THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #829 - February 18, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Wednesday, February 18 1998 Volume 01 : Number 829
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
BFF posters
Piano Boy
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #827
Dallas show and Robbie Fulks
Exile In BenFoldsFiveVille
south park
Y100 SONIC SESSION IN PHILLY BEFORE THE SHOW
INTERNET SONG (Funny as hell)
Re: Chicago preshow music/before Uncle Walter
Tape of Dallas show?
Ben to be an Australian resident???
posters
the "mystery" song in Chicago
FINAL TOURNAMENT ROUND
clutch show
clutch show, pontiac, MI.....
Pontiac, Michigan Show
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 22:45:48 -0500
From: ben
Subject: BFF posters
i've only been on the list for about a week, so this is my first post.
anyway, i won a contest on the net and they mailed me SIX BFF posters.
now after hanging up one in my room, i still have five more. i'd be
happy to trade them to anyone w/ any BFF stuff, e.g. tapes, other
posters, etc.
theese posters look like the ones that hang up in record stores to
promote upcoming shows. it says 'ben folds five' and it has the
piano/drum/bass pictures and the whatever and ever hands. at the
bottom, there's a whitespace for writing the place of the show or
whatever. anyway, if anyone wants one, email me.
- --
ben <-- another one
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 23:06:11 -0500
From: Ryan Walsh
Subject: Piano Boy
yello,
I'm new. I have a few interesting BF5 stories that I can relay to
this list eventually. Here's one :
I'm in the audience for track 10 "the ultimate sacrifice" on Naked Baby
photos! I though it was pretty cool. A great show of course. I've
ended up getting into at least one of the opening bands for each time
I've seen BF5. September 67 and Verbow are the best examples.
Well anyways I've got one Question --> Who would like to trade BF5
stuff with me? I'm looking for great live shows with lots of cover
songs and B sides a- plenty. You can respond privately to
factory@bu.edu I don't have any BF5 stuff but you might be interested
in my wealth of Soul Coughing, Mr.Bungle, Wilco, David Lynch stuff,
Wilco, Camper Van Beethoven, Dar Williams, Faith No More, morphine, and
some other odds and ends...I'll send interested parties my list.
Thanks!
Ryan
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 23:09:07 EST
From: LIAManNOEL@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #827
i've heard the version of champagne supernova by bf5, but i don't have my own
copy of it...so if someone has a wav of it or something, i would appreciate it
if someone could send it to me. thanks! :)
kelly
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 22:10:24 -0600
From: "Louie \"Bo\" Nash"
Subject: Dallas show and Robbie Fulks
It's been a long time since I've actually contributed to the armchair (I
think pre-majoro-domo by a year or so, but I could be wrong) but after
seeing the Dallas show on wednesday I think I finally have something to
say.
The show was very very cool. When Robbie Fulks opened the house was just
stunned that there was this C&W kicker band opening for the boys. The first
song every one laughed. When the second one started and was also country
the crowd started to get restless. At that point I think they all stopped
listening to the words. The band had some really clever tongue in cheek
songs that had me rolling. ("God isn't real..." was hilarious) I guess most
people just missed the jokes due to the delivery. Oh well. I had fun. My
friends noted how much the bass player looked like John Mellencamp.
The boys came out and wailed away on Dr. Peyser. From that point it on, it
was just totally original stuff. Robert started to play Jelly at the end,
but Ben sort of cut him off and broke into the final number of Uncle
Walter/Big Rock and Roll Finale.
The highlight, (for me at least), was when Ben had Michael BlueJay come up
and play piano on "Imitation."
Does BlueJay still frequent the list? I've been off for a while. At any
rate, it kicked booty. Good job dude! (lucky stiff!!!)
After the show we caught the boys at the bus. We asked Robert about Jelly
and he said he thought they were going to to it, but oh well. We also asked
him if they'd ever cover the Buggles's "Video Killed the Radio Star" again,
and he said they retired it, and he thinks they'd suck at it if they tried
to play it again. I had my heart set on hearing that someday. Oh well. Does
anyone have that up for trade? It'd be a pretty old tape. I'd be REALLY
appreciative if I could get my hands on it though!
Well, I've rambled long enough.
Bo Nash
louie@tamu.edu
"I don't know... I've never smoked Astroturf."
- ---Joe Naimath
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 23:14:35 -0500
From: Richard Challen
Subject: Exile In BenFoldsFiveVille
Re: the song based on "Chopsticks" played before "Uncle Walter"
I wasn't at the Chicago show (or any recent show for that matter), so
I'm just guessing here. BUT...
Last time I saw the Five, they opened their entire show with Ben
playing a solo cover of Liz Phair's "Chopsticks" before kicking into
"Uncle Walter." "Chopsticks" is from Phair's 2nd album, "Whip-Smart,"
and the whole of the lyrics are:
I met him at a party and he
Told me how to drive him home
He said he liked to do it backwards
I said that's just fine with me
That way we can fuck and watch T.V.
It was four a.m. and the light was grey
Like it always is in paperbacks
He asked if I liked playing jacks
I told him that I was good to sixes
But all hell broke loose after that
I told him that I knew Julia Roberts
When I was twelve at summer camp
We didn't say anything after that
I dropped him off and I drove on home
'Cause secretly I'm dead
You can see ol' Liz shares the Five's sense of ironic humor. Anyway,
the music is VERY reminiscent of the piano exercise "Chopsticks,"
leading me to believe this is probably the same song. (Comfirmation from
another crusty Bitch actually AT the Chicago show would help...) Also, I
highly recommend Liz Phair as an artist, songwriter, and ESPECIALLY
lyricist (she was writing her caustic male fuck-off's when Alanis was
still singing teeny-bop), but PLEASE buy her 1st album, "Exile In
Guyville," which surpasses the more commercial "Whip-Smart" in every
fashion.
Oh yeah, Matt, did this girl in plastic pants have an unattractive ass
or something? Ben's fine to look at and all, but sometimes a briefly
obstructed view is a blessing in disguise...
Did I mention I haven't seen BF5 in over a year and everyone's posts
about the rockin' live shows are really pissing me off? OK, well now I
did. Wow. I feel better.
- --rICH
Visit The RICH Homepage and check out the brand-new CD,
LIFE/DEATH... 15 songs of romance and retribution...
Available independently from Desperate Man Records.
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Stage/9035
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 00:16:09 -0500
From: Rebecca.Cole@mail.trincoll.edu (Rebecca Cole)
Subject: south park
You know, as much as I love Ben Folds Five, I think I'd rather see Kool and
the Gang as guests on South Park. They'd interact better with Chef.
Anyone else looking forward to seeing BF5 talk with Matt "Nubby" Pinfield?
That should be great for a laugh.
See some of y'all at the Hammerstein show...I'll be the one waving a "Sexy
Motherfucker" sign and shakin' my groove thang (go white girl, go!). I AM
SO EXCITED!!!
Hoping they play "Sports and Wine,"
Rebby
***
rcole@mail.trincoll.edu
"This would make a great X-Files episode."
-Ally Hurder, on her magic 8 ball episode
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 00:17:59 EST
From: SASH37@aol.com
Subject: Y100 SONIC SESSION IN PHILLY BEFORE THE SHOW
im going to the sonic session.....are you?
we must prove who is and who isnt BRICKHEADS!!!!!
email me please we must make a master plan HAHAHAHAHA
tommy kingsmill
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 00:28:22 EST
From: Keyserdan1@aol.com
Subject: INTERNET SONG (Funny as hell)
Well....I crashed my computer 3 times making this MP3. It's the improvised
"Jam TV-Internet" song. This song is funny as hell! If anyone wants it.....E-
mail me.....I'll take requests for two days and then I'll send it out.
- -Dan
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 02:25:44 EST
From: SoulCoffer@aol.com
Subject: Re: Chicago preshow music/before Uncle Walter
Hello Hello.
The Cd playing before BFF took the stage was a band called Belle and
Sebastian.
The song before Uncle Walter (in the encore if that's what your
talking about I'm not sure when they played Uncle Walter...) was Chopsticks by
Liz Phair.
Half drunk on the babble you transmit,
Johnny
Soulcoffer
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 98 03:51:15 -0600
From: Michael Bluejay
Subject: Tape of Dallas show?
As Nikki Jones mentioned, yes, I was privileged to join BF5 onstage on
piano in Dallas last Wednesday for "Best Imitation of Myself" while Ben
sang from center stage. I realize that I was incredibly damn lucky to
have that opportunity and many others wish they could have done the same,
so I'm not going to post any details about it here, since that might make
it look like I'm gloating. If you want the scoop, head to my web page.
The only thing about it that I'm gonna mention here is that Nikki and I
were discussing our goals before the show -- hers was to marry Darren,
and mine was to play with the band. I seem to recall that I thought she
had the better chance, while she thought that I had the advantage.
Anyway, the reason I'm posting now is because, for obvious reasons, I'm
very keen on getting a tape of the Dallas show. Anybody got one?
Oh, and to that guy who posted about his score of "Brick": it looks
pretty good, but you might want to move the A's from the bass clef to the
treble clef (right hand instead of left hand). I assume your computer
made that mistake when you played the song into it from your keyboard,
but your software should allow you to tell it that you want those A's
moved up to the right hand. That'll make it easier to read, and easier
to play. (And that's the way Ben plays it).
-- Michael Bluejay (Austin, TX) ** ICQ #3749849
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://pobox.com/bluejay | Home of AUSTIN MUSIC, KING CHEESE,
| BIKING IN AUSTIN, VEGETARIAN pages, & more
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:27:51 +1100
From: Anna
Subject: Ben to be an Australian resident???
Hey People,
Apparently there was a mention about Ben wanting to become a
permanent resident of Australia in the Daily Telegraph in the past week or so.
My friend was telling me about the article which said that they were
relesing a new album and that Ben has actually applied for residency here. I
thought she was teasing me but I guess she was telling the truth. I tried
looking for the article but could not find it.
Brick was played on 104.1 (a commercial radio station - unlike JJJ)
on the weekend. It was no 40 on the Rick Dees top 40 segment which is an
American program. So maybe Brick will have a huge following out here as well.
My brother woke me up when he heard it. He said that they introduced
the song. At the end, the DJ said that that was the new song from Ben Folds
Five from Chappell Hill..... called "She is a brick and I'm drowning slowly"
I think he was a tad bit too confused.
What if they all moved out here? Then there'd be more concerts out
this way. EXCELLENT!!!
Seeyas
Anna
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 12:55:21 +0000 (GMT)
From: ER Burningham
Subject: posters
hi y'all
they're selling posters now???? anyone got a spare by any chance & those
videos someone said they were selling at one of the recent shows -?????!!!!!
they never did that when i saw them, but then, it was quite a small concert
& i got to talk to them which makes up for it!
thanks
love
em
"i'm still wonering who to be....."
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 10:03:22 -0600
From: "Erik C. Lyons"
Subject: the "mystery" song in Chicago
Hey young ones!
The song before Uncle Walter in Chicago:
Ben played a Liz Phair cover. Not a new tune. He likes Liz. (Who doesn't!)
The name of the song you ask? Not tellin'......
Erik.
PostScript...The reason Ben wanted everyone to throw their T-shirts out at
the end of the show is because they were running low on shirts themselves.
Thank yourselves if you threw a shirt. You have clothed the band for the
next few shows. They are poor you know......
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 11:14:09 -0500 (EST)
From: SLAYBAMJ@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
Subject: FINAL TOURNAMENT ROUND
Well ladies and gentlemen. The tournament is coming to a close. First, thanx to
all who voted. Also, thanx to all who tolerated these long post. Now...the
matches for the last round were...
Best Imitation vs Last Polka
Philosophy vs Alice Childres
Battle of Who Could Care Less vs Emaline
Ans so, we have 3 songs in the final round. Now, I'm going to change the rules
a bit and open this up to the entire armchair. ANYONE who wants to vote can
send me an e-mail. My address is at the bottom. Vote for ONE SONG. The song
that recieves the most votes will be the tournament champion. Ok? Again, ANYONE
can vote. WHEN YOU VOTE: send me ONE e-mail with the SUBJECT LINE: BF5. Got
That? Very important :BF5. In the text of the message. Simply write the name of
the song you're voting for. Other comments ARE welcome, but put them after the
song title. Great. I hope everybody votes. I will post the winner in about 24
hours from when this appears in the armchair, so get those votes in.
Okay...the winners of the last round, and the songs you may choose from for the
grand champion are...
Best Imitation of Myself
Philosophy
Battle of Who Could Care Less
May the best song win. Thanx for playin'!
SLAY
slaybamj@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 03:42:05 -0500
From: schander@juno.com (joe s schanderson)
Subject: clutch show
It was the best of shows.......
It was the worst of weather......
I'm not sure if it was the mix, or the crowd or what, but the concert
Monday night was fantastic. Eddie Walker...thank you. Emaline....thank
you. Lots of people even got their lighters out for Brick!!! Finally a
song about abortion we can all sing along too!!!!
Favorite line:
BEN: "In school there are two types of people - those who get their asses
kicked and those who kick ass and I just want to apologize because I
kicked alot of asses."
Was the crowd a little weird? Yeah. It was. Was I forced pretty far to
the back by a lot of people who would have laughed at me for bringing up
a band they'd never heard of six months ago? Yeah. Am I happy as heckfire
for the boys to making some serious cash finally for making such great
music for the last few years? Yep.
Great to see some listies there. Sony reps too.
michigan joe
_____________________________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 12:05:42 EST
From: aplauri@juno.com (Anthony P. Lauri)
Subject: clutch show, pontiac, MI.....
what a show!!!!!! they were just pumped and ready to go!! they did not
do a whole lot of improv, but they were just buzzing in every song, there
was never a down moment.....
after the show, i was fortunate enough to pick up a setlist from leo, and
it was actually different from what they actually played, i willlist the
actual setlist:
pyser/battle/philosophy/selfless/missing/polka/steven/dumped/fair/brick/kate/
jackson/dwarf/eddie walker/emaline/julianne/
encores:
boxing/underground
GREAT SHOW!!! i know there was a taper on the floor with like 3 mics,
and what looked like a dat. looked to be very proffesional, but if this
is you, then PLEASE, write me or whatever and i will trade you for a
copy, i have quite a bit to trade, see them all at
http://come.to/bffboots
philip
and sandi, what a great time, eh?? maybe we will be able to meet up
again......
_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 15:23:31 -0500
From: Jared Ryan Pinkos
Subject: Pontiac, Michigan Show
Wow!!! I just got home from my 6 hour drive to see Ben Folds Five. This was my third BF5 show, and they still blow me away. They came out with major energy and even made "Theme From Dr. Pyser" rock. Robert was the highlight of the show. His bass was
the loudest of the three from where I was standing. At about mid-show they played Ted Nugent's "Free For All", with Robert singing (he messed up the lyrics a little, which made Ben laugh). Right after that was "Song For The Dumped" with Robert doing a
sweet bass cord-to-hand groove in the middle. Now that the band is popular, there were a lot of new fans there (you could tell by the ovation for "Brick") who got to see one hell of a show. I was happy they made this one worth the drive. What did you t
hink of the show Frank?
That's all the rambling I can do for now. Later,
Jared
"I wish I was as fortunate...as fortunate as me"-pearl jam
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #829
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