Live Review: Ben Harper

Walking into the impressive Concert Hall of the Opera House, it was obvious this evening was to be an stripped back affair, as evident by the array of acoustic guitars sitting patiently on stage, obediently awaiting their master. One couldn't help but be impressed by the plethora of six-strings – he couldn't possibly be going to play them all? There was also an upright piano and vibraphone sitting there, arrogantly assured of getting their turn.

Finally, Ben Harper walked onto the stage to an already adoring audience and he hadn't even strummed a note. The first instrument picked up was his ever-faithful slide guitar, and he began the evening with an instrumental, possibly improvised soundscape, producing sounds that were both Eastern and Western. A soundtrack to a noodle western perhaps? After this atmospheric instrumental start, he sang a beautifully simple rendition of Pleasure And Pain. His next guitar was the cutest little ukulele and then he picked up a serious steel string for a rough but heartfelt rendition of The Drugs Don't Work, before he pulled out crowd favourite Diamonds On The Inside. Apart from playing a selection of classics, of which there are many to choose from, Harper also played a brilliant new song, Loving You Is My Masterpiece, which he dedicated to the newly engaged couple in the front row.

Even though Harper sometimes plugged in his electric guitar for some songs including Excuse Me Mr – kind of cheating but we will forgive – overall the evening was a relaxed and polished affair. At one point, Harper called the Opera House a 2500 seat living room and, in a sense, it was. His warmth, humour and his between song banter was just as entertaining as his playing. It really was like a visit from good old Uncle Ben.