The Blind Boys of Alabama are old lions of gospel music, performing together for over 60 years. On this album they are backed by pedal steel phenom Robert Randolph and his Family Band, most assuredly young lions, who also come from the church. Add the multi-talented Ben Harper on several songs and the result is a record that is at times traditional and respectful, at others contemporary and playful, but always soulful and inspired.
'If you love gospel, blues, soul and funk then you'll want to own this album. Actually, if you love music (and I guess you do as you're reading this) buy this album.'
Press review from: Hmv (UK)
Album of the Week
'Gospel and R&B, long intertwined, file into the same pew on this often inspired disc...a sound that will indeed take you higher.'
Press review from: People (USA)
Really, really old gospel group makes magic
'Happily, the Blind Boys' second collection of funkafied gospel is even better than the first...This is another stunning set of songs from Alabama's finest, and more proof of gospel's influence on R&B and rock & roll.'
Press review from: Rolling Stone (USA)
CD Spotlight
'Their golden years have gone platinum...Higher Ground is arguably a younger-sounding record - bluesier, rougher, funkier.'
Press review from: Milwaukee Journal (USA)
'This is music for the people. This is music for everybody.'
Press review from: The Education Digest (USA)
Songlines Recommends
'...it goes without saying that there won't be a better gospel record this year. Another Grammy surely beckons.'
Press review from: Songlines (UK)
Gospel CD of the Week
'It'll sanctify your soul.'
Press review from: Birmingham Post (UK)
Soul survivors
'...the harmonies are as delicious as ever...'
Press review from: Wanderlust (UK)
'Higher Ground is a joyous triumph that has both a positive cohesion and formidable substance. It is a remarkable achievement for a group that was founded 60 years ago.'
Press review from: Froots (UK)
'This stirring outfit puts punchy gospel singing over Sixties-style wailing guitar and tremulous Hammond organ, and the distinctive feature on Higher Ground is a soul/funk repertoire... The finale is a gem...'
Press review from: Bbc Music (UK)
'It's hard to believe they could top their Grammy-winning Spirit of the Century, but they have.'
Press review from: Usa Today ()
SPOTLIGHTS
'...two of the most thrillingly soulful albums to come from the gospel, blues, or soul genres in recent years - 2001's Spirit of the Century and the new Higher Ground... Faith, soul and quality by the truckload.'
Press review from: Billboard (USA)
'The vocal somersaults are wondrous, particularly on the self-penned Stand By Me and Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers To Cross. Ben Harper's three-song cameo is a treat...'
Press review from: Q (UK)
'This follow-up to the marvellous Grammy-winning Spirit of the Century extends further the venerable gospel combo's forays into mainstream pop and rock territory, with covers of secular songs of righteous sentiment. It's an effective formula that serves to reinvigorate classic soul material...Revelatory stuff.'
Press review from: The Independent (UK)
'...there is no mistaking the passion and authenticity of this session... music and message combine to stirring effect.'
Press review from: Sunday Times (UK)
'Listen to their brilliant voodoo blues cover of Funkadelic's You And Your Folks...'
Press review from: The Observer (UK)
'Proving more popular than ever, the group were recipients of a deserved Grammy award last year for their Spirit Of The Century album. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this album accomplishes the same feat... The Blind Boys are backed by the excellent guitarist Robert Randolph and his Family Band, whose robust, organic arrangements imbue the music with a funky, blues-inflected edge. Sublime sanctified soul from a veritable gospel institution.'
Press review from: Blues & Soul (UK)
'It is gospel to make you gasp and funk to flex the soul.'
Press review from: Scotland On Sunday (UK)
"Inspirational"
Press review from: Vanity Fair (USA)
"The Blind Boys freshen up classics, masterfully riffing off of familiar melodies. But their honey-and-gravel voices are never predictable. They're always hunting for - and finding - the perfect note or harmony that lifts an old tune into the sublime."
Press review from: Time (USA)
"In the music on Higher Ground, genres melt away, holiness and sanctity are synonymous with the grain of the human voice as it longs for the well of the heart's fulfilment; genres are transformed into the quest for an expression that belies all artificial constructs and aspires to pure spirit"
http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Adq6gtr3tkl2x
Press review from: - All Music Guide Review (USA)
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