The opening act is Tom Freund. More than a decade ago, Ben recorded an album with Freund called Pleasure and Pain. It was pressed on vinyl only and released by Cardas Records in 1992 before Welcome To the Cruel World, Harper’s Virgin debut. The record is an underground legend. Only 1,500 copies were made. The record is out of print and will not be released again. It was never officially released on CD. Apparently it goes for as much as $500 on the internet.
Tom Freund’s current album is Copper Moon (Surf Road Records.) Freund has also played in The Silos and as both musical director and opening act for last year’s Graham Parker U.S. tour.
BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS / TOM FREUND SUMMER TOUR DATES
Thur, Jul 7 — SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Kingsbury Hall
Fri, Jul 8 — MISSOULA, MT — Wilma Theatre
Sat, Jul 9 — BOISE, ID — Big Easy Concert House
Sun, Jul 10 — SPOKANE, WA — Big Easy Concert House
Tue, Jul 12 — VANCOUVER, BC — Commodore Ballroom
Wed, Jul 13 — SEATTLE, WA — Moore Theatre
Thur, July 14 — PORTLAND, OR — Roseland Theatre
Sat, July 16 — SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Warfield Theatre
Sun, July 17 — HOLLYWOOD, CA — Henry Fonda Theatre
Tue, July 19 — DENVER, CO — The Fillmore (Denver)
Thur, July 21 — CHICAGO, IL — Vic Theatre
Fri, July 22 — DETROIT / ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre
Sat, July 23 — TORONTO, ON — Kool Haus
Mon, July 25 — WASHINGTON, DC — 9:30 Club
Tue, July 26 — BOSTON, MA — Avalon Ballroom
Wed, July 27 — NEW YORK, NY — Irving Plaza
Thur, July 28 — PHILADELPHIA, PA — Electric Factory
Sat, July 30 — ASHEVILLE, NC — The Orange Peel
Sun, July 31 — NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC — House of Blues
Here is what fellow artists and media are saying about Tom Freund:
Tom’s songs fill me with an interesting mixture of yearning and melancholy that is somehow thoroughly uplifting at the same time. I get shivers down my spine on almost every tune. Along with Lucinda Williams, Freund is the best singer/songwriter operating today."
- Graham Parker
While Ben Harper found success with his folkie soul, Tom Freund has looked more to the Tom Waits school of the raspy sing-talk, and after two solid albums on his own Surf Road Records, his Copper Moon is set to get him the recognition he deserves."
- L.A. Weekly
Captures slices of Americana in a way that many attempt, yet very few actually master."
- No Depression
Freund clearly delights in enigma. His vocals could go from laconic to impassioned without such obvious trickery as cranking up the volume. His lyrics are full of curveballs."
- Washington Post
For more information contact All About Jazz.