Watch the Ben Folds Five Reunion Concert
Ben Folds Five, 1999
To kick off MySpace’s new concert series called “Front to Back,” Ben Folds Five recently reunited to play a concert in Chapel Hill, NC, where the band got its start in the 90’s.
The band performed, front to back, their album “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.” It’s a brilliant album (though it was underappreciated by many when it was released in 1999).
You can watch the entire show — which is AMAZING! — on MySpace.
The show includes interviews with each band member, musicians (such as Ben Lee) who were influenced by the band, and others.
Last night I watched the entire show TWICE, and sang all the lyrics and played air piano on a pillow. I was sweating. I’m surprised my neighbors didn’t come over to join me (or, more realistically, have me arrested).
Enjoy!
October 30th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
LOVED the reunion set (and I love the “Front to Back” concept)…would be so great to see these three produce some new music at some point (Ben still clearly loves the trio format as evidenced by his most recent tours).
I still have mixed feelings about “Reinhold”…I think the band, Ben, really wanted it to be a “concept” album with a consistent narrative thread throughout the whole thing but it doesn’t quite work as such in my book. Some brilliant moments, though–”Narcolepsy” is a slap in the face from a dark, dark place…”Redneck Past” is as good a song about being true to one’s self and roots as there is out there. Still, “Jane” and “Regrets” feel like throwaways to me. And as much as I love “Army” it would have been a much better fit on “Whatever and Ever Amen”…which, I have to say, is the better album and the one I’d like to hear Front-to-Back.
But I will take what I can get. They still sound great. (Now if only Ben would get his personal shit together…A FOURTH MARRIAGE?????? Oy vey…he’s becoming the Liz Taylor of the music world…)
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Stanky McNittles (aka, Jeff)– Thanks for your outrageous thoughts … and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get my ass of the couch to type this. Man.
I agree, it’d be so STANKY GREAT for the original Ben Folds trio to produce some new music together. There’s something so great about the chemistry they have — and they all have such unique personalities (it seems). In comparison, I don’t know anything about the two guys Ben has been playing with over the past few years, and I certainly don’t sense any major chemistry. But who knows, maybe it’s there, maybe my chemistry radar is malfunctioning (or was never functioning).
Regarding “Reinhold,” I used to have mixed feelings, but I’ve grown to LOVE it, and I’m hesitant to say “Whatever and Ever Amen” is a better album.
I really like “Jane” and “Regrets,” and don’t view them as throw-aways. They seem to fit in “Reinhold,” which is a unique weaving of pieces and sentiments.
Regarding Ben’s most recent marriage, his FOURTH(!), I don’t know what to say, except, um, this has gotta be it this time … the right one … he no doubt found the right one … I’m sure he did … he must have … so to that I say, “Congrats, Benny.”
I miss you, Stanky McNittles, and look forward to seeing you in the Midwest sooooooon.
Love,
A