THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #814 - February 10, 1998



Magical Armchair Digest   Tuesday, February 10 1998   Volume 01 : Number 814



                          THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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   So many people are complaining about how much space these useless
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problem by quoting or replying to these messages themselves.
   Posts with no BFF content are off topic. So are posts of a moderating
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unsubscribed without warning if you post an off-topic message.

BACK ON SCHEDULE
   The problem has been fixed and digests should once again be going out
daily on schedule.

TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    Mitchell Lane 
    Recent shows!!!
    misinterpreted lyrics
    Re: Summer B lyrics, other stuff
    Chicago Show
    re: eddie walker theories...
    BFF dolls
    new member of BFF mail list
    Tickets for Chicago!
    Uncle Walter video
    Extended Tour Dates????
    Are these people for real???
    BFF Domain Names
    i'm sorry i just can't give you any more moniter than that
    bohemian,man
    Underground Score
    Song Keys

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 04:12:25 -0500
From: Jason Cooper <jwc5051@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>
Subject: Mitchell Lane 

I just got the Brick import in the mail yesterday, and I have to say
Mitchell Lane is one of my two favortie BFF songs already (along with
Emaline, not sure which one wins).  I figured out the song on my piano, if
anyone wants the chords, I'll be glad to send. If enough of you want a
piano/bass transcription on Finale, I'll do it, lemme know. I was in a
REALLY bad mood win the CD came, couldn't have come at a better time. Does
anyone know why this great song isn't on any of their CDs? My only guess is
because of its depressing nature...

Made it through another day....
jason

"Wanna kill your friends
reminded you of when
happy when you're stoned
wanna be old"     Ben Folds

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 03:29:04 -0600 (CST)
From: Alex Miller <amiller@biz1.net>
Subject: Recent shows!!!

Hey!!!!  Where the hell are the reviews/set lists/comments on the opening
shows of the tour?????  I mean, come on!  What kind of a fan list is this?

Unless I'm on smack, there have been shows in Portland, Seattle, and San
Francisco and I ain't seen shit.  Please gimme some info - I want it, I
neeed it.

I'll be at the St. Louis show and I'll post a report after that.

Later all,
Alex Miller
amiller@biz1.net

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 09:04:54 EST
From: NJDRUMMER@aol.com
Subject: misinterpreted lyrics

Hey everybody.  Once again I must do my part to help clear the air.  There
seems to be some confusion concerning the lyrics to Emaline.  Specifically the
"I'm sinking in......." part.  Since Ben himself told me the story behind the
song I'll fill you in.  It seems Ben wrote the song while dreaming about Marv
Albert one night.  The lyrics are actually "I'm sinking into someone's toupe".
I hope I was able to clear that up for you all.  See you all in Philly 2-21.

Steve 

"I got this pain in my heart, that's all"

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 13:00:03 EST
From: Elle2791@aol.com
Subject: Re: Summer B lyrics, other stuff

Um, to whoever wanted to know about the "smoke a bowl with Kate" thing, here's
my insight: He probably means a bowl of pot . . . It also helps that in Kate
he says "I think she smokes pot" . . . You know, one of those things. I won't
get any more detailed because, one, I'm not even clear myself, and, two, it's
awfully incriminating, you know? (Yes, I know what you're thinking: kids these
days . . . Thank my ex-boyfriend. Note the ex.)

Who does the nifty little organ thing on "Smoke"? I've looked around the
cover, but I haven't taken the initiative to really ask around yet.

Hi, george. <-- reply

Um . . . about the classifications . . . Since we all agree that it's a dumb
idea, why don't we all just forget about it? (I mean, the only people who
actually like it are the people who can look down on the little "Brickheads",
and, sorry, if that's what you call getting the most out of life, you need to
get out more.)

Laura (sorry it's long)

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 08 Feb 1998 17:57:57 -0800
From: Paul Enright <enright@interaccess.com>
Subject: Chicago Show

Just joined this list recently. I was hoping someone
could help me out.

I really want to go to the BFF show at the Riviera
in Chicago on 2/15, but I didn't get tickets before
they sold out.

Anyone out there have two extra tickets to sell? If
so, please mail me privately.

Thanks!
Paul

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 08 Feb 1998 22:53:21 PST 
From: "izaiah buseth" <embitteredsanity@hotmail.com>
Subject: re: eddie walker theories...

becky wrote:

>>Is there a consesus on the story/meaning of "Eddie Walker?" Sounds 
>>like an amnesia victim to me...

>I interpreted it as kind of a funeral eulogy type thing.  *shrug*

i have had similar thoughts on the song.

it also seemed to me as though it could be about someone who had had
a psychotic break. due to the statement: "the whole thing shook her
up." and that they were visiting him, possibly in the mental hospital
in which he was recovering. and the overall tone of consolence. i
don.t have the song on me right now so i can.t be more clear in my 
explication. but i think you get the idea and can listen for
yourselves to validate or vindicate my theory. big ups to all
respectful users of the armchair.
     -izaiah d buseth.

                              "...three ways by burning"


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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 08 Feb 1998 21:24:31 -0700
From: "Julie Hurst" <sledgie@mailexcite.com>
Subject: BFF dolls

Wouldn't it be cute

darren - press a button and hear him scream "GODDAMN"
comes with a phone...
ben- gi joe (ben) action so he an throw piano stools
Robert- comes with his own nailpolish!

How cute.....

- -*anti-gavin*

"Go away you gay thing.....ewww he drew on my arm!" :)

*true story*



Free web-based email, Forever, From anywhere!
http://www.mailexcite.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon,  9 Feb 98 02:49:53 -0600 
From: hwright@cableregina.com (Margot Wright)
Subject: new member of BFF mail list

Hello, I am excited to be part of the mail list! 

If I could make one suggestion to the Ben Folds Five page, it would be to
include a bit about the background of the band (how they got together, and
what they did before music, etc.). However, I like all the ideas and layout
on the page thus far. Also, what nationality is the surname Folds? I would
be interested to know, if possible!

M.W. 
Regina,SK,Canada
***********************************
The message was sent by a user of *
Cable Regina's Internet Service   *
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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 08 Feb 1998 20:51:40 -0500 (EST)
From: Andy <olers@wabash.edu>
Subject: Tickets for Chicago!

Does anyone have any extra tickets for the Chicago show on 2-15-98?

Due to a scheduling mishap, I wasn't able to acquire any, and now 
they're sold out! If anyone has any tickets or knows where I might 
come by some, please reply at:

OlerS@wabash.edu

Thank you very much.

Andy Oler

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 08 Feb 1998 16:25:23 -0500
From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@CLEMSON.EDU>
Subject: Uncle Walter video

I read on addict.com that Streamland's music video of the day is BFF's
"Uncle Walter".  If you haven't seen it, head that way...  BTW, in case you
aren't aware of http://www.altvideos.com/ , there are a few BFF videos
there as well.

TTYL,

- -Adam
/----=========================================================----\
             http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/ctyner/
The home of He-Man, "Weird Al", Yoo-hoo, Killer Tomatoes, and more!
   Demented music list admin           O-         MiSTie #67,326

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 00:02:51 EST
From: Mystic1879@aol.com
Subject: Extended Tour Dates????

Armchairites:
     Is this true that there are going to be extended tour dates??  I would
like to know if they are coming to the Pittsburgh, PA AREA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
if this is not a viscious rumor.  This will have been my frist opportunity to
see them live and I would greatly appreciate it if someone would ltell me so I
can but the ticketmaster outlet nearest me to find out when they are going on
sale.

Kudos:
Meredith

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 21:48:46
From: mikgle@globalnet.co.uk
Subject: Are these people for real???

It's funny! It's cool! looks like we're all dying to conform, people... 

>From: "Laurie " <laurie@loxinfo.co.th>
>Subject: conformity

>  I just joined the list only to hear it need conform
>to a category.  I can't believe it.  I would bet that 99% of you consider
>yourselves nonconformists to some extent and 99% of you are buying into
>that silly name.  I'm sure many of you think "it's funny, it's cool" 
>Whatever.  I think it is a juvenile need to conform.  Grow up and get over
>it.  I thought I would subscribe to this list to hear insightful comments
>on this group that I just found out about. ..

*SCREEEAM!!* ~ i think you just picked the wrong time to join, ~ i for one
took the Category thing to be 'tongue in cheek' ...  can people GET OVER
this??!?  

>When I first saw the system I thought. Good idea. And it was just
>that, and idea. Not an actual implementation. 
>So why do don't all just leave it as an idea?

Yeah! this person has the right idea.

> 1. Anyone who is not a Uncle Plastic Bitch should have the  of 
>praising all the UPB and telling them how cool they are.

What a juvenile idea, grow up, you're just trying to prove you're a better
fan, just because I'm not IN bff doesn't mean i can't like them, ... AAGH!
some people just don't GET some things.  (like, erm, sarcasm) If there was
gonna be ANY initiation test it should be a sarcasm test, prove you
understand the word and will not be offended at its usage, and you can
join. Sadly i think a lot of Chair members would have to unsub.

>Anyway I am just agreeing with Richard, but one piece of advice Richard, 
>lets drop the Backstreet Boys from the "cool" B list.
>
>Chantel X

I rest my case.
in the words of blb, LIGHTEN UP! 

@nn@, smoking a bowl... :)

PS> sorry about the 'screaming/squeeling' thing, i thought 'screaming' was
more 'Scary spice'.... 

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 19:29:58 EST
From: BenFoldsJ@aol.com
Subject: BFF Domain Names

Fivers,
    Question for ya. I was running dns availability checks on benfoldsfive.com
and benfolds.com, and noticed that those, along with others relating to the
band were registered to a jms enterprises in Atlanta. Is that someone on the
Armchair trying to start a BFF website, or is that a publishing co.,
management co., or some sort of Sony/550 affiliate in Atlanta? If anyone
knows, I'm just curious. Drop me a line if you can answer these baffling
questions.

Cheers,
Jordan

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 18:46:11 EST
From: Rocketno8@aol.com
Subject: i'm sorry i just can't give you any more moniter than that

over the wekend i was in Baltimore and picked up the March CMJ. i have to say
that i sort of expected it to be a typical BF5 interview with lots of goofy
comments(although there were o couple of those) and not a lot of insight into
who Ben is as a person, but  it wasn't like that at all. a very in-depth
interview(with very little said by Robert or Darren)with a lot of things that
i didn't know about Ben, and i consider myself quite knowledgeable. for
instance, that he is twice-divorced(hopefully he and Kate never split) and
that he was pretty much chewed up and spit out by the music career in his
years between Majosha and forming the Five. i felt validated by Ben's
acknowledging Elvis Costello's considerable influence as well. i highly
suggest searching out the mag, if only for the live version of "Smoke" with
strings, which i already had anyway. plus, i enjoyed the headline on the
cover, "Ben Folds Five Could Care Less." it's good to see CMJ still supporting
them over two years after placing them in the "Best New Music" review circle
and putting "Underground" on the cd.
i've rambled too long about that. 
i'd like to reiterate that a lot of people are calling themselves UPB's that
probably aren't. i got the impression when i first read the classifications
that one of the main criteria of that category of fandom is being a fan before
the release of the first album, and i doubt that there are that many on the
armchair who fit that discription. i'd rather be a real Emaline or Whipper
than a false UPB. once agai i feel very stupid arguing a meaningless and
fairly superficial caste system, but if you're going to embrace it, you might
as well get it right.
- -dr.rocket

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 21:17:29 +0000 (GMT)
From: ER Burningham <u7g83@ugg.keele.ac.uk> 
Subject: bohemian,man

hey y'all,
oh, yes. i think  bff should definitely do a cover of bohemian rhapsody -
that'd be so funny & cool!!! it rocks with piano, belive me, i've done it
many times....
whoever said dance mixers should be shot, i totally agree - why ruin
perfectly good songs by putting crap beats on them????
i thnk kate was the last uk single - brick's out on 7th march i belive! woo
hoo!
love
em
"clarinets are great..."ben folds (ok that's not exact quoting but he
definitley said that - i was there - woo hoo for all those clarinet players
out there...)

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 22:06:46 +1100
From: "Grover" <grover@powerup.com.au>
Subject: Underground Score

Okay... I know how annoying it is when people say "I've got this really
cool band & we want to do BFF covers... anyone have the music?" but
unfortunately that's kinda my catch phrase for today... there's just a
slight chance my band from school will be doing a cover of Underground, but
only if some kind & brilliant person has already arranged it... at least in
part, as we are all too stupid and/or lazy to do so, so if anyone could
help out it'd be much appreciated, as I'd certainly love to be playing it
at the senior formal (especially being the only on in the band who's not a
senior) but yeah, that'd be absolutely fantastic, and hopefully we'll be
able to do the song justice. Anyone who has a transcript I will be willing
to shower with compliments for the rest of their life... or at least a
week, in any case
All else I have to say is that FINALLY NBP is being released here on
Friday, and I'm counting down the hours

gumbi

"I got this pain in my heart - that's all"

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 09:21:01 -0500 (EST)
From: Patrick J McDonough <mcdonpj@wfu.edu>
Subject: Song Keys

Someone on a recent armchair mentioned that they thought Missing the War
and Last Polka were in the same key...well, you're pretty close, but I
thought (having learned as much of the BFF repertoire as I can) throw out
the keys of everything I know if anyone is trying to learn them too.  
	Keep in mind that these are simply the -KEYS- that these songs are
played in- this in no way suggests that the songs are easy to play, even
for an experienced pianist.  However, if you are trying to learn some BFF,
and are having trouble finding your way into the chords, somewhere in each
of the songs, you should be able to use the chords below as a starting
point.  For my money- the hardest ones to play?

Technique-wise: Uncle Walter,OAD,SCC(tough key),Last Polka.
Chordwise: BoWCCL

Worst translation to single piano without band: S+W, Steven

Self-titled
JC:  All over the map, strange chords, tonic is D major.
Ph:  C major.
Ju:  D major
SB:  E major
AC:  B major
Ug:  B major
SW:  A major
UW:  A major
BI:  C major
Vi:  D major
LP:  D MINOR
Bo:  D major

WAEA:

OAD:  B major
Fair: D major
Brick:D major
SftD: G major
SCC:  Gb major
Kate: F major
Smoke:C major/A minor depending on how you look at it
Cig:  A major
SLN:  F# minor
BWCCL:G major
MtW:  E major
Evap: F major



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\\  Patrick J. McDonough      Email: mcdonpj@NOSPAMwfu.edu\\
 \\ WFU Admissions Counselor  Phone: (336)758-4929	   \\
  \\Wake Forest University '97	                            \\
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------------------------------

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #814
**************************************


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