Well you can't have a series titled "under the covers" and not bring up the subject of sex at least once. Of course I'm talking about Sexual Healing. That classic Grammy winning song by Marvin Gaye in the early 1980's. I've always liked that song. Not loved it but liked it. It's got a nice groove to it. Plus I've always been fascinated about talking about sex so openly. When Marvin sang the song it almost felt pornographic. What I mean is that it was "out there" for everyone to see. That brings me to todays cover.
Ben Harper has been a music artist I've followed since 1997's WILL TO LIVE album. Four years later he would release a double live album that (for me) ranks as one of the top 10 Live recordings of all time - LIVE FROM MARS. I had an opportunity to see Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals live during the LIVE FROM MARS tour. Simply one of the best live shows I'd ever seen in my life. On that album Ben covers Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing. This is my favorite version - it feels really passionate and intimate. Even though it's a live setting it still comes off as intimate. The live video I'll be posting will be Ben Harper at the Hollywood Bowl (2003) and the Marvin Gaye video will be his Grammy winning performance from 1983.