Venue:
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Date: 12/08/2015
Anyone who knows the Folds canon would have been hoping for a cocksure volley of nerd/genius chamber pop but fearing a piano concerto. Their hopes were fulfilled, their fears tempered by a pair of mesmering tours de force from the six-piece [string trio, wind trio] ensemble yMusic, who as well as opening each half also backed the main man.
Of course he’s a slightly arrogant shit. We know, he knows. But he’s also a four-eyed, mop-headed short-arse crammed to bursting with a talent for classy tunes and sassy tales, plus an impressive array of skills on the keys. If you’ve listened to his records and found that the plink-plonk grows wearisome after a few songs, you should know that the live setting is the proper way to consume his stuff. His voice, which can sound a little flat [in the dull sense, not the “off” sense] on the studio material, is really quite wonderful in the, er… flesh. And the addition of viola, cello, French horn, sax, flute etc brings a further dimension.
Folds used this night to show off a rack of new ditties in a promising trailer for his latest album due out in September. [That work, “So There”, consists of eight songs and the aforesaid concerto, a collaboration with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra]. Sandwiched among the premieres was the improvised “Rock This Bitch” and a generous selection of old favourites, including “Jesusland”, “Steven’s Last Night In Town” and “Mess”.
The vocal duelling of “You Don’t Know Me” was the first item in a two-piece encore which climaxed with the background story to the 1999 Ben Folds Five hit, “Army”, then the song itself complete with audience participation on the marching-band hook. Hairs on backs of necks staged a standing ovation before their owners followed suit.
I could gladly have taken another hour or two of this. Marvellous.
The audience:
Fans, every one. No seats empty. No singalong cues missed.
It made me think..
The atrium of the ROH is a spectacular setting for an intermission gin & tonic.
I`ve heard so much over the years about this guy and your review foxy has moved me to action but where do you start?
There is a pretty good comp available http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0059IVY8K?keywords=ben%20folds&qid=1439645265&ref_=sr_1_6&s=music&sr=1-6
Bits of Ben Folds Five and bits of solo.
I also really enjoyed his album with Nick Hornby.
thanks ip, I will investigate.
Yes, that’s not a bad start, although some of the classics are missing. If you want to go a bit deeper but not the whole hog [ooh, metaphors – watch me mix’em], I’d suggest the Ben Folds Five album “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner” and the first two solo albums, “Rockin The Suburbs” and “Songs For Silverman”. But you might want to check out his live performances on YouTube first, cos, as I say, that’s where you’ll find him in his element. Live albums are available.
i`ve ordered `The Best Imitation Of Myself: A Retrospective`, the 3xCD set. 30 quid on Amazon, got it on the marketplace for £12 inc. P&P. I`ll be away on holiday when it arrives so it will be mid-September before I can give my opinion on Mr. Folds.
Oh and thanks to y`all for the recommendations.
He should have some kind of head-to-head keyboard battle with Jools.
The retrospective is a good introduction especially the hilarious cover of Bitches Ain’t shit but agree with Madfox the ‘…Reinhold Messner’ album is the one to go for. First Ben Folds album I got and personally don’t think it has been bettered.
Managed to get the `Reinhold Messner`, `Suburbs` and `Silverman` and a couple more albums for less than 50p + P&P on Am. Mk. Place and some more new quite cheap new. Just wonderin` what to do if I don`t like guy!
I guess you could sell them on Am.Mk.Place…
The 1st of B.F.`s Cds arrived today; “Rockin` The Suburbs”, good innit? A bit of `Piano Prog` in places. It seems to be a `salmagundi` of sounds I love, he seems to have been fired off by a number of ladies, oh well.
Looking forward to the others I`ve ordered on the strength of this album which I am aware is one of his higher rated but will have to wait `til we get back from holiday.
Excellent, I’m glad you like it. It’s gratifying to have kickstarted interest in a new artist for someone.
I tend to recommend the comps, they are the best way in for 90% of stuff. But Reinhold Messner is their best. Certainly much,much,much better than their last ‘comeback’ album.
the Ben Folds Live album is a pretty good alt best of too
I`ve just ordered `Ben Folds Live`, `Ben Folds 5 Live` & `Ben Folds & The W.A.S.O. Live in Perth` DVD; all for just over a fiver, bloody bargain.
It looks like I may have to leave room on the `F` shelves.
“Songs For Silverman” is absolutely brilliant from start to finish. For me it’s one of the best singer-songwriter albums of the 2000s.
Agreed, it’s a belter ‘Late’ his song about Elliot Smith is a highlight
I really like his album with Nick Hornby ‘Lonely Avenue’ particularly Levi Johnston’s Blues, Password and Belinda – Hornby’s lyrics suit the music very well. It’s one I was very unsure about but its become one of my favourites of Ben’s.
Also worth picking up the EPs before ‘Silverman’ particularly Sunny 16 with his version of Divine Comedy’s ‘Songs Of Love’ (aka Father Ted theme) and All U Can Eat & There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You’
The only album of his that never really got me was Way To Normal but even that has the duet ‘You Don’t Know Me’ with Regina Spektor, Effington and Cologne.
I must very lucky because all the albums I ordered “blind” have been recommended above. They are currently going on my iPod for holiday listenin`, ; ))