Album produced by Ben Harper - Executive
producer : Chris Goldsmith - Recorded and mixed by Jimmy
Hoyson at Capitol Studio B - Second engineer : Mike Glines
- Photos by Steve Sherman and Jesse Savath - Art and design
by Jason Yates assisted by Thomas Field
The Blind Boys of Alabama :: Clarence Foutain - Jimmy Carter
- George Scott - Ricky McKinnie - Joey Williams - Bobby
Butler - Tracy Pierce.
Session 1 / January 25-27, 2004 :: Church on Time - Church
House Steps - Picture of Jesus - Mother Pray - There Will
Be a Light.
Ben Harper (vocals, guitars) - Juan Nelson (bass) - Leon
Mobley (percussion) - Jason Yates (keyboards) - Marc Ford
(guitar) - Michael Ward (guitar) - Rock Deadrick (drums).
Session 2 / March 15-19, 2004 :: Take My Hand - Wicked Man
- 11th Commandment - Well Well Well - Satisfied Mind - Where
Could I Go.
Ben Harper (vocals, guitars) - Juan Nelson (bass) - Leon
Mobley (percussion) - Jason Yates (keyboards) - Marc Ford
(guitar) - Oliver Charles (drums).
From cd booklet — "These recordings
you have here were made just after Ben and his band came
back from a long and trying tour of Europe. Climaxing in
Paris with three nights at Bercy. The last of these shows
was opened by the soulful hauntings of the Blind Boys of
Alabama. And the evening was bookended with both bands on
stage with an improvised version of "I shall not walk
alone". Backstage before that encore they spoke about
the how to's. That performance was staggering. I know, I
was there. Fueled by inspiration and back home only a short
while later the two groups began work on what was to be
a song or two for the Blind Boys next album. Session 1 started
January 25th, two songs turned into five. Spirits were high.
The road had brought them together. The band was close in
music and friendship. Music just literally took over, we
were all just its vehicle. Recording was pure pleasure,
you can hear that I hope. Capitol's historic basement was
capturing something magical. More time had to be booked.
On March 15th session 2 was rolling. Like the days of old
the band just set up and played. It was a dreamy eight days
for us all. In the end there was an album. So here you are,
we hope you enjoy these recordings as much as the fellas
had making them. — A witness." |
