{"product_id":"ben-harper-welcome-to-the-cruel-world-vinyl-lp","title":"Ben Harper – Welcome to the Cruel World (Limited White Vinyl 2LP)","description":"\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBen Harper – Welcome to the Cruel World\u003c\/strong\u003e is the acclaimed 1994 debut album from American singer-songwriter Ben Harper. Blending blues, folk, soul and alternative rock, the record introduced his distinctive slide guitar playing, expressive vocals and socially conscious songwriting. This \u003cstrong\u003e2025 limited-edition reissue\u003c\/strong\u003e is pressed on \u003cstrong\u003ewhite double vinyl at 45 RPM\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased through Virgin Records, \u003cem\u003eWelcome to the Cruel World\u003c\/em\u003e established Harper as an artist with a remarkable ability to combine intimate acoustic performances with powerful political and emotional themes. His use of the Weissenborn lap slide guitar gives the album much of its distinctive character, moving between delicate melodies and raw blues-inspired intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instrumental opener \u003cem\u003eThe Three of Us\u003c\/em\u003e introduces Harper's expressive guitar work before \u003cem\u003eWhipping Boy\u003c\/em\u003e brings a darker, blues-driven atmosphere. \u003cem\u003eBreakin' Down\u003c\/em\u003e combines rhythmic acoustic guitar with soulful vocals, while \u003cem\u003eDon't Take That Attitude to Your Grave\u003c\/em\u003e explores social injustice through sharp, direct songwriting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the album's most memorable songs is \u003cstrong\u003eWaiting on an Angel\u003c\/strong\u003e, a beautifully restrained acoustic ballad that highlights Harper's gift for melody. \u003cem\u003eMama's Got a Girlfriend Now\u003c\/em\u003e adds playful blues influences, while \u003cstrong\u003eForever\u003c\/strong\u003e remains a fan favourite thanks to its tender lyrics and understated arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe politically charged \u003cstrong\u003eLike a King\u003c\/strong\u003e draws inspiration from the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rodney King beating. \u003cem\u003ePleasure and Pain\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWalk Away\u003c\/em\u003e offer more intimate reflections on love and relationships, balancing the album's heavier themes with moments of vulnerability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final stretch includes \u003cem\u003eHow Many Miles Must We March\u003c\/em\u003e and the title track, both showcasing Harper's thoughtful storytelling. The album closes with \u003cstrong\u003eI'll Rise\u003c\/strong\u003e, inspired by Maya Angelou's poem \u003cem\u003eStill I Rise\u003c\/em\u003e, delivering a powerful message of resilience and determination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than three decades after its original release, \u003cem\u003eWelcome to the Cruel World\u003c\/em\u003e remains an essential introduction to Ben Harper's music. This \u003cstrong\u003elimited white vinyl 2LP edition\u003c\/strong\u003e spreads the original thirteen tracks across four sides at 45 RPM, making it an appealing collectible for fans of acoustic blues, folk rock and thoughtful songwriting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied \u003cstrong\u003ebrand new and sealed\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable from \u003cstrong\u003eHeathen Records\u003c\/strong\u003e, your independent Australian online record store specialising in new and collectible vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ben Harper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlbum:\u003c\/strong\u003e Welcome to the Cruel World\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vinyl 2LP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2025 Limited Edition Reissue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVinyl Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e White\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpeed:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45 RPM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Release:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1994\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReissue Release:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Folk Rock \/ Blues \/ Alternative Rock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Virgin Records\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBarcode:\u003c\/strong\u003e 602475821717\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracks:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brand New and Sealed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTracklist\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSide A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA1 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+The+Three+Of+Us\"\u003eThe Three of Us\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA2 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Whipping+Boy\"\u003eWhipping Boy\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA3 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Breakin+Down\"\u003eBreakin' Down\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSide B\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eB1 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Dont+Take+That+Attitude+To+Your+Grave\"\u003eDon't Take That Attitude to Your Grave\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eB2 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Waiting+On+An+Angel\"\u003eWaiting on an Angel\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eB3 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Mamas+Got+A+Girlfriend+Now\"\u003eMama's Got a Girlfriend Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eB4 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Forever\"\u003eForever\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSide C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eC1 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Like+A+King\"\u003eLike a King\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eC2 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Pleasure+And+Pain\"\u003ePleasure and Pain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eC3 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Walk+Away\"\u003eWalk Away\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSide D\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD1 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+How+Many+Miles+Must+We+March\"\u003eHow Many Miles Must We March\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD2 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Welcome+To+The+Cruel+World\"\u003eWelcome to the Cruel World\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD3 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/results?search_query=Ben+Harper+Ill+Rise\"\u003eI'll Rise\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n","brand":"Ben Harper","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54169036161313,"sku":"602475821717","price":64.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0870\/5310\/7489\/files\/R-4251107-1359742066-6871.jpg?v=1793321565","url":"https:\/\/heathenrecords.com.au\/products\/ben-harper-welcome-to-the-cruel-world-vinyl-lp","provider":"Heathen Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}