Ben Harper Welcome to the Cruel World

Whether it's through the soul of southern gospel, 70s funk, blues, reggae, or straightforward rock and roll, Grammy Award-winning, multiplatinum-selling artist Ben Harper and his trademark Weissenborn guitar have been stunning audiences with incendiary live performances and timeless songwriting for over two and a half decades. At age 23 he received an invitation to tour with blues great Taj Mahal, and in 1994 he made his debut with Welcome to the Cruel World which laid a strong foundation from which the talented singer/songwriter would build upon with subsequent releases. "Like a King" and "Take That Attitude to Your Grave" burn with the political conviction and "Forever" demonstrates a tenderness and emotional range, qualities that would become cornerstones of Harper's music. The album is highlighted by the song "I'll Rise" which was built around Maya Angelou's 1979 poem And Still I Rise. 25th anniversary reissue pressed on 45rpm vinyl 2LP!