Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 101
Date: Wednesday, 24 February 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 101
Wednesday, 24 February 1999
Today's Topics:
XTC Web Chat!
Don't lose your temper
Oh Happy Day!!!!!
XTC on the brain
Bravo!!!!
At Last!!!
Apple Venus In Shining Colors
the green man
XTC in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Then it appeared - Apple Venus on a record store shelf...
andy in toronto
AV1: First Impressions
AV1 - Then She Appeared!!
xtc
Give ya 3 guesses...
What can I say...
XTC at Tower Music, NYC
one more thing...
Oh I give up looking
AV1 first time
<errrrrrrrp> excuse me!
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The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is compiled with Digest 3.7 (John Relph <relph@tmbg.org>).
An unknowing church will amplify his call.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 13:25:14 -0800 (PST)
Message-Id: <199902242125.NAA13314@mando.engr.sgi.com>
From: John Relph <relph@engr.sgi.com>
Subject: XTC Web Chat!
Hey folks,
I'm still recovering from yesterday's rollercoaster: the high of the
new album and the low of the near-disaster with Chalkhills. (Many
thanks to those of you who re-sent your posts.) That said...
It brings me pleasure to tell you that XTC will be doing their first
web chat on AOL on March 4, 1999, at 4:00pm (PST) / 7:00pm (EST).
The chat will be available on both AOL and the web and will run for
two full hours.
Here's some official blurb with the details:
XTC will chat in Entertainment Asylum's "Studio-i," the world's
first interactive Webcasting studio, which will enable the band
to answer questions from fans on both AOL and the Web. The Web
audience experiences streaming audio and video of the interview,
accompanied by chat. The AOL audiences experiences a text chat
accompanied by refreshed images of the celebrity on a Webcam.
All interviews are available for viewing at any time following
the chat, in Entertainment Asylum's On-Demand Archives on the
Web. On AOL, fans will be able to access highlights of the events
in slideshow format and can download transcripts of the chats.
Fans can find out how to participate in the chat on AOL at
Keyword: EA Music and on the Web at asylum.aol.com/si
I hope to see y'all there!
-- John
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990224012130.26172.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: Don't lose your temper Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 17:21:30 PST There has been a lot of guff about the Andy vs. Dave situation. Here's my 2c worth ... Harking back to Digest 5-87, Robert Dassie <weirdass@xsite.net> said: >Speaking of frothy, Andy seems to be spitting the acid lately, no? >From all that I have read, it appears that Andy a) has a piss poor >temper, and b) doesn't think much about keeping personal issues >personal. He may be completely justified in all that he's saying, but >to spill it out at every chance he gets is spreading the bad Karma >something fierce. That's the same feeling I got after reading Song >Stories. Andy comes off as bitter and I think it's 'bout time the boy >heals a bit. Putting that negative energy into something healthy is >what I would like hear. Think so, Robert? Having gained an impression (mainly from the Chalkhills book) of Andy being that grumpy old curmudgeon, especially ca. the Nonsuch sessions and his supposed pissing off of Dave 'Mr Nice Guy' Mattacks, it would have been easy to conclude that he was a bitter, cranky, misanthropist locked away in his shed, grumbling at the world and making enemies whenever he steps out.. Yet on Chalkhills we read delightful first-hand stories of fans dropping in on Andy - at home - unnannounced - and being invited in for coffee, taken down to the shed, and given previews of the new album. Doesn't sound too grumpy to me. How many other "stars" would do that? Having read the infamous Raygun interview, I fail to see what all the fuss is about. Frankly, it sounds like Dave *was* being a pain to work with. With all due respect to Squinty, who is a fine, fine player, it seems open to conclude that Dave had basically outlived his usefuless to the band, that he knew it, and that he and was taking out his frustrations on Andy. He was brought into a working, touring band to replace a previous member; he was selected because he was known and admired by the band for his considerable playing and arranging skills. But that was twenty years ago, before their third album. They were all young and fairly green. Now it's 1999, they have just delivered their 11th(-ish) album, and they and the world are much changed. Interpretations may differ, but to me Andy's attitude seems pretty understandable for someone in his position, and frankly he has every reason. He has been ripped off blind by his former management, treated like shit by his former record company, abandoned by his former wife. He is a massively talented musician and writer who has been sidelined simply by his inablility to tour. And because his wide-ranging talents can't be labelled by critics for easy mass consumption, he is treated with a condescending tone and characterised by the constant use of the dreaded epithet "quirky". Amidst all that crap he has had to keep being the boss of XTC, if only because that is all he has ever done, and he's fucking good at it too. As Zappa observed, you don't make friends being a boss. Then, as they record what they hope will be a major 'comeback' record for them, they get stiffed by Chris Difford, who seizes all the tapes they had been working on, and they have to start again from scratch. Finally, as they get to work at last, his old friend and colleague Mr Gregory starts to buck against his directions and leaves the band in a huff. Wouldn't *you* be a bit pissed off? And does Andy strike you as the sort of person who will brook any interference with or divergence from his his objectives? Not me, kiddo. He is, in the estimation of many, a genius. Very talented people are typically not easy to work with (although Colin has managed pretty damn well for over twenty years). Hence the sparks which flew when he locked horns with Toddzilla. And, as Andy himself points out, he is older, surer of his craft and has more time and technology at his disposal to do the stuff he formerly had to delegate to others. Evidently, his demos are no longer merely sketches - they are detailed blueprints, and he wants things done that way, because he knows what he wants. What's the problem? As he said, if Dave wanted more input, why didn't he write some songs? Now I admit that offering a songs to the likes of Andy and Colin would be a pretty daunting prospect, but surely he could have had a go? I don't doubt that he has the talent. As for Andy's "spilling it out every chance he gets", well how many chances are we talking about? The Raygun interview? What else? Seems to me there have been a handful of occasions, and they *were* interviews, let's remember. Andy has offered, and/or been asked for, his version of why Dave left the band. He is undoubtedly bitter about it - sorry, but that happens when old friends split up acrimoniously. But it's part of the ongoing story and he either wants to say these things or has been directly asked about them. What's so bad about that. You'd prefer him to lie, and pretend everything is rosy and they are still best mates? It's very sad, after all the lovely music they've done together, that Andy and Dave have split like this. But lets face it - we are talking about two very talented, very opinionated, mature men who have a lot of history together. These things happen. Get used to it. Andy will speak his mind. So will Dave. Just be glad we get to hear from them at all. Dunks
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 20:08:51 -0600 (CST) From: James Reimer <jrreimer@DELTA.IS.TCU.EDU> Subject: Oh Happy Day!!!!! Message-id: <Pine.PMDF.3.95.990223195409.809057B-100000@DELTA.IS.TCU.EDU> I finally get my own copy of AV1 today, though I am lucky because I got to review it for a local college station that my roommate happens to be program director of, so I will consider myself a little blessed... After listening to it about a billion times, I find myself still craving more, as if the 7 year gap was not completely filled, but then again it may be me just always wanting more by them... When I first heard it, I wasn't sure what to think; it didn't sit well with me. But listen after listen, it slowly began to crawl under my skin and I have to listen again and again. It seems to be right where they left off, as if in a coma for seven years, and then waking up with a new album.... But there seem to be some ringings of albums past with it also....River of Orchids seems to be a microscopic part of Garden of Earthly Delights, not as bubbly for sure but similar in vocal delivery and rhythm. The Last Balloon also seems to be a tale on a small part of Chalkhills and Children, but I could be smoking something there, just seems that way to me. Your Dictionary seems to be the darkest song since Dear God, though I don't think anything is quite that dark... AndI really think Colin's songs are wonderful on this album...both lyrically and musically..though his voice really sounds different...7 years can do a lot on the voice I am sure... I don't know where I would put it on the XTC scale of great albums, but I am having trouble finding weaknesses; of course, the test comes with their first album Sans Dave. Still, I will wallow in this one for a while... A lone XTC fan in the vast wasteland of Texas, James
------------------------------ Message-ID: <004601be5f9b$4c3a2080$d9ef90ce@default> From: "The Singers" <gregs@bitstream.net> Subject: XTC on the brain Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 20:13:39 -0600 Greetings fellow Chalkhillians, As I am sure everyone agrees, the new album is wonderful and brilliant. I decided last year not to purchase the demos because I did not want to prejudice my maiden listening to AV1. But now that's history. Does anyone still have a copy to sell Feel free to mail me personally. Peace, Greg s Now that we have AV1... life is different... and life is good
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D365E5.5B542A4C@earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 20:37:26 -0600 From: David Lake <blushift@earthlink.net> Organization: Blushift Productions Subject: Bravo!!!! The day is here at last... The weeks, so long, have past... A sound so full and vast... I'm shouting from the mast... APP -- LLLE VEEE -- NUSSSSSSS!!!!!! It was well worth the wait, I must say. Stopped off at Tower after they opened and picked up a copy. Thank the gods I can listen to a cd at my desk. But the real volume made itself known at home. As of Tuesday night, Music Blvd pop chart position is at #10 -- WOO-Hoooooo! Amazon.com has it at position #23. Only 4 behind Alanis! Move aside 'ya skanker. Looking forward to meeting everyone on Thursday here in Chicago at the Andy-gram. We're all so Friv - o - lusss, 2-nite (damn, Colin's done it again... another song stuck in my head that will trigger insomnia) Cheers, Spanky (Still known as David - new email) blushift@earthlink.net
------------------------------ Subject: At Last!!! Message-ID: <19990223.225212.5143.1.mbrechtel@juno.com> From: Meredith Brechtel <mbrechtel@juno.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 21:58:27 EST The wait is over...I have AV1 in hand, or in the CD player, as the case may be. So far, so good. Still experiencing the aural bliss. But what's the deal with the sleeve? No lyrics??? Only one picture??? AAARRRGGGHHHHHH!!! I need MORE!!! Meredith squirlgirl_99
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990224030151.19542.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com> Subject: Apple Venus In Shining Colors Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 19:01:51 PST I approached the CD section of Borders Books with slight trepidation. I blew it yesterday, searching three stores before it hit me in the face like the kiss on the end of a wet fist...AV1 comes out tomorrow, dummy! I casually walked up to the New Releases kiosk, scanned the CD covers in front of me. Nothing. Damn. I glanced over my shoulder, no one was watching. Slowly I circled the kiosk, to examine the display of CDs on the other side. A glint of green and coppery gold reflected the fluorescent lights of the shop. There it was! at the very top left corner of the display, the first CD in the rack, obviously in a place of honor. Two of the slots in the kiosk held copies of my prey; the upper slot holding three copies, the slot directly below it holding one. I surmised two CDs had already departed, and it was 700 PM, not bad for only being on sale for 10 hours! I looked away, blinked, and looked back. Apple Venus Part 1. I closed in, stepping toward the kiosk like I might a skittish cat, so as not to scare it away. I took the CD carefully from the rack, and held it in front of me! I could clearly see that the left-pointing tip of the beautifully printed peacock feather was positioned absolutely correctly, as the title of the CD was printed in the part of the U-card showing behind the hinge area of the jewel case, so as to encourage viewing the cover tipped at a precise 90 degree clockwise angle from the vertical. The light reflected differently off the feather as I rotated AV1 from side to side. The most beautifully printed XTC cover since the English edition of "English Settlement", I remarked to myself silently. I placed AV1 back in the rack, and headed immediately to Best Buy to see if they could beat Borders' price of $12.99. No such luck, the saps at Best Buy didn't even have AV1 out on display yet! I took my time strolling back to Borders...I knew what I would do when I got there. -Bob Crain, "The Man With The Double-Entendre Emblazoned CD In His Hand"
------------------------------ Message-ID: <001d01be5fa2$50144940$a5499cd0@alexivie> From: "Eddie" <beef@keg.com> Subject: the green man Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 21:03:51 -0600 I'm sure we all have our copies of Apple Venus. HOW AWESOME! The cassette looks like a cigarette pack. THE GREEN MAN IS MY FAVORITE TRACK, WHAT IS YOURS?
------------------------------
From: Adamette1@aol.com
Message-ID: <62144825.36d36c33@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 22:04:19 EST
Subject: XTC in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
In Chalkhills 94 Belinda wrote:
++Who is it who was looking for a name for their band?
++In the film 2001 (you probably all know this) they named the
++computer HAL after IBM being I after H, B after A and M after L.
++So how's about YUD? (your girl fans or your website could then be
++called the YUDbirds hohohoho). Or have I suggested this before?
With your formula, wouldn't that be WSB, and not YUD?
On Monday the 22nd I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in
Cleveland, Ohio and took a leisurely stroll through the artifacts and
materials that described Rock's past. Then on the 23rd I took a stroll
down to my local CD store to pick up a copy of AV1. I am so happy with the
results that it had me thinking if XTC would ever be inducted. They
clearly are in keeping with the spirit of much of the inductees as well as
other representations of bands and acts in the hall, as they move to expand
on their own skills and challenge the listener to hear more in the music.
I only hope that someday they will be recognized in this way for their
efforts. They are eligible for induction in 2002 (25 years after the
release of their first work). I would settle for ANY representation of
theirs in the hall, however.
"I'd Like That" is an instant single and "Your Dictionary" has that
simplified appeal that could stir up just enough controversy to make the
album sell. I was in heaven for 50 minutes and 6 seconds as I finally
heard the album that I'd heard discussed, contemplated, debated and defined
for what feels like a year. It is the first time in memory that I received
a full review by multiple sources and even a track by track description
(thanks Song Stories) before I ever heard a note. It was all worth it for
such a wonderful album. I loved the slow, deliberate intro to "River"
which reminded me of Mummer.
Most of all, I am happy that all of us Chalkhillians actually HAVE a
recent album to discuss and enjoy. It was WAY too long.
Patrick
------------------------------ From: "STEVE PERLEY" <steveandlauren@grolen.com> Subject: Then it appeared - Apple Venus on a record store shelf... Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 22:15:26 -0500 Message-ID: <01be5fa3$ec6802e0$746140d8@steveandlauren.grolen.com> Hot Damn! I know that there's gonna be a lot of posts just like this one, but what a rush buying a new XTC album (disk, whatever...) for the first time in 7 years. I left early for lunch today to haul ass over to Newbury Comics, went straight to the new releases, plucked an AV1, plunked down my $13.88, and beat it back to work to listen to it 4 or 5 times. I probably could've shopped around for a better price but I GOTTA HAVE IT RIGHT NOW, DAMMIT!!! I'm sure you understand. It's times like this that I'm glad to be a CADD guy - I can listen to CD's on the CD-ROM drive and listen pretty much undisturbed! Go get yours now! Steve
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990223221832.006be874@mail.interlog.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 22:18:32 -0500 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: andy in toronto this morning (feb. 23), i heard an advert on edge 102.1, it went something like this (i am paraphrasing here); "edge 102.1 [http://www.edge102.com] presents a rare opportunity to meet andy partridge of xtc this saturday at the yonge & queen location [downtown] of tower records at 2pm. [dj] alan cross will be hosting an in-store question & answer session with andy about the forthcoming new xtc album "apple venus vol. 1." there was more info in the advert, but this was the gist of it & it confirms, at least for me, that andy will really be here in toronto on saturday at 2pm. this is the latest information i have, but i intend to call tower on wednesday to get their confirmation. i've never been one to be star-struck. i've met a few "rock stars" & "movie stars" in my time & "celebrities" are really not all that different from "non-celebrities", at least in my opinion. however, meeting andy will mean a great deal to me, as he is one of only three people that i've always respected & wanted to meet, the other 2 being peter gabriel & robin williams (go figure!). all week long, i've been thinking about what i'd like to say to andy, but i'll probably only be able to say, "hummana-hummana-hummana..." davidoh btw, i will be bringing several of my prized xtc items in the hopes that andy will sign the all, tower be damned! if it's available, i will finally have my copy of av1. i'm just now starting to shake... ps: southern entrance to eaton centre (queen st.) sounds good to me. i'll be there, with my wife kathy in tow, at 8am. ;-D. no really, i'll be leaving for downtown at about noon & meet up at 1pm. ok? davidoh identifier: 6ft, close cropped auburn hair, reddish goatee, 3 gold hoop earrings in left ear, black leather jacket & walking with a cane (a loonnnnggg story, don't ask!). kathy indentifier: 5' 1", blond shoulder length hair, really cute little thing, doesn't need a cane (you can ask!).
------------------------------ Message-Id: <Version.32.19990223170244.00e50760@car.net> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 22:29:18 -0500 From: keith@orchestraville.com (Keith Hanlon) Subject: AV1: First Impressions It was 11:00 AM when Federal Express dropped off my package from CDNow. I had been avoiding work thinking about the CD all day, and now it was in my hands! First aside: I haven't been this excited about a new album in God knows how long. Maybe Prince's "Sign o' the Times" in 1987, or PJ Harvey's "To Bring You My Love." Seven years without new XTC can make a difference! Anyway... I had tons to do at work today, and I didn't want to load it into my CDRom. Too many distractions at work. I had to wait. I took off at 1:00pm, telling my fellow employees that I'd be working at home for the rest of the day. "I've got to get this project done, and there are too many distractions here." No resistance. 1:35pm: I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, grabbed a Guinness from the fridge, and I sat down between my stereo speakers with my cat. I took a sip of brew. I pressed play. <drip> Second aside: Ok, I know all of Andy's new songs. I've had the demos for a couple years now. Many people have expressed their desire to listen to these songs with virgin ears. I have a huge amount of respect for that discipline. The day that demo tape arrived in the mail I experienced all the anticipation I could muster. Listening to those demos was a magical experience. I've already been through that process, and now I can just enjoy the final product. All I can say is that I sat there for 50 minutes hearing it all with virgin (or is it TVT?) ears. Sure, I knew all the lyrics, the melodies, and structures. But that orchestra... wow. After "Green Man," I thought to myself that this is indeed a new direction for XTC. Same ol' Andy and Colin (Kinks, Beatles, Beach Boys in plain view), but the landscape has changed. Lush. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't want to bore you with my impressions of every song, but I will anyways. I have to make up for my lack of posting! River of Orchids - What a bold opening statement! I'm glad the Cooking Vinyl excerpts didn't give away the first minute of the song. When listening to the demo, it was difficult to find the "one" while counting through the measures (I'm a drummer, I can't help it). Maybe I'm just used to it now, but everything made sense to me once the song actually kicked in. "I had a dream that a car turned into a fossil." Love that vocal track! I'd Like That - Of all the songs on this album, this one is the most like the demo. It was a perfect recording to begin with! Nice vocal track this time through, and I love Andy's lap-slapping. Easter Theatre - I'm glad Andy annunciated "breasts swell." Two years ago I posted what I thought were the lyrics to this song. I think I wrote "breasts smell," or something equally silly. Of course, I got gently picked-on for that one. "Breath smell? LOL!" It's nice to hear that McCartney-esque bass line. Knights in Shining Karma - Did I say "I'd Like That" was most like the demo? Although I could never get past that title, listening to this one again was nice. I love the choice of guitar chords. Very "White Album." Frivolous Tonight - I love Colin's songs! He's surpassing Andy for Ray Davies influence. Greenman - I always thought the demo version was monotonous, but this version is so lively! I really dig the strings on this track... Your Dictionary - Andy just keeps turning in wonderful vocal performances on this album!! Very passionate. It's always been one of my favorite demos, but I think the string arrangement makes it even better than the demo. Fruit Nut - Colin don't give a hoot! Bug spray?!?! This just cracks me up. I want to hear more of Colin's songs on the next album! I Can't Own Her - Better than the demo, but it's still my least favorite song on the album. In my opinion, if Andy wanted to avoid Phil Collins comparisons because of "divorce songs," he should have left this one off. Harvest Festival - I've only had the demo of this one for a month, so I'm not as familiar with it as the others. Maybe it's the attentive listening this time around, but the lyrics floor me! Rhyming "festival" with "best of all" makes for the perfect transition to the bridge. Just makes me realize how much our lives revolve around the seasons, and how XTC always picks up on it. The Last Balloon - I think I like the demo better, but who knows what I'll think in a week. It's nice to have a real trumpet instead of that synth. The perfect closer to a near perfect record. I'm sure glad they didn't go for a double album. This record works! I appreciate more than anything a record with no filler, and this one is certainly chalk full of goodness! If you've read this much, I would like to thank you for reading my longest Chalkhills post ever. Hell, most of you probably don't even recognize my name. I am certainly a lurker. With XTC active again, perhaps I'll start talking more. Bring on the rock album! Keith _______________________________________________ Orchestraville Online http://orchestraville.com
------------------------------ From: SLEDZNH@aol.com Message-ID: <5eccb611.36d3735f@aol.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 22:34:55 EST Subject: AV1 - Then She Appeared!! Chalkhills, I spent all morning hearing "Then She Appeared" in my head (specifically the "apple venus" line) over and over and then got my copy of AV1 this afternoon. it's AWESOME! (note - I was previously "demo-less"). My initial thoughts after 2 listens are: 1) River of Orchids is a masterpeice. 2) I am most surprised by "Your Dictionary" which judging from comments made here, I didn't think I would like - but really is great. I won't bore you all with the rest of my opinions but just had to let some out on this great day in XTC-history! Hope the rest of you are sharing some of the same moments today --- hoping to see Andy in Beantown tomorrow and get autographs. Cheers, ~Jim
------------------------------ From: JEWELSROCK@aol.com Message-ID: <2db8615.36d378c3@aol.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 22:57:55 EST Subject: xtc Hello, Had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Partridge and Mr. Moulding in NY this evening. The line was extremely long. They arrived a little late, about 6:30, and I guarantee they will be there until at least midnight. Awesome turnout. I mentioned to Andy how their last 3 albums have been named after a lyric from the prior album, and was it intentional. He said the first 2 weren't, but this one was intentional, and they were starting a trend. Then I reminded him how there is no lyric on AV1 that says "Apple venus, volume 2", and he just smiled. It was wonderful meeting them. I got a pic with them, and some autographs. Really genuine, down to earth fellows. A lot of you probably know that, but I'm just relating my experience having never met them before. Miller who hasn't listened to anything besides AV1 for 2 weeks straight
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D37C1B.36DD730A@gte.net> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 20:12:15 -0800 From: Randy Hiatt <rhiatt@gte.net> Subject: Give ya 3 guesses... Oh heavenly day, what can I say. Tower in Seattle had 90+ of'em (a good sign). I got mine on the way to work and played it all day. I had the demo's so consider the release to be pure shit and a real let down. ;-> I'm glad to be ready to listen to these now, I'm past the oddities and QUIRKINESS and now I can enjoy the vision they must have had. I often forget to quit singing along so I can hear it! Again, timeless stuff (no suprizes for them... or do I expect too much?). 1st impression as a drummer....I know..I know... is: not very much drums and when they are near they're not near enough. But there is plenty of rythm elsewhere. Not much bass (wonder which notes are Colins) but it fits the orchestra motif... I'd just like and extra helping of motif. I don't expect to hear alot on air but as long as I have mine... oh heavenly day There will be those who hate the twists and turns so bad reviews will make their way to the masses. Steve Pitts & Rich said: >> it really disturbs me that I finally get a reader comment [...] and it's such a disparaging, anti-XTC comment << >I wouldn't sweat it Rich, it is far more common to receive negative reactions to such efforts than positive ones< Fact is it takes fewer muscles to make a bad review than a good one. I'll be back. Randy (loven Greenman) Hiatt
------------------------------ From: ERA1970@aol.com Message-ID: <46a611d0.36d39d3e@aol.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 01:33:34 EST Subject: What can I say... ...one of the greatest joys I have ever experienced in my short 34 years on this planet has been dancing with my 3-yr-old daughter to "I'd Like That". Hell, my wife (who normally refers to XTC as "that weird stuff you listen to") had some gracious things to say about it. My aforementioned daughter thinks "Greenman" sounds like it's from "The Lion King" soundtrack. Could I be ANY happier right now? Thanks, Andy, Colin, Dave, and Prairie. You've really made a piece of magic. Chris W
------------------------------ From: STakesh@aol.com Message-ID: <d1e31cb.36d3a31e@aol.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 01:58:38 EST Subject: XTC at Tower Music, NYC So, here's how it goes-- They're really looking great, folks! They showed up at 6 sharp, as scheduled, and schmoozed and did photo ops inside for a half hour after that. Andy's looking almost trim and Colin's let his hair grow out long again. They both looked well-rested, in spite of the publicity mill they've been grinding through. Word got out: Andy would sign anything! They both would! And forget that rumor that Tower would enforce a rule of one-sig-only& only-for-the-new-album. Andy and Colin graciously tackled pretty much what people brought them. Even with minimal publicity, the line stretched out a full city block. The line moved verrrry slowwly, because Andy and Colin were seeing people one at a time and spending at least a minute each with them, sometimes several minutes per. We figured out that we could see a lot more of them by taking turns breaking off from the line outdoors, walking in like a regular customer, and watching them from behind the barricade in the store. Line of sight was excellent for photos, and some of us took advantage of this spot before being shooed outside by the Tower people. This sort of "cheating" was especially tempting as the temperature outside was in the 15-20 degree range, with a negative wind chill factor. (And Andy thought it was cold INSIDE the store!) The hours passed. A store employee reassured the line-squatters that Andy was determined to see everyone and had promised as much; XTC would not be leaving arbitrarily at, say, 9 or 10, and leaving a line behind. This was good news, indeed. AV1 was on continuous replay, and if it was rather quiet inside the signing area, it was partly because for many in line this was their first listen. It was really a combination of the fans' reverence and, probably, trying to think of something wonderful, warm, and witty to say to them! (Forget it, people, it's hard to stay completely poised when you walk up to their table... I had planned to ask Andy to sign my fedora, but forgot all about it!) A couple of tips that I'll try to remember myself for the next time -- start out with a smile, a "hi," and a handshake (I know, it sounds stupid and patronizing to even say this) -- but it seemed to really break the ice with both of them to shake hands and return fans' greetings, and they were a bit more uninhibited with those people. (I had a sudden attack of shyness, mumbled too much, and failed to make quality eye contact, and regretted it afterwards.) And if you give them the booklets from, say, four of your favorite CDs to sign as I did, or similar excess, you'll feel apologetic to impose on them that way, and, besides, they can't converse with you as much as if you had less stuff to sign. But do bring some large vinyl item if you have it, and invite a doodle! I saw Andy draw wings on one woman's vinyl English Settlement, and he drew pupils on the figure on my "Wake Up" EP. (My challenge, as I slid it to him, was, "O.K., Andy, deface THIS!") Not all that many people had brought vinyl, and he still gets a kick out of doing it. And bring a camera, dammit. Most didn't and regretted it. Andy and Colin were gracious enough to get up and pose with anyone who wanted their pic taken with them (namely, everyone who had remembered to bring one...). I think a lot of us were surprised that they were doing this. And the line was moving noticeably faster after 9 o'clock, so you might get a bit more time with them if you're in the first two hours' worth of fans. Andy joked, as they quickly signed my stuff and posed for photos, that they were just standing up at that point, not bothering to sit down only to stand up for the photo shoots. Both were very soft-spoken and obviously tiring, although they were most gracious in their willingness to accommodate us. And a very few of us brought gifts, always a good idea. One guy brought Andy a huge set of some kind of collector's cards, smaller than baseball cards; I couldn't make out what they were, but they had a nice little chat about them. I gave Andy a little museum gift shop book on the history of men's hats, and he quickly thumbed through it and was tickled with it, and seemed to think I was a mind reader or something. (Although it's no secret how much he loves hats!) I'd read it would be just Andy at the signing, and felt a bit awkward not having brought anything for Colin. Next time, I promise! Bottom line: Tower did this right (very good crowd control, low ambient music, and a very quiet store, considering), and Andy and Colin did extremely well by their fans. A really classy job, all around, and a memorable experience. But go with friends if you can, or find some interesting people to hang out with in line, 'cause you'll be spending 2-4 hours with them, and only a minute or two with XTC, as excellent chaps as they are. I'll go out on a line here and predict many lurkers and first-timers will be joining us shortly... there was a lot of Chalktalk in line, so brace yourselves, people! Stephanie
------------------------------ From: STakesh@aol.com Message-ID: <c302e3dd.36d3ac24@aol.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 02:37:08 EST Subject: one more thing... Rereading my big post, I'm much chagrined over this.... >>But go with friends if you can, or find some interesting people to hang out with in line, 'cause you'll be spending 2-4 hours with them, and only a minute or two with XTC, as excellent chaps as they are. I didn't mean to imply that the guys I was lucky to hang out with were anything less than wonderful company. God, we talked about every conceivable topic in the four sub-freezing hours of we were in line together, and we ended up sharing everything except bodily warmth! One of these fine fellows, who shall remain unidentified, even offered to share his flask of whiskey! So, hat's off to new friends (like David and Larry and the others) and to those who promised to check out Chalkhills and/or start posting! Stephanie
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Message-ID: <19990224074858.23513.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Molly Fanton" <mollyfa@hotmail.com>
Subject: Oh I give up looking
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 02:48:58 EST
I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think Andy's coming to Buffalo.
I looked around, asked the local alternative stations and Borders Books
and no luck. I e-mailed Borders and I got a message the had no clue
what I was talking about. Does anybody know anything? I'm so
desperate. Since it's only three days until Feb. 27. Does anybody have
any idea? I really, really want to see Mr. Partridge. I know people
here would say, "I would too, but sometimes you can't get get what you
want."
If you knew my situation you'd probably understand. I want to
thank Andy for what XTC has done to my life. I mean if it wasn't for
Skylarking I would have gone crazy in my hospital room. I listened to
that album as much I could. And listening to their music helped me cope
through my recovery from my accident last year. So that's one reason
why I want to see him. Do I sound like a crazy person? I don't mean
too.
Well, enough of my ramblings. I hope this posts, because I've been
having e-mail troubles. Darn Hotmail. :)
Molly
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36D3B69C.4CCA@bhip.infi.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 08:21:55 +0000 From: Brian <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Subject: AV1 first time Tschalkgerz! OK, I now have possession of AV1. Definitely gives you a different feeling when you see the cover at first. I've only had the chance to listen through it once, and these are my comments for the moment, and I undoubtedly will have more to say about it, like the rest of us: I was surprised at how little song restructuring and fleshing out that was done between the demos and AV1. I had expected there to be a big, lush, XTC-style production to what I had heard before, but that really never materialized (remember, this is only from one listen). This is not a bad thing. What is (sort of maybe) a bad thing is the fact that I'd already heard the demos, so the fact that the album versions were a lot like the demos was - oh, what's a a kind thing for a huge fan to say about it - just a touch of a letdown. No, too strong a word... Anyway, I'm not at all disappointed. Hell, how could I be? The first real XTC in 7 years? As soon as my son takes off for school here shortly, I'm gonna put it on again. Ahhhhhhh... -- BRIAN THOMAS MATTHEWS * Digital & traditional illustration/animation * Caricaturist-for-hire * RENDERMAN ~ One-Man Band Ordinaire SAPRINGER CENTRAL ~ http://www.angelfire.com/fl/sapringer
------------------------------ From: Thynk2much@aol.com Message-ID: <c65bad9e.36d3b86c@aol.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 03:29:32 EST Subject: <errrrrrrrp> excuse me! << Hmmm... does that mean that the redneck, cheap-beer-swilling fans of Skynyrd are just generally more reserved in their appreciation of the greatest thing to come out of Dixie? Or maybe whenever they try to express their adoration they keep puking beer onto the keyboard? >> I really really really really dig Lynyrd Skynyrd. And XTC. No joke. So I don't know how I feel about these comments except that generalizations don't usually do anybody any good. (Ask Molly!) I gotta go get a towel for this puke now. Leslie
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-101 *******************************
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