Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 84
Date: Tuesday, 9 February 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 84
Tuesday, 9 February 1999
Today's Topics:
Special Announcements
I Stand Corrected
CDnow sale???
Bursting Through Concrete
none, really
Male singers who sound like Cher
Happy Sad
Snipping snipping snipping
Tin Soldier
Re: Profit
Re: Lucky Americans
The Story of the Ghost
Re: Space Ghost
Catherine-wheeled by XTC; thanks.
Harrison's Hillbillies
Todd... "The Mollster"... Molly!
Space Ghost Meets XTC (Zorack Put Andy Down) :)
AV1
The Advantage Of Being A Neophyte
Apologies; XTC touring idea
What's your choice for AV1 single?
XTC in Billboard, on VH1
Australian Apple Venus Release
Space Ghost definition
Welcome to Ghost Planet, XTC Pop-Band!
A dubious defense of Brendan Kiley
Administrivia:
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to:
<chalkhills@chalkhills.org>
World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/>
or: <http://come.to/chalkhills/>
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is compiled using Digest 3.6b (by John Relph <relph@sgi.com>).
Jets should hide, I'll fly alongside.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 14:28:12 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <199902092228.OAA30255@mando.engr.sgi.com> From: John Relph <relph@engr.sgi.com> Subject: Special Announcements Hey folks! Listen up! I've got two special announcements: The first is that from Friday 12 Feb., www.cookingvinyl.com, the still-devloping arm of that august recording company, will be offering Chalkhills members and XTC fans in general the opportunity to hear extracts from "Apple Venus Vol 1". Andy and Colin have kindly consented to allow the Web audience to hear a one-minute extract from each track, one per day, from Friday until the album's UK release on Feb. 23. Interested folk should head for http://www.cookingvinyl.com from 6 AM GMT on Feb 12, and follow the very obvious links from the homepage. The second announcement is that you can download "I'd Like That", the charming first single from XTC's new album "APPLE VENUS Volume 1", from the TVT Records web page! "APPLE VENUS, Volume 1", will be available in stores everywhere on Feb. 23rd. But you can check it out now, courtesy of TVT Records and Liquid Audio, by surfing to http://www.tvtrecords.com/xtc In other news, check out Part 2 of the SPINonline interview with Andy Partridge, at http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/articles/Spin1999.html Whew. -- John
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990207231916.3497.rocketmail@send101.yahoomail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 15:19:16 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: I Stand Corrected Thanks to all who pointed out that the Finn Brothers album was not actually produced by Mitchell Froom, but by Tchad Blake (Froom's engineer). I really hated that album, and it didn't stay in my collection for long, so I had forgotten that it was Blake producing. Actually realized that mistake a couple hours after posting the original message. I do actually like Froom's work, especially on the two Los Lobos albums and with Suzanne Vega. Still not sure he would be a good match with XTC, though.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990207235506.9044.rocketmail@send103.yahoomail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 15:55:06 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: CDnow sale??? Re: CDNow sale-- I was browsing the CD now site a few days ago, and the sale info was listed on every page. after reading the posting from someone who could not find the sale info, I went back to that site, and sure enough-no mention of a sale. I sent CDnow e-mail asking about it, and will let you know what they tell me. I can't remember if I went directly to CDnow's page, or if I followed a link, so that may be the issue. I've never actually ordered from them, I mainly use that site for browsing, and for the audio files. They come recommended by friends, and seem to be trustworthy. Re: the (good natured?) bickering about pop music vs. experimental music taking place over these postings lately: I consider myself a fan of both types of music. I've always had very broad tastes in music-from classical to punk to bluegrass-and just listen to what I'm in the mood for at the moment. I have a huge weakness for admittedly sappy pop songs (I loved that early 80's power pop stuff), but I also love the Residents, and have a special fondness for 20th century/contemporary classical (I'm listening to Gyorgy Ligeti's string quartets as I write this). It seems pointless arguing about it. I am terribly opinionated about music, too, but I also realize that others may not share my views. So be it. Those who are looking for a good source for experimental/ungerground stuff should try the Forced Exposure homepage(www.forcedexposure.com) for tons of 60's psychedelia, 70's prog rock, punk, techno, experimental, contemporary clasaical,etc.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199902080025.BAA22024@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 01:35:18 +0000
Subject: Bursting Through Concrete
Dear Chalkers,
> ...I'm convinced that River of Orchids is the greatest thing AP has
> ever written.
Possibly...
But then again: how do you rank masterpieces ?
Is van Gogh a better painter than say, Rembrandt or Mondriaan?
The Iliad a better read than the Odyssee? It's all Greek to me
anyway...
But i do feel that, all in all and everything considered
( the material, arrangements, execution and production ) AV1 is by
far the best album they ever made. And if i read the signs right they
are about to make a bundle... a new XTC album hasn't been as
eagerly anticipated as this one since English Settlement.
Now the time has come to ask not what XTC can do for you but vice
versa. How many copies can you possible buy without risking divorce
or bankruptcy? Get them all during that crucial first week; we simply
MUST get this album to chart right away to keep that buzz going
PS: Their new label Cooking Vinyl must be putting a lot of effort and
hard work into getting our boys back in the media spotlight and it
seems to be working too! A very welcome change after all those years
of neglect from Virgin...
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------
Message-Id: <v01540b09b2e400f665b8@[192.168.0.72]>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 15:50:54 +1300
From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan)
Subject: none, really
>Haven't figured a direct link between XTC and Danny Elfman.
here are a couple of strange ones...
Elfman did the music for "Batman", starring Michael Keaton
who was in "Mr Mom" with Teri Garr
who was in "Dumb and Dumber", for which Crash Test Dummies sang "The ballad..."
or
Elfman did the music for "Batman", starring Michael Keaton
who was in "Batman returns" with Christopher Walken
who was in "Annie Hall", with Paul Simon
who has worked with Philip Glass ("The late great Johnny Ace")
As has Brian Eno ("Low" and "Heroes" symphonies)
Who has worked with Harold Budd, Andy's partner on "Through the Hill"
that do?
Oh, and Y do U F NRjetik & un42n8 Rgumentz ova DavidOh? E s able 2 rite S E
Cs fit. F U cant Xplic8 hiz Db8 then it is hiz problM. F E cant get hiz .
aX then Pple will dizmiss hiz IDRs az worthlS. F E wanted us 2 underst& hiz
sN10ces E wood rite them in a underst&abl wA. Since th@ S not the case, hiz
IDRs will B ignawd. FE wants us 2 read them, E nose what 2 do...
James D (trying to sho he'z bilingual)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990208025745.14662.qmail@ww182.netaddress.usa.net> Date: 7 Feb 99 18:57:45 PST From: Brian Wysolmierski <bwysol@netscape.net> Subject: Male singers who sound like Cher Dom said: **For someone who obviously likes XTC, you have a very peculiar approach to constructive criticism. Come on, "the worst piece of crap I've ever listened to"?? Surely not.** Ok, Ok, I admit calling Papersnow "the worst piece of crap ever" was a bit harsh. Any song by Matchbox 20 is worse. Whats the deal with male singers sounding like Cher?? Arrgh! I still think that Papersnow is the worst thing that Andy has sung... He's so damn whiney. It shakes me donkey up. Dom also said: **"Washaway" is a cracking slice of Chas'n'Dave tomfoolery. I don't know, there ain't no pleasing you.....** Washaway sounds like poseur circus music to me, sorry. I wish it wasn't on the cd version of the Big Express. -Brian Wysol http://www.angelfire.com/wy/bwysol/index.html
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990208032205.13093.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: Happy Sad Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 19:22:03 PST
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 03:19:21 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <v01510100b2e464ea98dd@[194.128.83.69]> From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: Snipping snipping snipping A few people have already plugged the current issue of Uncut magazine (UK). Can I be a trainspotter and add that as well as the five-star review of Apple Venus vol 1, the cover CD, and the Andy Partridge intereview, it also gives a mention to XTC in a review of a punk/new wave compilation, and it uses "Life Begins at the Hop" as a headline for a very thorough article about Echo and the Bunnymen. Not only this, but there's a feature which lays into the inexplicable popularity of the first Stone Rose's LP, which is fine by me. If only they used a legible typeface it would be an essential purchase. - Mark http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~fisher/
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990208130105.9920.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "iain fisher" <iainfisher@hotmail.com> Subject: Tin Soldier Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 05:01:04 PST Just for info: Tin Soldier appears on Todd's Ever Popular Torturted Artist Effect album from 1983. Track 5 for the Cd lovers out there and track one side two for the vinyl people That's all
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 04:48:40 -0500 From: Cooking Vinyl <Cooking_Vinyl@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: Profit Message-ID: <199902080448_MC2-699B-1653@compuserve.com> Message text written by Jeff Langr <jlangr@yahoo.com>: > >The $17 amount at mall retail stores makes me wonder, since the most >I'll ever pay is $15 at crap >retail outlets (Best Buy, Media Play, Circuit >City, etc.), and for new stuff it's more like $12. >Online I pay on average $12 plus $2 shipping >and handling -- but often save even more money >due to volume & promotions. And through the clubs >my average price ends up being $8 - $9 which >includes S&H (but the selection sucks). Point being >is that $17 is outrageous however you look at it. > >Regardless of the previous whining, I'd pay the >$17 for Apple Venus if I had to. It's always hard to place a value on art but very easy to place one on musical wallpaper
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:09:46 -0500 (EST) From: Eric Loehr <loehr@javanet.com> Subject: Re: Lucky Americans Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.990208140313.8321B-100000@kona.javanet.com> Huw wrote: >From: Huw Davies <DaviesHPT@cardiff.ac.uk> > >Just a few points: > >1) I've recently found myself in the odd position of actually envying >the Americans on this list. We feel your pain. I'm sure that most Americans might find it equally baffling should the circumstances ever be reversed. ;-} Eric
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000601be5397$a4207430$f06dcec0@t24806009694.DOA.STATE.LA.US> From: "John Voorhees" <griffon@earthling.net> Subject: The Story of the Ghost Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 13:17:16 -0600 Space Ghost Coast to Coast is a truly inspired and bizarre piece of programming. The original Space Ghost was a cheesy sci-fi cartoon superhero show done by Hanna-Barbera in the early 60's. Space Ghost travelled the galaxy with his prepube sidekicks Jan and Jace (and of course, their pet monkey) fighting a wide range of alien baddies. The character design was by far the best part of this old show, done by the incomparable Alex Toth. Fast forward 30 years, and Cartoon Network is born. They take the Ghost from his cosmic cockpit and put him behind the desk of the talk show. Two of his greatest enemies, Zorak the evil mantis guy and Moltar the evil lava guy, have been imprisoned and forced to act as bandleader and director for the show, respectively. The character of Space Ghost has been transformed into an oblivious dork who interviews celebs through a video screen. If you guys got upset at VH-1's WATN, you'd best not be hoping for anything substantial to come out of this "promotional opportunity". The most likely thing is that Andy and the Ghost will trade quips and superhero jokes, and no one will mention the album. But it WILL be damn funny. Bet on it.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36BF40C4.36EEB776@biocomp.unl.edu> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 13:53:40 -0600 From: Peter Mullin <pmullin@biocomp.unl.edu> Subject: Re: Space Ghost > As far as I can tell, they got their facts right. That's encouraging. Now > maybe someone can tell me what in the world a Space Ghost is. Difficult to describe. At least you didn't ask what a Zorak or a Brak might be (or a Moltar, for that matter). The short answer is, Space Ghost was the hero of an old "adventure cartoon" a la Johnny Quest (or maybe more like Wonder Twins) who has been resurrected as a talk show host. The show (here in Nebraska) airs Friday nights at 10:00 pm, usually (or at least, that's when I'm awake to see it). I'm looking forward to seeing Partridge and Moulding cross swords of wit with the Masked One with the Magnificent Chin. "I have a feeling something's looking..."
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:51:53 -0500
From: Dorothy Spirito <spiritod@techmail.gdc.com>
Subject: Catherine-wheeled by XTC; thanks.
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.00.9902081401420.5748-100000@esun2028>
I noticed, upon reading a translation of part of that Italian book on XTC,
that the writer describes The Big Express as a Catherine wheel of
brilliant sounds and surprises. I'm wondering if Andy liked the imagery
and used it when he rewrote the lyrics to "Then She Appeared":
"Catherine-wheeled, all senses dazzled". (Or, perhaps *he* used the
phrase "Catherine wheel" himself while being interviewed for the book, and
it caught the writer's fancy.) The release of Nonsuch and the release
of the book were both in 1992, so it's a bit of the chicken-or-the-egg
thing. In any case, I like the finished lyrics much better than the
demo's. This is one of my favorite XTC songs.
Thank you to those who sent nice welcoming emails to me.
--Dorothy
("Color me happy!")
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6befa8a.027@chemonics.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 14:51:23 -0500 From: Todd Bernhardt <tbernhardt@chemonics.com> Subject: Harrison's Hillbillies Hi: Harrison was kind enough to point out the roles that Relph-san and I played in the bluegrass version of "Crocodile" on CC98, but I must point the spotlight back in his direction ... when I mentioned to him that I'd always wanted to cover the song that way, I was doing so because I knew Harrison plays a mean (well ... grumpy, anyway) 6-string and suggested we contact Mr. Relph because I'd heard he plays a decidedly vicious 8-string. Little did I know that Harrison "They call me _Mr._ Scruggs!" Sherwood would pick such an ornery 5-string, or that he'd pick up my suggestion and run with it so well, arranging and laying out the song so that all I had to do was thump my even-tempered 4-string and squeeze my legs together hard enough to hit the high vocal parts. Of course, he engineered and produced the song at Chez Sherwood, state-of-the-heart recording studios nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia, and displayed his editing and computer chops to synchronize transcontinental tempos and accommodate my need for multiple takes (like a lot of drummers I know, I'm a frustrated bassist, which means I tend to frustrate others when I play, but he kept his cool throughout). Plus, those of you who remember the infamous "Books Are Burning guitar solos" thread begat by Harrison (second in entertainment value only to his "French trombone" thread, IMO) will appreciate the snippet of Southern (c)Rock that crept into Mr. Sherwood's arrangement. Wish he hadn't pointed out my disability, though. Guess I'll have to start typing differently, eh? Speaking of which ... oh David, nice to be able to read your posts! I hope you and Dom are very happy together. Sorry that the commercial radio situation is so dire in Toronto, but it ain't that much better here. Because of that, I tend to stay down at the lower end of the FM dial, where you find the public radio stations -- classical toones, hard boppin' jazz and, yes, classic country and bluegrass! Yeehaw. --Billy Todd
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990208195518.5263.rocketmail@web4.rocketmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 11:55:18 -0800 (PST) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: Todd... "The Mollster"... Molly! Simon Dean wrote in... ah, what was it Digest #82???? Anyways... Todd Bernhardt as Molly Fanton? Oh God! That is like calling him Reagan. oh... I forgot, not supposed to mention politics. Fine. Its like calling him Clinton. There, I'm impartial, I tell you! (No insult meant for Molly, mind you, just... ya'll better be different people or my mind will turn to mush with inconsistancy). Jumping off the peace train yet again, Todd... "DAMNED IT!!!!" oh... okay, the eternal editor... "DAMN IT". ON XTC: Does anyone out there REALLY really REALLY like Prince of Orange? Is there any way that anyone could influence XTC to maybe put that song on their next album... I really can't get enough of the song, I tell you! I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!! peace, Nicole One works with available materials. -- Robert Heinlein
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990208202558.537.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Molly Fanton" <mollyfa@hotmail.com> Subject: Space Ghost Meets XTC (Zorack Put Andy Down) :) Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 15:25:58 EST Oh this is going to be interesting to see XTC on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. This show is so funny. I have The Cartoon Network and I'll definately keep my eyes peeled. I wonder if Space Ghost will shoot them with his laser gun if they say something wrong. :) Molly
------------------------------
From: OMBEAN1@aol.com
Message-ID: <3b9bcc73.36bf5ff9@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 17:06:49 EST
Subject: AV1
Howdy Chalkers,
Greetings from Skippack,Pa! First time posting,long time reading.
I received an advanced copy of AV1. MMM-MMM-GOOD! Hang in there
everyone,its as good as they say. Ive played it a million times already.
The more I listen,the better it gets.Thats all Ive got to say about that.
Great web site!!!
Pleased to bend down for the one called the Greenman,
Roger
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990208222208.13097.rocketmail@web308.yahoomail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:22:08 -0800 (PST) From: Iain Murray <twentiethcenturyfrog@yahoo.com.au> Subject: The Advantage Of Being A Neophyte Evening, all. What a relief it is to be back at work! I'm simply no good when I'm left to my own (de)vices... Is it *really* only two weeks until AV1's release, or might we have to wait a wee bit longer? Sorry to throw this in, but the release date has been put back so many times that it seems a little hard to believe that a shiny new XTC album is so close at hand. Luckily for me, I haven't really been waiting for the full seven years, as I know some of you have ; I had a couple of albums for about three years, but only started hunting for more XTC stuff about eighteen months ago, so I've spent most of that time catching up with the rest of you. As it is, I've only just acquired a copy of "Nonsuch" (many thanks to Duncan Kimball), which pretty much completes things (at least, officially) for the time being. The reason I question the AV1 release date is that I took a trip to Impact Records here in Canberra (usually a pretty good store, except that their XTC rack is generally empty save for one copy of Fossil Fuel), and asked the guy behind the counter about the chances of picking up the new album on the day of release. His reaction : raised eyebrows, a poorly-hidden smirk, and I'm almost certain he muttered something about "fucking poofter music" before walking off. So much for the customer being right (or something similar) ; I should have known I was wasting my breath when I saw his car keys hanging from his nose, I guess... :) At least my two weeks off wasn't totally wasted. The Elvis Costello concert in Sydney was *faaaaaaaaaantastic*, and his support act was pretty damn good as well. I hereby post an early entry for Best Album Of 1999 : "The Long Weekend" by Chris Wilson (and boy, is it long - nearly two hours! Well worth it though, IMHO). == Iain ============================================================ "Information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, wisdom is not truth, truth is not beauty, beauty is not love, love is not music. Music is the best." - Frank Zappa
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 17:45:33 -0500
From: Dorothy Spirito <spiritod@techmail.gdc.com>
Subject: Apologies; XTC touring idea
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.00.9902081613500.6556-100000@esun2028>
To those of you for whom *any* advance discussion is a spoiler, I
apologize for commenting. Regardless that commentary does not affect my
enjoyment, you say it *does* affect yours, and that's good enough for me.
I am sincerely sorry.
On XTC touring: I've been wondering if it wouldn't make sense for XTC to
give a single performance -- with an audience of none, if they'd like --
that would be videotaped and released after each album is released, in
lieu of touring. Right away I can see that while someone might buy
tickets to more than one live performance, they'd likely only buy one
videotape. OTOH there wouldn't be promoters fees, venue rentals, and the
like. Thoughts?
--Dorothy.
("Color me happy!")
------------------------------
Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765C38A1EF@EINSTEIN>
From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com>
Subject: What's your choice for AV1 single?
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 16:46:22 -0600
Thanks to Charlie (Charsil@aol.com) for mentioning that
"Greenman" is being played as a single on WHTG in
Eatontown, New Jersey. Of all the songs on "Apple Venus,
Volume 1," this is my choice to be singled out for
radio airplay. I was a tad disappointed that "I'd Like That"
seemed to be destined for radio instead of "Greenman"
or even "Your Dictionary" (despite its controversial lyrics)
even though I like "I'd Like That" a lot, especially the drumming
near the end of the song.
I realize this may seem like an unfair question to those
of you who haven't heard "Apple Venus" yet, but you
will soon, so please bear with me and think about what
your answer might be:
If you could determine which song/s on AV1 would be
played on the radio, what would you choose?
Just curious,
Jill Oleson
Austin, Texas
* ------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We tried to talk it over, but the words got in the way."
-- Leon Russell
from "This Masquerade" on his 1972 album "Carney"
------------------------------ From: JStrole@aol.com Message-ID: <2238133e.36bf69b1@aol.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 17:48:17 EST Subject: XTC in Billboard, on VH1 XTC appears in the new issue of Billboard magazine. Firstly, Song Stories is reviewed in the In Print section, then there is an article on page 18: XTC Resurfaces With 'Apple Venus'. It's a pretty straight forward, "nothing-we-didn't-know-already" story. But it bears bad tidings as the release date (at least in the States) has been pushed back to -ARGGH- March 16. One hopes this is a misprint, but knowing this industry the way I do, I would guess it isn't (especially since the cover art was only completed within the past few weeks). To the fellow poster who claims CDs are made for $.20, can you please tell me where this is so I can get a raise by stopping the replicators my company goes through that charges much more than that. That was a real nice bone VH1 through us, but I think their whole story on Behind the Music would not only be more appropriate, it would be fascinating to the public at large. Perhaps Where Are They Now? is being used as some sort of barometer to see who they should profile next on Behind The Music. To the person who was about to interview Andy (I'm sure I'm late on this one) if your still stuck on what to ask him, back in 1983 there was a cassette magazine called SFX in England. Andy did an interview with them and it was quite entertaining. He didn't talk about music, instead he spent the whole time talking about Gerry Anderson TV shows like The Thunderbirds and Fireball XL5 (I still have the tape, if anyone wants a copy). In fact he does all the different voices of the characters hilariously well. Now I know this is an obscure topic, but you can get Andy going on just about any subject and he's bound to be entertaining so maybe you or any potential interviewers might think about veering away from the typical topics being asked, I'm sure Andy will appreciate it, though your editors won't. Harry
------------------------------ Date: 9 Feb 99 10:09:51 AED From: Paul.Culnane@dcita.gov.au Subject: Australian Apple Venus Release Message-ID: <0000vfvtdrdl.0000sgmwcaam@dcita.gov.au> Hi everybubble Firstly, Happy New Year all - it's good to be back. When I returned to work from a wonderfullly relaxing break, I discovered that I had lost most of my email addresses, dammit - so if you haven't heard personally from me for a while, it's cos I dunno your e-address anymore. Please feel free to write and catch up. Anyway: News of particular interest to Australian fans: "Apple Venus Volume 1" is scheduled for local release by Festival Records on 22 February. Triple-J is already featuring a couple of tracks on, er, medium rotation. I've only heard Easter Theatre so far - it's quite heavenly. Would any of you linguistically talented ones care to suggest a word which is the feminine form of "phallic"? For such word would certainly describe the AV artwork! BTW: Cheryl McGregor - happy birthday for Feb 16th darlin' ;^) ~p@ul
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36BF798E.722F@heraldonline.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 18:56:10 -0500 From: BPeschel@heraldonline.com (Bill Peschel) Organization: The Herald Subject: Space Ghost definition Greetings; If this description of a Space Ghost interview sounds bizarre, that's because, well, it is. Space Ghost is a cartoon character. I don't know much about his mythology, but visually he's a guy in white spandex and black hood who can fly and kick butt. The Internet Movie Data Base mentions it was a series "Space Ghost and Dino Boy" in 1966 (my god, look at the voice credits: Gary Owens (Laugh-In) was the voice of Space Ghost, Keye Luke (Charlie Chan's Number One Son) as Brak; and Johnny Carson as "Dino Boy"). Anyway, on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, an animated Space Ghost sits behind a desk and interviews a celebrity who he sees on a little monitor. Just like the old Johnny Carson show. I only saw a few episodes, and thought the jokes and questions were pretty lame. OTOH, Andy comes across as a wonderful interview: bright, witty and he don't take no BS. The only problem will be that SGC2C will censor all the naughty bits. What I wouldn't give to hear the outtakes! -- Bill Peschel Book page editor, Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald
------------------------------ Message-ID: <697A4CA51395D111A658AA00040058069D9F85@NT6> From: "Wiencek, Dan" <wiencek@aaos.org> Subject: Welcome to Ghost Planet, XTC Pop-Band! Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 17:46:00 -0600 How very weird ... I'd been toying with the idea of posting to Chalkhills about one of my fondest wishes: that my favorite band, XTC, should appear on my favorite talk show, Space Ghost Coast-to-Coast. And now I find it's going to happen! How strange and delightful. To those of you who've never seen the program: Andy was *born* to do this show. I hope the writers rise to the occasion. I imagine the interview ... (Colin and Andy are seated side-by-side in SG's monitor. SG is holding a blue card.) SG: My next guests are famous throughout the universe. Please welcome pop music constructors XTC! AP & CM: Hi. Zorak: I thought you guys were dead. SG: Ha! Ha! Please don't be rude to the guests, Zorak. Andy: No, we're still alive. Just barely clinging to life. SG: Of course you are! Citizen Andy, have you ever seen me flex my biceps? (begins flexing) Andy: Well-- Zorak: Didn't you go insane or something? SG: Zorak, I'm asking the questions! Andy: Actually-- Zorak: So ask something interesting. SG: Eat spank-ray, insect!! (Blasts Zorak into charred cinder.) Mm. Now, Andy, which of these words sounds better: "igneous" or "sousaphone"? Just imagine the ensuing hilarity. One more thing in the XTC-universe to look forward to. Dan
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 16:23:27 -0800 (PST) From: Misty Shock <mccrtny@u.washington.edu> Subject: A dubious defense of Brendan Kiley Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.4.05.9902071103150.27477-100000@saul7.u.washington.edu> Somebody (sorry, forgot the name) said: "I'm very much behind on my Chalk-readings...so, that being said (written)...has anyone seen the AV 1 review, there's a copy of it on Chalkhills, done for the U of Washington Daily, by Brendan Kiley? Well....check it out! It's easily the most uneducated attempt at a review that I've ever read! LAUGHABLE...& sadly, I'm sure that TVT also sent that chap a press release with the advance copy; which, had he taken the time to read, would've cleared up his ignorance about AV 2's release date....check out his River Of Orchids quote!!!...uhhh, I'm pretty sure that's not what Andy is singing." I'm a student at the University of Washington, and I came across Brendan's review. I promptly wrote him an e-mail, not only to complain but also to beg for his copy of Apple Venus. I wrote in bold letters, "I WILL PAY," and Brendan was nice enough to give it to me for nothing but a tape of XTC's best. I couldn't stop smiling that day. His defense? Brendan told me that he's usually a theater critic, and that he got handed that job when everybody else in the office refused to take it. His main defense was that he was highly ignorant of XTC, and I myself wonder if he's ever heard XTC at all. Now, hearing the album, I wonder how much my opinion differs from somebody who is an XTC novice. If I wasn't familiar with Andy's very singular personality, would I too, like Brendan, find it to be a derivative Beatles rip-off? I also found it sad that nobody among the Daily staff wanted this assignment. I thought that XTC was big with the college crowd. Does this reflect some changed perception of XTC since the times when Peter Pumpkinhead was such a hit? Well, anyway, Brendan was nice enough to give my his promo copy for free, and in later correspondence, he told me he liked "Statue of Liberty" and "No Thugs In Our House" from the tape I made him. And in response to an earlier post, Colin's stuff is great on the new album, in my opinion, and AV1 would be much the lesser without it. I won't say anything else about the album, so as not to give anything away. Finally, how could anybody dislike "Season's Cylce"? I'm shocked! It's not everyday that someone can pull of the Beach Boys so brilliantly. Misty Shock "No round of drinks can extinguish this feeling of love and engulfing bliss." --Andy Partridge
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-84 ******************************
Go back to Volume 5.
9 February 1999 / Feedback