Both Sides of the Gun

Both Sides of the Gun
Studio album by Ben Harper
Released	March 21, 2006
Recorded	at The Boat Studios, Silver Lake, California by Danny Kalb
Genre	Soul rock Blues-rock Funk rock Folk-rock Hard rock Jam rock
Length	63:51
Label	Virgin
Producer	Ben Harper
Ben Harper chronology
Live at the Apollo (2005) Both Sides of the Gun (2006) Lifeline (2007)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
Rolling Stone	link

Both Sides of the Gun, is a Ben Harper album released in 2006. Split into two discs, the title suggests the two sides of Harper's musical nature. The first disc ("White") is made of mostly acoustic and string-driven songs hinted at on the last track ("She's Only Happy In The Sun") of Harper's previous album Diamonds on the Inside. The second disc ("Black") is made up of the more rock and upbeat material and touching on genres such as hard rock, funk and gospel.

The album saw Harper playing the majority of the instruments on both discs; an approach that he had rarely used on his previous albums. However, the Innocent Criminals would appear on a few tracks whilst his later band, Relentless7, would appear together for the first time on "Serve Your Soul", the last track on the second disc.

The album became Harper's first US top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts, entering and peaking at number seven on its release. To date, it is his highest album entry in that chart.

Track listing

All songs written by Ben Harper, except as indicated.

Disc 1 - "White"

1. "Morning Yearning" – 4:09
2. "Waiting for You" (Ben Harper/Michael Ward) – 3:34
3. "Picture in a Frame" (Ben Harper/Michael Ward/Juan Nelson/Oliver Charles/Jason Yates/Leon Mobley) – 4:36
4. "Never Leave Lonely Alone" – 2:51
5. "Sweet Nothing Serenade" – 2:44
6. "Reason to Mourn" – 4:26
7. "More Than Sorry" (Ben Harper/Danny Kalb) – 3:24
8. "Cryin' Won't Help You Now" – 2:35
9. "Happy Everafter in Your Eyes" – 2:31

Disc 2 - "Black"

1. "Better Way" – 3:58
2. "Both Sides of the Gun" – 2:44
3. "Engraved Invitation" – 2:55
4. "Black Rain" (Ben Harper/Jason Yates) – 2:57
5. "Gather 'Round the Stone" – 3:08
6. "Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating" – 2:34
7. "Get It Like You Like It" – 3:27
8. "The Way You Found Me" – 2:53
9. "Serve Your Soul" – 8:22

Disc 3 (Special Edition package only)

The album was also released as a limited special edition box set including a bonus CD featuring four alternate mixes and two live tracks.

1. Gather ‘Round The Stone (Alternate Version Mix)
2. Reason To Mourn (Alternate Mix)
3. Get It Like You Like It (Live, Acoustic)
4. Waiting For You (Alternate Mix)
5. Morning Yearning (Alternate Mix)
6. Beloved One (Live)

Personnel

• Ben Harper - Vocals, slide guitar, acoustic guitar, Weissenborn, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, piano, vibes,
• Juan Nelson - Bass
• Oliver Francis Charles - Drums
• Leon Mobley - Percussion
• Jason Yates - Keys
• Matt Cory - Bass
• Michael Ward - Guitar, bass
• JP Plunier - Drums
• Charlie Musselwhite - Backing vocals
• David Lindley - Tambura
• Greg Kurstin - Hammond B3
• Marc Ford - Guitar
• Alyssa Park, Joel Pargman, Patrick Rosalez, Brett Banducci, Timothy Loo - Strings
• David Palmer - Keys
• Danny Kalb - Guitar, sound engineer
• Jan Ghazi - Electric guitar, backing vocals
• Nick Sandro - Bass, backing vocals
• Jason Mozersky - Guitar
• Scott Thomas - Backing vocals
• Jose Medeles - Drums
• Jesse Ingulls - Bass
• Jordan Richardson - Drums
• William Gus Seyffert - Bass
• Ellen Harper, Sue Chase, Michelle Griepentrog, Jennifer Ohrstrom, Natasha Cockrell - Backing vocals

Production

• Producer: Ben Harper
• Engineer: Danny Kalb
• Management: J.P. Plunier

Chart positions