Mainly because it bothered me that I couldn't upload anything and show how it was a bit of a struggle to keep focus on Mr. Folds when I was writing about not getting great visuals from where I was sitting, even though I had great seats.
I honestly apologize in advance for the quick edits, the blurriness and the overall weirdness of how this came out. However, it does prove how great a showman and entertainer he is.
The various videos were taken on an iPhone 11 and edited in Cyberlink PowerDirector, as I wanted to attempt something different this time around (also, I am using an older version of PowerDirector, so it wasn't what I was going for, but point proven?). I really wish I had better opportunity to get more clear shots and wasn't fighting a white hot stage light shining on him the entire time. Extending an extreme close-up gives him too much of a weird blur and glow. I'm not happy with it even though the audio came out spectacular.
I ended up leaving a lot of "Army" at the end because it not only shows how he went off script in playing, but it shows how he energized the crowd into singing along with him. There are points in some of the zoomed in shots, how he was so wrapped up in playing and proud of himself, that you honestly feel happy to be there. There were definitely magical moments because he's a cool artist to hear live. Super enthusiastic for being "the dude who sings sad songs" (paraphrased from something he said Thursday).
While further editing this, I didn't realize how most of his songs played were between 1998 and 2002, a period where I must have started to fall out of listening. Hearing them now, I have no recollection of them, but can say they definitely are cool little bangers.
The track listing in the video:
* The end of some song, which I didn't get the entirety of. Just the jamming at the end.
* "Annie Waits", track 1 from the 2001 album, "Rockin' The Suburbs"
* "Zak and Sara", track 2 from the 2001 album, "Rockin' The Suburbs"
* "The Luckiest", track 12 from the 2001 album, "Rockin' The Suburbs"
* "Army", track 6 from the 1999 album, "The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner" (this album is still under "Ben Folds Five").
If the crowd singing and cheering along is any reason to not go to a Ben Folds concert, then you're going to miss out on his story and his music. These are the things people remember and pass down to other generations. Sure, there are incidents where he stated sad reasons for writing what he is about to play but you can tell he's genuine. He laughed, he smiled, he admitted to shenanigans. He added some swears into the conversation, only to make him seem more real; more relatable. He wasn't using vulgarity to turn us away. He was admitting to his own faults, much like a lot of people do, or need to do. "I fucked up" sort of thing (or even "There was no way I was gonna fuck with that.. that's just crazy"). We're all adults; we get it.
I liked him before (through the years), but I have more respect for him now, after seeing him live. Especially after learning about his non profit work and his tenure in a celebrated arts center. The latter ties into my #Masshole roots, not only because it's named after a president born in my state (it built way before that person was president), but also because I'm a PBS / NPR child that enjoys various "cultural performances" whether it's comedy, music or visual performance (I draw the line on some things though).
This all illustrates the fact that if you keep an open mind and don't go in and judge first, you'll come out with a different perspective on things and maybe enjoy what you saw or heard. You never know.
Until the next sound and vision post pops up, have a tubular Tuesday and hope you're getting ready for national "find me a big old poultry to cook" day.
Cheers;
