Harper, Ben & The Innocent Criminals / Call It What It Is
Album: Call It What It Is   Collection:General
Artist:Harper, Ben & The Innocent Criminals   Added:Jun 2016
Label:Stax Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2016-06-27 Pull Date: 2016-08-28
Week Ending: Aug 28 Aug 21 Aug 14 Aug 7 Jul 31 Jul 24 Jul 17 Jul 10
Airplays: 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 2

Recent Airplay
1. Feb 02, 2023: Traditions
Call It What Is Is
4. Aug 25, 2016: Forest for the Trees
When Sex Was Dirty
2. Sep 30, 2022: Traditions
Deeper And Deeper
5. Aug 24, 2016: The Library
Pink Balloon
3. Feb 23, 2018: Traditions
Call It What Is Is
6. Aug 18, 2016: Forest for the Trees
Finding Our Way

Album Review
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2016-06-20
Reunited with his original band, The Innocent Criminals, Ben Harper has put out a very good record with, as is his custom, a wide variety of style (blending blues, rock, folk, country, RnB, gospel, and reggae) and subject matter (we hear about police brutality, love, growing older, etc.) Great songwriting and good performances throughout.

No FCC issues.

1 * Mid-tempo. Crunchy guitar chords, wood block, and fun nostalgic lyrics. (3:50)
2 ** Mid-slow. Pretty ballad done with a sweet sounding Cat Stevens-like voice. (4:02)
3 *** Slow. The title track is a powerful statement on recent police killings of blacks. Stark resonator guitar, forceful drums. (3:47)
4 Fast. Spirited folk-rock tune with guitars, horns, strong drumming. (3:38)
5 * Mid-fast. Granted this happy love song got commercial radio play, but you still gotta love it. Fun wah-wah guitar. Great summertime hit. (3:55)
6 Slow. Thoughtful & a little melancholy. Just a resonator guitar and Ben’s voice. (3:25)
7 *** Mid-fast. A fun, hard rocking song about a girl who wears a sexy accessory. (No, it’s not a raspberry beret.) (2:22)
8 * Mid-tempo. Reggae with Ben’s quasi-religious sentiments. Good sound and beat. (4:15)
9 Slow. Sweet, swaying soul like Smoky Robinson. (3:21)
10 * Mid-slow. Nice, mellow song. Good slide guitar. Sounds just like Ben Harper. (3:09)
11 Slow. Sad break-up song. Dreamy sound with both piano & organ. (5:06)

Track Listing
1. When Sex Was Dirty   6. All That Has Grown
2. Deeper And Deeper   7. Pink Balloon
3. Call It What Is Is   8. Finding Our Way
4. How Dark Is Gone   9. Bones
5. Shine   10. Dance Like Fire
  11. Goodbye To You