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intereact!Ben Folds
Retail Price (not our price): $11.98
Release Date: 2002-10-08
Manufacturer: Sony
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...
| Disc 1 |
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
Ben Folds Live is a stellar exception to the rule that live albums are contractually obliged stocking fillers. Folds is at his best on stage with only a grand piano for company. He is a compelling showman who's blessed with an unforced charm that complements the anger and melancholy that informs most of his songs: the self-lacerating "Army" loses nothing by having a hall of people bellowing the saxophone and trumpet parts as Folds conducts them. The material here spans Folds' work with the three-piece Ben Folds Five as well as 2001's excellent solo debut. The readings of "Fred Jones," "The Luckiest," and "Brick" display an immediacy and intimacy that transcend the recorded versions. A couple of worthwhile curiosities--a minor chord rearrangement of "Song for the Dumped" and a faithful, affecting version of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" round out the offerings. This is an impeccable document of a superior performer at work. --Andrew Mueller
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) ben folds live [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Thanks for the prompt service!Received it on Christmas Eve. The packaging was great also. Thanks again..2) I love Ben [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This might be my favorite Ben Folds CD of them all!!! I love the extra talking he does between songs. He is one of my favorites in concert because he really interacts with you, and isn't afraid to be silly!3) Ben Folds - Great Live Album [Rating: 5 out of 5]
On Fold's first live album he takes a stripped down approach with no backing band. It is just Ben and his piano for a solid hour of music from both his Ben Folds Five and solo years. Folds is an outstanding live performer and it is obvious from this recording that he is able to carry an entire audience on his shoulders for a whole concert without the help of anyone else. In fact the audience serves as his backing vocalist, string and horn section on several of the tunes (You would have to hear it to understand). The album also features a DVD of some of the performances on the album which further enhances the Folds live experience. The majority of the songs featured here are from the Ben Folds Five era, with only 4 tracks from the excellent first solo album "Rockin' The Suburbs". Since I do not have all of Ben Folds Five early albums I found the tracks that he picked from them to all are excellent. Fold's piano playing is terrific throughout and it sounds like he was having loads of fun with the material. Fold's has often been compared to early Elton John. On "Live" Ben throws in a cover of John's "Tiny Dancer" which comes across as good, if not better than the original. The only other previously unreleased number is a short but good one called "Rock This Bitch". It is pretty hilarious and shows of Fold's always wry sense of humor. This album kind of reminds me of Warren Zevon's solo live disc "Learning To Flinch" in it's style and performance. Really everything about this disc is impressive, and it would serve as a very good introduction to Fold's body of work for anyone looking to explore what he does.4) Intimate and Energetic [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Ben gives a very energetic performance, and really seems to connect with the crowd.5) Vintage Ben Folds [Rating: 5 out of 5]
If you like Ben Folds, you will love this masterpiece. He is an amazing musician. Kind of Billy Joel with more of an attitude.