By My Side

For this career retrospective, Ben Harper handpicked 12 songs that spoke to him. The emphasis is on Harper the mellow man, as ballads dominate this collection. An alternate version of "Not Fire, Not Ice," with Innocent Criminals (never before available in the U.S.) and the new track "Crazy Amazing" (recorded with The Relentless 7) are the only cuts hardcore fans won't already have. For the newcomer, By My Side plays like an organic album of its own, despite featuring several different backing groups and songs recorded many years apart. Harper's voice is a soulful instrument, and his insistence on vintage equipment means that fans of old-school '60s soul will be rewarded with Hammond B-3 organs chasing melodies, with acoustic guitars and small-room drums providing tight rhythm accompaniment. Slide guitars add a touch of blues, but mostly this is Harper staying within the contours of conventional song. Tunes such as "Diamonds on the Inside," "By My Side," "Gold to Me," and the piano ballad "Beloved One" make the case for Harper as an important artist who keeps the spirit of the '60s and '70s alive, one song at a time.