XTC - Train running low on soul coal

[nancyl2]

Anyone know where this was filmed?? I envy the ones sitting there listening to them play. OMG what a treat for them. Sweet tune and want to visit that area why I would love to know where this area would be? (My little town named after a place that also has a lot of round-a-bouts. People hate them here; I think it slows the traffic down to a safer speed.) 5*'s + YEP. LOVELY share of a GEM.;-))) DELIGHTFUL and fun to end my musical gifted-day with.

[thewakz]

Chalkhills group on facebook brought me here!

[CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

So lovely. I have a guitarist magazine from the period when this was released. Some amazing techniques used by Partridge et al to record a seriously underrated album.

[wattdabny]

those two people at the end of the vid who are the only people watching andy and dave are two of the luckiest people ever :)

[fiddlerfart]

Great! Not much video from them at this time.

[Lefthandbadass]

I wish it was me sitting on that lawn!

[TerribleFLY]

they all may have the same formula but you're wrong. They do not sound the same. lmao

[BayviewFinch]

Well, to me they do.

[javiertenazas]

radios in motion, ten feet tall, complicated game, rook,easter theatre,melt the guns,ladybird,human alchemy,mayor of simpleton,the somnambulist,life begins at the hop,me train running low on soul coal... all sound the same?? you are a fan of the ramones???

[parisenvybelair]

those are sick chords! I wasn't expecting that...proves that their songs belong among the best of 20th century song. unsung heroes.

[Pellow]

I miss the 'middle 8' part in this version.

[monkeytrousers]

Is that a Guild acoustic guitar Andy is playing?

[bxs204]

Thanks...it's hard to find any tabs for XTC, I know there are some out there, but are few and far in between. Thanks, again.

[bxs204]

Does anyone know what tuning he's using? G? E? ????

[4darin5]

the whole album is in E.

[bxs204]

The most unrated band in the world! I was a fan from the beginning and bought every record, tape, and CD as they came out, each one a classic in it's own right. I always try to turn people on to them if they've never listen to them to this day. They are like the Beatles or Pink Floyd in that they are a band you have to listen carefully to. The chord progressions and words of each song always made me wonder, "Where are they taking this to now?" XTC - one of the greatest bands ever!

[daveiscoolyeah]

Great acoustic rendition. I actually prefer this version to the one on "The Big Express".

[flanissimo]

stripped down. Nice. Musica verite. I wish I were one of those 2 on the lawn there.

[christiemarie27]

I love the original version better when you hear real train sounds in the song.

[betsycoates]

this appears to be a collaboration with sir john johns

[comicstripdude]

"There's no place more dull and more English [than Swindon]." - Andy Partridge lol

Interesting video, and good guitar work. I just hate how singers play around with the vocals like Andy did here. "Think of going s-s-s-s-south..."

[mrgrt1]

The "s-s-s-south" is overdoing it, I agree, but Andy's way of twisting and turning his voice and moving the melody in unexpected ways totally thrills me. One of many reasons why I love XTC.

[flanissimo]

Ageed. s-s-south is no good. But when he played with the vocals in the early years it was often brilliant. His live versions of the first four albums' songs or so are off the proverbial hook!! Especially his live "WHEN YOU'RE NEAR ME I'VE DIFFICULTY".  It's up on youtube. But, yes, the s-s-south: unfortunate. Even Shakespeare had bad days.

[andreaprodan]

but this version of the song is very pretty... as is the finale of the video in the mini Hollywood Bowl (of Swindon too?)

[peepingpom]

It's the Oasis Leisure Centre.

[andreaprodan]

seems to be much less of a country town than I ever imagined. All I see is Cement, Brick and Steel!

[peepingpom]

It's a engineering town that grew with the railway, in an otherwise fairly rustic county. The song 'New Town Animal in a Furnished Cage' from their first album is probably more true to their origins than the yokel personae they later developed.

[andreaprodan]

Thanks.

I bought their 3-D E.P. when it came out, and my brother was an ardent fan of theirs until White Music came out. He disliked it, and said they had lost their bite, nuttyness and raw energy and were sweeties!

I have always been a fan, but... my bro was right, no?

[peepingpom]

I didn't hear Science Friction until years later, ditto with White Music and Go2. My interest in XTC started like most with Drums & Wires era stuff. I wouldn't say your brother was right.

[andreaprodan]

Yes. But he used to see them live BEFORE 'White Music' and was surprised by the Pop approach theyopted for on record.

Stilll, the best of Pop they are!

[escarcha]

Wheres Colin? Is he one of those guys that are applauding at the end?

[peepingpom]

Wot? No Magic Roundabout? Seriously when was this filmed?

[fegda]

Ahah,

I was looking forward seeing one of your famous roundabout :)

Seriously, I don't really know when :(

[peepingpom]

I remember that they made a programme for one of Channel Four's 'Play at Home series', which I think would have been in 1984. This would fit in with having a song from the Big Express and filming it in Swindon.

[narrator6]

i can confirm this video clip is from 'Play At Home' for channel 4.

[monkeytrousers]

@peepingpom This was filmed in July of 1983.