Ben Harper - Fight for Your Mind

Fight for Your Mind fully embraces Ben Harper's influences (Dylan, Marley, Havens, and Hendrix) into a complete sound while simultaneously broadening his thematic and musical palette. Oliver Charles' tactile drumming and Leon Mobley's percussion work give a sparkle to Harper's music that was absent on his debut. Songs like "Gold to Me" and "Excuse Me Mr." show Harper growing as a poet, approaching ideas via more subtle avenues. The single "Ground on Down" and epic jam "God Fearing Man" capture some of the explosive energy of his live performances. The latter makes allusions to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and that's exactly what Harper does -- allows his trademark Weissenborn guitar to scream out to his audience. The only misstep on this album is his sophomoric weed anthem "Burn One Down," but one might argue that a little tarnish adds character. ~ Ryan Randall Goble, All Music Guide

Name Credits Ben Elder Research Ben Harper Weissenborn, ?, Producer, Vocals, Guitar (Acoustic), String Arrangements Bob "Stiv" Coke Tambourine, Producer, Sarod, Tamboura, Photography, Tabla Bradley Cook Engineer Brett Banduci Viola Carey Christensen Bass Danielle Charles Violin Eddy Schreyer Mastering Eric Sarafin Mixing Ervin Pope Organ (Hammond), Organ Femi Jiya Mixing J.P. Plunier String Arrangements, Producer, Art Direction Jeff Gottlieb Associate Producer, Photography, Assistant Producer Juan Nelson Bass Leon Mobley Percussion Oliver Charles Drums Paul Naguna Assistant Engineer Ryan Boesh Assistant Engineer The Dub Brothers Mixing Timothy Loo Cello Todd Burke Assistant Engineer Tom Dolan Design, Art Direction