Written by: Geoff Tischman

Ben Folds closed out August with a spare solo set at the Capitol Theatre in New York.

Accompanied only by his piano, Folds reached into his songbook and pulled out gem after gem.

Hard to pick favorites, but “Capable Of Anything” and “So There” were particularly memorable. Also, “Landed” and “You Don’t Know Me” were especially fabulous.

The North Carolina-born Folds has a dignified presence and it makes sense that he was named the first artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

A deft player and a brilliant songwriter, Folds is one of the best we’ve got. His songs are quirky and precise and bring to mind the work of everyone from Elton John to Paul Simon.

As a result, it was a powerful and moving evening.