The Five Blind Boys of Alabama

Here we go. Why can't record labels leave well enough alone? Here is the third Five Blind Boys of Alabama record on which the legendary Southern gospel quartet has to have celebrity guests collaborate with them in order to get played on National Public Radio. To make this one seem different than the last two -- and for the record, Higher Ground was a monster album, as the group was backed by Robert Randolph & the Family Band -- this one is a Christmas outing. Here, Solomon Burke lends his talents to "I Pray on Christmas" and Tom Waits on the title track, with Michael Franti stepping in for "The Little Drummer Boy," Chrissie Hynde and Richard Thompson "adding" to the traditional "In the Bleak Midwinter" (which makes sense since Danny Thompson is the bassist on this date). Other guests include Shelby Lynne, Les McCann, Aaron Neville, Robert Randolph and George Clinton (a ridiculous collaboration -- Randolph, a brilliant ambitious musician, doesn't need the fumbling Clinton for anything, especially to play with the Blind Boys), and Me'Shell NdegéOcello. And thank god for Mavis Staples, who adds dimension, depth, and texture to an already glorious sound. [The disc was re-issued in 2004 with the addition of a bonus track: an a cappella version of "My Lord What a Morning."] ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide