Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 122
Date: Sunday, 7 March 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 122
Sunday, 7 March 1999
Today's Topics:
Oh, please...
guitar player - april 1999
the church police!
Dave in Downunder Land...
A surprise gift from Andy (in Toronto) by proxy: Thanks Ted!
AV1 on the charts...
Album titles & other AV1 allusions
A somewhat different review of AV1
frivoloos tonight
AV1
Re: Incredibly Picky Lyric Details + AV1 great?
Leather Clad Saracens
It is a concept Album. Try this!!
Rap Clique
BHCB
Re:chalkhills posting
NYC signing
In at number 42
Thundering Promotion
Re:Seattle Chalker(s!)
Season's Cycle on "I'd Like that"
David Hidalgo is back x 2!
Glowing review
Pooh's Sick... Pooh throw up....
New to the list thing...
Spirituality, sampling, and other hot topics
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He saw the light before he'd finished his pint.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 18:26:50 -0800 (PST) From: Misty Shock <mccrtny@u.washington.edu> Subject: Oh, please... Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.4.05.9903041817520.4415-100000@saul9.u.washington.edu> Dunks said: >I must say, and I'm probably one of the few, if only, that will go on >record to say this, that I'm pretty disappointed with AV1. I resort to an old standby - "Are you mental?" * ------------------------------------------ This, along with the remainder of the message, is the most idiotic way to deal with criticism of an album. I'll agree that I didn't like the way the original poster chastised the way people responded to the album, but I've felt sorry the couple times that Chalkhills has reminded me of Macca-l, the Paul McCartney list -- that is, by assuming that if someone doesn't like the album they must have something wrong with them or have some vendetta against the artist. We need to respond intelligently to criticism as much as praise. How else can we have *real* discussion on the list? Misty Shock "No round of drinks can extinguish this feeling of love and engulfing bliss." --Andy Partridge
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990304215803.0069a2c4@mail.interlog.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 1999 21:58:03 -0500 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: guitar player - april 1999 the lads, otherwise known as xtc, have a brief (4 page) article in the latest issue of guitar player, entitled "orchestral xtc". it's bit more technical than the standard magazine article about the band, with andy describing gear, recording techniques & all. if anyone is interested in the article, but not the magazine, email me & i'll type it out for you. av1 keeps growing on me at every listen... my review will be posted once i've absorbed it entirely... may take a while... i'm doing too much listening & very little thinking about how i feel about it... more later... peace & xtc davidoh
------------------------------ From: "Wesley Hanks" <whanks@earthlink.net> Subject: the church police! Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 19:07:12 -0800 Message-ID: <000001be66b5$4422d600$ee1c1d26@wes> Amis, A reminder to swing by http://clubs.yahoo.com/xtcenglandsglory to partticipate in the standing Sunday chat, 2 PM Pacific, and/or post a message to its board. APPLE VENUS Vol 1 is #106 on Billboards 200! Still disturbed by witnessing Bono and Bob Dylan on the same stage the other night. Wes
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19990305141621.00948d50@pop.chass.usyd.edu.au> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 14:16:23 +1000 From: Toni <T.Adler@chass.usyd.edu.au> Subject: Dave in Downunder Land... Now before you get too excited, let me explain that this post does not relate to Dave Gregory. It's about Dave from Newcastle (Australia) who sent me a very nice welcome back to Chalkhills kinda message. Dave, I am sorry I accidently trashed your email. I was probably half asleep. Please send again. I am keen to hear from other XTC fans who hail from my home town. Maybe, we could reminisce about Foley's music store. Didn't Terry Chambers work there at one time? Anyway, sorry to have to do this to you. It's a bit like having your Mum putting your name out over the public address system in the department store. I just didn't want you to think that I had completely snubbed you. Kind Regards, Toni.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6df0ecf.006@EM.AGR.CA> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 1999 22:06:02 -0500 From: Gord Wood <woodg@EM.AGR.CA> Subject: A surprise gift from Andy (in Toronto) by proxy: Thanks Ted! Hello all, I'm a former Chalkhills subscriber who now reads the digest on the Web fairly regularly. I want to thank my buddy and Chalkhills subscriber Ted Harms for a surprise gift he brought back from Andy's Tower Records visit in Toronto. I was looking forward to going to Toronto with Ted for Andy's appearance, but I had to back out at the last minute, with the most intense reservations, because of a work project deadline that my continued employment depended upon. I came <this> close to accepting termination... So, I left a voicemail with Ted asking him for all the juicy details when he got back, no matter how painful they might be to my tortured psyche. After a twelve-hour+ struggle on the project, I stumbled up to my apartment at about 1 o'clock in the morning. I reached to my doorknob, and was surprised to see what appeared to be a grocery receipt stuck between the door and the frame. I pull it out, and turn it over to see scribbled in black marker on the $19.95 receipt for the XTC Authotized Story: GORD, YOU MISSED IT Andy Partridge I don't think I've laughed so hard in the seven years since Nonsuch... Ted, I really owe you one! Cheers, Gord Wood
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DF585A.2EAD49AB@vyo.org> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 1999 23:06:50 -0500 From: Troy Peters <troy@vyo.org> Subject: AV1 on the charts... Hey, Chalkids -- The new Billboard chart has "Apple Venus, Volume 1" at #106 in its first week of sales in the U.S. For comparison, the new Blondie enters at #18. Paul Westerberg's "Suicaine Gratifaction" debuted at #104. Okay, kids, it's time to go out and buy some more CDs... Troy -- Troy Peters Music Director & Conductor, Vermont Youth Orchestra troy@vyo.org
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19990304225915.007b66b0@bitstream.net> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 1999 22:59:15 -0600 From: Mike McCormick <mikemc@bitstream.net> Subject: Album titles & other AV1 allusions Title - Red Curtin, good job spotting the "Apple Venus" reference on Nonsuch. (Except it's on Then She Appeared, not That Wave.) I wondered why nobody else commented on this. It continues XTC's trend of naming albums from their predecessors lyrics that started w/O&L. Liner Note - The phrase "Do What You Will But Harm None" is well known to pagans. It is the Wiccan Rede, the central credo of Wicca, a neo-pagan religion with English roots. Technically the correct wording is this: "Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill / An it harm none, do what thou will." To check out the full Rede, visit: http://maxpages.com/anonlinebos/The_Wiccan_Rede Song - The Green Man is another pagan reference, a central mythical figure from ancient Europe who remained important through medieval times. An excellent book on this (crammed full of pictures & photos) is "Green Man" by Anderson & Hicks. They have the paperback for $14 at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062500759/o/qid=920609987/sr=2-1/002 -3567005-9489806 Mike Mike McCormick / mikemc@bitstream.net / m.mccormick@acm.org "Sure, my computer is completely ready for the year 1900!"
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199903050521.PAA15252@hydra.au.oracle.com>
Date: 05 Mar 99 16:24:40 +1100
From: "Adam Davies" <AJDAVIES@au.oracle.com>
Subject: A somewhat different review of AV1
To add a new angle to the AV1 reviews, I thought I'd relate each song to an
item of fresh produce:
River Of Orchids Apple
I'd Like That Peach
Easter Theatre Orange
Knights In Shining Karma Aubergine
Frivolous Tonight Cucumber
Greenman Grape
Your Dictionary Lemon
Fruit Nut Coconut
I Can't Own Her Brussels Sprout
Harvest Festival Corn
The Last Balloon Lettuce
Ad
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The statements and opinions expressed here are my own and do
not necessarily represent those of Oracle Corporation.
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------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 23:17:27 -0800 (PST) From: Misty Shock <mccrtny@u.washington.edu> Subject: frivoloos tonight Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.4.05.9903042312460.11308-100000@saul10.u.washington.edu> Somebody said: <<Is it just me, or is 'Frivolous Tonight' a sly, self-deprecating slam at materialism? (I fervently hope so...)>> I'll respond to this, only because I had this same argument with friends. I claimed that it was a "slam," whereas my friends claimed that it was a fond look at how silly we all are. Well, if y'all look on Song Stories, Colin very clearly says that it's not a derogatory portrayal. I would type out exactly what he says, but I'm too lazy to get off my ass and find the quote! And, please, tell me Andy's *not* a warlock; I wouldn't be able to think of him the same way. My apologies to all you witches and warlocks. Misty Shock "No round of drinks can extinguish this feeling of love and engulfing bliss." --Andy Partridge
------------------------------ From: "David Nixon" <david.nixon@tesco.net> Subject: AV1 Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 10:09:49 -0000 Message-ID: <000001be66f0$4e12ed40$7f468cd4@default> Hi All I'm an old fan of XTC and esp. AP but I'm new to this list. I didn't think that there would be that many people still passionate about the band esp. from the USA and Canada! Anyway for what it's worth my view of AV1 is it's like they've never been away- just a progression of their last few offerings with some new instruments. Your Dictionary, I'd Like that and Green Man stand out on initial hearings, Green Man with more than a nod in the direction of Travels in Nihilon(? spelling). The whole thing makes good listening but not great....it's not up to O&L/Black Sea/Drums & Wires or even the patchy English Settlement because nothing stands out like Jason... or Pink Thing, there is little to shout about here but it's good to have them back.....maybe I just want the guitars back- roll on AV2 JDN
------------------------------ Message-ID: <E1FE4AE1AF2DD111885A00A02479F442078BE3@sofia.programbyran.se> From: Johan Ekdahl <johan.ekdahl@programbyran.se> Subject: Re: Incredibly Picky Lyric Details + AV1 great? Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 11:32:56 +0100 >From the japanese release booklet: >1. In I'd Like That, it's "I'll be growing in your rain", not "brain", >right? I hope so! Somehow the idea of sunflowers growing in >someone's brain just doesn't sound quite right for a song like this. >That's more like something Marilyn Manson would write. "rain" (The phenomenon opening 1000 Umbrellas!) >2. In Knights In Shining Karma, I'm fairly certain it's "sips from restful >slumber's cooling keg," but I've also seen "restful slumbers cooling >cake." Regardless, nobody seems to want to put the apostrophe in >"slumber's". Why? Don't people like apostrophes anymore? They'll bring sips from restful slumbers Cooling Keg >3. In Greenman (Harrison Sherwood recently posted about this) it's either >"And a knowing church," "An unknowing church," or "And unknowing church," >but this one is especially difficult because they all make sense, sort of. >(I hear "and a knowing" myself.) An unknowing church will amplify his call >4. In I Can't Own Her, after "I own this town, all of its climbers, and...", >I've seen it as "its winds all sliding down," "its wines all sliding down", >and "its winos sliding down." The last one sounds more logical, but >I sort of hear a faint "t" sound in there, like it's actually "wine-oats" >or something. I guess it doesn't *have* to be logical. I own this town All of its climbers All it's winds sliding down Is AV1 as good as I'd wish after a seven-year wait? Not yet, but as more than one person on this list has pointed out XTC records often grow. "I'll have to admit its getting better, its getting better all the time" (the "It cant get no worse" that follows is not applicable here!). Cheers! /Johan Ekdahl
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199903051248.MAA06688@uksn82> Date: 05 Mar 99 12:44:28 +0000 From: "CTSWEENE.UK.ORACLE.COM" <CTSWEENE@uk.oracle.com> Subject: Leather Clad Saracens Mugsy Rimmer wrote; <<Hi not a lot broken apart from a british fans heart When you've been into xtc since 78 as I have ,it's a bit dissapointing to see no promotional stuff of Apple Venus in the UK.>> couldn't agree more, mate. I've only been buying XTC albums since before Amanda was even BORN! (Amanda don't mind me using you as a yardstick). I don't expect Andy to be grateful, though. Which is fortunate, really. The 6 degress of; Harrison Sherwood - Sherwood Forest - Robin Hood- that was actually rather amusing, especially since I've been watching Robin of Sherwood from start to finish recently. That Saracen in the leathers - gets me every time.....
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990305133058.11832.rocketmail@send105.yahoomail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 05:30:58 -0800 (PST) From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com> Subject: It is a concept Album. Try this!! Karl wrote: >You bet. Concept? I don't know but it just makes sense that >Easter Theatre is 3rd in and Harvest Festival is next-to-last. >Perhaps if it opened with "River of Bricks" it could be an Oz >concept album. It'll have to be explained to me. So I tried it and here is what I found out. Call the Sun and the Enquirer. It is an XTC conspiracy. If you start AV1 at the very same time that Paul Wellers name comes up in the opening credits of Robocop, the two things never ever sync up. That's right they have nothing to do with each other. On the positive side you miss most of a lousy movie and you get to hear some great music. :-D There is no concept people. AP and CM simply took the tracks that they wanted to record, recorded em and put them in an order they found appealing. It ain't rocket science it's just Rock and Roll. Jon Rosenberger The Mole
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DFDEBF.E380FB4E@bellatlantic.net> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 08:40:22 -0500 From: John Irvine <jirvine@bellatlantic.net> Subject: Rap Clique I for one hope the rap cover/sample of Dear God is a huge hit. It would give the boys something they need: street cred. Andy did some wonderful sample/remix of his own with the whole Go+/Lure of Salvage thing, and maybe xtc will be the next sample source of choice for hip-hoppers: I'd love to hear Terry's rhythms (nigel maybe?) sampled and reused in new compositions: he's one phat homeboy. Peter Mullin said: btw, Superman was, I believe, originally by The Clete (Cleat?, Kleet?,huh?); R.E.M. did a nice cover. It was the Clique, on White Whale records, and the REM version adds nothing to a perfect single (b/w a tasty Sugar on Sunday cover). They sound not unlike the Lemon Pipers - vaguely psychedelic bubblegum. John Irvine, who finally finished the 1962 Vespa GS160 restoration and can't wait for spring.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6dfab42.080@chemonics.com> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 09:56:42 -0500 From: Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> Subject: BHCB Hi: Edward Percival pointed out that he is: >a big hairy chested bastard at that!< I'd just like to point out that "Big Hairy Chested Bastard" is a great name for a band. Thank you. --Todd
------------------------------ From: RiknBkr@aol.com Message-ID: <9a4fd493.36dff218@aol.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 10:02:48 EST Subject: Re:chalkhills posting John Hammond wrote: It's great to see the incredible response and excitement about AV1 here. If I could ask a favor, we'd love to get your feedback regarding the web promotions we put together to introduce the album. Did you check out the Liquid Audio download of "I'd Like That"? Did you find that it worked? Did you also check out the Cooking Vinyl previews of every song? Which approach did you prefer? What suggestions do you have for promotions like this in the future? (Like, say, AV2...) The Liquid Audio download of "I'd Like that" was great, even if I only copied the mono version. I was disappointed that I could not load the Cooking Vinyl previews though. I loaded the new version of Real player, but always had system problems with it.....so I gave up and waited for the CD to be released. My preference would be to use the Liquid Audio. Cheers, Phil PS. Off to see the boys today at the LA Virgin, I'll be the one with the Rickenbacker T-shirt, if its not too cold.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <0325F31466C9D111A76D00A0C99DD2691BE7F8@MSXCHNY2> From: "Amari, Richard" <RAmari@penguinputnam.com> Subject: NYC signing Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 10:23:54 -0500 If you're tired of reading about the NYC signings, Page down. Jennifer said: Chatted with a few of you while I was in line (whoever you were, thank you for holding my spot so I could go inside and warm up). Finally met up with the fabulous Mitch Friedman, who was greeted with the remark "Oh, you're THE Mitch?" That was me on the line right in front of you. I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I seemed anti social. But that nerdy standing in front of me was driving me nuts. He wouldn't shut UP! He refused to accept any of my hints that I wanted him to just be quiet for at least one full minute. Also it was rather cold out, and I was kind of nervous about meeting the two people I've admired most through out my adult life. I was listening to a good deal of what Mitch and you were saying out of the corner of my ear. I wish I had joined in. Mitch seemed like a very nice chap, indeed. And if you don't remember me, Mitch, I was the guy rolling his eye at the thought of Jennifer's desire for peppermint shnops with hot chocolate (yuck). Anyway, for about two and a half hours ( in the dreadful cold), to my back I had some great people on line, and to my front I had a yaking, drooling mess with a three foot mouth. These are the fans of XTC. I'd do it again. -Richard
------------------------------ From: Huw Davies <DaviesHPT@cardiff.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 16:08:33 GMT0BST Subject: In at number 42 Message-ID: <97436C97FCF@PARKLA1S.CF.AC.UK> "Andy Miller" <andymiller@4thestate.co.uk> wrote: >Apple Venus #1 entered the UK album chart at number 42 - don't know >the sales figures, but that's three places higher than The Sebadoh >by Sebadoh, also in its first week of release. >Is this a good showing? Better than Nonsuch? This strikes me as a disappointing chart showing as it doesn't improve on the chart positions of both O&L and Nonsuch which both got to #28 I believe. I doubt if AV1 will get any higher in the charts as I assume that most of its sales will be to loyal fans buying it in the the first week of release, although perhaps if Cooking Vinyl were to release a single off the album it might help sales. I agree with all those who say Green Man should be a single. BTW AV1 is a brilliant album and it did not disappoint me. Knights in Shining Karma is the only song that I'm not so keen on, but it may grow on me. Huw Davies
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36E03287.6F89@snet.net> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 11:37:43 -0800 From: "R. Cris Palmer" <crisp@snet.net> Organization: Brookside Farm Subject: Thundering Promotion Adam Davies lamented the lack of "integrity" in much of todays music, as well as the 2 blanket obsessions controlling Australian music store owners. While I believe that those comments may be true on the whole, I _beg_ you Adam, PLEASE recant your criticism of Jewel's breasts. They are not part of the problem, I assure you. Those babies have PLENTY of integrity and I, for one, am glad of it. That said, though, I concur 100% with everything else you wrote. Besides, the Spice Girls lost their fashion sense when Ginger left. Cris!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990305164337.14802.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "K. D." <kmemmy@hotmail.com> Subject: Re:Seattle Chalker(s!) Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 08:43:37 PST Count me in amongst the number of Seattle-based Chalkers. And where are you guys getting your AV1's here in Seattle? The two record stores near where I work don't seem to have a single copy. With the list buzzing with talk of the new release I don't know if I can contain myself much longer. -Kort (who really enjoys the rain, but isn't a fan of the windstorms)
------------------------------ From: sclarke@maritz.co.uk Message-ID: <8025672B.005D186E.00@lisa.maritz.co.uk> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 16:58:15 +0000 Subject: Season's Cycle on "I'd Like that" > Karl Witter Wrote > Am I the only cyclist on Chalkhills who recognizes the spinning > freewheel after the first verse of "I'd Like That"? Cool bit. >However I do miss the high "Iiiiii'd liiiiiiiike thaaaat" vocals > over the end, as someone else picked up. The Cycle in question belongs to a certain Mr Colin Moulding - wonder if that's why a man must have a shed :-) -Steve Clarke Bummed at not being able to run the video at i-chat :-(
------------------------------ From: WillJ4comm@aol.com Message-ID: <42b8f4cc.36e00e20@aol.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 12:02:24 EST Subject: David Hidalgo is back x 2! I don't have either one yet, but for all you Los Lobos/David Hidalgo fans, two new albums with him came out Tuesday: 1. "Dose" from Latin Playboys (David and Louie from Los Lobos, plus Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom, sonic stew for your tum) 2. "Hound Dog" from Hound Dog, featuring David Hidalgo. Nothing else known. Plus new Los Lobos this summer supposedly, and new Van this coming Tuesday. Excellent... Will J
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199903051729.JAA28730@utopia.West.Sun.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 09:29:43 -0800 (pst) From: Barry Greenberg <barry@utopia.West.Sun.COM> Subject: Glowing review There's an article sure to please XTC fans in the current Los Angeles Weekly at http://www.laweekly.com. Apparently Partridge and Moulding will be appearing at the Virgin Megastore (bit of irony here?) on Sunset today at 6:00PM. --Barry
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990305173650.25920.rocketmail@web4.rocketmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 09:36:50 -0800 (PST) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: Pooh's Sick... Pooh throw up.... Oh! I can comment... I actually have something to say, this is new! Now THAT is self-deprication. >From: Peter Mullin <pmullin@biocomp.unl.edu> >Subject: Re: AV1 and more men > >Is it just me, or is 'Frivolous Tonight' a sly, self-deprecating slam at >materialism? (I fervently hope so...) Yeh, I guess you can see it as that... but I choose to imagine a bunch of Brits in a pub drinking Guiness, ahavin' a good old time and all that other nonsuch. HA! Face value is sometimes worthwhile and endearing, don't you think? I think the song points out the silliness of humans... but, more, I think it enjoys the frivilousness, or the ridiculousness. It has its sort of sad tones, to me, at times... but, overall, the song leaves me feeling warm. Like I've had a hot toddy with a bunch of friends after work. Anyway... take a peak at what they (Colin, Dave...) say about the song in Song Stories (I took a peak at it in the store to see if I was RIGHT... oh I so love to be). It was a quick peak, mind you... I still don't own the damn thing. I'm years behind all of you in XTC-ness... but not age. -Nicole (hey, again, self-deprication... I'm good at that!) Was that sly?
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990305181845.2741.rocketmail@send202.yahoomail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 10:18:45 -0800 (PST) From: "Lisa G." <devilgirlchocolate@yahoo.com> Subject: New to the list thing... I would just like to say "hola" to everyone on the list. This is my first time being on ANY list. So far, it's amusing. It's Friday, March 5th, and I am going to meet Andy and Colin in a few hours (Virgin Megastore, 6pm.) How exciting is that?! I want to ask the guys intelligent things like, "Is the Greeman a wood nymph or a metaphor for all men?," but I know I will end up pleading, "Oh, PLEASE, come play at my wedding reception on April 1, 2000!!!" Not to mention fainting and drooling. My fiance continually reminds me that they are merely men, and I should not fawn and be obsequious. As to the sampling of "Dear God..." OH, NO! Please, Andy, don't fall in the way of Sting and become a sell-out!!! First they sample, then Puffy will turn "Pink Thing" into a song about a hooker, then you will have to sing along with the ghost of Tupac... Lisa (aka "The DevilGirl")
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990305184110.13477.rocketmail@send102.yahoomail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 10:41:10 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: Spirituality, sampling, and other hot topics Lots of people seem to be pissed off about the Dear God sample issue. While not a fan of rap myself (and I suspect that's where a lot of the objection comes from) I fully agree with the recent post about free use. Matt Keeley wrote: ...Anyway, how I see it is that sampling should be legal if the sample is used to create something inherently different and new. Absolutely! In my career as a visual artist I have often found myself in the position of appropriating images to incorporate into my own collage-based work. The key here is recontextualization. I take old images, and by changing their context, force them into commenting about themselves, or commenting on the way they were originally used. I think the rap community does a similar thing through sampling, although I think that artists like Negativland, John Oswald, Christian Marclay, etc do a much better job of it. I personally avoid the use of other artist's work when I appropriate, prefering to use images rom old magazines, textbooks, etc. But that's just my asthetic at work, it by no means implies that I disagree with appropriating at any level. Check out the Negativland web page-www.negativland.com (and much thanks, Matt, for the John Oswald web address. I used to have his site bookmarked, but he shut the page down for a while and I coulden't find it again). I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Holzer of Negativland last year, he came to my graduate school as a visiting artist. I've been a huge Negativland fan for years,and it was nice seeing Mark in person. Negativland has firsthand knowledge of how the copyright laws favor large corporations over the little guy. This is actually a big interest of mine. Sampling/appropriation-either from original or borrowed sources, exists in various forms throughout the arts, from Picasso incorproating bits of newspaper into his paintings, and Robert Rauchenberg's famous silkscreens, through classical composers like Charles Ives and Luciano Berio, and uncatagorizable composers/musicians like Bob Ostertag. It has widespread use in the pop/rock world, too, existing years before rap came along. Appropriation is a basic tenet of postmodernism in the arts, and has played a vital role in the creation of a great deal of this century's finest creative expression. So-rap may not be among the century's finest creative expression (and this, like anything is open to debate) but, it has the right to do what it does. If you object, don't buy the single! An unrelated (but also interesting) subject: about Andy's spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof) Someone someone sent a post which contained this: My subversive implication here is that he treats religious and spiritual references in much the same manner: they are artistic tools to be wielded for their affect on the listener. Yes again! the culture of the USA, England, and lots of other places is full of Christian Mythology. Whether or not you ascribe to those beliefs, If you live in an overwhelmingly Christian part of the world, you get exposed to Christianity on a daily basis. Many words, ideas, sayings, platitudes, etc. have a christian origin. Many universities (in the US anyways) offer a bible as literature course. Taking a course like this really opens your eyes as to how much of our culture comes from the bible. So, it seems to follow that using christian or biblical references in a song lyric could be a way of addressing a topic so that people will 'get it', regardless of the belief of the author. Some of these references are so ingrained into our culture that they almost lose any religious meaning.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-122 *******************************
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