Harper to shine at Luther
Date 2/15/2001 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureThis Sunday night, Feb. 18, Luther will host a sold-out concert event in the Regents Center featuring Jack Johnson and headliners Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. Doors open at 7 p.m., and Johnson will begin at 7:30.
Harper, who has played with the likes of the Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Metallica, Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, The Fugees, The Roots, Marilyn Manson and REM, is a well-versed musician who is known for his ability on the guitar. He is also the creator of inventive and edgy music with the help of his band-mates: Juan Nelson on bass, Dean Butterworth on drums, and David Leach as an alternative percussionist.
Harper and The Innocent Criminals are best known for their 2000 summer hit "Steal My Kisses." The catchy tune is one of many different types of music explored on their latest release "Burn to Shine."
"I have heard some of his stuff and am pretty excited about his coming here," said Danielle Janeba ('04.)
For those who fear that Harper will be unable to give a loud rocking concert reminiscent of Live or George Clinton, Harper's includes a variety of old fashioned rock n' roll.
"Burn to Shine" sounds vaguely familiar to Harper fans of his old CD's "Welcome to The Cruel World", "Fight For Your Mind" and "The Will to Live." "Burn" shoots for the fan of all kinds of music with its wide variety.
From the old 1920's style in "Suzie Blue," to the emotions of "Alone" and the reggae-type styling of "The Woman In You," "Burn" leaves no musical stone unturned with its many love ballads of different musical varieties. The CD, written entirely by Harper, took a half-year to compile, the longest time that Harper has ever spent on an album.
Harper's music, although not typically the Top 40 type, has several possible popular hits in "Burn." Sentimentalists will most likely enjoy the sweet poetry of his lyrics as well as the soothing guitar, and for those rock n' roll stars at heart, "Burn" has a few songs that have the soul of a rock song.
Opening act, Jack Johnson, will be playing songs from his debut CD, "Brushfire Fairytales."
Harper and Johnson make the stop at Luther in the middle of their small colleges tour and will be playing to a crowd of over 7,000 people. The sold-out show will meet the Luther community with an eclectic edge and a variety of musical styles and sounds.
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Joe Sievers
Chips Staff Writer
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