Blind Boys sing with spirit

The group edges toward new territory while staying true to its gospel roots

SHARON WOOTTON, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, January 18, 2002

Imagine "Amazing Grace" set to the chord sequence of "House of the Rising Sun" and sung by the legendary gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama.

That's typical of the approach BBA took in the soul-stirring collection of the bluesy "Spirit of the Century," which includes gospelized versions of songs by Ben Harper, the Rolling Stones and Tom Waits and gospel tunes with atypical arrangements.

The Blind Boys of Alabama perform today in Olympia and Monday in Seattle.

There are three surviving founders among the seven singers and their band.

Clarence Fountain is one of them. He makes it clear that while "Spirit of the Century" took the testifying group into new territory, they are not singing rock 'n' roll.

BBA passed on that crossover opportunity 40 years ago.

"I made the Lord a promise. I said, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.' I don't think it's a good thing to go back on your word with the Lord, or you might be sorry," Fountain said.

"He told me exactly what he wanted me to do: 'You don't do that kind (rock 'n' roll) of music.' I never wanted to be rich no ways.

"We think that we sing with spirit and sing with spirit from on high. We know it's better than any rock 'n' roller."

He can live with BBA's approach on "Spirit," whose songs were selected by Real World's producers and sent through a few changes.

"We weren't talking about wanting to see my baby but seeing Jesus. We could sing the tracks as long as the limits were clear. I'm still singing about the Lord."

Ironically, other gospel singers moved to popular music, molding the sanctified sound into doo-wop and R&B, with some carryover into rock 'n' roll.

Now the Blind Boys of Alabama are overlaying gospel on rock and blues songs.

"They stole it from us, so why not? They sing 'I got a woman way over town ...' in a gospel way, just change the words around. They talk about their woman and I talk about God," Fountain said.

Fountain lived at a harshly run state institute for the deaf and blind in Alabama. With five other students barely in their teens, Fountain took to the road singing gospel music.

It was the one thing that made him feel better.

"People feel as good as I do because I feel good when I sing, and I feel good when other people feel good.

"It's the enjoyment of letting people know what side I'm on. I'm satisfied," Fountain said.

Original members George Scott and Jimmy Carter are still with Fountain.

Now in their early 70s, they're having a little fun taking a Bob Dylan song and running it through the gospel grinder.

What comes out is a treat, no matter what your beliefs.

Sharon Wootton is a free-lance writer who lives on Shaw Island.

Blind Boys of Alabama

Olympia

- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18.

- Where: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia.

- Admission: $18, $23, $26.

- Information: Call 360-753-8586.

Seattle

- When: 8 p.m. Jan. 21.

- Where: Cinerama Theatre, 2100 Fourth Ave., Seattle. The performance is part of the Experience Music Project's Jazz in January series.

- Admission: $22 general, $20 for EMP members.

- Information: Call 877-I-LISTEN or go online to www.emplive.com.

Upcoming events at The Washington Center

The Washington Center for The Performing Arts is at 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia. For tickets or more information, stop by the box office or call 360-753-8586. The center can be found online at www.washingtoncenter.org.

CenterFest 2002: An Evening with Natalie Cole

- Gala reception at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 ($175); concert follows at 8 p.m. ($38.50-$63.50).

National Tour of 'My Fair Lady'

- 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, $20.25-$48.50.

21st Century Masters: Timothy Fain

- 7:30 p.m. March 6, $8.25-$16.50.

Pilobolus

- 7:30 p.m. March 9, $12.25-$32.50.

'MacHomer'

- 7:30 p.m. March 14, $5.25-$18.50.

Children of Uganda: 'The Tour of Light'

- 7:30 p.m. March 26, $9.25-$26.50.

Natalie MacMaster

- 7:30 p.m. April 6, $10.25-$28.50.

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

- 7:30 p.m. April 7, $14.50-$24.50.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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