In the interests of writing something for you to read and learn from, I proffer the following.
Having been encouraged to listen to Ben Folds by the lovely Jason Thompson, a man for whom lunch is never dinner, I decided to listen to some of the music which has so inspired and pleased my Newbiggin-by-the-Sea-dwelling friend.
I was not disappointed.
He's a talented piano player, has a wonderful voice, and seems to have a very good idea how to write songs. Nor does he take life too seriously. Some of his song titles are exceptional:
“One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces”
“The Ascent of Stan”
“She Don't Use Jelly”
...to name but three.
To name a fourth, I would have to go for “Landed”. I saw the video today on E4 Music, which seems to be a good and pleasant music alternative to the ever-cheesy MTV. It's a funny video, featuring a chimp in a nappy. I will mention no more of it here, thus leaving the pathway open for your own exquisite enjoyment.
The main point is that this track is special, a work of pure genius. The song has gripped me and taken me somewhere new.
Why not get hold of it yourself and see whether it works for you too? If you are, essentially, cheap - then just listen to AD-LIB Radio, where it will crop up again and again and again...
My big news will follow tomorrow.
Yeah - Ben Folds is great. He's coling to the UK in December for a tour, and I'll be going for one - we could get a group of us to go if you like. 12th I think, Manchester or Birmingham. My current favourite BF songs are Give Judy My Notice, Still Fighting It and The Luckiest. Great songwriter - could even take over from Jon Brion in my greatest list...and that's saying something.
Posted by: Jason | August 14, 2005 at 01:03 PM
Nice to see you like Mr Folds, Andy. I've admired his stuff since I first heard "Underground" on the radio back in 1995 when GLR, or BBC London as it now is, played quality new music (now it just seems to be 70s nostalgia and Frank bloody Sinatra!!). Seen him live once at The Forum on the last Ben Folds Five tour - well worth it. If he's coming your way I'd strongly advise getting tickets if you can.
Keeping it closer to home (well, your home anyway), if anyone wants to check out recent Geordie genius I can't recommend Field Music highly enough, as well as The Futureheads, although the latter is for lovers of noisy guitar pop, so that's probably not you, Andy.
Zil
Posted by: Zil | August 16, 2005 at 11:57 PM
Hey Andy,
You may not know that Ben Folds lived in Australia for a few years. He wrote a song about his city of residence - Adelaide (in South Australia). He married an Australian women as well. Unfortunately for us Aussies, he has now returned to the USA.
And yes, he is a very talented musician
Posted by: Aussie Eloise | August 29, 2005 at 06:38 AM
Hey Eloise! You found my cyper-slimetrail...
Nice to hear from you.
I do plan to go and see Ben Folds live, if I can. I'll email you...
Posted by: AndyC | August 30, 2005 at 10:46 PM