Rating: 
Summary: A Rare Talent in His Prime
Review: Ben Harper is a rare and extremely talented musician. On this DVD, Ben and his solid band The Innocent Criminals deliver an impressive set of rock/blues/reggae/funk/folk/R&B, and make it clear that they refuse to be put in a box or labelled in any way. Their range of musical stylings takes the audience on a roller coaster ride of soulful tunes, soaked in the honest emotion only roots music can offer. Whether the tunes are inspired by Hendrix, Marley, Dylan, Marvin Gaye, or Mississippi John Hurt, their energy is contagious. Ben showcases his talents as a vocalist, guitarist (lap slide and standard styles, electric and acoustic!), percussionist, songwriter, social activist, and even as a surfer. This DVD truly captures the power and excitement of their live shows, and leaves no questions as to why this talented band has such a loyal following.
Rating: 
Summary: a great show
Review: I bought this DVD on a whim being a slight fan of Ben Harper's music (i.e. owning one CD). This is a great show that shows up perfectly on DVD with great sound and camera work. The show opens up smashingly with Glory and Consequence, that guitar work by Ben is awesome. However, my favorite track by far is Amen Omen. The opening piano is wonderful and the lyrics are beautiful. Amen also has a couple of great guitar solos; it is simply a stunning song that I watch it over and over. Blessed to Witness is another great song. This DVD is just a great bargain for any audiophile.
Rating:
Summary: A Rare Talent in His Prime
Review: I have been a huge fan of Ben Harper for a long while now. I must say that I'm not the biggest fan of his newer material. I really loved his earlier albums which in my mind were extremely unique in sound and soulfull. Even more so, I miss the way he used to sing as well. His newer recordings/performances just don't stand out. Some of the songs on this DVD seemed as though he was really trying hard. But then he sang the older songs really well. All in all, I really enjoyed his older (more acoustic) performances. This DVD was kind of a let down for me. This is just my $.2 so take it as just that. You may in fact love it.
Rating: 
Summary: I miss the old intimate BEN HARPER shows!!
Review: I have been a huge fan of Ben Harper for a long while now. I must say that I'm not the biggest fan of his newer material. I really loved his earlier albums which in my mind were extremely unique in sound and soulfull. Even more so, I miss the way he used to sing as well. His newer recordings/performances just don't stand out. Some of the songs on this DVD seemed as though he was really trying hard. But then he sang the older songs really well. All in all, I really enjoyed his older (more acoustic) performances. This DVD was kind of a let down for me. This is just my $.2 so take it as just that. You may in fact love it.
Rating: 
Summary: THE SOUND IS HORRIBLE!!!!!
Review: I Think!My friends of the others commentary about this dvd don't
understanding of sound ,because i agree the performances in all
musics are cool but the sound is horrible,i don't known man, i think the principal engineer sound of virgin was busy with lenny kravitz.
I have a vcd of bercy show and the sound is better than Hollywood Bowl;the bootlegs of pleasure and pain is better than Hollywood Bowl,i have a audio show of Bowery Ballroom is much
better than Hollywood Bowl,so i don't entering in sound details.
This show is not good unfortunately.
I don't read in dvd the names of engineer sounds ,but i will read
,because in the next dvd or live cd audio the enginner sounds are the same of this dvd i will see and lesson before buy,
I wrote this with deep sorrow in my heart ,i'm huge fan of Ben Harper and The Innocent Crimnals; but sorry, this dvd is not good.
I Love the musics of Ben Harper and The Innocent Crimnals ,but
i appreciate excellent sounds too.
Rodrigo Assinger. 22/11/2003
Rating:
Summary: Finally!...but still not perfect...
Review: I'm a pretty big Ben Harper fan, increasingly more so after this year. I saw him in two concerts, at Jazz Fest in New Orleans and in Noblesville, IN with Jack Johnson. Both concerts were what you'd expect from Ben, especially at Jazz Fest. Simply amazing!Now after buying "Pleasure and Pain", a good DVD, I was still left a little disappointed. I was craving more live performances to match the caliber of what I saw this summer. So when I heard about this release I was excited as any fan could be. This DVD is excellent, the video quality is wonderful, sound is perfect, and there's enough content to keep me entertained while being complimented by decent presentation. It's exactly what I was waiting for. The concert on the DVD contains the following 15 (17) songs: Glory and Consequence
Excuse Me Mr.
Gold to Me
Temporary Remedy
Brown Eyed Blues
Sexual Healing
Steal My Kisses
Burn One Down
Diamonds on the Inside
Amen Omen
With My Own Two Hands / War
Walk Away Like a King / I'll Rise
Waiting On An Angel
Blessed To Be a Witness There's also video from Backstage, a Photo Gallery played to music, "Ground On Down" sound check, Song List, Music Videos "With My Own Two Hands" and "Diamonds on the Inside", Subtitles (Japanese, German, French, and Spanish), and a Credit List stating that Jack Johnson did not film the music videos...heh. My only complaint, and reason I almost didn't give this DVD five stars dealt with one song (technically two). I was most looking forward to hearing "With My Own Two Hands" combined with Bob Marley's "War". This was my favorite song from the concerts and was excited to see it on the DVD. However, Ben experimented a little with the lyrics to "With My Own Two Hands", seemingly to attempt to make the redundant lyrics more entertaining. So he sings it like "With My With My With My, Own Own Own, Two Two, Hands Hands Hands". You get the idea. Overall its not bad, but a little overdone. And unfortunately, he carries that theme into "War", but its not as predominant. Hey, if its good just let it be, right? What really bothers me is his voice in these songs. I'm sure this is one of the last concerts they did, if not the last. So during the song, Ben appears to lose his voice, momentarily becoming scratchy and forced. It wasn't that pronounced until in "War" when he screams out "everywhere.....is war". It just butchered the song for me. Maybe I'm just being too hard, but I sure cringed as if I heard nails on a chalkboard. Anyway, all other songs are great and the instrumentals are amazing as always. So if you're even slightly interested in Ben Harper's music, I highly recommend this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!...but still not perfect...
Review: I've seen this man twice in the past 5 months, and this DVD capture the true essence of Ben live. For any true Ben Harper fan, this is a must have. Feel the being of him and envelope yourself in the groove.
Rating:
Summary: DUDE!!
Review: I've seen this man twice in the past 5 months, and this DVD capture the true essence of Ben live. For any true Ben Harper fan, this is a must have. Feel the being of him and envelope yourself in the groove.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic
Review: One of the best bands around since the mid 90's got even better now that Marc Ford has joined them. This is a magnificent performance. The DVD is great and the sound is good. Rodrigo Assinger please ask a friend who can speak English to help you with your reviews, your babble makes no sense at all. Maybe you don't know how to set your equipment properly.
Rating:
Summary: Pass the Soul
Review: This dude rocks. His music meshes reggae beats with the soul of Mowtown combined with blues from deep within. Even if you've never heard his music, it only takes seconds to understand Ben's genuine musical talent. He displays incredible slide guitar style, with unique fingerpicking riffs that can be heard in a cocktail of electric and acoustic songs. From start to finish Ben puts forth passionate energy, that simply "brings down the house" Its refreshing to know that ben sings with a love for music heard in his passionate tones. You will feel like your a long time friend of Ben's by the end of this dvd.
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