Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #41 - February 27, 1996
Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #41
Topics for Today:
My first BF5 experience
Re: Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #40
NO SUBJECT
Ben Folds Five
BFF on Much Music
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Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 22:43:43 -0800
From: Vegetarian/Apple@eworld.com
Subject: My first BF5 experience
Let me first say how good it feels to be in the company of fellow fans. I
don't know any fellow fans locally, so this internet list helps to fulfill my
need for BF5 community. :-)
I found out about BF5 quite by accident. I won a trivia game on eWorld (a
service similar to America Online), and they sent me a CD and a tape as a
prize. The CD was by Brother Cane and the tape was by Ben Folds Five. When
I opened the package, I was kind of ticked off to discover that they had sent
me stuff by totally unknown bands. But I decided to give them a listen. I
listened to the Brother Cane CD. It sucked. It actually wasn't BAD, it's
just that it was the same old thing -- nothing new, nothing inspired. Then I
played the BF5 tape. I was immediately taken by the interesting C7/9 chord
and rhythm of Jackson Cannery. Then when I heard Ben start singing,
"Stoooop, the bus...!", I could see that I was going to love the whole tape.
It took me a while to even realize that there were just three instruments on
the songs, and that there was no guitar! The songs are so cleverly arranged,
and the harmonies so perfect, that the sound is really fat and you don't miss
the guitar at all. And the opposites are interesting -- this is pure,
traditional, pop, but what the hell is traditional about a three-piece lineup
with a piano and no guitar? Who the heck has ever done that before? Even
the "piano" acts like Billy Joel and Elton John used other instruments! Who
would have thought that in 1995 somebody could come up with something NEW
that was still very pop, and very catchy?
I've played the tape over and over. I haven't been this excited about a new
band in 16 years. Sure, Ben is a helluva piano player, but his real talent
is his songwriting ability. I'm not a bad piano player myself, but I get
downright depressed when I compare my songwriting ability to Ben's! However,
listening to this music HAS had a positive effect on me: It's motivated me
to get off my ass and try to record my own album this year. And I wouldn't
have been motivated to do so if I hadn't won that triva game and by chance
got the BF5 tape in the mail!
And a bonus for me, is that the tape I won is a PROMOTIONAL, "not for sale"
tape - it appears to be the same songs, same mix, and same order as what's on
the CD, but now I have a COLLECTOR's ITEM! I'm gonna see if I can get Ben to
autograph it when he plays here again in Austin TX on 3/14. (What a bonus --
I just got to see them here in February -- the March show will make two
months in a row!)
Of course, I'd love to be able to introduce their set, or open for them by
playing just one song, or, dream of dreams -- sit in with them for a song!
Well, I can dream, can't I? I don't suck at piano -- maybe Ben would want
to come up with a song that uses TWO pianos simultaneously... or maybe I
could play one of his songs on the piano and then he could run around the
stage with the mic and do the rock star thing. Maybe he's always wanted to
do that, but hasn't been able to because he's been chained to the piano. Who
can say? Maybe you kind folks would sign my petition? :-)
Be well my friends,
-- Michael Bluejay, Austin TX
Vegetarian@eWorld.com
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Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 05:32:22 -0800
From: Clint Hawks <glh1@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #40
if my memory serves me correctly, didn't the guys say they
would have a small bit part on ABC's 'Live In Concert" on March 1st...
that's this upcoming weekend...
clint
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Date: Tue, 27 Feb 96 10:26:10
From: bminnick@locrscs.CMIC.STATE.PA.US
Subject: NO SUBJECT
For clarity's sake, is there or isn't there a recording of "Video Killed
The Radio Star"? It hasn't appeared on the discography yet, and I was
wondering if it got by me. Also, has anyone found a copy of the Japanese
CD that has "Tom and Mary" on it? I've sent out a couple of search requests,
but no one has gotten back to me yet. Finally, the Philadelphia show is at
the Theatre of Living Arts on South Street. March 21st is the date. Ben
Arnold is also appearing.
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Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 14:43:02 -0500
From: Caroline Records
Subject: Ben Folds Five
Hi - Good News - The video for "Underground" was bumped up to Alternative
Nation - starting on Monday, March 4th!
Also, a fax from the guys in Japan says they're having a great time (and
they're being chased by girls!)
More to come.....
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Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 21:43:40 PST
From: Chris A Ruffner <cadcr@juno.com>
Subject: BFF on Much Music
According to a schedule I saw. The Ben Folds Five are suppose to be on a
Much Music show called Break This which is scheduled for Feb 28th at 8pm.
It's a repeat of a earlier show with Heather Nova. Sorry for the late
notice to our Canadian friends or those lucky enough to have it in the
States.
Chris
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I feel like a quote out of context withholding the rest