With last year's Spirit Of The Century, The Blind Boys Of Alabama became the unlikeliest of rock stars, albeit ones in the field of roots/Americana rockin'. The same culture meld that produced that album works much of the same charm on the follow-up, Higher Ground. Once again, every hipster's favorite quintet of septugenarian sightless black gospel singers work their wonders on public domain ditties as well as covers from sometimes unexpected sources. For instance, you may have wished Prince were living what he was singing when you heard "The Cross" on his Sign O The Times. These guys give it just the reverence the lyrics deserve. Still praying for George Clinton to give up his syncretist philosophies? Then you'll salivate over the Funkadelic dustie "You and Your Folks" dovetailing into — you sitting down, gang? — Psalms 23. You, like I, however, may wish the Blind Boys sung some of the P-Funk ringleader's original lyrics, too. No matter, the tuneage here is blessed by the steel guitar genius of Robert Randolph and his Family Band. Even on standard choices such as Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers To Cross" and Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," there's soul and heart here to bridge manifold boundaries. If Higher Ground isn't quite the stunner its predecessor was, it's still a superior example of soul gospel/rock smarts and sanctification.
Editors' ratings — Doug 2.5/5, David 3/5
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