Ben Folds Five and Selections from Naked Baby Photos (Transcribed Score) (Paperback)

~ Ben Folds Five (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Note-for-note transcriptions in score format for 16 songs from this popular trio's eponymous debut and their acclaimed 1998 release. Includes: Alice Childress * Bad Idea * Best Imitation of Myself * Boxing * Eddie Walker * Emaline * Jackson Cannery * Julianne * The Last Polka * Philosophy * Sports and Wine * Tom and Mary * Uncle Walter * Underground * Video * Where's Summer B.?

Product Details

Sample Music Notation [48kb PDF]

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; Not Indicated edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793597528
• ISBN-13: 978-0793597529
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #402,432 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Transcription, February 21, 2005

By	Douglas E. Wong (Riverside, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The transcriptions here are almost note-for-note with the album, for every song. While the previous reviewer is correct when he says that the most challenging (and fun) song to play is Philosophy, he seems to have missed the point of a transcribed score, which is to offer a dead-on transcription of what Ben Folds and company play on the record.

Don't judge an apple by the standards of an orange. While the keyboard part might in turn be a little simpler than some talentless hack's mashed up attempt to meld bass, guitar, piano and drum part into a song for one performer, it is truer to Ben Folds than any more 'complicated' version might be. I want to know what Ben Folds plays, not somebody's interpretation. If I wanted someone's poor interpretation, I'll write it out myself, thanks.

This isn't to say that if you aren't accompanied by a full band you're SOL. The lay-out also makes it fairly easy to say 'Okay, I have a couple measures of rest here, but the guitar's going crazy, let's play that line instead' and proceed to rock out.

And I for one hate it when the melody line of the vocal is written into the piano score. Frankly, if the song was meant to be vocal and piano accompaniment, let's keep it that way.

This book is fantastic and does exactly what it set-out to do: Transcribe note-for-note a wonderful, amazing album.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Ben Folds Fans!, February 16, 2009

By	Mary E. Niemerg - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is fantastic! It includes the EXACT transcription of the songs as they are played on the CD. And i was blown away once i discovered the bass and drum scores were included as well, for i was not expecting that. If you want to start your own Ben Folds Cover band or just want to learn the songs exactly as they are played then THIS IS the book for you! One of the other reviews mentioned that it includes too many monotonuous songs and doesn't offer any challenges but that is not entirely true. He then suggests you buy Signiture Licks instead. Now not every song in this book may be challenging but that is not the point. The point is to offer the entire score so you can play the songs, piano, bass and all, just like Ben and the gang do. If you want to focus on just the difficult stuff or the more well known pieces then feel free to purchase Signiture Licks. I own both of these books and have found that i am more satisfied with this one. Signiture Licks is good but i was very disapointed to discover that it didn't even have the complete songs. The songs included were missing important parts! For example, the entire intro, chorus, and bridge are missing from Underground and The Last Polka didn't have the solo, ending, or verse...

8 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not great if you play the keyboard-except philosophy, July 24, 2003

By	michael (Ghetto, Marquette University) - See all my reviews

The keyboard parts in this book are fairly simple and unchallenging with the exception of Philosophy. If you are looking for a book that has a lot of good licks but less boring background stuff that you can play by ear, get the Signiture Keyboard licks book and whatever and ever amen. If you have the Signiture Keyboard book, you have realized that the most essential and challenging part of the song Philosophy is missing in the Signiture keyboard licks book, and this is why I purchased this album book. I am happy with paying the price for it because playing Philosophy straight through is really a rush. The price is well worth it if you don't mind having a book that will only have a few fun song in it. Also, if you are looking for good tab and the full score, this book is almost note for note.