[2016-05-13] The Blind Boys Of Alabama "Spirit Of The Century" and "Higher Ground" expanded remasters (Omnivore)

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:01 pm

Spirit Of The Century

Description
Since first singing together in 1944, The Blind Boys Of Alabama had been trendsetters musically, socially, and spiritually. One would think that nearly 60 years into their career, The Blind Boys would have nothing more to prove. However, 2001’s Spirit Of The Century not only showed how relevant they still were, but how they could continue to reinvent the genre they helped bring to the mainstream, and even win a Grammy® for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Produced by John Chelew with Chris Goldsmith, Spirit Of The Century mixes soulful new arrangements of traditional hymns, with songs by The Rolling Stones (Exile On Main St.’s “I Just Wanna See His Face”), Ben Harper and Tom Waits—including “Way Down In The Hole” which became the theme for HBO’s The Wire, performed by The Blind Boys Of Alabama for Season 1, and included here. Accompanying The Blind Boys’ soaring vocals, the band includes a who’s who of iconic players including David Lindley, John Hammond, Danny Thompson, Charlie Musselwhite, and more. To make this release even more special, seven live performances of album tracks recorded at New York’s The Bottom Line have been added, as well as a new essay from Davin Seay. 15 years after its original release, and having been out of print for too long, Spirit Of The Century has lost none of its power. It’s time to feel the Spirit once again.

Tracklist
1. Jesus Is Gonna Be Here
2. No More
3. Run For A Long Time
4. Good Religion
5. Give A Man A Home
6. Amazing Grace
7. Soldier
8. Nobody?s Fault But Mine
9. Way Down In The Hole
10. Motherless Child
11. Just Wanna See His Face
12. The Last Time
Bonus Tracks:
13. Good Religion (Live at The Bottom Line)
14. Way Down In The Hole (Live at The Bottom Line)
15. Give A Man A Home (Live at The Bottom Line)
16. Motherless Child (Live at The Bottom Line)
17. No More (Live at The Bottom Line)
18. Nobody's Fault But Mine (Live at The Bottom Line)
19. The Last Time (Live at The Bottom Line)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CSB1A0M/?tag=imwan-20

Higher Ground

Description
Post winning a Grammy® for Spirit Of The Century, and continuing to perform after being together for nearly 6 decades, you would think The Blind Boys Of Alabama would want to take a break. Thankfully, they didn’t. Once again helmed by producers John Chelew and Chris Goldsmith, Higher Ground picked up where Spirit Of The Century had led, and moved even higher. Backed by Robert Randolph and The Family Band (with guest appearances from Ben Harper), new arrangements of traditional hymns were joined by songs from Harper, Curtis Mayfield, Funkadelic, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Cliff, Prince and the classic title track by Stevie Wonder. The outcome was rewarded by The Blind Boy’s second consecutive Grammy® for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, as well as the album’s “I Shall Not Walk Alone” being featured on television’s Lost. In addition to a new essay from Davin Seay, seven live performances of album tracks recorded for KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic have been resurrected and added, making Higher Ground even more exceptional. Unavailable for years, this important release finally returns. You won’t need to keep on tryin’, you can reach Higher Ground again.

Tracklist
1. People Get Ready
2. Spirit In The Dark
3. Wade In The Water
4. Stand By Me
5. The Cross
6. Many Rivers To Cross
7. Higher Ground
8. Freedom Road
9. I May Not Can See
10. You And Your Folks/23rd Psalm
11. I Shall Not Walk Alone
12. Precious Lord
Bonus Tracks:
13. Run On For A Long Time (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)
14. My Lord What A Morning (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)
15. Freedom Road (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)
16. Higher Ground (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)
17. People Get Ready (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)
18. Wade In The Water (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)
19. Amazing Grace (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CSB1A2A/?tag=imwan-20

Tricky Kid · **Joined:** 23 Sep 2007 **Posts:** 8297

Nice! I had no idea these albums had gone out of print... glad to see these expanded versions getting a physical release.

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Apr 05, 2016 5:13 pm

[2016-05-13] The Blind Boys Of Alabama "Spirit Of The Century" and "Higher Ground" expanded remasters (Omnivore)

Who is WANline