on a Farmboy's Wages may be a pretty damn important topic for a farmboy, but hey WW3 won't start over it. So in the big scale of things trivia/boredom has a very strong place in all our lives and I for one have been in love with trivia long before the appearance of Trivial Pursuit. So if this page covers from Trivia to Earth Shaking I for one will not complain. "So one intelligent lifeforms boredom is another intelligent lifeforms hey thats interesting". Look I can't discuss the musical content, I can't guess at what chord Dave Gregory plays at the beginning of Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead (Old topic but how the hell can anyone think that is about JFK apart from the line about sex scandals there's nothing in the song to suggest it). So all I can talk about is my feelings, thoughts and yes at times trivia. So in the end I'd rather have "boredom" than nothing at all. A list of songs to hook non xtc people, put on The Compact XTC skip Science Friction and play away. Oddly enough getting people to like XTC is not the problem, most people I've mentioned them usually like the early singles, Nigel, Senses etc but they seem apathetic unwilling to take an interest beyond there. And I can go one better than Alan Martin both my ex-wife and my present (and eternal wife) love XTC so NA NA NA NA NAAAAAA NAAAAAA!!!!!! squared, I will not be trying to make it a hatrick. Mark P.S. For any Sydney Chalkhillians, Merrylands Video Ezy has a copy of Look Look in their weekly shelves.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <MAPI.Id.0016.007572612f63616d3030304330303043@MAPI.to.RFC822> From: Cameron Wright <cameron@auravale.co.nz> Subject: Demos - New Zealand? Date: Mon, 06 Jul 98 18:22:46 PDT Are there any other Kiwi Chalkhillers out there who could help me obtain a copy of the demos? In fact are there any other subscribers in New Zealand at all? Please email me direct : cameron@auravale.co.nz Thanks ! Cam Wright
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35A071E6.2D59@gte.net> Date: Sun, 05 Jul 1998 23:43:00 -0700 From: Randy Hiatt <rhiatt@gte.net> Subject: their creative process? geeze... Does anyone know the process the guys use to create their tunes? Do they: each bring relativly complete demos to each other for the go/no go vote, is Colin guarenteed x tunes per CD (like George Harrison), do they work together in some mutual writing session (bic pens a flying), or do they actually jam out ideas in a full group setting (ever try to get 4 people of this calibur in a room at the same time)? I'd guess all of the above, but I would like a more complete dsecription of the processes used (who isn't going to say "wait for the book"). What's the tools of choice for each method? Are vocal harmonies created with a "Vocalist" type device (vocal harmonies are synthasized from the origional voice and can follow midi note input via a keyboard)? It's obvious their mastery of complicated harmonies, not a note is by accident, I just don't see this happening without an extensive use of the keyboard despite their heavy use of guitars (I miss Dave allready). I've heard Andy say things like... "that cord isn't really a guitar cord", which makes me believe it was a keyboard that voiced it origionally. How close do Colin and Andy get to the final draft with their original drum machine grooves? It appears to me that over time their drum approachs are very similar despite the various drummers/machines used. My gut reaction is the grooves are pretty good in the demos and the drummers basically learn these parts, as apposed to being a creative force in their creation. How much did their 1st drummer influence their rythmic taste or visa versa? (I've allways loved the "cyclic" drum pattern thing he did). Do they us a computer (midi) much in their composition process? Are their own home studios pretty good (digital audio/midi)? I only own the commercial releases (at this writing) and have only heard you all talk of the demos etc. I have a burning need to understand it all. Anyone in the Pacific North West (USA) want to get together sometime? Randy in Seattle p.s. Circuit City has cheep new CD prices, I've bought 5-6 copies of O&L and NonSuch for $4.95 each. Thats a good way to train your friends, buy them their own copies and make them listen to it,... or else! p.s.s. Long ago at a dollar sale (or in the free bin) I picked up an LP (prior to my real XTC exposure) of a guy who had querky up beat tunes which sounded much like Generals & Majors. I can't find my copy now but it may have been Caption America (not Beefheart) or something similar.... anyone have a clue what the hell I mean? just curious.
------------------------------ From: Sue Tibbles <set@bodley.ox.ac.uk> Subject: XTC music for modern dance Message-Id: <SIMEON.9807061156.A@cat021.bodley.ox.ac.uk> Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 11:09:56 +0100 (GMT Daylight Time) Anyone out there come across XTC's music used for modern dance? I know Michael Clark uses the Fall's music, and Rolling Stones' music is used for 'Rooster' by Ballet Rambert. Somebody mentioned if there was any fuzztone used by XTC, well I think that the opening bit of Your Gold Dress by the Dukes has some. Sue T.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35A0AA94.C2BFF7F6@erols.com> Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 06:44:36 -0400 From: Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt <toddjenn@erols.com> Subject: F-C-C, R-I-P, L-Y-N-N-E Hi: Try singing it to the tune of "The Mickey Mouse Club." Anyway, after winning the "find the typo" contest in my last post (and being gracious enough not to point out that _of course_ the FTC wouldn't have much of an opinion on what is played on the radio, it being the purview of the _FCC_), Keith Sawyer said: > That being said, today's radio stations are extremely cautious. I remember > back in the early 80's major rock stations were willing to play songs with > curses ... these days they'll get a 'clean' version from the label. > So to answer your question: we could debate about whether or not spelled > curses make a song obscene, but in reality it doesn't matter because > commercial stations are going to err on the side of caution and avoid > playing any song that could foster complaints. So the fate of the song is in the hands of the commercial/musical establishment? Great. > But the independent stations will still play it ... Let's hope enough of them play it to start a "Dear God" kind of controversy that'll then spread. And my pal Dom said: > "My Weapon" on the other hand is a lame, cod-new wave atrocity. Mildly > amusing, but that's about it. "Super Tuff" isn't much better. Obviously the > rest of "Go2" is superb, but you can almost hear the cringing as Barry gets > to do his thing. > I know lots of you will disagree - oh, how BORING - so I'd love to hear some > reasons why (rather than just slagging me off for being smug, or a hypocrite > or whatever it is this week). At the risk of being, well, you know, I'll disagree a bit. Here's why: I've always liked "Super Tuff" for its bass line and its atmospheric ending, which borders on being oh so tender. But, much as I love Barry's playing, I agree that he's not the songwriter Andy or Colin are. > Oh, and Todd Reinhardt, me old pedant! Yes, I have been inconsistent. I have > already admitted it. Who isn't? I still never said I was "hip" or superior > though. I agree. You implied it, though. > It's all very well to keep referring back to past postings and going > "Aha! Caught you wanking in front of the mirror again!" but I really don't > think anyone, least of all Mr Wright, wants to hear me defending myself YET > AGAIN. So for the final time, yes, I'm a dreadful, smug piece of shit and I > promise to kill myself at the first opportunity. Oh. Okay, then. :^) And in #101, James Dignan said: >Singles: the Beatles song "Free as a Bird" was released 25 years after "The long and winding road". < James, since no one else has jumped on you about this and the pedant in me is screaming to get out, I for one would suggest that "Free as a Bird" was in fact released by three guys who used to be in the Beatles and one extremely evil "musician" commonly referred to on this list as the AntiLennon, based on a demo that the fourth Beatle -- now, sadly, beyond this veil of tears -- never intended to see the light of day. Gotta agree with you about B'boom, though! --Todd
------------------------------ From: CCooli9575@aol.com Message-ID: <64b298df.35a0aca9@aol.com> Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 06:53:28 EDT Subject: Re: The Big Express (side 2) >What I want to know is, does the rest of The Big Express match up >to the first 5 songs? I have tons of albums with a weaker second half >but a strong first, and will Big Express become one of them? What >are the songs past This World Over (which is now one of my favorite >songs ever) like? > >Ok, I'll shut up now. > >Rich Bunnell or "Metal Man," whichever sounds more insane I actually prefer side 2 to side 1 myself. "I Brought Myself A Liarbird" is, only by default, the weakest track, only good rather than great. Otherwise, you're in for a treat with the veiled Kinks tribute "The Everyday Story Of Smalltown," the twisted Linn Drum, harmonica and distorto guitar XTC blues of "Reign Of Blows," the surreal pop of "You're The Wish You Are I Had," the grunge-jazz fusion of Colin's "I Remember The Sun" and, their greatest example of stabbing yourself with a toothpick after a sumptuous ten course meal(along with "Travels In Nihilon"), "Train Running Low On Soul Coal," which sounds like exactly that; instead of fading out the song ends by grinding to a halt like a train running out of fuel. Enjoy! Side 1 suffers by comparison; I never really cared for "This World Over," and "Wake Up" just falls short of great XTC and I find a bit dodgy as an opening track, though I can't think of anything on the album more appropriate; maybe if side 2 were side 1. The rest of the side flows nicely, though, and despite my distaste for the song I gotta admit "This World Over" makes a good side closer. Music to swing by(a rope, that is). Chris
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 12:24:23 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <v03007800b1c670306941@[209.86.135.95]> From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> Subject: Colin You are all right. I don't really know Colin at all though I've met him several times. He's quiet for sure. (Though one time in Swindon at a pub I got Colin to laugh so hard that beer squirted out his nose!) Even Andy called him a "mystery man" once. But I know that Peter Fitzpatrick has probably spent some time speaking with him in person recently. In addition Dennis Fano, the man who built custom guitars for both Dave and Andy has spent quite a while speaking with Colin in the early months of this year when he was in England. Dennis tells me that once Colin feels comfortable around you he talks quite a bit. I know this doesn't really help to determine what Colin thinks about anything but those of you who subscribe to The Little Express may want to investigate your back issues from around O & L's time because my friend Ken Weinstein did an interview with Colin only and wrote a pretty lengthy article too. Mitch
------------------------------ Date: 6 Jul 98 11:33:30 -0600 Subject: The Lion Vanishes Tonight From: "David vanWert" <mcknife@xsite.net> Message-Id: <B1C66691-3A166@206.126.235.71> On Mon, Jul 6, 1998 8:58 AM, Colin Seditas <cseditas@yha.att.ne.jp> wrote: >"In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the >lion sleeps tonight." Do you remember that? Is this exactly the same >melody or what? You may have to a Brit to know what I'm on about. > >This great song has become inextricably entwined with a piece of mid >80's pop trash by someone with bleached blonde spiky hair Actually that's a piece of early sixties pop trash (or possibly earlier). I'm not sure what year the song is copyrighted, but I know the Tokens released a very commercially successful version in '61. That said, yes, I do hear a smidge of similarity in the opening guitar bit to the opening ooo-wee-ooo bit now that you mention it. It's not exactly the same, but you're not crazy. David vanWert mcknife@xsite.net http://www.xsite.net/~mcknife "Ceterum censeo, delenda est Carthago." Cato the Elder
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BDA904.ADC564C0@e2c6p8.scotland.net> From: Robert Wood <wobbit@bigfoot.com> Subject: Him Upstairs Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 17:16:09 +0100 Richard said in 4-104 >>I believe Andy has some religious beliefs. They very well may not be in the "organized" form of "organized" religions but that's an entirely different debate. He gives many indications about being knowledgable on the subject, questioning people's use of a conditional "god" in "It's Nearly Africa" or metaphorically citing Cain and Abel in "Reign Of Blows", among other references. << The line that always gets me is from This World Over... "Will you tell them about that far off and mythical land, Where a child to the virgin came." Always sends shivers down my spine that...
------------------------------ From: GFROBE@aol.com Message-ID: <481e136.35a11a0e@aol.com> Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 14:40:13 EDT Subject: Paul McCartney In reply to posting: > Yes! Gotta be Paul's best song ever, along with "Helter Skelter" and a >very few others. "Let It Be" almost makes it, but the "mother Mary" >reference seems like a copout; why don't you use your mother's real name, >Paul, unless you want us to think you're Catholic? Not exactly sure what you're on about here Chris. Paul's mother's name is Mary.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <9008165AB825D1118A1600A024A1661947D6DC@CHOWAN> From: "Martin, Alan" <Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com> Subject: Listening Collection & Such! Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:30:38 -0400 Hi Chalkies! Hope everyone had a great 4th! First of all, thank you Richard Pedretti-Allen. Your comments, concerning DG were very interesting. That said, I am looking for the "Ultimate" track listing to build my XTC listening tape for future summer road trips. Please don't fill the post with your responses, BUT PLEASE respond! I'm looking for the 20 best "Listenable" & "Drivable" tracks from all different albums! Please feel free to include Dukes and Demos stuff! Please e-mail your lists to me at AMartin777@aol.com. In a similiar vein, I would LOVE to take on the task of conducting an XTC Survey! I did one about a year and a half ago for the XTC Discussion Group on AOL. It was very successful and somewhat surprising. If you are interested, please send a message to the same e-mail address (AMartin777@aol.com) and I will send you a complete set of guidelines. Please put "XTC Survey" as your subject line. Everyone who participates will receive an e-mail copy of the results automatically after I have compliled them. I will also send a copy to anyone who requests them. I plan to include such things as ranking albums, singles etc. I also plan on doing a "odd questions" section: favorite song in a rainstorm, on a desert island, etc. I would like to set a deadline of Saturday, August 1st for your submissions. So get those requests to me and I'll send along the guidelines. We can always move up the deadline if we need to. I can't wait to hear from you all! THANKS! in advance! Alan J. Martin ECS x3076 Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com
------------------------------
From: sberkeley@ccm.frontiercorp.com
Message-Id: <9807068997.AA899751813@ccm.frontiercorp.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 98 11:45:11 -0500
Subject: Help please??
All-
Sorry for the mass posting, but could someone be so kind as to
contact me privately regarding helping me acquire a copy of Andy's
"Hello" recording and/or the "James and the Giant Peach" Demos (on cdr
preferably)? Thanks and regards,
-Shamus
sberkeley@frontiercorp.com
------------------------------ Message-ID: <B82F8C4D16A0D1119FDC0001FA6A4BC9010FD966@hfd-exch003.hartford.aetna.com> From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: No essay: Chai tea Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 16:48:13 -0400 On the whole "look it up in Your Dictionary" thread: In one of those "requires independent confirmation (unless you're Matt Drudge*)" episodes of life, Garrison Keillor actually said "shit" on air. This was during the "news from Lake Wobegon" segment, July 4th, on "A Prarie Home Companion" radio show. My wife will swear witness to this; in fact, if she didn't, I don't know if I'd have trusted my ears. The show is broadcast live. If you're familiar with it, you'll know Keillor is low-key, to say the least. This was no primadonna tantrum, but a declarative "quote" from one of his fictional (?) aggressive- passive, upper-Midwest Lutherans, in his monologue about fireworks gone awry. For those keeping score at home, this also supports the theory that the less "language" is used, the more effect it tends to hava. >Dean Martucci: "Italy - in the thick of it. Steady, consistent, >classic play. This is their year." Care to join me in the losers bracket? I first thought Germany, and of the 4 left, talisman that I am, I'm rooting for the Dutch, especially after that Mexican referee did them dirt. The Big Express?? Go and get it!! Andy explores his love/hate relationship with Swindon, hooters (look it up), steam locomotion, and all things orinthological on side 2. Don't miss out. Brakes all scream, Karl *Yes, it's a really easy, cheap shot. I often try harder, really.
------------------------------ From: FANOGTRS@aol.com Message-ID: <e6d6056f.35a140e3@aol.com> Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 17:25:53 EDT Subject: Fano Guitars Website Update Hello! We have updated our Guitar Gallery with pictures of the SatelliteR and Partridge Models and have added pictures of Andy Partridge of XTC and Dave Gregory with their Fano Guitars on the News page. We have also updated our Guestbook so please come by and sign up for our mailing list. Thank you! ----------------->>>>> <A HREF="http://www.fanoguitars.com/"> www.FanoGuitars.com</A> <<<<<-----------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199807062231.AAA26470@mail.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 00:34:21 +0000 Subject: Melt Your Weapons Dear Chalkers, I'm not sure: do i really want to see the Great My Weapon Wars rekindled? I think not but i just can't help myself... > I just also want to be one of the brave few to admit fondness of > "My Weapon." I don't see anything wrong with that song at all. Nothing? You gotta be kidding! Check out the "lyrics" and weep... If it wasn't so vicious and mean, you'd wet your pants laughing IMHO this song stinks a mile away and should never have been included on the album. But Virgin liked it of course; maybe a little controversy would boost sales, who knows? Look what it did for the Sex Pistols. Wait a minute... My Weapon, Sex Pistol, coincedence ? yours in pornography, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199807062231.AAA26483@mail.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 00:34:22 +0000 Subject: The Unicorn And Lion Sleep Tonight Dear Chalkers, Another urgent matter presented itself: > put the guitar intro from VANISHING GIRL in your heard. OK, now sing > the same melody with these words: "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, > the lion sleeps tonight." Do you remember that? Is this exactly the > same melody or what? No, i don't think so. This melody has been used and misused, stolen and robbed lots of times but not on this occasion. The song you are talking about is probably best known as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and is in fact a traditional African song. But it has been covered by hundreds of artists from all over the world; I have seen a terrific live performance by Miriam Makeba for instance and a group called The Tokens scored a hit with this song in 1962 > This great song has become inextricably entwined with a piece of mid > 80's pop trash by someone with bleached blonde spiky hair (Lamaal? > Kajagoogoo?). The version you are probably referring to is the one by the English combo Tight Fit from 1982, a huge hit all across Europe. yours sleepily, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------ From: StarlingV@aol.com Message-ID: <7341bdb9.35a184b1@aol.com> Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 22:15:12 EDT Subject: Black Sea chat and Pagan Themes Two things. Thing 1: Any Chalkhills-dwellers with AOL access are invited to join us for the Black Sea listening party on Tuesday, July 7th, at 10 pm eastern. E-mail me if you need directions, or visit http://members.aol.com/starlingv/aolvis.htm. We usually have a good time at these things, discussing the songs and such. Hope to see you. (And more importantly, I hope this digest gets to you before then.) Thing 2: I recently heard the much-circulated demos for the first time, and the lyrics to many of these songs have only added to my wonder and curiosity regarding Andy Partridge's spiritual beliefs. I know we've discussed religion a lot on this list lately, and I know it's not always a safe or comfortable topic, and I know it's none of our affair what Andy believes, but I have to say that I'm pretty much convinced that if he embraces any sort of spirituality, it's most likely of a pagan nature. Songs on Skylarking, for example (Summer's Cauldron, Seasons Cycle) celebrate the turning of the seasons echo the ancient wheel-of-the-year, the same celebrations observed by many pagan and neo-pagan groups, especially wiccans and druids. The recent crop(!) of songs are even more pagan to my ear: The Green Man especially. But also the lyrics to The Wheel and the Maypole, Easter Theater, We're All Light.... I love these because they represent *my* beliefs. The phrase "this new Dark Age" in We're All Light lets me know that Andy's not exactly eager to align himself with new-agers, but the feeling that I get from his songs reinforces my own feelings: Nature is god. Love is worthwhile. In fact, the very basis of Wiccan belief happens to be: "An it harm none, do as ye wilt", or, more musically put: "... do what you want to do, just don't hurt nobody." -Janis
------------------------------ From: Iain_Murray@hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au Message-Id: <4A25663A.00165201.00@ncc-notes.hr-m.b-m.defence.gov.au> Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 14:16:26 +1000 Subject: Re : Your F*%#ing Dictionary Derek Miner (#4-104) mentioned the fact that "Your Dictionary" would not receive radio airplay because of the so-called risk of causing widespread offence. Unfortunately, this is not just confined to the more conservative areas of the United States. In Australia, we have a self-regulating national broadcaster (Triple J Radio - check out the website at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej) which is probably the only station that will play uncensored material at any time of day. Therefore, I would suggest that this is the only place where Australian Chalkhillians will be able to hear "Your Dictionary" receive even the smallest amount of radio time. While on the subject of censorship, I'd be interested to hear from anyone regarding their own opinions on music censorship. IMHO, there is no point in censoring music - what kind of backward, repressionist society tries to ban a *song*? Music does not cause cancer, it does not provoke people to commit crimes against humanity (the sort of people who might do something like that can easily be set off by any stimulus, not necessarily Andy Partridge spelling "F-U-C-K"), and music does not turn teenagers into rampaging demon spawn. God forbid, some music might actually encourage people to think! Are there any genuine instances of "offensive" songs causing anti-social behaviour? (And I'd really appreciate it if nobody brings up the Judas Priest example....) If anyone has any thoughts about this, please E-Mail me (so we don't clutter up the posting board). Iain
------------------------------ Message-ID: <8191BF798BAFD111817B0001FA0E3A574ED9F2@ZSCED004> From: "ARCHER-MAY,Mark" <Mark.ARCHER-MAY@deetya.gov.au> Subject: Colin Seditas Concern Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 14:54:25 +1000 No doubt I am one of several to write to say that the song "The lion sleeps tonight" to my knowledge goes back to the 1960's, infact around 1961. The eighties version is one of more than I would guess a hundred covers of the song, including a version by "They Might Be Giants" on "Apollo 18". I have a feeling that the song may even predate the 1960's but of this I am not certain. So Colin, Colin Moulding most probably had this song imprinted in his head like some sort of race memory since childhood, I know I have unfortunately. Exit stage left chanting "aweem away aweem away aweem away." Yours hoping to earn enough for us Mark
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-105 *******************************
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