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Release day for “Best Imitation”

Oct 10th, 2011
by Frank.
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So, what do you think of it?

Today (October 10) is the day that Ben’s retrospective compilation Best Imitation of Myself goes on sale in the United Kingdom, and tomorrow (October 11) in the US. If you’ve picked up your copy (that is, if there are any record stores left where you are), have had it delivered, or have downloaded it, let us know what you think! Leave your review in the comments section of this post and we’ll publish the best ones and bounce them over to the Magical Armchair e-mail discussion list (you can subscribe as well, using the box to the right). Is your favorite concert-only song on it? A song from a show you attended? Something you’ve only heard on a fifth-generation mixtape or bootleg, finally in the clear? Let everyone know your first impressions, and enjoy!

Lustre fading a bit for “The Sing-Off”

Sep 27th, 2011
by Frank.
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Second-episode overnight ratings numbers are in for the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, and it confirms the ratings drop for last week’s season premiere when compared with season two. Monday’s (Sept. 26) ratings averaged 1.7, with close to 5 million viewers at the start of the two-hour episode, but falling to just under 4 million toward the end of the program. The first week posted slightly better ratings, averaging 1.8 and around 5 million viewers. Overall, the show is in fourth place for Monday nights, behind shows on CBS, ABC and Fox. (more…)

Folds to appear at AES convention

Sep 26th, 2011
by Frank.
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The Audio Engineering Society, an international association of audio and acoustic professionals, has announced that Ben Folds will be the guest for a special interview segment during the society’s 131st convention in New York in October. The interview will be conducted by Errol Kolosine, Assistant Arts Professor at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Kolosine is formerly general manager of the Caroline/Astralworks record label, on which Ben Folds Five released its first two albums, the self-titled debut and Whatever and Ever Amen, as well as Naked Baby Photos, a collection of b-sides and alternate takes after the group signed with Sony. (more…)

Ben co-hosting Today Show

Sep 23rd, 2011
by Frank.
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Hoda KotbBen reports he’ll be co-hosting with Hoda Kotb (pictured left) on the late-morning segment of NBC’s The Today Show on Friday, September 30. The show, which airs on the NBC-TV network from 10-11 AM Eastern time (but check your local listings), features the lighter side of its newsier early-morning cousin, with celebrity gossip, entertainment news, and segments such as cute baby contests. Now that Ben’s a mainstream TV celebrity as judge on the peacock network’s The Sing-Off, he’ll need to keep it clean for the daytime audience. Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda’s regular co-host, has been in Seattle working on a theatrical production. Update: In case you missed it, you can watch the show online. Ben said his drink of choice was a Gin & Tonic, and Tweeted “What the hell did I just do? after the show. (30 Sept 2011)

More press on a Five reunion

Sep 20th, 2011
by Frank.
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More on the news we broke to you over a month ago (with thanks to the Boston Globe), there’s increasing chatter about the expected reunion of  the former Ben Folds Five. Ben’s talking more about getting back together with Darren and Robert for a recording session and maybe more, no doubt fueled by the nostalgia as he dug through years of archives and eventually reuniting for three songs on the upcoming Best Imitation of Myself compilation. Recently, there have been stories in Digital Spy, 7News, Contact Music, and Spinner, and probably more to come as the details develop. Update: Billboard.com has a story today, including mention that there’s not a lot of pressure to get it right the first time (“If it’s not great, we can check out and come back later”), but now that the cat’s out of the bag, they’ll “feel a need to make it really great.” (27 Sept 2011) Update: The interactive magazine Zimbio has an item as well. (30 Sept 2011)

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