As the Blind Boys of Alabama head into their seventh decade of belting out impeccable harmonies and faith-based songs it’s only fitting for them to release
Duets, a special anthology featuring 14 unique collaborations. The CD, which streets October 27, 2009 on Saguaro Road Records, includes classics from other artists’ Grammy-winning CDs plus four brand new tracks.
The first single off of
Duets, “Perfect Peace,” is now available on
iTunes and features Jamaican reggae legend Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals. Said Toots, “I grew up musically in the church and it was great working with the Blind Boys and capturing the spiritual vibe I love.”
The Blind Boys have always embraced the popular music world as a way of reaching a wider audience with their unique style of Gospel music that includes mainstream music lovers. As a result, the group has formed fast friendships with an impressive array of musicians – venerable colleagues and youthful protégés alike - who span a wealth of genres. Many artists have asked the Blind Boys to guest on their projects and their new release documents these rich, eclectic and cohesive interactions.
Duets ranges from rock to reggae, country to contemporary Christian, and blues to ballads, all unified by the Blind Boys’ deep, soulful harmonies that reflect their rock-solid music ministry.
Duets features three previously unreleased tracks - with Lou Reed, John Hammond and Toots Hibbert - as well as a new song with Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, which will be simultaneously released on his forthcoming CD. Also included on
Duets is the delightfully raucous “Nothing but the Blood” with Jars of Clay that was a standout cut on
Redemption Songs. Additionally, there’s the audio version of a tune with Marva Wright which, until now, was only available on video on the Blind Boys’
Live In New Orleans DVD. The album also includes performances with Ben Harper, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, Solomon Burke, Susan Tedeschi, Charlie Musselwhite, Asleep At The Wheel, and Dan Zanes. Of the nine previously-released tracks on
Duets, seven have appeared on Grammy-nominated or Grammy-winning albums. The diverse group of artists that make up
Duets reflects the expansive appeal of Contemporary Christian music as well as the sweeping respect for the group’s talent.
The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of Gospel music. Celebrated by both the Grammys and The National Endowment for the Arts with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five Grammy® Awards, they have attained the highest levels of recognition in a career that spans over 60 years and shows no signs of diminishing. Longevity and major awards aside, The Blind Boys have earned praise for their remarkable interpretations of
everything from traditional Gospel favorites to Contemporary Christian songs by acclaimed songwriters such as Curtis Mayfield, Prince and Tom Waits. Their performances have been experienced by millions on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night with David Letterman,” the Grammy® Awards telecast, “60 Minutes,” “Gospel Music Channel” and on their own holiday PBS Special. The Blind Boys' live shows are roof- raising musical events that appeal to audiences on almost every continent and has resulted in a powerful outreach of their Christian faith. In 2007, they released the Grammy winning album,
Down in New Orleans, their first for Saguaro Road Records, which was followed in 2008 by a companion DVD,
Live in New Orleans.
About Direct Holdings:
The CD will be released on the new Saguaro Road Records label, launched in 2008 by Direct Holdings Americas Inc, the company that also markets and sells audio and video entertainment products under the Time Life trademark, which it uses under license from Time Warner Inc. Time Life and the Time Life logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies, used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc. Headquartered in Fairfax VA, Direct Holdings Americas Inc.'s history began in 1961 as a direct marketing division of Time Incorporated specializing in music and books. The business has been operated as a separate company since the mid-1970s when it relocated to Virginia, and has since grown to become one of the world's largest direct marketers of audio and video products throughout North America, Europe and Australia. The Company has set the standard in the direct response industry by pioneering direct marketing techniques and building one of the most trusted and recognized brands in commerce. The Company now also sells its products through major traditional and non-traditional retailers around the world as well as via the Internet. The Company was sold in 2003 to private investors. Saguaro Road Records is a trademark of Direct Holdings Americas Inc. Launched in June 2008, the label has signed American music icons the Blind Boys of Alabama, Patty Loveless, Tanya Tucker and Dion.
For further information, please logon to either:
http://www.blindboys.com or
www.timelifeentertainment.com
