THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #1092 - June 30, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, June 30 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1092
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THIS MAILING LIST
Send an e-mail message to:
armchair-request@maillist.il.fontys.nl
with the word
unsubscribe
in the message body. Please DO NOT POST UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS TO THE LIST
ITSELF! If you are having trouble, send mail to
owner-armchair@maillist.il.fontys.nl
and I will try to help you. To change your address, first unsub yourself from
your old address, then subscribe using your new account.
Whenever there is a problem with the list, such as the server problem
last week, please check the list archive address on the web
(http://oeonline.com/bff/list/) for updates.
TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Re: Armchair Digest #1090 & Suck doesn't belong w/BFF
bohemian skynard
bootleg newbie help?
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1091
piano
BFFan
Fav Harmony. And the Winner is ......
Few things... (fave harmony etc)
big mistake, don't flame me!
MTV, an end to the piano debate, & sheet music
Conan O'Briiiiiiiieeeeeennnnnnnnnnn!
Piano Solo Voting Results ...
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1089
cover/question/rant/favorite bands
He uses maaaaaaagazines
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:38:34 EDT
From: JKFett@aol.com
Subject: Re: Armchair Digest #1090 & Suck doesn't belong w/BFF
What was up with Digest #1090? One letter? I read it at 1:30 in the morn so I
figured I might have been asleep. Alas, oh well. Anyway, all of these people
who say that this BFF song sucks or whatever must be nuts. In a rather deep
conversation with a fellow Armchairian, we decided that there is no such thing
as a "sucky" BFF song. True, some songs may be better than others. But if you
are a TRUE "fan" you will listen to all of their songs. You will go out of
your way and bend over backwards to obtain a Kate import with "For All the
Pretty People" on it even though it has no words.
Personally? I must have listened to "Dr. Pyser" literally over 20 times in a
row after I bought the AFRD cd. Seriously. Just once the 2 min. were up, just
restart the song over and over as I drive down the road. I love "Pyser" even
though it is purely instrumental (but then what is that harmonizing you hear?
Maybe it can't be classified as instrumental). "FATPP" is also cool.
Especially since you get to hear someone else's hand tickling the ivories
besides Ben for once in a BFF number.
~Just my thoughts,
JK
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 02:23:17 -0400
From: vito <goatman1@geocities.com>
Subject: bohemian skynard
>>Oh, and yeah, I think Bohemian Rhapsody would make an interesting cover...
to whoever said this... RIGHT ON... it would make a great bff cover. they
certainly have what it takes for some terrific harmony, and they could
really rock it... i mean, its the perfect song to demonstrate what bff can
do... i can picture it all now-- the most beautiful 3 part harmonys
during the sad \slow parts, to robert fuzzing it up during the
'headbanging" part. shit yeah that would most definetely rock. i can see
this being one of those things they would do at a concert, like freebird,
where they would start it out right, then totally go nuts at the fast part.
hell yeah. i hope so one day...
whatever and ever
vito
BBB EEEE N N FFFF OO L DD SS FFFF I V V EEEE
B B E NN N F O O L D D S F I V V E
BBB EEE N N N FFF O O L D D S FFF I V V EEE
B B E N NN F O O L D D S F I V V E
BBB EEEE N N F goATman1@geOCitiES.com F I V EEEE
- ----- http://www.Geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/7544/bf5.html -----
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 02:23:13 EDT
From: Nycurator@aol.com
Subject: bootleg newbie help?
<This is a really stupid question, but I'm from a small town in north
Louisiana
so I have an excuse for my stupidity. How does one go about getting
bootlegs.>
Hey, I'm from a practically non-existent West Virginian town and I'd
appreciate the help, too! Anyone kind enough to help out a bootleg newbie?
I've spent the last year or so subsiding on album, b-sides, and websites...
Lesly [nycurator@aol.com]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 09:14:11 +0200
From: Eddie Walker <lucider@unforgettable.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1091
Does he actually take the grand pianos around with him? When I saw them
practicing before a Phoenix show at Gibson's, Ben was complaining about the
piano and working with some sound guy to make adjustments. I got the
impression the venue may supply the pianos so that they don't have to carry
them around. Am I way off base here?
>All this Steinway/Baldwin arguing is starting to bug me. Person A says they
>know for a fact that it's a Steinway. Person B says they know for a fact
>that it's a Baldwin. Who's right? They both are! I know he used the
>Steinway on the November tour (I have a photo of it on my web page) and I
>remember seeing the Baldwin many times since. So to answer all your
>questions, Ben uses BOTH!
- -----------------------------------------
lucider@unforgettable.com
<http://www.cyberhighway.net/~lucid/>
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 03:34:19 EDT
From: AAsoap@aol.com
Subject: piano
hey everyone,....i've been lurking for a while, but this is the first time i
actually felt the need to contribute, so here goes: i was at the OrbitRoom
show in Grand Rapids, on June 26th( i think), anyways, Ben had the Bladwin,
however he mentioned that the Steinway was in the shop and he told everyone to
pray for it.....and that's all folks :)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 03:56:11 EDT
From: BenFoldss5@aol.com
Subject: BFFan
Hi. i'm probably doing this the wrong way, so don't kill me. Anyway, i am a
major fan who has just gotten into the internet/bootlegs/stuff not sold at
tower records. if you have any info on bootlegs, posters, memorabilia, etc.,
please email me at BenFoldss5@aol.com
By the way, Ben used to have a Baldwin, then he got a Steinway. He tours with
both at different times. I've seen the guys twice in concert, and they rocked
both times. has anyone noticed that the piano is never loud enough? Ben
makes up for it though. I have this thing for figuring out their songs on the
piano, but so far all i can play is Brick, the intro to Philosophy, and most
of Evaporated until the 'i poured my heart out' bit. If anyone has written
out sheet music of any BFF song, pleeeease give me info!
Finally, i just wanted to complement whoever got this list thingy started.
It's absolutelyfriggin'fantastic.
"Ahh, but i send my best, 'cause God knows you've seen my worst"
- --Jonathan
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 12:20:28 +0000
From: "del" <prs14097-001@popmail.prestel.co.uk>
Subject: Fav Harmony. And the Winner is ......
A while ago I asked MA subscibers what their favourite harmony, or
Ahhh moment was in a BF5 song. I got about 32 votes and this is
the result. In reverse order ...
With one vote each were : Evaporated, Smoke, Dr Pyser, BattleOWCCL,
Boxing, Alice Childress and Julianne
With two votes each were : Philosophy, Fair, Air and Underground
at number 2 with 7 votes was : Missing the War
and the winner is EDDIE WALKER with a whopping 10 votes.
To me a suprise winner but maybe not to you.
Del.
My prediction for England vs Argentina in the World Cup. 2 - 1 to
England with the second goal being scored by the Butt of Shearer.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 21:49:55 +1000
From: "Grover" <grover@powerup.com.au>
Subject: Few things... (fave harmony etc)
Hey chairers,
Someone (not sure who) said the other day something about the lyrics to The
Last Polka, specifically interpretting the 'other 25 before you' as 25
years. It kinda surprised me, because I interpretted it as 25 people (which
is kinda excessive now that I think about it...) Just wondering was I alone
on this? Am I truly a nutcase? (yeah, i know the answer to that one
already)
I've got to say, my favourite harmony is definitely in Best Imitation in
the bit where ben's singing 'the problem with you speech' up until 'now if
it's all the same' makes me melt every time.
Fave piano solo? HAS to be Where's Summer B.? after what COULD be my fave
lyric (though I'm having far too much difficulty deciding that one. I think
of something & go YEAH! then hear the next song & go YEAH! hang on...
argh!) "i could take a train or fly away, maybe write a book & change my
name.. I could settle down"
Of course, I find there is a BFF lyric appropriate for ALL occasions. My
family get thoroughly frustrated with the fact that everything they say
I'll start singing BFF back at them. (it takes great restraint to break the
habit)
Anyway, just felt the urge to make my opinions known, I'll go back to the
hole i've thought myself into.
have a nice day.
Mel
"I got this pain in my heart, that's all"
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 08:34:54 EDT
From: Nycurator@aol.com
Subject: big mistake, don't flame me!
<< I played the NBP versions of "One Angry Dwarf" (how could you *not* air-
piano to that?) >>
<What?! I want a NBP with OAD on it!!!!!>
WHOA... looks like the lack of sleep's been getting to me lately... could also
be the reason that I wrecked my car yesterday, but that's besides the point...
I meant "song for the dumped!"
Lesly
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 07:41:08 -0500
From: houghtot@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us
Subject: MTV, an end to the piano debate, & sheet music
Hey again...
Cait wrote...
I need some help from nice pianists out there who can help me with BFF
stuff.
I can play piano quite well, but I need some help on a few songs.
Thanks in
advance!!
I know Brick. That is all. I'm not talented enough to figure out the
other songs, but I'm working on Evaporated...
And Lauren wrote...
The point is, MTV does use a lot of their songs, but why can't they play
the
videos?
That is correct sah! It's so annoying to watch Real World or something
and hear them play OAD, Brick, or SFTD (three I hear quite frequently)
so ya *know* they know Brick... but yet he's not good enough to knock
Puff Daddy out of some video slots? Hmm...
Okay, I'm still looking for somebuddy who lives around the Detroit area,
and for someone that's going to Interlochen this summer. C'mon, you
guys... there HAS to be a FEW people... :-)
Oh, and thanks to Leigh13 for (hopefully) ending the Baldwin/Steinway
debate. I can see why he uses both -- my uncle has a Steinway, & we use
a Baldwin...
And I'm repeating my question I had before -- where can I get BFF sheet
muzak? I'd like to get it before I go up to IAC.....
Okay, I think I'm done for now, guys. :-)
- --Chloe
"Every couple nites or so, you know you pop into my dreams... I just
can't get rid of you like You Got Rid Of Me..." --Fair
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 10:20:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: David Prager <dsprager@mailbox.syr.edu>
Subject: Conan O'Briiiiiiiieeeeeennnnnnnnnnn!
I really dig the idea of a get-together before or after the Conan
show on the 16th. What do y'all think? I don't know the area too well,
otherwise I'd suggest a place...
Dave
In my changer (because people seem to care):
BFF s/t
Charles Mingus Trio
Warren Zevon
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 16:18:24 +0100
From: Toby Jenkins <toby@hereford.ac.uk>
Subject: Piano Solo Voting Results ...
Hey there!
Okay, I'm going to start counting the votes at the end of this month, so
last entries in by 25th July please. They're looking pretty good so
far...
<< ... so I can fuck your shit up >>
(Flea - Red Hot Chili Peppers)
toby-boy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 11:29:39 EDT
From: DDNGOSBT@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1089
Hi all,
umm......well.....I was sitting at home, as usual, watching mtv, as usual,
and there was this commercial with like 50 different artists' videos and the
song was something something something "and my body aches!!!!" and each video
was like 2 seconds long. Well, thats a lie. Puff Daddy had like 5 clips and
they were like 6 seconds long, and who did I see, but Ben Folds Five. Guess
how long their clip was? Like .5 seconds. If I wouldve blinked I wouldve
missed it. It was their brick video. Oh well. Thats mtv for ya'
And....like a month ago I was asking about tapes for the giants stadium
concert. Somebody said they would have it, but probably not for like a month.
Well, I forgot your name guy.....so if you remember me...please email
me...thanks....and if anyone doesnt have a copy of the giants stadium show,
I'd like the bogarts concert as well (Cincinnati, OH). I dont have anything
to trade, so I'm willing to pay as much money needed for it. Thanks a lot.
See ya.
~Kristin :)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 11:31:11 -0400 (EDT)
From: Tony Flaminio <flaminio@acsu.buffalo.edu>
Subject: cover/question/rant/favorite bands
ok. remeber a while back (and i mean a WHILE) back when there was this
rumor that the sesame street theme song was gonna be a b-side to BOWCCL?
whatever hapened with that? was it all bullshit? if it was i think it
would be cool to hear them play the sesame street theme song. AND i think
they should do another built to spill song....something off of the normal
years..."car"..or.."terrible/perfect"..AND it would be neat to hear them
cover a vic chesnut song...."florida" or "mertle"..or "steve willoughby"
or "stupid preocupations"....but theres probably better vic chesnut songs
for them to cover i just can't think straight....("west of rome" would be
cool). oh...and i would LOVE to hear them do a radiohead song...."you
never wash up after yourself" or "how i made my millions".....
ok. onto the section of my post that is not intended to but will probably
piss people off....this is my opinion. i'm sick of people defending
matchbox20 and third eye blind like they deserve to be defended on a bf5
list. the reason i don't listen to these bands is not because they are
mainstream but because they are yet another example of the industry
underestimating the consumer....are either of these bands really saying
anything at all that every other band has alrealy said twice as good? no.
they're not. and if you listen to these bands because they're "pretty"
(and some of you do, i would hope very few of you...but some) then we're
gonna be stuck with these new crappy bands forever because....hey...put a
good looking band on MTV (no matter how cookie-cutter they sound) and
they're gonna make money (see hanson). all i'm trying to say is that i
would expect more from a ben folds five fan. maybe i shouldn't?
i'm not even sure this was a thread....but what the hell, here goes.....
here are bands i like(in no particular order except for the first
2): radiohead, benfoldsfive, les savvy fav, pavement, sunny day real
estate, mineral, napsack, chisel, sweet baby, beck, vic chessnut, hayden,
servotron, weezer, the rentals, that dog, devo, squirell nut zippers,
andrew bird's bowl of fire, kevin o'donnel's quality five, g. love and
special sauce, boy's life, promise ring, archers of loaf, built to spill,
the make-up, all-scars, portishead, jeremy enigk, christy front drive,
harry conick jr., jimmy hendrix, the doors, the wrens, the wicked farleys,
the swirlies, polvo, tugboat annie, milf, sonic youth (a little), anything
involving lou barlow......hmmm....there should be som...oh yeah..menthol,
the jesus lizard, shudder to think, nirvana, fugazi (a little), jon
spencer blues explosion, r.l. burnside, jawbox (a little), jawbreaker (a
little), burning airlines....and i think that's about it....probably not
though....have a nice day.
tony.
/***********************************************************/
/* */
/* How to escape from a box. */
/* Step 1. DO NOT PANIC. */
/* */
/* http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~flaminio/index.html */
/* */
/***********************************************************/
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 11:28:56 EDT
From: Emaline555@aol.com
Subject: He uses maaaaaaagazines
Hey all,
Not to quote Alanis Morrisette, but isn't it ironic? What i'm talking about
is Ben's appearance in Entertainment Weekly. His little blurb is on page
60....ALONG WITH the Propellerheads! They have a little blurb too. Remember
the comparison of Fear of Pop to the Propellerheads? Plus, Ben's blurb is only
about Ben, and not Robert or Darren....that's the same theme as Fear of Pop.
And there's more...Belle and Sebastian is on page 60 also! Belle and
Sebastian is one of Ben's favorite bands. I have to say, Belle and Sebastian
kicks so much. Their music is beautiful....they are definitely one of my
favorite bands also. I encourage you to check them out if you can...finding
their CDs has been difficult in the past, but now as they've grown in
popularity you should have no trouble. Anyway, sorry to advertise and stuff,
but i just thought page 60 was cool...i wonder if anyone else noticed.
ALSO...in the June 25 issue of Rolling Stone, there's a thing about Robert.
I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet. (or maybe it has and i'm just
reeeally slow...if this is the case then please excuse me and the rest of this
post) It's about the kind of car he has. i'll type it out for you here in
case you're interested. It's not long.
Robert Sledge of Ben Folds Five
RIDE: "A burgundy '88 Chevy van."
SYSTEM: "A Sparkomatic, the Anheuser-Busch of stereos. It's a Kmart type with
a tape player. The true Sparkomatic clarity - fifteen whole watts hooked up
to the factory speakers. It doesn't sound very good. I put in a couple of
Jensens to get a little more coverage."
THE SPECIALS: "I've always been a fan of the low end, so when I get a new car,
I'm definitely gonna have a lot of low end - 200 watts and a CD player."
ROAD RULES: "I haven't driven it n a while; it's been killin' grass in the
front yard. I let the inspection expire and the insurance lapse. I need to
charge the battery. I think I'll go do that right now."
Take care, my friends
Emily #555
counting the days down
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1092
***************************************
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR - The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
Submit articles to: armchair@maillist.il.fontys.nl
Send administrative requests to: armchair-request@maillist.il.fontys.nl
WWW homepage: http://oeonline.com/bff
List archive: http://oeonline.com/bff/list/