THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #705 - December 13, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Saturday, December 13 1997 Volume 01 : Number 705
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
My New Email Address.
Computer problems
Songbook
Shepherd's Bush Empire
RE: Armchair person requests special favor...come on, hear me out
A cautionary tale....
unsubscribe
ahoy
LONDON
Re: alternate list
Rooting for Brick
Concert - UK
Divorce
Hey Pluvius
the first time........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 23:58:43 -0600
From: punkerboy@webtv.net (JOHN SCHOLTES, Jr.)
Subject: My New Email Address.
Hello...
I just wanted to tell everyone that punkerboy@webtv.net is no
longer valid. My new email is: Soulcoffer@aol.com
Thanks,
Johnny
"Sometimes I punch myself as hard as I can yelling 'nobody cares' hoping
someone will tell me how wrong I am" -Ben Folds
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/1867/ High Velocity Online
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 09:10:51 MEZ-1MESZ
From: "REIFFERT CHRISTOPH FB07" <reiffert@hrz2.uni-oldenburg.de>
Subject: Computer problems
Hi there,
again, my mail program deleted several MAD messages. So I need your
help to get
# 686 - #690 and #694
again. I really hope that I'll be able to fix the problem soon.
Thanks again to those who'll be helping me out !
Chris
I've got my philosophy
(Ben Folds Five)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 00:24:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Batman <wallmr@whitman.edu>
Subject: Songbook
Would Kim, who posted about the songbook, please email me? I couldn't get
your email to work... Thanks!
Max
wallmr@whitman.edu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 08:39:59 +0000
From: "Chris Marsh" <winkie@easynet.co.uk>
Subject: Shepherd's Bush Empire
I've known for months where I wanted to sit - same place as last
time, "best seats in the house" above the moshpit on Ben's side of
the stage. Nightmare journey there and the doors had already opened -
dash up to level one. People already there! dammit. We perch
ourselves on the end of the same row and will them to move. Just as
the opening band come on, two guys leave their seats and my husband
and I clamber in. Someone doth protest methinks but the music was too
loud for argument. In the break between songs it's pointed out to us
that someone is already sitting there...yes, us....this could get
nasty. But wait, isn't that guy on the end wearing a name tag?
It was too dark to read it but my powers of deduction told me it
must be Anthony. I identified myself as a fellow Armchair member and
we agreed to squash up so we could all stay there. Thanks guys :-)
The opening band was the same as last time. Did I like them then?
Surely not! Very mediocre. Now, I must have missed something because
all these months I have been expecting Travis but it was going to beEther,
again, same as last time, and I know I didn't like them before. I
have to say though, that they have improved immeasureably and were
really very good. They had their own following there too which added
to the atmosphere.
When BFF came on, starting with Dr. Peyser, then straight into
BOWCCL, I didn't think they quite as good as I'd seen them before.
The harmonies weren't so tight or maybe the sound balance was wrong
,or maybe the crush of the crowd was just too distracting. But
somewhere during Jackson Cannery all that changed and they were as
superb as ever. Nearly every song was an audience singalong, although
people did quieten down in Brick and not many people seemed to know
She Don't Use Jelly which was the highlight of the show for me, so
much better than on the CD. Good to hear Darren and Robert taking
lead vocals too. We had Rob's disco opening to Underground, a
beautiful rendition of Smoke, the salsa start to Julianne.....and,
another highlight, a storming Song For The Dumped.
What a show!
chris
___
"There are no rules here, only piles of mistakes
That we swear we'll learn from, then we just go ahead and make"
Dog's Eye View "What I Know Now"
winkie@easynet.co.uk
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 10:19:33 -0000
From: Richard Lee <roo@orb.org.uk>
Subject: RE: Armchair person requests special favor...come on, hear me out
WOW!!! The concert was totally amazing last night, I've never seen such energy from a band,
they were witty, charming, friendly, stoopid and just....brilliant. They started off with the Theme from
Dr.Pyser straight into Battle Of Who Could Care Less, I'm sorry but from then on it was all a blur, the
night went so quick and before I knew it they were doing an encore which was Boxing and Song For The
Dumped, this went down a storm as everyone was shouting out for it all night. Highlights for me were
Underground, She Don't Use Jelly (Ben seems to really like The Flaming Lips), Best Immitation and every
other song they played, I can honestly say that my mind did not wander once during the concert and I was on
a high for the whole set. Seeing them live has made me even more of an obsessive fan now and I can honestly
say that in my opinion they're the best band in the world, I just wish I could find someone to match them or
at least come close. Oh one more thing, the bit where Darren came down to do his bit on underground
cracked me up, he just stood there and made this funny groaning noise, then Robert went into his Disco thing
and BOOM!! It kicks into Underground and the crowd go mad, completely faultless, utter perfection, all I can say
now is I hope they continue to produce great albums and tour lots 'cos I couldn't handle it if they split up,
I mean sure there's loads of "other" bands out there but none can touch me like BFF do, especially when he
starts pummeling that piano, amen.
Rich
"Go ahead you can laugh all you want"
P.S. Has anyone noticed that little dance that Robert does when he's playing?
P.P.S. Has anyone noticed how the band sound like Sifil and Olli from MTV, especially
when Darren came down to do Underground.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 11:38:29 GMT
From: "Mark Piper" <mfp540@novell3.bham.ac.uk>
Subject: A cautionary tale....
Jordan wrote:
> but I DO think the
> Armchair should be removed form BFF's webpage. If we don't, it'll turn into a
> list that people just join, and eventually in turn that means we'll have a
> bunch of 15 year old girls who just them for one song and think Ben is a
> hotty.
A few years ago, Frank Black saw that the UK music press were not at
all fond of his musical output. So, says Frank, I just won't tell
them about the next stuff I do. Frank Black has sold about 3 albums
since then. Watching him play at T In The Park festival in 96, I had
at least 5 people come up and ask me who the hell that was on
stage.... Moral: Don't start thinking you're too good for other
people....
On another note, I must say thanks very much for all the mail I've
received about the FAQ. Already, the Armchair is a better place to be
:)
And finally, tis that time of year when I have to depart..... No
Armchair for a whole month! Gads, how am I going to keep myself
informed! Anyway, hopefully I should be able to keep my webpage as
updated as possible with the couple of hours of access I should be
able to get.
Now, y'all behave while I'm away, y'hear?
Have a great Christmas....
Mark
+------------------------------------------------------+
| mfp540@bham.ac.uk pipermf@phymat.bham.ac.uk |
| Ben Folds Five: Looks, Brains & Everything - |
| http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/bff.html |
+------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 04:59:46 -0700 (MST)
From: SJ@ASU.EDU
Subject: unsubscribe
unsubscribe
ALTMAN OUT
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 04:59:52 PST
From: "Rick Mealey" <rickmealey@hotmail.com>
Subject: ahoy
Yo, yo, and furthermore, yo:
Been lurking for about ten or fifteen armchairs now-- I came in just
as the group was getting a spankie from Our Moderator over the ill
manners of one or several. I'm only posting now 'cause I spent last
night on a major BFF jag (with the first album and WAEA) and wanted
to vent.
My first exposure to the boys? An interview in Keyboard magazine with
Ben, in which he displayed himself as a reasonably intelligent
individual with some understanding of what music was about. The
article made something of the fact that Ben and the piano enjoy a
very physical relationship, with Ben using palms, elbows, feet, and
coolies on the ivories. I thought, gee, Jerry Lee Lewis used to do
that, and on occasion Terry Adams from NRBQ... and even I, in my
onstage abandon, have been known to bust a few synthesizer keys from
time to time (but please don't think that I put myself in any league
with Messrs Lewis, Adams, and Folds...). If you're not a pianist (and
I have a feeling there is in fact more than one sitting in the
armchair), I can tell you it is a visceral thrill to just abandon all
pretense of harmony and melody and just wail like a gorilla.
Some months later I found the first record on special and thought,
well, what the hell. Me and the Mrs spent some time playing Spot The
Influence, but finally I said, you know, it doesn't really matter if
he's wearing Billy Joel or Todd Rundgren on his sleeve-- these are
damn good songs. And it reminded me that they stopped making records
like this a long time ago. And *that* reminded me of how special a
record like this is when it comes along.
That's my How I Discovered Ben Folds Five story. A few random
thoughts now, and then I'll yield:
I heard someone mention that Ben played a Steinway. I thought he
endorsed Baldwin? (At least on record, it sure *sounds* like a
Baldwin...).
In light of the recent speculations and few facts which have surfaced
about Ben's divorce from Kate, does anyone else get the impression
that most of WAEA is an extended meditation on the end of a
relationship-- specifically, their marriage? In other words, it's
Face Value for the 90s, without Phil Collins' endless whining,
moaning, and crying to weigh it down. (Talk about bricks and sinking
slowly.) I guess this presupposes that there was already trouble in
paradise while the record was being made.... This is *only
speculation*, and perhaps bears no resemblance to the truth as
experienced by those involved-- but it would seem to shine a
different light on WAEA. Just a thought...
If I had taken any of the boys to my prom (back in 1980, and now you
can do the math to figure out my age), the football team would have
opened up a can of whoop-ass on me... all over the gymnasium. (See,
I'm a guy...).
Gotta run...
HokayBYEnow,
Rick
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 14:06:39 +0000
From: "B.D.WATTS" <tl6304@qmw.ac.uk>
Subject: LONDON
They came they saw they conquered.
BEN WATTS
TL6304@QMW.AC.UK
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 09:27:16 EST
From: Angrydwarf <Angrydwarf@aol.com>
Subject: Re: alternate list
In a message dated 12/12/97 11:58:15 AM, you wrote:
<<Uhm, whoever offered to make a simplified version of the armchair, i think
i'd like a copy. I don't want to miss out on anything while i'm on break
but i don't want my box crammed with MA's while i'm away either>>
The alternate list is underway....the first one went out today 12/12...for
anyone who doesn't know..the list is basically a place to initiate trades more
efficiently as well as share reviews on shows/boots and get general band info.
If anyone else is interested in the first issue to see what it's all about
just send me an e-mail.
The Dwarf
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 10:17:40 -0500
From: James Campbell <campbell@virl.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Subject: Rooting for Brick
If anybody is interested, according to...
www.radioairplay.com
....Brick is currently #11 for alternative radio
around the country, and is still gaining a few
station adds as well as total plays. Should easily
break the top #10 when all is said and done.
This site is pretty cool to check it as it allows
you to see which stations are actually playing
the song (at least that they recognize).
It's really a good question as to what the second
SNL song will be. I suppose it would have to be
off of the Sony album so I'd say 'Dwarf', as they
already did 'Battle' on Conan/NBC.
Cheers,
- -- James
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 97 13:52:02 +0100
From: Bengt Stenstr=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=f6m?= <bengt.stenstrom@swipnet.se>
Subject: Concert - UK
>In 3 hours I'm going to witness what will hopefully be an amazing concert
>from the best band in the world EVER!!!!! Shepards Bush awaits. YES!!!!!
I hope you give us a review... :-)
Bengt S
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 08:06:52 -0800
From: "Kamp, Marcus S" <Marcus.Kamp@PSS.Boeing.com>
Subject: Divorce
Listening to Ben's songs got me through my divorce last year, may
playing them do the same for him this year (if that's what' going on).
Markus
If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid
seeing yourself in the mirror, because
I bet that's what REALLY throws you into a panic.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 12:38:16 -0500
From: Rebecca.Cole@mail.trincoll.edu (Rebecca Cole)
Subject: Hey Pluvius
>You said that MTV chose to splatter Brick around, Oh Contrair Mon Frere,
>Sony chooses which songs they want to release as a single.
Sony chose to release Brick, but they also chose to release One Angry Dwarf
and Battle of Who Could Care Less. MTV didn't splatter those two all over.
Brick is the one they chose of the singles off Whatever and Ever.
Je ne suis pas ton frere. Je suis ta soeur. :)
Happy birthday to me,
Rebby
PS- Whoever said that BF5 should cover the Charlie Brown Xmas album is SO
RIGHT. I can just imagine "Christmastime is Here." It gives me shivers just
thinking of it!
***
"Every jumbled pile of person has a thinking part that wonders what the
part that isn't thinking isn't thinking of."
-TMBG
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 13:45:07 EST
From: F2G 2 <F2G2@aol.com>
Subject: the first time........
i heard bf5 was about a week after their eponymous debut was released. i had
read a coupla music magazine articles about this "hot new band bf5," but i
refused to be impressed. not til I heard them.
i was driving home from work, early one night, at about 9. just the time when
the local "pseudo-alterna" station was having their BATTLE OF NEW TUNES, or
some such nonsense.
it was the presiding champ, seven mary three's "cumbersome" vs. a NC band
called ben folds five, and their first single "underground."
well, it lost.
but i went out the next day to 3 stores until i found it. and it's been in
heavy rotation in my cd player ever since............
matthew
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #705
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