Ben Harper - The Will to Live
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Ben HarperEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Import
Published: 1997-05-23
CD Release Date: 1997-06-17
Music Label: Virgin Records
Product features:
- Ben Harper - The Will To Live Brazil Import
- Faded
- Homeless Child
- Number Three
- Roses From My Friends
- Jah Work
- I Want To Be Ready
- The Will To Live
- Ashes
- Widow Of A Living Man
- Glory & Consequence
- Mama's Trippin'
- I Shall Not Walk Alone
Free Music Notes for The Will to Live
Free Music Review: A dramatic shift in sound texture
Hit: 5 Stars
Ben Harper's The Will To Live is a dramatic change in form musically, if not lyrically, for the retro/roots rock artist. But unlike fellow Virgin artist Lenny Kravitz, who's still trying to fuse his influences into his own unique, cohesive sound; Harper has created a sound that blends blues, reggae, gospel, rock, and soul into something entirely unique. Incredibly gifted as a singer and slide guitar player, Harper's "The Will To Live" is an unheralded classic that will certainly be listened to 40 to 50 years down the road, ala Harper's musical idle Robert Johnson. Harper's songs are timeless and rooted in simplicity, relying heavily on the authentic sound of the Weissenborn guitar and a standard D tuning {Instead of the basic E, he has a tendency to sing most of his songs in B flat]. The down-tuning blends perfectly with his Curtis Mayfield/Sam Cooke angeletic voice, and the musicians who make up the Innocent Criminals create a perfect backdrop of percussion and background tones to push Harper's new electric sound further. His lyrics are still rooted in spirituality, driven by an intense personal faith in God that hints at a young exposure to Catholicism in particular [I Shall Not Walk Alone]. That spirituality is what drives the music, and creates an intense honesty conveyed well to the audience. Harper's phrasing is so real, so heartfelt, so honest, only names like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin have every conveyed more power and feeling on a record. This cannot be overstated, given the wide-range of artists today. Harper crosses boundries and molds them. His music is undefinable, and not limited to any specific genre. Unlike the Clash's Sandinista, Harper has the skill and musicianship to pull it off. Ashes is a beautiful ballad of lonliness and remorse, but also a hopefull triumph of the spirit and struggle. Harper also rocks, Jah Work is a wild-tuned, rootsy reggae song unlike anything today. Every song is a unique piece of art. A spiritually overwhelming experience. Enough cannot be said about this wonderful album.
The Will to Live Poster
Ben Harper Photos
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More from Ben Harper
 Welcome to the Cruel World |  Diamonds on the Inside |  Both Sides of the Gun |
 Live From Mars |  Fight for Your Mind |  Live at the Hollywood Bowl |
At 28 years intense, Harper released his third album, a mixture of R&B, deep blues, folk-rock, even topical singer-songwriter work (the deliberate, bluesy "Homeless Child"). Harper's voice and style marry the funk-blues of Taj Mahal and the eccentric, electric Dylan. Those weaned on his more commercially successful peers Hootie and the Blowfish and the Wallflowers will find that Harper is a revelation. At its best, The Will to Live is an eclectic and imaginative statement. --Roy Kasten
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