Blind Boys of Alabama's New album 'I'll Find a Way' Offers Classic Gospel With Fresh Sound

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Blind Boys of Alabama are releasing a new album, I'll Find a Way, which will be available Oct. 1 and is produced by Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver).

The album is a collaboration between this legendary group and some of their biggest fans and upcoming artists in gospel and soul, Sam Amidon, Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, Casey Dienel of White Hinterland, Patty Griffin, and Justin Vernon.

"I'll Find a Way represents a strong new chapter for the Blind Boys of Alabama, whose career stretches back more than seventy years. Formed in the late 1930s at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in Talladega, the group has harmonized throughout the turbulent twentieth century and well into the twenty-first: from Jim Crow through Civil Rights and into the Obama era," a release from Big Hassle Media said.

The group consisting of, Jimmy Carter, Eric "Ricky" McKinnie, Joey Williams, Tracy Pierce, Ben Moore, and newest addition Paul Beasley, have found their most success in the last 10 years winning five Grammys, four Gospel Music Awards, and invitations to sing at the White House.

I'll Find a Way is the the Blind Boy's ninth album of the 2000s, but founding member Clarence Fountain has been struggling with his heath and could not tour and be totally in the studio with the group. They were able to record him in a separate location and add him to the mix.

"That's an important part, that bass under everything," explains Carter in a press release. "He gave those songs a true Blind Boys bottom. We wouldn't want to do a Blind Boys project without including Clarence. He will always be a Blind Boy even if he's not out on the road with us."

The Blind Boys are sure to keep their focus and message as all glory goes to God.

"It's not just singing," explains the 82-year-old Carter in a press release. "We're bringing the message to the people, and that message is the good news of God. We sing from the heart, and what comes from the heart reaches the heart. If you have any feeling in you, you will feel the Blind Boys."

Tracklisting:
1. God Put A Rainbow In The Cloud
2. I'll Find A Way (To Carry It All) feat. Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond
3. I Am Not Waiting Anymore feat. Sam Amidon
4. I Shall Not Be Moved
5. Take Me To The Water
6. I've Been Searching feat. Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs
7. There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At The Conference Table) feat. Casey Dienel of White Hinterland
8. Take your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There
9. Every Grain Of Sand feat. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
10. My God Is Real
11. Jubilee feat. Patty Griffin