Ben Harper is the Dank

Had to write 2 bloggies today.

Last night, 8/1/2005, I went to see Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals at the Tabernacle. The show was one of the sickest concerts i have ever been to. for those of you who dont know bennie boy, he is a half black half white dude who plays electric guitar, slide guitar, bass, and of course lead vocals. his musical range is expansive, fusing blues and rock together, with a touch of soul/gospel, to create some of the sickest songs. his voice can go high and low. his songs can be fast and pump-up or slow and panty-droppers. the innocent criminals play with him a lot, and the bongos, drums, piano, bass, guitar, and whatever other crazy instruments they have all work very well on every fucking song. the opener even came out and played cello for one song.

the crowd in a-town was amazing. after the first song there was literally a 5-minute standing ovation for ben. you could tell he was mesmerized at how fucking loud we gets down. so i guess he decided to rock the fucking house (2nd to last stop on this tour) and did two complete sets, almost 30 songs in one night for $40. he covered new, old, slow, upbeat. the only song that i love that he didnt play was 'ground on down'... i think that would have been a good closer after the 'Aint Too Proud To Beg' cover. instead he closed with his own song joined with a bob marley cover inside that song. 'a big soul burrito,' is what one guy called it.

besides the fact that the crowd was amazing, the joints were amazing, the security was running no interference, and that it ended at 12:30 am..... the best part was during one song, ben decided he wanted to give love to the 2nd floor balcony. he climbed up the speakers and then pulled himself over the balcony and stood with one foot in and one outside the rail. then he did a complete lap around the entire balcony railing of the tabernacle giving hi-5's and whattups to all the fans on the 2nd floor. then he spidey'd his way back down to the stage to finish up. the performance was awesome and i am glad i toughed it out on a monday night.

For those of you who do know Ben Harper, check out this all-star lineup:
set [1]:
• 11th Commandment
• Well Well Well
• Take My Hand
• Brown Eyed Blues
• Everything
• Temporary Remedy
• Jah Work
• How Many Miles Must We March?
• In The Lord's Arms
• Amen Omen
• Diamonds On The Inside
• Burn One Down
• Get It Like You Like It
• Steal My Kisses/Pressure Drop
enc [1]:
• Waiting On An Angel
• Widow Of A Living Man
• I Shall Not Walk Alone
• Walk Away
• There Will Be A Light
• Beloved One <--any girl who wants this as her first dance song at the wedding is cool with me
enc [2]:
• Glory & Consequence
• Forgiven
• Please Me Like You Want To
• Where Could I Go
• She's Only Happy In The Sun <--shoobie fave
• The Woman In You
• Ain't Too Proud To Beg
• With My Own Two Hands/War

Thank you Ben Harper! and thank you Dwellis, lord of the trichomes.
Read More Reviews here.

**new: added 8/3 due to jonatronics verizon photo capturing**

ben harper walks all the way around the 2nd floor balcony