Testimonial Dinner: Songs of Xtc

Various Artists - Rock | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 1995)
• Original Release Date: October 11, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thirsty Ear
• ASIN: B0000057NY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,940 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

XTC/VARIOUS A Testimonial Dinner - The Songs Of XTC (Deleted 1995 US 11-track tribute CD featuring They Might Be Giants Crash Test Dummies Joe Jackson Spacehog Rembrandts etc. Picture sleeve with extensive liner notes THI57019.2)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than I expected, February 29, 2000

By 

Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Testimonial Dinner: Songs of Xtc (Audio CD)

Most songs by quirky rock/pop composer-performers don't survive being covered; If they do, it's often only by slavishly copying the original note for note. But Partridge and Moulding's songs are so strong that they often do very well in other hands.

Some of the songs on this collection don't survive the individualistic treatment; the first three cuts on this album are pretty forgettable. But some are gems. Reuben Blades changes "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" from XTC's Rundgren-produced spy movie theme into a steamy Latin tune. TMBG's"25 o'Clock" is as much fun as the original. Sarah McLachlan's "Dear God" is as good in its own way as the original. And "The Good Things" by Terry and the Lovemen is probably unique in the history of recorded music- a band covering itself!

If you're an XTC fan you'll need this album to complete your collection, of course. If you're not already a fan, buy the XTC originals, but buy this one just for McLachlan's cut.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Typical Tribute Mixed Bag, December 5, 1999

By 

Alf Kremer (Denver CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Testimonial Dinner: Songs of Xtc (Audio CD)

There's a fundamental problem with tribute albums - big fans of the original band won't like them ("they've ruined the songs!") and fans of the covering bands tend not to listen to much else but their favorite band's one track. That said, TE has compiled an impressive and varied group to take a stab at XTC's oeuvre. Highlights include: Sarah McLachlan's haunting remake of "Dear God", the Rembrandts' straight "Making Plans for Nigel", Ruben Blades recasting of "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul", Crash Test Dummies' odd reworking of "All You Pretty Girls" and They Might Be Giants' typically odd "25 O'Clock". Only Spacehog's glam "Senses Working Overtime" doesn't quite work. Oddly, Joe Jackson's "Statue of Liberty", which should be a match made in heaven, is simply good. XTC fans, approach with an open mind...and be pleasantly rewarded.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 15+ years later... still awesome., February 24, 2011

By 

Cletus (cooterville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Testimonial Dinner: Songs of Xtc (Audio CD)

Can't believe I've been listening to this CD for 15 years....

Was a casual fan of XTC's when I found this in a listening kiosk at a chain music store while on vacation in New Orleans, and snapped it up based on the fact that I was a huge Verve Pipe fan at the time.
(They were a local band for me, making the big time....)

XTC writes fantastic music. Talented artists with strong pop sensibilities can't do much better than to cover some of XTC's better songs.

R. Blades' version of Man who sailed Around His Soul is still amazing, after 15 years of listening. Vocals, instrumentation, latin flavor... just freakin' amazing.

Freedy Johnston's Earn Enough For Us is terrific, in that it's true to the original, yet still very.... Freedy Johnston.

The Verve Pipe totally rocked Wake UP. My only complaint is that B. VanderArk's vocal's seemed restrained.

Another band with a unique sound, Crash Test Dummies, get creative with All You Pretty Girls, and the finished product works great.

The occasionally quirky side of XTC was well-served by They Might Be Giants participating on this project. Their version of 25 O'Clock shows off THEIR talent as well as XTC's song craftsmanship.
A touch psychedelic, it's just a fun, raucous tune.

These are the standout tracks, buffered by less inspired offerings, but no truly bad songs. As a bonus, XTC appears on their own tribute album, under a pseudonym, with The Good Things.

Surprised to find that this is still in print, and as it is, I strongly urge you to pick up a copy.