Party Ends

   Ben Folds and Corn Mo rolled into Austin TX and played a sold out show at Stubbs Friday November 3^rd.  The show was full of crowd favorites, funny jokes, stories and importune jams on a brand new 2000 dollar shiny red synthesizer, which Mr. Ben was very set on getting his money’s worth out of. 

   Corn Mo warmed the packed audience nicely with his glam pitched and Tiny Tim novelty singing.  Songs varied in subject matter from mechanical horses from the future to making out with Victorian ladies via time travel.  Did I mention the word novelty?  I had previously seen Corn Mo open for They Might Be Giants at Stubb’s where he concentrated more on playing the accordion, perhaps to better set the stage for a band who uses one most of the show… on the same token- he played mostly keyboard tracks while preheating the crowd for Ben Folds.  He did get out the old accordion out for an amazing cover of Queen’s ‘We Are the Champions” that won over the group of people around me who were previously less than impressed with his antics. 

   Listen for the former Denton Texas resident doing guest vocals on the new Ben Folds release with their cover of the Darkness (RIP) anthem “Get Your Hands Off My Woman.” 

   Ben Folds was as amazing as ever.  As his new band played some Ben Folds Five classics I realized how well they are able to duplicate a historic pleasure that I was never able to take part in- seeing a proper Ben Folds Five concert.  Early in the set they played the rare instrumental track “Theme From Dr. Pyser” and a breathtaking version of “Kate.” Nothing made my wet Ben Folds dreams come true like his solo part of the set that was a beautiful trifecta of music: “Cigarette,” “Eddie Walker” and “Fred Jones Part Two.”  Ben Folds Five lore has it that “Eddie Walker” was the first song that the band recorded and it opened their b-side album “Naked Baby Photos” which has always blown my fucking mind.  How can the first song that gets committed to tape be that amazing?  The song gives me chills in so many aspects.  I was besides my self with dorky fan boyness.  I found my eyes watering up at the line about the trees in the back yard getting cut down when she died.  Oh yeah- I forgot to mention that I love Ben Folds more than any other performing artist.  Ever.  Maybe that should have been my thesis or whatever for this post… oh well.   

   Ben made up an amazing song about Austin, which touched on breakfast tacos, the new Marriott that will be built soon which will destroy a breakfast taco store, and the BBQ joint/ music venue Stubbs.  He went on to refer to all of his band members and crew by their first names but replaced their last names with “Stubbs.”  He also made a joke about everyone in Austin knowing lots about music so throughout the night he would inform the audience before songs what key they were in.  I am proud to report that their version of “Bitches Ain’t Shit” is in C.

• Trusted- (with excellent sing-along)
• Learn to Live With What You Are
• All U can Eat
• Theme From Dr. Pyser
• Jesus Land
• There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You
• Gone
• Rock This Bitch
• Annie Waits
• You To Thank
• (German Techno improv song)        
• Landed
• Cigarette
• Eddie Walker
• Fred Jones Part Two
• Ascent of Stan
• (Made Up Song About Austin)
• Kate
• Bitches Ain’t Shit (audience participation!)
• Such Great Heights (Postal Service cover)
• Zak and Sara
• Bastard
• Army (audience participation!)
• Rocking the Suburbs 
  
• ENCORE:
• Narcolepsy
• One Angry Dwarf… 
  

   I will stop now- but please know that Ben Folds is a great artist.  His music is an amazing mix of sub-culture and story telling.  My favorite quote about Ben Folds Five come from Ben who described the music as “punk rock for pussies.”  That was also almost the name of this website.  Have a good day and listen to all the Ben Folds that you can. 

MP3 - Ben Folds – Bastard- Live at Tower Records

MP3 - Ben Folds- Bitches Ain’t Shit