THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #582 - November 4, 1997



Magical Armchair Digest   Tuesday, November 4 1997   Volume 01 : Number 582



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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    hey y'all
    Ithaca show review
    BFF in Ypsi 
    Ithaca/ Cornell show
    Ypsi, Naked Babies and Frequently-Asked Questions
    Ben Folds in Counting Crows
    Help
    gita
    Cornell Univercity Setlist
    Re:Music Styles
    BFF = R.E.M., Possible Covers
    Ypsi show
    Another Poll
    What a Night
    Sheet music needed...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 21:06:51 -0500
From: schander@juno.com (joe s schanderson) 
Subject: hey y'all

Here's another post about the recent ypsilanti show. 

It was designed to be a sit down show. That didn't quite work. To be
honest I think it would have been cool to just sit and take it all in
but, a minor (in more ways than one) faction demanded we all stand. Oh
well.

In brick, I am quoting how Ben sang it, "to buy some flowers and sell
some kid that I got."

No more ambiguity in the words even. By the way, when does the video air?

Met some cool people from the list and I mean you! 

Ben and Company signed my "jane fonda's workout" record.  What dear boys.
Tired as they were.

If people haven't heard "the Ultimate Sacrifice" and some of the other
gems/diamonds in the rough that they have been known to play, Sledge said
they will be on the cd coming out in Jan. or Feb.

It was a good show. 

ta ta,

michigan joe

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 19:57:21 PST 
From: "Jerry Maloney" 
Subject: Ithaca show review

Ben Folds Five are probably the greatest men ever to walk the face of 
the earth.

Well, maybe that's a bit overboard... but they did put on a damn fine 
show in Ithaca tonight.

I won't do the play-by-play, but here are some things that i thought 
kicked ass:
- -- The piano solo on One Angry Dwarf was as amazing as it is on the 
album.  I don't know how he could play that that fast without messing 
something up, but he did it.
- -- The "Robert Sledge Sex Jam"-- they did a little jam in the middle of 
the show that started from a little riff on Robert's bass.  Ben started 
rapping, quoting liberally from Snoop Dogg.  Best line: "Play in the key 
of D, bi-atch!" (Ben to Robert)  I didn't expect this because i hadn't 
seen it on past reviews posted to the Armchair.  It was pretty nifty.
- -- What the hell is that wind/keyboard thing Ben was playing called?  
It's pretty cool.
- -- They started out Julianne with some sort of meringue beat or 
something, then transitioned into the way it is on the album.  (But they 
didn't bring the bag of trash with them!)
- -- Doesn't Darren look a lot like Dana Carvey playing the drums?  Not so 
much in his face, just the way his arms move.

I just wish it had been a bit less loud-- the vocals often got drowned 
out, especially Ben's (which means i missed most of his rap).  Truly a 
great performance, though.  I loved every minute of it.


Jerry


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------

Date: Sun,  2 Nov 1997 23:47:34, -0500
From: JLPD@prodigy.com ( SADIE   RUMSEY)
Subject: BFF in Ypsi 

  Okay, I know everyone else has already done their reviews on 
Ypsi so I'll try to keep this to a minimum.  It started out with Kim
Fox backed by the United States Three, who I completely fell  
in love with.  I mean, the suits?  The choreography?  Fantastic.
Anyways, on their last song I hear a couple of drunk people
sit down in the row behind me and completely distract me.  I 
didn't really want to ruin Kim Fox's set by turning around and
telling them to shut up, so I waited until the set was over, 
and who should I see but the same drunk chick who had been
at BFF at HORDE in St. Louis. (Hey Sandi!!! )  Then that
crappy band played and I took a nap (okay the guy with the
retainer was a sweetie) and then BFF!!!!!
  We all know what they played, and how much they rocked,
and Sandi thank you forever for requesting Best Imitation with
the piano because it completely made my night.  The only 
thing that could have made it better was if the people I was
with had known who the band was, 'cos it made me kinda
embarrassed when we went back to the Green Room and
everyone was just like, "Ummm...sign this.  Thank you."
And they were kinda bitches about getting up and dancing..
I hate to mention it, but I think they were about to kill Sandi
during Verbow.  But I had a fantastic time dancing 
spastically during the set with Eric (sorry, I really didn't 
mean to be so young ).  And I got to watch Kim Fox with
Ben Folds one seat down...I can't wait for the next show, but
I don't think anything will top this one for me.

- -JLPD/Sadie (Kara)

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 23:54:22 -0500
From: Matt Golden 
Subject: Ithaca/ Cornell show

WOW, wow, wow!  Such an incredible show!  The two openers were OK, (Kim Fox
and Verbow), Verbow had this funky cello thing going for it.  But anyway,
When the boys took the stage it was just wildness.  They opened with Dr.
Pyser and it was just pandamonium where we were (4th row, very cool)  then
they went right into the battle of who can care less.  Really wildly
energetic from everywhere the whole way through.  Then like, Robert and Ben
impersonated a suicidal Professor.  Kinda funky but very funny.  They then
went into Missing the War.  The rest of the set was cool- I don't remember
everything, unfortunately, but they did do this whole improv thingy called
Robert's Sex Jam.  So incredibly funny, we were all dying.  Ben went into
Bow wow wow yippie yay, Roberts sex jam in the mother ------- house.
Anyway, there was just tons of energy and they all seemed to be in pretty
good moods, especially Derren.  The encore was cool- they started with
Boxing (I would have liked them to play Kate, though they didn't :(   and
then went to She Don't Use Jellly.  Then they finished off with song for
the dumped.  It was a totally incredible experience.  I have never seen so
many people just go completely wild.  Well, that's about all of my
ramblings here.  I can't wait to see them again.

					-Matt in the mother ------- house

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 00:17:10 -0500 (EST)
From: Frank Maynard 
Subject: Ypsi, Naked Babies and Frequently-Asked Questions

Good to see several Armchairites at the Ypsilanti show Saturday night. It 
was one of their better shows and the first I've seen where everything 
just seemed to click.  My impression is that they are much more at ease 
with touring now than they ever have been and it definitely shows.

The setlist (which is similar to that in other cities, so if you want to 
be surprised, page down past this):

Missing the War
Best Imitation of Myself
Philosophy
Selfless, Cold & Composed
Theme from Dr. Pyser
Best Imitation of Myself
The Last Polka
Steven's Last Night in Town
Fair
Brick
Kate
Jackson Cannery
One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces
Smoke
Julianne
Underground
Encores:
Emaline
She Don't Use Jelly

As Mark Piper reported, "Naked Baby Photos" is the name of the Caroline 
release that's coming out early next year. Still not clear on the date; 
Ben seemed to think it was February.

Rebecca asked about a FAQ. Scott Schneider maintains one at 
http://www.globaldialog.com/~echo/bff/bff_info.html.  In the message that 
goes out to new subscribers, there is a mention of the various web 
resources available.  A little-publicized feature of the pages that I 
maintain (at http://oeonline.com/bff/) is that many of the lyrics contain 
links that explain what's being referred to (eg, Bhagavad Gita, Ross & 
Frank, etc.).  Look under Discography, then follow the album and song 
title links. It's always being updated and added to as I get around to it.

Finally, the long out-of-stock songbooks will be available again soon 
through the band's web page, http://www.bffweb.com.  How soon, I can't 
say. When I do know for sure, I'll mention it.  There will also be a 
limited number of songbooks from Whatever & Ever Amen.

 -fjm
                    Rip out the binding and tear the glue

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 23:28:13 -0600
From: Dave Spafford 
Subject: Ben Folds in Counting Crows

In response to the Counting Crows song Monkey,
Here are the lyrics for the Ben Folds inference section

 Got nowhere but home to go
 Got Ben folds on my radio right now
 I'm in trouble for the things I need
 Hey monkey, don't you want to be needed too?

I copied these lyrics straight from the 'Recovering the Satellite' CD insert.

Time flies like arrows, Fruit flies like bananas
				
				- Groucho Marx

- ----------------------
Visit my pages at

http://www.win.bright.net/~sspaffor/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/1123/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/2757/index.html

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 00:14:25 -0600 (CST)
From: Clio 
Subject: Help

I'm going to Los Angeles in a few days for a long weekend and i was
wondering if anyone could recommend a radio station. I figure anything
that plays BFF is good.  Thanks
Amie 

- --Amie Carvel  
	"They're lined up at the window, peer down into limbo
     They're frightened of jumping, in case they survive"
			--Barenaked Ladies
http://www.tc.umn.edu/nlhome/m429/carv0022
carv0022@maroon.tc.umn.edu 

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 00:43:37 -0600 (CST)
From: "Adam 'DeLicious' DeLisse" 
Subject: gita

hi all,
	before anyone else says anything about the Gita, let's straighten
some things out.  First of all, it's not a Buddhist text...it's Hindu, and
there is a LARGE difference.  Second of all, it has nothing to do with
being a Hare Krishna or whatever you call it.  The book's theme is mostly
about being a good Hindu and practicing the tasks that being in your caste
calls for.  Some of the story line is already on Frank Maynard's FAQ page
taken from an email I wrote earlier.  if i may, i'd like to expand on the
idea to let everyone know how it works.  the original hindus in india
worked under a caste system.  it is now called a 4+1 caste system because
4 castes were included in society and the lowest caste was not considered
human.  the highest of the four castes are the priestly class, the
brahmans, named after the creation god Brahma.  the second class is the
warrior class, the kshatryias.  the third class is the merchant class, and
i believe they were called the shudras.  the fourth class was the
agricultural working class, and i forget their indian name.  of course,
the class that was left out of society were the untouchables.  these were
the people that were employed to do services that no one else would do,
like clean dung off the streets and such.  if you have any more questions,
feel free to ask.  i am not indian, or hindu for that matter, but i have
made intensive studies into eastern cultures and particularly enjoy hindu
texts and beliefs.

talk to ya'll later

Adam DeLisse
					.
				       / \
				      / V \
				     /     \
				    / V V V \
				   /   V V   \
				  / V   V   V \
				 /             \ 
				/ V V V V V V V \
			       /   V V V V V V   \
			      / V   V V V V V   V \
			     /       V V V V       \
			    / V V V   V V V   V V V \
			   /   V V     V V     V V   \
			  / V   V   V   V   V   V   V \
			 /____________________________ \ 

   ...............and people say there is no beauty in math..............

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 01:57:05 EST
From: Mansuetude 
Subject: Cornell Univercity Setlist

I'm not much of a reviewer, but I can say I didn't care much for the opening
bands Verbow and Kim Fox.  The boys were great! This is my first BFF concert,
so I dont know if they get better.  They melodica sounded a little off-key...

Set-list:
Dr.Physer, BoWCCL, Philosophy, Selfless, Missing the War, Last Polka, Stephen,
Fair, Brick, Best Imitation of Myself, Robert Sledge's Sex Jam, Jackson
Cannery, OADand200SF, Smoke, Juilliane, and Underground
Encores:
Boxing, She Don't Use Jelly, Song For the Dumped

This was I really exciting concert, I only wish I could of gotten closer
instead of being stuck in my seat the whole show.  I broke out laughing when I
heard Robert Sledge's Sex Jam for the first time!  This was a fairly simply
song, but very interesting.  My brother was disapointed that he didn't get to
see Uncle Walter, but we both had fun when Robert unpluged his bass and played
the end of the corrd on his hand and Ben played the piano strings with his
mike during Song for the Dumped.

Kris (krayola)

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 02:54:36 -0600
From: Pluvius Dope 
Subject: Re:Music Styles

This is really off topic, but I fear that I have been unsubscribed, so this
is partially a test, but this is a really personal listserv, so I feel that
I can share things that I am thinking about:

I don't know if anyone likes old school rap, but I am a huge fan of
SugarHill gang, and there is a SUPAH PHAT remix of "Rapper's Delight" that
is out redone by RedMan, Keith Murray, And Eric Sermon. I dunno. Maybe
y'all should pick it up. The song is undeniably cool, and here is my BFF
tie in, it has a really smooth bass line that about %75 percent of all
music is based on (Something I heard a long time ago, maybe it's not true,
but atleast 5 songs have the bassline note for note). Peace Out




Pluvius Dope

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 97 03:07:20 -0600
From: Nick McGlawn 
Subject: BFF = R.E.M., Possible Covers

>So I was listening to WAEA as I went to sleep the other night (as i do 
>so often) and was struck by how much Smoke and Evaporated remind me of 
>the R.E.M. song Nightswimming. which is probably my favorite R.E.M. song 
>of all time. i suppose it's the similarities in the beautiful slow piano 
>and string arrangements that reminded me of it. what do you guys think?

I've always thought they sounded similar.  In fact, I even mentioned it 
in that whole 'Bands that should play with BFF' thing a while back (the 
one where everyone jumped on me for not knowing where Son Volt was from 
;-).  But I suppose they only sound alike because of the piano.  Very few 
bands these days feature a piano, so we naturally draw comparisons 
between those that do.  Other than that and a definite melancholy tone, I 
really can't see any similarities.

And a song I'd like to hear BFF cover:
'I Remember Larry' by Weird Al Yankovic.  I know, strange choice, but it 
already has all the elements of a BFF classic (harmonization, wit, etc.). 
 Replace the guitar with a baby-grand, and you've got a hit single.

- -Nick
"All those wedgies he gave, all those shoestrings he tied
All those brownies he made with the Ex-lax inside
Oh, Lar', I swear it was a laugh a minute with you"

------------------------------

Date: 03 Nov 97 08:15 EDT
From: KLEVERING.KRISTIN@ANN-ARBOR.VA.GOV
Subject: Ypsi show

The show just rocked! I won't bore you with how good it was because it
looks like others have already said what I would say.
 
But I have to tell of my encounter during when Kim Fox was playing.  I had
front row seats, next to the aisle, left of center (I got them so I could
see Ben play the piano, when I saw them before I was right in front of
Robert.  Well, my friend Cat is sitting on the aisle and I'm sitting next
to her.  I started getting restless so I started looking around and I
freaked!  Ben was sitting right across the aisle, next to Cat!  I
instantally turned into a 13 year old again and started giggling and
clutching onto my friend's arm (she'd never heard the band before and of
course, was hooked after that night).
 
It was a great time had by all.  And what I can't figure out is why it's
the boys who yell "Sexy Motherfucker" to Ben.  Strange.
 
Hi to Jeff, EMU class of 1996 - did the show change your life or what?

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 09:32:04 -0500
From: "Lance E. Johnson" 
Subject: Another Poll

Hi, all!

Some of you will hate this, but...

Desert Island Question: which three -- and only three -- songs by BF5 must
you have with you in order to survive?

Mine:
1. "The Last Polka"
2. "Tom and Mary"
3. "Mitchell Lane" (narrowly beating-out "Brick")

Thank you!

Lance

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 09:32:08 -0500
From: "Lance E. Johnson" 
Subject: What a Night

For once, Pluvius, I agree with you -- that is, if you are referring to the
Four Seasons' "Oh, What a Night (December 1963)".  I think that it would
fit very nicely into the BF5 sets.  

Good suggestion!

Lance

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 08:59:07 -0600 (CST)
From: General Apathy and Major Boredom 
Subject: Sheet music needed...

I need a copy of the sheet music for Evaporated because it's part of
musical I'm writing...any help as to where I can look/find something like
this would be much appreciated.  

Thank you,

By the Grace of God Go I,
Steve K.

:)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=> :)#=>

Steve Kristoff          sk26@evansville.edu   RSChristopher@hotmail.com
ICQ UIN:681494           http://spruce.evansville.edu/~sk26/opening.htm
Owner CSL Detroit Lions  CSL http: www.public.asu.edu/~sedanta/csl.htm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++    
Junior Mass Communications Major   |  Captain and Midfielder
University of Evansville           |  Schroeder Hall Penguins
Schroeder Hall 121                 |  1 Goal, 2 Assists, 2 Games
___________________________________________________________________________
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I... took the one less traveled by, and
that has made all the difference.
                              - Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken"           
===========================================================================
It is not the fall that kills you, % "It seems it's always the crazy times
it the sudden stop at the end.     % You find you'll wake up and realize
 - D. Adams                        % It takes more than saline eyes
                                   % To make things right." -Jars of Clay
___________________________________%________________________________________

------------------------------

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #582
**************************************


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