Concert review: Ben Folds and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson (September 30)

by Sarah Blaskovich

DALLAS — A concert like this is an easy win if you're a fan of Ben Folds, or like to listen to damn good piano, or happen to enjoy the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Put all of them together, and you have the most sophisticated jam session I've ever been to.

The show at the cozy Meyerson Symphony Center was a treat for its packed-house, and it was clear from the quiet whispers that most of the crowd knew every word to Folds' songs. After a set and two encores – one with the symphony and the last without – he left the crowd (and this listener) emotionally exhausted and deliriously happy.

Folds has been playing with orchestras here and there on special occasions. It began in 2005 with a show with the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra, and Folds told the audience on Wednesday night that the feedback he received from the Australia concert blossomed into small blips of shows with other orchestras. (If you don't have the CD of Folds playing with WASO live, get it now. Also check out the video of Folds with WASO at the bottom of this story.)

Folds began the night with “Zak and Sara.” His first words: “Sara spelled without an 'h' was getting bored...” (And if you work at it a little, “Sarah spelled with-hhh an 'h' was getting bored...” sings right to me.) This was going to be a good night.

Folds jammed at his piano, his feet fluttering in syncopated rhythm like a tap dancer. From about 50 feet behind his back, I could hear his shoe slapping the floor for the entire show. It was like he was playing in my living room if I ignored the thousands of fans nearby.

The banter between the symphony and the piano really got going in “Lullaby”; Folds' piano riffs led into brilliant strings accompaniment as they bounced back and forth. It only could have been better if the piano and Folds' microphone were turned up slightly. Sitting at his back, we missed some of the best piano solos. In addition to the 90-some piece orchestra behind Folds' piano, he also added a choir this year. His bassist, Jared Reynolds, was back there singing.

Folds finished up the first set with audience participation in “Not the Same.” If it sounds fun on the CD to sing live with Ben Folds, it doesn't compare to seeing it in person. Next came a few songs written by author Nick Hornby, interestingly. Folds got the audience laughing with Hornbys' quirky lyrics and hinted that they'd be on his next CD.

After the first encore (with “Brick” and “Narcolepsy”), we all figured Folds would be done for the night. But again he appeared, dismissing the orchestra. As requested twice by unruly audience members, Folds finally “Rocked this Bitch,” singing to us in his puny, occasionally off-key voice and playing brilliant piano. He improv-ed about how orchestra members, though great at their job, never learned to bully kids – or kiss girls – as the last of them sauntered off the stage. The orchestra then empty, Folds finished with “Army” and “Rockin' The Suburbs.”

Ever heard a song 100 times and never really knew what it meant until that 101th time? That happened on several occasions at the Meyerson on Wednesday night. Seeing Folds live brings new depth to his music. Now, we just need to get our hands on a copy of the concert to see if the audience's singing did any justice to the impressive marriage of Ben Folds and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.