Ben Harper

OK, Ben Harper is so psyched right now. While his bluesy folk generally appeals to twentysomethings, the guy's now working with 70-year-old gospel behemoths who have, let's face it, a lot to teach us whippersnappers. The folk/gospel combo really finds its feet on "Pictures of Jesus" and "Mother Pray."

Ben Harper may be pure of heart in enlisting classic gospel act the Blind Boys of Alabama to
collaborate with him on There Will Be a Light, but even the Blind Boys' graceful voices
can't wholly redeem the jammy date-rock icon's platitudinous lyrics ("Take My Hand") and
his generic barrelhouse-blues arrangements ("Wicked Man"). The traditional, a cappella
"Mother Pray" is the best pure collaboration on the album, a mash of gospel auste... More >