Search - The Five Blind Boys of Alabama :: Hallelujah: A Collection of Their Finest Recordings

Great Singing But Bad Liner Notes

Dorrell F. Addison | Macon, Georgia USA | 01/19/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have a fine collection of selections from a few of the major albums recorded by the Blind Boys of Alabama during the late 1960s and early 1970s on the HOB record label. These selections were obviously taken from the masters and are flawless in sound quality. Featured lead singers include Clarence Fountain, Billy Bowers, and Freddie N. Smith. I mention this solely to introduce the down side of this CD. With much disrespect to Gospel and mainly Black Quartet history the compilers of this CD on several occasions neglect to cite the correct lead vocalist on selections. This serves as a great confusion to new listners not familar with the group. In fact, had it not been for years of listening to and studying quartet gospel music I would have fallen prey as well. No less than 5 of the 15 selections have the wrong vocalist listed as lead. For those who have little material on the Blind Boys from this era this collection is recommended. However, Beware of the song credits on the back CD cover, the accuracy terrible!!"