I had the distinct pleasure a few weeks ago at GMA Week to interview the Blind Boys of Alabama's Lead singer, Jimmy Carter. What a delightful man he is to interview.
In 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, five young blind boys with the same "handicap" bonded with their love of singing the Gospel and it has lasted for over 60 years. Three of the founding members are still singing with the group today. Jimmy Carter, Clarence Fountain, and George Scott still sing with the same excitement, energy, and anointing as they did when they first started.
Also known as are the Iron Men of the music industry, they predate Elvis, Little Richard and Al Green. Even in their 70s they are still at the top of the gospel charts and have earned impressive "three-peat" honors by winning consecutive Grammy Awards for the past three years.
The Blind Boys are masters of bringing out the most spiritual aspects of mainstream music, while at the same time bringing the music of the church straight to the roadhouse. They've recorded songs by everyone from Tom Waits to Prince. They have appeared as guests on record and on stage with artists, from Peter Gabriel to Ben Harper.
Jimmy didn't talk much about the hard times of being Black in the 40s, 50s and 60s, but instead he wanted to talk about the music they made and the fun they had doing it. Wile Jimmy remembered the hard times of segregation and the discrimination, he also remembered how in his early days, the Black and White congregations would worship together and share their musical styles. Much of that sharing is still evident in both genres today.
Jimmy talked about the time when the money wasn't all that good, but how they loved singing for the Lord and just kept doing it. In their early days the group ridiculed for bringing "worldly" music into the church. People complained that they were trying to be too secular. That sure sounds familiar doesn't it? Sounds like what the Statesmen and Blackwoods went through in their early years and what some groups still face today. Don't worry it hasn't changed that much for them either. Jimmy says that as the years have progressed and they ventured to modernizing their sounds, people still criticize them.
I asked Jimmy what he listens to when he's not practicing Traditional Gospel Music. I almost fell over when he said he LOVES Southern Gospel Music. He loves to listen to the Happy Goodmans and the McKameys. After I picked my mouth up off the floor, he said that he also loves Gold City. I had to tell him that after meeting him and hearing their new CD Atom Bomb, I am now a fan of the Blind Boys of Alabama.
I asked Jimmy about Traditional Gospel Music not having many deep Bass singers in their groups, and he said that he missed that too. In the earlier days the Golden Gate Quartet had some really good Bass singers as well as the Harmonizing Four, but according to Jimmy, not many other groups have those really deep Bass singers. Of course, Jimmy said that their early influences came from the Golden Gate Quartet.
Atom Bomb, the group's latest album, includes The Blind Boys' most adventurous forays into pop music yet while maintaining the sound of traditional soul gospel. The CD includes a rendition of Eric Clapton/Blind Faith's "Presence of the Lord," featuring the legendary Billy Preston on Hammond B3. Also included are such traditional tunes as "Old Blind Barnabus" (a song suggested to the group by Tom Waits), "I Know I've Been Converted," "Talk About Suffering" and "Moses." The title song, meanwhile, is a remake of an early Cold War-era Soul Stirrers.
"What makes Atom Bomb so evocative is that it merges the most traditional, stark and intimate aspects of the Boys with some of the most futuristic trappings we've used to date," notes executive producer Chris Goldsmith.
Be sure to check them out online at http://www.blindboys.com and pick up a copy of Atomb Bomb, you won't be sorry.
I will forever remember my interesting afternoon spent with Jimmy Carter of the Blind Boys of Alabama.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 05/01/2006
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Category: Special Feature
Comments: 5
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This is another awesome CD from a group of extremely talented individuals. The title track, "Atom Bomb", speaks speaks so well of todays headlines concerning Iran. "Talk About Suffering" will be bouncing around in your head for days after you listen to it. It's a wonderful CD!
These guys are some of my favorites!!! I bought "Atom Bomb" last year and love it. Also have the project they did with Ben Harper. This is a group everyone needs to add to their collection!
I saw the Blind Boys of Alabama last night (5/4/06) in Asheville, NC and they were AWESOME!! They sang for over an hour to a sold out crowd. They performed several songs on the "Atom Bomb" project, which was released last year, plus they did a mixture of old music as well. This is a wonderful fun group. If you have not seen them, I encourage you to see them soon.
Scott D. Rogers, Group Manager
Provision
PO Box 19331
Asheville, NC 28815
828/713-6882
http://www.provision-ministries.org
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These guys have always been a huge influence on my songwriting. Someday, when you guys get to hear my songs, you'll see that influence of The Blind Boys, the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Sensational Nightingales, the Harmonizing Four, the Soul Stirrers, and many more.
A couple years ago, while working as a telemarketer, I "called" Clarence Fountain of the Blind Boys. I was freaked out just a little... and Clarence was quite surprised that I knew who he was. I've called other celebrities before, but Clarence Fountain... that was IT for me.
Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA
These guys have been around for a lomg time and know exactly what they're doing. They have been a huge influence in my life and ministry.
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