new Ben Harper cd

[Aaron]

Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama released a cd today called "There Will Be Light"  If anyone gets it, let me know how it is.  I have every Ben Harper album and want to get this one but I don't have any money to get it..so yeah..i'll be waiting a long time

[glatisant]

I haven't heard anything about a new album--didn't Diamonds on the Inside come out just last year?  What kind of album is it?

I like Ben Harper's music, though my knowledge of his discography is limited to The Will to Live, Diamonds on the Inside (which I need to borrow again for a more thorough listen), and the acoustic disc from Live From Mars.  The last is a favourite of mine--emotional rawness combined with impeccable musicianship, the kind of stuff you listen to alone late at night in the study.  I like his two-barrelled attack of aggressive grooves-laden blues-funk with delicate acoustic folk; he can shift from swaggering sexuality, smoldering anger to a hushed fragility, sometimes within the same song.

What are your favourite songs by him, Wanderer?  I think mine are "Please Bleed" and "Like a King," followed by "Power of the Gospel" and the "Number Three/Roses From My Friends" transition on The Will to Live.  "Not Fire, Not Ice" isn't a standout from a critical standpoint, but for some reason it's the one that gets to me most on a regular basis.  Darned sappy songs.

[Aaron]

Diamonds On The Inside came out in January 2003.

His discography (not including all the imports, singles, and ep's) includes:

Pleasure and Pain (i've never heard of that one..just read it on his site..need to find it)
Welcome To The Cruel World
Fight For Your Mind
The Will To Live
Burn To Shine
Live From Mars
Diamonds On The Inside
and now There Will Be A Light.

The new album, a collaboration with the Blind Boys of Alabama, is a mixture of rock, soul, gospel, and funk.  I can't wait to hear this because both parts of this combo are amazing musicians.


My favorite Ben Harper songs are "Excuse Me Mr.", "Glory & Consequence", "Like A King", and many others.  He has done so many amazing songs that it is hard to choose.  Harper is severely underrated and underexposed.  It would be awesome to see a tour showcasing Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals headlining, with the opening act being Robert Randolph & The Family Band

[Josh]

Thom Jurek likes the new album.

[Josh]

I heard this album today and it is immediately among my favorite releases of the year.

This is soulful, inspiring stuff. Musically, it's got a smokey, rock and roll edge, but it's pure gospel music at its heart. The lyrics are very simple, straightforward, and heartfelt, like modern-day spirituals.

The CCM crowd could learn a thing or two from this album.

Great stuff. More to come later...

[Aaron]

I heard this album today and it is immediately among my favorite releases of the year.

This is soulful, inspiring stuff. Musically, it's got a smokey, rock and roll edge, but it's pure gospel music at its heart. The lyrics are very simple, straightforward, and heartfelt, like modern-day spirituals.

The CCM crowd could learn a thing or two from this album.

Great stuff. More to come later...

the CCM crowd could learn alot from everything Harper has done.

[Aaron]

anyone catch Ben Harper and the Blind Boys on Letterman last night? I'm so pissed because I fell asleep right before they came on.