Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 295
Date: Tuesday, 26 October 1999

         Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 295

                 Tuesday, 26 October 1999

Today's Topics:

                  Homespun(believe it!)
                      Spock is dead
                      Van and Shania
                 Re: Intolerable, I say!
                           AV2
                      Re: Oh, Baby!
                     Ecstacy and Wine
                   Re: Woodentops query
       Songs In The Key Of Springfield- XTC Style!
           Is That Mrs. Slocum's Pussy I See??
                        XTC & Joni
  Re: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (in the UK)
                         Vinylly
           xtc live and direct THIS WEEK'S FUN
            Have you seen Jackie & Keith West
                     RE: RE: RE: RE:
                         Inconnu
                      Flummoxed. . .
                    Mistaken For Andy
                     Random notes...

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Church of women performing a miracle raising the living.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message-Id: <l03130304b438d0e0f9e8@[208.13.202.126]>
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:09:56 -0400
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Homespun(believe it!)

> Satanas Diablo <thedevil@minister.com>
>Subject: Homespun albums and the best of the best...
>
>I'm guessing that the Homespun thing is a rumor.  I just don't believe they
>would do that.  AV1 has been out for a while and I don't think its
>confusing people at all.

  Believe it. I saw a copy myself in Pure Pop Records here in Vermont. I
can take a picture of it for you if you like. I thought of getting it, but
I already have the demos on cassette that Karl kindly sent me. I'd rather
save for AV2 or even spring for Transistor Blast, which I'm actually more
interested in.

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: <l03130306b438d65a4352@[208.13.202.126]>
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:40:21 -0400
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Spock is dead

>But still, does my friends actions seem... a little strange to you? He's
>always been an extremely neurotical and paranoid person (He looks just like
>woody allen when he puts glasses on... another person I'm not allowed to
>"Get Into" as he puts it)
>
>He's also tried to make sure I don't get into Oingo Boingo by saying "I'd
>never get into XTC"
>to which I reply "I don't care!"
>
>I'd love it if he got Into XTC!!!! The More The Merrier.
>
>As of now, he has Oranges and lemons by XTC, which I made him buy. He really
>like it, but he doesn't let it show very much.
>
>Anyway, hope you enjoyed or scrolled down before you got to bored.
>
>Kevin P. Warnermont III
>
>AKA Kevin Dimaond

  I had a friend kind of like that; he liked XTC all right, but he'd hear
all these strange paranoid things in songs I played him. When I played him
The Residents' Duck Stab/Buster And Glen album, he thought they were
singing "Spock is Dead" in the song "Bach Is Dead."(Incidentally, his name
was Peter Spock, and yes, he was related to the baby doc, his grandson in
fact)I should have seen that as forshadowing; the last time I saw him I
played him the first Fugs album, in the middle of which he made a hasty
unexplained exit, and the next time I heard about him he'd thrown himself
to his death from the roof of the Children's Museum in Boston. This was
back in the early 80's, not a recent occurence.
  Somehow I tend to get attracted to people who are a little odd anyway;
very few of my friends are what you'd call normal. But hey, normal isn't
real interesting to me, and most people who are a little odd are odd in
harmless and endearing ways. Like many people on this list! :-)

Christopher R. Coolidge

------------------------------

Message-Id: <l03130305b438d30a7be5@[208.13.202.126]>
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:04 -0400
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Van and Shania

>Least Favourite :
>1. John Farnham
>2. the guy from Savage Garden
>3. Daniel Johns
>4. Van Morrison (everything since about 1980)
>5. whoever writes for Shania friggin' Twain (her album
>has been #1 in Australia for about eleven years - I
>think this would be suitable grounds for emigration,
>if I was sure that no other country had heard of her).

  Van Morrison's done some great work since 1980, but it's rather hit and
miss. If you've heard the bad stuff only, my sympathies. Beautiful Visions
from 1982 is up there with his best, and 1990's Enlightenment and '91's
Hymns To The Silence are pretty good too. Also very good is a jazzy album
from a few years ago he did with Georgie Fame, with a reworked version of
"Moondance" that's even better than the original, two or three others
reworked from his back catalog, and a few jazz and blues covers. He's also
released a lot of stuff that's ranged from uneven to problematic to
downright awful. Avoid the album Days Like This. You've been warned.
  As for Shania, she writes all her songs herself. I'll at least give her
credit for her own bimbo burblings. At least she provides her own material
and her own producer(her husband; believe it or not he used to produce The
Boomtown Rats and Graham Parker back in the late 70's before he started
making loads of money with Deaf Shepherd.), unlike practically everybody
else in Nashville who uses the same list of ten songwriters and producers
you must use to have a C&W hit. Her success was on her own terms. That
said, she still sucks. Even my pop loving wife can't stand her, calls her
Shiner Train.

Christopher R. Coolidge

------------------------------

From: WTDK@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.cdd7656f.25415dcc@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:27:24 EDT
Subject: Re: Intolerable, I say!

>but when his buddy Satanas mocks what he perceives to be Christians
> those who threaten to bomb radio stations and kill people whose name is
>Satanas ) ; Dorothy's voice and mine stand alone in outrage .

Re: John's comments (above)--I have to admit I was a little bothered by
Satanas comments, but the satire seemed pretty clear in the context of his
name. Still, one has to wonder why religious intolerance seems less a
sacred cow than racism (both have similar ethnocentric origins).  It makes
you wonder about the changes in society where any sort of prejudice
(whether it be for race, religion, receding hairlines, etc.) suddenly is
tolerated. I think that Satanas comments were meant to be satirical and
didn't mean any harm.

Thanks, Janis for the nice comments on my comments about Homespun (am I
indirectly patting myself on the back here?). I thought her comments
brought the purpose and value of Homespun into better focus. The
differences as someone pointed out may at times be subtle, but are enough
for most fans to recognize and value. I was particularly blown away by the
emotional power in the demo for Your Dictionary (which seemed muted on the
boots circulating).  The raw power and emotion reminded me of one my
favorite albums-- Lennon's Plastic Ono Band (oh I'm showing my age
here). One of the things that I always admired about Andy's song writing
skill was his ability to go to the emotional core of a song. A lot of song
writers try to touch on the raw emotions that inspired them to write a
song, but few are able to do so.

That's one of the reasons I love Colin as a song writer. He provides
perfect contrast and ballast to Andy. I believe that Colin's contributions
to both Homespun and AV1 have been underestimated by a lot of fans (and
critics).  Both Fruit Nut and Friv may appear to be "light entertainment"
but both capture a sense of time and place (and dare I say flavor) that,
again, most song writers attempt to do but often seem to fail.  I haven't
seen many comments on the demos of the demos that Andy included at the
beginning of a couple of tracks. I thought it they were marvelous! It
reminded me (oops!  giving away the Beatles preference again) of listening
to the demos for Strawberry Fields Forever on the Anthology.  It was an
intimate (and rare) moment where the fan could be there at the genesis of
a song. If Fuzzy sees the light of day (one can only hope) that would be
one of the areas I'd like to see both Colin and Andy focus on. It would be
great to see the development of a song (not all of them are going to be
that interesting) and see it to completion.

I've started rotating Go2 (portions of which fit very well with AV1 for
some mysterious reason...) with White Music (my least favorite XTC album,
although it has its moments) and Mummer. Actually, Mummer fits pretty
snugly with AV1.

One last thought---I don't recall the email address for Mobile Sound
Fidelity but we really should bombard them with emails to issue English
Settlement and Black Sea (or Nonsuch...depends on where you came in during
the play). Since EMI has gone to all the trouble to remaster The Church
catalog (with bonus tracks--Heyday sounds very good with Skylarking or
O&L), maybe they would get around to doing the same for the XTC back
catalog (with a little nudging from fans). For those of you with CDRs I've
gone back and re-recorded the albums where the bsides seem more intrusive
(i.e., Mummer, Black Sea) in the middle of the CD , I've created an
expanded, revised edition of Beeswax . I haven't quite finished yet
(that's assuming the kids will let me).

Sorry for going for so long...

Wayne

------------------------------

From: Simon_Auger@mandg.co.uk
Message-ID: <00256812.00321908.00@mailgate.mandg.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 09:09:07 +0000
Subject: AV2

I was perusing the latest issue of Mojo magazine when there, tucked away
at the bottom of the page in their 'work in progress' section was a
mention of AV2. Latest is that it will be out in April 2000, that's only
another six months away and counting......

cheers

Simon

------------------------------

From: RiknBkr@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.7a1d0232.2541cdec@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 10:25:48 EDT
Subject: Re: Oh, Baby!

> Hey Moms & Dads-
>
>  What XTC songs particularly resonate for you as regards the parenting
>  experience?

Well, I don't think these go as late at night, since my kids (6 and 3
yr. old girls) listen to Enya to fall asleep to, but each of these songs
has repeat play status to them and they groove to them.

Senses
Tissue tigers
Pulsing, Pulsing
Another Satellite
I'd Like That
Easter theater
Wrapped in Grey
Giant Peach Demos
Prince of Orange

As far as lists here's part of my equipment list:
67 Gretsch Country Gent
81 Rickenbacker 330
89 Rickenbacker 370RM12 (favorite  guitar)
89 Rickenbacker 4003
89 Guild D30
68 Vox Sidewinder Bass
93 Fender Strat
75 Orlando SG copy
78 Aspen Acoustic
71 Yamaha Classical
97 Vox AC15RI
79 Marshall 50W 1/2 stack
78 Rock Amp
Portastudio and various mics

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991023042311.74020.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Megan Heller" <hellerm@hotmail.com>
Subject: Ecstacy and Wine
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 23:23:10 CDT

I really write to this list too often.

Janis VanCourt <Janis_VanCourt@partech.com> offers--
>PS:  You can still read the rest of the Homespun liner notes at
>http://members.aol.com/starlingv/homespun.txt

bless you, kind soul.  I've really wanted to read the liner notes but,
being completely broke and having several albums I would need to get
before paying for another set of AV1 demos if I did have money, I didn't
think I ever would.  I quite appreciated your sharing them.

Satanas Diablo <thedevil@minister.com> exclaims--
>I loved PSB!

please don't put Pet Shop Boys in the past tense!  They are, in fact,
conducting their first American tour in eight years as we speak (which I
won't get to see since *nothing* comes to Memphis, save the Lynnyrd
Skynnyrd/ZZ Top tour that hits the Pyramid next week, sheesh), and PSB has
a musical they composed opening in London late next year.

"garret harkawik" <funktaisia@hotmail.com> complains--
>I loved the "Where are they now" segment they did on them, but
>they pronounced xtc's name wrong!  In fact, just about every time >that
>i've heard someone interview them or talk about them on tv or on >the
>radio, they always pronounce it wrong!  I wonder if this makes >Andy or
>Colin mad?

hm, how are they pronouncing it wrong?  I thought they pronounced it
"X-T-C" (ie, letter X, letter T, letter C), which is how I always
pronounced it, and how everyone I know has always pronounced it-- I also
heard Andy Partridge pronounce it that way when I saw him host MTV's
Postmodern MTV back in 1989, which is essentially what got me into the
band.  I've heard people who were basically unfamiliar call them
"Ecstasy"-- is that what you've heard on the radio?

by the way, someone asked recently if anyone missed the Little Express--
count me in.  It was a lovely ray of sunshine in my mailbox.

Mud Shark <mudshark1944@yahoo.com.au> cries--
>AAAAGGGHHHH!! I'm my parents! I'm my parents! Sorry ;
>when you get as decrepit as me, you sometimes have a
>hard time coming to terms with the fact that the
>people born in the 1970s (and 1980s now) are old
>enough to vote.

Well, I can vaguely sympathize, because of the 1980s generation-- I was
very troubled when I graduated from college having met a few first-year
students born after I had started watching MTV (granted, I was five...)--
usually when I say I'm starting to feel old, though, I find myself glared
at....

m.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 01:32:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: BEAULAC MARIO <d246274@er.uqam.ca>
Subject: Re: Woodentops query
Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.95.991024235904.21368A-100000@nobel.si.uqam.ca>

Hi there Chalkhillians,

Just a quick response regarding Phil Corless' recent query about the
Woodentops:

>Anyone happen to know whatever happened to the Woodentops?
>Particularly the lead singer/songwriter Rollo McGinty?  A real
>talent.....

I join Phil in having also wondered about the Woodentops' whereabouts, a
little while back, after a somewhat distracted listen to their album
"Giant", issued something like a good decade ago (their music warrants
more sustained attention, rest assured, but in that particular
instance it served mainly as a prompt to getting some household chores
done -- efficiently so, I might add!).

I've always found their own brand of quirkily energetic pop (doesn't this
horrendous cliche of a description sound familiar to the XTC fan?) to be
in sync with early XTC -- say, before "Mummer" -- and as a matter of fact,
a quick perusal of the XTC discography indicates that a few of the
Woodentops' early tracks were produced by none other than Andy Partridge,
under the guise of yet another pseudonymous alter ego, "Animal Jesus"
(a monicker that brings to mind "Homo Safari" collideoscoping with "Dear
God", or some such unholy blending of personas in the jocular Partridge
mold, to the puzzled consternation of the bible-wielding brigades, no
doubt). I've never heard word of how those particular producing sessions
of Partridge's were like, but one surmises that if McGinty wasn't driven
into expressing any differences with Andy P. in print -- contrary to
the Blur fracas, for example --, those recording sessions may have
unfolded rather smoothly; this should accordingly tamper somewhat Mr.
Partridge's reputation as an "enfant terrible" of the studio, at least
when it comes to his being in the producer's seat (come to think of it,
how did the sessions with Stephen Duffy and The Lilac Time go?).

So I join Phil in asking for any information our fellow Chalkhillians
may provide on the Woodentops or Rollo McGinty, especially in their
post-"Wooden Footcops on the Highway" period, including any
appreciation of the music that may have been issued thereafter.

Now, off to sneak in a hearful of "Homespun" during what should
be a busy day... probably just like many of you will be doing, right?

In XTC mode,
Mario Beaulac

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991025085348.19167.rocketmail@web601.yahoomail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 01:53:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: travis schulz <xtcisadarngoodband@yahoo.com>
Subject: Songs In The Key Of Springfield- XTC Style!

As you're about to tell, I have way too much free time
on my hands this morning. Having noted the Homer
Simpson quote in the last Chalkhills Digest, a strange
thinking cap I am now wearing to combat boredom at the
workplace! Here is my official list of XTC songs that
have Simpson character counterparts...
1. The Mayor Of Simpleton...Homer
2. All I Dream of Is A Friend...Barney (Burp!)Gumbel
3. Church Of Women...Diamond Joe Quimby
4. Chain of Command...Principal Skinner
5. Dance Band...Disco Stu
6. Dear Madam Barnum...Krusty The Clown
7. Strange Tales, Strange Tails/Dying...Grampa Simpson

8. Looking For Footprints/Officer Blue...Cheif Wiggum
9. She's So Square...Lisa Simpson
10.Super Tuff...Nelson
11.The Stinking Rich Song...Monte Burns
12.The Mole From The Ministry...Rev Lovejoy
13.History of Rock n Roll...Ms Crabapple
14.The Disappointed...Hans Moleman
15.Difficult Age...Bart

I couldn't find anything that would match Marge,
Maggie, Milhouse and probably lots of others. Feel
free to add to the list...

------------------------------

From: spitts@thesaurus-computers.co.uk
Message-ID: <80256815.003D27EF.00@thesaurus-computers.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 12:07:57 +0100
Subject: Is That Mrs. Slocum's Pussy I See??

In 293 the inestimable Mr. Sherwood eulogised:

> Awe-struck, contemplating the profundity of the truth revealed thereby <

Funny, and there was me thinking that it was just a straight vagina gag

;))

(BTW those UK 'hillers that watch 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' will have
witnessed two fine examples of that genre within minutes of the start of
this week's broadcast with jokes about Kate( Bush)'s bush and Courtney
Love's hole. Doncha just love intellectual humour??)

Erich Sellheim stated:

> I had figured it might be a song ABOUT a grandad, when actually it is a
song SUNG BY a grandad, with a voice sounding as if singing the song was
the last thing he did <

Actually it was all of those things. My children have a version somewhere
sung by a school choir, but the version that you are referring to is almost
certainly by Clive Dunn (and also features schoolchildren), who is (was??)
an actor by profession. A truly awful example of a novelty record that for
some reason sold like hot cakes <sigh>

Cheers, Steve

------------------------------

From: Bob.Muller@fluor.com
Message-ID: <85256815.004C7C7A.00@fdlnata10.fdnet.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 09:57:43 -0400
Subject: XTC & Joni

Francis said:

***New purchases: A big wad of Joni Mitchell.  What can I say?  I woke up
with a craving.  "For the Roses" is my favorite so far.  (XTC content:
still waiting for "Homespun".  But apparently it was shipped yesterday.)***

Great, Francis...I'm a huge Joni fan, and have been laughing to myself with
this discussion about great lyricists NOT to see Joni mentioned yet. I love
Andy and Colin's songs, but nobody tops Joni. Don't take my word for it,
just go to Hejira or Hissing of Summer Lawns or Turbulent Indigo...

And Joni & XTC played together in a benefit show sometime in the 80's...I
don't have a lot of details, anyone who does can come forward and I'd love
to hear about it...

More XTC content: Picked up Homespun last week after being on the fence
about it all month - It's superb, a real must-have imo, particularly for
the two "raw" intros on "I'd Like That" and "Harvest Festival"...

I also own Transistor Blast and wouldn't trade it for anything!

Bob

------------------------------

Message-Id: <v04210100b43a255e4017@[129.105.37.210]>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 10:22:23 -0500
From: Olof Hellman <hellman@ksan.ms.nwu.edu>
Subject: Re: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (in the UK)

Erich Sellheim asked in chalkhills 5-93

>Another question: How come half of the last few digests were filled up
>with suggestions of Christmas classics, and no one picked "I Wish It
>Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard which is fabulous (much like
>nearly everything else Roy Wood ever did)?

I thought this was by Saeko Suzuki and produced by Andy.  Who/what is Wizzard?

- Olof

Olof Hellman
Northwestern University,  Dept. Materials Science & Engineering

------------------------------

Message-Id: <199910251514.RAA04358@mail.coss.nl>
From: "Mark R. Strijbos" <mast@coss.nl>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 17:18:19 +0200
Subject: Vinylly

Dear Chalkers,

> reading all the talk about Homespun, I was wondering if anyone has
> got the vinyl version, as no one has mentioned it yet.
well, yes of course!
I didn't want to gloat unnecessarily, but now that you've asked... this is
my Homespun catch so far (read & weep) :
	- 2 copies of the UK CD
	- 2 copies of the UK LP
	- 2 copies of the USA CD
	- the Japanese CD _and_ the 2CD (and the "flyer")

Anyway, it's a lovely package once again - the vinyl is that sumptuous
'extra heavy duty' 180 grammes stuff they also used for AV1 !
But on both my factory fresh copies you can already see some ring
wear; the cardboard used for the outer & inner sleeves is rather
impressionable i'm afraid.

What i really don't understand is why Cooking Vinyl doesn't seal their
records (or cd's). As an XTC collector & completist i'm most
interested in "factory sealed" items. Pony Canyon does it (thank God!)
and TVT too so why not, Cooking?

PS: the vinyl edition of Apple Venus Vol. 1 is still available from
Cooking Vinyl - get it while stocks last, IMHO this will soon become a
sought-after collector's item

yours in xtc,

Mark Strijbos @ The Little Lighthouse
http://come.to/xtc

------------------------------

Message-ID: <38147AA0.A050920A@autoreverse.net>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 11:43:29 -0400
From: Ian C Stewart <ian@autoreverse.net>
Organization: http://www.AUTOreverse.net/
Subject: xtc live and direct THIS WEEK'S FUN

http://www.geocities.com/xtcliveanddirect/index.htm

XTC LIVE AND DIRECT

Busy. Yes. In a good way. Uploaded:

:a random-play list of about 15 unreleased ANDY PARTRIDGE demos. Set
your Realplayer for "shuffle" and let it select the order! The set
includes the original "Susan Revolving" and "Gangway For Electric
Guitar"!

: The timeless trio of "Pearl," "Holding The Baby" and "Monkeys In
Humanskin Suits"

and the piece of resistance
: SKYLARKING ROUGH MIX. I probably shouldn't be uploading some of this
stuff, but... it's too amazing to not share!!! Every song and b-side
from SKYLARKING in a rough studio form. Amazing!

check out the site and enjoy some XTC tunes 'n crap you've (hopefully)
never heard before!

coming soon: more Martin Newell by request and more STAR PARK! Owwwwww!

Ian C Stewart
http://www.geocities.com/xtcliveanddirect/index.htm

------------------------------

Message-ID: <38148296.6B15EB8D@xpress.es>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 18:17:26 +0200
From: Imanol Ugarte <ix8494@xpress.es>
Subject: Have you seen Jackie & Keith West

Erich Sellheim wrote:

"...And do you know Keith West? I once read a list (might have been in
"Song Stories" again) put together by the Dukes, containing musical
influences on all the songs they did, and in the case of "Have You Seen
Jackie?"they said something like "Everything by Syd Barrett and Keith
West".While I don't really see the link to Keith West, I urge everyone
to seek out his only hit "Excerpt From A Teenage Opera", a gorgeous song
with marvellously kitschy children's singing; absolutely
recommended!..."

Maybe the link they said could be  to his former band "Tomorrow" which
released several fantastic songs in the late sixties : My White Bicycle,
Alucinations, Revolution...

It's just my opinion
Imanol

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991025163831.21495.rocketmail@web2104.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 09:38:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE:

everyone predicted Greenman as the obvious single from
av1-Wrong!
what's your prediction for av2 from the evidence of
the demos so far?
---
We're All Light-it's a hit waiting to happen!

Someone wrote RE: Tina Weymouth
She was a punk Lolita
CBGB era
----
And she was the bassist for Talking Heads

so, how 'bout you? anyone got a similar story of
mistaken identity?
---
Well, this has nothing to do with XTC, but its pretty
funny...
I was in college during 'Live Aid' back in the '80's,
and was sitting around in the dorm one day discussing
that embarassing remake of "Dancing in the Street" by
David Bowie and Mr. Obnoxious, Mick Jagger.  I
mentioned that it was ok, but I liked the original
better, when someone piped in with "yeah, I like the
original better, too, but that's because I'm a huge
Van Halen fan". I was trying too hard not to laugh to
mention that Van Halen's version was yet another
inferior cover...

As far as mistaken identity and XTC, people tend to
assume its a drug reference, but we've all heard that
one before.  I was in a sex toy shop a few weeks ago (
I don't frequent them, really-I was with a group of
friends) and saw a personal lubricant called-of
course-XTC.  I didn't spend the 12 bucks for the box.

Thank you Gary Hooper for backing me up on 'Hejira".
When I reccomend Joni Mitchell, people tend to either
think I'm kidding or use it as proof of my giving in
to hippie impulses, accompanied by a complete loss of
taste in music. Niether one, folks. I'm being serious
and I still love the Buzzcocks, but Hejira is a truly
wonderful album! And only Joni can write an album full
of road imagery while avoiding sounding like Jackson
Browne! (thank God)
Hejira is easily in my top ten, too. Absolutely
breathtaking. I would reccomend 'The Hissing of Summer
Lawns" and "Court and Spark" as well. Her music from
this period (mid 70's) is not terribly accessable-it
takes a few listens to appreciate what she's up to-but
it is so rewarding when you do get it!

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991025131553.8850.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Brian Young" <raggedglory57@hotmail.com>
Subject: Inconnu
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 09:15:53 EDT

Hello denizens of the Chalk,

I'm moving soon, so my copy of Song Stories is packed away and I can't
consult it.  I just received some XTC songs that I have never heard before.
Does anyone know anything about these songs?

Susan revolving/Nicely nicely Jane
Cheap perfume
I overheard
Primal gallery
Little lies
Holding the baby/monkeys in humanskin suits
Aqua dream
Jacobs' ladder (now we're all dead)

and the Allan Burnstyn radio promos

Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge,

Brian

------------------------------

From: " " <macthedad@excite.com>
Subject: Flummoxed. . .
Message-Id: <940872285.8191.640@excite.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 10:24:45 PDT

> From: Harrison Sherwood <sherwood@averstar.com>
>    "A bird's bush in your hand is worth it too."
>
> I was completely flummoxed. What does this *mean*?

If everyone would put as much energy into world peace as Mr. Sherwood to
this quote. . . .too much to ask?

I have often thought myself a simple(minded)man, that listening to XTC made
me think, I mean. . .their words are usually spun in a delightful way.
I am so happy I found this list, you just don't know!

back to the lurk....mac

------------------------------

Message-ID: <003e01bf1f10$8a0849c0$c79d56d1@susanpav>
From: "Andisheh Nouraee" <mabrey@mindspring.com>
Subject: Mistaken For Andy
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 13:44:07 -0400

In Chalkhills Digest #5-293, David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> asked

>what is (are) the most ridiculous case(s) of mistaken identity you've heard
>regarding xtc?

Earlier this year, most of the people working in the Cartoon Network studio
in which Andy Partridge was taping his Space Ghost appearance thought that I
was Andy Partridge for about 10 minutes.  My friend got me onto the set so I
could meet Andy P.  I arrived about 20 minutes before Andy P. and was
introduced to everyone there as Andy, which is my name as well.

After I was there for a couple of minutes, someone popped in to announce
that Andy P. was gonna be a little late.  "But I thought that you're Andy
Partridge," said someone pointing to me, echoed by several other Space Ghost
crew members.

Who better to be mistaken for?

Andisheh "Andy" Nouraee

------------------------------

Message-ID: <C926D35F7ED6D211836C00805FC15F4E012B5A6E@LNY-S-EXCHANGE>
From: "Lieman, Ira" <ilieman@lernerny.com>
Subject: Random notes...
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 13:53:58 -0400

Hey Chalkers and Chalkettes....

First off, Harrison, if you have the address to send away for the home
lobotomy kit, please pass it on...looks like it's working for you and I
think my brain is a wee bit past its expiration date and is starting to
stink up the whole room. It's an embarrassing problem, and my coworkers are
complaining. Unless you have any home remedies you might want to share. :)

I happen to be a big fan of both Squeeze and XTC, although IMHO the latest
Squeeze offering "Domino," which came in the SAME CD-NOW box with XTC's
Homespun (go figure), is lacking in originality. It's sounding like recent
(i.e. post-Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti, 1985) Squeeze where there might be a
useful song nugget in there, but it's running into itself and after a while
I forgot what album I was actually listening to. XTCers, you have very
little to worry about, Squeeze is a great act but their best days are behind
them. (Although I saw them, uh, LIVE, about 3 years ago and they were
A-MA-ZING.)

On the topic of instruments/noisemakers: I have a 9-month old son, does that
count? I have some sounds of him on my (Grape) iMac G3/333.

Anyone here like Matthew Sweet? His new one, "In Reverse" is his best since
"Girlfriend" about 8 years ago. "Write Your Own Song" is a GREAT piece of
vitriol in the editorial vein of "Funk Pop A Roll" about the music industry.
The album itself is pretty good too.

-ira, experiencing Operating Difficulties so please stand by.

------------------------------

End of Chalkhills Digest #5-295
*******************************

Go back to Volume 5.

27 October 1999 / Feedback