Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 112
Date: Thursday, 16 July 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 112
Thursday, 16 July 1998
Today's Topics:
A Sword In My Hands
The Little Express-Favorite Song?
Re: Beatles
wallofsound tvt report
Silly Love Songs
Dear Bob
Re: pigeon's fart
Tard
Terry Hall
Go Plus
Deargodometer
Andy & The Monkees (?)
The Andy Partridge Family
IRC, ICQ, Webchat and some (non)such
Wall Of Sound article
Enough already
Just somebody's unwholesome oats
What fun!
Give me Jesus
Dear God / Peter Pumpkinhead
Wonderland
Dear God: What's the E.R. time signature?
Lennon
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For my sake won't you put your knuckles down, boys?
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <199807142205.AAA16652@mail.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 00:05:55 +0000 Subject: A Sword In My Hands Dear Chalkers, Some threads refuse to die - no matter how hard you try :) Eric Rosen said this about the Peter Pumpkinhead = JFK theory: > I believe it was 120 minutes on which I saw AP say > that it is a "one martyr fits all" song. Yep, and he has said it a zillion other times as well... I have several radio "interviews" on tape where the jock asks: "Uhh the eh... Peter Pumpernickel song, that's about the euh JFK thing, right?" and Andy would always answer with "one martyr fits all". So lets take his words for it... > Once seeing the video, it's hard to conclude that JFK is not among > those "martyrs." There's a sequence where we see the following: Bear in mind that usually (and certainly in the case of poor XTC!) a band does have very little or no say in who "shoots" the video or what it will look like. I think it was Geffen who commissioned the PP video (please correct me if i'm wrong), an American script and director, and (according to Andy) it was totally geared towards the American market. It was certainly done pretty well and "in the best possible taste" but i always felt it was a tiny bit obvious to use just this angle and totally ignore all the other aspects of the song. But hey, it's a bloody great video if you compare it with the one for Generals And Majors. Must have cost our Heroes a bundle... yours in mtv, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199807150240.TAA03582@sgi.sgi.com>
From: "Gerardo Tellez" <gtellez@access1.net>
Subject: The Little Express-Favorite Song?
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 19:39:45 -0700
Hi Chalkers!
First of all, does anyone know if The Little Express is still in
business? I wrote to them a few months back, and I still haven't recieved a
response.
Last night I was listening to XTC when a thought popped up in my head.
Do I have a favorite XTC song? After a long time of going through all of
their albums I painfully picked out one song on each album that I
considered my favorites. I had to listen to every detail of the song to
finally pick one. Sure, it was hard. VERY hard.
I have a mission for you, if you choose to accept it. Try to do what I
did. Yes, pick one song off of each album that you think is your favorite.
If you do, i'd like to hear from you. E-mail me your results. Survey? Yes.
Post it to the list? NO! If I get enough responses (more than 1) i'll post
them to the list. Good luck (you'll need it!).
Gerardo
Reminder: If you decide to participate, e-mail me <gtellez@access1.net> not
the list!
------------------------------
Message-Id: <v01540b04b1d1d37d689f@[139.80.100.165]>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:54:09 +1200
From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan)
Subject: Re: Beatles
>Shamus wrote:> Many (I) would argue that some of Paul's Beatle
>contributions were too sappy and poppy and that his Wings and solo
>period were/ are on the whole-fair to crap.
>
> Take out the "many", please. Few could stand up proudly and say that
>John's work was better than Pauls, either in songwriting or technical
>prowess, post-Beatles. I think even McCartney II or would stand up in
>comparison say with anything John did pre-Double Fantasy.And as far as
>Wings goes, I doubt they would've sold millions had they ventured into
>the dark introspective world that John seemed to enjoy dwelling in.
hm. Which is better, an apple or a cabbage? A hammer or an egg? A walk on
part in a war or a lead role in a cage? Trying to compare John and Paul is
not only pointless, but it is also, in many ways, impossible. Their styles
were too dissimilar to say "one is better". For the most part their
songwriting styles were just different enough to complement each other
perectly, and that is why those rare, marvellous occasions when they did
write songs "together", the songs worked so well ("I've got a feeling", and
"A day in the life" have separate Lennon & McCartney sections, for
example). At other times, the joy of Beatles albums was the jump from one
sound to another, in much the same way as an XTC album will juxtapose the
'more Lennonesque" Partridge songs with the 'more McCartneyesque' Moulding
ones.
Those few instances where L&M did come close to each others styles, well
even then you are going to be hard pressed to say which is best and why. If
Paul's love songs were often overly romantic, the same case could be
levelled against "In my life" (one of my favourite Beatles songs, BTW). If
John's were too abrasive, then what of "Helter Skelter"? Paul too
simplistic in his love songs? Thry "Oh Yoko". John too surreal? "Hands
across the water/Admiral Halsey".
It's all bound to be personal taste. Some of you will prefer Paul's music,
some of you John's. Some of you will prefer George's, and some of you (God
help you) will prefer Ringo's. Personally, Wneh I'm in the mood for
McCartney's music, I'm just glad it's there whether it be "And I love her"
or "Getting closer", and when I'm in the mood for Lennon's music, I'm glad
that that's there, whether it be "Norwegian wood" or "Oh my love". And
there is seldom if ever a moment when I'm not glad that they both, for some
brief time, fed on each other's genius and, with the not-to-be-dismissed
help of Harrison and Starr and the gentle guidance of George Martin,
produced some of the most sublime music that this century has produced.
James
Quote, from Diana Dors (born Diana Fluck):
"Just one letter away from describing my whole career, really"
PS: >Thus, XTC (indirectly) shares labelspace with AFX, NIN, KMFDM, B12<
On TVT? AOK! Do I spot a trend here? Please, no-one tell ELO or ELP!
------------------------------ From: mhmcglot@icdc.delcoelect.com Message-Id: <199807150520.AAA26370@koicdu58.icdc.delcoelect.com> Subject: wallofsound tvt report Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 00:20:03 -0400 (CDT) Hey, Here is a nice review of the recent tvt deal at Wall of Sound It is a bit better than the recent Mtv online story. http://www.wallofsound.com/news/stories/3249index.html Mitch (the other one)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03102804b1d1fa1acd76@[165.227.110.102]> Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 23:23:10 -0700 From: Richard Pedretti-Allen <richard@tactics.com> Subject: Silly Love Songs >I don't know about "My Love" but "Silly Love Songs" >was a musical response to the 10cc song "Silly Love" (sung to the tune of Silly Love Songs) verse You think that people would have had enough of Paul MCCartney But I look around me and I see it isn't so (OH, NO!) Some people want to fill the world with Paul McCartney What's wrong with them, I'd like to know, 'cause there he goes again! chorus I hate Paul... I hate Paul bridge He writes his songs in a minute. Sometimes he doesn't write at all. If Chapman understood "A Bullet" He would have blown away Paul. ====== ...kindly respond privately about how you can't take a joke. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03102806b1d1fd39894a@[165.227.110.102]> Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 23:39:38 -0700 From: Richard Pedretti-Allen <richard@tactics.com> Subject: Dear Bob > "BOB O'BANNON" <BOBANNON@IMAweb.com> re: >But I am also bewildered by so-called Christians who can't see how >offensive those lyrics are to the God who has given Andy everything he >has, including the talent to write such a song, To which "god" are you referring? >and who has the right >and the power to snuff out his life in an instant. He wouldn't DO THAT, would he? ...Sounds like that god guy has a vicious streak to him. Youch! I'd better get to a church FAST! Now... which one should I choose? (If I offend, sorry. You are too... something ...but, then again, I have been sucking back sacramental wine all evening so my judgement is clouded) Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03102807b1d20055448c@[165.227.110.102]> Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 23:51:53 -0700 From: Richard Pedretti-Allen <richard@tactics.com> Subject: Re: pigeon's fart Considering that the term "pigeon" is occasionally considered to be "one' s own business" and the word "fart" appears to come from some interpretation of partridge (Perdix perdix), does this particular posting title of Swindon travel travails refer to meddling in Andy's business? Count off in groups of five and discuss it. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s5ac89bc.067@parliament.uk> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 10:50:50 +0100 From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk> Subject: Tard Just a quick one before Sherwood drowns us all in more mental cack... (i) Big Express vs Mummer : Two reasons why Big Express is better. Firstly, it has more songs on it. Secondly, it doesn't have "Wonderland" on it. It pains me to say it, but that song is dreadful. The sound of the 80s. A Johnny Hates Jazz b-side. Possibly the most horrible drum machine sound in recording history. The rest of Mummer is, of course, fantastic. Especially "Human Alchemy". (ii) Blimey, Harrison likes Fugazi. More brownie points to you, squire. The hardcore XTC? Probably not, but close enough for jazz. New album, "End Hits", is their seventh classic in a row. You are not worthy. (iii) All you XTC/West Ham fans should be celebrating. Wrighty is a Hammer. Premiership glory this season, I suspect. Deluded, but ecstatic. (iv) Anyone fancy a conversation about XTC's influence on pop titans Blur? Oh, go on, don't be such a snob. Have you heard "It Could Be You"? Rings a sodding great bell for me. (v) Ringo rules! Current Sounds: Beastie Boys "Hello Nasty", Pulkas "Greed", The Auteurs "Kids Issue" EP Just Read: That Howard Marks' autobiography. Moved, inspired and entertained. Light 'em up. Dom.
------------------------------
From: David_Goody@mandg.co.uk
Message-ID: <00256640.004AA576.00@smtpmta.mandg.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 16:23:07 +0000
Subject: Terry Hall
After reading about it many times on Chalkhills, I finally took the plunge
today a bought Terry Hall's "Home" album. If you are toying with the idea of
getting it, I only have one thing to say....BUY IT!!!! It is a storming
album with all the components you need for a classic:-
Terry Hall - Pop-songwriter extraordinaire
Andy Partridge - Up-and-coming new talent
Nick Heyward - A favourite of many on this list already
Ian Broudie - Lightning Seed-of-many-talents
Chris Sharrock - Icicle Works drummer
Andy's songs are excellent, especially "I Drew A Lemon", which hits you with
"Andy Partridge" from a mile off.
BUY IT!!!
Dave.
------------------------------ From: "Lemoncurry" <dieling@hrz1.uni-oldenburg.de> Organization: University Of Oldenburg Comp.Center Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 18:09:16 MET-1METDST Subject: Go Plus Message-ID: <1D2D8B45F58@hrz1.uni-oldenburg.de> Hi everyone ! Just to keep the XTC influenced bandlist growing: There is a german band called Go Plus. They did take their name from XTC's EP, and they have an album out called "Largo". Saw them live once, they do not sound too XTC-ish, but were quite cool, still. (That name makes them checkworthy alone !!!). Don't know how the album is, but may be buying it, so I can tell you then. Useless to describe them by namedropping, since all bands that resembled them are german underground pop bands, so except for Coni and Erich noone will know (for those two and other assorted germanpop-interested fellows out there: Blumfeld, Kante, Kreidler (sorta)). Just thought to let you know. Cheers everyone, and Allez Les Bleues !!! Lemoncurry residing in The Lemon Lounge at www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/9259 lemoncurry@geocities.com
------------------------------ From: "Damian Foulger" <damian@ceolasers.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:58:32 -0500 Subject: Deargodometer Message-Id: <19980715115356.e306fcf8.in@ceo.ceolasers.com> Dear Christhillians ( joke!) I propose that we have a Deargodometer. John (bless his soul ( just a phrase - not an endorsement of the intangible ) and patience for this list) could put one in the header of the list. People could have their own personal thresholds; For instance, when a digest gets to 50% DG discussion some of us might decide to not read it. Perhaps some of us might only read it when it <italic>reaches</italic> 50%. Personally I think that this whole belief in Andy is purely a figment of weak peoples' imaginations. They can't cope with the thought of an Andyless universe. Andy is an emotional crutch. Just because Virgin has release over 10 CD with 'messages from Andy' doesn't convince me. Have Andy come to my house and perform one of his so-called songs. Yes, that sounds like a good idea; one of you XTC-bashers, next time you pray to Andy tell him that I don't beleive in him and that he should come to my house and perform a song or I shall carry on not believing in him because of lack of evidence. Dames tWd ( aTHEIST and aXTCist )
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 12:07:23 -0500
From: Rick Avard <avari@internetmci.com>
Subject: Andy & The Monkees (?)
Message-id: <002d01bdb013$47202c80$642b37a6@ricka>
I just picked up a copy of The Monkees Anthology on Rhino Records
and was thumbing through the booklet when I came upon a nice little
quote from our hero, Mr. Andy Partridge. It goes as follows:
"My first Monkees experience was seeing a promo film on English
TV - I was very impressed by the way their hair moved in slow motion.
As an early teen, I looked remarkably like Peter Tork. Once the Monkees
broke in England, I did everything I could to dress like him. It seemed
to pay off, the Monkees were a passport to coolness - sort of
"lubrication" to the opposite sex.
I remember sitting on my doorstep for days trying to learn the
intro to "Last Train To Clarksville". Their team was responsible for
some great moments in pop history. "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn &
Jones, Ltd.", which I would listen to at my girlfriend's house, is
packed with wonderful memories.
I was getting Monkees Monthly and there was a competition to
draw a Monkee. I did a caricature of Micky Dolenz and won 10 pounds - a
fantastic sum of money for me then. I bought a second-hand tape
recorder, which further launched me. They've been very responsible for
getting me started."
I thought this was a rather nice tribute to the Monkees from my favorite pop
songwriter. So, now, can we leave McCartney & Lennon alone for a while
(it's getting real old) and while we're at it, can we get off the God
subject. Here's something new: who was a better songwriter - Micky Dolenz
or Davy Jones??? Peter Tork or Michael Nesmith??? I guess my point is, who
cares who was a better songwriter - didn't they, as a group, turn out some
of the greatest pop music ever?!?!?!?!? Yes, they did. As far as I'm
concerned, The Beatles wouldn't have gotten anywhere without one George
Martin. There was the real genius behind The Beatles.
'Nuff Said!!!!!!!! let's move on!!!!!!!!!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19980715171848.5446.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "k. siegel" <beatlebird@hotmail.com> Subject: The Andy Partridge Family Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 10:18:47 PDT Hi all, Does anyone know anything about Andy's kids...gender, age, names, whether they are professing an interest in music as a career like their dad (a la Sean & Julian L)...how many times has Andy been married, or for how long? Mildly curious, Kristi
------------------------------ From: PiriyaV3@aol.com Message-ID: <3c9e9a2f.35ace54e@aol.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 13:22:17 EDT Subject: IRC, ICQ, Webchat and some (non)such Molly <MFa2707621@aol.com> wrote: <> Okay, AOL people without IRC and ICQ abilities...I have a solution! There's a great place on the web (and I know most of you AOL people have access, I can't be the only AOL user suffering that sucky browser) to download the mIRC and ICQ clients. Yes, you too can find these clients and much much more! at www.download.com! ICQ and mIRC clients are both popular picks to download, so just do a quick search when you get there. :) Or I suppose that you can find them SOMEwhere in the AOL software download libraries... They're known to exist in the bowels of AOL, but I wouldn't recommend risking a brain malfunction looking for them. The programs are a tad bit scary and confusing if you haven't used them before (AOL chat is decidedly pretty durn simple). However, there are oodles of help files and sites, and of course the seasoned IRC and ICQ chatters lurking around (I know you're out there). AOL internet capabilities are getting a lot better from what I had to endure 4 yrs ago, so be not afraid to venture forth, Chalk Chatters! - Piriya Minister of Propaganda - http://www.lfc.edu/~vongkpp "Your heart is the big box of paints, and others, the canvas we're dealt."
------------------------------
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19980715134900.006a3aec@130.127.28.14>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 13:49:00 -0400
From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@clemson.edu>
Subject: Wall Of Sound article
Fancy this! A well-researched, well-written article with extensive
Chalkhills references.
Enjoy,
-Adam
( http://www.wallofsound.com/news/stories/3249index.html )
XTC Finds Bliss With TVT
Dear God, you must have got my letter, for XTC, purveyors of trippy pop
for two decades now, have officially inked a deal with TVT
Records. Their as-yet-untitled first album for the label is slated for
release in early 1999. The band spent most of the past 12 months in
U.K. studios (including famed Abbey Road), and is said to be in the
mixing stage right now with enough material for two CDs. Unfortunately,
XTC did suffer one casualty during the sessions, as guitarist Dave
Gregory quit the band. Chakhills [sic], the band's official Internet
mailing list, explains the split by paraphrasing a conversaton with band
leader Andy Partridge in which he said, "Dave was unhappy and Andy and
Colin [Moulding] were unhappy about Dave's unhappiness." Though Gregory
is out, his work will still be heard on the tracks he recorded. The
group's permanently vacant drum seat was filled for the sessions by
former Tubes timekeeper Prairie Prince.
The forthcoming disc will be the eccentric Brits' first album of new
music since 1992's Nonsuch, which was released in the States on Geffen.
Immediately prior to signing with TVT, the band had been in discussions
with V2, a Virgin imprint, but talks fell through. The XTC-TVT pairing
could be considered somewhat ODD, considering TVT's reputation for
harder-edged artists like Nine Inch Nails and Laibach, but XTC should
find the presence of new labelmates the Connells and Catherine somewhat
comforting.
News of the band's American contract follows last year's announcement
that XTC had formed its own label, Idea, with distribution in Europe and
Asia through Cooking Vinyl. Prior to that, the band had a long history
with Virgin Records, an 18-year relationship that soured when XTC
reportedly failed to see a profit from their many brilliant albums on
that label. According to Chalkhills, the first XTC product on Cooking
Vinyl will be The Complete BBC Sessions, a four-CD box set of the band's
in-studio peformances on the Beeb that is set for release in
September. There is no word on whether TVT will release that box in the
United States.
All of this will doubtless be good news to legions of XTC fans who have
been patiently awaiting the arrival of a new album. The band gained a
sizeable following with songs like "Senses Working Overtime," "Generals
and Majors," "Making Plans for Nigel," and their big hit "Dear God," but
lead singer Andy Patridge developed acute stage fright that has
prevented the band from touring since 1982, thus limiting their exposure
to fresh ears.
/=---------------- http://www.he-man.org/ctyner/ ----------------=\
http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/ctyner/
The home of He-Man, "Weird Al", Yoo-hoo, Killer Tomatoes, and more!
Demented music list admin O- MiSTie #67,326
------------------------------ From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <5eafc95c.35acf54f@aol.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 14:30:37 EDT Subject: Enough already Chalkers, The next contribution is my opinion. If you have any problems with the next part please e-mail me. Please try to not flame me. Enough already with the "Dear God" stuff. Religion is a very personal subject, and everybody has different opinions about it. I realized that what I said in a couple of digest ago wasn't exactly true. I do believe in a creator, but I'm not sure that it's God exactly. I'm a very spiritual person, but not technically religious. I don't really appreciate people spouting their religious beliefs at me. I've had to page down a lot of the last digest, because of the religious talk. Please let's talk about something else, like XTC's new album, the comparisons between The Beatles and XTC, and other stuff like that. Again, I just think religion is a very personal subject. Not everybody is Christian. I hope I don't go to hell for saying that. Changing the subject now, I hope that the BBC sessions gets released in America. I'm not going to spend over $100 on an import, because I don't have that kind of money to spend. Any word why it wouldn't be released in America. I'm surprised how many XTC fans there are in America. I think the US fans deserved something like the BBC Sessions, but that's my opinion. Bye for now. Molly PS Please again, I don't really want any Flames from people. You can state your opinions to me at my private e-mail, but I don't really want any flames.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <B82F8C4D16A0D1119FDC0001FA6A4BC9010FD995@hfd-exch003.hartford.aetna.com>
From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com>
Subject: Just somebody's unwholesome oats
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 14:56:05 -0400
>Adam Tyner: Wow, I didn't think the Federal Trade Commission was
>too interested in radio.
The USA now allows a corporation to own something like 35 stations
in one market alone. Repeat: One firm can cover your music
listening needs from Celine Dion to Brooks & Dunn to STP. News?
Talk? If you don't care for the lunatic ranting of Oliver North,
you can partake the pudding-headed centrism of G. Gordon Liddy on
another station. Self-help (or is that self-loathing) ranges from
Dr. Laura ("It's all your fault") Schlesinger to Susan Pouter.
If you tried, you might find one entity peddling all this "choice"
in your city. Such a fiction is a mindfuck worthy of Philip
K. Dick.
It appears the FCC isn't too interested in radio either.
>The station basically tried to get away with as much profanity
>as possible
...and...
>expletives alone weren't enough to arouse the FCC's ire...if
>you're saying it in anger, or in a sentence like, "F--- the rules"
>(not directed at an entity)
The kicker is, ain't none of 'em gonna be Howard Beale or Lenny
Bruce. It chuckles me to imagine so many program directors fighting
the straitjackets of "decency" rules, "political correctness" (what
did we ever rail against before PC?) or societal convention,
and for what? To find one more puerile bad-boy drive-time Howard
Stern wannabe?
No muscle in our tongues, indeed
Karl
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s5acd1b8.099@chemonics.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:58:02 -0400 From: Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> Subject: What fun! Hi: I must say, I was dreading the second (or is it the third, fourth or fifth?) coming of discussion about "Dear God" on the list, but this round is by far the most amusing and enlightening yet. Great posts, Dan, Don, Mike, et. al! Mike V. revealed himself and said: >Todd, you are the man! "Strawberry Fields Forever", "I Am The Walrus", "Dear Prudence", "Revolution No. I."!< No way, Stormee! YOU the man! Thanks, Suzanne Cerquone, for a very interesting post about TVT. I still have high hopes for the band's future there. It sounds like Andy went in with his eyes open, and don't worry about the lack of overseas for the label -- they've cut other deals in England/Europe and Japan. And Charles Komanoff, what a great, touching description of Daniel's love for XTC -- my two-year-old loves them, too, though he's not yet at the point of memorizing many lyrics. Here's hoping that child #2 (my wife and I have one on the way, too) has the same great taste in music. --Todd
------------------------------ From: Jeff.Stoffel@outokumpu.com Message-Id: <86256642.0068AA84.00@espox006.okno.outokumpu.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:03:27 -0500 Subject: Give me Jesus I'm glad that Bob O'Bannon wrote in the other day. I also appreciate reading the responses and discussions that ensued. Most were constructive and thought-provoking. Many caused me to doubt my faith. I have always had to overcome some degree of doubt, and will surely continue to have doubt as long as I live. I do wonder why Don Rogalski became so angry. His assault on Bob O. was pretty viscious. Does the mere notion of God's existence sicken one so much that one's fingers can only come so close as to type the word "gawd"? >"...be construed as anything other than a band firmly espousing very >non-christian sentiments -- they are there in the obvious songs." XTC has countless songs about love, peace, respect for others, honesty, and justice. In countless other songs, XTC makes it clear that they are anti-war, anti-hatred, anti-violence, and anti-greed. Those are all Christian sentiments. >"Gawd, if it's all the same to You, could You just fuck off and leave us >alone?" It's not all the same to Him, but I can assure you that He will definitely leave you alone as long as that's what you want. >If you want to proselytize for your religion, I suggest you look for other >forums that might be more conducive to the exercise." Of course there are other forums that are more conducive than this one. Bob and I are clearly in the minority here on Chalkhills. What courage it took for Bob to post what he did! What good is our faith if we seek out the most conducive forum? I have no confidence in asking you, Don, to become a Christian at this point. But I will ask you to be a gentleman. Now, to shift gears. While vacationing in St. Augustine last month, I was in the J. Crew outlet store and they played "The Vanishing Girl"! I felt as though I had to purchase something in recognition. I asked the person at the front desk if it was a tape that someone in the store brought in, or if they got their music from the main office, etc. She didn't know, or care. Regards, -Jeff
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19980715152749.00694468@acton.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:27:50 -0500 From: Dave Ledbetter <dbetter@acton.com> Subject: Dear God / Peter Pumpkinhead Dear God, If by some huge, cruel joke you are a "human-type" God floating around in the heavens, you will surely appreciate the fact that I have tried to live a decent life more so than if I try to hate people in to believing in you. If, on the other hand, you will send me to hell for missing church on Sunday and at the same time not care about inaction on, and indifference to, real problems affecting human spirits, you are no God of mine. P.S. God: ''N' Street Drive-In' is having a sale on beer- thank you. You must have gotten Andy's letter. RE: Peterpumpkinhead I've heard this is related to JFK before, but do not see the connection at all. I've always believed "PeterPumpkinhead" is a sort-of modern day Jesus Christ. Kind-of a "this is what would happen if a messiah came today." It seems Andy is taking a jab at all the organized religions, in effect, saying they would crucify him if he came today- in the name of religion of course. Wow, isn't that a familiar tale my fellow romans. The last was the most entertaining digest in ages. Thanks.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <35AD11A6.43D83B74@earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 13:31:35 -0700
From: Steven Graff <slapdash@earthlink.net>
Organization: SLAPDASH
Subject: Wonderland
Hey there Chalksters!
Okay, no more religious professing...no more fighting for McCartney
(he doesn't need it, the proof is in his continued success and
accomplishments)...this is all about the little noted Colin Moulding.
I say little-noted, because as a recent post mentioned...no one
ever mentions HIS contributions.
A case in point, the song "Wonderland" on Mummer. Having seen the
"live in studio" video, I must say that I prefer the version with Andy's
guitar tatterings to the over synthy sounding Mummer cut. Having said
that, I must clearly state that I like the Mummer cut thoroughly, in and
of itself as well.
I consider the songs as being applicable to any relationship
nowadays. Some folks are still strangled by their assumption that one
needs popularity and opulence to be worth something. I must say that all
of my close friends and I are working class folks who enjoy the simple
things...like a Dodger game once in a while, and playing hours and hours
of Uno and board games. Some folks really NEED to wake up to
reality.They need to be told in in so many words, and they reed to
realize just how much life is out there, under their nose. And how
precious each friend is in and of themselves. Not because of their
affiliation, but because of the uniqueness of whatever relationship has
evolved through time.
I am not a stranger to being dismissed by some up-and-coming type
whose goal seems to be maintaining a farce so she (I say she cause I'm a
guy, and it's most relevant to me) never has to realize how little she's
actually accomplished, or posesses (character/maturity wise). after
being dismissed, I see the truth and move on. I have given up thinking
"One day you will want me for your own," because by the time they come
to that point, I'm long gone, and not fond of them anymore.
I'm 28 now. oddly, this pattern in people doesn't seem to dwindle
with age. there are lots of shallow people living indenial
....thoroughly saturated throughout the world. I think it'd be really
scary if all the hipsters "woke up" at the same time. While it'd be a
growing step for them, the hysteria caused by their masses would dwarve
that of the 1929 Stock Market crash!
Plus, the song is great driving music!
I personally consider Colin to be a great structuaral song writer. I
can say this because I have no idea how much influence Andy has over the
way a partiucular song is produced once it gets to that stage.
My fave Colin song is either Wonderland or What In the World (his
Dukes song). Any takers?
Steven (reasonably less harsh this time) Graff
------------------------------ From: keone@ix.netcom.com Message-ID: <35AD1DE7.87CC1348@ix.netcom.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:23:51 -0600 Subject: Dear God: What's the E.R. time signature? Howdy All! I interrupt the "Dear God" debate for an XTC-related musical question... What is the time signature for "English Roundabout"? Not knowing anything about music, I am intensely curious to know what the beat is and what it's time signature would be -- 5/4? 2/3? 7/4? 3/4+2/4? WHAT?!! It's such an amazing song and few pop/rock songs have unusual time signatures. Indeed, what other recognizable rock tunes have used anything other than 4/4 and 3/4 times? - The GIngerbread Man
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Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 16:48:10 -0500
Message-Id: <199807152148.QAA26656@thor.inlink.com>
From: jims@inlink.com (Jim S)
Subject: Lennon
>>Lennon was reduced to doing interviews where he started taking credit for
>>writing many of McCartney's most famous songs. He may have added some to
>>songs like Hey Jude, Eleanor Rigby and The Fool On The Hill, but he
>>certainly did not write these songs himself, nor was he was the principal
>>writer. It was really almost pathetic.
>
>I recall John wanting to get credit where credit was due. I think he
>was tired of people thinking that "Paul wrote the music and John wrote
>the words", and "Paul is the musician, John is the Mind". Paul did the
>same thing. He wrote the music to one of John's most celebrated songs,
>"In My Life", and he has mentioned that point in interviews as well.
>They are (were) human.
This is not what I was referring to; in a Playboy interview, Lennon hinted
that he was actually responsible for songs such as Hey Jude, The Fool On The
Hill and Lady Madonna. It was so bad that even George Harrison broke his
silence and said it wasn't so. This was during Lennon's "house husband"
stage (or musically-burned-out stage, take your pick). It was really an
awful thing to see. I think that for all of John's post-Beatles badgering
of Paul's work (in the song "How Do You Sleep" he says the only good thing
Paul ever did was "Yesterday", which of course has double meaning), he was a
bit resentful that Paul's solo work was more popular than his own. He struck
at Paul pretty viciously on a number of occasions for virtually no known
reason, other than resentment. John was an incredibly complex man; he was a
musical genius, a genuine compassionate soul whose insecurities also gave
him quite a cruel streak. He was horribly cruel to Brian Epstein, whom
Lennon knew was gay and had a crush on John. All of John's success couldn't
mask his insecurities, in fact they may have added to them. He was often
critical of the Beatles ("we were only a pop band") but at other times he
would be justifiably proud of what they accomplished. I think he felt that
alot of the adulation was undeserved or that he was not worthy of it. Yet it
also fed his ego which spurred on his incredible talents.
Quite a guy, and how sad it is that he is gone, for we could all benefit not
only from his music, but also his compassion.
Jim S. <jims@inlink.com>
Serious fan of:
*St. Louis Rams *Michigan Wolverines *"JAWS"
*St. Louis Cardinals *XTC *MST3K
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-112 *******************************
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