THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #168 - December 18, 1996
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #168
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Topics for Today:
Best album of 96?
BF5 PROPAGANDA!
Marriage & 10ths
basking
Unlucky
Re: Ben Got Married
Hand me my baseball bat !
UK tour and album release
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
Ben Folds Five and Canada
BFF Homophobic?
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
BFF & BDO in Oz
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
BFF on CMJ
Live Ben Folds Five On REAL AUDIO
Pictures
a few words from my friend julian
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
Ed's Redeeming Qualities
BFF on MTV
singles
comments on BFF
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 16:13:30 -0700 (MST)
From: DMJ@ACES.COM
Subject: Best album of 96?
In the latest Magical Armchair, a couple people were talking about
some magazine or something ranking BFF in the top 10 albums of '96.
I was just kinda curious as to exactly when the album was released...
'cuz I thought that the copyright date on the album said '95.
I keep my own list of top 10 albums and top 15 concerts for each
year dating back 4 or 5 years... and I wasn't able to include BFF
in this year's list because I thought it was released in '95. So I
cheated and gave it an honorable mention. ;)
Y'all are welcome to check out my lists on my web page at
www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/2040
All comments and suggestions are appreciated. =)
--Don
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 96 20:35:34 -0600
From: nancy <ndoodle@ou.edu>
Subject: BF5 PROPAGANDA!
HEY, I heard something about PIANO SCORE?
a new repetoire of strictly ben folds five could get me out of this
classical piano burnout. ;P!
um, there's all other sorts of propoganda? (by the way, is it propO or
propA?) oh, say STICKERS? ;) ha, I like them......
later, guys, I just wanted to add also, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
nancy doodle! :P!
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 22:15:35 -0500
From: PowerVegan@aol.com
Subject: Marriage & 10ths
As for this deal about playing a 10th with the left hand at the beginning of
"Philosophy", and not being able to stretch your left hand far enough, why
don't you just play that high E with your RIGHT hand (E-C with the right
hand)?
Alas, my hands are also too small to easily play 10ths. You've probably
figured this out, but you may be able to compensate by moving your hand
almost completely off the keyboard (closer to you, playing the bottom part of
the keys), playing "around" the keys between the 10th rather than playing
"over" the keys between the 10th.
Eubie Blake, the late, famed jazz pianist, had massive hands, and made use of
them by playing 10ths, and I think maybe even 11ths & 12ths. (I remember
seeing him play on TV when I was a child, and I remember marveling at how big
his hands were, and the range he was able to achieve with a single hand,
although I don't remember specifically what his range was. Gimme a break, I
was just a kid!) Incidentally, I remember on that same PBS program how Eubie
was talking about how one style involved playing the 7th in a 7th chord at
the bottom of the chord rather than the top, and I immediately ran over to
the piano to see what it would sound like. My mom witnessed all this, and I
remember how later she was bragging to my dad how I understood the "highly
technical" (yeah, right) stuff that Eubie Blake was talking about, and how
evidently they were getting their money's worth for the piano lessons they
were spending on their 11-year-old kid.
Anyway, back to the reach thing, I've always thought it was ridiculous that
they only make one size keyboard, considering that we all have different hand
sizes. I mean, they don't make us all wear the same size clothes, so why do
they make us all play the same sized instrument? Sure, you can get a
"kiddie" keyboard with smaller keys, but try finding one of those that has a
full set (88) and is touch sensitive.
Back to BF5 stuff, Chepo, last week the bass player from Sincola, introduced
me to Terri Lord, the drummer from Sincola, at a Ramones hoot night that
Sincola and my band both played at. Just like Chepo had told me, Terri is a
huge BF5 fan and is into playing on the parody/tribute BF5 project I want to
put together. To my dismay, Sincola is determined to open for BF5 when they
come back to Austin, which will likely nix my band's chance to open for them,
unless there's a three-band bill AND nobody is touring with BF5 when they
swing through. Sincola, of course, has a better shot because they know BF5
since they've played shows with them before, including SXSW in Austin and a
couple/few in England. (Both bands used to be on Caroline Records.) Terri
bragged about how she had Ben's address and home phone number, and it was all
I could do to exercise enough restraint to not ask for it. She also
mentioned how Ben had just got married, and that he was married once before.
I wasn't going to post about his wedding because I thought it might be too
personal and tacky, but since somebody else already posted, I guess the cat's
out of the bag.
Sorry for the long post. I know, I suck. Sorry.
-- Michael Bluejay (Austin, TX)
Ben Folds Five -- punk rock for sissies
Green Day -- punk rock for the masses
Presidents of the USA -- punk rock for teenagers
They Might Be Giants -- punk rock for reactionary, defensive gays with email
Weird Al -- polka rock for sissies
Fugazi -- punk rock for vegetarians
Sex Pistols -- punk rock for purists
Butthole Surfers -- punk rock for connoisseurs
Archers of Loaf -- punk rock for members of Ben Folds Five
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 00:24:38 -0500 (EST)
From: jenn halter <jenno@email.unc.edu>
Subject: basking
> Plans include a January promotional trip to Europe and Japan. Then a
> European and UK tour starting on February 23. The US tour will start on
> April 1 and there will be another Japan tour in May.
hhmmmm...april 1, april fools day....maybe a show in chapel thrill?
> I don't think Carolinians like the cold.
aaahhhh...today in nc it was a beautiful 70 degrees. i wore shorts and a
tshirt. it's almost xmas for goodness sake!
jenn
jenno@email.unc.edu
http://sunsite.unc.edu/5e
"Controlled insanity is necessary for the survival of the human
spirit."-LAHjr.
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 16:32:53 +1100
From: Very Fruity Indeed <custer@ros.com.au>
Subject: Unlucky
> Also, surely they would not
> come all the way down to Australia to do just one gig. Has anyone any word
> of extra tasty morsels of BF5 while they're here?
OK, I heard on JJJ the other day the full line up for the Big Day Out.
They mentioned the bands that would be in every city and the bands that
would be only travelling on part of the tour.... Anyway, BFF were not
mentioned at all, which leads me to believe, we've all been CONNED!!! Yep,
I reckon we've all been conned by Drum Media, that heap of crap Sydney
paper... Hmm... Actually, I like Drum, but I won't if they lied to me.
But WAIT! Just this week, drum printed this:
UP & COMING
blah, blah, blah
THE OFFSPRING (US), PATTI SMITH (US), SEPULTURA (Brazil), SUPERGRASS (UK),
THE PRODIGY (UK), SOUNDGARDEN (US), SHONEN KNIFE (Jap), BEASTS OF BOURBON,
BEN FOLDS FIVE (US), YOU AM I, POWDERFINGER, TIDDAS, SNOUT, THE SUPERJESUS,
FRENZAL RHOMB, OMC (NZ) (oh yeah): Jan Mon 27 Sydney RAS Showgrounds. Big
Day Out `97.
Anyway, I'll be going. It'll be a great day even if BFF aren;t there,
but would be ultimate if they were. I'd be waiting for a coupla hours so I
got the best spot. Like, I think I'd just stand there in amazement...
So, I got my ticket... Who else has theirs? :)
Bye,
Ad. A very confused lover of music that makes the body tingle in the places
that are worth tingling.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
% Ad %
%Yeah and stuff%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
==============================================================================
Date: 13 Dec 1996 02:35 EST
From: Alan LaFleur <lafleur@nortel.ca>
Subject: Re: Ben Got Married
I heard Ben got married today, the 12th. Also heard he's moving away from
'da Hill to Hollywood. Maybe they'll practice together over the phone :) ,
heck, there's no where to practice in Chapel Hill anyway...
Al
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 13:25:11 GMT
From: Andy Hewitt <mbcx6adh@mh2.mcc.ac.uk>
Reply to: mbcx6adh@stud.man.ac.uk
Subject: Hand me my baseball bat !
Yes , the magazine Vox did rate Ben Folds Five as one of the worst 5
albums of the year . They're entitled to their opinion , however
wrong it may be . What puzzles me is that they gave it nine out of
ten when they reviewed the thing earlier in the year . The affiliated
weekly , the NME , also gave it a similar score and made Underground
their single of the week . I think that maybe they're all too dumb at
the magazine and didn't understand how to fill in their voting forms
properly . Still , the people at Q are infinitely less up-themselves
and rated it highly .
On to lighter subjects , and it's nice to see that there is a British
following to BFF . I thought that I was alone in the appreciation of
them , but the recent amazing gig at the Manchester Hop&Grape showed
me that perhaps the state of the country's music taste is not beyond
repair . I'm extremely happy to see that BFF will be touring the UK
again soon , and hope that they will play more shows .
Mark Piper .
Love the web page . I'm not sure if your list of their cover versions
included the song "When I think about you I touch myself" or whatever
it is called that they played at the aforementioned Manchester gig .
I think that the song was done by a band with a name like "The
Divinyls" or something . I hope you know what I'm on about as I don't
myself , but I recognised the song .
(Actually I hope that it is your web page that has the list . I went
to them all and think it was at yours . My computer won't access your
page at the moment so I can't check)
As for the Diggers , I thought that maybe they sounded a bit like
Cast meets the Longpigs (without the attitude) with a bit of the
Bluetones thrown in . My sister agreed , but we thought that they
were okay .
That's all .
Counting the days 'til new material .....
Andy Hewitt
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 13:30:47 GMT
From: Andy Hewitt <mbcx6adh@mh2.mcc.ac.uk>
Reply to: mbcx6adh@stud.man.ac.uk
Subject: UK tour and album release
I see that the album will be released on March 18th in the US . I
also see that the UK tour starts on the 23rd of February . My
question is : When will the album be released in the UK ?
Will it be out here before the tour , as it always helps to know some
of the songs when seeing a band live . I loved the new songs when
they were played at the gig I saw last month , but knowing them well
would certainly improve a gig of what I expect to be a lot of their
new stuff . If you could give us a date I would be eternally grateful
(Or at least like you for a bit)
Cheers
Andy Hewitt
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 09:43:43 -0500 (EST)
From: "Donna L. Hokanson" <hokansod@goldey.gbc.edu>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
Congratulations Frank on the 1st anniversary of the list. You have done
a great job! I enjoy reading the posts and keeping up to date on Ben and
the Boys. Thanks for providing a forum for all us fans!
Donna
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 15:21:23 AST4ADT
From: Kevin Hubert <EKH3854@UMoncton.ca>
Subject: Ben Folds Five and Canada
To add to what said of Ben Folds Five in Canada, they did
Lalapallooza in Quebec City last July!!!
I saw the movie Truth about Cats and Dogs last night and the song Bad
Idea is really good in th emovie and is placed in the right spot...
I can't wait for the next album...
a fam from Canada (there are some...)
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 17:36:25 -0500
From: jonathan roy hunsberger <jrh@pobox.com>
Subject: BFF Homophobic?
>
> Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 19:22:18 -0500 (EST)
> From: John Fagan <john17cd@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us>
> Subject: Frank and Ross
>
> Ben Folds Five- Homophobic ? I doubt it.
> Remember in Where's Summer B, Frank and Ross are holding hands.
>
> John Fagan
> john17cd@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us
>
>
My roomate was in a band with Darren Jesse and still talks w/
Darren every now and then. He said Ross and Frank are the
managers of a local radio station and a local club. They
screwed Ben over somehow so he wrote them in the song as gay.
==============================================================================
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 96 18:04:46 -0500
From: Jill Hodgeman <hodgemj@alleg.edu>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
hi you all - this will be my first addition to the magical armchair but my
question goes out to anyone on the list from Australia. I love BFF, and
have never had the chance to see them since i am stuck in pennsylvania in
the middle of nowhere without a car. but, i will be going to australia
feb. 6, to spend a semester at the Univ. of Sydney, and i was wondering
what this "Big Day Out" deal was all about; who's playing, where it
is,where to get tickets, and when it is, etc.. - if anyone could let me
know all this so that i could possiby get a chance to see Ben play, i
would really appreciate it. thanks - Jill
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 11:43:21 +1100
From: Rebecca Gorrell & Lance O'Brien <lotto@netspace.net.au>
Subject: BFF & BDO in Oz
Hi everyone,
This is my first correspondence but I've been reading for about 3
months now. Regarding BFF and the Big Day Out, I contacted James Young who
is program manager at the alternative music radio station RRR in Melbourne
to try to get some explanation as to why they are not being promoted. His
reply was "BFF are coming nowhere near Australia as far as I know"!! So go
figure that one! :(
For any Melbourne RRR listeners, he promised to play some BFF at the Fast
Fictions Xmas bash.
Best wishes to all for a safe and outrageous festive season,
Rebecca. :)
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 18:16:40 -0800
From: gillet <gillet@pi.net>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
> Plans include a January promotional trip to Europe and Japan. Then a
> European and UK tour starting on February 23. The US tour will start on
> April 1 and there will be another Japan tour in May.
for all the dutch fans on this list: they will play the melkweg, amsterdam
the 2nd of march 1997.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
met vriendelijke groet listen every mondaynight 9-10 to
joris gillet SUBBACULCTHA my weekly 'alternative'
uitgeest, the netherlands radioshow on the local radiostation
gillet@pi.net here in uitgeest, the netherlands !!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 16:09:30 -0200
From: Daniel MacEachern <dmaceach@is2.dal.ca>
Subject: BFF on CMJ
Hi,
somebody from the last digest indirectly reminded me of another band that I
have been interested in locating. On the same CMJ disc as BFF's
"Underground" there was a great song called "I Will Wait" by a band called
Ed's Redeeming Qualities but like the last poster, I haven't been able to
find them anywhere. Does anyone out there know anything about them? Could
you let me know?
Happy anniversary to the list, I was somewhat shocked to learn that there
are now almost a thousand members. I remember when it started, I think
it's fabulous that more and more people are finding out about this band.
About the new album. I'm glad "Song For the Dumped" is on there, because
it means that I don't have to get that soundtrack. But isn't there another
soundtrack with a BFF song on it? Is that song on the new album?
Psst - Ben. Halifax has a great music festival every fall called the
Halifax Pop Explosion (refers to an explosion in the Harbor 75 years ago
that destroyed a lot of buildings and killed a lot of people). Actually,
now it's called Halifax On Music. Whatever, it's still a perfect place for
you guys to play. Unless of course, the major-label push behind the bew
album turns you into arena superstars. But then you could play our Metro
Center.
wishful thinking...
Daniel
Halifax
==============================================================================
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 21:19:20 -0500
From: Tocadisco@aol.com
Subject: Live Ben Folds Five On REAL AUDIO
If you have Real Audio and want to here a live performance of Underground,
look up spin college radio and their should be a list of broadcasts. I think
the site is http://www.premrad.com/music/spin/. Choose shows 5 and 6. Ben
Folds is on about fifteen minutes into the broadcast.
eric
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 12:12:27 -0500 (EST)
From: THE YANKEE <mcdonpj3@wfu.edu>
Subject: Pictures
Dear Armchairites,
I know I said I would be working on making copies of my BFF
pictures, but this semester was a doozy, and it was something I did not
get around to. Therefore, I apologize. However, I have devoted a folder
on my drive to every piece of mail I have received regarding the
pictures, and will do my best to get them out when I get back to school
in the spring and get email back. Thanks for your patience.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holdiays to Everyone!
In BFFandom,
Patrick J. McDonough
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 13:39:08 -0400
From: - Steady Eddy - <bartok@cycor.ca>
Subject: a few words from my friend julian
Dear Ben Folds, congratulations on some really great music not to
mention a cultivated sense of humor, something sorely lacking in rock
music today. I recently arrived back in Canada after five years in the
states( new york) and having heard you for the first time there am finding
that your name doesnt resound with the same clout here. I think a tour
through Canada would be great as your sound, being quite "Yank" would
reconnect all these canadian depressed folk guitar people with genuine,
neighborhood rock'n roll. Keep up the good work, it's a lot of fun and it
makes me happy. take care- Julian Molitz
P.S. My room mate from NYC is spending a year in Budapest and is no
doubt playing your music to the local Hungarians, I'm sure they love it !
#########################
"THE VELVET MUFFIN LIVES!"
--Laurie Reifel, 1996
#########################
==============================================================================
From the-concourse-on-highWed Dec 18 07:37:04 1996
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
> Plans include a January promotional trip to Europe and Japan. Then a
> European and UK tour starting on February 23. The US tour will start on
> April 1 and there will be another Japan tour in May.
for all the dutch fans on this list: they will play the melkweg, amsterdam
the 2nd of march 1997.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
met vriendelijke groet listen every mondaynight 9-10 to
joris gillet SUBBACULCTHA my weekly 'alternative'
uitgeest, the netherlands radioshow on the local radiostation
gillet@pi.net here in uitgeest, the netherlands !!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 16:56:19 -0500
From: James A Harton <jaharton@csrlink.net>
Subject: Ed's Redeeming Qualities
> From: holmstd@ssu.southwest.msus.edu
> Subject: First Post To 'Magical Armchair'...request & plea
>
> I got into BBF shortly after the CMJ disc featured Underground. It was
> unlike anything I was hearing at the time. (It also featured Ed's
> Redeeming Qualities, a band I could NOT find anywhere and still can't.) I
I also got into BFF with that CMJ issue, but I've found Ed's. Great band. I
work at a record store and we have some of their albums, most stores that
deal with a one-stop distributor should be able to get one of their albums
for you.
some titles for ya....
Big Grapefruit Cleanup Job
It's All Good News (Flying Fish 90579) Cassette Only
More Bad Times (Flying Fish 70549)
James A. Harton
jaharton@csrlink.net
don't forget to check out the Busload of Faith website
http://www.personal.psu.edu/als164/busload.html
"it's got organic soul, man"
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 17:07:17 -0500
From: Darryn Fessel <dfessel@one.net>
Subject: BFF on MTV
Hey everyone, I just thought I'd mention I was watching the Beavis and
Butthead Movie Preview Special on MTV and during the host's intro, they
played Uncle Walter. Most that they played was teh bass solo, but it
was kind of suprising to be laying in bed half asleep and here that on
MTV of all places. At least we know SOMEONE at MTV has some taste. See
Ya'!
--
The Roswell Incident
*Joel Camins,Guitar * Darryn Fessel,Bass * Ben Sherman,Sax * Yoni
Wolf,Drums * Jamey Brill,Keyboards * Yuri Kim,Cello*
"Keep an eye on your pets..."
Phone: (513) 662-6223
Mail: 4375 Airymont Ct. Cincinnati, OH 45211
FAX: (513) 863-6677
E-Mail: dfessel@one.net
WWW: http://w3.one.net/~dfessel/roswell/
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 12:01:19 -0500 (EST)
From: Alexander Jay Timin <ajtimin@freenet.scri.fsu.edu>
Subject: singles
If anyone can find BF5 cd singles for a relatively cheap price (like less
than $10 per cd) please let me know!
Thanks,
Alex Timin
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 22:25:41 -0500
From: MCBleiler@aol.com
Subject: comments on BFF
JUST TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO YOU MUSICALLY I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO SAY THAT BEN
FOLDS AS A MUSICIAN AND SONG WRITER RANKS UP THERE WITH THE LIKES OF FRANCIS
DUNNERY, ADAM DURITZ AND JAKAB DYLAN OF THE WALLFLOWERS. YOU SHOULD KNOW
ADAM DURITZ FROM THE COUNTING CROWS BUT FRANCIS IS RARELY KNOWN WHEN I SPEAK
OF HIM. DOES ANY OF THE BEN FOLDS FIVE FANS OUT THERE KNOW FRANCIS DUNNERY?
IF NOT CHECK HIM OUT. I FIRST HEARD OF BEN FOLDS FIVE WHEN ADAM DURITZ
REFERS TO HIM IN A SONG OFF HIS SECOND ALBUM ENTITLED "RECOVERING THE
SATTLELITES" THE SONG TITLED "MONKEY" IS ABOUT ADAM WANTING TO BE UNKNOWN
AGAIN. AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE NOTICED COUNTING CROWS HAVE GROWN TO BE QUITE
POPULAR- ISNT THAT A SHAME. EVER SINCE WE HAVE PICKED UP THE DISC WE HAVEN'T
BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT OUT OF MY CD PLAYER. EVERY SONG STRAIGHT THROUGH IS
SOLID THE ONLY ONE THAT MIGHT BE A BIT WEAK IS JULIANNE, BUT STILL ONE OF THE
GREATEST SONGS WE HAVE HEARD IN A WHILE. GROWING UP WITH SUCH GREATS AS BOB
DYLAN , AND TOM PETTY I FEEL THAT MY ASSESSMENT OF LYRICAL GENIUS IS QUITE
ACCURATE. WE CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO BEN AND ARE EAGERLY AWAITING THE NEW DISC.
MEGAN AND BRIAN
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1996 11:29:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Tucker Linda Lorraine <tucker5@server.uwindsor.ca>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #167
heh there fellow BF5 (or BFF) fans!!!
My name is Linda and I am here in the GREAT country of Canada!
Unfortunatly, the Ben Folds Five single to Uncle Walter isn't available
here in Canada. I realize it is available in Europe though...hmmm.
anyone out there want to help me get a copy of this???
It would be greatly appreiciated!
Merci !
-Linda Tucker
tucker5@uwindsor.ca
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