Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 284
Date: Thursday, 14 October 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 284
Thursday, 14 October 1999
Today's Topics:
a homespun tale
Re: Oh, the irony
old fans, new fans and me
Gracias Amigos!
The UKs favourite song lyric is ....
Homespun and the rebirth of AV1
animatronic pop stars, t. Rex, and spaghetti in a bun
Re: Instrumental
FOREVER!!!!
XTC as anti-pop
Peter Pumpkinhead
re: "Urrgh! A Music War" on video
It's over...
The ghost with the most
XTC recommendations, other recommendations
Re: Space Ghost & Iron Chef
sheesh
XTC live+direct uploading frenzy: online xtc audio!
Smalltown Revisited
Condolences to Dan Phipps
Senses 7" vinyl fold-open package
Re: bowie & buck stops
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19991012234332.006feda8@mail.interlog.com> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 23:43:32 -0400 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: a homespun tale so, today (99-10-12) i go downtown (toronto) to get my copy of 'homespun'. as previously mentioned, i was told by a tower worker bee that today would be the release date in canada . naturally, mr. worker bee had the date wrong, as it is supposed to be released on the 19th. i double checked at hmv, who confirmed the date. so, now i gotta wait another week! damn and blast! however, my journey downtown was not a total waste of time because, whist perusing the xtc bin at hmv, i finally found a copy of the 'easter theatre' cd-single. by coincidence, i just happened to have my portable cd player with me for the long subway ride (i had been listening to 'english settlement' - the first time for quite a while). naturally, i listened to the 'easter theatre' disc on the ride home. now, i realize that i may be a little late with my observations here, but i hope to make a few points. listening to the studio version back-to-back with the demo version, i couldn't help but wonder what all the futzing was about regarding the variations - or apparent lack of - between the two. for anyone who couldn't hear the differences between the two versions, i say that they just weren't listening close enough. admittedly, the variations are subtle, but there are distinctions nonetheless. without cataloging them all in detail, i will say the most obvious one is the tempo, which is noticably slower on the demo. the next obvious difference is the ending, which is not as lush and is arranged differently, with an extra run through the "...in her bonnet/...in her hair/...are the ribbons/...everywhere", followed by a quicker fade. i have to say that when andy writes a song and records the demo, it is born with ten fingers and toes, two ears and a nose. in other words, all the necessary bits are in place; it is a complete work, not just a (poor) skeleton. i'd would say that the differences between his demoes and the final versions are like the differences between childhhood and adulthood; they both have all the necessary bits and distinguishing marks, but one is more mature than the other. that said, i realize that there are those who "want more/less", or "vast differences", from the original to the final versions. sometimes i, too, like to hear scratch, or sketch pad, recordings, but i find andy's demoes fascinating in that they are 90% developed, so i enjoy delving into the subtle nuances between 'em. so, i look forward to listening to 'homespun'... when the damned thing finally gets released in canada, that is! remember, though, no one is being forced to purchase 'homespun'; it's just a gift for those fans who wish to receive it... and i like gifts! lastly, another thing i enjoy about the 'easter theatre' disc, as well as that of the 'i'd like that' disc, is the "how it came to be" track. i only wish that tvt or cooking vinyl had taken a cue from pony canyon, as i'd love to hear more from andy about "how 'apple venus' came to be"... and from colin, too. alas, i guess i'll just have to be content with my cd-singles of 'i'd like that' and 'easter theatre', because i asked at tower and hmv about ordering a pony canyon import, but both were reluctant to take an order, saying that it will be next-to-impossible to obtain such an item, given its limited edition status and the japanese market for such an item. i just ignored them and insisted on placing the order anyway. you see, i happen to be a completist... as much as i can be.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19991013001324.006fac74@mail.interlog.com> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:13:24 -0400 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: Re: Oh, the irony At 06:20 PM 99/10/12 -0700, you wrote: >From: Todd Bernhardt <TBernhardt@Chemonics.net> > >Hi: > > From David Oh: >>btw, although i try to maintain a certain standard when i'm writing, >sometimes i misspell words, sometimes i make typographical errors and >sometimes my grammar is incorrect. >so fucking what!< > >And now, his sig quote: >>"if you celebrate mediocrity, you get mediocrity" - frank zappa< > >That is all. >Todd and your point would be... what? are you suggesting that i'm celebrating mediocrity through misspelling, typos and bad grammar? how? 'splain yourself, lucy... peace & xtc, davidoh
------------------------------ Message-ID: <002101bf154e$9a159000$4c611e18@we.mediaone.net> From: "Drew MacDonald" <drewmacdonald@mediaone.net> Subject: old fans, new fans and me Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:43:12 -0700 Regarding the recent thread regarding which XTC albums are preferred by "early adopter" fans vs. those favored by more recent converts -- I must claim neutrality, because that misses my XTC experience entirely. Though I had been aware of XTC ever since "Senses Working Overtime" and "Nigel" appeared on American radio, the first record of theirs I bought -- and the ONLY one I had for a long while, and still the only one I own on vinyl -- was the Waxworks compilation. It wasn't until after Skylarking that I got hooked hard on the band, and by then the bonus-tracked CD versions were on the market. I obtained almost all the previous XTC releases over an 18-month span. When I played XTC at home, it was with up to five of the discs in my CD changer set to "shuffle play", and when I was traveling, I had two or three tapes of self-sequenced tracks -- and that's still the way I prefer to experience this band's work. So, for me, virtually all XTC music prior to Skylarking is a miscellaneous pile of mostly-terrific songs. I mentally associate very few of those songs with their source albums. (Without the CD liner notes, I wouldn't even know which tracks were post-LP additions, and it's not like I care anyway.) Unlike early fans who bought and absorbed each record in its release sequence, I STILL couldn't say for sure whether any given tune came from Black Sea or English Settlement -- I simply don't recognize them as distinct bodies of work. (I hope this blasphemy doesn't get me banned from the list!) This particular method of appreciating the band has its downside; I once spent several frustrating minutes searching my XTC collection for "Vanishing Girl," before remembering it was actually a Dukes tune. On the other hand, I'll never sucked into an argument about whether Mummer (or whichever) sucked or not -- by the time the combatants listed the titles or hummed enough tunes for me to recognize, it would be time for another round of drinks, and then the fight would be about whose turn it was to pay. Blissful in my ignorance, Drew
------------------------------
Message-ID: <380442CA.F3FD11A@mail.gci.net>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:28:58 -0800
From: adamette@augustine.gci.net
Subject: Gracias Amigos!
A big thanks for making my day to all who responded to my inquiry about
lack of XTC content in #282:
"Megan Heller"
-Janis
"Duncan Kimball"
and especially: Tyler Hewitt
Your messages were entertaining and enlightening (this is NOT
sarcasm...really...thanks)
btw, I WANT MY COPY OF HOMESPUN!! It is somewhere in the U.S. mail
system (being sent from 1-800-everycd) and I'm jealous!! While I'm
thinking about it, does the Japanese "bonus disc" have an interview of
Andy talking about Greenman ("John Boudreau" mentioned that there were
THREE tracks of how .... came to be)
Lastly, thanks to "John Boudreau" for his wonderful story of inspiration
regarding "Homespun." I thought of "Holly Up on Poppy" when I read it
Patrick
Juneau, Alaska
------------------------------ Message-ID: <zMKHMDAZ6GB4Ew2a@wordsrus.demon.co.uk> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 12:35:53 +0100 From: Tim Harris <Tim@wordsrus.demon.co.uk> Subject: The UKs favourite song lyric is .... Dont think anyone's mentioned this since it was announced last week following a vote organised by the BBC. The top ten votes were for: 1. John Lennon, Imagine (J. Lennon) 2. Robbie Williams, Angels (Williams and Chambers) 3. Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody (F. Mercury) 4. The Beatles, I am the Walrus (Lennon and McCartney) 5. Robbie Williams, Millennium (Williams, Chambers, Barry) 6. The Beatles, Yesterday (Lennon and McCartney) 7. John Otway, Beware Of The Flowers (John Otway) 8. James, Sit Down (Booth/Glennie/Whelan/Gott) 9. Moody Blues, Nights In White Satin (Justin Hayward) 10. Hoagy Carmichael, Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael/Mitchell Parish) Interesting? John Otway's entry is surprising. Obviously a well-planned campaign by his fan club! -- Tim Harris
------------------------------ From: WillJ4comm@aol.com Message-ID: <0.d2392de7.25360e04@aol.com> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 12:32:04 EDT Subject: Homespun and the rebirth of AV1 Chalktalkers, I remember a few folks saying how they'd sort of burned out on AV1 just from sheer listening, and that lately they hadn't been listening to it much. I was in the same boat before buying Homespun, and now I have dived back into AV1 with reckless abandon. I listen to the demo for I'd Like That, I listen to the final with new ears, mind and heart! I listen to the demo for Greenman, I listen to the final with new ears, mind and heartwith new ears, mind and heart! I listen to the demo of Frivolous Tonight, I listen to the final with new ears, mind and heart! I feel like I just got the album, I'm even playing it all the way through and getting more into it (haven't done that for a few months at least!) In short: I'm diggin' Homespun, I feel I definitely got my money's worth and then some, and cemented in my head that AV1 is my vote for album of the decade (though we have yet to hear the new Beck, which I'm hearing many good things about, we shall see). I liked OK Computer alot, it sure sounded fantastic, but to me, it just can't match the grandness and level of mastery that is AV1. Currently workspun, Will J
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991013164603.7083.rocketmail@web2103.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 09:46:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: animatronic pop stars, t. Rex, and spaghetti in a bun The (admittedly little-known)truth is that "Wendy" and "Sarah" are actually incredibly life-like android "dynabots," assembled in the Far East as the first stage of an experimental test to determine if Western music fans will accept robots as pop stars! ...but of course we all know about the recent massive success of the Stage II dynabot, "Ricky Martin." ---- I think you're mistaken there. The Stage II dynabots were actually The Spice Girls! Ricky Martin is a Deluxe Model Stage II dynabot with optional Elvis Presley 'real swivel action' hips. Next question counselor... why, once heard, is it nearly impossible to get T. Rex's "Jeepster" out of me head? ---- Thanks a lot! As soon as I read that I had to rush over to the cd rack and grab my only T. Rex cd, a best of called 20th Century Boy. It's playing as I write this. And finally...am I the only person who can't get enough of watching "Iron Chef"? --- Love that show! It's one of the strangest tv shows I've seen, truly bizarre. Completely over-the-top, yet most of the food looks fabulous (except for that episode where one of the chefs was trying for American children's party food and stuffed spaghetti with ketchup into a hot dog bun!).
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03130302b428cebdc6e3@[208.13.202.71]> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 07:41:33 -0400 From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net> Subject: Re: Instrumental >RE: >Are there any other singers' voices that remind you of >instruments? > >How about David Sylvian? >Sylvian is maybe a cello, or a viola. > >How about Elvis Costello? I compared October Project singer Mary Fall's voice to a clarinet when I heard their first album. Christopher R. Coolidge Homepage at http://homepages.together.net/~cauldron/homepage.html
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199910131935.PAA27360@nantucket.net>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 15:30:46 -0400
Subject: FOREVER!!!!
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>
<XTC content: Where the hell is my copy of Homespun? I
<advance ordered it from CD now, and have been
<paitently waiting by my mailbox, but it has yet to
<show. Has anyone else had problems with advance
<ordering from them (maybe I'm being impatient, but
<this is XTC we're talking about! Even if it's demos,
<their second release after 7 long years has me excited!)
I had a similar problem. I just got Homespun yesterday (Tuesday) along with
Transistor Blast, and Armed Forces by Elvis "Abott and"Costello. I'm not
sure why it took so long, except that I Armed forces was sent first, and I
was told it would be here within 4-8 buisnees days. Then, Three days later,
on the fifth, Homespun was sent, and I was told it would be here within 2-5
days, and that Trans. Blast was on Backorder. Then, three days later,
Trans. Blast was sent out, saying that it would be here within 2-5
days. As it turned out, it took eight days for costello, five for Homespun,
and two for Trans. Blast. So, they all came on the same day. That seems a
little strange. Do you think they sent all three on the same day, and just
pretended that they were sent at different times? Or do you think I'm just
paranoid? I'd go with the later.
Also, homespun is the coolest thing I've ever seen. 24 PAGES! Holey
Rainforest Depletion, Batman, this is INCREDIBLE. It's like an extended song
stories! The booklet itself is worth the three dollars the album cost me
(With ten dollar gift certificate).
ALSO, Trans. Blast is awsome, also. Right now, I'm listening to "Meeting
Place" on disk two. That Drum machine is awsome! It's so eighties!
Talk to ya later, fellow chalk junkies
Kevin "Forever" Diamond (because "Diamonds are forever"... get it? get it?
...I laughed, anyway.)
_____________________________________
"No one in the world ever get's what they want, and that is beautiful.
Everybody dies frustrated and sad, and that is beautiful"
-John Linnell/They Might Be Giants
------------------------------ From: fheaney@erols.com Message-ID: <001901bf15b3$47ae5580$31fda4d8@default> Subject: XTC as anti-pop Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 15:43:47 -0400 Giovanni pled: > 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? Interesting question...the most un-pop-sounding songs of perhaps the best pop band of all time. I'd vote for (for various reasons): Travels in Nihilon, Train Running Low on Soul Coal, Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, Battery Brides, Complicated Game, That is the Way, Roads Girdle the Globe, No Language in Our Lungs, Paper and Iron, Runaways, No Thugs in Our House, Human Alchemy, Me and the Wind, Reign of Blows, Wake Up, The Ugly Underneath, That Wave, Your Dictionary. Some for general sonic discord, some for a certain dark quality that would seem to appeal to such a fan, etc. There are others I thought might fit the bill but these are the ones I personally prefer, taste-wise. (I'll try to be brief and likely fail, but -- thanks to John for attempting to halt this long Charlie Buck discussion. I've had my own opinion about it, but since there's no way to prove whether anything's true or not, posting about it to the list seemed like a big waste of time. Charlie could very well be pulling our collective leg, or he could just as well be a fellow cruelly insulted who happened to miss a couple responses to his original e-mail, no law against that. As there's no way to know for certain, why bother? Believe whichever you do, and send private e-mails to him if you want to empathize.) -- Francis
------------------------------ Message-ID: <384251684.939845438219.JavaMail.root@web01.pub01> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:10:38 -0400 (EDT) From: Satanas Diablo <thedevil@minister.com> Subject: Peter Pumpkinhead I am going up to The Bay Area soon and if anyone lives on the way, or in San Fran/Oakland (I know you do John) I would be interested in meeting with you and maybe trading something. I have the Ballad of PPH Single with the Demo version of "PPH," "Wardance" and "Down A Peg Demo." I want to trade it for possibly anything rare. I will take CDR's of course as long as they were extracted from CDR and don't sound like crap! As for my collection, I own everything that is available on CDNow.com. I also have a Drums and Wires T-shirt which I will likely part with when I am 150 years old. I would like to get my hands on any rare tracks not included on Rag & Bone, or any new tracks as well. I am getting homespuns sent as we speak so I don't need that. To all the fans who just want to speak like adults, hello. To the rest, screw off... I had a real nice angry letter utilizing the 4 letter word that I think was removed. Maybe it was for the best, as everything said was pretty direct and called out names of the culprits in this whole thing. Either way, I would like to move on. If you are a bigot, I suggest you move on as well and try and think about the big picture. I have a line on the top of my head, but I am not as good at pulling lines from XTC as most of you... One last thing about the name. If you would learn basic Spanish, Satanas means "Satan" and Diablo means "Devil." Yes, I am not Christian, but I am even less likelier a Satanist. I just like the name and since I am atheist, I tend to be called evil by people who debate with ignorance. I am very outspoken, and in all my years, whether in Philosophy classes or in public, I have never lost a LOGICAL argument. The net is not a place to argue because it almost always ends in anger, in my experience. My statement regarding "Christians wanting to kill me" or whatever, was actually a pun on a book I just read called Song Stories where Andy explained that a station in Florida was threatened to be bombed or set on fire for playing "Dear god." So, it was a joke. I have a right to my opinion and my comments and whether I check my grammar or not, I have every right to be given as much respect as anyone else. This whole grammar thing is WAY out of hand! I mean, really, I agree that Malcolm's post was very unclear and vague, but grammar should be the least of our focus on the net! It should be communication. I have seen many French of German people BUTCHER the English Language when chatting with them over the net. I don't complaing because they may not know it that well, or may just not want to take the time to fix everything because they are more concerned with the content of the message. My messages are more important than my grammar, so I wont look back if I make mistakes, and since none of us are any better than they other, I don't think we have the right to condemn or comment on anyone's grammar. PS. The Police rock! I dont know who said they didnt, but they do! Or I think I read someone say Sting sucks, but NO WAY! Stings first albums were way better then the last few, but still, he has always been a favorite of mine! "and it would be o.k. on any other day..."
------------------------------ Message-ID: <380515B6.43DF@schoollink.net> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:28:54 -0700 From: Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> Organization: CIC Subject: re: "Urrgh! A Music War" on video Could anyone tell me if this is still available or is it now out of print like the other classic stuff out there? Please advise... Thanx. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> "All we are saying is give peace a chance!" (John ///o-o\\\ Lennon)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3805172F.3522@schoollink.net> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:35:11 -0700 From: Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> Organization: CIC Subject: It's over... Hey all, We buried him (Dad) today. It was beautiful. He's finally with Mom after a long 7-year wait, so I feel pretty good about things. My sister and her family all went back to Ohio this afternoon after the church luncheon so it looks pretty much like it's over. Life is so short sometimes, eh? Just sharing... -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> "All we are saying is give peace a chance!" (John ///o-o\\\ Lennon)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991013210326.88266.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "James Campbell" <jquatz@hotmail.com> Subject: The ghost with the most Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 14:03:25 PDT For those tracking Space Ghost Coast 2 Coast watching for the lads, a schedule of upcoming episodes exists at: http://members.xoom.com/DailyGhost/sched.htm In the past, this list has typically been spot on. But, for this new season, there is only one guest being listed. As many of you know, there are normally at least two guests on each show. Only time will tell what to make of this.... You'll notice a link at the top of the page to 'guests', which includes some ideas of who may or may not show up during this seasons run of episodes. There is no mention of XTC, but that more than likely means nothing. Happy hunting... Cheers, -- james
------------------------------ Message-ID: <130CB597E04ED211B2A400104B93AAC47DF6BE@ESCORP1> From: "Wiencek, Dan" <dwiencek@crateandbarrel.com> Subject: XTC recommendations, other recommendations Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:13:06 -0500 Giovanni wrote: > 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? I would be sure to include several songs from Big Express. It's their heaviest, clangiest production, and even though the songs are still full of hooks they're often buried under too much studio cacophony to be immediately noticeable. And subtly remind your new g.f. that Trent Reznor is a confessed XTC fan. And since people have been recommending non-XTC music for a while, I thought I'd hoist a flag for the new Marshall Crenshaw album, "#447." The man's ear is as solid as ever: every song is engaging, and many are absolutely first-rate. The record sounds great, too; in terms of arrangements and overall production it's perhaps his best. So check the man out. Dan W.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991013205908.43261.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Megan Heller" <hellerm@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Space Ghost & Iron Chef Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 13:59:07 PDT Wes Hanks <wes@iolvegas.com> inquires-- >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? hm, I was wondering about this one myself... I love SG:C2C, and was really looking forward to that-- I'll be annoyed if I missed it. >And finally...am I the only person who can't get enough of watching >"Iron >Chef"? I'm hooked on it, and I got my parents hooked on it. That show is incredible (Food Network, 10pm eastern Fri & Sat)-- incredible suspense. I've been wondering how long it's been on in Japan-- the ones we get over here are copyright 1998. Maybe John Boudreau can help? m.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991013213549.82988.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Megan Heller" <hellerm@hotmail.com> Subject: sheesh Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 14:35:48 PDT fheany@erols.com taunts-- >And this one's just for Megan: > >Caesura! Caesura! Caesura! Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah! I expected this from someone. m.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3804FC68.B1479F3@autoreverse.net> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 17:40:56 -0400 From: Ian C Stewart <ian@autoreverse.net> Organization: http://www.AUTOreverse.net/ Subject: XTC live+direct uploading frenzy: online xtc audio! xtc live and direct | rare+live online audio http://www.geocities.com/xtcliveanddirect/ Hiya y'all Last weekend I encoded damn near everything within reach. I think somebody's mom might even be in there. She's available now in Real Audio along with: JULES VERNES SKETCHBOOK (hear it all!) WINDOW BOX (smell it all! and hear it too) a live recording of MARTIN NEWELL "before the hurricane" marvelous MITCH FRIEDMAN's "simplification" (w/dave gregory on guitar) and all of the other stuff that was already there. To listen is free. But I'm warning you now: I'm not selling any bootleg CDs or tapes or anything. Just listen and don't be greedy! http://www.geocities.com/xtcliveanddirect/ later po-taters, Ian C Stewart
------------------------------ From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 00:07:09 +0200 Subject: Smalltown Revisited Message-Id: <19991013220627.B11DEA6CE1@mail.knoware.nl> Dear Chalkers, WARNING: this post is excessively long and has some XTC content The formidable David Oh challenged me: > mark, you're a big tease, you are! who, me? i'm quite small, actually. But allright then, you've asked for it... here's the abridged version of my recent trip to Swindon. ... I am riding the Big Express; on board a GWR train heading west, to the green valleys of Wiltshire, with Train Running Low On Soul Coal oozing out of my earphones and Song Stories on my lap. Life just doesn't get any better than this! My good friend, co-editor and tour guide Debie Edmonds already booked a room for me at the Mariott so i quickly dumped my stuff there and took a stroll (downhill) to and around the city centre. Of course i had to check out if the shops carried Homespun (HMV did, Virgin didn't!). i replenished my stock of SF novels and bought a packet of "salt and vinegar" crisps. yes, Swindon really is a Garden of Earthly Delights - if you know where to look ;) Funny thing, while i was cruising the busy shopping centre i was constantly aware that i might, just might bump into Someone. Hey, you never know, right? it has happened before, i've read all the reports. And They were in town, according to my latest information. Later that evening Debie and her friend Pete came and took me to the Lydiard; a nice informal bar annex restaurant with excellent grub. it was really great meeting them again; we had a lot to talk about and we certainly did! Next morning Debie & Pete picked me up again and we did some window shopping through the factory outlet stores in the old GWR buildings. Also had a delicious fish and chips meal there before we headed to the soccer stadium to watch Swindon Town FC play against the Bolton Wanderers. What can i say? They were crap and lost 0 to 4 but i thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless. After the match i was rushed back to my hotel to freshen up for the main event of the day. Then off to nearby Purton for a dinner party in celebration of the launch of www.guitargonauts.com At the restaurant a small group of fans and friends assembled. John and Debbie Morrish, Paul Mabberley, Louise Clarke and Steve Jackson were invited to join us and two very special guests of honour: Dave and Ian Gregory! Dinner was served but i hardly noticed the food, too busy enjoying myself; trying to get it all in. It was great to watch how this diverse group, most of whom had never met IRL before, got on so well. Of course i can't reveal everything we discussed but a couple of things relevant to XTC fans deserve to be recorded somewhere Ian vehemently denies that E.I.E.I. Owen was drunk during the Dukes' Pale And Precious session. He tried but couldn't find the rhythm in that track. Hare-brained scheme that never came to be: a 'foreign language version' of Nonsuch. Another great idea that never came to fruition: literally "stand up naked and grin" at the end of the Wrapped In Grey video. Of course the single was recalled and the video was never shot. Now i really wonder if we should regret that :) Anyway, after dinner it was time for the grand finale. Debie sneaked out and returned with a trolley carrying a very special cake, shaped exactly like Dave's blue Fano guitar with all the trimmings, and some spectacular indoor fireworks. The cake was almost too beautiful to cut up, but we had to do it. We decided that the first piece - the 'head' - would be up for grabs for anyone crazy enough to want it. So if you would like to have this curious collectable, enter the A Piece Of Cake contest on www.guitargonauts.com - go over to the News section and follow the link We also presented both Dave and Ian with some belated birthday gifts, and continued to laugh and be merry until suddenly the restaurant was about to close for the night. Like all good things, the evening had come to an end. Of course it took a while to say our goodbyes to everyone but eventually we had all thanked each other for the lovely evening and went our way. We headed back to Swindon where Debz and Pete dropped me off at my hotel, head still spinning. I don't think it was just the beer... Mark Strijbos webmaster@guitargonauts.com
------------------------------ Message-ID: <001101bf158e$9fb2d5a0$0d2aa8c0@me.myoffice.com> From: "Steven Paul" <spaul@armstronglaw.com> Subject: Condolences to Dan Phipps Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:20:58 +0100 Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> wrote: >Dad peacefully passed away this morning >at 2:34...Just thought you should know. I wish to offer my condolences on your loss. I know how it feels to lose a parent.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19991013153117.006e2c2c@pop.calweb.com> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 15:31:17 -0700 From: Steven Reule <steven@obsessed-with-music.com> Subject: Senses 7" vinyl fold-open package Hello: Just a brief note in case anyone is interested we have the following XTC item on ebay: XTC Senses Working Overtime fold-open special package 7" vinyl! Ebay Item #178385793 Go to: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/music@obsessed-with-music.com/ and click the item number... Thanks! Steve music@obsessed-with-music.com
------------------------------ From: dan@gge.com Message-ID: <38051E2A.99604CFA@gge.com> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 17:05:08 -0700 Subject: Re: bowie & buck stops > [diamond dogs is] set in a sinister 1984 type society (at least I > think that's what the concept is, it's rather ambiguous; not so ambiguous, really. the 1984 references are blatant and deliberate. the other sci-fi-ish references on 'diamond dogs' are culled from a book called 'dhalgren' by robert zelaney (i think. maybe delaney). the story is sort of encapsulated in the intro song 'future legend'. i'll admit i've never read this book even though i bought a brand new copy about a year ago. * ---------------------- >This list is supposed to be for the discussion of XTC, > the band and their music. Let's get back on topic. thank you, john. for my sake won't you put your knuckles down, dan
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-284 *******************************
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