Ben Harper - Winter Is For Lovers

Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo, Signed, 180g, Gatefold

Year Released: 2020

Genre: Instrumental, Folk, Blues, Acoustic

Description:

Winter Is For Lovers is a unique and deeply personal album by American musician Ben Harper. Released on October 23, 2020, it is an entirely instrumental album, featuring only Harper and his Monteleone lap steel guitar. The album's creation was a long-gestating project for Harper, who had always wanted to release an album that showcased his mastery of the lap steel, an instrument that has been a defining element of his sound since the beginning of his career.

The album's sound is a meditative and intimate exploration of the instrument's capabilities. It's a collection of original compositions that are imagined as a single, cohesive symphony. Each of the 15 tracks is named after a place that holds a special meaning for Harper, creating a sonic atlas of his personal journeys and memories. The titles, such as "Istanbul," "Joshua Tree," and "Paris," serve as emotional and geographical landmarks. The music itself is a blend of blues, folk, and classical influences, with Harper's intricate fingerpicking and expressive slide work creating a wide range of moods, from the haunting and melancholic to the warm and soothing.

The album's production, handled with engineer Sheldon Gomberg, is stripped-down and minimalist, capturing the raw, live sound of the instrument. The project is a tribute to Harper's musical roots, particularly his family's historic Folk Music Center in Claremont, California, where he spent his youth and was exposed to legendary musicians like Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. The album's final track, "Paris," which features a subtle, haunting melody, serves as a poignant conclusion to this quiet but powerful musical journey. Winter Is For Lovers is a testament to Harper's artistry and his deep connection to his instrument, offering a moment of quiet reflection in a tumultuous world