Andy
Partridge - Apples
& Oranges / Humanoid Boogie
"1967’s Summer of Love has probably been
written about, in retrospect, by more
people than were directly affected by
the original – assuming that something
more than simply buying “A Whiter Shade
of Pale” as a single is required to
count as affected. The revolutionary
fervour of 1968, the myriad
demonstrations & upheavals in a variety
of cities & countries probably had more
enduring legacy – even if the political
gains seemed few at the time.
Irrespective of how history either
lionises or demonises the years in
question, it’s undeniable that both
years were gifted with enduring
soundtracks of epochal importance in pop
& rock’s great firmament as the first
era of psychedelic music blossomed in
the UK, USA & beyond.
Given his musical history, it is perhaps
no surprise to discover that Andy
Partridge has a special affection for
the music of that era or to find that it
was the English bands with whom he feels
a particular affinity – one would have
been more likely, albeit only marginally,
to encounter Dantalion’s Chariot on the
radio in Swindon than say, The
Charlatans (San Francisco variety) or Os
Mutantes.
So when it came to making initial
recordings in his newly upgraded studio
at the end of 2017/start of 2018, it was
to favoured tunes of half a century ago
to which Mr. Partridge returned,
specifically: Syd Barrett’s Apples &
Oranges (originally the A side of the
third Pink Floyd single issued in
November 1967) & Neil Innes’ Humanoid
Boogie (originally the Side Two opener
from “The Doughnut In Granny’s
Greenhouse”, the second album by The
Bonzo Dog Band released in November
1968). Andy was one of those few who
bought & loved the Floyd single & its
equally fab B side Paintbox – it was
their first not to chart in the UK,
while The Bonzos, having featured in
Magical Mystery Tour, went on to a
regular, much watched TV slot on “Do Not
Adjust Your Set” which was broadcast in
1968/69, making the album a ‘must buy’
when it appeared.
Meanwhile in 2018, with the songs
recorded & pleased with the result, the
next question became how best to release
them & a 4 track (both songs in Stereo &
Mono, naturally) 10” vinyl EP format in
a picture sleeve with neither song
identified as an A side became the
format of choice.
Additionally, the EP is being released
as a limited edition of 1,396 copies,
available exclusively here..
Tracks
Apples and Oranges (stereo / mono)
Humanoid Boogie (stereo / mono)
APE HOUSE news
October 2017
XTC -
Black Sea (cd/blu-ray preorder)
Black Sea is the fifth in a series of expanded
XTC album reissues, including 5.1 Surround mixes,
2017 stereo mixes and High-Resolution stereo
mixes by Steven Wilson, along with a wealth of
extra audio and visual material.
All pre-order copies sold through Burning Shed
come with an exclusive postcard signed by Terry
Chambers.
---------
Steven Wilson produced the mixes with the input
of founder band member Andy Partridge and the
full approval of the band.
This cd/blu-ray edition is presented in special
packaging with an expanded booklet and
sleeve-notes by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding,
Terry Chambers, Dave Gregory and Hugh Padgham.
Help with adjusting your player settings (if
necessary) can be found here:
http://www.opusproductions.com/disc/setup.html
---------
• CD: Features a 2017 stereo album mix by Steven
Wilson with bonus tracks (many featuring Steven
Wilson mixes).
• Blu-Ray: a 5.1 Surround mix in 24bit/96khz
mixed from the original multi-track tapes
available in LPCM and DTS HD MA.
• Additional Blu-Ray features include:
- The 2017 stereo album mix in 24bit/96khz LPCM
audio.
- Additional songs from the album sessions in
stereo and 5.1 (several featuring 2017 Steven
Wilson mixes)
- The original stereo album mix in hi-res stereo
+ bonus tracks.
- Instrumental versions (mixed by Steven
Wilson), and several bonus mixes in 24bit/96khz
LPCM audio.
- Many album tracks in demo form as recorded (mostly
live) at Phonogram Studios prior to the main
album sessions.
- Three Andy Partridge demos from Phonogram
studios.
- Three Andy Partridge demos from Swindon Town
Hall.
- Promo films for Towers Of London, Generals &
Majors & Respectable Street.
---------
A definitive edition of XTC's Art Pop classic
from 1980.
The debut EP by TC&I sees Colin Moulding
and Terry Chambers put their XTC past
behind them in order to create some truly
original music (well…maybe and nod and a wink
here and there….).
CD in digipak. We have copies signed by Colin
and Terry.
Tracks:
1. Scatter Me (4:32)
2. Greatness (3:53)
3. Kenny (4:33)
4. Comrades of Pop (2:23)
Format: cd
Artist: TC&I
Availability: 03-11-2017
CatNo: TC&ICD001
FRIDAY SEPT 15
19:00 (7PM)
– Doors Open at the backroom of the Southbrook
Inn pub
• the pub will have food and drink available for
purchase
19:30 – 22:30 (7:30-10:30PM)
– Open Mic
• play an instrument, sing, dance, karaoke,
poetry reading, or just get up and introduce
yourself to the group! No set format, just make
sure it’s XTC related and don’t hog the stage,
so that everyone who wants to get up there in
front of the mic will have a chance to.
22:30 – 23:00 (10:30-11:00PM)
– Finish your food and drinks and prepare for
the next day
SATURDAY SEPT 16
10:00 – 11:45 AM
– Walking tour of Swindon
• Gaz will lead you around Swindon, pointing out
various XTC related sites
11:45 – 12:00 – After the tour Gaz will lead the
group in a parade to the Southbrook Inn pub for
the convention
OR
11:00 – 12:00 – If you want to skip the walking
tour you can come straight to the Southbrook Inn
pub where Tim will welcome you.
12:00 – 12:30
– Everyone arrives by this time
12:30
– Opening remarks by event organizers
13:00 – 14:00 (1PM-2PM)
– QUIZ
14:00 – 14:30 (2:00-2:30PM)
– Raffle
14:30 – 15:30 (2:30-3:30PM)
– Panel Discussion (participants to be announced
later)
15:30 – 16:00
– Nothing scheduled
16:00 – 17:00 (4PM-5PM)
– Video presentation
17:00 – 19.00 (5PM-7PM)
- Nothing scheduled
• This can be your time to stop back at your
hotel or maybe grab a bite to eat somewhere
• But the room will still be ours, and the pub
will serve food and drinks, so you don’t have to
leave at all if you don’t want to!
19.00 – 22:30 (7:00-10:30PM)
– Tribute Band(s) play (participants to be
announced later)
22:30 – 23:00 (10:30-11:00PM)
– Clean up the room, if everyone helps out it
should go quick
September 2017
SUNDAY SEPT 17 09:30 – 09:55
– Everyone meets at ______ (starting point will be announced later)
10:00 –14:00 (10:00AM - 2:00PM) – Buses/coaches will take us to Uffington White
Chalk Horse, with a few stops along the way,
including the Swindon bandstand where Andy &
Dave were filmed doing acoustic version of Train
Running Low On Soul Coal NOTE: Buses/coaches will leave promptly at 10AM,
with or without you, so do plan to arrive
earlier than 10AM
14:00 – 14:30 (2:00-2:30PM)
– Buses/coaches return us to our starting place
and we say our goodbyes!
Put together by founding editor Mark Fisher,
The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls
brings together 256 pages of XTC goodness to
celebrate the fanzine's 35th anniversary and the
band's 40th anniversary.
2017 highlights of this new edition include:
• Andy Partridge on childhood, children and
creativity
• Colin Moulding and Terry Chambers on the art
of the rhythm section
• Dave Gregory on Drums and Wires, Black Sea and
English Settlement
• Comedians Phill Jupitus, Kevin Eldon, Stewart
Lee, Joanna Neary and Paul Putner on their
favourite XTC songs
"This special anthology edition is varied,
surprising and fun." Samantha Burke,
Cent Magazine, September 2017
Full contents list here
Limelight was a fanzine created for and by the
fans of Swindon's finest. In those far-off
pre-internet days, it was one of the few ways
people could keep up to date with what XTC were
up to.
Like its Canadian sister fanzine, The Little
Express, Limelight featured news, interviews and
articles about all things XTC. Every edition
sold out and original copies have become
collectors' items.
Like the band, the contents were varied,
surprising and fun. There were articles about
Victorian architecture, discussions about the
band's artwork, illustrations by Andy Partridge
and interviews with fellow musicians.
It was great. And now it's back – with even more
essential reading than ever.
Back after 25 years,
the classic 1980s fanzine about XTC is on sale again.
The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls is a
256-page edition of Limelight, featuring the
original copies published between 1982 and 1992 plus
new material for 2017, including interviews with
Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory and
Terry Chambers.
Skylarking is the fourth and perhaps most
anticipated release in a series of expanded XTC
album reissues, including 5.1 Surround mixes,
new stereo mixes and High-Resolution stereo
mixes by Steven Wilson, along with a wealth of
extra audio and visual material.
---------
Steven Wilson produced the mixes with the input
of founder band member Andy Partridge and the
full approval of the band.
This cd/blu-ray edition is presented in special
packaging with an expanded booklet and
sleeve-notes by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding
and Dave Gregory.
Help with adjusting your player settings (if
necessary) can be found here:
http://www.opusproductions.com/disc/setup.html
---------
* CD features the 2016 Steven Wilson stereo
album mix plus four bonus tracks mixed by Steven
Wilson.
* Blu-ray features:
- A 5.1 Surround mix in 24bit/96khz mixed from
the original multi-track tapes available in LPCM
and DTS HD MA.
- The 2016 stereo album mix in 24bit/96khz LPCM
audio.
- Four additional songs from the album sessions
in stereo and 5.1 mixed by Steven Wilson.
- The original (uncorrected polarity) stereo
album mix in hi-res stereo, plus 1 non-album
track.
- The original (corrected polarity) stereo album
mix in hi-res stereo.
- Instrumental versions (mixed by Steven Wilson)
of all 2016 mixes in 24bit/96khz LPCM audio.
- A complete alternate album in demo form (as
per Todd Rundgren's original suggested running
order based on the demo recordings).
- Numerous additional demo and work tape
sessions showing the evolution of the album and
associated recordings.
- Promo films for Dear God and Grass.
---------
Sequenced and produced by the legendary Todd
Rundgren, 1986's Skylarking is perhaps the most
acclaimed of all XTC's releases.
An album unlike anything else in the band's back
catalogue, dense orchestrations and a more
organic soundscape were deployed in servicing
some of the band's most melodically rich and
sophisticated songs.
With its distinctive cover depiction of the
Uffington White Horse and its more prominent use
of acoustic guitar, XTC's 1982 studio release
was immediately hailed as a significant
departure for the band and a future masterpiece.
While looking for the (still 'lost in the
archives') multi-track tapes to enable Steven
Wilson to undertake new stereo and 5.1 surround
mixes of the album, the original half-inch
master tapes were discovered and used as the
source from which engineer John Dent has
prepared this 2016 'original master edition'.
An album which set standards on its release
sounds, if anything, even better now.
Pre-order 22nd July release.
Tracks
01. Runaways
02. Ball And Chain
03. Senses Working Overtime
04. Jason And The Argonauts
05. No Thugs In Our House
06. Yacht Dance
07. All Of A Sudden (It's Too Late)
08. Melt The Guns
09. Leisure
10. It's Nearly Africa
11. Knuckle Down
12. Fly On The Wall
13. Down In The Cockpit
14. English Roundabout
15. Snowman
Credits
Colin Moulding - lead vocals, backing vocals,
fretless bass, Fender bass, mini-Korg, piano,
percussion
Andy Partridge - lead vocals, backing vocals,
electric guitar, semi-acoustic electric
12-string guitar, semi-acoustic electric guitar,
acoustic guitar, mini-Korg, Prophet V, anklung,
alto sax, percussion, frog
Dave Gregory - electric 12-string guitar,
electric guitars, nylon-string Spanish guitar,
semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, Prophet
V, mini-Korg, backing vocals, percussion, piano
Terry Chambers - drums, drum synthesiser,
percussion, backing vocals
with:
Hugh Padgham - backing vocals on Ball and Chain
Hans de Vente - backing vocals on It's Nearly
Africa
XTC -
English Settlement - Deluxe Vinyl Edition (double
vinyl)
A
deluxe double vinyl version of XTC's 1982
classic English Settlement.
Including:
* 2 x 33rpm, 200g heavyweight vinyl
* 12" 16 page booklet with song notes by band
members
* Lyric sheet
* 2016 cut from original half-inch master
sources
* CD mastered from the same original master
sources
* All contents packaged in a sturdy slipcase
While looking for the (still 'lost in the
archives') multi-track tapes to enable Steven
Wilson to undertake new stereo and 5.1 surround
mixes of the album, the original half-inch
master tapes were discovered and used as source
masters from which engineer John Dent cut new
lacquers for this heavyweight vinyl edition.
An album which set standards on its release
sounds, if anything, even better now.
UK orders will be sent by courier.
Tracks
Side 1:
1. Runaways (4:34)
2. Ball and Chain (4:32)
3. Senses Working Overtime (4:50)
4. Jason and the Argonauts (6:07)
Side 2:
1. No Thugs in Our House (5:09)
2. Yacht Dance (3:56)
3. All of a Sudden (It's Too Late) (5:21)
Side 3
1. Melt the Guns (6:34)
2. Leisure (5:02)
3. It's Nearly Africa (3:55)
4. Knuckle Down (4:28)
Side 4:
1. Fly on the Wall (3:19)
2. Down in the Cockpit (5:27)
3. English Roundabout (3:59)
4. Snowman (5.03)
A
deluxe double vinyl version of the Corrected
Polarity edition XTC's ever popular Todd
Rundgren produced Skylarking.
Including:
* 2 x 45rpm, 200g heavyweight vinyl
* 12" 16 page booklet with song notes by band
members
* Lyric sheet
* Cut from corrected polarity master
* CD of corrected polarity master
* Both album sleeves - sleeve as released and
original proposed design
* All contents packaged in a sturdy slipcase
A definitive edition of one of Pop's finest
albums, produced by one of Pop's best producers
and performed by one of Pop's greatest groups at
their most popular.
Tracks
A1 Summer's Cauldron
A2 Grass
A3 The Meeting Place
A4 That's Really Super Supergirl
B1 Ballet For A Rainy Day
B2 1000 Umbrellas
B3 Season Cycle
C1 Earn Enough For Us
C2 Big Day
C3 Another Satellite
C4 Mermaid Smiled
D1 The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
D2 Dear God
D3 Dying
D4 Sacrificial Bonfire
The Monkees
celebrates its 50th anniversary with the group's
first new album in 20 years.
The album features all three
surviving band members - Micky
Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter
Tork. The unmistakable voice of the
late Davy Jones is also included
with a vintage vocal featuring on
one song.
The album contains tracks written
specifically for the band by some of
the music world's most gifted
songwriters including Andy Partridge
(XTC), Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), Ben
Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), Noel
Gallagher and Paul Weller. It also
contains songs originally written
for the group during the 1960s by
Neil Diamond and Harry Nilsson.
Developed from a series of
interviews conducted over many
months, Complicated Game details
Andy Partridge songs from throughout
XTC's career and provides a unique
insight into the work of one of
Britain's most original and
influential songwriters.
Filled with anecdotes about
Partridge, his XTC bandmates, and
the band's adventures around the
world (all told with AP's legendary
humour), Complicated Game casts new
light on the writing of lyrics, the
construction of melodies and
arrangements, the process of
recording, and the workings of the
music industry.
The book includes pages from
Partridge's songwriting notebooks,
reproductions of his original
artwork designs, a guide to Andy
Partridge's Swindon and a foreword
by Steven Wilson.
Pre-order for 31st March release.
All pre-orders sold through Burning
Shed/APE come signed by Andy
Partridge.
