There’s a famous story of a well known skeptic who would sneak into the church of famed preacher Charles Spurgeon to listen to his sermons. People would ask him, “Why do you go there? Do you believe it?” “No,” he repled, “but he does.”
That’s the feel from this album by long standing gospel singers known as The Blind Boys of Alabama. Teaming up with guitarist/banjoist Taj Mahal, vocalists Jimmy Carter, Ben Moore, Paul Beasley and Joey Williams mix harmonies like sorghum as well as going in front to solo on rich traditional tunes like “Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn.” Self composed tunes such as “There’s A Reason We Call It Christmas,” “esus Was Born” and the title track firm up the Reason for the Season with conviction. Ben Moore’s lead in front of the vocal harmonies and Spartan harmony by Williams’ guitar on “Silent Night” is a starry treat, while Mahal and Beasley share lead vocals on a thoughtful “What Can I Do?” This is one of the Christmas albums I’ll be playing a lot during this season. It’s got the feeling!
Masterworks Records