THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #177 - January 30, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #177
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Topics for Today:
New to the Armchair
The exact date???
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #173
BF5 fakebook
Thelonious Monk
BF5 @ SxSW in austin
Questions, questions, questions.
Champagne Supernova
Power ballad fans unite
Big hands, small hands, break-them-punching-the-wall hands
NEW ALBUM
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #173
i wanna be bennated
UK tour dates!
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #175
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #174
Crows concert
Along the same lines as BFF
Probably usless information........
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 19:05:07 -0500 (EST)
From: Antigone19@aol.com
Subject: New to the Armchair
Hello there. I'm new to this list, but just wanted to introduce myself.
I've been a BFF fan ever since I saw them open up for Heather Nova in
November 1995 (my interest in Heather waned, but I kept on loving BFF - and I
think I saw the Dumped song one of the first times they performed it, maybe?)
I saw them again in March (I think?) in Boston. But now I need to ask a
favor - all I have is the album, Tom and Mary (Live), and Bad Idea (and I
don't know where thats from - I got it on a mix from a friend) - can anyone
help me out in getting some B sides or live stuff? Even though I have no Ben
Folds Five to trade with, i have TONS of Tori Amos boots (I'm a rabid Tori
fan), and some other random stuff to offer. Or I would do a 2:1 trade (I
send you 2 tapes, you keep one) as I sometimes do for Tori fans. But I need
MORE Ben Folds Five and I can't wait for the new album. I have my cute
little "handwritten" postcard up on my computer desk, another postcard on the
wall, and some sort of promo card thing on my dresser. So I hope I'm welcome
in the comfy armchair. Hi.
- Marla
(I would ESPECIALLY love a copy of "Chopsticks", the Liz Phair song they
covered when I saw them)
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 97 18:16:46 -0600
From: Chris Barszcz <barsz_ca@students.uwlax.edu>
Subject: The exact date???
I just love this publication, I love BFF. I have no idea what the exact
date is of their new release?? If any one could help, it would be much
appreciated!!!!
The Pack is BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***Sports & Wine***
Chris Barszcz
barsz_ca@students.uwlax.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 20:34:14 -0500
From: Jennifer Delamar <47km67nb@coastalnet.com>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #173
I love Ben Folds Five, and I have already worn out my new tape in my car. I
think it is awesome that they are from Chapel hill, NC, because North
Carolina gets such a bad rap. I mean, Jesse Helms doesn't boost any state,
but you get the picture. Anyways, I love them and want to see them in
concert. I would absolutely die.
Jennifer Delamar aka Karaoke Queen
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 97 21:06:27 -0800
From: Stephen Clay <fender@grove.ufl.EDU>
Subject: BF5 fakebook
Frank,
After receiving the postcard about the new album being done, I decided
to finally send in my almost-complete fakebook of their debut. I've
included it here as an attachment, but if it doesn't get sent right, you
can DL it from http://grove.ufl.edu/~fender/benfolds.txt
Whatever you want to do with it, that's fine. Thanks
[I won't reproduce it here since it's so long. You can either go
directly to the url above, or if you have the Ben Folds Five site already
bookmarked, it's on there in a new section called "Tabs, fakebooks and
transcriptions". -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 21:05:24 -0500 (EST)
From: "Marc T." <mjt7742@is2.nyu.edu>
Subject: Thelonious Monk
Bluejay is pretty weird, but that's okay. I dig what he said
about the piano and the basketball analogy. Spud Webb wasn't very tall
but sure made something out of a pitbull sized player like himself.
You guys ever heard of Thelonious Monk. If you haven't I suggest you
check out the video "Straight No Chaser." Any music fan or musician would
love it. This man was unbelievable. His hands were not very big,
probably the size of MacEachern who thinks he's got problems, but no
matter. He made his own style and at first the critics blew him off, but
he developed a crowd and they spread the word. Both his playing and his
compositions are unique. No Ben Folds fan should die without having heard
at least one song of his. You may even hear some Monk in Ben. I do.
Congrats to Bluejay. It's never too late to gig.
My band is kicking some major ass of its own here in New York. Five/8ths
is the name. We've been playing the village area and are looking at some
big labels.
If anyone on this list is from New York and wants to hear some great music
come to the NEW MUSIC CAFE on Feb. 8th or write me for more info.
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 22:01:43 +0000
From: nancy <ndoodle@ou.edu>
Subject: BF5 @ SxSW in austin
hey, just wondering if anybody would happen to know if Benny and
the guys will be playing at South by Southwest this year. I know last
year they did, and this year, I most possibly will have the chance to
work there and would like to know! any help would be appreciated as I've
not heard from the guys about anything playing there yet!
thanks all! hope you all had a great holiday!
nancy doodle!
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 10:40:10 GMT
From: Gav 'Bob' Parkin <gnp101@york.ac.uk>
Subject: Questions, questions, questions.
Hi.
Just a few questions if anyone can answer them.
1. How much are tickets to see BFF in England?
2. Are Barenaked Ladies playing in England at all this year?
3. Don't y'all think that 'Video Killed the Radio Star' is one hell of a
song and should be released as a single (even if it is a cover)?
4. Don't you think that time is dragging waiting for BFF's new album and
singles?
Any answers welcomed, Gav.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I had a million dollars, we wouldn't have to walk to the store.
If I had a million dollars, we'd take a limosine 'cos it costs more.
If I had a million dollars.
I'D BE RICH.
'If I had $1000000'- Barenaked Ladies
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
Date: 28 Jan 1997 16:28:46 -0000
From: Robert Mcgovern <mcrobert@hotmail.com>
Subject: Champagne Supernova
Two People have now mentioned the cover version of Champagne Supernova
that BF5 have done. A few Questions....
1) Is this true?
2) Will it be released as a b-side?
3) What single will it be the b-side to?
4) And where the hell can I get my hands on a bloody copy of it!
*****Rob McGovern******
*****McRobert@Hotmail.com*******
PS. Thanks To People who replied to my letter about B-sides. They know who
they are!!
P.S.S If any one out in the States is an Oasis fan then Please let me Know I
have all the singles with B-sides, a bootleg, a documentry from Radio 1, and
other unreleased material.
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 14:46:48 -0500 (EST)
From: Rhubarbguy@aol.com
Subject: Power ballad fans unite
In a message dated 97-01-27 00:43:49 EST, you write:
<< Maybe Frank could confirm this-did the "Risky Encore" from Ziggy's make
the disc? (ANy body from the 8/18 Ziggy's show know the name of the
song-sounded kinda Jackson-Brownish at points and the chorus contained
the line "I lost my heart"
>>
It is called "Evaporated" and it is the last song on the US version of the
new album.
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 19:52:47 -0500 (EST)
From: Brad654@aol.com
Subject: Big hands, small hands, break-them-punching-the-wall hands
In a message dated 97-01-27 00:43:46 EST, you write:
<< I don't think the skill of a person is dependent on how big their hands
are.
I don't think Ben Folds is a good piano player because he can play 10ths.
All that means is that his hands are big enough.... I can understand that
one
might want a smaller size keyboard so that they can play 10ths or whatever
that they can't do on a regular keyboard.... But I don't see 10ths popping
up
in music all that often.... So don't play tenths. >>
Maybe this is from left field, but tenths DO show up. Elevenths and twelfths,
too. Not to step on Daniel H's toes, but I say DO play tenths. Roll them if
you have to. Franz Listz is rumored to have been able to play 16ths, and his
music reflects that-- HUGE reaches. I can't play them, and my concert-pianist
wife CERTAINLY can't-- she has little, petite, wife hands. So we roll them.
Sure, it doesn't sound like it would if Lizst or Chopin or Rachmaninoff
played them, but so what? I'm not Lizst or Chopin or Rachmaninoff.
And if I may digress here, I believe that the music should be an expression
of the performer, not the composer or Ben Folds. When I play "Boxing," while
I am expressing what Ben expresses through the lyrics, my playing is
different, because I'm not Ben. Sometimes I wish I were, but I'm not. So
trying to play exactly like him is impossible, and I think, an exercise in
garage band aping.
I've always hated cover bands who play it exactly like it was on the record.
note Ben's "Video Killed..." It doesn't sound like whoever the original
artist was, because Ben and Darren and Robert have done heir own thing with
it.
Didn't mean to rant. Just my opinion.
brad
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 12:49:54 +0900 (JST)
From: ISHIMORI <ishimori@cauchy.nslab.ntt.co.jp>
Subject: NEW ALBUM
Hey guys,
I am sending this mail from Japan. The new album with bonus track
will be released only in Japan on 5th Feb . I am surprised with such
a good information. But Japan tour is not decided, yet.
Does anybody know when the band comes to Japan ?
ISHIMORI
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 22:55:47 +0100
From: George and Teresa Taylor <gtaylor@ols.net>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #173
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 00:45:14 -0500 (EST)
> From: THE YANKEE <mcdonpj3@wfu.edu>
> Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #172
...snip...snip...snip...
> > How many of me would it take to screw up your life?
> Frank-which song is this from?
> Patrick J. McDonough
>
> [It's from an unreleased song called "Kalamazoo". And I don't believe
> "Risky Encore" is on the new CD. -fjm]
Yup, Kalamazoo is from the Majosha tape "Shut Up and Listen to Majosh" Ben
played almost everything on that tape. Evan from Bus Stop played guitar on
a few tracks and sang on a song or two.
george
ttfn,
george & teresa taylor
8(:-) :}
gtaylor@ols.net
g_taylor@forsyth.lib.nc.us (George only)
http://www.ols.net/~gtaylor
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 02:31:51 -0500 (EST)
From: JBecervza@aol.com
Subject: i wanna be bennated
ben folds five kept me happy while my girlfriend was in russia in july-sept
of 95. i heard them on the cable music satellite station DMX and tried to buy
the cd at several music stores in tucson. I ended up having to drive to
phoenix to get the cd in early august. i saw ben folds play live at our own
club congress here, and even met the band. i had ben sign my little sister's
cd case because it was a 21 and over show. Ben was so cool and wrote
something about wishing she was there.... but he seemed really intimidated by
me. i told him how me and my brother, who i introduced, played music and
really admired his songwriting ability.he thanked me as he got his shirts and
stuff out of the way, and just kind of disappeared after that. that was my
little brush with ben greatness...just got the postcard and a computer last
month(by my own, mind you, mi own feliz navi dad) so i thought i should join
this.
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 97 9:35:10 -0000
From: Simon Burrows INF-KB <sburrows@madge.com>
Subject: UK tour dates!
Yes! 'Battle of Who Can Care Less' is out in the Uk on Feb 10th.
Yes! Tour starts March 2nd, calling Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester,
Norwich, London, Sheffield, Bristol and Wolverhampton.
>>Do you have any dates for these shows?
>>Thanks
>>Ced Burrows (sburrows@madge.com)
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 07:24:45 -0500 (EST)
From: Hacky33@aol.com
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #175
Does it just really suck that alot of people have B-sides that i can't get my
hands on because I havn't a thing to trade if someone wants to help a really
big BBF fan and send me some live tracks (i.e. Video killed the radio star) I
would love you forever.
Whatever and Amen is just waiting to get to me. bye bye Hacky33@aol.com.
p.s. BBF live just rules, they are good at shows.
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 02:01:36 -0600
From: "Ryan D. Elder" <relder@macalester.edu>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #174
I would like to congratulate the people of Australia on their excellent
taste. At least one country on this wretched planet knows what's up.
Thanks again.
_______________________
Ryan Elder
relder@macalester.edu
_______________________
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 18:43:17 -0600 (CST)
From: Cool Hand Luke <gb0709@broncho.ucok.edu>
Subject: Crows concert
I recently (last night) went to the counting crows concert. It was
counting crows alright. Halfway through I wish they would play Uncle
Walter or some Ben Folds Five song or even a Flaming Lip's song (to who
they give special thanks to on their new CD). I am ready to see Ben
Folds Five in OKC. PLEASE!
Gregor Brown
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 12:21:19 GMT
From: Andy Hewitt <mbcx6adh@mh2.mcc.ac.uk>
Subject: Along the same lines as BFF
It has come to my notice that Ben Folds Five , despite being my
favourite band , are rather alone in a category in my music
collection . In other words I normally like bands such as Live and
Bush . I like Counting Crows and Dave Matthews Band too , and they
are the closest that I can find to BFF that I like and have the
albums to .
So , the question is :
Can anybody recommend bands along the same lines or in a similar
style to Ben Folds Five as I love BFF so much that I will probably
like the others too ?
I know BFF have a style all of their own , but I'm sure you know what
I'm on about .
Andy Hewitt
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 06:18:53 -0800 (PST)
From: Robert Mcgovern <mcrobert@hotmail.com>
Subject: Probably usless information........
Hi there, just some info I just thougt you might like to know.
In the January Edition of NME(New Musical Express) on the charts lists, Ben
Folds Five Sneeked into the Indie Charts at Number 30 below artists such as
The Bluetones, Placebo, Ash and Oasis. **Excellent Job Fellas**
Also In the Febuary issue of the NME in the section called Record News. The
following was said about the new album.
_________________
BEN FOLD FIVE: Whatever and Ever Amen(Sony) Depending on how you look at it,
more miserable faffing around, or another LP of witty tunes from this North
Carolina-based trio-out Monday
__________________
What the Hell is that supposed to mean? miserable faffing about? I don't think
I could describe any of their music as miserable.
Anyway Looking forward to the New single and the Manchester Gig. Hopefully,
I'll try and give some kind of review of the show.
Later,
Rob
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I wish I hadn't bought you dinner