Review (sort of) of my first Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals show -- Jacksonville, FL March 9th, 2006
You all knew it was coming.......... my Ben Harper story. Feel free to refer to it later [or not at all :o)] on my Author's Den website http://www.authorsden.com/rebakpope.
This review is dedicated to my good friend, Rick Scovill, who, about a year ago, introduced me to my third husband, Ben Harper. Yes, I am aware that makes me a polygamist, it is a burden I am more than willing to accept.
What follows is a review (and I use that term loosely) of my first Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals (BHIC) show. I will do my best to do it justice. It will probably be less like a review, more a recounting of the experience, a little bit of my typical rambling. Here goes.........
On the evening of March 9th, I stood outside the Florida Theatre with cousin Matt of Bonnaroo Fame and Misfortune, awaiting the start of our first Ben Harper show. I was sporting my lime green Innocent Criminal tank top, sipping a glass of Cabernet, patiently awaiting the show. Alright, I confess, no one could see the words 'Innocent Criminal' on my tank as it was printed on the back of my shirt and covered by my jacket (but I knew it was there!!), the 'glass' of Cabernet was actually a plastic cup, and I was miles away from being calm, cool, and collected as I waited. 'Completely geeked' would be a more apt description. I was as excited as my niece and nephew would be about a trip to Disneyland. Thoughts bounced around in my head --- what songs would they play? would I be able to see? I worried (unnecessarily so) over whether or not I would enjoy the show. As I usually do, I took in the scene around me, amazed as always at the diverse crowd that attends ---- the older couple (she reminds me of a short Olive Oil) that I see at almost every Freebird show, the frat boys and their girlfriends, the best-girl-friend duos (my original seatmates), the yuppies, the teeny-boppers who are there (per Matt) 'to be seen,' who traipse down the aisle at least once every 10 minutes, my personal favorites -- the hippies, and of course -- me and Matt. Okay, Matt and I admit we were being a tad unfair about the teeny-boppers, but their 'traipsing' was a bit annoying.
During the majority of the show, I stood next to a guy who was not exactly a frat boy, but on the preppy side of the life. He remained, the entire time, arms crossed, unsmiling, no change in his facial expression whatsoever. For a while, I wasn't sure he was enjoying the show, but I did catch a glimpse of an occassional movement that I interpreted as dancing. To my right, was his exact opposite..... a hippy dancing exuberantly to the 'With My Own Two Hands/War' encore, taking up the space of about 4 people. He was a joy to watch. The humor and irony of the situation does not escape me, and I am reminded of my favorite aspect of music --- it's ability to draw people from all walks of life into one common place, all possibly with different agendas, different expectations, of what they hope to take from the show, but served by a common venue --- music. If you've never had the opportunity to attend such an event, you should. The company is as much an experience as the music itself.
Matt & I did not initially have seats together, my seatmates moved, and we ended up sitting together after all, at least for a large part of the evening. We moved closer to the stage ourselves, until Officer-Not-So-Friendly decided to 'clean up' the floor. Matt was swept away with the crowd. I got lucky and scooted into a seat (next to I'm not moving no matter what man) that didn't belong to me, putting me about 12 rows from the stage!!
The beginning of 'Better Way' was a little 'off,' and I had a moment of concern that the entire show would be clouded because of bad sound quality. I needn't have worried, the problem, whatever it was, corrected itself. The Florida Theatre theatre seats a little over 1,900 people, was built in 1927, and was restored in 1983, maintaining its 1920's architectural feel. Large, curved, wooden banisters align the carpeted stairs found throughout the theatre. This small venue offered the perfect intimate setting for my first meeting with BHIC. The mind does funny things, I was reminded of Ben's lyrics in 'Burn to Shine' ----- 'that was now, and this is then.'
BHIC had no opener, but I didn't mind. I was anxious to see Ben, and wasn't feeling patient enough to sit through an up-and-coming artist. When the lights dimmed, BHIC wove their way through the numerous instruments that crowded the stage, and opened with 'Better Way.' The Innocent Criminals show exceeded all of my expectations. Ben was adorable, to say the least, in his orange and blue(?) striped polo shirt. For the first number, he bounced around the stage to a couple of different music 'stations,' playing a couple of different instruments. Did I mention he was adorable? Juan Nelson, awesome on bass guitar, is a big 'ol teddy bear. Leon Mobley on percussion, Oliver Charles on drums, Jason Yates on keys, and Michael Ward on guitar -- the entire band is so completely in sync. No instrument is ever overplayed. And, they played SO many. Each band member contributes a massive amount of talent to the band. I lost count of the number of times they had instrument changes. For that part, I wish I had been in the balcony.
There were two encores ----YES, TWO. Ben came out for the first and played 'Another Lonely Day' and 'Roses from My Friends.' I wouldn't have traded the experience, though I must admit I was jealous of the encore played at the Orlando show the next night. I tried not to be too disappointed when I looked at that setlist ---- TEN songs in the second encore!!!! Maybe I'll attend both shows next year!
The band takes the audience, without preamble or apology, through a setlist that encompasses every kind of music and dance step you did or didn't know ----- from the harder core notes of 'The Will to Live' to the bluesy tunes in 'The Way You Found Me,' to quieter ballads like 'Morning Yearning,' to the gospel sounds of 'Where Could I Go.' I ended the evening with sore ankles, exhausted, but elated, fuflilled, a soul satisifed, convinced that the world is indeed, after all, full of some decent folk.
If you don't experience a myriad of feelings at a BHIC show, you aren't paying attention. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster the entire time. I recall someone once telling me that Eddie Veddar didn't like to publish the lyrics to his songs because he wanted fans to draw their own meanings. I admit that I personally like to have the lyrics provided, but I often zone in on a lyric or two, when taken out of context, might have some different meaning for me. I recently had a conversation with someone about the lyrics to one of my favorite DMB songs -- 'Lie In Our Graves,' ------ "I can't believe that we would lie in our graves, wondering if we had spent our lives living well. Would you not like to be sittin' on top of the world with your legs hangin' free? Would you not like to be okay, okay, okay?" The other person in the conversation thought the lyrics were depressing. I have a different take, it inspires me to do different things, take chances, make a difference. It is interesting how the lyrics of a song can so perfectly capture an emotion or cause a person to identify that song with a personal experience. You may have the intent of the lyrics completely wrong, but if you gain some insight into yourself, a situation, or on a larger scale, the world, then so be it.
Ben's lyrics force me to reckon with demons, provide me with insight into myself, present me with the knowledge that I am not alone in my experiences and emotions. If you're not familiar with Ben Haper, I suggest that you give his music a listen to. He fits no mold -- blending rock, reggae, gospel into one voice, drawing on a multitude of emotions. It's amazing to witness, soul-cleansing to be a part of.
Though I find it difficult to write about music, I make the attempt anyway in hopes that I identify with someone. For those that love it as much as I do, none of what I've written (okay, rambled on about) will come as a surprise. But, for those who have no true love of music, I hope it reaches out, exposing them, as I was, to a music that moves me, vocals that give me goose bumps, and lyrics that, more often than not, force me to dig deep within myself and look at the person I was, have become, and still strive to be.
Dear R K
You are very blessed to be in the close presence of the amazing Ben Harper! I've loved his music since 1996, soul touching as it is! "Another Lonely Day", "Gold to me", "Burn One Down" ... and more, are favourites ... but those are my very favs!!
Oh, I could go on writing about the way Ben's music has evolved my life in subtle ways, and how it has embedded in my heart and cells! I am so grateful to have found you, dear R K, on this here authorsden, and ask you from my heart, to wish Ben the biggest love from a fan in Oz and happy hellos and hugs to you both!
Thank you dearly for sharing this precious short story!
Love & friendship Suzie xox :-D
