XTC

[Stratosphere]

I don't remember seeing this in the thread. Andy Partridge gives a guitar lesson! Actually there's a second one too. I knew he was a plenty capable guitarist, but now I wish he'd bless us with the occasional three minute self-indulgent solo now and then.

C'mon Andy, you have developed a your own voice unlike anyone else's at that sort of of thing by now.




And quickly...

Colin played just about the best rock bass lines for any pop band in the 80's and on. Listen to Oranges and Lemons. I rest my case there. And always Dave Gregory impresses. The three at their strongest, I think.

Despite worthy accolades for other best of's, I'm convinced O & L is their magnum opus. Like most of their stuff it took me a few listens but once it got it all in my head... With Paul Fox producing, and with Pat Mastellotto and Mark Isham playing, it's my contender for the closest thing to sound like The Beatles and George Martin that was produced in the 80's.

[muddy]

totally agree re oranges & lemons, with "chaulkhills..." a contender for their best toon...


ml

[muddy]

oh, btw...

http://ape.uk.net/welcome.html


ml

[Stratosphere]

Oops, the lesson videos were posted. Oh well, more grist for the mill. Let's see if I can go two for two. If so it's with Cynical Days.

[Neer]

There is not a weak tune on Oranges and Lemons. It stands toe to toe with their very best. Cynical Days is one of my favorites on that record, as is Poor Skeleton Steps Out.

I'm a big fan of Moulding's writing and bass playing. He is the second coming of McCartney in that respect. Listen to the bass in Poor Skeleton Steps Out.

[Bassomatic]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

No, a local choir boy Todd Rundgren hired from around Woodstock (was his idea to do it.) More info about the Skylarking recordings here: Paul Myers, A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio

http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-True-St.../dp/1906002339

BTW, I have that book on an altar in my studio.

Not quite. It was Jasmine Veillette, muso/luthier Joe Veillette's daughter. Definitely a Woodstock local.

Last I heard (a demo), she was singing great.

[Neer]

English Settlement, one of XTC's best albums.

[A-Bone]

Originally Posted by Neer

English Settlement, one of XTC's best albums.

Absolutely.

[DZfishtech]

With this being a guitar based website primarily, it really surprises me that Big Express is getting a lot more love. This is a band I started listening to back in 1980, and quickly became one of my five favorites, along side the Beatles, Yes, Rush, and King Crimson. Although most of their albums are great, as much credit is attributed to Skylarking that really has got to be one of the weaker records they produced at that time, if not the weakest. Where Big Express, Murmer, and Oranges and Lemons I feel are still their strongest. Listen to the guitar work on "Shake Your Donkey Up". As well as "Train Running Low On Soul Coal" and the intensity (including the vocals) on "Reign of Blows". Just those three alone put Big Express in contention with all the rest of their recordings as being the "Best".

[jmoose]

XTC is great... almost criminally unknown it seems.

I got turned onto them years ago through Primus, oddly enough... they covered "Nigel" and I dug back a little to see what the original version was like.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Originally Posted by DZfishtech

With this being a guitar based website primarily, it really surprises me that Big Express is getting a lot more love. This is a band I started listening to back in 1980, and quickly became one of my five favorites, along side the Beatles, Yes, Rush, and King Crimson. Although most of their albums are great, as much credit is attributed to Skylarking that really has got to be one of the weaker records they produced at that time, if not the weakest. Where Big Express, Murmer, and Oranges and Lemons I feel are still their strongest. Listen to the guitar work on "Shake Your Donkey Up". As well as "Train Running Low On Soul Coal" and the intensity (including the vocals) on "Reign of Blows". Just those three alone put Big Express in contention with all the rest of their recordings as being the "Best".

I can't tell you how dismayed I was when I got my copy of Big Express open and listened to it, just as it came out.

No, in comparison to English Settlement, and Drums and Wires, and Mummer, and later Skylarking, the only explanation I can find why Big Express is getting more attention anywhere is a sad explanation. That being, copies of it in the cutout bins were just everywhere, and often for under a Dollar.

Yeah, it would be a fine record for a lot of ordinary bands. But this band proved itself many times over, to be capable of much more.

[Billion81]

Originally Posted by muddy

totally agree re oranges & lemons, with "chaulkhills..." a contender for their best toon...


ml

agreed- Harvest Festival and Chalkhills and Children are just stunning pieces of work

[Neer]

Yeah, Big Express is a good record, but for me falls pretty far short of Mummer, ES, Skylarking and the rest. If it means anything, I like it better than White Music.

I Bought Myself A Liarbird is a great tune, though.

[Bassomatic]

Originally Posted by Neer

Yeah, Big Express is a good record, but for me falls pretty far short of Mummer, ES, Skylarking and the rest. If it means anything, I like it better than White Music.

I Bought Myself A Liarbird is a great tune, though.

As is 'Wake Up', with that killer opening 3 against 4 panned guitar bit, drums, etc.

[mike walker]

Couldn't believe this band when 'Nigel' came out as a single over here mid 70's.
I wasn't a player then. But I totally got the freshness, musicianship, melodic quirks and general vibe. One of my fave bands ever.