Live From Mars - Ben Harper

Ben Harper is an inspirational singer who uses music as a medium through which he can divulge his strongly held views. His influences (as you will be able to tell from the album) are many and vaired: a soulful rendition of "Sexual Healing" contrasts with a riproaring cover of Led Zep's 'Whole Lotta Love'.

The album is made up of two CDs neither of which can lay claim to being superior. Both show off the diversity of Harper's ...
...listener his powerful polemics.

Rather aptly the second CD finishes with the thought provoking adaptation of postcolonial poet Maya Angelou, 'I'll Rise'. I saw Harper perform this at Brixton Academy to 2000 people without a microphone whilst performing the black power salute. It was testament to the fire that burns within him and was redolent of all that the album provides: passion, integrity and sincerity.

If you have ... more

Ben Harper is an inspirational singer who uses music as a medium through which he can divulge his strongly held views. His influences (as you will be able to tell from the album) are many and vaired: a soulful rendition of "Sexual Healing" contrasts with a riproaring cover of Led Zep's 'Whole Lotta Love'.

The album is made up of two CDs neither of which can lay claim to being superior. Both show off the diversity of Harper's music as well as driving into the conciousness of the listener his powerful polemics.

Rather aptly the second CD finishes with the thought provoking adaptation of postcolonial poet Maya Angelou, 'I'll Rise'. I saw Harper perform this at Brixton Academy to 2000 people without a microphone whilst performing the black power salute. It was testament to the fire that burns within him and was redolent of all that the album provides: passion, integrity and sincerity.

If you have never listened to Ben Harper before then this album is an ideal introduction to his music. His style is generally laid back with beautiful acoustic tracks supported by moody bass. However, Haper's inner fire will suddenly burst forth at moments as he is accompanied by his Weissenborn (a brand of lap slide guitar).

Haper uses his music to rally against the world's evils such as the loss of civil liberties, racism and globalisation while he also presents his more sensitive and vulnerable sides through ballads such as "Waiting on an Angel". Though often the subjects can be fairly bleak the music is conversely very uplifting. Relaxing and with a loving spoonful of moody bass you are sure to feel chilled out even without the need to "Burn One Down"!

Finally, if you are an amateur guitar player then Harper provides a whole catalogue of songs that are easy enough to recreate in your own bedroom.A trivial point, perhaps, but one that may be useful when you fall in love with Harper's songs like I did!  

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