iloveshortsongs

No One Here Available - Andy Partridge (1985)

the-theme-is:

XTC frontman A.P. recorded this reggae-tinged novelty outgoing answering machine tune during the mid-eighties, heyday of the cassette ansaphone.

“Here it is, that Jacob Marley and the Wailers answerphone message. One of a series I made for my then brother in law in 1985. Stick it on your phone, feel free. Hearing it now, it sounds more like Robert Morley and his waders.” - A.P.

(via chalkhills)

Mr. Partridge has had his time in the sun on shortsongs once before. Have a faux-reggae winter.

Ice Jet Kiss - Andy Partridge (2004)

When XTC founder Partridge was confronted by Bryan Fuller (Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies) to pen a tune for his television series Wonderfalls, he was originally told that the song could not have lyrics. Andy did a few unused but still brilliant little sketch-ditties that finally came to light on his Fuzzy Warbles series of demos. This is one of those attempts.

Fortunately, Fuller was able to convince the powers that be that one of Andy’s strengths are his vocal elasticity and lyrical genius, so they ended up going with this as the final theme.

Unfortunately, Wonderfalls was cancelled after only 5 of the 13 episodes were aired. Damn FOX and damn idiot viewers.

So raise a glass to the short-lived collaboration of Partridge/Fuller and the small, but wonderful fruit it bore.

“The Great Rock and Roll Swingle.” Partridge calls it in the liner notes for Fuzzy Warbles Vol. 5.