Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 85 Wednesday, 10 February 1999 Today's Topics: Bravo!, Guilty Confessions, Ramblings, etc. Apple Venus Direct Order For Aussies go figure/soldiering on... Interview With The And-pire gonads & thanks Newsflash!! Froom to Produce Skylarking 2 !!!!!!! Small town US radio Re: Uncut Radio Free England ? Andy Interview? Hello from TVT Ages? TB review (and a bit of self-promotion) XTC on the radio in Minneapolis... Re: The History of Rock 'n' Roll I'd Like That - single? Buying Copies "Now there's one soul less..." Greets Fuzzy Warbles and the Colin Problem... Paul's Dictionary..... February 23. Aussie Venus I Like It! 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 3.7 (by John Relph <relph@sgi.com>). I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <s6bf227e.077@tcwgroup.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 17:43:51 -0800 From: "Dane Pereslete" <peresd@tcwgroup.com> Subject: Bravo!, Guilty Confessions, Ramblings, etc. To Mr. Relph: As always, this is the best site on the 'net and, as always, you continue to do an excellent job in bringing us all things XTC! Where do you find the time to commit to this level of excellence? The only other site that could even dream of touching the foot of the pedestal that this one rests on is pos- sibly the Pat Metheny Group Listener Network, and that's only on a good day! A few weeks ago I was just daydreaming about our boys (or even just Andy) having a stint on "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" (I even considered posting this idea but backed out for fear of vicious ridicule), when BAM!!, fantasy has become reality! I have to confess that this show is one of my guilty little pleasures, much to the consternation of my wife (who, come to think of it, doesn't understand my obsession with XTC either... oh, well...she will someday see the error of her ways, heh heh!... but I digress), and Andy and Colin seemed to me to be perfect victims for that show that is so SICK! PERVERSE! TWISTED!... guess that's why I like it ;-). They should fare very well in that en- vironment, yes indeedy! As far as "URGH! - A Music War" is considered, my fave moment is when Stan Ridgway, et.al. (Wall of Voodoo) are seated at the Santa Monica Pier, while a rather strange butler type approaches from out of the bustling crowd with a telephone, saying "Phone call for Wall of Voodoo...". And, in a related aside regarding Mr. Froom's dossier, let's not forget the producing and playing credits with Stan Ridgway!! ["Salesman" (producer), "Pick It Up (And Put It In Your Pocket)" (Producer, Keyboards), "Stormy Side of Town" (Keyboards), and I think "Bing Can't Walk ('Cause Bob Broke Both His Legs)" as well] What is the mention in the Raygun interview about the "peacock feather" artwork being dumped because the feathers are bad luck? Who's your source for the AV1 cover artwork, Mr. Strijbos? Are we of Chalkhills being duped? ;-) To Kevin Lancaster: Good for you! I dare say that myself and many on this list would most likely suffer the same fumbling fate if thrown into that situation!! Ah, well...'tis enough rambling for now! "...we're run by the Pentagon, we're run by Madison Avenue, we're run by television, and as long as we accept those things and don't revolt we'll have to go along with the stream to the eventual avalanche." - Patrick McGoohan *---------------------------------------------------------------- Logging in from beautiful Glendale, CA USA "Getting oh, so impatient!" daneperes@aol.com -or- bramage64@aol.com *----------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: 9 Feb 99 13:17:33 AED From: Paul.Culnane@dcita.gov.au Subject: Apple Venus Direct Order For Aussies Message-ID: <0000xnbrvbxn.0000wwysmeww@dcita.gov.au> Oz-chalkers! Further to my earlier Chalkhills posting about the availability of "Apple Venus Volume 1" in Australia, I have received the following information from the very helpful Mark Sequeira at Festival Records: 1) "Transistor Blast" was released locally on 4/12/98, catalogue number D89943. 2) "Apple Venus", due for release on 22/2/99, can be ordered direct from Festival Records, by calling their toll-free order line: 1800 674 646. Moreover, I get the impression from Mark's correspondence with me that he and Festival are very enthusiastic about having XTC on their label, and are making strong efforts to support the new album. ....the shell will soon be fully open! ~p@ul
------------------------------ From: STakesh@aol.com Message-ID: <f3db2858.36bfa5e2@aol.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 22:05:06 EST Subject: go figure/soldiering on... Hi, Chalkers, The SPIN online interview (Part II) with Andy is out. Don't read it while eating, folks. Does anyone know if Andy is still actively collecting toy soldiers? And what's the status of his book on military uniforms, with his own painted illustrations? Does he intend to finish it after AV2? On an eerily related note, I found this while perusing the official website for Harlan "I'm NOT a 'sci-fi' writer!" Ellison: >>Fans, readers, and good-hearted souls keep sending Harlan little gifts, "tokens of their esteem". The thoughts are usually very nice and much appreciated, but usually it's nothing he can use, or has room for. HE thanks you, but says he'd rather you didn't. From time to time we (and Rick Wyatt on the website) ask for youse guys to look for something special HE needs; but otherwise, if you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT restrain yourself, here's a tip from the RABBIT HOLE editor: he loves historical miniatures. (What we laypersons call "toy soldiers").....>>> I don't know what's sillier, being enamored with toy soldiers, or being... fascinated with the artistic guys who are enamored with them... Another eerie similarity: a recent discussion thread there had people confessing their Harlan Ellison-related dreams.... Science friction burns my fingers, Stephanie
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990209034234.289.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com> Subject: Interview With The And-pire Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 19:42:34 PST Chalk Eaters, My dream has come true. While some have pined for a musical tour by our lads, I knew this was just not to be. There is only one thing more wonderful than a live performance by XTC, and that would of course be... An interview of XTC by the finest talk show host of this or any galaxy, Space Ghost! Er, ok... keep Braak away from Andy's hat, he is known to get hungry during long interviews. Please read on: Here's an opportunity many have had in person, but those of us who hang on to each posting on the list hoping for hard news, insights, and actual new nuggets of wisdom from Mr. Partridge have cause for rejoicing. In a couple of weeks he will be interviewed by the SECOND best interviewer in this or any galaxy, Jack Rabid of the marvelous, force-of-nature publication The Big Takeover, (Todd Bernhardt is of course the THIRD best interviewer in this or any other galaxy). Those of you who have sampled this great music magazine know that Jack puts out a thick, phonebook-like tome every six months or so, totally dedicated to "music with heart". In other words, this is a magazine that exists to let the world know what one Rabid fan feels is the best, and I can't tell you how many great albums I've purchased based on his recommendations. House of Love, Chameleons, Kitchens Of Distinction, and so many more. Jack's interviews are long, detailed, and hilarious (in the newest issue on your better newsstands now, check the chat with Ray Davies for an excellent example). See some good stuff promoting the mag at: http://www.bigtakeover.com Is is any wonder that he also loves XTC? Jack asked me in a recent email if there were any questions I would like to be asked. I of course took this to mean that I could poll all of you for your all-time hot XTC inquiries. So here, enough of this yakkin'. Any and all questions you have always wanted to ask Andy, please forward to me at bobcrain@hotmail.com in the next week's time, ending on February 15. I will be sending the Q's for A's to Jack for his consideration. -Bob Crain bobcrain@hotmail.com
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990208233216.006bb2e0@mail.interlog.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 23:32:16 -0500 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: gonads & thanks i guess it had to happen sooner or later, but dom lawson & i actually agree on something! who would'a thunk it? when i first heard that xtc were going to be "honoured" with a tribute album, i was overwhelmed & overjoyed. i thought, "hallelujah, there is a god after all!" however, upon listening to the "testicles' dinner", i was actually underwhelmed & underjoyed! i was half expecting the crash test dummies to do luke-warm rendition of "all you pretty girls", after hearing their pathetic cover of "peter pumpkinhead", but i was also half expecting sarah mclachlan to do "dear god" some justice. her interpretation is mediocre at best, sucking most of the irony, & life, right out of the piece. i always wanted to hear "dear god" done up as a punk rock song; guitars thrashing along at 200 bps, with the lyrics being spat out venomously. think green day, the exploited or [insert seminal 1976 punk band name here], you might get the picture. perhaps the song is a little too melodic for a pure thrash-hardcore-punk interpretation, but that is the way i can hear it in my head. can anyone else hear it that way? anyway, the testicles' cd has only been played twice 'round here. i mean, really, there is only that one song by terry & the lovemen, that's not too bad. kinda sounds like the lads a little bit, don't it? maybe i'll give it another chance someday, but for now... some big thanks go out to the following chalkmarks for their advice on the bootleg of "making plans for andy": Dorothy Spirito (terrible sound on the 1982 material) Steve Stearns (most of it sounds so-so) Andrea Lynn Rossillon (sound quality isn't the greatest but it's not bad) Roger Patton (it wasnt that good of a purchase. Horrible quality.) Martin van Rappard [refered me to chalkhills list of boots] Matt Keeley (inferior sound quality) & good ol' Mark Strijbos (a wishy-washy affair... really sub-standard) all responded to my question about its sound quality & i really appreciated the feedback. it was the italian version, so i ended up _not_ buying the disc. it'll probably bug me 'til the day i die, but i refrained from parting with the $40.00 cdn ($10.00 us or #2.50 sterling - joking!) they were asking for it. btw, dom, when will our impending nuptials be? i need to know as i must do something with my hair... peace & xtc davidoh
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990209041026.9513.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Joe Funk" <jomama64@hotmail.com> Subject: Newsflash!! Froom to Produce Skylarking 2 !!!!!!! Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 20:10:25 PST "Are you here for a 5 minute argument? Or would you like the course of 10? " My question is:-..My questions are-.Amongst my questions herein lay these particular arguments:-. Timeout!!! Before the arguments begin I had these observations Mitchell Froom inexplicibly decides "Summer's Cauldron" should be the last track on "Skylarking" and overlays a collage of samplings of random theremin noisings. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!! < I know, Todd fans might consider that sacrilegious. It's no secret, <though, that Andy wasn't particularly pleased with Rundgren's <production work on Skylarking. Is that so Chris? Could Mr. Froom Arrange the incredible crecsendo on " Sacrificial Bonfire"? Quote Andy: "The arrangements were brilliant and I don't know how he came up with them-.He'd work them out one note at a time. " Sacrificial Bonfire" he more or less did overnight, which was shocking." And, Man!!! The terrible segue into "Grass" and fade out back to " Cauldron "! What nonsense!! And how dare Todd decide the running order for these song! Every aspect of the album was in perfect harmony on what was going on in my life at that exact moment. Marriage, having a child, death of my grandmother-.. Chris, You probably like Phil Spector's production of the Beatles better than George Martin's-.This I can only assume because you take your personal bias ( you must not like Todd! ), and generate it towards getting a rise out of folks like me who were overjoyed when they learned Todd would produce the next XTC!!! So, lets get a little poll going here: Who thinks Skylarking would have been better with Ol' Mr. Froom ( or any likewise producer )? Todd has his ups ( A wizard, a True Star ), and his downs ( TR-1), But "Skylarking" is definitely one of his gems. By the way, got my copy of AV1 from Jill, and cannot..I repeat..I cannot get over " River of Orchids"!! Could be one of Andy's most mesmerizing songs ever! As I go on and on across this antheap. Jomama
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990209081222.28703.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Chris Crouch" <chriscrouch@hotmail.com> Subject: Small town US radio Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 02:12:20 CST Someone wrote (I should see who. A-ha, Huw Davies <DaviesHPT@cardiff.ac.uk>): 1) I've recently found myself in the odd position of actually envying the Americans on this list. There has been numerous recent postings about how people are pressuring local radio stations to play tracks from AV1 and I've been thinking, well at least you are lucky enough to have radio stations that may listen to your requests. Due to the fact that the US has a comparatively large and diverse radio market, Americans are lucky in the sense that they are more likely to have radio stations that will play XTC. The radio stations where I live (and also here at school) can hardly be classified as diverse. They all play the same kind of music and have the same 5 song rotation. Once, as a matter of experimentation, I tried to see if I could go for an hour listening to nothing but "Intergalactic" by the Beasty Boys (you kow, that song that sounded kinda cool the frist time you heard it, got more and more annyoing as it moved up the playlists untill you couldn't stand it, and now derives no reaction as your senses have become completely numb to its sound? That one.). I didn't make the whole hour, but I did hear it 6 times on 4 stations. That's right, two stations played it twice in one hour's time. There's no diversity here (In western Illinois or anywhere I've been in Iowa). This is a boys only club here, be they beasties or backstreet, they get exclusive airplay. Maybe I've just been in the wrong markets, too small to get the niche stations... XTC content (well, kinda...): One thing that I can't complain about (I think) is the manger of the local hole-in-the-wall record store. I stopped in Peeple's music here in Ames, IA last week to make sure they would havea copy of AV-1 for me on that Tuesday that seems so far away (Why did the industry decide on Tuesday to release albums? Anyone have any idea? Seems like an odd day of the week to me...). After he ran out of TB before I could get there, I was worried I might not get my copy on opening day. He said he would be sure to have a copy for me. Now I have to hope he hasn't bought just one copy and is plotting to charge me 21$ for it. That was kinda long winded and rambling for only my second post... chris (in ames)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6c03c56.095@parliament.uk> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 13:45:45 +0000 From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk> Subject: Re: Uncut >>The latest issue of Uncut magazine (March 1999) has a review of AV1 along with an interview with Andy Partridge. Plus there is free CD included with the issue that has "River of Orchids" on it. I haven't actually listened to it yet as I am in two minds about doing so. I think I'd prefer to listen to the whole album at once when it comes out. Duh! What's wrong with you? Where does all this ludicrous nonsense come from? If I hear one more person making a bid for saint status I will vomit blood. As soon as I heard that there was a new XTC tune on the Uncut CD I raced to WHSmiths and nicked a copy. Then I got home as fast as I could and played it. Any other decision would have been moronic. "I'd rather wait for the whole album" indeed. What a load of crap. You're an XTC fan, you've been waiting seven years for a new album and now you want to delay it even further? Stop turning this into an exercise in self-flagellation and HEAR THE SODDING TUNE!!!! Like this........ I sat in front of my speakers, the volume control set to BASTARD LOUD and demanded silence from my esteemed partner & gormless pal. They took the hint and shut it. I pressed play and we listened........... .........six minutes later and we're all completely speechless. Awestruck. Dumbfounded. Gobsmacked. Stunned. Music means more to me than anything in life except maybe people (and that's debatable - I've never been let down or stitched up by XTC or Black Sabbath as far as I can remember) but despite having been obsessed by it for the best part of twenty years, I have rarely been quite so moved and affected by a single song as I was by "River Of Orchids" last night. Utterly, utterly incredible. Granted, it's going to take me a while to truly get to know this amazing song, but the hairs on the back of my neck were all standing to attention and saluting, unexpected adrenalin was searing along my veins and, well, etc etc etc, to be quite honest. Both my beloved and our witless associate were similarly bowled over.....and they don't even like XTC that much. New underpants all round, and I couldn't have been less interested in the rest of the Uncut CD if it had been Celine Dion sings the hits of Shithead Collins. I played it again. Same effect. Jesus, the new album really is going to be more shit hot than a skip full of hot shit, isn't it? So, I shall repeat, if you've bought Uncut and have the free CD LISTEN TO THE DAMN THING!!!!! I'm appalled that anyone should have to point this out. Dom.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <O4KgcDAx$Ew2EwCG@neutronstar.demon.co.uk> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 15:10:41 +0000 From: chris <chris@neutronstar.demon.co.uk> Subject: Radio Free England ? People, In message <6EC33AC19DB@PARKLA1S.CF.AC.UK>, Huw Davies <DaviesHPT@cardiff.ac.uk> writes >1) I've recently found myself in the odd position of actually envying >the Americans on this list. There has been numerous recent postings >about how people are pressuring local radio stations to play tracks >from AV1 and I've been thinking, well at least you are lucky enough >to have radio stations that may listen to your requests. Due to the >fact that the US has a comparatively large and diverse radio market, >Americans are lucky in the sense that they are more likely to have >radio stations that will play XTC. The situation is a lot worse here >in the UK. I doubt whether XTC will get played on the radio at all in >this country although I may be wrong. Can anyone foresee Radio 1 >playing them? Well, I remember when 'Nonsuch' was released Nicky Campbell (yes..Nicky Campbell!!) playing at least half the album on his evening show during the week. Also when 'The Loving' was released as a single Mike Reid (yes, Mike Reid!!!!!) playing it and saying it was one of his favourite songs of the year. So, you never know. (Note to non-Brits: to give an indication of Nicky Campbells usual levels of taste he was for several years the presenter of the British version of 'Wheel of Fortune') Noticing Blur crop up recently in this mailing list always reminds me of reading a few years back in 'Empire' magazine (I think) a review of Blur's terrible 'Great Escape' album which concluded along the lines of 'what's the point of being a second-rate XTC' which amused me greatly. Thanks to the people who responded to my Barry Andrews question (nice website Phil!) Cheers -- chris2 email: chris@neutronstar.demon.co.uk
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 12:16:38 -0600 Message-Id: <199902091816.MAA07640@thor.inlink.com> From: jims@inlink.com (Jim S) Subject: Andy Interview? >I just read Art Dudley's interview with Andy. Quite amazing. >The bits regarding Dave are extraordinary. It's not pretty stuff, but >I appreciate Andy's candor about it. >On the other hand, what he says about Todd Rundgren is delightful. >He's turned a corner there. I keep hearing about this interview where Andy details his problems with Dave. Is this online somewhere, or could someone be kind enough to scan it and e-mail it to me? Thanks for any info. BTW, some of the demos I recently aquired are REALLY growing on me. The Wheel And The Maypole, We're All Light and I Don't Want To Be Here are simply amazing. Jim S. <jims@inlink.com> Staff member/writer for the Sports Gaming Network U.S. site: http://www.sports-gaming.com/ U.K. site: http://www.sports-gaming.co.uk
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 14:53:01 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <l0313030cb2e5f8a05b40@[38.149.92.70]> From: John Hammond <johnh@tvtrecords.com> Subject: Hello from TVT Hello Chalkhillers, After enjoying the discussion as a lurker for a while, I thought I'd pass along a little info. Everyone here is really excited about AV1, and as we've all read in different posts, the initial response from press and radio is incredible! We have an advance preview of the album now available on our web site: www.tvtrecords.com. You can download "I'd Like That" in full from now through 2/23/99 (album release date), as a Liquid Audio file. If you don't have a Liquid Audio player, one will be provided for you. (wow, sounds like Mission Impossible! -- and yes, the file will self-destruct on release date!) If anyone has a band-oriented website and wants to put the album preview & download up on their site, we can provide you with all the necessary files, and we'll be glad to set up a link from our site. Contact me (johnh@tvtrecords.com) for details. APPLE VENUS Vol. 1 will be in stores in the US and Canada on 2/23/99. I know there were varying reports that had it coming out earlier or later (for some reason this week's Billboard article lists the date as 3/16 -- I have no idea where they got that!), but that is a confirmed date: 2/23/99. Two weeks and counting! Andy (and Colin in a couple cities) will be doing some promotional activities for the album right around release date, including in-store appearances/signings in select major cities. Stay tuned to the web site for full details as they get confirmed. thanks! John Hammond TVT Records
------------------------------ Message-ID: <8w1hoFAIuJw2Iwt8@coopefamily.demon.co.uk> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 20:33:12 +0000 From: KT <Katy@coopefamily.demon.co.uk> Subject: Ages? What's the usual age for an XCT fan then? I'm 13 and have yet to find someone my age to like (let alone have heard of) the band... -- Katy Coope
------------------------------ Message-ID: <697A4CA51395D111A658AA00040058069D9F88@NT6> From: "Wiencek, Dan" <wiencek@aaos.org> Subject: TB review (and a bit of self-promotion) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 14:38:56 -0600 Pop-Culture-Corn just posted my (rather lengthy) review of Transistor Blast. You can find it at: http://www.pccmag.com/music/issues/jan99/review-xtc.html#
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36C0A289.4E3ED308@mindless.com> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 15:03:05 -0600 From: Dark Rabbit <dark_rabbit@mindless.com> Subject: XTC on the radio in Minneapolis... It had been a looooong weekend for me, and it felt nice to just order a pizza instead of cook this last Sunday night (02/07). I hopped in the car and switched the dial over to the local 'alternative' station (alternative being questionable since despite there being numerous radio stations here, they all play a variation of the same format). First thing I hear is the unmistakable vocals of XTC playing something I had never heard of before! I knew the album was coming out this month but wasn't certain if it would even have songs in rotation here, but it was! Well, I had apparently caught the end of the song ("I'd like that", judging from the lyrics) and then to dampen my enthusiasm even more, discovered that I was just listening to the syndicated radio show, "Across the Pond." Anyone catch the whole show? As soon as I got home I put in a request for more XTC! =) I still think the chances are good we will hear something of the album go into rotation here because they still play "Dear God" and "Senses Working Overtime" at least once a week during the day. Glenn "Yes, our governor was a pro-wrestler... at least he's not Hulk Hogan!"
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 15:03:20 -0800 (PST) From: relph (John Relph) Message-Id: <9902091503.ZM20870@mando.engr.sgi.com> Subject: Re: The History of Rock 'n' Roll Lemoncurry <lemoncurry@geocities.com> asked this question: > >What would appear as the sound of the 90's if Andy Partridge had made >"The History of Rock'n'Roll" now ? Andy Partridge himself answered this one. Here's a bit from a Geffen press release in which Andy talks about each track on "Rag & Bone Buffet": History Of Rock 'N' Roll: There was this project called Miniatures. Each cut was supposed to be less than a minute. I went for the gigantic: a history of rock 'n' roll in 22 seconds. The 50's: an echoed hiccupping vocal of the word 'well'. The 60's: A snatch of a fuzzbox riff in indian scale. The 70's: A power chord. The 80's: At the time, this was done in 1981, the 80's threatened to go horribly synthetic, and a lot of it did, so the 80's is an electronic fart. The 90's? I suspect that will be a bit of a James Brown drum rhythm. Funky drummer. Yeah. -- John
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 15:23:18 -0800 (PST) From: Benjamin Lukoff <blukoff@alvord.com> Subject: I'd Like That - single? Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.990209152119.25224A-100000@locutus.alvord.com> Hi, The CMJ New Music Report review of AV1 on Chalkhills mentions "the bouncy first single 'I'd Like That'". Does this mean an actual single is being released, or does this just mean that is the track that will be pushed most heavily to radio?
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19990209165337.00877290@pophost.micron.net> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 16:53:37 -0700 From: Phil Corless <philco@micron.net> Subject: Buying Copies Mark wrote: >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? I did my bit.... 4 copies of Apple Venus from Music Blvd, AND one copy of Transistor Blast. Yes, it'll hurt the ol' pocketbook, but my wife says I'm not allowed to buy any more CDs until January 2000. So sad, no Jason Falkner, no Blur, no Fuzzy Warbles, no Beautiful South..... Phil Corless philco@micron.net http://netnow.micron.net/~philco/ "Noise is life. Quiet is death." - D. B. Hughes
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990209235449.12615.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: "Now there's one soul less..." Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 15:54:48 PST Hi Chalkers Looks like my post in #5-84 got lost in transmission - curse that damned ether - I must stop drinking it. Anyway, the principal reason for my post was to pass on some very sad new from the Aussie music scene - the death of one of Australia's finest singer/songwriters, David McComb, who died suddenly at his home in Melbourne on 2nd February, aged only 36. David was the former leader of The Triffids, one of the all-time great Australian 'independent' bands, and his beautiful songs and distinctive baritone were an indelible part of that great period in Australian music. Much of his work for the Triffids is now accorded classic status, and although the band never achieved wide commercial success in Australia, McComb was regarded by his peers as one of the best. By coincidence, Paul Kelly recently paid tribute to him by performing one of McComb's best-known songs "Wide Open Road" at the recent Mushroom Records 25th-anniversary concert, and including it as a regular encore in his January Australian tour. The Triffids made a great series of records between 1981-89, producing some of the best Australian music of the 80s, but (typically) they were far more popular overseas than here at home, and had an avid following in Europe. If you haven't heard them, I especially commend to you their brilliant albums "Born Sandy Devotional" and "Calenture". McComb also made an excellent solo album called "Love of Will" relaeased in 1994. Although McComb had been unwell for several years and had to have a heart transplant in 1995, he had coped well with his illness - according to former bandmate "Evil" Graham Lee, McComb's biggest disappointment was that he couldn't take his old heart home with him after the operation! In spite of the illness he continued to work sporadically in Melbourne, where he lived. On January 30 McComb was involved in a minor car accident, was treated in hospital and released the next day, but died suddenly at his home two days later. Dunks
------------------------------ From: REXGROOVI@aol.com Message-ID: <7188a73c.36c0d0a4@aol.com> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 19:19:48 EST Subject: Greets It has been far to long since last I had written. Anyone know if the Little express in Barrie is still up and running? usual blah blah blah.. been fan since drums.. a DEVOTED fan since hearing "Knuckle down" and a wonderful B side "Heaven's paved with broken glass" on college radio ... anyway... i have had a promo copi of Apple Venus since two weeks ago...(it pays to keep in touch with ex co workers when you no longer work someplace) . Of course after one listen. I was only slightly engrossed. But as always (Nonesuch took 3 listens) the second time around I was so absorbed the head phones stayed close for 2 more listens that night. I think "dictionary " is obvious risque' enough to get some spins in radio/video. Colin's "fruit nut" is a clever little charm on the brain. I'm not as ingrossed with "river as orchid's" as others I seen but I'm sure it''ll find a slot in my musical mind as I hum in the shower or while at work."Greenman" is awesome! Anyway I cant wait to buy the CD/LP and get the whole package. I have not seen the cover or any inserts and that alone is worth the $15 I'll pay for each. I have not heard any demo's in over 5 years. and if someone had access to quality copi's I'll be willing to trade some of my extra copi's of LP's I've collected (I got UK version of English Settlement on vinyl a few months back for only $3.99 silly record stores. It's my 4 copi's on LP including a a cutout version of the US release. I also have many 45's that I'd trade for demo's although my fav of "No thug's" game-fold will never leave my record box. I work for a distributor of Wise chips in Syracuse now and in one of my larger Grocery accounts I have heard "King for a day ." I even remember hearing it in a 'Wendy's' many moons ago. Anyway I'm babbling' so bye for now.... Bill Goodfellow Syracuse rexgroovi@aol.com
------------------------------ From: ERA1970@aol.com Message-ID: <f431d72.36c0d0e6@aol.com> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 19:20:54 EST Subject: Fuzzy Warbles and the Colin Problem... I read with great interest the mention of the forthcoming "all-demo" box set, "Fuzzy Warbles." However, it was also mentioned that very few demos of Colin's songs are known to exist, as he threw them away some years ago. Could anyone owning copies of these demos please contact Cooking Vinyl/TVT Records/whoever so that this box set could be as complete as possible? I know you have them, but can you bear to part with them? True, the novelty of being the "only one on your block" to have them would be gone, but you would make your fellow Chalkhillers (and, I suspect, Colin) extremely happy. Now, let's see who the "real fans" are. Heh-heh. Chris W XTC song of the day-- "River Of Orchids" Non-XTC song of the day-- "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five
------------------------------ From: "Michael Harvey" <mdharvey@home.com> Subject: Paul's Dictionary..... Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 19:18:21 -0500 Message-ID: <000101be548a$decdc580$8dfe0218@cc321554-a.mcmb1.mi.home.com> Good day Chalkbabies, In digest #5-84, Paul Culnane wrote: 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! Hmmmmm, I would tend to say "Sapphic". Anybody agree? I want to add that I think it is the best artwork I've seen for an album in maybe seven years. I don't think I need to elaborate to anyone on this list.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 20:10:16 -0500 (EST) From: Brian Whitman <bwhitman@WPI.EDU> Subject: February 23. Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.4.10.9902092002560.29912-100000@wpi.WPI.EDU> So, is this really the date? TVT thinks so, CDNow thinks so, why do I have a feeling it's wrong? I just downloaded 'I'd Like That' and heard my first new note of XTC since the fade out at the end of "Books Are Burning." Oh Boy. I'd Like That if someone could just fastforward time a bit to get to February 23rd. Also: New Jason Falkner album, "Can You Still Feel?" is also set for Feb 23rd. That should be something else. And the new Built to Spill record, which I've already heard and sounds lovely... same day. Mebbe the Sugarplastic and Michael Penn both have works they're going to secretly release that day as well. Then my head just will explode. Excited. Damn this teasing technology. Brian Whitman - bwhitman@wpi.edu http://www.netspace.org/users/bwhitman crudites: http://www.crudites.org
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990210014439.24076.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "* Hobbes *" <hazchem25@hotmail.com> Subject: Aussie Venus Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 17:44:38 PST Bad news Oz kids, The Australian release date of Apple Venus has been held back until March the 26th. I got this straight from the distributors mouth. Seven years of waiting, and now this? I'm just going to get the import! lol! Incidentally how hard can Transistor Blast be to find down here? I mean if *Sanity* can order it in for you... Lastly, And if anyone should know the feminine version of phallic it would be you Culnane! lol! I'd dearly love the watch my XTC videos again SOMETIME before the next millenium. You've had them since December 1995! Get organised man!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <36C0E821.87427C15@bowdoin.edu> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 21:00:06 -0500 From: Ben Gott/Loquacious Music <bgott@bowdoin.edu> Organization: http://listen.to/loquacious Subject: I Like It! Chalkers, My roommate Curtis was kind enough to download "I'd Like That" onto his super zippy PC with surround sound, and we took a listen. I was just outside of heaven (St. Peter's gates?) until the amazing, astonishing "say a sunflower..." That pushed me over. Holy shit. It's glorious. We looked at each other, muttered the "F-word," and then proceeded to play the song again. And again. Download it if you don't have it already! -Ben P.S. TVT lists the release of this little gem as 2/23. P.P.S. Curtis is now going to buy "Apple Venus." +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Benjamin Gott :: Bowdoin College :: Brunswick, Maine 04011 AOL Plan4Nigel :: Telephone (207) 721-5513 :: Mobile (207) 798-1859 If sand waves were sound waves / What song would be in the air now? +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-85 ******************************
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