Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 6
Date: Monday, 12 October 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 6
Monday, 12 October 1998
Today's Topics:
A reminder
A&R
Earth to Sweden. Come in Sweden.
XTC - Song Stories - "British" Edition????
Agreeing to disagree...
Live XTC from 4/81
XTC / Church
Our Ena!
One over the eight.
Ena Sharples
Andy's art
Beefheart Zappa Rundgren Xtc debate
Todd Rundgren is a Big Fat Bitch? la la la la la
Drums & Crossed Wires, Mattacks is da Man!
Partridge interview.
Re: This is Mod, Yeah, Yeah
Re: 57 Different Varietys
The Industry, and Kiddie Songs
A former subscriber returns/ Tom Waits
Columbus of all places?
Are you receiving in Moscow ?
XTC for sale
catching up on three week's worth of replies!
Stuff
One amongst the many
Colin's Report by Lumiere
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <aca26f51.361d1f26@aol.com> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 16:23:02 EDT Subject: A reminder Chalkers, I just wanted to remind people there's a newsgroup about Andy Partridge and XTC called, alt.fan.andy-j-partridge. It's a cool newsgroup. I discovered it one night while looking for different newsgroups on AOL. Lately, there hasn't been that much on it. I have a radio show now at my college, and I'm doing retro stuff. The sad part is nobody can hear it, except for the people on campus. But there's talk about the station being broadcast over the Internet. The call letters are WMCB The Lizard 66.0 AM. I hope it's broadcast over the web, so I get a lot of listeners. My time slot is from 3-4pm on Fridays. I've been playing a lot of XTC songs, and even though it's a retro show I'm planning on playing some of their new songs when the new album comes out. Molly
------------------------------ From: mmyers@notes.cc.bellcore.com Message-ID: <85256697.007A7CB2.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 18:24:24 -0400 Subject: A&R Chalksters and Chalkettes; Someone asked last time about the meaning of "A&R". This is a job title that was used very predominently in the recording industry some years ago. I think that it might be out of favor since I haven't heard it used much lately. A&R is an accronym for Artists and Repertoire. In effect, these folks were talent scouts who tried to find new talent and then tried to convince management that it was worthwhile to sign the newly-discovered act. If you were in an unsigned band a few years ago, and you heard that an A&R guy from XYZ records was coming to your concert that night, it was time to get nervous because if they liked you, they'd try to get their label to sign you. Hope that helps, Mike
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v04003a03b242fdbf2ef7@[208.240.250.142]> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 17:51:14 -0600 From: Ken Herbst <ken@bamadvertising.com> Subject: Earth to Sweden. Come in Sweden. I'm curious just how many Swede-hillians are out there. Looks like I may be moving to Stockholm for a job soon, and I'd love to hear from you folks. I'll definitely need help getting into the music scene in Scandanavia. Please email me privately. Thanks! -- Ken Herbst
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 01:09:34 +0100 (BST) From: kaitain@netcomuk.co.uk Message-Id: <199810911032619169@> Subject: XTC - Song Stories - "British" Edition???? Dunno if this has been discussed here before (I just joined the mailing list), but do any other British readers here feel that an otherwise excellent book has been slightly tarnished with its blatant Americanisation even in the supposedly British version of the book? Can anyone really imagine Andy Partridge saying "ass" rather than "arse"? Must we be told that an off-licence is a "liquor store" by means of square-bracketted translations? As XTC are an English band, and proudly so, and indeed this is fundamental to what makes them who they are, I felt this pandering to the American market (lazily so in a British print of the book) was a bit off. What do others think? Ceri * ---------------------------------------- C.P.Stagg kaitain@netcomuk.com * ---------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: ERA1970@aol.com Message-ID: <7aa8893b.361d8e1c@aol.com> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 00:16:28 EDT Subject: Agreeing to disagree... <Dave Blackburn - really appreciate the Todd Rundgren essay. But putting him in the same bracket as Beefheart? Come on. How can you put Mr. Beef on a level with anybody? He is the Supreme Ruler of the Galxay Tribunal. Also Grand-Poubah of the 6th through 9th dimensions. He is The Host, The Ghost, The Most Holy-O!!!!! And may I talk about Frank Zappa for a moment. I do not mean to denegrate the man what so ever (having been a pretty big fan at one point), but he is way over rated. Especially his guitar playing (maybe because his solos were so pointlessly long!). He has done some great stuff no doubt, but out of the 15,000 or so albums he made, how much is really good? Enough to fill 5 or 6 records, I'd say.> Take your comments about beefheart and zappa and reverse them,and i think you'd be a lot closer to the truth. Zappa overrated? then why can I not find anyone that likes him,other than on the 'net? <Rich/Metal Man - Right on man. Wake Up is great. Maybe Colin's best. That or Garden of Earthly Delights is their best lead off song.> Wake Up,possibly; GoED,never! Every item you've mentioned has proved that point. I disagree with almost everything you've mentioned. Except this. <One of my favourites is Red Brick Dream. Definitely in my top 5 XTC songs. An ancient, murky vignette of Swindon, passed down from generation to generation. I've never seen it mentioned here by any one else.> Pfah! A B-Side that deserved to be left off the album. <Mitch, your postings are wonderful, but you know, I can tell that you're quite a lonely fellow. What you need is a good friend, Mitch. And you know, I'd gladly to be that friend to you. I know we'd get along fabulously. We could hang out and do all sorts of cool things together. We could go to movies and listen to records and talk about chicks, all the fun stuff. And the next time you go to England, I'd be glad to tag along with you..................................................... What d'ya say???> You, sir, are an opportunist of the highest order. Chris W. "Music is the best" -- F.Zappa
------------------------------ Message-ID: <361D9DBB.D2C1D0A9@ix.netcom.com> Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 00:23:08 -0500 From: Greg Mascioli <mascioli@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Live XTC from 4/81 Sad, but true.... Having missed the XTC live bandwagon by a few months in 1982, I like probably everyone else who never saw the band live, wondered how they would have been in person. Well, I recently re-discovered a tape of a live radio broadcast of XTC from April, 1981. The band performed at a club outside of Philadelphia, PA in Cherry Hill, NJ club (Emerald City) that no longer exists. Holy cow, they were an incredible live band. Judging by the audience reaction, as well as, the DJ's reaction, I would say that XTC may well have been one of the best live bands I have set ears on. These guys were smokin' that night and I would pay a fair sum of money to see them perform live. So I got to thinking....how could the fans entice XTC to play live again? What if we all pooled our funds together and offered this sizable sum of cash to the band to play live for what would be a very intimate gathering of fans? Maybe an accoustic tour (save on the band's costs) or better yet, I would fly into Swindon and we could do it there! How can we make it happen? Andy and Colin (hopefully Dave too) are well aware of this web site and these postings. Surely we can make it financially attractive for the band to play live and do it without too much stress. I am serious about wanting to make this happen. Your suggestions would be appreciated. Greg
------------------------------ Message-ID: <361DBDD8.7F6C@telusplanet.net> Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 00:40:08 -0700 From: Keith Clark <clarkkj@telusplanet.net> Subject: XTC / Church > It wasn't until a couple of years later when I heard The Church > who could write complete songs with a sort of etherial quality > that you couldn't really put your finger on, U2 could only really > do the intros. Strange that you mention The Church; I have always considered both bands to be in a class above all others; specifically the task of writing "complete" songs that keep you interested from start to finish and finding deeper lyrical meaning listen after listen. I guess it doesn't hurt the comparision I spent many years tracking down CD's to replace worn cassettes (both group and solo releases) and both have [will have] new releases after years of inactivity. I can only hope that the new XTC CD(s) is as good as the new Church CD "Hologram of Baal". Cheers, eh Keith P.S. Catch the Church on tour now (see http://church.sausage.com/ for tour details).
------------------------------ Message-ID: <0000067C@naughtyboy.mutech.co.uk> Date: 9 Oct 1998 10:27:00 0100 From: "Robert Wood" <Robert.Wood@mutech.co.uk> Organization: Mutech Subject: Our Ena! Wes asked... >> Speaking of them, I've always wondered what "ENA Sharples" are...this referencesis in "Here Comes the Weekend" from _This is the Modern World._ (1977) << Ena Sharples was a character from the UK's longest running soap, "Coronation Street", she was your archetypal, cantankerous, Northern old woman! I guess you're Stateside, Wes?!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <0000067A@naughtyboy.mutech.co.uk> Date: 9 Oct 1998 10:20:00 0100 From: "Robert Wood" <Robert.Wood@mutech.co.uk> Organization: Mutech Subject: One over the eight. >> Mick Karn was a bit pissed and accused Ira Davis of being ripping off Japan, which resulted in AP defending Icehouse and suggesting that by the same token David Sylvian must be ripping off Bryan Ferry, (I think I still have a tape of that somewhere I must dig it out). << Yeah, well Mr Karm should think twice about getting drunk before going on air, then maybe he wouldn't fly off the handle so easily...
------------------------------ From: Sue Tibbles <set@bodley.ox.ac.uk> Subject: Ena Sharples Message-Id: <SIMEON.9810091023.A@cat021.bodley.ox.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 10:45:23 +0100 (GMT Daylight Time) > I've always wondered what "ENA Sharples" are...this >referencesis in "Here Comes the Weekend" from _This is the Modern World._ >(1977) The only 'Ena Sharples' I know about is a character from long standing Mancunian soap opera 'Coronation Street'. She was an old lady who used to wear a hairnet, look very severe and sort out all the problems of the Street, often by chatting with her pals Minnie Caldwell and Martha something in the Rovers Return. Violet Carson who played Ena appeared in the series from the very first show in 1960 until about the time she either retired or died, I think in the 1970s. In the 60s 'Coro' used to be essential viewing for me, as it was my only taste of what oop north was like, and even now it is part of British culture. Managed to get the wonderful book in Helter Skelter on Tuesday along with a fab second hand book on the Animals. Hurrah for Dave holding Vox guitar on the cover! Best wishes, Sue
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s61dc36f.093@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 08:03:29 -0600 From: Steve Oleson <Steve.Oleson@OAG.STATE.TX.US> Subject: Andy's art Does Andy have his sketches that he made for album cover art, or have they "gone the way of all things"? Does he plan to publish them, or have them exhibited/sold as lithographs? I know that many of us would love to see more of them, and perhaps buy some. I know that it would make an excellent Christmas present for many of us fanatics! (nudge-nudge) Best to all, Steve Oleson Austin, TX
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s61df1ce.004@gw.utk.edu> Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 11:21:50 -0400 From: todd steed <steedt@cie.gw.utk.edu> Subject: Beefheart Zappa Rundgren Xtc debate Beefheart: A genius--at least three brilliant recordings Zappa: A genius-- at least 5 brilliant recordings. So what if every single album wasn't great? If anybody in today's music can even begin to match what he was about I'd wish they'd step forward and make even ONE FRIGGIN ALBUM as good as Burnt Weeny Sandwhich, Uncle Meat or Roxy... Rundgren-- Ahhhh, allright. Gets on my nerves these days. XTC-- Of course, great. The orcale has spoken
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199810091647.MAA12860@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> From: "RoadKill" <csberry@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 11:49:54 +0000 Subject: Todd Rundgren is a Big Fat Bitch? la la la la la I know that South Park is coming out w/ an album, but I must concur w/ Rob when he wrote in #5-5: > Any chance of getting Dave to do a version of "Kyles mom is a big fat > bitch", so we can get a MP3 of the great man himself ? My turn to chime in quickly on "Song Stories." I bought it a couple of days ago. They actually had it in stock at Barnes and Noble here in Nashville. When I walked up to pay for it, the cashier identified himself as a Todd Rundgren fan. He said that he had read part of it because he knew about Todd's work on Skylarking. He then proceeded to mope and complain about how poorly he felt the band dissed him. Oh well. While reading The Book I'm becoming more and more aware that even though I own all the albums except Go2, there are tons of B-sides out there that I will continue to struggle to find and purchase. Cory P.S. - Kate, you need to hurry up and get that XTC merchandise list to Santa Claus...er...I mean Andy!!!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s61e12eb.065@elsevier.com> Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 13:42:54 -0400 From: Ralph DeMarco <r.demarco@elsevier.com> Subject: Drums & Crossed Wires, Mattacks is da Man! Dear Affiliated Members: My confusion knows no bounds. It seems I have the original Drums & Wires Virgin American vinyl and a re-released American version from '83 on Epic. My confusion is that, in 1979, Geffen was not yet a functioning label. It was not until 1980 or so, that Geffen got off the ground. Can someone tell me when Geffen took over distribution of XTC from Virgin and or Epic? >Does anyone out there agree with me that Dave Mattacks is >one of the greatest and most underrated drummers in >England ? >jb in japan I think anyone who is familiar with Mattacks' remarkable flexibility should consider him without peer. You can hear his consistent perfection on Fairport Convention and Thomson albums and, of course, on XTC's Nonsuch...but to name a few of the many artists he has worked with. By the way, though I never liked his music all that much, Phil Collins is also a great drummer who, to my amazement, has used drum machines on his recordings! What a fool! Rowlf Simpson DeMarco --Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Sigmund Freud
------------------------------
Message-ID: <361E7EC2.6797@virgin.net>
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 22:23:15 +0100
From: peter.wright2@virgin.net (peter.wright2@virgin.net)
Subject: Partridge interview.
Dear All,
The latest news is that the Andy Partridge interview on GLR
(94.9 FM) has been rescheduled due to 'recording commitments' for
Wednesday 14th October on the Peter Curran Show sometime between 4 - 6pm
GMT. Thats next Wednesday guys. See you, Pete.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <Jg5QDNAsrpH2Ewq8@demon.co.uk> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1998 00:23:24 +0100 From: Jon Holden-Dye <jon@jhd-designs.demon.co.uk> Subject: Re: This is Mod, Yeah, Yeah In article <98100509064597@star.zko.dec.com>, wwilson@star.zko.dec.com writes >Speaking of them, I've always wondered what "ENA Sharples" are...this >referencesis in "Here Comes the Weekend" from _This is the Modern World._ >(1977) Ena Sharples: permanently pensionable, 240 pound, formidable battleaxe mainstay of UK's longest-running soap "Coronation Street" - a gritty tale of everyday folk "oop north" (Manchester). Ena (pardon the sexist drivel - facially a buddah/gargoyle hybrid), and her long-suffering compadre, Minnie Caldwell, were usually featured putting the world to rights, in the Snug of their local, the Rover's Return. Both have long since gone to meet their maker. -- Jon Holden-Dye "I like to keep an open mind - but not so open my brain falls out." (Anon.)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <ownYnGAVIpH2EwPY@demon.co.uk> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 23:45:41 +0100 From: Jon Holden-Dye <jon@jhd-designs.demon.co.uk> Subject: Re: 57 Different Varietys In article <80256692.005CF4DC.00@mgnmail4.mgn.co.uk>, R.Crawford@mgn.co.uk writes >in the house somewhere (well I think it was entitled "Country Boy" as my >memory is a bit crap. Yeah, and _I_ keep forgetting to put the closing bracket at the end of the. (XTC content: 0% guaranteed) -- Jon Holden-Dye "I like to keep an open mind - but not so open my brain falls out." (Anon.)
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 23:36:53 -0400 Subject: The Industry, and Kiddie Songs Message-ID: <19981009.234057.18886.0.skybar80@juno.com> From: skybar80@juno.com (Ken Amato) Howdy Chalkies... I have decided to delurk briefly to bring up a weird way to look at the music industry. Thos of you who have read the play Dr. Faustus will know what this i sall about. If you haven't read it, please do. It's quite interesting. And disturbing too. Anyhoo, I think that the industry can easily be looked at in a Dr. Faustus kinda way. Allow me to eleaborate: The Bands = Dr. Faustus. --- As Dr. Faustus wished for power and fame, bands who strive to get signed by , major labels do too. Sometimes, they'll do ANYTHING! As Faustus did. The Record Comapnies = Mephistopholis --- As Faustus signed the contract gien to him by Mephistopholis to give his soul to Lucifer, the bands sign with those evil record companies! The Radio Stations = Beelzebub --- Even though Belzebub doesn't have a big part in the play, I suppose it would be appropriate to consider the radio stattions to be him, since they are just as evil too. MTV = Lucifer --- Finally, Lucifer..the Prince of the Devils. Not much of a difference between him and MTV, eh? As Faustus gives his soul to Lucifer, bands basically give their lives to MTV, letting them control every move they make. At the end, Faustus is ripped asunder by all of the devils, as bands are torn apart by the greed and whatnot that come with success. I hope I make sense to to those who have read the play. Now, to the XTC content... As I have read through the past digests, I noticed many posts from parents whose children find Swindon's finest appealing. Due to this, I think that maybe th eboys should just take a shot at making a children's album, under a different name, of course. Whaddaya thinka that? Or have they done so already and I just never knew? Finally, Baltimore Kate, if you're out there somewhere, I WILL get into contact w/ you ASAP! Sorry I haven't just yet! :( Adios, Ken (The Baby from Eraserhead! Yes, That's Me!!!) "We got chickens..they're the strangest damn things...They're man-made...Little damn things...Smaller than my fist...they're new!"
------------------------------ From: Huw Davies <DaviesHPT@cardiff.ac.uk> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 16:35:16 GMT0BST Subject: A former subscriber returns/ Tom Waits Message-ID: <32BC41F0E0E@PARKLA1S.CF.AC.UK> I have recently returned to this list after being away from it for over fifteen months. I had no access to e-mail, unfortunately. But now I am back and it's good to submerge myself in the world of XTC again. I've been completely out of touch with what has been going on with the band. I had only found about Dave Gregory's departure after reading the recent interview with Andy Partridge in the Independent on Sunday. I was shocked to say the least. However, as far as I'm aware his departure was not reported in the UK music press (which isn't that surprising really), so how was anyone without Internet access to know. Did anyone else find this? Anway, I wanted to know if there are any people on this list who are also fans of Tom Waits. I've recently been introduced to his music and I find that he appeals to me in the same way that XTC did originially in that he sounds fresh and original despite the fact that his records may date from several years ago. I know that he may not have much in common with XTC musically, but what they do share in common is that they both pursue their own unique musical vision without any regard to its commercial success. Tow Waits is reluctant to tour as well. Also, are there any fellow subscribers out there in the Cardiff area that may be interested in getting in contact? Please let me know. Huw Davies
------------------------------ Message-ID: <C4D3F9980FD4D111892B00805FBBF5D1C390DE@MAILSVR1> From: "Lieman, Ira" <ilieman@lernerny.com> Subject: Columbus of all places? Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 11:06:28 -0400 Hey brethren of the Chalk... What's happened to me since my last real post? Well, (in order) I've gotten a new job, gotten married, and celebrated another birthday (that would be #26 for those counting, or my 4th since subscribing to Chalkhills). Next to come is the impending birth of our first munchkin in January. (We move fast where I come from...) Anyhoo, enough about ME. Anxiously awaiting the boXTC set...it will be a great present to myself and I'll be a very happy boy once I can get it and have a day to listen to it. :) Until that happens, I'm looking forward to meeting Rob MacDonald who will be in New York later this week, and getting some well-deserved sleep. Anyway, my new job requires me to be in Columbus, Ohio of all places every so often. Is there anyone from the list that hails from that vicinity? I anticipate being there soon and wouldn't mind getting together for brew and chat...e-mail me back here and maybe we can make arrangements. I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger (or a .wav of Dave Gregory wanting Cheezy Poofs) today. -ira ---------- Ira Lieman Information Center Analyst Lerner New York Data Warehouse (212) 736-1222 x5286
------------------------------ Message-Id: <TFSJKTKT@ubk.net>> From: Jonathan Monnickendam <monnickj@ubk.net> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 11:52:42 +0000 Subject: Are you receiving in Moscow ? I shall be in Moscow next week, the one commencing 19 October, so if anyone there wants to meet up please e-mail me privately . Jon * --------------------------------------------------------------- The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC. * ---------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981012032730.24736.qmail@www0a.netaddress.usa.net> Date: 11 Oct 98 21:27:30 MDT From: Derek Miner <minerwerks@usa.net> Subject: XTC for sale Hi, all Just wanted to let everyone know that I just put a copy of the Japanese "Demo Tracks" CD up for auction on Ebay. The address below should take you right to the listing. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=35168996
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00b244d694c5af@[139.80.101.17]> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 15:05:22 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: catching up on three week's worth of replies! the numerical <85256681.00626E89.00@notes950.cc.bellcore.com> asks: >are there any other songs that list members can think of that are virtual >carbon-copies of the XTC "sound" by groups other than XTC, The Three Wise >Men, or Terry and the Lovemen? well, there are several, I'm sure, but the ones that spring instantly to mind (other than Blur's "Modern Life is Rubbish" album, which someone has already mentioned) are: * You Am I's "Good mornin'" and "Mr. Milk" (from "Hourly Daily"). The latter lifts almost plagiaristically from the bridge of "Senses WO" - including the 'woooo's" * much of Barenaked Ladies' "Maybe you should drive" album * Sugarplastic's "Bang the world is round" album * Martin Newell and Dave Yazbek (of course!) I'd also add that New Zealand's Front Lawn did a song called "A good address" which to me always sounds like an answering piece to "Bungalow". Lawn-leader Don McGlashan later formed the Mutton Birds, who at times share a similar musical stylistic ethos to XTC, without being 'virtual carbon-copies'. >"Song Stories" mentions Be Bop Deluxe and the John Peel sessions for BBC >radio as early influences on the members of XTC. Last month, Hux Records >released a new Be Bop Deluxe album that features previously unreleased >sessions originally recorded for John Peel's Radio 1 show between 1974 and >1978. sadly, one of the members of this band, New Zealander Charlie Tumahai, died at the beginning of last year. After leaving BBD he was a founder member of Herbs, possibly the greatest reggae band the south Pacific has ever produced (a band named by Sly and Robbie, no less, as being one of their favourites). He is sadly missed. >Anyone know why, on the back cover of the US CD of Black Sea, track >lengths are given for every song except for "Travels in Nihilon"? Was this >deliberate? Is it this way on other countries' CDs? possibly because on the original vinyl the running water sound disappears into the inner groove of the LP? It was thus infinite (unless your stereo automatically removed the needle!). My guess is that it is more likely an oversight, though. >How many of you folks think Todd Rungren is the Kevin Bacon of the music >business? not me - I'd give that title to either Brian Eno or Tony Levin. >Just picked up Testimonial Dinner, soaking it in.........Ruben Blades >seems to be the only one to take one of their songs and really make >something new out of it. His last line sounds like, "And I hate that XTC." >Is that right? surely this should be in a FAQ... Ruben thanks XTC for writing the piece - in Spanish. Can't remember the exact wording, as I no habla Espanol. It is certainly not an insult, though. Nicole queried: >What is all the stuff posted about Dada and the Jam? I've never heard of >these groups. Does anyone here like Wire or Siouxsie and the Banshees or >The Rolling Stones or Fleetwood Mac? This is very sad. It seems hard to believe this is for real. Someone who knows Siouxsie & the Banshees and Wire but not the Jam. Okay. At the height of the power-pop post-punk movement that also spawned such names as Elvis Costello and XTC, probably the biggest name in Britain was the Jam. Between 1977 and 1983, they had 18 chart singles, including 9 top ten hits and four number 1s. In terms of chart success, this put them third behind Madness and Queen for the years 1976-85, and they were Britain's top charting act of 1983, with 55 weeks' worth of singles that year. In the same period they released seven albums, notably "In the City", "Setting Sons", and "Sound Affects". Strongly influenced by the Who and the Kinks, they spearheaded a small but influential 'new Mod' movement. Leader Paul Weller later went on to form Style Council, whose sound was more accessible, more poppy and less hard edged. Classic Jam songs include "Eton Rifles", "Going Underground", "In the city", "Beat surrender", "Mr Clean", "Away from the numbers", "Pretty Green", "The butterfly collector", "A-bomb in Wardour Street", "Down in the tube station at midnight", "That's entertainment"... Two CDs which form a complementary overview of the Jam's oeuvre are "The Jam Collection (Polydor 531493-2, 1996) and "All the choice cuts" (Polydor 821712-2). Do yourself a favour and hunt out one or both of these collections of their best songs. Do it now. Don't even wait until you've logged off. Now. >Just a quick Q. I'm only a few pages into "Song Stories" (excellent so >far) and have come across a few references to "A&R". Perhaps I've been >reading inattentively, but I paged back and didn't see this acronym >expanded. In curiousity, I searched my old Chalkhills issues and found the >term likewise used, but not explained. Could someone enlighten me? Artists and Repertoire. Basically that area of management which deals with that most tricky of problems for record companies - the musicians. James
------------------------------ From: garyt@dna1.dnet.co.uk (Gary Thompson) Subject: Stuff Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 14:32:10 +0100 Message-ID: <000001bdf51b$8c78efe0$a0022ec2@gt628.dnet.co.uk> Just a couple of points from a pedantic lurker: Rob Crawford in his post about Nonsuch, stated that U2 were on the Belfast Good Vibrations label. Your memory must be playing you up Rob, they never released anything on that label - I know I was on it. Their first few releases were on Irish CBS, then they moved to Island. Also, Wes Wilson asked about Ena Sharples, in reference to the Jam - well Ena was a ( much loved ) character in the British soap opera Coronation Street. Gary 'We won't be told the past was pure gold We were there and it wasn't' Paddy McAloon
------------------------------ From: R.Crawford@mgn.co.uk Message-ID: <8025669A.0048752F.00@mgnmail4.mgn.co.uk> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 14:07:53 +0100 Subject: One amongst the many >From: wwilson@star.zko.dec.com >Subject: This is Mod, Yeah, Yeah There will be many replys to this but what the hell. >Speaking of them, I've always wondered what "ENA Sharples" are...this >referencesis in "Here Comes the Weekend" from _This is the Modern World._ >(1977) Ena Sharples was a character in one of the (if not the) longest running soap operas (oops sorry drama serial), Coronation Street. I assume that you are based in the US, where the show was exported to at one ponint in the 80's. Ena was an elderly formidable and narrow minded woman whos appearence can only be described in terms such as: Looking like a bulldog that has just swallowed a wasp, or as having a face like a bag of nails. I think that Davy Jones (of the Monkees), played her Grandson in the series, around 1962. >From: Dave Rutherford <drutherf@techmail.gdc.com> >Subject: A&R? >Chalksters, >Just a quick Q. I'm only a few pages into "Song Stories" (excellent so >far) and have come across a few references to "A&R". Perhaps I've been >reading inattentively, but I paged back and didn't see this acronym >expanded. In curiousity, I searched my old Chalkhills issues and found >the term likewise used, but not explained. Could someone enlighten me? A & R = Artists and Repitoir (oops crap spelling) = talent scouts. AKA: leeches, con men and generally scum of the earth. Known Associates: Some (most ?) managers. Recogniseable features: Usually ponytailed and and carrying nose candy. Known haunts: Backstage and in carparks of small clubs/venues, Resturants, under rocks Typical phrases: "yes son just sign this piece of paper it's a standard contract, we can change it in the morning" "Sorry those songs are no use, can you sound more like .......... <insert current commercial band here> Disclaimer: The above description is not supposed to represent any person living or dead (A&R arn't human anyway). Rob...
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3621258A.D542C9E2@hol.fr> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 22:39:23 +0100 From: Patrick Bourcier <pbourcier@hol.fr> Organization: Lumiere Subject: Colin's Report by Lumiere Hi, Crayonneurs de Collines ! Our dear Philippe Bihan (the author of the future biography in french about XTC) has phoned to Colin on Thursday the 8th. Here are some news provided by Mister Moulding in this 1,5 hour of interview : First of all, the album will probably named : 'APPLE VENUS'. Just to continue in the vein of the links between their albums. Remember that the title 'Oranges & Lemons' was extract from the song "Ballet for a rainy day" (Skylarking), Nonsuch was from "Chalkhills and Children" (O & L) and 'Apple Venus' from "Then She Appeared" (Nonsuch). The list of the songs ( the order is unknown) is : ANDY : Easter Theater, River of Orchids, Last Balloon, I'd like that, Your dictionary, Green Man, Harvest Festival, I can't own her, Knights in shining karma COLIN : Fruit Nut, Frivolous tonight Eleven different songs....for a date of release planned to the beginning of February 99. Not too much details about the "Dave Gate". He has left XTC on March, the 16th and not on April as I've read somewhere. - January --> 10/02 : Recording session at Shipping Norton - from 16/2 (to 16/4) : Recording session at Hayden Bendall's studio. Colin works on it. while Andy rests in Swindon. - 3/3: It's the contrary. Andy comes back and Colin goes to Swindon. - 16/3 Dave's departure. - from 16/4 till the beginning of June : Hayden's working on another things and XTC is out of work. Back to Swindon and it gives you the creeps... - in June, back at Hayden's studio. - On July, the first : Hayden stops everything with XTC. He has other fish to fry. Back again to Swindon and it gives you the creeps more and more ....Big blues Then, XTC decides to occupy the garage of Colin and contacts Nick Davies. This one comes in mid-July. They works all together till the beginning of september. After a short pause, mixing sesssion on 16/9 at Rockfield Studios (Wales) Just 18 days of mixing . Incredible efficiency of Nick according to Colin. And the album is ... ready !! They must wait 3 weeks before the Mastering because Nick's occupied and XTC want him absolutely. Thanks to Fredo "FatBassMan" Solans and obviously Philippe "the interviewer" Bihan for these news. (I've forgotten the passage in Abbey Road. Don't blame me ...) Patrick from Lumiere, the unofficial website in french about XTC http://lumiere.gts93.greta.fr/
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