Ben Harper

[Chief]

"There Will Be A Light" with the Blind Boys of Alabama

The site has been updated and has an electronic press kit and some more info on the album:
http://www.benharper.net

What I have heard so far is pretty sweet, its more of a gospel/roots type of album. Also, Marc Ford has a writing credit on it!

this site has some sound clips from it also:
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/harper_ben/770860/album.jhtml

[Ignatius]

I see there are not too many Ben Harper fans around here...

I saw him live earlier this year. He was co-headlining Festimad ( Madrid Music FEstival) I didn't have any intentions to see him but ended up doing so. He's gotta a couple fo good songs, but he made me yawn after 20 minutes.

He is married to actress Laura Dern.

[Danny Top Hat]

Ben Harper?  Isn't he the bloke in 'My Family'?

[ClintroN]

i didnt mined him until i saw his DVD, what a stuck up fuck

wanker

[Chief]

New double album coming!!!

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001993969

[Eazy E]

Great, can't wait for this.  I just put Fight For Your Mind on my iPod.... but, like I said with the Chili Peppers new album, a double album can sometimes mean a whole bunch of songs you don't care for.

[Chief]

that is true. hopefully he has very few or no duds on this one, it sounds like it will be good and have some good politically charged songs on it!!!

[Ignatius]

That's cool. Another album to look forward to.

This album will debut higher, probably a top 10.

[Nytunz]

Hes new album is great!

"Both Side of the gun"

anyone else like this album?

[Kujo]

Got the Bonus Package(3rd CD, Sheet Music, Stickers) the day it came out. Really a great double disc. Harper has yet to dissapoint me on anything he has released.

I wouldn't recommend listening to disc 1 when you are depressed, songs like "Waiting For You", "Pictures In A Frame", Never Leave Lonely Alone", "Reason To Mourn", and "More Than Sorry" could push you over the edge.

Have you listened to his previous work?

[Ignatius]

I can't believe this...kujo and myself seem to have almost an identical music taste! 

I haven't bought the new album, but I own "Diamonds on the inside" and downloaded "Live from Mars" a while back. Ben is a unique artist, great songwriter and musician. He's responsible for one of the best songs I've heard in the last 2-3 years "Amen Omen".

A friend of mine as a huge fan. He's gone to 3 or 4 of his shows. In Europe his fan base is huge, specially in Paris where he usually sells out 20,000 seat arenas (two nights) in hours.

[Kujo]

Check out the Live version of Amen, Omen from the Live at the Hollywood Bowl EP, way better than the studio version.

You have to get "Both Sides of the Gun" It might not have needed to be 2 CD's but it succeeded where the Foo Fighters failed in establishing two separate distinct styles/moods.

I have to thank Jarmo for introducing me to Ben Harpers music, indirectly. Jarmo recommended checking out Pearl Jams DVD from Madison Square Garden, towards the end of the show Ben Harper comes out twice. Once to do a medley of "Daughter" with his song "With My Own Two Hands". Than he comes back out to sing "Indifference" with Eddie. If you havent seen this, and are a fan of both, or just one of those artist, you have to check this out.

Ben can play anystyle of music and do it well but I think he is at his best when he is in his blues mode, performing a song that sounds like it would hold up strong with something in Springsteens or Dylans catalogue.

BTW, Ignatius. I think you have me confused with kujjo. I'm SLLC. Here is an off-topic picture to prove it:

 

[Chief]

I love ben, he is awesome live (ive seen him more than 10x).  definitely highly recommended if you're into rootsy rock n' roll and folk.  I think the new album is pretty good too, esp. the political tunes!

[Eazy E]

So about a week ago I went to this amazing music festival in Montreal headlined by Damian Marley, The Flaming Lips & Ben Harper.

It was the last day of the long weekend so I was a little worn out from partying by the time Ben Harper's closing set rolled around, but he was amazing live.  I was so surpised by the setlist as I wasn't expecting him to play all of his most popular songs... I even thought a couple of his new tracks were old ones because I knew them so well (when I got home I realized how well I knew Both Sides of the Gun, and I've been listening a lot since).  I was a little disappointed when I found out that he still plays Sexual Healing live and Montreal didn't get it... maybe if it wasn't a festival date.

Anyways, I was wondering if any of you have, or know where I might find, a live version of Ben playing Heart Of Gold by Neil Young?  This took me by suprise at the concert and I'm interested to hear it again.

[Kujo]

I'll look for it. I would like to hear that myself

[D]

Not my cup of tea

I listened to a couple songs and he annoys the fuck out of me

[Kujo]

Yeah, I could see where guitar skills, a good singing voice and song writing abilities would annoy someone

Ben Harper - Heart of Gold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onf82ynE23Y

[Timothy]

Not my cup of tea

I listened to a couple songs and he annoys the fuck out of me

Me to dude.


It's not bad Just doesn't do anything for me though.

[journey]

I really like Diamonds on the Inside.

People new to his music should check it out along with, Another Lonely Day, Waiting For You, Better Way, Happy Everafter In Your Eyes, and With My Own Two Hands.

[Kujo]

Along with Amen Omen & Please Bleed