THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #221 - April 7, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #221
REMINDERS:
* Change the subject of your reply to something pertaining to your
message (not "The Magical Armchair, Issue #nnn").
* DON'T quote excessively, OR QUOTE THE ENTIRE DIGEST, when replying.
* Please keep non-Ben Folds Five content to a minimum. Off-topic
messages may be deleted by the moderator.
* Although not a requirement of membership, if you attend a show,
you may wish to post a review.
* Before posting questions of a general nature (e.g., "Anyone have
tour dates?" or "What are the words to Underground?"), check the
Web resources available. Two places to start are:
http://oeonline.com/bff/ and http://www.bffweb.com
* Because of the way the Magical Armchair is currently assembled, any
item of a time-critical nature should be sent several days in advance.
Topics for Today:
st.louis show...
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #217
phone ringing
Larry, "Brick", and abortion
toronto
Last Polka
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #216
just a coupla things to say
ben folds in boston
Promo Video
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #216
Alternative Nation
Ben Folds Five in North Carolina
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 1997 15:23:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: THANEZRA4@aol.com
Subject: st.louis show...
i'm just wondering if there is anyone on the list that's going to the show in
st.louis on the 22nd. if so e-mail tim at thanezra4@aol.com.
thank ya.
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 06 Apr 1997 16:18:26 -0400
From: Barone <barone@magpage.com>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #217
hi everybody, this is my first listing . just letting u know that ill be
at the philly show on the 30th. ive been to a show at the TLA before and
its a great place to see a show....i cant wait
later
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 1997 17:16:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: UFOPhiler@aol.com
Subject: phone ringing
Well, my brother who is a bff fan also, has a professor who likes them to.
Somehow he had gotten Caleb Southern's e-mail address and he asked some
questions, and that was one of them. Well, he (Caleb) wrote this professor
person back(or emailed I should say...) and he said something like Yes that
was because since they were recording in Ben's house they forgot to turn the
ringer off and Thats Robert laughing after it and he likes to keep things
like that in.
well I'm sure some of you knew already anyone but.....
kate
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 1997 16:46:52 -0500 (EST)
From: Bronwyn Anna Deaver <bdeaver@indiana.edu>
Subject: Larry, "Brick", and abortion
> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 09:03:48 -0800
> From: Lawrence and Carla Sweet <lynx@connectnet.com>
> Subject: Another thumbs up..and a thought...
> Hi everybody. I've lurked here forever. I saw BFF at the Brick by
> Brick in San Diego some time ago and loved 'em. [Missed the Casbah show].
> I thought the first album was great. I like this one even better, ballads
> and all. We're all onto something real special....
> About the "Brick"-abortion link:
> How do you interpret that "as weeks went by", the girlfriend is
> "not fine" to the point that both parties confess the truth?
> Not all songs deserve (or merit) dissection, but this one is a bit
> more thought provoking than many...and the melody, though simple, is
> heartfelt and beautifully bittersweet to me.
> Curiously, Larry
In response to this:
When I had my abortion I thought I would I would be okay and not
really think about the baby again. I am guessing that this is what Ben
means. You see, I love my child and I still agree to this day with
whhat I
chose. I was 18 and couldn't raise my child the way he should be
raised. I didn't and don't trust anyone else in this messed up world to
raise him either. So God and Heaven were the best parent and home
respectively for my child. Never will he feel pain or anything. That
makes me smile. But I still miss him. That is why she isn't "fine" and
her parents probably noticed so they had to tell the truth to her
parents.
I really don't think that Ben is saying that abortion is morally
wrong. I think he is just trying to show that people that choose
abortion aren't heartless and cruel. They have reasons. This is shown
in the line, "can't you see it's not me you're dying for". The couple is
probably scared about the repurcusions from the world that they would be
getting if they kept the child. So the child is really dying for the
ignorance of the world.
Don't any of you EVER think that people who choose abortion don't
love their children. I love my child without ever seeing him more than a
lot of parents that have their children with them now.
Bronwyn
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 06 Apr 1997 18:59:00 -0400
From: GUY <stele@interlog.com>
Subject: toronto
are they playing toronto???
have they ever played toronto
[Not on the current tour; and no, they've never played _in_ Toronto.
They played Lollapalooza last year at Molson Park in Barrie. I would guess,
look for some Canadian dates later this summer. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 06 Apr 1997 19:16:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: KEN <Walczakm@ACS.WOOSTER.EDU>
Subject: Last Polka
"Yellosno" wrote:
"p.s. does anyone else think that the most powerful part of the first cd is
during 'the last polka' when ben belts out 'but baby i was doing fine how
do you think that i survived the other 25 before you?'"
Yes, as a matter of fact I always have.
--KEN
==============================================================================
Date: 06 Apr 97 19:13:31 EDT
From: Terry <73060.205@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #216
i am a devout fan
i have seen them twice and gotten their set lists both times
at one concert at a small club near my home town in rhode island i ended up
sitting on stage and during underground on the part where robert sings he held
my hand that was the best concert i have ever seen
they are an amazing band but one thing i dont like is this
when they first came out i wrote them a letter and recieved a hand written
letter back
now they seem to have gotten too big their website and hotline are all
merchandising
damn the man
well
feel free to e mail me personally
sarah
73060.205@compuserve.com
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 1997 09:46:28 +1000 (EST)
From: Derek Scott <scoco@netspace.net.au>
Subject: just a coupla things to say
Sarah wrote:
>God help me, I'm straight out of "Underground". Sorry. But they're already
enormous in Japan,
[Not to be picky, just trying to clarify if this is really so]
I just got back yesterday, from 2 weeks in Japan and I'd have to say I saw
little evidence of BF5 being huge over there. A Japanese friend of mine gave
me the new album as a present (the Japanese copy) so I was really excited
about that, and when I went to the Sony Building in Tokyo they were
displaying the new Mini-Disk walkmans, and one of the sample mini disks was
Whatever! So stood there and listened to that for a while. But in some
stores I went into, looking for the album (before Yuki gave it to me), they
had no idea what I was talking about. (Perhaps it's just that my Japanese
leaves a lot to be desired!). Ayway, some stores had the new and the old
album so that gave me some hope...
I really like Whatever. I'd already heard some of the tunes (Steven's,
Battle, Evaporated, Dwarf, Dumped) thanks to Sam who sent me a tape of some
live stuff (you can't get live stuff in Australia, obviously) and it's funny
but at first I liked them live better. That's just coz I heard them first.
Steven's and Battle are 2 of my favs, and Brick, Evaporated and Dwarf.
till next time,
Claire.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
! Claire !
! "i want to live and breathe. i want to be part of the human race." !
! -radiohead !
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 1997 20:28:34 -0900 (PDT)
From: Colleen <bolgerc@bc.edu>
Subject: ben folds in boston
I just received the best surprise from my boyfriend: tickets to Ben in
Boston!
i have been an avid fan, and this will be my first time seeing them live!
I am really excited, my boyfriend has already seen them 3 times and chat
with them after the show. He has all there autographs, and says that they
(especially Ben although my friend Erik says Robert is cool) and to
respond to the fact that they are not playing during college time, i think
that is better, that way hard-core boston folds fans can see them (they
usually sell out)
anyways thanks for the ear!
colleen
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 1997 22:39:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: Bnanakingg@aol.com
Subject: Promo Video
Hi,
Would anybody be willing to pick this up for me? I read on here that Tower
records was giving a promo video away with the purchase of the album... I'd
pay foreverything and throw in some money for your time.
Thanks,
Bryce
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 06 Apr 1997 22:47:22 -0400
From: Matt Davio <buoy12@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #216
Anyone going to the Detroit Show on April 25th? Email and let me know
if you want to meet at show. Could be best live performance in this
area since REM at Joe's Star Lounge in Ann Arbor in '84. Wow dating
myself.
Matt < buoy12@earthlink.net
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 07 Apr 1997 00:14:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Martin <un036034@wvnvaxa.wvnet.edu>
Subject: Alternative Nation
Just saw the band on Alt Nation!
This video looks way better than Uncle Walter and of course Underground.
Jason
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 1997 00:55:05 -0500 (CDT)
From: sam jacob lewis <sjlewis@students.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Ben Folds Five in North Carolina
I am one of the lucky ones. For I got to see Ben Folds Five in North
Carolina, not once but twice. If some of you remember, I was trying to
get to NC from Chicago but I didn't have a ride. Well, I convinced my
friend Prescott to drive and my brother and his friend Matt jumped in.
Well worth it! We saw two amazing shows, got to meet the boys, got Ben
to put us on the guest list for the Cat's Cradle show and took a sweet
picture with Ben.
As a true Armchairite, it is my duty to post a review from the
two shows I saw (I'm sorry but it's rather long)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ziggys was a really cool club, with video monitors on both sides of the
stage because the stage wasn't that high up off the ground. At about
10:20, Snuzz took the stage and they were suprisingly good. Chuck (Ben's
bro) was on the bass, so that was an added bonus. Actually, these guys
were all in Bus Stop (minus Evan Olsen, Bus Stops lead singer). They
rocked pretty hard and had some hooky choruses that got me going,
especially when the drummer harmonized. Songs like 'Lemonade' and 'Eddy'
were highlights. Definitely a good disk to get when it comes out.
After they finished, out came Darren to set up his own drums (big rock
star he is) and a bit later, Robert came out to check if all was cool with
his basses and his 5 effect pedals. Then, we waited...too long but out
they came, Ben waving with that childish smirk on his face. He sat right
down, waved at the audience and began to play 'Missing the War', beautiful
opener. I forget that they sound so tight live - everything was on
including all the harmonies. The sound was great and I knew I was in for on
of the best shows I've ever seen. They then played 'Emaline'- great jam!
Ben told me that the last time they played that in the States was at
Ziggy's when they recorded it and put it on as a B-side to 'Summer B', which
they suprisingly didn't play. Next came 'Philosophy' which really got the
crowd going (and singing) - lots of fun. (I'm busy so I'll make this more
brief)
The Last Polka - Awesome! I got so excited, I came down the stairs and
pushed my way as close as I could get to the stage but got nowhere fast
and could only see the top of Bens head. To top that off, some guy
standing right next to me was singing way off key right in my ear and I
thought, "Back up the stairs with my ass!"
Selfless, Cold and Composed - It was a perfect time for a smoke break.
This song sounded great live (even without the extra strings) Parts of this
song sound like something Seal would write - anyone see that?
Alice Childress - Most beautiful song from the 1st album and sounded even
prettier live (you'll notice that all of their songs are better live)
Kate - I love this song so much and was smacked in the face with it
here. This sounded so good live, especially Darren and Robert's backing
vocals. This made me wanna jump up and down like a nut case.
Steven's Last Night in Town - Ben stood with the melodica for this one.
I don't know what it is, but its so funny watching Ben play that thing. The
song rocked but I kinda missed the Klezmatics instruments and the "Keep that
sheet safe" part from the middle of the song. I danced my ass off during
this one, great drumz...
Brick - Another smoke break! I wiped the sweat off of my face and
listened to Ben's sweet voice take over my emotions - So beautiful.
Sledge played the Cello (the newest and fifth of the 5 instruments seen on
stage at a BFF show) which worked nicely.
Video - Classic! Ben said that he wrote this song while he was in high
school. Had me banging my head hardcore.
Jackson Cannery - Easily the highlight of the night, pure jumpin' pleasure!
I was worried that they wouldn't play this one but thank the Lord. Ben
said that Bus Stop used to play this song as a tribute to them or
something like that. He played the slow piano bit from the end of this
tune at the beginning of the song and went into the rocking `dun dun dun
da dun dun' part - I Like it that way better.
Improv (Metal) - They said that while they were in Europe, they became
a metal band. They started to play something that Ben sang in a high
pitched falsetto voice similar to Ronnie James Dio. It was
absolutely hilarious. Ben finished by flashing the satan/rock symbol with
both hands and a horrific look on his face.
One Angry Dwarf - They went right into this from the last
tune/thingie and it was sweet. Another dance like a psycho song.
Fair - Wow, I was worried about the Ba Pa Dop's sounding alright live
but they were mint. The boys changed the instruments for the verse
around a bit (you'll have to hear it to see what I mean)
Battle of WCCL - Sounded great, vocals and all. It was cool to see a
bunch of people flashing the whatever sign during the "Whatever and ever
amen" line.
Theme from Dr. Pyser - Nice instrumental, however I don't think that
this is an original jam (taken from a TV show or something like that).
->Uncle Walter - Great bass solo and jam at the end.
Song for the Dumped - Rockin! They paused in the middle jam part and
Sledge said that he's sorry that he kept screwing up all night
(eventhough I didn't notice him missing a note). They had a wierd jam
going and then jumped back into the song - Fun as hell!
Stairway to Heaven - About 5 notes played, thank G-d!
Underground - A fun closer but didn't hit me as hard as it did the first
time I heard this live. The intro was funny and a bit changed around
(see MA #217 for specific dialogue changes)
ENCORE
Best Imitation of Myself - Oh, I love this song. I would've liked to have
heard a doo wop though but no complains, it sounded great.
Julianne - Salsa intro. Ben sang the 1st verse with the salsa and then
after "Being awake never...", they kicked it into the real version. I
like high energy finishers and this was definately one of them. What a
great way to end an amazing show.
The Cat's Cradle show was almost the same thing despite a few differences.
1- They added Where's Summer B. to the set list and Smoke to the encore
but Ben said that his set up was too messed up to play it so they
didn't. I was upset but I had got to hear them play it during the
soundcheck so...
2- Underground, for some reason rocked a lot harder and I was jumping up
and down the whole time
3- I was in the front leaning on the stage. Good view!
4- Ben broke a key and said sorry if he misses some notes.
5- All in all, I thought the Ziggy's show was better and a lot tighter.
Also, the opening band "Sharks Quest" was pretty lame (all instrumental).
Not even half as cool as Snuzz was!
That's all folks. It was an experience of a lifetime and every second
was worth the 34 hours of driving to get to and from the shows. I can't
wait until 4/24 in Chicago at the Metro. See y'all there!
Sam Lewis
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR - The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
Submit to: maynard@oeonline.com Admin. to: maynard@oeonline.com
WWW homepage: http://oeonline.com/bff
List archive: http://oeonline.com/bff/list/
Now that I have found someone I'm feeling more alone than I ever have before