142. Henning Ohlenbusch Discusses XTC, Skylarking

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Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Henning Ohlenbusch (Gentle Hen, the Fawns, solo) makes a return appearance to You, Me and an Album to discuss XTC’s 1986 album, Skylarking. Henning talks about why he loves Skylarking and why XTC is one of his favorite bands. He gets into the aspects of XTC’s songwriting that are especially appealing and how the album reminds him of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Kinks. Henning also talks about the new Gentle Hen album, The Whole Point of the Trip, and why it took four years to make.

Henning was previously on YMAAA on Ep. 72, discussing Ha! Ha! Ha! by Ulltravox.

Be sure to follow Henning on Instagram and Threads at @henningo!

To learn more about Gentle Hen, visit their website at gentlehen.com or find their music at https://gentlehen.bandcamp.com/.

Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/

1:10 Henning joins the show

1:37 Henning explains why he chose Skylarking—and not English Settlement—for this episode

4:28 Henning and Al talk about the impact Todd Rundgren had on the album

7:08 Henning and Al discuss “Dear God”’s eventual placement on Skylarking

11:23 Al summarizes his reaction to the album

12:10 Henning identifies what makes Skylarking a special album for him

15:10 Why did Al have a different reaction to Skylarking than he did to The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society?

17:23 XTC changed the way that Henning listens to albums

22:22 Henning talks about what he likes about XTC’s songwriting

26:00 Al reveals a pet peeve he has about a certain style of songwriting

29:10 All appreciates that Andy Partridge’s songwriting has a subtle side

31:33 Henning thinks of the album as being divided into chunks

33:20 Henning highlights some of his favorite parts of the album

40:01 Henning points out a couple of interesting rhythms from Skylarking

44:12 Henning and Al talk about the “Dear God” controversy

46:08 Henning discusses the vocal similarities of Partridge and Colin Moulding

50:02 Al compares the new Gentle Hen album with XTC and Peter Gabriel

53:02 Henning talks about how The Whole Point of the Trip developed

54:43 When does Henning know it’s time for a Gentle Hen album?

56:30 Henning talks about his near-term plans

Outro is from “Birds of Massachusetts” by Gentle Hen.

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