Fistful of Mercy - As I Call You Down (2010)

Featuring a three-part harmonies and a casual, folksy sound, Fistful of Mercy is a supergroup comprised of Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison, and Joseph Arthur. The band formed at the Carriage House studio in L.A., where the three songwriters convened in February 2010 for three inspired days of writing and recording. Taking cues from the collaborative approach of the Travelin¡¯ Wilburys (which featured George Harrison, Dhani¡¯s father), the trio worked at a fast pace, sharing vocal duties and handling most of the instruments themselves before enlisting session drummer Jim Keltner to overdub percussion. Three days later, the acoustic As I Call You Down was complete, and the band released the album later that year on George Harrison¡¯s Hot Records label. <AMG>

Fistful of Mercy¡¯s debut album As I Call You Down is a throwback, in a sense, to 60s and 70s style folk music, with pristine acoustics, soothing vocal harmonies and back-to-basics lyrics addressing everything from love to family ties.

The first track of the nine on the CD is ¡°In Vain or True,¡± a wonderful blending of Beatles-ish fervor and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-type harmonies, a memorable start to the lucid compilation. The other tracks range from artfully instrumental to delightfully rootsy. ¡°Father¡¯s Son¡± is a crunchy bluegrass, gospel-like tune full of knee-slapping vigor, reminiscent of Paul Simon¡¯s Love Me Like a Rock. In contrast, ¡°30 Bones¡± is a hushed, lush acoustic; deft guitar picking paired with the sweet strains of the violin. ¡°Restore Me¡± and ¡°With Whom You Belong¡± are inspirational, resonant songs, capturing the new group¡¯s ideal blending of voices. ¡°Things Go Round¡± is a trip-happy tune, with a sparse, open sound; only a keyboard highlights the in-and-out vocals. One of the most ethereal, entrancing songs on the soon-to-be-released disc is ¡°Fistful of Mercy,¡± an achingly beautiful ballad with Harper carrying the lead vocals and Harrison and Arthur enhancing the haunting melody with their honeyed intoning.

Dhani Harrison, Ben Harper, and Joseph Arthur have created exquisite, sincere songs that are organic in sound and elemental in design, coalesced by fluid rhythms. For a first outing, this power-trio has put together something mellow yet potent, an all-together pleasant aural cocktail. As I Call You Down is due for release on October 5, 2010, on Hot Records.

1. (03:58) In Vain or True
2. (04:02) I Don't Want to Waste Your Time
3. (03:00) As I Call You Down
4. (04:16) Father's Son
5. (05:41) Fistful of Mercy
6. (04:11) 30 Bones
7. (05:09) Restore Me
8. (03:42) Things Go 'Round
9. (05:34) With Whom You Belong

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