THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #550 - October 21, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, October 21 1997 Volume 01 : Number 550
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
PJ
Good answers and a new revue.
Atlanta Show
Stop the Bus! 10/16 Atlanta Show
good BFF weekend
Best album...
Phone ringing
Lounge-a-palooza, Austin Powers
Magical Armchair Digest V1 #540
Raleigh Ritz show
Raleigh show
my web page!
SFTD in Japanese!!!
music to One Angry Dwarf!!!!!
elvin bishop
SFTD in Japanese!!!
BOSTON SHOW ON NOV. 4: SHOW YOUR ARMCHAIR GOODNESS!
Strange Bon Jovi reference, albums, & request for Cleve. show (READ THIS DOUG!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 07:41:16 -0700
From: "Kamp, Marcus S"
Subject: PJ
<<1. On the subject of th whole Pearl Jam vs. BFF: I never really liked
Pearl Jam. Didn't they die or evolve or simply just break up a while
back, or am I out of touch?>>
No, they turned into Neil Young:-)!
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 10:58:04 -0400
From: Jessica Brandt
Subject: Good answers and a new revue.
Well i am so glad i sparked a little tiny discussion about the phone in
"Steven's..." and thanks for all who replied and stuff. This is what
Armchair is all about - everyone gettin' along and answering everyone's
questions.
So in lieu of that fine thread, here's another one for ya- who do you think
it was that called? :)
Another thing, I picked up a copy of a local (Cleveland) zine called
GENERIC and they have an AWESOME interview with BF5 (5 8.5"x11" pages!). If
you want a copy of the zine, their address is generic@neo.lrun.com. If they
don't respond or something, or if u are too lazy or cheap to send for a
copy, maybe i can ask their permission to re-print it.
If you're a clevelander, i picked up the zine at Record Revolution on
COventry in Cleveland Heights. It's made in Cuyahoga Falls, so maybe there
are some copies in one of the 3000 record stores out there.
anyhoo, thanks to everyone who answered the phone!
jess
##########################################################
# It's funny, isn't it? #
# How your best friend can just blow up like that? #
# #
# (Mrs. Shazam) #
##########################################################
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 12:01:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: BenFoldsJ@aol.com
Subject: Atlanta Show
Well, after a terrible opener, (who was that anyway?), I finally had
the chance to see BFF in Atlanta on the 16th. Awesome show. I was a bit
disappointed that they didn't play "Uncle Walter" or "Sports & Wine," but
that's okay by me. The version of "Song For The Dumped" was amazing. I loved
how, instead of pausing for only a second in the song before "Give me my
money back...," they played a whole section of jazzy riffs and some extra
fills -- it sounded great! As I read before, I was also a bit disappointed
that Ben didn't act as theatrical as I had heard. Not too much sarcasm,
basically. But nevertheless, it was a BFF show, and I can't complain. I
personally thought their intro to "Jackson Cannery" was pretty cool. Anyway
- -- rockin' show...wouldn't have missed it, despite the fact that it wasn't
what I heard it to be.
--Jordan R.
By the way, the intro about "playing all your favorite Led Zeppelin
songs" had me cracked up for quite a while...
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 12:18:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: Timothy Smith
Subject: Stop the Bus! 10/16 Atlanta Show
hey there-
i wanted to post a note on the bff show in atlanta on october 16th. the
roxy was packed to the gills and the kids were all really into seeing the
band. of course they killed and i was convinced that since ben was
wailing so hard on the ivory that the strings of his baby grand were
going to pop and put out the eyes of the front row. they smoked and they
knew it. "brick" is the song of the year. i was very excited to see
them play since i have recently have been inducted into the "fold." i
bought "whatever" last spring after hearing "battle" on the radio. i guess
the line about "the rockford files" really pulled me in. i had just broken
up with my girlfriend of seven years and i guess ben folds five served as
a type of therepy for me. the record really speaks volumes on the topic of
love, hate, and labor's lost. so ben if you are reading this... thanks.
i just want you all to know that ben folds five are going to be
super-huge... as well they should be. catch them this time around or you
will miss the bus. "i've got my philsophy...."
slater
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 13:17:24 +0000
From: Hilarie Surrena
Subject: good BFF weekend
Okay, two really great BFF things helped make this weekend bearable. I
ordered a tee off the one web page and it arrived in about two weeks! I
was worried that I wouldn't have it for the show in Philly. Yesterday,
I went to a used Cd place and looked at the table with closeout
singles. I found, and I still can't believe this, the "Uncle Walter"
single with lyrics for fifty cents!! I never see any BFF stuff unless
it's the two albums. That's all!
Hil
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 12:17:47 -0500 (CDT)
From: SCHUTTE
Subject: Best album...
Hello again everybody!
I just thought I'd put in my vote for best album. It is definitley BFF.
This is the album that made me fall in love with the guys. I love all of
the songs (especially Best Imitation of Myself--it really hits at home
with me). WaEA is great and all, but truthfully, the songs really depress
me. In fact, I usually listen to it when I am sad or in a bad mood. On
the other hand, I listen to BFF when I am happy. This is kind of a simple
view of things, but this is how it works with me.
Anyway, have a great day and take it easy,
Emily S.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 11:31:11 -0600
From: Greg Whitehead
Subject: Phone ringing
I too heard an interview with the band on my local radio station
(Utah's X-96) where they played "Steven's..." and afterwards they
were asked about the phone ringing. It was an accident. The phone
rang in the middle of the recording, and someone grabbed it real
quick (which is why it only rang once) and you can hear one of the
BF5 (who is it?) laughing because of it. So the ring was accidental
but it was left in the final recording on purpose.
>has there been a discussion about the phone ringing at 2:54 in "Steven's
>Last Night in Town" or not? That was the first thing that struck me
>about the album.
>
gumby
===========================================================
Greg "gumby" Whitehead http://icentral.com/gumby/gumby.html
===========================================================
Featured album of the week:
Original Soundtrack: Lollipop Factory
*****1/2 /6 stars
A great high-energy rock album unlike anything I've heard
in quite some time. Bordering the line between power-pop
and progressive rock this album kept me entertained all
the way through. But the most impressive part of the album
is the vocals. Oodles and oodles of Queen-esque, operatic,
over-the-top, and lush vocals decorate each track on the album.
Reminds me a lot of Shear Heart Attack-era Queen.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 11:35:43 -0600
From: Greg Whitehead
Subject: Lounge-a-palooza, Austin Powers
Hi all. I picked up the Lounge-a-Palooza CD the day it came
out. I was a little disappointed with the second half of
the album, but the first half is really great. And, even
though I'm a bit biased, the album is worth it for the
Ben Folds Five track. This song is gorgeous! I was never
fond of "She Don't Use Jelly" in its original form, but
their reworking of the song almost brings a tear to my eye.
BUY THIS ALBUM! This is Ben Folds Five at their polished,
produced finest. Other tracks such as "Miniskirt" with Equivel!,
"Girl From Ipanema" by Pizzicato Five, and, of course,
"Black Hole Sun" with the full orchestra are also highlights
on the album. And if you like the lounge pseudo-60's sound,
I would also recommend the "Austin Powers Soundtrack" which is
another album of modern bands doing retro songs. Even if the
movie didn't appeal to you, the soundtrack is wonderful!
===========================================================
Greg "gumby" Whitehead http://icentral.com/gumby/gumby.html
===========================================================
Featured album of the week:
Original Soundtrack: Lollipop Factory
*****1/2 /6 stars
A great high-energy rock album unlike anything I've heard
in quite some time. Bordering the line between power-pop
and progressive rock this album kept me entertained all
the way through. But the most impressive part of the album
is the vocals. Oodles and oodles of Queen-esque, operatic,
over-the-top, and lush vocals decorate each track on the album.
Reminds me a lot of Shear Heart Attack-era Queen.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 14:48:05 -0400
From: "NOREEN A. SPECHT" <76232.1433@compuserve.com>
Subject: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #540
Please take my name off your mailing list. I do not wish to recieve any
more newsletters. Thank you
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 97 15:14:17 EDT
From: "Jason Kilts"
Subject: Raleigh Ritz show
Well, two nights ago, I had the pleasure of seeing BFF again, this time at
the Ritz in Raleigh (great place, by the way). It's no surprise, I'm sure,
but they were fantastic. And I really mean they were fantastic! I wasn't
sure that they could sound that good live - maybe I was just too happy to be
there, or maybe I was just standing in the perfect spot for sound (though I
wouldn't think leaning on the front of the stage would be that great
acousticly), but they were even BETTER than I expected. The last time I saw
them, they were excellent, too, but it didn't sound like this. Geez, I hope
they sound like that at the Cat's Cradle next month.
I have also decided that the four best live songs I've ever heard are (in no
particular order): Jackson Cannery, Philosophy, Underground, and Julianne. I
think that there are other ones really close (Dumped, Best Imitation, One
Angry Dwarf, Kate, etc.), but those four are the tops. There are also three
other songs that I haven't heard live that I think would be fantastic: Eddie
Walker, Tom & Mary, and She Don't Use Jelly - I'll just have to hope they hit
me with one or more of those next time.
And just so that everyone knows, Steven's Last Night In Town sounded better
in this concert than I have ever heard it sound before. And the part when Ben
shook his butt after saying that was his mother's favorite part of every show
was hilarious. His mother was at the show, by the way.
On a couple other notes from the show: the two opening bands were decent.
Big Bang Theory is a three-piece guitarless group much like BFF, and they were
really quite good; and their lyrics were very entertaining. Venus Flytrap
Girls had a pretty good song - they played it about fourteen times and changed
the words associated with it, but I'm pretty sure it was just about the same
song all the way through. And about the drummer for Venus Flytrap Girls -
isn't that the guy that played drums for Shark Quest, the instrumental-only
band that opened for BFF at the Cradle last spring? I remember him because he
always looks so dang bored when they're playing. And one last thing about
VFG: could they possibly have hurried from song to song any faster? Did they
have a train to catch or something? wow.
And one last thing - I hope none of you ever becomes either so drugged out,
or so stupid, that you feel the need to jump on the stage TWICE and act like a
complete idiot. This young kid did that at the show, and I was around him
after the show when we were talking to Ben and Robert, and I REALLY hope he
was on some really good drugs. If that was how he acts normally, that is a
life recklessly headed toward loserland. What a piece of work.
Jason Kilts
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 15:22:17 -0400
From: Kenneth McKenna - SSG
Subject: Raleigh show
I caught BFF live for the 1st time Saturday in Raleigh, NC- fantastic
show! I traveled a long way to see them, and they did not disappoint.
I get the impression that tapes are swapped on this list, so I was
wondering if anyone taping the 10/18 show has a good recording they
would be willing to trade? Judging by the average age of the crowd,
I'm not sure I would have material that would interest the typical BFF
fan, so some other arrangement might have to be worked out. My e-mail
address is: kennemck@sbservices.com . Also, any info on where I might
be able to pick up cd singles w/ non-lp tracks would be greatly
appreciated.
Regards,
Ken McKenna
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 15:48:11 -0400 (EDT)
From: JCannery@aol.com
Subject: my web page!
I just put up my web page (for bff), so if you guys want you can check it
out! I have some interviews (including the launch cd-rom one), eventually
i'll have guitar tabs (i'm working on kate & emaline), and I think I might be
the only person with a web page who has lyrics to 'for those of y'all who
wear fanny packs'. I couldn't help it. Anyways, if you could check it out
i'd appriciate it! (Unfortunately, some people haven't been able to get to
it for some reason, tell me if you can't get to it). The address is:
http://members.aol.com/jcannery/bff
going to san fransisco in 37 days!
lindsay
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 15:48:21 -0400
From: Vito Biliti
Subject: SFTD in Japanese!!!
To all the people who have been wanting to hear Song For the dumped In
Japanese, It's up on my site as the RealAudio of the Week. Its at:
http://www.Geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/7544
Your Welcome,
Vito
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 15:50:19 -0400
From: Vito Biliti
Subject: music to One Angry Dwarf!!!!!
Hey all!
I hope this is a nice change to the Armchair. I'm gettin pretty sick of
all the arguing! So SHUT UP ALREADY!!!!! Anyway, I figured out OAD on Piano
a while ago. It is so close to the real thing that you wont believe it! I
hope this little translation works (it's just the intro- I'll put the rest
up some other time). I really hope that the notes line up correctly. It's
best if you make this message full-screen to read it. Have fun!!! Coming
Soon: Kate and BOWCCL!!!
Treble: -- = hold the note(s) #= sharp, obviously
- --------------------------------------------------------------------||
B A B B B A. A B B A. B A# A ||
F# F F# A F#-- F#-- F#-- F#-- F# F# :||
D# C D D# F F D--- D--- D--- D--- E D# D ||
- --------------------------------------------------------------------||
Bass: The left hand just plays straight quarter notes on beat! (i'm tryting
to match up the rythms with above)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------||
B B B B B B B B D D D D B B B B ||
B B B B B B B B D D D D B B B B :||
octave on the 2nd & 3rd to lowest B's & D's) ||
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------||
I hope you all take some time off of arguing to learn this. Give peace a
chance!
Vito
Goatman1@Geocities.com
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/7544/ my BF5 page! Check it out!
"You're my hero I confess"
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 15:53:11 -0400
From: Vito Biliti
Subject: elvin bishop
hi
I remember seeing a thing for a BF5 song called Elvin Bishop. Is this
really a song? I know it's a real guy- My calendar says his Birthday is
Tuesday, I think. (Happy birthday Elvin!) He's a musician. If anyone can
help me out, e-mail me privately.
Later,
Vito
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 15:55:09 -0400
From: Vito Biliti
Subject: SFTD in Japanese!!!
Sorry about the tripple posting, but I just found out why all my old posts
havent appeared, so here they are. This is regarding this week.
>To all the people who have been wanting to hear Song For the dumped In
Japanese, It's up on my site as the RealAudio of the Week. Its at:
>http://www.Geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/7544
>
>Your Welcome,
>Vito
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 97 15:34:46 EDT
From: "Emily Durand"
Subject: BOSTON SHOW ON NOV. 4: SHOW YOUR ARMCHAIR GOODNESS!
Hey all who are going to the Nov. 4th show at the Roxy in Boston (is there a
roxy in like every city or what?)... Show your Armchair identity by sporting
one of those "Hello, My Name Is..." stickers, with "WALTER" written in, and
we can be all cliquey together...See you there as early as possible...Em
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 16:13:02 EDT
From: sandishortcake@juno.com
Subject: Strange Bon Jovi reference, albums, & request for Cleve. show (READ THIS DOUG!)
Okay, in #547, Rebecca.Cole@mail.cc.trincoll.edu ended her note like
this:
>remember how we used to talk about bustin' out, we'd break their hearts,
>Rebby
Is it just me, or is that a Bon Jovi reference? I read that and kind of
giggled... "Never Say Goodbye", right? Ahhhh, brings me back to the
day...speaking of which, I saw Motley Crue in Pittsburgh last night and
although I hate to admit it, they ROCKED! Woo-hoo! Brought me back to
the days when I used to spin "Shout at the Devil" backwards on my Snoopy
record player...those were the days.
Onto BF5 content:
I like both albums equally.
And one more thing: (ATTENTION: DOUG AND BF5)
I will be absolutely CRUSHED if they don't play "Best Imitation" in
Cleveland...and the version WITH piano would be really cool. :)
- --Sandi
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #550
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