Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals: Ben Harper (vocals, guitar); Juan Nelson (bass, background vocals); Dean Butterworth (drums, background vocals); Nick Rich, Rahzel (background vocals).
Throughout the '90s, Ben Harper's blend of blues, funk, soul, and folk quietly earned him a hardcore following of diehard fans over the span of four studio albums. For the two-CD LIVE FROM MARS, Harper and his tight three-piece band the Innocent Criminals cull performances from a variety of concerts, featuring interesting arrangements and odd nuances applied to his best-known songs, along with an eclectic array of covers.
Armed with his hollow-neck '20s-era Weissenborn lap slide guitar, Harper rages throughout the plugged-in Disc One with highlights including the human-beat box-driven radio hit "Steal My Kisses," and the churning opening number "Glory & Consequence." "Burn One Down," a sprightly ode to herb, evokes Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," while a simmering "Sexual Healing" channels the spirit of Marvin Gaye. Unplugged and introspective, Disc Two overflows with Biblical metaphors captured in delicate numbers like "Waiting on An Angel," "Power of the Gospel," and "In the Lord's Arms." Tying it all together is a heartfelt reading of the Verve's "The Drugs Don't Work," and the epic 10-minute closer "Like a King/I'll Rise," featuring lyrics borrowed from a Maya Angelou poem.
What the critics say…
Rolling Stone (5/10/01, pp.84,86) - 3 stars out of 5 - "…This generous live set…shows off his influences exceptionally….Harper's range is so broad and his technical ability beyond that of so many of his peers…"
Entertainment Weekly (3/30/01, pp.66-7) - "…Ideal for the hardcore fans as well as the uninitiated….Harper's roots are exposed for all to see….Both his singing and melodies have a calming, Zen-like quality…" - Rating: B+
CMJ (4/9/01, p.26) - "…A treat for those who dig a little message with their neo-blues jamming…"
