Ben Folds Felt 'Fear' Over Nick Hornby Collaboration

Posted on Sep 3rd 2010 10:00AM by Barnaby Smith
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Bill Waugh, AP Photo

Ben Folds has admitted that he felt under pressure to compose music good enough for 'Lonely Avenue', his forthcoming project with writer Nick Hornby.

The famed pianist first announced he was teaming up with the author of 'About A Boy' and 'High Fidelity' in 2008. The idea was that Folds would write music for Hornby's words.

However, Folds revealed to Billboard.com that he was nervous he wouldn't be able to make the grade, saying, "With Nick, my biggest fear was he would send me great lyrics and I wouldn't be able to do anything good with them. I always had complete confidence in him."

'Lonely Avenue' began life when Hornby sent Folds some 30 songs, of which 11 have been chosen. Folds added that the project was sparked by his desire to "make music with people who aren't necessarily musicians".The album features songs inspired by Levi Johnstone, the father of Sarah Palin's grandson and blues singer Doc Pomus.

"There's such a wide world of things you can do with music," said Folds. "I feel like I can get a football player and have him tell his life story and turn it into music and I think it would be unique."

'Lonely Avenue' is due for release on September 28.