Rating:
Genre:
Gospel
Release Date: 09/09/2008
Here we go. Why can't record labels leave well enough alone? Here is the third
Five Blind Boys of Alabama record on which the legendary
Southern gospel quartet has to have celebrity guests collaborate with them in order to get played on
National Public Radio. To make this one seem different than the last two -- and for the record,
Higher Ground was a monster album, as the group was backed by
Robert Randolph & the Family Band -- this one is a
Christmas outing. Here,
Solomon Burke lends his talents to
"I Pray on Christmas" and
Tom Waits on the title track, with
Michael Franti stepping in for
"The Little Drummer Boy," Chrissie Hynde and
Richard Thompson "adding" to the traditional
"In the Bleak Midwinter" (which makes sense since
Danny Thompson is the bassist on this date). Other guests include
Shelby Lynne,
Les McCann,
Aaron Neville,
Robert Randolph and
George Clinton (a ridiculous collaboration --
Randolph, a brilliant ambitious musician, doesn't need the fumbling
Clinton for anything, especially to play with
the Blind Boys), and
Me'Shell NdegéOcello. And thank god for
Mavis Staples, who adds dimension, depth, and texture to an already glorious sound.
~Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
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