[sharpsuxx]

I can't believe it took me so long to find this and it is already starting to sell out again.  The previously very rare and very expensive first Ben Harper album Pleasure and Pain recorded by George Cardas on Cardas records has been re-released on 180 gram vinyl.  This bad boy was going for $500+ up until this re issue.  You can still find them around the web but get them while they are hot, couldn't find any info on it but it looks to be a limited release.  One of the most intimate and airy acoustic guitar jam sessions I have ever heard, it is Ben Harper and Tom Freund without all of the over mixing you will get on all of his modern studio cuts recorded very intimately.  I already bought my copy, just giving the rest of you guys a heads up.  Can be found around the web for 29.99.

http://www.cardas.com/music_ben_harper.php 

Good luck, Enjoy!!!

[santacore]

Darn, I wish they would release this as a hi res. download. It's interesting that I didn't hear about it through the Ben Harper fan clubb, which I'm a member.

[sharpsuxx]

I used to think the same thing, that is why I got a turntable, most of this stuff they never will...plus anything they do, 80% of the time the vinyl has way better body and dynamics.

[Kinger]

I'm pretty new to Ben Harper, but I've been THRILLED with an LP I picked up with him and Relentless 7 called White Lies for Dark Times.  Would love to find other albums by them that have a similar sound.

[low.pfile]

Kinger, Ben with the Relentless 7 is much heavier than his previous solo and the Innocent Criminals incarnations. But you should just listen to all the variations of BenH using Spotify...it's free! the older music can be as intense just different, but mostly is mid tempo and mellow. He is great in concert too!

[Kinger]

I also have his Fight For Your Mind LP and it's great too.  Just love him rocking out with Relentless 7.

[TomS]

This LP arrived from Music Direct today and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you. Great recording and performance. Highly recommended 

[Kinger]

One of the comments on the website for this record indicates the pressing isn't the greatest with some surface noise being present.  Have you all encountered that issue?

[TomS]

The surface is decent, better than most. The recording has a fair amount of background noise but it is not objectionable to me at all. It sort adds to that intimacy the op mentioned.

[sharpsuxx]

Glad you enjoyed it...one of my favorites.  I always love music finds, anybody else have any.

[Airborn]

I just got mine yesterday from Dedicated Audio in Phoenix.  Great recording and very nice sounding, although there is a little bit of surface noise, but it is barely noticable. Thanks for the tip.

[Gzerro]

This is a really great recording. Thanks for posting and reminding me to put it on for a spin - it had been a while since I listened to it.

For me it seems to have almost no surface noise - much less than typical.