More on the news we broke to you over a month ago (with thanks to the Boston Globe), there’s increasing chatter about the expected reunion of the former Ben Folds Five. Ben’s talking more about getting back together with Darren and Robert for a recording session and maybe more, no doubt fueled by the nostalgia as he dug through years of archives and eventually reuniting for three songs on the upcoming Best Imitation of Myself compilation. Recently, there have been stories in Digital Spy, 7News, Contact Music, and Spinner, and probably more to come as the details develop. Update: Billboard.com has a story today, including mention that there’s not a lot of pressure to get it right the first time (“If it’s not great, we can check out and come back later”), but now that the cat’s out of the bag, they’ll “feel a need to make it really great.” (27 Sept 2011) Update: The interactive magazine Zimbio has an item as well. (30 Sept 2011)
More press on a Five reunion
“The Sing-Off” third season debuts
The third season of NBC-TV’s hit a cappella show The Sing-Off debuts this evening (Monday, Sept. 19) at 8:00 PM (ET) in the US. The first eight contestants appear on tonight’s show.
Ben will be blogging his observations on the show and contestants, with each episode’s blog post going up shortly after the show concludes in the Pacific time zone. There are links to his current season blog as well as last season’s blog, Twitter feeds and more info in the right column.
Second new Ben Folds Five track released
The second track from the upcoming retrospective collection The Best Imitation of Myself by the reunited Ben Folds Five is now out. Stereogum is hosting Tell Me What I Did, which was recorded in June as part of a three-track taste of what may be to come from Ben, Robert and Darren. The first track, House, came out last week, and the third track, a cover of Stumblin’ Home Winter Blues by Darren’s post-BFF band Hotel Lights, is expected soon.
Report: Ben Folds Five getting back together
News from the press tour for the NBC-TV series The Sing-Off, held earlier this week, is that Ben  mentioned he will be getting back together with Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge, former bandmates in Ben Folds Five, to record an all-new album later this year. According to Boston Globe music writer Sarah Rodman, the timeframe given was December, following wrapup on the TV show. When asked about potential touring, Ben was unsure, preferring instead to take it “one step at a time.” First, however, he’s producing Sara Bareilles’ new EP.
