Artist: Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama
Album: There Will Be a Light
Label: Virgin/EMI
Release Date: Sept. 21, 2004
Producer: Ben Harper
Track Listing: (excerpt from liner notes):
These you have here were made just after ben and his band came back from a long and trying tour of Europe. Climaxing in paris with three nights at Bercy. The last of these shows was opened by the soulful hauntings of the Blind Boys of Alabama. And the evening was bookended with both bands on stage with an improvised version of "I Shall Not Walk Alone." Backstage before the encore they spoke about the how to's. That performance was staggering...
Fueled by inspiration and back home only a short while later the two groups began work on what was to be a song or two for the blind boys' next album. sesssions 1 started jan. 25th, two songs turned into five. spirits were high. the road had brought them together. the band was close in music and friendship. must just literally took over, we were all just its vehicle. recording was pure pleasure, you can hear that i hope. Capitol's historic basement was capturing something magical! more time had to be booked.
On March 15th, session 2 was rolling. like the days of old the band just set up and played. it was a dreamy eight days for us all. in the end tehre was an album.
Though i've seen a lot of praise for Ben Harper on these forums, not much has been mentioned about his latest effort, which is a shame, because i personally think it is one of his strongest efforts to that. on this album, his collaboration with the blind boys of alabama results in a very organic, loose, and of course, soulful batch of songs. where some of his more recent work can argubly be veering towards the dreaded styles of some his more flatter contemporaries (ie. Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, etc.) this album is definately a refreshing break from that direction.
The basic focus of this album is faith, and is wonderfully reiterated through a distinct blues/gospel sound provided by the blind boys of alabama. and though this may be a turnoff to some of the more secular music listeners (the recent review of Marvin Gaye's
What's Going On suggests this), the passion and dedication on this album is just so overwhelming, it can turn the members of Testament into god-fearing believers. but then again, maybe religion isn't the exact focus of this album: perhaps its really just a bunch of artists collaborating together based on their love for simple and souful music.
1.
Take My Hand - A wonderful opener to the album as it sets the forthcoming tone perfectly. A smooth keyboard line, some heavy percussion that beckons to be grooved to and some subtle wah courtesy of Mr. Harper himself. this loose and organic sounding arrangement provides a perfect backdrop for the wonderously soulful vocal harmonies provided by Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Very catchy, infectuously faithful, a strong first track.
5/5
2.
Wicked Man - This song sounds more like a regular Ben Harper tune, but its not like thats a bad thing. actually this song has an almost Lynyrd Skynyrd-like progression in the verse with the wide guitar chords and rolling piano. some tight vocal harmonies in the chorus and a searing slide guitar solo also make this song a delight to listen to. unabashedly upbeat and optimistic.
4.5/5
3.
Where Could I Go - Sort of nice Southern Rock ballad, though the Blind Boys aren't featured on this track. Harper sings in a lovely Stax-style soul falsetto and the shimmering guitar line and elegant piano really accentuate the desire and desperation in his voice. the vocals are ace and a solid blues-heavy guitar solo is let loose in the bridge. very sad, but uplifting in that gospel sort of way.
4/5
4.
Church House Steps - This song is so powerfully moving and sorrowful that is marked by a country-rock 2-step rhythm (the bass really carries this song) and some very poignant B3 organ washes. the Blind Boys provide some killer backing vocals, and their harmonies are simply blissful as Harper lets loose some raw vocal melodies. the wah-drentched guitar solo really adds to the somber emotion of the song. probably one of the best songs on the album.
5/5
5.
11th Commandment - this song is just a short instrumental featuring Harper displaying his slide skills on a dobro. very mellow and expressive, reminds me a bit of "Black Mountain Side" by Zep. this track then segues nicely into the next track.
3.5/5
6.
Well, Well, Well - a very low and brooding track. the deep and booming vocals of the Blind Boys really carry this track. Harper displays some killer slide work again that builds on the loose arrangement of the song. the lyrics are very dark but soulful and borrows heavily from that dark Southern Gothic gospel sound. the constant kick beat of the drums gives the song that slow dirgeful momentum, as if its a funeral procession.
5/5
7.
Pictures of Jesus - a nice upbeat, Southern-fried rock/gospel number. this song is probably the one track on here that i thought was a little gospel for me, but even if you can't groove with the overtly-heavy preaching, you can at least find salvation in the sweet vocal harmonies and shimmering electric piano. the lyrics though have a subtle socio-polical theme- jesus is referred to as MLK in verse 2, which helps variate the strong gospel theme.
3/5
8.
Satisfied Mind - A pretty sweet gospel/rock workout. a very raw and organic arrangment and the powerful backing vocals give it that upbeat momentum. the Blind Boys also take some leads here and they quite frankly, smoke Harper in terms of tone and feeling. Some nice B3 organ washes gives it a subtle element of psychedelia.
4/5
9.
Mother Pray - an all vocal track on the traditional gospel song. very simple and a delight to listen to. the vocal harmonies are absolutely wonderful and thats all you need to know about it.
4/5
10.
There Will Be a Light - Probably the low point on the album, this song just didn't do it with me, it sounded much more flat and uninspired to the others. though the second verse features some wonderfully scratchy vocals by one of the blind boys. although musically, i found a little repetitive and the vocal exchanges between Harper and the other vocalist a little lame.
3/5
11.
Church on Time - the closer is a lively upbeat country-rock number, accentuated by some tight rhythms, tighter crooning in the backing vocals, and some very powerful vocals by Harper. everything comes together very nicely. a sweet little guitar solo too. a very appropriate finish to the album.
4/5
In final, this album is simply just a delight to listen to. very upbeat and soulful, even a non-religious person like myself was moved by the poignant religious themes. the production is very raw and organic and really helps emphasize the laid-back bond that existed between this collaboration.
final rating
4/5
recommended tracks:
Take My Han
Wicked Man
Church House Steps
Well, Well, Well
