Daily Tune On - A “Better Way” with Ben Harper
With Taj Mahal who helped Ben Harper get his start, on my mind, and having just finished writing a piece about Jack Johnson, whom Ben Harper helped get his start, it’s no wonder that today I find myself writing about Ben Harper.
Ben Harper seems to be a musician who is pretty much universally liked by both critics and fans alike. At an early age he would visit his grandparent’s music store, “The Folk Music Center and Museum,” where a foundation of folk and blues was laid. He also had the luck of being influenced by the stream of talented musicians who use to patronize his grandparent’s store including the likes of the legendary Leonard Cohen and Taj Mahal, along with the amazing string player David Lindley. That’s some pretty heavy company for a young musician to keep.
He started performing as a teenager and trying to set himself apart, Harper took up slide guitar, and the Weissenborn (a hollow-necked lap-steel guitar) eventually became his signature instrument. Besides his voice and playing which I find pleasing, distinctive, rhythmic and soulful, I think what I like best is the way he integrates all his different musical influences. When he writes and performs, it’s kind of like being served a big salad in a bowl that is full of all the things you like, but it’s mixed together in a way you never thought of mixing it yourself. It’s unique and individual. Ben Harper combines blues and alternative folk while at other times 20’s jazz and urban music. But folk to funk, it doesn’t matter where Harper is concerned, he puts it all together in a way that resonates with a broad fan base making him popular around the world. The man is talented and eclectic and seemingly a good soul!
Harper has had the same band, The Innocent Criminals, since about 1997 when he released his album, “The Will To Live.” He’s toured as the opening act for The Dave Matthew’s Band, has collaborated with a number of artists such as Jack Johnson, and he even toured and recorded an album with the Blind Boys of Alabama winning a Grammy for “Best Traditional Soul Gospel.” Now that’s diverse! He is politically active, married to Laura Dern, has four children, two from a previous marriage and two with Dern.
From his 2006 released album “Both Sides of a Gun,” comes the song “Better Way.” It’s Monday and I want to start the week off on a positive note. So if you want to hear Ben Harper play and sing, “Better Way,” just click on the link below or cut and paste it into your browser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TILzJ-_4urk