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Ben Harper - Pleasure + Pain
EMI/EMI . R4 . COLOR . 178 mins . E . PAL

  Feature
Contract

In these days of soul-free, dollar signs in eyes, prefab muzak – you know, the Britneys, the Backstreets, the soapie stars – it’s a blessed relief when somebody breaks through on good old fashioned talent. When it’s done essentially without the benefit of videos and radio play, and more so simply on word of mouth, then it is all the more special – and a sign that the particular performer in question is also something special.

And Ben Harper certainly has a lot to offer music lovers of the world. When somebody can perform everything from the sweetest of ballads to the most rip-roaring thrash guitar rock assaults – and often in the one song – it’s hard not to prick up your ears, and it’s this virtuoso-like, pigeonhole-evading quality which has seen him booked at everything from heavy metal festivals to the decidedly more laidback Lilith Fair. This doco follows him on another of his exhausting tours – he and his band usually spend about nine months a year on the road – as he travels around North America, Europe and even to our shores.

Firmly going for a “who is Ben Harper?” angle rather than being an out and out showcase of his work, we’re privy to the most personal of remembrances and meetings in the man’s life. From catching up with family back home to giving it all to his fans, to running on the interview treadmill to chats with all those in his direct orbit, to 3am donut runs and buying shoes in Paris, there’s a wealth of stuff here for fans to munch on. Oh, along with a well-wicked Dr Evil impersonation, despite Ben’s admirable “f*ck the evil people” stance. We guess Austin Powers’ nemesis deserves special consideration then...

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

It should be enough to say that this full frame affair has been “artily” shot. As such, various portions of footage have undergone all manner of colour treatments and there’s more intentional grain than you’d find in a sushi factory. In all what we get here on DVD is as good as the source – and we can’t ask for much more than that.

The standard 2.0 soundtrack does an OK job, especially as there isn’t much in the way of music other than in the background. With the extras carrying on about their super-wondrous 5.1 extrapolation techniques, however, it may have been nice to have whacked the feature through as well.

There’s quite a decent package of extras for a music disc. First up are four bonus tracks taken from in concert, including two “bootlegs” from the Royal Albert Hall (the master footage was “lost” somehow), plus three from the studio – two with the wonderful Blind Boys of Alabama, and one a faithful cover of The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields with a touch of Ben’s inimitable soulfulness. A rather skateboard-infused music video of Ground on Down is next, with two different mixes available. There’s also the option of a commentary by Ben and director J.P. Plunier in English which is all “mad grinds” and “hand plants” and one in French by J.P. flying solo. Ask Ben is sort of around nine minutes of interviews with Mr Harper, “sort of” as it’s actually five snippets of between-song banter from in concert, with topics ranging from Ben’s schooling to his thoughts on what music is. There’s also an Easter egg where we get to meet Ben’s guitars. Check out our googies section for more info...

Concentrating almost solely on the documentary side of things rather than the music, this really is one for diehard fans only. If you’re just getting into Harper’s unique style of music then popping out and purchasing a CD would certainly be a much better option at this point.


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  •   And I quote...
    "One for diehard fans only..."
    - Amy Flower
      Review Equipment
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    • Audio Cables:
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    • Video Cables:
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