Ben Harper With Charlie Musselwhite Get Up!
From time to time, an album comes out that reminds you how powerful a certain style of music can be. We heard the rockabilly sounds come alive again in 2012 from JD McPherson. In 2013, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite join forces to remind us the power of the blues. Harper has spent most of his career traveling along the musical spectrum, from his earlier singer-songwriter work to his more recent hard rock sounds. Musselwhite, on the other hand, sticks to his iconic harmonica skills that made him legendary in the blues world. The two have come together on their new album Get Up!, bringing the blues alive in 2013. Right from the start on “Don’t Look Twice” they stick to a stripped down sound. The recording is modern, but the setup hearkens back to the days of Robert Johnson and Son House. “We Can’t End This Way” keeps it simple as well, with just a couple of guitars, Harper on vocals, Musselwhite on the harp, and claps from the backing vocalists to keep the beat. “I Don’t Believe A Word You Say” provides just the right kind of wake up call with spirited vocals from Harper and blazing guitar. In many respects, this is a modern album. You can tell it was recorded within the last few years. On the other hand, so much of it pays tribute to the artists who built the blues into one of the most powerful forms of music. Thankfully Harper and Musselwhite bring us the proper mix to keep blues thriving.