THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #340 - June 8, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Sunday, June 8 1997 Volume 01 : Number 340
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
re: comparisons
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #338
top 10
I didn't do it!!
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #339
Taping
Re: Bock Sing
Boxing? What the hell?
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #339
Sitcom theme
A lurker's Top Ten
Name Schmame and Boston
A Top Ten
Review of Toronto Show
Boxing...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 20:31:03 -0500 (EST)
From: ghicks@fas.harvard.edu (...george w. hicks...)
Subject: re: comparisons
>This brings up an interesting point. I hate to put labels
>on music and groups, but when I try to tell my friends about
>BF5, they always ask, "What are they like? Compare them to
>someone". The best response I can come up with is:
>they are a cross between Queen, Phish, and Supertramp.
>Can anyone else think of a better description?
That's the whole point. They *don't* sound like anything that's been around
before, and certainly not like anything out today. Trying to categorize BFF
or objectively compare them to other bands ruins the whole idea of how
innovative and exemplary their music is. And if you're going to compare
them to Queen and Supertramp, two third-rate British schlockmeisters, then
hey, don't do us no favors. Just say "they're a piano, bass, and drums
combo. Here's an album. Listen."
george
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 21:21:43 -0500
From: Brent <lowkeybk@anet-chi.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #338
> Well, because everybody else is doing it...(and yes I would jump off that
> bridge...)
The taller the bridge, the better...
->The Clash "London Calling"
->For Squirrels "Example"
->Cracker "Kerosene Hat"
->R.E.M. "Document" or "Chronic Town"
->The Alarm "The Alarm" (EP)
->The Beatles "Abbey Road"
->Squeeze "East Side Story"
->U2 "The Unforgettable Fire"
->The Stooges "The Stooges"
->The Violent Femmes "The Violent Femmes"
->The Plimsouls "Everywhere At Once"
Ok, so that's 11 (I hate round numbers), and this list is subject to
change (like my ever-changing moods). Btw, if anyone has any BFF boots
to trade, please e-mail me for my list (mainly R.E.M.) of audio/video.
Peace - Brent
- --
To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no
choreography, and the dancers hit each other.
- -Jack Handey
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 22:43:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: Hilarie Surrena <walflowr@Op.Net>
Subject: top 10
I feel obligated to do a top 10 since everyone else is doing it.
It's also interesting to see what other bands people are into besides BFF.
I've really been surprised to see some of the artists mentionned. I think
it's great! Here it goes in no order what so ever:
Wallflowers: Wallflowers
Wallflowers: Bringing Down the Horse
Material Issue: Destination Universe
Tonic: Lemon Parade
BFF: Whatever and Ever Amen
BFF: BFF
Chalk FarM: Notwithstanding
Imperial Drag: Imperial Drag
Bob Dylan: Nashville Skyline
Bob Dylan: Every other album that was ever recorded by him(okay he's my
favorite artist and if he had died, I don't know what I would have done!)
Hil
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 00:07:53 -0400
From: kkd1984@juno.com (Kristaffer k DeHond)
Subject: I didn't do it!!
LEMMING POST!!
Top Ten
- -------------
1.BFF-Whatever
2.Moxy Fruvous-You will go to the moon
3.BFF-BFF
4.Queen-Greatest Hits
5.Moxy Fruvous-B
6.Moxy Fruvous-Barganville
7.Geggy Tah-Sacred Cow
8.They Might be Giants-TMBG
9.Squirrel Nut Zippers- Hot
10.Whats your favorite?
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 00:25:19 -0400 (EDT)
From: JEAN BAER <jb0026@epfl2.epflbalto.org>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #339
Hey all. I've been lurking for a few days, so I thought I would come out
of my corner. First off, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about
HORDE coming to Virgina (the Nissian Pavilion) on 16 Aug.
As for my 'top ten' favorite albums, to join the other lemmings out there...
Kula Shaker--K
Bob Dylan--Highway 61 Revisited
Beatles--"White" Album/Revolver
Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young--Deja Vu
Grateful Dead--American Beauty
Oasis--Definately Maybe/Wonderwall
(London) Suede--Coming Up
Beck--Odelay
Jefferson Airplane--Surrealistic Pillow
and of course, Ben Folds Five--self titled and Whatever
I am a new fan. I just bought the album a few days ago, although I had
liked the group for a while. What really hooked me was the lyrics. Many
bands today have a distinct lack of good lyrics. How refreshing to hear
some one sing about a dwarf and 200 faces after hearing Jewel's innane
songs about making smiley faces out of eggs.
cheers:)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 00:49:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: Megrooonie@aol.com
Subject: Taping
In a message dated 97-06-07 00:46:10 EDT, you write:
<< When it says "not for distribution to anyone else", I am
assuming it means non-commercial distribution.
Or do they frown upon trading?
I'm just looking for some shows, but don't want to abuse
the band's policy. >>
This I am sure means not for profit distribution. DMB has the same policy,
that being you cannot sell the show or profit from it, but only trade it.
Megs :~)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 00:34:18 -0500 (CDT)
From: joshu@umr.edu
Subject: Re: Bock Sing
Heythere... my guess was apparently wrong, about where the lyrics for
"boxing" came from. I rented Raging Bull recently and it grabbed me when
DeNiro said "boxing's been good to me" while talking to
himself I think. Course, DeNiro didn't say "howard" and there was no
howard in the film... so clearly it was the Ali/Cosell thing, but maybe
Ben used this particular line... or more probably, Raging Bull borrowed
the line from Ali? Not to get off subject but, yeah, it struck me when I
heard DeNiro say that line.
--
Josh Sutterfield
joshu@umr.edu
http://www.umr.edu/~joshu
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Orchards are simple. A peach tree says, 'Some of me will be juicy and
some of me will be dry. I'm not growing for you--I grow becuase that's
what I do.' You always hear some person complaining about how dry their
peach is, and the peach says, 'It's not our fault you have no
understanding on the proper use for dry peaches.'" -Tori Amos
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 01:34:13 -0000
From: "Bryan L. Brown" <idaho@appstate.campus.mci.net>
Subject: Boxing? What the hell?
Someone submitted thoughts on Boxing and asked for thoughts on what is
going on in the song. To start with, I couldn't agree more--Boxing is a
great song and a cool way to end an album. So what the hell is Ben talking
about? Here's my take.....
I think that the song is really a conversation between a boxer and his
trainer about the boxer's career coming to an end. Now I know that a lot
of you out there are going "duh" at this point in time because I am stating
the obvious. However, when I fisrt listened to the song, I didn't think
the obvious was obvious. I thought the whole thing was complicated
metaphoric language. Now I don't think so. I think the song explores the
tragedy in the short-lived limelight of a successful career in the eyes of
the public and how that can change so quickly. If the eyes of the public
are how you measure success, then prepare to live on the edge of caprice.
I think that BFF (specifically Ben who wrote the song) was identifying with
this particular tragedy of public success and the image that came to mind
was that of an almost-washed-up boxer.
At least that's what I think.
Bryan L. Brown
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 03:05:56 -0500
From: bartok@adan.kingston.net (steady eddy)
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #339
does anyone know if our dearly beloved are on conan o'brien tuesday or
wednesday? i've heard both and i don't want to miss it.
thanks,
ed
********************************************
Sunward I've climbed and joined the
tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds...and
done a hundred things you have not
dreamed of...wheeled and soared and
swung high in the sunlit silence.
********************************************
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 02:50:18 -0500
From: "Damian P. Marshall" <damer@nwu.edu>
Subject: Sitcom theme
Does anyone else believe that "Best Imitation..." could be a 70s/80s sitcom
theme song?
The show would have one central protagonist who is always trying to fit in,
but always messes up in the process. For instance, the character would ask
out a girl for a date, only to spill wine on himself at the restaurant.
I think the song would be perfect---lyrics and melody alike. By the way,
it is my fave BFF song. Too bad it will never make it on the radio.
Damian P. Marshall
Northwestern University
damer@nwu.edu
"And I, am glad I didn't know the way it all would end."
Garth Brooks
Damian P. Marshall
Northwestern University
damer@nwu.edu
"And I, am glad I didn't know the way it all would end."
Garth Brooks
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 03:16:47 -0500
From: "Stephen E. Chamraz" <chamraz@execpc.com>
Subject: A lurker's Top Ten
Hey there... long time listener, first time caller.
My Top Ten... *drumroll*
(in no particular order)
€ BFF, Whatever...
€ BFF, BFF
€ Bruce Hornsby, Harbor Lights
€ The Caulfields, L
€ Dave Matthews Band, Under the Table...
€ Counting Crows, August and Everything After
€ Genesis, Seconds Out
€ The Brothers McMullen original motion picture soundtrack
€ Sting, The Soul Cages
€ Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes
Yes it's eclectic, but so am I.
Questions, comments, great thoughts?
_______________________
Stephen E. Chamraz
www.execpc.com/~chamraz
chamraz@execpc.com
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 08:49:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: EricTheC@aol.com
Subject: Name Schmame and Boston
Dear Chairies,
Wasn't that the chair's name on Pee Wee's Playhouse?
You know, I must admit that I like the mailing list name. We could call it
Ben Folds Five Friends or the Robert and Darren Fan Club (Ben would love
that one I bet). But I vote to keep the name, man.
Thanks to everyone for all the great posts. Especially for the Boston
reviews. I went to the show and they put on a excellent show. It was obvious
they were exhausted from jetlag (from Japan). Usually jetlag is worse going
west though. I was able to introduce 2 new converts to their music at the
show. Ben is quite tha ham and they rocked!
I used to live in NC and I have to say that the music scene in the Triangle
(Chapel Hill, Raliegh and Durham) was/is excellent. Don't forget The Connells
and Squirrel Nuts Zippers (I'm going to avoid the abbreviations to aid the
newbies and infrequent readers like me. )
Also thanks for the favorite CD lists. Can anyone describe Moxy Fruvous. At
least 2 of you like them. I'd add Elvis Costello - Spike and Better than Ezra
- - Friction, Baby.
I'm taping their CD as we speak so I can listen to it on the road. A 90
minute tape with BFF (selftitled) and Whatever and Ever Amen. Halellujah!
I have an awesome semi-bootleg called "I've Got You Covered" (no BFF though
but great!) that I can trade for BFF tapes. Send me e-mail privately for more
info.
Waiting for BFF on Conan and Jenny McCarthy...
Be cool,
Eric (Enrique)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 12:14:37 -0400
From: "Fred Antonangeli" <fantonan@bcn.net>
Subject: A Top Ten
Well, I figured after reading everyone elses top ten, I figured I might as
well submit mine..speaking of following the crowd, does anyone know if it's
lemmings that follow each other into the ocean and drowned? I tried looking
it up in the encyclopedia, but it said nothing..in any case, here is my top
ten, in a semi-ordered way, well, really, only number one is ordered, and
that coveted spot is held by both BFF's albums, it's too hard to decide
which is better..
1. BFF- both cds
2. Barenaked Ladies- Gordon
3. DMB- Crash
4. Beastie Boys- License to Ill
5. Barenaked Ladies- Born on a Pirate Ship
6. REM- Automatic for the People
7. 311- Music
8. 311- Grassroots
9. Orange 9mm- Tragic
10. SNZ- Hot
11. sdtrk to "Swing Kids" (Yes, I know, this list actually equals 12,
but...well there is no but, it just does.)
Oh...and to the person who said was commenting about how "uncool" it may
have been for Ben to look annoyed at the person who took a flash
picture..while I might not have been there, I would just like to add my two
cents as to why, if he did indeed look annoyed...you must have gotten a
flash picture taken of you before..and depending on the distance, the flash
can cause your eyes to do some pretty funky things, I mean I don't know
anyone who isn't annoyed by that blinding flash leaving you with nice dots
of light to hover in your vision, so there it is, my explanation. With that
said, I'll close for now and continue to lurk for a while..have a lovely
day!
Sarah :)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 12:59:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: Detsky <hdetsky@inforamp.net>
Subject: Review of Toronto Show
I must start off by saying Ben is God.
BFF played a sold out show at Lee's Palace in Toronto last night, and they
were amazing.
I don't have a set list (hopefully someone else on this list was there and
can post a set list), but they basically played everything off the new album
and Jackson Cannery, Underground, Philosophy, and Best Imitation of Myself
from the first album.
They covered Sweet Home Alabama but changed it to Sweet Home Toronto.
Other notables: Ben got on the piano and rapped a bit,
: the band were talking about how now that they're so
popular they play all these big arenas and not little bars (like Lee's)
anymore, and then said they wrote a song about playing these big arenas, and
the played it. I don't know if it was a cover of some heavy metal song or
just a song they wrote to sound like a heavy metal band, but it was funny.
They played one new instrumental and I think two new songs (it
might have been only one), and they were all good.
The encore was Best Imitation of Myself followed by Song for the
Dumped. Halfway through Song for the Dumped they stopped and Rob started
singing this old 80's song, Sheri or something (I've heard the song before
but I don't know it's real name).
Anyway, it was an amazing experience and I can't wait for them to
come back to TO.
Jay
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 11:59:43 -0500
From: the Beer Baron <Heyzeus@swbell.net>
Subject: Boxing...
Somebody said about Boxing:
>This is no doubt the best song ever written relating to the sport. (As if there were millions of them).
In that case, I would like to nominate DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh
Prince's timeless classic, "I think I could beat Mike Tyson", as the
SECOND best song ever written relating to the sport of boxing. The
countless others fall later in the countdown.
I, too, had a BFF dream last night. It was very surreal. I dreampt I
was watching a BFF video on MTV last night (already ironic, huh!) but
that it was a NEW song from some strange new album that nobody had. In
the dream, they showed the name of the album at the bottom of the TV
screen and it was just one strange palindromatic word. Something like
"Harrah." The video was mainly just Ben running around on a balcony,
and his eyes were very very blue. Anyone who has studied dream analysis
(preferably not Freudian; let's not go there) please let me know what
this means.
To the Rice University crew: See ya August 24, on campus.
hasta luego,
josh
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #340
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