Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 281
Date: Monday, 11 October 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 281
Monday, 11 October 1999
Today's Topics:
Older vs. Newer Fans
the whole charlie Buck debacle
Dear God, will this end?
multiple response and an injunction to lighten up
Succesful XTC Evangelism
Re: BAD PUN AL:ERT
Re: "Poor Skeleton", limey observations, liars
Dollars for Diamonds
Sting and Homespun
Re: Chalkhills Digest #5-278 comments
I'll race ya'
Re: Wire Toasting Fork
Mayor of Simpleton
Don't Look Now (There's A Troll In Your Mailbox)
Nobody home
my sgt. pepper
Charlie Buck & other things
Minster Hill
Administrivia:
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to:
<chalkhills@chalkhills.org>
World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/>
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is compiled with Digest 3.7 (John Relph <relph@sgi.com>).
They make life hell here / And think there's heaven above 'em.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <199910091943.PAA11294@nantucket.net> Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 15:37:08 -0400 Subject: Older vs. Newer Fans From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net> >Having been a fan of xtc since generals and majors I've found it very >interesting to see the divisions between older fans and newer ones. > >as expected the older fans prefer black sea and english settlement period >whilst the newer ones (particularly the usa) prefer skylarking and oranges >and lemons. Personally, my two favorite albums are English Settlement and oranges and lemons, so i guesse that ruins that argument.(By the way, I'm 15 years old) >English settlement i suppose to people like myself was the sgt pepper for >xtc but I can understand why newer fans don't get it. I actually see it as more of an Abby Road, with Orange and Lemons as their Sgt. Pepper >This album at the time (nearly 20 years ago remember) was cutting edge >stuff and even to a fan like myself was so different to black sea it took >about two months before I got it and fell in love with it. However today >I'm sure it doesn't have the same effect. what was adventurous then seems >timid i suppose now. I think it's an absolutly incredible album even today, and I, being a fan of eighties music anyway, deffinitly see that aspect of it. I also love african undertones to some of those songs, like melt the guns, It's Nearly Africa, Knuckle down. I really love that unrelentless "BANG-bang BANG-bang BANG-bang BANG-bang" under Melt The Guns. >What (I believe) separates us from the new breed of fan is Terry Chambers. (snip) >Removing him from the equation I think took away the binding ingredient >that allowed andy to go off on a tangent because the drumming held it >together. (snip) >I just think they miss the one area of the band that wasn't subtle >very much like ringo for the beatles in the later part of their >career, not very clever but a backbone of simplicity in a sea of >frantic experimentation. I really don't agree with this, personally, but I see where you're coming from. A kind of contrast thing. >Having said all this I admire the Yanks for digging xtc at all, we tend to >get the idea here that you either like bonjovi or nirvana or rap or country >and anything else is weird. >Is it weird to like xtc in usa? Yanks? what you talkin' bout, ya damn Brit! No, but it is weird to like XTC here. You're not that wrong about the fact that everyone here likes rap, country, Grunge, and hevy metal (All of Which I hate) But it's not an English thing. It's also weird to like They Might Be Giants, and they're american. I think that it's weird to like XTC anywhere except japan, where Apple Venus aperantly reached number 14 on the charts, or something. But then again, japan likes Spinal Tap too, so... >also what does the USA think our stereotypical musical tastes are. >awaiting a roasting >wazza. I've always heard that English people like Oasis, and Celtic music, but I'm sure that's not true. Kevin DIamond
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 21:01:08 -0700 (PDT) From: "gleaned from the teeming brain of..." <jemiah@q7.com> Subject: the whole charlie Buck debacle Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.4.10.9910092053470.5155-100000@q7.q7.com> Gee whillikers, I duck away for a couple of months and all mailing lists go straight to Hell -- what is this, fin de siecle madness? I must say that the previous digest was one the strangest I've ever read, and I'm a mamber of the Dandy Warhols mailing list, AKA Melrose Place/Congress. Well, Charlie, and your friend too -- wotzisname? -- I'm glad to see youhere on the list, as I've certainly never met another black person who liked XTC (let alone for 15 years!). Trust me, I know how easy it is to get riled up over some of the dumb sh*t that people write on the internet. Some people who like really great bands are still dickweeds. Unfortunately, racists use the internet just like thinking humans; while online, I find it preferable to just ignore the bastards and get back to geeking out about music. It's a good rule of thumb to let them air themselves out and keep on doing what we do. I'm sorry this isn't really XTC related, but much more a statement about this mailing list, and about the state of the internet in general. Don't let some idiot ruin the appeal of a brilliant band and an intelligent, thoughful, fun mailing list like this one. I would have reviewed "Apple Venus 1", but I figure the time is now past and I'd be better off getting all my friends to go buy it. =) * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Alizarine jemiah@q7.com jemiah@netnoir.net jemiah@jedimail.net "apologies about the Internet." -- Nick Rhodes
------------------------------ Message-ID: <387374555.939528127757.JavaMail.root@web05.pub01> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 00:02:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Satanas Diablo <thedevil@minister.com> Subject: Dear God, will this end? I can't believe people are still going on about it on this list. For the guy who lives in California, you can come meet me and Malcolm (aka Charlie) any day and see if he is "real." As for mentioning playing the race card? Come on man, if you live in the US then it is quite obvious that racism is still a major part of this country. If you don't believe that, then my friend, you are the ignorant one. I may not be black, but I know racism exists, and we may tend to believe people play the "race card" but in reality, blacks have to try twice as hard in a professional environment. Every time I am out with black friends, I am pulled over, searched, and were made to sit on the curb, sometimes handcuffed with NO VIOLATIONS WHATSOEVER! Though it may happen when with white friends as well, it happens 95% less! So, its total and complete bullshit what your saying. This list is starting to sicken me. Someone is called a nigger then its his job to furnish proof? I use a free email account as well, and after deleting the messages it normally is automatically erased off the free email accounts server in about 3 days, so even if Malcolm wanted to say who it was, I doubt he could. I do know that its usually the ignorant ones who try making the victim look like a liar. It happens from the police to rape victims all over the US! I know a woman who was rapped and the cops went on and on and accused her of instigating it! Its people like you who will call someone a liar after being called a nigger because you want to believe racism is over. Its not, and maybe in your huckleberry little whitebread chickenshit conservative republican mind it is, but in the real world, it exists. The only damn way to over come it is to talk about it, and not push people away when they join lists! This is the same reason we stopped joining Hip-Hop lists (yes we like Hip-Hop, many of you are close minded, but there is a lot of good rap out there, not the stuff on the charts, I mean good stuff!). Anyway, there were more people there using nigga and slang like that then the KKK, and what was funny is most of them were white! So, we come to what we thought was a more intelligent group of people and end up seeing so many fools on this list as well! Regardless, I don't want to talk about this anymore, unless were going to talk about something positive, or something about XTC. Shit, I own a server, I would rather start a discussion list there about all this crap then to hear about it on this list. Peace and love and all that other stuff.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991010042243.76593.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Andrea Rossillon" <rossillon@hotmail.com> Subject: multiple response and an injunction to lighten up Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 23:22:42 CDT Hidey-ho, Chalkers. Someone posted about failing to get their friends interested in XTC, and that they didn't know anyone who had heard of them, much less like them (maybe those were separate posts from the same digest, both in response to Warren's post about XTC-liking normal Americans.) Anyway, this past year when I was in grad school, I saw _2_ license tags with "XTC" on them, and they were obviously personalized tags, not just random state-issued tags. One driver I flagged down and spoke to her, but stupid me didn't get her name or anything.... Also, now I live in Alabama, and I found the "I'd like That" single in the "cool" record store. I was debating buying it, and the sales dude told me to buy it then or it would be gone, as he had several rabid XTC fans among his customers. So, never fear! We are lurking, we just are hard to find, because I know I don't talk about XTC that much, just because the typical response is "huh?" Mutual silence impedes growth. ---------- >So you think we all like Top 40? That's fairly accurate. Whatever >sells--cynical me. I would feel bad about Americans liking Top 40 (or rather, the nature of Top 40 radio), except that I KNOW that boy groups and their sisters, the Spice Girls, were all the rage in England more than a year before they became popular in the USA. The limeys listen to as much crap as we do, you're not all highbrow Rowan Atkinson lovers. ----------- >I find no bad lyrics on AV1, though this one does totally confound me: > >"I'd like that if you could slide me from this wire, toasting fork I'll be >done" > >Does this mean something and I just haven't understood it yet? I understand the line to be "slide me from this wire toasting-fork"-- it's the fork that's wire, he's being slid from a wire toasting fork. Perhaps a cross between really long barbecue forks and the camp-out-in-the-backyard wire coat hangers? The long pause between "wire" and "toasting" is just for rhythm's sake, and is called (in poetry) a _caesura_. Okay, literary/rhetorical device lesson over. ------------ >Until this list, I did not even know about AV1! When I went to the >site, and heard on the list of a new album I was so pissed that I had >not >heard of it! I have yet to buy it because I have not found it in >local >stores. As soon as I found out about the book I bought song >storie online. But when I tried getting AV1, it was on backorder I >was >told, so I have yet to get it. Anyway, I love XTC and will for >years to >come. Charlie, dude, since you mentioned KROQ, I would assume you still live in SoCal (or LoCal, if you will.) How can it not be in the record stores? AV1 is damn everywhere.... Even the big chain stores have it (or rather, especially the big chain stores have it). They also will usually have Nonsuch and a random back catalog selection, English Settlement always seeming to be popular. You must be shopping at Sam Goody's--try any Borders, or Tower, or your local alterna-record store. Speaking of KROQ, a friend of the cheating exboyfriend was as much an XTC fan as I, and he had on vinyl 7" four songs that XTC had recorded at KROQ, playing live on the air. They were "Love on a Farmboy's Wages", "In Loving Memory of a Name", and 2 others I can't remember. The songs might indicate the era of the recordings, or Andy may have just felt like playing those songs. But I have never heard anything more about these 7"s--there were 2, four songs all together. And Charlie, don't be offended that no one answered your questions. When I first joined the list, I asked about this Italian bootleg album, if anyone knew anything about it, blah blah blah. No response. At all. Fast forward two years, someone else posts, asking about the same damn thing, next thing I know there are at least 3 posts in the digest about it, and probably several privately emailed messsages as well. The lesson: wait awhile. People may come back to reading their email after deleting everything for months. Ciao, loveys!
------------------------------
Message-ID: <38004CC0.F1C485BD@mail.gci.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 00:22:24 -0800
From: adamette@augustine.gci.net
Subject: Succesful XTC Evangelism
Greetings Chalkers from Juneau, Alaska!
I have been lurking for months now, choosing not to answer some
questions (which song has the "Bible" in the title?") and enduring
countless boring threads that are either NOT about the band or are only
marginally about the band.
I usually wait until I have something actually pertinent to add
about the band, and this time is no exception (imagine what this digest
would be like if EVERYONE did that).
As a matter of course I bought AV1 on its release date, as well as
"Homespun" and the two singles (and was dissapointed to hear about the
lack of Greenman). I started dating this 21 year old girl some weeks
ago and while hanging out with her at my apartment I put on AV1
unanounced to see what her response might be. No response the first
time she heard it. A few days later I cued it up again, as as the (by
now) familiar sounds of "River of Orchids" started, she said, "you like
this CD, don't you?" Guilty as charged, I'm afraid. A few songs worth
of time passed before I asked her what she thought of it.
To this, she said she was undecided. Later, as we were getting
ready to head to dinner, though, she said (as Greenman was just starting
and I was reaching for the remote to turn it off) "It is kind of growing
on me though." I stopped just before pressing the "CD off" button and
asked her to repeat what she'd said (not from lack of hearing but a need
to be sure of what I'd thought she said). She indeed repeated it and I
was delighted! As if that weren't enough, I caught her humming Greenman
in the car on the way to the restaurant!!
I cannot recall a quicker positive response to XTC. Most of my
experiences were similiar to ones described in recent posts (confused
looks, silence when asked if the newbie likes XTC, and no follow up)
until then.
Just thought everyone would like to have heard that story
Patrick
P.S. I was appalled by the response of all of you Chalkers in regards
to the "Charlie" post. It clearly does not describe our list or those
who contribute to it, so why pay it any attention? (I feel like I
shouldn't even have written that last sentence)
P.P.S. this would have been John Lennon's 59th birthday.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199910101450.KAA22854@bean.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 22:31:27 -0500 Subject: Re: BAD PUN AL:ERT > My fellow chalkerites > > Messr. Sherwood did quip... > > "Harrison "Tolkien 'bout my generation" Sherwood" > > Oh, Harrison for shame!!!! That reminds me of Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments' song "Talkin' 'Bout Miscegenation". Michael davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------
Message-ID: <380079C7.2A7D@bhip.infi.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 11:34:35 +0000
From: Brian <mattone@bhip.infi.net>
Subject: Re: "Poor Skeleton", limey observations, liars
Tschalkgerz!
Jill Oleson wrote:
>1. When I finally got my turn with Andy during the
AV1 autograph tour, I mentioned to him that
"Poor Skeleton" was my favorite XTC song.
He seemed genuinely surprised at this and I've
wondered why ever since. Can anyone explain why
my admission startled him so much? Have any of
you on this list ever told Andy that "Poor Skeleton"
was your favorite song? If so, what was his response?<
Well, I've never been able to mention ANYTHING to Andy personally
(alasl), but I will agree with you on how much I like "Poor Skeleton".
For me it epitomizes the XTC penchant for using musical motifs to
further drive a point home (others would be "Snowman", "Train Running
Low On Soul Coal" & "Yacht Dance"). It's another clever tune.
-Brian Matthews
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/sapringer
STAR TREK parodies!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199910092350.TAA20840@nantucket.net> Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 19:46:03 -0400 Subject: Dollars for Diamonds From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net> I was asked to foreword this message to the post by Charlie: ________________________________________ Thank you very much. I was stupid to even considor selling my XTC stuff. I know White Music had nothing to do with being white. In fact, its about "white noise" which is the noise that comes from analog recordings. It's nearly Africa had to do with going back with our primitive lifestyles of the past, and since Africa is the birth of civilization, how more primitive can we get! I am not stupid, I just was pissed that so many people were either nagging me, or of course sending racial messages to me. Anyway, I appriciate all the comments from you and everyone else! I have had WAY more nice messages from most of you at this point then the bullshit messages I had recieved. If you could please forward this to the list, that would be nice... _______________________________________ I also wanted to say that I'm surprised that no one mentioned the bassline on Melt the Guns when talking about their favorite bassines. I love that one. being a fan of fretless basses anyway (I own a Yamaha RBX 200 special fretless... it's nice) I have always loved this album for the sound of the bass on it. (Among other things) Also, WHERE THGE HELL IS MY COPY OF HOMESPUN!!! I pre-ordered it on CDNow, and it hasen't come yet (Although I did also have a ten-dollar girt certificate, so it only cost me two bucks ore something.. Still, I think I have a right to be impatiant. And even if I don't, I'm gonna be impatiant anyay AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HQ......whoops. If I didn't love you, I'd hate you...Kevin Diamond
------------------------------ From: WTDK@aol.com Message-ID: <0.571d54f7.253159dc@aol.com> Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 22:54:20 EDT Subject: Sting and Homespun Alright....enough ragging on Sting. Sure the former Policeman's solo albums haven't lived up to the potential shown while he was in the band. There are very few artists who do once they leave a band. Part of the dynamic of the Police that contributed to the quality of Sting's songwriting was the threat (however remote) that the other two (Copeland and Summers) might come up with something better or at least as good (Copeland usually contributed one strong number per album). The tension within the band (and frequent friction) also contributed to insuring that the songwriting was always (or nearly so) top notch. As to Sting's solo career I happen to like most of his solo stuff. There are a couple of albums (such as Ten Summoner's Tales) that are as strong as the best Police material. How does it compare to XTC's stuff? Andy and Colin are both top notch writers. Sting, at his best, is in the same league. You might not like his stuff (it's a matter of personal taste and, I suspect, the fact that he has been quite successful that probably contributed to the negative comments in the last couple of digests). Listen to the guy without bias! Yes, he's quite full of himself but he's no different from most pop stars and cult bands. Andy can be quite full of himself, too (and he'd be the first to admit it!). It doesn't diminish his art or make it any less important. The same could be said of Newell, Sting, Captain Sensible, The Damned, The Beatles, The Pretenders, The Clash (I could go on forever, but will spare you folks). Homespun strikes be as having the same place in XTC's catalog as the Beatles Anthology albums. It's almost like hearing an alternate version of the same album and, while very interesting, isn't essential for all fans. I happen to like it. There's a charm to a number of the tracks particularly Harvest Festival and Fruit Nut. Clearly the fact that it's a limited edition demonstrates that is for the fans. The packaging is terrific, particularly the comments by Andy and Colin. My only complaint is that it would have been nice to have How Greenman came to be as a bonus track or additional disc. Andy's monologues are quite charming and intimate. It's almost like having him in your living room entertaining. Anyhow, that's my two cents. There's always going to be someone to disagree, but that's the beauty of different opinions and debate. My pithy quote for this issue-- "Art for art's sake, money for God's sake" Wayne
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19991010020221.006fd2b8@mail.interlog.com> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 02:02:21 -0400 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #5-278 comments more random comments from the p-nut gallery... >From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@OAG.STATE.TX.US> >Subject: What's Andy's "instrument"? >Toward the end of "The Last Balloon" Andy's voice seems to metamorphose into a trumpet solo... >Andy's voice has changed so much that it is hard to think of him as sounding like any individual instrument. What do >you Chalkhillians think his voice resembled in the early 1980s?, late 1970s, 1990s? according to the man himself, andy's has said his voice in the late 70s sounded "like a barking seal". would that be considered an instrument? >From: "Michael Versaci" <stormymonday@sprintmail.com> >Subject: Spinning The Tale On The Ocean >When it comes to the XTC demos, obviously there is a limited amount of interest among the masses... especially when it comes to their "official releases", but there appears to be even less interest in their demos here amongst the fans - at least when we have to pay for them. i won't comment anymore on the interest/lack of interest in 'homespun' other than to say i welcome it with open arms. we spent 7 years waiting for av-1, now we get a nice gesture from xtc/cooking vinyl/tvt while waiting for av-2. i say "bravo!" >"C'mon Toto, get off my leg! You've got to remember we're not in Kansas anymore." good one! this made me laugh out loud - first time today for that! >From: "garret harkawik" <funktaisia@hotmail.com> >Subject: fuzzy warbles >Just what the hell is "Fuzzy Warbles"? i'll let someone else answer this one... if indeed 'fuzzy warbles' is still on the cards. is it? >From: "Tim Kendrick" <tim63@earthlink.net> >Subject: Re: homespun a lost opportunity >And what's wrong with Andy and Colin wanting to make a little extra money off their work? The demo tapes were >distributed without their permission. They got no money off of them. to those who grumble about buying something that you already have, but didn't pay for in the first place, i ask you a simple question: would you work for nothing? >From: Chauncy14@aol.com >Subject: Drums >David Oh proffered his picks, in #272, of his favorite list of bands, guitarists, bassists, etc... >To address his Drummers' list: >I would tend to re-think that list... I would put Chester Thompson before P.C., and add a few: Buddy Rich, Louie >Boulson, Neal Peart, and Billy Cobham. we both forgot gene krupa... but, and this is a very big but... i said that these were my _favourite_ drummers, not who i thought were _the best_ drummers, nor who i thought have made the biggest contributions to drumming. i was just saying who i like/admire/respect as drummers, whose work i enjoy listening to. there's a very distinct difference between "favourite" and "the best" and i try not to limit my options by saying something/someone is "the best" because there just might be something/someone else that is better than what i'm aware of. also, i wasn't putting one drummer "before" another one; again, it was a list of favourites, it wasn't a competion. another thing, too; i don't listen to very much big band, swing or jazz. i like and respect them as forms of music, but i just don't listen to them much. i was weaned on tommy dorsey, stan kenton, benny goodman, glen miller, duke ellington, count basie, etc., as my dad is a big fan of that music. however, for me, music started with the beatles, so pop/rock/r&b/soul/funk is where it's at for me. that said, i do like the brian setzer orchestra's 'dirty boogie' as well as colin james' little big band '1' & '2'. both are very good guitar players, too (maybe i shoulda had them on my list of favourite guitarists... hmmm). lastly, not to get nit-picky here (nor do i wish to start a(nother) spelling war here), but i believe that the name is louie bellson, not boulson. >S. Phillips...who incidentally, has some brilliant licks on Townsends' music. i love his playing, especially on pete townshend's 'deep end' album. the video is really cool, too, with simon phillips, david gilmour, chucho mercan, jodi linscott, etc. etc. >From: Giovanni Giusti <giovanni_giusti@yahoo.com> >Subject: XTC fans - "racists"????? >I have always found, in fact, XTC fans to be particularly gentle and well-mannered. as i have, too, especially at the av-1/tower records signing in toronto. about 20 of us went out for pints afterwards and a good time was had by all. >So please don't be put off by a few idiots, ignore them and stay on. i agree; stay and ignore them. if you leave, then the bigots will have won. don't let 'em win. ever! >From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> >Subject: SAY WHAT????? >First and most important... >I am absolutely outraged, disgusted and sickened... >"Charlie" - you know who these people are - I strongly suggest that you pass on their names to John Relph ASAP. I >for one have NO problem whatsoever with having these racist scum banned from the list immediately! >Dunks bravo, dunks! i have sent a reply message to charlie, urging him _not_ to leave the list. i wholeheartedly support your suggestion for charlie to report the bastards to john for immediate removal/filtration. this is not a forum for the kkk, the aryan nations, nor white-trash-trailer-park-inbred-bigots. "knuckle down"? i'd say their knuckles drag on the ground when they walk - and not to be misunderstood here, i'm speaking of the racist neanderthals when i say their knuckles drag. >From: "Chris Clarke" <bonyking@sniffout.com> >Subject: Open ms. to Charlie Buck >From: Pete Williams <PWilliams@bluews.com> >Subject: Charlie Buck >From: "Mark R. Strijbos" <mast@coss.nl> >Subject: Troll? >From: MinerWerks <dminer@gte.net> >Subject: Unlearn what you have learned... i'm glad i'm not alone in feeling outraged, disgusted and sickened. if you know who they are, report them to john so we can get rid of the nazi fucks. if you know who you are, shame on you, you are not welcome here! peace & xtc, davidoh
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991010154536.6980.rocketmail@web220.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:45:36 -0700 (PDT) From: pancho artecona <partecona@yahoo.com> Subject: I'll race ya' Hey There, nothing to say about the buck controversy as well as his pal Satanas/Devil comments. I hope they are on the level, that's all. I must admit, however, that I have wondered in the past about how many black fans of XTC there are. They just seem to be a very white/british band which IN NO WAY is meant to imply racism, just white cultural references that stem from anglo/saxon/ european/celtic/etc ancestry, that's all. For example, I just saw Elvis Costello, and there was only one black person in the audience, which made sense to me because i also think his music is more 'white' if you will. Anyway, its a minor point as well as one of those nasty blanket generalizations but since race has come up I figured I'd throw it in (Remember the whole French Trombone/Dave Gregory thing a year or so ago?:) ) Just wanted to thank, albeit belatedly, Sherwood and others for the interesting discussions on Velvet Goldmine. I must admit I wasn't that impressed when I saw the movie before (except for the great if odd musical choices and the Iggy interpretation) but shall see it again with renewed interest and from a more mythical viewpoint, good angle methinks. And if anyone is interested in seeing Obie's Wan Kanobi in greater detail, I highly recommend Peter Greenaway's film "The Pillow Box" where our hero uses his light sabre against male and female foes (Japanese no less). I actually recommend any of Greenaway's films. Regardless of wether you like them or not, I can assure you they will be unique visual and cinematic experiences. Oh well that's this world over. Pancho XPRXTCFAN
------------------------------ Message-ID: <001501bf131f$429f18e0$83cc163f@k5p2r2> From: "Kim Williams" <Maddy_S@email.msn.com> Subject: Re: Wire Toasting Fork Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 07:59:15 -0500 >From: WillJ4comm@aol.com <snip> >I find no bad lyrics on AV1, though this one does totally confound me: > >"I'd like that if you could slide me from this wire, toasting fork I'll be >done" > >Does this mean something and I just haven't understood it yet? Actually, if you take out the comma (or the pause in the song) it might make more sense..."I'd like that...If you could slide me off this wire toasting fork, I'll be done." (Hint:The toasting fork is a wire one!) Been a long time lurker and sometime (rarely) poster and I hope this helps! Kim Oh, and I think the posts by Charlie Buck and Satanus Diablo are intended to incite disharmony within the list and think they (the posts) should be ignored. No names, please... It *would* be horrible if these folks were telling the truth, but I think after all this time the person or persons they refer to would have shown their stupidity before these two showed up.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991010155106.14874.rocketmail@web209.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:51:06 -0700 (PDT) From: pancho artecona <partecona@yahoo.com> Subject: Mayor of Simpleton Sorry to bother you all again but.... I forgot the most important part. I am cuban and pretty culturally distant from XTC's experience and still love them so I am an exception to my previous statement as I am sure there are many others. I can attest to the fact, however, that very few cubans/puertoricans who even know who XTC is. I actually played Mayor of Simpleton for my class' talent show in Puerto Rico last year and someone came up to me and said they didn't really like country music! They know who Ricky Martin is though......(he's sooooo cute!)
------------------------------
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 23:55:28 +0200
Subject: Don't Look Now (There's A Troll In Your Mailbox)
Message-Id: <19991010215440.7CF6CA6CE1@mail.knoware.nl>
Dear Chalkers,
The Charlie Buck controversy certainly gets a lot of attention.
Our friend Molly said:
> Mark, Charlie isn't a troll. I e-mailed him and he
> doesn't sound like a troll.
which begs the, perhaps too obvious, question: how does a troll
sound, Molly ? I think that in real life they sound just like you & me.
No, i'm still not convinced. Unless some more proof is given i will
have to rely on what i do know:
- Charlie's first and sudden post on this list was a bit euh...
unusual and kind of provocative
- he complained about our alleged non-cooperation while several
people actually answered him.
- he claimed he received some racist email originating from list
members "who found out he was black". How did they find out?
in all the years i've e-talked with fans and friends around the globe,
race has never even been discussed, let alone been an issue.
And frankly, the whole idea of a racist XTC fan seems a gross and
utter contradiction to me; it just doesn't compute at all.
- then he throws in White Music and It's Nearly Africa, two more or
less "controversial" titles that have been mis-interpreted before.
Coincedence? i think not, i think it's a deliberate red herring and
meant to fuel the debate
- his email address "dontwantany@hotmail.com" is a bit of a
giveaway IMHO. Hotmail is very handy when you don't want to
reveal your true identity of course...
- finally, he says goodbye but doesn't actually leave.
All in all i still feel that Charlie is having us on and quiety enjoying
all the attention he's been getting. Mind you, i could be wrong (it has
happened before) in which case i apologize for my mistake and the
behaviour of those few "bad apples" who insulted him.
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 09:34:26 +0930 From: "Van Abbe, Dominic" <dominic.vanabbe@au.faulding.com> Subject: Nobody home Message-id: <45C458C0C9C7D2119F790000F87A42A4AFFEB3@s-mulgrave6.faulding.com.au> About 2 years ago I posted to ask about the worth of XtC's French CD "The tiny circus of life". Nobody replied to me. Boo Hoo!!!!! I'm taking my cricket bat and ball and going home....... ;-)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991011011510.54786.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "garret harkawik" <funktaisia@hotmail.com> Subject: my sgt. pepper Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 21:15:10 EDT There has been some talk about what is everyone "Personal Sgt Pepper" and I would have to say that mine would have to be either orbital's incredible album "In-sides" or Apple venus baecause it was the first xtc album I bought and it really changed my music tastes. Until then, I mostly listened to bands that were 100% digital that most people would rather die then acually consider to be musicians(IE the prodigy,the orb, Lo Fidelity Allstars). Although I still love those bands, i've discovered a lot of other great bands. Xtc is really the first band where i've tried to accumulate (Did I spell it right? Wait, don't answer that) all of their albums. After about 8 months of being a huge fan, i've got an impresive collection(I'm trying to pace myself as to how much I buy in one time because my brother went through a "Sublime" craze in which he got almost all of their albums in the period of about a year but grew tiered of them soon after that so now he has a Sublime "Library" accumulating dust on his shelf). * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On a rather strange note-A few online music stores that i've been to latly have totally screwed up the release dates of xtc's albums. For example according to one store, almost half their albums were released in 1991. * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In response to this whole racism thing I just about feel the same as everyone else so theres really no need for me to start rambaling on about that. Garret "13 years with the same damn haircut" Harkawik
------------------------------ From: OMBEAN1@aol.com Message-ID: <0.9997f580.253294c9@aol.com> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 21:18:01 EDT Subject: Charlie Buck & other things Chalkies, Count me in as someone who thinks its a put on. Nowhere did I read that Charlie was black. How could anyone figure that out by his posts? But if its true ,Its just another embarrassing episode of the human being. If everyone acted like my Great Dane ,this would be a great planet. On to better things. If you happen to be strolling & spending your money at the local Home Depot (my employer) listen to the music. Dont be surprised if you hear "Id like That " or "Greenman" playing. The company subscribes to a satellite music service and those two songs are currently on the playlist. I get to hear them every day. HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?) Thats all, Roger
------------------------------
From: luna1@mindspring.com
Message-Id: <199910110216.WAA18484@smtp10.atl.mindspring.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 22:35:00 -0500
Subject: Minster Hill
This is my first posting to Chalkhills although I'm an occasional reader.
My eye was caught by the Minster Hill discussion because I have a copy of
the CD myself and am really enjoying it...and I have not come by too many
really enjoyable new CDs of late. Everyone is entitled to their own
opinion, but I don't know why everything that has an XTC influence which
happens to be discussed on this list has to be compared riff by riff and
line by line with XTC. I did notice some similarities (keep in mind that
XTC has been a huge influence on many bands, of which a good number are
better known than XTC), but I don't think I could enjoy anything if I was
constantly looking through XTC glasses. ...the Beatles perhaps (the most
common criticism of XTC was that they were a "faux Beatles" band, and I
think that's crap).
Speaking of the Beatles, we would have to trash many of their best songs
if we wanted EVERYTHING to be loaded with the likes of "gold word ribbons
rope and rodeo the dark clouds in bouquet above." "Let's all sing our song"
is one of my favorites, not because it's lyricky but because it has a kind
of enchanted mulberry bush vibe to it (my description is making me laugh,
but that's what comes to mind...any Jungian analysts out there?). As for
the more lyricky songs, they are definitely ORIGINAL! In fact, the more
ordinary among us would probably block some of them out of our consciousness
because they can be downright disturbing ...but the rest of us will find
brilliant madness in them! Take "the veggie steamer just looks for you
through its dew" ("Unconscious Kitchen") or the less strange, but thought
provoking "Rest your laurels now that you've learned. Your sidestep takes
you down by your collar."
Lyrics aside these musicians are clearly not trying to be commercial or
to copy XTC...I think it's so enjoyable to listen to because they are
engaging in no-bars-held creative expression which is a rarity these days.
And sorry to say, Wes, I don't get that feeling from the more trendy sounds
of Fountains of Wayne or Jason Faulkner, although they have some good stuff.
Who's Owsley?
Luna
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-281 *******************************
Go back to Volume 5.
11 October 1999 / Feedback