THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #225 - April 11, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #225
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Topics for Today:
bffmail@aol.com problems
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #223
Last polka and a couple questions
BFF Import singles
Re: Keep that Sheet safe
caleb southern interview....
BFF: Rochester -> Cleveland
Mom & BFF
The last polka
bff in cleveland
BFF new album/irvine meadows show
Built to Spill concert review
Dallas show will rock!
Chicago show
Hi everyone!
==============================================================================
Subject: bffmail@aol.com problems
Alan Wolmark in BFF's management company says there have been
considerable, and what appear to be insurmountable, problems with
America Online in getting mail through to bffmail@aol.com. The result is
that the bffmail address is non-functional for the time being, but he
hopes to get AOL to straighten things out soon. As it turns out, AOL has
had some other considerable problems with their mail system, so I would
suggest waiting a week or so before attempting to reach bffmail@aol.com.
As an aside for list members who receive the Armchair through AOL, those
problems may have caused you to miss some issues. Please do not ask me to
remail them; instead, use the web to access them at
<http://oeonline.com/bff/list>. -fjm
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 08:14:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: "D . Hokanson" <hokansod@goldey.gbc.edu>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #223
> Date: Tue, 08 Apr 1997 07:49:05 GMT
> From: "Adam B." <adamb@netroplex.com>
> Subject: BFF: With Ben as my witness, we're engaged
>
> I asked her to get up on the table. Ben Folds, Robert Sledge and
> Darren Jessee surrounded her and I reached into my pocket and pulled
> out the ring.
[etc.]
Congratulations Adam. I hope you and Nancy have a nice life together.
That was a very unique, romantic way to propose. I wish you all the best.
Donna
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 08:54:39 -0400
From: Shaleen R Hamilton <revir@juno.com>
Subject: Last polka and a couple questions
I have to say that my all time favorite line off the whole album has
always been that one from the last polka! My radio gets *much* louder
when it comes up.
Also I have a couple questions. 1) What is Bahgavad Gita ( I don''t know
if I spelled that right, but I"m not gonna pull out the lyrics right
now)...it's in the song Kate (like I have to tell you people) it says She
hands out the bahgavad Gita... and 2) I"m sure this was a topic of
conversation when you were talking about the first album but what are
they saying when the guys are talking after My philosophy? They're all
talking at the same time, and I can only make out 3 things they say...I'm
just curious.
Thanks!
[The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Hindu scripture, studied extensively
by the Krisha consciousness movement. There is a link to more info and a
translation of this document embedded within the lyrics to "Kate" under
Discography on the web page, <http://oeonline.com/bff/>. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 09:25:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Chris Wagner <wagner@mts.jhu.edu>
Subject: BFF Import singles
Many people have been asking about how to get the import singles,
especially the older ones. If you are in the Baltimore area, Record and
Tape Traders (one of the independent stores that carried the promo
singles) sells most, if not all of them. That's where I got mine.
Where's Summer B has Tom&Mary and Emaline, The Underground singles have
live stuff from the first album and a live version of Satan is my Master.
The Uncle Walter had stuff from the others, so I didn't get it. They also
sell the BoWCCL singles. All import singles are $12.
-Chris
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 09:27:37 +0000
From: "Ryan D. Elder" <relder@macalester.edu>
Subject: Re: Keep that Sheet safe
Hey,
Haven't posted in a while, but the new album made me take a look at
the armchair again, it's developing quite nicely! Anyways, couldn't
help but notice that some mentioned the lyrics in Steven's Last Night
in Town were
"Keep that Sheet Safe"
Just in case that wasn't a joke, personally, I believe the lyrics
are;
"Get that S*** Set"
Which sound like typical Ben Folds Fare anyways,
my 2 pesos.
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 12:22:09 -0500
From: Bradford MacLeod <bmacleod@waonline.com>
Subject: caleb southern interview....
i posted some comments from caleb (bff's producer) a few digests ago
and asked if anybody had any questions they wanted me to ask him as part
of an interview.... i got only 2 responses. anybody have anything they
want to know about the recording process of the 2 discs or anything like
that, e-mail me....
brad
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 12:36:56 -0005
From: Ryan Lewandowski <mrl8550@ritvax.isc.rit.edu>
Subject: BFF: Rochester -> Cleveland
I've noticed a couple people from the list that are from Rochester. Is anyone
going from Rochester to the Cleveland show? The person I was hoping to get a
ride with decided not to go home that weekend. If I could get a ride that'd be
cool. I've got a friend I can stay with in Cleveland.
Ryan Lewandowski
http://www.rit.edu/~mrl8550
(updated on 4.9.97)
mrl8550@rit.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 12:32:44 -0500
From: Leigh Johnson <leigh@uhura.planeteers.com>
Subject: Mom & BFF
My Mom's the greatest. She trucked all over Austin to get tickets for
the BFF show on the 18th. I was, of course, very grateful (since I live
in Dallas, and would prefer to see them headline, rather than with a
bunch of bands at a huge outdoor venue here). I have a quandry
though...
She bought 4 tickets. One for me, one for my sister, one for my Dad
(who's musical taste I inherited, so I know he'll enjoy the show), and
one for herself. Now, my mom is a mild-mannered individual who doesn't
care too much for loud concerts. I told her that BFF was a band she
might even like listening to... on *CD* - but I didn't say *live*. I
never expected her to attend herself! I mean, I'm glad she's trying,
but.....
Thus, I have a question for all you fortunate souls who have already had
the privledge of seeing Ben & the gang live: do you think the show will
be a bit too ...errr... energetic for my Mom? I think, after hearing
'For Those of Y'all who Wear Fanny Packs' that it might be a little more
than mom's used to....
Than again maybe I'm just worrying too much.... *sigh* it's so hard
raising parents....
sorry to babble, especially on my first post.... but suggestions *are*
welcome
thanks, all
-Leigh Johnson
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 12:41:38 -0500 (EST)
From: Atropos <dashapir@cord.iupui.edu>
Subject: The last polka
I must say that that line in "The last Polka" is my favorite part of
either CD. Everytime he starts singing that, I can't help but stop
whatever I'm doing. Sometimes it's like I can't even breathe. IMHO, it's
quite possibly one of the most powerful musical moments I've ever heard.
Atropos
==============================================================================
Date: 10 Apr 1997 13:10:18 -0400
From: Ben Kamen <ben_kamen@wra.k12.oh.us>
Subject: bff in cleveland
bff in cleveland 4/10/97
hi everyone,
i'm also going to be at the cleveland show. i'm extremely excited to see bff,
cause i've never had the oportunity, but i hear they are absolutly amazing
live. see you all there!!!
Ben Kamen
ben_kamen@wra.k12.oh.us
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 13:57:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: MissDa@aol.com
Subject: BFF new album/irvine meadows show
first, i'd like to say that personally, i like the feel of the new album. i
like the hyper side of the ben folds five, but there's this mellow side
present on the new cd that i hardly knew existed from the first album. i was
a little disappointed in missing the war, but other than that, i can totally
get into the album. and when i want hyper upon hyper, i can just pop in the
first disc.
anyway, i went with my sister to the counting crows show in irvine, ca, where
bff opened, and it was excellent. don't remember all of the setlist, but the
show was great. i was glad they played as many songs as they did (i've been
to shows where the opening act only got 3 songs) and i cheered as loud as i
possibly could, because there were hardly any people in the huge amphitheater
'til the crows started. my sister liked 'em and ended up buying the cd
before the end of the night... i bought both available shirts, and took the
free bio video sis got with the cd. i'm so excited about the upcoming show
(4/14) at the pima county fair... absolutely free (free admission to the fair
for college students--that's me--monday) and i'm totally psyched. and i
really want to get my hands on one of those promo posters of the guys... they
were all over the irvine show and i was planning on snagging one after the
show but there were none left. ah well...
anyway, i also like dave matthews, steely dan, blues traveler, donna lewis,
jewel, and about 450 other random groups... anybody with similar tastes or
anything, feel free to email me at missda@aol.com
amanda
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 11:21:01 -0700
From: Steve VanDevender <stevev@efn.org>
Subject: Built to Spill concert review
Since BFF hasn't come to Eugene (yet), I can't post a recent concert
review for them. However, Built to Spill has been mentioned in relation
to BFF a couple of times (at least as the music they listened to a lot
while on their last tour), and since BTS played in Eugene last Monday, I
decided to give them a try.
The two words that came to my mind while watching Built to Spill play
were "talented" and "athletic". Since this is the first time I've ever
seen or heard them, I can't give any of the song titles, and the sound
was such that I couldn't make out any of the lyrics, but the three guys
in the band cranked out an _awful_ lot of music, sometimes hard-edged,
sometimes mellower, and always melodic. I can see why the guys in BFF
liked them. They aren't much like BFF, being a traditional "power trio"
guitar-bass-drums lineup, but with a lot more musical sense than
average. The most impressive part of the concert was the last song,
which probably literally lasted 30 minutes straight (I didn't time it,
but it was looooong), looked exhausting to play, and was almost
exhausting to listen to. Although they claimed to know only ten songs,
it certainly didn't seem like a short set. Their lead
guitarist/vocalist also made very skillful use of a little effects box
that he used to loop bits of his playing against themselves, and they
recovered fairly gracefully from the guitarist breaking a string early
in the set -- the bass player and drummer noodled around for a couple of
minutes and gradually trailed off, by which time the guitarist was
almost ready to tune the new string.
All in all, I'd recommend Built to Spill. It also sounds like they're
on a national tour, as one audience member asked about a Chicago tour
date.
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 13:28:42 -0600 (CST)
From: zpr64@ttacs.ttu.edu
Subject: Dallas show will rock!
I would like to find out how many other people are going to see BFF in
Dallas. If you live anywhere close I would definately reccomend the drive.
The bands playing are: BFF,Beck,Moby,Prodigy,Inxs,Cake,Cowboy Mouth and
maybe someone else. It is at an outdoor amphitheatre from 11:00-whenever.
Let me know if you are going.
Sugarmag
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 13:33:37 -0500 (CDT)
From: dpm179@hecky.acns.nwu.edu
Subject: Chicago show
Does anyone know who is opening for the gang at the Metro on April 24?
I am so stoked for the concert. (e-mail me: damer@nwu.edu)
As for my substantive contribution to the Magical Armchair, well, this
will be my first. But here it goes:
One of my favorite lines one "Whatever" is the following from "Kate":
"Her mix tape's a masterpiece."
It is not meant to be profound, it is not meant to shock---but that is
what I love it for---its so real it kills me. I mean, we love people for
craziest reasons, even the fact that someone just happens to make a
bitchin' mix tape. What Ben captured with this line is beauty without
pretension---a trait only the best of songwriters possess.
So there it is---my first entry. I'd love to recieve some
replies/banter/addendums/whatevers. (damer@nwu.edu)
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 14:35:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: AngrYngFan@aol.com
Subject: Hi everyone!
Hi everyone I just joined the list and I'm lovin' it already. I'm on the
Elvis Costello list and people started talking about BFF. I realized I
wanted to talk about them more than I want to talk about Elvis right now so
here I am.
I first heard BFF on WCBR near Chicago. They played "Video" when the first
album came out and I fell in love with it. It's still my favorite song of
theirs. I bought the album as soon as I could find it. I saw them at the
Lounge Axe and was more impressed than I ever dreamed. Only the King (EC)
himself compares in the amount of energy, emotional depth, and lyrical
quality!
Rich said -
>Although I don't love every song, I do love the fact that it is >not just
like the first album. That might be okay for a second >album, but a third
album of the same ould just sound flat. I
>think that you can definitely hear the maturity in a lot of the >song
writing.....I think that we are in for years of
>BF5.
I agree. I was slow to warm up to the new album, but now that's the only
thing I can listen to. I think it's because the albums are so different that
I wasn't sure what to think of it; but that ability to move on to a different
sound and do it well is what will keep them going and what will keep us
listening.
Bryce said -
me:"How long have you been playing?" Ben:"Wince I was about 9." me:"Wow!
did you train classically?" Ben:"For about a year, but after that I just
slammed on it."
I loved your story, Bryce. I've been wondering about Ben's experience with
piano. I, myself, quit after playing for two years when I was 9-10. I wish
I was smart enough to realize at the time that I didn't have to like that
boring stuff I was learning and could do my own thing. I started taking it
up again 2 1/2 years ago at age 25. I started on the same boring path I did
before, but wasn't on it for long. I'm still taking lessons, but I moved on
to a blues/jazz guy who taught himself how to play.
Who else on the list plays? Any advice?
Goef said -
I'm going to the Metro(Chicago) show on the 24th, can't wait!
Me too!!!!!!
Happy to be on the list!
Margaret
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