The Blind Boys of Alabama & Taj Mahal – Talkin’ Christmas! (2014)

2019-12-19T16:58:36Z

The Blind Boys of Alabama & Taj Mahal – Talkin’ Christmas! (2014)


1.Do You Hear What I Hear? 	2:50
2.Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn 	3:27
3.What Can I Do? 	3:09
4.Talkin' Christmas 	3:37
5.Merry Christmas To You 	3:55
6.Silent Night 	2:44
7.There's A Reason We Call It Christmas 	3:17
8.The Sun Is Rising 	3:53
9.No Room In The Inn 	3:16
10.Jesus Was Born 	3:00
11.Who Will Remember? 	4:57
12.Merry Christmas! 	2:22

Paul Beasley 	Vocals
Jimmy Carter 	Vocals 
Michael Jerome 	Drums, Percussion, Shaker, Tambourine
Jonny Lam 	Lap Steel Guitar 
Taj Mahal 	Banjo, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Harmonica, Ukulele, Vocals
Ricke McKinnie 	Vocals
Ben Moore 	Vocals 
Mark Nishita 	Celeste, Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Ben Odom 	Bass, Vocals 
Joey Williams 	Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals

Although this wonderful Christmas set is billed as a joint project between Taj Mahal and the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Taj does play guitar, banjo, ukulele, and harmonica here and sings on a couple of tracks ("What Can I Do?" and "There's a Reason We Call It Christmas"), it's really a Blind Boys holiday album, which is hardly a bad thing. It isn't a blend of blues and gospel, either, as some of the promotional material suggests. It's a seasonally bright and sincere mix of gospel and lightly swinging R&B, which is exactly what the Blind Boys have been doing so well for so many years. Four of the tracks are originals, and they fit nicely with covers of traditional Christmas songs and hymns like the opener "Do You Hear What I Hear?," speeded up and done with a graceful dash of funk, and the lovely, delicate and halting acoustic version of "Silent Night." The original "Who Will Remember?," a gentle gospel waltz, is another highlight. All of it is delivered in signature Blind Boys style, making this one of the season's nicest releases. ---Steve Leggett, AllMusic Review

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Blind Boys Of Alabama ‎– I'll Find A Way (2013)

2019-01-11T16:02:37Z

Blind Boys Of Alabama ‎– I'll Find A Way (2013)


1 	God Put A Rainbow In The Cloud 	2:40
2 	I'll Find A Way (To Carry It All) 	3:44
3 	I Am Not Waiting Anymore 	3:44
4 	I Shall Not Be Moved 	2:48
5 	Take Me To The Water 	3:26
6 	I've Been Searching 	2:42
7 	There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At The Conference Table) 	5:22
8 	Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There 	3:28
9 	Every Grain Of Sand 	5:27
10 	My God Is Real 	4:13
11 	Jubilee 	4:25

Sam Amidon 	Vocals
J.T. Bates 	Drums, Drums (Snare), Drum Set, Percussion
Phil Cook 	Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Hammond B3, Piano, Piano (Electric)
Casey Dienel 	 Vocals
Merrill Garbus 	Vocals
Patty Griffin 	Vocals
Mike Lewis 	Bass (Upright), Guitar (Bass), Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
Theodore Peter Lucas 	Composer
Reggie Pace 	Drums, Euphonium, Percussion, Tambourine, Trombone, Tuba, Vibraphone
Tracy Pierce 	Guitar (Bass)
Justin Vernon 	Banjo, Guitars, Loops, Synthesizer, Vocals
Joey Williams 	Guitar (Electric)
Shara Worden 	Vocals

Justin Vernon may seem a curious choice to produce a Blind Boys of Alabama record. But adventure has been the group's M.O. during the 21st century, as they've collaborated with musicians of almost every stripe, with varying degrees of success. I'll Find a Way was recorded over four days at Vernon's Wisconsin studio, with arrangements and musical direction from Phil Cook played by a handful of players, and hosting an array of contemporary vocalists including Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Casey Dienel (White Hinterland), and Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs), among others. The Blind Boys -- Jimmy Carter, Eric "Ricky" McKinnie, Joey Williams, Tracy Pierce, Ben Moore, and newcomer, high tenor Paul Beasley -- made the trek. Longtime bass singer Clarence Fountain, unable to travel due to illness, added his vocals from Birmingham. Five of the set's 11 tracks feature the group performing solo with backing musicians. The BBs expertly spin the country gospel chestnut "God Put a Rainbow in the Cloud," as if it had been part of their songbook forever. The traditional "Take Me to the Water," (based on Nina Simone' arrangement) led by Beasley's falsetto, is among the most moving things here. Its arrangement is adorned simply by a tuba, upright bass, piano, and a drum kit. Dienel and Carter deliver a chilling cover of the Chi-lites' "There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is at the Conference Table)." Despite the drum loops that underscore its rhythm section, Cook's dignified piano and the organic percussion point directly at the frontline singers, whose voices contrast beautifully. They are elevated by the BB's choruses and Mike Lewis' soulful tenor saxophone solo. Garbus and the BBs offer a deft lover's rock reggae read of the spiritual "I've Been Searching." The title track, written by the late, obscure Detroit guitar/sitar master Ted Lucas, is the album's finest moment. The arrangement is modeled on the Band's setup circa Big Pink, and frames Worden's throaty yet otherworldly alto. Her phrasing uncovers subtlety in the lyric; her body and spirit are fully invested. The BB's expansive harmonies plumb the emotional depths in the codas and chorus. When Vernon layers her soprano range into the backdrop, a melody worthy of Motown reveals itself. Patty Griffin and the group jar it all loose on Charlie Parr's house-rocking "Jubilee" to close it on a rousing note. There are things that don't work here: there are stilted, wooden arrangements that mar "I'm Am Not Waiting Anymore" with Sam Amidon, and Vernon's duet with Carter on Bob Dylan's "Every Grain of Sand." Otherwise, I'll Find a Way is a fine, if uncharacteristically restrained, Blind Boys of Alabama recording. ---Thom Jurek, allmusic.com

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The Blind Boys of Alabama & Taj Mahal – Talkin’ Christmas! (2014)

Blind Boys Of Alabama ‎– I'll Find A Way (2013)