Two classic Blind Boys of Alabama classic albums coming from Omnivore on May 13th

Omnivore Recordings will release expanded reissues of two turn-of-the-century Grammy Award-winning albums by the Blind Boys of Alabama: Spirit of the Century and Higher Ground. Street date for the CD and digital editions is May 13, 2016.

Formed in 1944, the Blind Boys of Alabama have been trendsetters musically, socially and spiritually. At the dawn of the 21st Century, almost 60 years into their career, one would think the Blind Boys had nothing more to prove. However, 2001’s Spirit of the Century not only showed how relevant they still were, but how they could continue to reinvent the genre they helped bring to the mainstream, and to win their first Grammy while doing it.
Produced by John Chelew with assistance from Chris Goldsmith, Spirit of the Century mixed soulful new arrangements of traditional hymns with songs by the Rolling Stones (Exile on Main Street’s “I Just Wanna See His Face”), Ben Harper and Tom Waits — including “Way Down in the Hole,” which became the theme for HBO’s first season of The Wire, performed by the Blind Boys.

Accompanying the Blind Boys’ soaring vocals is a who’s who of iconic players including David Lindley, John Hammond, Danny Thompson, Charlie Musselwhite, and more. To make this release even more special, seven live performances of album tracks recorded with the Spirit studio band at New York’s Bottom Line club have been added, as well as a new essay from Davin Seay.

Fifteen years after its original release, Spirit of the Century has lost none of its power. It’s time to feel the Spirit once again.

After winning the Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album Grammy for Spirit of the Century, the Blind Boys of Alabama wasted no time recording their next album. Once again helmed by Chelew and Goldsmith, Higher Ground picked up where Spirit of the Century left off, and moved even further. With backing by Robert Randolph & the Family Band (and guest appearances from Ben Harper), new arrangements of gospel classics were supplemented by songs from Harper, Curtis Mayfield, Funkadelic, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Cliff, Prince and the classic title track by Stevie Wonder. The outcome was rewarded by the Blind Boy’s second consecutive Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, as well as having Harper’s tune, “I Shall Not Walk Alone,” featured on television’s Lost.

In addition to a new essay by Seay, seven live performances of album tracks recorded for KCRW-FM’s Morning Becomes Eclectic have been resurrected and added, making Higher Ground even more exceptional. Newly refreshed with these previously unreleased live tracks, this important release finally returns.

Spirit Of The Century Track Listing:
1. Jesus Gonna Be Here
2. No More
3. Run On For a Long Time
4. Good Religion
5. Give a Man a Home
6. Amazing Grace
7. Soldier
8. Nobody’s Fault but Mine
9. Way Down in the Hole
10. Motherless Child
11. Just Wanna See His Face
12. The Last Time
Previously unissued bonus tracks recorded live at the Bottom Line, New York (2001)
13. Good Religion
14. Way Down in The Hole
15. Give a Man a Home
16. Motherless Child
17. No More
18. Nobody’s Fault but Mine
19. The Last Time

Higher Ground track listing:
1. People Get Ready
2. Spirit in The Dark
3. Wade in The Water
4. Stand By Me
5. The Cross
6. Many Rivers to Cross
7. Higher Ground
8. Freedom Road
9. I May Not Can See
10. You And Your Folks/23rd Psalm
11. I Shall Not Walk Alone
12. Precious Lord
Previously unissued bonus material recorded live on Morning Becomes Eclectic, KCRW (2002)
13. Run On For a Long Time
14. My Lord What a Morning
15. Freedom Road
16. Higher Ground
17. People Get Ready
18. Wade in the Water
19. Amazing Grace