Ben Harper has come a long way. Amid all the tours and several albums, Harper finally travels, along with his much prided group The Innocent Criminals, to Seattle's Paramount Theatre Nov. 14 and 15. This is two days worth of all that mellow embellished rock that Harper has created through the years.

From the quiet suburb of Claremont, Calif., Harper started his musical career in 1992 with the release of Pleasure and Pain, a collective of originals and covers with then-partner Tom Freund. The emergence of his folk-rock tone caught the ear of industry A&Rs, which led to a signing with Virgin Records.

His debut album Welcome to the Cruel World was well received by critics and listeners, but it was his second full-length album that gained real commercial success. Fight for Your Mind, released in 1995, established Harper as a diverse guitarist and emphasized the folk and reggae technique that most people still know him for. Fight for Your Mind went gold, and the prominent college student demographic praised him as the new voice of the youth.

Next to come on his journey was his collaboration with The Innocent Criminals. This tight-knit group of musical creative-types has been Harper's backbone during recording and performing. The relationship has lasted 10 years, with four studio and two incredibly intense live albums — generating an exceptional catalog of music. Both live albums went gold and showcase the groups ability to feed off the crowd and the limelight.

Their latest album, entitled Lifeline, builds on the two-disc 2006 release Both Sides of the Gun. It further explores the soul-folk rock that sent them on a nine-month tour around the world to keep listeners involved and up-to-date on the new sound.

Released in August, Lifeline debuted humbly at No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard charts, and No. 6 on the European charts. It features upbeat records like "Put It on Me," a variation on a blues record from the early 20th century. Also, in keeping with his more mellow side, "Fool for a Lonesome Train" is a southern-folk track with simple euphoria intact.

When Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals come Nov.14, expect to see and hear something great. Ticket prices vary depending on seating and range from $36.50 to $46.50.

The venue may create some division between performer and audience member, but expect an intimate vibe. That's how Ben started out, and that is how he still does it.