THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #342 - June 9, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Monday, June 9 1997 Volume 01 : Number 342
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
top ten from oldster
I hope this works
Album list
Ten Must have albums...2nd try
gromit, its the wrong song!
American Vs. Japanese Crowds
BFF on Conan
another top ten list
description?
Schlockmeisters? I think not!
Ben a deity?
BF5 on PBS-TV
describing bf5
Ah yes, and so another one it is.
top ten
BF5 on Conan
My top 10 kick ass albums
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 21:32:37 -0400
From: Todd Vallie <tnv@servtech.com>
Subject: top ten from oldster
Wow! I'm impressed with some of the favorite album lists, although I
can't believe that there aren't more Joe Jackson albums. Here's mine -
no order at all except for #1:
1. Skylarking - XTC
2. Look Sharp - Joe Jackson
3. Whatever and Ever - BFF
4. Being There - Wilco
5. Never Mind the Bollocks - Sex Pistols
6. Globe of Frogs - Robyn Hitchcock
7. Strangeways - Smiths
8. Nothing's Shocking - Jane's Addiction
9. Klark Kent - Klark Kent (solo album by stewart copland)
10. REM - Fables
- -Todd
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 21:56:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: Alanica@aol.com
Subject: I hope this works
Hello fellow readers,
Ok, I hope everyone is doing great. ( i'm in a great mood, and don't mean to
offend those who aren't) I tried to send 2 other posts and somehow they
haven't showed up.??? I think we need to inform other's of the creative
genuisness of the rest of teh band. I mean absolutely no offenses to Ben ,
but it makes me kinda more aware of Darren and Robert when people mention
things like "Ben and the boys." I mean how do they feel about their names not
being mentioned? I guess I'm just one of those equalist or something like
that. Now watch me go off and say something like that. WELL, for some good
news. Ben Fold's Five is # 11 in CMJ's top 75 based on Alternative airplay.
This is what I don't get ,Third Eye Blind is listed as #51, but on a local
radio station here in SC called "Out of Order" with host Jed the Fish. If
anyone knows what I'm talking about. Well, Third Eye Blind has the # 1 song.
It's a countdown with basically the same music as listed in the list of CMJ.
Anyone else find this kinda weird. Ok, this was all just my 2 cents. sorry if
i bored anyone.
Take Care
Becca
"Your nice, I'm nice, but I can't get my tounge untied. In my mind the words
are right in my mouth they're wrong." PosterChildrenInternational
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 22:22:42 -0400
From: Darryn Fessel <dfessel@one.net>
Subject: Album list
Well, it's a bandwagon, and I'm a jumpin!
Please note these are in no particular order, plus, I left BFF out of
it.
1. Weapon of Choice -- Highperspice
2. The Who -- Tommy
3. Fun Lovin' Criminals -- Come Find Yourself
4. Phish -- Junta
5. Steeley Dan -- Gold
6. Van Halen -- 1984
7. Cake -- Fashion Nugget
8. Dave Matthews Band -- Crash
9. Average White Band -- Best of...
10. PFunk -- The Mothership Connection
11. Stone Temple Pilots -- Tiny Music...
12. Weird Al Yankovic -- Alapalooza
13. Phish -- A Picture of Nectar
14. Widespread Panic -- Ain't Life Grand
I think it's time to fall off the bandwagon now.
- --
- -Darryn
THE ROSWELL INCIDENT
*Joel,Guitar * Darryn,Bass * Crandall,Guitar * Dave,Drums *
Phone: (513) 662-6223
Mail: 4375 Airymont Ct. Cincinnati, OH 45211
FAX: (513) 863-6677
E-Mail: dfessel@one.net
WWW: http://www.roswell.base.org
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 23:28:01 -0400 (EDT)
From: KRI1701@aol.com
Subject: Ten Must have albums...2nd try
I wrote a top ten list at work the other day and sent it off--bam --that's
the day the Armchair goes zap. So her we go again
Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five
John Coltrane and Duke Ellington - John Coltrane and Duke Ellington
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Iron Maiden - Live After Death
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue or Relaxin' w/the Quintet
Keb' Mo' - Just Like You
Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um
Original Cast Recording - 1776
Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella in Berlin
The Beatles - Abbey Road
There are many, many more--but this is a start.
Ken Ingram
Eagerly awaiting BFF at the Central Park Summerstage.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 21:47:57 PDT
From: "caroline reid" <creid@hotmail.com>
Subject: gromit, its the wrong song!
Hi, I think whoever had the idea about the best bff songs has got it
goin' on. Just as you can tell a lot about everyone from all these Top
Tens (I would never have thought that bff would attract such a large
tape-trading scene, which is admittedly not my style, but hey! I've
learned something) I think finding out which aspects of bff everyone
likes the best would be cool. Me, I'm a sucker for tormented boys. I
love Best Imitation of Myself and Brick. And Alice Childress. This is
probably some weird maternal instinct coming thru. That and I have such
tons o' respect for anyone who can put such sad, poignant feelings into
words so eloquently AND set it to the kickinest musak in the world.
To whoever said all that shite about Queen: the band themselves have
sited them as an influance, you don't need to be knockin them so hard,
homie. I think comparing them to Phish (belugh pleughth) is really
ludicrous, to throw in my two cents. BFF is punk rock for sissies. Bands
need not be cited, tell your friends to go buy the CD and see for
theyselves. Yeah. Hey, Dan!
- -Caroline
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
- ---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 01:10:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Megrooonie@aol.com
Subject: American Vs. Japanese Crowds
Fivers,
I was listening to the show Chiori sent me (5/9/97) and I noticed something.
Japanese crowds are so much more polite and courteous than American ones. I
was listening to a show from Michigen and there was one man who was obviously
drunk and I could hear him yelling "Please, no more!", and "Play something
good!". He also screamed "Welcome to Michigen (sp?)." and could be heard
laughing obnoxiously during the whole show. It irritated me a lot. But when I
listen to the Japan show, I noticed that the crowds did not talk or scream at
all during the whole show. And when Ben announced the name of the next song
and at the end of each song, there was a short period of clapping and
cheering, then everybody shut up so he could play and be heard. It was such a
relief. I wish that more Americans could be as polite as the corwd in Japan
was. One more note, I especially liked the Japanese version of Song For the
Dumped. It was so great to hear Ben singing in Japanese then add in English
the words, "Fuck you too", and "You bitch" for which I am guessing he did not
know the Japanese for. It was so great!
Megs :~)
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 1997 00:41:07 -0700
From: jodi kurland <jbird@cbc.net>
Subject: BFF on Conan
I saw the post regarding BFF on Conan O'Brien this
coming Wed. 6/11. I just read they will be on TUESDAY
6/10.
Jodi
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 09:16:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: RECWreck@aol.com
Subject: another top ten list
heres my top ten...
1. Pearl Jam - all of them
2. HUM - all three of them
3. Orange 9mm - the 4 cd's I have of them
4. Foo Fighters - both of them
5. Propagandhi - How To Clean Everything
6. Sense Field - Killed For Less
7. Ben Folds Five - both of them
8. Less Than Jake - every damn release put out by them
9. The Urge - Receiving The Gift Of Flavor
10. Sloan - One Chord To Another
thanks, ryan
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 1997 09:22:50 -0400
From: Evan Chakroff <chakroff@ee.net>
Subject: description?
>>Can anyone else think of a better description?
>
>That's the whole point. They *don't* sound like anything that's been around
>before, and certainly not like anything out today. Trying to categorize BFF
>or objectively compare them to other bands ruins the whole idea of how
>innovative and exemplary their music is. And if you're going to compare
>them to Queen and Supertramp, two third-rate British schlockmeisters, then
>hey, don't do us no favors. Just say "they're a piano, bass, and drums
>combo. Here's an album. Listen."
Just call 'em "like Vince Guaraldi Trio for The Nineties"
or Punk Rock for Sissies... although that one isn't very descriptive.
- -ec
PS. wasn't there a discussion about Vince Guardi (Peanuts' music guy)
earlier (I think I missed it)
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 10:56:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shu2Stef@aol.com
Subject: Schlockmeisters? I think not!
Dear George Hicks,
In a message dated 97-06-08 01:38:14 EDT, you write:
<< And if you're going to compare
them to Queen and Supertramp, two third-rate British schlockmeisters, then
hey, don't do us no favors. >>
I'm going to assume that you were either in an incredibly crabbie mood when
you wrote that, or that you're just a little "off". For your information,
George, EVERYTHING has been done before! There are only 88 keys on the
piano! BFF has found an interesting and fresh way of putting sounds
together, but let's not kid ourselves.......they haven't invented something
brand new. Everyone sounds like someone at sometime. The keys are the
melodies and the lyrics. Please don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be on the
armchair if I wasn't nuts about BFF. I haven't been this excited by a band
in over 17 years! However, the first time I heard "Underground" I said, "Oh
my God! These guys actually remind me of 10cc!!" That's what initially got
me into the guys. Of course, I guess 10cc is just another schlockmeister,
huh?
Respecting your opinion, but vehemently disagreeing,
Stefanie Schumacher
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 11:02:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shu2Stef@aol.com
Subject: Ben a deity?
In a message dated 97-06-08 01:38:14 EDT, you write:
<< I must start off by saying Ben is God. >>
My only response is..............OH Christ!!!!
Stef
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 11:22:44 -0400
From: "deb" <Deborahh@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: BF5 on PBS-TV
I've only been on the list a short while, so
please forgive me if this is old news.
~deb
deborahh@worldnet.att.net
<<<PBS BECOMES ECLECTIC
by Steve Hochman
Sunday May 25, 1997
Howard Stern tied up the "King of All Media" title, but
L.A.'s Chris Douridas is showing an increasingly royal reach across the
communications spectrum. The music director at influential Santa Monica
public
radio station KCRW-FM (89.9) took on an A&R post at DreamWorks Records
last
year, and sometimes serves as a music supervisor for films (including
the upcoming "187"). Now he's taking on TV as well.
Douridas has just inked a deal with PBS to host and oversee
"Sessions at West 54th," a weekly series combining music performances and
interviews. It will begin airing Saturday nights in September on PBS
stations
nationwide, including L.A.'s KCET-TV Channel 28. The show, named after the
New York studio facility where it will be taped, is loosely inspired by
the in-studio performances and chats that are a frequent part of Douridas'
"Morning Becomes Eclectic" weekdays on KCRW.
Each hourlong episode will feature two musical acts, who
will perform before a live audience, with the interviews shot separately at
various locations by famed documentarian D.A. Pennebaker.
Artists lined up so far for the tapings, which begin on June
9, are k.d. lang, Jane Siberry, Brian Wilson, David Byrne, Rickie Lee
Jones,
Bobby McFerrin, Philip Glass, Ben Folds, Eels, Papas Fritas and,
tentatively,
Beck.
Douridas is hoping that each show will feature some
spontaneous collaborations between the two guests.
"Each show will have one artist who is currently making an
impact, and one we feel will have an impact soon," he says. "In a perfect
world, they'll be artists with like-minded sensibilities so we can lead
them
to a collaboration." >>
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 11:12:19 -0500 (CDT)
From: Skunck69 <sci_0069@frank.mtsu.edu>
Subject: describing bf5
well, i heard that ben folds said this once.. and it's the way that i
always describe the band to my friends "punk rock for sissies"
- -neil
69@poe.org
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 13:27:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: HoserGirl@aol.com
Subject: Ah yes, and so another one it is.
It's great how I can sit here and read twenty thousand (I know, it's a lot!)
of these a day, but still never have anything relivant to post of my own...
yeah, well damn it, the time has come, and uhh... it's still not relivant,
but I'm gonna do it anyway! The whole favorite album thing... I just had to
give in, I COULDN'T HOLD BACK ANY LONGER!
- -BFF: Self Titled and Whatever and Ever Amen
- -Ween: Chocolate and Cheese
- -Jane's Addiction: Self Titled and Nothing's Shocking
- -Geggy Tah: Sacred Cow 2
- -Violent Femmes: Self Titled
- -Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes
- -Matchbox20: Yourself or Someone Like You
- -Local H: Ham Fisted and As Good As Dead
- -Screaming Trees: Sweet Oblivion and Dust
- -Better Than Ezra: Deluxe and Friction, Baby
- -Smashing Pumpkins: Any single one of them
(there would be the need of some Stabbing Westward, Nicotine, NIN, Nirvana,
and of course, Milli Vanilli on this list, but I must stop it here.)
When are Kate singles gonna be available in the US? Or are they already, and
I am just really really slow... not that it matters anyway, since I am one of
three Ben Folds Five fans in this whole freaking city, probably the whole
damn state as well, and so I don't have to worry about them selling out....
(sigh) what a sad sad society. Portland, Oregon, by the way, and NO, they
haven't ever toured here, ever, but it was nice of you to ask... and no, I'm
not bitter.... damn it.
Anyway, that's all.
HOSER
"Girl, you know it's true." -Milli Vanilli
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 14:50:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ranvac@aol.com
Subject: top ten
i know you all hate me know because of that Saturday Night Life escapade, but
I swear it wasn't my fault!! Anyway on to more important matters...my top
ten favorite CD's!
1. Ben Folds Five: BFF
2. Soul Coughing: Ruby Vroom
3. Ben Folds Five: Whatever and Ever Amen
4. Beck: Odelay
5. They Might Be Giants: Miscellaneous T
6. REM: Eponymous
7. Soul Coughing: Irresistable Bliss
8. They Might Be Giants: Flood
9. Phish: Hoist
10. Beck: Mellow Gold
One of you lucky fools out there is going to get to see the best HORDE
concert ever... Soul Coughing, BFF, Beck, Morphine and Squirrel Nut Zippers
all in the same day!! It just ain't fair. hope you have a blast and i
expect a full report on the Armchair.
anna
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 1997 19:38:41 -0700
From: Joris Gillet <gillet@pi.net>
Subject: BF5 on Conan
For all the european bf5-fans (who are able to recieve nbc
europe that is). This is from the nbc europe mailing list:
> NBC NIGHTSHIFT GUESTS LINE UP
>
> Late Night with Conan O'Brien
> Monday till Saturday @ 23:00-00:00 CET on NBC Europe
>
> Wednesday, June 11:
> Director Spike Lee
> Political analyst Arianna Huffington
> Musical guest Bens Folds Five
Joris Gillet
http://home.pi.net/~gillet/joris.html
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 16:40:05 -0500 (EST)
From: Geoffrey Kaiser <glkaiser@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
Subject: My top 10 kick ass albums
Hey, why not?
1. Bff- Whatever...
2. Ani Defranco - Not a Pretty Girl
3. BNL - Gordon
4. DMB - Remember Two Things
5. Toad the Wet Sprocket - Fear
6. The Samples - The Samples
7. The Gufs - Collide
8. Jimmy Buffett - Box Set
9. James Taylor - Live
10. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Honorable Mention:
BoDeans - Joe Dirt Car
Emmet Swimming - Arlington to Boston
Various - Rare on the Air Comp.
Any comments?
Geoff Kaiser
glkaiser@expert.cc.purdue.edu
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #342
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