Ben’S Back Bluesman Ben Harper Returns To Spokane On The Heels Of A New Album

For the third consecutive year, Ben Harper will return to Spokane to play his funky blues. Still riding the wave of success with his biggest hit, “The Will to Live,” Ben Harper comes to promote his fourth and newest disc, “Burn to Shine.” Just released on Sept. 21, the album strives to reach more people and make more fans than ever.

Singer and songwriter Harper first caught the attention of blues frontman Taj Mahal in 1992 with his mellow rhythms and raspy vocals. Generally looked upon as a spiritual rocker with politically minded music, Harper provides a modern-day link to folk music of the ‘60s. He has been compared to everyone from Bob Dylan to Cream to Elvis Costello.

With a definite grunge influence, “Burn to Shine” shows more of an experimental side than Harper displays on his earlier albums. The title track demonstrates this change and is quickly capturing time on the airwaves. He still provides a number of pleasing ballads, for which he is most known.

Recognized for his slide guitar work, the L.A. native will no doubt utilize his 70-something-year-old Weissenborn acoustic guitar to wow audiences with his fresh and unique sound.

With this renowned guitar on his lap and a slide in his left hand, Harper can be expected to deliver some of his most famous tunes, such as “Faded” and “Pleasure and Pain.” Harper also uses a non-standard tuning method for the guitar, which gives a rich sound to match the deeper tone of his voice.

“I stick with the Weissenborn, it says something new to me every day,” Harper told Rolling Stone. “Every time I pick it up it sings something new.

“As long as I keep close to the root, whether it’s acoustic ballad songs, harder rock songs or something in between, as long as the music stays close to the root, then it’ll stay sweet fruit.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: Ben Harper *When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday *Location: Spokane Opera House *Tickets: $22.50 advance, $25 day of the show, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, by phone at (800) 325-SEAT or online at www.ticketswest.com.