Naked Baby Photos

Ben Folds

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 13, 1998)
• Original Release Date: January 13, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B000000I3B
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,815 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When major labels snatch indie acts, credit for having been there first holds little consolation for the original labels--unless, of course, there are easy bucks to be made from it. Suggesting Caroline's lack of faith in Ben Folds Fives' career longevity, the label trudged out its collection of early singles, live performances, album outtakes, and obscure covers at the first signs of the group's commercial breakthrough (rather than wait until these odds and ends were actually old enough to be of archival interest). Most of these "naked baby photos" are not worth your time, unless you're one of Ben's relatives. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Naked Baby Photos---More Genius From Ben Folds Five, April 4, 1999

By	Madcat ([e-mail]) (Georgia) - See all my reviews

While Naked Baby Photos may not technically be a new Ben Folds Five album, it's definitely the next best thing. This album gives us unreleased versions of songs form other albums, B-sides, a radio performance and several live performances. Sound like it might not be worth your money? Think again. No Ben Folds Five fan should be without this album. The highlights of this album include an outstanding live performance of Underground (much better than the one on their first album), the B-Sides Emaline, Eddie Walker, and Tom and Mary, the live song Satan is My Master (actually created on stage as they recorded it), and a little jewel called For Those of Ya'll That Wear Fanny Packs. "Fanny Packs" was a recording of a song the band did while just messing around in the studio. Thank God they left the tape machine on---this song is absolutely hillarious. It's sort of rap song with a piano in it---or more likely a rap parody---you decide. Other songs worth mentioning are their first recording---a version of Jackson Cannery, a good radio performance of Alice Childress, a short instrumental called Dick Holster, Bad Idea, The Ultimate Sacrifice (BFF does heavy metal!!!....well, sort of...), a live version of philosphy, and another live song called Twin Falls. The one problem with this album is that a few of live songs tend to be hard to understand. The live version of Julianne is nearly unintelligable if you don't have a good stereo (and even then it's still pretty rough), and the version of Song for The Dumped can be hard to make out too, which is a pity, since this one was a weird but cool version. Also, the live version of Boxing isn't really worth mentioning, it's OK, but nothing compared to the one on their first album. Despite these flaws, this the genius of Ben Folds Five shines through on most of the abulm, making it well worth the money. People who are new to BFF however (particularly those who don't know anything except Underground and Brick), should probably buy Whatever and Ever Amen and/or their self-titled album first, as they might very well not appreciate this album going into it cold. For those who are already well familiar with the group, dive in. You won't be dissapointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Naked Ben Folds... The best, but not for everyone, October 6, 2000

By	Chad A. Lauterbach "chadl2" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This very Naked music from Ben Folds Five is mainly recorded from clubs, or small studio efforts. The sound quality on many of the tracks leaves much to be desired, but they are certainly some of the best musical events Ben Folds Five has ever created. This CD is a must have, and will be loved by all Die Hard Ben Fold Five fans. "For Those Ya All That Wear Fanny Packs" is hillarious, and there is not subsitute for this version of "Underground" due to some interplay with the crowd. I would say to those still discovering Ben Folds Five, make sure you really like them, you probably want to collect their albums first, but don't get me wrong... This CD rocks.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Damn Tasty, June 14, 2002

By A Customer

Wow, Amazon didn't really like a CD for once..

Anyway, I bought this CD a few years ago, and popped it in now and then to hear the songs I knew ("songs" comprise about half of it). After seeing Ben Folds live recently and watching the DVD, I appreciated the CD much more, and had a better picture of the group during recording. Yes, you'll be tempted to skip "For Those of Y'all Who Wear Fanny Packs", but it actually goes on for quite awhile and accurately displays the bands sense of humor (their best quality).

This is (was) one truly talented band that was so easily dismissed by those who didn't enjoy "Brick".