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Ben Harper

Album Review: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite - No Mercy in This Land (9/10)

Guitarist-vocalist Harper and harmonica player-vocalist Musselwhite tap into some of their deepest emotional and spiritual material to date, blending trad roots and classic themes with a contemporary aesthetic. “Bad Habit” is a basic I-IV-V shuffle in the vein of Muddy Waters, while “Found the One” is a cross between Sam Cooke and Dr. John. There is a lot of lip service these days about “keeping it real.” Well, it doesn’t get more real than “The Bottle Wins Again” and the ponderous title track. This is music that resonates long after the last note is played.

No Mercy in This Land

Anti- Records
Producers: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite