I said it awhile ago, and I will reiterate it here again. Ben Folds just might be the best performer to ever play the piano. Now, and somewhat to hedge my bets, I don’t mean that he is the most technically gifted person to ever tickle the ivories. Nor does he possess more talent in this eight fingers and two thumbs {and sometimes elbows, fists, stools, etc.} than anyone else who has ever lived. What I do mean is that Ben Folds is the most consummate performer to ever sit behind the keys. He can take any song, any subject matter, any genre, and turn it into something that is undeniably a joyous event. When he takes the stage you can’t help but feel the energy that he exudes. Let’s face it, he’s exuberant. He is, after all, the best performer to ever play the piano.
Ben’s new album, Way To Normal (amazon) (itunes), is a trip through the classic Ben Folds catalog. Now that he’s playing, again, with a band there is a depth and variety to these tracks not found when it was simply Ben and some studio artists. Not only does the bass guitar and the incessant drumming add depth and quality to this album, but it seems as if having a band that not only records, but tours with you, has been good for the musicality of Benny boy.
mp3 : Ben Folds - Bitch Went Nuts
mp3 : Ben Folds - Effington
The new album might not be groundbreaking or show an evolution of the Ben Folds sound, but it’s a delight to listen to and I’m sure at least half of the songs will make it into Ben’s ever impressive live sets. Personally I love this album, but I’ve had a love affair with Ben Folds and his particular brand of piano music for almost a decade now. For fans this album is a nice continuation of the Ben Folds canon, for the rest of the world this could serve as a perfect introduction to what Ben Folds is all about. And he’s all about making great music.
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i forgot to mention in the post that i definitely believe that Ben Folds is hands down my favorite artist to sing along to. hands down. every lyric to Ben Folds Live is etched into my vocal chords.
I’m in agreement with most of what you are saying. I’ve been listening to the new album non-stop for a week now and love it (especially Effington) with one exception. The one track that doesn’t work for me (at all is Free Coffee. I think the hiss loops are unlistenable. I keep skipping the track which is sad because I assume there are lyrics I’d appreciate if I could actually make it through the song.
actually, the track you’re referring to uses a new technique for ben folds. in concert he called it “pantronic” as he took a metal pan lid, the kind from a decorative christmas cookie or popcorn tin, flipped it upside down, and put it inside of his piano directly on the strings. that at least accounts for the weird piano effect throughout the track. i’m not sure if he loops the hissing noise, but i assume it’s a byproduct of this pantronic technique.
Thanks for the explanation on that technique. I’ve seen him do some other interesting experiments directly to the piano strings before but this is one I can’t really appreciate. 25 seconds is the max I can take.
The song effington is about the town of effingham in middle illinois. he wrote the song or started it at a concert in Normal Illinois. he explained his trip from st. louis to normal through effingham. then played a little thing he made up on the spot singing about effingham.
i’m proud to say i was at the show where he started to pen this song.