THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #771 - January 20, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, January 20 1998 Volume 01 : Number 771
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
from Spinformant
Finally NBP!
NYC show at Hammerstein Ballroom
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 21:34:52 EST
From: Spngledsky <Spngledsky@aol.com>
Subject: from Spinformant
BEN FOLDS FIVE
Naked Baby Photos
Caroline
On the heels of Whatever and Ever, Amen's hot streak, Ben Folds Five's alma
mater label, Caroline, unearths the band's Naked Baby Photos, an odds 'n' sods
collection of b-sides, unreleased ditties, 7-inch singles, and live
performances that chronicle their first steps on Caroline right up to the
present cigar chompin' days in the big time.
Back in 1995, the Ben Folds Five, a trio from Chapel Hill, NC, rode a small
wave of success out of their town's budding music scene and into the national
spotlight with their low profile AAA hit "Underground" off the band's killer
eponymous debut album. The Five's unique juxtaposition of Steely Dan
harmonics, Fugazi-esque levels of rhythmic intensity, and show tune aesthetics
struck the ears of not only a handful of American kids starved for an
alternative to the frat boy jive and post-grunge schlock polluting airwaves
and TV screens these days, but someone right at Sony 550, who signed them up
with a tasty record deal and saw the release of their sophomore effort,
Whatever and Ever, Amen in early 1997.
With such hardcore major label backing like Sony music priming the pump for
the upstart piano man, you just can't seem to escape the name Ben Folds Five
or their current radio smash "Brick," a day-after-Christmas carol being
heavily rotated on commercial alt-rock stations from Muncie to Massepequa and
all points beneath, between, and behind. But there is no denying that Ben
Folds and his songs in the key of life are a true breath of fresh air from the
musty sounds stifling the mainstream circuit in the last days of the 20th
Century.
Photos kicks off with a this-is-your-life tune called "Eddie Walker", an early
recording about being down and out in a town where everybody knows your name.
The song comes off like a Lake Wobegon story remixed by Kevin Smith as do cuts
like "Emaline" and "Tom & Mary," a pair of slice of life tales that didn't
make the first album. The freestyle jam "For Those Of Y'All Who Wear Fannie
Packs" was recorded during a soundcheck and administers a loving-eye jammie to
West Coast hip hop.
Rhythm section Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge have some legitimate cred in
the metal industry, which makes the faux-Manowar shrill of "The Ultimate
Sacrifice" from a recent show in Providence, RI and "Satan Is My Master" from
an NC gig nervously teeter along the fence between homage and folly all the
more.
On stage is where the Ben Folds Five's sonic mastery truly shines through, and
the whole second half of Naked Baby Photos is chock full of sick renditions of
Ben Folds Five tracks like "Underground" and "Song For The Dumped," as well as
songs like the gorgeous "Boxing" and "Twin Falls"--live staples that enjoy
being on wax for the first time.
In a time when good, honest rock 'n' roll seems to be lost in the rubble of a
tragic nuclear strike from the Matchbox 20's of the world, it's soothing to
the ruptured soul know that bands true to the game like Ben Folds Five have
survived the fallout.
Ron Hart
Download a wav soundclip of "Underground" (Keyword to:
aol://4401:28521:2155665) from Naked Baby Photos.
Yanni Folds Five?
Are Ben Folds Five closet new age fans? The hot trio, whose piano-driven sound
has drawn comparisons to Elton John and Billy Joel might have a few surprising
influences. Leader Ben Folds recently gave mustachioed, elevator music maestro
Yanni his proper respects in an interview with Time Out New York; citing him
as a major influence. No word yet on whether the North Carolina natives plan
on playing their hit single "Brick" live at The Acropolis any time soon.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 22:34:06 EST
From: SarahBF5 <SarahBF5@aol.com>
Subject: Finally NBP!
Hey all. Well, after wating in tortured agony, i finally got my hands on NBP.
My dad was gonna get it for me free through work in about another wek, but i
went to the mall, and i saw it in Camelot, and i juts couldnt resist a second
longer. Camelot had about 15 copies of it (i got it in Pittsburgh) and only
like 2 of WAEA if that says anything. I juts love "Eddie Walker", "Emaline",
"Tom & Mary" and "Twin Falls." I wish they had the lyrics cuz im not sure of
some. Anyone know the lyrics? if so, help me out and send me them, please!
Thanx a bunch. See ya'll later.
- -Sarah
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 23:08:45 EST
From: FineExampl <FineExampl@aol.com>
Subject: NYC show at Hammerstein Ballroom
ok ok ok....im going!!!
now...what are these rumors about it being an MTV taping?
any truth to this? be nice to have a good tape copy of a show i was actually
at!
also...if any of you know me for whatever reason and want to meet up at the
show, let me know!
what is the Hammerstein Ballrooms like? i havent been there yet!
anybody know who's opening for this leg of the tour??
hope it isnt Komeda again! >hurl<
later,
JOhn NJ USA
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #771
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