by Ben Folds
First published 2012
This deluxe songbook presents 22 piano arrangements spanning Ben Folds' career through 2011. The collection draws from his multi-disc retrospective's first volume and adds four bonus pieces. Pianists can work through fan favorites like "Brick," "The Luckiest," and "Rockin' the Suburbs" alongside deeper cuts such as "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces" and "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You." Each arrangement includes piano parts, vocal melodies, and guitar chords across nearly 200 pages. The book captures Folds' distinctive style, from tender ballads like "Annie Waits" to energetic rockers like "Underground." Songs span his solo work and Ben Folds Five material, offering pianists a comprehensive look at his songwriting approach. The detailed notation preserves the intricate piano work that defines Folds' sound, making these arrangements accessible for intermediate to advanced players seeking to master his melodic sensibilities.
Genres: reference, non-fiction, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, lyrical
Tropes: retrospective
202 pages · Paperback · Alfred Publishing Co.