Ben Folds and I go way back. Well, not really, but he was the first “real” musician that I interviewed way back in my college radio DJ days. It wasn’t just Folds, as this was back when Ben Folds Five was releasing their sophomore album, Whatever And Ever Amen. The interview still ranks as one of my worst, as the band was in no mood to chat about, well, anything. Every question was answered with ramblings about saving the ants in South America and discussing “digital impaction.” If you have no idea what that is, rock Google if you dare.
Since those days Mr. Folds has lost the Five (well, technically two) and went solo, releasing such enjoyable albums as Rockin’ The Suburbs and Songs For Silverman. Bad interviews aside, his piano-driven pop is always a good time, which leads us to some recent Ben news. He is set to release a rarities compilation on October 24th, titled supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp. It will include several covers worth owning, such as of The Cure’s “In Between Days,” The Darkness’ “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and Dr. Dre’s “Bitches Ain’t Shit.”
For die-hard fans who may already have most of these tracks, the compilation is still worth picking up as the songs have been tweaked and remastered at his Nashville studio. To support the rarities compilation, Folds is hitting the road in North America beginning in late October.
supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp
01. “In Between Days”
02. “All U Can Eat”
03. “Songs Of Love”
04. “There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You”
05. “Learn To Live With What You Are”
06. “Bitches Ain’t Shit”
07. “Adelaide”
08. “Rent A Cop”
09. “Get Your Hands Off My Woman”
10. “Bruised”
11. “Dog”
12. “Still”
Ben Folds Dates
10.29.06 – Las Vegas, NV (Vegoose)
11.01.06 – Houston, TX (Jones Hall @ Houston Symphony)
11.05.06 – Columbia, MO (Jesse Auditorium)
11.06.06 – Lawrence, KS (Lied Center Of Kansas)
11.09.06 – Bloomington, IN (IU Auditorium)
11.11.06 – Geneseo, NY (Kuhl Gym – SUNY/Geneseo)
11.12.06 – Fredonia, NY (SUNY Fredonia Gym)
11.14.06 – Columbia, SC (Koger Center For The Arts)
11.15.06 – Washington, DC (Bender Arena)
11.18.06 – Chestertown, MD (Lifetime Fitness Center)
