Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 55
Date: Friday, 13 February 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 55
Friday, 13 February 1998
Today's Topics:
Another suggestion ...
Yazbek in NoVa
Demo CD & small scolding
ich habe eine frage.
Where be them now?
Andy response and the XTC Admiration Society
TSM: The Smartest...Metros?
bag & rone buffet
Lennon Demos etc.
On that note......
It's not for me, it's for a friend
Eitzel affirmation, XTC bootlegs disc
punk art
No way on Non-profit
No Sympathy
Money
Louis Philippe/Dr. Strange Love/Julien Baer
Echoed Phrase Thingy
Psonic Psunspots
IDEA stock
Big Mouth Strikes Again
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <01BD3632.71A9CCA0@NTS-WEBDEV> From: Tony Nowikowski <tonynow@one.net> Subject: Another suggestion ... Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 14:44:50 -0500 ... for simultaneously increasing our lads' income, and possibly getting the joy of XTC out to a few more souls. When the new album comes out, buy an additional copy (or two) and donate them to your local library. Toodles, tony
------------------------------ Message-ID: <34E0B078.79A8@erols.com> Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 14:54:32 -0500 From: Todd Bernhardt <editorsp@erols.com> Organization: Selling Power magazine Subject: Yazbek in NoVa Hello, Children! That's right, it's me, your host, Count Floyd, with news about a very scary show coming up this Friday the 13th at Iota in Arlington, Va. Spooky guy YAZBEK will be there with his band promoting his new album TOCK. What -- You don't think THAT's scary? How about THIS? Yazbek has threatened to clean a FISH onstage! Ooooh, kids, I'll tell you, if that's not scary, I don't know what is. And it will be even better with Count Floyd's 3-D glasses!! Just send, um, $16 -- yes, that's right, the same price as an XTC demo CD -- and $9 shipping and handling to Count Floyd, c/o SCTV, Melonville Post Office. (sincere apologies to Joe Flaherty) Anyway, talk about scary: I'll be there with my Chalkhills shirt on (I swear I washed since the last Yazbek show) -- let's have a NoVaCH get-together, ya'll!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19980210153317.006989b4@acton.com> Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 15:33:20 -0600 From: Dave Ledbetter <dbetter@acton.com> Subject: Demo CD & small scolding Regarding the $16 demo CD. I bought a demo CD from someone on the list several months ago, for I believe $15. I couldn't be happier. I am not able to tell if it is a first generation or later-- it sounds like a studio recording. As far as the money, I don't think that's so outrageous. Postage, time, materials, the full color insert, and color image on the disc itself. Not to mention the friendly correspondence... I doubt anyone is getting rich off it. I recommend it to anyone who wants a good quality copy, though I can't vouch for your particular source. In other news, Dave Gershman scolds: >The extremely pointy-headed John J. Pinto said: >"F**k You!" Who do you think you are to say "we" in your sentence, to >include the rest of us in such a small-minded spit of a remark? I'm fairly >certain that I speak for most of the people on this list when I say that... (off to infinity) It's probably not the most effective approach to denounce Mr. Pinto as the spokesman, only to then claim the position as your own.
------------------------------ From: Epidermis1@aol.com Message-ID: <7d316537.34e0f5d2@aol.com> Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 19:50:24 EST Subject: ich habe eine frage. hey everybody- libby here (15, by the way.) i have a question- when i succumbed and ordered a demo for myself and one for a friend of mine, i paid 20 bucks and along with these two gems, a third cd fell out of the envelope. it was labeled james. i forget who i ordered them from, but i wanted to ask my benefactor what the heck this cd is. when i first got these cds, i listened to the demos and ignored this one because (although i hate to admit it) i listened to the first twenty seconds of ''generals and majors'' and thought it was some other band doing a cover (speaking of cover, i'm covering my red face in shame.) the cd has xtc doing various songs live and then an interview with ap. a friend of mine told me that xtc was supposed to do the soundtrack for james and the giant peach, and there are two songs on the cd that sounded like that's what they were made for. so i was wondering if there was anyway to hear the rest of these james songs. or anything else live that i could get for not too much money. i'd never heard xtc live (or semi-live) before and i really liked a version of battery brides on the cd, i really liked all of it. till later, yours, libby.
------------------------------ From: "Wesley Hanks" <whanks@earthlink.net> Subject: Where be them now? Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 18:07:57 -0800 Message-ID: <01bd3691$df4a7ac0$LocalHost@default> Choking on chalk dust, Ramble warning engaged... A few evenings ago I tuned into a "Where are they now" program[me] on VH1. "The 80s version!" It was hosted by John Taylor (former Duran-Duran Duranite) Oh the absolute agony!! Having to listen to such memorable acts like Tommy Tutone br rehashed and interviewed, with all of the segments ending with an account of how the artist in question was "back in the studio - recording for the nineties" stuff. Billy Squire looks like my accountant. Through all of this there was nary a mention of XTC. The show would have been a perfect opportunity to showcase XTC and would have fit in to the premise of the show. A band that hasen't been heard from in a while, but, by golly, they are still together and working in the studio on new material. And BTW they have a great fan base. This got me thinking, Who is XTC's publisist and/or press agent? And now for something completely different...I attended the Consumer Electronic Show last month in Las Vegas (home). I saw digital/high definition television demonstrations. The effect is incredible, the best way to describe it is to imagine watching say, a football game and it appears to you like the game is being played on your front yard/garden as you look out your window. With that said, I thought about how great it would be to see an XTC performance in this format. Call me an optimist, I hold out hope to see XTC live again. I suggest that they can play at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas like the Oldest Band in The World will do on the 15th for a mere $500 if you were lucky enough to win a convoluted lottery system for the priviledge of buying the few non-casino comp tickets. I trust that our friends from Swindon would never be that pretentious. ;-) Wes XTC work tip of the day: Use the medevial artwork from King for a Day as your wallpaper to elicit several "what's that" and "hey, cool" reactions from your office mates.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <34E17DAD.12492FA1@earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 02:30:06 -0800
From: Steven Graff <sgclutter@earthlink.net>
Subject: Andy response and the XTC Admiration Society
Hello, fellow Children of the Hills of Chalk
Steve Graff here again. I just wanted to give a thumbs-up to the
notion of simply forming a non-profit organization, if not to give money
to XTC directly, rather, at least to help promnote the new Fireworks
release when it happens. Lord knows IDEA probably doesn't have the
connections and network in place to promote the thing as effectively as
a major label could. Andy and Co. deserve their just due in terms of
getting exposure with their new release, Virgin stiffed em (and Geffen,
who stiffs everyone eventually it seems) after Andy gave up touring, and
commercial recognition's been a long time coming. Exposure = sales, and
sales= promotion. If the public actually bought good music, most of the
chart-toppers would be digging latrines or laying bricks. Personally, I
don't recall a worthy number one hit in the last ten years (granted, I
stopped actively listening to radio at age 8 and wrote my own music
instead...I'm now 28).
My response to responses to my last post vary.
1) Jason Garcia must be like a lost twin brother or something. The
thing, Jason, that cemented me to XTC was hearing the concert bootlegs
Black Sea Tour and The Rhythm. I play all my gigs fast as possible
(within reason) because even the most pedestrian song sounds great sped
up, and good songs sound even better! (plus it negates any stage fright
that may occur, and redirects the nervous energy into the show.) My
band still isn't gonna do any XTC covers for a while (I'm slowly
applying the press, demoing XTC songs myself and trying to get them to
accept at least my reduced versions as the great catalysts they are),
but I'm doing an acoustic gig, and will promote at least one song fromm
the demos...making clear it's an inferior version of a song by a
songwriter several dimensions above me.
2) Ageing = mellowing out? Not necessarily. How do you explain
McCartney's recent spat of very energetic gigs, and REM?
I know Andy is older, and he hasn't has the best of fortunes with
industry people (cause for the most part they suck), and he's had a
divorce and several nbervous breakdowns...it's bound to make someone
more introspective etc. The point of my post was merely to rekindle
conversation about what originally made XTC a great band...their unique
sound and approach towards pop/rock/punk/
what-people-now-call-alternative. Pop craft is fine and dandy...I know
plenty of Matthew Sweet fans who rave about him, but I'm not about to
just rush out and buy pop albums from a guy who just does pop. XTC went
from being avant-garde-punk to unbeatable pop (with avant-garde tinges
and quirks). Out of chaos comes order, and out of order, a little chaos
doesn't hurt. Call it sick nostalgia.
I'd love to hear Andy redo something like Beatown or Battery
Brides from his current perspective. He says he hates these albums, but
I wonder what'd he'd do with the songs anyway.
I may be a young 28 (,<G>), but it's not my fault I was born too
late. I committed to XTC as a persuit in 1992 and bought the whole
catalog in less than two years. The Big Express was hardest to take
because it sounds so mechanical. IOnce I had the CDs for the most part,
I bought Chris Twomey's book on em, and learned.
I hunted down bootlegs, trying to get a late-touring era glimpse,
and came out with a semi-sputtered four song take with Senses Working
Overtime, No Thugs In Our House, Sgt. Rock, and an out-of-time Life
Begins at the Hop. Andy sounds exhausted, and Terry seems to play louder
in contrast to the quieter songs (Senses). I seriously think that Andy
was worn out purposefully to keep him and the crew from sniffing out Ian
Reid sooner. I think his fear of relentless touring is somewhat
unfounded. XTC could definitely profit exposure and otherwise with
smaller tours. Or even just another radio tour (an electric one would be
great). They don't have to tour relentlessly. I doubt any sane record
company would ask them too. The shows would be different anyway, because
the music has toned down so much.
Again, feel free to e-mail me direct to discuss issues and the band
etc. Sorry for being so long.
Sincerely, steven Graff
Clutter singer/songwriter/guitarist
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------------------------------
Message-ID: <B82F8C4D16A0D1119FDC0001FA6A4BC90E9D83@hfd-exch003.hartford.aetna.com>
From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com>
Subject: TSM: The Smartest...Metros?
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 10:33:27 -0500
>[Phil Hetherington, who either lives in Leicester, or simply
>hates Manchester United {As if anyone could hate Man United}.]
>Probably everyone knew this, but it just occurred to me that
>the 'how they pack so many in' business could lead to confusion!
When I hear that line, I think of the Tokyo "shovers", white-gloved
subway attendants whose function it is to push as many folks as
quickly, politely, into the cars during rush hour.
To Matt in Akron: How about a photo of this club (exterior only,
perhaps) on the website? It will go in the same spot we reserve
in our collective hearts for all the other suitable-for-adult
goodies named after the lads.
To Wesley: I thought I was the only one here who knew from Steve
Hillage, or Cock Robin, for that matter. Maybe we can form a
clique.
Having the XTC wav files, I now sometimes find myself rhythmic
-ally invoking them with bum keystrokes, in the fervent
hope that the actual song will start playing. (See Wake Up,
Seagulls Screaming, Down in the Cockpit.) I must love this job.
USDA tested and rejected as *not* "a valid form of nutrition",
Karl
PS Would trash the Super Bowl halftime show, but why trip a dwarf?
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.16.19980211162012.4bc74f62@pop-2.iastate.edu> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 10:20:12 -0600 From: John Lane <jal@iastate.edu> Subject: bag & rone buffet My Fellow Chalkerians: I've returned to this newsgroup, and happy to see that enthusiastic & intelligible postings (with minor exceptions) are still being generated. Also glad to see Harrison Sherwood (a fellow r.m.b. veteran) in here; you just make friends everywhere you go, you ol' scallywag. A few random thoughts, so take what you want from it: 1) I'm very interested in getting my hands on a copy of "The Bull With the Golden Guts" and other AP home demos. If anyone can help, please email me directly with your thoughts. I've already got "Jules Vernes Sketchbook", so cross that one off your list. But I'd be *very* interested in any "Firework" demos as well. 2) I've derived that the merits of "Nonsuch" have been debated here in the not-so-distant past. If I can put my vote in, I think it's a great album. I've gotta say: The tightness of "Skylarking" (which I brazenly call the "Sgt. Peppers" of my generation) practically ruined me for future XTC releases -- hence, it took me awhile to grow into "O&L" and "Nonsuch". And having caught up with those sounds, it's easy to see that the band has been undergoing steady creative growth with few burps & hiccups in between. So, 3 cheers for "Nonsuch". 3) Someone please catch me up on why Chris Difford is the anti-Christ. I've heard the stories, which sound like the plotline for Paul McCartney's "Give my Regards to Broad Street". Who's the direct *source* of these charges? Andy, Colin, Dave? Geoffrey Guiliano? (Sorry, cheap shot, that last one.) If it's *a really BIG fan*, then I'm inclined to take the whole thing with a grain of salt. So go ahead, Chalkers: tell me how much salt I should consume with this story. 4) Save Ferris? Save Ferris? Regarding giving dough to XTC: let me cast another vote. We fulfill our bargain as fans by purchasing the product. I think some people are under the impression that XTC are akin to famous blues artists who clean toilets during the day in a public high school. Yes, XTC are the 3 most brilliant musicians in the latter half of the 20th century (JPG&R not withstanding), but until I see Andy Partridge standing outside with a tincup filled with pencils, then I think they're doing alright. I recognize that they're not making the amount of money that they *deserve* (which is lots!), but I somehow think that they get by like the rest of us. Must all of our heroes be pig rich? Take a look at artists like Paddy McAloon or Marshall Crenshaw; they're not exactly rolling in it either. Hello, I must be going, John
------------------------------ Message-ID: <34E1D06C.48D3@sprintmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 11:23:08 -0500 From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com> Organization: Stormy Monday Enterprises Subject: Lennon Demos etc. Folxtc, Our court jester, the imitable Harrison "I can be condescending, witty, clever, literate, and self deprecating all in the same sentence" Sherwood posted: >Ah, well, here is where we part ways. In some alternate universe where >Brian Epstein was killed in a horrible 1962 kitchen accident and >Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes rather than the Beagles went on to >heights of fame and adulation, we wouldn't give those truncated, noisy >homemade recordings the time of day. Notice we don't speak in hushed and >reverent tones about demos made ... While I agree in principle, I'll never really know what I would think of Lennon's demos had I only heard them out of context, but the mark of a good song is one that holds up when stripped down. George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" for instance, works in its raw demo form, as does Andy's "All I Dream Of Is A Friend". I get a fair amount of enjoyment from listening to Lennon's demos of songs like "God" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" beyond the mere insight into the creative process that may have resulted in a great record. In the case of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", I believe that I like both versions equally. >by the also-rans of the rock world--many >of whom are just as talented, passionate and committed as Lennon I can't be trusted to be objective when it comes to Lennon, but having said that, let me say this: An artist like him is rare. While I don't doubt that there are some very talented people out there whose music never reaches the ears of the masses, we do get to hear a good deal of music by some extraordinary people, and I can't see any of them being "just as talented as" John Lennon. His vision, coupled with the many talents of his bandmates and producer changed the face of music in the 20th century, and had an impact on the world at large. >but who >just never got the big break they deserved. We collect the demos of >songs that we know. (Note: The following was inspired by Mr. Sherwood's comments, and not meant to be construed as a direct response to the point that he was making.) Unfortunately, the arts are driven by profit. If your definition of success is reaching the masses, you must be able to demonstrate that your "art" is marketable. As much as I love the music of XTC, I can't blame their lack of commercial success on anything but the fact that their music isn't commercial, whatever that means. Certainly their music has had more opportunity to reach the public at large than the aspiring musicians on this list. How did "The Dave Matthews Band" get signed? They were playing to packed houses and marketing their own merchandise to their fans. The labels can't ignore that type of success. While it isn't fair, it is a reality: if you can prove that people will buy your music, you can get signed. Stormy Monday
------------------------------ From: LadyCPlum@aol.com Message-ID: <836ef830.34e1de1d@aol.com> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 12:21:31 EST Subject: On that note...... Well well well.....well....(and that's all for today!) JJ, of course. So let's see what we can sort out today..... This is in response to John Relph's response to John Pinto's circle of friends diatribe.....(got all that?????) THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT BEFORE I COULD!!!! That was exactly what I wanted to say but I figured I'd get another rash of "What an obnoxious bitch" posts, so I stuck to the more eloquent version. But you took the words right out of my mouth. Dewitt-Yes indeed, rest in peace Carl Wilson. But let's not forget about Falco either! (May not have had such an enormous impact on the music biz, but I liked hiss tuff nonetheless.) Ben-One quick note...seems like Maine decided to discriminate anyways. Tis a pity, m'lad. On the subject of Nonsuch, which I haven't touched just yet, I remember it was the...fifth XTC album I bought. (and quite possibly the last existing longbox in the store I found it in, which doubled my excitement.) It did take me a bit to get used to it, especially Peter Pumpkinhead, since I had heard CTD's version first. But when I did I fell in love with it. Rook and My Bird Perfroms are Colin and Andy's best songs to date, IMNSHO. And that's all I have to say about that. Ciao for now, Amanda XTC song of the day-Work non XTC song of the day-Hello-The Beloved non-XTC song that I used to love that I am now sick to death of hearing- TUBFUCKINGTHUMPER!!! There IS a such thing as too much of a mediocre thing.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199802111758.RAA19904@boober.lineone.net> From: "David S White" <david.s.white@lineone.net> Subject: It's not for me, it's for a friend Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 17:52:39 -0000 A good friend of mine is finishing his Ph.D on Composition and wants to know where he can get hold of the demo of The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul, from Skylarking. Any ideas? David White
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199802111819.NAA23439@gw33t.fmr.com> From: "Sawyer, Keith" <Keith.Sawyer@fmr.com> Subject: Eitzel affirmation, XTC bootlegs disc Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 13:18:46 -0500 From: aka Louise <rmckenzi@dti.net> >random music recommendation - American Music Club's _San Francisco_. i >first liked it for the single "Hello Amsterdam", but it's misleading >because the rest of the album is nowhere near that rocked-up and silly - >it's actually much better. some of the songs sound strangely like U2 circa >_Rattle and Hum_, but most of them are either more folky or more poppy, >especially the *great* song "I Broke My Promise", and they even do a cover >of "California Dreaming" that doesn't make you want to claw your own eyes >out with a handy ball-peen like the original tends to do. i've also heard >that Mark Eitzer (songwriter/lead singer) has a new album out that's quite >good - i'll have to check it out & see. I'd love to ramble on about Mr. Eitzel's expansive singing voice and emotional songwriting depth, which are on display both in his efforts with American Music Club (Mercury and California being my personal favorites) and his solo recordings (West, with REM's Peter Buck, and his recent Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out Cause I Love You Too Much Baby), but instead I'll relay an experience that may be of interest to XTC fans. To finance his latest acoustic tour, Mark put together a one-off disc of demos and outtakes and sold it personally at the shows. Now his distribution could have been better - members of the firefly list devoted to AMC & Eitzel had to set up bulk purchases with several generous listmembers to make sure those who weren't near any of the shows could get a copy. But he still sold out of the original 500 copies on the final American date of the tour while having several European venues to play. He later made the disc available through his post-office box to those who weren't fortunate enough to get a copy. So while Mark didn't rake in an Acura's worth of income on the deal, his fans were able to erode his touring expenses and received a massive entertainment in return. If XTC was interested in generating a little extra income, perhaps they should consider bringing their sketchy bootleg disc ideas to fruition. keith "I didn't sell you anything my dear You were a scarecrow looking for a bonfire to sleep on" American Music Club, _The Hopes and Dreams of Heaven's 10,000 Whores_
------------------------------
Message-Id: <TFSMWRHJ@ubk.net>>
From: Jonathan Monnickendam <monnickj@ubk.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 16:16:06 +0000
Subject: punk art
not sure that this should not remain a contradiction in terms but ...
if you're in London and fancy a trip to the foyer of the Royal
Festival Hall you should take a look at an exhibition of punk/new wave album
covers, picture sleeves and general detritus. It is all from a British
perspective - Pere Ubu, predating it all do not get a check until 1978. You
could say that it all looks dated but it does convey excitement and DIY
creativity. One thing that does not look dated is the 'This is Pop' picture
sleeve that looks great even today but out of place with the era as it
conveys imagination and humour rather than brashness and immediacy.
Oddly enough the only other band using the same approach was Squeeze.
The exhibition runs through to March and is free.
Ciao to Carl
I echo Richard's sentiment ; who thought Brain was a survivor, the last of
the Wilsons. In an obituary a UK newspaper referred to the Holland LP as a
disaster. Recording the thing may have been one for the Beach Boys, one of a
continuing series, but certainly not to listen to. It is probably the last
great BB release.
* ---------------------------------------------------------------
The views expressed are of the individual, and do not
necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC.
* ---------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <72EDB966944AD1118DC90080D82074882BC3EF@ex-campus2> From: "Pedretti-Allen, Richard" <Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com> Subject: No way on Non-profit Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 11:02:15 -0800 re: Eric Rosen's suggestion of the formation of a non-profit org (advance apologies for going "corporate" on this whole thing) I have set-up and run two non-profit organizations (501c7) and sat on the Board of another (501c3). Eric, what you propose is quite possible if you are willing to let a team of IRS agents crawl through your intestines in porcupine clothes. The good news is that this will only happen once. After the investigation, if you are unable to come up with all of the money you raised (plus associated fines and interest), you will spend your time sitting on your jail bunk muttering, "What the hell was I thinking?! They are a business not a charity!" while your cellmate, Harrison, leans to the left and yells, "WHOA! Listing to port!" then leans to the right and yells, "WHOA! Listing to starboard!" This will go on all night long. There is really no way that this concept would fly. The international aspect makes it much more complicated and you can't classify XTC as a charitable beneficiary. Let me put it this way, if you donated to the Red Cross and they in turn gave your money to some "troubled" company like BTG Incorporated (personally, I say it might be a good time to buy their stock. Ticker: BTGI), you might feel like your donation was a little "misappropriated" which is exactly the term the IRS will use. WHILE I HATE TO DISCOURAGE ANY OPEN-MINDED THINKING AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE A LARGE GROUP OF CREATIVE SUBCRIBERS AND MITCH'S INTENTIONS WERE PURE AND GOOD, I PERSONALLY THINK IT IS TIME TO PUT THIS PARTICULAR IDEA TO REST. The best suggestions have been: Wait until September. Buy multiple copies from industry-tracked retailers. Give copies to friends. Call radio stations and request "That new XTC song" (not your personal favorite) from the disc. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 14:52:09 -0500 (EST)
From: Jason Legacy <jlegacy@orion.ramapo.edu>
Subject: No Sympathy
Message-id: <Pine.OSF.3.96.980211143702.32427A-100000@orion.ramapo.edu>
Dear Chalkies,
it's been a while since I posted, but I feel I need to
address this idea of helping out the band financially. I love these guys.
XTC have been my personal source of musical and artistic pleasure for many
years now. however, I feel next to no sympathy for them in terms of a
financial standpoint. They chose to stop touring. Perhaps it can be
blamed on Andy's stagefright, fine, yet there are numerous other routes of
self-promotion, including acoustic shows, radio-station tours(which I know
they did), etc. My point is that their musical exile is largely
self-imposed. Every one on this list is obviously a highly faithful
XTC-devotee, and if we are their grassroots, than they have what
thousands of bands can't have. THEY ARE LUCKY. They have done NOTHING to
reach out to us in the past 5 years, at least nothing in my memory. Do
they fully realize their responsibility in the delicate artist/fan
relationship? They have seemed woefully ignorant for a decade now. They
get the good reviews, they have a (shrinking yearly) fanbase, they still
can find lable support whenever they need it. Simply, they wish to be a
pampered studio band during a time when what is respected is groups and
artists who are willing to bust their butts, regardless of age, to reach
new fans. XTC don't appear to have the drive anymore. Amazingly, IMHO,
their music has yet to reflect this. The passionate writing on NONSUCH is
proof that they still love what they do, or at least in small spurts. But
they have chosen to have no new fans, and that is that. They are
intelligent men who must know that great talent alone will not bring them
financial security. Not at all.
a miffed, but still devote, fan
------------------------------ From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <454dedb3.34e21d10@aol.com> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 16:50:06 EST Subject: Money Chalkers, I just wanted to say this, if I had money I would give it to the guys, but I don't. Some people can't afford it. There has to be another way to help the guys. I like the web site idea. That would be cool. Is this the Chris Difford from Squeeze fame? If it is, I can't believe he would do that. I've been a big fan of Squeeze's for a long time, now I won't be. I don't know the whole story, so if anybody can tell me just send me a e- mail message. Does anybody know when the new album is supposed to be coming out? I'll definitely buy it when it comes out. And I'll definitely get it at Media Play or Tower when it comes out. I've been trying to get my best friend to listen to their music, but she thinks they're weird. I'm still trying to get her to listen to them. People should get their friends a family to like them, then tell them to buy their albums. That'll help their financial problems. I also want to know if their are any American XTC fan clubs out there. The ones that I saw posted were all International. I would like to know. If there isn't maybe the American fans should set up one. I'll help in anyway, if anyone decides to start one. Bye for now. Molly Buffalo, NY
------------------------------ From: ZITTEL@aol.com Message-ID: <7a8b12c0.34e22e92@aol.com> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 18:04:48 EST Subject: Louis Philippe/Dr. Strange Love/Julien Baer Hello. I finally got to hear two XTC related CDs that feature Dave Gregory's fine playing. I don't think either release has been mentioned in Chalkhills though they came out a while ago, probably because I think both CDs were only released in Japan. One is Louis Philippe's "Jackie Girl" CD. Some of you might be familiar with Louis Philippe because he produced and played on Martin Newell's "The Off- White Album". Jackie Girl features Dave Gregory playing guitar on several tracks as well as one credited to Lord Cornelius Plum. The CD's title and cover of "Jackie Girl" is a tribute to Jackie de Shannon. The booklet says "They will enjoy, I hope, the great return of XTC axeman Dave Gregory in the guise of Lord Cornelius Plum in "Jackie Girl"- the song". The songs themselves sound like they could have been recorded in Jackie de Shannon's heyday, with a bit of Burt Bacharach feel to them. Some of the songs seem kind of slight to me, but there are some nice pop songs on it. The other CD I got was by the Japanese band Dr. Strange Love called "Way Out". It features Dave Gregory playing organ on one track called "Like A Sunflower In My Memory". The music sounds okay, but it is sung in Japanese so it was difficult for me to get into it. I think this is the first CD released by Dr. Strange Love and I do not know much about them or how Dave Gregory ended up contributing to their album. Maybe someone in Japan knows more about them? I am also curious to know if the guitar work Dave Gregory did for French artist Julien Baer has ever been released? Any details appreciated.
------------------------------ From: Rhoblidnen@aol.com Message-ID: <227795a6.34e24d36@aol.com> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 20:15:32 EST Subject: Echoed Phrase Thingy My newly acquired "Bosom" Buddy, Harrison writes: > (That echoed-phrase thingy is one of Andy's favorite devices. It's most > evident on "Another Satellite," where he uses a delay to sing a round > with himself. The horns in "Omnibus" do the same thing. That Andy! > Honestly, I think there's a whole term paper in XTC's use of this > technique. Can any music students out there supply me with a name for > it? ["Arthur!" "Shut up!"]) I think, according to the legend that is Music at GCSE (English final exams for 16 year olds), the name for this particular technique is "Imitation" and has been in use ever since the Baroque era, circa 1750s. Considering Andy's medieval music thing, it wouldn't surprise me if he lifted a technique from a couple of later composers. signed, Nerd-in-Residence, Suffolk
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 02:35:49 -0800 Message-Id: <v01510100b1072ca5df5a@[194.128.83.69]> From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: Psonic Psunspots >Anybody got any ideas for other XTC tunes with astronomical significance? I >can think of "I Remember The Sun" and "Miniature Sun" right off the bat. > >-Brian * Saturn Boy - pre-XTC demo (Janet, Janet, come back to my planet!) * Science Friction (How do you Martians say, "I love you?") * Bike Ride to the Moon
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03102800b108ef5f4565@[207.104.109.139]> Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 10:35:34 -0800 From: dblack@access1.net (dblack) Subject: IDEA stock Evening All, Harrison asks: <That echoed-phrase thingy is one of Andy's favorite device... Can any music students out there supply me with a name for it?> I learned it as "Imitation" and it is a staple of the Baroque period fugal writing in which short themes ( called "subjects") are echoed, turned upside down, quoted backwards, and generally milked to provide the material for a whole piece. Not sure if using a long DDL really qualifies but the strings on "Rook" and the trumpets in "Omnibus" probably do. And on the money-for-musicians issue, what about buying stock in IDEA records. Obviously they would have to go public but wouldn't that be the legit capitalist thing to do? I produce records for a living and most of my clients' projects are funded by outside investors that they have managed to rustle up. Goodnight all, Dave Blackburn
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199802102009.VAA04511@mail.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 21:19:52 +0000 Subject: Big Mouth Strikes Again Dear Chalkers, Several people i trust have written to me and assured me "the demo bootlegger" i accused of ripping off fellow fans was in fact a swell guy and that he did a wonderful job on the tracks and was really just covering his costs as each CD was a one-off project. So I apologize to him and everybody else. As John Greaves pointed out i made another terrible mistake: > Gus didn't work with the Beatles but Geoff Emerick > did. Gus/Geoff confusion there possibly. Rats! I shouldn't have sold all that Beatles stuff years ago so I could have checked my facts. And i think i actually did confuse Gus with Geoff... But today I caught myself thinking (this doesn't happen much as you understand by now) about this: how would we, as their loyal(?) fans, react if Firework would be a bit of a success and XTC would be catapulted to sudden fame and fortune? Do you love them because nobody else does or would you be thrilled if they had a number 1 with a bullet? yours puzzling, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-55 ******************************
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13 February 1998 / Feedback