The new Ben Harper album Both Sides Of The Gun comes out tommorow. I had a chance to hear Both Sides Of The Gun and the songs are definitely signature Ben Harper with many gut wrenching balads that cover various political topics including Hurricane Katrina. Ben Harper has taken his slide playing to a new level on Both Sides Of The Gun. Its funny how music can take you to another place in time. When I hear Crying Won’t Help You Now I’m taken to the place in time when I first heard Ben Harper. I was an unhappy person who longed for a big change in my life. I’m happy to report that change found me and I couldn’t be more grateful. Its funny how music can make you take pause. At any rate, go buy this album as soon as you can!

Here are some mp3s to get you by untill you pick up your copy of Both Sides Of The Gun:

Ben Harper – Get it Like You Want It
Ben Harper – Better Way
Ben Harper – Black Rain

The big question on every deadhead’s mind lately has been will The Dead tour this summer and if so, in what formation? Well sorry to be a debbie downer, but there will be no reunion this summer according to this interview with Bob Weir. To be honest, the best post Grateful Dead shows I’ve been to have been Ratdog and Phil and Friends shows. The reunion shows I’ve seen have always left me thirsty for more of this or that. They have these killer all star lineups with so many great performers that none of them get enough time to shine. I’d rather see Warren Haynes with Govt Mule than with The Dead because I know that I will be able to see him really whale with the Mule. Same with Derek Trucks, Steve Kimock, Chris Robinson and Joan Osborne. Don’t get me wrong, The Dead and will see them any chance I get, its just that Phil and Bobby have both done such a killer job perfecting their own flavor of Grateful Dead music that the void is filled.

As always, a related offering of must hear musical nugs (thanks nugs.net):