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Music is a vehicle meant to stir the emotions that life brings.  Whether it's a poignant love song, a fun tune about being in a relationship, or a challenging song about growing up, Ben Folds shows the world that he is on top of his game.

With the 2001 release of Rockin' the Suburbs, Ben Folds, has been traveling around the country with both a band and also for several dates on his acoustic, "Ben Folds and a Piano" tour.  On a hot summer night in St. Louis, MO, 900 people waited outside of Mississippi Nights, a 1,200 capacity smoke-filled concert area, which makes for a nice medium sized venue in the Midwest.

The concert was sold out and the stage was set for the newly moved aussie, Folds, to make his "Rockin'" debut.  Folds walked out to the stage as a common guy off the street, and then the music started.

Immediately the performer began connecting with the crowd with his emotion, sweat, and personal stories which intertwined with the songs. 

One of the funnier stories was about a recording publishing deal, which was "less than par" in Folds' book.  He had three songs left to record before he was out of the deal.  He played the three songs, which he wrote for the company.  They were all filled with sarcasm, wit, and Ben Folds making a song out of getting out of the publishing deal.  The audience ate it up.

He continued to play the show, intertwining some 20 older Fold's songs from his previous band, and playing nearly all the songs on his debut release. 

There were several highlights of the night, but most notable was the ballad, "Still Fighting It."  The crowd, full of Folds followers, immediately cheered and sang right along.

Folds introduced another song as one of his favorites and most thought provoking on the CD.  "I swear this song is true, and it's the most amazing thing I've ever seen," said Folds.   Folds then went on to tell the story of a stoned friend who woke up from a late night party in a front-yard tree. When the friend came down, he turned his life over to God, and as Folds sings, he was "Not the same."

This is an amazing insight coming from a non-believer.  Anyone can go to the local church and hear a post-believer conversion story, but it's refreshing to see and hear, someone from the outside who saw a genuine change in a person who professes the faith.

Folds pulled off the song, by teaching the background vocals, bgv's, to the crowd.  The place went nuts as Folds shared the mic, while singing with his loyal fans.

It was almost magical to see Folds play the piano in his choppy piano-bar style.  He went from tune to tune with ease and a flowing rhythm absorbed the concert.  All the while he stayed energetic.  It was as if he were playing the songs for the first time.

The show ended on a tender note, as Folds played one last ballad for the late-night crowd.