Chalkhills Digest Volume 8, Issue 9
Date: Sunday, 27 January 2002

          Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 9

                 Sunday, 27 January 2002

Topics:

                     XTC's vox humana
                           stew
                 chalkhills & children...
                       The Man Who
                re: B52's and Ricky Wilson
         When I was only three / I danced to XTC
              This post goes on far too long
                     $28m well spent?
                   Re: Wasp Star faves
                The Man Who Murdered Demos
                         Higher!
                  Chalkhills & Children
                      gilmore girls
                         Dear God
                     XTC for Toddlers
                      Slave to Faves
                  Coat of Many Cupboards
                       Re: the dBs
              Kinks, Lips, and other musings
       Really? A Reply to: Jason's (?) Post 1/19/02
                        Congrats!

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That's a leopard in your heart.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 04:48:29 +0000
From: "Nathan Mulac DeHoff" <xornom@hotmail.com>
Subject: XTC's vox humana
Message-ID: <F60qJrfP6nmGq3MSL2p0000f605@hotmail.com>

Sughosh:
>For the record, the winner (and my personal choice), by the huge margin of
>one vote, is 'The wheel and the maypole'.

That's my favorite, too, although "We're All Light" comes close.  You can
count that as a vote in your poll, if you'd like.

Michael Versaci:
>I agree. Let us change the subject.  Let us discuss the music of XTC.
>
>That "Dear God" is one helluva song, isn't it?

Yeah!  It kinda reminds me of something Phil Collins might do.

(Just kidding.)

Jason:
>In a message dated 1/18/02 3:10:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>someone writes:
>
> > You're damn right! What a nightmare!! And Big Luciano
> > singing '' I'd like that '' with the complete orchestra of La Scala
> > di Milano... Imagine the lyrics with the'' toasting fork '' passage...
> > All that meat roasting? Arrrgh...
> > But I think Andy Partridge is a great singer anyway.
>
>Actually, it took me months to get into almost any XTC after first hearing
>the Upsy Daisy because I found Andy (and even Colin's) voice to be
>difficult to listen to. But once I got used to it I of course grew very
>attached. I find others have the same problem--my roommate, for example,
>loves every XTC song I give him on a mix. But when I try playing an entire
>XTC album, it doesn't grab, and I think that's because of too much Andy.

Well, I started out my XTC collection with Upsy Daisy, and I actually liked
Andy's voice (although I really didn't know which songs were his and which
were Colin's; their voices are kind of similar, and there was really more
Colin than I expected). After that, I bought Nonsuch, Skylarking, Chips from
the Chocolate Fireball, and Oranges and Lemons, and there were no problems
with the vocals there.  Once I got to White Music, though, Andy's voice did
bother me (as did Colin's, since he was basically imitating Andy at this
point).  I later got used to it, but there's really a very jarring shift in
Andy's voice between the first two albums (which were not even represented
on Upsy Daisy) and the later stuff.
--
May the light shine upon thee,
Nathan
DinnerBell@tmbg.org
http://www.geocities.com/fablesto/

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 23:05:00 -0600
From: "Bob O'Bannon" <batchain@earthlink.net>
Subject: stew
Message-ID: <B874F21B.2B34%batchain@earthlink.net>

I think I first heard about the Negro Problem on this list. I have since
picked up their "Joys and Concerns" album and fell in love with it, and
lately I've been spinning Stew's solo release ("Guest Host") and have been
equally impressed. What draws me most strongly to Stew's style is how much
it reminds me of early, more adventurous, less streamlined XTC. Stew seems
to have one of the most active melodic imaginations in the biz right now.

I'd love to know anything remotely interesting about this guy and his band.
Has he ever acknowledged XTC as an influence? Why doesn't he get more press?
(could it be the potentially offensive band name?) What's his live
performance like? Educate me....

Bob

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 01:03:41 -0500
From: Virginia Rosenberg <vmr423@earthlink.net>
Subject: chalkhills & children...
Message-ID: <B8750DED.90E%vmr423@earthlink.net>

Hi Ira-

Happy birthday to your kid- sounds like he's off to a good start in the
music dep't- does he like "Senses Working Overtime" at all? That seems like
one that would be a good choice...  I'm rather fond of "Playground" & "1000
Umbrellas" myself...

Others? "Crocodile", "All You Pretty Girls" (can he whistle yet? or have fun
trying?), "Lady Bird", "Wonderland", "Shake You Donkey Up", "Snowman", "10
Feet Tall", "Life Begins at the Hop", "Statue of Liberty","Mayor of
Simpleton", "Greenman",  "Poor Skeleton Steps Out", "King for a Day"...?
Probably best just to play him your own faves- enthusiasm tends to be
contagious, y'know?

It's so hard to try to predict kids- even when you've actually met them...
You can be thinking a child is amazingly cool & then it turns out they'd be
perfectly happy to sing that Barney song over and over all day long...
Bleh...

Best regards,
Virginia

My son (3 years old today) likes "Playground" (Holly's singing,
especially) and "1000 Umbrellas" -- he likes orchestration. I don't
think he's heard much of AV1, but I think he'll like that. He points
out the instruments he hears, sometimes he's even right! ("ooh, I hear
clarinets!") Maybe I'll just make "Ryan's XTC Mix" for the car based
on your opinions. That might be the best way to do things.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 01:26:59 -0500
From: Virginia Rosenberg <vmr423@earthlink.net>
Subject: The Man Who
Message-ID: <B8751363.910%vmr423@earthlink.net>

Hi Paul-

I'm more inclined to say "embarrassing"  than "American", but at any rate, I
think we're agreed that "just saying no" to the yeah would've improved
things muchly. I haven't heard the alternate versions, but hope to get
around to them sooner rather than later...

It's frustrating when you feel that a song would've been sooo great if it
hadn't been for one little thing... For me, the ending to "Wrapped in Grey"
is like that- I love that song up until that damned little ending/coda
thingamabob...

Oh well, guess we can't have it all- where would be put it?

Yours in sympathy,
Virginia

A bit more grist here with 'The Man Who Murdered Love'. The alternative
versions are a hell of a lot better than the Wasp Star release. I hate to
say it, but the chorus really bugs me. It has that (forgive me all, no
offence is intended, I realise where most of you Chalkhillians are living)
American sound to it (I'm saying the big fat 'yeah' sounding like commercial
rock and ruining the song). What's worse is, the verses are great and the
lyrics true Partridge. Why the chorus? Oh why?

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 22:34:05 -0800
From: "Scott Betts" <scottebetts@hotmail.com>
Subject: re: B52's and Ricky Wilson
Message-ID: <F174A1cZU2ZZYE6oX3400016d12@hotmail.com>

>From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
>
> > Ricky Wilson was a really interesting guitarist -- kind of in that
> >jangle-pop mode, but not really.  I especially like his playing on
> >"There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)," which has a
> >punk-like energy while also being really clean and crisp.  Anyone
> >else a fan?

After I heard Link Wray and listened again to Ricky Wilson's gee-tar
playing, I came away with the distinct impression that a young Mr. Wilson
had some Link Wray in the house during his formative years.  Just a thought.

-Scott

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 23:19:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Ryan Anthony <hamsterranch@yahoo.com>
Subject: When I was only three / I danced to XTC
Message-ID: <20020124071958.17325.qmail@web10106.mail.yahoo.com>

Mighty sporting of you, Ira Lieman, to offer to make a
"Ryan's XTC Mix" CD for me ... oh, it's for Ryan, your
three-year-old son. Never mind.

I tell ya, it's tough being one of the world's oldest
Ryans. The actor (you know, Tatum's dad) and I are the
only two members of the club who are old enough to
drink. Is it every man's fantasy to hear a woman
scream his name? Well, I get that all the time, except
it's in the grocery store, it's followed by "Put that
down!," and the sceamer isn't even looking in my
direction.

More power to Pops Lieman and his XTC For Tots
project. I recommend "Helicopter." It might leave a
three-year-old girl cold, for all I know, but it ought
to make any little boy bounce right out of his shoes.

It'll be several years before Ryan Lieman suffers his
first broken heart and starts to pay attention to the
lyrics. For now, let him rip up the rumpus room floor
like a pogo stick on crack.

If Chalkhills Nation will tolerate one more reference
to Phil Collins, I can happily report, albeit a few
years tardily, that he has been smacked good -- on
*South Park*, the world-class-crass animated collage
series. Rent the episode titled "Kenny 2000" at your
locally-owned independent video shack. (You still have
one, don't you?) Mr. Collins appears throughout,
acting a right twit and lovingly cradling his Oscar.
At the very close of the episode, he is hoisted into
the air by an enthusiastic crowd, his pants are
lowered, and the Oscar is shoved up his rectum.

It's over in a blink. Any longer, and it would never
have gotten past Standards and Practices. I saw it on
tape, and I don't know if that scene was ever aired.
You'll give your Rewind, Slow, and Pause buttons a
workout.

By the way, if you want to hear the song that SHOULD
have won the Oscar that year, rent *That Thing You
Do*. Every music-loving Baby Boomer should see it.
Yes, Liv Tyler is a sexy chick (in her major film
debut) and Rita Wilson is a sexy hen, but that's not
why this flick is a must. Email me off-list and I'll
give you my full rant.

Ryan Anthony

An independent Internet content provider

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 03:00:15 EST
From: WTDK@aol.com
Subject: This post goes on far too long
Message-ID: <14d.7b95c65.2981190f@aol.com>

All right...let's try a new thread....we all know Xtc's major influences so
which album (album by album) has a parallel with the band's that influenced
them ( you can go a couple of ways with this, i.e., Skylarking is most like
Sgt. Pepper because it's a "concept" album and is the most Beatlesque in
terms of arrangement or song by song with the Dukes album, etc.)

Anyhow, my top ten list (it doesn't include albums all made in 2001 as some I
just purchased this year). So I did manage to come up with more than 10 with
a little bit of thought. These are in no particular order:

1. Songs in Red and Grey- Suzanne Vega
Seems there was a lot of disappointment over this album. I personally liked
it and felt the material was pretty strong.
2. Rant - Ian Hunter
Always under rated, Ian managed to turn out another gem.
3. One Nil - Neil Finn
Another fine album from Neil although I preferred Try Whistling This
4. Lost Songs - David Grey
Have to give Grey credit-he could have shelved this in favor of White Ladder
Pt. 2 but, instead, put out one of his finest and under appreciated albums of
his career.
5. Driving Rain - Paul McCartney
Unusual album for Macca and, despite one or two weak tracks, a great little
album.
6. Essence-Lucinda Williams
I was a bit disappointed at first but it grew on me.
7. Weezer - Weezer
Great stuff!
8. Mahogany Soul - Angie Stone
Interesting album that is great to listen to on the road.
9. Tropical Brainstorm - Kristy MacColl
She'll be missed. A great musical talent.
10. Let It Come Down - Spiritualized
11. Love & Theft - Bob Dylan
12. Zoom-Elo
Some great rock'n'roll tunes and fine guest appearances by the late, great
George Harrison on slide.
13. Poses -Rufus Wainwright
14. Teddy Thompson - Teddy Thompson
15. The Convincer - Nick Lowe
One of the best albums from last year-loved the bonus disc with a great
remake of There'll Never Be Peace (Until God Sits Down At The Table)
16. Strawberries & Oranges - The Januarys
This grew on me.

Reissues / Box sets
1. The entire XTC Virgin catalog (About time!)
2. Nuggets II (The perfect set to rediscover no hit wonders that mattered).
3. Buffalo Springfield (Why they didn't include the much maligned third album
in its entirety is beyond me)
4. Tug of War - Paul McCartney (A Japanese reissue from late last year that I
picked up this year. This isn't Macca's best but the song craft is great and
the best songs are comparable to some of his Beatles stuff)
5. Crystal Days - Echo and the Bunnymen (A great collection that lacks a
couple of key rare live tracks. I also could have done without the pub
sing-along version of All You Need Is Love)
6. All This Useless Beauty - Elvis Costello & The Attractions (A late, great
EC album and the bonus disc makes it worth picking up)
7. Tapestry - Carole King (A great album I recently rediscovered)
8. Shugie Otis - Shugie Otis (Way ahead of its time)
9. Songs of Freedom - Bob Marley (Reissued again and one of the finest box
sets ever)
10. All Things Must Pass - George Harrison (Arguably, THE best Beatles solo
album. Certainly none of the other fabs came close in terms of the sheer
scope of this great album)
11. Milk & Honey - John Lennon & Yoko Ono (I always loved Lennon's take on
Ono's Every Man Has A Women Who Loves Him)
12. The Japanese Kinks reissues  of Something Else, Village Green & Arthur in
original paper sleeves (Worth it for the sound quality alone although they
could have added some bonus tracks)
13, McGuinn, Clark & Hillman (Not their best work but has a number of gems)
14. L & Freeze Frame - Godley & Creme (A pair of terrific art rock albums).

Worst of the year:
1. Invincible - Michael Jackson (Yes, I know, an easy target--he'd make the
list just for licensing The Beatles songs. His timing for the exploitation of
Taxman was pretty piss poor and it was in the worst of taste given Harrison's
death. That's not why he made the list, though).
2. No Doubt
(I thought these folks ran out of ideas after their first album).
Don't have any others because I've tried to avoid purchasing anything that
was "bad". Luckily, I have family members who do that for me.

Sorry for the length (could have been much, much worse)

Wayne

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 13:42:39 -0000
From: "Nicholson, Gary" <gnicholson@britannica.co.uk>
Subject: $28m well spent?
Message-ID: <B1C680594971D411A09800A0C9E1E8E1657520@lonexch.ebuk.eb.co.uk>

The news that EMI/Virgin have had to pay Mariah Carey $28m to not make any
more albums for them provoked an interesting discussion on BBC Radio 5 Live
yesterday when guests were asked who they would pay to not make any more
music - ever. The results from the contributors, one of whom was admittedly
publicizing her book about searching for the perfect E, and was having a
little syntax trouble, were: Posh Spice/Victoria Beckham, Sting (twice),
Bjork, P**l C**l**s, Zucchero, Geri Halliwell and Cliff Richard. One of the
contributors later revised his comment about Sting to say that he would pay
him never to talk again but that he would allow him to make music...

On the subject of which - I'm sooooo glad that 'Coat of Many Cupboards' will
include Fireball XL5. This means that I can stop indulging in period
searches in the attic for a cassette (which I'm convinced must be there
somewhere) containing a John Peel session they did featuring that very song.

Gary Nicholson

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 00:47:40 +1100 (EST)
From: Nick Tidey <nick_tidey@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Wasp Star faves
Message-ID: <20020124134740.67166.qmail@web12504.mail.yahoo.com>

Howdy folks. First let me say g'day. I've been reading the list with
interest for a while now, but this is my first post.

Having missed Sughosh's earlier posts about favourite songs from Wasp
Star, I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth now... "You and the
Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful". An obvious choice maybe?

While I'm here, let me put forth a few other faves and bits of my XTC
history...
First XTC album I heard: Drums and Wires (or was it Black Sea???)
Some fave songs: Complicated Game, 1000 Umbrellas, The Man Who Sailed
Around His Soul, Scarecrow People, The Ugly Underneath, Harvest
Festival, Pink Thing, River of Orchids, etc
Fave album (if I were FORCED to choose): Black Sea

Oh and I prefer both Kid A and Amnesiac to Ok Computer (and
occasionally to The Bends as well), seems I stand firmly in the
minority too.

Cheers
Nick (Aussie)

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 10:17:54 -0500
From: "Michael Versaci" <mwversaci@att.net>
Subject: The Man Who Murdered Demos
Message-ID: <000301c1a4ea$4cba39e0$9903a8c0@atl430nb>

Folxtc,

Paul from OZ stated:

>A bit more grist here with 'The Man Who Murdered Love'. The alternative
versions are a hell of a lot better than the Wasp Star release.<

For *some* people maybe.

I think that Andy is right for not wanting the demos to precede the official
releases.  Some people get married to them and then they can't appreciate
the definitive versions when they arrive.  "The Man Who Murdered Love" is
for me, (along with "We're All Light," "Standing In For Joe," and "You and
the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful,") a high-point on the "Wasp Star" album.

As for this:

> It has that (forgive me all, no
offence is intended, I realise where most of you Chalkhillians are living)
American sound to it (I'm saying the big fat 'yeah' sounding like commercial
rock <

If only...

And this:

>What's worse is, the verses are great and the
lyrics true Partridge. Why the chorus? Oh why?<

OY!  The chorus is perfect, expressing his sentiments exactly.  This is
truly a superb record.  My only regret is that Dave didn't get to play on
it, as it could have been even better.

Michael Versaci

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 07:22:54 -0800 (PST)
From: Todd Bernhardt <beat_town@yahoo.com>
Subject: Higher!
Message-ID: <20020124152254.44525.qmail@web14608.mail.yahoo.com>

Hi:

Warren Butson asked
> What do you think is the greatest single [XTC] never released?

"Merely a Man," from O&L. And "We're All Light," from Wasp Star.

-Todd

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 10:44:48 -0500
From: "Kulak, Matt (HT-EX)" <MKulak@GI.com>
Subject: Chalkhills & Children
Message-ID: <B0552F533A3BA54BAA9BE6244A1E6A5D02671401@pa06xchm2.gic.gi.com>

Greetings Scissor Men and Supergirls:

Amazingly, as if reading my mind, Ira Lieman asked -- what
other songs have people gotten thumbs up from the diaper set?
(I was actually thinking of temporarily disengaging my lurker
mode to recount the following story, the same day Ira asked).

I have to admit that I have attempted several times to gently "encourage"
my daughter's fondness for XTC music! When she was 1 1/2 years old, I
played Wasp Star over and over when it was first released.  Natalie seemed
to enjoy it, though she was not talking yet, so couldn't really verbalize
any dislike.  Once she started talking, we used to play "Supergirl" as I
carried her aerodynamically postured body up the steps.  When she started
yelling "Supergirl", the light finally went on in my head.  After her first
listen, she was immediately spellbound by the song "That's Really Super
Supergirl".  And to this day, she continues to sing the chorus, as well as
the "oooo oooo oooh" that follows that line!  I think she considers it her
personal theme song!!  Finally, just this week, I was driving with Natalie,
and because I had not grabbed one of her CD's, she was forced to listen to
my music, which happened to be my recently purchased Japanese remaster of
English Settlement.  As "It's Nearly Africa" began playing, Natalie burst
out laughing at the line "Shake your bag 'o bones".  She asked me to play
that song 3 times in a row, and then as we walked in the house, joyously
sang her new favorite song to my wife (who was understandably stunned at
the obscure lyrics she was hearing).  So I'm now proud to say my 2 1/2 year
old daughter calls Andy Partridge (and XTC) by name, and has two XTC songs
in her repertoire.  Now if I can just get her to sing "Complicated
Game"!!!!!

Regards,
Matt *Hello, I Must Be Taboo* Kulak

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 11:17:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Jeff Eby <jeffaeb@yahoo.com>
Subject: gilmore girls
Message-ID: <20020124191731.47272.qmail@web11602.mail.yahoo.com>

Dom,

I don't think you've really given Gilmore Girls a
chance.  It can be a little soap operatic at times but
I found it's one of the few really well written and
well actred TV shows on.
And these people do know their music.  Grant Lee
Phillips actually has an incidental role as the town
troubador, walking around playing his music.  The
characters also demonstrate their good taste in music
too.  Once, Rory (the daughter) was asked the
liklihood of something happening and she said
something like "yeah, as soon The Pixies reunion tour
is announced."

Oh, and the dance they go to when "We're All Light" is
played isn't the prom, it's just a rich kid's party.
Considering a guy is hitting on Rory's best friend at
the party I think it was appropriate.

However you seemed to have missed the most prominent
XTC song placement the show has done.  During one
episode the entire opening segment of the show was set
to "Earn enough for us" editing out the parts about
marriage.  It was great.

=====
"Y'all don't know what it's like
being male, middle-class, and white"
Ben Folds, Rockin' the Suburbs

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 14:46:02 -0500
From: Bob.Muller@fluor.com
Subject: Dear God
Message-ID: <OFBE4ACD54.4A47F1CE-ON85256B4B.006BA5B2@fdnet.com>

<<That "Dear God" is one helluva song, isn't it?>>

It certainly is...back in the days when a new XTC 45 or EP came out every
month, or so it seemed, there was always the anticipation of what the
B-sides would be...something worthwhile, or some dub experimental "over
rusty water" sorta thing. Fortunately, most of XTC's non-LP stuff were
stronger than what their peers were leading with, and "Dear God" is
definitely one of their strongest.

I taught 11th-12th grade Sunday School for a number of years, and always
used DG in discussions regarding faith and doubt, and about man's making
God in his own image. For the record I also used "Paper & Iron (Notes &
Coins)", "Funk Pop A Roll", and "Human Alchemy" in my class. May not have
taught anything, but I DID at least expose some youth to XTC.

Anyway, back to Dear God, this passage stands out in the post 9-11 world:

We all need a big reduction in amount of tears
and all the people that you made in your image, see them fighting
in the street 'cause they can't make opinions meet about God

Bob

NP: Dishwalla, "Explode"

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 14:50:32 -0500
From: Bob.Muller@fluor.com
Subject: XTC for Toddlers
Message-ID: <OFB62D94A0.5E47AC36-ON85256B4B.006CC05B@fdnet.com>

Ira asked:

<<It's been established that toddlers go for "Stupidly Happy" -- what other
songs have people gotten thumbs up from the diaper set?>>

My son always locked into "Senses Working Overtime", because of its bouncy
melody and also the whole counting to five thing.

I've always found that kids respond better to They Might Be Giants
though...

Bob

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 12:39:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Wes Long <optimismsflames@yahoo.com>
Subject: Slave to Faves
Message-ID: <20020124203948.79060.qmail@web14914.mail.yahoo.com>

Kidz:

Ultimately 2001 disappointed... but these two discs
remained in my players the longest:

Ron Sexsmith, "Blue Boy"

Spoon, "Girls Can Tell"

Only just now getting around to the Virgin remasters.
Man, there's a lot more going on in Skylarking than
I'd noticed.  OH OH OH... and how good does "Don't
Lose your Temper" sound?

=====
wesLONG @ www.optimismsflames.com

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 13:34:47 -0800 (PST)
From: Todd Bernhardt <beat_town@yahoo.com>
Subject: Coat of Many Cupboards
Message-ID: <20020124213447.50968.qmail@web14608.mail.yahoo.com>

Hi:

Something tells me I won't be the first to post this, but what the hell
... the song listing and running order of the upcoming boxed set have been
posted at: http://www.xtcidearecords.co.uk/news/news_stories.php?newsid=27

Also, rumour has it that Mr. Mole has found amazon.uk to be a suprisingly
affordable source for the set, especially for Americans (because we save on
VAT). Idea Records will, however, be offering autographed copies through its
site, so rabid collectors might want to pay the extra cash for those.

No doubt, one hapless goober among us will get an autographed copy gratis...

-Todd "As he should!" Bernhardt

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:58:47 +0000
From: "Roger Blass" <rogerblass@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: the dBs
Message-ID: <F215C8nYnTdbhbpxPFS00005ccf@hotmail.com>

Nice to see this flurry of dBs talk.  A friend recently passed along a link
to their new website. Looks like drummer Wil Rigby has a hand in it:
http://www.thedbsonline.net. (If that's not the link, it's something much
like that.)  IMHO, the first two albums are on par with any of the offbeat
pop from that time. Peter Holsapple put out a solo album called Out My Way
which is pretty good and recalls some of the finer moments of the dBs. I
also heard that Susan Cowsill is in the process of becoming his ex-wife.

XTC content: to come. - Roger Blass

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 08:23:12 -0500
From: James Michael Isaacs <jmisaa00@uky.edu>
Subject: Kinks, Lips, and other musings
Message-ID: <1011964992.b36967a0jmisaa00@uky.edu>

Greetings to all
Since Michael Versaci invoked my name and awoke me from my lurking
slumber, I thought I would weigh in on a heretofore mentioned subject,
Phil Collins...
Wait, no...
the Kinks again.
I often wonder, when listening to anything they did after 1972, "What
happened?"  The period between "Face to Face" and "Lola" was on par
with the Beatles, but it has gone largely unrecognized by the general
mob.  But fom Muswell Hillbillies (which was the "Jumping the Shark"
album) on, it was as if Billy Shears replaced Ray Davies.  Total
dreck.  Perhaps the Kinks should have hung it up at that point- much
like the Stones should have after "Exile on Main St."  Bring forth the
dialogue!
Since I last wrote, about 12 years ago, I picked up an M.A. degree,
but I still can't draw a bath.
Speaking of music, are there any Flaming Lips fans out there?  Perhaps
the weirdest band ever to come from Oklahoma.  Their last album, "The
Soft Bulletin", and AV1 make wonderful companions for a weary
thirtysomething like myself, having been weaned on the milk of 80s new
wave and psychedelia.
And lastly, a not-yet mentioned great album of 2001 was "Listen to
What the Man Said," an album of McCartney songs covered by several
obscure-to-slightly-famous pop bands.  Some songs are actually
improved.  A must listen.
Finally- is there a singing drummer of a successful act that has had a
solo career that is both critically and commmercially successful?  If
so, does everyone here despise that person?  (Phil and Don are glaring
sores of examples).  Maybe there is a trend....
Insert end salutation here,
James Isaacs

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 10:25:14 -0800 (PST)
From: nross <PhoenixYellowRose@rocketmail.com>
Subject: Really? A Reply to: Jason's (?) Post 1/19/02
Message-ID: <20020126182514.93473.qmail@web13006.mail.yahoo.com>

From: DanAbnrml9@aol.com
Subject: Re: Too Much Andy

Jason (?) Wrote:

>>Actually, it took me months to get into almost any XTC after first
hearing the Upsy Daisy because I found Andy (and even Colin's) voice
to be difficult to listen to. <<

Listening to Upsy Daisy is what got me hooked! I bought it on a whim
one day, not really knowing if I'd like it.

Immediate favorable response, I tell you! I loved Andy's voice. I
loved Colin's voice. I loved the lyrics. I loved the music.

I loved it all immediately.

Oh well, whatever...

-Nicole

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 13:02:10 -0800 (PST)
From: Jon Rosenberger <wile1coyote@yahoo.com>
Subject: Congrats!
Message-ID: <20020126210210.75020.qmail@web13405.mail.yahoo.com>

A quick note to say Congrats to Richard Pedretti-Allen whose letter
appears in this months Tape-Op Magazine, 3 below Pete Townsend... Yes
that Pete Townsend.

Congrats Richard..

Now get back to work on "King For A Day" ;)

Mole

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End of Chalkhills Digest #8-9
*****************************

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27 January 2002 / Feedback