Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A dramatic shift in sound texture, July 28, 2000
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.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this CD now. One of the best of the '90s., June 3, 1998
By A Customer
This album is one of the best of the '90s in the rock genre - order the '97 release instead of the '98 because it includes a free 5 song live disc. Ben Harper remains a (relatively) undiscovered gem in the world of rock music. Exceptional, poignant lyrics, and effortless transitions between dobro, acoustic and electric guitar parts (listen to Faded). The styles embodied on this disc include reggae, folk, rock, grunge, and funk. Its what Lenny Kravitz was striving for, yet never achieved. Tracks of note: Roses From My Friends, Will to Live, and the acoustic tracks Widow of a Living Man and Ashes. This disc will grow on you like a fungus.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How Can the Blues Sound So Good?, January 5, 2000
I bought the other three Ben Harper albums before this, so I was expecting a lot when I first listened to it. It by far blows Burn To Shine and Welcome to the Cruel World out of the water. I thought it would be impossible for Harper to produce an album to rival Fight For Your Mind, but he did it. This is the most impressive mix of acoustic folksy blues I have ever heard. If this album doesn't impress you, you need to poke youself with something sharp.
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by Ben Harper 
