Customer Reviews

Burn To Shine

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am writing this review simply because, after that last one (the guy who gave it 3 stars) there are somethings that need to be said. This is a great album. The songwriting is great. The musical performance is spectacular. Yes, this album is more "studioized" and not as "rootsy". Throughout the album he goes out on a limb almost every song. I respect an artist whose willing to try new things and make the music that's in their head and their heart. Anyone can write a follow up album that's just like their last one, and while it'll would be great, I respect an artist who's willing to take a chance. Bands who put out album after album of the exact same sound may be great, but they are stagnant. Ben Harper's music is progressing and maturing. And yes, this album isn't as political. The songs are much more personal. But the songs are still honest and heartfelt. Should Ben write political songs just because people expect it? That would be selling out. He's writing from his soul, and if it's more personal that political this album, the that's fine with me. All in all, this is as great an album as his first three. If you want to agree or argue with me, than write me and we'll duke it out. Thanks for reading.

The fact that Ben Harper remains largely unknown while lesser talents like Lenny Kravitz, Counting Crows and Live are so successful is one of those minor crimes against creativity and true musical expression. Don't get me wrong, I like those other guys, but Harper easily outshines them all. His songwriting chops are strong: "Two Hands of a Prayer," "Burn to Shine," "Suzie Blue" and "Less" all prove this. Production is impeccable, with each song delivering a unique sound to mirror it's emotional intensity - the delicate strings in "Beloved One," the chants and gongs subtly layering "Two Hands," the old-time fun of "Suzie," the raucous "Alone" and the triumphant "Forgiven."

Hopefully, in an alternative universe, Ben Harper is a major rock god while Kravitz, Duritz, Dave Matthews et al are relegated to being considered barely fair imitations. Just because you're not hearing this guy's music on car and shoe commercials means that in this world, it's hard to hear him on the radio. Do yourself a favor and take a listen.

It's always great when a band you like releases a new CD not only because of the album, but because of the singles. This single features the great title track of Ben's new record Burn to shine, which sounds like eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" It has a great old skool rock flavor. The first B-Side is Waiting on an Angel recorded live at a sold out show at Royal Albert Hall. Like any acoustic performance by Harper this song is performed with an unparalled level of emotion you can only hear at one of Ben Harper's shows. The second b-side appeared on some singles off of Fight For your Mind. It's a gospel tune called If I could hear my mama pray again. It is acapella with a small choir and Ben just singing his heart out. It's really a great song that is seldom performed live. If you can afford to drop the 12 bucks or whatever this is a great CD for any Harper fan.

Ben and the boys show off their amazing diversity on this album: "Burn to Shine" contains everything from Hendrix-y R&B (The Woman In You, very Little Wing-esque), to hard rock (Forgiven), to Dixieland Jazz (Suzie Blue), to human-beatbox-driven feelgood music (Steal My Kisses), to the Rolling Stones incarnate (Burn to Shine), to a pure ballad (Show Me a Little Shame), to beautiful soulfelt folk (In the Lord's Arms). And while some albums with this kind of diversity tend to be disjointed as a result, the pervasive sense of Ben's soulfelt, passionate singing links one song to the next like no other force could; he sings with the kind of conviction that would be expected from a Martin Luther King Jr. speech.

Instrumentally, the album is quite solid, too. Ben's guitar work shows him to be of considerable talent, particularly his slide guitar work. The Innocent Criminals do a great job here creating various grooves to back Ben up with, all appropriate for the songs they're present in.

If you've never listened to a Ben Harper album before, "Burn to Shine" would be a great place to start.

this is definitely one of the best albums i own. i bought it when it came out, because i am a huge fan and love his three previous albums. at first i was unsure of this one, but upon repeated listenings, i started to really love the diversity of it. no song sounds the same as another one on the disc, and ben explores so many different styles of music. if you're having trouble with this disc at first, give it a second and third listening. "please bleed" and "suzie blue" are two of my favorites, but i think that the best track on the whole album is "show me a little shame". it's old bluesy sound reminds me of otis redding, and ben's voice is just incredible. he and the innocent criminals are great musicians, which adds to the integrity of the album as a whole. if you get a chance, go and see ben live - it is an amazing experience, especially in a small venue. i've only seen two shows, and i would jump at the chance to see more.

Most of us in our mid-20's went through that Ben Harper phase around 2000 when he started touring campuses around the nation and the buzz built. Some of his other albums have come and gone but Burn To Shine is his masterpiece that will forever endure. It's his most even album and I still listen to it semi-regularly 5 years later.

Harper's music is guitar driven poetry. It's mellow with the occasional upbeat tempo thrown in to liven things up. There are many immitators out there but I think what separates Ben from the rest is the raw emotion he emits not just from his angelic voice, but also from his ingenious guitar. At times subtle, at times barraging, he wears his heart on his sleeve through every song.

The great thing about this album is that it can stand alone with a glass of wine or can be great in a background setting. It's not overpowering (except perhaps the best song - Please Bleed) and I often read or do work with this on in the background.

Bottom Line: Great for all music lovers. Appropriate for all ages. For the younger crowd looking for some music they might have missed out on....this is disc you must have for your collection.

I'd probably give this recording 3 1/2 stars if I could, but I bump up to 4 because of Harper's guts and ability to bridge musical styles. But it's that same range of styles that provides my critique: I love eclectic records that use a variety of styles, but I have a hard time liking this one all the way through. To me, it veers wildly between styles instead of building or transitioning out of one and into another. This record demands attention and flexibility-and is probably best suited to teasing out some songs onto a mix tape. Clear standout, as others have mentioned: the four song gamut in the heart of the album running from Suzie Blue to Show Me A Little Shame. But don't get me wrong: Harper is a major talent and this record deserves the attention it's getting. It's just not a casual listen.

Ben Harper's most recent work, "Burn to Shine," is an amazing album. He crosses genres and styles successfully and with great ease. I was hooked on him and his band after the first listen. The album starts off impressively with the emotional "Alone," but the highest point on the CD comes about midway through, with a string of four of the best songs: "Suzie Blue," a lively vintage-style number; "Steal My Kisses," more modern, with a human "beat-box"; the hard-hitting title track; and of course, arguably the best song on the album, "Show Me A Little Shame," a soulful, beautifully sung song. A definite must have for any fan of different, inventive, and timeless music.

With a nod to great music of the past in the tradition of Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Taj Mahal, Paul Simon and Steve Forbert ( I know... just listen to it) This album marches on into the future of the new millenium like a shooting star into the past. Mostly folk, mainly rock, mighty carribean influences, and oh, so romantic. If you are willing to look deep into the meaning, you will come out of it a better person. Buy this album.

Why Ben Harper isn't a major star I will never know but his music-
espically this five star 1999 offering-is without a doubt,major!
"Burn To Shine" is a diverse gem that has no musical limitations
and no radio-ready comprimises(that is most likely why most people don't really know of him).Ben has a soulful,rough-yet-tender voice and adventrous intrumentation that surpasses "contemparies" such as Lenny Kravitz or Black Crowes(Although I'm not sure if Ben has any peers;he's in a league with himself,if you ask me)

"Burn" has a wide range of mood and style.From the almost-grungy
"Alone" to the ragtime jazz of "Suzie Blue" to the sunny,country
soul-with-a-beatbox flavor of "Steal My Kisses"(a minor hit).
Every song on here is impressive.No filler here.

But my true favorite on here though is "The Woman In You".
Oh,this is my song!(lol) This is prue Hendrix-soul territory right here(in the style of "Little Wing" as one reviewer suggested).This rollicking slow jam is such a winner,I can't say enough about it.

Also worthy though on "BTS" is "Please Bleed",the seven minute and fourty-four second mediation "Two Hands Of A Prayer"(very soothing),and "Forgiven"...all of the songs are top knotch.

Expressive music that defies catergaztion is what Ben Harper is all about and this album proves that such a music industry rarity still exists.