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Rob’s Album of the week, month or possibly longer

// January 5th, 2006 // Personal

I’ve been meaning to do this for quite some time now but never seemed to get round to it. I get through quite a lot of music and like to think that some of it would be enjoyable by others. So the first disc to grace this section is the latest offering from the Blind Boys of Alabama.

I first came across these guys on one of Jool’s Holland and “Friends” albums. The Boys blend traditional gospel stylings with modern arrangements and collaborations. Without even trying the chaotic vocals and organ harmonies lead to the feeling that this is pure deep south soul.

Atom Bomb is the umpteenth album to be released by the Boys and introduces renditions of songs by a variety of artists, from Fatboy Slim & Macy Gray (Demons), to  Eric Clapton. The highlight of the  collection (to my twisted sense of humour anyway) is a fantastic reworking of Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky.

In short, whether you like gospel, love gospel or are simply ambivalent Atom Bomb it a wonderful collection of songs, some haunting, some tongue well and truly in cheek, and it would grace anybody’s CD rack.