THE PLAYLIST
Almost Home, the new album from the Blind Boys of Alabama, comes almost 70 years after the Grammywinning gospel quartet released their first single. The new collection contains songs by Valerie June, North Mississippi Allstars, John Leventhal, Marc Cohn and others, focusing on the journeys of the group’s two surviving original members, Clarence Fountain and Jimmy Carter.
Carter may be approaching 90, but that just gives him decades of friends and collaborators to recommend to USA TODAY readers with his playlist.
A Change Is Gonna Come Sam Cooke
Sam used to read Western stories to the Blind Boys on the bus when we all toured together. Obviously, this song is one of the greatest.
I’m Hanging Up My Heart for You Solomon Burke
We spent many nights on the road with Solomon. When we sang on his album in 2002, he cooked up some sweet potato pie.
Hello Walls Willie Nelson
This is one of Willie’s earliest hit songs, from his very first album. It’s old-school country.
Flume Bon Iver
I sang a Bob Dylan song with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on the album he produced for the Blind Boys. I like this because it refers to his mother, and I was close to my mother.
Southern Nights Allen Toussaint
Allen was one of the finest fellows I ever knew and worked with. I know all about Southern nights and loved Glen Campbell’s version.
Jesus The Velvet Underground
The Blind Boys became friends with Lou (Reed) and actually recorded a version of this song with him. It’s a beautiful song he wrote in the 1960s.
Christo Redemptor Charlie Musselwhite
This song, which translates to “Christ the Redeemer,” is a real showcase for our great old friend’s harmonica playing.
Lord Protect My Child Susan Tedeschi
Susan sings this Bob Dylan song with a lot of soul. I also like her guitar playing, which I think is underrated.
Mary, Don’t You Weep Aaron Neville
We have toured and worked with Aaron many times over the years. This is done in a gospel quartet style.
Let My Mother Live The Blind Boys of Alabama
John Leventhal and Marc Cohn wrote this song off Almost Home. This one means a lot to me because it’s based directly on my life.