The Blind Boys of Alabama - Spirit of the Century

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Free Music Notes for Spirit of the Century

Free Music Review: Amazing Album
Hit: 5 Stars

The opening track is one of the best. Starting with a big double bass (Danny Thompson), Clarence Fountain's smooth vocals are laid over Hammond's insistent Dobro and David Lindley's soulful slide guitar, followed by a sinewy harp solo. Add Michael Johnson on drums you have a savory concoction. Lean and mean, it ain't nothing but the gospel played blue.

More slide guitar follows on "No More," where we get our first taste of all four singers. "Run On for a Long Time" features richly textured vocals and spirited drums-this is a head-shaking, toe-tapping take on the traditional song. Clarence Fountain, George Scott, Jimmy Carter, and Joey Williams generate a subdued excitement, the result of their sincerity and precise-but never precious -harmonies, lead cuts, and hearty gospel inflections. There's a gentle power here.

While this is a spiritual album, it's also fun and slightly irreverent. "Good Religion" includes a few Little Richard type howls (showing L.R.'s gospel roots), and, of course, "Amazing Grace" set to the riffs of "House of the Rising Sun" gives a smile of joy and surprise. It's an instant classic. The group also does the Jagger/Richards "Just Wanna See His Face," with great bass by Thompson and some wailing background vocals.

Still, it's the basic liturgical sound of the blues mixed with the anguish and hope of spirituals that fuel the listener's emotional response. Whether on Ben Harper's poignant, powerful, "Give a Man a Home," (reminiscent of the Chambers Brothers) or the jubilant, slightly defiant "Soldier (with absolutely kick-it guitar by Hammond, and a funky oud by Lindley)," or on the sole a cappella number, "The Last Time," the Blind Boys provide tremendous emotional and musical satisfaction.

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