Blues
Ben Harper sounds good on paper. He's a 24-year-old Californian devoted to vintage acoustic guitars, original political songs and the unusual blend of calypso and Mississippi Delta blues--an inspired blend of David Lindley, Tracy Chapman, and Taj Mahal. Unfortunately, Harper's execution of this original conception on his debut album, "Welcome to the Cruel World," is distinctly underwhelming.
Harper's singing is the biggest problem. He mumbles his vocals with so little articulation and within such a narrow range that he makes Bob Dylan sound like Al Green by comparison. Moreover, Harper's overall performance is so low in energy that he makes the laid-back Cowboy Junkies sound like the Sex Pistols. His songwriting and guitar picking reveals hints of a modest talent, but they aren't nearly special enough to compensate for the narcotic effect of his singing. The heavy-handed Rodney King song, the adaptation of a Maya Angelou poem and the broken-hearted love songs are more likely to recall Chapman's disappointing second album rather than her exhilarating first.
By Geoffrey Himes.
**
The aggressive, powerhouse sound singer/songwriter Ben Harper would introduce with his band the Innocent Criminals on 1998's THE WILL TO LIVE is not present on the artist's debut, WELCOME TO THE CRUEL WORLD. Instead, this '94 album shines a spotlight on Harper's acoustic guitar, plaintive voice, and soulful folk songs. Harper's intensity as a performer is clear from the opening guitar instrumental "The Three of Us" (which commands attention with its subtle, simple repetitions) to "I'll Rise," a gospel-inflected interpretation of Maya Angelou's poem "And Still I Rise."
Sonically, the record is of a piece, with understated dynamics and an emphasis on intimate, acoustic, bluesy folk-rock. But Harper impresses most with his penchant for incorporating a range of stylistic influences, such as the late-'60s reggae cast of "Breakin' Down" and the Cajun-country romp of "Mama's Got a Girlfriend Now." Moreover, Harper strikes an admirable balance between songs that address issues of social injustice ("Like a King") and those that touch on personal concerns of love and identity ("Pleasure and Pain"). This combination, on top of Harper's obvious musical talents, makes for an impressive, thoroughly enjoyable first effort.
From CD Universe.
**
Ben Harper- (Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Dobro);
Suzie Katayama- (Cello);
Richard Cook- (Uillean Pipes);
John McKnight- (Accordion, Bass);
Gail Deadrick- (Piano);
Rock Deadrick- (Drums, Bercussion, Background Vocals);
Jelani Jones, Kevin Williams, Clyde Allen, Clarence Butler, Clabe Hangan, Kenneth McDaniel, John Taylor- (Background Vocals).
**
01. The Three Of Us 2:35
02. Whipping Boy 5:31
03. Breakin' Down 4:00
04. Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave 4:25
05. Waiting On An Angel 3:53
06. Mama's Got A Girlfriend Now 2:29
07. Forever 3:23
08. Like A King 4:18
09. Pleasure And Pain 3:44
10. Walk Away 3:49
11. How Many Miles Must We March? 3:07
12. Welcome To The Cruel World 5:36
13. I'll Rise 3:35
**
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