Fegmaniax Digest <==----------==> (Send posts to the list to fegmaniax@nsmx.rutgers.edu) (Send adminstrative commands to majordomo@nsmx.rutgers.edu) (Send comments, etc to the listowner at owner-fegmaniax@nsmx.rutgers.edu) <==----------==> Volume 3 Number 157 Today's Topics: ------- ------ Re: Robyn at Mercury Lounge, Friday Oct 6 Re: New World Order Re: silver linings and nasty grey clouds Rhyming slang Anybody here called Norman? Wax Doll and Cones Re: New World Order RE: netsurfer ghost Fegs in Scotland, Robyn on London radio Re: New World Order Re: silver linings and nasty grey clouds i'm new...... Re: Rhyming slang Re: Marketing of genius Re: Robyn at Mercury Lounge, Friday Oct 6 Re: Rhyming slang Re: i'm new...... speaking of books.... chord request.. re backwards Re: chord request.. Re: Rhyming slang Lady Mitchell 11-27-78 Re: speaking of books.... Re: speaking of books.... Re: Kershaw Brenda & other trivia Re: speaking of books... robyn ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Oct 1995 23:39:32 -0700 To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu From: sherrett@teleport.com (Jason Sherrett) Subject: Re: Robyn at Mercury Lounge, Friday Oct 6 > I think the fact that he has a particular way of ordering the songs now >shows that he > thinks of himself more as an entertainer than a rock and roll musician >and is trying > to come up with a pleasing setlist--one that flows well. He is mapping >the show out, > much like record execs map out the track order of albums. This is what I >DON"T like > about the recent shows. One of the reasons I got into Robyn was the fact >that no 2 > shows of his were ever the same--he always told different stories, and always > changed the setlist around, and played more covers and odd songs. There >is not as > much of this anymore. Boo hoo. One could also argue that as Robyn gets older and spends less time on the road he feels the need to develop some sort of working playlist rather than offering fragments of songs prone to errors. Let me explain: Bands that spend most of their time touring are afforded the ability to recall songs at any given moment if they choose to do so. And often they'll justify this as a means to ward off boredom on the road. However, artists who tour somewhat infrequently also rehearse infrequently, thus they will rehearse a batch of songs before a tour, so that along with newer material there will also be older material for longtime fans. This is even more significant when touring with a larger band or stage show. I guess for a solo show it would be easier to have more songs at one's disposal, but alas not the case with our boy. My guess is Robyn doesn't spend too much time rehearsing his old material in his free time. While I too would love to see more variety in setlists, I'm glad Robyn took the time to work up arrangements for tunes like Lysander and Kingdom of Love for this tour. Now the fact that his between-song banter is repeated from show to show is more troubling to me. -Jason ------------------------------ Date: 12 Oct 1995 23:28:00 -0800 From: "Mark Gloster" Subject: Re: New World Order To: "Miss Western Teen USA" , "Terry Marks" Cc: "feginsaniax" Reply to: RE>>New World Order >no person should be exiled in florida. i hereby propose a 'free terry >marks' campaign...*) >.chris Ward, I'm worried about the beave. It sounds like the possible erosion of sanity in a British/virgo kind of way. I just bet his domicile is very clean. D'jaevernotice (in an Andy Roony voice) that life on fegmaniax is more interesting since Terry showed up? -Mark Gloster "The man with the filament hair, and buckets of it" ps. Terry, I hope to send you a copy of "Monday's Lunch", the song, next week for inclusion in your songwriters tape. Sorry I'm so incommunicado. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Oct 1995 23:41:19 -0700 To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu From: sherrett@teleport.com (Jason Sherrett) Subject: Re: silver linings and nasty grey clouds While I don't like the idea of the electronic lynching of Gina Arnold I do think she deserves a little bit of her own medicine behind her back. Or maybe not, I read an article of hers not too long ago where she ridiculed an online community of Replacements fans. If you've read her book you know how sanctimonius she can be about the Amerindies and what a pioneer she was for punk rock. She describes how college radio in 1988 was blinded by "strummy jangly whirly bands indistinguishable from one another" a la Robyn Hitchcock. Somewhat ironic considering her exposure to Robyn was probably by way of Peter Buck, thus the obligatory reference in the Spin guide. I'm surprised she didn't work in an ill-fitting Paul Westerberg reference as well. And the fact that Robyn's recent 7" on K Records goes unnoticed here shows that Gina is just not paying attention. I don't think this review makes any difference to Robyn's reputation however as most music fans aren't that impressed with the Spin seal of approval. And if a former punk rock pioneer chooses to have her views published therein, what does that tell you. Your move-- Jason ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 03:23:10 EDT From: Daniel Ginsberg Subject: Rhyming slang To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu For the curious, I found a rhyming slang resource in the library today. It is a mix of Cockney, Irish, Australian,theater, and Western US sources but it is better than nothing. _A dictionary of Rhyming Slang_ Julian Franklyn (london RKP: 1960). The copy here was restricted so i could not charge it out, but I found a few items of interest: Beef heart=fart (and puts a grand spin on the Cap'n) Botany Bay=hit the hay (ie sleep; which out to delight all of the trekies who wondered why a sleeper ship was named the Botany Bay) Vera Lynn=gin (theater rhyming slang traced back to our old friend the actress) There was no huge payoff RH-wise past the already discovered "butchers" sad to say. dan ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 08:46:28 PDT From: Gene Subject: Anybody here called Norman? To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Sorry Norman, you haven't won the raffle... I recently snagged a copy of the "Rout of the Clones" Soft Boys boot, and man, am I one happy camper about that one. Amazing performance, amazing recording, totally kewl. The fact that I could never have seen them live during their ear-splitting prime saddens me to no end, so I must have each and every available live Soft Boys recording available. But I want more, more, more -- I want all things Soft Boys. Anybody have good pictures of them playing live, eating kippers, or lawn bowling in Cambridge, or hell, of them doing anything, I don't care. The pictures on the albums/CDs are nice, but I want more. I'm really tempted to start a sort of Soft Boys collectors book, so I'm looking for any and all connections I can get my hands on for research. And on another note, does anybody know who exactly it is who released "Rout of the Clones"? Like where do they live, and how come they haven't released "Live at the Portland Arms" on CD? And is there any other unreleased live Soft Boys material collecting dust on acetate in someone's warehouse somewhere? "Uncle Bobby's gonna work his pig on you..." (Oh, and Cheri, if you read this, e-mail me -- I lost yr address.) ------------------------------ From: jimm@dbu.edu Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 08:52:00 -0500 To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Wax Doll and Cones Good morning Fegsters... I wonder if any of you out there can answer my two questions: 1. What is the significance of the song "Wax Doll"? Specifically, and I am being serious here, what do the last lines mean: "If I was man enough I'd come on your stump (repeat) But this is the home counties...." 2. What is the significance and meaning of "September Cones"? Probably my second favorite from You and Oblivion (1st being Birdshead), but I'm puzzled by what it's about. I think that the first & second verses are some of the most beautiful lyrics he's ever written. Anybody agree? Disagree? Peace, Beaker jimm@dbu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 08:55:09 -0700 (PDT) From: Miss Western Teen USA To: dennis Subject: Re: New World Order On 12 Oct 1995, Mark Gloster sez: > D'jaevernotice (in an Andy Roony voice) that life on fegmaniax is more > interesting since Terry showed up? Agreed, and it is well 'tabbed' since his arrival, which all of us 'what-key-was-that' guitar nerds appreciated to the Nth degree. thank you, terry. .chris ------------------------------ From: jimm@dbu.edu Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 10:58:34 -0500 To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: RE: netsurfer ghost Pardon my ignorance, but what be dis? (Netsurfer Ghost, dat is) ============================================== >2--- i never ordered a copy of netsurfer ghost. any kind soul be >willing to >do this for me for cash or trade?? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 17:22:43 BST To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu From: jturner@rpms.ac.uk (Jonathan Turner) Subject: Fegs in Scotland, Robyn on London radio Jay admitted: >So I just bought my tickets and am going to Edinburgh on Nov. 20th....are there >and outstanding record stores, pubs, or music venues I should check out whilst >I'm there....I've got a week and a half to tear the town up...o Well, there must be some McFegs out there, surely ? As a mere Sassenach, I don't really feel qualified to say too much. But pubs you must visit include The Guildford Arms, The Cafe Royal and the Bow Bar, as much for the decor as for the beer. Don't forget to check the ceilings in the first two! Edinburgh is a fine drinking city, though a little confusing for visitors such as myself to get around, due to the two-tier road system. Top tip for the pub juke box: "Edinburgh Man" by the Fall. Avoid playing "Edinburgh Castle" by Mike Scott, he sings about blowing up the castle and how great Glasgow is. Don't know of any good music venues; there's a used record store out along Leith Walk, plus some more general second hand stores along that road. It's a long road, too. A couple of miles out along Leith Walk, if you get that far, you'll find Barnard St; there's a tiny little bar down there, forget the name, that sells at least half a dozen different beers. Useful tip: buy your beers in halves, rather than pints, that way you'll get to sample more. Apologies for vague info, hopefully someone with better knowledge will be able to help. Robyn on the radio: He (or, at least, one "Robin Hitchcock") is scheduled to appear on GLR in London on Sunday morning, sometime between 10am and 1pm. GLR is 94.9FM, if anyone local is able to get up early enough. Jonathan. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 12:47:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Terry Marks Subject: Re: New World Order To: Miss Western Teen USA Cc: Pretty Girls and Anglepoise lamps On Thu, 12 Oct 1995, Miss Western Teen USA wrote: > > On Thu, 12 Oct 1995, Terry Marks spoke: > > > I got bored, so I started re-mixing Robyn's CD's. I left out BSDR, > > no person should be exiled in florida. i hereby propose a 'free terry > marks' campaign...*) Well, there's a "Free Terry Marks" fund drive going up. Hopefully, I'll be in either Massachussettes or....some other state. Why? College. Planning on going to either Worcester Polytechnic Institute (in Massachussettes) or Winthrop (it's...somewhere. I'd only go their because they offered the best bribe [they pay for at least my first year, possibly more]). Donate, please. Terry "THM" Marks ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 10:09:00 -0700 Subject: Re: silver linings and nasty grey clouds From: Tom Clark To: "Jason Sherrett" , "fegManiax" Jason said... >While I don't like the idea of the electronic lynching of Gina Arnold I do >think she deserves a little bit of her own medicine behind her back. Or >maybe not, I read an article of hers not too long ago where she ridiculed >an online community of Replacements fans. No offense to anyone else on the "Skyway" list, but I would have to agree with Ms. Arnold on this one. The 'mats I love are the sloppy, puking alcoholics that made the albums before "Pleased To Meet Me." The 'mats that the people on the list tend to gush about produced the latter albums that were filled with Paul's whinings about love and relationships. -tc In the changer for this Friday 13th: The Beatles - "Let It Be" Laibach - "Let It Be" Esquivel - "Space Age Bachelor Pad Music" Ultra Vivid Scene - "Joy 1967-1990" ************************************* * Tom Clark * Apple Computer, Inc. "Knowledge Is Good" * tclark@apple.com -Emil Faber * tclark@netgate.net * tclark@eworld.com * http://www.netgate.net/~tclark ************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 16:10:44 -0500 (CDT) From: Michael Winiarz To: "Michael J. Swedene" Cc: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: i'm new...... hey there everyone i'm new to fegmaniax and i was wondering what goes on.... like what kind of age range, what topics you guys talk about, etc. please reply sharon winiarz ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 14:42:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Glen Uber To: Daniel Ginsberg Cc: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Re: Rhyming slang On Fri, 13 Oct 1995, Daniel Ginsberg wrote: > For the curious, > I found a rhyming slang resource in the library today. _A dictionary of > Rhyming Slang_ Julian Franklyn (london RKP: 1960). This is a subject of great interest to me. In fact, I am considering doing my doctoral dissertation on word games and code languages (rhyming slang, Pig Latin, et. al.) or the dialectal differences of the British Isles. The above book is listed in the bibliography of a book I found at a used bookstore just after this discussion began. It's called _Cockney Dialect and Slang_ by Peter Wright (B.T. Batsford LTD, London, 1981). A nice resource that covers not only the terms of the dialect and rhyming slang, but also grammar, pronunciation, historical background and sociological aspects. A great book and a huge find! Recommended at any price! > There was no huge payoff RH-wise past the already discovered "butchers" > sad to say. I think I found a few. Someone recently pointed out several references to "leaves" in Robyn's work. It could come from the Cockney _tea leaves_ 'thieves'. Theives of what? Perhaps someone could explain. The next is "lid" (as in "coffin lids" from Leppo). It comes from _saucepan lid_, 'quid'. Then there's "dishes" from _plates an' dishes_, 'misses'. Isn't there a reference to dishes in "Goodnight I Say"? "meat" = "feet" "Dennis" from _Dennis Law_, 'policeman' "loaf" (ie "loaf of wax" from "Bones in the Ground") = loaf of bread = head Joanna (Tropical Flesh Mandala) = 'piano' I'd like to hear some others' thoughts on these. Also, I can post other terms to the list or privately if anyone is interested. Alligator ('See yer later') Slainte! Glen E. Uber University of Washington Departments of Linguistics and Germanics E-mail: hirsute@u.washington.edu *** Quotations of the week: *** "Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does, the better." -Andre Gide "Information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, wisdom is not truth, truth is not beauty, beauty is not love, love is not music. Music is the best." -Frank Zappa "Music is the cup which holds the wine of silence" -Robert Fripp ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 17:43:08 -0400 From: beach house tiki god To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Re: Marketing of genius roLLerCOasTEr boy sez: >On Wed, 11 Oct 1995, beach house tiki god wrote: >> based on a note from gerard cosloy (matador head honcho), i get the >> feeling that whomever is looking for labels for robyn is the bozo >> not the labels who haven't sprung to the bait yet. >wanna explain that? did gerard say they're not interested in working >with robyn? whassup? gerard said that the rumors about matador and mammoth were being mongered by the folks sending out the demo tapes *before* said tapes ever arrived at the labels' mailboxes. gerard had nothing to say about the possibility of matador releasing a robyn album, but i got the impression that he wasn't interested (nevermind the johann kugelberg/soft boys connection - johann and gerard used to do a show together on wfmu, but i believe that they are not too fond of each other anymore...hmmm...johann works for american records now, i think, and he's a big soft boys fan...there's a good rumor to start!). woj ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 17:51:45 -0400 From: beach house tiki god To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Re: Robyn at Mercury Lounge, Friday Oct 6 sherrett@teleport.com (Jason Sherrett) sez: >> I think the fact that he has a particular way of ordering the songs now >>shows that he >> thinks of himself more as an entertainer than a rock and roll musician >>and is trying >> to come up with a pleasing setlist--one that flows well. >One could also argue that as Robyn gets older and spends less time on the >road he feels the need to develop some sort of working playlist rather than >offering fragments of songs prone to errors. between american west coast gigs in the autumn of 1994, european gigs in feb/march 1995, american east coast gigs in spring 1995, more fall gigs, and various shows in the uk interspersed throughout, he's spending less time on the road than in the past, yes. however, this level of gigging is pretty consistent with the previous between-album gig schedule. if netsurfer ghost is ever released, i'm sure you can expect a tour of america on par with the 1990 eye thing. >This is even more significant >when touring with a larger band or stage show. note that the songs that robyn plays with deni are pretty limited. >I guess for a solo show it >would be easier to have more songs at one's disposal, but alas not the case >with our boy. feh. i think he's just being lazy. he has a vast repetoire of songs that he can play at any given time - many that are written on the spot! he's just not taxing himself the way he used to be (not that i blame him). woj ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 17:49:26 EDT From: Daniel Ginsberg Subject: Re: Rhyming slang To: Glen Uber cc: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu On Fri, 13 Oct 1995 Herr Uber said: >The above book is listed in the bibliography of a book I found at a used >bookstore just after this discussion began. It's called _Cockney Dialect >and Slang_ by Peter Wright (B.T. Batsford LTD, London, 1981). A nice resource >that covers not only the terms of the dialect and rhyming slang, but also >grammar, pronunciation, historical background and sociological aspects. A >great book and a huge find! Recommended at any price! Kewl! I know that our library does not carry it, but i will check the campus bookstore :) >"Dennis" from _Dennis Law_, 'policeman' Dunno about the others but I LOVE this find! heh. groovy :) Dan ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 15:05:31 -0700 Subject: Re: i'm new...... From: Tom Clark To: "Michael Winiarz" , "Michael J. Swedene" , "fegManiax" >hey there everyone >i'm new to fegmaniax and i was wondering what goes on.... like what kind >of age range, what topics you guys talk about, etc. > >please reply >sharon winiarz gee, has demographics ever been covered here? If not, I'll start the ball rolling: I was born in the 14th century and I died in 1952. I grew up in a family so poor we could only afford a blue car. I'm caucasian for the most part, but turn a lovely nutty color between the 12th of May and 18th of August (for mating purposes). I listen to Robyn Hitchcock's music most days of the week, however I've had a cold lately so I've been listening to The Only Ones. Oh yeah, during the day I spend all my time stuffing ones and zeros into small pieces of fruit. Who's next? -tc ************************************* * Tom Clark * Apple Computer, Inc. "Knowledge Is Good" * tclark@apple.com -Emil Faber * tclark@netgate.net * tclark@eworld.com * http://www.netgate.net/~tclark ************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 18:15:46 -0400 (EDT) From: Bayard To: glass frogs Subject: speaking of books.... has anyone read any of Papa Raymond H.'s works? Any recommendations? ------------------------------ From: bing@student.umass.edu Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 18:53:05 -0400 Subject: chord request.. To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Could someone send me the chords to "You've Got", "Autumn is Your Last Chance", "Surgery," and "Somewhere Apart"? FYO i'm working out my next tribute mess- er- cover. Thanks! Bradley ps- "Ted, Woody, and Junior," too! ------------------------------ From: seanbe@microsoft.com To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 15:57:42 PDT Subject: re backwards hi all re "that "bizarre backwards language" in the middle of the Hen version of "Brenda". silly me, i assumed that robyn had just spaced out on the lyrics and was comping until the next bar came round. (having done that many a time meself) sb ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 19:33:04 -0400 (EDT) From: dwillem1@IC3.ITHACA.EDU Subject: Re: chord request.. To: bing@student.umass.edu Cc: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Me also, thanks! On Fri, 13 Oct 1995 bing@student.umass.edu wrote: > Could someone send me the chords to "You've Got", "Autumn is Your Last > Chance", "Surgery," and "Somewhere Apart"? FYO i'm working out my next tribute > mess- er- cover. Thanks! > > Bradley > > ps- "Ted, Woody, and Junior," too! > ------------------------------ From: "Winkworth, Nick SJ" To: Vyrna Knowl Subject: Re: Rhyming slang Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 16:40:00 PDT On Friday, October 13, Glen intoned: >This is a subject of great interest to me. In fact, I am considering >doing my doctoral dissertation on word games and code languages (rhyming >slang, Pig Latin, et. al.) or the dialectal differences of the British Isles. This is of great interest to me also. My wife is originally from Lancashire (i.e. North) and I'm from Surrey (i.e. South) ...we thrive on dialectal differences! >It could come from the Cockney _tea leaves_ 'thieves'. Theives of what? >Perhaps someone could explain. I don't think so. The leaves in question need to be specified as "tea" to qualify. You see, if you split the phrase, the rule is to use the NON rhyming part of the slang only (that's how you hide the meaning from non initiates). Feet can be "plates of meat" or "plates", but never "meat", for example. You're expected to get the meaning from the context. In some cases it is more typical to use the whole thing. "Tea leaves" is a case in point; for example, if you spot some shady looking characters you might comment; "Cor, they look like a couple of tea-leaves!". Another reason for doubting this explanation might be Robyn's interest in leaf symbology (spring into fall, etc) (judging by earlier posts anyway). So: }"lid" (as in "coffin lids" from Leppo) does not refer to British monetary units.. }"Meat" does not mean feet. }"Dennis" = 'policeman' ? (Dennis Law) Nice idea, but VERY unlikely!! }"loaf"= head ? Yes, but probably not in this context (ie "loaf of wax" from "Bones in the Ground"). These things tend to be used in little standard phrases. E.g. "Use your loaf!" as a put-down when someone does something stupid. }Joanna (Tropical Flesh Mandala) = 'piano'. Dunno. I'd need to listen to the lyrics again. Hope this helps. Nick "The Bellman" ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 18:48:30 EWT From: the future never happened Subject: Lady Mitchell 11-27-78 To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu I got the Rout Of The Clones CD the other day, and I was wondering if this is the same one referred to by Positive Vibrations a while ago. This CD does not have "A Most Peculiar Voice" and some of the other things. Also does someone have the complete setlist from this gig in the correct sequence? I might be able to piece the whole thing together from the bits that are scattered about Rout, 1976-81, A Can Of Bees, and Invisible Hits. And while I have your attention, who can help me identify where these songs were recorded: Anglepoise Lamp and Ugly Nora from A Can Of Bees (the same Lady Mitchell Hall gig as the other live tracks?) Innocent Boy from Two Halves (says its a Radar outtake on Invisible History but sounds more like a Underwater Moonlight outtake to me) Smoothie (says its a Underwater Moonlight outtake on Invisible History, but I doubt it. Maybe a Radar outtake?) Stomping All Over The World, Nothings Going To Change, Fighting Someones War (from Kimberly Rews Bible Of Bop) Stay mellow, jay m ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 19:02:33 -0500 (EST) From: Tracy Aileen Copeland Subject: Re: speaking of books.... To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu On Fri, 13 Oct 1995, Bayard wrote: > > has anyone read any of Papa Raymond H.'s works? Any recommendations? > I keep meaning to write a Raymond Hitchcocd FAQ, but I'd rather not until I've seen his non-thrillers. The thrillers are uniformly godawful. Stereotypical ethnic characters, rickety implausible plotting, stilted dialogue - everything that's bad about the genre without even any obligatory sex scenes. Hitchcock Sr. can indeed tell you how many rivets are on the side of every British Navy ship ever built, but for that I can pick up _Jane's Fighting Ships_. I've read _Archangel 006_ (evidence of old Soviet atrocities in Poland is discovered, but can it be allowed to upset the diplomatic balance?) and _Attack the Lusitania!_ (the British Government wants the US as an ally and plans to attack its own civilians and blame the Germans). I started _The Canaris Legacy_ (evidence of Nazi atrocities in WWW is discovered, but can it be allowed to upset the diplomatic balance?) but put it down after a chapter or so; I was offended by the use of the Holocaust as a backdrop for a cheesy spy novel and didn't want to read another word. If you like this sort of thing, though, you might try _Lusitania!_. Hitchcock goes to some lengths to make his story fit the known historical facts from the era, and there's a cameo appearance by Winston Churchill. Mike DeLong says that _There's a Girl in My Soup_ is the novelization of the Peter Sellers film, and _Percy_ is "about a penis." I've never even seen copies of these two, though. Robyn has repeatedly mentioned an unpublished novel by his father about the British government stealing Stonehenge and abducting all the witnesses, and the return of Merlin as a hippie. It sounds more interesting than anything I've ever seen by the man. It's also fairly similar to _That Hideous Strength_ by C.S. Lewis, which I'd recommend over any of Hitchcock's novels if you can get past the implicit homophobia and explicit misogyny. In my opinion the most interesting thing about Raymond's novels is the biographical info on the endpapers. As usual I can't find the book I want to quote from; as I remember the books were dedicated to Lal and Fleur, Robyn's sisters, and the author's biography said that Hitchcock lived in a converted mill whose history he had traced back several centuries. As with any review, this is all my undiluted opinion, of course. Tracy (I would have liked them better had there been some toast in them) ------------------------------ From: savinien@ea.oac.uci.edu To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Re: speaking of books.... Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 18:48:20 -0700 I've read only _Percy_, and haven't gotten around to _Lusitania_ yet... Not to give it all away to anyone, but it's more or less about a man who has a penis transplant after an accident, and spends most of the book finding out who the "donor" is/was, for social class, etc. purposes. It's a bit absurdist, but nowhere near surreal. The humor in it gets a bit drawn out, and it's generally too dry for my tastes. And I think the end is on the anti-climactic side -- a sort of one-joke plot, and somewhat racist, imho. (At the same time, I suppose it can be just as easily read as being a commentary on racism, and definitely on people's preoccupation with their social class/standing.) *ponder* So overall, I wasn't too taken by this one. But then, maybe I ought to try some of his other books... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 20:52:31 -0700 (PDT) From: Brooks Martin To: jimm@dbu.edu Cc: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Re: Kershaw Brenda & other trivia My Glass Fish "Invisable Hitchcock" CD also says "Element of Light." As a matter of fact, I've never seen one without this error. I wonder if there was ever a second pressing of this release where they fixed this error? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 21:12:05 -0700 From: librik@netcom.com (David Librik) To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: Re: speaking of books... Tracy wrote: > Mike DeLong says that _There's a Girl in My Soup_ is the >novelization of the Peter Sellers film, and _Percy_ is "about a penis." >I've never even seen copies of these two, though. Can this be the famous "Percy," made into a film with a soundtrack by the Kinks? I've never seen it, but Nicholas Schaffner in an article on the Kinks called it "the nadir both of British comedy and repressed British sexuality; its plot concerned the world's first penis transplant, occasioning ninety minutes worth of coy and puerile jokes." The album has some pleasant late-60s Kinks songs on it; I don't know if it's still available. A previously undiscovered Hitchcock/Davies link? - David Librik librik@cs.Berkeley.edu ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 14 Oct 95 4:00:41 CDT From: The Freshmaker To: fegmaniax@ns2.rutgers.edu Subject: robyn anyway.......just joining the mailing list........ allo and all that...looking forward to hearing more Robyn chat as I am tired of boring my friends with raving about him.....I don't seem to be good at making converts :) cheers! [][][][][][][][] End of this Fegmaniax Digest. Archives can be found at ftp://fegmania.wustl.edu/fegmaniax/archives/ For administrative questions, send mail to owner-fegmaniax@nsmx.rutgers.edu For subscription requests, send mail to majordomo@nsmx.rutgers.edu. Slipping you the midnight fish...