SOUNDTRACK: THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA-Tiny Desk Concert #139 (July 5, 2011).
I have of course heard of The Blind Boys of Alabama, but they only came on my radar maybe a decade or two ago. And I never knew these things about them:
- They formed under a different name in 1939.
- The band has understandably experienced many lineup changes in the 72 years since.
- Singer Jimmy Carter is the only participant in this lineup billed as a founding member, and even that term is up for debate.
- They have released 60-plus albums and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- And that wherein these Blind Boys are young and old, blind and sighted.
There are six players for this Tiny Desk–a guitarist, a bassist and a barely visible drummer as well as three singers.
It makes me laugh that the guy on the far left sings much less than the others and seems to be less happy about being there.
They play four songs and, no surprise, they sound fantastic. Their harmonies are outstanding and the music is quiet and subtle–a mellow accompaniment for this soulful music.
But their rendition of “Amazing Grace” is indeed amazing–they do it to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun” and it must be heard to be believed. I happen to really like the original of “Amazing Grace” and I hate when it is done poorly. But I love this interpretation–it’s original and still moving.
- “Take The High Road”
- “I Know A Place”
- “Jesus Built A Bridge To Heaven”
- “Amazing Grace”
[READ: January 23, 2015] Moomin Volume 4
Moomin Book 4 changes things pretty dramatically. Because starting with this book, the stories were written by Tove’s brother Lars!
The colophon explains “[Chapters 14-17 were written by Lars [Jansson] and drawn by Tove. Chapter 18 was to be run before Chapter 14 and be Tove’s farewell strip but she stayed on to draw 7 more chapters].”
So that means that the first four chapters in this book were written by Tove’s brother but she drew the art. How fascinating.
This book contains the stories: “Moomin Goes Wild West,” “Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo,” “The Conscientious Moomins,” “Moomin and the Comet,” and “Moomin and the Golden Tail.” As with the others these stories originally ran in the Evening News, London 1953-1959. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 