Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 30
Date: Wednesday, 2 December 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 30
Wednesday, 2 December 1998
Today's Topics:
Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy!
A Collideascope of Corniness
Sorry from Yazbek
Remix
Transistor Blast Review (!)
Re: get off my ass
xtc
Youth Culture, redux
A Saint In The Church of Women
Transistor Blast & diatribes
on contemporary poetry and music
Alternative to what?
Nyah-nyah
a word a day
Question for old people
fat women in videos
Iva "Icehouse" Davies
Brain Fizz
Colonel Kant
Oh Please, Children
Remixes and stop wanking !
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She's a girl in a tree...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <8237F918C884D211B3AD0008C7F41FF503831B@chowan.ncxix.hcg.eds.com> From: "Martin, Alan" <Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com> Subject: Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy! Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 08:52:11 -0500 Hey Chalkies! Thought you might all find this little bit of trivia interesting. I was at work today and the guy in the cubicle next to me had this book called "Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy and other misunderstood lyrics" on page 81 they reference My God and cite the lyric "and you believe all that junk is too" to be misunderstood as "and you believe in that chunky stew". It's silly, but I just had to share it. Now they've REALLY made it.. :)) Alan J. Martin Electronic Commerce Services EDS (919) 851-8888 x3076 Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s663cae7.095@dineout.org> Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 10:54:11 -0500 From: "Jason Hauser" <JHAUSER@dineout.org> Subject: A Collideascope of Corniness Vol. 5.27 Jon Rosenberger said: So I think Chambers, Andrews and Gregory should just go out and tour on their own and call themselves "I'MNOTINXTC". -How about "The Affiliated"? Noriko said: "Ball and chain ( Reminds me of Newbury bypath -Hmm, Newbury Bypath, is that the latest heart surgery, as said by Sylvester the Cat? Michael Versaci said: Relationships between melodies and rhythms are seamlessly woven into the fabric of the arrangement, in the same way that a Salvador Dali painting combines multiple images that appear as one from one perspective and as many from another. -"Her gold dress is shaming the stars, a thousand melting Dali guitars", a lot like, "seamlessly woven into the fabric","Salvador Dali" Vol.5.28 Benjamin said: I'm sure that someone's going to tell me that Mr Gregory has a huge collection of Kylie Minogue photographs in his studio... -Yes, Mr. Gregory Evigan, of BJ and the Bear, and My Two Dads. Huge Kylie fan. Ian Stewart said: Does anybody here like the band LOW? I bring them up because there was arecent album of remixes of their material (called OWL) that is solife-changingly good that I think the idea should be presented to XTC. -I kind of like Low, but the XTC remix idea is a fantastic one! When these are done properly, as you said, it's a whole new take on the songs. It would have to be someone who is a huge fan, to care for the songs with the right reverence, but someone in a different musical arena, to bring a different perspective. Good idea! This could very well happen! Eric Rosen said: Just as likely, something that you think is compelling now may not have such sway with you, 10 years from today. -Or 10 minutes. David McGuiness said: I decided that the three least singablewords in the English language were 'bits', 'thug' and 'teabag' -"Bits, thug, teabag, five, senses working..." Mandy said: Personally, I can't find any grasshopper on the Big Express cover. Though I'll keep looking. -Yes, in the corner, a pin sized yearbook picture of David Carradine. Bless you all of you pretty girls, ChuChu McMillimeter
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v02140b02b289ccc2f70e@[208.251.162.206]> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 11:45:55 -0500 From: gloop@ntr.net (Yazbek) Subject: Sorry from Yazbek Chalkhillians-- I was glancing at the last digest and saw that my record label's publicist had posted, word for word, the press release for my upcoming NYC gig. In the past, the label and I have tried to at the very least disguise our blatent attempts at self-promotion with some witty homilies or some second-rate XTC news. In the future we will continue to do so. Oh, incidentally, Partridge was in town two weeks ago and we had Italian food. Yazbek (Brownie's in NYC on 12/15 at 9p.m. Free Keg!)
------------------------------ From: pann@gate.net Message-ID: <36642C0E.6A37@gate.net> Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 12:49:02 -0500 Subject: Remix Howdy Chalkpatrol, Just read the new digest, and I have to agree with Ian Stewarts' Xtc Remix fantasy. I've always liked to see artists I like remix other artists I like, to see what may come out of it. Sometimes you are left with a big disappointment, maybe because the remixing artist doesn't have any sympathy or sensiblities with the material to be remixed. On the other hand, some of the best remixes work because of that very reason---the remixer isn't too worshiping or respectful to the source material to be afraid to tinker with it...there is a fine line of knowing what to tear down, and what to leave, iMHO....the recent High Llamas remix album, Lollo Rosso is an example of artists who all seem to be of a similar mindset, and yet some take chances with the material, while others leave things almost too much the same... so, in my mind I would LOVE to see these artists all have a crack at remixing Xtc in some shape or form: Stereolab----mmmm, a beautiful droning version of "Summers cauldron" neatly dovetailing into a bossa nova/drum-n-bass version of "Ladybird"... High llamas/Sean O'Hagan----it would be fun to see him remix "Pale and Precious" or "Chalkhills and Children" and see if they would get even more Beach Boyish, or would he go into different territory with it?.... How about letting Richard D.James (Aphex twin) loose in the toy shop? Could be pretty fun, I'd imagine...same with Mike Paradinas (Muziq). Both artists have a strong melodic sense, and could turn out some very mutated versions...speaking of mutated, Beck could do something cool too... For the far end of the spectrum, it would be almost alien to hear what Autechre might do...they would break the sound down into component parts, deconstruct it, and leave us with a sonic artifact from the outer reaches of the solar system....very intriguing... Jack Dangers, from meat beat manifesto (also a Swindon boy) might be interesting--in fact on their album Satyricon, Xtc is mentioned in the little "thank you/ influences" type thing, if I recall correctly... De la Soul or Tribe called Quest would be a nice choice for River of Orchids, in my mind..... > Lest ye all think that I'm advocating the same type of sonic rape > applied to "King For A Day," remixing circa 1998 is a vast improvement > over 1989, where the basic premise seemed to be "add some snare samples > and add five minutes to the song by putting delay on the drum tracks and > then taking it back off after the song finishes. Oh, and synth bass, we > need lots of synth bass." Don't forget handclaps, preferably from the Linn drum...and maybe a few echo-ey repeats of the singer saying something:----"Senses----Senses--- Senses-----senses working overtime!...." I'm thinking of artists like ULTRAMARINE... > who make some of the most melodic and amazing ass-music for the mind > ever... and possibly ORBITAL to transform XTC tracks into something > different but equally wonderful. I'd agree with both those in a second-----lets add tortoise, too.... > because it's fun and different. nothing wrong with that, thats for sure..... > Not all remixes have to be totally mechanical, quantized and sound thats were getting the right remixers would be the key----you'd want interesting people who aren't afraid to go into the source material with an open mind...... Since Primus have done a couple Xtc covers, lets let Les Claypool remix something, see where he takes it......this whole remix fantasy is a fun idea to think over, even if it will most likely never happen! see ya, Perry
------------------------------ Message-ID: <C4D3F9980FD4D111892B00805FBBF5D10108B829@MAILSVR1> From: "Lieman, Ira" <ilieman@lernerny.com> Subject: Transistor Blast Review (!) Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 12:48:42 -0500 Hey! I'm glad my copy is on the way...now you can read about it online! Wall Of Sound (of the overkill 0-100 grading system for new releases) gives it a 72 -- here's the link: http://www.wallofsound.com/reviews/stories/4144_35.html Enjoy! I know I will. -ira
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981201182541.29176.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Catherine Piazolla" <notangos@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: get off my ass Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 10:25:41 PST Thanks Sherwood, it's good to know that your taste for culture runs the gamut from Swindon to Springer. Of course, I suppose I should be "intimidated" to post after such a display of "wit," but being just of one the millions, I wouldn't know a "genius" when I saw one. And for the record, I checked your last offering for XTC content, and I must have been too easily distracted by all the funny noises and shining lights because I never saw any. Although, in retrospect, I think it's comforting to see one of the Internet's great minds to lower himself to my level (ie, cursing, oh my). Shows a real flair for humanity; a talent even. Catherine
------------------------------ From: Tracyxtc@aol.com Message-ID: <f715dcec.36638be1@aol.com> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 01:25:37 EST Subject: xtc Anyone interested in seeing pictures of XTC in Suma Studios go to this site. plus a couple of bonus XTC in concert pics. Enjoy http://members.aol.com/tracyxtc/page/xtcpic.htm
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 13:22:24 -0800 (PST)
From: Haligonian Man Chowder <jemiah@q7.com>
Subject: Youth Culture, redux
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.981201131426.19006C-100000@q7.q7.com>
*ahem*
Yes, two posts in one year -- that's a record!
I won't defend youth culture. However, it's not just the fault of the
youth culture that the industry is in the sorry state it's been in for
ever.
How would you suggest that people hear new music? I certainly have never
heard almost any of the artists I listen to on the radio, and I've only
occasionally seen a video on Empty-Vee. (Big Fat Exception: AMP,
responsible for about 40% of my musical exposure over the last two years
-- purveyors of such great electronic marginalia as Towa Tei, Tipsy, Alec
Empire, Death In Vegas, Autechre -- the list goes on -- but even AMP has
lost is lustre) I get music recommendations from my friends. Lots of
them. Belle and Sebastian. Sloan. Slooooan. Slooooan....
I have, in addition, almost never seen a video by any of the artists that
I like. See, I LIKE videos. I am a member of the video generation (yes,
it's gross, but there it is). I like having little three-minute pieces of
cinema, wehter professional or amatuer. However, it does help if the
music is good. I do like to watch MTV with the sound off and something
nice on the CD player -- like Atari Teenage Riot.
I happen to like XTC videos. I've only seen the ones from O&L. The only
way I'll ever see the others is if I get them from like-minded folks,
probably off the internet. I've been an XTC fan for 10 years and this is
the case.
Am I surprised? No. Disgruntled? maybe a little.
------------------------------------------
Alizarine
jemiah@q7.com jemiah@netnoir.net jjeffers@reed.edu
nothing to say, but that's OK
------------------------------ Message-Id: <4.1.19981201153429.00936370@pop-2.iastate.edu> Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 15:43:30 -0600 From: John A Lane <jal@iastate.edu> Subject: A Saint In The Church of Women Citizens of Chalk: Just wanted to quickly respond to Duncan Watt's rant (and I mean nothing derogatory about calling it a "rant") which was at turns eloquent and wild, but overall thought-provoking. The point I wanted to touch upon was your bemoaning the Music Industry's promotion of rock-and-roll women as usually being sex objects (you mentioned Tori Amos, for example). If you want a bit of relief in the whole mess -- and I share most of your criticisms -- then I'd advise you to look at someone like Suzanne Vega, who professed her love for "Oranges and Lemons" when it came out. Although my wife is more of a fan of Ms. V. than I am, I still think she speaks to your idea (and mine) of an incredibly talented and capable FEMALE songwriter/musician who knows how to work around The System. Each of her records is pretty darn tight, well-crafted, and whatever other superlatives I can think of. And she doesn't sell herself cheap either! --John-- "An evil petting zoo?" -- Dr. Evil *IN MY ROOM* http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jal/doublebrian.html
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981201215209.9651.rocketmail@send1e.yahoomail.com> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 13:52:09 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff Langr <jlangr@yahoo.com> Subject: Transistor Blast & diatribes I think the only way I'm going to plunk out the excessive bucks for Transistor Blast is to hope that Columbia House or BMG pick it up and offer it in their boxed set sale. Does TVT have any other artists represented? I think you can get NIN through CH, but I can't recall. Any chance in promoting this idea? Regarding the digest o' endless sermons (5-29) and that old art debate: art is what *you* want to be. Serrano's Piss Christ is art if you think it is. It becomes *product* when you want someone to buy it. At which point, "sadly", the whole idea of consumerism comes into play... which means of course that someone has to want to buy the shit you call art. > Don't ask the government to get involved. > I actually *liked* "Piss Jesus". Having the government involved in funding art is absolutely moronic. I personally happen to find great artistic appeal in the trails of deer shit running through my yard, but I don't see the government funding it anytime soon, nor do I expect them to. Imagine if tomorrow the government decided that Phil Collins was the epitome of art, and decided to fund his tour (instead of Sears, eh). I'm sure you wouldn't be pleased -- the only reason you're happy now with the government funding of art is that you think the current trend is "cool." Government as arbiters of what is art sounds pretty damn frightening to me. The reality is that someone must be willing to consume your art, otherwise it is indeed worthless. If my art is deer shit, it should be my problem alone that I'm not going to get rich off my art. Re: overweight women, I think Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Mama Cass, and a few others weren't exactly skinny. I'm not going to even get into the reality of what performing art is all about, but if you have the talent, you can still succeed. Your definition of success seems to be MTV, which as far as I'm concerned is close to being nothing about art. PS, I wouldn't call Ani Difranco art, I find her extremely annoying. So far the only definition of "art" that I've been able to glean from the 5-29 chalkhills diatribe is that it has to be not extremely popular or non-mainstream. That ends up being a rather unfortunate definition. Jeff L.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765C26056A@einstein.moneystar.com> From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com> Subject: on contemporary poetry and music Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 16:09:07 -0600 I've long been of the opinion that most contemporary poets set their words to music, but I figured that was because I simply am unfamiliar with contemporary poetry outside of the music genre. I've read much of Patti Smith's poetry (the stuff not set to music -- or at least I think it hasn't been). And I remember Kurt Cobain bragging about how good Courtney Love's poetry is -- but I haven't read any of it. I'm not sure she's even published it). Beyond that, I haven't looked far beyond Sylvia Plath. I adore Emily Dickinson, but as a person who's been dead for over 100 years, she fails to meet the contemporary classification, eh? Come to think of it, Sylvia Plath has been dead for over a quarter century too. I'd love some recommendations for contemporary poetry to read. So if you don't mind my asking: Who is your favorite contemporary poet and why? (Be brief!) Email me direct or post to Chalkhills if you like. (Again, be brief!) Lyricists welcome. XTC bandmembers are already assumed. (Thanks to Wesley Hanks for bringing this subject up.) Here is my current favorite line from a song I've been listening to a lot lately. It, perhaps, sums up my life: "June Bug versus hurricane" Jill Oleson oleson@moneystar.com Austin, Texas
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000601be1d7c$dea30b50$f06dcec0@t24806009694.DOA.STATE.LA.US> From: "John Voorhees" <griffon@earthling.net> Subject: Alternative to what? Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 16:49:33 -0600 Well, Martin wanted to know... > I noted that XTC is now an "alternative" band, quite a feat considering that > the bulk of the album was recorded before the term was ever applied to a > style of rock music. What ever happened to "new wave"? Whoa, there. "Alternative" was being used to describe unusual sorts of rockin 'stuff back in the mid-to-late 80's! See, "new wave" begat "progressive" about '83 or so, and then the art-rock crowd got ticked off at their label being re-used, so "alternative" became the monicker-du-jour. These days I've heard "modern rock" applied to the genre that was once "alternative", and "alternative" applied strictly to the esthetic descendants of Nirvana. Which, quite frankly, bites. Most of this stuff became problematic about the time REM became a top 40 act. They were once the alternative to something, and I would say that they still are, but I couldn't tell you what, exactly. Perhaps Hanson. Or Phil Collins. Oh, yeah. Duncan had to go and say... well, a lot of things that probably pissed off a lot of people, but let's just focus on this little tidbit, shall we? > College radio is mostly a bunch of scared wanna-be's that respond to > potential criticism by playing things that are completely hideous and > pretending to really like them, while dancing to ABBA oldies and Kool And > The Gang in the back of their tiny little shrunken minds. Being cool is > really great, isn't it? See, I spent a long time as a college DJ, and I still have a real soft spot for college radio, even when they grab onto the repulsive and refuse to let it go. So I just wanted to say, Duncan, thanks so much for grinding my ass. Ah, but that's what makes the world go round, i'n't it? - John V.
------------------------------ From: Melsta@aol.com Message-ID: <91446a3f.36649cb0@aol.com> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 20:49:36 EST Subject: Nyah-nyah Hey all-- I got a cool prize from my cool public radio station recently. WAPS (go to http://www.wapsfm.com and give them a listen) gives you free CDs when you join the station, and since they know I'm a hard-core XTC'er (I tend to be rather vocal in my playlist suggestions), I got a little bonus: "What Do You Call That Noise? - Selections from the Box Set Transistor Blast" It's in a little cardboard sleeve and sez on the bottom of the back side "All tracks from the upcoming 4-CD box set Transistor Blast. US release date: 11/24/98" Would that that were so. The tracklist is as follows: 1. Speech (by John Peel) 2. Life Begins At The Hop (Peel Session 1979) 3. Scarecrow People (Peel Session 1989) 4. No Thugs In Our House (Peel Session 1982) 5. No Language In Our Lungs (Hammersmith Palais 22.12.80) 6. Making Plans For Nigel (Peel Session 1979) 7. The Rhythm (Peel Session 1978) 8. This Is Pop (BBC Live Recording 1978) 9. Roads Girdle The Globe (Peel Session 1979) I'm not the one to ask if you want to hear about the "sound" of the thing. I will tell you that it's definitely NOT overproduced. [Funny, I'm the last one to be able to tell overproduction from a hole in the ground, but I do have an inkling what is meant when the word is applied to O&L. But it's still one of my favorites. As someone said, it's overproduced, but it fits. I _like_ the "sleek, shiny" sound (again, things I shouldn't understand, but somehow do).] Re Song Stories, I absolutely loved it. I'd like to read again some time and write some witty commentary. I'm mega-chuffed that I even got a mention in the book. Not by name, so don't go running for the index, but I was the one who pointed out Andy's poor diction on The Last Balloon (page 291 of the US edition). So nyah. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dom sez: > And look, all that text and not a single snot-fest! I sez: It's about time! But seriously, folks, I was pleased and suprised at the mature level of discourse in the last issue. (No thanks for once to Sherwood. Have he and Dom switched bodies? Like on the X-Files the other night????? I know, I know: eat him.) Why between Dom and Wesley, you'd almost think we were a decent, intelligent bunch of human beings who cared deeply about XTC and music in general. I also enjoyed Duncan's post on the lack of women of my, um, caliber on eMpTy-Vee. But really, I hate posts that are just about the quality of discourse, so I'll shut up. Maybe. Cheryl sez: > It has never been so appearant than from these last > few digest how male dominated this list is! > Can you men stop thinking about your willies and > focus on XTC....PLEASE! Trainspotting penis > references?! I am at a loss for words. I sez: Why, you must be right! For wasn't it *I*, a silly female, who trainspotted the "fanny" quote? And as for what I think of the whole O&L sux (does not/does too) thread, here is my review of the entire XTC catalog: White Music - Brilliant! Go2 - Brilliant! Drums & Wires - Brilliant! Black Sea - Brilliant! English Settlement, Mummer, Big Express, Skylarking, O&L, Nonsuch - all BRILLIANT!!! Well, I think I had more to say, but for the moment it's escaped me. (Lucky you.) So I'll sign off for the moment. Till next time. Yours in XTC, Melissa Reaves P.S. I love Genesis, with and without Gabriel. Chris was right, Banks is the man. But I also like Phil and I don't see what's the big fuckin' deal. Calling All Stations sucked majorly. MA- JOR- LY.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00b28a5216cddc@[139.80.100.166]> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1998 15:11:52 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: a word a day I am on a free mailing listr called a.word.a.day - it simply sends all its subscribers one unusual word every day, along with its meaning. Today's word was one which has recently been questioned on Chalkhills, so I thought I'd report the real oil on the matter: >yob (yob) noun > > Chiefly British. A rowdy, destructive youth; a hooligan or ruffian. > >[Alteration of boy (spelled backward).] James
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199812020336.WAA06007@lima.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 22:35:58 -0400 Subject: Question for old people To anyone who was already an XTC fan in 1983.... Was there a lot of surprise among listeners when the ornately arranged and produced "Mummer" came out after the guitar-bass-drums "English Settlement"? Or was it expected since they were now known to be a studio entity only? And on that topic, was it a surprise when they suddenly stopped touring? Because I just listened to those two albums and they're very different, and everything before "Mummer" is very different from everything after "English Settlement". To be the center of the universe, don't orbit things Michael Davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199812020339.WAA06258@lima.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 22:38:24 -0400 Subject: fat women in videos > There are DEFINITELY no fat *women* in videos. AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE > THAT ALL OF THE TALENTED WOMEN IN THE ENTIRE FUCKING WORLD ARE SKINNY? That there was an article about that in the latest Rolling Stone. a couple recent black women have become successful in music while not being thin. rapper Mia X, singer Kelly Price, and rapper/producer Missy Elliot, off the top of my head. (do British people say "off the top of my head"?) i can't think of any popular fat rock females though, not in the last 15 years. Michael Davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199812020401.UAA05102@mail.rapidnet.net> From: "J & J Greaves" <jgreaves@rapidnet.net> Subject: Iva "Icehouse" Davies Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 19:00:13 -0800 Recently heard from the webmaster of the Icehouse site that one of the Partridge/Davies tunes is slated for the new Icehouse recording, and that it's a "killer", in his words. Recording hasn't started yet though. John
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981202050152.187.qmail@www0g.netaddress.usa.net> Date: 1 Dec 98 22:01:52 MST From: Derek Miner <minerwerks@usa.net> Subject: Brain Fizz Greetings, fellow chalkfolk. In the last few weeks, I've been glad to be subscribing to the digest... it just seems more and more eloquence spills out of my mailbox everyday, and it's usually pleasurable to read - even if it is about "wanking" (side note: I began to wonder how long it would take for people to mention the "Not Noel Coward" song from Monty Python's Meaning of Life over the John Thomas line earlier in the film!! The song, to me, seems more memorable!) Now to the XTC business at hand, which last digest seemed to lead to some very interesting comments on the eternal question, "What is art?" Bravo to Duncan Watt for his commentary on art versus commerce. Duncan said: >Most artists believe they deserve to make as much money as, say, a plumber >does. Most of them are wrong. >Making beautiful things doesn't mean you get your mortgage paid for life. >Making something that everyone likes gets you the pesos(See: "Collins, >Phil"). This is sad, but true. So I'd venture that you might agree if I amended your statement to say that artists don't deserve to "make" money, but they deserve to "earn" money, because... >You need to sell your beautiful thing to expect money. Or have someone else >sell it for you. >So on to MTV, the culture-dealer: .. >There are no fat people in videos, unless they're making fun of themselves .. >There are DEFINITELY no fat *women* in videos. AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE >THAT ALL OF THE TALENTED WOMEN IN THE ENTIRE FUCKING WORLD ARE SKINNY? That >not one fat woman has one good musical idea? What if Joni Mitchell (or if >you don't like her, insert your favorite not-fat woman musician here)was >fat? Am I supposed to tell a ten-year old student(I'm a piano teacher) that >she better start losing weight now? Or how about 'you'd be better in the >production side of things'? I found the comments on the Blues Traveller video interesting. Strangely enough, MTV used John Popper as a correspondent once. However, he seemed to be doing a good job of making himself look like a weirdo, which I bet is an MTV-sanctioned occupation for fat guys (actually, for all guys on MTV I guess). An interesting aside to the weight issue... I can think of only two other large people on MTV - The Notorious B.I.G. and Missy Elliott. They are both rap artists. I don't pretend to know anything about hip-hop culture OR the politics of MTV, so I would appreciate anyone who could comment on how those artists fit into Duncan's analysis. >You can't eliminate cocaine use by killing the dealers, you'll have to >address the users' needs first. Which, in general terms, is an example of my philosophy on most divisive political issues... But back to the issue of art, Harrison made a conclusion in a manner similar to Andy Partridge's lyrical succintness: >What the hell is music for? Is it for the head or for the heart? Is it for >"fun and dancing and having a laugh" or is it for getting all frowny and >thoughtful and serious and analytical? Does it speak to the cerebral cortex >or the wee-wee? > >The answer, of course, is Yes. In other news, Michael Stone commented on some of the songs from Nonsuch: >[re:"Crocodile"] Yeah, Dave's solo is excellent, but that's a given. I never >noticed the arpegiating before, that is cool. But there's too many cute >sound effects - they just get tiring. Also I find the drumming a little >generic (like other songs on Nonsuch), and the melody on the >line "But he's your pet now...", that goofy old pseudo-Arabian >tune, is way annoying. Get that outta there and maybe it's decent. >I agree with you on "The Disapointed" - real nice song. Andy uses the >the old descending chord pattern very nicely. Though again >the drumming is a bit on the lifeless side. Maybe Andy requested it >that way, to reflect the 'break-up of marriage' motif that runs through >Disapointed, Crocodile, Ugly Underneath, Dear Madam Barnum(?). >Speaking of Colin's great bass playing, how about those fills he puts >in "Holly Up On Poppy". Downright Tchaikovskian. Just stunning. Nonsuch has a lot of songs that I consider favorites. Even though there's merit to a lot of the problems people bring up about the production or songwriting (like Michael does above), I still consider songs like "Dear Madam Barnum," "Crocodile," "Humble Daisy" and "Then She Appeared" to represent a sublime merger of melody with metaphor. The lyrics of these songs are among my favorite from Partridge. To throw fuel in the dying embers of the Oranges and Lemons discussion, I always considered the overproduction (and I mean that in a good way!) on that album to be much more harsh and inappropriate than the overproduction on Nonsuch. I enjoy a song like "Merely A Man," but it *calls* for a style of overproduction (another example of this idea from a different session is "Extrovert.") And while I like "Scarecrow People" and "Poor Skeleton Steps Out," plain acoustic performance does better justice to them in my eyes. Perhaps the most disquieting sound to my ears on O&L however is the synthetic trumpet on "Minature Sun" which one Chalkperson compared to the startup chime of his Mac! I much prefer the chime to come from my computer rather than an XTC record, thank you very much! On Nonsuch, however, the most glaring faux pas in my ear is the darned repetitive synthetic cymbal hit (is it out of time???) that hangs quitely yet distractingly in the left channel until the bridge where it proceeds to being dancing around the stereo image in a very distracing way... But this is more than made up for by the wonderful sounds I hear in the intro to "My Bird Performs," all of "Humble Daisy," and the extremely McCartney-esque bass fills on "Then She Appears"... The simple version: O&L - distracting; Nonsuch - involving. Not to dis Paul Fox, however. He did go on to produce two of my favorite albums - "Cereal Killers" by Too Much Joy and "John Henry" by They Might Be Giants. Both of which I find to be much more organic than O&L, even though they are heavily "produced." (Darn, I really have to watch those passive sentence structures...) But count me guilty of perhaps falling prey to Phil Smith's theory... >My spin on the O & L Love-Hate relationship: first of all, O & L was my >first XTC album and, yes, it's one of my favorites...but I understand >completely those fans who think its one of the worst. Strangely enough, Nonsuch was my first disc. Before 1992, I had no idea who XTC were. >... Some of my all-time fav albums are >most definitely overproduced: Elvis Costello's "Spike," Tears for Fears' >"The Seeds of Love," Thomas Dolby's "Astronauts & Heretics," Jellyfish's >"Spilt Milk," etc. ... (You can imagine that >"Nonsuch" was a big disappointment for me!) Aside from this last dismissal, I think Phil's and my music tastes would jell pretty nicely! >More than anything else, this is what concerns me for the future of my >enjoyment of XTC. Frankly, I love live drums! And I'm enthusiastically >looking forward to Prairie Prince (another great drummer) on the new >album(s). I think Andy's been working on getting more realistic drums in his demos, and the technology has definitely gotten better in the almost ten years since Oranges and Lemons. This bodes well for his songwriting and possible productions from his shed, with or without real drummers! >Be easy on me, it's my first post. Welcome to the Garden of Earthly Delights, Phil! And while I must compliment Dominic on his defense of "quirk" (the overriding theme of my CD collection), I have to disagree a teensy bit on one thing... >[what many fans like about XTC] is the complete lack of artifice, >pseudo-intellectualism and meaningless cack masquerading as "depth" which >many bands suffer from. The honesty, warmth and wit of Andy & Colin's >lyrics, and the refreshing exuberance of their many great melodies, have >always set them apart from the wobbling, glutinous excesses and >lowest-common-denomiwhatsit dribblings of most mainstream pop music. I agree, except occasionally I think issue intrudes into some of XTC's material to a detrimental effect (personally, I'd cite "Melt The Guns," "War Dance," and "Goodbye Humanosaurus") Thanks everyone for keeping my mind working amidst my daily grind! =Derek Miner=
------------------------------ From: Melsta@aol.com Message-ID: <da2e8629.3664c394@aol.com> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 23:35:32 EST Subject: Colonel Kant Hi all (again)-- I remembererd one of the things I was going to say (poor you): All this wanger/fanny talk is more than appropriate on an XTC list. Any time spent reading Andy Partridge's uncensored speech will show that the man is absolutely obsessed with sex, or at least with sex-talk. The interviews and casual conversations reported here always contain all sorts of crude little sex jokes. From the Colonel Kant Cap of Song Stories legend to Testicular Dinner, one would almost think the guy has a speech disorder of some kind. Now I'm not saying I like or don't like this kind of talk, but the fact remains that it is most definitely in the spirit of our Main Man. Which reminds me of the other thing I wanted to say (poor, poor you): Re the term "John Thomas" we actually had a local politician by that name around here, and all the Anglophiles would snicker whenever we saw his campaign signs in somebody's front yard, obviously ignorant as they were to what they were advertising. A friend of mine had his photo taken next to one such sign and sent it in to Benny Hill, who sent him back a nice note and a signed autograph. Just thought you'd like to know. --Melissa Reaves
------------------------------ From: MrsHugh@aol.com Message-ID: <d4326386.3664daa9@aol.com> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1998 01:14:01 EST Subject: Oh Please, Children Chalkers, Cheryl wrote: <<It has never been so appearant than from these last few digest how male dominated this list is! Can you men stop thinking about your willies and focus on XTC....PLEASE! Trainspotting penis references?! I am at a lose for words.>> I agree with her. I'm getting sick of the childishness going on here. Don't forget fellows that there are women who read this mailing list, and talking about some of these things makes some of us sick. It was funny at first, but now it's getting sick. Molly http://www.angelfire.com/mo/mollyfa/index.html
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36651A5D.4C6A2AC9@geocities.com> Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 11:45:49 +0100 From: dieling <lemoncurry@geocities.com> Subject: Remixes and stop wanking ! > Ahoi Chalkhilluminati ! In Chalkhills 5-28 Ian C. Stewart wrote about Remixes. I have had this idea,too, and oftentimes, listening to XTC, I wonder, "what would someone like Aphex Twin or Bundy K. Brown make out of this ?" I think it would be very interesting, just think about the "Explode Together" album, which is one of my favourites, that's remixing in '79. It's fantastic. But today there would be totally different new songs coming out of a remix. As much as I would love a XTC Remix album, as much I doubt it will ever be, or be with the wrong people, since inventive remixing is a thing in the techno/breakbeat/postrock scene, and Andy P. has always dismissed these kind of styles as boring (to be honest, he doesn't care for any new music at all !). You can't bring a man who sees a "Tyranny of the Beat" to work together with a DJ who cuts up his material, twisting it and glueing it back together. Well, so I guess it will stay a fantasy, and will be happy enough to listen to Transistor Blast and the Tortoise remixes. By the way, though I'm male, all this wanking is a bit tiresome, isn't it ? -- Lemoncurry residing in The Lemon Lounge at www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/9259 lemoncurry@geocities.com
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-30 ******************************
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