Ben Harper

I think that sometimes its hard to encapsulate the music of someone in a review. I mean we try, and to anyone else reviewing someone like Ben Harper would be like writing down words like any other time. But for me, hmmm. Let me start from the beginning.

For all that don’t know me personally, I am a child of the 90’s. Literally between ages 15 through to 25 was taken up with the 90’s revolution. None of us really realised it at the time mind you. We all just sucked up the music that was being produced like it was the last bong before the bowl ran out. It was truly a time where we were spoiled by the passion of musicians looking to change the status quo.

Admittedly, changing any quo from the 80’s was not gonna be a hard task [Take a breath and a step backward Prince fans. I don’t mean everyone…just..most of it]. There was always talk and hype around how the grunge scene was a defining genre of the era as well as the real beginning of popularising electronic music. But there is little pocket 90’s music that often gets forgotten I think….let me explain.

As the 90’s developed, I found myself falling easily into the “non pop” bucket of music preferences…which funnily enough was when Triple J really started to hit their straps and began bringing alternative music to the fore. Around this time, [mid 90’s] I began to find myself being jostled [everyone my age in the 90’s jostled…I think it was a clear resentment toward anything we were supposed to be doing] between house parties, mates lounge rooms, random rooftops, inner city back streets and an endless list of surprising locations where I would ask myself how long I should stay before I get the fuck out and PT it home.

It was a somewhat hazy time of my life. *takes long and centring breath* But looking back on it now, I remember it being nothing but freedom. There was a warmth to it that is unlike any other time I’ve known. Whether it was a dude who rocks up in a cowboy hat, shorty shorts with a rat on his shoulder or a friend of a friend who spends 8 hours dreading your mates hair because they have nothing better to do, the warmth simply stemmed from an acceptance that you were just…whatever. So with that understanding comes an openness for all sorts of things. New music being one of them.

I found so many artists that I now listen to with immense affection during that period, simply because they shaped the mood and feel of pretty much most occasions. Wherever you went over a two to three year period, from about 94’~ 97′ there were a few CD’s that you would find in everyone’s collection.

Portishead / Dummy
Beastie Boys / Check Your Head
Beck / Odelay

…and Ben Harper / Fight for Your Mind

So much of my memories of this time period seem to be stored within Ben Harper songs that when I hear them now, I become really melancholy. I get an aching to be standing next to an oil drum fire in someones backyard at dusk surrounded by down to earth peeps laughing very hard about things that don’t matter except for the fact that they’re funny. Now that I really think about it, it’s a privilege to be able to have these memories and just as much a privilege to be able to recall them through someone’s music.

For those who aren’t familiar with Ben’s work, it’s like listening to a long hug from an old friend. There’s never anything sharp or uncomfortable about it and often makes you feel like you’ve just had a long overdue D&M with that old friend before they have to leave again. His voice is breathy in a way that puts you at ease and for me, always came across like he was telling you something really important. Add to that the natural attraction of a steel string guitar played in a way that is both sweet and meaningful and for a group of early 20’s kicking around trying to figure out what it’s all about, he was a beacon of safety.

As I listen to this album while I write this, I’m recalling how much of a powerful album this really is. With song names like ‘Oppression’, ‘Fight for your Mind’ & ‘One Road For Freedom’, it isn’t a stretch to piece together where he was coming from. So much of his music, as much as it was beautiful [and it was beautiful], was a statement from a black man determined to tell more than just his story. For me, there always seemed to be a statement he was making about the freedom you can find within yourself regardless of how unaccepted you may have been in other parts of your life. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand how that translates to a generation of post 80′ consumerism youths coming to terms with being unable to fit into a capitalist society and feeling helpless to do anything about it.

What I now understand is that it was [for me at least] the beginnings of opening the idea of being the catalysts for change. Being brave enough to say “no”. Brave enough to say “give me someone genuine”. Brave enough to say “I won’t stand for your bullshit any more”. But knowing it all starts with myself.

I know thats a big leap from hearing an album in my youth. But I’m a real believer in the power of music. It defines generations. The good shit as well as the bad shit. I can’t even express the gratitude I feel for being born into a time where I was exposed to such impactful music during my formative years. I often assume it would have been like growing up in the late 60’s. Such transformation.

For those who know Ben Harper, it’s often a toss up between this album and ‘Welcome to the Cruel World’ which was his first studio album. I just can’t go past a few specific tracks on this album that are essential listening when you find yourself around that oil drum fire at dusk. ‘Excuse Me Mr.’ & ‘Ground on Down’ are kind of staples in a lot of my playlists, but there are two songs that for me are stand outs.

‘Burn One Down’ is the enchanting & wonderful tale of nicely telling people to fuck off if you’re not cool with smoking weed. Well, you can imagine how that resonated with a…generation? In reality, the message of being brave enough to say “No” is again reenforced in this beautiful song. Something I’m sure every generation feels at some stage but to have someone so gentle and heartfelt portray this message for our era is something that can never be taken away from him or me.

The other song is “Another Lonely Day”. It’s nothing really except a really beautiful love song, but there is something about his voice that always makes me feel like this truly is one of the loneliest songs I know. It’s like he figured out how to sing the emotion. But just behind his voice is the slightest spark of defiance that makes you feel as though he’s gutted by the heartbreak, but he’ll simply keep going. Again…I think there is something in there for a 20 year old young man still trying to find his way in love.

You’ll be happy to hear that I often associate this album with my wife who I met at 22. Clear memories of sitting beneath a patchwork rug with her next to that oil drum fire as a lifelong love affair was being kindled leaves me only being able to adore Ben Harper and the cocoon of warmth he bought to a select few during a pretty remarkable time.

If you remember this album, put it on and have a listen. Even better, if you still have it on CD [God knows there were enough of us] chuck it on and light a fire in your back yard. Invite some friends, sit around and talk heaps of shit…just because you can.

M/

~ Article updated February 2019