Folds shines in live performance

By Ryan Auffeneerg

Ben Folds' latest release, "Ben Folds Live," is a is compilation of highlights from his first tour since the breakup of Ben Folds Five, with tracks spanning his career with the band and as a solo artist.

Because he uses a piano as his only accompaniment, the recording is far more stripped down that his previous efforts in which he has been known to use thickly textured harmonies, sound effects, and samples.

However, though "Ben Folds Live" lacks grandiose arrangements, it provides an air of live intimacy that few artists are capable of achieving.

Several times throughout the album, Folds asks the audience to help with various harmonies and instrumental solos formerly provided by his fellow band mates. After a while, one begins to get the feeling that Folds is leading a private sing along rather than playing to a sold out concert hall.

Folds' informal demeanor is further exemplified by his dialogue with the audience, informing them at one point that he has no set list and would be open to suggestions of what to play. This laid back candor of Folds' stage banter is fodder for some of the best moments of the entire album.

Though "Ben Folds Live" is a quality depiction of Folds in his element as a performer, it is not without its flaws.

Highlights on the album include the sardonic "One Down," an irreverent take on the less pristine elements of the music industry. However, with no verbal introduction present on the album, only those that were in physical attendance at one of his shows know that the song is part of an ironic corpus of 4.6 songs Folds was bound to write in order to fulfill a publishing contract.

The endearing wryness of the song is presented to the average listener with no context. Folds' cover of the Elton John classic "Tiny Dancer," deserves commendation for its apt execution, but the performance is fairly imitative, offering little in the way of artistic interpretation.

However, despite its flaws, "Ben Folds Live" is a quality sampling of tracks spanning the career of an uncompromising, talented, and truly unique musical artist.

Amidst a world of mass produced pop cliche and woefully uninspired hard rock power trios, Ben Folds most definitely deserves a listen. B+