Chalkhills Digest Volume 8, Issue 43
Date: Wednesday, 17 July 2002
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 43
Wednesday, 17 July 2002
Topics:
Hall of Fame
RE: Enter the X-sTatiC
Random things
Re: Lurker De-Lurks for Chalkhills Anniversary
80's alternative comeback?
Re: punk v. new wave definitions
What Do You Call That Noise?
spending time with "fred"
Jellyfish, Wilco VS. Los Lobos...
Burning for Finn
God's Empty Chair / Becki Live / AVv1 / King For A Day
Say hello to FRED
like music you can taste?
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Chalkhills is compiled with Digest 3.7d (John Relph <relph@tmbg.org>).
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 00:18:57 EDT From: Jdmack01@aol.com Subject: Hall of Fame Message-ID: <48.e4d9561.2a6255b1@aol.com> In a message dated 7/13/02 11:54:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, <owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes: > I was just suprised to find out that XTC were even considered. Maybe > we are in some alternet universe where good bands get on the R&R Hall > Of Fame? The choice of who is inducted into the R & R Hall of Fame no longer interests me. Apparently, the powers that be have decided to completely bypass the Progressive Rock era as being worthy of inclusion. If XTC gets in, then Rah Rah for Red Rockinghorse. But to pretend that bands like Yes, Genesis, and ELP never existed, didn't sell millions of albums, and didn't break the sell-out records at numerous venues is ridiculous. J. D.
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 23:03:11 -0700 From: "Jonny Pop" <jbkxtc@ev1.net> Subject: RE: Enter the X-sTatiC Message-ID: <008a01c22afc$233646c0$08525d3f@johnjulie> Wow! I just read Dan's posting of the upcoming X-sTatiC gig in London on 21 September, and I'm actually going to be in London that night (I live in Los Angeles)!!! Dan, I tried to sign up on the website but it didn't work. I'll do everything I can to be at the gig and come up and say hello. In 2000, I got to go to Swindon, and now I'll get to see XTC songs performed live for the first time ever. This could be great. Also, a big hello to Ken (Herne the Hunter) and it's good to hear XTC fans are manning the stores, particularly Aron's. If you live in L.A. and stopped going to Aron's when Amoeba opened up, I suggest trying Aron's first. Except for the hassle of finding a place to park, you're still more likely to find what you're looking for there than at Amoeba where it's mass quantities of mostly mainstream stuff a lot of the time. Out, John
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 09:15:22 -0400
From: "Tim Kendrick" <tim63@earthlink.net>
Subject: Random things
Message-ID: <000701c22b38$83852820$81b93a41@tim63>
Hi everyone!
Haven't posted in a long time.
Some random things:
1. Just finished the updated version of "Chalkhills and Children" by
Chris Twomey. (Yes, it's now available - my boyfriend picked up a
copy for me at a rock book shop in London. I think he said it's
called "Helter Skelter"?)
I didn't do a page-by-page comparison with the original book, so I'm
not sure what exactly was "revised" in the older material, but the
new chapters are VERY interesting. It's gives a lot of detail on
Dave's leaving.
It also gives the numbers for sales in the US of AV1 & WS(AV2). AV1
apparently sold 80,000 units in the US, WS(AV2) sold 60,000. Andy
was very surprised and disappointed by this. He's still under the
illusion that if you make great records, they'll sell fantastically
well. Nowadays if really seems to be the opposite. The worst albums
sell the best.
2. I still can't stop playing "Didn't Hurt A Bit". I think it's becoming
my all-time favorite XTC song! (I don't really know why.)
3. Some have been complaining about the cost of the "official" XTC
T-shirts from the Idea website. Remember a couple of years back
when we were all thinking of contributing a donation to the band to
help them financially? Well, just think of buying a T-shirt as
giving a donation - and you get a free T-shirt thrown in! I mean,
the money is going directly to XTC, not to some huge corporation.
How do you think they are going to afford to make a new album? (I
got my O&L T-shirt - it's great!!!)
4. I saw Elvis Costello in concert. It was a FANTASTIC show! Although
I have to admit I'm not crazy about his new album. Only a couple of
songs on it do anything for me. The best album so far in 2002 is
Tom Waits "Blood Money". One of his best ever! (And he's had many
brilliant releases.) I highly recommend it.
5. 1977-2002.....25 years of XTC. I know there's a gathering in the UK
coming up. And Ben mentioned something about a Northeast US
gathering. Wouldn't it be great if we could organize a full-blown
XTC convention, like the one in Princeton, Illinois ten years ago?
(I'm willing to help out if someone else gets the ball rolling!)
Stay stupidly happy!!
Tim Kendrick
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 10:54:24 EDT From: BrainiacsDaughtr@aol.com Subject: Re: Lurker De-Lurks for Chalkhills Anniversary Message-ID: <20.2bc22665.2a62eaa0@aol.com> >>I work at Aron's Records in Los Angeles.<< Hey, I shop at Aron's. Its not far from where I live. Although I admit I now split my time between there and Amoeba. Nice to know there's an XTC connection there though. I'll have to ask for you next time I'm in. Laurie
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 18:00:59 -0400 From: "James Campbell" <jquatz@hotmail.com> Subject: 80's alternative comeback? Message-ID: <F121tEqWC77DhmfkT1800010738@hotmail.com> I know this phenomenon is gaining momentum around the country, but I just found that in Salt Lake City, they've revived the old KJQ (@ 103.1) and are spinning "Utah's Original Alternative". It is an all 80's alternative format. This including, of course, XTC. I heard "Grass" on Saturday morning while listening over the internet. I know there are numerous other internet streaming real audio sites playing alternative 80's format, but you may wish to check them out at: www.kjq.com At any rate, its a great trend to see. I hope someone in D.C. gives the format a shot. Anything to spare us from the WHAS in the very near future would be greatly appreciated. BTW, Todd, great interview with Terry.......I hate you...;^P best, -- james btw, I thought after hearing "Mayor of Simpleton", oh I don't know, maybe 10,000 times, I thought I knew every nook and cranny in that track! But, has anyone every noticed the bass drum line that is played? The detail on that song from every noisy contributor in general is simply exhaustive....
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 23:14:47 -0500 From: "BRUCE HAUSTEIN" <hausteinb@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: punk v. new wave definitions Message-ID: <F71oNRC81mGxdwAnN5g00015802@hotmail.com> As I recall from my ancient history in the music industry, the "punks" couldn't play their instruments. Once they learned to play (and count), they were labled "new wave." Either way, some were fantastic and some were merely fanatic. As an old (dead?) American Jazz recording artist once said, "If it sounds good, it is good." Use your ears, friends. They're there for more than holding up yer spectacles. Such labels are merely marketing gimmicks used to divide rather than unite. Good music can be found all over the spectrum. Music is in the ear of the beholder. Be a beholder. All the best, R. B. Haustein
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 00:59:54 -0400 (EDT) From: "" <radiosinmotion@iwon.com> Subject: What Do You Call That Noise? Message-ID: <20020715045954.3932227C6E@email.iwon.com> Great post Harrison. I would also like to add, that groups known as being "New Wave" like Devo, Sparks, Oingo Boingo and many others were doing things long before punk came out. Boingo was doing more theatrical stuff, but the music was still original for the 70's. Devo was recording in their basements in Ohio in the early 70's, and Sparks put out some things before the arrival of punk. At any rate, great points. You should send that to the editor of the magazine.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 23:53:47 -0700 From: becki digregorio <ziglain@earthlink.net> Subject: spending time with "fred" Message-ID: <B957BE61.1CB6%ziglain@earthlink.net> chalkhills folks, i must concur with todd bernhardt in the last post about mitch friedman's new cd titled "fred." i've only had a chance to hear the album through once, but so far the two songs that stand out for me are the same ones todd mentions. "i wish i was a kid again" is truly a great song -- clever lyrics, an infectious melody, an upbeat and fun and toe-tappin' masterpiece. i mentioned to mitch that andy and company should do their version of the song and put it on their next record. dave's contributions to mitch's "brother nature" are superb, so tasteful and surreal, adding to this haunting and trippy tuneage. i'd heard this song a few years back, just vocals and guitar, and even then it made an impression on me. to hear it now, fully fleshed out and arranged _and_ with dave's additions only enhances an already groovy tune. way to go, mitch!~! --becki digregorio "Sometimes we're attached to our bodies for very good reasons." --William S. Burroughs
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 10:23:44 -0700 From: "Thomas Vest" <tvtwo@hotmail.com> Subject: Jellyfish, Wilco VS. Los Lobos... Message-ID: <F204nccYTjr8cU6xfPT00011a03@hotmail.com> Hello Chalkers! Some responses to recent posts: Sughosh Varadarajan said: <"Since there has been some discussion about Jellyfish lately, I thought I'd put this question to the forum : How good an album is Bellybutton?"> It is such an under-rated album. When it was released 12 years ago, most people could not get past the goofy coolness and somewhat irritating single/video for "the King is half-undressed". There is SUCH MELODY on this cd. Their influences are are certainly worn on their sleeves (think Beatles and Beach Boys) but not in a bad way. Sughosh, please run out and pick this up. You will not be disappointed. <James Michael Isaacs and others have written about the greatness of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot>. I have enjoyed their other albums and I am salivating to pick this one up after all the good press I have read about it. Many people already say this is the album of the year. Well, until I pick up my copy- my vote goes to "Good Morning Aztlan" by Los Lobos. This album kicks some major ass and was produced by John Leckie with whom we should all be familiar with. If you like this cd you should also check out "Kiko"- which is generally considered the best Los Lobos album released. while we are talking current album of the year, the Flaming Lips are releasing "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" on Tuesday the 16th. The press is already saying this album is fantastic and a strong contender for one of the years best. I enjoyed their previous album the "Soft Bulletin" and just picked up "hit to death in the future head". Any other Flaming Lips fans out there? What others should I look into? Finally, I have had the extremely good fortune to pick up the 7" Flexi disc of Looking for Footprints, CD3 of Mayor of Simpleton and the Bootleg LP of the Black Sea Tour of '81 this weekend. I could not believe my luck! ---Still no record player, but I am salivating over some of the vinyl XTC gems that I have bought over the years. Current listening>>> Yo La Tengo - and then nothing turned itself inside-out flaming lips - hit to death in the future head tosca - different tastes of honey That's all for now. Thomas PS> Looking for Bobby Guthrie--- are you out there Bobby?
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 11:16:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Wes Long <optimismsflames@yahoo.com> Subject: Burning for Finn Message-ID: <20020715181612.55596.qmail@web14905.mail.yahoo.com> Kidz - I owe some of ye a few discs, my burner and PC bit the dust some months back, and I'm now able to burn once more... contact me. Also... I'm very interested in getting some Neil Finn boots, if anyone is interested in some swaps. Thanks, wesLONG
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 09:02:36 -0500 From: "Richard" <rjpa1@attbi.com> Subject: God's Empty Chair / Becki Live / AVv1 / King For A Day Message-ID: <07e101c22cd1$70d3a220$04081fac@verisity.com> Becki diGregorio's new CD, "God's Empty Chair" is out and I got my copy last week. The wait has been punishingly long but the final product is better than a 1977 Fonseca Port... and a hell of a lot more intoxicating! It has a spicy edge and a lot of subtle nuances. It is sweet without being cloying and there are more layers than a San Francisco fashion show. Nicely crafted songs carry you through optimism, chaotic rationalization, almost empty danceable rock, into the depths of a personal hell, loving resolution, zen purification, 60-ish sunbeam psychedelia (Pictures of Matchstick Hurdy Gurdy Man), moiri trippiness, stoned blissful realization and one song is repeated in it's acoustic guise to provide a tantalizing perspective of a song's simpler origin (to be issued soon with acoustic versions of other songs). My wife Valerie and I really love this woman's art and we wanted to help her get her CD out a few years ago (blame our inability on Lucent's stock price) but it is here now and it, to paraphrase Becki, bathes my heart and makes me warm again. Oh yeah... it is also easier to obtain, much more affordable and will last much longer than the aforementioned bottle of port. (email her at ziglain@earthlink.net - coming very soon: www.beckidigregorio.com) It also makes me laugh that the song for her brother, Brett, has no drums. Brett is a drummer! Semi-disclaimer: I have no vested interest in Becki's product or career. She has become a close friend and I simply wish her well. Additionally, I strongly feel that her music should be heard and that she needs to find some business arrangement that will bankroll her recording and distribution so that she can make more! Becki: If you read this... I've only one bottle of '77 Fonseca left which I think I'll save for your visit! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I recently went to California for some family business (John, sorry I couldn't hook up but my schedule was clogged up with family stuff - I only saw Becki for about an hour!). This trip was made special by two things... seeing Becki play live and finding a long lost CD. The first night there I was able to see Becki diGregorio perform live in San Jose. The guys that comprise her "back-up" band, John Wedemeyer, Randy Hayes and Endre Tarczy (collectively called "WHaT" - Wedemeyer, Hayes and Tarczy) were performing at the famous blues pit known as "JJ's" and Becki jumped on stage to run through several numbers. Very big cool! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I lost my autographed copy of Apple Venus Volume 1 over three years ago. I simply forgot who I loaned it to and asked the people that I thought might be equally forgetful. No luck. I gave up about two years ago. Ouch. The rental "car" we were driving was a Pontiac Aztec (what a bizarrely ugly car but it drove nicely and had plenty of cargo space for shopping for California wine). I asked my nephew (21 y.o. with Black Sea, Skylarking and Upsy Daisy in his collection) if I could borrow a few CDs for use while driving. While digging through his collection I found a copy of Apple Venus Volume 1. _MY_ Apple Venus Volume 1! I cautiously inquired about it hoping that he wouldn't say, "Oh yeah, you gave that to me years ago." His response was, "Oh yeah, you loaned that to me years ago." Mystery solved! WOOOOO-HOOOOOO! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: KING FOR A DAY The final few tracks will be going to mastering soon. We had a few snags, a few setbacks and I have been busy with a different project, so it simply didn't get my full attention (actually close to zero). The printing is scheduled. The lawyers have been handled (more like fondled). There was one change that had to be made to the text. I am awaiting my final (final-final-final) proof copy and then it will run and ship to me. That should be somewhere around July 25. Depending on how busy Peter is, he will have CDs to me in a few weeks and I will begin to assemble the final master disc. Then dubbing will start (anyone in the Dallas area want to have a "booklet and traycard folding party" while previewing the tracks?). When I have a sufficient stock to keep dubbing and packaging from being a full time job, I will announce their availability. It really will happen. Honest! Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 23:20:39 -0400 From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> Subject: Say hello to FRED Message-ID: <v0300780eb95a92b46850@[165.247.38.104]> Folxtc, Say hello to FRED. FRED is the title of my brand new cd. It's the smarter, slightly less silly, more well dressed older brother of my 1999 cd "The Importance of Sauce". Once again I wrote, performed and recorded everything myself with the very notable exception of a song called "I Wish I Was a Kid Again" which I am still excited to have co-written with the great Andy Partridge. He set my lyrics to his music and then left me to record it. Upon hearing the finished version he said I did a "sterling job" and deserved "a gold star for that, man!" I hope you like it as much as he does. If that's not quite enough, I also got the godfather of home recording artists Mr. R. Stevie Moore to play and sing on it as well. Between the three of us that's over 75, count 'em *75* years of tuneful musical eclectism experience jammed into one pop song. Then there's "Brother Nature". This recording of a song I wrote during a 1998 week long songwriting course taught by Ray Davies of The Kinks, features six stringed wiz Dave Gregory on all sorts of guitars, basses and other items that need to be tuned. Thankfully he did a great job tuning them and and even better job playing them. To refresh your memory, he's the guy who shredded, swooped and soared all over "Simplication" from "The Importance of Sauce". Like "The Importance of Sauce" this cd sounds as if 15 different musical artists from all different genres and time periods recorded versions of songs I wrote and then invited me along as a guest vocalist. FRED's got something for everyone. Punk swing, orchestral bombast, dark folk strumming, sci-fi rock, breakneck power pop, a pat on the Bacharach, romantic waltzing, underwater psychedelia, Britpop stomp, violent skiffle, a sea chanty, a winsome tourism jingle, semi-pretentious art rock, Indian spiced etherea, and even some country twang. FRED also features some very colorful, cartoony artwork by Anne D. Bernstein. As a special added bonus, FRED introduces a new innovation called "interactive artwork". You the listener can actually alter the way FRED looks by removing the ugly "Made in Canada" sticker on the back. If you're feeling guilty about all those years you've listened to Neil Young or watched SCTV, you can stick it back on . . . anytime and anywhere you want! Wanna see what FRED looks like? Wanna sample a few song clips? Wanna get your hands and ears on a freshly shrinkwrapped copy? Go to: http://www.cdbaby.com/mitchfriedman2 (CDBaby is a great organization that helps thousands of independent musical artists all over the world make their music available to the masses. They accept credit cards, have reasonable prices, secure transactions, ship out orders immediately and I believe will even send you an additional free cd of their choice if you order from them a second time.) or (in a few days or so) http://www.amazon.com Just $10 at each site. If you're squeamish about using your credit card over the Web or would rather get a copy directly from me, let me know. (Hint: You'll have to write out a check for $12, address an envelope, stick on a stamp and go to a mailbox.) Let's say you'd like to hear a few tracks in streaming realaudio? http://www.mp3.com/mitchfriedman is the place to go. Thanks for everything and I hope you like it. Mitch p.s. Coming soon . . . www.mitchfriedman.com
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 06:16:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Kai Chambers <kai_chambers@yahoo.com> Subject: like music you can taste? Message-ID: <20020717131654.26716.qmail@web14406.mail.yahoo.com> Come an take a bite on a N.S.W band about to explode http://www.toneorange.com .!!! Just as the name suggests "TONE ORANGE" has a sound all of its own and a taste that is unmistakable...For more info on the guy's check out their web-site... www.toneorange.com [ I let this spam through because Kai Chambers is the son of Terry Chambers -- John ]
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #8-43 ******************************
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