Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama - There Will Be A Light

Genre rock Publisher Virgin Records External Links Ben Harper The Blind Boys Of Alabama Virgin Records

At some point in their life, everyone needs "a good churchin'," as my grandmother would say. Well, it's what she would've said if she were raised in the south. She wasn't, though. She's an old Polish woman who lives in central Wisconsin. But the point is valid. At some point, we all need church. But not that whole thing about the Bible or the lectures or anything like that. It's the music. Good gospel music can lift the spirit, and invigorate the soul. There Will Be A Light, the collaboration between gospel legends The Blind Boys Of Alabama and rocker Ben Harper is proof positive of this. Harper met the gospel legends (who are actually blind, so no need to worry about false advertising) while on tour, and the disc represents two separate recording sessions over 2004.

The disc is a wonderful blend of Harper's laid-back rock with the Blind Boys magical harmonizing. With musical help from his backing band, The Innocent Criminals, Harper has written nine songs (the album also contains the traditional gospel standard "Mother Pray," as well as an outstanding version of the Bob Dylan-Danny O'Keefe tune "Well, Well, Well"), which both pay homage to older gospel tunes and sound timely at once. All of the tunes feel timeless, even when little jam sessions break out (as in "Wicked Man"). Anyone who has a knowledge of Harper (specifically his best work, Welcome To The Cruel World) knows of his deep religious roots, and There Will Be A Light moves his faith to the forefront while keeping some of his irritating slide-guitar to the far back pews.

The disc is very spiritual and magical in moments, specifically the closing romp which takes place during "Church On Time." In many ways, it feels as if both artists really needed each other. Harper needed some vocalists who could bring the perfect touches to some of his more religious numbers. The Blind Boys needed a collaborator who could write songs which brought older gospel music up to speed. With There Will Be A Light, the two have come together nearly perfectly. So put this album on during a Sunday morning, and have a little churchin' in your apartment. You don't even have to get dressed up.