Product Description

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 MayaAngelou's poem "And Still I Rise".
Sonically, the recordis of a piece, with understated dynamics and an emphasis onintimate, 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.

Track Listing

1. Three Of Us
2. Whipping Boy
3. Breakin' Down
4. Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave
5. Waiting On An Angel
6. Mama's Got A Girlfriend Now
7. Forever
8. Like A King
9. Pleasure And Pain
10. Walk Away
11. How Many Miles Must We March
12. Welcome To The Cruel World
13. I'll Rise

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4900 in Music
• Released on: 1994-07-11
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Please Harp on
I stumbled on to his albums by mistake this being the first, It took the five listens rule before i fell but i fell and hard..I went to see the Red Hot Chilli's in sheff 2006 and he supported, what a gem, he upstaged them all, but to be honest the chilli's have sold out anyway... Slide Guitar and heartfelt lyric's with a western hillbilly egde..Good Record.

emotional capture
mr harper capture those feelings you get just before during and after a break-up, so perfectly its like he's the soundtrack to your break-up. but this album isnt slitting wrist music,each song has a different emotional attachment. he makes you smile, he makes it all worth it.

A lone voice?
The full range of Harper's influences doesn't come to bear until some of his later albums, but this debut lays a strong foundation.
"Like a King" and "Take That Attitude to Your Grave" burn with a political conviction rarely heard during the 1990s. "Forever" has a tenderness which demonstrates Harper's emotional range. The guts to have a first track made entirely of simple guitar chords speaks volumes for how Harper resents pandering to a mass audience. If we dont have the patience, neither does he.

Ben closes the album with a song that frequently closes his concerts, "I'll Rise." This song, built around Maya Angelou's 1979 poem "And Still I Rise," reminds us of art's ability to pierce through society, self, and the soul.
An assured and poignant indictment of a modern way of living.