Ha that got your attention didn’t it!

When Ben Harper was here for Bluesfest he popped into the BPM TV studios to record a RAW Session. Here is his beautifully moving rendition of ‘Don’t Give Up On Me Now’ from his album ‘Give Til It’s Gone’ out now

Get ‘Give Til It’s Gone’ from Big Pond Music.

It’s been 17 years since his debut and the man just keeps on giving.

Following two incredible Byron Bay Blues Fest performances is the release of Harper’s 10th studio album Give Til It’s Gone – out this weekend on May 13th. The album is set to inspire and features none other than legendary drummer Ringo Star on two tracks, “Spilling Faith” and “Get There From Here”.Click below for a recent BPM interview that gives an insight into the mind of this amazing singer / songwriter and makes loving Ben Harper somehow even easier. You can pre-order today at JB Hi-Fi Online or on iTunes

We’ve trawled our offices for exclusive, signed and money-can’t-buy items to be auctioned off and raise money for the devastating Queensland Flood Relief and come up with some real treasures.

This is a rare and great opportunity to bid for that valuable signed album from your favourite artists including limited edition vinyl, CDs, posters and other exclusive items which have unearthed in the search for this much needed cause.

The auctions will be held via eBay on EMI Music Australia’s account – with all monies raised going to The Premier’s Flood Relief.

Items include (but are certainly not limited to):

• the original and actual electric chair used on the cover for the classic Hoodoo Guru’s album Electric Chair, through to;
• a vintage triple j Hottest 100 Platinum plaque awarded to the Virgin team for sales of the 2nd triple j Hottest 100 CD;
• an ultra limited edition signed AIR Love 2 vinyl box set;
• signed block mounted posters from the likes of Robbie Williams, JET, The Cat Empire, Eliza Doolittle, Miami Horror and Keith Urban;
• signed CDs from Coldplay, Lily Allen, Ben Harper, Good Charlotte, The Vines, Kisschasy, and Paul Dempsey;
• various merchandise items including a Katy Perry beach towel;
• vinyl bundles from the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Arcade Fire, Explosions in the Sky, JET, Arctic Monkeys, Grinderman, The Chemical Brothers, Jamelia…
• a limited edition Goldfrapp Head First cassette tape (old skool!) and limited edition Depeche Mode Ultra and Exciter CD albums.
• a limited edition Spice Girls Greatest Hits boxset (including friendship bracelet)
• and much much more…

Bidding wars are highly encouraged!!!! And thanks for doing your part in helping raise money for those in need throughout Queensland.

AUCTION ENDS JAN 27 – GET BIDDING!

EVERY WINNER GETS BONUS PRIZES
(Arcade Fire badges, Beastie Boys stickers, Goldfrapp keychains, etc)
IN THEIR DELIVERIES

I know there are alot of incredible songs and uniting of artists around the globe for “Artists for Peace and Justice Haiti Relief” to raise much needed funds for Haiti, but I just had to bring your attention to Ben Harper’s incredible cover of Bruce Springsteen My Father’s House.

Here’s the video performed live at the Kennedy Center Honors, Dec 6 2009 with Bruce himself watching on:

You can buy it now at iTunes as part of a split digital single released with Eddie Vedder’s version of My City of Ruins.

Thanks for your support.

The Max Sessions have had a 6 year history, kicking off with a little band called Coldplay back in 2003. Tonight is performance #40 for the Sessions and the guest of honour is Ben Harper & Relentless 7.

Over the years these sessions have been held in different intimate venues in cities around Australia but it’s spiritual home is the Sydney Opera House and that’s where we were last night to witness a truly special performance.

Ben Harper has been on a mission. To establish his new band, Relentless 7 and showcase another side of his musically ability, to rock out. Studio A at the Opera House is a small room with a capacity of around 250 people. As I enter I’m taken aback at how amazing the crew at Max have set the room up, with beautiful lighting, audience members sitting right up close to the stage and a standing room only section right behind, surrounded up seats on an upper level. The entire audience is as close as you can be to a stage and I know we’re in for an amazing show.

Ben & R7 didn’t disappoint. I love their White Lies For Dark Times album and to me, this is the ultimate way to seeing this album live. Kicking off with Number With No Name and into Shimmer & Shine the band are on fire and have stepped up another level since they played some of their first shows in OZ last April. Time on the road with Pearl Jam hasn’t hurt either. Amps weren’t held back in this small room either. Guitarist Jason Mozersky asks the audience “is it too loud? Do you want it louder?” to which be obliges.

After a short Q&A with Jon Farris (who’s a bit of a hero to R7’s drummer Jordan Richardson), what a better time to play the new cover in their repertoire, the INXS classic Never Tear Us Apart, amazing. Most of the White Lies… album was given a work out including new single Lay There And Hate Me which really showcases Harper‘s amazing soul vocal.  At the end of the set the audience wanted more and we were treated to an unexpected two song solo acoustic set featuring Another Lonely Day and Morning Yearning. It was the perfect end to an amazing experience.

Ben Harper & Relentless 7 Max Session will be screened on Max on Foxtel January 2010.

You would have heard that Ben, Jesse, Jason and Jordon (who make up the Relentless7) are heading back to Australia after their amazing Bluesfest shows AND touring with Pearl Jam! Tour dates are here.

Of course this is not the first time Ben and Eddie have been on stage together…here’s one of my favourite moments

Liam Finn (yes Neil’s son) will also be joining them. He is amazing, check out his Letterman performance and make sure you watch til the end, it’s worth it

Tickets on sale August 17