Artist: The Blind Boys of Alabama
Title: Duets
Website: http://www.blindboys.com
Style: Various
Rating: 8 out of 10
By C.W. Ross
To say that the group The Blind Boys of Alabama has staying power is putting it mildly. The group got their start way back in 1939 when they met at the Alabama School for the Negro Deaf
and Blind in Talladega, AL. Since then the group has released over 30 musical projects, are multi-Grammy awards winners, have toured both nationally and internationally, and performed on
numerous TV shows, to name just a few of their accolades.
Over the years the band has undergone a few lineup changes due to members dying or failing health, but the group has always managed to keep their music relevant and maintain their spot
in music society. Proof of their drawing power can be found in the all-star cast of musicians that they've assembled to perform with them on their latest release, aptly named, Duets.
The 14 songs found on Duets aren't The Blind Boys of Alabama songs, rather their songs taken from the artist that their performing with on each particular track. There also isn't
one particular style of music used on this project, you'll find everything from Black spiritual, gospel, country and reggae, to blues and rock music that's all tied together by the soulful vocals
that are found in the songs.
Duets is made up of both previously-released tracks along with several previously-unreleased ones, ("Perfect Peace" -With Toots Hibbert, "Jesus" -With Lou Reed, "One Kind Favor"
- With John Hammond), along with the new song, "Secular Praise" with Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles which was also simultaneously released on his new CD.
While this is a The Blind Boys of Alabama release the real stars of the show are the guest artists that are featured on the songs. Those artists give you a really good example of each
particular style of music that's their specialty.
Highlight track for me included the first track, "Take My Hand," that features the talents of Ben Harper. The ballad track, "Secular Praise," with Timothy B. Schmit was well done. I also
enjoyed the story telling blues style that's found on, "I Had Trouble" with Charlie Musselwhite. "How I Got Over," featuring the talents of Marva Wright was recorded live in New Orleans. The
song is one of those that you can't help but tap your toes, clap your hands, and sing along with it.
For any country music fans you aren't let out of the fun you'll find 2 tracks, "Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)" - with Randy Travis, a country gospel song and "The Devil Ain't
Lazy," features the country western swing band Asleep At The Wheel on Duets.
If you're looking for a release that showcases the vocal harmony talents of The Blind Boys of Alabama Duets isn't what you're looking for because on this release the group is
content to hang in the background, mainly providing backing vocals, while allowing the guest artist to shine in the spotlight.
If you're looking though to hear a multi-style release filled with great music that's built on songs with a strong spiritual base then Duets will make you a happy person.
I usually don't include track list with my reviews but since this release is driven by its guest artist I decided to add it at the end of this review.
1. Take My Hand (With Ben Harper)
2. Magnificent Sanctuary Band (With Susan Tedeschi)
3. Perfect Peace (With Toots Hibbert)
4. Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air) (With Randy Travis)
5. Secular Praise (With Timothy B. Schmit)
6. I Had Trouble (With Charlie Musselwhite)
7. When the Spell Is Broken (With Bonnie Raitt )
8. Nothing But the Blood (With Jars of Clay)
9. Welcome Table (With Dan Zanes)
10. None of Us Are Free (With Solomon Burke)
11. Jesus (With Lou Reed)
12. How I Got Over (Live) (With Marva Wright)
13. The Devil Ain't Lazy (With Asleep At The Wheel)
14. One Kind Favor (With John Hammond)
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