Blind Boys of Alabama : NPR

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In Memoriam 2018: The Musicians We Lost

December 26, 2018 • A look back at the extraordinary creative souls we lost in 2018, from producer Richard Swift and opera singer Montserrat Caballé to rapper Mac Miller and Aretha Franklin.

In Memoriam 2018: The Musicians We Lost

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Experience The 2018 XPoNential Music Festival On Video

Lukas Nelson performing live at the XPoNential Music Festival. John Vettese / Natalie Piserchio/WXPN hide caption

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Experience The 2018 XPoNential Music Festival On Video

WXPN

September 3, 2018 • Watch live performances from WXPN's three-day festival, set before the Philadelphia skyline.

Watch Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band And Blind Boys Of Alabama Perform Live

Josh Ritter (top, credit: Laura WIlson), Blind Boys Of Alabama (bottom, credit:Jim Harrington) and Sunday's webcast schedule. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Watch Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band And Blind Boys Of Alabama Perform Live

WXPN

July 28, 2018 • Ritter caps off the 2018 XPoNential Music Festival with his incredibly catchy folk-rock tunes and a smile.

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Blind Boys of Alabama On World Cafe

WXPN

February 15, 2018 • Blind Boys explores the gospel roots of rock and soul with a live performance and new interview.

Blind Boys of Alabama on World Cafe

27:26

'Almost Home' Celebrates The Blind Boys Of Alabama's Storied Lives

The Blind Boys Of Alabama have been performing for nearly 70 years. The group's latest album is called Almost Home. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Almost Home' Celebrates The Blind Boys Of Alabama's Storied Lives

August 13, 2017 • Since their 1948 debut, the Blind Boys have won 6 Grammys and performed at the White House. Songs on the group's new album consider personal and historical moments in the members' lives.

'Almost Home' Celebrates The Blind Boys Of Alabama's Storied Lives

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Review: The Blind Boys Of Alabama, 'Almost Home'

The Blind Boys of Alabama's new album, Almost Home, is out August 18. Jim Herrington/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Review: The Blind Boys Of Alabama, 'Almost Home'

August 10, 2017 • Gospel's elder statesmen reach back to their roots, seven decades down the line.

Blind Boys Of Alabama Announce 'Almost Home' — Hear Four Songs

Blind Boys of Alabama's new album, Almost Home, will be released Aug. 18. Jim Herrington/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jim Herrington/Courtesy of the artist

Blind Boys Of Alabama Announce 'Almost Home' — Hear Four Songs

June 23, 2017 • The storied roots-gospel group will release its latest LP, which features songs written by Valerie June, Phil Cook, John Leventhal and more, in August.

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Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage

Blind Boys Of Alabama On Mountain Stage

May 30, 2014 • The legendary soul-gospel group has performed for the past three U.S. presidents and won six Grammys. Here, its members perform songs from their latest album, produced by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.

Blind Boys Of Alabama On Mountain Stage

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Gospel's Blind Boys Meet Changing Times With Open Minds

I'll Find a Way is the latest album in The Blind Boys of Alabama's seven-decade run. Left to right: Ricky McKinnie, Paul Beasley, Jimmy Carter, Ben Moore, Joey Williams. Cameron Wittig/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Cameron Wittig/Courtesy of the artist

Music News

Gospel's Blind Boys Meet Changing Times With Open Minds

October 2, 2013 • Formed in the 1930s during Jim Crow, The Blind Boys of Alabama have been singing gospel for seven decades. For the new album I'll Find a Way, the group has teamed up with a younger artist: Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.

Gospel's Blind Boys Meet Changing Times With Open Minds

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Mountain Stage

Blind Boys Of Alabama On Mountain Stage

February 27, 2012 • After singing together for more than 65 years, the gospel quartet adds a little country twang to their repertoire. They've won six Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Listen to them lift up the crowd in this session of Mountain Stage.

Blind Boys Of Alabama On Mountain Stage

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Concerts

Blind Boys Of Alabama In Concert

WXPN

May 19, 2011 • Hear the six-time Grammy-winning gospel group perform at The Queen in Wilmington, Del.

Blind Boys Of Alabama In Concert

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Your Body Is A Temple: A Gospel Workout Mix

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Sweatin' To NPR: Workout Music

Your Body Is A Temple: A Gospel Workout Mix

March 12, 2010 • Regardless of your religious views, the soaring energy and powerful voices of these singers are hard to resist. Think you're too busy to commit to a workout schedule? There's some Good News for you: that you can save time by toning both your body and your soul with the help of these gospel greats.

Concerts

A White House Concert With Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson And More

February 10, 2010 • President Obama and the First Lady hosted a concert for Black History Month, featuring performances by Bob Dylan, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Joan Baez, Smokey Robinson and more.

A White House Concert With Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson And More

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World Cafe

The Blind Boys Of Alabama: Gospel Pioneers

WXPN

March 23, 2009 • Over the course of 70 years, more than 60 albums and four Grammys, The Blind Boys of Alabama's members become synonymous with gospel soul. The innovation never ends, however, as they infuse their new album, Down in New Orleans, with Dixieland jazz, funk and R&B.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama: Gospel Pioneers

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Studio Sessions

'Blind Boys' Inspire Fans Worldwide

February 13, 2008 • Members of the legendary gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama lent their voices to a new project that brings renewed attention to a struggling city. Group members Jimmy Carter and Ricky McKinnie talk about their newest album, Down in New Orleans, and their musical roots.

'Blind Boys' Inspire Fans Worldwide

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All Songs Considered

Ben Folds, The Chieftains, Maktub

March 17, 2005 • New music from Blind Boys of Alabama; A Derek Bell tribute from The Chieftains; Music for a memoir by Black 47; The hopes and fears of pop trio Keane; Songs for Silverman from Ben Folds and more.

Ben Folds, The Chieftains, Maktub

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All Songs Considered

Linda Thompson, The Blind Boys of Alabama, David Bowie

August 19, 2002 • The return of folk rocker Linda Thompson; Remembering Sept. 11th with Steve Earle; Latin drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez; Israel's answer to the Beatles: RockFour and more.

Linda Thompson, The Blind Boys of Alabama, David Bowie

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