CALGARY -- Ben Harper is a born showman, but that doesn't mean he shows off.

He doesn't need to.

The California-based singer-guitarist had seduced an audience of about 1,700 only moments into his two-hour-plus show at the Jack Singer Concert Hall last night.

Harper's set consisted largely of songs from his first two albums, Fight For Your Mind and Welcome to the Cruel World, but he also played many songs from his latest release, Burn to Shine.

Casually clad in a modest pair of blue jeans with a white T-shirt covered by a red-checked flannel shirt, Harper sat through most of the show on a towel-covered stool, yet the energy coming from the stage was palpable.

His silky smooth voice resonated and soared throughout the venue and his three- piece band, The Innocent Criminals -- featuring bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Dean Butterworth and percussionist David Leach -- backed him up spectacularly.

Harper is one of the most talented, innovative roots-rock musicians around, and his concert was one of the best Calgary has seen all year.

Elvin Youngblood Hart was a fitting opener. His repertoire was equally eclectic, if not as satisfying as Harper's.

His roots-driven blues rock was peppered with surf rock riffs and the odd country twang-along. What Hart lacks in vocal range, he makes up with scratchy, deeply toned character and expert guitar playing.

Hart left the audience wanting more after ending his set with a blistering version of Neil Young's Mr. Soul.