Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 135 Wednesday, 16 September 1998 Today's Topics: chalkhils classifieds CC97 reviews Delay in release of Modern Time Neros (CC98) Reuben Blades & Andy Help me Obie-Wan. You're my only hope. wannnadies Re: Testimonial Dinner Antipodean spelling quirks "Drums and Wireless"? club chat Song Stories Wannadies in the sun (sorry, no XTC content) Loving the Farmer's Pages (Ouch!) Ordered Listing for Rag & Bone Buffet Song Stories I want my, I want my XTC Pop bands and TVT The interview's out and about... Re: Costello/Bacharach Lumiere and the light is on ! almost forgot a great disc I should recommend My book has arrived! a series of letters to Dear God? Contacting Little Express The Nines Administrivia: To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command: unsubscribe For all other administrative issues, send a message to: <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to: <chalkhills@chalkhills.org> World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/> or: <http://come.to/chalkhills/> The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Chalkhills is compiled using Digest 3.6b (by John Relph <relph@sgi.com>). I've trapped you in my song.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <TFSLCSEH@ubk.net>> From: Jonathan Monnickendam <monnickj@ubk.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 14:01:27 +0000 Subject: chalkhils classifieds THOSE FREE CDs - only BECK remains It must say something about the man's thin popularity that no one has yet asked for it. If you want it let me know. Else where on the classifieds are copies of Beeswax/waxworks, Peter Blegvad cds with AP and Stephen Duffy. Other than that the apocalypse must be nigh because mott the hoople are reforming to play a gig at the Virgin Megastore, wednesday, 6pm. I 'll try and be there of course. jon Current Reading ; 'Goldfish hide & seek' by Satoshi Kitamura * --------------------------------------------------------------- The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC. * ---------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: "Pedretti-Allen, Richard (Richard)" <rpa@lucent.com> Message-ID: <72EDB966944AD1118DC90080D8207488A98A95@ex-campus2> Subject: CC97 reviews Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 13:00:32 -0700 To purchasers of CC97: I have only received 8 reviews. I'd like to get a few more. I would like to get the digest member's impressions of CC97. Please email me privately (richard@tactics.com) and I will compile the results (with the exception of question number 4 which is simply for my edification). DO NOT POST YOUR PICKS ON CHALKHILLS. Regarding the covers on CC97: 1) What song did you like the best? 2) What is the most "radio-worthy" song? 3) What is the most professional sounding song? 4) What was the worst song? (You can also specify your reason for any of the above questions) Additional comments welcome: Thanks! Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ From: "Pedretti-Allen, Richard (Richard)" <rpa@lucent.com> Message-ID: <72EDB966944AD1118DC90080D8207488A98A98@ex-campus2> Subject: Delay in release of Modern Time Neros (CC98) Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 13:30:26 -0700 There is a change that I would like made to the master disc and that means that there will be a bit of a delay in the release of Modern Time Neros. I'm probably looking at a release date of October 17 (maybe a week sooner if things happen faster). We've got bluegrass, we've got polka, we've got dark, mancing synth pop, we've got calypso-flavored, we've even got a nod to Lynyrd Skynyrd, we've Chalkchatter fodder that should keep us plenty busy until we get real XTC. There is some really stunning stuff on Modern Time Neros. I hate the added delay in distributing tapes because I want to share this stuff and get response and read the Chalktraffic. For what it's worth, I have never claimed that Ted Lee was responsible for any delays, though he stated that I did. So as to make his statement true, I blame this delay on him. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199809142211.SAA25824@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> From: "RoadKill" <csberry@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 17:11:14 +0000 Subject: Reuben Blades & Andy Dom wrote about Testimonial Dinner: > Full marks also to Reuben Blades for his "The Man Who Sailed...". > Blades makes his rendition more Latin than ever- it grooves!!! I have enjoyed being on this list, so please don't hurt me too much, but... I actually like Reuben's version better. OWOWOWOWOW! Not to take anything away from the original, but I feel more emotion from the Blades remake. I always loved the song, but usually spent it waiting to end so I can get to "D.G." and "Sacrificial Bonfire." I felt that confessing now would be better than letting it fester in me until forced to testify on this by an independent counsel. I thank those of you that are still willing to accept me. Let's all lift a glass to the dream that one day Andy and Colin will take a hint from Steely Dan. Imagine a world that the two of them (Andy and Colin, not XTC and Steely Dan) travel with an all star collection of musicians. It would be a gesture to the fans for all of the years of loyalty. Could it be called The Contrition Tour? Oh, well. Cory
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v04003a00b222f933504d@[208.240.250.142]> From: Ken Herbst <ken@bamadvertising.com> Subject: Help me Obie-Wan. You're my only hope. Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 17:12:37 -0600 This is totally out of nowhere but, darnit, I need your help. Now, I love the thrill of the hunt -- the occasional several-year quest for the "great lost CD." But this isn't fun anymore. You see, I'm a big fan of Eddie Jobson (U.K. violinist and keys player). Haven't had any trouble finding the "Zinc" CD to augment my vinyl, but darned if I can't find his Private Label CD, "Theme of Secrets." I've looked everywhere ....the internet, K-Mart dust-bins, underneath the bloody glove in O.J.'s White Bronco. Everywhere. Help....everything...dark.......rocking..self .....fetal position....give you........green money.......... anything.....stocks....bonds...marble collection....you name it....everything dark......rocking...self.... Please email privately. Thanks....Ken H.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 19:57:21 -0400 Subject: wannnadies Message-ID: <19980914.195722.3446.0.skybar80@juno.com> From: skybar80@juno.com (Ken Amato) Also, I can't remember if anyone's mentioned the Swedish power pop band, The Wannadies.>>>>> WOW! SOmebody else on this Earth has heard of the Wannadies???? I strongly reccomend them. I have been without luck trying to find anything by them in stores, but I hread a lot of their stuff on a college TV show called Sonic Ignition. It's a show that showcases one band every episode and shows tons of their videos. I fell in love with every single song of their I heard. Oh...and....XTC!!!!!! -Ken
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35FDA866.2325@ix.netcom.com> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 16:36:06 -0700 From: Rich/MetalMan <cbunnell@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Re: Testimonial Dinner >IMO, too many of the artists suffer by treating the songs too reverentially, >and failing to exert their own personality on things. Case in point is >TMBG's "25 o'clock", it is a reasonable enough rendition, but just too >faithful, likewise the Rembrandts' "Making plans for Nigel" (though the >doo-wop ending is kinda cute). In my opinion, and after hearing the original version of "25 O'Clock" finally, I think that TMBG did a fantastic job with the song -- while some of the psychadelic-ness of it is gone, John Flansburgh's voice sounds really good in place of Andy's fragmented psychadelic vocals on the original. Plus, they really put their mark on the song -- it isn't that they didn't change the song to their signature style, it's simply that the style of the song was already really TMBG-ish as it was, and their rendition is really great. But this probably just stems from the fact that TMBG is pretty much my favorite band of all time -- XTC probably coming in second and at least coming in third... -- Rich Bunnell or "Metal Man," whichever sounds more insane "This is your life and you do what you want to do, just don't hurt nobody, unless they ask you" -XTC "Do you have a special something you take to bed with you? Does it make you feel good if you hold your special something?" -Mr. Rogers http://members.xoom.com/taoster/
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199809142355.TAA07084@out.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 19:51:27 -0400 Subject: Antipodean spelling quirks > So, when we talk about the ES album we are talking about the original > double LP with 15 tracks. And Skylarking does not include Dear God. This is unfortunate in my case, since I already owned "Mermaid Smiled" on "Rag n Bone Buffet" before I bought "Skylarking". I had to get the single of "Dear God". > In the early years in particular XTC always tried to release > non-album tracks as singles to give us fans our money's worth > The fact that Virgin added the 'bogus tracks' to the CD re-releases > does IMHO not make an album track out of a single (b-side) Okay, but I still have it on my record of "Drums and Wires", and I've always thought of it as an album track. It makes a good opening to the album. What's the first song on the British version? Wait, I'll go look at the website. Before I start seeming to be one of those people who argue too much, I'll ask a serious question: Is it possible to get "Nonsuch" on vinyl? In the United States? The website thinks it was only released in the UK (on double LP) and Italy, of all places (single LP). Is that Italian version impossible to find? I'd prefer slightly lower fidelity (that I wouldn't notice, since my record player sucks) to having to switch the record three times in the middle of the album. she's an indie rocker, and nothing's gonna stop her Michael davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199809150000.UAA06148@out.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 19:56:59 -0400 Subject: "Drums and Wireless"? Here's another actual question: I remember about four years ago, in what was probably the first issue of "Rolling Stone" I got, there was a review of some XTC album called "Drums and Wireless". I had never heard of the band before I read that, and I don't know what brought the memory back or why it was even there to bring back, since it meant nothing to me at the time I read it, but I thought a couple weeks ago, "Hey! Wasn't there some XTC release consisting of alternate mixes or live songs or something called "Drums and Wireless"?" So, was there? This may possibly have been a dream on my part, since it isn't listed in the dicography and I've never seen it mentioned anywhere else, including the Spin Alternative Music Guide, which I think was put out late enough to contain a mention of "Drums and Wireless". "I want the mall removed. I want them ALL removed!" Michael davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35FDC08F.2D7A1AC9@earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 18:19:11 -0700 From: Wesley Hanks <whanks@earthlink.net> Subject: club chat Chalks, There will be a weekly XTC chat every Sunday at 2 pm Pacific at "XTC - England's Glory". This is the Yahoo club page I set up for XTC fans. There is currently a dozen registered members of the club so far. To participate in the chat and post to it's bulletin board, you have to become a member (register) of the club -- no hazing involved. Stroll over to http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/xtcenglandsglory to join the fun. Cheers to Mark C. and all of the talented folk on "Awaken You Dreamers". Run, don't walk to post your order today! I picked up Bob Mould's latest "Last Dog and Pony Show" and was touched. Album of the year potential. Peace Wes Hanks http://home.earthlink.net/~whanks http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/xtcenglandsglory
------------------------------ Message-Id: <m0zIki4-0004QsE@mail.airmail.net> Subject: Song Stories Date: Mon, 14 Sep 98 21:26:20 -0600 From: steve <schiavo@airmail.net> Hello all - The XTC: Songs Stories book should be available in U.S. bookstores as of Monday, September 14. Any store that has an account with Ingram Books (a wholesaler) can order it for you. - Steve
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:54:32 +0200 (MET DST) Message-Id: <l03130301b223f2148fc3@[10.1.0.54]> From: Jonas Lind <jonas.lind@student.mm.se> Subject: Wannadies in the sun (sorry, no XTC content) Ken Herbst wrote: >"The Wannadies" is an excellent >introduction to the band, and one of the best cd's release last year. "Hit" >sounds like the great lost Pixies song. Should really please Chalkers. The Wannadies also made a great cover version of Violent Femmes' "Blister In The Sun". Not available on any album I'm afraid, but it can be found on a single, which should be available in the US. Regards, Jonas Lind Lund, Sweden
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s5fe3f44.036@BTA.ORG.UK> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:19:42 +0100 From: DAVID FATSCHER <dfatscher@BTA.ORG.UK> Subject: Loving the Farmer's Pages (Ouch!) OK - so I know I'm preaching to the converted but 'Song Stories' has been in my sweaty mitts for just over 12 hours (it's now 0830 Tuesday!) and I really can't recommend it highly enough. It is indeed the book we've been waiting for... Each album is assigned a chapter which begins with a four-way conversation about the build-up-to and recording-environment-of that release (Neville Farmer acting as prompt, should the recollections veer too left-field). As the 'Mojo' review suggests, in these sections there is many a frank exchange of opinions (some, you feel, long-supressed or - in the case of Colin and Dave - simply never given such a _public_ airing... for obvious reasons!) but this only re-inforces the quite-touching personal chemistry that exists between the three of them (most especially Andy and Colin - as Dave seems, and hindsight now reveals, somewhat distant). Like many fans, I have yards of audio/video-tape of the band being interviewed and one personality (who, I wonder?) tends to dominate. In 'Song Stories', however, Colin finally finds his voice ('Moulding Talks!') and you see - especially in the roundtable chats - just how he and Andy 'click'. What then follows is a track-by-track analysis of that album (with the emphasis on 'anal' - hurrah!). These may sometimes take the form of '...and that strange noise you hear during the middle-eight is actually....' - which is fun, especially for the muscians among us - whilst elsewhere it might focus on the evolution of a lyric ('....Around this time, Andy had been reading a lot of.....') which is always enlightening with a magpie-mind like Partridge's (to kill two birds with one crushing metaphor). Mostly though, a song is worthy of being taken apart on both fronts. This is naturally unputdownable stuff - and a joy to dip into during idle moments (sorry, I can' t read this sort of thing in chronological order); my only gripe being that most of us will find 80% of Song Stories 'old news' (having gorged on UK/US magazine interviews, Limelight/The Little Express plus, of course, Chalkhills and its inestimable sister-sites). That said, it at least puts everything under one roof and does so with the band's total co-operation (one shudders to think what John Lennon would have made of Iain McDonald's assessment of 'I am the Walrus'). Truly this is the 'authorized story behind the music'. Thanks be to Neville Farmer, Sean at Helter Skelter and, of course, XTC. Right, now back to that bit about the chord-changes in 'Train Running Low'... David Fatscher (BTW: Sean at Helter Skelter told me that any in-store signings would not take place before October and, when asked if these would be limited solely to Neville Farmer, claimed that he (Sean) would only contemplate them if Andy agreed to show-up too. He'll be posting advanced notice of any PAs to Bungalow /Chalkhills, so Simon/John, don't leave the house for the next few weeks, OK?!).
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35FE6730.A6E55582@SoftHome.net> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 23:10:09 +1000 From: Matthew Seery <mseery@SoftHome.net> Subject: Ordered Listing for Rag & Bone Buffet I remember some time ago seeing a list of the songs from Rag & Bone Buffet in some sort of chronological order showing the year they were recorded/released. I thought I saw it on someones web site but can't be sure or maybe someone posted it to this mailing list. Can someone either email the list or direct me to the relevant web page. Thanks MS
------------------------------ From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <85256680.004A6114.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:11:20 -0400 Subject: Song Stories Chalksters and Chalkettes; I received my copy of Song Stories a couple of weeks ago after pre-reserving a copy from Helter-Skelter in London, and after reading it can attest to the fact that is an interesting and fun read. There is much to be learned from reading the boys' recollections and insights about each song. There are a bunch of things that come to mind as I reflect upon what I read. For instance, Dave corrects Andy's impressions of things several times. For instance, Andy would say something like, "Oh that Todd Rundgren was a tyrant, and very difficult to work with." Dave comes back with, "No, he's not, he's a genius and it was a pleasure to work with him, and he made us the best album we ever had." Andy, begrudgingly, "Well, I guess you're right." It was an interesting insight to see how the band all knows that Andy is in charge, but they don't let him operate as a dictator, and because they are friends as well as bandmates they found a way to get along for way over a decade, until the recent departure of Dave, of course. A favorite quote from Andy: "Two Fuhrers, one bunker." In fact, it seems that Andy is always the most pessimistic of the bunch, and the other two come off as pretty mellow guys who don't sweat the small stuff. Maybe they're not as ambitious as Andy, but it seems that they were able to get through the tough times with a minimum of turmoil. It is also fascinating to hear Colin's opinions of events or songs. I have always wondered what he was about, and now I know a little more. I especially enjoyed the story about "Making Plans for Nigel" and the reaction of the British Steel company. It was quite poignant. In summary, if you already have the book, I'm sure that you're already treasuring it. If you don't have it, why not? You must purchase this book. It is required reading!! :-) Final note: another CD that I got recently from Not Lame records is Bubble Gun, by the Merrymakers, a Swedish pop band who are so good they're scary. I find their sound to be a pleasant mix of Jellyfish and Badfinger (IMHO); as a matter of fact, Andy Sturmer, Jellyfish drummer, produces. Check them out at www.notlame.com; I have no affiliation with Not Lame except that I have found a ton of great CDs there. They also had the good sense to pick up the new CD from Chalkster Paul Rogers' band Clockwise for distribution. This is another very good release that you should pick up without delay..... OK, that's enough from me. Mike
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s5fe4223.026@elsevier.com> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:31:43 -0400 From: Ralph DeMarco <r.demarco@elsevier.com> Subject: I want my, I want my XTC Dear Affiliated Members: The dedicated XTC agent Mark Strijbos responds: >"Life Begins At The Hop" isn't a non-LP song, I have it on >my LP version of "Drums and Wires". maybe it isn't on the >British version. Actually, I own the original U.K. Virgin vinyl of "Drums and Wires" and "Life Begins at the Hop" starts off the album! I also own the original U.S. Epic version and the big difference is the noticeably absent "Making Plans for Nigel". My guess is that Epic wanted to squeeze it out as a single. Kind of reminds you of ....well never mind. >> However, my all-time favourite XTC LP is "Mummer" >>Their first album after quitting touring (and their first sans >>Terry) it marked a dramatic maturing [snip snip] The >>drumming was vastly superior to that on their previous >>long-players >Get real, mate... Terry rules! Yes Mark, Terry rules. But, I think you might have missed the point. The song writing, the arrangements, the subtle transitions and delicate melodies are what distinguish Mummer from any previous XTC at that time. To say that Terry was a great live drummer and could keep up with the best of 'em does not mean he was cut out for the musical direction the band was taking after their hard-rocking touring days were over. II Dominic VanAbbe Subject: Testimonial Winner Just a few cents (pence): I agree that Ruben Blade's version is one of the best on the CD. And Spacehog's "Senses" is amazing! What the heck is wrong with starting the song with the chorus. Andy already said that it was a combination of two entirely different songs pasted together. TMBG's should be praised for doing the impossible - covering that damn song and living up to it...go ahead you try it. And...Sarah McLaughlin's "Dear God". It just seems that her heart is not really in it. She sings "angry" only when the songs demands it. When Andy sings it, I truly believe that his heart is on his sleeve, and he is so passionate about what he is singing. SM's version puts me to sleep. Oh, end I expect a lot more from Joe Jackson than that pathetic version of "Statue of Liberty". Anyway...agree to disagree I always say. Should be working, Rowlf (The only alternative spelling nobody on Chalkills suggested to me! I think it means "swift wolf" yea right)
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:02:10 -0400 (EDT) From: Funk Genie <keathvj9@salem.edu> Subject: Pop bands and TVT Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.980915105314.11489B-100000@sisters.salem.edu> Just thought I would add my two skints. In reply to Ken Herbst post about pop bands, The Wannadies song on the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack was one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. It always makes me happy to find a good pop band, which is why I highly recommend Jump, Little Children. Jump,Little Children is an American pop band from North Carolina and I am just amazed by them. You'll probably have to order their new album "Magazine"- unless you're in the southeast region of the states-but it is well worth it! As for XTC and TVT: I certainly hope the Andy and Co have a better experience than other bands that were with TVT. There seems to be an ongoing exodus of bands from the label, most recently KMFDM and sister machine gun. Apparently they aren't the nicest people to work for. -Valerie
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s5fe4aed.046@chemonics.com> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:06:53 -0400 From: Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> Subject: The interview's out and about... Andy, of course. The November issue of _Modern Drummer_, which has Billy Cobham on the cover and contains an interview with Mr. P, has hit the stands, so run to your nearest music retailer and buy yerself a copy to show MD's ignorant editors that Andy Partridge does indeed sell magazines, even if they think an interview with him doesn't rate a mention on the cover. Hrumph. Overall, the piece is okay, though they chopped away at it, and no writer likes having his (purple and) precious prose pared down. But I've been on the other side of the fence enough to understand. The editors do show off their Americacentrism by mentioning TVT (I told them when the deal was signed, but they got it slightly wrong -- they imply that XTC has been recording for TVT for some time now) and ignoring Cooking Vinyl or Idea Records, and they've taken away some details in the interview that I thought conveyed Andy's wit, but in the end I think the interview as it's been published will still be a good way of introducing the magazine's readership (some 200,000 strong) to the band. They retained my plug at the end of the article for Chalkhills (at the expense of my bio!) and also kept my mention of the new book, so I hope we'll get some new traffic on the site and sell some additional copies of the book (and upcoming albums). If you want to see the intro as I submitted it to MD, along with an expanded version of the interview, go to http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/articles/AndyWeb.html. Thanks again to Mr. Relph for letting me post it there unfettered by the space constraints of the printed page. As far as Peter F.'s plea for publicity goes, does anyone know anyone at _Musician_ magazine, or any other magazines that cater to musicians, esp. guitarists and bassists? I think that would be our best chance of preaching to a receptive audience, and the magazines might be more inclined to print a review of the book, since it's obviously geared toward obsessive fans (a high proportion of whom are musicians). Still waiting for my pre-ordered copy from Amazon... Todd
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 16:56:34 -0500 Subject: Re: Costello/Bacharach From: pancho1@prtc.net (pancho1) Message-ID: <19980915204240.AAA76452@[204.146.75.57]> Hey Chalkhillers, I am delurking thanks to the recent email from Amazon with news that my XTC book is in the mail! Rah, rah! To jason >My dad told me he did an album with Burt Bacharach. Too bad Sinatra's >dead; I could see him and Costello getting together. I think the Costello/Bacharach album is either recently out or soon to be. My brother informed me that they are doing a 5-6 city tour with a 40 piece orchestra. I also remember reading that Costello really wanted Sinatra to sing "Almost Blue" but the now deceased crooner rejected his request. Chet Baker did do a great version that can be seen in a biodocumentary called Let's Get Lost that an apparently unsuspecting Costello first heard when watching the movie. Oh, and I really enjoyed Chalkhills Children. Pure Pop for Then People! Sort of like getting invited to lots of people's living rooms to hear their songs. Oh and the bands They Might Be Friedman and Sherwoodi Politti (semiotic rock) included as well ;).....can't be beat! Well, be well all. Puerto Rico continues to exist without the cultural experience that is Xtc. Pancho, PRXTCFAN
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35FED861.488F7CD8@hol.fr> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 23:13:05 +0200 From: Patrick Bourcier <pbourcier@hol.fr> Organization: Lumiere Subject: Lumiere and the light is on ! Hi, Crayonneurs des Collines ! I'm very very HAPPY to announce the real opening of the website : "Lumiere : Le Respectable Site sur XTC" http://lumiere.gts93.greta.fr/ Yes, yes ... I know it takes a long long time. But now, the site is born and the baby will grow ! Yes, yes .. I know it's in french (95%), a bit in english (4%) and the rest in 'Pidgin english' (1%). All remarks and comments are welcome !! Enjoy ! Lumierly yours, Patrick from Lumiere
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v04003a09b2245287518c@[208.240.250.142]> From: Ken Herbst <ken@bamadvertising.com> Subject: almost forgot a great disc I should recommend Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 17:30:31 -0600 Please forgive the quick-draw emails, but I just remembered a tremendous CD that came out last year by a supremely under-promoted talent. It is the eponymously titled, David Ryan Harris, released and neglected by Columbia. Think of him as Lenny Kravitz without the cliches, Seal with the melodic sensibilities of a Paul Weller and the lyrical power of A.P. Even these kudos are imprecise and limiting. He truly has his own unique style. Bbe kind to yourself, and go check this disc out: David Ryan Harris. I have a strong hunch that XTC'ers will really like him :) -- Ken H.
------------------------------ From: LadyCPlum@aol.com Message-ID: <320ecc47.35ff0774@aol.com> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:33:56 EDT Subject: My book has arrived! Run to your local bookstore and grab yourself a copy of Song Stories PRONTO. It is fabulous. I loved reading the stories of how the songs unfolded, and Neville's anecdotes on what was going on around the world during certain XTC events was a great touch. (Not to mention a few lines about The Unmentionable Band thrown in.) BTW-Incredible shot of a long-haired, 18-year old Andy. I have one word to say about it-DAMN!!!!!!!!!!! Ciao, Amanda XTC song of the day-Omnibus non-XTC song-Sistinas-Danzig
------------------------------ Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765C0C29EE@einstein.moneystar.com> From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com> Subject: a series of letters to Dear God? Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 15:55:38 -0500 It is with much trepidation that I reopen the festering wound that is the verboten "Dear God" discussion thread. I don't want to start another religious debate, nor do I wish to second guess Mr. Partridge's personal spiritual beliefs. Unfortunately -- or fortunately, as it were -- "Dear God" is the most fun and the most compelling of all XTC songs to deconstruct. It is a seduction I cannot control. So here's my latest thought on this song, and I thank you for your indulgence: I've begun to think of this song as representing NOT JUST ONE, but a SERIES of letters to God (whether or not "He" exists is NOT the issue). The character singing the song has written these letters over the course of a lifetime--as a little kid, and later as an adult. I welcome your comments on this. I ask that you try to limit your comments to this very narrow issue. Jill Oleson Austin, Texas
------------------------------ Message-ID: <raf4tUApPDA2Ew01@demon.co.uk> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 22:55:53 +0100 From: Jon Holden-Dye <jon@jhd-designs.demon.co.uk> Subject: Contacting Little Express June (and Peter ?), the Little Express crew, do not seem to be "wired" (no published e-mail address, no URL, etc.). I've had a request, from June (enclosed with Issue 42 of L.E.), to find out some information local to me. I've got a whole bunch of blurb, nearly all Web sites (I've saved what I can as text files, so I could insert it into an e-mail). Does ANYBODY have ANY idea how to contact them electronically ? If so, please e-mail me privately. -- Jon Holden-Dye "I like to keep an open mind - but not so open my brain falls out." (Anon.)
------------------------------ From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <85256681.00626E89.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 12:03:43 -0400 Subject: The Nines Hello folks; I was listening to a newly-acquired CD called "The Wonderworld of Colourful" by a group called the Nines. There's a bunch of good songs on the CD, but I'm writing about 2 of them in particular. These 2 songs win my nomination for "Best XTC Songs not written by, played by, or probably ever heard by the band XTC". In other words, these guys have the XTC sound down cold on these 2 numbers. The songs are called "Ghost Town Sunday" and "Free of It All", and from a melody standpoint, arrangements and harmonies, it might as well be our heroes singing these songs. I find it uncanny. Is anyone else out there familiar with this CD? I'd like your opinions. Which leads me to ask: are there any other songs that list members can think of that are virtual carbon-copies of the XTC "sound" by groups other than XTC, The Three Wise Men, or Terry and the Lovemen? Mike
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