Rocker stays true to spiritual,
life-affirming roots

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By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com

The charismatic roots rocker continues on his musical journey through life with his fifth and best album to date, out today.

"Diamonds on the Inside" Ben Harper Virgin

This time around, Harper makes his boldest, life-affirming statements and further builds on the foundations that Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix had created.

And you can add the name of Gram Parsons to that list. The title cut, a buoyant bit of country rock (complete with steel guitar), may be lyrically inspired by Dylan but is very much in the spirit of the late Byrd and Flying Burrito Brother.

The album's lead single-video, "With My Own Two Hands," could've been written by Marley himself -- it captures that exciting, live-in-studio, positive vibe sound the reggae icon made famous to a tee.

"When It's Good" is a foot-stomping country blues tune with Harper playing slide on his trademark Weissenborn guitar.

"Touch from Your Lust" takes its cue from Hendrix, right down to the phased vocal and wah-wah guitar rock-out. "Temporary Remedy" is much in the same vein, and that black-rock-a-la-Living-Colour vibe can also be heard on "So High So Low."

The one-two funk punch of "Brown Eyed Blues" and "Bring the Funk" make for good spotlight tracks for Harper's backing band, the Innocent Criminals.

But it's the spiritual songs that are the highlights of Harper's newest album. "Amen Omen" is a plea for salvation, driven by piano and acoustic guitar, and "She's Only Happy in the Sun" is a sweet remembrance of a late friend.

The prayerful "Blessed to Be a Witness" segues into an inspired collaboration with Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the sublime and soulful "Picture of Jesus."

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