THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #196 - March 11, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #196
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Topics for Today:
A Cello?
Calling all SEATTLITES
BF5 reviews from Australia.
Astoria gig
Re: Philly-Ben Folds Five
Re: Philly
Andy Sturmer Update
BFF on Sonicnet
The BF5/XTC Connection?
BFF at Manchester
Free BFF CD? Not in Europe!
Wherefor art there bonus tracks in Japan?
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 07 Mar 1997 22:37:28 -0500
From: "E. Hammond" <lizrob@mindspring.com>
Subject: A Cello?
Hello everyone out there in BF5 fan world,
A couple of things:
I think this is a fabulous group of people on the "Magical Armchair". When
is the reunion going to happen? I can hear the music trading already.
To Noel who mentioned that a cello accompanied piano and drums on Brick,
I think someone whose name begins with an "R" who would be fairly
horrified if his fine fans thought he was playing a cello on brick, because
he is playing a double bass. Oh well, now we all know.
Btw, I am listening to the Semantics first album called "Powerbill". If you
like BF5 (using those words as a preface is like being in a dollar store and
asking how much something costs...) you will probably enjoy the Semantics.
I love hearing people's reactions to music that I suggest so if anyone
checks them out, let me know what you think.
One more thing, there was a question about Ben's recent marriage to Kate:
she is a wonderful woman from California. This has probably been covered
before so I will say no more.
Cheers!
Liz
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 08 Mar 1997 01:57:21 +0000
From: Susan & Clayton Park <maven@jetcity.com>
Subject: Calling all SEATTLITES
****BF5 opens for Counting Crows in Seattle, April 1st!!!***
Calling all Seattle FANS!!! As you may (or may not) know, BF5 played here
last year almost exactly one year ago. The turnout was good, but could
have been better. If you want them to take time out of their incredibly
hectic schedule to come here again, we need to help them out. They have
got to be one of the hardest working bands I know - just look at the
schedule!
I don't mean to sound like an advertisement, but it has been extremely
difficult to get the word out about BF5 here in the birthplace of GRUNGE.
So please, find out who's going and loan out your tapes and CDs. Call the
radio stations and request the songs - eventually, they'll come around.
***people for the ethical treatment of musicians***
S1SW@jetcity.com
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 23:01:47 +1100 (EST)
From: Derek Scott <scoco@netspace.net.au>
Subject: BF5 reviews from Australia.
Hi there.
Here are some reviews I found over here. They seem nice at first, but then
they turn a bit negative.... They're from 'Juice' and 'Rolling Stone'
magazines (March issues).
Here's the one from Juice:
Ben Folds Five
Whatever and Ever Amen
Epic/Sony
***
It aint easy for Ben Folds Five. If people aren't rating their unique three
piece - Ben Folds on piano, Darren Jessee on drums and Robert Sledge on bass
- as a gimmick, a throwback to Elton John and Randy Newman, then they're
freaking out at the resulting sound and running for the nearest moshpit.
Actually, Ben Folds Five are neither a gimmick nor mosh friendly, but if you
can get past the spectre constantly hanging over them - that of Harry
Connick Jr - you'll find a group with a judicious ear for melody and smart,
testing lyrics.
As with "Underground", the alternarocker-baiting single from their
self-titled debut, a seditious stream of sarcasm is harboured in Folds'clear
tenor voice. On "Song for the Dumped" - which comes with a mock rock
Springsteen "one, two, three, four" count-in - Folds plays at being the sad
lover spurned. "So you wanted to take a break/Slow it down some and have
some space." But then his true colours start to shine trough: "Well f%@k you
too!/Gimme my money back..." he demands.
The silent heroes of Whatever and Ever Amen are Jessee and Sledge,
who remain unobtrusive but sympathetic behind their boss man. Whether Folds
is being Scott Joplin or Janis Joplin on this Steinway Baby Grand, the
rhythm section do their best to broaden the palette. Nonetheless, Ben Folds
Five's second album finds them starting to find the limits of what they can
achieve. This time out they've managed to pull through. But only just.
Craig Mathieson
And the one from Rolling Stone is even better.... (But it has got a picture!)
***1/2
Whatever and Ever Amen
Ben Folds Five
550/Sony
"Underground" established Ben Folds Five as the geekiest of geek-rock bands.
The North Carolina three-piece (piaon, bass and drums) made it cool to be
uncool. The band's second album, Whatever and Ever Amen, picks up where the
self-titled debut left off: songs that swing from up-tempo piano stomps to
ballads, spirited playing from frontman Folds, bassist Robert Sledge and
drummer Darren Jessee, and an overriding sense of fun.
Recorded in Folds' home, Whatever and Ever Amen captures the live
energy and interplay of three talented musicicans. "One Angry Dwarf and 200
Solemn Faces" rides on distorted bass and Folds' excellent grasp of melody,
the band pounding their instruments into submission to keep it funky. "Fair"
and "Kate" (which packs the album's biggest chorus) boast sweet vocal
harmonies and hooks galore, while "song For the Dumped" will have anyone
who's ever been forsaken singing along to "Give me my money back, you
bitch/I want my money back". Only Folds could make it sound endearing. The
drifting strings on "Selfless" are a nice touch, and while the guest spot
from the Klexmatics (klezmer is a juxtaposition of different styles of
traditional Jewish folk and jazz) threatens to derail "Steven's Last Night
in Town", Ben Folds Five manage to pull it off with their own distinctive
style. Just.
Andrew Humphreys
Strange that they both end with the same idea, isn't it!? Anyway, it's nice
to have some reviews 'and stuff'. And a picture to boot!
Well, the new album is supposedly out here on March 14th. Prety amazing
stuff. but I think I'll wait till I go to Japan.
Anyway, that's all.
Claire.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
! Claire !
! "i want to live and breathe. i want to be part of the human race." !
! -radiohead !
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 17:38:58 +0000
From: Marsh <winkie@easynet.co.uk>
Subject: Astoria gig
That was some mosh pit down there! Unfortunately, far too many
people decided to leave it. Personally, I'd rather listen to the
music than prat about on stage and I'm not surprised that Robert got
pissed off with dodging members of the audience, so pissed off that
at one point he stopped playing. But to start at the beginning....
Another Britpop opener, this time shades of Shed Seven and Gene with
a Thom Yorke wannabe singer. Actually, I rather liked them. Not so
the main support act whose name escapes me ( but the singer had lovely
hair!) so I'll let someone else tell you about them.
BFF were, of course, magnificent! The early part of the set was
changed round, losing Last Polka in the process and Uncle Walter was
put in the main set instead of the encore. According to the
"official" set list (written on Home Health Agency of Chapel Hill
notepaper) the encore should have been Smoke, Uncle Walter and
Julianne but when they came back out, Ben said they only had three
minutes so they were gonna play Julianne really fast, and they did!
That was the only disappointment of the evening - no Smoke. Somewhere
during the proceedings Ben related the story of recording a Japanese
TV show at the Astoria and when they walked in Shampoo were
performing. Later, one of them passed him in the corridor and said
something about wanting to shag his socks off!! The set was an even
mix of old and new songs including an unscheduled "Sexy
Motherf*****" and Champagne Supernova.
The set list as played:
Missing The War
Emaline
Philosophy
Selfless, Cold and Composed
Video
Kate
Steven's Last Night In Town (Ben on mellotron)
Brick (Robert on double-bass)
Alice Childress
Sexy Motherf*****
Where's Summer B?
One Angry Dwarf...
Fair
Battle Of...
Best Imitation of Myself
Theme from Dr. Peyser
Champagne Supernova (audience singalong)
Uncle Walter
Song For The Dumped (Ben playing piano strings not keys)
Underground ("hand me my cock ring, show me a Spice Girl")
------
Julianne (double speed)
Great show!
Chris
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 13:09:57 -0500 (EST)
From: "Donna L. Hokanson" <hokansod@goldey.gbc.edu>
Subject: Re: Philly-Ben Folds Five
Ben and th eboys will be in Philadelphia at the Theater of Living Arts on
South Street on Wednesday April 30. Tix went on sale today at noon.
Donna
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 18:26:46 -0500 (EST)
From: "Donna L. Hokanson" <hokansod@goldey.gbc.edu>
Subject: Re: Philly
I got my Ben Folds Five tix!!! I can't wait!!!
Heard one of the new songs on the radio the other day -- I liked it.
I'm gonna try to get the import CD tonight. Hopefully they have them as
I have to travel an hour to get to the closest record store listed. But
I will just hang out there and see a show in Philly.
Donna
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 23:10:06 -0500 (EST)
From: Ben73179@aol.com
Subject: Andy Sturmer Update
I just got some new info on Sturmer...He's collecting tracks for his solo
album...The album should be released sometime in Autumn(I wouldn't count on
that), but nobody knows if it will be released in the States.....So cross
your fingers...
Right now he's in the middle of helping the Merrymakers record their album.
He's playing drums and he produced four songs for them.....wel, when I find
out more I'll let you know.
Ben Holt
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 08 Mar 1997 23:13:13 -0500
From: Randi <rn21ja19@IDT.NET>
Subject: BFF on Sonicnet
I just got my Sonicnet Newsletter Fri, andfor those of you that don't
know they broadcast new cd's. This Tues starting at noon(EST) they will
be broadcasting BFF's new album. Go to www.sonicnet.com/cybercasts/.
You do need Real Audio 3.0 and a 28.8 Kbs modem. If you miss it on
Tues, don't worry. Just go to the same site and click on artists and
look up BFF and go to Sonicnet Presents.
Happy Listening,
Randi
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 09 Mar 1997 01:22:40 -0500
From: Allan Hsu <Animate2@broked.underworld.net>
Subject: The BF5/XTC Connection?
I hadn't thought much of this 'till lately, but Inotice more and
more of us are mentioning XTC in our post about BFF... I thought that
my tastes in both XTC and BFF developed seperately from each other, but
I could be wrong... I wonder what Ben and the boys think about XTC...
It'd be really cool if they BBF'ized some XTC covers in their
concerts...
Allan
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 97 09:19:13 GMT
From: Chris Lowe <ChrisLowe@deltaq.demon.co.uk>
Subject: BFF at Manchester
Hi all.
BFF played Manchester University Students Union last Wednesday (5th March)
and went down a storm. They started with "Missing The War" and did pretty
much all of the two records. The final encore was "Julianne". The new
songs sounded better live than on "Whatever" particularly "Song For The
Dumped" and "Smoke". I reckon "Brick" is Ben's best song so far. By the
time they get back to the US and the Counting Crows tour they will be
really smoking.
Best Wishes.
Christopher.
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 1997 07:32:48 -0500
From: Steffen Donath <106270.3527@compuserve.com>
Subject: Free BFF CD? Not in Europe!
Hi!
Is there anybody out there who is fortunate enough to get hold of the free
import CD single #2
BOWCCL
Hava Nagila
For Those of Y'all Who Wear Fannie Packs ?
Unfortunately that super deal is not available to us loyal BFF fans in
Europe. If somebody would be willing to send me a copy that would be
great. I am sure that I will find something in my BFF collection to trade.
So become my alltime hero and e-mail me on 106270.3527@compuserve.com
And I will not be one of those spoilers who review every single song of the
new album before it is released in America. Just one thing: The new album
is definetely worth the wait. No BFF fan will be disappointed.
Cheers
STEFFEN
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 09 Mar 1997 10:02:53 -0800
From: Nico <Heyzeus@swbell.net>
Subject: Wherefor art there bonus tracks in Japan?
Well, this would be my ceremonious "first post" to the Armchair. Hello
to all the international BFF devotees. Even if it seems that few in
American know of the band's greatness, it's good to hear of their immense
following around the world.
My friend Yukiko just sent me some interesting information that I thought
I'd share with all of you, explaining why Japan gets the bonus track on
"Whatever..."
"Bye the way, apparently BF5's "whatever.." was released in Japan on 2/5,
I wonder why the US release date is set so late. The one I got is
"import version" (means without special bonus song, the same version as
the one to be sold in the US) In Japan, import CD (american / UK) cost
about $16, and Japanese version cost about $23. (depending on the
currency rate) In order to secure Japanese version's sales / justify the
cost differences, record companies usually add some special tracks, a
sheet of paper that contains song lyrics / translation (this helps for me
to sing along the songs because not all CD's come with lyrics) and some
background info written by qualified (sometimes not) writers from music
magazines (needless to say, in Japanese..). For example, I have a copy of
Japanese version TMBG FS. It's got 2 extra songs on it, "unforgotten" and
"sensurround". (I hope the above was an interesting "misc. global info."
for you to learn."
Nervously eyeing the desktop calendar for March 18th,
Josh
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