The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group that originally formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in Talladega, Alabama in 1939. I shudder to think about growing up in the pre-war South blind, and having to live under segregation but, hopefully, today, we are more enlightened. Back in the day they were the "Five Blind Boys of Alabama." Try to disregard the uncomfortable connotations of calling grown African American males "boys" as their name also is a relic of that terrible time. 3 of the group's vocalists and it's drummer/percussionist are blind. One of the founding members, Clarence Fountain, is still in the group and tours as his health allows. They are members of the Gospel Hall of Fame and have received a Grammy for lifetime achievement along with numerous Gospel Grammy's.
We went down to Noel Night at the New Center last night. It is an evening of music and parties, with the museums open late charging no admission. Spent a lot of time at Center For Creative Studies and the DIA. The Blind Boys were playing for free at First Congregational Church on Woodward. It would be great to tell you that we got to see the Blind Boys and they rocked the house. I'm pretty sure they ended up rockin' the house but we didn't see them since the church hit full Fire Marshall mandated capacity about 12 people in front of us.
If you haven't heard the Blind Boys, google them on you tube or do a search on Spotify because they are really something to hear. They put out a Christmas album a couple of seasons back that is a particular favorite. Here they cover Stevie Wonder's gospel-tinged "Higher Ground" backed up more than ably by the hot chooglin' Robert Randolph and his Family Band!. And, from their Christmas album, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" where they back up Tom Waits. Truly great stuff perfect for a Sunday Morning a few weeks before Christmas! Enjoy!
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