Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 204 Tuesday, 25 July 2000 Topics: Re: Themes from XTC And if you *are* an Alien? Re: "I Will Always Love You" One more stinky P.S. Wasting bandwidth - So I'll Continue babies are good for you Re: Comedy Records Re: A Big Raspberry Aliens And Stuff Aliens About to be abducted by an alien Never will I lose the good mind beating a dead horse busy busy nap time another AV1 review Free Beer! Re: Firesign Theatre & Alien Abduction Discs Re: Creamy Peaked Artists with a Cherry on Top On the young people thread Rap The Funk For Joe 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/> The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Chalkhills is compiled with Digest 3.7b (John Relph <relph@tmbg.org>). Neon Shuffle and shuffle into Outer Space.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 16:10:49 EDT From: Jxnsmom@aol.com Subject: Re: Themes from XTC Message-ID: <98.7dad39f.26aa0849@aol.com> << Around The World theme -- "It's Nearly Africa" >> Don't forget "Living Through Another Cuba."
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 19:22:43 CDT From: "vee tube" <veetube@hotmail.com> Subject: And if you *are* an Alien? Message-ID: <20000722002243.94312.qmail@hotmail.com> And you were given an ambassodoreshrimp to planet Earth. Your Mission? Spread our 'Special' Tar Tar Sauce upon the Humans. Then one day,the High Spawnstriss orders you to "Abduct 5 'Hillers! too participate in our 'Wonder Annual-Harvest/Fertility Festival! What would YOU!DO?!?!?!?!?!?! }---:?
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 17:31:06 -0400 (EDT) From: Dorothy Spirito <spiritod@techmail.gdc.com> Subject: Re: "I Will Always Love You" Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.00.10007211716480.10471-100000@esun2028> Jeff Thomas slagged this *song*, but it sounded as if he was slagging Whitney Houston's *rendition* of it. The *original* song, which was written & recorded by Dolly Parton, I like. --Dorothy.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 17:47:41 -0700 From: Ed Kedzierski <ed.kedzierski@blvdmedia.com> Subject: One more stinky Message-ID: <08B5DDC2BABCD311BFC6005004A884B013B771@mgcservices.com> One more awful band nobody's mentioned: Huey Lewis and the News. Maybe everyone just suppressed the traumatic memory of their horrible garbage, I don't know. I'd be really surprised if anyone leaped to their defence, but then again... Ugly memory: that radio version of "Heart of Rock & Roll" with the name of "your city here" edited into the ending. The guy looked like he should've been a gym teacher... Ed K.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 21:37:52 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: P.S. Wasting bandwidth - So I'll Continue Message-ID: <20000721203752.905.qmail@web1504.mail.yahoo.com> Maximum big surprise... Sorry for all the postings in a row - have been experiencing difficulty with my e-mail so had loads of stuff waiting in my outbox. If anyone knows the solution to using Outlook Express with yahoo.co.uk smtp server, please mail me off-list. I can receive (using pop3) but not send!?! Rory "Why do I find it hard to write the right words?" Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 15:35:47 -0700 (PDT) From: brown <mb2@deltanet.com> Subject: babies are good for you Message-ID: <200007212235.PAA25774@mail2.deltanet.com> Debora - I'm a little bemused - This is one of our 'sultry evening barbecue' selections.. (the perfect companion to brown sugar baby-back ribs and a bottle of Beck's.. mmmm) You eat babies? Does they taste like pork or chicken? ..strangely enough, Jayne, they taste nothing like pork or chicken.. think Shiitake mushroom, only sweeter.. delish! Debora 'do you like yours well done?' Brown
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 15:28:40 -0700 From: "Victor Rocha" <wstsidela@mediaone.net> Subject: Re: Comedy Records Message-ID: <00ab01bff363$05f4bba0$45548218@we.mediaone.net> this is kind of off the subject but some of the most influential albums in my life were comedy albums: in no particular order: Richard Pryor's That Ni**er's Crazy & Bicentennial Ni**er Cheech and Chongs 1st album and Big Bamboo National Lampoons' Radio TV Dinner & Goodbye Pop George Carlin's Class Clown and the movies of Monty Python how about you? Victor Rocha California Indian Gaming News Los Angeles, California www.pechanga.net
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 23:12:37 EDT From: WTDK@aol.com Subject: Re: A Big Raspberry Message-ID: <d9.73168db.26aa6b25@aol.com> Smudgeboy admitted- Gulp, right, on to Paper Lace. Now, although I can look/sound reasonably cool and with it when people ask me "what was the first album you ever bought" (A Collection of Beatles Oldies But Goldies), I dread people asking me what was the first album you ever OWNED. Well, Smudgeboy you aren't alone. I, too, had the Paperlace album. That was after I purchased the horrid remake by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods (who got their big, big break on American Bandstand). Then again, I followed that up with the second Raspberries album (Fresh I believe) which, despite one or two weak songs is a great power pop record. > Jeff asked- > > * * * * > PS - Who sang "Wild Fire"? Wasn't that Michael Martin Murphy? Wayne
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 21:18:49 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Aliens And Stuff Message-ID: <20000721201849.18430.qmail@web1503.mail.yahoo.com> MJC/Poisongold Wrote: << Ok, here's the scenario. You're being abducted by kindly aliens from a galaxy far, far, away. You are told to bring 5 music CD's with you . What are they? >> Compilations of Britney Spears, Boyzone, Starland Vocal Band, Night Ranger, Vanilla Ice. Five bad CDs off Earth forever. OK, you MUST be an alien. I was drafting a post along these lines, and you obviously used your alien mind control and telepathy to get there before me. Can I just ask that you add Eminem to this list, and then use your powers to delete all memory of his existence from the entire human race? Thanks in advance Rory "Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? It makes him an easier target" Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 21:29:40 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Aliens Message-ID: <20000721202940.6583.qmail@web1502.mail.yahoo.com> 1. Skylarking XTC. No explanation needed. OK, it goes downhill rapidly from here... 2. A Night At The Opera Queen. A timeless classic, and also contains the greatest song...ever! 3. Arena - Duran Duran. Largely for Careless Memories live. 4. Violator - Depeche Mode. Its really quite good. 5. Blue Sky Mining Midnight Oil. Whos gonna shave me? You dont mind waiting? I can pick another 5? Oh, youre very civilised aliens indeed. Hmmm, let me think... 6. Doot Doot Freur. Those diamonds and pearls are divine. 7. Quick Step & Side Kick The Thompson Twins. Sorry. 8. Eternal Nightcap The Whitlams. Theyre fun to have around. 9. Very Pet Shop Boys. Their last good album. 10. Happiness The Beloved. Saints and sinners, welcome all. Rory I Like Wounded Horse Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 21:24:30 EDT From: JulieJJ@aol.com Subject: About to be abducted by an alien Message-ID: <54.6ef1257.26aa51ce@aol.com> I am about to fly out to meet my husband for a week of camping in the mountains of NY state - pretty close to being abducted by an alien in my book - tonight I'm trying to compile a short stack of CDs to take. My five (although it will change by tomorrow): 1. The Legend of Todd Rundgren-Runt/Todd Rundgren (yes, I listen to him still - he threw us longtime fans a bone on his most recent that came out a few weeks ago - he has a few more summer tour dates in the NE if you can catch him) 2. Stranded - Roxy Music 3. Skylarking - or can I bring my self-made CD of 20 XTC favorites? 4. Fear of Music - Talking Heads 5. Green Thoughts - The Smithereens The plan: play enough XTC and Todd Rundgren to drive my husband nuts so I can return to civilization earlier. Might work with aliens too, who knows.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 18:31:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Rodney Eric Griffith <rodneye@inspiracy.com> Subject: Never will I lose the good mind Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.4.05.10007131222190.10695-100000@bigbird.en.com> Organization: Inspiracy Press The ongoing discussions of bad albums by major artists and bad artists overall are an abyss I'd rather not have staring back at me. I admit I visibly cringe when anyone mentions that unspeakably horrible band, appropriately named after a mythical sewer, but cursing the darkness gives it more attention than it deserves. >>> "Would you let the aliens land, please? They might be here to pick me up." - B. Hicks. With that in mind, I choose: Relentless by Bill Hicks (Rykodisc) Arizona Bay by Bill Hicks (Rykodisc) Rant In E Minor by Bill Hicks (Rykodisc) The Beatles by The Beatles (Apple) Piper at the Gates of Dawn (mono version) by The Pink Floyd (EMI); if only because I feel obligated to include at least one trendy space-related track somewhere
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 20:41:42 CDT From: "Megan Heller" <hellerm@hotmail.com> Subject: beating a dead horse Message-ID: <F22AmsfGdMNFmWAFsTm000023bb@hotmail.com> Joe Funk just had to do it-- >Thought I should stir things up with you youngsters (not necessarily >YOU young XTC fans), and your predilection for Hip-Hop and >instant mashed music... Oh my holy god, not a-bloody-gain. >We started off with Ragtime,.. Big Band,... Jazz Combos, ...R&B, >...Rock, ..Funk, ..Teeny bop, .. now, Rap!! Rap!! To quote a >friend of mine: "It (Rap) creates no new music, just recycles old, we >need to recycle paper, glass and plastic, not music. What's next? >Samples of other rapper sample based songs? " Pretty soon, the >need for musicians in Pop music will no longer be necessary........ >Why use musicians when you can slap together a conglomeration of >samples that's only use is for the backdrop of some video featuring >half-naked ladies and some egotistical idiot screaming about >shooting some fuckin' cops!! puh-leeze. What a load of balls. For further comment, see posts in the archives from about this time last year. m.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 00:27:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: busy busy Message-ID: <20000723072723.2595.qmail@web2106.mail.yahoo.com> god! I go away for four days and there are 36 e-mail messages waiing for me! Including 6 Chalkhills which seemed to be full of old/young arguments (I was an instegator there, I admit), what bands suck now, and lists of cool band names (some of you have put WAY too much thought into this, others not enough!) I'm abstaining for now from the who sucks now argument. As for band names, a bunch of college friends and I talked of starting a band for a while (not leting the fact that we played no instruments stop us). our name was going to be either Psychic Pets or Orange Mom. So where was I? In Ann Arbor, helping my mom run her booth at the huge, crowded four-day Ann Arbor Art Fair (or the Fart Air, as it is sometimes known). It was fun going back to Ann Arbor, my former hometown (moved 2 years ago). Hooked up with old friends, sat in the sun, got little sleep. Didn't have time to hit the various used record shops around town too seriously, but did come away with Yazbek's Laughing Man for $6.00 and Robert Wyatt's eps collection (5 discs in a box-all his ep-length work including an enhanced cd with the video of Shipbuilding) for $20. must sleep now, it's 2:30 am in Chicago and I'm on Michigan time, so it feels like 3:30. Tired Tyler
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 14:14:37 -0700 (PDT) From: Brown <mb2@deltanet.com> Subject: nap time Message-ID: <200007212114.OAA04343@mail2.deltanet.com> Hey there, (If you've seen this or it has already been posted here, blame Frank) .............. Since the RIAA filed suit, each side in the Napster debate has pointed to studies that track CD-purchasing habits to bolster its case. Last month, Yankelovich partners unveiled a study finding that two-thirds of those surveyed were prompted to buy music after listening to a song online. But that same week, the recording industry released two surveys to support its argument. One found that nearly half of Napster users acknowledged that they used the service instead of buying CDs. The other found that music sales declined in areas that have large numbers of college students, who are big Napster users. The new Jupiter study criticized the research that the RIAA relies upon, saying it isn't accurate because it doesn't measure the fact that online sales have eaten into local music purchases. "The RIAA did not clarify that the most attrition took place before Napster's launch, and the analysis did not account for channel shift to online transactions that would have occurred independent of Napster's existence," Sinnriech said.-- Taken from an article entitled, Study:Napster Boosts CD Sales, written by Lisa M. Bowman. You can find the complete article at www.zdnet.com. There you go- Debora Brown
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 23:57:48 -0500 From: Ned <nedrise@MNSi.Net> Subject: another AV1 review Message-ID: <397929B1.6B08519@mnsi.net> Has anyone checked out the AV1 review that has been recently posted to Chalkhills? It's from some maga(or web)zine called Freaky Trigger and the review is written by Tom Ewing. He prefaces by describing Nonsuch thuswise: XTC's last album, Nonsuch, was as near to wretchedness as anything they'd produced since their early days, and even that teething period had a bug-eyed spikiness to recommend it. Nonsuch was all craft, no play, from its arch period lettering through to the final sleek notes. Its best track was plainly a throwaway grab for hit status (The Disappointed), and even its handful of memorable tunes sounded somehow sickly. It wasn't that the ideas weren't there - Omnibus and Rook and Bungalow were crammed with them - it was that the execution was so dispiritingly lacking in conviction, as if the ideas alone were enough. (And it didn't help that Colin Moulding's contributions included the deeply risible The Smartest Monkeys.) That's the best description of Nonsuch I've ever read. And I still love that album, but that's the painful truth. *As if the ideas alone were enough.* Mike
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 18:54:23 EDT From: "Kevin Diamond" <kev_boy@hotmail.com> Subject: Free Beer! Message-ID: <LAW-F925sZKxt8zPdqJ0000355d@hotmail.com> >One guaranteed to get the punters in (unlike Channel D): > >Freebeer Oh lord, how may times has this been used? There was a band around here that was called 10 cent Beers. Same concept. One really good (if strange) band that used to be called Free Beer is The Spinto Band. They're an MP3.com band, and I wouldn't recomend them for everybody. Their music is an aquired taste. Full of childish gags and humourous raps and poppy music, it's a strange amalgam. Almost like Ween trapped in Hanson's body times two and a third. (there are 7 of them, as opposed to Hanson's three.) Give 'em a try. They're friends of mine, although I've only met one of them. www.mp3.com/spintoband and while you're at it, check out www.mp3.com/bass-cleff my solo site which has a song I wrote and recorded with one of the members of The Spinto Band and www.mp3.com/frenchelectric my full band. But enough about me, let's talk about.... me. Did anyone see the Turn Ben Stein On when he talked with Chuck D? It gave me a new respect for Rap music. This show is a fantastic show, and I hope it outlives Win Ben Steins Money and goes on for a while, cause it's one of the best talk shows I've ever seen. Kevin Diamond
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 22:29:26 GMT From: "Steve Stearns" <xteve@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Firesign Theatre & Alien Abduction Discs Message-ID: <F95M3oryKFRJrzdDW6l00001459@hotmail.com> Ed K. among others, wrote of his love for the Firesign Theatre. Anyone here ever seen their film "J-Men Forever?" Now that is one FUNNY movie. It's a compilation of a bunch of old Republic serials from the 30s and 40s with dubbed over commentary a la MST3K . . .but YEARS before there was such a thing. An evil villian plots to take over the airwaves with rock n roll, while a rag tag band of heroes fights back to make the world safe for Lawrence Welk. There's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Leonard Nimoy cameo and a veritable mountain of great lines and characters, such as the Army's #1 enlisted man, Pvt. Parts. It's a crime this film isn't available on video of any kind. My Alien Abduction 5, in no particular order: XTC - English Settlement Love & Rockets - Express Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Black Crowes - Amorica (BTW whoever mentioned that BC/Jimmy Page album is right. Chris Robinson is a great vocalist & the album RAWKS.) tie: Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving, Stevie Wonder - Innervisions Damn that was hard to trim to 5! Steve "John McLaughlin ain't got nothin' on THIS riff" Stearns XTC Content: Stupidly Happy would be a great choice for the next single, but We're All Light would be better.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 12:58:31 -0700 From: Eb <gondola@deltanet.com> Subject: Re: Creamy Peaked Artists with a Cherry on Top Message-ID: <f04310102b59d84f7e329@[206.173.208.212]> >From: Misty Shock <mccrtny@scn.org>, regarding "Baby One More Time" > >>Fran Healy from >>Travis was among the people who listed it as one of his favorite songs. Coincidentally (or not?), KROQ in Los Angeles has been playing a tape of Travis performing this song acoustically, during an in-studio performance. Sounds surprisingly good, too. Artists who peaked with their first album? Creatively or commercially? In any case, I might start with the Violent Femmes, Pretenders, Mike Oldfield, Moby Grape, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tracy Chapman, the Bangles, This Mortal Coil, Bongwater, Television, Richard Hell, the Sugarcubes, De La Soul, Procol Harum, Jesus Jones, Gang of Four, Phranc, That Petrol Emotion, Laurie Anderson, Devo, X, the Velvet Underground, Boston, Meatloaf, the Undertones, Lush, Mazzy Star, Bettie Serveert, the Seeds, Elastica (I'm already giving up on them, based on the dismal new album), the Spinanes, Polara, the Lounge Lizards, P.M. Dawn, Ben Folds Five, Luna, Primus, the Jesus & Mary Chain, Patti Smith, Throwing Muses, the Geraldine Fibbers, Jimi Hendrix, Liz Phair, the Byrds, Tiny Tim, Poi Dog Pondering...and of course, the Shaggs. Eb, reverently evoking the phantom-subject-line fairy
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 21:22:45 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: On the young people thread Message-ID: <20000721202245.5658.qmail@web1502.mail.yahoo.com> Denizens, When I could still wear cool clothes and only look ridiculous (as opposed to old and ridiculous), the "cool" thing was considered to be listening to music that no-one else had ever heard of (like Boy and October by U2). This allowed one to make the ultimate cool comment when the band finally hit the big time and everyone's talking about and buying their third album: "Of course, I prefer their early work." But, even back then, there were the square kids (still listening to disco) and the cool kids. Don't know if I'm right or wrong on this, but the difference today seems to be the proportions have changed dramatically towards the square kids. But I'm pleased to see that the remaining cool kids (and I include you 20-somethings in that!) are here on Chalkhills discussing music well. On a related subject (can't remember who posted on this) - ability for independent thought: where I work there are a number of young-ish people who I am attempting to teach to use an analytical software programme. They're coming on in leaps and bounds on the programming, but whenever I set them a problem to solve without giving specific instructions on how to solve it, it seems they're totally lost. Is it just me or is the capacity to think for oneself steadily being removed by our education system? Or am I barking mad? Rory "When I was young, I thought that life was so..." Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 20:31:47 -0400 (EDT) From: Radios In Motion <radiosinmotion@iwon.com> Subject: Rap The Funk For Joe Message-ID: <384387757.964225909599.JavaMail.root@web186-iw> This is in regards to "Joe Funks's" message about Rap music. First, I must say that I completely hate Rap music right now. In fact Joe, the statement about people using resampled beats, well, unfortunately it has been done. There are 3rd generation samples being used at this point. Rap music on the radio really sucks. Now comes my beef with your post. You made your observation without any knowledge or experience in Rap music. First, only the shit you hear on the radio is sampled. About 80% of rap music is done without the use of other peoples music. A lot of it is sample based, but from using keyboards and samplers sampling live instruments. For example, using a drum machine. Many groups play their own guitar and bass sounds and then loop the sounds. Unoriginal yes, but I have heard even the Beatles and Monkeys have done that! Second, about 30% of that 80% of artists have full live bands. Not just the Beastie Boys, there are tons of groups that I have heard and know of that use a full live band with their music. Everyone gives Rap a bad rap, but that is mostly based on ignorence. If you were going to assume that the music on the radio represents the music as a whole, then that would mean in the 80's if I did not like Duran Duran, XTC would also suck. Get me? You can't judge an entire genres of music based on ignorence. There is actually quite a few good rap groups. Notice to all: If you are ever in a real bad mood, play the CD "Thing Fish" from Frank Zappa. Its sure to put you in a good mood. Oh, the worse fucking band in the world has to be the Oakridge Boys.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-204 *******************************
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