Rating: 
Summary: Get Ben Folds Live instead
Review: I bought this DVD on the strength of the new 2002 Ben Folds Live CD/DVD (Ben solo). West 54th was made in 1996 I believe, and all I can say is what a difference 6 years make! On W 54th Street Ben seems tentative with his keyboard playing and is somewhat nervouse throughout. He also is constantly looking at his bandmates to cue them as if they have not rehearsed enough. On BFL, he's awesome.. totally in control and displays his keyboard talent to such a greater degree. On W 54th street on a few of the tunes they try to do a hip hop/ rap beat which just falls flat. I know many fans would disagree, but BF did the right thing in firing the band.
Rating: 
Summary: My only reason to buy a DVD player
Review: I could gush about how great this is, but others have said it aleady. Don't hesitate to buy.
Rating:
Summary: A great trio from North Caroline
Review: I first heard of BFF from now husband. He had the CD Whatever and Amen. I wore the CD out. I have never had the pleasure of seeing BBF in concert but my husband saw them 3 times in Upstate NY when they were still a underground band only known by the college crowd. For 3 musicians THEY ARE EXTRA ORIGINAL in the melodies and presentation of the music. The 54th session I saw first on Trio on Direct TV by accident and I just had to have more so I bought this CD, which I know I will watch more than once. I highly suggest that if you like depth in music and music that fits like a glove, check this out. YOU WON"T BE SORRY!
Rating:
Summary: Get Ben Folds Live instead
Review: I love Ben Folds Five so obviously I love this DVD.
BUT: I have found the same thing as one of the previous reviewers - on some songs there is a slight (but annoying) delay between sound and picture. It's probably not a coincidence that, like the other person who saw this problem, I'm in Australia. I assume the American DVDs don't have this problem, or more people would have noticed it.
Without this problem, I would give this DVD five stars easily.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but ...
Review: I love Ben Folds Five so obviously I love this DVD.
BUT: I have found the same thing as one of the previous reviewers - on some songs there is a slight (but annoying) delay between sound and picture. It's probably not a coincidence that, like the other person who saw this problem, I'm in Australia. I assume the American DVDs don't have this problem, or more people would have noticed it.
Without this problem, I would give this DVD five stars easily.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Worry - He's Still With Us and Better Than Ever!
Review: I started with Whatever and Ever Amen. I loved it instantly and I still do. I did have the good fortune to see Ben Folds live recently without the Five, and he was spectacular. This DVD captured his performance very accurately, except for the rather subdued but appreciative audience. I first heard him on the radio with "Alice Childress" and I was stunned with the creativity. The radio host said: "We always get a lot of calls when we play that."
Rating:
Summary: Update
Review: I wrote the review below about the sound and picture being out of sync. I took the DVD back to the shop, they gave me a new one, and it has no problem.
Rating:
Summary: Great band, not so great mix
Review: I'm a big BFF fan and have seen them in concert. The "sessions" part of this DVD has the same problem their live show did: the drums and fuzz bass, while terrific, often overwhelm the fantastic music and consummate skill pouring out of Ben's piano. This was a huge disappointment, but I still strongly recommend this DVD to anyone who likes BFF. Amazingly, some of the bonus track concert versions have much better mixes even though the recordings must have been made under dramatically less controlled conditions. The only other complaint was that I wish they had performed some of the songs with more variation from the album versions. Sometimes it sounds like you are listening to a bad mix of the same version you've heard before on the album. However, given that they have broken up and this may be your only chance to see a "live" show, buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Great band, not so great mix
Review: I'm a big BFF fan and have seen them in concert. The "sessions" part of this DVD has the same problem their live show did: the drums and fuzz bass, while terrific, often overwhelm the fantastic music and consummate skill pouring out of Ben's piano. This was a huge disappointment, but I still strongly recommend this DVD to anyone who likes BFF. Amazingly, some of the bonus track concert versions have much better mixes even though the recordings must have been made under dramatically less controlled conditions. The only other complaint was that I wish they had performed some of the songs with more variation from the album versions. Sometimes it sounds like you are listening to a bad mix of the same version you've heard before on the album. However, given that they have broken up and this may be your only chance to see a "live" show, buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Great band, not so great mix
Review: I'm a big BFF fan and have seen them in concert. The "sessions" part of this DVD shares the has the same problem their live show did: the drums and fuzz bass, while terrific, often overwhelm the fantastic music and consummate skill pouring out of Ben's piano. This was a huge disappointment, but I still strongly recommend this DVD to anyone who likes BFF. Amazingly, some of the bonus track concert versions have much better mixes even though the recordings must have been made under dramatically less controlled conditions. The only other complaint was that I wish they had performed some of the songs with more variation from the album versions. Sometimes it sounds like you are listening to a bad mix of the same version you've heard before on the album. However, given that they have broken up and this may be your only chance to see a "live" show, buy it!
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