wolster Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 It's Father's day next week and I have put my hand up for a Ben Harper LP and there are a lot to chose from. The only album I have currently, on CD, is 'The Will to Live". Any suggestions, guys? I know that we all have different tastes but I would appreciate your input. Cheers wolster
jt301 Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 My personal favourite is "Diamonds on the Inside" but then I haven't found one I don't like.....yet.
Jake Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Welcome to the Cruel World is really, really good. Simple music beautifully played and recorded. A must in your collection, no question. Lifeline is great too, but being from his later period is quite different. Not a fan of his latest. Cheers, Jake
lebowski Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 (edited) Hi wolster, Burn To Shine is excellent however my current fav is 'There Will Be A Light' Ben Harper with The Blind Boys of Alabama. It's not your typical BH, but it's a great album and the harmonies outstanding. I'm a big Ben Harper fan and have all of his CD's, EP's whatever I can get my hands on Have to agree with Jake, I'm also struggling to get into his latest album with the Relentless 7. EDIT - Live From Mars is an excellent double album and includes a very good cover of Richard Ashcrofts - The Drugs Don't Work Edited August 30, 2009 by Lebowski
Ex-MTB Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 I second both of Lebowski's choices. Great albums both. TWBAL was welded to my car CD player for a while...
4heckssake Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 (edited) Welcome to the Cruel World is the best by far. fresh and original. you will then have the best two. Edited August 30, 2009 by 4heckssake removed comment
Guest JohnA Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 if i had to pick 2 favourites they would be 1: welcome to the cruel world 2: diamonds on the inside
Mr_Gimlet Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Live From Mars is an excellent double album That's my favourite. Power of the Gospel is just electric.
hired goon Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 G'day, Never a fan of "Welcome To The Cruel World" -- a bit too naive and earnest for my tastes. "Fight For Your Mind" is much better IMHO, especially the string-laden "Power of The Gospel" followed by the 11min slide fest of "God Fearing Man". --Geoff 1
Gee Emm Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 my current fav is 'There Will Be A Light' Ben Harper with The Blind Boys of Alabama. It's not your typical BH, but it's a great album ... Me too. I lurv this album
Nude Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 oops I thought the subject was least worse Ban Harper album Hmm, hard to decide
emesbee Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 I bought "The Will To Live" some time ago from a cash converters store. Had one listen, thought ho hum, then filed it away and haven't played it since. Not really a bad album, just rather ordinary I thought. Consequently I hadn't bothered listening to any Ben Harper for quite a while since then. That is, until now. I just got a copy of his latest CD, "White Lies for Dark Times". Ah, now this is the deal. Great sounding guitar, bass and good solid drumming to back it up. Perhaps Ben Harper's voice is a bit soft sounding at times, but he gives it a good go on this. My personal favourite tracks are 'Shimmer & Shine' and 'Why Must You Always Dress In Black'. This album rocks, crank up the volume!
seano Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Fight for Your Mind is my fav. Words can not describe how much I don't enjoy "Diamonds on the Inside". I've played it only twice since I bought it back in 2003 and have not purchased another BH album since - far too much wailing for Jesus for this little black duck.
lebowski Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Fight for Your Mind is my fav. Words can not describe how much I don't enjoy "Diamonds on the Inside". I've played it only twice since I bought it back in 2003 and have not purchased another BH album since - far too much wailing for Jesus for this little black duck. I hear ya re the wailing ... don't buy 'There Will Be A Light' then. IMO, it's one of Ben Harper's finest albums but there sure is a lot of Jesus and the Lord weaved amongst it.
4heckssake Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 t however my current fav is 'There Will Be A Light' Ben Harper with The Blind Boys of Alabama. It's not your typical BH, but it's a great album and the harmonies outstanding. I found that album in the secondhand vinyl bin a while back. 180 gm vinyl too. bought it. listened 2 or 3 times, took it back and traded it in for something else. couldn't get into it, didn't do it for me at all. Probably didn't give it a proper chance but.
lebowski Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 I found that album in the secondhand vinyl bin a while back. 180 gm vinyl too. bought it. listened 2 or 3 times, took it back and traded it in for something else. couldn't get into it, didn't do it for me at all. Probably didn't give it a proper chance but. it's very different to all of his other music for sure. I really dig the vocals and harmonies on that album, those Blind Boys sure can sing.
wolster Posted September 1, 2009 Author Posted September 1, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions, guys. You have greatly succeeded in confusing me even more, which I guess was predictable given the variety of tastes. At least I have some good albums to check out on youtube. Cheers wolster
RichardN Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 I think what you've found is that they are all good and you probably can't go too wrong in which ever you purchase.
Monkeyboi Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 I've heard Bear72's copy of Diamonds on the Inside on double LP. Nice quiet surface on his copy. I've got it on CD and rather like the album. Cheers, Alan R.
gamve Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 like some of you guys say, some of it is a bit jesus'see stuff but all in all I reckon he's a great artist and its hard to pick which is the best album. I like em all
kiwijosh Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Fight for your Mind !!! come on guys its awesome !!!
Recommended Posts