Music video by Ben Folds Five performing One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces (from Sessions at West 54th). (C) 2001 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment vevo.ly/Blj7cL
Yeah and that last note is mf solid too. Talkin some energy here. I have to guess that maybe a stage producer told the audience to sit still; there's a freaking volcano under way and they're like, hey did I notice the vending machine on the way in had twizzlers?
This is the most vicious band I’ve ever seen live in concert. And I’m including bands like Pantera and Gojira. Intense bands but the BF5 dudes played so fucking angry and unhinged you thought that they’d never make it through the whole show. Unbelievably amazing to see in concert.
I've played piano since I was 4, and almost entering 40s, and Ben Folds' piano skills are beyond amazing, and whenever I hear this song being performed live, is when my jaws drop from when his solo and into the "you'll be sorry one day...." part, while having crisp low piano 16th notes played with both hands. How he can sing while doing that is beyond my comprehension.
Robert Sledge doesn't get enough credit for his bass playing on this song and "song for the dumped". Not only does he play it extremely quickly, but the bassline itself is super awesome
I have played this live 3 times - and it took me years and years and years to master it. Years. The look on peoples faces is always worth that effort. This is a misunderstood masterpiece but anybody with eyes and ears comes to a stand during the performance. Every. Single. Time.
Not sure if was the fact that they were playing for "sober people" or being on camera but they really pulled out all the stops for this song, best version ever.
Back when we wore pagers, the service would send random sports-news-weather-entertainment updates which I’d just delete and ignore. But one time (1997) and one time only, I decided to read one. It was a review for his Whatever... release. I bought the CD that day. I’ve been a fan ever since.
I saw them in 1999 in Seattle at DV8 for less than $20! the sounded even better than their studio recordings. they really played to their audience while having a blast...Ben was doing all kinds of crazy shit like laying on his back on top of the piano and playing upside down and backwards! the music industry is sorely absent of true talent like this these days...
I saw them play in Princeton, Philly, NJ, and LA. Best was Princeton bc it was just him, and the audience was maybe a few hundred people. Played for about two hours.
I'd like to personally thank the 200 solemn faces for bringing us this AMAZING artist known as Ben Folds. With your bullying assholery in his youth this song and possibly Ben would not be possible
In a decade full of MTV Unplugged and 100s of great televised sets, "Sessions" may be the greatest alternative live performance of the 90's. If not it's on the short list.
I saw and hung out with the 5 when the first album came out in a tiny bar in Providence. The show blew my mind and they had the guts to play and pull off Crosstown Traffic with no guitar. A shame it all went to Ben's head as they were the best live band I'd ever seen.
here cause of ben folds five Welcome friends, be sure to check out their self-titled album and whatever and whatever amen. I hope you like them as much as I do. Enjoy.
Ben starts the intro at the right tempo but the drummer didn't pick up on it. The 200 solemn faces in the audience didn't help the drummer with his nerves.
