Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 283
Date: Wednesday, 13 October 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 283
Wednesday, 13 October 1999
Today's Topics:
Bowie
on the Internet nobody knows you're a dog...
An Ugly American Abroad
Malcolm ( aka Charlie ) Brian ( aka Satanas Diablo )
Well this is just _great_.
Why we love the band
HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?)
"She turned me into a newt."
charlie chuck
Adventures with AV1
and moving on...
How Many Versions of Homespun?
Dimitri
Old/New Fans
Destined to take the place of what?
Space Ghost blasts CDnow with his power bands
The Buck Stops Here
MINISTERmountainoutofamoleHILL
take this town
CD release dates, and request for help on compilation
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <l03130301b428cc192817@[208.13.202.71]> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 07:36:47 -0400 From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net> Subject: Bowie >which brings us right back to bowie. >mine is a toss-up btwn "ziggy stardust" and "diamond dogs." if you think >about it, and especially if you look at it in the light shed by hobbiton >- i mean - harrison's recent posts, that if you pasted ziggy, d.dogs, >and alladinsane end-to-end (the life span of ziggy herself) that you >would have a concept album to end all concept albums. > >would you consider 'skylarking' to be a concept album? > >-dan Except Diamond Dogs isn't part of the Ziggy concept; it maintains a character who slightly resembles Ziggy because it's still Bowie and kind of glam, but it's much darker, set in a sinister 1984 type society(at least I think that's what the concept is, it's rather ambiguous; seems like Bowie hadn't thought it out enough between snorts of coke). Diamond Dogs also featured a completely different band except for pianist Mike Garson and Bowie plays all the guitar except for one track. That's the only thing I find rather weak about Diamond Dogs, some of it screams for Mick Ronson's lead guitar, though Bowie does a very effective rhythm guitar throughout. It's missing something, like Spinal Tap without Nigel Tufnel. Christopher R. Coolidge Homepage at http://homepages.together.net/~cauldron/homepage.html "A Great law protects me from the government. The Bill of rights has 10 GREAT laws. A Good law protects me from you. Laws against murder, theft, assault and the like are good laws. A Poor law attempts to protect me from myself." - Unknown
------------------------------ Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765CAA5230@EINSTEIN> From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com> Subject: on the Internet nobody knows you're a dog... Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 10:34:23 -0500 When the Internet explosion began over a decade ago (not when the Internet began, but when it got too big for its britches), there was a popular cartoon depicting a dog sitting on its haunches before a computer with its front paws on the keyboard. He turns his head and remarks to a fellow canine, "On the Internet nobody knows you're a dog." Imagine: A communication interface capable of masking your real persona to the extent that nobody can be certain of anything about you--they can't even tell what species you are. All anyone can judge you by are your words and how you string them together. As you post additional messages, people begin to believe that they know more and more truths about you. You may be sincere, sarcastic, a joker, or aesthete. You may be an troll, you may be a dog. Jill Oleson Austin, Texas ...and in case you didn't catch it before, when I identified myself as "a rich, Harley-riding, 84-year-old great-grandmother, three-time Olympian, governor of the Lone Star State...plus need I mention that eleven times I was voted "Most Beautiful" and "Most Popular" and "Most Likely to Succeed"?" I was lying. Anyone can do that. What makes the Internet work as a successful communication interface is that 95 percent of the time people are being honest. Unfortunately that leaves a five percent margin for growing Pinocchio's nose.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991012140046.24691.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com> Subject: An Ugly American Abroad Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 07:00:46 PDT Hello Brits and Ex-pats, I'm going to be in London tonight, Oct. 12, through next week, then around and about these shores of ancient times until Oct. 30. Anyone know of any good gigs going on? Let me know, maybe we can meet up (like all good Chalkers eventually do). I'm already planning on hitting the Brighton Cardiacs gig with DOM. and his nutcase pals. -Bob Crain
------------------------------ Message-ID: <013a01bf14ba$d27dde00$7d5791d2@p13s574p> From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp> Subject: Malcolm ( aka Charlie ) Brian ( aka Satanas Diablo ) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 22:11:17 +0900 > Hello, my name is Brian and I just joined the list a few days back after > being told to join by my friend, err, Charlie Buck (which is not his real > name, it just sounds funny!) This whole " Charlie Buck " ( " not his real name " ) affair is smelling fishier and fishier to me . Now buddy " Satanas Diablo " ( aka Brian ) suddenly decides to join the list right after Charlie threatens to quit it ; and Charlie TOLD Brian to join ? >>>Like Charlie, I am an >>>audio engineer, but I also am a web developer, a musician and a really good guy. In fact, you could call me god-like. Don't let the name fool you, or >>>the email! Its only to avoid Spam. I am in no way evil. I am really a >>>nice guy to get to know. So please, if you are Christian, don't threaten >>>to kill me. A " nice guy " and " god-like " and then pleads with Christians not to threaten to kill him because of his " Satanas Diablo " alias and devilish e-mail address . Talk about a bigoted remark ! How would non-Christians on the list feel if a list member whose alias was JESUS Diablo asked them not to threaten to kill him ? At this point I have to agree with Todd Bernhardt who said : >I hope everybody recognizes this as the flamebait it is. I had just thought >Charlie Buck was not the sharpest knife in the shop, but now it's obvious >to me that he's just been yanking our chain (the hotmail address is a clue). Would the flames reach all the way to Japan if I suggested that it is very possible that " Charlie Buck " and " Satanas Diablo " are one in the same person ? John
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199910130928.JAA158.23@GATEWAY.TIRERACK.COM> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 09:31:08 -0500 Subject: Well this is just _great_. From: "William Loring" <bloring@tirerack.com> Well great, those of you who have questioned Charlie's claims of racism have now sent him and his friend away, thinking that this list is a pack of racists. It wasn't enough for some of you to have private doubts about the validity of his claims. Some of you came out and declared, without doubt, that he was lying! On what evidence did you make this claim? You said that it "didn't add up." Boy, that's scientific. Did it ever occur to you, that perhaps you didn't have the WHOLE STORY? Perhaps there were private e-mails going back and forth that you were UNAWARE OF? Whatever personal doubts I may have had about Charlie's story, I kept to myself. Several of us sent notes of encouragement to him, telling him we were sorry that someone on this list might behave in such an ignorant and hateful way. We suggested that he forward any names or messages to John Relph, so that he could determine what steps to take next. Since we knew we didn't have the whole story, we didn't jump to ill-informed and ignorant conclusions, based on incomplete third party (at best) information. To those of you who said, "am I missing something?" Yes, you are. Actually, you've not seen ANY of the alleged conversation, so how can you pass judgement on it? Personally, I assumed that if Charlie were not telling the truth, that this would eventually come out on its own. If he was telling the truth, this too would become clear in time. In the meantime, I had to assume his claims were true. After all, I had no evidence to show that they were not. And if his claims are true, this is very disturbing indeed. I think that those of you who have questioned Charlie's claims owe him and his friend a sincere apology. If you don't give him the benefit of the doubt, who do you think will believe YOU, if something similar happens to you? Once again, I am saddened by the lack of patience, compassion, and understanding shown by some of this list's members. The last few days of list messages would be very depressing reading, if presented to XTC. What do you think the writer of "Knuckle Down" might think if he read these messages? Sadly, William Loring "What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?" - Elvis Costello
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s8032468.090@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:06:34 -0600 From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Subject: Why we love the band In C-hills #5-277, Warren asked: Is it weird to like xtc in usa?" Welll.. At one time circa 1980, it was cool to like XTC. By the time of Black Sea, they had had enough radio play in the states, that they were pretty well known and regarded by music pros and average listener who liked "new wave" music. Unfortunately, since that time, they have had very few hits. Also, the appreciation that people had at that time for originality in music, has waned. Therefore, XTC fans in the US tend to be in the not too tiny segment of the population who either have been fans since the late seventies, or "came on board" because of the radio play generated by Skylarking and O&L. I do think that AV-l has helped, too. But to answer the question, I'd have to say no, it is not weird to be an XTC fan in the states. Luckily, there are enough radio stations that play less than top 40 music, to keep XTC alive for the listening public. Besides, XTC fans dont really care if people think we're weird. We are "quirky" in that way! When XTC visited Austin to promote O&L, Andy said, (humbly, and gratefully) that he didnt really understand why there was such love for XTC in the US. He seemed to think that they were so English, that they would only appeal to people of the UK. I have a theory (no, not a theory about dinosaurs) about XTC: Americans like XTC because they express something that is close to the spirit of Americans: the belief that an original idea can be at least as valid (probably even better), than those found in traditional culture etc. To me, at least, it was XTCs' rejection of less unique "answers" to musical composition and lyrics, that forever won them a place in my heart. Do other Yanks have theories regarding our love of XTC? Regards, Steve Oleson Austin, TX
------------------------------ Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765CAA521E@EINSTEIN> From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com> Subject: HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:18:59 -0500 Okay, sorry... no XTC content here, but at least I'll be brief: Our friend Roger asked: > HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?) It took me a minute to realize that Roger was indeed referring to me in this message. While I don't know of any other Jills on this list, I doubted at first that he was targeting his comment to me. Then I remembered... Last weekend the Eagles trounced the Dallas Cowboys with a sudden and brilliant victory in a football game. With a surprise touchdown in the last 4 (or so) minutes, the Eagles won the game. I don't usually watch football, but I did happen to see this very exciting game. I'll share your enthusiasm, Roger. The Eagles played very well (but only in the LAST 4 MINUTES! ;-) Jill Oleson Austin, Texas!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <38036FF8.D192A34F@ci.conover.nc.us> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 13:29:28 -0400 From: erik schlichting <eriks@ci.conover.nc.us> Subject: "She turned me into a newt." Chalkhillers: (minimal XTC content follows:) I am incensed by this recent "discussion" started by "Charlie Buck." When his message stating that he had been attacked with racial epithets first hit the list, I suspected it to be a troll and chose to ignore it. I still believe that this was, as someone else pointed out "flamebait," and those that fell all over themselves in their politically correct rush for the heads of those nameless chalk-bigots provided the desired response. So, let's have a witch hunt please. Let's try to figure out which poster is most likely to have racially slurred some anonymous user just for their own savage enjoyment. In fact, everyone can e-mail me the names of the three list members they think are most likely to call someone they've never met by any particularly ugly racial/gender/religious slur (your choice! Who shall we do today? Jews? Women? Gays?) and I'll compile the results and report back. Then, we can burn the top ten vote-getters, just to make sure we get them all. So, "Charlie Buck," I hope you finally got an answer to your question. I'm sorry that you didn't choose a different avenue to get an answer, such as posting your question again, or visiting the website, or READING the responses that were put on the digest. However, the puerile method you did choose has led to a wonderful little uproar that has not one damn thing to do with XTC, and to which I sadly and angrily admit adding and prolonging. On a similar note: Satanas Diablo <thedevil@minister.com> (now THERE's a moniker that inspires respect and credibility...) wrote: "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." This, after a short essay on race relations. If you want a discussion on racism, then start it on your server, and maybe you will overcome it by talking about it. Good luck. In the meantime, quit bitching about a lack of XTC content on the XTC list at the end of your non-XTC post and CONTRIBUTE to the XTC discussion. There must be something about XTC that prompted you to join, so how about it? Is XTC good? Do they suck? Let's talk XTC. Finally, I know that complaining about grammar and spelling on the internet is like pissing in the ocean. However, if one cannot be bothered to take the time to proofread and spell check list contributions before sending them, then one should expect that their ignorance, laziness and/or stupidity is going to be obvious to anyone that reads those posts. If you want people to take you seriously, it helps to let them think that you have more than half a brain, AND you know how to use it "I thought I had the whole world in my mouth I thought I could say what I wanted to say For a second that thought became a sword in my hand..." A. Partridge Hypocritically yours, Erik Schlichting
------------------------------
From: Saints3Den@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.7315b8d3.2535062e@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 17:46:22 EDT
Subject: charlie chuck
chalkfolks
I really want to write about money and xtc. But first...
Charlie Chuck
Married a duck
Duck died
Charlie cried
( This whole charlie buck thing has reminded me of this childhood poem)
Regarding cb and his pal diablow - this all seems phony to me,too.
Look no further than when av-1 came out and some yahoo dj's were
trashing xtc on their show,playing frivolous tonight and mocking xtc for
bieng too english. Some of you sent them scathing e-mails. This is their
revenge.
diablow claims to like xtc and wants to talk about them. He even
types -xtc-once in each of his messages. Strong fan, as that is the extent
of his xtc related discussion. Also claims to be a nice guy, while
proceeding to post a vicious message.
I am , of course most likely wrong here. I am no racist. I do not
condone racism.
When I joined chalkhills,however I never read that it is a place to
discuss the band xtc -unless you are a racist.
I would be surprised if there were not racists on this list. I also
resent the feeling that americans alone are racists. Don't think there
isn't a great degree of racism in England and Canada, too. Today, in our
politically correct world, one of the buzzwords is Tolerance. I can
tolerate racists being on this list. After all, based on some admissions in
past postings, there are drug abusers , french trombonists, alcoholics on
chalkhills. Most likely, thieves, spouse abusers, you name it . My hands
weren't checked for nail holes when I signed on...were yours? Let he who is
without sin cast the first stone.
Here is money and xtc...... Well, I have been meaning to bring
this up for awhile. I think it is more andy and money. with av-1, I am
getting mixed signals . I know they didn't really have any $ (lbs) and had
to borrow to get the ball rolling. But since then they seem to be very
cheap, while somehow being very extravagant at the same time. Cheap
examples
1) the difford shit
2) no lyrics, etc in av-1
3) Not wanting to do a single
4) not wanting to do a video
there are mo' examples which I cant recall right now...help me out
here,or i'll quit.
EXTRAVAGANCES
1) TV commercials
2) Price of orchestra
3) signing tour
4) doing several singles- (at the wrong time,to boot!)
5) doing part of a video
6) building own studio mo'examples
etc...see above
Now, I understand that a lot of the extravagances are considered
needed promotions, but so would have been the other things.Am i missing
something? As Dr. Lee said at the OJ trial, something wrong. Or are they
now making tons of money and spending it all?
Stick- I meant to welcome you back too, but I kept putting it off .
speaking of which... p-nut gallery? here we go again!
enough bull shift for
now,eddie st. martin
------------------------------
Message-ID: <19991012222007.6793.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Don Ruddell" <capt_fadeaway@hotmail.com>
Subject: Adventures with AV1
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 18:20:07 EDT
Just a few comments from a new Chalkhiller concerning the "new fans vs.
old fans" thread and other scattered topics:
AV1 was my first album-length exposure to the XTC phenomenon, even
though I'd enjoyed the few songs that became "popular" in the States ("Dear
God" and "Peter Pumpkinhead" -- I'm fairly young at 22, and never really
heard of the group until Nonsuch. Such are the disadvantages of living in
small-town Indiana...). My interest was perked by a small item in Magnet
(great magazine -- buy it and try it)on Song Stories and AV1. To make a
long, uninteresting story short and somewhat pertinent, I started playing
the record at my workplace (a corporate monstrosity of a record shop), fell
in love with it, and continue to play it every day, even six months later.
I still have trouble convincing my friends and customers to give it a
chance, but I think that in 30 years' time, the general public will hear it
in the same way they hear Pet Sounds today -- as a record with many
satisfying layers of emotion and sound. I've yet to delve into the early
stages of XTC's career, but I love everything from Skylarking on -- just not
as much as AV1. You never forget your first kiss, I suppose.
My point? Just as some Beatles fans prefer Abbey Road over Help!,
there are XTC fans that will take AV1 over English Settlement anyday. I
think it has more to do with the fan's jumping-on point than anything -- I
still haven't heard English Settlement, and even though I may love it when I
do, I can't imagine loving it more than AV1.
In response to the question about whether or not it's weird to like XTC
in the States, my answer is an emphatic "Yes!" At least where I'm from.
The usual response I get when I bring up the band is, "XTC?! They did a
song about God, didn't they? Or about a pumpkin?"
And about what Americans think the British listen to: I've had about a
dozen British customers in my store over the past year (don't ask me what
they were doing in Indiana), and each and every one of them headed straight
for the country section. Is the garbage being spewed forth from present-day
Nashville actually reaching the UK? I'm very curious. Somebody please fill
me in on this horrifying development.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991012232247.16258.rocketmail@web2903.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 16:22:47 -0700 (PDT) From: nross <PhoenixYellowRose@rocketmail.com> Subject: and moving on... I was wondering what topic would get Molly back to posting! Lets see if I can incite a riot, eh? Lets talk about Sting or Phil Collins. Lets talk Duran Duran. Hmm... lets debate, AGAIN, who was the originator of that DAMN ARCHITECTURE QUOTE!!! ;-) In response to Steve Oleson's question as to what instrument would Andy's voice be? I have always thought it sounded like a trumpet or a drum (earlier records) and then, later on, more like a Sax. Clever songs by XTC "Poor Skeleton" I do so love that song! One of the millions, though, that is damn good. Probably my favorite Colin song. I guess my favorite XTC song would be either Snowman or Dear God. Although, I am partial to Mayor of Simpleton. Hell! I like them all. Someone mentioned earlier that he (she?) heard about AV1 after joining the list... I joined the list just to keep track of the status of AV1, with full intentions of leaving once it came out... peaceloveetc, Nicole "this is my real identity, and I'm still here" Ross ===== Nicole's internet music station: http://www.imagineradio.com/mymusiclisten.asp?name=phoenixyellowrose
------------------------------ From: WWi8064839@aol.com Message-ID: <0.710f797c.2535196a@aol.com> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 19:08:26 EDT Subject: How Many Versions of Homespun? Hello, I live in the States and I had ordered the Japanese version of Homespun, which was to contain all the demos plus Andy's explanations of how the three AV1 singles came to be. Never did get my Japanese Homespun, and I see that the CD (American version) is released here in the US. Bottom line: Are there versions of Homespun out there other than the American? More importantly - are there any track differences? Thanks, Wes
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3803D82B.63D00EB1@tmbg.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 20:54:09 -0400
From: Ben Gott/Loquacious Music <gott@tmbg.org>
Organization: http://listen.to/loquacious
Subject: Dimitri
Chalkhillers,
A few points to tick off:
1. In my radio station listening travels, I've discovered a CD by a band
called The Cherry Orchard. The album, called "The Start of Our Affair," is
an absolute pop masterpiece. I urge y'all to pick it up! (I'm still
looking for new songs to play on my show, by the way; so far, I've played
stuff by The La's, The Feelies, Julian Cope, The Boo Radleys, Sloan, The
Flaming Lips, The Go-Betweens, Serge Gainsbourg, Magnetic Fields, Of
Montreal, and many others.)
2. Speaking of pop masterpieces: HELP! Can any of you European folk find
me a copy of Dimitri from Paris's "Sacre Blue"? CDNow and Amazon.com list
it only as a $40 import, but it's got to be available in some other format,
somewhere! A burned CD or MiniDisc is absolutely just as good as a
store-bought copy...so please e-mail me off list, and we'll talk.
3. The first song on Sting's new album is, in my opinion, probably the best
thing he's done in ten years. Check it out, if you dare. Also, Stevie
Wonder's harmonica playing on the title track is -- surprise, surprise! --
fantastic.
4. That XTC is a *fine* band.
-Ben
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
Benjamin Gott . Loquacious Music . Brunswick, ME 04011
AOL: Plan4Nigel . Telephone (207) 721-5366 . Mobile (207) 798-1859
Anything is hard to find / When you will not open your eyes...
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Message-ID: <19991013021500.14807.qmail@www0p.netaddress.usa.net>
Date: 12 Oct 99 19:15:00 PDT
From: vee tube <veetube@netscape.net>
Subject: Old/New Fans
I was going to respond to Warrens Butt.
Off post, but, I felt so compelled to relay
my own emotional response to his Old/New Fan post
that I thought I would share my own reaction
with all'ya'alls on the Hill.
It was several eons ago the 'Great Trout'
sent us on our quest. Our mission?
FIND THE HOLLY SCALE!
After centuries of searching and coming up
empty fin'd, XTC released Oranges & Lemons
The very next day we found the SCALE!
So...
...Ever since that wondrous day (With the rest of
our conquered stellar systems) It hath been deemed
that XTC's O&L be deemed an infinite expression of
everything that is worthy of existence.
But, like you humans, we once had our own primitive
wants and needs. That is when we listened to 'Drums' and
'E.S.'
The Point?
XTC covers all time and space!
(Read, Ages)
}---:)
P.S. Two way overlooked CDs in the last 5 Yrs.
1. Jill Sobule: Happy Town (the rest of her stuff
kinda sucks)
2. Webb Wilder: Town & Country (Pick up on it!)
P.P.S. WANKERS!
1. 1972 (20th Anv.) 'Paul'
2. 196? Melody Maker (Custom/Big Hum on the neck
Small hum on the bridge)
3. 19?? Band Master Head (Totaly mod'd)
CH.1 is a Fender Twin
CH.2 is a Marshall
The Pre-Tubes are Telefunken 'Flat Plates'
The output amp has been reconfigured for
EL34/6CA7
They blow the p*ss outa
6L6's!
They don't call me VeeTube fo'nuttin!
SAVE THE CATHODE RESISTOR!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991013025128.17336.rocketmail@web1706.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 12:51:28 +1000 (EST) From: Mud Shark <mudshark1944@yahoo.com.au> Subject: Destined to take the place of what? A first-time posting here - a bit about myself : * Australian (you could probably guess from my email addy) * Saw XTC in Sydney in 1979 or 1980, and was probably the oldest person in the room * Almost totally computer-illiterate, which is why it's taken so long to find this list * Lover of all sorts of music, and eager to discuss anything and everything with like-minded online geeks - is this the kind of forum that frowns on discussion of other bands? If so, I won't mention them again.... That's about it - I'm looking forward to being a part of this already! MS ===== "I rail against God because I was told to stop eating paste in Sunday school" - P.J.O'Rourke
------------------------------ From: fheaney@erols.com Message-ID: <001b01bf1526$eda1aec0$30e47ad1@default> Subject: Space Ghost blasts CDnow with his power bands Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 22:59:08 -0400 Wes Hanks queried: > Did Andy's appearance on Space Ghost Coast to Coast come and go with nary > a word? I have been checking the Cartoon Network's site and it appears > they are running re-runs. I have yet to see his episode listed. Wasn't > Andy's episode scheduled to run sometime during this past summer? Or did > I totally muff the punt return? You've probably noticed this on the website since asking this, Wes, but for everyone else--the new season just started, so we can probably expect the Andy Partridge (and John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, I might add) to be along soonish. You can all keep abreast of the upcoming week's guests by visiting: http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/spaceghost/index.html Next up is Steven Wright, and the season premiere with Bob Costas had me on the floor. But you should all watch it every week anyway, because (a) it's the funniest show on TV and (b) they only show one upcoming guest on the website, so if they have multiple guests, and they have someone more famous than Andy on the same show he's on, they might highlight the other guest instead. New purchases: catching up with Tim Buckley, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew"...wow. Decided to try out Beth Orton's "Central Reservation"; disappointing on first listen but I'll try it again. The new Stereolab also seems not quite up to snuff -- it has a few tracks that seem to take a step forward (like the first track, "Fuses"), but a lot of the rest sounds like I've heard it already. On the plus side, I didn't think another album of Raymond Scott tunes would be particularly eye-opening, but the orchestrations on "Raymond Scott: the Chesterfield Arrangements" by the Metropole Orchestra (with the Beau Hunks Sextette) are great. As for CDnow: I just ordered my Homespun from them (along with the new Bowie) and, yeah, don't order from CDnow if you want extra-prompt service (unless you're willing to shell out for overnight delivery). I only order from them because it's really easy to find coupons for them -- I don't think I've ever paid more than $10 for a CD from CDnow. Now I'm just waiting for the domestic release of the new Scritti Politti. I sampled some tracks online and it sounds fab. And this one's just for Megan: Caesura! Caesura! Caesura! Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah! -- Francis "And you're dying for a pee, so you go behind a tree." -- The Fall
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 09:54:45 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <199910131654.JAA49444@mando.engr.sgi.com> From: John Relph <relph@cthulhu> Subject: The Buck Stops Here Okay folks, This has gone on long enough. The discussion of Charlie Buck, racism and trolls ends with this issue. Most of you are adults, and even those of you who aren't usually act like adults. Those who cannot, don't act like children here on the list. I have spoken to Mr. Diablo, and I can verify that both he and Mr. Buck exist. Why did they take aliases? For the same reasons that many people on the 'net take aliases. Not to pull the wool over our eyes. So get over it, and let's get on with it. This list is supposed to be for the discussion of XTC, the band and their music. Let's get back on topic. Speaking of which, I like the short snippet of the very early take of "I'd Like That" on the *Homespun* CD. I also like Colin Moulding's message to Carol. Par for the course, definitely. -- John
------------------------------ From: WESnLES@aol.com Message-ID: <0.1805136e.25355766@aol.com> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 23:32:54 EDT Subject: MINISTERmountainoutofamoleHILL Luna (luna1@mindspring.com) wrote: "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)." I agree...I've always hated the Beatle rip-off shite that is constantly flung at XTC. As for Minister Hype...uh, I mean Minister Hill...I still think they are very much ATTEMPTING to sound like XTC. I mean, c'mon now...just listen to the first words sung on the first song(I've Been In A World)...how hard is Howard Herrick trying to sound like Colin?....and be honest. I was sent Minister Hell...uh, I mean Minister Hill...about a month ago to review for Consumables Online, and the cd came with a 12 page presskit...the majority of which contains the bands lyrics...and this is good, I wish all the cd's I reviewed came with this much info. Still, the following rubbed me the wrong way....these are the first words on the first page of Minister Help...uh, I mean....ahhh screw it, here's the blurb: "If you were left cold by XTC's latest (MEANING AV1 FOR GOD'S SAKE), then this is probably what you were expecting! Great songs, quirky changes and a fine blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation. Man, if Colin Moulding released a solo album today, produced by Andy Partridge, then this is exactly what it would sound like. Although I don't think that it would touch the majesty that this album possesses." PUHHHHHLEASE! I think I'll read it again while singing to myself "on and on across this dungheap". How can you read that crap...which Minister Hill obviously opted to open their own presskit with...and not say that they are trying to sound like the Swindon duo? As for the lyrics bit..."gold word" this and that...I was actually joking around a bit on this one...Minister's lyrics aren't bad at all.......again....what I've said in every post about this band: they are a good band, they are not a great band. Luna also said: "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?" I've got no problem with "no-bars-held creative expression"....and I think that Minister Horf is fairly creative...I just don't think their songs are great. As for Fountains of Wayne...their last disc (Utopia Parkway) was pretty damn good....if you like perfectly constructed pop music that is. They covered a good many styles withing the framework of pop...and talk about great lyrics....none of which were complicated, just clever as hell...Red Dragon Tattoo, a song about a kid getting a tattoo to impress a girl: Monday gonna take a ride on The N train down to Coney Island With the money I saved Gonna get me engraved Drink down a lot of Basil Hayden Get kicked out when I can't see straight and What an island to be on Under the neon Red dragon tattoo Is just about on me I got it for you So now do you want me With nothing to prove Will you be my honey In you I confide Red dragon tattoo I'm fit to be dyed Am I fit to have you I hear the man say you want to see the others A mermaid and a heart that says mother But I don't know from maritime And I never did hard time I bought a .38 Special CD collection Some Bactine to prevent infection And in case I get queasy A photo of Easy...Rider This song and cd make me feel like a kid again...every song is super infectious. This one makes my short list for best of '99. Other than XTC there are probably only two artists that I'd rush out to buy a newly released cd of: (only 2 because Jeff Buckley is dead) Jason Falkner & Eric Matthews. Falkner is a helluva songwriter with an amazing voice. Owsley more or less sounds like an older slightly more mature (polished) version of Fountains of Wayne. Damn....that's a long post. Check out my massive XTC trade list; Optimism's Flames: http://members.tripod.com/~The_Last_Balloon/index.html wesLONG
------------------------------ Message-ID: <41BC73C88FDBD2119D2908002BB32B3928A020@lonexchg02.getty-images.com> From: Warren Butson <Warren.Butson@getty-images.com> Subject: take this town Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 14:29:23 +0100 Thanks first of all to those who gave the American (and Canadian) viewpoint of how wierd it is to like xtc. In England I wouldn't say it's weird just that most people thing they split up in the mid 80's ironically as the rest of the world started to realise they existed! I'd like to ask on a completely different matter if anyone has an idea as to why "Take this town" was not on fossil fuel and yet was on "The compact xtc"? It certainly was a single in Britain so why no show? it's annoying as its not on anything else as far as i'm aware. from a damn Brit!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991012092600.7981.rocketmail@web2101.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 02:26:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Giovanni Giusti <giovanni_giusti@yahoo.com> Subject: CD release dates, and request for help on compilation "garret harkawik" <funktaisia@hotmail.com> wrote on Ch.5-281: > 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. I think that would be the date in which CD versions were issued, although on second thought, that seems a bit late... -- PLEASE HELP ME on this however: I have a new g.f. (mmh) (yea the one I tried to woo by singing "Grass" to) (it worked apparently) -- well, anyway: I tried to evangelise her to XTC but so far to no avail. The problem is that she does not live nearby *at all* so I cannot invite her over and force her to listen while I employ my sexual prowess (ahem!) in order to pavlov her into feeling queasy every time she hears the lads. That's ruled out. So I thought I'd make a compilation CDR for her. OK, you'll say, this is the umpteenth request for advice. Fact is, I would like to make a particular compilation based on the groups she presently likes and listens to. That is: QUESTION: What would be the best CD-R compilation to woo into XTC-dom a 20-year-old young lady who currently listens to: * Velvet Underground * Tom Waits * Hole * Nine Inch Nails In other words: what XTC songs you believe I can use to slowly bring her into the fold, considering that for her "pop" is an insult? Thanks in advance, answers by direct email OK. Giovanni
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-283 *******************************
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