Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama - "There Will Be Light"

I've never been a big Ben Harper fan, though that's not his fault. I've just got bad associations with him - someone whom I had a hard time with years ago was obsessed with him. One of those kinds of things. So silly, but it runs deep. But when Ben Harper put this album out with the Blind Boys of Alabama in 2004, I figured that I could probably handle it. I'm really glad I got over myself at least a little bit, because this is a great album.

I spent this afternoon making and wrapping some holiday gifts, and was looking for some feelgood tunes to get me in the mood. Straight up Christmas music doesn't always (or usually) do it for me, but digging around a bit, I came upon this cd. Totally perfect. I hadn't listened to it in years. The old school gospel sound and positive vibrations were a really sweet accompaniment for my projects.

When I purchased this album I listened to it a lot for a while, but I don't think I ever read any of the sleeve. As I worked away this afternoon, I assumed that what I was listening to was a set of traditional gospel tunes. I even imagined that the Blind Boys might have let Ben pick his favorite old school gospel songs for the album. Well, it's good to read those liner notes! Turns out that Ben Harper wrote all but two of the tracks. Well, alright. I'm not an expert, but I have done some time in a gospel choir, so I'm not a novice. I'm impressed.

I took one more listen to the album after I'd been enlightened, and I could hear a bit more of the modern influence. The second song, "Wicked Man" sounds a little bit Black Crow-ish. But overall, I'm still blown away that he wrote almost all of these tunes. Certainly helps to have the Blind Boys of Alabama to make them sound legit. Together, they've put out a foot-stompin album that's just downright great.

Maybe someday I'll be able to take Ben Harper off my do not play list. Until then, I'm glad I at least got over myself and got "There Will Be a Light." If you need a little light in these darkest days of the year, lemme know, I'll send this right over.

Aretha Franklin - "Amazing Grace"

I can't think of a better album to start this project off with than this masterpiece. I picked it randomly, I swear - it was the first cd in the top left drawer of my collection. But I think there was a higher power involved in that. Listening to this album reminds me of all that I love about music. I grew up dancing around the house to Motown on Saturday mornings, and singing in the church choir on Sunday mornings. "Amazing Grace" is Aretha, after already establishing herself as a pop music star, returning to her roots to record an incredible gospel album. Two discs worth, in fact.

Admittedly, when my brother in law gave me this album for Christmas, I was a little daunted. I usually don't love live albums - I almost always like the original recordings better than the follow up live recordings. And though I have a lot of love for gospel music, I rarely think to turn it on. Well, there's no original/live issue going on here. "Amazing Grace" is full of well known and lesser known traditional hymns, recorded over two nights in Los Angeles 1972 with an all star choir, conductor, and musicians. The live character of the album is completely integral to the impact of the music. It's a recording of an experience. Of course, this is a church experience, and so might not immediately appeal to folks who aren't Christian. But the power of this music is so transcendent, it would be a shame to pass over it. These are not only Aretha's roots, they're the roots of most soul music. And the emotions, the pain and the joy that come through so clearly and beautifully, are core to all of us.

So, if this one isn't in your collection, put it on your list. Or email me and I'll mail you my copy. Cause I definitely just burned it into my collection.