What can be said about this brilliant gem that is often overlooked by mainstream music listeners. The protesting brilliance and brutal honesty of Harvest For The World is disturbingly timely during this period of unjustified U.S. war efforts. The beauty of Harvest is found both lyrically and sonically and is one of the finer socially cosncious songs ever released. Ron Isely paints an ethereal sound scape during the songs prelude, where he sings "When will there be a harvest for the world" also rotating between the questions "When will there be a harvest for the people/children?", poignant questions that are later explored on the track itself. When the track begins Ernie Isley(one of musics all time underrated guitarists)lays down sublime rhythm on acoustic guitar, which is layered with Chris Jaspers melodic piano playing. Ernie Isley also puts it down on drums as well exquisitely coupled with Marvin's bass. When Ron Isley sings against this sonic landscpe the listener is taken into a song of protest, love, beauty that also questions our social structure. Ron Isley sings the statement, "Send me off for battle, when all I want is peace, those of use who pay the price come home with the least" truthfully spoken and song with heartfelt beauty. The song questions the problem with all wars, do the people really benefit from war or suffer mainly because they fight them and are usually the victims of them. A problem that is not encountered by those in power that create the wars.

Whenever I hear old albums by the Isley Bros. I'm reminded of the level of their staggering musicianship. Although most people solely recognize the Isley's for Ron's lead vocals, their work as a band/unit was unbelievable as well.
A far cry from the Contagious track of a few years ago.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this song! (I wouldn't buy an IB compilation if this song wasn't on it!) GREAT protest song. It's all about peace and love without the sappiness. One of my favorite songs (maybe even my favorite) by the Brother's Isley.

I'm with ya that one, nice track; we need a little Harvest For the World right now

I posted the lyrics on another board on the 1 year anniversary of 9/11. Here they are again.



HARVEST FOR THE WORLD
THE ISLEY BROTHERS
Music and lyrics by E. Isley,M. Isley,C. Jasper,R. Isley,O. Isley,R. Isley

(Prelude)

Gather everyman, gather everywoman
Celebrate your lives, give thanks for your children
When will there be a harvest for all the people
When will there be a harvest for all the world
Harvest For The World

All babies together, everyone a seed
Half of us are satisfied, half of us in need
Love's bountiful in us, tarnished by our greed
When will there be a harvest for the world

A nation planted, so concerned with gain
As the seasons come and go, greater grows the pain
And far too many feelin' the strain
When will there be a harvest for the world

Gather everyman, gather everywoman
Celebrate your lives, give thanks for your children
Gather everyone, gather all together
Overlooking none, hopin' life gets better for the world

Dress me up for battle, when all I want is peace
Those of us who pay the price, come home with the least
Nation after nation, turning into beast
When will there be a harvest for the world

One of the best Isley cuts ever

Too bad R. Kelly made Ron Isley ghetto fabulous
[This message was edited Sun Mar 2 17:54:14 PST 2003 by chickengrease]

chickengrease said:

I agree on both points. Now the next generation knows him only as Mr. Big or whateva godfather annointed name he's been given?!?!

I should make an peace/protest/anti-war compilation tape. Other songs are popping up in my head.

funkyslsistah said:

Another song that immediately comes to mind is "We Can Work It Out." (Beatles/Stevie Wonder.)

chickengrease said:

ghetto-fabulousness

"harvest for the world"

This is 1 of my favorite Isley Brothers songs. Why isn't this song played on the radio more often?


Ronald's voice is SO SMOOTH.
No 1's voice should be THAT smooth!

UptownDeb said:

What a beautiful sentiment...thank you for posting the words.

Tina (~!~)

I'm happy to see that u all feel this track as much as I do.

Love this Song&felt the Power of it.