This Week's Ben Folds Five Experience

Last Wednesday, I got to see Ben Folds Five for the first time ever, in concert!  I have seen Ben so many times live, that I have lost count. I had never gotten a chance to see the Five together before Ben went solo.  Well, now they are reunited!  It was awesome!
Here's a quick rundown of the night's events:
My friend Allison was coming to the show from Wisconsin.  She messaged me and said, she still had a pass for VIP parking, because when she got to the Venue, the parking lot wasn't open yet.  So, Ian and I met her at the VIP Valet parking area, she gave us the pass, and we got the car parked.  Then, we decided that we would go to the Subway that was right around the corner. While trying to figure out which corner this really was, a really nice guy came around the corner and said, "Robert Sledge is standing out front!"  We walked around to the front, and he was still there!  Allison started talking to him, and he offered to sign my CD cover, that I randomly picked up as I got out of my car. While he was standing there signing, out walks Darren Jessee, and Ben Folds!  I got to see and meet the whole band in person before the show even started! They all signed my CD cover!
Then, we went to eat at Subway. 
After Subway, we came back to Old National Center/Murat to watch the show.  The seats I had for Ian and me were a couple rows apart.  The guy I sat next to was a huge fan of  Kate Miller-Heidke and her guitarist, Kia.  He wasn't really there to see BFF.  Kate was amazing!  I'd recommend listening to her if you haven't. She was going to sit at the merchandise booth during the break, so, the guy next to me, John, ran out to talk to her.  When he got back from break, he noticed Ian and I were in separate rows, and offered to trade seats with Ian.  (What a nice guy!)
Ian and I watched the show together, and I pretty much rocked out the entire time! BFF played so many awesome songs, and my personal favorite was "Selfless Cold and Composed."
When the show was over, we waited for the band to come out in front of the building.  We had been waiting for a little while and talking to all of the other fans, when I realized, we hadn't gotten the car keys back from the Valet yet.  I sent Ian over, and while he was walking over, I realized the car was sitting directly behind us. I called Ian, and he said, the door was locked where the Valet had been, and there was no one to be found. I walked straight up to the security guard standing there and said, "Is Valet Parking closed?  I haven't gotten my car back yet!"  The ESG guy looked at my and kind of chuckled, and said, "Ya, It's closed."  He was really nice, and proceeded to take me back in the building, so, I could get my keys back.  He did help my find my keys, thankfully!
Then, I went back out, and Robert Sledge came out first.

Robert Sledge and Me

Then, Ben and Darren came out close to the same time.  I ended up talking with Ben first. 

Ben Folds and the Really Nice Fan Guy

They were saying, "NO INDIVIDUAL PICTURES!"  Well, so, my pic with Ben didn't come out!  But this is the guy who informed us before the concert that Robert Sledge was standing out front! I wish I would have gotten his real name!

Then, I talked to Darren Jessee. 

Darren Jessee and Me

Since they had all signed my CD cover for "The Sound of the Life of the Mind" before the concert, I had them all sign my concert ticket. 

This show was an awesome good time!  I wasn't even expecting to get to meet the band and Ben again, and I got to TWICE!  

All in all, I would call it a successful concert going evening!

To Get the Lyrics: Ben Folds' Story Telling

One of the many reasons I love Ben is his story telling capabilities in his lyrics. He usually has a story to tell about each song when you see him live.  Also, in his Retrospective album, he puts a story of how each song happened in the liner notes.  I have a few favorite songs of Ben's that the lyrics move me every time I hear them.
"Beautiful Songs of Love" a friend of mine mentioned in a previous post. Before, every time I heard the song, it reminded me of high school.  Now, when I read through it, it makes me think of adults who are different,  who choose to not be part of the crazy culture of the young professionals we are expected to be a part of.  You graduate from college. You get a job and wear a suit. You go to happy hour after work.
It doesn't exactly work that way, especially for artists.  We can pretend to be those people, but it's not who we are. So, where do artists meet people?  That's a whole different topic.
I never wanted to become on of the "Young, Uniform Minds, in Uniform Lines, And uniform ties."
I do love singing and creating "Beautiful Songs of Love."
"Steven's Last Night in Town" is one of my favorite stories to listen to Ben tell.  It went something like this: Steven was a "friend" that was visiting. He would use a fake accent and always tell women it was his last night in town.  He would still show up at the next party and tell the same story. He was obviously not leaving town!
This song is just fun to listen to, from the clarinet with swagger that begins it, to the fun drum solo in the middle, it's awesome!
Sometimes, the story telling of a song is how the listener interprets it.  Sometimes, it's the actual story that the lyricist intended.  Both of these songs are awesome examples from Ben of his story telling.  There are so many more!  

My Love, Ben Folds

My love for Ben Folds started when I was the wee age of 19.  I had heard the song "Brick," but honestly, it did nothing for me. The song that made me fall in love was, the Ben Folds Five's "Battle of Who Could Care Less!"  The harmonies were amazing!  I ran out and bought the album, and from there, all is history.
As I sit here at my desk in the anticipation of the new Ben Folds Five CD, that is going to be delivered at any second by the UPS person, I reminisce on all of the years I've had with Ben and the love of his music. I've lost count how many concerts I've been to.  It's probably around 15-20, which is low in some people's eyes.
The first time I met Ben, I announced to every one at work that day, I wasn't leaving the concert venue until I met him!

Ben and I at Purdue, May 2, 2005

Well, I did. I stood for an hour in the rain... blah, blah, blah, but it happened!  All of my co-workers at the time, started calling him my husband!  

Every year, I try to see him at least once live.  It usually happens in the fall, so, I've started associating Fall with seeing Ben at some point. (Which is funny, because all of the pics I've posted on here are from Spring concerts!)

This year is different!  I've never seen him with the actual Ben Folds Five.  This is going to be so awesome!  I'm waiting for that CD to come today, so, I can start memorizing all of their new songs!  

There's something about Ben and BFF that moves me from deep in my soul.  I love every song, every harmony, every lyric! 

Indianapolis, Murat March 21st, 2009

Purdue March 1, 2008

E. and I with Sam, Ben's Drummer

October 3rd will be here soon!  I've spent way too much money on tickets, but I have them.  See ya then, Ben! 

Corn Mo: You Know, that guy who plays the accordian!

I was talking to some friends about Ben Folds.  One of them said, "Ya, this guy with an accordion opened for him!  He was crazy!" 
I said, "Ya, that was Corn Mo!!!  He's amazing!" 
If you've ever seen Corn Mo perform, you know who he is!  He had a couple years where he was Ben Folds' opening act.  (And if you know me, you know I LOVE Ben!) 
My personal favorite Corn Mo song is "Hava Nagila Monster."
I've seen numerous Corn Mo performances, basically because I've seen Ben so many times! One performance, I remember, Corn Mo was playing his accordion, and had a cymbal on the ground in front of him.  He tied a drum stick into his shoelace and would hit the cymbal with it.  That was awesome!
For some reason, Corn Mo has been on my mind since that conversation a week ago, so, I thought I would make that public.
And this is a random memory from Pechin!