THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #194 - March 7, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #194
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Topics for Today:
*Another* long post......
japanese versions?
Whatever And Ever Amen - initial reaction
BFF: Free Import CD Single
BFF & Jellyfish comparisons
Counting Crows are big fans!
New record
New member, BFF
Certain Damage
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #192
mineapolis bff
bf5 in amsterdam
BOWCCL video on MTV
Ben Folds Five
Free Disc
New Album
Aussie Release date
Brad & BoWCCL Production Values
live live live
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 13:15:45 GMT
From: Mark Piper <pipermf@ugs1.ph.bham.ac.uk>
Subject: *Another* long post......
I really should stop sending long posts, but heck. If you're going to send
me four digests at once, you're asking for it.... >8)
Birmingham's answer to Mark Radcliffe >8) wrote:
> Did I mention I've got 2 spare copies of the CD?
>
> Andy. xx.
Yes you did. I'm still in a huff about that. Robbed I was, robbed. I got
my own copy now.
Melanie innocently asked:
> What does gormless mean?
Welcome to Slang For Foreigners. Hope you're all using "faffy" by now.
Gormless. Hmm. Empty-headed, dumb, vacant-looking. NEXT!
Tony Ferrino, er, Flaminio, sorry, mentioned that:
> whatever covers BF5 does (besides Video Killed....,
> Crosstown traffic, and Elvin Bishop)
Elvin Bishop is a cover? Well, you learn things everyday. Is that right?
Who did it? Was it the Elvin Bishop band? That would be a bit egotistical.
But then TMBG had a song called They Might Be Giants, so...
> At the beginning of the recording of Video Killed The Radio
> Star that I have, Ben says something about a one hit wonders album, when
> is this due out, is it for real? I would love a studio version of this
> song.
I think the CD was to be called "Wonderama", but it got scrapped, I
believe. The nearest thing to a studio version is the WNEW radio show
boot, which has a cracking version on it.
Allan got slightly confused with:
> They also played Champagne Supernova, An Elvis
> Costello (???) song (Not sure of the name, but is goes "Can you tell me
> why... I don't like Mondays... I don't like Mondays)
Boomtown Rats (Lead singer was *Sir* Bob Geldof), and it was called,
surprisingly "I Don't Like Mondays".
The perhaps slightly psychotic Chad wrote:
> I can even spell words like "bruhaha"
Surely that should be "brouhaha"???? Maybe it's like colour/color, only
the Americans lost the 'o' this time???
Okay, chums, tonight is the night. Attempt to find my way around
Manchester. I can only hope Mr Hewitt is on hand to help. But, it's gonna
be great, as long as I'm not on the bus to Wigan when BFF are playing....
Mark
Looks, Brains & Everything - www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/bff.html
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 08:24:58 -0500 (EST)
From: Alexander Jay Timin <ajtimin@freenet.tlh.fl.us>
Subject: japanese versions?
I've heard that the japanese versions of both albums have more songs than
the US versions. Is there some way I can get the japanese versions?
alex
ajtimin@freenet.tlh.fl.us
[There is one more song, the Japanese-language version of Song For the
Dumped. You can try ordering it from any shop that does imports. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 13:29:33 +0000
From: Marsh <winkie@easynet.co.uk>
Subject: Whatever And Ever Amen - initial reaction
just a few first impressions....
overall this album sounds more jazz orientated than the last
though there is the occasional justification for the recent comparisons
with Dean Friedman and early Billy Joel and even Counting Crows.
Brick is a bit of a shock to the system - one of the saddest and most beautiful
songs you'll ever hear - but the wondrous Song for the Dumped comes to
the rescue just in time. I can't decide between Brick and Smoke for
my favourite track. Other highlights are Steven's Last Night In Town;
Selfless, Cold and Composed; and Evaporated, plus Battle Of..which
sits perfectly on the album and becomes catchier by the minute!
The first album has always been *feelgood* music for me but I could
quite happily be sad to this one...
oh yeah, and Frank gets a mention in the thanks :-)
Chris
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 09:54:58 -0500
From: "Gillmer J. Derge" <derge@crd.GE.COM>
Subject: BFF: Free Import CD Single
Sony is giving away the import CD single of "Battle of Who Could Care
Less" as a promotional item. You need to print out a coupon available
at their WWW site, then take it to a store that's part of their
network. I got mine last night, no questions asked, didn't cost a
penny.
Start at http://www2.music.sony.com/musicdb/IRD or at www.sony.com and
follow the links from there. The list of participating stores is also
available from that page. Both versions of the CD are available.
(Champagne Supernova/Theme from Dr. Pyser or Hava Nagila/For Those Y'all
Wearing Fanny Packs)
Interestingly, the guy at the store said he got the CD's in a package
about 2 weeks ago with no explanation. He kept them hoping Sony would
eventually tell him what to do with them. That note finally came
Monday. I was the first person to take advantage of the offer.
Note: I'm having trouble loading the pages at the moment. Keep trying.
They do work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gillmer J. Derge <derge@crd.ge.com>
P.O. Box 8
Schenectady, NY 12301 (518) 387-6382
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 10:05:39 -0800
From: Eric Ebert <ebert@cpg.mcw.edu>
Subject: BFF & Jellyfish comparisons
To Josh, the Jellyfish fan (and all similar life-forms),
It IS kind of interesting to see all the comparisons between Jellyfish
and Ben Folds Five...I think it might have to do with their approach to
making music. Jellyfish was the first band I heard that incorporated the
pop sound and clothing of the 1970's with the sensibilities of the 90's.
"Underground" has that very same feel; 70's peppy-and-poppy, yet with a
sarcastic 90's bite to it. And sometimes (though not often), you can
almost HEAR Andy Sturmer lurking around in Ben's vocal chords. I won't
bother getting more analytical than this...where would be the fun in
that? I'm just glad I've found kindred spirits out there where we can
all relate to each other musically. (By the way, does any Jellyfish fan
out there know what ever happened with the project Andy Sturmer was doing
with King's X's Doug Pinnick?)
I'm also ecstatic that there are some They Might Be Giants people that
follow BFF....
--
Anxiously awaiting the new Ben Folds Five album, amen~
Erokk
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 12:20:53 -0500 (EST)
From: "yellosno@tiac.net" <mail@tiac.net>
Subject: Counting Crows are big fans!
Well I know you all know about the verse in Counting Crow's song "Monkey" off
their new cd that has the line "Got Ben Folds on my radio right now."
Well, even more news about the Counting Crows and Ben Folds Five, recently I
bought a Counting Crows bootleg tape of a live concert of a show that
happened in my area about a year ago at some little nightclub.... Anyway..
In the song "Mr. Jones" Adam Duritz changes
"I want to be Bob Dylan,
Mr. Jones wishs he was someone just a little more funky."
to:
"I want to be Alice Childress,
Mr. Jones wishs he was someone just a little more famous."
it's really awesome since they are my two favorite bands!
yellosno@tiac.net
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 19:16:35 +0100
From: "Peter Olijve (the Netherlands)" <polijve@worldonline.nl>
Subject: New record
Great new Record!
I agree with most of the remarks about the new album. I find "Song for the
dumped" the weakest track and I'm totally in love with Fair,Brick, Smoke
and especially Selfless, Cold and Composed. Great singing by Ben too. More
mature, more complex structures without sounding boring. It really grows
on you; I didn't like it that much on the first two listens. But your
patience will be rewarded.... Oh yes!!! Just like on all of the Crowded
House records, not easy to please but rewarding in the end. I'm looking
forward on hearing the new songs live 18 March when they'll play
Amsterdam.
Peter
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 12:44:25 -0600 (CST)
From: koenij22@vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu
Subject: New member, BFF
Hello!
Thanks Frank for giving me the info. It's nice to hook up with fellow
Ben Folds Five devotees. Want to hear a story? I was at one of those
used CD stores. You know the ones where "they even let you listen to
it!" before you buy it? Anyway I was shocked and dismayed to find four
BFF disks in that store. And you know what I did? I bought em all.
Then handed them out to my friends. I figured, "spread the love". That's
my story. I can't wait for the new album. I'm countin the days. Well
that's all for now. Take care,
JOEL D KOENIG
Internet - KOENIJ22@uwosh.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 14:25:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: KEN <Walczakm@ACS.WOOSTER.EDU>
Subject: Certain Damage
In re:
" Hey all,
I have seen a lot of people mentioning that BFF single comes with
the new CMJ mag, and my college radio station gets that mag, so can
someone tell me what volume of Certain Damage (I think that is the name of
the CD that comes with CMJ) has the single because I can't seem to find it
anywhere."
CMJ publishes two publications, as well as distributing two CDs every
month. The BFF song is on the March 1997 Edition of the (untitled) CD which
comes with CMJ New Music Monthly, the public-oriented, non-trade-journal
magazine. The radio station "Certain Damage" promo CDs are completely
different animals -- sometimes they have some of the same tracks, sometimes
not. If BoWCCL is on one of these, then I don't know which one.
--KEN
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 11:24:51 -0800
From: "Adam M. Dick" <adick@mail.ups.edu>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #192
"Is there anybody else on the Armchair living in Arizona? I'm trying to track
down information on the now-uncertain April 9 date opening for Counting Crows
- first listed as Mesa Ampitheatre, then as Union Hall, and now there is no
listing at all. Did they cancel?"
Regarding this inquiry, yes, I am from Arizona, however, I am currently
stranded in the state of Washington. But, I will be moving back to Arizona
in May. Unfortunately I have no info about the BFF show, but I am a huge
supporter of Mesa Amphitheatre, I believe it to be one of the better venues
in the Phoenix area. But, I my word is not official, as I am a native
Tucsonan, and have not experienced all Phoenix venues. I know you must be
annoyed that I have no info, and you must be wondering why the hell I am
posting a message. Well, I am just excited to see a fellow Arizonan on the
list. Cheers.
Adam
Adam M. Dick
adick@mail.ups.edu
The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.
-Jack handey
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 17:26:48 -0500 (EST)
From: Straat@aol.com
Subject: mineapolis bff
to all the fans of benfolds five in minneapolis you should go to let it be
records. i went there last week and to my surprise was able to pick up both
battle of who could care less singles the wheres summer b single and the
second underground single. in the underground single on the live version od
jackson cannery does ben say "big brothers got the keys and ive got space
crap on my knees" ? because that is what it sounds like.for those of yall
that where fanny pax is definetley the s***(hehehe) its just so funny.
champagne super nova is pretty good too. i just like the way ben(not sure)
gos "oh oh oh oh oh stop me". if your from minneapolis e mail me.
frank gilbert lyon 2nd
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 23:22:48 -0800
From: gillet <gillet@pi.net>
Subject: bf5 in amsterdam
some good news:
the bf5-gig 18th of march at the Melkweg, Amsterdam will be
recorded by VPRO Radio 3 (National Radio). It will probably
be broadcasted in the Wednesday-night show from Jaap Boots
(10-12). If i get more information i'll mail it.....
jg
--------------------------------------------------------------------
met vriendelijke groet listen every mondaynight 9-10 to
joris gillet SUBBACULCTHA my weekly 'alternative'
uitgeest, the netherlands radioshow on the local radiostation
gillet@pi.net here in uitgeest, the netherlands !!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 17:54:39 -0500
From: Darryn Fessel <dfessel@one.net>
Subject: BOWCCL video on MTV
I've seen the BOWCCL video on M2 on MTV yesterday, my friend said he
saw it a few days before that. M2 is on from 2-3pm on MTV, it's also
a seperate channel, but my cable sucks and I don't get it yet. Anyway,
now that I've promoted the hell out of MTV, I guess I'll go.
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 21:40:51 -0500 (EST)
From: KellGill@aol.com
Subject: Ben Folds Five
Hey!
I just joined so........I don't really know WHAT THE CRAP YOU ALL ARE TALKING
ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I'm okay. Ben Folds Five is pretty dope. when
does Whatever and ever amen come out? Does anyone have any sound clips? I
would totally appreciate it, man!!!!
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 06 Mar 1997 01:06:18 -0500
From: Shaun Gilmour <sgilmour@pgh.net>
Subject: Free Disc
For those of you who haven't checked out the Sony BFF site at:
http://www.bffweb.com
There's a offer for all US residents for a free copy of BOWCCL import
single. You just print out a copy of their coupon and take it to an
independent retailer listed in their directory. They offer 2 versions of
the single: #1 BOWCCL Champagne Supernova Theme from "Dr.Pyser"
or
#2
BOWCCL
Hava Nagila
For Those of Y'all Who Wear Fannie Packs.
I don't think you get a choice of which disc you get. It's whatever disc
that particular retailer is carrying.
Looking to trade my BFF for some BNL. contact me.
--
Later,
Shaun
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaun Gilmour Visit my tapelist on the web!!!
sgilmour@pgh.net http://www3.pgh.net/~sgilmour/tapes.html
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 10:42:10 +0000 (GMT)
From: C Browning <C.Browning-95@student.lboro.ac.uk>
Subject: New Album
well the new Ben folds five album has been part of my life for nearly three
days now and i love it beyond all belief. don't get me wrong, teh first album
was fantastic but the depth of maturity in the second album just blows my mind
away. brick and cigarette must be two of the saddest songs i have heard for
ages. i actually know and have met and have fallen somewhat in love with the
kind of girl ben sings about in kate. its just so much better than teh first
album. Q magazine likened their melodies to XTC and as such teh first BF5 album could
be likened to White Music - wonderful poppy melodies bursting out of the
record. genius. but XTC moved on to greater songwriting depth in time - ben
folds five have done that much quicker than expected and it looks like they
might even overtake my beloved XTC if they run to as many albums. It's my
album of the year and only teh unlikely occurence of nick drake raising from
teh dead and recording a new album will change my mind. oh and the NME
reviewer was deeply thick - he took one angry dwarf... and song for the dumped
at surface value thus concluding that Ben was some bitter twisted little man
desperate for revenge on all his attackers. he didn't seem to understand a
good songwriter takes on persona in their songs - was david byrne arrested for
mass murder after writing psycho killer? i think not...
all in all i lurrrve WHATEVER..... and will continue to play it til my
neighbors hate me. oh an dthe dinky little badge they sent me in th epost is
way cool too
chris
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 06 Mar 1997 22:31:43 +1000
From: Very Fruity Indeed <ad@healey.com.au>
Subject: Aussie Release date
Hi people,
I hear that the release of the new album has been put back a coupla
weeks. The single out next week, the album out the week after. Such is the
sorry state of affairs that is BFF in Australia.
Ad.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
% Ad %
%Yeah and stuff%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 07:25:27 -0500 (EST)
From: Wri10@aol.com
Subject: Brad & BoWCCL Production Values
Brad,
Ah, don't worry about "dating" yourself -- I've mentioned Todd Rundgren and
Cheap Trick enough times on here in mostly flattering comparisons, everybody
thinks I'm fifty. Besides -- it's still a "record" of something, no matter
what you buy it on.
My thoughts, I believe, on the song were "jeez, it's a shame I can't hear the
piano better", but then I heard it in my car and, admittedly, was driving in
a downpour, frantically trying to learn the equalizer on the power amp while
doing so. To say "overproduced" is kind of general -- my lone complaint was
very specific. I like to hear Ben play. His voice is charming, but he's
no... uh... oh, I don't know. Steve Marriott? Paul McCartney? The one
thing that makes this stuff stand out from the wallpaper of indie-pop right
now is the fact there's no guitarist bleeding all over everything! Ben is
welcome to bleed all over everything with the piano, since he's probably the
best piano player in rock and roll since Bill Payne (oops! Now they'll think
I'm seventy, I guess...).
I like the song, tho' -- no complaints there. I almost had to pull over to
the side of the road when I heard the Franklin f*****g Mint line, I admit.
And I agree with you it certainly seems a natural progression, especially
given the soundtrack singles that passed in the interim.
I can't believe I still ask people who think they're "with it" when it comes
to the 'bleeding edge' of popular music 'so, you heard any Ben Folds Five
yet?' and they still say, 'who?'
MA
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 12:26:43 +0000 (GMT)
From: Noel Stoddart <lpylns@psyc.nott.ac.uk>
Subject: live live live
i had the pleasure of seeing BF5 at newcastle on Tuesday night. they
were damn good. as the album had only come out the day before there didn't
seem too many people who knew the words but hey, who cares. there was a
good mix of stuff from the old and new albums kicking off with missing
the war. There were a few blokes who got a bit upset that they
hadn't played Underground but hey guess what, they played it in the
encore after Smoke. At the end Ben got pulled into the audience, he
seemed quite scared! My sister noticed that he had stripey boxer shorts on.
The new album is good, less rocking than the first but good anyway.
there are a lot of catchy little bits in it which sound quite jazzy at
times. My personal favourites are kate and brick (which was performed
with a cello being used).
Anyway i know i hate real long messages and much prefer the short sound
bites so i'll stop writing now. Looking forward to seeing the band again
on Sunday in Sheffield - i'll be the tall blonde(ish) bloke at the front
with the never cool t-shirt. see yu. ps if you get the chance to catch
them in the UK don't miss the rather strange support act.
One more thing Ben refered to the all important NUFC UEFA Cup football
match as 'a hockey match or something'. SHAME. US fans don't worry
about it.!!
Noel Stoddart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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She never gets wet. She smiles and it's a rainbow