Ben Folds - Ben Folds Live
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Free Music Notes for Ben Folds Live
Free Music Review: Ben Folds - the best kept secret in music today
Hit: 5 Stars
Ben Folds is a truly unique musical talent. My older brother got me listening to him a few years back, but it wasn't until I saw him live in concert that I could really appreciate just how deep his music is. I have since bought all five of his cd's spanning his solo career ('Rockin' the Suburbs,' 'Ben Folds Live,' and his three more recently-released LPs). Though 'Ben Folds Live' is missing some of my favorite tracks from his career with Robert Sledge and Darren Jessie as Ben Folds Five, and his smash 2001 debut solo album, it's as close to seeing him in concert as you can get. His recordings of "Zak and Sara," "Not the Same," and "Army" with thousands of screaming fans in the backround had me remiscing of that same magnetic atmosphere that I experienced watching him live last summer. Some of my personal favorites:
"Zak and Sara" - Though I miss "oohing" in the background that Ben rythmically hums in the studio version, his piano playing skills are really magnified in the album's second track. A really easy song to get into, it is a definite must on this all-around solid group of his live performances.
"Best Imitation of Myself" - One of my favorites from his days with Ben Folds Five, you can really hear the crowd getting into it in the backround, and there's a reason for that.
"Not the Same" - Though this rendition hit off Ben's solo debut album isn't "the same" as the original, it is still quite powerful. Ben also displays some humor, briefing the audience with the song's history before bangin' out the first cord on his Baldwin. Though it lacks the jammin' drums which really get it going on the CD version, his use of the crowd for the humming between verses is quite effective, and gives it a more "live-feel."
"One Down" - A solid new and original track, just another byproduct of his creativity. Though most wouldn't view this as one of it's strengths (and admitedly, I'm a little lost as to it's meaning), I really like the rythm and the piano runs as well.
"Brick" - An absolutely beautiful, yet equally sad song, it details his struggles of detailing with an abortion of his high school girlfriend. Without a doubt, this is the song that launched Ben into fame, but his live performance is even more solid than that on "Whatever and Ever Amen." If you listen closely, you'll notice a slight difference in the chord arrangement, but this does nothing to downplay the listening-joy of Ben's first claim to fame.
"Narcolepsy" - Another hit from the 'Five days, this is without a doubt Ben's finest display of his piano talent. The extended piano intro really turns a relatively weak song vocally into one of the hits on the CD in my humble opinion.
"Army" - I got to experience Ben's direction of "Army" live, and man did I get into it! Leading the packed ampetheater of people, half of them being the saxophones, the other half trumpets, it was without a doubt my favorite song at the live concert I went to. His craftiness is once again exemplified as he does the same on "Ben Folds Live," banging out the cords while managing to get his fans involved at the same time. An absolute joy of a listen which you could all really appreciate even more if you ever do get the chance to see him live yourself!
"Philosophy" - He's got his, do you? Whether yours includes wearing a helmet hat or not, you'll be singing the vocals along with Ben (and getting a good laugh out of them at the same time) while blasting this track in your car stereo in no time. His runs on the piano are absolutely astounishing, as he caps it off at the end with an enthusiastic high run which puts a nice finish to a great song.
How he manages to stay out of the real spotlight is a mystery to me. Orginially, I had thought his fan base was rather small, but the word definitely seems to be spreading as of late. In my mind, Ben has already solidified himself up there with the top pianists of the modern era. Ray Charles, Elton John and Billy Joel will soon be in the shadow of Folds, as he continues, along with his fan base, to only get better and better. If you enjoy live performance recordings, than this is a must have!
Free Music Review: One of the Best Live Performers Ever!
Hit: 5 Stars
I wasn't a huge Ben Folds fan until I saw him live opening on the Lottapiano's tour for Tori Amos. I was only slightly familiar with Ben Folds Five, and wasn't even aware that he had gone solo. Shame on me! I was missing out on some incredible music. Not only is Ben Folds and incredible live performer, but he's an incredible musician, storyteller, and artist. Unlike so many acts out there today, he has plenty of talent aside from merely holding a microphone and looking pretty. His lyrics are definitely amusing and very witty, and his piano playing is unrivalled (with the exception of his 2003 tour partner Tori). In comparison to what I've heard of Ben Folds Five, I like his solo material better by far. He is certainly talented enough to hold his own on stage without any backup. I believe that sometimes in order to really, truly appreciate someone's music and musical talent, you need to see them live. Luckily, you don't have to fork out the money for expensive concert tickets in order capture that energy and essence in this case. This inexpensive CD does that for you, and believe me, it's worth every penny!
Some highlights on this CD include:
Track 2 "Zak and Sara;" This song really showcases Ben's piano playing ability, and has really great lyrics. Definitely a song that you will get stuck in your head and find yourself singing all day long!
Track 5 "Not the Same;" A great song that manages to be emotional and funny at the same time. Tells the story of a friend who went on an acid trip that changed his life.
Track 9 "Brick;" Tells the tragic tale of Ben and his high school girlfriend getting an abortion, and what it feels like. A great slow, emotional song.
Track 11 "Army;" Great lyrics that tell a story about Ben Folds getting into music. Very funny song, and great piano playing! This one is particularly fun live when Ben has the audience sing the brass parts.
Track 13 "Tiny Dancer;" Ben does and awesome job covering this Elton John song. I never really liked it before until I heard this version.
I would recommend this CD to anyone who can appreciate great piano playing and superbly witty lyrics. The only thing this CD doesn't do is capture some of his humorous stories in between songs. If you ever get the opportunity to see Ben Folds live, definitely go see him! You won't regret it!
Free Music Review: Ben Folds Live
Hit: 5 Stars
Just had to say that I was always a fan of Ben Folds Five, but not a big one. His music was catchy, and I enjoyed some of the singles. But just recently he actually came here and played at the State University of New York at Oswego, and I had to go see him.Boy was I glad I did. His show is the most amazing thing ever. Which is the only problem with the cd, you aren't actually there. But it does do a very good job of recreating the experience. If anyone ever happens to bash his live show, they have not seen it.
Not only is he an amazing showman, and not only does he put forth 200% at his show, but he keeps the crowd so into it (as well as having a great fanbase that loves to interact). Examples:
1. Army, obviously, where the crowd sings the sax and trumpet parts during the bridge. He was so into explaining this at the concert, and everyone was going nuts. It was a blast, and it was almost like you were on stage with him.
2. Not the Same, which I believe was one of the coolest moments of my life. The cd fails to explain exactly how he set this up, but he simply "split" the crowd in 3, and each section had their own starting note, and would slide to a higher one. The 3 first notes created one chord, and the others created the next. Not only was this cool, but the most amazing part was being in the gymnasium, and hearing that echo throughout the room. I still get chills when I listen to it. When he hopped up on the piano for the last few, and conducted the very last one, he actually left us (at the concert I viewed) singing the last note (before the encore). Un-freaking-believable
So in essence, this cd wraps up the experience the best it can, and if you ever get a chance to see him live, do it, because you won't regret it. I would kill for him to come back here, and if he's ever close, you can bet I'll spend whatever it takes to have this experience again.
Free Music Review: One Man, One Piano
Hit: 5 Stars
When I first heard Ben Folds Five was calling it a day, I was hoping they'd be able to throw a live record out there. Having caught them live in concert, it would be a dream to pick up something that captures all the fun, the fire, the slacker rock that is a Ben Fold Five gig.Well, that probably isn't going to happen. But in many ways, this rocking little live record by Ben Folds is even better. (Fans will even notice how they've taken a cool twist with the old Ben Fold Five logo and spun the F to make it "Live".) During his first solo tour recently, Ben would play with his full band and then play an encore with just him and piano which was the best part of the whole set (I know, I was there). Apparently Ben was so taken by the fan reaction to his solo piano work that he went on a second solo tour from which this release was taken. Yep, here it's just Ben and the piano.
It's amazing how Ben's rocking little stories really shine here without sacrificing much from the originals. But since the core of his songs is the piano, it shouldn't be any surprise. There's everything from new songs like Silver Street to early BFF like Emaline to Ben's usual "spur of the moment" songs like Rock This B*tch (you can catch more "sudden" gems like these on BFF's Naked Baby Photos). Ben's even got the crowd into the act perfectly with a few of the songs without letting it get in the way of the tunes themselves. In fact, there's little not to recommend here...except Elton John's Tiny Dancer. Ben doesn't add anything to it (you almost think one of his roadies dared him to try it out) and he doesn't seem to know whether he should stick to Elton's original or take it in a different direction.
In the end, this is a definite must whether you already love Ben's stuff or just need to know who this guy is. And you really need to know who this guy is.
Free Music Review: Rock Turns Modern Piano when Ben Flies Solo
Hit: 5 Stars
What we have here is a release from Ben Folds, which usually has a much harder rock sound on other albums, to the tastes of college radio listeners and punk rock fans. But here, Ben tours with just the piano and turns a large collection of songs into passionate expressions while teaching the audience to sing several instrument parts. This album blows Dashboard Confesional's unplugged attempt out of the water. Don't even compare the two, in fact - Ben Folds has more talent and class than any whiney acoustic emo group.
This is a very talented young man, and I recommend the limited edition package that comes with a 35 minute DVD of what his concerts were like during this tour. Very comfortable on stage, his interaction with the audience is warm and his overall performance on the piano is impressive and entertaining.
One of my favorite things about the lyrics he has written, is that they include a humble sense of humor and personal reflection. Several tracks spend a few seconds explaining what the piece is about or why he wrote it (The radio hit "Brick" is revealed to have been written about abortion). The CD is long, too, running over 70 minutes and filled the way a disc ought to be.
This was my first album by this artist, and it made me seek out previous recordings to hear original versions and to hear more songs. It impressed the scholarly critics on my local university's radio station enough for me to purchase it after they played several snippets. I'm lucky to have been tuned in, that day - or else I might have missed this accomplished artist and the entire universe of original music he provides.