XTC The Big Express - The Alternate Guitar Tunings [Part 3]

[@53puskas53]

I can't remember a better interview with a songwriter.

[@dieseldes1301]

I grew up in Swindon and was in a band in the early eighties . XTC were gods to us .Watching this I feel like my heart is being pulled out of my chest with emotion listening to Andy explaining his songs , it’s just wonderful 👏👏

[@peterclarke6191]

This world over just killed me.

[@irrelevant8639]

Same

[@theshivers1967]

Oh! That's glorious. I'm so glad that Soul Coal is on a different open tuning. I had always that I was even more useless at guitar than I am.

[@marcbolan1818]

Andy tormented us guitar players when this came out as we had to struggle to figure out what he was playing - no KZbin to study or learn from. Naughty lad

[@BarronimoMusic]

I have to perform The Big Express solo at an XTC convention in couple of years, following on from Mummer last year.... thank God I found this!!!

[@rixvspinner]

I met Todd Rundgren and talked to him about producing Skylarking. He loved that record for sure. My fav XTC album is still Black Sea with English Settlement a close 2nd. They produced so many great records really so it's splitting hairs.

[@deanfalconemusic]

Unreal!!! Thank you so much. I almost cried during the chord reveal of "Train Running Low On Soul Coal" and "This World Over".

[@adrianonast3599]

He’s clearly a genius. And the voice is still there

[@danieladams9950]

Love how generous, informed and articulate Andy is. Kind genius.

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@ChongqingPeter]

You are the channel I've always wanted to exist.

[@snod7598]

So true

[@davidserlin8097]

I think you mean, you’re the channel you are I wish I had ❤

[@Jasper_the_Cat]

@@davidserlin8097 true XTC fan detected in the comments. 👍

[@alexfattoruso]

Remarkable! An interviewer who allow allows his interviewee to speak and doesn't interrupt! Great work here - please do more of these with more amazing musicians please.

[@woundedhorse]

Gold. I count myself lucky to have walked this earth at the same time as Andy Partridge. There are hardly the words to describe what his music means to me.

[@taniaion7145]

Same.

[@IrnBruNYC]

I especially enjoyed hearing Andy say how easily he cries. He probably has more songs that move me to tears than any other songwriter, and not always the ones you might expect. “Harvest Festival” and “I Can’t Own Her” make me cry, but so does “Then She Appeared” and “Hold Me My Daddy” and “The Loving” and many others.

[@danieladams9950]

"I Can't Own Her" is beautiful and perfect.

[@chrisandersen5635]

Harvest Festival. Yes! Also River of Orchids. Well, it’s not a crying song, but the journey the record takes me on. Ashame Dave didn’t get it or didn’t want to. Insane how long ago already.

[@sandiscott4640]

Andy, you are a absolute treasure 💖 happy 70th birthday 🎂

[@RMScott]

Damn! I love this man and his music. A huge part of the soundtrack of my life. Wish I could have seen them.

[@Fog99horn]

These Andy episodes have been an absolute treat. It's enough to restore your faith in humanity, it really is. Congratulations Chanan - fantastic work.

[@Jasper_the_Cat]

Oh I could just listen to Andy forever- time flies by so fast. I love that you give him time to speak in depth about all aspects of the songs. I also love that Andy is getting the caliber of interviewer who really gets it and appreciates the spontaneous genius and sensitivity in Andy's work. Well done!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@jimjam8949]

Rook is phenomenon piece of music. When I take the time out to really absorb myself in Nonsuch as a whole I find it profound.

[@midlander4]

Just beautiful.

[@rep3e4]

Awesome, what an great down to earth guy

[@Lineageholder]

I love The Big Express album - so many great songs. I do feel it's underrated in the XTC catalogue.

[@John2009R]

I wanted to listen to it after watching this and it is not in Spotify :( edit: Actually, it is there if I put the album link in but it is all greyed out. Maybe some licensing thing in Canada?

[@Lineageholder]

@@John2009R Maybe, it's available in UK.

[@WilliamCrowe-y8r]

When i first purchased that album I was a bit alienated by it's jaggedness and obtuseness but repeated listening has revealed it to be a PERFECT album, easily one of their best. There's not a bad track on it.

[@BlackRoomProductions]

TBE 5.1 bluray now available for preorder from Burning Shed. I heard the screening and it's incredible, grab it if you can (it has stereo remix on cd too--all the XTC 5.1 have stereo mixes on cd).

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Me too - I think it’s fabulous! It was also the first XTC album I heard - recommended by What Hi Fi!

[@nicolek.3614]

Bleedin' genius, Andy is!

[@manmademoonmusic]

Andy is my hero.❤

[@michaelroberts7044]

I wonder what amps andy used.. Something that hasn't come up yet.. Would love to hear his opinions on amps, pedals, effects etc... Some of the best musicians of all time have no knowledge of music theory, mcartney, hendrix, eg... Andy partridge is right up there with these... They have a musical gift.

[@DouglasLippi]

Makes me cry. So many memories with this music.

[@ericbriglia5136]

Andy's very humble, cause I really do think he's a genius. Great interview!

[@tapstring2]

Great!! Another hour or hundred hours I must spend on KZbin . A must watch for any serious guitarist and/or lover of XTC . Andy is different than the rest of the world, and aren’t we the better for it?

[@AndrewPurcellmusic]

Open tunings really rock my world, Nice to see a different way of using it...

[@terivaara]

What a unique artist

[@jaspersail]

Thank you. I love listening to Andy express musical joy. He feels it so deeply.

[@Fontsman-14]

Train running low on soul coal, is a blinding song. The end of the steam era in the steam town of Swindon. A metaphor for Andy's state of mind. Ebullient yet with deep melancholy. Masterful.

[@RichardWilson-dg5ny]

The look on Chanan's face = awe

[@Mudge07]

Whether it’s part 1,2 or 3, Andy’s charm, wit and self-effacing honesty pours out along with those wonderful anecdotes and graceful chords.

[@davidserlin8097]

I would love to have an all acoustic version of TBE with just Andy playing his guitar and singing-or, if he does not want to sing, having someone else sing. As much as I love TBE as it is, there is some thing about hearing the jangle and sparkle of the songs played only on guitar that is glorious.

[@LL-bl8hd]

That would be amazing. Not sure anyone else could do them justice as a singer though! I do find TBE hard to listen to with the way it was produced/mixed, it sounds harsh, but there are some amazing songs underneath.

[@jcwdog]

This series of videos/interviews with Andy has been stellar. Thank you so much for interviewing him and providing this content. His and Collin's song writing is other worldly. Nonsuch is my favorite album, and I think it is on par with Sgt. Peppers and Pet Sounds. Pure magic.

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@jackpaice]

I think very few songwriters who are this consistently amazing, are this monumentally under appreciated. I’m on a mission to spread their music far and wide, and sincerely appreciate your interviews with the guys ❤

[@matthewmaurysmith2486]

Oh my god, I can't believe I'm sitting here playing these guitar parts that I heard decades ago and have been permanently burning my brain... I never really considered them being tuned to eat because a lot of the licks sounded pretty much like standard but there was always twists and turns to those guitar parts that I never negotiated. Until now! Having so much fun playing through train running low, I hope lyrebirds on here cuz that's what I'm looking for now Awesome awesome awesome awesome video content here

[@zemanocka]

BZZZT~ "Intro to PP... had to audition the plug-ins..." and the Dave Gregory impression had me in the first :35! Chanan: "E6/9; Lydian Dominant, etc.." Andy: "What is that, that's... E/JoniMitchell..."😄 These glimpses into the Chordal Garden of Delights are truly wonderful, both Edu & Ent. Thanks to you both!

[@chrismannion3418]

Just a joy to watch and listen to. Andy is always worth listening to, and what a wonderful interview from Chanan. Pure delight

[@davelewis4215]

Andy hasn’t written a bad song what he has written are classics.I few years ago I splashed out on the brilliant 200g vinyl English Settlement box set to add to my XTC collection 👍

[@BlackRoomProductions]

Thanks, I love hearing Andy play guitar!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@dexdale5978]

My fav album utter class

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Excellent

[@WilliamSilva-dq6zj]

Pure gold.....

[@BlackRoomProductions]

I'm new to the channel but Chanan it's great that you don't interrupt and just let Andy play

[@ChananHanspal]

Welcome, and thank you for watching!

[@nancydevolder4433]

Chills and tears here. To hear those isolated chord changes makes it even more brilliant. Tysm for this interview Chanan!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@martinjackson2273]

If only Andy was touring today, even a one of concert :)

[@marcobottomley5754]

Townshend and Partridge- lyricists supreme!

[@srl6018]

Love these videos. 13:45 "otherwise no groceries for Andy. . ." Priceless😄

[@loopwoop]

I waited all week for this!!!

[@robertroth8652]

So great to have Andy breaking down these songs that I’ve been basking in for decades. Pure genius that makes it hard to hard to get excited about things that are supposedly “new”. Do I understand correctly that, other than being tuned down slightly for the sake of tension on the gtr neck, this is just “E tuning” (ala’ “Gimme Shelter”) on “Train Running Low On Soul Coal”?

[@BrightButNeverBurned]

Awesome interviews. For 'Training Running Low...' I was wanting Andy to go over the fantastic 'out' guitar solo. Greedy I know! But have the chords now, so hopefully....

[@ManchesterBlackSheep]

It's so good to have the spotlight on this quite magnificent and hugely under appreciated album. Not only the music, but quite lovely to hear Chanan discuss Andy's lyrics and I don't think they were ever better than on the Big Express. Really can't thank you enough for these videos and I'd love to hear more discussions of Andy's incredible song writing.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

I was so looking forward to seeing this and it's certainly worth the wait. Andy is probably quite overlooked as a guitar player compared to Dave Gregory but he's so good, extremely creative. I noticed that at times Chanan is leaning in to the screen to see what chord shapes Andys hands were doing, just like I was :)

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@eddiecousinsjr]

This is gold!

[@frankpaulus7205]

Im really happy that this has happened, such a charming talk, revealed secrets that filled my old XTC heart with humility. oh my god im almost can play i bought myself a liarbird, but is the epiphone really tuned in open e ? im sorry for my question, im german and i cant understand every single word , thamk you so much

[@richardjames5843]

Thanks for posting this Chanan ,could listen to andy all day !

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@ConglomerationCat]

The piano on "Rook" is so beautiful...

[@splankhoon]

Would 've loved to hear about Andy's collaboration with Mike Kenneally. 🙂

[@victorhawkins3461]

All I know to say, Chanan, is thank you! Thank you both! These vids of you with Andy more than make up for my ill-fated interview with him well over 30 years ago. Now...if I can just get you interested in Todd Rundgren...

[@ChananHanspal]

Thanks Victor 👍

[@erikmaronde2244]

Oddly, my favorite album of XTC is still "The Big Express". May have to do with my first wave of insight how the world is ran. But there is beauty like XTC music 🎉🎶🖖

[@chikkipop]

Chanan, you deserve much praise for doing this! Andy, it's great to see you, and I've long thought that a proper book of XTC music - or a deep exploration of it in a video format *(TrueFire?)* - would be a wonderful thing. If you need someone to spearhead such an effort, let me know! (And it was great hanging out at your place about 36 years ago! One of these days I've got to listen to that cassette of our tea time gabfest!) 🙂

[@chennellproductions6538]

Great interview thank you so much for sharing.

[@taniaion7145]

Thank you for this! 👏👏👏👏👏🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜

[@noelmaher6218]

My two favourite songs from The Big Express are Red Brick Dream (about Swindon) and Colin's Wake Up.

[@Jasper_the_Cat]

Yeah Wake Up is probably my fave Colin song.

[@hefewiseman]

wow so neat, great guy ,hilarious..,generous with his time. loved his Peter Pumpkin head joke.with the plug.

[@qclod]

I've been looking forward to this. Thank you both so very much.

[@danieladams9950]

Utterly brilliant. Two experts talking eloquently.

[@BlackRoomProductions]

Canon interview here, The Big Express 5.1 mix brings out all the goodies ( I heard the screening in LA). Thanks 100% Chanan, hope you can get Andy to do these for other albums!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@pwensor]

So cool. Thanks!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@erikmaronde2244]

I wonder what Andy has to say about "Wing Beat fantastic" with Mike Keneally which is really great?

[@craigjones7136]

Chanan, lovely stuff! Have you thought of reaching out to Mike Keneally? There’s a link between his love of both XTC/Andy and also Zappa

[@ChananHanspal]

It's on my radar. Thanks 👍

[@zemanocka]

'Red Brick Dream', written during this same batch of songs, I believe uses the same open E tuning✔ Ps~ That beautiful, dense chord that clangs forth the bridge in 'Holly Up On Poppy'- two guitars, and one is using a chord very much like the first one shown here in 'This World Over'?

[@Deepspace_Music]

This is how all interviewers should be.

[@Deepspace_Music]

Aware but humble and patient.

[@Deepspace_Music]

And respectful. 10/10 Chanal.

[@Deepspace_Music]

So impressed!!!

[@makeaguitarnoise]

Would be great if you could do a video on the French keyboard Player Domitille Degalle. Known as DOMi. She 23 now but was playing since age 3.shes one of these rare freaks of nature. She can play anything. Oscar Peterson to Franz Liszt or Kieth Jarret. Literally anything.

[@DouglasLippi]

11:55 "Train" is the 1. Kick drum is on 2 and 4.

[@HarryFlashman.]

Rook gets me every time😔

[@ChananHanspal]

Yep it's sublime 👍

[@danieladams9950]

Name another song like 'Rook' in the history of music: I label you a liar.

[@HarryFlashman.]

@@danieladams9950 I concur Daniel, although, The Beatles - 'She's leaving home' is up there. There is something about 'Rook' that stirs every possible emotion. Pure genius.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

More in the can right?You made me very happy when this came up in my feeds.Happy weekend!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@cosmicdrifter287]

@@ChananHanspal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@johnnytheb26]

I only know XTC through their singles in the 80's , but found these interviews fascinating, especially as a low standard guitarist. Andy seems such a genuine guy,..like your mate up the pub..What's the best album to get ito the band ?..any suggestions ?

[@Jasper_the_Cat]

I think English Settlement is a great place to start since it has a little bit of everything, stylistically. It's a perfect transition between their old edgy brash pop-rock-punk early phase and their more mature later style. But truly, you can't go wrong with any of their albums.

[@johnnytheb26]

Thanks.@@Jasper_the_Cat

[@清水俊秀-v1n]

train running low on soul coal、はとても好き！

[@chrisandersen5635]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you for this. Composition to construction. Wait a minute. Maybe there’s a title? Or deconstruction? It’s late. I don’t know. Anyway, you get the idea. Andy maybe becoming influential all over again?

[@MonsieurVersatile]

He’s got a pick under the strings behind the bridge on this guitar too! What’s that all about???😮

[@BlackRoomProductions]

If any XTC fans are interested, I'm replaying the rarely seen online Conventions from 2020 & 2021 this Sat, Sun, Mon in 2 hour blocks (with live chat). The vids will remain later too so no biggie if you miss it. If this isn't cool Chanan just delete but you're invited too mang. I figured this is a great place to tell people since it's so XTC specific. Anyways thanks and if this isn't cool just delete no biggie.

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@ConglomerationCat]

I always thought "Dear, Madam Barnum" was about resigning from touring and the stage.

[@BlackRoomProductions]

Who else is excited for TBE 5.1 in a few weeks?

[@guitaristssuck8979]

I just watched the last segment of the interview... So this is chronologically the second to last segment of the interview and it's been uploaded as last? Why did you have to upload them at the same time?

[@davidbarker6842]

Hi Chanan, I wonder if you can help me with something. I want to record a version of one of Andy Partidge’s earliest compositions - Adrenaline by Helium kids before xtc. If you have contact with Andy, please could you ask what I need to do to make it happen?😊

[@eddiecousinsjr]

Sorry I seem to missed the actual note tuning for each string, could someone please tell me

[@robinjones6999]

Brilliant stuff - Chanan looks like hes happy a pig in shit

[@Vanguardsman]

These are all jazz chords!

[@md-ps2hx]

What is the actual tuning he is using???

[@musicbybackinnyc1]

He said open E

[@GeorgeToledo]

Since he’s tuning down to be easy on the guitar, probably open D. Chord shapes will be the same.

[@seventhsamuel]

Open Eb- same tuning configuration as open D, but Eb Bb EB G Bb Eb@@GeorgeToledo

[@babyfranz1]

Morceau de wiwi 😂

[@Bongofurry]

Andy called Todd Rundgren and thanked him yet ?

[@Bongofurry]

@@nudnick when he thanks him. He did a great job of saving his career.

[@Bongofurry]

@@nudnick Thanking you isn't thanking him for decades.

[@Bongofurry]

@@nudnick I am causing trouble. What shall I do ? Apologize ?

[@Bongofurry]

@@nudnick Your behavior reminds me of that boy in the xtc band.

[@DAYGLOUKNOUKNO]

London is full of buskers doing Dylan Oasis.....and that lot......how about raising the bar....and playing some of Andy's beauties...you would stop passers by dead in their tracks.....and coin it

[@davelouis4004]

Excellent interview , wish he would have talked about “ I remember the sun “ , please do more !

[@danieladams9950]

"I Remember..." is a Colin song, so might be harder for Andy.

[@davelouis4004]

I remember the sun ! Great tune !