Ben Folds has it all. Absolute fluency on the keys, a gorgeous voice, and lyric writing that defined a whole generation of nerdy 20-somethings in the mid to late 90's. The guy is a treasure.
I think you mean stylistically it seems off. In terms of pitch the guy is nearly perfect all the time and it still baffles me. Stylistically I would agree with you though. Sometimes his voice clings to the way he used to describe his music as "punk rock for sissies." That style is definitely dwindling, but certain songs he does, especially lyrically, are transcendent of his vocal style. Songs like Still and Luckiest will always be timeless regardless o how he sings them. Try listening to him through the lens of piano punk and it might help you enjoy it a bit more. Papa bless!
I'd greatly appreciate it if some 90s fans of the piano & vocal genre would check out my acoustic interpretations of LONG DECEMBER by the Counting Crows and BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve on my channel. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace out.
One of the lastgreat rock stars who really genuinely understood the legit rock spirit. Not about image, not about conformity,notabout trends, all about enjoying playing good music for the sake of it. Ben and Robert and Darren always felt genuine.
he is great, came up as a jazz and classical player at the university of Miami. for modern rockers, check out boygenius. i saw this tour with ymusic the string and brass sextet, it was one of the greZtest shows i have seen, his music knowledge is vast, he was rearranging his songs in different styles on the fly he would yell country and they would change the arrangement mid song to country, it did this with every genre of music. very talented.
yes mine is a Sloth but Ben is my Hedgehog Hermione of choice that is why my wife has 2 big front teeth...it is my type I love great jazz Ben along w DMB Phish Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Jon Batiste my top 5 at the moment but my favorite band Phish is passing Billy Joel soon as most MSG residencies for a reason
Few artists are quite charming enough to take the ultimate disaster of forgetting your own lyrics on tape and make it an endearing moment instead. Great job, Ben.
This what true artists go through. Forgetting lyrics, being in the wrongs key, when the setting is different wondering if can pull off a flawless performance. He is an amazing performer.
yeah, most of his songs sound like a real conversation you'd have with a friend where pretense and formalities are lifted. The best thing about his work
@@Lucasryan lol wut? I received no comment or like notifications on this. I guess after so many likes, it disables them. Just looked back at the comments for the first time in ages and see 160 likes. Glad to have made things easier for people. 20:54
14:53 instantly transports me back to my youth. Friends and family who are long gone. It’s hard to think about how the years fly by without even realising. Life is really tough, nothing will ever come to close to those carefree days.
It's always a treat to hear his stuff. This is one of fav tiny desk. Whatever and ever amen is an incredible intelligent album that got me hooked back in the 90's. For any music nerds you need to do yourself a favor and listen to his stuff throughout the years. His musical brilliance is super dynamic
In my first ever guitar lesson, I was told that no one who is listening to your music knows when you fuck up, so pretend like you didn't. The fact that ben stops and aims for perfection is just a testament to his talent.
I can't listen to this enough times. Every time makes me smile so big. Thanks for years and years of great music Ben! And thanks NPR for bringing this amazing man on for everyone to enjoy!
Oddly enough, I love these versions of his songs more than the official versions, I like the way the different instruments sound and I like ymusic but I love the way he plays piano and the way he fills in for the other parts more
And there’s beauty in it :) it’s unique and almost the version of current truth? and it’s special bc the ppl there got to experience it. They’re lucky to me😭
I took my children to see Ben, at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden in London in 2015, after running four marathons to his albums. He is a genius. Period.
Thank you NPR Music to make these Tiny Concerts happen with all these fantastic musicians from all over the world. I discovered this channel recently and I am hugely enjoying it (and in the meantime discovering new musicians as well!)
Folds is a very skilled piano player and his lyrics are brilliant, but his voice has a whining quality of white privilege about it that can be grating to listen to.
He has always been one of my favorite song writers; music so thick and rich with melody and meaning and hook lines and genuine humanity. Great Job and much love!!
I haven’t really listened to Ben folds much cause like the only times I’ve seen him were like classical music things and so I thought he was just a classical pianist but I’m very glad I saw this video so I know that’s absolutely not true and I’m now lowkey obsessed with this man
Insufferable Know-It-All lol I think he's just double jointed, and possibly started to do that when he learned to play to make sure his index finger didn't hit a key
I just found him a few months ago. I find him so deep and mysterious yet his lyrics telling it like he sees it. So enjoyable to listen to his variety and mastery on the keys.
I love ben folds ben folds because i dont think he ever plays a song the same way, he always manages to change what he is playing a little bit to make it more interesting. I can safely look up ben folds concerts and never hear the same exact song within two concerts.
Cannot believe I missed this on radio. Thank you for post! I so LOVE brilliant Ben - he is my favorite by far - and the piano is lucky to have him touch it in any manner. LOL!
I came here thanks to Brain pickings. This is the music I needed today to raise my mood. The way he describes what an artist is almost brought me to tears.
Ben has more talent in his lttelist finger than I could ever hope to have…and I am considered by many to be “talented”. Ben is the very definition of genius. Love you Ben. 8:25
An artist in the truest sense of the word. What a fucking musical genius! Intelligent, poised, humble, hilarious and - who the hell plays a piano like this?! A GOD, that's who, damn it! Ben folds NEVER disappoints. Spectacular!!! NPR: Please invite Regina Spektor, Manchester Orchestra, Bayside, Børns and Lana Del Rey?! 🤗🙏
I love how apparent his drumming past is in his piano playing. especially the spicy ending to this performance putting all the amazing-ness into the old classic one angry dwarf and 200 solemn faces.
Everyone saw him punch that piano, right? He punched it right in the face! We need to get the word out: Ben Folds is a piano puncher. People, don't let your pianos outside until this man is caught, and if you see him don't try and apprehend him yourself. As far as we know he only punches pianos, but it's possible he'll punch more than that... like a guitar or a violin. A violin can't take a punch like a piano can; we have to stop him before it comes to that.
My Pineapple Gets WiFi I really like his compositions but my wife was once so appalled by his piano abuse that I daren't not even mention his name, let alone suggest playing a CD of his! Tim Minchin worth a listen.
Arthur Thornborough I love Tim Minchin but I'd give Rock N' Roll Nerd a skip then seeing as Tim Minchin says, "he loves Ben Folds" in on of the verses.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Ben Folds has it all. Absolute fluency on the keys, a gorgeous voice, and lyric writing that defined a whole generation of nerdy 20-somethings in the mid to late 90's. The guy is a treasure.
He's really old and his voice is off.
Anthony Francisco - wut
I think you mean stylistically it seems off. In terms of pitch the guy is nearly perfect all the time and it still baffles me. Stylistically I would agree with you though. Sometimes his voice clings to the way he used to describe his music as "punk rock for sissies." That style is definitely dwindling, but certain songs he does, especially lyrically, are transcendent of his vocal style. Songs like Still and Luckiest will always be timeless regardless o how he sings them. Try listening to him through the lens of piano punk and it might help you enjoy it a bit more. Papa bless!
Believe me, he continues to define nerdy 20-somethings. ;)
I'd greatly appreciate it if some 90s fans of the piano & vocal genre would check out my acoustic interpretations of LONG DECEMBER by the Counting Crows and BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve on my channel. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace out.
One of the lastgreat rock stars who really genuinely understood the legit rock spirit. Not about image, not about conformity,notabout trends, all about enjoying playing good music for the sake of it. Ben and Robert and Darren always felt genuine.
he is great, came up as a jazz and classical player at the university of Miami. for modern rockers, check out boygenius. i saw this tour with ymusic the string and brass sextet, it was one of the greZtest shows i have seen, his music knowledge is vast, he was rearranging his songs in different styles on the fly he would yell country and they would change the arrangement mid song to country, it did this with every genre of music. very talented.
When I saw Ben Folds live he must've forgotten his lyrics 3 or 4 times. This man is my spirit animal lol
I mean when you've written as much music as he has, you're bound to forget a word or two 😂😂
yes mine is a Sloth but Ben is my Hedgehog Hermione of choice that is why my wife has 2 big front teeth...it is my type
I love great jazz Ben along w DMB Phish Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Jon Batiste my top 5 at the moment but my favorite band Phish is passing Billy Joel soon as most MSG residencies for a reason
He treats the piano like punk guitarist treats their guitar, I love it.
He’s been known to destroy several piano benches at the end of his concerts.
My parents picked out their piano specifically so my brother could play Ben Folds's songs without ruining it.
Except for that part where he knows how to play it extraordinarily well, but yeah, agreed.
Yes!
@@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney
Punk guitarists know how to play the guitar well, too.
That dude that blurts "Emaline" right away is now my favorite dude
He was ready for his cue, for sure.
Hi Ben
And the one who insisted on brick over missing the war is a tool
I love that he's just a talented dude with a piano. He's not pulling a diva act when he messes up or whatever, just figures it out and keeps going.
Few artists are quite charming enough to take the ultimate disaster of forgetting your own lyrics on tape and make it an endearing moment instead. Great job, Ben.
and you'll realise that you are an ass, grow up.
+McLovin You You shouldn't use other peoples opinions to argumentate your own opinion
+Buller I'm honestly concerned for the guy since I really didn't use any words beyond a high school vocabulary.
Ella Fitzgerald famously "forgot" the lyrics to Mack the Knife...
fukkkking omega lul
Can’t believe it’s been 7 years already, this is properly timeless. Plus he played Emaline.
Even his fuck ups are spot on.
This what true artists go through. Forgetting lyrics, being in the wrongs key, when the setting is different wondering if can pull off a flawless performance. He is an amazing performer.
Liked his little story about using words from his everyday life in songs. I really feel like that's what's made him such an enduring songwriter.
Robogabriel I think you meant endearing, but yeah I totally agree!
yeah, most of his songs sound like a real conversation you'd have with a friend where pretense and formalities are lifted. The best thing about his work
That's what got me. He's just an everyday guy.
@@sammichelson4716freudian autocorrect Ben would approve
"phone in the pool" has become one of my favorite songs as of late!
I just fell in love with Ben Folds all over again
His voice is so honest, familiar and lovable.
As a young piano player/ amateur song writer, I have never been so inspired by someone's songwriting as much as I am by Ben
I just discovered him. Just this morning I was thinking how everything starts to sound the same to me. And he inspired me now. I'm mesmerized.
His solo performances are some of the best live music I’ve ever seen.
0:09 Phone In A Pool
5:05 Not A Fan
9:35 Capable Of Anything
14:53 Emaline
18:47 One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces
You the real mvp
Wheres the mark for the piano punch? 😂
@@Lucasryan lol wut? I received no comment or like notifications on this. I guess after so many likes, it disables them. Just looked back at the comments for the first time in ages and see 160 likes. Glad to have made things easier for people.
20:54
no brick smh
Lucas Robertson 2:47
14:53 instantly transports me back to my youth. Friends and family who are long gone. It’s hard to think about how the years fly by without even realising. Life is really tough, nothing will ever come to close to those carefree days.
It's always a treat to hear his stuff. This is one of fav tiny desk. Whatever and ever amen is an incredible intelligent album that got me hooked back in the 90's. For any music nerds you need to do yourself a favor and listen to his stuff throughout the years. His musical brilliance is super dynamic
Live In Perth
Trust me... It's just great.
In 2023, still amazing. Love all the single words in his songs.
In my first ever guitar lesson, I was told that no one who is listening to your music knows when you fuck up, so pretend like you didn't. The fact that ben stops and aims for perfection is just a testament to his talent.
tbh no one gives a fuck
+McLovin You you are a poor person
Sorry m8
+McLovin You try harder don't be a bitch
Exactly
Emaline - NICE! It melts my heart.
I love that song and Annie waits
Emaline and Kate were the coolest girls I ever imagined when I was 14 and heard these
Named our Dogs Emaline and Fred Jones... we debated between effington and Fred Jones landed on Fred
@@benfirkus74 LoL - great names! Nice.
Luckiest makes me shed man tears
Geez, how has this slipped past me for three years? What a gem, both Ben and this tiny desk concert of his.
I can't listen to this enough times. Every time makes me smile so big. Thanks for years and years of great music Ben! And thanks NPR for bringing this amazing man on for everyone to enjoy!
Oddly enough, I love these versions of his songs more than the official versions, I like the way the different instruments sound and I like ymusic but I love the way he plays piano and the way he fills in for the other parts more
hands down Not a Fan is one the best songs he's ever made
We all forget the words sometimes. He's so human and relatable, and his voice sounds like a comfy sweater in December.
him messing up is honestly refreshing... reminds that hes human/live idk... also as a piano player myself who messes up
And there’s beauty in it :) it’s unique and almost the version of current truth? and it’s special bc the ppl there got to experience it. They’re lucky to me😭
Still here, June 2021. Saw him live 3 years ago and it's still the best show i've ever seen. Love this guy!!!
Dude is so in my top three that the rest of the list doesn't pick up again until twenty.
That's legit praise
That's, like, math.
Donald King he should be in your top 5 (;
Seriously. Ben Folds and Steely Dan. Top two.... they battle day on the list.
Are you talking tiny desk line ups?
Been a fan of ben since I was only 9 years old and I first heard his music on Over the hedge :)
I didn't realize he made the music for Over the Hedge, but it makes so much sense now.
Me too
My daughter is obsessed at 7 yrs old. I have to say im quite proud
That Lost in the Supermarket cover is top-notch!
Over the hedge!
Been a fan since 1998. There's nobody like Ben (Folds Five).
He absolutely KILLED One Angry Dwarf. Dang that's a good song.
from the sound of it, he broke the hammers. one of tge best live performers I hsve seen.
I took my children to see Ben, at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden in London in 2015, after running four marathons to his albums. He is a genius. Period.
Thank you NPR Music to make these Tiny Concerts happen with all these fantastic musicians from all over the world. I discovered this channel recently and I am hugely enjoying it (and in the meantime discovering new musicians as well!)
Ditto - and discovering old musicians too!
One of the best concerts I have seen. He is super talented.
Never heard of this guy but i liked his music a lot
I hope by now you are a fan and know all his music. For your sake I hope so.
I have watched One Angry Dwarf from this video about 1500 times. Simply amazing Ben. I never get enough of you!
If Ben says your piano is out of tune, it is.
If Ben punches your piano, it's out of tune.
If Ben plays your piano, it will be
@@isaacrobertson4374 If ben plays your out of tune piano, it would immediately be worth more than one in tune.
cafe.y.crema out of tune AF!
Folds is a very skilled piano player and his lyrics are brilliant, but his voice has a whining quality of white privilege about it that can be grating to listen to.
He has always been one of my favorite song writers; music so thick and rich with melody and meaning and hook lines and genuine humanity. Great Job and much love!!
That Emaline solo, tears every time. Brilliant and soulful and romantic.
Ben is just a musical genius, and that's that.
Ben Folds will always be my favorite artist
Seen him live many times - when it comes to one man and a piano banging it out - the only man who can touch him is Elton. Awesome.
Ben’s great, but you’ve got to put Billy Joel there too.
You can keep Elton John and Billy Joel, give me the music of Ben Folds any day.
You just cannot be cooler than this.
But there's always someone cooler than you...
With a new album on the way, we need another Tiny Desk concert
my man
Yeeessssss
MOR TINY DESK
I haven’t really listened to Ben folds much cause like the only times I’ve seen him were like classical music things and so I thought he was just a classical pianist but I’m very glad I saw this video so I know that’s absolutely not true and I’m now lowkey obsessed with this man
One of my all time favourite tiny desk videos a great artist and performance!!!
How can your favourite part of this brilliant performance not be when he forgets the words to one of his own songs??? How human are we huh?? 🤩
Oh god, I've ben waiting for a Ben Folds tiny desk as long as I've known about the series
An excellent performance. Longtime Ben Folds fan.
Best version of Emaline I've ever heard.
One of his index fingers does a crazy bending thing. Everyone else has said what I originally wanted to say so this is all I have left to contribute.
Insufferable Know-It-All lol I think he's just double jointed, and possibly started to do that when he learned to play to make sure his index finger didn't hit a key
I just found him a few months ago. I find him so deep and mysterious yet his lyrics telling it like he sees it. So enjoyable to listen to his variety and mastery on the keys.
Get his EPs...trust me.
This is about the 20th time I've come to this performance and I'm beginning to think it might be my favorite Tiny Desk
The stecatto section in Emaline gives me goosebumps
This kid has been in my playlist since the early 90's 😎
Ben: Your piano is out of tune, if y'all's know what I mean
NPR: really?
Ben: *punches piano* yes, yes it is.
This guy is so carismatic and funny, ben folds is a legend :')
I love ben folds ben folds because i dont think he ever plays a song the same way, he always manages to change what he is playing a little bit to make it more interesting. I can safely look up ben folds concerts and never hear the same exact song within two concerts.
"Not A Fan" is hugely reminiscent to his earlier "Boxing". It is great!
Was just listening to him and I get this notification, damn thankyou universe
Cannot believe I missed this on radio. Thank you for post! I so LOVE brilliant Ben - he is my favorite by far - and the piano is lucky to have him touch it in any manner. LOL!
Jesus, Ben Folds plays the goddamn piano.
Really? Didn't even notice Tbh
Shut up and stop spreading rumors, he doesn't play piano
Oscar Hernandez he's not playing.
nah hes lip syncing the piano. i am a chef, I can confirm
He doesn't play it...he OWNS IT!
He's got a very clear pronunciation
lol this setlist. He does what he wants, I love it
Anyone else notice the strange overtones during the intro to Emaline? Right around @14:57. I don't know why but I LOVE it. Song kills me.
this is the first tiny desk concert where I've actually seen the audience
This, Tyler the creator and the blue man group are the only ones I’ve seen the audience in and I’ve seen a ton of these
DAN DEACON
Legend has it that poor girl is still standing there requesting Brick.
do we know it was girl?
I was surprised to see this in my subscription box! Love Ben Folds ^^
Not many people can forget the words to their song and still be awesome haha
Ben folds is a musical genius of our time and a legend.
Great stuff! This is where it's at! Heart and soul and a piano.
Vulfpeck should make a cover of "phone in a pool"
I don't think that song matches their style
@@letitbegin1012 vulfpeck matches everything
3xStampA2xStamp yes but there are better Ben folds songs they could cover
@@letitbegin1012 i swear I can hear Joe slapin' this now ngl
Mmm hmm
I loved ben at 13 and I still do. His music has helped me so much :')
It's Centuries and Lots of Talent to play like that !!!!!!!!
What a brilliant pianist, performer, and lyricist. Wow!
Ben Folds is the definition of a musician. I fucking love this man.
I know many, many people have said this before: Ben Folds is fucking brilliant. I love him. I could watch him and listen to him 24 hours a day.
Very good, I love his sense of humor, thank you Ben.
He literally forgot the words to his song and still had an amazing performance. amazing. lol
Ben was adorable as always. Thanks NPR~
I came here thanks to Brain pickings. This is the music I needed today to raise my mood. The way he describes what an artist is almost brought me to tears.
Thanks Ben Folds and Tiny Desk! I've been wanting this for a long time. I'm so glad to see my favorite artist on my favorite internet series :)
He's making me want to learn how to play the piano!
Me to right now! And i will do it! Midi Piano is Orders and a journey of learning, suffering and Joy is in front of me
@@Hafelamahat how is the journey going?
I've fallen in love with this guy before I fell in love with his music....this dude is GOLD. Can't wait to get into this music.
he punches the god damn piano, its great
TheESB1138 What did he do?
Al Funcoot belt it repeatedly with the stool
wait, when does he do that? I was just listening
Luís 2:47
Just saw him again last night up close and personal. Which he exudes.
i love ben and also chet baker
Ben has more talent in his lttelist finger than I could ever hope to have…and I am considered by many to be “talented”. Ben is the very definition of genius. Love you Ben. 8:25
An artist in the truest sense of the word. What a fucking musical genius! Intelligent, poised, humble, hilarious and - who the hell plays a piano like this?! A GOD, that's who, damn it! Ben folds NEVER disappoints. Spectacular!!!
NPR: Please invite Regina Spektor, Manchester Orchestra, Bayside, Børns and Lana Del Rey?! 🤗🙏
I am so glad he did one of these. This is definitely my favorite tiny desk concert so far!
I love how apparent his drumming past is in his piano playing. especially the spicy ending to this performance putting all the amazing-ness into the old classic one angry dwarf and 200 solemn faces.
Everyone saw him punch that piano, right? He punched it right in the face! We need to get the word out: Ben Folds is a piano puncher. People, don't let your pianos outside until this man is caught, and if you see him don't try and apprehend him yourself. As far as we know he only punches pianos, but it's possible he'll punch more than that... like a guitar or a violin. A violin can't take a punch like a piano can; we have to stop him before it comes to that.
just shut the fuck up
lol
hahaha
My Pineapple Gets WiFi I really like his compositions but my wife was once so appalled by his piano abuse that I daren't not even mention his name, let alone suggest playing a CD of his! Tim Minchin worth a listen.
Arthur Thornborough I love Tim Minchin but I'd give Rock N' Roll Nerd a skip then seeing as Tim Minchin says, "he loves Ben Folds" in on of the verses.
Killer Musician the reason I started to learn Piano after playing Guitar for yrs
So refreshing to see a bunch of lovely people all together. It's been a tough year.
歌詞飛んでから魂入る。
Best version of Emaline.
The guy is a genius. Saw him at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra...immense!