Music Snitch

I complain all the time that bands that I like never make it down to Tampa, so you can imagine my surprise in finding out that Ben Folds is coming here. Though his latest album Way To Normal was a bit of a switch from earlier albums and his time with the 5, overall I was fairly impressed with it (especially “Kylie From Connecticut’), and being able to see Ben Folds live makes one less thing on my shows to see before I die list. I’m psyched. Tickets for Tampa go on sale this Saturday, February 28 at 10:00am.

[Begin promo text courtesy of statemedia.com ]
Over the last 15 years, Ben Folds’ first-class melodic gifts, irony-laced lyrics, and punk-rock tendency to play piano as if it were a contact sport have earned the North Carolina native a legion of devoted fans of all ages. These people, quite simply, are going to go nuts for Way To Normal. The album, Folds’ third solo studio release, is dominated by the kind of irresistible hooks and piano-pounding pandemonium that listeners haven’t been treated to since Folds’ years with his previous band, the platinum-selling Ben Folds Five. Way to Normal is an exuberant, raucous, and sometimes profane mix of sure-fire crowd-pleasers (“Hiroshima,” “Bitch Went Nuts,” and the frenetically fuzzed-out “Dr. Yang”), cheerful snark-fests (“The Frown Song,” “Brainwascht”), and thoughtful, moving ballads (“Cologne,” “Kylie From Connecticut”) that Folds wrote at the end of 2007.
[End promo]

Tour dates:

Feb 25 2009    Durham PAC- Durham, NC
Feb 26 2009    N. Charleston PAC- Charleston, SC
Feb 27 2009    Tabernacle- Atlanta, GA
Mar 1 2009    Ovens Aud.- Charlotte, NC
Mar 17 2009    Music Hall- Omaha, NE
Mar 18 2009    Val Air Ballroom- Des Moines, IA
Mar 19 2009    Eagles Ballroom- Milwaukee, WI
Mar 21 2009    Murat Theatre- Indianapolis, IN
Mar 26 2009    Wellmont Theatre- Montclair, NJ
Mar 27 2009    Boston College- Chestnut Hill, MA
Mar 30 2009    Univ of Mary Washington- Fredericksburg, VA
Apr 1 2009    Hard Rock Live- Orlando, FL
Apr 2 2009    Florida Atlantic U. – Boca Raton, FL
Apr 3 2009    The Ritz Ybor- Tampa, FL
Apr 4 2009    U. Of North Florida- Jacksonville, FL
Apr 7 2009    Ryman Auditorium- Nashville, TN

(Photo not taken by M.Snitch)

As a lover and appreciator of great music and talented musicians, last nights concert was indeed spectacular. James Morrison, Ben Folds & John Mayer all in one hot summers’ night in Florida, wow. This wasn’t a highly manufactured show, no pyrotechnics, nothing really visually stunning (besides, James, Ben & John), there were no tricks but plenty of treats.

First to take the stage was James Morrison, who I was most excited to see since Undiscovered is one of my favorite albums of the year. Although James Morrison is adored in the UK, sadly I don’t think he is as widely known in the States. His set was brief, as he was an opening act but he sounded amazing live, with his raspy tone. He has raw talent, there’s no faking that voice. However, I think James Morrison would be much more powerful in a smaller venue, one where he can connect with the audience and his emotion can be felt. Unfortunately, he seemed to get a little lost in the amphitheater setting. After his performance he met with fans and signed autographs, which is always a thumbs up in our book.

Ben Folds was next to take the stage. Although I am not married to his music, I am familiar with it enough to know that he is a gifted singer, songwriter and piano player, so I was exceedingly eager to finally see him live. Ben Folds was simply enchanting. He is so comfortable with his piano and voice, that his performance appeared effortless. Hearing the whispers in the audience it was obvious that those unacquainted with Ben Fold’s music were more than pleasantly surprised. Towards the end of his performance the skies opened up and the rain came pouring down cooling off the humid air but not extinguishing the heat coming from Ben Folds and his band.

Even though he was the headliner, John Mayer was not the reason I went to the show. I was really into his first album, Room For Squares, but then he kind of lost me. On the rare occasion I am listening to the radio, if a John Mayer song comes on, I don’t change the station. To be honest, I didn’t think his live performance would offer a different effect than listening to his CD in the comfort of my own nest. Well, I was wrong. John Mayer blew me away and now, I am absolutely on the bandwagon. It was about 30 seconds into his song, Gravity, when I realized what a special artist Mr. Mayer truly is. I get the hype now, he is the full package with plenty of potential. It was really difficult for me to pry my eyes away from his guitar because I had no idea that he was that agile and funky of a player. His band was phenomenal too.