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Harper "Way Down Deep Inside" (On Core)
Harper's infectious mix of blues, soul and Brit-folk is made more endearing by the way he experiments with his harmonica to get some interesting sounds and fuses it with the didgeridoo. The title track is a nod to the indigenous people around the world, while "Does Anybody Really Care" is a lament to the plight of the First Australians. Harper follows the creed of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis: the notes you leave out are just as important as the ones you leave in. Its is an intelligent and self assured record with alot of heart in its lyrics. Christie Eliezer, Australian Musician. Jan. 2004.
Harper, " Way Down Deep Inside"
(On Core Records, Harp 004)
Way Down Deep Inside is the fourth solo release for Australian roots artist Harper. Many people class Harper as just a harmonica player, just blues, but one listen to this album shows that he is a lot more diverse than that. Rock, roots, soul, blues, funk all have elements on the album and the use of Didjeridoo on a couple of tracks gives more depth again.
Having said that, he is by far the best harmonica player I've ever heard. He just bends that thing and makes it wail. He plays his custom designed Bushman Harps with so much passion and power that he has been referred to as the "Jimi Hendrix of the harp", with his use of feedback probably helping him gain that label. Harper wrote and produced the whole thing, doing the recording at Baker Street studios with Alan Neuendorf. The production is great which is a rare thing for Australian studios these days. For any fans of roots, rock, blues or harp you simply just have to own Way Down Deep Inside. Luke Jolly, Mixdown Magazine, Australia, October, 2003
HARPER LAUNCHES "LIVE AT ST ANDREWS"
There is no doubt that Harper works damn hard and there is no doubt that he is a huge talent. His harp skills have been compared, by American critics, to John Popper (Blues Traveler), Sugar Blue and Hendrix's guitar virtuosity. His song writing ability has ben described as emotional and introspective and has garnered recognition world wide with Harper just returning from Germany where he wrote an album's worth of songs for some of the members of "Nine Below Zero" and Rory Gallagher's Band, which is due to be recorded in London later in the year. Last, but certainly not least, his vocals have been described as brilliant and soulful. With all of the above accolades it's no wonder that last year saw Harper complete his seventh American/Canadian tour, embark on his ground breaking European tour and sign on the dotted line with Nibelung Records. Like Melbourne guitarist Geoff Achison, when Harper tours the States he brings on board his American band and after returning from his overseas foray last year, he decided to bring with him his African American rhythm section of Lee Lewis on bass guitar and Bud Smith on drums, both from Indiana. Australian muso's Marcus Kurban (guitar) and Mathew Vell (Hammond) completed this tight and spectacular line up. They embarked on a national whistlestop tour to critical acclaim and stopped on a couple of occasions at the much loved St Andrews Hotel where local engineer Rob Harwood plugged in his two track and recorded the performances for posterity. The result is "Live at St Andrews"- a 12 track album featuring material from his 4 previous albums plus 2 bonus original tracks, "Mystery" and "I Really Dont Know". Original favourites "Aint Love Blind" and"Glass on The Stepping Stone" are included and Harper also pays homage to two inspirational songwriters with "Lonely Town"/"Better Off Dead" (Bill Withers) and "Help Me" (Sonny Boy Wiliamson 11 aka Rice Miller). "Live At St Andrews" is classic Harper; sweaty, soulful, powerful, amazing harmonic replete with wild squeals (have a listen to the killer harp intro to "Watch out for Me", a veritable tour de force) and world class musicianship. Harper's knack of combining soul, blues and rock (with an underlying nod to the 60's British Pop sound) to create an original roots sound has been long been the key to Harper's well deserved success.
WERNER MARTIN, INPRESS MAGAZINE, APRIL 24, 2002. VIC AUSTRALIA
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Harper Glass on the Stepping Stone
On Core Records
Habitués of the midwestern club scene will perhaps recognize Harper as the Australian harmonicist who returns to Michigan each year to deliver a shot of his Down Under blues. Unlike the blues made in the USA, Harper's blend has a lighter taste, going down easy like a Fosters with lime on a hot day near Ayer's Rock. Where many American blues artists seem to be trying too hard to sound "bad and bluesy," Harper comes across as sincere in a plainspoken manner he doesn't ham things up, and the authenticity of his album is all the better for it. His vocals and phrasing are delicate and thoughtful, but not in a slight way. As for his skills on the harmonica., Harper flutes on the instrument like a fluttering butterfly skipping among flowers. Just as the great composers tried to create images of stories in their listener's minds, Harper's harp compels us to see visions beyond the sound. And they are sunny visions.
KALAMAZOO EXPRESS, USA. AUG, 2000
LIVE AT ST ANDREWS (OBM)
Australia's harmonica heavyweight, Harper, is a player who has the energy of John Popper and Sugar Blue without being long-winded or self-indulgent. He keeps his songs strong and to the point. His studio albums showcase a mix of blues and smooth soul. His current live album, Live at St. Andrews, is pleasantly raw.With every album, Harper's vocals get more soulful, like a skillet with musical layers of grease and experience. His vocals fare best on "Ain't Love Blind" (with solid harp work), "Mystery" and the FM worthy "Never Change the Way She Feels." His harmonica soars on the wicked "No Problem." "Well I Know" is a foot-stomper with Harper turning the stage into a front porch. "I Really Don't Know" and "Lonely Town" keep a funky beat while the rhythm of "Help Me" smells of "Green Onions."Harper usually makes two trips a year to the states for festival and club gigs. Check him out when he comes to town. Until then, Live at St. Andrews will provide some teeth rattling blues until Harper is able to shake your fillings live and in person. 4 stars!!!!
Matthew Socey, Big City Blues, USA, September, 2002.
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"Way Down Deep Inside"
(UTR/ On Core Records)
"Harper is no blues man as might be expected, but a rocker with a taste for raucous hard edged rock, R& B and funk, with soulful vocals and fleeting almost jazz-like harp improvisation on top. One listen to his new CD confirmed that this guy knows what he's doing; great songs, superb vocals and a tight back up band make for one fine disc". Bob Cianci, The River Reporter, USA. August, 2003.
"GUIDE TO THE BEST OF THE BLUES HARPS AND BEYOND." (Best CD of 2003)
Harper has been described as the Jimi Hendrix of harmonica and a mix of John Popper and Suger Blue. I agree with that, but this is a most refreshing musician,harmonica player/song writer to come into our presence.I am willing to go out on a limb and say that this is the best cd that I have received in the year 2003.Harper writes music that goes to the very core of your soul and mind with substance and thought provoking lyrics.His songs are as meaningful as say the early Bob Dylan/Neil Young era,his delivery/timing and phrasing are absolutely amazing.His voice is silky smooth and he knows how to get in a groove and work it,be it singing or playing his harp.
Harper is from Australia and it is so nice to know we can bridge the distance gap and find out that we are all exactly alike.Music is the universal language and Harper's music can set ya free.Seriously,the first tune,"Don't Have To Explain Yourself",is about just being yourself and not worrying about what people say about ya.Listening to harper is like going to see a therapist and a heck of a lot cheaper and more enjoyable for sure.All of his songs are original and speak from the heart,you can tell that they are from his personal experiences or his views of others and their struggles.The songs are listed below.
Don't Have To Explain Yourself
Way Down Deep Inside
I Know
Soul Food
Does Anybody Really Care
Do Whatever You Want
Mystery
I Wonder
I Really Don't Know
I Swear I'm Innocent
As Strange As It Seems
Harper describes his style of writing as "roots rock" because it mixes Motown grooves with English blues.What is so kool is that Harper has this cat named Steve Davies playing the Australian didgeridoo and it is SOOOO KOOOOOL !The musicans are listed below.
Harper on vocals and harmonica
Steve Davies on didgeridoo
Simon Patterson on guitars
Jacob Cook on drums
Chris Mawer on bass
Jeremy Craib on keyboards
I give this cd a full-tilt boogie (7) Harp Salute along with my "Nasty Harp Award" in addition to my "Sweet Harp Award".No one has ever received both the "Nasty" & "Sweet" thangee at once and this is because Harper can have you lulled away on a story and then full tilt/electric/out of this world pyrotechnic/fireworks harmonica,breathtaking solos! Sure,there maybe some other harp player that can play faster or have louder distortion,but none more tasteful and the afore mentioned only when needed and used as a tool to better transpose his music to the listener.
This cd by Harper,"Way Down Deep Inside",also gets a place in my "Favorite CD Section" and this by the way will make a great gift for Christmas this year.Want to look like you have great taste in music and get some brownie points with your friends and spouse,give "Way Deep Down Inside" as a gift this year or at least let them listen to Harper's new cd ,only good things can happen from there.This cat has got some good karma and all it cost is the price of a cd,my most highly recommended cd this year(2003).
Harper "Way Down Deep Inside" (On Core Records, Harp 004)
No! this Harper is neither Ben nor Roy. He's a down home blues & R & B musician out of Perth via Melbourne who reaches deep into soul and the 1960's English rock to produce an interesting mix of blues based styles. His lyrics range from issues such as the "Stolen Generation" (Does Anybody Really Care, complete with mandatory didgeridoo), through oblique views on love, to problems of insanity and loneliness. At his best, Harper has a voice reminiscent of Bad Company's Paul Rodgers (listen to I Know, Mystery and Soul Food).
He offers a style of music rarely heard in Australia, which is probably why his touring schedules invariably include many US gigs.
Bruce Elder, The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Harper Live at St Andrews
(Only Blues Music HARP 0003) 12 tracks, playing time 57 minutes
I reckon that if I had a band and wanted to make a live recording, I'd pack me whole shooting match up and head off to the St Andrews Hotel in Victoria, and get Rob Harwood to do the job, because he really knows how to do it! He's done great live CDs for the likes of Southbound, Geoff Achison and Dutch Tilders and now he's done this one for one of our most successful blues exports, Harper (AKA Peter Harper.)
Harper started off as Blue Devil some years back, but changed the name to Harper to avoid clashing with another Blue Devil when he started his assault on the US. And what an assault ! He has become a sought after player on the US circuit and has a reputation for breathtaking combinations of powerful vocals and innovative harp. One US reviewer has suggested mat Harper is to the harp what Hendrix was to the Strat !
In the US he plays with local musos, and his American rhythm section appear on this CD. Lee Lewis (bass) and Bud Smith (drums) provide funk, soul and blues grooves that lay the perfect foundation for Harpers styles of music. And there's some really groove driven stuff on the album, like the great New Orleans signature on Bill Withers'
Lonely Town- Jon Cleary eat your heart out! Local members of his Australian touring band, Matthew Vell (Hammond) and Marcus Kurban (guitar) are also present, and combined with Harper's vocals and harp, they are about as tight as a band can get.
And Harper's combination of technique and amplifier manipulation deliver some of the most innovative harp sounds you'll ever hear.
I guess soulful and funky best describe Harper's style of blues, and the numbers presented cover quite a range of styles under that umbrella- songs like the beautiful, slow blues, Never change the Way She Feels, the silky Hammond driven Mystery, and the funky I Really Don't Know and Lonely Town. There's also a killer version of Sonny Boy's Help Me.
Ten of the 12 songs presented have appeared on his earlier albums, and I must say I much prefer these new live. versions. Just have a listen to Well I Know, a breathtaking (how did he survive?) number featuring just harp, vocals and kick drum (or stomp box') Seamless moving between vocal and harp,and all sorts of whoops and Hollers through the harp -a very impressive and entertaining number.
I'll have to admit that while I've got Harper's first 3 CDs, I passed on Glass on The Stepping Stone. It's not until this CD that I've finally figured out what Harper's all about, and it's renewed my interest in one of our most innovative and successful blues musicians.
Gary de Wall Sydney May 2002
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