The Blind Boys Of Alabama

The Blind Boys unfurl a meticulous textbook of folk gospel greatness, starting out strong with "Jesus Gonna Be Here" and its raspy vocals and instrumentals, followed by "No More," with guitars that ring of Leo Kottke. Their gutsy version of "Amazing Grace" drips with the wisdom of life. The whole LP is fine, soulful gospel, flecked with bits of jazz and blues.

Gospel as blues, the way you, me, John Hammond, David Lindley, Charley Musselwhite, and two guys from Richard Thompson's band like it. A little manipulative, but just the thing to play Sunday morning without compromising your religious principles--or the Blind Boys', which were never the same after they experimented with pagan ritual in The Gospel at Colonus. The opener equates glory with a brand-new Ford, and the crowning touch is the conversion of "Amazing Grace" into "House of the Rising Sun"--or is that now "Son"? (Grade - A-)