THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #151 - October 21, 1996
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #151
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Topics for Today:
Re: Skipping BF5 CD
Tapes
cmj
Thanks, Magical Armchair!!!
CMJ -- Worthwhile!
Bootleg Listing.
WPB, Fl bootleg and Re: Musical scores, Issue #150
I Have A Question....
Uncle Walter
Re: CMJ
radio airplay in ny
Equipment for Recording Shows
hark the sound of tarheel voices...
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #149
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #150
BFF Legs
tape list
re:defective cd's
am i there yet?
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 15:30:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: Stephen Clay <fender@grove.ufl.EDU>
Subject: Re: Skipping BF5 CD
You probably just have a defect CD or possibly a dirty laser head on your
CD player. If the CD is not obviously scratched, most reputable stores
will give you a replacement and send the defect back to the factory. If
many of your CDs are skipping, it's probably the player. Good luck.
Steve Clay
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 14:01:02 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mark Sieffert <msieffer@arctos.bowdoin.edu>
Subject: Tapes
Hey there-
Ok, I have a couple of BFF boots I'd be willing to trade,
preferrably for other BFF tapes, but I'm flexible.) I have a show from
Maxwell's in Hoboken from Jan. I believe and one from the 7th St Entry in
Minneapolis. Let me know if anybody wants to trade.
Thanks,
Mark
msieffer@arctos.bowdoin.edu
P.S. I also have a lot of Matthew Sweet, Velvet Crush & The Jayhawks if
anyone is interested.
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 16:26:05 -0700
From: Todd Vallie <tnv@servtech.com>
Subject: cmj
Hi all,
I subscribe to CMJ and really like it. You get a free CD with each
issue, so if you are really into new music don't bother with Rolling
Stone or anything else. If you are into gossip and politics get Rolling
Stone. They don't pay attention to billboard charts to decide who gets
on their cover, either.
Sorry for the non BFF post, but there seems to have been some discussion
about this topic lately. E-mail me personally about how to subscribe.
It is kind of pricey (about 40.00) but how much would you spend on 12
cds?
-Todd Vallie
biteme@spidermen.com
http://www.twogoons.com/toad/
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 15:45:26 -0500 (CDT)
From: NICHOLAS COOK <ncook@umr.edu>
Subject: Thanks, Magical Armchair!!!
I just wanted to pass along a story to you cool people. While recently
reading a Magical Armchair, I looked upon a name that was familiar to
me...and no, it wasn't Regis Philbin, although that man is hilarious. I
sent an e-mail to this person and it turned out to be the person I
thought it was!!! Thanks, Magical Armchair, for reuniting me with my
mom.
Nic Cook
ncook@umr.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 16:12:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ken Walczak <Walczakm@ACS.WOOSTER.EDU>
Subject: CMJ -- Worthwhile!
> > Can you please give me info on how to subscribe to CMJ. It would be
>greatly
> > appreciated. Thanks.
>
> unless you are really interested in charts, it may not be worth your
> money. The subscriptions are really expensive. but they have reviews
> which are fun to read.
>
I disagree entirely! CMJ at first glance seems expensive ($40 a
year), but you have to weigh this against the fact that with a subscription
you receive 12 magazines and 12 CDs, each of which contains 20 different
tracks by new or under-recognized artists. All told, this works out to less
than $4 an issue, which is insanely cheap for any CD, let alone one with
such high-quality music. I have paid much more for many discs that were far
inferior to ANY sent to me by CMJ. I addition, I have gone out and bought
the albums by about 15 different bands featured on the sampler discs and
been very happy with all of my finds. I'm sure that many on this list would
report similar experiences, as several of you mentioned hearing of BFF
through the magazine.
And as if this weren't enough reason to subscribe, the magazine
itself contains not only "reviews which are fun to read" (of which, I might
add, there are about 40 each month, and all more intelligently written than
anything EVER in Spin or Rolling Stone), but also feature articles,
interviews, release dates of new albums, and reviews of mixed media such as
comics, 'zines, books, and all the coolest web sites I've ever seen. Even
the letters page is chock-full of hilarious comments every month! CMJ has
become one of my primary sources of new music info, and rightfully so.
If you're interested (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't be), you
can pick up a subscription card in any issue or visit
http://www.cmjmusic.com.
--KEN
"Art kicks your ass and you like it. Say thank you."
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 16:48:48 -0700
From: "Ike L. Ruprecht" <Ruprecht@tmbg.org>
Subject: Bootleg Listing.
Hi,
I run "Jackson Cannery" a somewhat mediocre Ben Folds Five page.
Anyway, I am going to start a bootleg page. On this page I will list any
and all holders of BF5 bootlegs who want to trade. I will list whether
you want a trade, reimbursement or a tape and postage or whatever.
Basically, I will list anything that is within a reasonable price. I will
also list things such as imports and and hard-to-find singles with "Make
me an offer" next to them.
I won't be listing people who want to _get_ bootlegs because there
are more of them than people who actually want to trade them.
E-mail me if you want to be listed in this.
I am also considering making a full list of all known Ben Folds
Five boots which would link to the owner of the first generation, perhaps.
I don't know that all of this is a great idea, maybe people who do
a lot of bootlegging can tell me what they think...
Ruprecht
http://www.inca.de/user/ruprecht
Because the best things are derived
from boredom
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 96 18:32 EDT
From: Clayton W Nicholson <cwn48400@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu>
Subject: WPB, Fl bootleg and Re: Musical scores, Issue #150
First of all I am curious if anyone has a bootleg of BFF at the CareFree
Theatre in West Palm Beach/Lake Worth area of Florida. I live in the area
and I saw the show, and I'd like to have something to listen to to remember
it and turn some people onto a kick-ass band who put on a kick-ass concert.
I'd be willing to pay a couple bucks postage/tape/recording processes.
> From: Adam 'DeLicious' DeLisse <adeliss@comp.uark.edu>
> Subject: Musical scores
> I am also interested in any piano (or guitar) tablature that may
> be out on the market or just roaming around through fans. Please let me
> know.
Try http://www.olga.net
I'm sure you'll find MANY more bands than just BFF.
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 18:42:56 -0500
From: Me <saltman@wesleyan.edu>
Subject: I Have A Question....
Hi all. This is my first contribution to the list, though I've been
reading it for a while. First of all, I can't remember who said that thing
about their CD skipping etc, but generally if you send it to the company,
they will send you a replacement, 'cause that isn't supposed to happen. :-)
I guess its too late, though, since you bought a new one already.
My question is this: I seem to remember reading a little blurb
somewhere about Ben being in a Christian rock band before the beloved BFF
we all know and adore. Is this true? Or did some bizarre part of my twisted
psyche completely make it up?
-Sarah
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 96 19:13 EDT
From: Timothy Ryan <tryan@unity.unity.edu>
Subject: Uncle Walter
Has any one else noticed that on the tape the lyrics to uncle walter go:
"What a perfect world this world would be if he was president, But he's
not...so f*** you." But on the CD "so f*** you" is omited.
I want BFF bootlegs, I don't have any but I am willing to trade some
pearl jam, black crowes, cracker, and several other bootlegs.
Ever cordially yours,
Me
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 13:47:14 -0500
From: DAN FRANKE <deerlick@execpc.com>
Subject: Re: CMJ
> unless you are really interested in charts, it (CMJ) may not be worth your
> money. The subscriptions are really expensive. but they have reviews
> which are fun to read.
>
There are currently two CMJ magazines in circulation. One is more of a
stapled Xeroxed industry sheet that has lots of charts + playlists. The one
that most of you want is the monthly glossy subscription magazine that comes
with a CD. Our local bookstores (in Milwaukee) carry it right next to
Musician, Rolling Stone, Spin and Alternative Press. It comes shrinkwraped
because of the CD.
Dan
"The music that you listen to is the soundtrack for your life"
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 20:18:37 -0400
From: DownBaby@aol.com
Subject: radio airplay in ny
Jake Fogelnest, host of the manhattan cable public access show, squirt tv,
which was bought out by MTV and then cancelled (!!!), fills in for matt
pinfield (host of alternative nation) once in a while at 92.3 krock out here
in ny. he is a huge fan of bff and plays em whenever hes on. he personally
told me he that they were queen-esque. im not so sure. but anyway i just
wanted to say that i think its great that he supprts them and gives bff
andother bands the recognition that they deserve.
debbie.
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 20:47:26 -0400
From: PowerVegan@aol.com
Subject: Equipment for Recording Shows
>So..What I did was go
to Radio Shack and bought $20 tape recorder..It was kind of like a
microcassette recorder, but it recorded on regular sized cassettes. I just
sat (actually a friend sat) by the sound board and recorded. The quality of
the tapes were incredible.just as good, if not better than most of my other
boots, cassette or CD. so my advice is that if you just want to have some
live tapes for you or your friends a small tape recorder would do just
fine
A few notes on cheap equipment for recording shows: It's definitely true
that there's a point of diminishing returns for audio equipment -- a show
recorded with a $500 setup will sound better than one recorded with a $100
setup, but it often won't sound THAT much better (at least not to most people
who aren't audio snobs).
But it's also true that you do need a minimum of good equipment BEFORE you
hit that point of diminishing returns. Without a minimum good setup, you
won't get good results. For example, it's true that a handheld cassette
recorder from Radio Shack can produce good results, but I'd be surprised if
you got good results without using a separate microphone.
The summary of my recording suggestions are:
* Use a standard-sized cassette recorder. Mini-cassette recorders don't
sound nearly as good, and they're not much smaller or less expensive than
standard-size cassette recorders. Radio Shack has a good standard-size
handheld cassette recorder for around $50-60.
* Use a decent mic. The cheapest mic you can buy at Radio Shack is around
$8, while they sell better ones for around $20-30, which is what I recommend.
You can get a REALLY good mic for around $100 (there's never a need to spend
any more), but if you're going to spend that much, then buy a brand-name mic,
not one from Radio Shack. (Shure SM-58's is the most popular mic in the
world, and you've got a good chance of finding one at a pawn shop.)
Back to the $20-30 mics -- the one that takes a battery is better, and get a
mic with a remote (on/off) switch. This will let you stop the recorder from
the mic without having to press STOP on the tape recorder. Be careful of two
things here: (1) The ON/OFF switch on some mics just cuts the audio signal
and doesn't stop the tape. This is not what you want. (2) The cassette
recorder you buy must have a Remote jack for this feature to work.
* Use the Mic Sensitivity control on your tape deck, if it has one. (The
$50-60 Radio Shack model does.) If the show you're recording is really loud,
turn the mic sensitivity down. That can help prevent the "grungy",
overdriven static sound (called "clipping"). Likewise, if a sample of what
you're recording is too soft, then increase the mic sensitivity.
* Use good quality tapes.
* Don't re-use tapes, unless perhaps you erase them first in a good stereo
tape deck machine. (Although the Record head in handheld tape recorders can
be adequate, manufacturers often skimp on the ERASE head in the handheld
models, so you might not get a good erasure of the previous material.)
* Clean the heads on your tape recorder after every 20 hours of use.
Hope this helps,
-- Michael Bluejay (Austin, TX)
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 23:33:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: jenn halter <jenno@email.unc.edu>
Subject: hark the sound of tarheel voices...
> From: Jordan Erenrich <jse@excaliber.com>
> Subject: Recording Concerts
>
> I never actually done this, but I've heard that you can sometimes get some
> help from the soundboard man. (Whoops, I mean person, even though I've
> never seen a soundboard woman. I don't want to be sexist) Sometimes they
i realize this statement was directed toward me...thanks for the props!
i've been "audio-op" for over 2 years! you should come on out to one of
my shows jordan!
jenn if any of you folks ever make it to chapel hill look me up halter
jenno@email.unc.edu
http://sunsite.unc.edu/5e
"Controlled insanity is necessary for the survival of the human
spirit."-LAHjr.
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 96 18:17:11 +1000 (EST)
From: thompson@mpx.com.au
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #149
I'm a huge BFF fan...and i was just curious ....WHEN R THEY TOURING DOWN
HERE...??????
please it would make my life worthwhile...give me a purpose...well...you know
what I mean.
Please respond if you can help me...
[Probably after January 1st. When the list of dates is released
you'll see it here. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 96 10:51:50 PDT
From: Derek Ebbrell <dse@postman.sabwabco.co.uk>
Reply to: derek.ebbrell@sabwabco.co.uk
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #150
WOW I'm in heaven, not only am I looking at the BF5 mailing list,
but there is mentions of the Bare naked people, and Jelly fish.
Can this be true, other people have the same taste in music as me!
Derek Ebbrell
derek.ebbrell@sabwabco.co.uk
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 13:29:27 -0600 (CST)
From: relder@macalester.edu
Subject: BFF Legs
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone had any bootlegs that they'd be willing
to trade for some Phish Bootlegs.. I have a limited amount of shows, but
I have access to many, e-mail me at Relder@macalester.edu if you are
interested, and we will decide how to make the transaction (eg: mail,
personally, etc..)
Thanks!
---------------------------
Ryan Elder
relder@macalester.edu
yes it's uncanny to see
---------------------------
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 21:59:01 -0400
From: SSK17@aol.com
Subject: tape list
Could I be added to the tape list ? I have a bunch of shows and BF5 odds and
ends...
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 22:26:17 -0500
From: Jaime Caballero <the-walrus@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject: re:defective cd's
in regards to the post about a bad copy of the album (lots of
skipping) : i am currently on my third copy of the cd because the first two
skipped horribly and uncontrollably (sp?)...i spoke with some tech guy to
see if it was perhaps my player, but he informed me that the magnetic stamp
placed on cd's during manufacturing can sometimes disprupt the player from
reading the disc...apparently if this is my third cd, and if someone has
experienced this problem, it is due to manufacturing defects...hope that
helps...
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 20:12:48 +1000
From: IAN HAY <belawan@parramatta.starway.net.au>
Subject: am i there yet?
My name is Alex (im female...yes im sure) and i live and dream right
here in Sydney Australia. I listen religiously to Triple J (JJJ) the
NATIONAL youth radio station, where i first heard the life changing strains
of "UNDERGROUND". So i bought the album and GUESS WHAT? Its the most
unbelievable album i have ever had the pleasure to bend an ear to. Thank you
so much BFF for your music and of coarse your lyrics. SO make some room on
your MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, cos im hopping aboard !
PLEASE TOUR HERE! FORGET EUROPE! WE ARE MUCH MORE INTERESTING...AND
WE SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE!
love and i think i found summerB,
Alex
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