THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #605 - November 11, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, November 11 1997 Volume 01 : Number 605
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Beck is a pyser at heart
Sessions...
RE: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #586
HELP
Help - No Sessions...
Pearl Street
Re: Sessions can kiss my keister
Electric Factory Show vs. Supper Club
ARRGH DAMNITT
Brick video
ummm
amile upon my face : ) <----
bf5 reviews
Re: Hidden Track
Ben Folds Five in DC!!
DOMO! BEN-CHAN DESU
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 10:13:23 -0800 (PST)
From: bwjones
Subject: Beck is a pyser at heart
Much sympathy for any of you who didn't get to see Sessions at West 54th
the other night--it was truly awesome. Ben, Darren, and Robert played a
wonderful arrangement of songs. I thought it was very appropriate for
the venue for them to play their slower, more reflective songs like
Missing the War, Smoke, and Brick. When they started playing Brick, and
seeing Robert whip out his double bass (so to speak), I thought to myself
"hey, this is like Ben Folds Five Unplugged..." The songs were much more
heartfelt and meaningful when they were played in an intimate setting like
Sessions was, especially with the "theatre in the round" type of staging.
And Brick--all I have to say is Wow. I never really appreciated that song
until I saw the close-up on Ben's face as he cried out the lyrics...
Not that I was disappointed with One Angry Dwarf or Underground--those
were both definite crowd-pleasers and were a lot of fun (as always). The
tempo on Dwarf was really fast and furious--it's like they were on a train
that was barrelling out of control. And Underground was awesome too--I
found it hard to sit still while listening to that one.
And, I have to give props to Beck for completely mesmerizing me... Wow.
As much as I love BF5, Beck was the real show-stopper, completely playing
to the crowd, standing on top of his speaker, breakdancing, all kinds
of weird stuff... Beck, (does anyone else think he looks like he skipped
puberty?), just looks so dorky as a rock musician, but I guess that's part
of why he's cool. Man, can that guy jam.
Now, some food for thought: wouldn't it have kicked ass if Beck and BF5
had teamed up to do a totally funked out version of Fanny Packs?? Double
Wow...
Brant Jones
University of Southern California
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 11:03:10 -0500
From: solinari76@juno.com
Subject: Sessions...
For all the people that thought Ben and the Boys were weak on the PBS...
You should have been there live! It was the best show. I was 3
rows behind Darren and Ben. Nothing like being close to the guys. . Its
not their fault PBS took out all the good stuff. They had plenty UMPH
(that's for skip). I was disappointed a bit at PBS since i had hoped
they would capture the show with ALL the energy! They sang a whole bunch
more stuff but PBS sucks... And by the way I'm one of those dancin'
people in the back.
Elisa
****On a sinking ship, I'd be the first one, to jump so that it would be
done.****
Dance Hall Crashers
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 13:42:20 -0500
From: JMARINO@MARY.FORDHAM.EDU
Subject: RE: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #586
This is just a quote about BF5 from the greatest DJ in New York, Vin Scelsa
of Idiot's Delight:
You guys have written and produced a bunch of songs...that strike all
the right chords. You make us smile and laugh, you make us cry, you move us.
It's just like right there, man. You're right on to something really special
and really important, and I consider it a real priviledge that I've been able tospend time with you...
Doesn't that capture everything you've ever wanted to say about Ben
Folds Five?
Jen
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 13:15:20 -0600
From: pjensen@nhbpr.com (Pam Jensen)
Subject: HELP
Please unsubscribe mzipko@nhbpr.com. He is no longer with our company.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 14:33:29 -0500
From: Kerry
Subject: Help - No Sessions...
I know this is a dilemma many of us face - no Sessions at West 54th on
our local PBS. So, please, I am begging some kind soul out there who
taped the recent broadcsat of the guys - would anyone be willing to make
a copy - granted all the expenses and troubles would be compensated for?
If so, I'd greatly appreciate it. Please e-mail me personally.
Thanks again and take care all,
Kerry
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 15:21:27 -0500
From: santonan@student.umass.edu
Subject: Pearl Street
Well folks, I finally decided to get off my butt and send y'all an email
about the Pearl Street show. I'm sure hundreds have already posted, but I
thought I'd add my two cents..that and the fact that I have yet to read
any because I had about 30 MA's waiting for me so after much debate, I
deleted most of the ones from before Nov. 5th. Anyhoo..*ahem* Pearl Street
was..to sum it up in one word..FABULOUS!! I brought some people with me
who had never seen them live, and they were blown away. The opening acts
were cool, I like the whole cello thing with Verbow. Oh...and to
Qualitease, I'm the girl who asked you if you were on the MA..sorry I
didn't say anything after, I was worried I had frightened you. Does anyone
know of anyone who taped the show? For some odd reason, the way Robert
said "Ladies and gentlemen" during Underground has been floating in my
head ever since the show and I laugh everytime, people probably think I'm
a bit loony. I have a setlist, given to me by a kind roadie, but it's in
my room. After the show I waited around to get some pics of them and
autographs (which I did), but I felt really weird, cuz I was the only one
who stayed, well, my friends did too..but you know what I mean. I got my
pics back today, and they came out pretty well...I guess that's all...just
wanted to let you guys know I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see
them again. I'm debating about going to the Providence show, going to have
to con some people into going with me :) Oh yes...saw the "Brick" video
last night..I liked it..and Sessions...I wanted more BFF! When Beck came
on I was so disappointed. Oh well..c'est la vie.
Sarah :)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 15:41:32 -0500
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Sessions can kiss my keister
Hey Carrie...
I understand your gripe about WVIZ not showing sessions.... BUT WEAO 49
(Akron) did show it.. Im from Lakewood OH...(just outside cleve for
those not around here) I have cable so i was able to get it great....
want a copy?
Hugs and Happy Thoughts...
DaN :)
- --
...Freak out...
...Give in...
Doesnt matter what you believe in
...Stay cool...
And be somebodys fool this year
...Cuz they know...
Who is righteous-what is bold
...Or so Im told...
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 16:07:11 -0500
From: "Leigh R. Nelson"
Subject: Electric Factory Show vs. Supper Club
Well, here I am again. I managed to make it down to Philadelphia for
Sunday's (11/9/97) show. Perhaps you saw my review of the NYC Supper Club
show in Armchair #594. I guess what I'll try and do here is compare the two
shows.
The venues themselves are as different as the two shows. The Supper
Club is a high-class small club set right off Times Square, whereas the
Electric Factory is a big rock club stuck in a real dirt part of
Philadelphia. It's not a place where you would like to hang out waiting for
the band. In any case, once inside the Factory it's not a bad place. I
thought the acoustics were considerably poorer in Philadelphia; it seemed
the mix was also set for a rave show. The bass drum and Robert's bass
really punched through too much and were rather muddy. During the first few
songs Ben and Robert were visibly upset with the sound; you could see them
yelling at the soundman to turn the monitors down. I hated to see them in
such a mood, but the mix seemed to fix itself as the show went on. Perhaps
I was just losing my hearing.
Gone from this show was the opener Verbow, replacing them were The Venus
Flytrap Girls. I really don't know what to say about these guys (not
actually girls.) They really reminded me of something from the soundtrack
to Pulp Fiction and as someone else said, The Munsters Theme. They claimed
to be from Chapel Hill, which might explain why they got to play with Ben
Folds Five. However, these slick-haired guys were really poor. I felt bad
for them because most of the crowd was laughing at them. Their drummer
reminded me way too much of Chris Farley, both in face and stature. Most
songs sounded the same, with continual whammy bar dives on twangy Gretsch
guitars. Really it sounded like a bad dream. On the plus side for the
openers, Travis sounded notably better for this show. Maybe it's because I
knew some of the songs this time, but they sounded really good, especially
on "Tied to the 90's" and "The Line is Fine."
I don't know what the deal with the short set was on Thursday, but I
think it was the Supper Club management that cut them to 16 songs from the
usual 18. For Sunday's show, BFF went back to opening with "Missing the
War" and added "Best Imitation of Myself." I thought that "Dr. Pyser" was a
better opener, perhaps the best they could do. It really gets the crowd
going, and I always like the idea of starting things off with an
instrumental. After "Philosophy," Ben talked about the last time they were
in Philadelphia with Paul Simon. He mentioned the two things he remembers
about Philly: Paul asking, "Where's Taj (Mahal)," and that the city is a
"music town." It sure was last night. Ben started playing something I
didn't recognize, and Darren and Robert joined in for a few minutes. The
chorus was something like "emotion of rage." Perhaps a Paul Simon tune?
For some reason the guys were in a real improv mood Sunday night. After
"Jackson Cannery," Robert held the microphone up to the balcony where
someone said (in a great Cartman voice) "Kick ass!" They proceeded to do a
3-minute 12-bar blues jam with the only words, "Kick ass!" It was great.
After "Best Imitation of Myself," Robert decided to give Ben a little rest,
whose voice sounded a little stressed. Rob did a great "gospel sermon" in
which he continually stressed to "Give your brother a break!" I think this
will be talked about for a while, it was classic material. Then Ben told a
story about the last time they were in Philadelphia and someone requested
"The Bitch Song." They thought it was "The Big Song," so they went on and
made up a new song. They would have played it if they could remember how it
went, Ben said. After that Darren did a funny "human beatbox" thing,
putting out some great rap beats. They _almost_ did a cover of "Free Bird"
but Ben held back. Too bad, I would have liked to see it.
Okay, thanks to any of you who bothered to read this far. The set list
in full went like this: Missing the War; Battle oWCCL; Philosophy;
Selfless...; Dr. Pyser; The Last Polka; Steven's...; Fair; Brick; Kate;
Jackson Cannery; Best Imitation...; Smoke; Julianne; Underground. The
encore was the same as always: She Don't Use Jelly and Song for the Dumped.
I enjoyed seeing the guys have time to have fun and jam out a little bit. I
only wish they would vary the set a little more from show to show. Alas,
still no "Where's Summer B.?" or "Alice Childress!"
- --- Review by Leigh R. Nelson
**************************************************
13 Leigh R. Nelson
thirteen@eden.rutgers.edu
http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~thirteen
"I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know some day you'll be a
sun in somebody else's sky, but why can't it be in mine?" - E.V.
"Go ahead and laugh all you want, I got my philosophy." - B.F.
**************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 97 16:24:25 PST
From: evlbison
Subject: ARRGH DAMNITT
I set up my VCR and cable box to tape 120 minutes last
night. When I get home this afternoon, I ran to my VCR to
see the new video and Damnitt!!! I only got the first 20
seconds of the damn video. I HATE technology.
Still wondering what Brick is really about,
Steve
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 14:34:13 -0700
From: uselink@juno.com (Jeremy V Davis)
Subject: Brick video
I was surprised to skim through my armchairs to find little reference to
the Brick video. I thought it was great though I can't say that I gained
much more of an understanding of the song then I already have, but it
was still good to see new stuff.
Umm.. I didn't get to see Sessions *sigh* too bad really, but I guess
I'll
live.
So i'm assuming someone here as ordered from CDnow before because
I'm thinking about ordering the two LP's on vinyl. So any input on
service
would be appreciated. Ok I think I've rambled enough for one day.
Thanks,
Jer
In My Cd Changer
- ----------------------
1. Pet Shop Boys - please
2. The Cure - show disc2
3. Ben Folds Five - Whatever and Ever Amen
- -----------------
"I shake my booty to the Digital Underground" - Robert Sledge - BF5
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 04:43:30 -0800
From: benfoldsfive.theyrule@juno.com (a person ON line)
Subject: ummm
Well. Don't you think we got enough posts yesterday?? It toke me over 2
hours to read all that! dam!! oh well. I heard a disgusting rumor: and
someone PLEASE tell me if it is true. heard that BF5 Is gonna tour with
3EB (Third-eye-blind)
I don't know if it is true. oh well.
gotta go,
gabs
"The cruelest lies are often told without a word... the kindest truths
are often spoken but never heard- Ben Folds
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 17:53:28 -0500 (EST)
From: Alanica@aol.com
Subject: amile upon my face : ) <----
ok, i confess. I haven't done that great of a job of keeping up with reading
the Magical Armchair. However, in issue 586, Jess says the Five are coming
back to Charlotte???? Is this true? It doesn't say this on the tour list. Can
someone help me out ???
thank ya
Becca
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 17:58:36 -0600
From: "danelle payton"
Subject: bf5 reviews
hey, i've been on the list fer awhile now, but this is my first post.
anyways, i just wanna say that i love gettin' the reviews cause i'm in
nebraska and bf5 isn't coming here, although i do get jealous cause i am
missing out... (of course i could drive 3 hours to see them in
lawerence...)
oh yeah, and derek, what you said about beck (his shows and lyrics), i
couldn't agree with you more.
and whoever mentioned the smoke + night swimming combination. brilliant.
bf5 and rem...bliss.
*danelle
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 19:00:55 -0500
From: Amy & Michael Dittman
Subject: Re: Hidden Track
Hey I wish I could remember who says "I got your hidden track right
here..." but the funny thing is, the drunk frat guys at the Westminster
show kept hollering for it, so a roadie-esque guy who had been standing
on the side of the stage came out and did it. The boys made a big deal
out of it and then chided us, "You ask for it, we give it to you and
then you do nothing..."
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 19:12:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Virginia Song
Subject: Ben Folds Five in DC!!
Hey guys!
Just wanted to tell you that Ben Folds Five is going to be playing in
Gaston Hall at
Georgetown University on December 4th!! Tickets will go on sale to the
general public on Wednesday Nov. 12 (yes, THIS Wednesday!) through ProTix
by calling 703-218-6500. Tickets are $18. You guys can't miss this show
b/c the band'll be playing in one of the most beautiful venues
around..we're talkin' stained glass windows, carved walls, hand-painted
Biblical murals, and the steps from The Exorcist! If you guys want any
more info, call us at 202-687-4446 or email us at
tater@gusun.georgetown.edu or songv@gusun.georgetown.edu!! See you
there!
Ginny Song
Ramsey Tate
Georgetown Program Board
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 18:31:37 +0000
From: Melissa Larson
Subject: DOMO! BEN-CHAN DESU
What does this mean?? For my birthday, my oh-so-sweet boyfriend got me a
double CD live set with this title. I am pretty sure it was recorded in
Tokyo, and they sing SOng for the Dumped in Japanese (I THink). If
anyone can tell me how rare this is, or how much it is worth please
write me at
mal010@drake.edu
Thanks,
- -Missy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"The cruelest lies are often told
without a word...
...The kindest truths are often spoke
but never heard."
-Ben Folds
<<<<<<1215 30th St. Mail #66 G-K Hall Des Moines, IA 50311<<<<<<
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #605
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