Music
Press
There's a menace in Harper's music, an edge of danger that, if it isn't physical, certainly lives in the psyche.. The addition of the didgeridoo to the traditional blues band lineup might sound odd, but on listening, it sounds as natural as rain on a spring day. Blend it with the growling guitars, Harper's harp and his lyrics and you've got a depth of feeling and thought that is unusual in today's music. Harper's narrators are people who have to keep looking over their shoulders; his lyrics contain such statements as "It's going to fall down on you," "I sure could use somebody help" and "you better watch your back." His vocals are often howls of pain. Harper's music is primal. It goes way inside, creating honest, deeply felt emotions. It is joyful and painful at the same time. And another thing -- Harper's music is essential. It should be widely heard." Michael Scott Cain, Rambles Magazine, USA. - Rambles Magazine USA
"The second Blind Pig offering from Australian musician Harper offers a heady mix of roots music - from funk to blues to rock - with the 12 original tracks all beautifully sung and performed, featuring his own harmonica and didgeridoo, together with the odd sample and effect. He has surrounded himself with some sympathetic backing musicians, including the excellent Andy York on guitar, who has stints with John Mellencamp and Ian Hunter on his CV, indeed the guitar work is very nice as a whole, with Gregg Leonard and Tyler Mac sharing the duties. It is obvious Harper likes to present his listeners with intelligent and thought-provoking songs - such as the funky opener “Do What Is Right” - a case of morals against politics; his didgeridoo makes an appearance on “One Day”, another song with a funk feel and crunch guitar work. The smoky, laid-back “Watch Your Back” is a tale of contractual small-print, but for me the best track is the lovely “Feel’s Like Sunday Morning” - lovely slide guitar from Andy York and a nice summery feel - definite Radio 2 material; the rocking “Get Out Of This Mess” kicks off with some fine harmonica - with a lyric about the mess in Iraq! This release is a delight which I can thoroughly recommend! “ Grahame Rhodes, “Blues in The Northwest”, United Kingdom - Blues in The North West, United Kingdom
"Imagine a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy 11 and Little Walter with Sugar Blue, a song writer who tells his own compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J Cale -like manner, and a musical visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of the Australian Indigenous culture of his homeland, with infectious modern percussive rhythms, and you have a glimpse of what Harper is about". Art Tipaldi, Hartford Advocate, Connecticut . USA - The Hartford Advocate, CT. USA
An Australian now based in Michigan, Harper uses his trump cards - a strong and direct singing voice, a stirring harmonica out of Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter, a droning didgeridoo - to give the dozen melodic tunes he wrote for his second stateside album (and eighth overall) a modulated excitement that suits his intelligent use of blues-rock and soul forms. Frank John Hadley "Down Beat, Jazz , Blues & Beyond. New York. USA - Down Beat, Jazz, Blues & Beyond. New York. USA
"Harper is a crack harp player, he plays the instrument with both speed and efficiency, blasting into his runs with the force of a jet stream, but it would be a mistake to pigeon hole Harper as just an impressive instrumentalist. He is also a solid songwriter and a soulful singer with a knack for impassioned sincerity. Harper may sound like he’s from Tennessee, but he’s from Perth, Western Australia and recently he has begun working the Aboriginal didgeridoo into his music, giving him a unique roots sound that walks the line between being comfortable and familiar while simultaneously veering off into some eerie territory" Kyle Diebler, All Music Guide, USA. - All Music Guide
Harper introduces the Australian aboriginal instrument to the blues with the same respect for its traditions as did Rufus Harley before him introducing bagpipes to jazz. Most important, Harper recognizes that singing is the essence of the blues…. Harper puts his heart into his singing knowing that’s what propels the true blues. … he is expressive and sincere” Rick Ellen, Harp Magazine. USA. - Harp Magazine. USA
"Harper is a most refreshing musician,harmonica player/song writer to come into our presence. He 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 or droning on the didgeridoo" . Guide To the Best of The Blues Harmonicas & Beyond. USA. - Guide To the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond
This is an inspiring, earthy pleasure. Harper and his band mates concoct a fiery sound that blurs the lines between rock, folk, blues and soul. The songwriting is forceful but not belligerent, and Harper’s vocals are sublime. How can you resist someone that can work a didgeridoo into a blues tune? The guitar work in particular ignites the slow burning (sexy) grooves, along with the most expressive harp I’ve heard since John Popper. Harper's "Day By Day" is far and away one of the best blues albums of 2007" The Deer Express, Canada - The Deer Express, Canada
"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. 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. - Australian Musician
"Many people class Harper as just a harmonica player, just blues, but one visit to his show will prove that he is a lot more diverse than that. Rock, roots, soul, blues, funk, all have elements in his songs and the use of Didjeridoo on several 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". Luke Jolly, Mixdown Magazine, Australia. - Mixdown Magazine, Australia
Discography
"Day By Day" (2007) Blind Pig Records
"Down To the Rhythm" (2005) Blind Pig Records
"Way Down Deep Inside" (2003) Under The Radar
"Live at St Andrews" (2002)
"Glass On The Stepping Stone" (2000)
"Live at The Soup Kitchen" (1997)
Photos
Bio
Harper: World blues fusion from Australia
www.harper.biz Official Harper Website www.youtube.com/harperband Live video clips
www.myspace.com/harperband
PART HARMONICA WIZARD AND PART rhythmic explorer, "Harper" is a fiery artist who blurs the lines between rock, blues, soul and world music. His latest Blind Pig release, "Day By Day", displays his trademark virtuoso harp performances, distinctive instrumentation, deeply soulful grooves and instantly memorable songs and provides another prime example of why his unique roots music style occupies a category of its own. Harper has been described as "a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J. Cale-like manner, and a musical visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of his Australian indigenous culture, with infectious modern percussive rhythms". His skill lies in the fact that he is able to tap into the kindred spirits running through his traditional and modern influences, borrowing from western and world music to develop a highly original take on the roots genre. He also takes the harmonica beyond its assigned place. Harpers innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback breaks the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects.
Born in the United Kingdom, Harpers musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and euphonium. At the age of ten, his family moved half way the world to Perth, Western Australia, and his father introduced Harper to the harp. In Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world, there was a thriving blues and folk scene. The blues had a rawness, an honesty and a passion of the soul which spoke to Harper deeply. Then, like every blues lover, Harper began his journey backwards to discover the deeper roots of the music.
"I think Muddy Waters really hit me hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound, his powerful voice and his songs. I would sing his songs constantly. I also really dug Sonny Boy Williamson II as well. I loved his rhythmic use of his harp. I was also inspired by a pretty wide range of players and styles like Little Walter, Sugar Blue and Stevie Wonder who guide me in my playing. "But Harper did not stop his search with the blues. It was a chance meeting with a Hopi "Dan Running Bear" in Silverton, Colorado, that led him down the path to rediscovering the music of his homeland. Fascinated with the spirituality and culture of the American Natives, he found the same qualities present in the Australian Aborigines of his homeland. On adding the native didgeridoo to his music, Harper says "It is a sound I grew up with, so it seemed natural to add it to my songwriting particularly when the lyrics related to the plight of the Aborigines in Australia. When I added the didgeridoo to the more traditional blues instruments, it worked. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with open arms."
Prior to his introduction to American audiences, Harper released six albums to great acclaim in his homeland of Australia. In 1994 he moved to Melbourne, Victoria and released his first album, "Tears of Ice". This was followed by "Yesterday Is Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and "Live At The Soup Kitchen" in 1997 as a soloist. In 2000, he released "Glass on The Stepping Stone" and "Live At St. Andrews" in 2001. In 2003 he released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica awards and Album of the Year honor from US Magazine's Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond. Over the years Harper has received multiple Australian Blues Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Acoustic Artist of the Year.
His prolific recording career and memorable stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. Hes played in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore and France. He first started performing in the United States in 1996, and has toured here ten times since. It was on one of these tours that he caught theattention of Blind Pig, which made him their first international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to the U.S. His animated shows have been well received at blues festivals, world music festivals, and by fans of jam band music. He was also invited to perform on stage several times with the rock band "Journey" during their tour last year.
Harpers first Blind Pig release and American debut, 2005s Down To The Rhythm, won accolades from the press for its unique sound and virtuoso performances, coupled with
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