Call It What It Is

• Format: CD
• Total runtime: 40:50
• Released Apr 08, 2016
• Stax / Concord Music Group 8 88072 35697 9
• United States STX-35697-02

• Call It What It Is: Amazon Exclusive Autographed LP (Vinyl)United States STX-38802-01 (07/12/16)
• Call It What It Is (Vinyl)United States STX-38802-01 (04/08/16)
• Call It What It Is (LP+7")Netherlands STX-39462-01 (04/08/16)

Produced by BEN HARPER, ETHAN ALLEN, JUAN NELSON, LEON MOBLEY, OLIVER CHARLES, JASON YATES, MICHAEL WARD

Recorded and mixed by ETHAN ALLEN
Recorded at The Village, Los Angeles, CA
Mixed at Royal Triton, Los Angeles, CA

Assistant Engineers: WILL WETZEL, GABRIEL BURCH, MATT DYSON

Mastered by GAVIN LURSSEN at Lurssen Mastering, Los Angeles, CA

Photography by DANNY CLINCH
Design: TOM DOLAN

The Innocent Criminals:

BEN HARPER − vocals, guitar, slide guitar

JUAN NELSON − bass, background vocals

LEON MOBLEY − percussion, bongos, cabasa, clave, congas, djembe, flexitone, music stand, shakere, tambourine, triangle, viber flap, wind chimes, whirly tube, background vocals

OLIVER CHARLES − drums, djun djun, background vocals

JASON YATES − Hammond B3, piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzers, clavinet d6, guitar, background vocals

MICHAEL WARD − guitars, background vocals

JACLYN HARPER – additional vocals on "Pink Balloon"

CLAIRE WADSWORTH – additional vocals on "When Sex Was Dirty"

All songs written by BEN HARPER, BMG Gold Songs / Three Chord Symphony Music (ASCAP), except: "Deeper and Deeper" written by BEN HARPER and MICHAEL WARD, BMG Gold Songs / Three Chord Symphony Music (ASCAP) / Monkeyfeather Music (ASCAP); "How Dark Is Gone" written by BEN HARPER, JASON YATES and LEON MOBLEY, BMG Gold Songs / Three Chord Symphony Music (ASCAP) / Tocayos Music / Wixen Music Pub (BMI) / LEON MOBLEY Publishing (BMI); "Pink Balloon" written by BEN HARPER and JACLYN HARPER, BMG Gold Songs / Three Chord Symphony Music (ASCAP) / LEND2HANDS (ASCAP); "Finding Our Way" written by BEN HARPER and OLIVER CHARLES, BMG Gold Songs / Three Chord Symphony Music (ASCAP) / Scent Music (ASCAP).

Thank you:

BEN HARPER: My family and friends, The Folk Music Center, The Cove, Court House, Stoner, Roller Horror, Almost, Cliché, Central, Street Plant, Real, Stereo, Labor, Shut, Rip City, The Berrics, Jac, Claremont 7, D'Addario, Dumble, Billy Asher.

JUAN NELSON: First and foremost I want to thank God for blessing my life. Thanks to my family and friends for unconditional love and guidance. Thank you Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals for reuniting and making this record a joy to work on. Thanks to D'Addario and Gallien-Krueger. Last but not least, thanks to our fans for all the love you've shown over the years. Gratefully yours, Juan.

LEON MOBLEY: I would like to thank JAH, Yvonne Mobley, Gerrie Mobley, Fatimah Mobley, Clarence Mobley, Dexter Johnson, REMO Inc., Remo Belly, Chris Hart, Istanbul Cymbals, Mehmet Tamdeger, Manton Daley, Vic Firth Sticks, Kelly Firth, Joe Testa, DW/Gon, Bops, Scott Donnell, Don Lombardi, Kotzen Drums, Mike Kotzen, Nas, Damian Marley, Mike Levy.

OLIVER CHARLES: I would like to thank my family and friends. Gogol Bordello Crew, Mariachi El Bronx Crew, Ocean 11 Crew, all the LAmusicians, Yamaha, Paiste, Vic Firth, Hepcat, and Evans, RhythmRoots Allstars, Dakah, Soul Of John Black.

JASON YATES: The native called Flies Away who carried a drum all the way to the top of Mt. Whitney that still awaits there to be played. Larry Strauss for simultaneously befriending me and coming to my defense. And the universe for showing me the way to Aimee.

MICHAEL WARD: I wish to thank Tennessee and Odin Von Ward, Janet and Bill Bradley, Tracy and Chad Hartfiel, Rich Ward, Hugh Gilmartin at D'Addario, George Starks, Tim Godwin at Taylor Guitars, Todd Von Cloninger, Larry Strauss.

The band would like to thank: Our crew, Red Light Management, Concord/Stax, Shore Fire Media, Ethan Allen, Gavin Conaty, Elliot Groffman, Rod MacSween, Diana Pereira, Janine Small, Jennifer Specland, Randy Sugarman.

Bentley RIP

Management: WILL BOTWIN and CHRISTINE KANE for Red Light Management
Web & Digital Management: GAVIN CONATY

(P) & (C) 2016 Ben Harper. Under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc., 100 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. All Rights Reserved.

• ARTISTdirect Jul 18, 2017 Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals "Calls It What It Is" by Christopher Friedmann.
• The Press-Enterprise May 24, 2017 "Ben Harper is unafraid to 'Call It What It Is' with the Innocent Criminals" by Alan Sculley.
• stagr Sep 26, 2016 "Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals in Berlin" by Christoph Eisenmenger.
• Acoustic Guitar Sep 14, 2016 "Q&A: While on Tour, Ben Harper Opens Up to His Opening Act Christopher Paul Stelling"
• Austin Music Source Sep 02, 2016 "Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals deliver confident, powerful set at ‘Austin City Limits’ taping" by Chad Swiatecki.
• Santa Barbara Independent Aug 30, 2016 "Ben Harper at the Bowl: Singer/Songwriter Delivered a Rousing Live Set" by Michael Aushenker.
• Los Angeles Times Aug 17, 2016 "Ahead of a show with the L.A. Phil, Ben Harper discusses his favorite musical collaborations" by Mikael Wood.
• Ottawa Citizen Jul 08, 2016 "Bluesfest review: Intense Ben Harper lets the music do the talking" by Lynn Saxberg.
• Tahoe Onstage Jul 03, 2016 "Ben Harper’s triumphant return to High Sierra" by Spencer Kilpatrick.
• The Source Weekly Jun 15, 2016 "Ben Harper Returns to Les Schwab Amphitheater" by Alan Sculley.
• Kitsap Sun Jun 13, 2016 "Ben Harper gets back to his Criminals roots" by Alan Sculley.
• Radio Popolare May 25, 2016 "Ben Harper ci racconta 'Call it what it is'" by Niccolò Vecchia.
• Entertainment Weekly May 23, 2016 "Ben Harper explores communication barriers in new music video 'Shine'" by Madison Vain.
• Radio 2 May 22, 2016 "Ben Harper a Mu!"
• Radio 2 May 22, 2016 "Il live di Ben Harper, con intervista."
• Radio 1 May 17, 2016 "Ben Harper dal vivo a Radio1 Music Club - Radio1 Music club del 17/05/2016"
• Radio 105 May 17, 2016 "Ben Harper Live a 105 Mi Casa Su Radio 105: Guarda Il Video"
• Radio Deejay May 17, 2016 "Ben Harper Dal Vivo a Tropical Pizza"
• Rockol May 16, 2016 "Ben Harper - Presenta 'Call It What It Is' - La Videointervista"
• Repubblica.it May 16, 2016 "Milano, Ben Harper presenta il nuovo cd e incanta i fan con cinque pezzi live"
• Rai News May 16, 2016 "Ben Harper: 'Il momento più eccitante è quando parole e musica arrivano insieme'"
• New Zealand Listener May 16, 2016 "Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals: Call It What It Is – review" by James Belfield.
• Rai.TV May 15, 2016 "Ben Harper - Che tempo che fa del 15/05/2016"
• ilsussidiario.net May 15, 2016 "Ben Harper / Da Fabio Fazio per promuovere il nuovo album . L'appuntamento alla Feltrinelli di Milano (Che tempo che fa, puntata 15 maggio 2016)"
• Cube Magazine May 14, 2016 "Ben Harper si esibirà alla Feltrinelli di Milano il 16 maggio 2016" by Lilly Leone.
• VareseNews May 11, 2016 "Ben Harper presenta il nuovo disco in Feltrinelli"
• Universal Music Italia May 11, 2016 "Ben Harper a la Feltrinelli di Milano"
• Emusician May 04, 2016 "In the Studio: Ben Harper" by Barbara Schultz.
• Stuff.co.nz May 03, 2016 "Review: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals' Call it What it Is" by Hannah McKee.
• Relix May 02, 2016 "Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals: Call It What It Is" by Bill Murphy.
• Bloomberg May 02, 2016 "Musician Ben Harper: Charlie Rose"
• Inside of Knoxville Apr 30, 2016 "Saturday Sounds: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals" by KnoxvilleUrbanGuy.
• Toronto Sun Apr 29, 2016 "Ben Harper says the future is bright for the Innocent Criminals" by Mark Daniell.
• ORIGIN Magazine Apr 27, 2016 "Interview: Ben Harper: Musician. Poet. Environmentalist. Activist. Prophet." by Maranda Pleasant.
• Rolling Stone Apr 27, 2016 "Watch Ben Harper Rehearse Poignant New Songs With Innocent Criminals" by Steve Appleford.
• New Zealand Herald Apr 27, 2016 "Music Review: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals" by Tony Nielsen.
• Asheville Citizen-Times Apr 25, 2016 "On the Scene: Ben Harper at The Orange Peel" by Libby Gamble.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution Apr 25, 2016 "Sweetwater 420 Fest: Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Ludacris provide eclectic close to Day 3" by Yvonne Zusel.
• The Daily Beacon Apr 21, 2016 "Ben Harper performs at Tennessee Theatre" by Elyse Kolbaba.
• Blues Magazine Apr 18, 2016 Album review by Gerrit Schinkel.
• Grateful Web Apr 17, 2016 Photos from Riviera Theatre by Phillip Solomonson.
• The Washington Post (via AP) Apr 15, 2016 "Ben Harper gets the band back together, with feeling" by Scott Stroud, AP.
• Detroit Free Press Apr 13, 2016 "Ben Harper finds 'strength in surrendering' musical control" by Alan Sculley.
• Elmore Magazine Apr 12, 2016 "Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals: College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT" by Ali Kaufman.
• Cleveland Plain-Dealer Apr 11, 2016 "Ben Harper: Grammy winner brings push for social justice to House of Blues" by Chuck Yarborough.
• Philadelphia Inquirer Apr 09, 2016 "Ben Harper reunites with the Innocent Criminals to 'Call It What It Is' on disc and in concert here Sunday" by Bill Chenevert.
• No Depression Apr 08, 2016 "Ben Harper's Criminal Reunion: Call It What It Is Review" by Grant Britt.
• Radio.com Apr 08, 2016 "Ben Harper Talks #BlackLivesMatter and the Return of the Innocent Criminals" by Brian Ives.
• Q104.3 Apr 07, 2016 "INTERVIEW: Ben Harper Talks His New Album, His Three Grammys and More" with Jonathan 'JC' Clarke.
• 89.3 KPCC Apr 07, 2016 "Ben Harper: 'We've come too far to still be here'" by John Horn, James Kim, and Elizabeth Nonemaker.
• Entertainment Weekly Apr 07, 2016 "Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals' Call It What It Is: EW Review" by Madison Vain.
• NPR's Hear & Now Apr 07, 2016 "Singer-Songwriter Ben Harper On Race, Police Violence And Making Music"
• American Songwriter Apr 06, 2016 "Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals: Call It What It Is" album review by Hal Horowitz.
• USA Today Apr 05, 2016 "Ben Harper sees 'open road' ahead for the Innocent Criminals" by Elysa Gardner.
• am New York Apr 04, 2016 "Ben Harper gets serious with new album 'Call It What It Is'" by Michael Dolce.
• JamBase Apr 03, 2016 "Photos & Videos: Ben Harper And The Innocent Criminals At The Capitol Theatre" by Adam McCullough.
• NPR Apr 01, 2016 "Watch Live: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals In Concert"
• GQ Magazine Mar 31, 2016 "Watch Ben Harper Surprise His Biggest Fan, and Catch a Sneak Peek of His New Song"
• Premier Guitar Mar 30, 2016 "Ben Harper’s Arresting Developments" by Jason Shadrick.
• The Atlantic Mar 28, 2016 "Ben Harper's new album 'Call It What It Is' Reflects on Police Brutality, from Rodney King to Michael Brown" by Elon Green.
• Hartford Courant Mar 26, 2016 "Ben Harper At College Street" by Alison K. Geisler.
• ESPN SportsCenter Mar 25, 2016 Full band performance of "Shine."
• KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic Mar 23, 2016 Full band performance with songs from new album.
• WBEZ 91.5 CHICAGO Mar 17, 2016 Three song acoustic performance and interview.
• KBCO Studio C Mar 10, 2016 Three song acoustic performance and interview.
• KEXP Radio Mar 08, 2016 Four song acoustic performance.
• KQED Radio Mar 07, 2016 "Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals Reunite for New Album" with host Michael Krasny.
• OÜI FM Feb 16, 2016 "Ben Harper Session Acoustique 16 Février 2016"
• Esquire Feb 11, 2016 "The Title Track From Ben Harper's New Record Calls Out Police Violence for What It Is" by Mark Warrent.