Ben Harper wows Murat Theater crowd

Wow! Ben Harper's performance Sunday night at the Murat Theater was absolutely fantastic. Not starting out as a huge Ben Harper fan going into the show, I didn't know exactly what to expect. I really wanted to see his performance at the IU Auditorium, but I missed it because of work.\nWhen I found out he was back in Indiana, I definitely did not want to miss it. \nI've never been to a show quite like this before. Harper played for over two hours, showcasing his talents as a guitarist and vocalist. His show was simply amazing. Ben Harper is an incredible musician with sensual vocals to boot. \nHis mix of folk, rock, gospel and blues makes for some of the most original sounds I have ever heard. The lyrics he sings are great and make you feel good inside. \nI knew the standard radio hits like "Steal My Kisses" and "Burn to Shine" -- I therefore knew that the show couldn't be all that bad. What I didn't know was how far he could exceed my expectations. There is so much more to Ben Harper than his radio hits. \nThe stage had an intimate setup with a sort of "MTV Unplugged" feel to it. Harper's seat had a quilt-like covering over it. He sat just to the right of percussionist David Leach and to the left of bassist Juan Nelson, with drummer Dean Butterworth just to the back. \nWhen Harper and the Innocent Criminals took the stage I could tell right away this show was going to be great. Harper seemed very polite and humble from the beginning and that politeness never faded for the nearly three-hour set. He really got me into the music, and it was quite evident that his heart goes into every single song.\nHis passion for music pours out of him in his live performances. With his incredible skill as a guitarist, his sweet soulful voice and his lyrical expression as a poet, Ben reminds me what music is really about. It is great to see there is still a down to earth artist out there today that is not wrapped up in all the fame and glitz. \nI've been to many concerts in many different venues, but this was my first time at the Murat Theatre and to hear Ben Harper live.\nI didn't know what I was expecting to find in the Murat, but I had always heard once you go here you'll never want to see a show anywhere else. All I know is that I never want to miss a Ben Harper concert. You will never forget the experience of Ben Harper live in concert. I know I won't.