Customer Reviews

There Will Be a Light

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I didn't know what to expect when I bought this CD. I'd heard of the Blind Boys of Alabama ever since I was a little girl. My grandparents and my parents loved them. You get to a point in your life when you'll finally listen to your parents' music, so I purchased this CD with the thought:I'm not gonna be thrilled but at least I'll find out what my folks have been talking about all these years. Boy, was I wrong! Is this gospel music? If it is, then I love gospel music. To me, it's a combination of rock, soul, and gospel. I can hear a little old school soul here. Otis Redding comes to mind. Especially when Ben and The Blind Boys of Alabama sing the third song, Where Could I Go? I'd never heard of Ben Harper before but he's now one of my favorite singers. I love his high, soulful voice. Of course it's sexy. Is that blasphemous, thinking gospel music is sexy? I don't think so. Remember Sam Cooke and Ray Charles? Both were rooted in gospel. Both were incredibly gritty soul singers. At any rate, this CD will move you right out of your seat and have you dancing. It's rock, it's soul, it's gospel. It's fantastic!

The Blind Boys of Alabama have deservedly won three consecutive Grammy Awards for Gospel music. Know what? I hear #4 for this CD.

Can I get a witness? Say A-men, y'all!

Ben Harper has put himself in very deep water this time around. Performing a selection or two with BBA is one thing, but to hang pure for an entire 11 songs over a full CD is altogether a new level. He rises to the challenge by toning down the theatrics and cleverness that will ultimately make him a bonafide rock star. Thank heavens, in more than one way.

The resulting CD is filled with genuine emotion. There isn't a single artificial syllable or note.

Picking the best o' the bunch ain't possible for me as the selections are so consistently strong. Nonetheless "Satisfied Mind," "Take My Hand," and "Jesus" will definietly be included on some future "Greatest Hits" collection.

I believe!

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

This album is terrific. I bought it on the strength of the song titles , which deal with spiritual and soulful themes, and a vague knowledge of the Blind Boys of Alabama via an outstanding performance they gave on Australian TV a few years ago of the standard House Of The Rising Sun. I was delighted with how good these 11 new songs are . They were all recorded earlier this year at two separate studio sessions, and my favourite ones were the chugging blues of Church House Steps , the uplifting slow ballad There Will Be A Light (the title song) , and particularly the awesome Wicked Man, which is really exciting. Ben Harper is is wonderful form on vocals , and the whole thing is really an inspired piece of music. It is a great joy to listen to a new album for the first time and be thoroughly happy with it the way I am with this album !

Highly recommended!!!

This album is a must for any Harper fan, and great edition to any blues and soul collection. In reading the liner notes we find that the album was recorded in just two sessions... but wow! Those sessions must have been magical. Unlike Diamonds on the Inside this work has a clear focus and theme. The more I listen to it the more it gets inside me. Harper's musicianship and lyrics are, as usual, superb, but the real depth comes from the amazing Blind Boys. I first heard the Blind Boys a little more than a year ago on concert bootlegs from the Diamonds tour, and I can't believe I didn't know about them before. These guys are real American treasures. I highly reccomend this album.

I saw the Blind Boys in concert earlier this year and was blown away by them. I had never been to a show before where EVERYONE was smiling! Not knowing Ben Harper's music personally, but having heard of his critical acclaim, I bought the CD because of the Boys and think Ben Harper's involvement takes them to a higher level. If you like music with passion and intelligence, I would think you would have to like this disc unless you are repulsed by openly Christian references.

ben harper has struck gold again. anyone who loves (nobody just 'kinda likes' him) ben's awesome gift for writing a quality tune will adore his new effort. by guesting with the blind boys it was always goin to be a lil bit different than his previous efforts. but weren't all ben's albums varying? stick this in that already bulging collection and enjoy some heart felt, soulful and delightfully touching music

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

I have been listening to The Blind Boys of Alabama for some time now, even had the chance to see them live supporting their recent Christmas album in San Francisco with Aaron Neville and Martin Medeski (great concert...) I was hesitant about this album pairing the younger Ben Harper with The Blind Boys, but it works VERY well. The songs are creative and vary from jump started revivals to reflective yearning tunes. All the while, a sense of passion and reverence for Christianity is out in the front and is greatly appreciated by this fan!! Harper also turns in some very nice guitar work that compliments The Blind Boys vocal harmonies very well, not to mention his singing capabilities. This CD should not dissapoint most fans who are into music enough to hear about it.

Our daughter gave me some music store vouchers for Father's Day. I can't remember how many times I've been into to the store to look and listen and leaving empty handed thinking, maybe next time.

Well today that all changed. I saw Ben and The Alabama Boys on Letterman last week singing "Take my Hand" and thought Awesome!, both the music and the inspiration. I then saw the store had just brought it in. I'm now almost through the third play through.............