Ben Harper concert shots from Thursday!

[gururyan]

Wasn't sure where to post this, so since it's sort of a "show" and because I didn't see a better place to put it...here you go.

Well, despite calling prior to the show and talking to two different people and getting permission...they wouldn't let me in with my Nikon. I was pissed. I did have my little Cybershot in my pocket as back up though. Turns out they need to learn the wording of their rules. I was told, "Sure, as long as it is not for professional use." What they should have said was, "Sure, but no professional cameras, i.e. SLR or DSLR...cameras with removable lenses."

So, just like everybody else at the show with point and shoot cameras, 98% of the pics came out blurry as hell because the ISO on those little things only goes to 400 so getting a good low light concert shot is next to impossible...which is why they probably don't care about those, they know you won't get any worth while shots.

Last time I saw Ben Harper was at Red Rocks, AMAZING show...I cried. There we no cameras at all allowed at that one.

Next show is The Black Keys, I'm going to stick my lens down my pants and the body of the camera in my shorts pocket and smuggle it in.

...bastards.

[gururyan]

The pictures...

The Dumbles:
http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06531a.jpg

And I think Mike Ward was playing through these:
http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06531b.jpg

Wide shot:
http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06531.jpg

[gururyan]

I had to sneak backstage to snap these, almost missed the show because of it...so enjoy these two shots.

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06482.jpg


(sorry for the focus, I was "on the run")

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06483.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06498.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06521.jpg

[gururyan]

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06511.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06518.jpg


And here is how most shots came out, think of it as a "creative" shot:

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06496.jpg

[gururyan]

Here is the set list:

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06532.jpg

The full set list was as follows:

Set I:
• Ground On Down
• Gold To Me
• Serve Your Soul
• Burn To Shine
• Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating
• Black Rain
• Morning Yearning
• Waiting For You
• Masters Of War
• Forgiven
• Steal My Kisses
• Burn One Down
• With My Own Two Hands

Encore I:
• Another Lonely Day
• Walk Away
• Paris Sunrise #7 >
• Lifeline

Encore II:
• Where Could I Go
• Get Up, Stand Up
• Better Way

[gururyan]

Last, and definitely least, Tom Morello:

http://homepage.mac.com/ryansdesigns/.Pictures/concerts/DSC06479.jpg

[gururyan]

Bjorn, I was curious to see if he'd still have the Mad Professor with him...didn't see it. Do you have any background story regarding his time with your amp?

[BJF]

Hi gururyan,

Ah, I do not really but here goes

Well as far as I know Ben Harper bought an MP of Westwood in California a few years back.
At the time nobody could talk publically about MP without other manufacturers being upset, but I was told Ben Harper was an independent musician, who just sought the sounds without obligations. No, I had no idea what kind of music he played at the time as even though Ben would gather 45000 people in Paris, I don't think I had known had he come to Sweden.
A few months later Ben ordered another MP so that all guitar tracks on an album could be recorded with MP- no I haven't heard that record, but I personally built the second MP and that's the only production MP I have built or will build, but due to the tight timeschedule I agreed at the time. I gather Ben got some kind of music reward for the album though.
I was told Ben bought his MP's and no discounts were given, nor were there anything said about affiliations, just a musician who wanted a new amp that's all, allthough this one just played the amp and said he'll take it with no further discussions.

Also as far as I know Ben used MP live for at least one tour and as I said at least one album and there was also a book written about Ben Harper, in French. I don't read french, but I saw the centerfold of his MP.
I have seen live pictures and the settings he used on the MP and considering he'd be sitting quite close to the speakercabinett he'd been playing the feedback on slide........
I gather he then used a 100W Demeter for electric, clean guitar sounds aswell.

That's about all I know as of the MP team only Harri spoke and met with Ben Harper.

I can tell he sold his spare MP the #008 actually I heard from the guy that bought it.
Wether he's kept the first one for a rainy day I can't tell. At the time I though you really don't need more than one MP.

If you are really curious I suggest you ask Doug Roccaforte, who I believe sets up the gear for Ben and the Innocent Criminals or ask Ben yourself in case you happen to know him- if so say hello from me.

As an artist I understand Ben Harper goes his own ways and that is really admirable in my book, and I wish him great inspiration and much fun in the future

If you think about it you can buy a new MP, but Dumbles are scares, and HAD is not making anymore amps and so not too many will ever have the chance to own two these days....those are also quite different amps from MP.

http://www.benharper.net/?page=faq&id=30

Hey if you have seen Ben Harper several times you might tell what changed in sounds through times ;)

Be well and have fun
BJ

[Donner]

Ah Ben got some Dumbles, now he can totally cop Lindleys tone.... maybe he'll start doing 'Runnin on Empty' for a cover/ encore :D :eek:

[BJF]

Hi.

Oh yes maybe he just can. What sounds do you think he can make outof his MP?

Just having fun
BJ:cool: