charels edwards on Blind Boys of Alabama
The Bluesfest sideshow season is at its end. We’ve really enjoyed Meshell Ndegeocello, I’m sorry I missed Snarky Puppy, Elvis Costello was hit and miss.
And I wasn’t sure what to expect at tonight’s show, Blind Boys of Alabama. Would it be a couple of wheezing, wizened old dudes dusting off their gospel history? Or maybe some kind of cabaret mixing old and new, as I knew they’d recorded and played with a range of artists from other genres.
It’s hard to believe the original Blind Boys started in 1939. Membership has slowly changed over the years, but they’ve always had high standards and achieved many accomplisments including Grammy awards and collaborations with theatre, film-makers and many other musicians. Their wonderful version of Tom Waits’ “The Devil Down Below” introduces each episode in the first series of The Wire. (The show used five versions of the song, one for each series. Waits’ version is also great in series two.)
To my delight, Karen Rouse had scored front’row seats in the balcony. Backed by a powerfully sympathetic trio on keys, drums and bass, two old blind guys and a not so old guy with a guitar – all in matching grey suits and dark sunnies – proceeded to sing the house down.
Every different gospel feel – slow and steady, acapella, soulful prayer, rousing call and response and happy clapping had its.place in the set. The textures and tempos varied widely, easily evoking gospel and soul from different periods in the past 100 years.
And throughout, the old fellas sang great. Taking turns to sing, turns to sit down, and occasional slow turns in time to the beat, Rickie McKinnie and Julius Love made the show very special.
Significantly younger and also in the front row, Joey Williams on guitar and vocals served as a smooth MD and vocal foil. With the bassist and keyboard player also adding harmonies, the vocals were only ever as rich or sparse as they needed to be.
Closing the show with a rocking version of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” just distilled the Blind Boys’ combination of classy gospel vocals, seamless musicianship and excellent entertainment. A tight, perfectly paced set ended with the audience on its feet, roaring for more.
Simple, really.
Sorry to hear Jimmy Carter (not that one) has quit touring. He was a tangible link to the original line-up, even if not a de facto originating member. They played Cambridge some years back, 2019, and he was a live wire, despite being the oldest person in Cherry Hinton Park that night, at 90.
The Boys have always been careful about the songs they cover, bringing out the spiritual element to make them Gospel. Waits’ Way Down In The Hole is about an evangelist trying to convert a hopeless drug addict. Their version elevates The Wire.
Sounds like a fabulous gig.
Nice review, CE and welcome
Was lucky enough to see them at Hong Kong Arts FestivaL – jeez, it must have been nearly 20 years ago. They were wonderful. Glad to see they still have it.
Nice review, CE and welcome
Was lucky enough to see them at Hong Kong Arts FestivaL – jeez, it must have been nearly 20 years ago. They were wonderful. Glad to see they still have it.
Glad you enjoyed. Saw them almost 15 years ago in the small, then new Marquee club in Islington. Genuinely barnstorming, one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to, an absolute orgy of fervour.
Was it a guy from the Blind Boys who would jump from the balcony during performances way back when? Or am I imagining this?
They certainly came among the audience during a long and intense Soldier In The Army of the Lord when I saw them but didn’t – that I saw – stage dive to get there. And there was no balcony at that little Marquee in Islington. Perhaps in their younger days along with less health and safety for blind performers?
It was Rev Percell Perkins of the Blind Boys of Mississippi a group that preceded the BBOA.
Bit of history (or mystory) wot I wrote in 2019
https://sixsongs.blogspot.com/2019/07/alabamathe-blind-boys-of.html?m=1