Ben Folds Five - The Complete Sessions at West 54th

Starring:Ben Folds Five
Studio: Sony
Product Type: DVD

Description

Back in August of 1998 Ben Folds Five were one of the first guests ever to appear on a brand new show called "Session at West 54th." Having just recently released their first album for Epic Records, "Whatever and Ever Amen," the band recorded one of their best sets for the fledgling show. Of course, due to the requisite editing, only a handful of the songs BF5 recorded ever made it to air--but now, for the first time, you can see the band's entire performance. Songs: "Sessions at West 54th" - Missing the War, Kate, The Battle of Who Could Care Less, The Last Polka, Selfless Cold and Composed, Brick, Steven's Last Night in Town, Smoke, Philosophy, Emaline, Theme from Dr. Pyser, One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces, Underground, She Don't Use Jelly, Song for the Dumped; "Spare Reels" - The Battle of Who Could Care Less, Philosophy, Missing the War, Brick, Jackson Cannery, Song for the Dumped, Don't Change Your Plans, Army. DVD features: Spare Reels footage: 45 minute short film

Customer Reviews:

Ben Folds. Yes, Its Amazing........2007-01-14

Good solid choice for Ben Folds' fans. A must have, in my opinion.

Solid performances.......2006-12-17

The video delivers as promised with some of the best Ben Folds songs performed in a studio setting. However, if you are already familiar with the songs, this video won't do much to overwhelm you. Ben looks more like your average joe than a rock star and there are no stage performances...just playing the songs like the recordings. If you are looking for something more original, check out Ben Folds and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO). If you are new to Ben Folds, this video could be a good start to learning the songs.

The Five at their best..........2006-07-19

This DVD is a great purchase for pretty much anyone who appreciates Ben Folds Five's music. Whether you be an avid fan or someone who just likes a couple of their/his songs.

The DVD is a colaboration of their best works from the 1st 2 albums (Ben Folds Five, Whatever And Ever Amen) played in a small studio with an intimate and enthusiastic audience.

With Ben Fold's smooth lead vocals and awe inspoiring piano, the amazing harmonies from Darren Jesse and Robert Sledge coming over so perfectly in this live recording - you feel as though you are there watching live. It makes you wonder why they ever broke up!

This DVD is a must have in anyones collection.

The performance that made me a fan.......2006-04-22

It was 1997. I was fighting insomnia, and losing, so I turned on the tv to the local public television station. It was 1 AM.

I was assaulted by a manic man pounding a piano with two backup musicians, a drummer and a bassist. I was fascinated by the high-energy, yet melodic performance. I did not know a piano could be that loud. And what was that in the lyrics, "One Angry Door's Fan?"

I had to know more. I'd found a new favorite band, and I didn't even know their names.

I soon learned that I'd stumbled across Ben Folds Five, giving the performance that's on this very DVD. Ben Folds Five - The Complete Sessions at West 54th is a heady mix of rock, jazz, and punk. It's a great sample of how Ben Folds and his band sound live. If you've ever been to a Ben Folds concert, you'll know what I mean. If not, this DVD is a good introduction.

Best. Band. Ever.

It ended too soon..........2006-02-07

Like many creative and talented bands do, Ben Folds Five ended way too soon. At least we have the Complete Sessions at West 54th to help remember the band by. Don't misunderstand, Ben Folds solo is excellent, but the band was in a groove as well. West 54th was only a half hour show, so the DVD is better than the actual show since it includes all the tunes from the taping. Unlike a few of the previous reviewers, I also like the Bonus feature:Spare Reels Footage. I like seeing the band in studio and just hanging out.

If your a casual listener of radio, it's possible that you might know the song "Brick" as it was able to garner some airplay. The fact of the matter is that there are even better tunes by BFF and some of those happen to be on the DVD. "Kate", "Whatever and Ever Amen", "One Angry Dwarf..." and "Army" really hit home with me. Ben even gives a little background on Army. I was living in Raleigh, near where Ben is from at the time of his disc "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner", and WDGC, G-105, actually was cool enough to play that song on a somewhat regular basis. With the present sorry state of commercial radio, that would never happen today.

Here is the deal, the DVD has aged well. The production is top notch, the performance, as many have mentioned, was right on for this performance. If you are a Ben Folds, or BFF fan, this is an essential purchase. If you have only explored one or 2 of Ben's discs, this might be a great way to expand as well.

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