Ben Harper Diamonds On The Inside CD

In the three years-plus interim between this and his last studio album, Ben Harper traversed the world, and the already introspective singer/songwriter has clearly done even more soul-searching and emerged with his most earnest (and that's no mean feat), focused set to date. DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE flows organically with that transcendent feeling exemplfied by lines so simple and revealing as "can you look into my eyes, or has your heart gone blind," which harbor the ability to subtly wend their way into the subconscious and the heart simultaneously.

Harper's gathered his acclaim via trenchant lyricism and his knack for adeptly and sincerely blending many styles into a rocking, grooving concoction. On "Brown Eyed Blues," he channels Al Green before breaking down into a jam reminiscent of Santana or War, then follows it with the P-Funk-esque "Bring The Funk." He recalls Sam Cooke's spirituals on the breathtaking "When She Believes," and can pull off a reincarnation of Cat Stevens at his apex on the title track, as well as on "Amen Omen," and "Everything." With this solid, thoughtful record, Harper continues the heartfelt soul-folk-funk-jam. that won him a cult following from Deadheads to indie rockers.

In the three years-plus interim between this and his last studio album, Ben Harper traversed the world, and the already introspective singer/songwriter has clearly done even more soul-searching and emerged with his most earnest (and that's no mean feat), focused set to date. DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE flows organically with that transcendent feeling exemplfied by lines so simple and revealing as "can you look into my eyes, or has your heart gone blind," which harbor the ability to s

Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California.

Personnel: Ben Harper (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, organ, bass synthesizer, drums); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (vocals); Nicky P. (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Al Yasha Anderson (guitar); Amy Wilkins (harp); Darrel Sims (viola); Timothy Loo, Rebecca Yeh (cello); Leo Chelyapov (clarinet); Ron Blake (trumpet); David Ralicke (trombone); Greg Kurstin (piano, celesta, electric piano, Clavinet, Mellotron, synthesizer, background vocals); Josef Zimmerman (upright bass); Oliver Francis Charles (drums, background vocals); Leon Mobley (percussion, sound effects, background vocals); Carla Benson, Misty Love, Juan Nelson, John Ingram (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Todd Burke.

Recording information: Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA.

Photographers: Warren Darius Aftahi; Jon Shapiro; Blue Sky.

Arrangers: Greg Kurstin; Ben Harper.

Personnel includes: Ben Harper (vocals, various instruments); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (vocals); Nicky P., Al Anderson (guitar); Greg Leisz (pedal steel); Amy Wilkins (harp); Danielle Charles-Hunter (violin); Darrell Sims (viola); Rebecca Yeh (cello); Leo Chelyapov (clarinet); Barbara Nightengale (accordion); Ron Blake (trumpet); David Ralikce (trombone); Greg Kurstin (electric piano, Clavinet, celeste, Hammond B-3 organ); Juan D. Nelson (bass); Oliver Francis Charles (drums, background vocals); Leon Mobley (percussion, background vocals); Carla L. Benson, Misty Love (background vocals).



This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (3/20/03, ...