THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #228 - April 14, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #228
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Topics for Today:
FELLOW KENTUCKIANS UNITE! :)
cigarette (either that or Fred Jones, not sure of the title)
various BFF press
Yaaay :D
Looking Song
Re: Krishna, Atlanta show, the music in general
BFF question
Conan O'Brien and Irving Plaza
piano lessons
bf5 giong mainstream
Emaline
Cleveland Show!!!
AMEN!
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 00:23:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: Boba Fett <bobafett@ekx.infi.net>
Subject: FELLOW KENTUCKIANS UNITE! :)
hi guys....
its me again! Your local wacky kentucky college student who just
loves BFF....anyways...
I was just wondering if there were any fellow kentuckians who were going to
try and attend a show somewhere...perhaps chicago?? Plus....i just want to
know if there any more of us out there. Let me know. Is there
really a summer tour planned? I thought that it was strange that BFF seemed
to skip all of the ohio valley...they came to louisville last year sometime.
(my sister saw and met them) Hopefully...
thanks in advance for any info!
lots o' love,
jessica b.
Jessica B. Musselwhite (PLEASE mail me at school, I need communication with
normal humans!!!)
1 University Drive, CPO 595, Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718
bobafett@ekx.infi.net OR jmussel@campbellsvil.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 01:21:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: BNDVDSN@aol.com
Subject: cigarette (either that or Fred Jones, not sure of the title)
I've hear a lot of discussion about Steven's Last Night, and kate, but in my
opinion, the most powerful song (lyricly at least) would have to be
cigarette. That is such a sad powerful story. I was wondering if any of us
bf5ers knew anything more about the lyrics. If i'm just searching for deeper
meaning in a song that is deep enough, then I apologize, but hopefuly there
is a bigger story behind Fred Jones.
Ben Davidson
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 23:16:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: Pollyanna Rhee <jrhee@wolfenet.com>
Subject: various BFF press
I don't know what it is about today, but I've read four articles that
mentioned Ben Folds Five today. The first was a review in Pulse, Tower's
little free magazine thing, I took about 12 copies of the thing cos it had
Damon on the cover, but the review in it was favourable, just like them
all, though they said that there was a guitar in 'Fair'. Seattle's Rocket
gave a sentence on them in the review of the Counting Crows show, another
was in the paper here about the new pop renaissance, the best though was in
INsite, here's the last part of the review: the album was put on the
'dean's list'
"You can have your Live, your f**cking Pumpkins, and all the rest: for my
money, the Ben Folds Five is the best rock band in America."
Amen to that... about BFF becoming popular, well as resident Blur nutter
here, I'm going through the same thing with Blur, 'Song 2' becoming a Buzz
Clip and all. I hate people who think Blur's a punk band, who think the new
album is their first, and that the 'lead singer' is soooooooo hot. But, I
guess it comes with time, right? I think before you feel like you're above
all the MTV influenced alternabrats and then when the hit comes, you become
closer to them and it sucks because it doesn't really matter how long
you've been listening cos it's now that matters, so you end up being the
only one at Cardigans shows who know songs from previous albums. I guess
I'm in a bitter mood today.
Komeda is another one of the 'Swedepop' bands, a trio. Less sugary than
the Cardigans. 'The Genius of Komeda' album is out now in the States and
it's pretty good, not up to the Cardigans, but okay.
Long rubbish post from me...
Cheers,
Pollyanna
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 00:54:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: Alice Childress <el266071@hvcc.edu>
Subject: Yaaay :D
Ben Folds Five is coming to my hometown (Albany, NY). I guess a
date is confirmed: Thursday May 29 at Saratoga Winners. I found out today
from a friend and I called up the place and found it to be true. I'm so
excited...there is no way I CAN'T go to this show. See, if any of you are
Soundgarden fans, you'll know that they just broke up. They were my all
time favorite. Nowadays, I have a lot of favorite bands, of which Ben
Folds Five is one. I've seen most of my favorite bands live, BFF and
Helmet excluded, and I'm going to see BFF next month..moral of this
story..NEVER NEVER NEVER miss out on a show, by all means pull out all the
stops and go to it.
can't wait til next month tho :) i already requested the day off
from work, and if they make me work then fukem, cause Im not going in..so
hah.
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 08:02:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: BEEFTODD@aol.com
Subject: Looking Song
Right,
How can I get a hold of Ben Folds Five remake of, "Kajagoogoo's- Too Shy".
It was on the local radio last week-Cheeky FM. I contacted them, but was
told they only had one bootleg copy on CD. I have it on cassette, but want
it on CD as I am an avid collector of BFF. How can I get hold of it?????
Respect to da max,
Leeroy
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 08:56:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shu2Stef@aol.com
Subject: Re: Krishna, Atlanta show, the music in general
Hi all,
First of all, let me say what a blast it is to have the Armchair. Nice to
know I'm not alone in my love of this band.
As for the Gita line, it intrigued me. I didn't know of Kate's involvement
with the Krishnas. Cool! I spent some time living at the temple in Atlanta
some years ago and, while no expert, if anyone has some general questions,
I'd be happy to try to answer them.
I keep reading everyone's in-depth pondering of the meaning of lyrics. While
this is cool and one of the nice things about the Armchair, what attracted me
to the band more than anything was the sheer exhuberance of the music! It's
played with such conviction that you can tell that the guys are simply having
a blast. I hope that continues for a long time.
May 3, Atlanta. While I'd much prefer to see BFF in their own show, I'll be
at the Midtown Music Festival. Can't wait! When I got to see the guys last
year, it was at the Georgia Theatre in Athens. About 1000 people, general
admission. I was right in front of Ben against the stage. I caught the song
list that he dropped into the crowd! It was truly an amazing show. I've
since turned everyone I can on to BFF. It would be nice to meet other
Armchair members if we can figure out a place.
As for the mainstream vs. alternative issue, I think that as long as the guys
stay true to what they believe, it will be fine. The second album was my
concern because many artists can come up with one good album (sorry, showing
my age). I like the second even better than the first and I didn't think
that was possible.
Thanks for letting me have my two cents. Talk to you all soon. See you in
Atlanta!
Stefanie Schumacher
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 10:16:19 -0400 (EDT)
From: Lysis17@aol.com
Subject: BFF question
Hello all, I'm new to your mailing list and I was wondering if you could
catch me up on a few things. Such as- What is the state of BFF bootlegs?
Do any exist? If so I would be interested in a trade or a purchase.
Secondly, I've heard reports that the boys are going to be on the Conan
O'Brian show. Could some one verify this for me? If so, I'd like the date.
Thank you for all of your help!
-adam
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 11:13:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: PeteDrags@aol.com
Subject: Conan O'Brien and Irving Plaza
Just wondering if any NY Armchairs are planning on meeting somewhere before
the Irving Plaza show. If interested, e-mail privately at petedrags@aol.com
and let me know maybe we can work something out.
Also, I would be very interested in attending the taping of BFF on
Conan. How can I do this.
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 12:15:17 -0400
From: Daniel MacEachern <dmaceach@is2.dal.ca>
Subject: piano lessons
> From: AngrYngFan@aol.com
> I loved your story, Bryce. I've been wondering about Ben's experience with
> piano. I, myself, quit after playing for two years when I was 9-10. I wish
> I was smart enough to realize at the time that I didn't have to like that
> boring stuff I was learning and could do my own thing. I started taking it
> up again 2 1/2 years ago at age 25. I started on the same boring path I did
> before, but wasn't on it for long. I'm still taking lessons, but I moved on
> to a blues/jazz guy who taught himself how to play.
> Who else on the list plays? Any advice?
>
I've been playing since I was six (I'm 21 now). When I started, I didn't
like it much, but my mom seemed really happy that I was taking lessons,
that I kept up with it. I remember distinctly coming home from my first
lesson, and heading upstairs to my bedroom. My mom called me, standing at
the bottom of the stairs, asking me if I liked it. I didn't, but her face
was shining, and she seemed so proud that I said I did. Later on I tried
to explain that I wasn't too jazzed with the whole thing, but my parents
encouraged me not to give up on it too soon. Eventually it just grew into
a routine for me, lessons, practice, being teased at school: "hey, Danny, I
hear you're quite the penis, I mean pianist, heh heh." But by grade ten
(school, that is, not grade ten piano) or so, I was tired of it. I thought
I was getting pretty good, I was able to play music that sounded like,
well, like music, and not piano lesson pieces. So I decided I wanted to
take a break from lessons. My parents said okay. I took a year off, and
played more in that year than I had ever played before and I found I
actually enjoyed it. It didn't hurt that by this point I noticed (and this
sounds really superficial, but I was 15) that it impressed girls. Anyway,
I joined a jazz band and went back to lessons the year after. Got my grade
ten piano, and I do a lot of composing now. Everything I do on the piano
is strictly for enjoyment. Some days when I sit at the keyboard, it just
won't come, so I don't play. It's not my career, so I don't have to force
it. I think you need lessons, yeah, they're like weight training. Lessons
give you the technique to do what you wish - even if you choose not to use
what you learn. At least you'll have the choice. When you're nine or ten
it seems that the lessons are the most important thing and there doesn't
seem to be much point. When you see the results from the lessons (for me
it was personal satisfaction and the girl thing) you realize that the
lessons aren't the be-all and end-all. Anyway, good luck and keep it up.
Daniel
Halifax
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 13:21:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: BNDVDSN@aol.com
Subject: bf5 giong mainstream
<< Regarding what Craig was saying in Armchair #222 about Ben Folds Five
not going mainstream - I reckon it's good that they don't. Some of
the joys of singing a song that not many people can whistle and sing
is a blessing. Imagine if everyone you knew had both BFF albums, and
sung them constantly in your company. It would be too much to bear
for some people.... >>
I totally disagree with you. I don't listen to BF5 just because my friends
don't, and so that I can feel cool by singing a great song that they would
have never heard of. I introduce BF5 to as many people as I can because I
love them. And, considering how much I love bf5, and what a wonederful band
they are, I figure the more people that hear them, and can share the love
the better. I personally try not to base my self-coolness-factor on the
obscurity of my music. Sorry if this post was a little angry, I just feel
pretty strongly about that issue. Ben Davidson
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 14:19:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mitch Armbruster <marmbru@email.unc.edu>
Subject: Emaline
For anyone interested, I have posted a mp3 sample of "Emaline" in case
some people have never had a chance to hear it. It is probably one of the
best B-side songs to date, IMHO. You can find it at:
http://www.unc.edu/~marmbru/mp3.html
- Mitch Armbruster
P.S. "Missing the War" is my new favorite off the new album. I don't know
why but it sounds great on my car stereo cranked up loud!!!
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 14:00:21, -0500
From: MS SANDI SHORTER <EPVJ98A@prodigy.com>
Subject: Cleveland Show!!!
In response to:
> > I'm going to the cleveland Show!!!!! Cannot wait, should be a
>
> I am going too!!!! My boyfriend, and two friends of mine are going
I'm going to the Cleveland show also. I definitely think all of us
should try to meet up somehow. Any ideas as to how to pick eachother
out of a crowd besides the usual "I'll be wearing...." and "I have brown
hair...."?
Sandi
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 15:37:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Jinky <angjc@BIOMED.MED.YALE.EDU>
Subject: AMEN!
I just bought the new album here in New Haven.....I know
I know, I waited too long to buy it....being the native
North Carolinian....and BFF fan, I'm so ashamed!
it's an incredible album...spunk-sensitivity and all....makes me
homesick for the Cradle ... and the Brewery! Silly, I know...
whoever suggested the armchair soiree ...WHEN AND WHERE?
somewhere here in the North East would be cool...won't be
home in NC until mid august!
Anyone going to the NY show at the end of this month? Wish
I could....(especially if they need a standby violinist for all the
incredibly orginial-new stuff).....
~jinky
(also bought the Built to Spill album to check out - thanks for the
rec ARMCHAIR)
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I just can't get rid of you like you got rid of me