| Each live performance by Ben Harper and Innocent Criminals is unique. To my mind, this is attributable to each member's power and mastery as a musician being allowed the freedom to roam and explore a song each time it is played. This also explains why the band has released so many live albums - three(that I know of) in their scant 10-year history. And though the band does decide on a core list of songs for each tour, the set list for each show varies greatly. |
Ben Harper & The Innocent Crimiinals
| The show last Friday (March 5, 2004) at Shibuya Ax in Tokyo was my fourth in two years. And it was by far the most intimate and personal performance I have yet experienced by the band. The set opened with my favorite track off Diamonds On The Inside - a rockin' version of "Brown Eyed Blues," which had everyone dancing. Next were several songs off the bands first two albums. First up was the reggae-ish "Excuse Me Mr." off Fight For Your Mind (1995), which then had everyone swaying in unison. Next was a deep and soulful rendition of "Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave" off Welcome To The Cruel World (1994). |  |
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But after another couple of songs, suddenly the stage lights were cut and Ben brought out a chair and placed it center stage. He then sat and played slide on his trademark hollow-necked Weissenborn guitar (and changed for at least one other guitar which he also played slide style). And so, right in the middle of the main set, we were treated to several songs with minimal accompaniment from the band, including "Gold To Me," "She's Only Happy In The Sun" and "Please Me," among others. Each was beautiful in its simplicity and sincerity. At other gigs I've been to this one-on-one setting, featuring Ben center stage under a single spot light playing his Weissenborn, is usually reserved for the encore. -->part2 report by sister chill and photos by hanasan
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 mag files : blessed to witness this show... : (04/03/05 @ Shibuya AX) : review by sisterchill, photos by hanasan音楽の一部になる: (04/03/05 @ Shibuya AX) : review by nob, photos by hanasanphoto report: (04/03/05 @ Shibuya AX) : photos by hanasanおおらかな緩急: (04/03/04 @ Zepp Tokyo) : review by ryoji, photos by hanasanベン自身がダイアモンドである: (04/03/04 @ Zepp Tokyo) : review by 竹井晶子, photos by hanasan会場を包み込んだもの: (04/03/04 @ Zepp Tokyo) : review by joe, photos by hanasanphoto report: (04/03/04 @ Zepp Tokyo) : photos by hanasan愛と思い出の夜: (04/03/02 @ Nagoya Diamond Hall) : review by ryoji, photos by hanasanphoto report: (04/03/02 @ Nagoya Diamond Hall) : photos by hanasanphoto report: (04/03/01 @ Namba Hatch) : photos by hanasanDVD Review : Live At The Hollywood Bowl: (04/02/12) : review by hanasanこれが心を揺さぶる歌、そして、音楽だ : (01/06/17&18 @ Shinjuku LOFT) : review and. photos by hanasanツェッペリン・ファンも満足！ : (01/06/17 @ Shinjuku LOFT) : review by nob, photos by nishiokaphoto report : (01/06/14 @ Osaka Big Cat) : photos by ikesanphoto report : (99/02/03 @ Shinjuku Liquid Room) : review and photos by hanasan |
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The official site Ben Harper & The Innocent Crimiinals http://benharper.net/ The latest DVD : Ben Harper & The Innocent Crimiinals  『Live at the Hollywood Bowl』 US import / domestic US import is region free and does have sub title in japanese as well as Spanish French etc more DVD "Plesure and Pain" (domestic / US import) "270 Miles From Graceland to Bonnaroo 2003"(US import) "2to Bonnaroo 2002"(US import) "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"(US import) "One Love: Bob Marley All-Star Tribute"(US import) |
The latest album 『Diamonds on the Inside』  US import / domestic - CCCD
previous albums
『Welcome to the Cruel World』 US import / domestic 『Fight For Your Mind』 US import / domestic 『The Will to Live』 US import / domestic 『Burn To Shine』 US import / domestic 『Live From Mars』 US import with 『Diamonds on the Inside』 / UK import / domestic 『CD Box Collection』 (collection of the first 3 albums) US import check the albums? |
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previous works by sister chill Rock wo suru... in Shinjuku : Joe Strummer &The Mescaleros (1st Oct '02 @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Elvis Costello (7th Jul '02 @ Shibuya Kokaido)Old Fela's Son Shines Bright : Femi Kuti And The Positive Force (14th Apr '00 @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)Double De Dub... : Adrian Sherwood and Scream Team DJs at Aoyama Cay (11th Feb '00 @ Aoyama Cay)Captive in the casbah... : Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros (18th Jan '00 @ Akasaka Blitz) |