Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Warning about the CD, not the music!
First of all, this review will not address the actual MUSIC on this disc, which is up to Harper's usual platinum standard of songwriting and musicianship.No, this is intended to be a warning that this CD has been laced with copy-protect technology that prevents those who paid for it from making MP3s and whatnot. It also prevents you from even listening to the disc on a computer except by using an extremely low-quality proprietary player that limits the quality to just 48 kbps -- about what you'd get from AM radio. I own hundreds of CDs, and while my buying has slowed in recent years as family commitments and other interests take precedence, I still buy one or two discs a month. This is the first I have run across that does this. I am stunned. I bought a portable MP3 player about two years ago, and use it for all my on-the-go listening. With a baby in the house I can't even listen to much music on the home stereo. Ben Harper is perhaps my favorite modern artist, and I am furious that EMI/Virgin have carried out this underhanded assault on consumer fair use rights. A page on the Web site of Virgin Records America confirmed the CD has been booby-trapped. A feedback form on their site did not work. I hope others are as outraged as I am and put some effort into tracking down how to voice displeasure.
Rating: - The "Improv" Album
Ben Harper (along with his excellent band, The Innocent Criminals) has always been a better artist to see live than to listen to, because of his phenomenal improvisational skills. Seen live, Harper will pull pieces of songs out of nowhere, and create on the spot lyrics that attest to his great artistry. The spirit of these skills have finally been captured on CD with "Diamonds On The Inside".
Harper went into the studio with his songs written, but unrehearsed, and just let the recording machines run while he and his bandmates (and some special guests) played with structure, tone and instrumentation.
Harper also ventures into a huge number of genres on this recording, again much like his live shows. You get some great funk ("Bring The Funk", one of the best tunes on this disc), some real down home rock ("Touch From Your Lust"), and an extended jam session that works great within the confines of the studio ("Diamonds On The Inside"). The real gem of this set, in my opinion, is the work that Harper and his mates do with LadySmith Black Mambazo, turning "Picture of Jesus" into a true worldbeat celebration, with Afrocentric percussion and brillliant guitar work.
If you have ever seen Ben live, this disc will remind you of how enjoyable his live shows can be. If you aren't familiar with Harper's work, this is a great point to familiarize yourself with one of our most underappreciated talents.
Rating:  - Diamonds throughout the album!
I have every one of Ben Harper's Albums, and I can honestly say that "Diamonds on the Inside" does everything but disappoint. From the opening "With My Own Two Hands", Harper hits you with a rythmic reggae beat, ultimately making one feel that he/she too can change the world. One of my favorites on the album however is "Brown Eyed Blues". With a funky beat that even James Brown would appreciate, this track is ideal for a "Friday night before the bar pump up session". Harper's spirituality, welcomed and respected, is beautifully conveyed through songs such as "Picture of Jesus" and "Amen Omen", as well as "When She Believes". Ben Harper is truly one of the best singer/song writer/musicians in this day and age, and it's a shame that he recieves no where near the acclaim that he has proved he deserves. While he may lose some fire in the studio as compared to the live stage, Ben Harper takes one on a funky, spiritual ride, with Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix ever present in the rear-view.
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