|
|
The Blind Boys of Alabama
are still going strong. Even after being in the vineyard for almost
seventy (70) years, they are still singing praises to our Lord and Savior.
They are still encouraging the masses with their extraordinary gift of music.
And, they are sounding better than ever. Their new CD titled Down In
New Orleans is the subject of this month’s review.
Fans of traditional gospel music can probably call the names of the singers that
have been a part of this American Institution, called
The Five Blind Boys of
Alabama. Members
such as Clarence Fountain, George Scott, Roscoe Robinson and many others have
contributed to the history and extraordinary journey of this group.
They have dropped the ‘Five’ for
purposes of this recording. But, make no mistake about it, they are still
the powerhouse that gospel quartet fans expect. They may have drop the
“Five,” but they have not drop their ability to mesmerize audiences, young and
old, from all backgrounds, with their hard hitting style of singing.
The current lineup consists of the legendary Jimmy Carter, Eric "Ricky" McKinnie,
Joey Williams, Caleb “Bobby” Butler, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and or course
Ben Moore. One of the unique aspects to this project is the musicians that
contributed to this project. They are The Hot 8 Brass Band, The
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the incomparable Allen Toussaint,
David Torkanowsky, Ronald Guerin and Shannon Powell. To
really appreciate the contribution of these exceptional musicians, just spend
sometime reading the liner notes that accompany the CD.
The songs on this project are "Free At Last," "Make a Better
World," "How I Got Over," "You Got To Move,"
"Across the Bridge," "You Better Mind," "Down
By the Riverside," "If I Could Help Somebody," "Uncloudy
Day," "A Prayer," "I've Got a Home," and "I'll
Fly Away." You will notice that many of the songs have been
recorded by others. And, a few previously by
The Blind Boys of Alabama.
What make all of the songs on the project unique are the arrangements.
They all have that New Orleans flavor that one would attribute to New Orleans
singers like
The Soulful Heavenly Stars,
The Joyful Gospel Singers,
The Neville Brothers,
and particularly
Aaron Neville.
So it is difficult to single out any particular song. It is safe to say
that with this project you get
The Five Blind Boys of
Alabama from the 60s and
70s with updated arrangements that can only be described as that NEW ORLEANS'
sound. It would not have been a surprise for the group to add "When
The Saints Go Marching In." That would have really sealed the project as
100% New Orleans. Imagine Jimmy Carter leading that song being backed up
by The Hot 8 Brass Band or The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
If you want to hear the best in gospel quartet music from the earl days of
The Blind Boys of Alabama
this is the project for you. If you want to hear a project from a gospel
quartet legend that is traditional, buy yet has masterful creative arrangements
that you probably have not heard before, this is the project for you. If
you want to hear the Jimmy Carter at his best, this is the project for you.
If you just want to hear a refreshing new sound from
The Blind Boys of Alabama,
this is the project for you. Or, If you are just a traditional gospel
quartet music fan, then this is definitely the project for you.
You should be able to purchase this
outstanding CD by clicking on
Down In New Orleans. We give
The Bland Boys of Alabama'
Down In New Orleans a 9.5
out of 10. Click on the title to hear “Down
By The Riverside."
|
|
