| The Blind Boys Of Alabama...Spirit Of The Century Realworld Records...**** One of the greatest singing groups in popular music�s history has released a new album on Peter Gabriel�s British Realworld Records and boy, is it great. The original Blind Boys Of Alabama first met at the Taledega Institute For The Deaf And Blind in the 1930�s. The fantastic harmonies and lead singing of Archie Brownlee influenced not only many gospel ensembles but also caught the ear of such secular artists as Ray Charles. Brownlee�s hair-raising screams and hollers were among gospel�s most astounding. The original quartet included Arther Brownlee, Joseph Ford, Lawrance Abrams and Lloyd Woodard. They started out as The Happy Land Singers when they sang on the school grounds and were eventually recorded in 1937 by Alan Lomax for The Library Of Congress. After Graduation, the group became a quintet with the addition of Melvin Henderson, then when Percell Perkins replaced Henderson in the mid-40�s, they became The Five Blind Boys. Perkins, who was not blind, also doubled as their manager. They recorded their debut album for Excelsior Records in 1946, then, when they joined Don Robey�s Peacock Label in 1950, they became the big stars they so deserved. Through the 1960�s they released a total of 27 singles and five albums for the Peacock label. The Five Blind Boys of Alabama have lost several members over the years, including Brownlee who died in New Orleans in 1960, and Perkins, who left the group soon after to become a minister. Differing members throughout the 70�s, 80�s and 90�s have included the reverends George Lewis and Tiny Powell, Roscoe Robinson (who replaced Brownlee), and second lead singer Willmer Broadnax, also a magnificent vocalist. The new line-up for Spirit Of The Century consists of Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter, George Scott and Joey Williams. The new album contains many traditional gospel songs such as �Amazing Grace� and �Soldier� done up in great style, but also includes songs by artists one would not necessarily expect to hear on a gospel album. We get covers of Tom Wait�s compositions including �Jesus Gonna Be Here� and �Way Down In The Hole�. We also get �Just Want To See His Face�, the Jagger/Richards song from Exile On Main Street. Ben Harper�s �Give A Man A Home� is also featured. Guest stars abound on the recording too. Producer John Chelew (John Hiatt�s Bring The Family) Brought together multi-instrumentalist David Lindley, blues Guitarist John Hammond, blues legend Charlie Musslewhite on harmonica, and a rhythm section consisting of British bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Micheal Jerome (both members of guitarist/songwriter Richard Thompson�s band). This eclectic group of musicians display an undying knowledge of the traditional musical forms, and their obvious enjoyment of the gospel as well as secular material simply glows with their expert enthusiasm. The Blind Boys Of Alabama are in their eighth professional decade on this album and exhibit an undiminished, peak form. Their music has the funk of James Brown, the spirituality of a back-woods jump to your feet Negro church-house and the rock and roll of a dirt-road juke-joint. Check it out. J.T. Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters...Make A Better World Self Released...**** On their web-site they refer to themselves as �the unofficial ambassadors of American swampy blues from the Norwegian Fjords� and I found this to be a fairly apt description of the music on their new album �Make A Better World�. An intoxicating blend of blues, rock & roll and zydeco, with blues being the main influence, this band from Lillestrom, Norway just basically puts one hell of a sound out that�s guaranteed to get your toes tappin� and your mouth hummin�. Lauritsen�s love of artists such as B.B. King, blues pianist Charles Brown and Ray Charles shine through with good form, and you can sense his genuine feel and appreciation for the American Music that he loves so much through-out the cuts on this album. Lauritsen began his instrumental prowness at the age of 6 and has been professionally playing his version of the blues for about 10 years now. He�s equally adept on vocals, accordion, harmonica and keyboards. His band includes a great guitar player, a killer Hammond B-3 organ and several songs feature a horn section. J.T. Lauritsen And The Buckshot Hunters have garnered a growing reputation opening for many big time blues artists and also has attained a large fan base in his home country. Now it�s time for America to catch on to this guy�s great and passionate talent. Check out his website at www.buckshothunters.com |