Ben Folds

Got to see Ben Folds live on Tuesday. Great show.

Duncan Sheik opened for him. The less said about that, the better.

Ben started with the first two songs from his recent live CD. I was afraid he was just going to recreate the album. Luckily, this wasn’t the case.

I’ve seen Ben with a band before (But not Ben Folds Five, this was last year after the breakup), but I have to say, I preferred him by himself with nothing onstage but a piano. He really interracted with the audience a lot more. Telling stories about songs, leading the audience in harmonies, stuff like that.

Funny moments included Ben talking about one of his favorite cover songs to perform. Everyone assumed he meant, Tiny Dancer, and started cheering. Instead Ben launched into Careless Whispers. Another funny moment came in the middle of Goodnight Sweet Baby (I have no idea if that’s the real name of the song). I love this song and was totally mesmorized by his playing, when all of a sudden, he hit a wrong note and screamed out, “Fuck!” He backed up a few bars and tried it again. After the song he went into a description of how simple pieces are really hard for him sometimes since he learned to play all over the keyboard. Another (sheesh) funny moment came at the end of the concert when Ben told us about critics being confused by his music because he writes all his happy songs in minor keys and his sad songs in major keys, even though it would seem obvious to do it the other way. From there he launched into a very slow, melancholy version of, “Song for the Dumped.” Nice.

One of the coolest moments was at the end of “Stephen’s Last Night In Town.” A guy brought a snare drum out to the piano with a couple of sticks and held it next to Ben. Ben turned towards him, took the sticks and started playing. After a second, the guy started to walk to the center of the stage, still carrying the drum, with Ben following and playing. The Drum was set on a stand and a stool was brought out. Ben sits down, never missing a beat. Then piece by piece stagehands bring out an entire drum kit. Every time a piece is put into place, Ben adds it to his pounding. Within seconds, he’s doing a really incredible drum solo. Apparently he started out his career as a studio drummer.

Ben is an incredible song writer and piano player. This may have been the best concert I’ve ever seen.