Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 85
Date: Monday, 25 May 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 85
Monday, 25 May 1998
Today's Topics:
Re: Double Albums
Cleaners Double LP
Re: XTC vs. TMBG vs. Little Egypt
misc ramblings
river of orchids=sea of flowers?
Revenue for Dave?
Great interview!
Dub Experiments
Re: Crikey!
My First Outpouring
Associations
double albums
regarding nihilon@crisscross.comments & "Chalkhill" Originals
Word lunch
re: 2xLPs - UNCLE!
more double albums
Hypocrite of the year.
Hey Harrison!
Re: Spaced Out
Holly up on Poppy/Crocodile, double albums
More Maids Smiled: XTC on the radio over the web
XTC vs. The Cult
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JStrole <JStrole@aol.com> Message-ID: <ca124848.3563ac62@aol.com> Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 00:24:01 EDT Subject: Re: Double Albums >With the exception of Zappa's Freak Out (double AND >debut) album, name a multi-album worth owning (barring collections). Well, well, if we are talking about the LP era a certain band from Swindon put out a two-album set called English Settlement. What about The Clash's London Calling and The Beatles (the White Album) by The Beatles. Some people may want to throw The Cure's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me in there, but, eh. BTW, if one wishes to get the ire of a bar crowd going, almost every bar I've been in has a juke box and almost every one of those juke boxes I've seen has the White Album on it. For fun, put on Revolution #9 and watch the party start. Awhile back we welcomed a Canadian fan who claimed to have a hard time finding XTC material in Canada. This struck me as rather odd since the recent wave of Canadian bands all seem to be influenced by XTC. The Crash Test Dummies have mentioned in interviews of their fascination with Andy Partridge. Odds even lifted Complicated Games on their Neopolitan CD on a song called Horsehead Nebula. The Barenaked Ladies and Moxy Fruvous have been known to throw bits of XTC songs into their jams in concert. I was under the assumption that half of Canada picked up instruments within minutes of hearing Black Sea. For potential album titles I, for one, hope XTC don't use a lyric from the previous record. I'd rather see a title like : Quirk Be Gone or Twisting Matilda (e-gads, good thing I'm not in the band). Harry
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35646522.278C@bellatlantic.net> Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 13:32:18 -0400 From: John Irvine <jirvine@bellatlantic.net> Subject: Cleaners Double LP Shameless Plug: Do yourselves a favor and get yerselves a copy of the Cleaners From Venus Living With Victoria Grey tape ASAP. It is superfab through and through, (and I also don't work for Acid Tapes.) Double LP's worthowning: Minutemen- Double Nickels on the Dime PIL - Metal Box XTC content: I really like XTC. Those who requested tapes of the Baltimore XTC Tribute gig; they are on the way. Sorry for the delay: I finally got a decent dubbing deck which will improve sound quality of dubs but will not do much about the out of tune guitars. Song for the day: The Soft Boys - Queen of Eyes Sign off: um, bye, John
------------------------------ Date: 21 May 98 13:04:44 -0600 Subject: Re: XTC vs. TMBG vs. Little Egypt From: "David vanWert" <mcknife@xsite.net> Message-Id: <B189D6F7-57654@206.126.236.20> On Thu, May 21, 1998 10:31 AM, somebody wrote: >Think back to the minor hit, "Istanbul (not Constantinople)", and sing >along with me now everybody; "Even old New York was once New >Amsterdam." Yes, it's THAT song. *Again*. Except that this was 1990 >for TMBG, whereas "Crocodile" was 1992 for XTC. "Istanbul" was a cover, though. It actually dates back to the early fifties. David vanWert mcknife@xsite.net http://www.xsite.net/~mcknife "I don't know about the rest of you guys, but these tight, colonial pants are killing me. I gotta change before I pass out." Patrick Henry, 1776 (later condensed to "Give me liberty, or give me death.")
------------------------------ From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <8525660B.005E0711.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 13:32:02 -0400 Subject: misc ramblings Chalksters and Chalkettes; Add me to the roster of those confused by the announcement of a new "Chalkhills Originals" release. I was one of those who donated a song back in October of 1996 when Fritz Stollenbach suggested that he would put together a complilation of songs written and performed by Chalkhills list members. Fritz just announced about a month ago that mastering is complete for this effort and that I would "soon" receive my copy. I am not sure if Fritz is prepared to make the tape available to the whole list; I hope so, because that is what makes it fun for me. I would love to receive positive or negative feedback on my material from people who have something in common with me (like, being on this list). Now, all of a sudden comes the announcement of yet another originals list. But this has some sneaky aspects to it. It turns out that one had to be INVITED to join. And the critieria is strange: in order to be invited, you had to be a talented contributor to previous Chalkhill tapes. Or, you could be a friend of the guy who is putting the tape together (and here I agree with a previous poster who challenged the concept of a "Chalkhills Originals" tape if some of the contributors are not list members). Do these "friends" like or know about XTC? Now, isn't something a bit odd? Does it follow that someone who does a nice job of performing a COVER version of an XTC song would automatically be considered as a good original songwriter? (And I am not trying to slam any of you folks lucky enough to have gotten chosen for this new tape.) But wouldn't it have made more sense to make an open invitation to the songwriters who are on this list to volunteer a contribution? I know this sounds like sour grapes, and it probably has something to do with the fact that we've been waiting for 19 months for the Fritz tape to surface, but gee whiz, I don't get why this was done with such secrecy. Every other release, contest, opinion poll, etc that I've ever seen has been done openly to the list in general. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. Mike
------------------------------
From: Saints3Den <Saints3Den@aol.com>
Message-ID: <4726b5db.356478ab@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 14:55:38 EDT
Subject: river of orchids=sea of flowers?
Hi!
I have been meaning to post this for quite a while- While watching the
Diana funeral, a thought struck me . It seemed that it all fit in very
nicely with River of Orchids... tons of flowers-both piled up and thrown on
the hearse, virtually covering the road...a car "pushed from the
road"... said car "reduced to a fossil"... she was buried in her
"backyard"... "the whole world at her feet"-- Several other lines fit
too. think of your own. If you aren't aware of the lyrics, they are on
chalkhills. Could this be yet another example of Andy as a prophet-writing
an ode to Princess Di years before the accident?
;-) eddie st.martin
------------------------------ From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <8525660B.00698AE0.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 15:18:18 -0400 Subject: Revenue for Dave? Can anybody on the list tell us yet if Dave is going to financially share in the forthcoming success of the new album(s)? I'm wondering if he will only be paid as a session musician for what he contributed. It's kind of strange because he probably won't be an owner of IDEA records, right? I guess Andy and Colin could argue against sharing with him because they will be taking all of the risk as they try to go to market with the new album(s). Also, is there any progress that anyone can report towards the band landing a US distribution deal? My impression is that is not pinned down yet. Mike
------------------------------ Date: 22 May 98 10:35:29 AST From: PCulnane@dca.gov.au Subject: Great interview! Message-ID: <0000rpfxttfn.0000qycykwew@dca.gov.au> Just a note of thanx and congratulations to Todd Bernhardt for the brilliant interview he conducted with Andy for Modern Drummer magazine. Fascinating, insightful and, of course, deliciously funny, and put together with finesse by Todd. Great stuff! This is the sorta stuff I appreciate being alerted to by reading Chalkhills. ~p@ul
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3564E510.57D870FD@gate.net> Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:38:09 -0400 From: "Mark D. Irvin" <mdirvin@gate.net> Subject: Dub Experiments I just picked up a copy of the Dub Experiments aka Explode Together. I bought it when it was first released, but it was a little much to handle for a then 15 year old just discovering Drums and Wires, Go2 and White Music....so i returned it. So now, once again, I own it, but this time on CD. Still different to listen to, but I can appreciate it more now at the ripe old age of 33....especially "Shore Leave Ornithology (Another 1950)". My question is, however, what was the purpose or reasoning behind the recording and the release of the Dub Experiments? Anyone know? Thanks from Florida, Mark mdirvin@gate.net XTC song of the day: "Supertuff" nonXTC song of the day: "Guns Before Butter" by the Gang of Four
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199805220809.KAA24370@mx1.landsraad.net> From: "Ipintza B.I." <ipintzabi@arrakis.es> Subject: Re: Crikey! Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:09:01 +0200 Steven Graff <slapdash@earthlink.net> wrote: >I never knew Andy was saying Miro >in My Paint Heroes... >...he was alluding Top Nero, I've never heard this song,but as I heard him in a Spanish TV interview (1987), he liked very much Catalan painter Joan Miro and he admitted his early songs (White Music) were all very influenced by naive structures or almost childlike shapes like Miro's painting. While AP was saying this he was moving his arms imitating those straight lines and edges that usually appear on Miro's painting. That's my opinion. Imanol Ugarte ix8494@xpress.es
------------------------------
Message-Id: <s5656225.077@parliament.uk>
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 11:31:03 +0100
From: Dom Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk>
Subject: My First Outpouring
Greetings Chalkpeople,
Just to needlessly introduce myself - my name is Dom Lawson and I've been an
XTC fan since "Black Sea", when I was a headstrong and feintly ridiculous
eight year old. I've been greatly enjoying the digests since I first got
access to the so-called World Wide whatsit, and like most of you I am
cacking myself at the prospect of finally getting a new album from the
band. Well, obviously.
So just a few minor points for my first contribution.....
(i) Some of you really need to get out more. Dave leaving XTC is certainly
disappointing, but let's not pretend it's a devastating emotional blow from
which we will never recover. He didn't write the songs. He's not dead. He's
had enough for the time being, and frankly who can blame him. It's something
of a minor miracle that Andy and Colin can still be bothered, given all the
record industry shit they've had to wade through.
(ii) Great double albums cont'd... - a few thoughts off the top of my brain.
CARDIACS - Sing To God (essential classic pop music - surely a must for XTC
fans?)
SWANS - Soundtracks For The Blind
TALKING HEADS - The Name Of This Band...
THIN LIZZY - Live & Dangerous
The list is not exactly endless, but I'm sure there's loads of good
ones. And citing "Freak Out" as the only example is, I'm afraid, just a
little pretentious. It's a great album, but let's try to avoid a "who's got
the coolest record collection" debate.
(iii) Much as I've enjoyed discovering a world of fellow XTC fans, I have
been a little disturbed by the somewhat narrow musical view shared by many
of you. As a proud fan of heavy metal, hip hop, various strands of dance
music and pretty much anything with imagination, I'm puzzled as to why
everyone seems to be solely into white, commercial, adult-orientated pop
music, albeit of an often vaguely quirky nature. Acoustic guitars are not
necessarily a prerequisite for good music, and nor is sounding like The
Beatles. TMBG are a prime example. This is what conservative people
consider to be "left of centre" music. The term "alternative" is redundant
and has been for years, and it's no wonder, if people won't broaden their
minds beyond catchy tunes and "things that sound a bit like XTC".
(iv) Current XTC Favourites:
Complicated Game
Travels In Nihilon
Train Running Low On Soul Coal
Bungalow
...the usual suspect.
Hope this hasn't annoyed you all too much. Here's to the Black Sabbath/XTC
peace settlement!
Dom.
------------------------------ From: MPadg <MPadg@aol.com> Message-ID: <331ce909.356585f1@aol.com> Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:04:31 EDT Subject: Associations >> Last digest (4-83) was just like the old days with Sherwood's (I actually >> wrote Sherweed....maybe a Freudian slip?) hilarious bantering and Simon >> with his bike rides and nary a mention about the dreaded departure. Wow, >> I must admit that the mythology I associate with XTC songs is a bit more >> limited than Simon's, here are a few I would add my praise for Sherwood's prose, but I'm sure some defender-of-the- list zealot would insist that we start a separate SH list. "If you like Sherwood Harrison I'm sure you'll like ..." Anyway, my big associations, other than Skylarking reminding me of a summer commuting from Chicago to Milwaukee every day in 100 degree weather, revolve around my initiation to XTC. Scene one: University of Chicago. Every night around 1:00 A.M. my roommate Richard stumbles in under the influence, makes a bowl of ramen noodles and cranks Black Sea on our other roommates' formidable stereo. The vision forever brought forth by Respectable Street is of Richard - blissful grin - eyes half rolled back - chicken broth dribbling from chin. That's not when XTC got me though. It was a few months later ... Scene two: End of College. Finals are over. Rush to pack. Rush to airport to drop off a friend. Then - nothing. Driving down the freeway. Everything is over. Nothing new has started. I have no plans. I am 100% free of responsibility. First action - need some tunes! How about that one from I taped from Richard's goofy ramen-noodle album? Generals and Majors. The rest is history.
------------------------------ From: WillJ4comm <WillJ4comm@aol.com> Message-ID: <7464e3bc.35659367@aol.com> Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 11:01:58 EDT Subject: double albums Richard P. commented that Zappa's Freak Out is the only double album worth owning. Let's dispense with this silliness before a young, impressionable neophyte accepts it as truth! :) I know some of these have already been mentioned, just want to collect as many worthy titles as I can here: London Calling, Clash Sandinista, Clash The White Album, Beatles Blonde on Blonde, Dylan English Settlement, XTC Oranges & Lemons, XTC Nonsuch, XTC Exile on Main St., Stones Check Your Head, Beasties Songs In The Key of Life, Stevie Time Out Of Mind, Dylan Hymns to the Silence, Van Urban Hymns, The Verve (don't know if there was a vinyl release of this, but it would be a double if there was) All Things Must Pass, George H. Sign O The Times, Prince 1999, Prince Electric Ladyland (Is this double?), Jimi Nothing Like The Sun, Sting The River, Bruce The Wall, Floyd Out of the Blue, ELO Physical Graffiti, Zep Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Genesis w/ Gabriel Quadrophenia, Who Tommy, Who I'm sure there's others, but the double album has DEFINITELY been an important part of rock/pop greatness. Some of the albums listed here are considered some of the greatest of all time, and are favorites of many. Anyway, fun discussion, my buddy and I had a good time compiling our list. Best, Will P.S. - Anyone know a way I can get a tape of the firework demos? I'm thinkin' that I'd like to hear the new songs before January of next year. Please email me with any info, willj4comm@aol.com Thanks! Will
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@exchange.Octel.com Message-ID: <72EDB966944AD1118DC90080D820748847C0BD@ex-campus2> Subject: regarding nihilon@crisscross.comments & "Chalkhill" Originals Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:50:59 -0700 >>For the past two months, at my invitation... >>...originals to be compiled and released on CHALKHILLS ORIGINALS '98. > >Why at your invitation? Admittedly, I was a bit chuffed (bad-chuffed) when I heard the same news. Though my interest in contributing was only sent on May 19, not surprisingly, Mark gave me a ...too late... response (though it appeared that Mark was also announcing the new addition of Becki D.). Mark emailed me with; "My invitation and their acceptance is the only real criteria..." To that I can only advise caution based on the derision cast upon Bizarre Depiction's XTC tribute tape contributor selection process. From what I understand, BD chapped quite a few butts by calling for contributors and then sending tapes back with a "Thanks but no thanks." when it didn't meet their approval. I attempted to circumvent those types of situations by requiring CC contributors to "register" their song. >This is even worse than the selection for Chalkhill's Children tapes. Whoa, hey! I have openly admitted that the more tributes that I do, the worse this problem has gotten. So much so that I recently they WILL change. I'm not trying to change, realign or censor Steve's opinions but he is still on the reserve list for CC98, still has a chance to get on and that puts him well ahead of the 40+ that were simply turned away. >And why ex-Chalkers and friends - It's not Chalkhill Originals if they >aren't Chalkies. Amen. While I never regret hearing new music and I look forward to the tape, is Mark trying to push someone on us who isn't even an XTC fan? If these people aren't Chalkies, the tape title better come dressed in quotation marks. >Is anybody else here getting concerned about these kinds of things that are >starting to happen more and more? Is there an 'elite' XTC list...? Yes. The elite XTC list is called "Chalkhills" and you are part of it. >...I'm annoyed at the way the selection is conducted for these things. It's that age-old question... would you rather stand a real chance by being on the reserve list or reduce the probability of being selected from a pool of 60+ requests? Richard
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@exchange.Octel.com Message-ID: <72EDB966944AD1118DC90080D820748847C0BE@ex-campus2> Subject: Word lunch Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 11:02:44 -0700 Mark pointed out: Our honourable friend Richard P. said: >> ...name a multi-album worth owning... >How on earth can you forget about English Settlement ??? Um... I wasn't on Earth at the time of that post. Yeah, I forgot about that one and have been living in fear that someone would parade my stupidity on Chalkhills. I only owned the 1xLP and didn't get all the songs until the 1xCD came out. I have received several emails (privately) from people challenging my statement and I have largely eaten my words. Common thread: Everyone who wrote me listed The Who's "Tommy" (and though "Tommy" is still great IT SOUNDS SERIOUSLY DATED and starts being a historical artifact some time very soon). Many of the 2xLPs listed were definitely personal tastes and still wouldn't be on my list. In any event, I hereby retract my statement. Wings Over America was never mentioned. Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <72EDB966944AD1118DC90080D820748847C0BF@ex-campus2> From: "Pedretti-Allen, Richard (Richard)" Subject: re: 2xLPs - UNCLE! Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 11:38:43 -0700 William Wisner: I might also mention the White Album. Richard: Play side 2 and then 4 and tell me what you would have missed if it had not been there? As great a release as it is, take the best 45 minutes of the work, put it on one tape and take a wonderful ride with nary a bump in the road. My point actually meant that most double albums could have been condensed down to a single album. Zappa's 51 minute 2xLPs?! Lose a song or two, lower the cost and lower the price. The time per $ value wasn't there and I don't want the space filled up with Revolution Number 9 (...though I always chuckle when someone plays it on the jukebox at the pub! "May I have this dance?"). In a seemingly benevolent spirit, Zappa has released two single LPs on one CD (Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe)! At 74 minutes max on a CD, that puts the average time per LP at 37 minutes (and I doubt it is completely full). 37 minutes of fun where 46 minutes would fit. I want my 9 minutes per. Until I dove into Chalkhills I only knew English Settlement as a 1xLP and I loved it that way (post cries of "Heretic" privately, please). Black Sea was where I tasted the bait but English Settlement is when the hook pierced (only my Psychologist can still see the scar). Now I find someone claiming Oranges & Lemons was a 2xLP?! I never knew! I thought it was a double EP or some such thing (i.e., could fit on one LP). I've only owned Electric Ladyland on 1xCD. I have been blinded to the past by advancing technology as media holds more information. Richard p.s. Revo#9 is just an exercise in Musique Concrete. The critics of that musical style never raved about it. If you like the obtuse, try "Two Minutes Of Silence" by John and Yoko, from Life With The Lions. It's participation art on vinyl! My copy goes "click-click-click-click-click-click-1.5 minutes of silence-click-click-click-click-click-click-click" from lifting and repositioning the tonearm.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 20:42:00 -0700 Subject: more double albums Message-ID: <19980522.124935.6078.0.deuchars@juno.com> From: deuchars@juno.com (jim d deuchars) hey chalkfolk, First off, I agree with all the double albums mentioned already. Herez some more: Dylan's Blonde on Blonde Dylan and the Band's Basement Tapes Minutemen's Double Nickels on the Dime Coltrane in Japan (3 cd's) Jesus Christ Superstar (stage OR film soundtrack) Sinatra's Trilogy luv deuchars ps- any chalkfolk near Santa Barbara, CA?
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19980523022143.006d36c4@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 21:21:43 -0500 From: "Jason 'Buffy' NeSmith" <jnesmith@mindspring.com> Subject: Hypocrite of the year. Molly, dear, you're too gosh-darn sensitive! You haven't offended anyone (I think), but in the end, anyone that would start a rumour wouldn't care what you thought about them. Whether it was started on purpose or not is a moot point now. It is an ex-rumour. It is my opinion that you should relax and write about something other than who's a 'real' Xtc fan and who isn't. Whoever mentioned the Ives piece "Schertzo: Holding Your Own"-- right on, brothah! That little dittie kicks serious booty! For the curious, it's readily available on the Kronos Quartet's album 'White Man Sleeps', and it's pretty short. Steve <nihilon@crisscross.com> was talking about Chalk' Orig' 98, and said something like: >>For the past two months, at my invitation, a number of very talented >>Chalkers, ex-Chalkers and friends thereof have been diligently creating >>originals to be compiled and released on CHALKHILLS ORIGINALS '98. > >Why at your invitation? Is anybody else here getting concerned about these >kinds of things that are >starting to happen more and more? Is there an 'elite' XTC list that the >rest of us don't know about? > >There are more people out there recording than just those who have been >fortunate enough to get onto CC. Yes, I've tried, and yes I'm annoyed at >the way the selection is conducted for these things. I share your frustration. I've never been inspired to cover an Xtc song for semi-public consumption. I just think I haven't found the right inspiration for that yet. But I've got plenty of original stuff that I'm happy to show my list friends. That's what I thought would happen two years ago when Fritz offered to put togeather a similar tape. I could never expect the new compiler to know about me or my stuff, even though I've mentioned my music a few times. But a public notice to submit material would have been great, and would have put an end to the frustration over the last tape. Some of the names of contributers to this new tape were scheduled to be on the Fritz tape, and the one's I've heard were quite good. I'll probably send off for one if they're available. However, if the point of your tape is that these Chalkhills contributers are there by private invitation, you should also keep the tape private. There are plenty of musicians on this list that want to be on a list-comp, and you risk hurting the feelings of all of them when you promote your tape. I dont' think there's some sort of 'elite' list at all. I've never felt annoyed by the tribute tape selection process. I just want to take advantage of any outlet that would allow me to share my art with some of you. Maybe someone needs to put togeather a more 'communist' version of the originals tape. Maybe I will. Um, Molly? Sorry for being a hypocrite about that 'over-sensitive' thing, but it felt really good to vent about this. love and a flakey, crispy crust, Jason Lookit Meee! rekkids... http://www.mindspring.com/~jnesmith
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 00:30:40 -0400 (EDT) From: "Jennifer L. Geese" <jlg@tardis.svsu.edu> Subject: Hey Harrison! Message-Id: <Pine.OSF.3.96.980523002847.9167A-100000@tardis.svsu.edu> Mr. Sherwood admitted that he knew not the origin of the French underwear song. While I don't know the proper title, way back when when I took piano lessons that same melody was in a snake charmer song. Hmmm... snake --> reptile --> crocodile. Works for me! :) Jen
------------------------------ From: CCooli9575 <CCooli9575@aol.com> Message-ID: <52ada142.3566dc2f@aol.com> Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 10:24:46 EDT Subject: Re: Spaced Out >The latest news that it's likely January for the new XTC tunes got me to >thinking which band has taken the longest time between releases. So far, I >believe it's The Records, a British group signed to Virgin at the same time >as XTC (1978ish) and whose last release of new material was 1982. I've been >told by WEBR Pure Pop host Alan Huber that The Records are performing in >the Washington D.C. area, will be in LA in August for the International Pop >Overthrow, and are in the process of recording a new LP. The longest I know of between actual releases is twenty-three years in the case of the Velvet Underground, between 1970 and 93(I know, the reunion was live only, but there was one new track, and the double live album that resulted was as important as an studio album of theirs). Between studio albums it would have to be Television, between '78 and '93. Andy and Colin would have to get old and grey before they break any records, not that I'm encouraging it. Chris
------------------------------
Message-ID: <35672E4C.C7BA423E@earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 13:15:08 -0700
From: Steven Graff <slapdash@earthlink.net>
Organization: SLAPDASH
Subject: Holly up on Poppy/Crocodile, double albums
Hey there!
During the last digest I read an allusion to the Holly Up On
Poppy/Crocodile transition on Nonsuch. When I bought the album, the
first thing I learned were these two great songs. I think the fade
between Omnibus/That Wave is more awkward. When I learned HUOP, and
Croc, I actually played them as a single piece. I like the abrupt change
over the messy cross fade. Plus, going from a slower song to a fast song
is more natual to me than vice-versa.
I'm surprised no one mentioned The Lamb lies Down On Broadway and
Seconds Out as must-have double records. They both exemplify Genesis at
what I consider their best. There's also a very hard to come-by release
titled The Doobie Bros. Farewell Concert.Great three LP set. It was
recorded at U.C. Berkley shortly after Michael McDonald decided to leave
the band, and it was considered the end of the Doobies. It actually
should've been that, but they linger...unfortunately.
Bye Bye!
Steven Graff
Self-serving P.S: My band is playing at Jack's Sugar Shack in Hollywood
on June 3rd, in case any Chalkers want to meet another descendant of
XTC.Be great to meet some of you guys.
--
MZ
------------------------------
Message-ID: <35686922.23AD@sirius.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 11:38:26 -0700
From: Eric Rosen <elr@sirius.com>
Subject: More Maids Smiled: XTC on the radio over the web
Hi all,
Thanks to the marvellous wonders of modern technology, I've heard
XTC on two sources of the most dizzyingly diverse and eclectic radio
programming in America:
WFMU 91.1 FM, East Orange, NJ & Mount Hope, NY
(http://www.wfmu.org click the 2 links for listening)
* requires Real Media Player.
KFJC 89.7 FM Los Altos Hills, CA
(http://www.kfjc.org click the link for listening)
* requires a Java enabled browser
Both of these stations have interviewed XTC personnel at various
times in the past.
The joy of re-connecting with WFMU for yours truly is too ecstatic to
put into few words. I lived in NYC until 1993 and had no idea about
the web until 1994. I counted FMU as one of 3 things I missed most
about NY (outside of family & friends). The other two are the
Village & Chinatown. Those two are a little tougher to re-invent with
current technology...
The show descriptions below are the DJs own.
Saturdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST
Frank O'Toole (fxo@wfmu.org)
F.X.O. Recipe for radio show:
Pop with and edge, blend in intelligent noise and media
soundbites, some radio-friendly rap, a dash of occasional listener
suggestion, and, ...VOILA!
Sundays 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST
Teenage Wasteland with Bill Kelly (blackhole@wfmu.org)
Host Bill Kelly, the panjandrum of punk, the blackhole of rock &
roll, the guru of the garage, the sultan of surf and the King of Sunday
afternoons plays
Rrreal Rock & Roll to gird your loins by.
Frank O'Toole is an XTC afficionado who always shoehorns 1 XTC
tune into every show. He played a lo-fi cassette recently of one R.
Stevie Moore [sic?] of a tune called "More Maids Smiled" which
certainly perked up the ears of this listener as it was really an
acoustic instrumental snippet of Mermaid Smiled. He also likes to
recap sets with Dictionary of Modern Marriage playing in the
background. He also has the Brian Wilson bug and recently played
Brian's "Life is for the Living" which Frank Sinatra refused to sing
although it was written especially for him!
Maybe someone should send him some Chalkhills' tapes...
When Bill Kelly plays XTC it's usually the Dukes as they fit better
with the theme of his show (pyschedelia or garage punk of the 60s and
more recent stuff in the same vein). Caught him playing 25 O'clock
recently.
KFJC has some of the coolest reggae (Jah's music with Spliff
Skankin' Sundays, 4pm - 7pm PST), current affairs (One Step Beyond with
Dave Emory Sundays 7pm - 10pm PST), and "space age bachelor pad
music" (House of Games with Jack Diamond, Sundays 10am - 1pm
PST)
I'm not affiliated with these institutions beyond being an empassioned
listener and booster although I view both as hotbeds of creativity that
I'd be only too honored to collaborate with should the opportunity
arise.
Happy listening everyone...
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19980524213005.14547.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Erich Sellheim" <esellheim@hotmail.com> Subject: XTC vs. The Cult Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 14:30:05 PDT Hello everyone, I thought I'd share a text by German writer Max Goldt with you which contains a (rather short) XTC reference. Max Goldt is a very funny and witty writer who, until recently, had a monthly column in a German satire magazine, and he seems to be an XTC fan as, in the foreword of one of his books, he thanks Andy Partridge. The following text is an excerpt from his September 1994 column (I fear my clumsy translation won't do justice to his great writing style, but here we go:) [...] Because of the heat, I'd like to squeeze some words about milk ice-cream out of myself. Today I've really got to squeeze a bit; if the words poured out of me like the drops of sweat, I'd be sitting pretty. Milk ice-cream largely consists of frozen fat. In vanilla ice-cream, so I've heard, there are even bulls' noses contained, so I prefer water ice-cream. A particularly popular lump of frozen fat is an ice-lolly called "Magnum". I've read about this product that it is a "cult ice-lolly". However, as "Magnum" is market-domineering at the same time, there's reason to examine if recently there's been a change of meaning in the word "cult". In former times a cult existed if a small, but not too small group of people made a secretive hoo-ha about something. A typical cult band was (and is) XTC, a band which gets ignored by the general public, but since many years has devoted supporters who publish magazines and meet at conferences where they interpret lyrics, etc.. A reliable sign of a cult was that most of the people who didn't take part in the cult had never heard about the existence of the cult. In former days, you also had to make certain efforts in order to participate in a cult; at least, bigger ones than to reach into a freezer. Today everything seems to be "cult". People bite into "Magnum" and listen to the songs of cult star Elton John. "Hey Tobias, this guy has already sold more than 100 millions of records. He's really cult." But I won't joke any more. True cult is difficult of access and to those to whom it isn't accessible at all, it's also incom- prehensible. If a cult gains general popularity, you can be sure that it's something lame, like, for example, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". Nowadays, most of the things which are claimed to have some kind of cult status are made up of assembly-line-like cobbled-together platitudes. Just think of the not at all above average comedy show with the shoe salesman and his smutty wife. The same trick is used over and over again. Never is there a surprise. An even more drastic example is represented by the MTV characters "Beavis and Butthead". The sounds that these figures make are of interest for no longer than half a minute. It's also significant that "The Simpsons", a cartoon series which distinguishes itself for its inventive love of details and also its cartoon-makers' love of the characters, hasn't obtained this modern fake-cult status in Germany, although at the start there have been efforts on this matter. The series is too complex. Several years ago, some people analyzed all famous cult films and, with the help of their results, made the dreadful film "Delicatessen". In this case, even the film posters contained the expression "cult film". Unfortunately, the audience was promptly taken in by it. Today, "cult status" is just a babbling word used by simple-minded media makers and consumers; those people who call every rubbish "exciting", "amusing", "brilliant" and "weird". So responsible citizens shouldn't use this word anymore. What I could use now is a slice of "Rotkaeppchen"- cheese, the cult-Camembert. I thnik this will be delicious. Oh, there it is again, my most frequent typing error: "thnik" instead of "think". If you think about it, a true cult typing error! All people who always type "thnik" as well could meet with me at a shrill venue and hold a typing error cult weekend. There we could realize that, apart from "thnik", we don't have any things in common, and then shout at each other. [...] I hope this wasn't too off-topic; best wishes, Erich
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-85 ******************************
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