THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, CREATED ON THE 7TH DAY

Where words don't succeed, music speaks and it was the Blind Boys of Alabama who have a spiritual agreement through soulful harmonies to honor God and the permissible delights of each individuals soul. The Blind Boys are on the brink of a new album release titled "Duets" which includes collaborations with such music icons as Lou Reed, John Hammond, Jr., and Toots Hibbert. The album also includes feature performances with Ben Harper, Timothy B. Schmitt, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, and Jars of Clay. The album will undoubtedly lead the group to its sixth grammy award and continue to give the Blind Boys of Alabama the vision of making a broken world a better place through their music. Joey Williams, Blind Boys Guitarist, called me three hours before show time to join him at the show. Without a second to waste I jumped into my car and raced (55 MPH) to the City Winery in New York City.

My friends, as I have mentioned in past articles, you will never ever have a full understanding of the treasures that are hidden in New York City because as soon as you think you have seen every venue and been to every restaurant you are smacked in the face by, yet, another venue that out does the last one. Let me tell you that the City Winery is my new "King of the Mountain." The sound, the atmosphere, and the staff provide you with a truly rich, tasty, and impressionable experience that has exceeded my expectations. The venue prides itself on the original private label wines that are made on location and the menu which diagrams which wines will accompany your chosen dish best, but enough about the food and venue. The Blind Boys of Alabama were bringing their Sunday best out tonight headlining a double bill with good friend John Hammond, Jr..

John Hammond, Jr. opened the evening with an acoustic set of his blues music that reflected on his exposure to such influential artists as Muddy Waters , John Lee Hooker, and Duane Allman. His barrelhouse singing style captures your attention and digs deep into your imagination of days gone by and the ties those days have on the day at hand. His commercial success maybe moderate but his fans are strong and dedicated. He has earned the respect from the likes of Robbie Robertson, Charlie Musselwhite, and other musicians who he has contributed his talents to. From coffeehouses to major venues, festivals to major tours, John Hammond has shared over forty years of playing the blues, folk and rock music to the world. His love for playing is how he has been able to continue his success and it's his life. His latest album titled "Rough and Tough" is his thirty-second album since his initial release in 1962. The recording of the album is historical in itself because it was recorded in St. Peter's Church in New York City due to the acoustics that the Episcopal church contains.

Tonight's performance highlighted John's best songs and showcased his ability to transition easily between his National Steel and Stubbs 6-String guitars all the while singing and playing the harmonica. The Grammy winner and four-time nominee, unleashed his acoustic river flow with beauty. His persistence to play the blues, as he did this night, attracts young artists such as a young German man who just moved from Germany to achieve his own American dream of being a successful musician. John's talent and technique are unique to his authenticity and anyone who loves blues music will find John traditional to the definition of blues. His respect to the blues is inevitable and because of his dedication the art of playing the blues is inherent.

As quick as John Hammond walked on stage it seemed his set was over, and the excitement began to build again with anticipation of the headliners. The current opened and from out of the corner came Jimmy Carter, Billy Bowers, Ricky McKinnie, and Ben Moore hand over shoulder and one behind the other in a parade of the blind leading the blind. The beauty of their entrance was how without sight they sense how much they bring to people who are blind in their own ways and proving that you don't have to see in order to visualize beauty. What the Blind Boys lack in physical vision they capture and express more so through their four working senses and it was handed to the audience when Jimmy Carter grabbed his mic and shook the room with his raspy voice and raw emotions.

The night included performances of "Perfect Peace," Take My Hand," "Amazing Grace," and "Free At Last" and other classic hits. Jimmy, Ben, and Billy sat front row in incredibly robust pinstripe suits and the dark glasses which brand their unique gift to deliver new insight to those who think they can see. I shared my table with a woman who, like me, felt a change in my soul thanks to our first revival and introduction to Blind Boy Baptism. The power of God raised the boys from their seats and a concerned Joey Williams frantically worked to control the situation by tapping the shoulders of each singing member to sit, but the song kept the men standing up and shaking the goodness of the glory out from their contained bodies and the audience felt the good and plenty pouring out as came off their seats during the high energy performance of "Free at Last." Jimmy Carter even found his way off the stage and into the audience who all reached out to get one touch of Jimmy's healing powers. When the song was over and the members were tightly gathered on stage, the night exhaled and I found myself thinking to myself what a day I had.

What started off as an unpredictable day made complete sense to me. You can't control the world and what life has planned for you because at the end of the day you may think you can see what will happen next, but a blind man from Alabama may just prove to you that you really can't see any more then he can and with that I found with in me to not predict the future and to accept that life will continue to unfold it's story and I'm to just live each day better then the last. I found a bible verse that would sum up my night with the Blind Boys of Alabama and it goes something like this.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery for the blind, to set the pressed free." In my perspective tonight the Spirit was in the City Winery and in the state that our economy has fallen into I have some news to the poor. The Blind Boys of Alabama are here to remind you to be free, to see the meaning of life, and to enjoy what you have now and not what you don't have tomorrow. Listen to the music, go see one of their shows, and rediscover your soul because this is a revival you are not going to want to miss.

It's A Hard Rock Life For John Legend

The Hard Rock Seminole Hotel & Casino was the hotspot for big card hands last night as the dealer sent this journalist home with more riches than he imagined working in with only twenty dollars for parking, a maxed out credit card, and debit card recently replenished by unemployment. I walked into the Hard Rock Live! arena to the bittersweet songs of Michael Jackson flowing throughout the energized venue. The tickets sold out and the awaiting crowd inside paid homage to Michael Jackson in dance. The venue playlist spanned Jackson's career from his earliest days with the Jackson Five through to his last recordings on "Invincible." One surprise track of Jackson's that played over the crowd was "Another Part of Me" which premiered in the late 1980's Walt Disney 3-D action adventure movie "Captain EO" at Disney's EPCOT Center exhibit "Journey Into Imagination." The music interrupted by the cheers from the crowd as one woman became possessed by the King of Pop and danced furiously without missing a beat in front of the sold out arena. The classy venue served up a fine spirit for the guests to sip. The audio popped off, the crowd bubbled, and a new face walked alone to front and center stage with her acoustic guitar strapped to her glass figure body.

Porsche Smith is a new singer/songwriter hitting the circuit now increasing her fan base seven fold as the recently proclaimed grand prize winner of John Legend's "Be Legendary Radio One" Competition. Porsche is one music visionary whose self written music and performance is purely from the heart. Her one song set was a flush of hearts to astonished crowd seemingly ready to Simon Cowell the new singer off the stage. This natural and undiscovered artist received a well deserved applause from the audience reassuring an awaiting John Legend that his contest winner was the best choice and a person who will carry his name and reputation well and proudly. Her poise and bravery to step so calmly onto the Hard Rock Live! stage and opening for John Legend is one huge pill to swallow. I can only imagine she is resting well this morning knowing that she climbed and conquered her own Mount Everest and the most spectacular view ever. I will be definitely be paying close attention to Porshe Smith as she continues to adventure forward in, what I hope will be, a long and enriched career as a music artist. As fast as Porsche entered onto the stage she exited but she excited accomplished and one step closer to her goal to play and share good music from the heart for those who are open to listen.

The stage cleared and the crowd hustled to their feet when the lights went down signaling the arrival of my favorite spice, India.Arie. Rob Lewis (Musical director, Music arranger, Record producer, Music composer, Keyboardist) listed off a resume fit for a queen with his booming voice and the crescendo of his keys. The anticipation of India.Arie's appearance on stage ended when the spot light popped highlighting a very colorful India.Arie wearing a flowing gown with a top that accented her curvaceous body and warm inviting smile. The connection between artist and fan was instant and India.Arie walked forward, mic in hand, with the greatest of ease. Her voice filled my ears with such delight and her presence on stage warmed me deep within. My yearning of wanting to see India.Arie live on stage started when I first exposed in 2001 to her first music video titled "Video." Since that time India.Arie has proven herself to the music industry as a force to be reckoned with and really earned mediocre recognition that I truly believe she well deserves. It just proves to me that the state of the music industry in 2001 and currently still doesn't understand the definition of good music. India.Arie is nothing less than masterful and pure.

India.Arie accepted the invitation to join the John Legend tour this summer and since then has added such depth and beauty to every show. Her forty minute set could have extended longer. Her fans were very vocal with thunderous appreciation after each song including "The Heart Of the Matter" where India.Arie metamorphosed from singer to elegant pixie. She walked up center aisle through the adoring crowd wearing a brilliant colored dress and a pair of waving wings that tinted delicate shades of color onto her bare bronze skin. The lightning of flashes strobed and captured the singer in a flip-book like motion with her hands reaching out and making contact with fans who stretched out as she walked by. My experience at this show was well worth the wait to encounter her live performance. It was less then one month ago that India.Arie fell ill, but she was in full health for this show and she laid down a full house at the Hard Rock Seminole Hotel & Casino.

John Legend. Need I say more? John Legend was the sure bet as the ace in the hole for the evening and how could he not be? Center arena became center stage when John Legend was illuminated in before the dazzled crowd. He opened his set with the most soulful and alluring rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" adding new meaning to Bob Marley's album "Legend." John was accompanied by an army of security who more or less reminded me of the defensive line of the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers. The fans reached out as far as they could hoping to feel so much as a breeze when Legend passed by. He reached back connecting with every hand that broke through the security wall and making his way slowly to the stage. The fans elevated the temperature to sweltering and I was taken back by the enormity of John Legend's voice bellowing out into the galvanized arena. It's a whole new respect and admiration for John Legend, who has come miles from his days in his University of Pennsylvania co-ed a cappella group, "Counterparts." His success, since his discovery by the cousin of Kanye West, has inspired a nation to take note that good music isn't a thing of the past, but is here now and it's coming to a city near you very soon. John Legend is touring in support of his latest release "Evolver" which is his third release and has once again grasped his fans in frenzy of sold out venues. Commandeering such a feat is becoming more difficult during a time of economic uncertainties, but John Legend has created a tour line up perfect for the fans feeling the financial squeeze and providing his fans with the perfect medicine. A night of feel good music during a not so feel good time. John Legend closed the night out at Hard Rock Seminole Casino & Hotel with a royal flush on the stage.

The John Legend tour is not to be missed as it continues touring around the U.S. throughout the North East and making it's way West before heading to Ontario, Canada.