THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #716 - December 20, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Saturday, December 20 1997 Volume 01 : Number 716
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
DARREN JESSEE
bff #1 for 1997 on smash hits!!!! & i got bff on snl!!!!
best of '97
feb tour dates?
Massive!
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #715
Tour, #bff?, SNL
what promotional savvy!
vcr alert -- ben on jen
joy to the world
BFF's "Whatever..." voted 8th best album of the year by Entertainment Weekly
a nod in EW's Best-of-the-Year
Re: Ben&Kate
here
anyone got MRL?
Emp T.V. Live
GODDAMM!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 12:49:00 +1030 (CDT)
From: Ruth Starke <ruth.starke@flinders.edu.au>
Subject: DARREN JESSEE
As you may or may not know, I and a friend are in the process of setting up
a Darren Jessee Appreciation Page on the net (because he's everybody's
favourite all-star drummer) and we are looking for anything relevant to him
to put on the site.
Stories, information (anyone know his birthday? Stuff like that), anecdotes
(particularly if you happen to know him), and PHOTOS of him especially would
be greatly appreciated. If anyone has some original photos of Darren that
have not already been plastered all over other sites (we are trying to keep
our site fresh) WE WOULD LOVE THEM!! Scanned photos would be magic (gif or
jpg), but if you could post them to us we would be most happy to scan them
ourselves.
Anyone with ANYTHING, absolutely ANYTHING to offer, please contact me at
naturalselection@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Petra
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 22:21:14 -0500
From: obscuredsp@juno.com (lawson t bennett)
Subject: bff #1 for 1997 on smash hits!!!! & i got bff on snl!!!!
well, its not as exciting as the subject line says- on our local college
radio station 88.1 (NCSU) they had a top 100 of the year and fair was
number one- pretty rad huh? odd since i had to cut 2 bff songs when i put
it on tape 4 my car, and fair was one of them (smoke was the other)
smash hits is the local music hour, and this is raleigh, so duh bff won
- --------SNL--------
last year i was talking to my great uncle- he's the dad of the
cheerleader guy on snl- will ferrell- he's also played the unabomber,
janet reno, and the middle school choir teacher guy- funny i used to
watch snl all the time, it was the only show i watched- and then my
second cousin auditioned and made the cast- now he's famous- watch for
his movie coming out soon- its about the disco dancer guys that always
dance to that "what is love" song that he plays with cris katan or
however ya spell his name- AANNNYYWAAYYYYY- i was talking to will's dad
last year and i told him to be on the lookout for bff cause i couldnt see
how they couldn't (oh shit, chris farley died- ok now im depressed) well
lemme finish- i said i couldn't see how bff couldn't get big- i tend to
think talent will always win out over crap- guess im an optimist.
anyway, he told will about them, and after bff got that song on mtv, will
told the head guy at snl that they should have them on- ok, i made that
last part up, but who knows, maybe will put the word in after their name
came up cause his dad told him about them- he (my great-uncle) also sent
me newspaper clippings of times they were in the paper or a music
magazine for something.
p.s.- here's a short topic if anyone's bored- what 2 songs would you cut
if you had to off WAEA? im not dissin smoke or fair- they played smoke
toward the end of the set when everyone needed a short break from all the
jumping around and it was perfect, and fair, while i dont really like the
album version, came together wonderfully live- i really dug it- the one
bass note didnt sound as dead as on the record because robert kept it
alive
lawson bennett ----obscuredsp@juno.com
THE SMASHING PUMPKINS BEN FOLDS FIVE TORIAMOS
PJ HARVEY MManson NIN Bjork Drum&Bass
two of us, that's dangerous
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 00:05:12 +0100
From: Lou Papineau <loup@ids.net>
Subject: best of '97
'whatever' graces the "50 best albums of 1997" list in Q, which is
arguably the most prestigious music magazine in England. And I quote:
"Arriving hot on the heels of Ben Folds Five's eponymous, much-lauded
debut, it would seem there is an urgency in their step. Recorded at
Folds's home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (the sleevenotes thank 'the
neighbours for not calling the cops on us during this recording'),
Whatever And Ever Amen is a musical sequel in every sonic and musical
sense. Still driven by, in turns, intricately ornate or plainly
pummelled piano -- best exemplified by the wry yet furious Song For The
Dumped and the beautifully melancholic Missing The War -- Ben Folds Five
continue to go against the alternative grain while proudly waving the
MOR flag." (Q is available at borders and barnes & noble and cool record
shops. it's worth $7. even better is 'mojo,' a stunning mag which
adroitly covers classic and contemporary rock music in every issue. buy
one and you'll be hooked.)
"whatever" was also lodged on two of the boston globe's critics best-of
lists. joan anderman dubbed it the best pop album of the year. she, of
course, is right.
lou
"car seat is freezing"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 00:07:49 -0500 (EST)
From: bagley sarah r <srbagl@mail.wm.edu>
Subject: feb tour dates?
One quick question:
1. Does anyone know if the tour dates for next year (feb and stuff) are
listed somewhere? I am trying to find out if they are coming to Va again
or some place within a few hours.
Thanks
Sarah
PS Not to take away from the band in any way, but did anyone else think
they sounded nervous on Letterman? just a thought.
Also thanks for all the replies about the counting crows song.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 22:37:34 PST
From: "Karen Tran" <pink_fly@hotmail.com>
Subject: Massive!
Hey all.
There is a Ben Folds Five article in the latest issue of Massive! and a
picture too. Also the big Livid poster has two(!) pic's of Ben and
they're reasonably big pics. I think this magazine is Australian
produced unless other parts of the world import this magazine. On the
cover are silverchair looking dopey as ever.
P.S Got the Brick single today. The Kate Ska remix track was not what I
expected. I thought it would sound totally different to what the album
version sounded like but I guess it sounded pretty much the same, with
the addition of a few other instruments here and there.
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 01:47:42 -0500
From: srtown0@pop.uky.edu
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #715
Simple.
I am a huge BFF fan. Here in Lexington, Ky. Looking for a show in the
region or a fan to join me in support. Thought they sounded great on
Letterman last night, though the BOWCCL w/ Paul Shaffer was not available, I
was damn pissed. I think Paul Shaffer is a huge BFF fan, and he should be
utilized by the Armchair in some way. Any fans in the Bluegrass? I am a
keyboardist in a regional band, looking for a "Foldsesque" group to depart
to . Later
Scott T.
"She never gets wet, She smiles, and It's a rainbow." Ben Folds
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 08:53:15 +0100
From: Dave <djm@lancom.com>
Subject: Tour, #bff?, SNL
For whoever asked what the tour date for NYC was, I'd tell ya that I
haven't seen any new tour dates up yet, but I do know that BFF is doing
another US tour starting in feb, so dates shouldn't be too far off ;l
also, if there isn't already a BFF channel on undernet, then does anyone
want to register one with me ?(if there is, someone please tell me what it
is) I know there is one on EFNet, but I figure why not have one on undernet
too? eh? email me if you think that's not a retarded idea, and if you want
to register say... #bff with me (a channel needs 10 supporters before it can
be registered with CService).
Oh, and BFF is on SNL on Jan 10th, not Dec 20th (incase that hadn't already
been cleared up). It's the Christmas special or something this Saturday.
- - Dave
"I guess you're as real as me, maybe I can live with that" - weezer
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 09:32:36 -0500
From: stuart@optics.rochester.edu (Howie Stuart)
Subject: what promotional savvy!
>Well, in a fit of savvy marketing, MTV, VH1 and M2 will
>all simulcast the accompanying video... you guessed it, at 6 a.m. on the day
>after Christmas.
I seem to recall four or five months ago someone questioning Sony's
promotional strategies when they did *not* choose "Kate" as the big
summer single - and I agreed - it would have made a great feel-good
song of the summer.
Well... it seems someone at Sony had an ace up their sleeve this
whole time. Release "Brick" just in time to have it scaling up the
charts on the day after Christmas. What marketing brilliance! Now
we've got "Brick" as the feel-sad song of the Christmas season.
Things have really quieted down here the last few days. This is the
first time in months that I've been able to read the full contents
of the Armchair *two* days in a row! I guess with all the college
kids home for the holidays, it's just you teenagers and us old folk :-)
Howie
------------------------------
Date: 19 Dec 97 12:20:01 +0000
From: lou papineau <lpapineau@phx.com>
Subject: vcr alert -- ben on jen
the bff appearance on the jenny mccarthy show will air on mtv this
sunday, dec. 21 at 5 a.m., according to rockontv.com
lou
"no supper for you"
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 21:24:32 -0500
From: aplauri@juno.com (Philip J. L.)
Subject: joy to the world
hey all-
just wanted to wish you all, before you go on break and unsub from
MA..... guess what, brick is on the radio right now as we speak..... #6
on the top nine at 9, on 89X for all you people who live in the detroit
area.....
anyway, hope all you people that are going to see bff on 'mtv live' have
a great time!!! that'll be a blast!!! wish i could be there...... (if
possible) pick up some promo stuff for me if you find it in the goodness
of your heart!!!! i got tons o' boots to trade (all bff)
merry christmas to all, and to all a good night! (and happy hanukah and
the other christmas equivalents)
philip
p.s.- bff on mtv live, 6:00 PM be there or be square, vcr and all!!!
"who's got the looks, who's got the brains. . . who's got everything???"
- -BEN FOLDS
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 14:30:55 EST
From: Keyserdan1 <Keyserdan1@aol.com>
Subject: BFF's "Whatever..." voted 8th best album of the year by Entertainment Weekly
It's on p.161 of the Dec. 26th/Jan. 2nd "BEST OF '97"
- -Dan
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 13:07:43 PST
From: "cynthia wang" <lemur2000@hotmail.com>
Subject: a nod in EW's Best-of-the-Year
Hi y'all,
BFF gets some recognition in the "Second Opinion" Best of Song section
of Entertainment Weekly's Best and Worst of the Year issue. Says
reviewer Chris Williams about WAEA:
"If any comer seems a smart bet to someday follow [Paul] Simon onto
Broadway, it's Folds, whose awesomely well-constructed, sober ballads
are even better than his piano-pounding flights of bumblebee
smart-aleckiness."
Cool.
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Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 17:31:44 EST
From: JoanneQ <JoanneQ@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Ben&Kate
It’s one thing to be magnanimous and say we all shouldn’t “gossip” or
speculate over the rumors we hear re: B&K’s breakup.
But why can’t we be curious?
Why can’t we care?
If you remember, we all we told of Ben’s newlywed status when WAEA was
released...We all love the song Kate - a tribute to a girl with a one-syllable
name that she dared he couldn’t write…Many of us met her hanging out after
shows…And anyone who read Kate’s article in “Cake” magazine is probably
broken-hearted about this rumor, like I am.
Why is it so wrong to wonder whether its true or not? Why is it so wrong to
care?
Joanne
- he had gotten what he wanted a crowd to watch him bear the pain
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 16:47:19 -0500
From: abfarout@juno.com (Andy P Brown)
Subject: here
unsubscribe
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 18:53:37 EST
From: "Carleton Hsing" <notelrac@hotmail.com>
Subject: anyone got MRL?
Hi everyone...I finally have a couple minutes to write before I
head out, so this is going to be quick...
I remember the first time I heard Ben Folds Five...it was on the
radio show Modern Rock Live, which is syndicated all over the country,
as you might know. This was the Sunday night before their first album
was to be released, I remember, and I was immediately drawn to them,
they were totally different from anything out there, and still are. It
was a great 90 minutes with the band, with interviews and live
performances. So I'm wondering if any old time BFF fans might possibly
have that show on tape? I would greatly appreciate it if I could trade
for it with anyone. E-mail me personally.
I've got to thank Sarah (Stokes) for reminding me about the band's
appearance on MTV Live! I had no idea since I hadn't read any posts
this past week. I'm watching it now while eating Boston Market, and
it's good. The show I mean. Thanks for this and also everything else
Sarah, you rock! ;-)
I don't know when you'll be reading this, but a special shout out
to Jackie...I hope you're not so stressed now, I hope we get to talk
soon. :-)
Anna...your tape will be going out soon, I promise...I'm almost
done. :-) And also hello to Kel, hope you are well. :-P
Okay, I've got to go now...so everybody, Happy Holidays! Take care
of yourselves.
____________________________________________________________
This message has been mindlessly delivered by Carleton Hsing
a.k.a. enlitened on WBS and IRC
ICQ#1978769
notelrac@hotmail.com or notelrac@erols.com
http://www.tapetrading.com/lists/n/o/notelrac@hotmail.com.html
"Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow, everybody needs a bosom."
-Cornershop
____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 19:24:15 -0500 (EST)
From: Eric Patton <shirak@umich.edu>
Subject: Emp T.V. Live
Well, as we all know, the Boys just got finished doing MTV, and
proving that talent can make it in the music industry today. Two things,
though. One, I loved Darren's little "Awwwww Shit!" that he managed to
sneak past the censors. Two, Carson Daly, proving that he can't even read
a teleprompter without help, called the album "Whatever And Ever AFTER." I
guess the fumes from the nail polish got to his head or something. Anyway,
the Boys kicked ass. Who else caught the song that they started after they
finished playing "One Angry Dwarf...?" Just a tidbit for the real fans out
there. And was I halucinating again or did I see a brief flash of Sandi
Shorter in the crowd outside holding a sign? Ah well. Laters all! Hail
Eris!
ERIC
_______________________________________________________________________________
"I must not fear. Fear is the mindkiller. Fear is the little death
that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to
pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the
inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain."
-Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
_______________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 19:27:49 -0500
From: jaedonely@juno.com (A A DONELY)
Subject: GODDAMM!
Our boys did kick some MTV live arse, eh? I appreciated the numerous
faces they were making as the cute yet needs ashave carson babbled! One
angry dwarf was really good. I like it at its normal, not hyperfast
speed, and really jacked up with energy. God though, i do hate MTV-but
Matt Pinfield has an amusing earnestness and genuineness about him. Ben
Folds Five is what tv needs!
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #716
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