English Settlement

Recorded at Shipton-on-Cherwell-Manor in October - November 1981.

The Manor studios were part of a 38 room mansion owned by then Virgin Records head Richard Branson, and were located just outside of Oxfordshire England. The grounds (which can be seen in part in the XTC at The Manor promotional video, chronicling the recording of the Black Sea album in a somewhat contrived manner) included an illuminated lake, a go-cart track and an outdoor swimming pool enclosed in a massive bubble. The Manor was said to be haunted by a ghost called "The Grey Lady." Whether or not the band encountered the specter is debatable, though some folks believe Andy had a sexual experience with her which he later put to music and called "Wrapped In Grey." (it's a freakin' joke) Two very notable recordings made here, other than the XTC albums, are Mike Oldfield's famed "Tubular Bells" (actually the first recording made at The Manor) and the Sex Pistols' "Never Mind the Bollocks."

The album was produced/mixed/engineered by Hugh Padgham and was first released in the UK in February of 1982. The album climbed as high as number five in the UK charts.

The band was then comprised of:

Andy Partridge - on guitar, electric seal (vocals), alto sax, percussion and keys
Colin Moulding - on bass (vocals)
Terry Chambers - keeps on 'ittin the bars, uh... drums
Dave Gregory - bags of barmy guitar and keys, percussion and backing vocals

In Andy's words (from the Nonsuch promotional item)

The album featured these classic XTC tracks:

1. Runaways
2. Ball and Chain
3. Senses Working Overtime
4. Jason and the Argonauts
5. No Thugs in Our House
6. Yacht Dance
7. All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)
8. Melt the Guns
9. Leisure
10. It's Nearly Africa
11. Knuckle Down
12. Fly on the Wall
13. Down in the Cockpit
14. English Roundabout
15. Snowman