The Blind Boys of Alabama - Spirit of the Century
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Free Music Notes for Spirit of the Century
Free Music Review: Some Good Bluesy Gospel Here!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Glory, Glory! The Blind Boys of Alabama are kickin' on "Spirit of the Century"! The music world has never known Gospel any better. With a real bluesy kinda feel, this cd earned it's permanant spot in my 25-disc cd player. My Pioneer's are rockin! The Boys have been harmonizing since 1936, in which they met at the Talladega Institue for the Blind. This cd just did something for my spirit....ya know what I mean. Probably the better known song on this one is Amazing Grace, but this is no Amazing Grace like you've ever heard before. To the tune of House of the Rising Sun, there is something special about this song. It mesmerized me. It's just beautiful! I first heard this particular song on Dave Letterman.....yep, that's right, Dave. I knew I had to get it! Essentialy, these are old Spirituals kicked up a few notches! The Blind Boys of Alabama are Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter, George Scott and Joey Williams. Joining them on this cd is Michael Jerome on Drums, David Lindley on Oud & Electric & Slide Guitars, Danny Thompson on Double Bass, Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica, and John Hammond on Dobro & Electric Guitar. The only accapella song on the cd is fittingly the last song, "The Last Time." I have a few other cd's of the The Blind Boys, but I believe this is my favorite. They have spent most of thier lives, traveling, singing and sharing Jesus through their music. They've often been highlighted at several House of Blues and drawn many to their music and their message. If you're looking for some good Gospel, your search has ended. Two words: COOL TUNES! Get it!Free Music Review: Gospel / Blues for everyone
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this CD after hearing about it on NPR, and am absolutely blown away. The harmonies, textures and musicianship on this CD are truely inspiring. As a non-Christian, Gospel music has never impressed me on a visceral level, but one can really sense the deep faith of the Blind boys when listening. Also the fact that the music sounds like it could have been recorded 6 months ago or 50 years ago really lends to the overall impact of the cd. It is timeless and in a word "Haunting". I try to expose myself to as much indigenous music from cultures throughout the world as I can, and this is a great example of traditional American music. And it is a seemless blend of the music of the damned (blues - See Robert Johnson) and the saved (gospel). One of the most talked about cuts, Amazing grace, to the tune of House of the Rising sun, is thick with irony that must have slipped by many listeners. The lyrics are about one saved by the grace of god, and the music is from a song about a woman ruined by her life in a whorehouse. This song clearly shows the contrast between the music of the saved and the music of the damned and how there is a fine line between damnation and salvation. Buy this album.Free Music Review: Gospel Singing that is Superb for a Blues Addict
Hit: 5 Stars
Their take on "Amazing Grace" is the best one I have ever encountered and is worth the price of the CD by itself. And that is not denegrigating "Good Religion" nor "Motherless Child" which we sing at our Gospel Mass. "Amazing Grace" owes its heritage to "St. James Infirmary" and the many, many descendents thereof.This is no compilation of scratchy 78s: this is a March 2000 recording, with some of the best "Golden Ear" mixing that I have encountered via Harry Pearson. Hoyson & Hirsh make my high end home and car systems stretch to their limit at max gain.
The contemp selections by Jagger & Richards, and Tom Waits are especially expressive and well suited to these rich, vibrant full voices. [Fountain, Carter & Scott have been singing together since the "Blind Boys of Alabama" was formed at the Talladega Institute for the Blind in 1979, and it shows a coherence that puts the Kronos Quartet in the Shade!] I especially liked "Way Down in the Hole" by Waits.
If I wanted to show someone how Blues and Gospel are joined at the hip [pun intended!], here is my first choice.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy; Over, and over and over!
Free Music Review: Rockin' Gospel At It's Best
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this CD after hearing a couple of cuts while shopping for music. Gospel music never much interested me before, but the music and the vocal harmonies on Spirit of the Century made me listen with a different attitude.I had heard the Blind Boys of Alabama before on a couple of cuts of a Charlie Musselwhite CD, but I never thought they could be this good. There are some powerful tunes here! My favorites are the Tom Waits compositions Jesus Gonna Be Here and Way Down In The Hole, the traditional classic Motherless Child, and a blistering rendition of the traditional Soldier. The highlight of the CD is Amazing Grace sung to the tune of House of the Rising Sun.
Its ironic that the presence of Amazing Grace, which is kind of an obligatory country/gospel song, almost kept me from buying the CD. I am not fond of the traditional tune but the BBofA give it a memorable arrangement. Its simply tremendous.
Blues greats John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite accompany the Blind Boys here, giving the music extra thrust. Even if you are not a spiritual person, you can't help but have the spirit move you when you hear this CD which is rockin' gospel at its best.
Free Music Review: You'll fall in love with the Blind Boys after listening to this CD
Hit: 5 Stars
If you weren't already in love with the Blind Boys, you will fall in love with them and their music after listening to this CD.
Prior to hearing this, I wasn't a gospel fan, and wasn't really sure what my reaction would be. Since I bought this CD I have purchased about five others by the Blind Boys - and while they're all superb, this one is my favorite.
It's hard to pick favorite songs on this CD, although, "Run on for a Long Time," "Soldier," and "The Last Time" are a few. You'll find a lot of variety here, from uptempo tracks to more solemn and slow songs.
You might also recognize "Way Down in the Hole" as the opening track from HBO's series "The Wire."
Having toured with Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Peter Gabriel, the Blind Boys have earned their place in mainstream music culture, but maintain the traditional sounds that appeal to audiences around the world.