Customer Reviews

Live (Virgin)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ben Harper shows why he is gaining a reputation for being one of the better live performers in music these days. With a great rendition of Voodoo Chile, and many other stunning tracks this CD is definitely worth checking out for any Ben Harper enthusiasts. The last track "Excuse Me Mr." with "Burning and Looting" lyrics added on the end is amazing.

Most people who rave about Ben Harper are relating to the live experience. This CD shows why. It is solid and tight and captures the dynamic range of a Ben Harper performance. Costing twice what a studio CD costs, its worth it. Highly recommended.

Live CD's...we all know the sound quality isn't the greastest but, how can it be? In reference to A Music Fan from CA's harsh review of this CD, the only thing that person may be missing is a decent stereo...I was able to hear Voodoo Chile just fine and it's great, just as I expected. This CD captures (as best as a CD can) what Ben is like live. Fight For Your Mind is awesome and bassist Juan Nelson throws down a great bass solo at the end. Excuse Me Mr./Burnin' and Lootin' is also a great example of Ben live...he's always tacking parts of Marley songs on the end of his own. Every song on this CD has little things you don't expect/never hear on his studio CD's...solos, more vocal range, and some of those things only Ben can do with his Weissenborn guitar. I personally think this is a great CD for any fan of Ben's...you'll listen to it much more than a mere 2 or 3 times.

The recording quality on a live disc is never great, but on this CD its horrible. I think that may be why it was not released in the U.S. I've seen Ben perform a number of Hendrix tunes live and they're always incredible, but the Voodoo Chile on this disc is a throwaway because you can't hear it at all. My grandmother's circa 1935 AM radio has about the same sound quality. The sound quality definitely improves on the last couple of songs (the songs are not all from the same show), but there are some much better live Ben CD's that show up on ebay from time to time. You're better off buying those. I had to have this disc, because I'm a chump and I buy every Ben disc that is available. But, you'll buy it, listen to it maybe two or three times and then never again. At least that's what happened to me. Save your money.

This live EP is absolutely stunning, musically as well as from the point of view of quality (I really can't see why the other reviewer didn't like the quality).

Live from Mars is not very indicitive of Ben Harper Live. It is too subdued and loses the intimacy that Ben shares with his audiences. This Live album is much more true. It is a staple for all Ben fans and is only eclipsed by the wealth of incredible live bootleg stuff on the market.

The recording quality on a live disc is never great, but on this CD its horrible. I think that may be why it was not released in the U.S. I've seen Ben perform a number of Hendrix tunes live and they're always incredible, but the Voodoo Chile on this disc is a throwaway because you can't hear it at all. My grandmother's circa 1935 AM radio has about the same sound quality. The sound quality definitely improves on the last couple of songs (the songs are not all from the same show), but there are some much better live Ben CD's that show up on ebay from time to time. You're better off buying those. I had to have this disc, because I'm a chump and I buy every Ben disc that is available. But, you'll buy it, listen to it maybe two or three times and then never again. At least that's what happened to me. Save your money.

Although the CD does not have the best quality of sound, and does not capture ben harper's to its fullest, it has some very incredible music on it. It gives a nice taste of ben live, and it's worth adding to any CD collection of a ben harper fan!

I love Ben, and the songs on this CD are great. But $34 for 6 songs is an absolute JOKE. I bought it used for $15 plus shipping, and I still feel even that is a little pricy for 6 songs. Sound quality is not perfect, but not nearly as bad as the one reviewer makes it sound.

If you don't already have Live from Mars, you should go with that instead...much more bang for your buck.

This isn't the CD single that accompanied "The Will to Live" is it?