Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five - Philosophy Performance from Sessions at West 54th

West 54th
New York, NY, United States

• In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was riding high on the success of their self-titled album, "Ben Folds Five," which had been released in 1999. The live... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was riding high on the success of their self-titled album, "Ben Folds Five," which had been released in 1999. The live performance of "Philosophy," recorded during the "Sessions at West 54th," showcases the band's signature blend of alternative rock and witty lyrics, both of which defined their musical style. By this time, the group was becoming well-known for their energetic performances and relatable songwriting. Interestingly, "Philosophy" is one of the standout tracks from their earlier album "Whatever and Ever Amen," released in 1997, which includes hits that helped establish their fanbase. The performance at West 54th highlights not just their musical talent but also their camaraderie as a trio, which was essential to their appeal. The band would later disband in 2000, making this performance a nostalgic look at their dynamic just before their hiatus.

Ben Folds Five Performs 'Kate' - Live at West 54th Sessions

West 54th
New York, NY, United States

• By January 2001, when Ben Folds Five performed "Kate" for the "Sessions at West 54th" series, the band was at a pivotal moment in their career. Their ... Read Full Description >

  By January 2001, when Ben Folds Five performed "Kate" for the "Sessions at West 54th" series, the band was at a pivotal moment in their career. Their third studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," had been released in 1999. This album showcased a shift toward more mature themes and a broader musical palette, which distinguished it from their earlier work. However, despite critical acclaim, it faced commercial challenges, leading to the band’s eventual breakup in 2000. The performance of "Kate" highlighted their unique blend of pop, rock, and piano-driven melodies while demonstrating Folds' signature whimsical lyrics and engaging stage presence. This live recording captures Folds and his band at a time when they were grappling with both their artistic identity and the impending end of their collaboration, making it a significant moment in their discography.

Ben Folds Five: Underground Live Performance at Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, during the live recording at "Sessions at West 54th," Ben Folds Five had recently released their third studio album, "The Unauthorize... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, during the live recording at "Sessions at West 54th," Ben Folds Five had recently released their third studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," in 1999. This album marked a significant point in their career as it showcased a more mature sound and the band's desire to explore different musical directions, departing from their pop-rock roots. The song "Underground," performed in this session, epitomizes the band's clever lyrical style and unique blend of rock and piano-driven melodies. Notably, this performance came shortly before the group announced their hiatus in 2000, making the live recording a poignant reminder of their impact and legacy in the late '90s and early 2000s. The band's dynamic live presence and connection with fans were evident, reflecting their strong following and critical acclaim during this period.

Ben Folds Five Performs 'One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces' at Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was navigating a transitional period in their career following the release of their fourth studio album, "The Unauthor... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was navigating a transitional period in their career following the release of their fourth studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," which came out in 1999. This live performance of "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces" captured the group during a time when they were still enjoying popularity from their prior works, yet were also facing changes that would lead to their eventual breakup later that year. An interesting aspect of this session is the band's energetic blend of pop, rock, and classical influences, which was a hallmark of their style. The performance illustrates their unique sound and stage presence, showcasing Folds' distinctive piano playing and sharp lyrical wit that had gained them a devoted fanbase. The band's ability to deliver such an engaging live rendition reflected their solid reputation during this era, right before they disbanded, with Folds pursuing a successful solo career afterwards.

Ben Folds Five - Brick Performance from Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, when Ben Folds Five performed "Brick" on *Sessions at West 54th*, they were coming off the release of their third studio album, *The ... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, when Ben Folds Five performed "Brick" on *Sessions at West 54th*, they were coming off the release of their third studio album, *The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner*, which debuted in 1999. This album showcased a more mature sound and included intricate piano arrangements, characteristic of Ben Folds' writing style. Notably, "Brick" is one of the band's most recognized songs, addressing themes of emotional struggles and personal loss. The live recording at West 54th highlighted the band's ability to connect deeply with their audience through raw, heartfelt performances. Following this performance, Ben Folds Five disbanded in 2000, making this era significant as it marked one of the last live performances before they took an extended hiatus, with Folds later pursuing a successful solo career. This performance reflects the band's legacy and their impact on alternative rock in the late '90s.

Ben Folds Five - 'Song for the Dumped' Live from Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was at a pivotal point in their career following the release of their third studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography ... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was at a pivotal point in their career following the release of their third studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," which came out in 1999. Though the band had gained significant popularity in the late 1990s with hits like "Brick," "Song for the Dumped" demonstrated their unique blend of piano rock and witty lyrics that resonated with fans. The performance from "Sessions at West 54th" highlights the band's energetic yet introspective style, showcasing Ben Folds' distinct vocal delivery and dynamic piano skills. This recording was part of their promotional efforts as they began transitioning towards their hiatus that would follow in 2000, during which the band members pursued their own projects, marking a significant change in their musical trajectory. "Song for the Dumped" remains an enduring favorite, reflecting their signature blend of humor and heartbreak.

Ben Folds Five - Selfless, Cold and Composed Performance from Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• By January 2001, when Ben Folds Five recorded "Selfless, Cold and Composed" for "Sessions at West 54th," the band was nearing the end of its initial r... Read Full Description >

  By January 2001, when Ben Folds Five recorded "Selfless, Cold and Composed" for "Sessions at West 54th," the band was nearing the end of its initial run. Their third studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," had been released in 1999, following their critically acclaimed album "Whatever and Ever Amen." The performance is notable as it captures the band's blend of rock and classical influences, showcasing the unique stylings that characterized their sound. At this point in their career, they were experimenting more with complex arrangements and lyrical depth. Interestingly, the band had announced its breakup in 2000, shortly after the release of their latest album, making this live performance a significant moment that represents their transitional period and the conclusion of their early creative output together.

Ben Folds Five - Missing the War Live from Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was at a pivotal moment in their career, having recently released their final studio album, "The Unauthorized Biograph... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was at a pivotal moment in their career, having recently released their final studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," in 1999. This album showcased a more mature and introspective sound, which was evident in tracks like "Missing the War," the song featured in the live recording from "Sessions at West 54th." By this time, the band's lineup had solidified with Ben Folds as the frontman, but they were also facing internal challenges. The performance captured during this session illustrated their dynamic blend of pop and alternative rock, highlighting Folds' distinctive piano-driven style. Interestingly, this live recording marked a period shortly before the band dissolved in 2000, signaling the end of an era for Ben Folds Five and setting the stage for Folds' subsequent solo career. The energy and emotional depth of "Missing the War" reflect both the band's prowess and the transitional phase they were navigating.

Ben Folds Five - Smoke Performance from Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, when Ben Folds Five recorded their performance of "Smoke" for "Sessions at West 54th," they were amidst a transitional phase in their... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, when Ben Folds Five recorded their performance of "Smoke" for "Sessions at West 54th," they were amidst a transitional phase in their career. This live recording came shortly after the release of their third studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," which debuted in 1999. The band was exploring new musical directions, moving away from their earlier sound and embracing different influences. Notably, this album featured a more mature and introspective songwriting approach, reflecting growth in their musical identity. Furthermore, the band announced their breakup in 2000, just prior to this live recording, making this performance poignant as it marked one of their last appearances as a trio before their hiatus, which lasted until their eventual reunion in 2011. The live setting highlighted their energetic yet introspective style, further cementing their legacy in the alternative rock scene of that era.

Ben Folds Five Performs 'Emaline' | Sessions at West 54th

Sessions at West 54th

• In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was at a significant juncture in their career, having just released their final studio album, "The Unauthorized Biogra... Read Full Description >

  In January 2001, Ben Folds Five was at a significant juncture in their career, having just released their final studio album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," in 1999. The live recording of "Emaline" from the "Sessions at West 54th" highlights their unique blend of alternative rock and piano-driven melodies, showcasing their ability to merge witty lyrics with orchestration. This performance occurred during a transitional period for the band, as they would disband later that year. Notably, "Emaline" reflects Folds' penchant for storytelling and his knack for crafting memorable hooks, which contributed to the group's distinct sound. This live session not only captured their energy but also emphasized their critical and commercial success in the late '90s, illustrating the artistic depth they achieved before their split.