Ben Harper - Welcome to the Cruel World

Welcome to the Cruel World es el promisorio debut discográfico del neoblusero Ben Harper, donde enseña un potencial en la interpretación, acompañando su canto con un atractivo uso de la guitarra slide, técnica propia y característica del blues, que rendirá los mejores frutos en su siguiente álbum Fight for Your Mind, cuando su propuesta alcanzará plena madurez.
La voz de Harper no es prodigiosa pero, como suele ocurrir con los buenos cultores del blues, es muy expresiva. Canciones como Whipping Boy, Breakin' Down y Like a King demuestran actitud, carácter, fibra y, al escucharlas, es posible presentir lo bueno por venir.
La diferencia es que las composiciones en Fight for Your Mind son más pulidas, redondas, concisas, en particular, God Fearing Man es espléndida.***1/2

1.The Three Of Us 2:35

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Acoustic Guitar, Weissenborn

2.Whipping Boy 5:31

(Chris Darrow)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Weissenborn

Rock Deadrick: Drums

John McKnight: Bass

3.Breakin' Down 4:00

(Ben Harper, JP Plunier)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Dobro

Rock Deadrick: Drums & Percussion

John McKnight: Bass

4.Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave 4:25

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Weissenborn

Rock Deadrick: Drums & Percussion

John McKnight: Bass

5.Waiting On An Angel 3:53

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

6.Mama's Got A Girlfriend Now 2:29

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Weissenborn

Rock Deadrick: Drums & Percussion

John McKnight: Bass, Accordion

7.Forever 3:23

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Rock Deadrick: Percussion

8.Like A King 4:18

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Weissenborn

Rock Deadrick: Drums & Percussion

John McKnight: Bass

9.Pleasure And Pain 3:44

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Weissenborn

Rock Deadrick: Drums & Percussion

Richard Cook: Illean Pipe

Suzie Katayama: Cello

10.Walk Away 3:49

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

11.How Many Miles Must We March 3:07

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Dobro

Rock Deadrick: Drums & Percussion

12.Welcome To The Cruel World 5:36

(Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals, Weissenborn

Rock Deadrick: Drums

John McKnight: Bass

13.I'll Rise 3:35

(Maya Angelou,Ben Harper)

Ben Harper: Vocals

Gail Deadrick: Piano

From the poem "And Still I Rise"

Bye And Bye I'm Goin' To See The King (hidden track) 0:40

Recorded at The Convent

Virgin 7243 8 39320 2 3 (1994)