Ben Harper - wow!

Subject: Ben Harper - wow!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 10:42 PM

I see by the old threads, that we have had mentions of Ben Harper, but I don't remember hearing much of him over the years. Tonight I heard him playing an instrumental on steel string guitar on our local radio station. The tune was "Paris Sunrise #17" and was gorgeous. That led me to look for his website which I found HERE. I REALLY like his videos "Better Way" and "Diamonds on the Inside." His "Whipping Boy" is very bluesy. I'd like to hear more of his instrumentals, so will go look for more.

I also found this old obit thread of interest as it was about his Grandfather Charles Chase who was a great influence.

What a talented young man.

Subject: RE: Ben Harper - wow!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 10:47 PM

Another great video - youtube - slide guitar with a short interview: click here.

Subject: RE: Ben Harper - wow!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 10:54 PM

Ah, should have done more looking. Here is the piece i heard on the radio: Paris Sunrise #7, Ben Harper on youtube.

Subject: RE: Ben Harper - wow!
From: astro
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 11:28 PM

Desert Dancer and I just heard him along with a band at the rememberance of the Ashgrove at UCLA (along with Ry Cooder, Mike Seeger, Roland White, Arlo Guthrie and many others (it went the first night for five hours)). He had his mom playing banjo in the band.

It turns out that he owns a music shop in Claremont California called the Folk Music Center. A nice shop which is ran by his mom and was started by his grandparents. They have a nice museum of old folk instruments.

We enjoyed his music and his manner during the show. I would like to see a show that would feature just his music.

Astro

Subject: RE: Ben Harper - wow!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 11:40 PM

That must've been a great concert with that line-up!

There's quite a bit about his grandpa and his folk center in the obit thread. I think the shop and all of the neighbourhood, is featured in Ben's "A Better Way" video. It's really beautiful.