Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 267
Date: Thursday, 16 September 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 267
Thursday, 16 September 1999
Today's Topics:
rag and Bone Buffet and My apprehension w/AVI
Too Many Fruit Nuts In The Garden
5 Favourite XTC songs in order?????
goodbye jumbo first single
Martin Newell / Cleaners from Venus releases
some XTC musing; a recommendation
XTC LIVE AND DIRECT | online real audio
Re: fflynt
daydreams, wishes and ghoti
Dark Fruit Nut
fflynt
Is "Fruit Nut" Darker Than It Seems?
Re: Shrieking Back
Nuts
e-bay stuff
Its good to be Bach...
ONXRT
Re: Ragbone
Calling on You hill
go 2
Long Time, No Post, Off to the UK
Extremely Rare XTC Releases...
Re: Talking About Music
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So we're working every hour that God made / So we can fly away.
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Message-ID: <000001befcbb$8882a5e0$15b413ce@vogmudet>
From: "Steven G" <sgraff1@lausd.k12.ca.us>
Subject: rag and Bone Buffet and My apprehension w/AVI
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 18:08:59 -0700
Hey folks,
I've been lurking a while while all the furor over AVI got done. I still
haven't bought the CD. Part of me wants to see how AVII turns out first, and
then, perhaps get them both. I was at Virgin Hollywood when Andy and Colin
signed numerous things (old LPs, T shirts, copies of AVI), and was sort of
awestruck at how young they looked. I was also awestruck at how many fans
actually showed up. There were teenagers with (I suspect) newly purchased
LP's of Black Sea on English Settlement, possibly procured from Bleeker
Bob's, or Aron's. I had nothing with me, and just sort of admired the whole
venture Colin and Andy were undertaking. Andy seemed very cheerful and warm
with everyone, which to me underscored his claim of not wanting to gig
anymore. I know there's a difference, but to me, there really isn't. He
seemed to enjoy meeting his publiic for the first time in years. It didn't
seem complete without Dave, though.
My wife Sue saw XTC back in the early 80's and just remembers a hectic
pace, and that she didn't like Andy's voice. She still doesn't, by the way,
so I have to sing the songs and play them myself if I want her to be
interested.
Oh yeah, my fave song on Rag and Bone Buffet is "Heaven is Paved with
Broken Glass." My least favorite song is "Cockpit Dance Mixture." the former
is good, lyricallly and fun to listen to. The latter is pure cheese.
Til next time...
Steven Graff
formerly at slapdash@earthlink.net
now at slapdashhq@bigfoot.com
Check out my website at www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/mezzanine/7965
and sign the guestbook!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v04205501b4019635cc4f@[12.73.98.167]> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 10:43:28 -0700 From: David Haakenson <dhaakenson@worldnet.att.net> Subject: Too Many Fruit Nuts In The Garden >As it is, I have come to think that the text 'Fruit nut' is >Colin commenting on Andy's way of working, probably concen- >trating on these last years of struggle (personal and musical). >In my mind, this is Colin pulling Andy's leg in a friendly manner. > >Is this interesting? Decide for yourselves. > >Knut Egil I agree with you. I felt the same way immediately on first listen. There was some chat in N.M.E. and other publications when Colin's "Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen" was released that it too was a friendly jab at Andy. As you say, decide for yourselves.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990912184400.27242.rocketmail@web705.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 11:44:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Susperia Five <susperia5@yahoo.com> Subject: 5 Favourite XTC songs in order????? Egads!!! I don't even know who posted this original question but, whoever you are, it is cruel to make us think so much and choose from such a banquet! I love your tactics though. Heh heh! All I can offer up is my current top 5, as it changes with the mood and era of life. Does that make sense? Here goes: 1) My Bird Performs (this has been unchanged as my all-time fave for years now) 2) Living through another Cu-hu-hu...BAH! 3) Another Satellite 4) Greenman 5) No Language in Our Lungs That's about it for now. Ta~ Angelina === The value of anything is how much it hurts ~~ Shriekback
------------------------------ From: WillJ4comm@aol.com Message-ID: <e6238b80.250d5661@aol.com> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 15:17:53 EDT Subject: goodbye jumbo first single Megan wrote: "I was trying to remember the name of the first single off of "Goodbye Jumbo"-- I remember a concert-style video-- and I knew i could recognize the name if I saw it, but I can't find a track listing for the album. Now it's driving me crazy-- who knows?" I believe it was "Way Down Now," no? The kind of stonesy groovin' piano based number? I remember I saw that video on MTV, and I was at the record store that same day picking up the CD. By the way, Molly, I too recommend "Goodbye Jumbo," as I favor most of that over Bang!, but Bang! does have some great stuff, especially for me the lead off track, "Kingdom Come" -- great arrangement and production, love that guitar. Will J
------------------------------ Message-ID: <d7YNQGA4RC33Ewc9@apowell.demon.co.uk> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 23:08:56 +0100 From: Ashley Powell <ashley@apowell.demon.co.uk> Subject: Martin Newell / Cleaners from Venus releases For anyone interested, there are a few new releases available from Jarmusic: Black Shuck - A book of Martin's new poem about the ghost dog of eastern England (12 DEM) Black Shuck/Wild Man of Wivenhoe - a cassette of these poems set to an atmospheric acoustic soundtrack composed and played by Martin (12 DEM) A few of the old Cleaners from Venus releases are now available on CD, with bonus tracks on each one (25 DEM each): The Brotherhood of Lizards On Any Normal Monday Under Wartime Conditions Midnight Cleaners These CDs are limited to 75 copies each, so place your order now! -- Ashley Powell
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990912225801.37287.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Megan Heller" <hellerm@hotmail.com> Subject: some XTC musing; a recommendation Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 15:58:00 PDT hm, responses... Bob Muller dreams-- >Which leads to the question, if there was a Volume II, who would you like >to hear cover what? [...] >Tom Waits, "Rook" I don't usually go for these conversations, but, ooh, that's a good one. Damn, I can actually hear that. pancho artecona succumbed to the peer pressure of survey-taking-- > >> Which unreleased XTC song do you like best?... > >Everything and Rocket glad to see that reponse-- I think those two really probably are my favorite unreleased XTC songs (I had actually obtained a copy of "Everything" from an XTC fan in Vancouver a couple years before "Bull", but it was nice to have a better copy) now, since everyone else seems to recommend new non-XTC albums, I have to gush over the new Momus release, "Stars Forever". A collection of 30 songs comissioned by 30 people for $1000 apiece (patronage pop to pay some legal bills incurred last year when the subject of a tribute song didn't take it too well), this album turned out better than I ever expected. It's also one of the most accessible releases I've ever heard from him. So there's my bit. megan.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <37DC38EC.6D29F391@autoreverse.net> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 19:36:33 -0400 From: Ian C Stewart <ian@autoreverse.net> Organization: http://www.AUTOreverse.net/ Subject: XTC LIVE AND DIRECT | online real audio XTC LIVE AND DIRECT online real audio files rare | live | unreleased http://www.geocities.com/xtcliveanddirect/ hear now: "Visit To The Doctor" ANDY PARTRIDGE unreleased bubblegum track "NONSVCH STUDIO VERITE" 15 minutes of farting, talking, singing and laughing in the studio; incredibly funny and revealing! Not always in a good way either! Did I mention there's lots of farting? "FAB FOURSOME IN PHILLY" part one of two, XTC live in Philadlphia PA, 1981. http://www.geocities.com/xtcliveanddirect/ Will be uploading more XTC side projects and songwriting projects (LILAC TIME, CATHY DENNIS, MARTIN NEWELL, R STEVIE MOORE) etc very soon! This is a permanent site which will be added to quite often!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990913023022.26056.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: fflynt Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 19:30:21 PDT dear fflynt, I have NO idea what you are on about. By the way - when I advised you to keep taking the tablets, I should have sepcificed that you are not meant to take all of them at the same time. Use only as directed. If pain persists, see your English teacher. Dunks.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <19990913025140.15242.rocketmail@send205.yahoomail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 19:51:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com>
Subject: daydreams, wishes and ghoti
Hi
we had a few posts recently about Phish, and something stuck me as
interesting. I'm also on the Los Lobos list, and at about the same
time, a bunch of postings apout Pish showed up on that list as well.
The interesting thing is that most of the people on the Los Lobos list
who voiced an opinion hate Phish, just like most of the people on this
list. Just who likes this band, anyways?
Speaking of the Los Lobos list, two members of that band occasionally
send messages to the list through the person in charge of it. Los Lobos
is apparently into keeping their fans updated. Makes me wish a similar
thing would hAppen here w/ Andy and Colin (hint, hint guys!).
I was daydreaming in a semi-wakeful state the other day and started
thinking of how nice it would be if XTC got control of their back
catalog, and reissued them all the right way. Of course, digital
remastering, restored track order (with bonus tracks AFTER the album),
printed lyrics, lots of liner notes by the band and lots of photos
would go without saying. I started thinking of how the packaging could
be improved, and came up with a few ideas (this is assuming an
unlimited budget, which we all know won't happen):
All the reissues would be in cardboard gatefold sleeves with a pocket
for a booklet (like Tom Waits' Mule Variations).
Go 2 would continue the black background/white text design onto the cd
itself ("this is the cd of XTC's
Go 2. You put it into your cd player...") The booklet of lyrics, etc
would also be black background/white text.
Black Sea would have a green bag, made out of that extra-durable,
non-ripping vinyl paper.
The Big Express would have a round cover.
English Settlement would be the embossed cardbaord, like the original
album release.
Nonsuch would be like a pop-up book, with the castle popping up when
you open the cover
Chips from the Chocolate Fireball would be packaged like a big
anthology, with a slipcase and a huge booklet full of essays by 'rock
critics' attesting to the influence and importance of the Dukes, lots
of photos, etc. Maybe some previously unreleased 'live'tracks, too.
The cover would be a 'winky' (like the cover of the Rolling stones'
'Satanic Majesties'. Patchouli scented paper would be nice, too!
So here's a question: If you were in charge of reissuing XTC's back
catalog on cd, and money was no option, what would you do with them
(assuming that cover art would essentially be left the same)?
------------------------------ From: unna@worldmailer.com Date: 13 Sep 1999 05:06:23 -0700 Message-ID: <19990913120623.3792.cpmta@c008.sfo.cp.net> Subject: Dark Fruit Nut Yes! to Wes's comment on FN as "not sane" at the end of the song. I perceived the same. And then, while making an XTC mix over an old Parliament Funkadelic tape, I gave a test-listen which happened to be the end of Fruit Nut. There was some bleed through during the "to keep him sane" at the end. The effect was pretty creepy, even disturbing...
------------------------------ From: OMBEAN1@aol.com Message-ID: <8f886c7b.250e4f97@aol.com> Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 09:01:11 EDT Subject: fflynt Howdy, David Oh is back and he calls himself fflynt!!! I heard "King for a Day" playing over the sound system in a mini mart the other day.Pretty cool. Thats all. Roger np-- The Cars "The Cars".--Awesome.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v04210102b402c59095b0@[129.105.37.210]> Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 10:18:40 -0500 From: Olof Hellman <hellman@ksan.ms.nwu.edu> Subject: Is "Fruit Nut" Darker Than It Seems? >After listening to "Fruit Nut," I believe that the protagonist has thoughts >of poisoning his wife! > >"I mix my poisons and the wife don't complain." This is another of the great lines in Fruit Nut. The poisons are of course the insecticides and such used for tending the fruit. You could also take it to mean that he also mixes himself a drink or two (or other behaviour-modifier) in the shed. - Olof Olof Hellman Northwestern University, Dept. Materials Science & Engineering
------------------------------ Message-ID: <l0oaMFA1j$23EwC6@emdac.demon.co.uk> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 20:03:17 +0100 From: Phil Hetherington <phil@emdac.demon.co.uk> Subject: Re: Shrieking Back Nope, I hadn't gone far. At the time of writing I'm something like 140 issues of Chalkhills behind, and making very little progress trying to catch up. Now, if you'd all just refrain from posting for 3 or 4 months... anyway, don't worry about me. Spoke to Barry Andrews on the phone a couple of months back. He's been keeping busy doing a university course in 3D design (he was in the third year when he mailed me in April, so maybe he's finished now, not sure). He's also been running a gift shop, I won't say where for fear you'll all invade the place but it's in the London area. Actually at some point some details of the shop might appear on the Shriekback web site, but I'm awaiting some blurb from Barry before I do that, so don't hold your breath. Barry hasn't heard Apple Venus Vol.1 by the way, I did ask. Meanwhile, last I heard from Martyn Barker there were promising noises coming from various record labels regarding the 1995 Shriekback album which has yet to be released. Martyn & Lu Edmonds have done some remixing to it and are now a lot happier with the sound. Obviously with Barry now out of the music business, this is likely to be the last Shriekback album. It includes most of the great songs they played in their 1995 gigs, but sadly not Captain Cook despite my pleading for it. Apparently they couldn't get it to work in the studio (I'd have settled for a live version!) All for now, Phil -- _ |_) |_ * | Me: http://www.emdac.demon.co.uk/phil/ | | ) | | Then for Shriekback add: shrkindx.html =========== Or for Gang Of Four: gof/gof_indx.html
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 13:03:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jim Smart <jimsmart1@go.com>
Subject: Nuts
Message-id: <0FI000COIKPZYZ@mta3.infoseekmail.com>
Chalkers:
I don't think the singer of Fruit Nut is going to poison his wife, as Wes
postulates.
"I mix my poisons and the wife don't complain" refers to pesticides, I
think. The best part of this line is "the wife don't complain"....I say this
as a husband who knows that a man must have a shed, meaning some sort of
private diversion (mine is songwriting and recording) to keep himself sane,
and to keep his marriage intact. Wives need there own stuff, too, right
ladies? On the surface the song is about fruit growing, but beneath that its
really about keeping a marriage working by doing your own thing. I also like
to imagine "a man must have his shed" is a reference to Andy's shed, a nice
touch.
BTW, I'm back. Probably no one remembers me here except Mitch. Looking
forward to the Olambularies and Le Mans compilation. I enjoyed the
Skylacking tape of a few years ago.
Jim
Honolulu, Hawaii http://www.hula.net/~jimsmart/
______________________________________________________________
"A creative work is never finished, only abandoned."
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000201befe0b$b2a1dc00$0d2aa8c0@me.myoffice.com> From: "Steven Paul" <spaul@armstronglaw.com> Subject: e-bay stuff Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 18:14:24 +0100 I took up somebody's offer to jump to e-bay to see a greenman fountain up for sale, and thought I would look at what XTC items were on the market. 147 items were for sale (as of 9/13/99 @ 10:15 MST). Most auction items are collector sort of stuff -- 7" singles of this or that. What makes me post here is the reference/sale of items that I've never heard of before -- I havent' checked by Song Stories yet, but I don't recall reading about many of the "compilation" CDs or albums that XTC had participated in. For instance, the movie soundtrack for "She's Having a Baby." The CD has XTC doing "Happy Families." I for one have never heard that -- I don't think. Can anyone with some insight or better recall tell us what that song is like and if its worth a CD for a song. There are a few others, but I didn't write them down. Venture over to e-bay and check out the sheer quantity of sale items. I didn't see much I was interested in, which would be demos on tape or CD and videos.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BEFE0B.FEEB9560.wes@iolvegas.com> From: Wes Hanks <wes@iolvegas.com> Subject: Its good to be Bach... Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 17:17:52 -0700 Les Miserables, I've been away for a two week vacation, (I am the only person who lives in Las Vegas and goes to Detroit for his vacation.) Truth be known, I went for my nephew's wedding. Last time I saw him he was 12, wow, now I'm dancing at his wedding; Harvest Festival indeed! I was dragged, kicking and screaming to a, steady now, "Renaissance Festival". You know the stuff, all the community theatre rejects, dress up as a sort of idealized version of a Renaissance man and proceed to annoy the crap out of you, while trying to sell you junk that is just slightly above flea market quality. Which way to Ye Olde ATM, m'lord? To quote TV's Frank: " Take that Frodo, (punch) $24.00 for THAT!!!" I did however have the hippies put a henna Uffington horse on my arm. There is a white Honda in town with a vanity plate: XTC4ALL. Amen to that brother! Sleep Deprived, Wes Hanks "Upward to the vanguard, where the pressure is too high." The Flaming Lips http://clubs.yahoo.com/xtcenglandsglory
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199909140428.VAA10112@vulture.prod.itd.earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 21:25:20 -0700 Subject: ONXRT From: "Russ Reynolds" <rcreation@earthlink.net> Anyone have a copy of "ONXRT Live From The Archives, Volume 1." they'd be willing to part with? Will make it worth your while. eMail me off list. -rUss
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 16:34:37 +0100 From: Jon Alsbury <j.alsbury@unl.ac.uk> Subject: Re: Ragbone Message-id: <37DE6B0D.B08B0285@unl.ac.uk> Organization: Intranet Services, University of North London > Also, I've been listening to Rag And Bone Buffet recently, > and I wanted to know what everyone thought the best song on > that "Album" is, as well the worst. Best Tracks (in no particular order): 'Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen' should have got to number one! 'Over Rusty Water' 'History of Rock and Roll' I highly recommend Miniatures to everyone. 'Heaven Is Paved With Broken Glass' 'Officer Blue' 'Scissor Man' Worst Tracks: 'Countdown To Christmas Party Time' & 'Thanks For Christmas' both, unfortunately, are possibly the *worst* things ever recorded by XTC. absolutley execrable, IMO. cherio, Jon.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990915175009.24864.rocketmail@web1501.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 10:50:09 -0700 (PDT) From: paul bristol <mr_paul_1999@yahoo.com> Subject: Calling on You hill What you have here is: A guy who likes electric XTC Black Sea, Nonsuch guitars. Has never heard AV1. Wants to hear what the hill has to say by way of revue on AV1 and privately too. Superthanks, Paul.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990915210015.77693.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "garret harkawik" <funktaisia@hotmail.com> Subject: go 2 Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 17:00:14 EDT I thought i'd mention that on the pictures of everyone on the back of Go 2, I think that Colin looks exactly like Kevin McDonald of Kids In The Hall. Garret Harkawik
------------------------------ Message-ID: <37E01D5F.29FAF44F@earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 15:27:44 -0700 From: Herne <herne@earthlink.net> Subject: Long Time, No Post, Off to the UK Just finished working on one of the worst indie films known to man. The sound of former Buck Rogers babe Erin Gray screaming "I WILL SUE YOUR F**KING ASSSSS!!!!" will haunt for me for the rest of my life. Anyway... Good god it has been a while since I have posted to this group. I just dropped in the for the usual "I'm finally going to England" post. After putting off the trip for almost five years, my brother and I are off for Britain. There are planned visits to Scotland, Ireland and Wales as well. I'm hoping to take in something XTC related while over there, even if all I get is stuck in an English Roundabout. Perhaps I will make a pilgrimage to the Uffington Horse. Who knows. Maybe I'll run into Herne himself as I trudge through Sherwood Forest...if there still is a Sherwood Forest. As for XTC content...well I'm looking forward to Homespun so I can finally hear some of the famous demos. I can't even imagine what River of Orchids will sound like. Sorry to hear that the Greenman single and video have apparently bitten the dust. I found a Green Man promo in San Francisco for $1.00. I bought it thinking I'd flip it on ebay but I'll probably just keep it myself. I haven't listened to Apple Venus in a while. Two times daily for four months was enough for awhile. My ardor(spelling?) has somewhat cooled. I find myself skipping ROO and the Last Balloon. Before I head off to the UK I'm spending a few days in New York so I'm going to try to go to Yazbek's show. I'll wear an Apple Venus shirt or something otherwise obvious if I go so as to maybe meet some NYC Chalkers. I guess that's it for now. I'm off to Europe. Note to Jill Oleson----I'll contact your friend when I get back. Note to Rich Wayne/Wayne Rich...if you didn't get my other email. The Space:1999 and XTC demo tapes are on the way. Cheers, KL aka Herne the Hunter
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990916102543.94429.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Charlie Buck" <dontwantany@hotmail.com> Subject: Extremely Rare XTC Releases... Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 06:25:43 EDT I was in a store somewhere in California and seen 3 albums that I have NEVER seen before. One had songs, none of which I have ever heard. I have every album availible in retail and all the original vinyl. What are these albums?! One had a song, I forget what it was called, but it had something to do with the Bible. Anyway, if anyone knows, let me know. PS, I am in a Rap/Ska group and plan to remake a song from an XTC album (wont tell you till its complete to avoid a jinx!). I will send it to whoever to tell me what they think.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990916165155.8019.rocketmail@web217.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 09:51:55 -0700 (PDT) From: pancho artecona <partecona@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Talking About Music I was reading National Geographic the other day(the issue on Global Culture) , and on the letters to the editor someone quoted the phrase 'talking about music is like whistling about chickens'. So if anyone is so inclided thay can find out if this egg came before the proverbial hen or what, perhaps it can shed a clue or two about the origins of the architectural soundpiece. And now about XTC. I just heard a very old demo of Partridge singing a song called Pearl. Great tune! Is this an original composition? Can someone date it for me? I'd greatly appreciate it. It also contains a reference for the latter lyric 'makes your oyster pearl'. Oh, and the guitar solo on There Is No Language In Our Lungs is absolutely brilliant! It just seems to come from a different angle to the song and yet complete it in some strange way, great use of tonality and sound as opposed to melody (pardon my rudimentary accolades, I am afraid I can't quite say what I want to say.....no language I guess). Pancho XPRXTCFAN
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-267 *******************************
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