Track Listing
1. Take My Hand
2. Wicked Man
3. Where Could I Go
4. Church House Steps
5. 11th Commandment
6. Well Well Well
7. Picture of Jesus
8. Satisfied Mind
9. Mother Pray
10. There Will Be a Light
11. Church on Time
| Details | | Producer: | Ben Harper | | Distributor: | EMI Music Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Ben Harper/Blind Boys Of Alabama: Ben Harper (vocals, guitar); Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter, George Scott, Tracy Pierce, Bobby Butler, Ricky McKinnie, Joey Williams (vocals).
Additional personnel: Jason Yates, Marc Ford, Michael Ward, Juan Nelson, Leon Mobley, Oliver Charles, Rock Deadrick.
Recording information: 01/25/2004 - 03/15/2004.
This collaboration between Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama draws heavily from blues and gospel traditions. Many of the songs on THERE WILL BE A LIGHT, particularly "Take My Hand" and "Mother Pray," are highly devotional. However, unlike many of the spiritual records on the market, this album is musically diverse and non-formulaic. And, despite the finely wrought production, Harper retains an earthy, organic feel throughout this intimate outing, which relies more on subtlety and nuance than blatant preaching.
THERE WILL BE A LIGHT also emulates Depression-era blues very well. "11th Commandment" and "Well Well Well" feature Harper's slide guitar, and his soulful playing harks back to the work of Robert Johnson and Elmore James. Unlike some revivalists, Harper shows that he understands--and has internalized--the Delta blues and gospel traditions. Of course, one can't overstate the contribution the Blind Boys of Alabama bring to this album. Their passionate harmonies add warmth and grace to each and every song.
Editorial Reviews
3 stars out of 5 - It's as inspirational as you would expect from such a blues-gospel summit to be. Harper contributes stinging slide guitar and adds his own distinctive vocals to those of the magnificent Clarence Fountain.
Uncut
[T]his union of the slide-playing roots rocker and the veteran gospel septet feels relaxed and natural. - Grade: B+
Entertainment Weekly
3 stars out of 5 - 'Where Could I Go,' which plays like an elegantly spaced Fifties rock ballad, is a wonder....'Well, Well, Well' sounds like a lost, brilliant 78-rpm side.
Rolling Stone
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![There Will Be Light [Slimline] by Ben Harper (CD, Sep-2004, Virgin Records USA)](http://i2.ebayimg.com/03/c/02/7a/27/67_7.JPG "There Will Be Light [Slimline] by Ben Harper (CD, Sep-2004, Virgin Records USA)")
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