XTChallenge

I want to make a single-disc compilation from Apples Venus I & II.
About a dozen tracks.
Which?

Apple Venus "I'd Like That," "Easter Theatre," "Frivolous Tonight," "Your Dictionary," "Harvest Festival," "The Last Balloon."

Wasp Star "Stupidly Happy," "My Brown Guitar," "Boarded Up," "I'm the Man Who Murdered Love," "Standing in for Joe," "Wounded Horse," "Church of Women," "The Wheel and the Maypole"

That's no serious challenge, reducing two CDs to one! We need a career retrospective! One song from each record! Perhaps we can allow two from Black Sea and Skylarking.

i wish i could be of some help here pagan. it is with shame that i admit to not keeping up w/XTC.

however, the 1992 xtc - live in concert CD remains a favourite of mine. its all there in the liner notes. (sic) 'andy, who had been sick as shit the last few shows was finally feeling better' a great live album that shows just how immediate and comfortable this extremely talented punk band became.

then i got into martin newell and new model army.

I can't help you with the compilation tracks, but I will tell you this:

SKYLARKING.

You may not be able to find a better CD for spring cleaning. I hear the buzzing from "Summer's Cauldron" and I get the urge to fold laundry.

It must be the springtime weather we're "suffering" under. It's January and I'm needing to wear shorts outside. No truth to all that "global warming" nonsense. Ahem.

All of Apple Venus Vol. 1, then add "Boarded Up" and "You and the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful" from Wasp Star. That's 13 songs. Close enough?