Spirit Of The Century

The Blind Boys of Alabama might have spent sixty years “talking to the man from Galileo,” but on their new album, Spirit Of The Century, they’ve gone one better and nabbed some of His funkiest tunes while they’re at it.

Yes, that’s our Lord, you heathens. Apart from some covers (Tom Waits, Rolling Stones and Ben Harper), The Blind Boys play to their celestial-directed strengths – singing their hearts out on traditional and gospel tunes such as ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Motherless Child’ and ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’.

Over the course of twelve tracks, their vocal prowess is uniformly fabulous. Band leader Clarence Fountain handles songs such as ‘Soldier’ and ‘Jesus Gonna Be Here’ with soulful charm, while George Scott delivers the album’s highlight on the Boys’ brilliantly funky version of ‘Run On For A Long Time’.

The slower songs don’t always work so well. When it comes to Ben Harper’s ‘Give A Man A Home’, their rich voices over-saturate the song in mournfulness, deadening rather than enhancing the original melody. Simultaneously, the backing arrangements that complement the vocals so sparsely and effectively on the other tracks come across here as overcooked and bland.

However, all is redeemed on the gorgeous a cappella closer, ‘The Last Time.’ If there is any justice in this world, this track alone should assure the Blind Boys of their place in heaven.