Get Up!

Here I go again about to reveal my ignorance on a subject. I was not familiar with Charlie Musselwhite before I listened to GET UP! That said, I think he complements Ben Harper very well indeed. On the DVD Mr. Musselwhite talks about Muddy Waters and having known him in Chicago. I've read about Muddy Waters and know the harmonica player he worked with for years was Little Walter. It made me wonder if Mr. Musselwhite knew him, too. At any rate this CD is yet another example of Ben Harper's talent for immersing himself in a sound and being able to interpret it in his own fashion. His songwriting skills are at their very best. DON'T LOOK TWICE has a bluesy twang that gets your heart pumping. I'M IN I'M OUT AND I'M GONE is kind of gutbucket blues. WE CAN'T END THIS WAY has a gospel flavor. I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAY is an anthem to lies, lies, and more lies whether they be from your lover or a politician. YOU FOUND ANOTHER LOVER (I LOST ANOTHER FRIEND) with just Ben on the guitar and Mr. Musselwhite playing the harmonica is possibly my favorite song. It's heartfelt. I RIDE AT DAWN is the most beautiful song to our men and women in uniform that I've heard in a long time. BLOOD SIDE OUT is just rockin' good. I'm a dancing fool on that one. GET UP! carries on the rocking good time but's a bit more mellow blues. SHE GOT KICK is bluesy country in my opinion. And ALL THAT MATTERS NOW plucks at the heartstrings. It's sad and profound when you finally find out what really matters in life. Great job Mr. Harper and Mr. Musselwhite.

In 1970, John Lee Hooker recorded the heralded "Hooker and Heat" with Canned Heat, featuring the masterful harp of Alan Wilson on the track "Burning Hell". The musicians engage in a little studio banter right before the number begins, and John Lee says fondly of Wilson "I don't know how the kid follow me, but he do!". Fast forward about three decades and John Lee re-cut the song with master harmonica man Charlie Musselwhite and "the kid" on this outing, Ben Harper on lap steel. Hooker was impressed and suggested that Charlie and Ben work together again. When Musselwhite released "Sanctuary" in 2004, Harper played on the title track and "Homeless Child", one of his own compositions. With "Get Up!", we have a full collaboration from these talented men.Harper handles the lead vocals on all songs, and his voice has only gotten stronger over the years. Musselwhite is a veteran working with lap steel, recording with the great Freddie Roulette as far back as 1969- the year Ben Harper was born. For his part, Harper plays the highly sought after Weissenborn lap steel. His tight band includes guitarist Jason Mazersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist/keyboardist Jesse Ingalls. Harper produced the disc and all of the participants are of the highest caliber, but the best part of "Get Up!" is something that doesn't often demand attention in the Blues- the songwriting.These are all original Harper compositions, with co-writing credit shared with Mozersky and Ingalls on several tracks. Ben is known for his activism and interest in social causes worldwide, and his influences include world music, folk and reggae. His lyrics reflect the complex world around him, and the themes to his songs portray a vision not often seen in Blues. The opening track "Don't Look Twice" is a witty acoustic track with only Musselwite's diatonic backing Harper's acoustic while he sings "It's hard when the ceiling says to the floor, I'll trade you places, I can't take it no more". The next track, "I'm In I"m Out And I'm Gone" is a lively Blues march that leads into the clap along waltz "We Can't End This Way" with engaging interplay between lap slide and harp."I Don't Believe A Word You Say" is the strongest rocker on the disc with lots of musical spaces for Musselwhite's harp. "I Ride At Dawn" is one of the most poignant songs ever written for the Blues. The song deals with the sacrifices and loss involved in war.Harper dedicated this track to Nicholas P. Spehar, a Navy SEAL lost in action. "You Found Another Lover" is another acoustic track featuring only Harper and Musselwhite with a welcome familiar soul blues groove (think "I'd Rather Go Blind")."Blood Side Out" is another rocker with Harper and Musselwhite swapping solos. The title track is the closest thing to the traditional AAB Blues format. Wildly inventive bass by Ingalls on this one, very cool lyrics:"I have a right to get up when I please; don't tell me I can't break the law 'cause the law has broken me".The DVD traces the beginnings of this duo- how they first met and worked together. Harper is humbled by Musselwhite's stature in the Blues world, while Charlie sees the two as "kindred spirits". When you listen to these men talk about the making of the album, they seem not only pleased with the results, but surprised as well. Four tracks are included that are known as the machine shop sessions.What a great way to start the new year!

I hadn't really heard of either musicians in this. I was looking for examples of this style of music, and this came up. The mp3 samples sound mixed differently than the CD I received. In the CD the Harmonica is not as out front of the mix. It's something that someone may or may not notice. However, where the, e.g. kick drum is very much out front, on the CD, it overtakes all of it and keeps me wanting to turn the other up and back that off.Otherwise, it looks like a good find of this genre. However, of the other I sample of theirs in general, this seems to be "it", (the album), well, for me. I'm not a fan of some of the period mixes. The overall musicianship is excellent, nonetheless.

Ace of Harps is one of my favorite disks of all time, & I like Ben Harper a lot, but never in a million years would I have dreamed of paring him with Charlie Musselwhite. Shows how much I know. There's a little bit of something for everyone here: some Delta blues, some raw, ragged, straight ahead blues rock (love "I Don't believe" - strong echoes of Led Zeppelin here), even a little gospel, some jazzy/swing stuff, & more, much more. Only critique: would have liked to have heard Charlie on vocals, at least on a couple of songs. But that's a quibble.There are more detailed reviews here that can provide, rather eloquently in some cases, a track by track summary. Those are great, but I'll just provide this as a short, simple encouragement to anyone who sees this disk & is wondering, "hmmm, like me some Ben Harper, but not sure about him with that old guy who I don't know...." GET IT. You won't regret it.

combining Ben Harper's voice and style with a blues legend is an amazing combo, as much as I enjoy Ben on his normal stuff this album really clicks with me. some powerful blues songs like "I ride at dawn" and some straight up blues jams it's a fun ride with a cool combo of blues guitar, harmonica, and Ben's voice. the songs are well written, no idea if they're old or new but try the preview on Amazon for a taste and if you like what you hear you'll love this release.

I heard some of this CD on the radio and liked them, so I bought it. I was hoping that Charlie would get to sing lead on some of the tunes, but except for some BGVs on one track , he's strictly here for the harp playing, which, by the way is very, very good here. Very authentic blues playing all the way around, but with Harper's distinctive lyrical style, which is a nice break from the traditional 'wrong-doin woman' songs.

Charlie Musselwhite is God's own harp player. I enjoy most of what he does and 'Continental Drifter' remains one of my favourite albums. I imagine Charlie's road-worn voice is an acquired taste for some and with Harper on vocal duties throughout Charlie gets to hunker down to some real business on harmonica and probably find a whole new audience for his playing in so doing. This is no harmonica album though. Charlie often seeks new musical landscapes for his blues harp and this is no exception. The ensemble playing is gritty and authentic. There is light and space in the recording, a rare pleasure these days when so much new music seems so heavily compressed. The CD is not overlong either, so we get all the meat and none of the fat. Standout tracks for me are 'We Can't End This Way', 'Blood Side Out' and 'I Ride At Dawn'. Charlie must have been taking a coffee break during the latter, which features an excellent vocal from Harper. Special mention for the bass player who must have had a great time making this music. These boys have kept the faith.

Such a fresh approach to roots music - the best blues - the best of everything. So raw - yet refined, classy and brilliant.Harper and Musselwhite are a match made in heaven - this is the kind of music I want to play and perform - they inspire me!Stand out tracks....I'm in I'm Out and I'm Gone, I don't Believe a Word You Say, I Ride at Dawn - BUT EVERY SINGLE TRACK IS FANTASTIC TOO...!I've heard Ben Harper in many styles over the years - for me, this is his finest hour - I hope there will be a follow up with Charlie - for me, one of the true blues harp greats - and hero of mine, and a splendid, superb harmonica musician.BUY THIS CD AT ALL COSTS - YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!

this is a really good record, i resisted a 5 star rating because, even though i'm still in the process of ingesting it, it just seems to marginally lack that extra jeu ne sais quoi that merits a fifth star. some stand-out stompers, some laid-back yet soulfully intense medium-pacers, some respectfully-wrought folky/ballady things, but never less than groovesome, intense but not heavy-going both musically and in lyrical sentiment, and finally a success any way you look at it. this is a partnership that will last, and will probably get even better . for now, this is top-notch blues/rock/soul music, without too many equals. you just get the feeling they're warming up.....

Ben Harper is new to me. I was impressed by his voice and range of material. The tracks vary in quality on this disc but the best ones are those which allow Charlie Mussel White to let loose on his harmonica.

Lovely album. Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite make a great team. Track 2, "I'm in, I'm Out and I'm Gone" is pure class; a master blues harp player at his best!