Enlightenment

'The Blind Boys of Alabama, who originally formed back in 1939, have had an amazing seven-decade career, one that has seen them release their own brand of gospel on every possible medium the history of recording has to offer, from 78s and LPs to eight-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs, and the consistency of their sound and approach through all of this makes them a venerable national treasure. This two-disc anthology collects some of the group's key tracks recorded for Stan Lewis' Shreveport, LA-based Jewel Records during the 1980s, including the gospel funky 'Morning Train' and the call-and-response-derived 'I Want to Go,' among others, and it's vintage Blind Boys, only the twist of a lyric away from being straight secular soul. The final two cuts at the end of the second disc are solo sides recorded for Jewel by founder and lead singer Clarence Fountain.' - Steve Leggett, All Music Guide