Ben Harper, Blind Boys of Alabama - There Will Be a Light
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Free Music Notes for There Will Be a Light
Free Music Review: Wonderful
Hit: 5 Stars
Just a great album, very accomplished and inspirational. If you like the Blind Boys you'll lobe Ben Harper.Free Music Review: Genius
Hit: 5 Stars
fantastic, as good as O' Brother Where Art Thou'. What more is there to say, except buy it!!!!!!!Free Music Review: Ben Harper thankfully is firing on all cylinders once again!
Hit: 4 Stars
Wanna read more of this review? Or just more cd reviews in general, check my site @ http://twowaymonologues.blogspot.com
Let me begin by stating a potential bias, Ben Harper is one of my top five bands/artists of all time. There was a period in time when he was competing for #1, but my like for Ben Harper took a bit of a hit after his last studio album release "Diamonds on the Inside". Going into the aforementioned album Ben Harper had this
remarkable streak of doubling his previous album's sales every time he released a new disc. I saw a documentary about him, and in it they attributed this to Ben's constant touring and positive word of mouth. It would then follow, that the latest album didn't get so much positive word of mouth. Its not bad, but in my opinion it is clearly the worst album he has released.
However, Ben Harper still had a strong enough reputation in my book that I purchased "There Will be A Light" when I saw it on the new releases without having a clue who the Blinds Boys of Alabama were and what to expect on the album. Well... the Blind Boys of Alabama are a group of blind gospel singing old men from Alabama, and Ben Harper collaborates with them on this album to produce an album that while being gospel in nature is really so much more than that. This is a truly inspired effort. Any doubt I had after Ben's release of "Diamonds on the Inside" was erased after this release. Its not even that it is his best record, it is just that you feel the energy and effort that the older Ben Harper albums have in this recording. But in the end, it is gospel. So anyone who likes Ben Harper should be forewarned, if you couldn't see yourself listening to gospel or if you are anti religious. You might want to steer clear. Luckily for me, I find the sound neat. Its cool having a gospel CD in my collection. Just like its cool to have Johnny Cash in my collection. Even if you need to be in a peculiar mood to throw it in.
But other than that the album is firing on all cylinders. I have to rank it right up there with the best of Ben Harper. Not quite "Fight For Your Mind", but not overly far from it either. Its almost like The Blind Boys of Alabama were able to re-inspire Ben Harper. I never respected a musician more than I did Ben Harper after seeing the documentary on him, and after that I just honestly believed he would never ever step backwards. That all his albums would be sensational, and he would never miss on a song. That was a bit much to expect.
This album has sparked a renassaince for Ben Harper on my stereo.
I can't stop listening to his music. So if you are into Ben Harper, and also think you might be into some old style gospel with Ben Harper infused into it. Then get your hands on this album. The girl I bought it from said "its almost like you could put this on and listen to it rather than going to church." And at the time I chuckled, but I completely understand where she was coming from. You feel good after listening to this album even if you aren't religious at all.
Tracks I can recommend: "Take My Hand", "Wicked Man", "Church
House Steps", "Well, well, well", "satisfied mind", "there will be a Light"
SCORE out of 10: 8.5
Free Music Review: 4-1/2 stars -- Religious, nutritious
Hit: 4 Stars
This is my first time picking up a Ben Harper record, as well as a Blind Boys of Alabama record. To me, Ben Harper has always been talented, and the Blind Boys of Alabama have always been known for making great songs (STUPID videos, but great songs). But now Ben's funky, light rock and the Blind Boys' spiritual flavor joined forces on There Will Be a Light, and as another reviewer put it, this marriage works.
The traditional "Mother Pray" is definitely a highlight, as well as their cover of Bob Dylan's "Well, Well, Well". Other songs not to be missed are "Church On Time", the title track, and "Picture of Jesus". And when the religious aspect is rather oblique, it's still impressive, as evidenced by the single "Wicked Man".
Even the instrumental track "11th Commandment" is good. Basically, There Will Be a Light is an album that should satisfy contemporary fans and gospel fans alike, and while you might not want to pay full price for a 38-minute album (although somehow it seems longer than that), you'll definitely get your money's worth if you pick it up.
Anthony Rupert
Free Music Review: Impressive and new effort from Harper
Hit: 4 Stars
Ben Harper, one of music's most underrated talents, gives up his usual Weissenborn slide-guitar folk tunes and teams up with gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama. Not quite as good as Harper's earlier stuff such as "Burn to Shine" or "Fight for Your Mind," but nevertheless a fresh listen with some great pieces of music. I especially was impressed with his newer and improved version of "Picture of Jesus" (A song from his previous album "Diamonds on the Inside."). It's somewhat of a mix of country and soul which surpasses the rather overdone original. It's decent but the whole "Ha-la-la-Ha-la-lah" backing vocals could of been left out. "There Will Be a Light" is eclectic and a very new effort from Harper and I definitely recommend for any fan of him to check it out.