song performed: “In the Colors” from the album Lifeline
conan’s reaction: “ya! *guitar player pulls cord, looks like guitar took dump, conan shakes ben hand* we should have to standaaw*inaudible* thanks so much for doing it, that was great. ben harper and the innocent criminals, we’ll take a break, we’ll be right back. *claps twice, shakes hands again, shakes bass hand*”

ben harper sitting in a blanketed chair on his weissenborn. back in my college days, i will admit that ben harper was next to godliness. he was rebellion, old wisdom, talent, and sex appeal all wrapped in a groove that started very acoustic and continually progressed more and more electric and even gospel. he had that sharp lion king look, really proud, but of the right things. guys love him cause he told them to burn one down. girls love him cause he told them they looked like gold.

well, it’s been a few years since I’ve seen Ben, so it was a nice treat to see him on conan. he is married now (to actress laura dern), has more tats on his arm than ft. lauderdale, and is upright on guitar. up on stage, he looks the same as he did in the late nineties. it was comforting to see him right next to big bass man juan nelson from the innocent criminals. this is how i remembered ben.

the rest of the band was dressed to impress with shinier instruments than I remember, however it’s been a few successful years for Ben and company, so this is a good thing. It’s a funny thing, the song ends very sweetly, and it’s like I’m walking home from a sunny RIMAC field full of free-spirited high-hope-filled (and some just high) grooveheads.

playing:
nov 12 - keller auditorium - portland, or
nov 13 - orpheum theatre - vancouver, bc
nov 14 - paramount theater - seattle, wa
nov 15 - paramount theater - seattle, wa