THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #1126 - July 20, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Monday, July 20 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1126
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Random noise...
Conan Question
SFTD Aussie release
Conan
aussie show!!! and other things
Why I'm all proud about Conan
More fan club defense
About radio
Dance Remix???? OH NO!
Ben Folds Five and SNL.
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1124
Underground/Kiss Me, Son of God
Re:COUNTING CROWS!!!
Re:Fan Club...
what else....CONAN
Re: counting crows
Re: radio request fiasco
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 21:25:21 EDT
From: Dramatics@aol.com
Subject: Random noise...
Hello again...
Here are some of my thoughts:
1) I enjoyed the Conan performance. The boys looked so comfortable and
energized - something I found lacking in their eight million performances of
"Brick." It was good to see them in great form. My mother, though, wasn't as
impressed. Her thoughts? "You know, Lee, sometimes artists go crazy -
because of the touring, because of the pressure... I think that's happened to
Ben Folds. I think he's cracked." Thanks for the two cents, Mom. I love
spending the summers at home.
2) So I went to a Charlotte Knights home game (a triple-A team) and I really
believe I saw someone related to Ben Folds. It was really trippy - if you add
5-8 years and auburnish hair to Ben, you've got this guy I saw. Even my
mother commented on the similarities. I did not go up to this person,
however. I think if I were related to someone well-known and looked exactly
like him/her, I'd get tired of being approached by well-meaning fans. But
since I'm the black sheep of the family, I guess that won't happen any time
soon.
3) Finally (and this is off-topic), I have a little story for the person who
unintentionally requested "Song For the Dumped." Back in the day, when I was
10 years old and "Wild Thing" by Tone Loc was popular (I TOLD you this was
off-topic), I called and requested some song - I don't remember what it was,
probably Debbie Gibson or New Kids or something like that. Anyway, the DJ was
like, "Yeah, sure, okay, but do you like 'Wild Thing' by Tone Loc?" And I
reply, "Um, kinda." Next thing I know, this woman had me requesting "Wild
Thing" on the air. Granted, I willingly did it, and because I was 10 I was SO
EXCITED to be on the air I even taped it (man, Q107 was cool in my book for
MONTHS because of that!), but it just goes to show that DJs have ways of
getting people to request the songs they need. So it looks like the two best
ways to do it are a) edit someone into saying it, or b) get a 10 year old to
do the job for you. Whatever works!
Thanks for letting me stroll down amnesia lane...
Lee
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 21:54:17 EDT
From: JenH330@aol.com
Subject: Conan Question
Conan was awesome!!! The boys Rocked!!!
I have a question for those of you who went to the taping -- after the
performance of SFTD (during the commercial break when Ben sat down next to
Conan), what were they talking about? When the commercial break ended, I
caught the words "Bad Idea," and then Conan had to get back to his que cards
and end the show.
And how was the get together at TGIF? I wished I could have met up with you
all, but I was stuck at work in Jersey. :(
- -Jen
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 98 11:24:57 PDT
From: "Scott Hookway" <shookway@powerup.com.au>
Subject: SFTD Aussie release
SFTD is released in august (either the 7th or 14th) So i don't think it
will be a tour ep because they will be gone by then. I thought they would
release it just before the tour. No word on track listing yet??? What
about a bonus tour offer (like a cd or t-shirt) does anyone know anything
about that?
11 more sleeps till the Brissie show(that is if I can sleep)
Scott Hookway
shookway@powerup.com.au
**********************************************
Top 5 CD's when I last changed my sig
1.Version 2.0 - Garbage
2.Let's Face It - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
3.It's For Your Own Good - Living End
4.Decksand.... - Propellerheads
5.Sketches..... - Jeff Buckley
***********************************************
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 23:06:02 EDT
From: TarintinoQ@aol.com
Subject: Conan
all i can say is that it kicked ass
there best TV performance yet i think
better then anything from sessions
and better then all the brick stuff the only
thing that can compare is the Jenny McCarthy
show version of OAD which still isnt as great as Conan's
SFTD
mcgregor
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 13:11:16 +1000
From: Dmitri Colebatch <dimc@ozemail.com.au>
Subject: aussie show!!! and other things
Ok all, well I've been off for a while, so excuse me if I repeat things
that have been in recent digests. Secondly, I hate to start with a
correction, but... arent the lyrics
"So you wanna be a rock and roll star, well listen now to what I say,
just get an electric guitar and take some time to learn how to
play...just learn how to play."
originally from The Byrds? I have a tape which has what seems to be some
improvisation starting with those lyrics... Anyone else know of this?
Secondly, they're not in the lyrics for Mr Jones in the original album, I
only have the two albums... Anyway, I wont dwell on that as I will
probably myself be corrected...
What I'm really writing about is the forthcoming Sydney show. I have no
experience of taping, and obviously have no bootlegs myself, but would like
to start a collection, if there is someone out there who wants a hand doing
whatever needs to be done, in exchange for a copy of the tape. I have no
equipment of my own.
Geez, I never get any stuff in time... I've just read that BFF were on Hey
Hey (I hate that show usually, and never watch) last week. Anyone tape it
and be willing to let me copy, or make some arrangement? Ta.
Valerie thanks for the post on the way radio works, whilst I hadn't seen
the preceeding discussion, I for one found it interesting.
Finally, hope you've all got your tickets for the Sydney show. How good is
it with Snout supporting? I'd bought Snout's 2nd album, and now their
latest, both before I heard about their support. WOW!!!
See you all there
dim.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 00:14:51 EDT
From: Keyserdan1@aol.com
Subject: Why I'm all proud about Conan
Well...
The guys were gonna play it just like they did on the album because of some
NBC restrictions and stuff but I BEGGED them before they went out for
soundcheck to go totally nuts and they actually listened. I was SOOOOOOOOOO
happy. To answer a couple of your questions...
Robert's clothes....
The pants were pocketless leather ones he picked up at a NYC thrift shop. The
jacket was borrowed.
Ben's glasses he wore all day and SEEMS to like. Look for them on MTV.
Now that all that clothing stupidity is out of the way......
TO THAT MOTHERFUCKER WHO SAID THE BOYS ARE JERKS! You can just go to hell. All
3 were SOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice it's scary. Down to earth like nobody's business.
Specially Darren....SO NICE. SO GENUINE it's scary. Ben continues to rock and
Rob follows suit.
Take Care people.
- -Dan
PS. Doug..If you're reading this...You rock so completely it's mind-blowing!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 00:22:12 EDT
From: Brad654@aol.com
Subject: More fan club defense
In a message dated 98-07-16 20:04:53 EDT, you write:
> In my humble opinion fanclub's are NOT a rip off. Usually they're a good
> way for fans - especially those who don't have access to the internet and
> e-mail - to keep in touch with current band news. Plus, well organized
Sorry, but I've got to chime in here, too. Fan clubs are, generally, NOT a
ripoff. And the stuff about doing things for the fans is why. Anybody familiar
with Pearl Jam's Ten Club? A friend of mine is a member, and Ten Club members
get first crack at tickets to shows. And when you think about it, that kicks
ass. This friend is 16, and I'm 28, so I was the one who got to take him to KC
(from Tulsa) to see the show, and his Ten Club membership got us 4th row
center. Eddie even sweated on us.
So if for no other reason, I think a fan club is a good thing. So there.
Brad
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 21:23:15 PDT
From: "Lauren Talbot" <muffyhead98@hotmail.com>
Subject: About radio
Around here the only song from Ben Folds Five the radio would dare
playing is Brick. I just wish they would kind of catch on around here
because they are so cool and I am the only real Ben Folds Fan in
Trumann, AR. It sucks. Here it's Metallica, Puff Daddy, or Led
Zepplin. No offense but I am soooooooooo ready for some real music.
Maybe if the Total Request thing works it will catch on to the radio
stations. I would be happy if the radio would play just one BF5 song.
I would be happy. Because I think if the radio stations would just give
them a chance they could get serious airplay. What do you all think?
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 21:25:43 PDT
From: "Lauren Talbot" <muffyhead98@hotmail.com>
Subject: Dance Remix???? OH NO!
I can't believe their is a dance remix of Brick! It sucks. How can a
great song be turned into such a big piece of crap? Can anyone answer
that question?
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 01:15:50 EDT
From: PSYCHOPAF@aol.com
Subject: Ben Folds Five and SNL.
Hello armchairians.
Felt the need to post:
- - - The rerun of "Saturday Night Live" with Samuel L. Jackson, and our boys
will be playing next Saturday. (July 25th.) Although, it's not a funny one, I
suggest watching/taping it. :o)
Shazam,
Amy
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 02:56:21 -0500
From: Don Curtis <dec3@netexpress.net>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1124
>Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 21:25:01 -0500
>From: john_oc@juno.com
>Subject: COUNTING CROWS!!!
>
>Yoyo!
>
I'm not trying to be a dick but i'm sure i'll end up sounding like one. I
read this mailing list because i wanna hear about Ben Folds Five. NOT the
counting crows. I am glad to read through suggestions of what bands other
people listen to because i do in the newsgroup but this full page BS is
quite a different story. I appreciate you suggesting this cd but i don't
wanna have to read through this review you professionally did looking for
some stuff on the band. I personally haven't heard Counting Crows a lot
and probably won't but i will make a point to listen to them now. I don't
know how many armchairians that agree with me but coming into a Ben Folds
Five mailing list and ranting and raving about another band who you say has
the best album you ever have heard, has NO right to be in here.
P.S. It's late, i'm tired, i'm edgy...sorry but i speak my truth.....
Don Curtis
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 07:06:59 -0500
From: Jason Cooper <jwc5051@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>
Subject: Underground/Kiss Me, Son of God
Since there are more than a few Ben Folds Five/They Might Be Giants
crossover fans, I thought I'd throw this out. Has anyone noticed the
similarity between the accordian before Underground (actually, in the last
few seconds of Alice Childress) and the TMBG song Kiss Me, Son of God? I
have noticed the I/I#5/Iadd6 progression before, but never put two and two
together. Or something like that.
Jason
My Weird Cover Ideas - "Mary Jane" by Rick James
"Heavenly" by Harry Connick Jr. (with me singing bass, of course)
or maybe even... "Love's Theme" by Barry White
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 12:34:38 +0000
From: "Chris Marsh" <winkie@easynet.co.uk>
Subject: Re:COUNTING CROWS!!!
john wrote lots of sensible things about Across A Wire including:
> The most exciting tracks are Mr. Jones, Have You
> Seen Me Lately, Angels of the Silences and the hidden track at the end
> which I believe is a jazz version of the rare b-side These Days.
it's a previously unreleased song called "Chelsea" (available on the
Hollywood Grand bootleg without the brass arrangement)
> "So you wanna be a rock and roll star, well listen now to what I say,
> just get an electric guitar and take some time to learn how to
> play...just learn how to play."
> --Adam Duritz, from "Mr. Jones"
sorry to be picky, Adam does indeed sing it at the beginning of "Mr.
Jones", but the quote is actually from "So You Wanna Be A Rock And Roll Star"
by The Byrds from way back in the 60's .
john's right - buy it now! :-)
chris
___
"There are no rules here, only piles of mistakes
That we swear we'll learn from, then we just go ahead and make"
Dog's Eye View "What I Know Now"
winkie@easynet.co.uk
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 09:35:53 -0400
From: Erik Sorensen <eriks@netwalk.com>
Subject: Re:Fan Club...
Hey Everyone,
It's Erik Sorensen,
Bff Fan Club President
I want to first start by apologizing for my anger.... It was only
directed at a few... Let me explain... A week ago when I launched the
club I got about 10-12 abusive mails saying .... how much we suck... Are
fan club is gonna die... and we are fake... the list goes on and
on..... I even had a few remarks aimed personally at me!!!
Well I was hurt and upset..... I said what I said in such strong words
to prove that this isn't anything faked up or something that is just
gonna die..... I also would like to clear up a few things.... I got
only three mail from fans who where upset with what I said, and I am
gonna bet it was mostly because I put it badly.... I want to apologize
to those fans and to anyone else who was upset by what I said..... I
only acted out of anger....... I would like to say that I used (me and
mine in my previous letter as an overall figure of speech and people
took that the way they wanted.....) I apologize and hope you don't take
this in a self centered sort of way.... a few of the mails said that a
bum off the street could do a better job than we could and etc.... and
I laughed and lashed back.....
I know I can't please everyone, but I have done all of this work not
because of the band, Doug, Alan, or anyone else.... I have done it for
the fans.... This club I don't want to make it
{{Official }}because then Sony will pretty much have control over it and
have all the say...the band has stressed they want it ran this way by
the fans anyways...... Let me clarify this again in no way is this
going to charge anyone and when we get shirts and things like that soon
down the road it will be very fair and hopefully non-profitable....
I really have spent months getting everything together and up until 3
weeks ago it was just myself doing all of this.... I have alot going on
right now and barely any time but I try and make it a point ot get back
to the fans one way or another because I really do care and I can try
and answer any questions you may have!!!!!!
Well thanks for the time and hopefully we can all come together as true
fans and make this happen for everyone.....
Erik Sorensen
Bff Fan Club President
P.S. - I would guess and say alot of people would have responded the
same way.... Please keep that in mind!!!!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 09:36:50 -0400
From: bf5 <bf5@SURRY.NET>
Subject: what else....CONAN
Well since I didn't have sound to go with my video tape...I actually
observed them quite well. btw, Ben has had those glasses for quite a while.
If anybody remembers he wore them at Irving Plaza, NY '97 and probably
before that. Robert did look very cute in his duds, and Darren....sigh, he
always looks cute. OK, not always...in some pictures he just looks really
bad, but I digress.
glad they kicked ass,
\ \/ /
~\/\/hitney =o)
*i wanna be kate*
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 09:54:53 EDT
From: TOADSPKT@aol.com
Subject: Re: counting crows
<< and the hidden track at the end
which I believe is a jazz version of the rare b-side These Days. >>
the song is called" Chelsea" and you're so right, I love counting
crows, and this cd is incredible :)
Lauren
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 12:27:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: Judi Smith <jsmith@bc.seflin.org>
Subject: Re: radio request fiasco
i'd pay MONEY if i could get our local "rock" station to play song for
the dumped, OR brick, OR underground, OR battle, OR any other bff song.
i've NEVER heard one on there, even tho i call occasionally and chat with
djs about why they never play anything bff. their sister station "planet
radio" (softrock) played brick a bunch, but it was too soft for zeta. so
why don't they play any of bff's "harder" stuff? WHO KNOWS?!?!?! they'll
always "ask the music director" but i don't think it happened ;)
so be happy with what you get, ok? i'd LOVE to hear sftd on the radio;
3 million times is a helluva lot better than zero.
judi smith well, she don't want no one around
jsmith@bc.seflin.org she don't want anybody to see
what she looks like when she's down
would you catch me if was falling? 'cause it's a really sad place to be
kiss me if i was leaving? "she don't want nobody near"
hold me cause i'm lonely without you? -- counting crows
-- counting crows
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1126
***************************************
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