Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 32
Date: Thursday, 20 November 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 32
Thursday, 20 November 1997
Today's Topics:
The Animal Roars
Mail problems and something odd
L
Snogging and Shagging
British people popping...
Hello CD
Rising up from the Sea of Lurk. . .
Many replies...
Freeze !
Re: Demo Tapes
Replies/digest happiness
Be Gentle With Me
if you want to know why
Just Gimme Some Headroom
The Green Prince of Orchids Annual
Opinionached
you can pretty much skip this one
More Disintegration Endings
Want for demos
demos and stuff
Noel, dilemn and recording session
re: plies
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I put on a fake smile / And start the evening show.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <3472F57A.2261@erols.com> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 09:19:46 -0500 From: "Neal H. Buck" <nealhbuck@erols.com> Organization: Lionarts Subject: The Animal Roars Ya makin' me sick! All this talk about the new album and what should be on it and whether Andy farted during the last session. Come on! It's bad enough that we'll all hear the naysayers once the album actually comes out, but to hear it picked apart while it's being created! OK, this is a mailing list for XTC fan(atic)s, but I feel like I'm hearing a bunch of old ladies gossiping. I agree with the poster who wants 20 new songs on the album. One of my greatest pleasures with a new album is being surprised. Maybe somebody can't handle the unexpected, a little insecure? I'll bet you open your presents before Christmas (or whatever winter solstace holiday you observe), too! Gee, that was fun, living vicariously through anonymous ramblings. Go on, do what you're doing, I don't mind, really. Just think about it, OK? The 10 Worst Songs List is OK by me. We all know we're all here because we probably already have a 10 Best List in our heads, at least. I think it's a good exercise, not to be taken too seriously. Plus, we can only appreciate the best by acknowledging the worst. That sounds like bad philosophy, and it probably is. Oh, you want my list? Sorry, I'll have to get back to you. "It's Nearly Africa" is one of my favorites. Yes, it came out at a time when a lot of artists were discovering "Third World" beats, but XTC's contribution had their unique high quality. Why is everyone focusing on Paul Simon for comparison? What about Peter Gabriel, or any of the artists on his "Music and Rythym" compilation (which includes the aforementioned "INA"). Mr. Simon is fine, and he's POPULAR, but not in the same, dare I say it, genre, as the lads. Like comparing oranges and lemons. I admit it, I'm also a Todd Rundgren/Utopia fan (as well as Oingo Boingo, Bill Nelson/Be Bop Deluxe, King Crimson, Talking Heads, the Beatles, and more). From what I've read, XTC were, too. I can also understand how ARTISTS can knock heads when they work in the same room. I'm taking no sides. I'm sure all involved could be assholes when they want to. I was also disappointed when the collaboration between Bill Nelson and Gary Numan bombed, too. I'm glad so many people (including Andy, now) respect and appreciate "Skylarking," I never really got into it much myself. It's too serious. Give me "Generals and Majors" any day. Unfortunately, I'm going to be in Reno, NV for the Rundgren concert in VA. I'm sure it will be great. The last one at the Bayou certainly was, as well as all the previous ones I've seen. I'm not sure about that new album yet. "With a Twist?" Todd's classics go Latin? Please! I'm also hoping the new album is a little "lighter" (not "lite-er"). XTC's sense of fun and humor are my favorite aspects of their music. Sometimes, they just sound like grouchy old men. Of course, now that I've reached my forties, I'm becoming a grouchy old man (see above), and I haven't had to battle the record industry. So I guess they're entitled, but I can still hope... For the record, a few of my favorite XTC songs I don't read about here too often (if at all): "Homo Safari" - the original. Simple, but bouncy. Is it on CD anywhere? "The Cairo" is great, too. Along the same lines, "The Rotary" - yes sir! "Beating of Hearts" - XTC's opening songs are the best in the business and this one is no exception. How about that for a compilation? "Across This Antheap" - recalls the energy of a younger XTC, a high point on O&Ls. "Tissue Tigers" - Whenever I need a confidence boost, I just sing the hook to this one. And now a shout out to all my peeps - Hey Kate! Thanks to Della & Steve, and Dave (?) who told me about AB-CD. I ordered Drastic Plastic & Futurama (they aren't listing Modern Music anymore.) Dave (?), please e-mail me back so I can save your address. I'm a bit of a Felix Unger about keeping a clean hard drive for now, and I'll learn, but these Chalkhills Digests are stacking up! OK. I've taken up enough room for now. Next time I'll tell you how I got kicked out of an XTC concert. PS - In my first posting, I told you about my friend Pat Michel, who turned me on to XTC. He committed suicide about five years ago. In Loving Memory... New Town Animal
------------------------------ From: a.de.koning@bpa.vnu.com Message-ID: <C1256554.0051311A.00@bpa.vnu.com> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 16:00:16 +0100 Subject: Mail problems and something odd Kalkertjes, First of all I must apologize to anyone getting errors when trying to mail to me this last week (our mail server has been going up and down in the process of an upgrade and got hardware problems on top of that... you don't want to know). If you got errors back then I didn't get your message :( In the mail I *did* get (the digest) I understood XTC are now recording stuff in the studio and PP (Prairie Prince) will play his parts later. Isn't that a bit unusual? I always have the idea in my head that a track is started whith the group playing the basics *together* and then afterwards the polishing is done and extra stuff gets added. I guess my fear is that PP can not do much magic anymore when the tempo (or maybe even the basic drum patterns) are already fixed. Andre
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199711190609.WAA03805@mail.eskimo.com>
From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 22:08:38 +0000
Subject: L
Hi...
> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
> > >Now that I've got 25 O' Clock on vinyl, I've been vigorously
> > >trying to hear You can fuck your atom bomb", but no luck!
> It's not there, dear... so stop mutilating your vinyl! You should
> never play XTC vinyl; you should only love, cherish, preserve and
> admire it in awe. And remember to put on the surgical gloves :)
> Anyway, our heroes used just a tiny snippet from the NY talk radio
> conversation with "Frank" ( who's quite a celebrity i gather...) that
> was taped by John Leckie in his hotel room.
> They did not use the Atom Bomb song itself but a piece of Frank's
> comments on that song.
> Does "and I'm complimenting you by even considering it a song" ring a
> bell? That's Frank...
No, no, no! If you never play XTC vinyl, then you can never hear the
full-sounding versions of the song, unless you wait for Virgin/Geffen
to remaster them (yeah, right --) and re-release them... I've 3
versions of Science Friction, one from a vinyl copy of Waxworks, the
one on the White Music CD and then Fossil Fuels. The White Music one
is completely flat, quiet and, well, pathetic, while the remastered
and the vinyl ones are almost exactly the same. So, I wonder what
one of those remastered vinyl releases would sound like... Once I
become rich and stupid, I'll pick up the copy of Alan Parsons
Project's "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" that's remastered, and
then track down a non-remastered one, and try to tell the
difference... Hmm..heh
BTW, I thought that the "go fuck yourself with your atom bomb" was
released backwards at either 2x or 4x speed at the end of I am the...
er, Mole from the Ministry, or in the run out grooves or some such.
Or non such...
> From: "Kevin Keeler" <insanity@underworld.net>
> also I found the compact XTC and beeswax on CD. I don't know if i want to
> become a 'collecter' or not. so can someone tell me 1) how excellent these
> cd's are musically (i didnt have time to check the tracklist) and 2) how
> difficult they are to find.
Well, for Compact a) I've seen it around, but the last time I saw it,
it was for $30+, to which I scoffed. Scoff, scoff, scoffed I,
especially since I paid less than that for my copy of Fossil Fuels,
which is a double set, and Compact isn't. BTW, as for the
tracklisting of it, it was Waxworks with the singles from up to Big
Express tacked on. Beeswax, I've seen around as well, and having it
on vinyl, I can say that the tracklisting is pretty good, but nothing
of note is on there that you probably don't already have, with the
exception of the (slightly) extended mix of Hang on to the Night,
another good song.
> From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@MINDSPRING.COM>
> into it), and Colin's Fruit Nut, Boarded Up ("a really miserable and
> depressing one that makes 'Dying' sound like 'Life Begins at the Hop'"),
Yeah! Miserable and depressing songs kick ass! 8)
> I had recently sent Andy a dub of TMBG's "XTC vs. Adam Ant" which he had
> never heard. Now he has and this is his review - - "eh".
Eh, have to agree with Andy on that one. TMBG just haven't really
been impressing me lately... especially since they gave up the whole
"Rolf-Conant-as-a-seperate-entity" concept and CHANGED THE POWER
SPHERES! Agh! It used to be Melody, Fidelity, Quantity, but now
it's Startling instead of Quantity! Agh! I put a pox on thee,
Johns! You have forsaken your DEVOid roots! You are mocking Bob1 by
your flagrant dis-use of the drum machine, much like I am mocking the
english language by using words such as "dis-use"! Sorry, but I'm
thinking of pulling a Myke Weiskopf as far as TMBG are concerned...
I'm gonna go into hiding and people will forget that I exist for a
while, yet all the people who knew me revere me. Well, in my case,
not so much the last part.
And, if you remember who Myke is, I just have to say that you are the
man. Even if you aren't male... anything can be the man. A man, a
woman, men, women, a television show, whateverelsehaveyou. It's just
another one of the idiosynchrasies of modern slang, and just another
idiosynchrasy of misspelling and mis-using the word "idiosynchrasy"
and all plurals thereof.
> From: Matt_Kaden/CAM/Lotus@lotus.com
> A few digests back, Matt Keeley expressed the first signs of dismay that
> I've seen regarding the '78 metamorphosis and the later extreme death and
> rebirth in '83. For the most part everyone in here seems to praise the
> later phase (particularly the last 3 XTC albums) but to look down on the
> earlier music. This may be because many Chalksteaders first heard the band
> in the form of Oranges and Lemons and thus their impressions were modelled
> after this sound. I think they did get better in numerous ways, but I also
> feel a definite loss with both Barry's and Terry's departure. Drums and
> Wires - my favorite record - is somewhat more controlled and less frenzied
> than the first two.
Yeah... O&L will probably be one of my favourites forever, even
though there are many albums with much better songs and deserve the
title more, such as D&W, like you listed, or even White Music... The
early XTC was good. It was a different band, but it was just as good
and wonderful as the late, and in some instances even better. (Hey,
there are some tracks that STILL flatly piss me off, but I won't go
into that now, because that's a different thread, and I don't know if
I finished the short list I started above about CDs or something...)
> >> Strange tails, Strange tales---Am I the only person alive who liked this
> >>and Officer Blue?
> >Nope! I love both of those... like I've said, they're crap, but
> >they're really really really good crap. People need to understand
> >that crap isn't always bad.
> I don't know, if you like it than it's good. I like these because of the
> production and the energy, but the actual songs could barely hold their
> own. Because of the production and the energy, it's not crap, see?
I don't know... there's a crappish sort of quality to them... I mean,
it's not brain surgery, it seemed to have been written sort of either
to keep the record from warping, to have a good time, or to write a
semi-popular song, but, well, it's good. I mean, the film (not the
book, the book was good, no matter how you look at it) _Starship
Troopers_... it is most definately crap, but well, it's done in a way
that was pretty pleasing... except, of course, for the gratutitous
nudity, but that's Verhoven-nature. And the fact that Carmen didn't
die... but that might be a spoiler... sorry, forget you read that.
And of course, for the gratutitous misspelling of the word
"gratutitous"... you may say, "Hey, that wasn't the movie's fault
that Matt Keeley's a moron and can't spell simple words," but I beg
to differ. Had it not been for the movie, I would not have had to
try to spell "gratutitous", which is looking more and more wrong the
more times I type "gratutitous", yet when I try to correct it, it
looks even more wrong. Eh, C'est la vie. Or Que sera sera... It
doesn't really matter, it's just a couple of cliches (with an accent
over the e, of course), in french, no less...8)
No, I'm not dissing on the French language...
Ah well, that's this world over,
Matt
(or maybe I am, if anyone cares, I don't know... set fire to
something if it makes you feel any better...8)
Living Through | (ICQ UIN: 1455267, Name: MrMe)
Another | http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme
Cuba -- XTC | I used to be temporarily insane!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I'm just stupid! -- Brak
Yeah.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=AETNA%l=HFD-EXCH003-971119193724Z-30760@aetna.aetna.com> From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: Snogging and Shagging Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 14:37:24 -0500 >[James Dignan] And in this world of blip-vert attention >spans and pus-drenched music, it is only one letter longer >than "Jagged little pill". ..::ggghhkkqqrzz::..XX! What is? Can you back up? You sort of droned on there. >[Mr. John Relph] I also saw a Geffen promotional >compilation called _Snogging and Shagging_, which includes >XTC's "Earn Enough for Us". Okay, Anglo-Anglicans (as opposed Anglo-Americans, which would be me, as I was raised Catholic and come from mainly German, Irish and Alsatian stock), what is _SNOGGING_? >Elvis had a hit with "Veronica", the Smithereens had "House We >Used to Live In" and McCartney had "My Brave Face." Let's not forget Michael Penn's "No Myth" in that list of "so pop, it's alternative". All these are on my guitar list, making 1989 a solid year for tunes that you can play at home (and if not win, at least draw). >[David vanWert] How many times did Theo go out on a limb to >introduce someone to Vincent's work, only to be met with, >"Gee, it's awfully yellow, isn't it?" Just love it, babe.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <34735422.555BF6F0@bowdoin.edu> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 16:03:54 -0500 From: Ben Gott <bgott@bowdoin.edu> Organization: Loquacious Music Subject: British people popping... Chalkheads, Keith Sawyer pointed out to me that my quote "Britpop is dead" in the last issue of Chalkhills carried a truckload of pomposity with it, and I feel I must clarify my posting. I was quoting what Blur's Damon Albarn has recently said, but also hinting at what seems to me to be a move (at least in America) away from the music that we, as fans of XTC, truly enjoy. As to questions and quandaries about whether XTC's new album will sell: I'm sorry to say that I have no idea. That's frightening, but true. I have not seen anything to indicate that the 10-18 year olds in the record buying population will go for the orchestral "River of Orchids" or the more poppy "Playground," but have also not seen anything to indicate that they *won't*. Musical trends -- at least those that directly relate to me and the people I know -- are too fleeting to make a prediction. Hell, take the recent surge in popularity of "YMCA" -- who would've thought? If Mr. Albarn is right -- if Britpop *is* dead -- then I'm upset that I wasn't invited to its funeral. However, I'm playing Robyn Hitchcock right now, and my roommate likes it. Maybe there's hope after all. -Ben * ------------------------------------------- * B e n G o t t :: Bowdoin College Telephone :: (207) 721-5142 Internet :: http://www.wp.com/58596 * ------------------------------------------- *
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 16:53:02 -0500 From: CCamacho <CCamacho@compuserve.com> Subject: Hello CD Message-ID: <199711191653_MC2-28CB-DE41@compuserve.com> <<But you young folk, you students out there who have not been following XTC for near 20 years, how and when did you start listening?>> I first heard about XTC from the They Might Be Giants song XTC vs. Adam Ant. Then I was in London when I saw the Testimonial Dinner CD, and decided to buy it for the TMBG track on it. I've loced XTC ever since. Someone mentioned Flansburghs Hello CD of the month early. I think there= might be a compilation available somewhere. I'll have to check, but I'll= probably post any relavent information if I ever find any. TTFN, David
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19971119221258.817.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Steve Stearns" <xteve@hotmail.com> Subject: Rising up from the Sea of Lurk. . . Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 14:12:56 PST << does anyone else around here feel a lack of something in all post English Settlement records?>> << I'll just say that a drummer is essential to the sound of a band, and if I can't picture them all playing it together, it's not a real band but an incredible simulation.>> Sorry, but I must disagree. What about songs like "Scarecrow People", "Earn Enough For Us" and even (asbestos suit donned) "Peter Pumpkinhead"? It sounds like a full band playing to me, actually I thought that the tracks with Dave Mattacks were some of the best "full band" tracks since Terry left, IMHO. Granted, after ES their scope became much wider, i.e. orchestral tracks, soundscapes, etc. but I don't think the post-ES material lacks anything. It's just different, neither better nor worse, just different. >>Maybe its just me, but if The Dukes released some stuff right now, 1997, don't you think it would take off?<< Hard to say. I'd be first in line to buy it, but the late 80's/early 90's were the height of the 60's revival. . .let's just say that the Dukes had their time. (And a bloody good one at that). I just think that they'd be opening themselves up for criticism. . ."Oh, XTC's career is on the down side, so now they're just going to be these 1960's revivalists." It'd be pigeonholing a band that has much more to offer than that. Back to the lurk. . . woken by the Sally Army Sunday march round, Steve
------------------------------ From: Matt_Burnside@kaplan.com (Matt Burnside) Subject: Many replies... Date: 19 Nov 1997 17:38:36 GMT Message-Id: <718594045.120148705@kaplan.com> Organization: Kaplan Educational Centers <<But you young folk, you students out there who have not been following XTC for near 20 years, how and when did you start listening?>> I was 16 and dating what we call in Texas a "hosebeast." <n.--A romantic counterpart, esp. female, who cheats on you. Etymology uncertain.> Before she hosed me, she would force me to listen to this trippy band called Dukes of Stratosphear, rattling on the whole time about how she "couldn't believe this was XTC." XTC was one of those bands I always heard about but never really heard, like GWAR. I thought the album was about 15-20 years old, judging from the arrangements and instrumentation. Postpartum, I developed a hatred for all of the music she loved (Jane's Addiction, etc.) with the sole exception of The Dukes. Imagine my surprise in finding a copy of the vinyl and looking at the date on the back. For a while I believed it was a rerelease until I found out about Skylarking, and then it was pretty much all over for me.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199711200000.BAA03641@utrecht.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 01:08:39 +0000 Subject: Freeze ! Dear Chalkers, As our heroes are busy creating their new masterpiece James Dignan said: > Snowman although a fine song - doesn't cut it as the "XTC closes the album > with a masterpiece" (a la Complicated Game, Travels in Nihilon etc) > to nearly the extent that "All of a Sudden" does. " Wait a minute, Snowman doesn't cut it? Why not? IMHO it's the perfect icing (no pun intended) on the Settlement cake. Maybe the lyrics are not as 'heavy' as the closing songs you mention, but i think it's one of Andy's best jilted love songs (and he has written quite a few!) and it never fails to send shivers down _my_ spine. The musical performance, the unusual arrangement and the overall sound / production are all outstanding and I would find it difficult to point out a "better" song on the album BTW: it also has a long and gorgeous "outtro" - maybe that was the real reason it was chosen to close the album... yours shivering (and it isn't even winter), Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------ From: Davejh5@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 20:13:25 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <971119201324_1247543244@mrin47> Subject: Re: Demo Tapes Ok I give up . I can't take it anymore. I thought I could get by without Andy's demos, but all this talk of which songs are being left off the new album is driving me crazy. Any kind soul who would be willing to make me a copy would be greatly appreciated. I would be willing to trade a cassette copy of Andy's demo '82-'86 Jules Verne Sketchbook. Please Email at Davejh@aol.com Thankyou
------------------------------
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19971119210056.0069b5d8@130.127.28.14>
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 21:00:56 -0500
From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@CLEMSON.EDU>
Subject: Replies/digest happiness
<<One more idea-why don't they take the unused
demos, slap them on a disk, and throw it in free with the new album.>>
I really like this idea. :) Maybe they could just do it for the first
5,000 copies or something... IIRC, they did that with Nonsuch, so I don't
see any reason why history can't repeat itself.
What would be more cost-effective for Idea? I'd imagine pressing singles
along with the album would be more expensive, but I know absolutely nothing
about the music industry.
Re: XTC Vs. Adam Ant
<<Yep, that was pretty much my reaction to it as well.>>
I believe that is what I posted to the TMBG mailing list this morning, word
for word. ;) It's not unlistenable, but I don't think it's a fitting
tribute to either band. So much potential wasted. (sigh) At least They
did a great (well, IMO) cover of "25 O'Clock"... :)
BTW, useless thought of the day: Now that the Verve Pipe's popular and they
often bring up XTC in interviews, does anyone think that TVP's success
might rub off on "Firework"? I'm not really a big fan of TVP, but anything
that helps XTC, right...? :)
Also, I'd like to comment on what a fantastic digest this is, each and
every day or 2. :) I'm on a list for The Presidents of the United States
of America? (go ahead and laugh at me; I like them, even though no one else
on any mailing lists I'm on does), and there never seems to be any content
there...and this is for a band that released an album roughly a year ago
and is still actively touring. I really feel a sense of community here,
even though I'm relatively new to the list (I think I've been on for 4
months or so). :)
Looking forward to the next digest,
-Adam, who also will miss "Wonder Annual"
/----=========================================================----\
http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/ctyner/
The home of He-Man, "Weird Al", Yoo-hoo, Killer Tomatoes, and more!
TMBG Fan O- MiSTie #67,326
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3473A470.8A0A1AA7@gte.net>
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 16:46:09 -1000
From: David Bowles+Christina Mcneff <davchris@gte.net>
Subject: Be Gentle With Me
Aloha from Hawai'i! My first posting, please be gentle. Regarding
the recent rumors of Thomas Dolby's demise, according to Pop-Up Video on
VH-1 it was someone else who appeared in the Blinded Me With Science
video who offed it by jumping from the building in said video. I also
remember reading years ago (Trouser Press?) that Andy and Thomas are
good friends and that Andy played harmonica on one of Thomas' greatest
songs, Europa And The Pirate Twins. Try catching Pop-Up Video, they
usually have some sarcastically funny things to say about the videos
that we all hate even though we've sat through them a dozen times.
Cheers Davo
In my CD player: OMD's first album
Need to buy it so it can be put in my CD player: Tim-The Replacements
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 22:26:34 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <v03007801b0991697e0da@[207.69.152.241]> From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> Subject: if you want to know why I both agree and disagree with what everyone wants on the new albums, including what XTC want too. But I should tell you a bit more which may Shed light on the choices and sentiments involved in choosing them (as far as I've been told): You and the Clouds is a well liked song by all of them but the reason why it's only on the b-list is probably because this is by far the oldest demo of the new bunch. It was originally started and not quite finished in time for . . . O&L's! Notice the electric sound similarity? Thought so. Wonder Annual is the second oldest one, coming very shortly before the recording of Nonsuch so maybe that's the reason for it's current demise. Dave and Colin and Hayden wanted Your Dictionary but Andy didn't. He thinks it's too vicious, especially now that he says he's getting along ok with his ex-wife for the first time in a while and doesn't really want to upset the kids or her. He was also a bit against I Can't Own Her because he thinks it's too sappy but the others like it. On other side of the coin, everyone wanted The Ship Trapped in the Ice but Andy absolutely refused to do it. I know this means nothing to mostly everyone because very few have heard the song, but as one who has let me just say D'OH!! Mitch
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3473ABF2.26E@bhip.infi.net> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 23:18:17 -0400 From: gregory <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Organization: InfiNet Subject: Just Gimme Some Headroom Tschalkgerz! Thomas Dolby is pretty heavily involved nowadays in his own venture to bring together music in all its technical permutations and perturbations on the web. It's called Headspace, and his name or this one in a search engine will undoubtedly take you to what it's all about. Kinda surprised no one mentioned this yet... or did I miss it? -Brian Eating future & shitting past...
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199711200448.WAA27360@mailgw00.execpc.com> Subject: The Green Prince of Orchids Annual Date: Wed, 19 Nov 97 22:49:23 -0000 From: Constantine Pappas <pappas@execpc.com> (I'd like that bumper car) Hi all! Long time no post on my part. Anyhow, I seem to be losing track of what demos are 'out', what demos are 'in' and what are still maybes. I must admit I have mixed feelings about using the demos on the album. I believe we all had this discussion several months ago when some posters stated that they didn't like hearing demos of songs before the studio version...sort of spoils the surprise, etc... On the other hand, there are certain demos that I simply can't wait to hear fully produced (Green Man, Easter Theatre, River of Orchids). In any event, if someone would be kind enough to post an in/out/maybe list (either that or just email me with one), I would be greatly appreciative. So long and thanks for all the fish, Constantine Pappas
------------------------------ From: Gene_Yoon@brown.edu Message-Id: <v03010d04b0996e321212@[128.148.19.22]> Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 00:05:26 -0500 Subject: Opinionached I know this is petty and repetitive of other posts, but I'm reiterating the oft-mentioned notion that You and the Clouds, I'd Like That, and Dame Fortune are all treasures, much more appealing than a song as ugly and pondering as Your Dictionary. Does anyone else find Dictionary's lyrics a tad cloying and sophomoric? I have the demos recorded on tape, and I'm glad it's at the end, along with Bumper Cars, so I can skip them both rather painlessly. And The Last Balloon must have transformed wildly from its original form for Dave Gregory to love it so much. But I'll reserve all judgement for the real thing.... "You Wait and See" (my album name idea, from Bungalow) or "Tangle Trip" or "Milk and Coins" (both Humnble Daisy) or "Base of Clouds" (Rook) or "Out of Nowhere" (Then She Appeared) or "Petalled Prayer" (Wrapped in Grey) or "Roll Away the Wheel" (Ugly Underneath) or probably they'll choose a name that has absolutely nothing to do with the last album. good fun anyway
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03110700b09972a1a719@[146.6.72.23]> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 23:09:16 -0600 From: Jason Garcia <h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu> Subject: you can pretty much skip this one And now, a few things: >*****You and the Clouds--are they actually considering letting this slide by? > I think this is their best bet for a single.......I mean, this song has a >sentiment that ANYONE (fan or non-fan) can relate to..... YES!! When I heard this I was like, "this is the single". The demo needs some juicing up [I'LL juice it up!!], especially the "middle eight" that features...uh, nothing. I like the way Andy sucks in his breath before he sings the bridge lines. >*****Easter Theatre--who doesn't love this one? it would have to be someone >who doesn't like music, in my opinion!!!! I hope this is what XTC are known >for from now on! Uh...just wait'll you hear CC97 there, babe. >>I heard that Thomas Dolby committed suicide by jumping off the roof he >>was dancing on in the "She Blinded Me with Science" video... I could >>have sworn he was still alive... ah well... so, anyone know for sure? > > He is, unless the lookalike and soundalike who put out all the work he's >done under his name since is an impostor. Well you know the Paul McCartney impostor has done pretty well for himself, don't you think? I mean, convincing Linda Eastman to marry him even though he was OBVIOUSLY not Paul was a pretty good feat. >I'm afraid I'm gonna turn into a lesbain left-handed eskimo midget albino >when the moon is full. OH MY GOD THE MOON IS FULL TONIGHT! I can feel myself shrinking...I can feel myself getting left-handed...I can feel the URGE to build an igloo! I can feel my skin going white and my eyes turning red...I can feel...I can feel...the URGE TO BUY A SUZANNE VEGA ALBUM!!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! Oh nevermind, it was just gas. This nonsense has been sponsored [in part] by the Dead Milkmen. Thank you. the other Jason, actually one of the many who haunt this list
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3473E4F0.3E28@ix.netcom.com> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 23:21:20 -0800 From: Eric Rosen <rimshot3@ix.netcom.com> Subject: More Disintegration Endings Stephen Larson mentioned to me how this is so with Living Through Another Cuba... >Yes! The first song that popped into my mind when I read your post >was "Living Through Another Cuba". It wasn't until after I noticed the end >of LTAC that I realized that all those blurps and bumps are present through >the entire song. A quick listen with the headphones gave me a whole new >appreciation of the song! A few more popped into my head... One of the Millions: At the end there's a dramatic rush of vocals, bass and drums that comes to a head leaving only acoustic guitar glissando notes to complete the piece without fading. Wait till Your Boat Goes Down: Songs starts and ends with a bell ringing sound that might conjure up boats docking or departing. Wake Up: Battling drum and guitar parts give way to keyboards & creepy choral vocals. Blame the Weather: As with One of the Millions, the last instrument completes the last iteration of a phrase / riff that has been implied all along. In this case, it's piano. It's Nearly Africa: Ends with vocal acapella that was a chorus while the instruments were playing. For some reason, I'm sure there are plenty more...
------------------------------ From: "Lemoncurry" <DIELING@hrz1.uni-oldenburg.de> Organization: University Of Oldenburg Comp.Center Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 09:42:51 MET-1METDST Subject: Want for demos Message-ID: <59B86E6DF7@hrz1.uni-oldenburg.de> Hi all Chalkhillians! I was observing all this talk about the demos and thought: Hey, don't be greedy, you can patiently wait until the album is out. But then, why should I ? So, anyone who has the new demos, could you please make a copy for me ? Please email response to lemoncurry@geocities.com. Thanks in advance. Lemoncurry lemoncurry@geocities.com Lemons shall rule the world !
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 09:06:52 +0000 (GMT) From: Chris Clee <cmc@sanger.ac.uk> Subject: demos and stuff Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.971120090254.32564B-100000@fes9> well i must admit i've never heard any of these recordings at all (mainly coz i haven't seen any) but i have most of the official stuuf so spose that will have to do. just a quickie to ms owens (who now seems to be using a moorcock based pseudonym)....i like Beck he plays some interesting slide sometimes, i'm sure i'll still remember his stuff when i'm a grandaddy. anyway ttfn chaps chris ** Chris Clee
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 09:45:26 +0000
Message-Id: <000D7DA0.3111@paribas.com>
From: "Patrick_BOURCIER"@paribas.com (Patrick BOURCIER)
Subject: Noel, dilemn and recording session
Bonjour aux Crayonneurs de Colline,
Perhaps it's a bit old for you all but I've found (in Import) a CD :
'Just say Noel' (ref : GEFD-25107 / 1996 ) compiled by Geffen Records
with various artists as Beck, Aimee Mann and Michael Penn (in duet),
the Posies, Sonic Youth, Elastica and ... the credited XTC with the
songs 'Thanks for Christmas' (and not 'The Three Wise Men !). If you
haven't ideas for the gifts of the next XMAX ...
BTW,I've only counted 19 songs in the final report of Mitch. Does it
mean that there will be a cruel dilemma between 'Wounded Horse' and
'You and the clouds ..' for the 20th and last song ?
BTW(OA), I think it's strange that Prairie Prince arrive only on the
11th december for the recording session. I always thought that XTC
work in the standard process of recording : First the drums, then the
bass, the guitars, the vocals (lead and backing), etc ...
It seems they'll record a big stuff with a drum machine for the tempo
and then Mister Prairie Prince will drum on it ???!!!
Any explanations or suggestions, Mitch ? Simon ? Harrison ?
That's all, folks.
Lumierly yours,
Patrick from Lumiere (pbourcier@hol.fr)
------------------------------
Message-Id: <l03020902b09994c29bf6@[206.252.158.42]>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 05:06:44 -0400
From: aka Louise <rmckenzi@dti.net>
Subject: re: plies
South Chalk -
>[John H. Hedges <JH3@alternatech.net> wrote:]
>1) If you see "Beeswax" on CD, buy it! (But make sure it isn't the far
>>more common "Waxworks" first!) If you decide you don't like it you can
>>always sell it to me for a sizable profit, unless you prefer to trade for
>something. (I would, but that's just me.)
i was under the impression that it didn't exist in cd form - does anyone
know for sure? Relph?
[ CD, Virgin Japan, VJCP-23145, 1 April 1992. -- Ed. ]
[Mitch "Mitchelmas" Friedman <mitchf@MINDSPRING.COM> apparently wrote:]
[some insider info snipped]
>The past few weeks were spent sequencing computers, setting tempos,
>>deciding on how many and what kinds of strings would play a particular
>>part, adjusting lyrics, etc. and as of tomorrow they are off to start
>>recording guitars and acoustic piano and some strings. The drummer
>>currently known as Prince will arrive on December 11th.
so when Dave G. said "the tape is running" he meant:
a) nothing but a bit of Swindonian whimsy, easily misinterpreted by Yanks.
b) they were starting recording early in the Shed in an effort to keep AP's
studio chatter (not to mention the fart jokes) to a minimum when they were
actually paying for it.
or c) he was on some really great acid that Martin Newell had given him
(ever since the Japan tour he and the Mad March Hare are like *this*) and
he was having psychic flash-forwards. you and he probably got off the phone
right before he started describing to you how they were also simultaneously
recording the next Dukes effort, titled _Smell the Raspberries_, to be
released under the name Lord Cornelius Plum and the Fruits. the band are
apparently doing it at night by racing across downtown Swindon changing
into swinging 60's outfits (and getting appropriately drunk) on the way, a
la Batman.
[Karl F Witter <WitterKF@aetna.com> apparently wrote:]
>>[Matt Keeley] I heard that Thomas Dolby committed suicide by
>>jumping off the roof he was dancing on in the "She Blinded
>>Me with Science" video... I could have sworn he was still
>>alive...ah well... so, anyone know for sure?
[snip]
>Dolby (Thomas Dolby Robertson, now) is running a Internet music company
>called HeadSpace.
Thomas Dolby was listed as Thomas Morgan Dolby Robertson (TMDR for short)
on the liner notes of his first album, _The Age of Wireless_, which "She
Blinded Me With Science" is from. i don't know why he has this
schizophrenic thing about his name - "Thomas Dolby" works fine for me. BTW
i couldn't agree with you more, Karl, on the points you made in re the
Rolling Stones' has-been status and Sting's complete loss of musical
integrity - i'm not so upset about his hearing loss anymore. AP's, on the
other hand, is a terrible tragedy, but at least it sounds as if he can
still work pretty well - how Beethovenesque!
[from Ben Gott's signature:]
> They beat him up until the teardrops start...
aw, poor Ben - life (or malicious anti-XTC'ers) treating you bad at
Bowdoin? i'm sorry to hear that - maybe i can manage to overlook that
little faux pas about Jamiroquai. :)
[Kate <HENTOE@aol.com> apparently enthused:]
[snipped to preserve what vestiges of Chalkhills' sanity remains]
>(speaking of singles--whoever talks to Andy--PLEASE ask him to release
>>"The Man Who Murdered Love"--I don't CARE how old it is--that song is
>>meant to be a hit!!!! listen again--and imagine it just a tiny bit
>louder >and faster--the song rocks, I tell ya!!!! I mean it--I really
>do!!!!! >please tell them or give me their number and I will tell
>them!!!! I am >NOT joking here....)
you know, i agree with you 100% - "The Man" is indeed The Man. it happened
to be on my tape of the demos, along with the equally delicious "Rip van
Reuben", but i very much doubt any amount of shouting on your part is going
to get it on the album. apparently one of the reasons one of the songs on
the current B-list was rejected (i _think_ it was "Wonder Annual" - correct
me if i'm wrong here Mitch - you know how abysmal my memory is) was that it
was extremely old - first written after _O & L_. my best hope for "The Man
Who Murdered Love" (along with the aforementioned "Rip van Reuben" and
whatever other songs don't make it onto Zoot) is that it shows up on the
Bootleg Album.
[snip]
>*****I Can't Own Her and Your Dictionary--I went full circle on
>>these--hated 'em both the first few times.....I Can't Own Her seems
>>necessary to me--everyone knows what's going on and how people with the
>>ABILITY to convey emotion through music need to--and, in this case it is
>>done well--many people will relate....
i'm sorry, but - what? i have no idea what you're trying to say here. try
to calm down and put your thoughts into some kind of coherent sentences.
what do you mean, "I Can't Own Her" is 'necessary'? there are a lot of
things ICOH seems to me, but necessary is certainly not one of them - for
one thing, it sounds too much like a rewrite of "The Last Balloon" without
the amazing lyrics. also what do you mean by "everyone knows what's going
on"?
>Your Dictionary is going to come across as amazing, I think--the spelling
>>parts will likely be less obtrusive.....and I LOVE the ending....the only
>>problem I have is....what will his kids think? It makes mommy sound SO
>>mean! ( I shudder every time he sings "S-H-I-T, is that how you spell
>>ME..." feces and ANDY--in the same sentence?!!!)
i have to admit that i too am somewhat shocked that they're actually going
to put it on the album - i thought it would never get on given the fact
that much of _Nonsuch_ ("Bungalow" notwithstanding) could have been
classified as AAA or whatever the hell that new Adult Alternative standard
is, had it been released last year. i mean, i personally think it's an
amazing song, but the lyrics are incredibly harsh. Andy is the one that's
going to have to live with the repercussions of it being on the album - i
think it's almost mean of Colin and Dave to make him put it on, especially
when a song like "Dame Fortune" (or "Wounded Horse", which has the added
value of being in the grand old tradition of obscene-metaphored 'cuckold'
songs) which is equally mean but not quite as profane, gets rejected.
>MAIN POINT: due to the private nature of these songs--and the
>>"raw/slightly unfinished feel" I think they will always have.....why
>>don't they both appear as special secret hidden tracks after the rest of
>>the CD? I think it is a great idea....? anyone else?
that would almost be _worse_ - some unsuspecting Disney-watching soul
listens to the whole album full of "Easter Theatre" and "The Wheel and The
Maypole" and then leaves the room at the end only to be brought back by the
sounds of Andy singing "F-U-C-K" in a suitably anguished voice. i don't
think it's a good idea - although it would spare them the debate over
whether or not to censor the lyrics in the liner notes. i actually think
they're insane for putting it on the album - unless they're hoping that the
controversy brings them more publicity. maybe they're trying to avoid
repeating the "Dear God" marketing mistake - say what you will about it,
but _Skylar King_ is a much less dangerous album with "Mermaid Smiled" on
it.
- brookes
(aka Louise)
----------------------rmckenzi@dti.net-------------------------------
R. Brookes McKenzie aka Louise B. Minetti
------------------http://www.dti.net/rmckenzi------------------------
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-32 ******************************
Go back to Volume 4.
21 November 1997 / Feedback