XTC

[twangs]

In case some of you haven't seen this, here is Dave Gregory's website...

http://www.guitargonauts.com

He talks about some of the amazing guitars in his collection, including the 1976 360/12 used in this video.

I really miss him from XTC's last few (still great) albums.

[beefandbones]

Andy Partridge recently said that he sees Dave more frequently these days than he sees Colin, and mentioned somewhat cryptically that Colin seems to have lost his interest in music. I'll try and find the link to the interview.

[twangs]

I had heard that about Colin too, Ethan. Boy, terrible news. Such a great bass player, and an important part of that band. The bit about Andy seeing Dave gives me hope that the three of them might record someday together...

[beefandbones]

Yeah, let's hope! It's hard to say what Andy means though. Colin's said that he was not at all interested in selling their demos, which has basically occupied the last four years of Andy's life, so is Colin not interested in music, or just the musical projects that currently interest Andy? At one time, Colin said he was mostly interested in new songs, so... I guess time will tell! I hope they get Dave back, though, and listen to his input this time.

[rickboy88]

Add me to the Dave Gregory fan club. His work on "Senses Working Overtime" with his Ric 12 string (see his website) is really nice. Really nice 12 string part on that one.

[ellaguru]

i can't stop playing the intro to 'all of a sudden..' on my 360/12...love that band!

[atomic_punk]

Riley, nice to have another Michigander on the board, welcome!

[ted_williams]

Since Janglerocker mentioned both Dave Gregory and Paul Weller in his post, I'd like to point out that they both played on Peter Gabriel's 3rd album.

[johnallg]

Hey, Riley, welcome from the SW corner of the state!

[randyz]

At the risk of going 'off topic' there is something that I'd like to mention about XTC. While thumbing through a book called 'The Tapestry Of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide To British Music Of The Beat, R&B, Psychedelic, And Progressive Eras 1963-1976' (Third Edition 1998), I spotted an interesting entry. They list a band from Swindon (XTC's home town) called The Purge. It says they issued an extremely rare single 'The Mayor Of Simpleton Hall/The Knave' in 1969. It seems more than a coincidence that XTC would record a song called 'The Mayor Of Simpleton' for their 'Oranges And Lemons' LP so many years later. Has anyone ever heard Andy Partridge comment on this?

[godber]

Randy - I haven't seen a comment from Andy, but it has been noted (briefly) here;

http://chalkhills.org/cgi-bin/show?issue=8-26

here;

http://www.southwilts.com/site/bluemoonraker/ARTISTS-P-TO-T.htm

and here.

http://www.headheritage.co.uk/headtohead/unsung/topic/28889/flat/#352859

I've googled a sound bite here,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000K3IA001017/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_017/002-1353156-8836858

and an image here,

http://www.popsych.co.uk/images%203/purge.htm

I'm not from Swindon, but I am West Country B&B and I've heard the phrase as a statement of self depreciation following a balls-up.

[randyz]

Mark,

I dug out my copy of the Syde Trips Vol. 1 CD and listened to the track in question. It's a pleasant tune but bears no resemblance to the XTC track. I think you're right. It's probably a common local expression.

Best regards,

Randy

[godber]

It does seem a weak track to inspire such greatness!