Live At the Hollywood Bowl

Album Review

The Live at the Hollywood Bowl EP captures Ben Harper's intoxicating live presence, and devoted followers of the blues-inspired singer/songwriter will find this a natural addition to their record collections. The four-song special edition EP is merely a glimpse of Harper's DVD release of the same name, a magical highlight at the famed venue in August 2003 while Harper toured in support of Diamonds on the Inside. From the seven-minute funk jam "Brown Eyes Blues" to the reggae-tinged "With My Own Two Hands," the listener is soaked in Harper's laid-back live show. A spiritual theme flows throughout, and Harper's rendition of "War" resonates with sociopolitical events happening during that time. He's always one with a message and his large fan base obviously listens closely, because he continues to sell out shows around the world. He does it with a carefree, smooth kind of style; therefore many choose to take in Harper's musical love. "Amen Omen" is an example of this. Covering Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing," which has become a standard for Harper since the late '90s, is also an example of Harper's power of words. For those who passionately follow his work, Live at the Hollywood Bowl is required listening. [The DVD portion includes 14 tracks and it was filmed by brothers Brendan and Emmett Malloy (Metallica, Avril Lavigne, blink-182).]